tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362461222024-03-07T20:56:11.629-06:00Life HappensCandacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.comBlogger605125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-13367078236440997102023-11-09T13:02:00.000-06:002023-11-09T13:02:49.249-06:00Something to Talk About<p>All through the past 18+ years, I have felt alone at certain times. I was sure I was the only one experiencing something or I felt like people would think I was crazy if I asked about it. As the years go by I am discovering more and more that if I had only opened up to people far more would have understood than I ever imagined. </p><p>I have started a group at my church on Wednesday night that serves this purpose. We will spend time talking about subjects that a lot of us go through but we just don't talk to people about. I am excited about digging in and helping other moms feel less alone. Maybe even helping them navigate through something I went through - without as many roadblocks as I hit!</p><p>So my first 3 topics have been decided but I am looking ahead and trying to find ideas. If you have anything as a mom that you struggle with I would love to hear from you. It will help me find topics that matter!</p><p>My first 3 topics are:</p><p>Anger - Have you ever been angry at your precious angel? Goodness mornings were rough on me! My non-morning child hated her socks! Yup you heard me! We would fight over her <u>socks</u> EVERY SINGLE MORNING! Some days I would want to scream! Anger... How do we deal with it? Why do we feel it? How can we control it? How do we teach our children to deal with anger?</p><p>Being Consistent - Life is a challenge! Sometimes being consistent feels like the hardest thing ever! It can be in the form of punishment, having a life-altering event happen and keeping things "normal" for your children, bedtime routines, or just doing what you say you will do. How can we be consistent? Why should we be consistent? What are we teaching our children through being either consistent or not?</p><p>Quality Time! - As a previous stay-at-home mom if you look at quantity of time spent with my daughter it was a lot. If you look at quality of time that would depend on the day. The holidays are a lovely time of year for time spent with family! How can we make our time count with our kids? How can we make sure we aren't distracted when having time with them? What does quality time look like? </p><p>I am so excited about this! Just so you know I don't really have the answers to all of these questions. Some will look different for each person. We will have to find our own answers. It will be beautiful having people sharing what works for them. We will learn so much from each other!</p><p>If you could pick a topic what would that be?</p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-14277768552442545682023-09-03T15:30:00.001-06:002023-09-03T15:55:02.864-06:0018 Things I Have Learned Through The Years<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y8DOrXfl2QpL3l5zFK61CvMTKyO2ztVitrQyxrR8tlYWicVrVchxkU4AHI6DEwNV5vRaoNc3iJuyZPXckLiyp_8RqrEg9IjfOQYZX0G66eLZqQcYhW14lCiMfTxgZ3ZhW2WD_WPOVooRCtpFEF0mZP_D4XxbXL1NVGBQRwIO8bgU12Ppz9l40w/s1080/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Minimal%20Square%20Photo%20Collage%20Photography%20Instagram%20Post.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y8DOrXfl2QpL3l5zFK61CvMTKyO2ztVitrQyxrR8tlYWicVrVchxkU4AHI6DEwNV5vRaoNc3iJuyZPXckLiyp_8RqrEg9IjfOQYZX0G66eLZqQcYhW14lCiMfTxgZ3ZhW2WD_WPOVooRCtpFEF0mZP_D4XxbXL1NVGBQRwIO8bgU12Ppz9l40w/s320/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Minimal%20Square%20Photo%20Collage%20Photography%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">We celebrated our daughters 18th birthday not long ago! That seems so crazy to me! How did 18 years go by so fast? I remember my parents saying that time flies. I didn't really believe them when I was younger but I have noticed that it seems to get faster and faster the older you get. Anyway, in honor of Anna's 18th birthday how about I tell you 18 things that I have learned through the years. </p><p>1.<b> Always be open to changing your mind!