A Spiritual Cleansing...

As I said in my previous blog, I have had a hard few weeks. With my husband working A LOT of overtime and myself having virtually no work (no work = no $), the kids not behaving at their best, various family issues and the like, I have had my fill of all things annoying, upsetting and just plain sad and depressing.  Therefore, I have been spending a lot of time engrossing myself in God's Word, asking for forgiveness, begging him for the answers and listening to what He has to say. He IS the only one with all the right answers so He is the only one I truly trust.  Through all of this praying and listing, I feel an urging from the Lord to re-evaluate my life, who I am, who I want to become and who and what I invite into my world. I have heard this message before, but until now I haven't been a good listener because I am a "Give it the benefit of the doubt" kinga girl, but starting today, I have finally...FINALLY decided to listen to Him. I am cleaning out my life and starting this week, this year, on a positive road to redemption. I am removing bad influences, bad thoughts, bad words, bad feelings, bad everything. I have finally come to realize that I can't fight for what I think is right for me, I have to fight for what the Lord thinks is right for me.

I have to clear out things that aren't good for me and aren't positive influences so that I can be a better person. I need things that will bring me closer to Christ and not pull me further and further away. In this, I will become closer to myself, my husband and children, and my Christian brothers and sisters. I don't like to have to purge those things that I hold close to myself, but I have to listen to the Lord and do as He says so I can assure my place in Heaven, my true eternal home. I have to work on being not just a good mother, wife, daughter, friend and Christian, but a better mother, wife, daugher, friend and Christian!  Tell me, how can I do that allowing evil or sin to come into my home where it can affect myself, my children and my marriage? There is no possible way!

Don't get me wrong, we are all born into sin and I am full of sin, and that is why I need to make these changes. This life is not about me, it's about Him and I want to be what He wants me to be and so far, I have not been fulfilling what He has planned for me. I have been a sinful wife, a sinful mother, a sinful friend and a sinful Christian and, until I purge that sin in my life, both what I am doing and what others are doing, I will fall short of what His plans are, though we all will fall short of His glory, I want to make sure that I fall as short as I possibly can. I want to be the person God created me to be and I am starting to become that person today. 


Will you join me in ridding your life of sin and helping others to rid their lives of sin as well? This is going to be extremely hard.  Every single thing that God asks you to do is going to be hard, but He promised that he will never give us anything that we can't handle:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New International Version, ©2011)
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

***WARNING***

This video will most definitely make you cry!

It's Friday again, but even better...it's GOOD Friday!  

Happy GOOD Friday to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let today be the day (along with every day) that we remember why we celebrate the

life, crucificition and resurection of our Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ.

This week has been a wild and crazy week in my house. With a few homework apocalypses, the hubby  working extra long hours, me stressing about barely having any work, baseball, tons of rain, thousands of messes and mini-Chernobyl meltdowns...it's been FANTASTIC! Wow, could you read the sarcasm in that? I am all frazzled and tired and have literally woken up every day this week with an upset churning and icky stomach. I have so many things running through my head that being committed for a week or two is looking mighty sweet right now.

But, alas, no breaks here missy! In exactly 1 month and 4 days, we have our trip to the Wonderful World of DISNEY! No, we don't have the luxury of flying like the fancy types, we are packing all of our diapers, sippy cups and pillows into our Expedition and taking a road trip. Yep, that is my 3 boys, myself and my hubby all packed into a tin can barrelling down the highway at 75 mph for 16+ hours straight.  Doesn't it sound like fun? Maybe not to you, but road trips have always been my ultimate fav right up there with unicorns and glitter...HAHA!!!  Not really, glitter is my mortal enemy (just think kriptonite and superman ).  But I really do love road trips. I always have the same things at hand. My Zune, a diet fountain drink and twizzlers. If I run out of anything, I stop at the nearest gas station and fill up.

Ah, the open road with nothing in front of you but the swerving psycho semi drivers, multiple potty breaks (though I have boys and potty breaks consist of  "here, pee in this bottle!"), that sooooo slow driver in the left lane that you just can't seem to pass and, even if you do, he is just going to pass you at the 260 mile marker. You have the many miles of construction and those horrendous gas prices. Ah, America's open road :)

I am already preparing a Disney Road Trip binder for A and C with coloring pages, a scavenger hunt and other awesome, time consuming, activities. If you have any ideas, let me know!!!  We are also compiling all of their favorite movies to take along to watch in the car as well. SO EXCITED! 

