Ok, so these are really silly. You too, probably have gotten these in an email like I did. I thought why not, something light every once in a while is good!

12 Reasons to Smile > >

Marriage changes passion. > Suddenly you're in bed with a relative.

I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with > "Guess" on it.So I said," Implants?" She hit me.

How come we choose from just two people to run for president and over fifty for Miss America ? >

A good friend will come and bail you out of > jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, > "Wow...that was fun!"

I signed up for an exercise class and was told > to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place! >

When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just, "chunky dunk."

Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.

Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up in our life we could simply press 'Ctrl Alt Delete' and start all over?

Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?

Wouldn't you know it... Brain cells come and brain cells go, but FAT cells live forever!

Why do I have to swear on the Bible in court > when the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed outside?

Bumper sticker of the year: "If you can read this,thank a teacher -and, since it's in English, thank a soldier"

And remember: life is like a roll of toilet paper. > The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

FINALLY back......
WHEW!!! What a Christmas rush! Am I the only one that feels, that you prepare, and prepare, and then in this whirlwind, its all over? It was a good whirlwind, but boy, it left me really sick! Lack of sleep, tons of junkfood (btw why does everyone celebrate holidays with food that's bad for you? pies, cakes, cookies, frosting, candy, drinks, chips and dips, and hams, and gravies...ughhhhh I've eaten enough fat and sugar these last 2 weeks to last all of 2007~funny, we don't show up with carrots and say,"Dig in, and Merry Christmas!"), not much sleep, and a tad bit of stress. That combination, plus let's get everyone together in warm houses and hug...has let the virus bugs fly here in my house, and recovery has been rough! I'm still feeling like, OK, that's it, it's over, and now the New Year? And the next party and the next big shopping sale, then the Valentine's day rush, which before it's even Feb. 14th we'll be pressured to decorate and be ready for Easter......wow.....Maybe my last 3 days in bed were good, just to get a breather!
I've been down and out for 3 days and I'm actually excited to go to Albertson's and get some groceries today!:) Madalyne has taken care of me incredibly! Luckily for me, being that I got so sick right after Christmas, she had plenty of new toys to occupy her time! She's been so cute though, playing "doctor" for mommy! She came to the bed yesterday afternoon and brought a whole collection of Disney Princess jewelry and pretend makeup, as "medicine" that was gonna make me better! I tell you this, I don't care HOW sick anyone would've been at that moment, YOU would have been better! I was just cracking up......each little toy had a sound effect when she "used it on me". Sound effects were incredible and she kept saying," Don't laugh, I'm fixing you!" I had to put my hand over my mouth to keep her from seeing my giggle, I can not put here in black & white the sounds coming out of that kid. She then adorned me with all the jewelry pieces....so a plastic blue pinky ring, one large clip on earring, 2 beaded necklaces and 8 bracelets later, I'm all better!!!

Hello!
After the Holiday rush, I need one more day here to clean up my house!
I have several things to talk about, and lots of cute Christmas pictures to share....be back soon!

Meet Mark.....He desperately needs your prayers!

This young man and his family need our love and support right now. This is Darlene's son, I mentioned a couple of days ago that he was in a serious car accident. So serious, that is a miracle that he is alive right now! He is in the ICU still internally bleeding, learning the extent of injuries, and more than miserable. His family is by his side still unable to comprehend the devastation that is happening. He goes in for more surgery soon, and they still can't even get to the broken back! The details are ugly, the pain emotionally, physically, and spiritually is the kind that makes every inch of us cry out to our Maker WHY WHY WHY!!! I have felt so heavy about this tragedy for many reasons. One I do know is to pray, and two,support Darlene in any way I can. This woman is so incredible that it pains me to my utter core that she is going through this. (and her family!) She encourages me, loves on me, and accepts me, she has become a mentor to me and I appreciate her. I also believe she needs our support because she lives a daily battle with Lupus. Please pray for some miracles here- this family could use some, and God knows, deserves them!

Details and updates are on Darlenes blog at: www.dailydotes.blogspot.com

This letter was emailed to me by my aunt! I cracked up, hope you do too!

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, MOM...!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

A dear friend of my heart is going through a tragedy....she wrote on her blog, "there will be no Christmas for this family this year". Her son was in a tragic car accident and his condition has been touch and go. You'll recognize her from the encouraging quotes she leaves here on my blog. She is my sweet friend, Darlene. Please pray for her, her son and her family this week and Christmas.
It's amazing how stressed we get this time of year, really at the most ridiculous things. We get so wrapped up in trite and silly details. Something like this happens and puts perspective back in place. My heart has been heavy all day, and I want to send out this reminder: This year, this time, this season lets all STOP and be truly thankful for our loved ones, and let them know how you feel. Put your energy back into your family, not the wrapping paper and bows and dinner menus, and price tags. Life is so much more precious than we know, and at any, any moment it can all change......... Hug and love and cherish your children, your parents, your spouse, your friends. Make this Christmas mean something in your home this year, because there are those that aren't getting one this year.
You can visit Darlene and see what is happening with her son Mark by clicking here

Thinking about Ashley.....

