Thrilled to Dance

This Years Family Christmas Picture.
We took this picture at the Christmas Tree Lot in Ramona. It's a cut your own tree down place. The boys have a lot of fun running around the lot trying to find their tree. They have a bean bag game that you can play and win a cookie, ornament or a treeling. Fun, Fun.

I was testing out my camera's timer and snapped this great shot of Auston and I. He really is a handsome young man. I love this Season.

I have made a new friend. She is a single mom with two little boys. I can see that GOD has drawn me to be her sister in Christ. I know that there are a lot of people in need that I have come into contact with, you just have to listen really hard sometimes to who Christ has selected for you to help. I am doing that and I feel really good about myself. God has moved me and I am thrilled to dance for him.

This came from my Christmas card for this year:
Love Is God Shining Through You.
Love Is Giving What You'd Like To Receive.
Love Is Taking The Time, Even When You Don't Have The Time.
Love Is Listening With Your Heart.
Love Is Being There.
Love Is Believing In The Good, The True, And The Beautiful.
Love Is The Light Of The World.
"The Only Thing That Counts Is Faith Expressing Itself Through Love." GALATIANS 5:6

The CHRISTmas Season

I know that it has been a while since I have written anything. I am trying to keep up on this for you as well as myself. I have made this into my journal, so my kids will have something to look back on when they are adults. I have be printing them out and putting them into a 3 ring binder marked "Janet's Blog Journal".

I am so excited that Christmas is coming. I love the season thats for giving. I am going to our Women's Christmas Dinner on friday, i am looking forward to that. I would love to be more involved with the Women's Ministry. I have been praying about that. Most things are hard for me to do because my hubby works days and nights and sometime weekends. If it is meant to be be then GOD will open the doors for me.

I had a great time with my bible study group last night. we prayed on our own and wrote down our deepest thing we wanted to be done with and give it to God. I felt so relieved after this exercise! we also took communion. Our leader, Josh, is a wonderful man and has really stepped up in bringing us closer to GOD! Thank You Josh! I am so grateful for all my new brothers and sisters in Christ, I have become a better Christian because of them all. God is Good!

I am looking forward to the rain coming but, hopping we don't flood. I love the rain. It gives us an excuse to gather around the kitchen table and play board games, dominos or cards. My son seems to always win? I don't know how that is. We are also planning on getting our Christmas Tree this weekend. I am so excited.

I am also excited about join the gym. I have been going at least 3 times a week and feel great. I haven't weighed myself because its not about the weight, its about feeling better about myself, feeling healthier and feeling accomplished. Although i took this 30 minute class last night that KICKED MY BUTT. i don't know if i am going to attempt that one again. I like to weight lift, go at my own pace and feel the burn the next day.

I am Wishing you all the blessings of Christ's love in this beautiful holy season and always. (I got this from our Christmas card that we are sending out this year)

AMEN!

It's My Birthday

I am 31 today. It feels good, so far I am enjoying my 30's. My sweet hubby got me a gift certificate for a facial and massage today. It was so relaxing, I feel rejuvenated. I needed it. I am just going to try and relax a little more, I will be going to bible study tonight. My hubby has to work, so no going out to dinner. I am however going out to dinner tomorrow night with my best friend Rae, she is here visiting. Her son-in-law returns from Iraq today. I am so happy for them, he has been gone 9 months. I am going to Las Vegas on friday, No, with my kids. We are going with my Hubby's marching band for a tournament. I am taking my mom, we are going to take the kids site seeing. I haven't been to Vegas in 9 years. I got married there and never returned. There is a lot to see, so we should be able to stay busy. I was told to visit the Coca Cola Factory and my oldest wants to see Cris Angel Mindfreak at the Luxor, I am not waiting around for hours to get a glimpse. Will write again and tell you how Vegas turned out. God Bless!

Happy Birthday to Me!

