Mom in the bathtub . . .

Do you remember when I wrote this:

Um, and maybe my oldest daughter who never allows me to see her unless she's fully dressed, but when she needs to talk, always chooses to do so when I've decided to relax in the tub. I finally put up a curtain, albeit a lace one, so that I could have some privacy. She sits in my bathroom floor to talk about life's problems.

The classic scenario in our house is me in the bathroom and one of the kids coming in and asking, "Hey, mom. What're you doing, mom? Are you in the bathroom? Okay. Well . . . blah, blah, blah." And me replying with something like, "Do you mind?" It seems that nothing deters a kid who wants to talk to mom, regardless of her current activity.

Well, you have to read this comic from today! It's so hilarious and fits along perfectly with my life!

http://www.fborfw.com/strip_fix/archives/003226.php

J.L.

I AM a bum! Plus, the many faces of me.

Totally and without apology, I admit that I am being a total bum right now. No! NOT a hiney bum, though I am sitting around on my bum lots and lots, which explains why I can't fit into my skirts right now! Anyway, I am being just a L-A-Z-Y bum cause school's out, 4-H is somewhat in hiatus, and we don't have tons of "gotta do" on our calendars! And it's totally awesome! But I do miss y'all . . . do you miss me? Hopefully you do, cause I just love to be missed!

And guess what? The best person in the whole world will be missing me next week: Mister Bloomin' Life. Along with three other adults, I am taking twelve kids to church camp next week! This is a first for us . . . and hopefully only the beginning of a great summer activity for our kids. Only . . .

Brother Bloomin' Life and Sister-in-law Bloomin' Life are expecting a baby soon . . . only BUMMER! She is having her labor induced while I'm at church camp! How the heck am I supposed to focus on my relationship with the Lord and on making sure our kids are focused on the real reason for teen camp, when all I can think about is my new little niece and that I won't get to see her until two or three days after she's born? That stinks!

Oh, hey! Get this! I have a Gmail email account, right? So I was thinking about how Little Miss Independent and I get online and chat the night away sometimes. Seems like we talk more on Gmail chat than in person! How S-A-D is that? So, anyways . . . I was just thinking that the "g" in Gmail really stands for GOSSIP mail! LOL . . . so, back to my life . . .

Can you believe that this year is half over already? And guess what? I think you should know that CHRISTMAS is less than six months away! How's that for stress? LOL . . . You're welcome! Mom and I did some Christmas shopping today at Belk since they had some great jewelry (pronouned jury in Georiga) and bags (purses) on 50% off, plus an additional 50% off.

Plus, I bought a new little . . . uh . . . sweet nothing on clearance for myself. Or maybe you could say it was for Mister, though I didn't take pictures this time to send to him to see how he liked it. Nope, not when my 13-year-old wasn't with me to ask questions.

So, anyway, that's kinda some things going on with me right now. There's really lots more, but Bertha Mae is itchin' to try on that sweet nothing for Mister, so I gotta go before she busts a seam . . .

More ramblin' later . . . and trust me . . . there's lots floating around in my brain that I can't wait to get outta there!

Julia

I love CHEERIOS!

This was fun to do . . . and I just happen to 'be' my favorite cereal! LOL . . .

Julia

You Are Cheerios

Like other Cheerios eaters, you want to be a responsible adult. But you can't help but still be a kid at heart! You try to make good decisions. You're a clean cut, conscientious person. You're the type of person who would never skip breakfast. Part of you thinks that breakfast is too important to miss... But a bigger part of you knows it's too fun to miss!

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

Cooking Meme

The rules:1) Answer all the questions honestly.2) Tag at least three people.
When was the most recent time you were burned?
Gee, I really don't remember. However, we have a gas range and sometimes I forget and leave the salt and pepper shakers sitting on the stove when I'm cooking. Ouch!

Can you cook?
Oh, yes! Being married 22 years and feeding a family of seven FORCES one to learn how . . . and quickly!

If yes, name your specialties (three max.)
Hmmmm . . . any type of roast in the slow cooker; breakfast casserole; chocolate cake

If yes, do you like to cook?
Actually, I really do enjoy cooking, so long as I have all the ingredients I need and am not having to run to the store in the middle of preparing something!

If no, do you want to be able to cook?
N/A

What color is your kitchen?
It's an off white/creamy color with an apple motif. The border has green, blue, and red in it, so it's easy to switch up my decor.

Do you bake?
You bet! But I don't do that often because, you know, hips don't lie, baby!

If yes, do you like to bake?
Yes, even more than I like cooking in general. I think because it's not something I do all the time makes it more enjoyable.

If no, do you want to bake?
N/A

What color is your apron?
Hmmm . . . well, I have several, but I do not wear them much. My favorite is one that belonged to my maw-maw that I believed she sewed herself.

