A little bit of this and a WHOLE lot of....

This week is SPRING BREAK!!! If you could see me now you would know I am doing the Happy Dance :)

What do you ask, are we going to do? Hmmmm, well let's see:

Stay Up Late. Sleep In

Take My Grandbabies to the Park and enjoy the warm & wonderful sunshiney weather that has been forecast

Hang my new curtains that should arrive on Thursday! (pics to come)

Shop with my daughter for Prom Dresses

Have a DiGiorno Pizza Party for HouseParty ~ shoot some hoops, take some pics and enjoy all my family & friends who come

Have a Slumber Party with the kids and grandkids ♥

Go on a lunch date with my Mom ALONG with the kids!!

Read some awesome books to review.

Go visit my daughter at her NEW JOB!! So proud of her!

Cut my Sons Hair!! My oh My.... is it ever long!!

Cherish the days that my husband is able to take off towards the end of the week ♥ ♥ ♥

Spend time with the ONE who has blessed me with so much. Worship the ONE who is soo worthy of all my Praise. Seek the ONE who, in times of trouble, gives us Peace.


Have a blessed week my dear friends! XOXO

Spiritual Sundays

I received Joyce Meyer's The Confident Woman Devotional for Christmas and I LOVE IT! Today, for Spiritual Sundays I am sharing from it. If you would like to Join in with others or just read other inspirational posts go here

COOPERATION REQUIRED

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

The most important thing is not how we start but how we finish. Some people get started with a bang, but they never finish. Others are slow starters, but they finish strong.

God has a plan for each of us. It is our destiny. But it is a possibility, not a "positively." Even if someone prophesies over us wonderful things in the name of the Lord, what is being prophesied is the heart, the will, and the desire of God for us. It doesn't mean it is positively going to come to pass. We have a part to play in seeing that plan come true.

I challenge you to cooperate with God every single day of your life to develop your potential. Every day you should be a bit further along than you were the day before. We must each discover our God-given gifts and talents, what we are truly capable of, and then put ourselves to the task of developing those gifts, talents, and capabilities to their fullest extent.

Lord, I am thrilled that You have a plan for my life. That I have a destiny is amazing. I want to cooperate with You today and make that a reality. Amen

Friday Funnies ~

Happy Friday Everyone!! I ESPECIALLY L♥VE this Friday because as of 2:35 today we will OFFICIALLY be on SPRING BREAK!!! Hallelujah, Thank YOU JESUS!!!! Are those of you who have kids on Spring Break this coming week as well? I was so worried with all the snow days we had that they were going to take our Spring Break away but Praise the Lord they didn't!!

ANYWHO..... Back to Friday Funnies! If you would like to join in or just need some to laugh, head on over to visit Kim


My daughter showed me these pictures and they had me crackin up! Knew they were perfect!!

"Want to catch some rays.....get in line"


"Found this attached to my panty hose!!!"


"Can you stick out your tongue and touch your nose?"


"Oh DEER!"


Happy Friday my Friends! Remember ~
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

Stoner Drug & Soda Fountain Happiness

I shared last week about my Mom and I taking a road trip from Oklahoma to North Dakota to attend a funeral. We had such a blessed trip. I LOVE LOVE LOVE time with my Mom ~ truly, it doesn't matter what we do, and being able to have her with me one on one is like a sweet gift from the Lord!! We had many laughs, some deep talks and rarely did she get upset with me about my driving ;)~

As we were on our way home the second day, we both needed to take a potty break and we were both in desperate need of some COFFEE!!! We saw a sign on the highway that read Soda Fountain and Stoner's Drug. Immediately Mom and I were like..."Stoner's Drug??? ~ we MUST check this place out!!" So we exited the highway and entered what looked to be a itty bitty town that might have a population of possibly 100!! NO LIE! We went a couple of blocks and turned onto main street and saw the sign we were looking for in all it beauty..... STONER DRUG. I looked at mom and said "maybe we will see Charlie Sheen!!!???" hahaha

We parked and walked in. OK, I must tell you ....THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS PLACES ON EARTH that "I" have ever been to!!!
You walk through the doors immediately entering the "drug store" and then you see in the rear of the store the SODA FOUNTAIN counter. Stools lined this authentic old fashioned Soda Fountain. The wonderful aroma of strong coffee and laughter filled the air, and most of the bar stools were occupied with many of the towns retirees, spending their afternoon as they do most everyday, there @ Stoner Drug. Of course, everyone knew everyone and the lady who worked this Soda Fountain knew exactly how every single one of her customers like their coffee. So, If you think two strange women can walk into such a place and the people not know we are "Just passing through" .... think again.