</b> The old saying is true: Never say never! If you are open-minded and willing to view things from different angles life is much easier. ie: I was never going to co-sleep - Anna wouldn't sleep if we didn't. Mama needs plenty of sleep so guess what I did!?! </p><p>2. <b>Live in the moment!</b> Don't get lost behind a phone, camera, work, or whatever else can take you away from important and even small moments. I know easier said than done sometimes. I feel like I was very intentional in doing this (even though I wasn't perfect in it.) but I still feel like I missed so much!</p><p>3. <b>Be in the pictures!</b> I may not love how I look in pictures but I try to make sure I am in some. One day those memories will be even more important! </p><p>4. <b>Everyone is different!</b> I thought that Anna would be a mini-me in most ways. Turns out she isn't! She is her own person with many differences from me. In fact, she is more like Chris in personality. She has helped me understand him more in many ways. Anyway, I can't expect her to do things I would do because that is not who she is. </p><p>5. <b>My dishes will not need therapy!</b> That was a common thought when Anna was little. As an only child, I was called on to be her playmate more than I ever imagined. I decided that some things were more important and dishes and a spotless house were not one of them. Dishes wouldn't need therapy whereas Anna might if I am always consumed with cleaning. I can now cherish all of the memories of us playing together. Her favorite for a long time was working in a restaurant. It cracks me up that she is now working in a restaurant doing all the things she use to pretend to do. </p><p>6. <b>Discipline is important but it looks different for every child!</b> Anna was a difficult one to figure out but luckily she wasn't naughty often. We figured out early on that spanking didn't work. Time out was eh. We discovered that talking to her and explaining what was wrong and what we expected from her was the best approach. She is a rule follower so as long as she understands the rules...</p><p>7. <b>Be involved at school!</b> Anna started homeschooling at 6th grade. Prior to that I made sure all of the teachers and staff knew me (and liked me). I knew that I had many people in that school that would look out for Anna and would contact me if I needed to know anything. I also had many parent friends that were in and out that would keep me updated if needed.</p><p>8. <b>Taking walks and car rides are a great time to have serious discussions! </b>For whatever reason it is easier for kids to have serious talks when they don't have to look at you. </p><p>9. <b>Trust your gut!</b> There have been times when I have followed my gut and times when I have ignored it. If I had followed it more often I would've struggled less.</p><p>10.<b> They will know what is important to you by the places you go, things you say, and friends you have.</b> Make sure they are things you and they can be proud of. </p><p>11. <b>Speaking of words you say:</b> I have never really had a potty mouth but I had to stop using words like c r a p because it was not nice hearing my 2 year old say it! They will parrot what you say use your words wisely!</p><p>12.<b> Friendships!</b> It can be difficult to find friends even for children. It can be a balancing act when they are navigating through difficult situations with a friend. Always encourage them to talk things out and to be honest. If the friendship doesn't make it love on them and remind them that they are loveable. Friendships will come and go. Be sure to fill them with encouragement!</p><p>13.<b> Let them be children as long as possible.</b> If they want to believe in make believe things longer than most that is ok. If they want to hold your hand while walking that is great. If they want to play with legos - they make an easy Christmas gift! Don't rush them! </p><p>14.<b> Let them ask questions!</b> In fact, encourage it! We would do random thoughts by Anna. Mostly in the morning. We covered a lot of random topics and it was one of my favoite things we did. Sometimes it would be her telling me what she had learned, other times it would be her asking questions.</p><p>15. <b>Creativity is a beautiful way to let them express themselves.