A week after the fire

I am still in shock at the aftermath the fires left behind. As I sit here and write, I look out my window and see my neighbors house burnt down and the chard remains of what used to be trees in my yard. I feel so blessed that the Lord saved my home. It is so overwhelming. So many people have been affected by the fires here. I hear stories of people not having insurance, that they make to much money for FEMA to help, how does that make sense, they lost everything. I thought I heard our president say that no one would be turned down? Then there are people who were retired and living on a fixed income, still no insurance. My heart goes out to them all. I pray for them all everyday. God use them, help them see that you have not left them. Let them feel the warmth of your arms around them. God you are so good to us, even in trouble times, you are still there, loving us, holding us up. Thank You Lord! I prayed so hard when we were evacuated, I prayed you would protect my home AND YOU DID, I prayed that you would protect my neighbors AND YOU DID, even though one lost their home, you kept them safe Lord. All I could do was pray and give it all to you. You kept the neighbors safe that stayed behind and fought the fires with our garden hoses, Thank you for them Lord. I can never thank them enough for their bravery. I thank you Lord for the many who have stepped forward to help those in need, for TIDE to volunteer and do the laundry, for Christian organizations who have been handing out food, clothing, bedding, etc. and for using our church as a one stop shop for the fire victims. Let them feel YOUR LOVE as they come and receive the help that has been offered to them. Thank You Lord!

Amen

A Couple of Things:

We have waited to long, and now the wait is over. Auston is so excited! We had to wait about an hour and a half to be called back to the judges chambers. They went from youngest to oldest. Auston was the oldest. After the hearing Auston and Kolby were given teddy bears. Kolby actually just grabbed one and the nice lady got Auston another one. Auson wants to get dog tags made for his bear to show what the bear was for. I think that is a great idea. Auston is so happy to finally have his named changed.

This is a picture of us with the Judge. She was a really nice lady. This picture didn't come out very well, but I think my auntie took a picture too. I will have to get it from her.

This is our Family Halloween Picture. Mom & Dad are Greek Gods and Auston & Kolby are Pirates. We like to be silly. We had a great time taking pictures. We went to our church's Harvest Festival. The kids really enjoyed themselves. Auston wants to go back next year. We normally go down the hill and trick or treat. It was nice to have the distraction.

We are going to have a celebration party this weekend for Daniel and Auston. I am so excited to share this special moment with our family and friends. God has been so so Good to Us!

I did it!

Just wanted to add a picture that made me smile.

I finally joined a GYM! I went in today and did a 30 minute workout on a bike, it feels good. On thursday I will have my first ever workout with a Trainer. I am so excited, I probably wont feel that way on friday. I feel like I am accomplishing something. I don't think that I am over weight, but I do need to tone a little on the tummy. I have been asked "when are you due?" Yea, its time to workout. I want to continue walking with my friend Heidi and Tristan. I also hope to join Trish at the GYM in the afternoons. We belong to the same GYM.

I am feeling much better today than I did yesterday. I have gotten some great support from my hubby and friends.

Thank you for answering my prayers God, I needed it. AMEN!

Hurt & Confused

I have had depressing family drama happen over the weekend. Well, we will start with last wednesday. I was told by my 3 year olds Awana coordinator that I need to attend awana's to help him join in on the routine of activities. Um, he is 3 and on the go 24/7. I don't really understand because he is doing his Bear Hugs (awana book) and bringing home projects he did. What is he not participating in? She said that the kids were stepping on him because they were singing and he was laying on the floor. Um, he is 3. They want them to start 2 years before they start kindergarden. I plan on starting when he is 5. I will have to wait and see if he is ready then or not when he is closer to that time. So, I will have to miss bible study and see what the deal is this week. Like I said, I didn't really understand what he was doing wrong, except for act like a 3 year old. Maybe most of the kids start when they are 4, I don't know. We will see on wednesday!

And then on friday, My husband and I dropped off my boys at a family members home and saw that some roommates were smoking tobacco out of a huka. This is not something I need my 11 and 3 year old seeing. Come to find out, there is a lot more going on. I am so depressed that I had to make the decision to not allow my kids at their home anymore. Sometimes I feel that we as Christians are given a certain heightened common sense. I know my husband and I have made the right decision. I have cried so much about this. Family is so important and it has hurt me deeply. When I talked to one of the people involved they said that I was being ignorant and childish about the situation and then continued to laugh at me. WHAT! I didn't even know what to say to that. I just cried. The family member in-charge of this household said "I will talk to them", Not, "Oh no, this is not going to continue in my home".

I am at a loss for words........

Please Lord give me strength. I need you to guide me through this hurt and confusion. Thank You Lord.