We approach the sweet smiling lady behind the counter and Mom asks, "How is your coffee?" One of the gentleman immediately turned around and said "It's great, you want a sip of mine?" We all got a chuckle out of that and we ordered our coffee, and both of us asked for cream. The woman poured our coffee and then proceeded to hand us a half a gallon of milk and a spoon.....This is their cream ya'll.....MILK!! LOLOLOL I just snickered and poured the milk into my coffee. Mom made her way to the back of Stoner Drug to visit the potty and I decided I would sit down and visit a while with all the older gentlemen (seriously, I was in heaven!!) I noticed a gentleman across the way sharing some cute jokes with a bunch of older retired women and wondered to myself if he might be the town pastor. Guess what....HE WAS (recentlry retired but nevertheless)!! I started talking to the man beside me and found out he was the towns Barber. I told him that I did hair as well but knew he must be far better than I ever was!

Here are the men lined at the bar of the Soda Fountain


Talking and having their coffee


Here is Bob the Barber and the towns recently retired Pastor


Mom returned and I introduced her to my new friends and yes, I knew some of their names already!! My mom just laughed at me introducing them to her as if I had known them forever. At this time, out of courtesy the woman who worked there asked us the question..."Are you all just passing through?" We said yes, and shared that we saw their sign on the Highway and just had to check out a place called Stoner Drug. She looked at my Mom and said "Well, will you all sign our Guestbook and then we will give you a souvenir. UH? You have a Guestbook? and Souvenir's???? Why yes, yes we will!

Here is the Guest book signed by all of those who have just "passed through" and found this wonderful place called Stoner Drug



our Souvenir....a pill box to carry with us always reminding us of our stop in Hamburg IA


As Mom opened & signed the Guest Book, we glanced over some of the signatures and comments. Would you believe someone from Yugoslavia found Stoner Drug?? Not only that, but they enjoyed their very FIRST milkshake!!! WOW! Guess what? They loved it too! Doesn't surprise me at all. Sitting on those stools, Mom & I met the heart of this community. It truly was one of my favorite moments on the whole trip. I did not want to leave!! The atmosphere was filled with Joy and a simplicity of days where no one was in a hurry to get anywhere. Fellowship was the only thing on their minds. Technology wasn't evident anywhere, and No TV's blared in the background either. Just Precious People with smiles on their faces and kind words on their lips. They say coffee is always better when shared with a friend, and I met some friends that day. I may not ever see them again this side of Heaven but I know God allowed us to meet these wonderful people, for that ....
I am truly Thankful!

What about you? Do you have any special road trip stories?

25!! How can it be ??

Our oldest daughter turns 25 today! We spent last night celebrating HER &hearts
We had a yummy dinner and.....

Birthday Brownies of Course!


Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Krista, Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuu


Bentley slept right through it all


Daddy napped some too bless his heart ;)


What did Papa do you ask??? He played in the Dora the Explorer tent ~ OF COURSE ;)~










HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTA ~ We love you so very much and are soo proud of the Beautiful Woman and Momma that you are!
xoxoxoxo

Spiritual Sundays ~ My Nana

When praying about what I would post for Spiritual Sundays I felt led to share about my Nana.

When I became a Believer I learned that I was adopted. Adopted and received into Christ. I have a royal heritage. For me, learning this was lifechanging (as it should be) but to know that ....really know it, just humbles me. God cares for generations and having someone in your family who leaves you with such Christlike examples is by far one of Gods greatest gifts!

Today is my Nana's earthly birthday, she would have been 84. My Nana was an amazing woman. A true Proverbs 31 woman! She lived her life caring for others and serving them too. She was 1 of 14 children!!! Can you even imagine?? But growing up in such a large family she learned so much and she passed that on to us. She was a very frugal woman to say the least. We would always tease her because she would always have odd shapes of foil in a drawer because she wouldn't throw it away. She would fold it back neatly and have it ready for the next use :) She always made whomever she was with feel like the most important person in the world. She loved deeply and when we lost her all those years ago, every single one of us still has a huge hole in our heart, that only Nana could fill.

She taught us all the importance of hard work. What it meant to be diligent and persevere no matter what your circumstances are!
Even on the tiniest of budgets she had such a gift of making every situation soo very special!

