Thoughts to Ponder

The values in your heart When your world seems frustrating, keep in mind that the most important part of you exists beyond those frustrations. When life feels painful, never forget that the pain, however difficult it may be, is confined to just a small portion of who you truly are.
All around you are things you can see and touch and physically manipulate. They are part of life, but they are by no means all there is.
You cannot hold love in your hand, and yet you know for certain that it exists. You cannot capture joy in a box or an envelope and yet you have no doubt that it is real.
When the outward concerns of life seem to be overwhelming, remind yourself, there's more. There is so very much more to living and being than those things you can see and hear, taste and smell, touch and possess.
Even those losses and disappointments that feel big and burdensome, are small in comparison to all the beautiful, positive possibilities living within you. Look beyond the noisy, superficial distractions and remember the miracle of your existence.
Live your life around the values in your heart. And those everyday pains and nuisances will lose their power to bring you down.
-- R.Marston

Hey everyone!

So what's new here? Nothing really. We've all been busy as always. I have been working daily trying to get this wedding together. It is hard work planning a wedding. It just seems unreal that my daughter is getting married...am I really that old???? Yesterday, they went and registered for their shower, etc and they had the shower and wedding annoucement in the church paper. I guess, it was that moment that I realized this really is real...my baby is getting married. So if you don't see me online that much over the next few weeks, it is because I'm knee high in ribbon, flowers, bows, and such.
On Friday, I was told my foster baby may be going home around Fall. I can't even imagine what that will be like. Actually we have court tomorrow, but I've decided that I am not going...I don't have to go. So be sure to keep us in your prayers, because it is gonna be so hard when she has to leaves us .
Also, on Friday, Me and the baby went to Nanny's to see Nanny and Mama. We stayed for a little while. Bay put a show on for them. She has learned to dance and to patty-cake...so sweet. However, she is going through a stage where she is just wanting me. Normally she wants Brent over me, but not for the last few days...everything is mama...mama...mama. She can say, "mama", "da-da","bye",and "bay-bay". She still isn't crawling, but she is rolling all over the place. She is growing like a weed.
The other kids are just busy trying to get done with this school year. Jacob and Jon both have 4-wheelers now, and they stay pretty busy riding them all over the yard. The girls are just being girls...lol
Well, that is it for now. I've got to get busy helping the kids with their school work. Have a great week!

I'm still here!

Sorry for my lack of updates. My sister-in-law reminded me last night that I have been to busy to update...she is right, I have been so busy...thanks Cori! So where do I begin????
First off ,my oldest is getting married...not next year like she first planned, but instead in June. So that gives me two months to plan a wedding...talk about busy. I've been spending time searching the net, calling on the phone, and planning...lots of that. We go this weekend to be fitted for dresses. It's for sure a lot of work to get married.
The last couple of weekends, I spent with my aunt Linda, trying to build a relationship that I've never had. I am so excited about it. I am a family person and I've always wanted to know my family. My great aunt passed and that was sad ,but it was also joyful because it gave me the chance to see my Daddy after 2 years, my uncles Randy and Sammy, and my aunt Linda...and also some of my cousins that I had never met. This has been my dream come true and seems almost unreal to believe. I just hope that I mean as much to them as they mean to me.
This week we've been on spring break, but spring break means I'm busier than ever. All the kids around come to my house to play and they have kept me on my toes. The kids have 4-wheelers and dirt bikes, and they have rode them around the top of our property til they have made trails. Now all the neighbors bring their 4-wheelers and dirt bikes down to join them. They have all been enjoying the better weather and the spring break week.
However, My little foster baby hasn't been feeling well and has wanted me to just set and hold her, so that is what I've been doing yesterday and today. I thonk it is the pollen that is bothering here.
Yesterday, I got brave and took Jacob and five of his friends to Monkey Joes. They were so good and had a great time.
As for next week, I'll be in school taking some classes, so it will be a busy week too.
Well, that is it. I've got to run and check on my baby. Have a great week!

In Our School

In our school there will be
no boring lectures, no politically-correct textbooks, no required courses, no graffiti-covered walls, no overcrowded classrooms, no high-stakes testing, no strict schedules, and no dress codes…
But the whole world will be an open book as we run free to windsung poems,and we will rejoice as we explore the wonders of God's creation.
By Teri Ann Berg Olsen