Happy Birthday to my Grandma Carolyn. She has been through so much in her life. Most recently, the loss of her youngest son (her baby)...I don't think I could ever hold up to the challenges she has been faced with in her life. I feel terrible for being her next door neighbor and not being able to visit with her everyday. I know one day it will be a big regret to me. I love her so much and I am so lucky to have her in my life. Happy Birthday Nanny. I love you.

Well, we have two new members in the family. Jason got a new hunting dog. Her name is Ruby Sue and she is a German ShortHaired Pointer. I was a little upset with the idea of BUYING a dog and all the expenses that come with this sport. When he brought her home, we ALL fell in love with her. She is precious. My dad, the avid bird hunter, mentioned to Jason that it was best to have two. So...I went with him (just to see) and I fell in love with her sister. So...we welcomes Maggie May just a few days later. Now, the girls are my boys best friends! They play together in the yard and sneak in for a little nap when it's cold outside. They are adorable. Gotta give them lots of momma love for now...this Fall they start their training and will be official hunting dogs. Not sure Jason will want us "treating them like babies" when that starts!

I'm going to be an Aunt again!!!

My best friend, Jennette, is having another baby FINALLY! I am so excited. I bought this shirt for the new big brother! Isn't he adorable? We have been on her case for a long time to give that poor boy a sibling! Last month, she surprised me with the best news ever!!! She is having another boy. (she doesn't know it yet and she is only about three months along) but I have a good feeling and I am ALWAYS right when it comes to babies!!!! (I will still love it just the same if its a girl) I just hope she likes to wear camo!!!!

Home away from home...for the boys

I am hoping to sweet talk my father in law and husband into building this for the boys this summer (adding rails around it of course) They have wanted a tree house for a while and I know they would use it daily. I have a lot of ideas for it. We have a big walnut tree in the back yard near the swing set. I can see it from the back deck. I think it would be a "special" place for them to go. What do you think?

I want this SO bad. It got away from me at the auction last week BUT I am quite confident I can find another one just like it. I considered sweet talking my father in law into building me one. Would this not be the most precious thing for the boys to play in out in front of my home?

Ever wonder what Jesus is doing when our children are praying?

Well, we took my pig to market and just got the meat back this week. I have to say "it was a little weird" trying to take a bite of bacon knowing that I used to kiss her on the nose in the barn. Anyway...the pork is delicious...even better than the preservative added pork you get in the grocery store. I am not sure how we will eat all 200 pounds of it but I did find a great website with recipes. Who would have ever thought that you could be so creative with pork. Check out some of these recipes and don't forget the wine! Dark Merlot was the choice of wine to compliment your pork! I will let you know how it turns out. WWW.PORKBEINSPIRED.COM

God...is that you sitting on my shoulders?

I woke up this morning. Told myself I was going to skip church today. There was an auction in town and I really wanted to go to it. I started breakfast and my four year old asks "Mom, are we going to church?" I felt a heavy burden on my shoulders. I decided that we better go. Sitting in church, I wondered what time that auction would be over and how long our preacher was going to preach today. Well, wouldn't you know...service went over. Throughout the entire service, I felt like the pastor was talking to only ME! I kept looking up to make sure he wasn't just looking at me- preaching to only me. Everything he kept saying was answers to questions weighing on my mind all week. I asked myself "Did I drive here? Did God drive me here? How does Brother Jack know what has been on my mind this week?"

How could ANYONE not want to live in the country? I get too relaxed just looking at it.

Everyone DRINKS around here....

There is one thing I have learned living in the country...you always need coffee! All the neighbors in my area seem to live off of it. Every time we are blessed with a visitor, and that seems to be often, they have a cup of coffee in their hand. It doesn't matter what time of the day it is. Just yesterday, we had someone stop by. We were visiting with him out in the front yard at 3:30 in the afternoon and I found myself asking him to "come in and have a cup of coffee" while I was walking back to the front door, I thought to myself, "am I getting old or what?" It was actually pretty funny. We are the youngest kids on the block but seem to have the best hangout. All the elderly neighbors really enjoy visiting with Jason. I am not sure what we have to offer....I guess it's just good company and my "french vanilla" creamed coffee! Cheers!

As for us Southern gals, we don't stand at all for gossip! We grab a glass of tea and sit down first!

Where did my three day weekend go?

