30 Day Photo Project

Day 6: Photo of a person you would love to trade places with

Ah, to be carefree again. Not a worry in the world except to try to figure out why people are making those funny faces at you. Love my Baby Girl!

30 Day Photo Project

Day 5: Photo of an Old Memory

Just over 2 years ago, Prince Charming and I were waiting patiently to have a foster baby placed in our home. We were so excited. All we requested for Christmas that year was gifts for the little one we were anticipating. Our spare room was wonderful. Crib, changing table, glider, even a twin bed for me to crash on if necessary.

Then... THIS happened

Not a baby, TWO TODDLERS!!!!! This was the day our life flipped upside down. And certainly one of my absolute favorite memories. Especially when Cuddlebug couldn't stand to be separated from Protector and would sneak int his bed at night.

Ah, how's that for a memory :)

Laundry with cow guts??

I try to do little things to cut corners on our budget here and there. One thing that I started doing, was making our own laundry soap. It has saved bunches of $$$ already, and will continue to do so. I discovered the Duggar's recipe for laundry soap and set out to make my own. I had to refill my smaller laundry soap container today, so Muscles helped me out. He played with the 5 gallon bucket of concentrate that I use.

His response? "If I were on Dirty Jobs, this is what cow guts would feel like."

Yuck.

I love my kids.

30 Day Photo Project

Day 4: Photo of Your Night

Well, tonight anyway...way, way, WAY past bedtime...

This may be the ONLY picture you see of my Baby Girl crying. She rarely does so. She wanted so badly to get out of her crib and play with the other kids... but they were busy getting in an incredible amount of trouble for playing when they should be in bed.

This was Cuddlebug in trouble for getting out of bed for the 25th time (no, I'm not exaggerating) tonight.

Princess, seeing a camera in action, said "I want to say sorry too!!!" and posed for her pic.

Finally, Baby Girl realizes that this isn't going to get her out of bed, so she gives up. This is where she sits when she's frustrated with Mommy.

Journal Entry from Africa

After college, I spent 2 years in Kenya. I loved it!! This is an entry from my journal that a friend wanted to read, so I figured I'd post it... enjoy.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a beautiful thing I’ve heard. I can’t tell you for certain. I’ve never actually seen it with my own two eyes. I must admit that there is a touch of jealousy in me. In the 2+ years that I’ve lived in East Africa, I have passed that mountain at least 12 times. It’s always too cloudy, or too dark, or I’m simply in the back seat asleep. For whatever reason, I have yet to behold the glory of Kilimanjaro.

There are people on this mission trip with me that have spent a grand total of 2 ½ weeks in Tanzania who have seen Kilimanjaro… more than once. It just doesn’t seem fair. Deep down though, I know that I could see it if I really wanted to. I could just sit at the base of the mountain until the clouds pass, or wait in anticipation for the sun to rise, or simply wake up from my slumber in the back seat and open my eyes. The best way to see the mountain though, is to grab your gear and start climbing.

It’s funny how we can be the same way with God. Some people start the Christian life knowing that they are going to be in it for the long haul, so they think that there is no real need to rush to see and do everything. There is plenty of time. Their view of God may be clouded (by the things they busy themselves with), or dark (because of the sin in their lives), or perhaps they are just in the back seat sleeping (while others around them are telling them what to believe or how do live). Then there are those who are so excited about their new faith that they rush to see, taste, feel, hear, and experience every bit of God that they can at every moment that they can.

Many of us are like I am with Kili, we want to see the beauty of God, but we want Him to be visible whenever we happen to pass by. Some of us need to just sit still at His feet and wait for the clouds to pass so that we can see Him more clearly. Some of us just need to hold on for a few short hours until the dawn comes with the Son and pierces the darkness. Some of us need to get off our backsides and simply open our eyes and look at Him. Just as the best way to see the mountain is to climb it, the best way to see the glory of God is to grab our gear and seek after Him with all of our hearts. Scripture tells us that if we drawn near to Him, He will drawn near to us.

You know, I have always thought that Mt. Kilimanjaro is a nice place, but my friends that have been up that mountain… they love it.

Peaceful eyes.

Today was the first day back to school after Christmas break. Our kiddo's social worker came over today also. I was worried that Muscles would have a rough day and come home ready for a fight. His worker was at our house when he got home and he was incredibly pleasant. I could see the peace in his eyes. I was so excited. We had some disappointing thing happen this evening, but he didn't throw a fit. He cried a bit, but moved on very quickly. He is learning to control his emotions. It's a long, uphill battle, but I think he can do it :)

52. Medicine that helps.

53. Sugar free snacks

54. Online freebies

55. Forgiveness

56. Honesty from those I love

57. Cribs that can't be climbed out of

58. cell phone games

59. YMCA

30 Day Photo Project

This one is a no brainer, with a very close tie for 2nd place, so I'll add them both.

Day 3: Photo of Cast of your favorite TV show

NCIS

Criminal Minds