Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - Daily Devotion 336

December 2

Commitment

Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5

To commit myself to someone brings accountability and responsibility. It means to bind oneself: I am obligated to; I have pledged. Are we willing to commit our lives, ways, plans, and future to God? How about a commitment to the brotherhood? Is it possible that Satan has succeeded in blinding our minds to the blessing commitment can bring to our lives? Perhaps the most important commitment is being totally honest with God and man. If we have not learned that, we will find it very difficult to be committed in other areas as well. An older man once said that because of his upbringing he could say, “I would rather die than lie.”

The story of a Spanish explorer, Cortez, who landed at Vera Cruz in 1519, can teach us a lesson about commitment. He began his conquest of Mexico with a small force of 700 men. Upon landing, he set fire to his fleet of eleven ships. His men on the shore watched their only means of retreat sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. There was now only one direction to move—forward into the Mexican interior to meet whatever might come their way.

We too must purposely destroy all avenues of retreat as Christ’s disciples. We must resolve that whatever price is required to be His follower, we will pay it.

Daniel B. Miller, Middlebury, IN

It is better to not promise, than to promise and not keep it.

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

2 Peter 3

Ezekiel 45, 46

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

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E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - A God Thing

A God Thing.

I am seeing more and more of his hand work and ways.  Last night we discovered that our one female golden Gracie is pregnant!!!  We are so happy.  She was breed to our new golden male Alex.   We want this so bad.  You see both dogs are service dogs.  We have 2 families we want to help out with their puppies.  The both have children with special needs, where a service dog can help out.   My daughters and I train service dogs. 

Last night Tammy and her hubby one of the parents prayed that Gracie was going to have puppies.  That was night we discovered she was.  See a God thing.

Another was they were looking for a new place to have the children with special needs to ride horse.  Another God thing, because we have been praying about that for over a year.  See another God thing.

God sure is a great.  He puts us together to help one another.

God Bless, mj

2008-Dec-1 - I have been tagged!!

I have been tagged !!

Rule~ 1. Link the person who tagged you.

Rule~2. Post the rules on your blog.

Rule~3. Write 6 random things about yourself.

Rule~ 4. Tag 6 people at the end of your blog.

Rule~5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.

Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.

I was tagged by :  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/avravounou/

6 Things about me :

1. I love animals and have many.

2. I am a young grandma. I am 39 years old with 2 and 1 more on the way.

3. I did not know how to cook or clean when I moved out on my own .

4. I love to grow veggies and can them.

5. My husband never know if we will have a new critter in our house when he comes home, .

6. I love to read in bed snuggling one of my dogs.

People I am tagging:

1. is  :   http://www.homesteadblogger.com/profiles/walkinginhisgrace/

2. is :  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/profiles/kjprice616/

3. is :  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/gabbie427/

4. is :   http://www.homesteadblogger.com/hopefulheart/

5. is :   http://www.homesteadblogger.com/abigasfarm/

6. is :   http://www.homesteadblogger.com/countrygirlsheartstr/

That is all . Hope I did it right.  God bless, mj

Monday, December 1, 2008 - December 1, 2008

Well now.. this year is almost gone... slipping by as quietly as it came....

I finally got the tree up and running....had to go to the store twice for lights, but that was ok, cept they had the ones we wanted, and we had already bought the very last box! DH fixed em up for me though... he's good like that.

She's only partially finished in this pic.... and my camera just doesn't do it justice, but you get the gist, I think.

I've not slept at all today (and worked last night). Well, maybe a 15 minute catnap about 3pm. I've been trying to work on an apron for my mother in law for Christmas, but it is wanting to argue with me, so I set it off to the side, and told DH that I would try again after about 4 days sleep! LOL! I did finish more gingerbread men to hang on my tree though!

Here I am, don't I compliment the tree nicely? :)

Dh has to drive to Ky again tonight. I'll miss him, but I think I am going to crawl in bed and sleep the time away. He didn't get much rest today because we went and toured the christian school we are wanting the children to go to, and then I came home and started on the tree. He'll be a tired pup tonight.  Keep him in your prayers that he comes home safely, ok?

As I said, we went and checked out the school today, and Abi LOVED it! She is so excited! I had to fill out a scholarship paper to see if we qualify for financial assistance, and we do, but we just have to wait and see how much. I am going to turn in the paperwork tomorrow, and the lady that spoke with us and showed us around, told us it is a possibility that the children could be in before Christmas. How cool would that be?