Ashley was 17 when we took her in to raise her. This was 2 years ago. The first picture is us 2 years ago out hunting for the perfect Christmas tree. The second is Ash holding Maddy. She was all dressed up and ready to go to school. She grew up in a lot of heartache, to say the least. She ended up at 17, dropped out of school, dad incapable of handling her, and a mom headed back into state mandated rehab. We had only known her a short time, but had a love for this young gal, and a desire to show her a stable loving home. We signed the paperwork to become temporary guardians, put her back in school, and took her home! What an adventure it truly was....lots of tears for me, and her.... tough times with us all. It was not easy for her to switch into a loving home, she was a fish out of water, and she was trying with all her might to follow our structure. She loved us dearly, but still had some "stuff" of her own to figure out. We had a lot of smiles and good times too! Like Christmas traditions, learning how to cook, being a part of church, helping me with Maddy, our extended family accepting her, celebrating her 18th b-day with all the special touches! I told her my goal for her, was to finish high school, that's it. Well, it didn't happen. She only had one month to go and the tempations of the wrong things took over no matter how much we fought it and prayed desperately. She dropped out and ran away.....so, like a typical sad story, things for her were awful, living in this place and that place, we lost contact for awhile, but grieved for her, and hoped that we showed her just something that she could take with her. She got pregnant and had her baby right after her 19th birthday, I was there at the hospital the day after. We shed tears, and hugged and patched everything back up.

So fast forward to now..... She married a guy who wants to raise the baby as his own, Zach was best man and I, maid of honor. We are their mentors, and its just so precious. They are trying so hard to pedal against the odds stacked upon them. Tough backgrounds, being poor, and little educated. They attend church, take incredible care of their baby, and have a little apartment that they take good care of.

They came over for dinner this last week, and I took many pictures of her gorgeous baby, Gabriella. It just struck me, that when she was living with us Maddy was the exact age that Gabby is now. It's a strange full circle, but I'm happy to be a part of it. Ashley tells me that she wants to be the mom to Gabby as I am a mom to Maddy. That she has watched me, and wants the home that Zach and I have created together. She wants to emulate me! Wow, that's quite a thought for me. I am truly blessed to be given such a sacred responsibility, and all the tears and grieving I experienced for Ashley now feels so worth it. The full circle of having the opportunity to change little Gabriella's future! WOW again.

"Thank you Lord for showing me that I do matter in ways far reaching, and only You know..."

What my daughter thinks Disneyland is!

Last night we headed up to Zach's parents house for a double family birthday celebration. It was definitely," Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go"! The windstorm the northwest had yesterday had made for some interesting scenery, more trees and branches and on the ground then standing. Zach kept saying, " hey, need another Christmas tree, how bout some more greenery for the mantel". It made for an interesting trek up, not to mention the ice on the roads on the way back! Even more interesting, my in-laws insisted that we all still come over to their house even though they didn't have power. YUP< you read that right, clearly I was thrilled. Let's just say my sister in law and I thru just a few little fits over this. My in laws truly live in the boondocks, and the boondocks dark.....not my idea of a good time. That's a whole other story......so I'll just skip to the good part, and spare you all my thoughts on this subject! Along the way the Pepsi Cola Co. has this annual light show in drive thru form. It's free, so we were thrilled and decided to take Maddy thru for a little fun on our way home. ( Uhh, we quickly figured out why it was free :) he-he, still fabulous for the little ones!) Maddy was sooooo excited by these little set ups, that I made the remark wow, its like having Disneyland right here in Oregon! To that Maddy replied,"no, it IS Disneyland". Me, "maybe it's like it, but this is not quite as big". Her, " this IS this IS Disneyland, lets go AGAIN!" So we drove thru again, and we decided this was the cheapest trip to Disneyland we have ever taken. ( AND our child is totally content with that!)

WHOOPS! too much fun...... the sender of this gift had no idea that this would be the true fun, or did they? this is what happened when I left her to use the computer to put up the first photo of the box :( Way to go mom, huh!

Joy and Fun from UPS!

Maddy's first "big girl" haicut!

Well, I finally did it. I got Maddy a real haircut! Here wispy little mullet she was sporting before was just so difficult to manage! My hair dresser kept telling me that if you cut it right it will look better! Her bangs would stay out of her eyes, and her hair would look thicker. She was right! It looks great and she loves that the hair stays out of her face. AND she doesn't look like a boy, like I feared would happen :). She just looks so grown up! She jumped right into the stylists chair without a question, got her cherry sucker and sat perfectly still the entire time! It was pretty cute, and of course, I saved a lock of the baby hair!