List of To-Do's:

• Complete binders.
• Make 2 placemats for Z.
• Make 3 pairs of mommy arms, so I can actually be in the sun.
• Make the kids matching shirts (ugh, I at least need 1 shirt for each kid each day!)  Yeah, starting to think that's not going to be possible LOL!
• Lose about 30 pounds. (I can dream can't I?)
• Pack, pack, pack!

Five Question Friday

This week has been crazy long with the hubs working overtime, my chiropractic appointments, A's baseball practice, C's homework and me trying to keep the house in order.  I epically failed at keeping the house clean, but I figure it's okay since I have 3 boys who are wild and crazy 24/7 :)  Just one more week of hubs working overtime and I get my life back...I hope!

Once again, it's FRIDAY and I am linking up with Five Crooked Halos for 5QF!  On to the topic at hand and the 5 random questions:

1. What is your favorite sign of spring?  My favorite sign of spring is the smell of a freshly mowed lawn. I know it's weird and has nothing to do with cute little bunnies or flowers, but I absolutely love the smell of a mowed lawn. It smells so refreshing and just reminds me of spring. Add in a warm breeze and I am sold :)

2. What was your best birthday ever?  Okay, does anyone remember Farrell's?  We had one at our local mall when I was growing up and I absolutely LOVED that place! My Nammy would always take me there for my birthday (we shared the same birthday) and that place totally rocked out! They were set up like an old-time ice cream parlor, they had the best ice cream and a band that would come out every now and then and play songs while marching around the room.  I really miss that place.  I need to find one and take my kids there some day.

3. What is your favorite dessert?  Man, this is a hard one because I am a sucker for sweets.  Lately, I have been totally craving a huge hunk of peanut butter pie with chocolate crust...MAN THAT SOUNDS GOOD, but sooooo fatening!!!

4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket?  I have never really tried to get out of a ticket because I always deserved it, but I am always nice and considerate, while playing really dumb blonde.  I think that if I act nice and innocent, they will give me a warning LOL!  I am not going to say anything else because when you do that, you usually get a ticket within the next few weeks :)

5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times? I really despise mornings. I usually hit my alarm about 3 times before getting up and then I am usually in a horrible mood for at least an hour.

Well, that's it loves! I hope you have an amazing weekend!  Unfortunately, for Ms. Five Crooked Halos, there is snow in the forecast.  We have rain coming where I am, but at least that is way better than snow :)  I will be spending my weekend finishing up my mother-in-laws birthday present so pray for me.  Have to figure out how to do bias tape corners....stay tuned LOL!

What I Am Thankful For Today...

I am thankful for so many things that God has given me, but today, I am most thankful for my beautiful babies! God has blessed me with 3 wonderful and georgous boys (even though most of the time they R gross!). I love every single thing about them. C (my oldest) has an attitude and the hardest head, but he is  amazing and wondeful. He is my artist and will be huge some day! A is just as sweet as can be and has the worlds most wonderfully beautiful HUGE blue eyes. He is my sporty little guy and can beat anyone...at least mommy thinks so :) Z...not only is he the most adorable baby in the world, but he has the most wonderful-est scream that is so loud and blood curdling, I swear he will be in a horror film some day.

I love all my baby boys so much and I just pray that the girls they end up marrying will treat them good, or mommy will come knocking some heads :)  Not that I am going to be a creepy mother-in-law or anything LOL! 

The best picture I could get of them tonight :)

Wordless Wednesday!

Linked up with Better In Bulk, Crazy About My BayBah and Live And Love Out Loud!

Ready for vacation?  *sigh*



Linking up to Five Crooked Halos!

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Oh wow, I really have to say this to everyone out there in cyber world, for all to see? (okay, like 5 people read my blog, so I'm not all that worried :) I wouldn't change my sarcastic tongue that everyone probably wishes me to lose and it's not my ignoring of messes, oh now, it's nothing like that :)  This time I am going all out!  I will try to keep this light because I am a lady, but if I had to change one thing about myself, I would totally change my "feminine assets" if you know what I mean LOL! Have already asked if I can get an enhancement and was quickly turned down :(  BOOBIES!


