I hate to say this but....

As the wife of a Radiologist you might be a bit surprised to "hear" me say this but.... The Susan G. Komen Foundation has received so much money that they don't know what to do with it. Evidently they felt the need to give thousands of dollars to planned parenthood agencies every year. I, myself, am a supporter of pro-life. One of the ironies of this foundation donating funds is that there has been proven research that having an abortion increases the risk of having breast-cancer. I just needed to get that off my breast (pun-intended). If you feel the need to support the breast-cancer research coalition there are a few strictly research based foundations. I would recommend doing your homework. Personally, I avoid that pink little ribbon.

Posted on Monday, December 01, 2008 3:44:07 PM by SErtelt

Los Angeles, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A Susan G. Komen Foundation affiliate in California is the latest to send hundreds of thousands of dollars to the nation's largest abortion business. The money is going to Planned Parenthood even though research confirms abortion increases a woman's risk of contracting breast cancer.

(Excerpt) Read more at LifeNews.com ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141067/posts
http://www.lifeissues.org/AbortionBreastcancer/komen/fact_sheet.pdf

Laughter is the best medicine.

As you know per an earlier post I have been experiencing a little "Joylessness." One of my new friends here in town told me she tells herself "it is a great day to be me," to cheer herself up! Bailee had a hard day at school this past Monday. Tuesday I took the kids to school, she is the last drop- off and I thought I'd start her day off right and hand-down a bit of that advice I'd received. As she was stepping out the car door, I said "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE BAILEE!!!" No sooner had those words left my mouth and my sweet second grader was on her bum under the car. She had slipped on the ice. Her response after she crawled out from under the car.... "yeah right mom" and slammed the door! It didn't ruin her day. As she walked away I saw a tiny curl of her lips as she thought about the irony of it all.

I have another friend in town who has introduced our family to the hilarious clean comedy of Brian Regan. They let us borrow his DVD and he is sooo funny! Riley had been watching some of his clips on youtube even before we watched it. If you are looking for some clean family entertainment this holiday season I highly recommend it. I was also curious about what your favorite funny movies are. Do tell...

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!

This past Saturday I went to the Republican Women's Christmas Tea. I had no idea it would be such fun! The more established, experienced women had a meeting first then we had tea and coffee and finger sandwiches. We even used real plates and silverware, not plastic! The less established, less experienced women stayed late to have a clean-up "party". And party we did! We even got to play in the hostess' closet and try on her furs!! We decided that if you live in Montana each woman should be issued at least one!!! Maybe that will be on next month's business agenda? Probably not!!!

Ode To Joy!

Every now and again I am prone to bouts of "Joylessness." However, most people would never know it because... I am a true southerner flashing a big 'ol smile and throwing out a "how are y'all," "Oh I'm great." God in His infinite wisdom knows this about me. He knows the condition of my heart. He knew along time ago I would need a song, a tune to remind me to be joyful! To be rather than to seem. In 1824 when Beethoven composed "Ode to Joy" he didn't know it would become our family's anthem. Reminding us that no matter where we are or what we are going through that GOD loves us and that makes everything okay. When Brady and I were walking out of the chapel after saying our vows we exited to "Ode to Joy." Riley and Hallie played it for their first piano recitals, four years apart and with different teachers. Thankfully, Hallie continues to play it daily. I've been needing a daily, sometimes hourly, reminder to be joyful. And most recently I smiled, as I heard it as the credits rolled on one of the Wall-E cartoons. In "The Great Songs of the Church" Hymn book it is good ol' number 55. And I am thankful for the sweet words penned by Henry Van Dyke in 1907.


Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Joyful Joyful we adore the, God of Glory, Lord of Love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

The other verses are just as beautiful and serve as a prayer for when I am feeling JOYLESS.

HAVE A JOYFUL THANKSGIVING!

Have A Crepey Day!

Do you like our decorative "Dixie" plates?

We had a sleep over last night with three extra girls (Jay was in heaven)! Brady and I took them all to see Bolt. Then, this morning Riley and her sweet friend Olivia made us crepes. Whenever you want a Jr. Higher to do something just tell them it is too hard! Brady and I told Riley that making crepes was difficult and that we didn't know if she would be able to do it by herself. She looked up the recipe on the Internet and sweetly proved us wrong! She has done this two weeks in a row! I'm ready to adopt it as a new Saturday morning tradition! Maybe one day she can open her own restaurant and call it "Have a Crepey Day"!