Logan's really not that shy, but he wanted to say that he really loved the school too! Especially the part of getting to play basketball next year! Wa-Hoo! :) He saw the gym, and the outside play area. We think we may start him in 4th grade again this year, and if he gets ahead, well..... GREAT! But we feel that he needs the little extra help another year can give him. And truthfully, I don't even think he realizes it. He's just so excited! He's already asking for button down shirts and cargo pants (no jeans allowed!). So we'll see.....

Then we have Amelia. 15 going on 30. Miss "I-know-everything-and-you-can-tell-me-nothing". She doesn't want to go to this school BECAUSE she would have to wear dresses a few days a week. No negotiations, no talking, just instant storm cloud brewing. DH and I didn't feel that she would be able to contribute anything toward her education by grumping and fussing and having a general bad attitude every day, so we are keeping her home and letting her continue her studies as before. She'll be alright. Unfortunately, she thinks as so many children do these days, that her little $190 paycheck every two weeks is going to keep her in an apartment and food and clothes for the rest of her life....

And thus is the life and times of the Hatfield clan.

Monday, December 1, 2008 - The First of December

I can't believe that December is here! We've been very ill for the last several days. We had a lovely Thanksgiving, but that evening, I developed a high fever. At first, I was concerned with my incision (infection?) but as it turns out, it was flu. I am still running a low grade fever and feel very tired and weak. The boys are mending quickly, thank the Lord. The worst of it for them was the first 24 hours. My leg is very bruised and still swollen and painful. It's been difficult to do my daily tasks and so the boys are pitching in with laundry and such. The biopsy results have not come in, and it looks as though I will wait another week for them.

We don't have our trees up yet, which has never happened! We will start this evening with some decorating and hopefully, be ready once the weekend comes. When I'm able, I want to take a walk around the farm to gather greens for garland. I'm planning a Christmas open house for friends and neighbors next weekend, so I pray that we can get well and stay well for the festivities.There's much to be done! I am making my "to do" list. I noticed that I need to polish the silver punch bowl. It seems only yesterday, I put it away! It only comes out for Christmas, and makes things seem so special. We have a bit of snow on the ground now which only adds to the charm of the season. There is much to look forward to!

Monday, December 1, 2008 - A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today

 Monday,December 1, 2008

I am hearing... some soft Christmas music.

A picture thought to share for the day...  

(Ginger folks from last year. We can't wait to make more!)

Please stop by to visit Peggy  to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!

Monday, December 1, 2008 - My Son Donny with girfriend

This is my son and his girlfriend, They came over to check on me before Roger came home.  My son is so sweet, He bought me  some of his homemade soup.  Yes, My son can cook. I taught him well.

Well, Back to bed .

Goodnight

Monday, December 1, 2008 - Christmas Shopping

Well the busy shopping season of the year is upon us!  How are you gals coming along on your shopping endeavors???  As you may know from reading it before, I am making ALOT of the presents for my friends and family this year.  I have one thing bought for Matthew and we will both buy one large toy for Noah, but most of it is homemade by myself.  Maybe Matthew will help me wrap them since I will be making them all???!!!

However, on Thanksgiving Day, Matthew's mother reminded me we still needed to do our family shopping.  Matthew's parents give each family (Matthew and his 2 sisters) a certain amount of money to spend.  The best part is, we get to pick out what the money is spent on and can pick it out ourselves!  The rules to this are, we can pick and use the money on anything we want, but we can not have it until Christmas. NO PROBLEM right????  Well, this can work several different ways.  Either Patty (my MIL) will go shopping with us for our things, or we can find them online and she will order them, etc. 

Well, some of you may not know this yet, but I HATE SHOPPING AFTER THANKSGIVING!!!  Each year, I try to get all my Christmas shopping, decorating supplies and yes, even groceries for the month of December shopped for ahead of time.  (If I do need something like milk, bread, etc. Matthew usually gets them for me!  LMSO)  So I told my MIL I would much rather do my shopping for myself and Noah online (Matthew will needd to pick out what he wants and let his mom know whether he wants it ordered online or to go shopping, etc.) because so many companies will offer free shipping on all orders and online specials, etc.

Well, after looking all over last for toys for Noah, I realized that the toy companies, etc. are only offering free shipping on the items they want you to buy like discounted old out of date things (like beach Bum Barney......I kid you not.........they still have Barney junk out there. LMSO)  And the sales and specials....HA!  Almost non-existant.  $5 off here, $2 there, but no big wonderful spectacular sales (and this is the day to get them.....Cyber Monday)  like I found at these same stores last year.  Sad isn't it????