2. Write about a time when you got lost.
If you knew me well, you would know that I am constantly getting lost, mostly at stores...I need a collar for when I get lost so when someone finds me, they can call my husband to come and pick me up.  This is why I don't like going alone. I park the car and BAM lose it within seconds! One time I stood outside Walmart for 15 minutes just trying to think of where the car could be...actually very scary! Luckly I was finally diagnosed with Lupus and can now chalk it up to Lupus fog.


3. Camping or 5 star hotel?
Ah, camping is a 5 star hotel isn't it? I have a TV/DVD player, radio, laptop, cell phone, fridge, air conditioning, bathroom...I love camping!  But then again, I do also love pillowtop mattresses and room service :)

4. Have you donated blood?
OMG! I did donated blood in college and totally almost fainted! I kept looking over at the bag full of blood that was sitting next to me and teeter tottering on that little machine they use and it just make me sooo queezy.  I will never do that again, sorry to those who are in need, but I am usually anemic so I wouldn't be able to anyways :)

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?
We are newly DEBT FREE, but have 3 kids, so you always have to be on somewhat of a budget...even though I do love spending $$$$$ :)

Today is Toddler Talk Thursday over at Crazy about My Baybay and the topic is:

"What are you and your Toddler reading before bed?"

Um...

Hmm...

Errr...

Am I a bad mom since I don't read to my baby before bed? 

Instead of reading, we cuddle on the couch or in bed and watch Spongebob

Cuddling is quality time right?  It's as good as reading right? 

I don't really like reading...

Okay, total lie...my Nook would totally be mad at me right now for saying that. 

Truth is, I really don't like reading to my kids...they ask WAY too many questions!

CRAP!  One more thing I need to put on my list to improve my parenting skills

Along with...

Feeding them at least three meals a day

Bathing them more than once or twice a week

Listening to them when they are talking to me

Not ignore them when they are telling me about how wonderfully exciting last weeks episode of Total Drama World Tour was while I am trying to watch The Middle or Modern Family.  I really need to stop bobbing my head around to see the screen, I think they are catching on...

*sigh*

My list is getting sooooo long

So, One of Those Days Again?

Have you ever had one of those days that just started out good and then, in one instance, you fall into a funk? Well, today is that day for me.  Just got back from the doc (third appt.) and the jaw is still locked.  So, now I am asking myself, "am I just wasting the docs time?", "am I just wasting my money on something that can't be fixed?" I am just so upset with myself. I am such a spaz case and wish I would just calm down and let the doc do his friggin job! I wish I had a good family medicine doc who understood my needs and my issues and would just provide me with the anxiety meds I know I need! The doc wants me to relax and get comfortable so he can work on my neck and jaw, but I can't relax. I am instinctively a ball of nerves and stiff muscles. I just want the doc to take my neck, pop the freak out of it and whip my jaw back in place, but he doesn't want to go there unless I am comfortable, which I completely understand. URG, when am I going to be comfortable and relaxed....Maybe I can get drunk or drug myself on muscle relaxers before my next appt.!

Ten on Tuesday!

Linking up here!!!

1. What is your best idea date?

My best idea date...hmm....I'm not very creative when it comes to this stuff.  I usually depend on the guy to figure it out, but I guess my best would be dinner and maybe a movie or a long walk downtown.  Pretty basic and boring...Hey, I'm married and a mom LOL!

2. How long does it take you to get ready to go on a date?

Probably an hour or less.  Depends on if it's with other people and if I have to look decent...if its just with the hubby, I don't try as hard LOL!  That's bad :)

3. What would you wear on the date?

Jeans and a nice shirt.  I would make sure to wear my wedding ring and necklace just be fancy it up LOL!

4. If you are married, how often do you go on dates? If you are single, when was your last date?

We barely go out on dates.  Probably once every 3-4 months if that. I think we need more dates, but who has the time or money? 

5. What was your worst date?

OMG! My worst date was with a guy I met at Central Hardware (where I wored as a cashier).  He took me to see The Leprachaun at Movies 8! Such a stupid movie and such a stupid date.  He just wanted to make out with me and he got totally denied!

