Lot of things to talk about......

Update: Doctor told Mom, "no more jumping on the bed", ;) lol!!!, no seriously, he told her that everything seemed okay, except she would have to come off her fluid Rx for a while. So, she is still on the IV pic line and will be until she gets a heart. They didn't move it (IV line) to her chest, and I forgot to ask when they will. So far so good! Keep praying for God's will to do done. I know "it" will happen in His time and for His glory!

Just got off the phone with Mom, and her heart cath, you know the one she dreads, went good! Praise the Lord! We dread this for her every time she is scheduled to have one. So we asked for extra special prayers to make this an easy one, and He doesn't disappoint! She is waiting to see the doctor, so when I hear from that visit, I'll update!

We are childless! No elaboration needed:)

My head is spinning.....sinus....again:)

Well, I can't help but elaborate on the childless thing. The grandparents were so kind to take the boys on a little adventure. They left yesterday morning early and are due back Thursday. What to do? Hubby takes me out to eat and a little shopping:) My new favorite "Abuelos". I don't even like Mexican restaurants. But this place is awesome. I think all the hot foods got my sinuses loose....hince...the head spinning thing:) Joy! We even watched a whole movie..."The Pursuit of Happyness".....cried like a baby......crying + sinus=supercharged head spinning:)

Now, I just miss them:(

Thanks for your prayers,

Carrie

Workaholics!

Another devotion today girls/guys! When it comes to work, the first word/person that pops into my mind is my Dad. This word describes him to a tee! His favorite song in the church hymnal is, "Work for the night is coming!" We always used to grin as children and still do, when he requests this song. I know he is thinking spiritually minded, but we cannot help but think, yeah, this is all you think about....work, work, work! So, it's especially hard to see him at home, asleep, this days:) lol!!! My parents are getting older:( My kids think I'm a big fat liar, because of all the stories I have told them about how I dreaded to see Spring Break or Summer come....I knew it meant...work:) I wasn't abused, like my kids think abuse....chores:)....the boys just flat crack me up over that one! But yes, we did have work to do. I look back now and actually appreciate my parents for making me pick up rocks, hoe sticky bushes out of pastures, garden, mow the yard, rack hay...not in a barn....I'm talking tractor and several acres..etc..you get the picture:)

My pastor mentioned something similar to this in his sermon about how a grandfather had made his grandchildren work all day, all the while they were begging to stop. He wanted them to have the satisfaction of persevering until the end. Seeing that something they began, even though it was tough, being finished and getting the feeling of accomplishment, when wanting to give up seemed the best option at the time.

Lately, I've struggled with work/stay at home tug-of-war. I am in no way a workaholic, but I do find satisfaction in it. I'm one of those Moms who loves her children to pieces, but yet has to work. Not saying we don't need the money, 'cause who doesn't, but we could manage. It's just there is something in me that desires and has a....I just can't think of a word here....need to work. Weird, I know. My Mom doesn't quite figure me out, and neither do I, but it's just me. And that's the only person I know to be. So while having the Mommy blues, I'm asking God to reveal to me the person/Mom he wants me to be. I keep reading/hearing, "stay the course, finish the race, and today He spoke these words to me through the devotion...."Don't just work hard, work for the right reasons!"

"God measures with a different yardstick."

"He won't ask what kind of car you drive, but how many people you gave rides to.

He won't ask the square footage of your home, but how you raised your children and treated your family.

He won't ask about the brand names in your closet, but who you helped to clothe.

He won't ask about your salary, but how much you invested into the building of His kingdom.

He won't ask you about your job title, but if you tried to perform with excellence and integrity. He won't ask how many friends you had, but how many people you were a friend to.

He won't ask what neighborhood you lived in, but if you loved your neighbor.

He won't ask about your politics or the color of your skin, but about the quality of your character."

Lots to swallow!

But I know that if I put God first, He will take care of the rest!

As for the work song, Dad was right on target. No matter what place we are in our lives, time of day it is, season of the year, we have to continue His work until He returns. I want to hear my Heavenly Father say, " well done, my good and faithful servant."

Proverbs 3:6, "Put God first, and He will.....crown your efforts with success."

For His kingdom, I'm praying that I will Work......... for the night is coming!

Carrie

Preview of the new Fall 2008 Styles for Child-Rearing Mom's

My precious son #1 told me that I looked like a pilgrim today:)

Me-Say what?

Son #1-Yeah, what's up with the black and white?

Me-Again...say what?

I love the honesty of teenagers! However, he could have kept that one to himself:) lol!!!

As for the black dress and white cardigan....1) I didn't have to iron it and 2) I was trying to make it look like I wasn't attending a funeral.......guess it didn't work.

I dislike ironing.

I love the fact that my kids care enough about themselves to let me know when I'm embarrassing them by looking like a pilgrim, in the middle of town, standing in front of these statues:) ROFL!