Happy Birthday Dear Brady

Brady's Birthday happens to fall on October 31st. Instead of trick-or-treating, we invited our friends over to help us celebrate. I dressed as Sacajawea and Brady dressed as Lewis or Clark, complete with coon-skin hat. Riley did a little Internet research to find out who had a "thing" for Sacajawea. Evidently, it was "Clark." He offered to help raise Sacajawea's baby Pomp. There's a little something you may not have learned in American History. Since Brady has learned to play the guitar this year, his mom got him a guitar cake! We had a wonderful time with our friends and about a million kids.

Grass is Grass

Since my friend Mary was here recently, I was reminded of a nugget of marital advice she once gave me. I'm sure you are familiar with the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side." Let's see how can I put this delicately? When considering having an affair or even getting a divorce you are still going to end up with grass! We are all imperfect creatures. So, we may as well stay married to our babies daddies and our babies mommies and make the most of our promises to each other. I just wonder how many people have remarried and woke up to the disappointing, "same song second verse" realization.

I know this notion must not sound very romantic. I am a rather practical person. However, I do think being married to the same person till death do us part is very romantic (This crush ain't going away, honey) Bottom line... Stay Faithful, Stay Married!!! To put it in a way my teenager would understand... "Keep your Love Locked Down."

(I had even thought about making bumper stickers that say "grass is grass" but changed my mind once it was pointed out that there is room for misinterpretation.)

Will You be having Soup or Salvation?

One of my favorite Bible Stories is found in Genesis 25, the story of Jacob and Esau, they were twins. Competitive from the time they exited the womb. One was hairy and one was smooth; one was a skillful hunter and the other a mama's boy. Esau was the first born and was given the birthright, the inheritance (ya know when daddy dies he gets everything and doesn't have to split a pea soup.)

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob quick let me have that stew! I'm famished! Jacob replied (as any man would with his eye on the prize) "First sell me your birthright." "Look I am about to die," Esau said "what good is my birthright to me?".... He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So, for a bowl of soup Esau forfeited his inheritance!

That story always infuriated me. I mean who would give up their future security for a bowl of soup! Then it hit me, I was doing the very same thing. I realized this life is but a vapor, likened to a bowl of soup. Am I going to forfeit my eternal inheritance for this bowl of soup we call life. I want to live here on earth satisfied with the delayed gratification of heaven, an eternal satiation.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
Matt 16:26

"Meet Me in Montana"

Jason and Mary and their sweet dog Charlotte.
This past weekend some of our dear friends came all the way from TEXAS to see us. We go way back, all the way back to when I had just one little girl. We were neighbors in the student housing provided for medical school students. We carried our laundry to the washers and dryers together. (Brady would say if we had a really big house we'd have to carry our laundry that far anyway!) We would take turns cooking for each other's families. And of course babysit for each other as the subsequent babies came along. Then, after medical school they moved to North Carolina for residency and so did we (for a couple of years.) We celebrated many holidays together as friends become family when you are far from "home." Needless to say, they are very precious to us.

We had a wonderful time. The husbands and Charlotte hit some hard hunting three days in a row. They came home exhausted and content. Mary and I just hung around the house and caught up on the last six years we haven't been "neighbors." She is just as humble and sweet as she was the first day I met her. She is still encouraging me to be a better mother and wife. She and Jason loved on our kids and our kids loved on them. They even cooked for us, TWICE! If this sounded like a fun trip, Brady and I would like to extend the invitation to any of you dear sweet friends who would like to "Meet me in Montana." Don't worry we won't make you cook.

Is Blogging a thing of the past????

Okay, I've been debating for at least a few months (which in computer time is at least a decade) on whether or not I would join facebook. Why the big debate, you say? Well, I only have a little bit of computer time I knew my blog would suffer if I started spending time on facebook. Also, I am a little confused on the purpose of facebook. Is it just so you can see that all your old friends have become "old" friends? Or is it to see their adorable kids?

So, I did a little research on blogging vs. facebook. Blogging started in 1999 however, you could only add pictures in 2004. Alas...facebook began in 2004. It does seem to reason that facebook has replaced blogging. Brady thinks it is the lazy person's blog. If anyone is still out there in blog-land please feel free to leave your opinion.

If you are not out there then I shall find you on facebook, because I joined today!!!