HI to my readers!!
Having trouble with blogger!I've really missed my comments, but apparently blogger just won't let anyone post comments! I'm not the only one, lots of "bloggers" are suffering right now. hmm hope to have more success publishing and getting my comments again soon!

A letter Zach recieved from Ransomed Heart Ministries...very moving

Dearest Friends,
Advent season is upon us. (How did that happen? What happened to the fall?) Ready or not, December is here. It really can be a beautiful time of year, spiritually speaking, if we don’t let the madness of the world crowd the Spirit out. With that hope in mind, let me offer a few thoughts about what Advent might mean for us. Advent means “coming.” To celebrate Advent means to celebrate God keeping his promise. He came. Just as he said he would. For thousands of years God promised his people that he would come and rescue them. He promised it in the Garden, and kept promising it all through the Old Testament. It was a long time to wait, from their point of view. But he did come, as Jesus of Nazareth. God came, and rescued us, and brought us to his heart, to be his own forever.
It’s good to stop and remember. He kept his promise. He came. We can trust him. We need this season to remember God came because so much of life seems to shout at us, “He’s not coming now. Not in this. You are on your own.” Doesn’t it? I mean, my personal crises of faith are in the here and now. Yes, I know God has come through for me in the past. But for some reason, doubt and fear rush in with the next crisis. Will he come now? In this? That is where Advent can help us. We look at the evidence: God keeps his word. He came. He can be trusted. Whatever the evidence of the moment seems to say, God promises never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5, which is best understood in the light of Joshua 1:1-9).
So we can say to ourselves, This moment is no exception. God came for me. He will come for me now. But there is even more to Advent. Not only is it an opportunity to reflect – for several weeks – on the fact that God came, it is also an opportunity to lift our eyes towards his return. He will come again. This story is rapidly moving towards a climax, when Jesus returns in bodily form, mounted on a white horse, to usher in the Kingdom of God. There is a Second Advent we are waiting for. Thus in many churches the “Mystery of Faith” is pronounced every week: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. He will come again.
Reassurance, and a time of longing and hope. Reassurance because God comes. He doesn’t abandon us. Not now. Not ever. It can be a time of hope and longing when we say to ourselves, And he is coming back. And all shall be well. I do pray this is a wonderful season for you with God. Whatever else may be going on – dreams realized, dreams seemingly lost – we have God. We have his word that he will come for us. Come, Lord Jesus. Come.

My little laundry helper...... it was cute, I found her in the basket waiting to suprise me, so I pushed the basket to the dryer and started filling it! She got the biggest kick out of it! So great, the tiny moments of silliness that mean so very much to her. Play with your kids, they don't want you to be so serious about life...... I'm learning from her all the time!

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Ok, have to admit, spent quite a bit of time laughing this morning when I found this site, off a friends blog. There are all sorts of funny little quizzes, I'll definitely find some more for us. I found out what my birthdate meant (which suprise suprise was soooo not true about me!) Oh, then I found names for my ( dad stop reading at this point!) boobies.....the answer that I was given: Sigfreid and Roy..... ummmm what the heck?! Well, they do seem to magically disappear, but gay men? whatever, it's good for a laugh......click on the link and paste your answer in my comments so I can see what reindeer you are, and whatever else you come up with!

Which reindeer are you?

A Perfectionistic Mommy learning to let go!

My idea of a Christmas tree......

Maddy's idea of a Christmas tree......

As a mother you have to learn to let go of a lot of things, have patience and self- control. This was one I didn't quite anticipate...AND I am constantly telling myself, "just leave it,just leave it alone". I'm not sure all that is even stuck in here, I've found baby Jesus from the nativity set, several animals from her "little people" zoo, childhood pictures of myself, and a cat toy. She is so enamored by this tree, she doesn't need anything for Christmas, this is it! It's the new toy in the house, and she plays under it all day! I'm glad for safey sake we have it wired to the wall ( we have 3 cats, who equally share Maddy's excitement for the tree!) . We're planning on getting a small 'real' tree this weekend, and it will be Maddy's to decorate however she sees fit. I think it'll be fun to make paper chains, and string popcorn ( which maybe not, cuz if I do, it will become the dog's favorite new toy?!) Hmmm.... fun to have kids!!! Then maybe I can run back to this tree and live out my perfectionistic fairy tale of perfectly spaced ornaments( ohhhhhh, that gets me excited..... sick, huh....? I guess there are worse obesessions........ )

I'm back! Left town for 3 days for a marriage conference in Portland. Our church sponsored us to go, the pastor believed it was meant for us to go spend some time together! Too many words and emotions I have to try to put in down here in a nutshell. So I'll just let a little bit leak out at a time through the next couple of weeks! This is something every married couple should go to!
http://www.weekendtoremember.com