We're having a blast this summer:) lol!!

L8R,

Pilgrim Mom

Prepare for the unexpected

Update: I've had a few requests for a pic....and the sad part of it.......I almost did:) ROFL!!!

My kids refer to my legs as, "bird legs." Well, they might as well change that thought to, "hurt legs." 'Cause they (boys) are constantly stepping on my toes....really.....ouch...you just mashed my foot. No matter if I were to trip and land on top of my head....it's my legs that take the beating....and I have the scars to prove it.

Yesterday, as I was trying to do a good deed, I slashed my leg into:) Before I explain, may I ask why it is that when we try and do something good, some pain comes my way. I am a klutz. Making no excuses here.

So here's the scene:

- Hot

-Decrepit truck

-4 of us in said truck (not built for 4 long legged bodies)

-me and son #2 decide to swap places

-did I mention it was hot

-decrepit truck has no A/C

-trying to swap seats with son #2....and ripped 4 inches of hide off my leg...no lie.

-blood....lots of blood....still bleeding today

-Hubby says it "probably" doesn't need stitches

And I laughed at Lisa and her toe:) lol!!! Not laughing at you, just that I can relate:) ROFL!!!! So, Luke if you are reading this....I'm expecting a get well card!

To add some spiritual revelation here, I thought of what a lady at church said Sunday. After experiencing some health problems, she is praying and asking God to show her what He is trying to teach her through it. After having a fit(anybody besides me have these:)) over a cut leg, I immediately thought of what she had said Sunday. After having me a hissy fit in the hot truck, I began to think of what this lady said. God what are you trying to tell me here? We are trying to do good, I have nothing with me to fix the cut, and on a time crunch.

But I did.

Fix it.

And yes we made it on time.

I think I must be the type of person who needs a painfully visual reminder that I am here to do God's will and not mine! "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Very trivial thing to cut your leg, should be and it was...not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill here, just everyday life that happens.....it's how I handle life that makes me stop and think......"God what are you trying to teach me?"

Carrie

Back from a few days of nothing!

Absolutely loved it! Our 4th involved these chairs for the most part. We did get to see a fabulous show on Thursday night and enjoyed some good food with family on Saturday and Sunday. MIL made some great kabobs and I made a stab at some home made peach ice cream/soup:) Slight problem on the freezing end. However it tasted good. And lots more grilled veggies and peach cobbler on Sunday. Couldn't ask for anything better!




I'm new to this whole grilling/baking veggies. Baking/grilling meats I've been doing, but veggies? I've always thought if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And how can fried squash/okra, etc. get any better? Grilling/baking, that's how! KT introduced me to the carrot/sweet potato..aka KT's Jaunders. I just added squash, zucchini, red potatoes, onions, red, orange, yellow pepper, and a new kind of squash. Mom and I were in Wally World making our way around the produce aisle and there was this huge bin of *coyote squash. Being the shy women we are, we asked a guy that was working in that department, "what was this thing that cost $1.25/piece?". He opened his pocket knife and cut it open. Seeing I didn't know where this knife had been, I refuse to try. Not Mom..... she ate it......living on the edge:) She loved it! It's a mixture of squash and some sweet fruit. A good twist to throw in the mix. Add you some olive oil, sea salt and peppercorn on all the veggies and bake/grill until tender. OH MY GOSH!!!




Another first for me. I'm 36 years old and I canned my first green beans last night. Mom has always canned beans. She just didn't want us around while doing it.......possible explosion:) What I thought was some big hairy deal, in fact is not. My only fear now is Hubby is going to want to make a garden next year....gulp!




*not sure of the name....sounded like coyote:) lol!!! I tried to google it...to no avail. Next time I'm at Wally World I'll get some more of them and let you know the correct name.

Have a blessed day!

Carrie

The Cactus Cuties sing the National Anthem at Spurs Playoff

Happy 4th of July!

This weeks WFMW had a theme. The request was for a simple recipe of 5 ingredients or less. First one that popped into my head was my family's all-time favorite.......CHOCOLATE GRAVY.....Mawmaw style that is! When Hubby and I first married, my list of entrees was somewhat....short! I was an outside girl and who needs to know how to cook?

Me...obviously..'cause # 1...... I LOVE TO EAT:) and #2 I married me a man that LOVES TO EAT :)...and #3 I have two healthy boys who LOVE TO EAT:) lol!!!!!!!!!!! So, after a few times of Hubby having to drink his mashed potatoes through a straw.....I had me a little visit with Mom and Mawmaw. Who knew you had to drain the water off the potatoes before creaming them:) lol!!! I've made many a calls to my MIL too...she is an awesome cook!

I've come a long ways since then and have learned from the best. So here goes my secret recipe handed down from Mawmaw. I always looked forward to spending the night with her and waking up to the smell of some good 'ole home made cat-head biscuits with........drum roll.......CHOCOLATE GRAVY! Talk about making you slap your Grandma! This is the best treat! This is our Sunday go to meeting breakfast!