</b> Creativity can look different for everyone. Anna loves photography, painting, drawing, and writing. I prefer graphic design, writing, and coloring. Help your little one explore and find how they like to be creative. When you are creating that is a good time to have good conversations.</p><p>16. <b>Don't be afraid to be honest with them.</b> They are children and don't need to be pulled into adult stuff. However, sometimes they know something is wrong and the unknown can be worse than whatever is going on. Try to be honest but on their level. You know your child better than anyone, you know what they can and can't handle.</p><p>17. <b>Go make memories!</b> I know sometimes money can be tight and you worry about how much things will cost and if you can afford it. There are so many free options out there that are just as much fun if not more! Look around in your community, town, near you for things to do. Sometimes just going to the park to play can be fun. Finding a trail to hike on, Going to the water (pond, river, creek, ocean, lake) and stick your toes in or go swimming if it is warm enough. Go do sidewalk chalk outside, watch the leaves dance, have a game night. There are many options! </p><p>18.<b> Having a child is a huge blessing and a HUGE responsibility!</b> I often say being a Mom has been the best thing I have ever done but it has also been the hardest. Just when you figure one phase out and how to naviate it, they are moving into a new phase. It is a juggling act learning how much responsibility to give them and how much to let them stretch their wings. The decisions we make will set the course of life they will start on as a young adult. That is a HUGE responsibility. Sometimes I feel like I did well and other times I feel like I didn't do enough. </p><p>My job as a parent is not done even though she is 18! I am moving into the next phase. Now I get to be on the sidelines while she continues to learn how to navigate this big scary world. I will be her loudest cheerleader and coach. I will be here whenever she needs me and hope to continue doing some of the things on this list like Random Thoughts with Anna. I will miss some of her earlier phases but I am excited about this new one! </p><p>I will give you one last lesson I learned: find something good about each phase. It makes those difficult phases a little easier to bare. Your little one won't stay with anyone else - it is because they feel safe and loved by you. My 2 year old is throwing a tantrum - they are learning to communicate when they are unhappy or mad. etc... Each phase brings its own set of challenges and its own set of rewards. </p><p>PS. Anna said no one would even know what I meant in #17 with leaves dancing, so I thought I would explain it. She has a tree outside her window and the slightest breeze would make the leaves twirl and bounce. She thought they were dancing and loved to watch them. She would doze off after watching for a short while. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnc-pMuw3FM2iVFySiVCGWu62EfqpUis7QfRb0bqOqaqReUGbbUvrwtHQpq5mRvT9lUev7apmU_-8KjueYHsftFddxwuFf681KBl707CD8jM5xDN1f5PG7FdWQ-WmhIyZpG2S5Mb3ISh309P9cFoRCbiz33GKeH-cz0YmBg7uMi9NQ8zNvsundQ/s1920/Copy%20of%20Beige%20Aesthetic%20Collage%20Motivational%20Quote%20Phone%20Wallpaper%20(1050%20%C3%97%201920%20px)%20(1000%20%C3%97%201920%20px).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnc-pMuw3FM2iVFySiVCGWu62EfqpUis7QfRb0bqOqaqReUGbbUvrwtHQpq5mRvT9lUev7apmU_-8KjueYHsftFddxwuFf681KBl707CD8jM5xDN1f5PG7FdWQ-WmhIyZpG2S5Mb3ISh309P9cFoRCbiz33GKeH-cz0YmBg7uMi9NQ8zNvsundQ/s320/Copy%20of%20Beige%20Aesthetic%20Collage%20Motivational%20Quote%20Phone%20Wallpaper%20(1050%20%C3%97%201920%20px)%20(1000%20%C3%97%201920%20px).png" width="167" /></a></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-20688884433474065232022-09-05T19:34:00.002-06:002022-09-05T19:55:48.257-06:00Grief sucks!<p style="text-align: justify;">Some days I feel like I am beginning to feel "normal" such as it is and everything will be ok. Other times I feel like a wave has crashed over me and I can't seem to find my breath. I do know that this too shall pass and ultimately I am ok. I also know that grief sucks! It doesn't just magically go away at the 6-month mark or 1-year mark. I have heard grief described as the ocean. Sometimes you are in between the waves and sometimes the waves are crashing over you. I feel like that is the best description of grief that I have seen. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">A few weeks ago I had my birthday. I have always loved my birthday and would celebrate as much of the month as I could, lol. Of course, now I have to share the month with my daughter, but she was the best gift ever! Anyway, this year was the first year that I didn't have my parents or at least one of them call me and sing me "Happy Birthday". I don't know why that hit me so hard but it really did. One of the highlights of my day was always Mom singing off key and Dad singing as loud and proud and goofy as he could. It hit me I will never get that again! Honestly, my birthday was rough! I am blessed with great co-workers, friends, family, and an amazing daughter and husband. They all worked very hard to help me feel special, appreciated, and loved! Don't ever take for granted the love of your parents! Soak in those moments and make memories because you don't know when your last will be. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I feel like I should add I do have some of the best in-laws too! My Mother-in-law never fails to find the perfect card to make me laugh. She has a way of knowing what I need a lot of the time! My Sister-in-law is the absolute best! She is the sister that I never had and didn't realize I needed! I cherish these relationships! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I am under the wave and can't find my way out I try to remember the people that love me, need me, and, want me! I also remind myself of this verse!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L4tw3GdSKww-j0nnXC3fIxXh4sKEUjrcNHKWp5Y08Hk5BGZgIWHggvio8SCbvo7E7DqC2PLgBtXfxQY_n2tb-clL_LIrM3pjzxYJRr8QaMpUA0IVIUAvVoYOLfPXMnhCBOBgQoaF7V3F7dTG4KlMlFdVJSeW3LtmpFkGqW4q2M-DXLSX_vc/s1080/When%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20waters,%20I%20will%20be%20with%20you;%20and%20when%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20rivers,%20they%20will%20not%20sweep%20over%20you.%20When%20you%20walk%20through%20the%20fire,%20you%20will%20not%20be%20burned;%20the%20flames%20will%20not%20set%20you%20abla%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L4tw3GdSKww-j0nnXC3fIxXh4sKEUjrcNHKWp5Y08Hk5BGZgIWHggvio8SCbvo7E7DqC2PLgBtXfxQY_n2tb-clL_LIrM3pjzxYJRr8QaMpUA0IVIUAvVoYOLfPXMnhCBOBgQoaF7V3F7dTG4KlMlFdVJSeW3LtmpFkGqW4q2M-DXLSX_vc/w400-h400/When%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20waters,%20I%20will%20be%20with%20you;%20and%20when%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20rivers,%20they%20will%20not%20sweep%20over%20you.%20When%20you%20walk%20through%20the%20fire,%20you%20will%20not%20be%20burned;%20the%20flames%20will%20not%20set%20you%20abla%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I am not walking through this grief alone! My God is walking with me. Sometimes He is in front of me (leading the way), sometimes beside me (holding my hand and encouraging me as I go), and other times behind me (probably shoving me through). I honestly don't know how someone would get through the mountains of emotions we call grief without knowing God! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I will continue my journey each day with a prayer and trust that God is in control even when things feel out of control! I will look for joy in my journey and always look for the good around me! I will not think of my grief as a problem to solve. I will look at it as a blessing because without great love, I wouldn't have such deep grief!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExElxq3rFsfkPkiyUU6dEHo9hNKektDVuERghli7Vi3iCwCkiLtU07wBdkr100_eWF61m4v-HtnJCX4Ko3n56PhDOA_eDSD8QhcTIGOdzEw1lFstU81EzlpC8_glpwEWao2rhATtEE3kYayi6zENDcMYeZIWmCg9mlNCyAZsuVZryMqo3_Xk/s1080/Winnie%20the%20Pooh%20Day%20Life%20is%20a%20journey%20to%20be%20experienced,%20not%20a%20problem%20to%20be%20solved.%20-Winnie%20the%20Pooh%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExElxq3rFsfkPkiyUU6dEHo9hNKektDVuERghli7Vi3iCwCkiLtU07wBdkr100_eWF61m4v-HtnJCX4Ko3n56PhDOA_eDSD8QhcTIGOdzEw1lFstU81EzlpC8_glpwEWao2rhATtEE3kYayi6zENDcMYeZIWmCg9mlNCyAZsuVZryMqo3_Xk/w400-h400/Winnie%20the%20Pooh%20Day%20Life%20is%20a%20journey%20to%20be%20experienced,%20not%20a%20problem%20to%20be%20solved.