Last Week on The Brady Bunch

Riley is The Academic Athlete at Washington Middle School.
Hallie was a Gnome in "Rumpelstiltskin"
Bailee was a Bee. In this play Rumpelstiltskin wanted Clara's Honey Bee Farm instead of her baby. I liked this version much better!
Jay gave me flowers! Riley took this pic and cut off the big dirty roots that were still attached. I loved those flowers!
Charlie played outside! It is hard to keep him in and even harder to get him to look at the camera! Our camera is fixed, Yea!!

Anger Management

Lately, I have been thinking about how we as humans deal with our anger. Since my boys are out into the world more and more I am beginning to see the need to help them learn how to appropriately deal with those frustrated and overwhelmed feelings that come out as anger.

Do we grow out of our temper tantrums or do we just change how they look? Do we become passive aggressive, calculating revenge, manipulating? Or do we stuff them down trying to ignore those feelings because they aren't Christ-like? In vain of course, because in the flesh it eventually finds a way out. Usually, when you really don't want it to and usually on the people you love the most. In an effort to avoid our adult temper tantrums people medicate their anger, try to drown it, or they might just eat it and everything else. In some of us anger fades into depression. Satan offers so many tempting choices for us to inappropriately deal with our anger. In your anger do not sin (Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:26). Anger in itself is not a sin. We just need to deal with those God-given emotions in a God-glorifying manner.

I was thinking about my own anger issues and asked myself "What really gets me going?" "When do I loose my cool and why?" "Why do I get depressed?" Most of the time, it is when I feel controlled or when I can't control a situation. Simply put, things didn't go MY WAY. Which, go figure, are quite the same triggers for my boys. We want what we want. In the flesh, we are looking to please ourselves. The world sets us up to think we CAN have it our way. I don't want my children to fall into this trap. I so desire them to live a surrendered life. I know they have to see it in me first so, they will follow this blue print we are laying down in their little brains. It is a daily dying of self to accomplish this attainable goal.

The "good news" is... once I enter into a place where I realize I am not in control, ever! When I am reminded I am a servant of a sovereign God, a peace washes over me. His ways are not "my way," His ways are higher than mine. And I am glad I am not in control. I just need to ask Him to help me see things the way He see's them.

I hesitate to talk about our more personal struggles because I want to be a source of encouragement. Honestly, I think y'all probably get tired of hearing how great everything is. Everything isn't perfect it is just that I only seem to blog about the good, not the bad and the ugly. I feel like those of you checking in on us don't get the full picture. Just the carefully chosen cropped one.

TEN THINGS TUESDAY

1. I am thankful today because I am not loved because of my goodness (or lack there of) but because of His Goodness.

2. I am thankful today because of an intense prayer time with a fellow sojourner.

3. I am thankful today because what God finds lovely is NOT what the world finds lovely!

4. I am thankful today because I had time to sit down and be thankful!

5. I am thankful today because it is going to be in the 80's this week! (I'm holding on to summer as long as I can.)

6. I am thankful for gas in the tank and six kids to drive around. Yes, I said six and no I'm not pregnant, Bailee's best friend is staying with us this week!

7. I am thankful for Charlie saying "Princess" when I have on a dress!

8. I am thankful for Hallie's Praying Mantis Short Story. Here is an excerpt... "Hi! My name is Cookie, and I'm a Praying Mantis. I live in a lush garden with beautiful flowers. My hobbies are praying and going to bug-church and going to Bugopolis!"

9. I am thankful for the laugh I got when Jay called Barnes and Noble, The Noble Bookstore!

10. I am so thankful for my husband being my best-friend!

More Beth Moore

Y'all know my camera has been broken so my sweet friend Adrian(extreme right) and her sweet honey John (to Brady and I, they have been our closest friends, prayer partners, bible study companions, babysitters, entertainment ect, ect. let's just say HUGE blessing) emailed me some pics from our Beth Moore Weekend. When I found out that sweet Bible Teacher from the South was coming all the way up here I grabbed 24 tickets and 6 hotel rooms and lots of my favorite girls. We have studied Patriarchs, Daniel, and now we are studying "Stepping Up" together. Stacy(extreme left) is my favorite new friend she and her husband and three boys have started coming to our church and they are a huge blessing to both Brady and I!!


The above left pictured is a precious friend to me, Anna! She was one of Bailee's teachers last year and her great husband is our Dentist! They are about to have their first baby in December!!!
Here are some of us at the previously mentioned "chain restaurant"...The Olive Garden, there is no Italian restaurant in the Middle of Nowhere, unless you count Pizza Hut's new pasta menu.
Here I am with Bailee's soccer coach, Heather and my labor and deliver nurse for Charlie and prayer partner, deAmbra and the cute blond is Esther a mother of four girls, her husband is THE Internal Medicine Doc. and precious christian friend to me.