Mawmaw's Chocolate Gravy

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

4 Tbsp. cocoa

4 Tbsp. flour (all purpose)

2 Tbsp. stick butter

1 cup milk

Directions:

Mix together the sugar, cocoa and flour in a medium size sauce pan. Add milk and butter. Cook over medium heat. Stirring constantly until desired thickness....(my bunch likes it thin).

Now pour this stuff over some hot biscuits! And then go hug the cook!

Go check out http://www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/ for more easy recipes!

Enjoy!!

Carrie

Now there...it's fixed! I feel better! Oh, I'm talking to myself.....excuse me.....my picture of Mawmaw's beautiful hydrangea! It's in the center of the page! I can rest now:) Mark that off my to-do list of things to finish:) Just 100 or more to go:)

Back to work I go!

Hope your having a good day!

I am! My head is beginning to feel normal again....thanks to antibiotics...this sinus stuff is dragging me down....and everyone close to me:) Anybody still with me? If so, I think we need to form a sinus support group! 'Cause I haven't been coping very well:)

Do you see me trying to smile through this:)

To date......THIS IS THE WORST POST.....EVER!

I'm going to try and make it better now. My devotion today told me to...."DEAL WITH IT!" Thank you Lord for speaking the truth to me!

L8R,

Carrie

P.S. If this is your first time to stop by, please, please come back....I'm not usually this scattered...usually:) lol!!!!

And as a sign of His covenant, He set the rainbow in the sky, "the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth."

Ahhhhhhh, the smell of rain! One of my favorite smells! Can you have favorite smells? If not we should. I could definitely tell you my worst...but I'll refrain. Seriously, I love the way the rain smells, how it instantaneously makes everything brighter, cleaner, greener. We just stood on the steps of the porch and listened and breathed it in. Either it's very dry in our area or we are very bored? No, not bored, just very thankful for the rain, 'cause we sure needed it.

Hubby wanted the kids to see the double rainbow. Don't know if you can see the other one or not, but it was there. Scouts honor! Son #2 asked how it forms, where it ended and what was at the end of it. Of course I said, a pot of gold, but what I should have said was golden streets, because all I can think of when I see a rainbow is God's promise. At the end of every blessing, you find God! As for what makes a rainbow...again.....all God!

I hope and pray that when life dumps rain on me that I will be still and breathe it in. I've been guilty this past week of not breathing at all! I had to take a whipping at church yesterday for my bad attitude. I'm so glad he loves me enough to reprimand me! Keeps me in line!! I so need that!! The best part of all...he forgave me...again!

Bring on the rain!

Blessings to all,

Carrie

Ya'll its Friday!!!

Whew...what a week. I'm looking for the weekend baby!! Why, I don't know? Because weekends are usually busier than my work week! Anyhoo, I'll be at home!

I sat down last night at the piano and turned to a song called, "We'll Talk It Over In The Bye & Bye", or something like that. BTW.....this piano is one I got from my MawMaw...you know the kind that sounds like an old bar piano:) Just a different sound than my other piano. I love it! I play the piano....for myself....mind you, unless I happen to be the only one at church on business night and my Dad makes me play. I have to pick the song:) That should clue you in on how skilled I am at playing the thing. I do love to try. My sister P is the master pianist. Enough of all that...on to the point...I think I have one......the song just summed up what I've been thinking lately. The song talks about how we get to ask the questions and He will tell the why, when we get to heaven. All these earthly trials and tribulations will make sense then. I look forward to the day when We talk it over! Chills people!!! Especially after hearing of the little boy, Trevor, who had this horrific accident.

Our problems are under His feet! That comforts me!

So, at the close of this work week, I want to hold my hands high and look up to the One who knows our tomorrows!

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

Leaving you the words to the song....

Tho' shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds,I will not question the way He leads;This side of Heaven we know in part,I will not question a broken heart.

Chorus

We'll talk it over in the bye and bye.We'll talk it over, my Lord and I.I'll ask the reasons - He'll tell me why,When we talk it over in the bye and bye.

I'll trust His leading, He'll never fail,Thru darkest tunnels or misty vales.Obey his bidding and faithful be,Tho' only one step ahead I see.

Chorus
We'll talk it over in the bye and bye.We'll talk it over, my Lord and I.I'll ask the reasons - He'll tell me why,When we talk it over in the bye and bye.

I'll hide my heartache behind a smileAnd wait for reasons 'til after while.And tho' He try me, I know I'll findThat all my burdens are silver lined.

Chorus

We'll talk it over in the bye and bye.We'll talk it over, my Lord and I.I'll ask the reasons - He'll tell me why,When we talk it over in the bye and bye.

Carrie