6. Do you/Did you kiss on your first date?

Depends on if the guy is worth it.  But I didn't kiss my husband until a few weeks after we met, but that was in college, so every day is like a date :)

7. If married, how long before you knew he/she was the one? If single, how long before you know if the person is marriage material?

I think I knew the second we met.  He looked like Matt Damon (my favorite actor), so that was a for sure LOL!  What was I thinking :)

8. Do you prefer day dates or night dates?

Night dates...They are more romantic and fun for some reason.

9. How old were you when you first were allowed to date?

I never really had a drop dead "date" on when I could start. I was the third child, so my parents pretty much stopped having rules by the time I came around. I never really dated because guys were stupid in high school, everyone dated everyone and I didn't really care...though I did have my crushes LOL!!  I finally met a guy worth dating the summer after my senior year of high school though.

10. What is the most embarassing moment you have had on a date?

I haven't really been embarrased on a date, but I do have to say that one time, my boyfriend and I were sitting in the car in front of my parents house "saying goodbye" after our date and here comes my sister knocking on the window...LOL!!!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BTW!
The buds are blooming here in Indiana and I see flowers peeking out from the dirt

This is one of our Bradford Pear trees in the front yard!

Happy Spring Loves :)

Chiropractor...

Well, so far, my jaw has been locked at 18 mm for about 6 weeks. I have already been to a dentist who specializes with TMJ treatment and he put me on muscle relaxants and antiinflammatories for a week, which did not help me at all. He has decided to go ahead and send me to an oral surgeon for further treatment (not surgery!), but possibly what I call a TMJ joint washout, but what doctors call a TMJ arthrocentesis, which totally sounds better than what it actually is. At first, the procedure sounds just fine, but after further investigation, I found that it is two needles pocked into the side of your face! Here, let me show you the freakest picture EVER!


TMJ Arthrocentesis



Looks absolutely awful doesn't it! OUCH is right :)  So, instead of trying to go this route, my husband and I decided to go the chriopractic route to see if that would help me out any....please God, help!

Soooo, I went to the chiropractor for the first time yesterday and I am so glad I did.  It was uncomfortable at first because it was my first chiropractic appt., but also, I know the doctor personally, so that is just too weird, but at least he isn't a gynecologist right!!!  There is no way I could go to a gynecologist that I used to go to church with...too darn freaky.  While at the office I found out that I have a lot of tense muscles all over the back of my neck and shoulder, which is one reason for my headaches.  One muscle is an actual ball on the right side of the back of my neck that I have felt for months that causes the worst neck pain ever.

Another sad thing that I found out is that I am drinking way to much Diet Coke and not enough water, which I pretty much already knew.  Okay, now this is hard for me. I love my Diet Coke. I have a bottle or a fountain drink with me at all times, never fails. I plan my day around where I can get a DC.  I am already planning on getting one before our drive out to Florida in a few months LOL!  So today, I had a bottle of water with me all day and I did decent. I did have DC at Subway with lunch and I am drinking a little bit now, but that is way better than it has been, so that is pretty good.

I was also told that I needed to eat a larger breakfast to get my metabolism up and going. I usually eat a diet bar for breakfast and that's it. The doctor said that once your body gets used to eating so few calories a day, it freaks out and goes into starvation mode and holds the fat, which doesn't allow your body to burn it, even though you are working out!  I already knew this as well, but figured that, after a while, your body would just HAVE to start burning the fat...right? LOL!  My weight has been a huge issue for me lately because I Zumba once a week and walk on my treadmill at least 5 nights a week, yet I have only lost about 9 pounds in the last 2 months, which is just not kosher for me at all.  I have stopped snacks and stopped eating so many sweets.  If I do have to have a snack, it's Special K Cracker Chips or something of the like.  Not 12 chocolate cookies, Pop Tarts, a bag of potato chips...So, I am starting to drink more water with just 1 DC a day for now until I can back down to one every other day and then maybe even one a week.  For now, I am working on more fruits and veggies a day, more water and breakfast.  Lets see how this goes for me.

The doc wants to see me three days a week for the next two weeks for adjustments and stretching to see if he can relax my muscles and I am so excited! I pray that this works and that my headaches and jaw pain will go away.  Even though I know it won't go away permanently, I hope that this will help me feel better.

Couldn't find the video that I wanted, but this is about as uncomfortable as you can get in a doctors office...enjoy :P