Here is the woman herself! It was so wonderful to hear her southern draw talk about what Houston and Galveston went through during and following IKE. I felt like I needed a first hand update and she did it beautifully and through God's eyes. We cried and laughed all weekend here's one thing I found quite humorous...Beth Moore was saying she enjoyed coming to the middle of nowhere (meaning Billings, MT) and we girls just laughed and laughed because we drove two hours to the "big city" to see her!

Beth Moore came to the Middle of Nowhere

Our Bible Study group of girls went to see Beth Moore this weekend. We had soooo much fun! We got to go to the "big city," thanks to our amazing husbands watching lots of kids. Mine even threw a party!

Here are some external blessings...
We ate at a chain restaurant!
Starbuck's for breakfast!!!
Went to a mall!
I heard someone else say y'all!

Here are some Eternal blessings...
Amazing worship!!
Sweet prayer time!!
Visiting Kari (One of the girls in our Bible study has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia and has been in the hospital in Billings for the last six weeks)

Things that I learned from God through Beth...

Memory Verse:But the Noble man makes Noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. Isaiah 32:8 The noble plan is to show God to your fellow man!

Don't just be good, do good!

If it ain't one thing it's two!

She challenged us to be a willing volunteer in the Army of Jesus Christ. That I might not know victory but, I won't know defeat either.

Let my secret be my secret relationship with Jesus. Encouraged me to run to my hiding place with Him.

The last time I heard Beth Moore I was encouraged to Be still (Stacy do you remember that prayer?). This time I was told to get busy and be a benefit. Well, gotta go get going!!

Ridiculously Long Silence

This was a ridiculously long silence, I know! There are a couple of extenuating circumstances... 1. My camera lens has been broken for quite sometime. (I don't know if it was from going on Brady's Elk hunt last year or from Jay dropping it gently at the Christmas program, maybe both.)
So, it has been in the shop for quite sometime. 2. I really was busy this summer! Here's what you and my camera missed....

Hallie turning 9
Charlie turning 2
A trip to Dallas for my college roommate girl weekend.
I turned 36, HOLY GRAPES! (I stole that from Jay)
Cleaned out the garage
Had lots of swim parties
Brady and I in Seattle
Family vacation to Sioux Falls, SD (TONZ of Christian concerts and a waterpark)
The changing of summer to winter clothes.

Now that the girls are back in school I might have a little more time to blog. I'll just have to wait on pictures till my camera is fixed. I've missed y'all!

BEWARE OF CUTE LITTLE DOG!!

Hey y'all, it's me, Riley! My mom has been very very busy this summer so I thought I'd take this time to do my own post. As you may have guessed, I'll be talking about my precious miniature yorkie Molly! She is pretty protective of her belongings. (that includes our family, our house, MY fuzzy socks, and everything that has been in her mouth!) Which means that if those evil moths outside even THINK about coming to attack our sweaters, she'll bark ferociously (as ferocious as a 2.3 lb. puppy can) until I hop out of bed and turn the lights off outside.

She does all these crazy things that are soo soo cute!! For starters she sits under our table at dinner and stares at me until I throw her a piece of steak when mom's not looking! (sorry mom!!) She also runs away with Charlie's favorite toy until practically the whole household is chasing after her! Molly is very photogenic, so if she sees me with a camera she just sits looking up at me and smiles. (you know, that silly little dog grin?)But she doesn't love everything in life, like, she loathes it when I try to clip her bangs up with a barrette, or when I make her wait for dinner. Oh, and she hates baths even though she smells so good after it's all over with. Her most favorite thing to do is sit on my lap, curled up in a ball watching "So You Think You Can Dance," it's her favorite show (and mine too)! She is STILL sad that the season is over, haha! Anyways, she is the perfect little puppy for me and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Daddy's Girl

My Dad had two little girls of his own and then three little granddaughters and finally two grandsons! Let's just say he's waited a long time for these hunting and fishing buddies!
Week before last my dad came from Oklahoma to visit us. We had a great time with him. He was a huge help to me. Brady had to be out of town for a couple of days that week and my Dad stepped up to the plate!! We even took the kids to a Petting Zoo (twice)!

My Dad had so much fun with the girls and they completely adore him!

Ten Things Tuesday!

