Craziness

I just wanted to let you all know I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Life in general has been absolutely crazy lately and at work I have been given a TON more responsibility. Which is nice because I don't like being bored. So ......pray for me when you think about it and I will try and write on here on occasion.
Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Growing Up

Chip is growing up and learning many new tricks. Troy and I have succeeded in teaching him to sit - and to lay down. Our new trick is to teach him to roll over - for some reason he hasn't gotten that one as quickly.
Our dog is pretty easy to please as long as he is with us everything is AOK. We will let him sit with us or lay with us on occasion (I like it to be after a bath :) And Chip's ultimate goal is be SMACK right between Troy and I. We ran an errand yesterday and so we took him with us and he sat on my lap. The entire time his head and nose was stuck right in between Troy's and my arms. We have enjoyed Chip - he makes us laugh - especially after a bath and his paws are wet and we have hardwood floors. It is a riot. Come see our puppy - we promise he will LOVE you.

THE TABLE

Here is a picture of our table that we refinished. When we bought if for very little it was a deep cherry finish but it was so scratched up we had to do something with it. So Troy put trim all along the top so we could tile the top. We then painted it and bought a new knob for the drawer. Troy did most of the work with the tile and I was his faithful cheerleader. Our two end tables look relatively the same - except they have one very large piece of tile on the top. We really enjoyed the project and can't wait to start a new one. We will try and take before and after pictures next time.

THANKFUL

Isn't it amazing how life can be so much better, more fun and less stressful if you focused on what you have as opposed to what you don't have. This morning I woke up with a thankful heart. Thankful for a nice place to live - for a loving and amazing husband - for a family that is wonderful and new family that is more than I could have ever asked for.
Look at today for instance, it is wednesday - the week is half over - it is 40 degrees out already this morning and the sun is shining so bright. We have an incredible church and church family. Pastors that preach the Word of God with no reservation or apology. We have good health and strong bodies - the ability to walk - see and speak. We take so much for granted. My cousin is my age and she has MS - she has lost and regained the sight in one of her eyes mulitple times and her strength - courage and reliance upon God is a rebuke and great example to me and those around her. I love you cuz and you are in our prayers.
I am thankful for the health and continued growth of the Bolton babies. Troy and I enjoy going over there - holding them and feeding them. Getting my baby fix :o) until we have our own. Check out their website and uphold them with your prayers http://boltonquints.blogspot.com/ .
I am thankful for my life, my husband- the ways I have been protected, blessed and even chastened - most importantly I am thankful for my Savior.

My Wonderful Husband

I am sorry that I am going to be a little cheesy this am and just rave on my hubbie. The man is amazing - I am really not sure what I did so right to get him but I am sure glad I did whatever I did. It is the little things that just mean so much. For instance - when he parks my car in the driveway he has it facing the road so I can get out easier or better yet he has the garage completely cleaned out so I can park in it when the weather is bad. In the morning after he takes a shower he puts my towels (a big one and a little one :) on the hook by the shower so it is all ready for me when I get ready. When I mention something needs to be done or that I need something - he writes it down and makes it happen. He asks my opinion about everything - he makes me laugh - smile - shake my head (more often than not) and love him even more because of all of his wonderful qualites. Is he perfect? nope but I think he is pretty close. :o) Perfect example was last pm - He was grilling outside and decided to do some grooming on his eyebrows and eyelashes. The fire got a little out of control and did a little singeing - I of course was very relieved he didn't take any of his goutee. I was such a concerned wife - not exclaiming my relief that he still has his eye sight and didn't get 3 rd degree burns. Nope - not me - Just glad he still had his goutee. We had a good chuckle about that. So once again - I am thankful for my husband. Every last ounce of him. God has given me above and beyond all I could ask or think.

The Loving and Protective Hand of God

Lately I have witnessed many people that I dearly love go through what seem like tough and unfair times in their lives. My heart aches for them and my instinct is to scream and cry and think this is so unfair and I hate it because as much as I want to - I can't fix it. But, then I am reminded that God is good - caring - loving and wants what is best for us so much more than we do for ourselves.

Jeremiah 29 :11 - 13
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

That he sees the end from the beginning and has it all orchestrated so that it brings glory to HIM. Not me! It is not about what I want - or think - or hope for. It is all about GOD! It is about HIS plan, HIS will, HIS perfect way. It is also so important for me to remember - that this situation/trial/struggle is an opportunity for me to be a testimony to others (believers and unbelievers), to show Christ's love to all (even the one causing the pain), to TRUST my Savior and his hand on my life - and on the lives of all those I love. Because in all reality HE loves my husband, family, dear friend and coworker so much more than I do.

Psalm 147 : 1 - 11
1 Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. 4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. 5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. 6 The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 9 He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry. 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

I LOVE WEEKENDS!!

Weekends have to be my favorite thing in the world. Troy and I stayed pretty close to home on friday pm. He wasn't feeling to hot so we vegged and tried to go to bed at a decent hour. Then on Saturday am he went to Men of Faith at 6:00am but crawled back in with me and I convinced him he needed more sleep :o) He didn't have to work this saturday which is the first time since we have been married. I like when he doesn't have to work. One of the many things I love about the weekend is how much time Troy and I get to spend together. We had decided we were going to do a fun remodeling project. We have done many of these together (ie. our entire house) but this one was dealing with furniture. We took our cream side tables and our newly purchased - floor model - scratched and dinged coffee table and decided to paint them and put ceramic tile on the tops. It went very well for our first time tiling and grouting. :) The tables are black and the end tables have one huge tile on the top and the coffee table has 25 - 6" tiles on it. Troy did a wonderful job and I helped with the painting - encouraging and clean up. I will have to post a picture for you all to see. We then met friends for supper and then had them come over to the house to play with Chip and to catch up. We are also watching the Keck's bunny these next few weeks while they are on vacation. I am starting to feel like a zoo keeper. I am thinking this is all getting me ready to take care of chillins some day. Tonight we are going over to help with the bolton babies. They are triplets and need some extra hands to do some feeding. I will let you know how that goes. Be praying for the babies - they are still so little 2.5 months old and just over 5 lbs each. So be praying for Mom and Dad (Christine and Shane) and Joshua - Ella and Abbie.

AMERICAN IDOL

Well....Troy and I are definately American Idol fans....we watch it.....enjoy it....laugh....are completely shocked by the untalent we see but nonetheless once again laugh. I am always amazed at how cranky these contestants get after they have been told that they are terrible. Do they not hear themselves. Who is telling them they are good? I am not choir material and can barely hold a tune. And I would NEVER go on National Television to be reminded of that fact. Anyways, it is a very enjoyable time for my hubbie and I - to laugh - be surprised (sometimes pleasantly) and to always watch the judge's faces. That is the best part.
So tonight starts Survivor - Troy got me hooked when we started dating and we are looking forward to another season. We are having his brother and sister-in-law over tonight for supper and survivor celebration. How Fun!

CHIP

We have welcomed a new member into our family a couple weeks ago. His name is Chip. He is about 10 weeks old and he is absolutely adorable. We are learning many things about taking care of a puppy. The fun parts and the NOT SO FUN parts. :o) He is a lover boy and likes to cuddle with his new mommy and daddy. Daddy has taught him to sit on command and they like to sing together. Ask Troy to do it for you next time you see him.