As I get older I am learning the importance of passing on to my children and grandchildren. My Nana did that. She passed on so many things to us. I remember when I was with my Mom and we were going through Nana's stuff after she had died and I found her Bible. It was bookmarked in Proverbs verse 31. I just cried because I know it was no coincidence I am the one who found her Bible. It was the Lord's gift to me. Nana's too. Confirmation of a godly women, who loved and lived for Christ and it showed in all she did.

What about you? What example are you leaving to those generations younger than you? Your children? Your grandchildren? Do they see someone who lives their life glorifying Christ and serving others as HE would? Loving them like HE would?

Have a blessed weekend my friends!

For more spiritual sundays go here

TGIF ♥

I am so glad it's Friday aren't you!! Plus, Friday's are always better when you laugh don't ya think?? So join Kim @ Homesteaders Heart and share a funny today!!





Have a laughter-filled day my friends!

Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

"4" Days, "Four"teen Hundred Miles, all "For" the love of Uncle Bob

Have you all ever been to North Dakota? Do you know how VERY COLD it is in North Dakota?? You know the movie "New in Town" with Renee Zellweger when she is just arriving and doesn't think it is going to be "that bad" outside those airport doors...well this is exactly how we felt in North Dakota! IT WAS SOOOO C.O.L.D!




Mom and I loaded up on Saturday and arrived in Valley City, ND very late Sunday evening. My Mom was born in North Dakota and has wonderful memories of living there. Years later, they moved to Missouri, so my Mom and her Sister would return during the summers to visit and stay with their grandparents. You could just hear the Joy in her voice as she reminisced and shared how much she loved this place and all of her family there! It has been quite some time since she had seen some of them and for me, well, I haven't seen any of them since I was a baby some 40 or so years ago :)

Saying good-bye to someone you love is never easy but being surrounded by those who loved them and sharing memories certainly help. It was so special for me to be by my Moms side and to hear the stories of so many who loved our Uncle Bob. One of our cousins sang at the funeral and as my Mom so nicely put it, "Isn't it wonderful knowing at least one of us has a beautiful singing voice!" LOL It was quite the emotional moment for all of us but He truly did a beautiful job and I know Uncle Bob would have loved it as well.

This community is a close one for sure and tons of people came to say good-bye and to give love and support for our family. Uncle Bob had many friends and some since their elementary and high school days. His best friend was there and shared a beautiful poem about the gift of friendship. We all laughed, cried, loved and in the end, it was just so very special! I was so thankful to have been able to celebrate the Life of Uncle Bob!

My Aunt and Moms Sister Lynette(left) and on the right is Uncle Bobs daughter Pam


Bobs kids Pam, Curtis and his daughter in law Donna along with my Mom, Aunt Lynette and her husband Don


This is a very special group.....Bobs longtime girlfriend as well as two of his very longtime friends. Such a deep bond they all had ~ truly a gift from the Lord!


Family....a bond never broken, no matter how long it had been since they had seen one another, it was just like yesterday. Family was so important to Uncle Bob and he would have loved everyone being together!







I just want to thank all of you for your prayers and love! Thank you for praying for my husband who did a WONDERFUL job as usual while I was away! I am so very blessed ~ Thank you Honey! I Love and Appreciate you more than words can say!

Spiritual Sundays

Praising the Lord for rescuing me. Praising the Lord for meeting me right where I am. Praising the Lord for all HE has done!
Truly, I am forever HIS!

I pray this song blesses you....




Thank you Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays each and every week! To join in go here

Have a Blessed and Beautiful weekend! I will be driving with my Mom to North Dakota to attend her favorite Uncles funeral. It is quite the drive and the temps are VERY VERY COLD! Would you please offer up a prayer for safe travel and for Uncle Bobs family. If you don't mind, praying for my husband as well while I am gone. I am so blessed to have such an amazing and supportive husband!

Love you all!

Thankful for Grace

Colossians 3:15-17
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Do you let the PEACE of Christ rule in your heart? Does the Word of Christ dwell richly in you? Is there thankfulness in your heart? Do you do everything in the name of Jesus?


I know I fail terribly......


Forgive me Lord! I fail miserably when I don't walk with YOUR PEACE in my heart or allow YOUR WORD to dwell in me. Help me to do everything in YOUR NAME Jesus, thanking YOU with my actions, my words, my deeds so that others see YOU ...not me. Help me to sing my heart out to you Lord!! Help me Lord to cultivate thankfulness and to instruct others in the way of the Lord! May I always be about my FATHERS BUSINESS

Thanking the Lord for HIS Word and HIS Grace today....What about you? What are you thankful for?