1. I am Thankful for my amazing husband, a glass of wine and sleeping kids!

2. I am Thankful for sweet CHRISTIAN friends, good food and birthdays!

3. I am Thankful for energetic kids, a bottle of sunscreen and a swimming pool!

4. I am Thankful for a Mission Team from Tennessee that came to our town last week and served our church in so many beautiful ways!

5. I am Thankful for church camp. It was a huge blessing to me as I grew up and now my girls are getting to experience the fun!

6. I am Thankful for a "sweet CHRISTIAN friend" encouraging me to read "No Other Gods" by kelly minter, this summer.

7. I am Thankful for my Pastor and his family and ALL they do to further the kingdom of God in the middle of nowhere, Montana!

8. I am still Thankful for Brady's sisters and our nieces and nephew coming to see us. It was a huge blessing!

9. I am Thankful my Dad is coming next week to see us! This is the first time!

10. I am thankful for giggles!

If you would like to look at other Thankful lists or create your own click here.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

I just thought I'd let you know with all the kids home for summer, I'll not be having much free time/blog time. They are tucked in bed and I'll be soon. Still hoping a picture is worth a thousand words. We've had our first official week of summer and this is what we did...

Toilet Humor

I've never been a big proponent of toilette humor, however, today it struck me twice as quite funny. Maybe since my boys are getting older they are forcing me over to the dark side? Please let me know if I'm slowly becoming uncouth.

So, this morning Charlie (20 months today!) has decided independently that the floors must be dirty (they are not! because they were swept and mopped yesterday!). Anyway, he creatively and resourcefully began dumping cups of toilet water (and I'm not talking about the French kind "eau de toilette") all over the house... beginning in Riley's room and continuing throughout the kitchen. Do I just surrender to thinking I can ever win the battle to have a germ less or even a germ-reduced house. I must be relaxing a little because I did find the humor in it rather quickly. In my younger years it would have taken me at least year before I thought that was funny.

The other off-humor thought is my own fault. Some of us may be getting an economic stimulus refund check. Is it me or is this whole idea of giving Americans money to spend on what-ever their little hearts desire instead of being encouraged to paying off our own current debt ridiculous or what? I don't have a degree in Economics but, even just encouraging Americans to use it more wisely like at the gas pumps seems more logical. I think it should have been called a "gas relief" refund check!

THANKFUL

1. I planted some tulip bulbs last fall and I am thankful they are starting to bloom!

2. I am thankful we have wild asparagus growing on our property and we gathered it and ate our first batch on Mother's Day.

3. I am thankful for my homemade Mother's Day cards... "You're as young as you look!"

4. I am thankful the sun is shining today and everything is turning my favorite color.

5. I am thankful there was a lonely, left-over piece of chocolate cake this morning when I woke up. BREAKFAST!

6. I am thankful for Brady and Jean Ann (his mom) letting me get away for a couple of days. Now, I'm just two-pages away from finishing Charlie's babybook!

7. Spring Soccer is over. I am thankful the girls LOVED playing and the boys played outside while we watched the games. I'm also thankful we're not running around looking for soccer shirts and shin guards, too.

8. I am thankful for medicine and Doctors (especially my Doctor, he made blueberry pancakes, bacon and fried eggs on Mother's Day).

9. I am thankful for Jesus, He is my daily strength.

10. I am thankful for the hope and promise of Heaven.

If you'd like to look at other thankful lists or make your own see here.

An Irreplaceable Role

Happy Mother's Day. I am a stay-at-home-mom. I was a go-to-work-mom for three years + pregnancy. I respect you mama's who have to leave your babies daily to work. I felt torn like I wasn't doing a good job at work or at home. However, since I am currently a stay-at-home-mom the following excerpt was a great encouragement to me (I came upon it last week in Captivating). I thought I'd share the blessing.

To be Queen Elizabeth ... deciding sales, banquets, labors, and holidays; To be Whitley... providing toys, boots, cakes, books; to be Aristotle... teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a larger career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman's (mother's) function is laborious, but it is gigantic, not because it is minute. (What's Wrong with the World by G.K. Chesterton)

These are a few of my favorite things...about Jay

He thanked God for his Birthday cake in his prayers all year long!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
4, 3, 2, 1 BLAST OFF


"Scuse you to move, please."

"Yes Sir, Mommy!" I hear that at least once a day.

His four year 'blow out the candles' birthday wish was "I wish for mommy and daddy to go to God's place."

Jay's first time in Big Church... it was time for the offering, I gave him a dollar and whispered to him "put it in the plate". He said NOT whispering "why?" I whispered "we are giving it to God." He stared real hard at the sweet man passing the plate around the church and turned back to me and said not whispering "is that GOD?"