I tag:
Coffee Bean
I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully the Maid
Whoever else wants to do this meme

See ya!

J.L.

Do I talk too much?

Created by OnePlusYou

Cardboard Testimonies: Find your hankie

So . . . I've been away for a few weeks and had fully intended to give a rundown of where I'd been and what I'd been up to. Funny thing. God changed all that. I have something more pressing to share with you today.

A friend of mine, a dear, sweet, Christian homeschooling mama, sent a link to me yesterday for a YouTube video called Cardboard Testimonies. I really had no clue what it was going to be about . . . now I'm just sorry I didn't watch it sooner.

As I watched the video, several thoughts were running through my head (what else is new?):

• What would my cardboard testimony be?
• We never know what crosses other people are bearing.
• We never know how our trials can touch others and bring glory to God.
• It is amazing what God does in the lives of man, though man doesn't deserve any of it.
• God's grace is utterly AMAZING!
• I am thankful for second, third, fiftieth, hundredth, and millionth chances!
• I am glad God doesn't give up on us.
• I am so unworthy. Not worthless, just unworthy.

I think my cardboard testimony would be that I have lived in constant fear and worry for most of my life. But recently I've really begun to understand that I'm really not in control of ANYTHING in my life, except how much trust and faith I put in the Someone who loves me more than anyone else in this world loves me. Peace doesn't come from a life free from trials and tribulations. This is where it comes from:

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Philippians 4:6, 7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

To live in peace regardless of my circumstances, I must: keep my mind on God and trust Him; make sure I am not dwelling my my problems; pray, petition God, & give thanks to Him.

Not so long ago, while struggling foolishly with a decision regarding the coming school year, I realized that I cannot always wait for God to show me what's going to happen before I step out on faith and follow Him.

Think about Abram. He had no clue where he was going, but he was obedient to God, packing up his little family, and setting out to go wherever God led him. And though he utterly trusted God, it was not always easy, I'm sure. What about his son Isaac? God had promised him this son for years and years and years. He also promised that his seed would be as the sand of the earth. But then God asked him to sacrifice that very son. Again, obedience reigned, though I am certain he was wondering what God was up to. At the last minute, God spared the son and provided a ram in the thicket.

Obedience and sacrifice, or the willingness to do so, often go hand-in-hand. In many situations, I really believe that God wants to see how far we're willing to go in order to be obedient to Him. Obedience often requries us to humble ourselves before God, which will ease our trial if we're willing to do so. What I also believe the Bible teaches is that obedience, sacrifice, and humility bring us blessings we do not expect to find.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

We have many trying experiences (tribulations) in this life. God says that they should make us steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity (patient) and bring us gained knowledge through direct participation (experience), and, ultimately, trust, reliance, confidence, dependence (hope) and maturity and soundness (perfection).

So, this is my cardboard testimony:

A life lived in fear of the unknown. (FRONT)

PEACE in my heart and mind! (BACK)

Now that you know my cardboard testimony, will you share yours with me?

Love you all,

J.M.

What time of day are you?

This is pretty cool and describes me perfectly. Pretty amazing. Be sure to try it for yourself.

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

God's A'Workin'

I have read a few blog stories the past few days about situations God has placed a particular few bloggers in. Of course, God is always putting every one of us in situations, but a few bloggers have chosen to share their experiences. They're worth a mention and I think you would be equally blessed to read what they've written.

• A Girl Named Tiffany
• To Help or Not to Help

Please feel free to share with me if you've had similar things happen to you! I love, love, love God stories!

Talk soon!

J.L.

Coffee Bean is having a contest

And I really think you should check it out! It's for a good cause.

See, my friend C.B. has something called Spasmodic Dysphonia and this week is National Dysphonia Awareness Week. To make more people aware of what it is, she's hosting a contest for a Starbucks card. So, go check out Coffee Bean's contest! I know she'll appreciate it!

Make sure you follow the rules so you'll be entered!

J.L.

Did you know . . .

that the word friend is only on letter away from the word fiend?

Scary, huh?

J.L.

I'm here, I promise!

Gee, time sorta sneaks away from you when you're busy, say, LIVING YOUR LIFE instead of blogging about it! I can't believe it's been an entire week since I last posted. But, I promise you that I'll get back into the swing of things here in a day or two. In the meantime, you can bite your fingernails while I prepare to talk about:

1. 
   
   Twin boys getting their driver's licenses


2. 
   
   How to get the "tummy tickles" back in your marriage


3. 
   
   A visit to Stone Mountain on my anniversary . . . including five kids, my mom, my niece, and a family friend


4. 
   
   How I lost 1000 +/- pounds this week


5. 
   
   What the heck was happening in this picture:

I better go before I change my mind about posting that picture. Lord, please don't let my friends desert me.

Talk soon!

J.L.