Christmas

I know - it is ONLY October...

BUT...

I am starting to think CHRISTMAS!!!

We start our Christmas shopping the day after Christmas...make sense? :) We like to plan ahead, AND we like to save money by purchasing things on sale...plus, the more money we can save in buying for others, the more money I can spend on clothes and shoes for me. HA. I'm giving like that.

So, what is on YOUR Christmas list this year??

Cinnamon Rolls

I love to cook. I love to eat.
Because of these two aforementioned loves, I have also learned to love to exercise...but that is a different topic.

I made cinnamon rolls on Saturday. OH.MY!!!
THESE ROLLS
They are divine.
Divine.
You must try them - and the sooner, the better.
And now, because I ate too many of these divine things, I must get back to my exercise.

Under Construction

I am attempting to change a few things about my blog today, and since I am pretty clueless about things like this, it could take awhile. :) If the page looks like a mess, well...it is, but I am working on it! :)

Apple Pie, Pneumonia, and other random thoughts.

Apple Pie.

Can you make a totally delish apple pie? I cannot.

First, I should say that I don't really even care for apple pie. (please don't start sending hate mail.) I don't. Really, I don't care for most pies. Again, don't hate me --- my doctor assures me that YES, my brain is functioning. :) Anyway, back to the apple pie.

I don't care for it. My hunky-husband does. I would go as far as to say that he LOVES apple pie. Not mine, though...well, he hasn't had much of a chance to love mine, because I don't make one that often because remember, I don't like it, and really, I don't think my apple pies are good. (and lest you think I can't cook PERIOD...I really love to cook and I do love to bake, and most things I make are truly to die for. HA! How is that for modesty?? :))

All of that nonsense to say - HELP! Do you have a really terrific apple pie recipe? I would be forever grateful as would my hunky husband.

Pneumonia

Our 8 year old son has it. Poor baby...um....I mean, poor young man! :) He isn't terribly miserable, but he sure isn't feeling like himself. When my boy doesn't want to go outside and play football, baseball, basketball, or any other 'ball' - YOU KNOW HE IS SICK!! Praying that this antibiotic really works quickly!

Other thoughts

~My precious girl is 5 years old today. She is my stubborn sweetie. If you look up strong-willed in the dictionary, my girls' picture is there. While it is very difficult at times rearing such a strong-willed child, I can't help but wonder how God will choose to use her. I know that with her determination she can do great things for Jesus' sake.

~I have an addiction. I am confessing. Perhaps I need RU? I am addicted to "Words with Friends" on my iPod. It is true. I need help.

~**~Happy Saturday~*~*

Thoughts

I have been to a ladies conference, a pastor's conference and have heard some REALLY amazing sermons from my husband lately. I have been trying to 'digest' all that I have heard...to really take it to heart and allow it to change me.
Here are some random things that I have learned and have been thinking about...

~Every problem in life is a heart problem.

~"Make it your goal to understand why your husband is right." (OUCH!!)

~Most stubbornness comes from fear and past hurts.

~Insecurity is trusting and having confidence in things that can be taken away or moved.

~I should find my security in Who carries me.....God creates my value.

~God wants me to be persistent.

~God will give me more than I can handle....it is never more than HE can handle.

I am praying about these things....I want my life to be changed. I don't want to be one of those people who goes to conferences and hears good preaching every week but leaves the same. I want to be different. My hearts longing is to be useful to Jesus...to allow HIM to change me.

Busy-ness

My heart is full....and so is my laundry basket, so I can't stay here long. :) In the past month I have been away from home almost 2 days each week. This is a rarity for me...with small children and many responsibilities, I don't go away often. This month has been different....crazy different...good different.

Early in the month I was in Michigan for 2 days for my grandfather's funeral. He was 91. He loved the Lord and was a great man, a hard worker and a lifetime farmer. I went alone on this fast trip - my wonderful husband stayed home with the kids so I could drive the 20+ hours in 2 days much easier. I was able to make part of the trip with my sister, and we had a great time laughing together.

This past weekend I went to a Ladies Conference in Oshkosh, WI. It was wonderful....both the speakers and the fellowship with the ladies from my church were such a blessing. (PLUS, we were able to spend an afternoon shopping at an outlet mall!!!!!!!!!!)

This week I was able to go with my husband to a preaching conference in Washington, IA. It was such a nice time and the host church was so gracious to all visiting pastors.

So - that is the month of September....I have so much to think about from all the speaking/sermons I have heard.....I will be pondering all of it as I try to catch up on my laundry. :)

(Did I mention that I have a dead mouse somewhere in my house, too??? I can smell him, but cannot see him....and I don't want to!! :)

Today

I have several new posts that I have been *meaning* to get finished and get posted, but today.....well, today is different.

September 11.

9/11

However you say it - it is different. I woke up remembering....I have thought about it many times during the day....September 11, 2001.

When we moved here to Wisconsin in 2000 we never connected to cable, and here in our 'remote' part of the country (HA!), you cannot get ANY channels without cable. Here we are - almost 11 years later, and still no TV channels. All that to say, there have been several times in the last 10 years that I have wished that we had TV. September 11, 2001 was one of those times....and every September 11 since then.

9 years ago I was teaching Kindergarten. We had just learned we were expecting our first baby just 3 or 4 days before. I was teaching that morning when the phone calls started coming in...parents checking on their kids and making us at the school aware of what was going on. I remember turning on the radio and listening for any clue of what was going on...no one really knew.

I am so thankful for the President that we had during that horrible time. I am so very thankful for the military who daily put their life on the line so that I can do normal things FREELY....like open my Bible, drive to Wal-Mart and bake cookies. I am thankful that the Lord has given me AMERICA for my home.

I hope ====== no, I pray that we always remember.