Last Sunday was a hard Sunday. You know the one where you are smiling and waving goodbye at everyone as you are running to your car to get them home and in bed, no lunch, just bed! It was way past meltdown for both the boys and the girls were starting to cave as well. I tried to encourage everyone to keep it together because Satan just wanted to ruin our nice morning at church. A moment later as we were exiting the car Jay stepped on Hallie's Bible Class pictures. Exasperated she said "Satan is just trying to ruin my day". Jay immediately rebutted "I'm not Satan!" We all broke out in laughter-it was just what we needed to turn us around!

Yesterday, Jay said he wished he could climb a ladder to the sky and slide down to see his grandparents in Oklahoma.

At this age Jay has been very curious as to who his "honey" is going to be when he grows up. He is convinced she lives in Oklahoma!

We have another BABY!

Brady and Clay watching prairie dog hunting clips.

MOLLY SUE BANTA


Brady's best friend since college came to visit us this weekend. I didn't get that many pictures because they were so busy working on my "Honey-do" List! Clay even brought Riley's 13th B-day present with him! Molly Sue is the newest addition to the Brady Bunch. She is an eight week old Yorkie weighing in at almost two lbs. She is sooo adorable and the kids can't get enough of her. Bailee took her for show and tell this morning. I can't think of anything cuter than a puppy and a class full of first graders oohhing and aahhing.

We had such a great time with Clay. (Although, we did miss Anita, Nathan and Abby.) Anita, I'm going to have to send Brady down there to help Clay with your honey-do list. They even fixed the garage door I wrecked last week! Brady and Clay did manage to squeeze in some prairie dog hunting of their own! When we count our blessings The Johnsons' are at the top of the list!

This week on the Brady Bunch....

I took the boys out to one of my friend's (Misty) sheep farm. They are lambing now and we got to hold some 24-48 hour old lambs. So precious! We went inside the barn to get a closer look at the mamas and babies and Charlie snuck/snook out of the barn's gate. I ran out to get him. Here's where it gets interesting... swung down to pick him up and my back went out on me! I am sooo old! All my friends and Jay were still in the barn. I couldn't pick up Charlie, so I opened my car and let him crawl in (I couldn't even pick him up to strap him in the car-seat) so I just closed the door.

I had to go back into the barn to get Jay and tell my friends goodbye. I hobbled into the barn and immediately Misty (a nurse) had me lay down on a bale of hay. With my legs in the air and a dog licking my face! I told them I just wanted to get Jay in the car and go home. So we head to the car and are surprised to see Charlie holding my car keys pressing the lock button over and over again. We proceed in playing his game, happily trying to get him to press the unlock to no avail. He's smiling having a great time! Let's call On Star! Great idea, where's my phone? In the car! While we are finding a phone that has cell service (remember we really are in the middle of nowhere). I get to lay down with my feet in the air again, in the back of Misty's car! I am in the strange place of laughing so hard but on the verge of tears! How did I get this old? I have been exercising lately, this isn't suppose to happen.

So, now I'm home and bent (for lack of a better word) trying to "rest"! How do you "rest" with five kids? The girls have been so funny they started walking around like hunchbacks to make me feel better. Definitely sit-com material!!! It is a good thing we took pictures right when we got there or I would have been taking pictures of everyone's feet!

You know you have a toddler in the house when....

you find dryer sheets in the toilet!

you get squirted by a water gun on a daily basis.

you celebrate things like throwing trash away or putting tiny dirty jeans in the laundry basket.

you'll sing a whole song just to get them to eat one more bite!

you pick up the same toy six times and put it away.

your foot is injured requiring you to limp for awhile because you stepped on that SAME toy.

you scream expletives like... "SCOOBY DOO!" or "ICE CREAM!" when you step on that SAME toy!

you give them too many cookies because you love to hear them say "cookie."

you lose your keys, your phone, your sunglasses, and your mind!!!

you find out you LOVE to play trains and read the same book over and over again just to hear them laugh at the same part every time.

I got tagged!

My long lost friend that I love dearly tagged me. I am carefully and cautiously joining this tag because I don't follow astrology anymore! Because I know that like me, my God is jealous. Please leave lots of praises or I might get angry or I might get my feelings hurt because I'm sensitive! I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought because I was day-dreaming!! Now where was I? Oh yes, did I mention I am leading a ladies Bible study on "Captivating" I love leading but, it would be nice if someone else leads next time! "Captivating" is sooo romantic in a nontraditional way. And it is helping me learn to relax!