So, as much as I hate shopping this time of year, I think I may end up calling the MIL, and telling her I would rather do some of Noah's shopping for him at Wal-Mart.  I have already taken him down the toy aisles and made mental note of the items he ooohed and ahhhed over, so I know what he wants and yes I approve of them. LMSO

My shopping on the other hand will most likely be done online.  I want some new clothes, and maybe some crafting and sewing books and supplies.  Some may think I am silly about this, but I have become much more practical in years past.  I don't need anything really!!!  And these are things I wouldn't spend my money on myself probably.  Crafting and sewing items will be made into things for my friends, family, and little one.  I am excited to get busy tonight picking things out online that I want.  LMSO 

So, how are all of you doing??? Are you finding out that you are buying more practical items than you were in the past???  Are you spending more or less than you have in the past?  Are you making lots of things this year?

Monday, December 1, 2008 - We survived Thanksgiving With The Inlaws

This Sunday, we had our Thanksgiving dinner here at our house with my hubby's family.  I did all the cooking (because neither are clean people and don't cook anything that tastes good....sorry, not trying to be mean, but it is true) and was thrilled to do so.  Matthew's sister, Melanie brought ice and pop, and his mother brought a cheeseball and some crackers that no one touched. 

My only complaint would be Melanie got here late.  And I am not even sure why, she had her parents come by and pick up her 5 year old, Mindi much earlier.  So, why she ended up being almost 30 minutes late I don't know.  I am one of those people who tells everyone we will EAT at noon, so show up a little early and visit if you want.  Not to be mean, but when I sazy we will EAT at noon, I mean it....not 10 after....not 15 or 30 minutes after.  I spend the whole day Saturday chopping, mixing, cooking and baking (with the help of girlfriends), and I spent all Sunday morning tidying up, getting things in the oven to cook or heat up, etc. and after going to all that trouble you could at least SHOW UP ON TIME!  Sorry, but as you can obviously see, this is a big pet peeve of mine.  

Melanie and Matthew ended up playing Wii and then playing online games on dueling laptops at the dining room table.  I told Matthew later I was a bit miffed that they both ignored the rest of us all day, and that Melanie just expected me to be at her daughter's beck and call every 15 minutes when she needed something.  Melanie was irritated with me because if Mindi asked, "can I have some Root Beer?", I would say, "Let's ask Mommy.".  I am one of those parents who doesn't just give someone else's child something to shut them up without asking if they are allowed to have it.  Especially since Mindi has ADHD and is not allowed to have certain foods.  But Melanie would say, YES she can have the rootbeer, geesh.  Finally in the afternoon, I told Matthew, I was DONE (off to the side, so she couldn't hear)  I told him they hadn't spent enough time with the children, and I was sick of taking care of everyone and everything while they sat there in their own little world and ignored everyone.  By now, his own parents had already left (after his father fell asleep on the couch for an hour).

Matthew asked Melanie to leave shortly after that because she made a BIG DEAL out of the fact that my 2.5 year old KISSED his 5 year old cusion on the lips.  GEESH!  She was rather permiscuous in highschool and has no real morals, but she told me that Mindi is taught that boys should not kiss you until you are married.  I understand her point, and it is important to teach your child to not grow up and sleep around with all the men and play with their emotions like your mommy did.  But a 2.5 and a 5 year old???   Come on????    She told me I obviously grew up in a different kind of family where things like that were excepted....and I said, with ones under 5 yeah.....with older children....no!

She left, and hubby and I had a talk about how well the day had went except for those things.  He promised to not get out the laptops and games and such next time until he had visited with the adults and I told him thank you for realizing he had spent WAY too much time on the computer.  I told him I did have a good time visiting with his parents and watching the little ones play (even though Mindi is rather bossy telling Noah what he could and could not do.  I finally told her sweetie, this is Noah's house and he knows the rules here, and if he needs corrected, then I will handle it.) and make play food in the play kitchen.  They both loved that!

Anyway, we survived, and we have lots of yummy leftovers.  I had a few girlfriends stop by today after college classes to eat with me.  We heated up plates of food and talked and giggled while eating them while Caina's little one Shayla and my Noah played and had fun.  They were so cute together!  One time, Noah fell and I went in to see if he was ok because he was crying, and Shayla had grabbed his hands and was going to lead him to me.  SO CUTE!!!  (He is so funny.  He needs the compassion of the pat on the back and the hug, etc. and he sits there on your lap until he decides he wants to play again, which this time was less than 1 minute, and then he stops in mid cry, in mid tear even, and gets down as if nothing ever happened.  LMSO  He cracks me up)

Hubby forgot to take leftovers to work with him today, so he ate something else, but he told me to remind him to make up  a dish to take with him tomorrow!!!  He was rather jealous when he called home at lunch time and I told him I was eating leftovers and boy were they good!   LMSO

Monday, December 1, 2008 - Template change