Well, I started the weekend off cleaning (story of my life) and I was able to take out EIGHT bags of trash from upstairs! (not things I could donate...TRASH) It was great. What a great feeling. My four year old helped me. He kept trying to throw out his brother's toys. Go figure! While I was cleaning upstairs, Jason was cleaning out our shop. He found so many picture albums. Once I opened the albums, my A.D.D kicked in and I was lost in my plan. I REALLY enjoyed looking through those pictures. Pictures of Jason and I on the beach when we were just dating, some from our honeymoon- horseback riding through the Colorado Rockies...pictures of my sweet babies when they were born. Oh...I just loved it. I need to start posting some on here I guess. They were too precious for words!

Meet Maggie Mae and Ruby Sue

Yes, it can happen to anyone...including me!

Anxiety in various forms and degrees seems to be a wide-spread problem, affecting people of all ages and in every country. It is nothing to be ashed or embarrassed about. Just this year, I am finally opening up about how severe my anxiety has become. I have refused ALL medication for it and have decided that I need a lifestyle change instead. I want to eat healthier, get more exercise, and start reading some good books again. If you are prone to anxiety, too, you have two options: A) Give in, and live with it or B) Learn to overcome it. By giving in, you will continue to suffer and feel unhappy, stressed and anxious. It is far better to learn to overcome anxiety, or at least weaken its grip over you. Here are 12 tips for overcoming anxiety, or at least alleviating it: 1. Lack of control over your thoughts, strengthens your anxiety. As negative thoughts get stronger, your anxiety gets stronger too. You need to learn to control your thoughts. 2. Feelings and emotions fuel and strengthen anxiety. You need to develop some self discipline, and learn to have control over your feelings. You also need to develop some degree of emotional detachment. 3.When you go to bed at night, and first thing when you wake up in the morning, think about the good things that are happening to you. There are always some good things happening, even if small and insignificant. 4. Start the day with several minutes of positive affirmations. Tell yourself how would like your day to be. Use positive, cheering and motivating words. 5. Be busy and do something, since activity keeps your mind off your anxiety. When you wake up in the morning, start doing something right away, and keep busy all day. Cleaning the house, washing the dishes or working in your garden, reading, studying, meditating, or exercising your body can help you keep your mind away from anxiety. Staying idle, and thinking about your problems and worries won't make them go away. 6. Set a goal and work everyday to achieve it. This action will direct your thoughts and feelings away from worries and anxieties, toward something more positive and constructive. 7. Talk about your anxieties to someone you trust. Talking about your anxieties and feelings can alleviate them, and put them in the right proportions, provided you talk objectively, and with a real desire to get rid of your anxiety, or at least reduce its intensity. This has been the hardest for me because NO ONE understands, in my family, how controlling this can be on someone not even my husband. 8. Exercising your body and staying fit, is a good way to keep fears and anxieties away. You can walk, swim, do yoga, aerobics, or any other sport. I feel so much better when I get some fresh air and a little exercise. 9. Find reasons to laugh. This will bring light and happiness into your life, and drive anxiety away. Watch comedies on TV, be with happy and amusing friends, or read something that makes you laugh. Just being with my boys is enough to make anyone laugh. They make me smile even when they are asleep. 10. Use positive words in your conversation and in your inner talk. 11. Affirm and visualize positive situations and events. Visualize a happy and positive solution to your problems. 12. If watching the news fills you with anxiety - turn off the TV! Limit the time you watch the news, and don't watch anything that might upset you, before you go to bed. Once I did this, I slept so much better at night. NO MORE NANCY GRACE filling my head with kidnappings and murders. I didn't even feel safe letting the boys sleep upstairs in their own beds. It was terrible. Now, I leave the TV off for about an hour before I decide to go to bed. Feel free to comment or post about this. It was a hard post for me to finally write about but I know that I am getting better and I feel good. I want to be ANXIETY free forever!!! I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Guys Night Out

Jacob had a "guys night out" tonight. We made homemade pizzas, played army guys, cleaned out the garage, built a fire and played some more!!!! Jason told them a scary story by the fire so needless to say...they have followed me around ALL night long. They are afraid of their own shadows now. (and the story was about a "worry-wolf" who always worried about things! (totally not scary BUT the moon was shining bright and his voice was very dramatic!!! Good times!!!

Go Hogs!

Today is the first day of a new year. I am 50 pounds overweight and unhealthy. I will turn 35 years old this year and I have already had heart issues due to my lifestyle. Poor Eating. Lack of Exercise. Etc. I will keep everyone updated on my progress. Today, I am changing a lot of stuff in my life....not as a resolution...because I love my family. It is for them. It is for ME! Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers. I will post weekly on my progress. My deadline is May 1.

Can't wait for Spring now....the house looks so much better then.

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