Riley has been cracking me up lately with some blonde jokes. If you are blonde please don't take offense because I love and care for you and relate to these jokes completely. I just love jokes have you heard this one? A blonde has just gotten a new sports car. She cuts out in front of a semi, and almost causes it to drive over a cliff. The driver furiously motions for her to pull over, and she does. The driver gets out and draws a circle and tells her to stand in it. Then he gets out his knife and cuts up her leather seats. He turns around and sees she's smiling. So he goes to his truck, takes out a baseball bat, and starts busting her windows and beating her car. He looks back to see that she's laughing. He's really mad now, so he takes his knife and slices her tires. He turns around and she's laughing so hard, she's about to fall down. He demands, "What's so funny?" She says, "Every time you weren't looking, I stepped out of the circle!"

I must go now because I'm starting to get ill and I need to console one of my children!

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.


TAGGING RULES:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving them a comment.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when yours is up!

And now I'm tagging...

Adrian and Tara


The Twelve Months

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

Too Busy to Blog!

I was soooo busy this weeknd. So busy in fact that I didn't have time to wait for the garage door to open completely before I decided to back out. Oh No She Didn't! Oh Yes She Did! Right in front of Brady and thankfully another witness. I was in such a hurry I jumped out looked at the back top of my car. I thought to myself, "Yep, I can still drive it. Hopped back in and picked up Riley from a sleep over, drove Bailee to her soccer game and swung by the church garage sale. Sorry Honey no time to fight about the "wreck" and the broken garage door. Brady has been calling it my hit and run!

I was also very busy throwing down the wrong kind of fertilizer (in the dark)! All I know is that there is no way we are going to have crab grass, according to Brady we never had any to begin with. Sorry honey! I know we had crab grass somewhere we used to live and we didn't like it! 45 bucks on a bag of fertilizer and it was the wrong kind. Grrrrrrrr! Wondering why I was in the dark? Well according to the weather channel we were going to have rain showers through the night. They don't happen that often here in Eastern Montana. I got all excited ran out to the garage because I knew we already had some fertilizer. This would be quick and easy (still light outside). I realize it was our heat of the summer fertilizer. Aww Man! Jump on the internet to Scotts.com to look up the right kind and I'm off to stuffmart, grab the $45 fertilizer and a few other necessities. Do you think I ever go into stuffmart without a basket full? I did stay under the 20 item or less limit! The lady behind me made a crack about my $45 fertilizer, she said I guess your seven children won't eat this week. I was never so glad I could sweetly tell her I have five! By the time I get home and fill the spreader it was dark! Aww Man! So I'm running around like a crazy woman throwing down the wrong fertilizer and it on top of all that do you think it rained one drop? Oh well, dandelions look like grass from a distance, the kids love them and I've heard they make a great salad!!

About now most of you are saying to yourself she needs to read Psalm 46:10. I think that is just what I'll do!

Ten Things Tuesday

1. I am so thankful for my amazing husband. So glad God didn't give me what I deserve. He is cool and smart and forgiving and kind and fun and funny and he works so hard! I respect him immensely.

2. I am thankful that Riley has braces! This affords us four hours in the car alone driving to the orthodontist every six weeks. It is such a blessing to me to have that time with her! We also eat out and do a little shopping! (The above mentioned amazing husband works at home on this day and watches the other four.)

3. I am so thankful it is starting to warm up. Jay and Charlie played outside without a coat today.

4. I am thankful for the men and women who leave their families to protect and serve our country!

5. I am thankful for my group of women with whom I get to study the Bible.

6. I am thankful for the AWANA program at our church and the spiritual growth I've seen in my children. Tomorrow is the last night and I'm thankful for that, too!

7. I am thankful for bath time because...tonight Hallie and Bailee were discussing heaven and how they think we won't pee or poo in heaven and there won't be toilets to clean in heaven and that there will be cleaning angels to help us keep heaven looking nice!

8. I am thankful for Metabolic-Frolic Mango Tea.

9. I am thankful for last Wednesday night's American Idol episode. I had to stay home from church with a sick kiddo and watched TV. I was never so glad I watched TV! Jesus was all over the place. Dolly Pardon sang "Jesus and Gravity" and the Clark Brothers sang "This Little Light of Mine" and said Jesus' Name in it! It was so spiritually encouraging! I loved knowing all those people were hearing HIM get due praise!

10. I am thankful for sleeping children.

The Real Housewives of Montana

Brady bought some cooking lessons at a fund raising auction for me and eight friends. After Thirteen and a half years of marriage, I'm not offended! It was soo much fun!
It was a great group of moms, most of us new to the area, bonding over our lack of a Target and eating good food. We got a little break from our sweet kiddos. And we chose to spend the evening in the kitchen - are we dedicated or what?
I didn't even mind doing a few dishes.
The Flaming Orange - Grand Finale!

Thank you Deb and Dave we had a wonderful time and the food was amazing! We prepared Brie, Walleye Fingers, Grilled Halibut, Rack of Lamb, Supreme De Volaille Aux Champignon, Creme Brulee and more. They even put together cookbooks for each of us to recreate the dishes.

Brady and Riley have started taking guitar lessons. Riley's learning the Bass and Brady had an excuse to buy a pretty new Gibson acoustic/electric. This was all inspired to play in our church for worship! So far they've learned... Come Thou Fount, Ode To Joy, Humble Yourself in the Sight of the Lord, Amazing Grace, Yankee Doodle, Let It Be (John Lennon). With Hallie on the keyboard and Bailee on the Violin , I think they need a drummer. Can you picture me behind a drum set?

If anyone prayed?

Our neighbors who's house burned to the ground not too long ago sent a letter to the editor of our local paper. It brought a smile to my face, knowing HE hears our prayers. Here are a few of my favorite quotes....

Family Found More Than It Lost In Their House Fire (that was the title of the article)

In a tragic way it was worth it to lose our possessions to find our friends.

So many of you have helped us through the worst thing we have ever experienced. I don't know how to thank you but, I thank God that I have gotten to meet you!

"But mom, a lot of people have to go through things like this and they aren't lucky enough to have all these people helping them like we do." It's not often that an 11-year-old girl whose home just burned to the ground feels lucky. I thank you for that most of all.

We who prayed for them know luck didn't have anything to do with their blessings.

Easter Complete With...

How Random?

I was tagged by my friend Etta awhile back. I was also emailed a list of questions from Adrian. So, in an effort to save time and honor those requests here is my list of seven random things about myself from a list of questions. How's that for time management?

1. Do I like my handwriting? Absolutely not! It is horrendous! I'm left handed so I've always blamed it on that but, the truth of the matter is... I'm just in a hurry. I don't slow down and try to make it look nice.

2. Do I still have my tonsils? No, I had them removed when I was three. I didn't mind because I got to eat ice cream and Twinkies for a couple of days!

3. What is my favorite smell? I love the smell of plastic swim toys and shower curtains. It reminds me of the summer!

4. If I was another person would I be friends with myself? Yes, and I would come over everyday and help me! Because I need alot of help! I would babysit for myself and read to my kids and I would feed them healthier foods and I would run to the store for myself! I would also let me go get my hair cut and colored because as my husband sweetly puts it "my highlights are showing"!!

5. What is my favorite ice cream? Cold Stone Creamery Coconut Ice Cream covered with hot fudge!

6. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes! But, the more random fact about how I deal with my shoes is... I am a sock shoe sock shoe person. I think most people are sock sock shoe shoe.

7. What is my least favorite thing about me? Well, today it is the revelation that I only do things that are easy for me. I give up when it starts to hurt or I am called to truly sacrifice. I only "give" out of excess. This is starting to get uncomfortable, so I'm going to resist the urge to stop. When I truly begin to sacrifice and surrender I immediately start to complain and feel sorry for myself. Or I get irritated at the people or person I began to do something nice for! It is painful to realize this about myself. I am ready to move to the next level of maturity, I think I've been here far too long!

Please Pray....

I was reading to Jay in the afternoon. I heard a loud boom. Looked out my window and saw smoke coming from our neighbor's house. Brady was home so I ran to tell him, he hopped in his truck and drove over. He called me and told me to call 911. We live outside the city limits. So, they contact the county fire dept. (aka volunteers) who have to be reached at work. Then, they fill up the water truck and "hurry" to the fire. In less than two hours our neighbor's home was completely destroyed. They lost everything, except each other . They just moved here before school started with their two daughters a high schooler and a sixth grader. Please join me in praying that they will experience Christ at this time in their lives. That even though our God gives and takes away. He wants to give them a better life, an eternal life, one that can't be destroyed. Sometimes He must take away what we value most to get our attention.


Yes, I went and bought three fire extinguisher's.