%20-Winnie%20the%20Pooh%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Leave me an encouraging scripture in the comments or in the form on the side! I love seeing what verses lift others when they are down!<br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-90707321191537205322022-08-29T08:00:00.001-06:002022-08-29T08:00:00.164-06:00Japanese Yumminess!I love Japanese food! (Well, some of it.) My favorite is hibachi chicken or hibachi steak and of course fried rice! My family prefers chicken, so my daughter and I have been trying to perfect the recipe. I will share the full recipe for chicken hibachi, hibachi vegetables, and fried rice. I will give you the recipes and then I will follow it with a step-by-step with pictures and tips! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pUU1_aCFBiT6YJvvY-zGs7ZGuj_8-r9Oe9C53xtSO98ia523q6emqqFxSD2B0J_j88mrzZlmcLxyOAUAeurxe1r1p3Mso4kvO6IVw83gH4ySiJ_-bC3OQ7SuN66w54CYzBmbp9kfAjFJ3Z9-HVNQYG1g1H-xvMXE773S85oFLXx8JaLxlUs/s6000/moms%20blog%20p%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pUU1_aCFBiT6YJvvY-zGs7ZGuj_8-r9Oe9C53xtSO98ia523q6emqqFxSD2B0J_j88mrzZlmcLxyOAUAeurxe1r1p3Mso4kvO6IVw83gH4ySiJ_-bC3OQ7SuN66w54CYzBmbp9kfAjFJ3Z9-HVNQYG1g1H-xvMXE773S85oFLXx8JaLxlUs/s320/moms%20blog%20p%20(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> -Recipe for Hibachi Chicken- </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 -3 chicken breasts (chopped into bite-size pieces) </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tbsp vegetable oil </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp sesame seed oil </div><div style="text-align: center;">1.5 tbsp butter (real butter) </div><div style="text-align: center;">3 tbsp soy sauce (I use the light most of the time) </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tsp lemon juice (I use the real lemon in the bottle) </div><div style="text-align: center;">salt and pepper to taste </div><div><br /></div><div> Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok on medium/high heat. Add the chicken, 3 tbsp of soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp of butter, 2 tsp of lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Saute the chicken for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink. Set the chicken and remaining juice aside in a bowl.
At the same time that you cook the chicken, you can be cooking the veggies. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> -Recipe for Hibachi Vegetables- </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tbsp vegetable oil </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp sesame seed oil </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 large white onion </div><div style="text-align: center;"> 2-3 zucchini </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tbsp butter </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tbsp soy sauce </div><div style="text-align: center;">salt and pepper to taste </div><div><br /></div><div>Dice the white onion. The zucchini can be quartered or cut into circles. We did circles this time, and last time we quartered them. Both ways will work. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil and 1/2 tsp of sesame seed oil in a large skillet or wok on medium/high heat. Add the white onion, zucchini, 1 tbsp of butter, 2 tbsp of soy sauce, salt ad pepper. Saute veggies until veggies are tender (maybe 10-12 minutes). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> -Recipe for Hibachi Fried Rice- </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 6 cups cooked rice (cold) </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tbsp vegetable oil </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 cup white onion (Finely chopped)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp garlic </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 large egg </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 tbsp butter </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 tbsp soy sauce </div><div><br /></div><div>Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil on medium/high heat in the pan where you prepared the chicken. Add the onion and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic (roughly 1/2 tsp) after the onions have cooked for a minute or 2. Move the onions to one side of the pan when they are tender and translucent. Add the egg (you can do 2 if you prefer more) and scramble them as you add them to the skillet Once scrambled add 4 tbsp of butter and then the rice. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 4 tbsp soy sauce and continue to cook for an additional minute. Add 1/2 tsp of sesame seed oil. Give it a good toss. I typically like to add the chicken and the leftover juice into the pot with the rice. You don't have to add the chicken, you can have it on the side but taste the rice to see if you need to add more soy sauce. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now for the step-by-step and additional tips.
Prep all of your veggies and chicken, and gather your ingredients before you start. The prep work will help with the timing and ease of cooking! Trust me, I am ALL about easy work!</div><div><br /></div><div>So the first thing you will do is chop/dice your zucchini and onions. You can of course add more veggies to your rice. If you want to add peas or carrots or whatever just make sure those are ready.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxsXGt_wBk76sa_vGOKTT5gJPVV6KAkeKqEPhz-BT-H8GkOLFpA2I3DKST_XA7iw1lPyZvtAKtfQHz6CXx7ZSk-9H-xcyb0MGCEZMPMrLLAVajAWg2kMZS1M_qL-3rO6zKAXdAX4f6pZ-QB64wnQOTfJEdJRHaMSo2g_sLRe43CqnMjDeGUI/s6000/moms%20blog%20o.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxsXGt_wBk76sa_vGOKTT5gJPVV6KAkeKqEPhz-BT-H8GkOLFpA2I3DKST_XA7iw1lPyZvtAKtfQHz6CXx7ZSk-9H-xcyb0MGCEZMPMrLLAVajAWg2kMZS1M_qL-3rO6zKAXdAX4f6pZ-QB64wnQOTfJEdJRHaMSo2g_sLRe43CqnMjDeGUI/s6000/moms%20blog%20o.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf3CuuD3lXV5olnk97ruPFclXE6m2Z9QKDOphaD_1U3RLAGAzdhXFHFwDmiMW6Rb0vKcwU5rOgDq_ln-vE4RUL3hK62YznqBhdN3nDVE60wnGnwhWTWMleOOGKX2eaW6_eQ91GDY5cJeyYX2ZLYANF8I1sYLEeEkTZ3h61A53eA9cDUM6C-Y/s6000/moms%20blog%20z.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf3CuuD3lXV5olnk97ruPFclXE6m2Z9QKDOphaD_1U3RLAGAzdhXFHFwDmiMW6Rb0vKcwU5rOgDq_ln-vE4RUL3hK62YznqBhdN3nDVE60wnGnwhWTWMleOOGKX2eaW6_eQ91GDY5cJeyYX2ZLYANF8I1sYLEeEkTZ3h61A53eA9cDUM6C-Y/w320-h181/moms%20blog%20z.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFlp3zxzojordTdtyjRzo6iJO0zYH7Fv8v3XOmYU7kDMwDnkIpSGuyupT0jYF2ZRhBRCIcPPu4HWzTUgwj98r9eEgpcW9EjS-C45lhMtg3jvxbx-vOnoaLhefVdgORMoOr5qtTMvDkChTdraxPuMAjCjlmLfryrtEgopvh1uPDBdMpbO4qs8/s5704/moms%20blog%20z%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="5704" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFlp3zxzojordTdtyjRzo6iJO0zYH7Fv8v3XOmYU7kDMwDnkIpSGuyupT0jYF2ZRhBRCIcPPu4HWzTUgwj98r9eEgpcW9EjS-C45lhMtg3jvxbx-vOnoaLhefVdgORMoOr5qtTMvDkChTdraxPuMAjCjlmLfryrtEgopvh1uPDBdMpbO4qs8/s320/moms%20blog%20z%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ2pF9EuTdegtCVamzLXq8A9XWe0-e9fbjORrnivTY2F4tw4nmQqseUlejbE1_8uWtqYvpZBBqO03DO42kc9GUN9c9_TaWlfdYep0V6g5_vvUDhIB5gsGK1QaAGocQZeXgeGtAxOjDRkvhW4LDjiCFxJafJZslJIs6NMFkplvIbJ_Q9QSm_o/s6000/moms%20blog%20o.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ2pF9EuTdegtCVamzLXq8A9XWe0-e9fbjORrnivTY2F4tw4nmQqseUlejbE1_8uWtqYvpZBBqO03DO42kc9GUN9c9_TaWlfdYep0V6g5_vvUDhIB5gsGK1QaAGocQZeXgeGtAxOjDRkvhW4LDjiCFxJafJZslJIs6NMFkplvIbJ_Q9QSm_o/s320/moms%20blog%20o.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Now cut your chicken into bite sizes. The smaller the bite the faster it cooks. Do better than me and cut them all the same size or close to it. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUhJRhFaTdBuZXz2FySqezAJEJWWMoHMMn5sP82UAJXu0zNejMbiY9tRXMiOtAyDGZvrmRauzs2zc2y9DWBuItTmSdHEKO2dKmx8d8i10prYaDx_TBpORshKJzyYE5VJ6-tA0qNaqj81EBuJCWWjRam06x5WiOG27OtqmcuRQ5Nd5aOBnp7c/s6000/moms%20blog%20c%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUhJRhFaTdBuZXz2FySqezAJEJWWMoHMMn5sP82UAJXu0zNejMbiY9tRXMiOtAyDGZvrmRauzs2zc2y9DWBuItTmSdHEKO2dKmx8d8i10prYaDx_TBpORshKJzyYE5VJ6-tA0qNaqj81EBuJCWWjRam06x5WiOG27OtqmcuRQ5Nd5aOBnp7c/s320/moms%20blog%20c%203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now the chicken and vegetables can cook at the same time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I start my chicken and then the veggies.
Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok on medium/high heat. Add the chicken, 3 tbsp of soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp of butter, 2 tsp of lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Saute the chicken for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink. If you have a meat thermometer, you can check to make sure they are 165 in the center. Set the chicken and remaining juice aside in a bowl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bl8PLfWiRS4Js4aAPcnku-gAmHiYKaziqvjJvtqyVP0i87tZ9z6txn86L1FgGHGs7F9680I9xGB6okr-m83d6hcxJk5hoTNw5WWfVY4-UyETAzO2msWJfNjAG5WyxL3ymOs2VD4sfVpTQOMpUenLIMMMdqV5eu-d5WgKdryqB5yneYU7M5E/s6000/moms%20blog%20c%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bl8PLfWiRS4Js4aAPcnku-gAmHiYKaziqvjJvtqyVP0i87tZ9z6txn86L1FgGHGs7F9680I9xGB6okr-m83d6hcxJk5hoTNw5WWfVY4-UyETAzO2msWJfNjAG5WyxL3ymOs2VD4sfVpTQOMpUenLIMMMdqV5eu-d5WgKdryqB5yneYU7M5E/s320/moms%20blog%20c%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>After you get the chicken started move to the vegetables. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil and 1/2 tsp of sesame seed oil in a large skillet or wok on medium/high heat. Add the white onion, zucchini, 1 tbsp of butter, 2 tbsp of soy sauce, salt ad pepper. Saute veggies until veggies are tender (maybe 10-12 minutes). I do tend to let mine cook the rest of the time I cook. My family likes them really tender. Next time I make this, I am going to add some mushrooms! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34496XbZ3-VlP83xPt3gGib1N2xwVYcAhLZAnSb6qUaO6ODjvrJ8SNcrAjlR1-cG6GMZmlMvlGMTP1UXVzSzA2xR_ItN4sX5c1DT_9VN227MehcRrlfsTCARHnKy4a6dGfWQqTwfFw293x0UtXTm0FLf0jNzQgE7V4O7R2xzMcUWTT1YmHuM/s6000/moms%20blog%20z3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34496XbZ3-VlP83xPt3gGib1N2xwVYcAhLZAnSb6qUaO6ODjvrJ8SNcrAjlR1-cG6GMZmlMvlGMTP1UXVzSzA2xR_ItN4sX5c1DT_9VN227MehcRrlfsTCARHnKy4a6dGfWQqTwfFw293x0UtXTm0FLf0jNzQgE7V4O7R2xzMcUWTT1YmHuM/s320/moms%20blog%20z3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The most important note to make about the rice is to make it well in advance. I make it the night before I plan to make this dish. I add the butter and salt when I cook it, just as if it was going with dinner that night. </div><div><br /></div><div> It needs to be cold, not just room temp. Cook it at a higher temp than your other dishes. You will have to stir it often! </div><div><br /></div><div> Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil on medium/high heat in the pan where you prepared the chicken. Add the onion and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic (roughly 1/2 tsp) after the onions have cooked for a minute or 2. Move the onions to one side of the pan when they are tender and translucent. Add the egg (you can do 2 if you prefer more) and scramble them as you add them to the skillet Once scrambled add 4 tbsp of butter and then the rice. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 4 tbsp soy sauce and continue to cook for an additional minute. Add 1/2 tsp of sesame seed oil. Give it a good toss. Now I typically like to add the chicken and the leftover juice into the pot with the rice. You don't have to add the chicken, you can have it on the side but taste the rice to see if you need to add more soy sauce. </div><br /><div>Sesame seed oil is kind of strong. Don't get to heavy handed with it. It does add great flavor though, so don't leave it out! Oh, and don't forget the yum yum sauce. You can get it at the grocery store. I get the spicy and original. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDQsnherzekVz-BSFY_M6X_FlN6y6idhu-H27lW3dzNp7FYy6RIiXRIJL10yWlGOA8yr1aUTCNmRaU1njgUFXOhfH-jPUr55kT02m_AnnOb3K0EX4DNtrGas5GNLXSj_iHFKUA8WXNTb0dImzliHCoWgAuA6ez50LBD32u87mX4G4cewJ0QM/s6000/moms%20blog%20p2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDQsnherzekVz-BSFY_M6X_FlN6y6idhu-H27lW3dzNp7FYy6RIiXRIJL10yWlGOA8yr1aUTCNmRaU1njgUFXOhfH-jPUr55kT02m_AnnOb3K0EX4DNtrGas5GNLXSj_iHFKUA8WXNTb0dImzliHCoWgAuA6ez50LBD32u87mX4G4cewJ0QM/w400-h225/moms%20blog%20p2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-jzl_TEkAzgD8bpQQYSCsBmrdsaVjkRWwfCHrSMKNbnHzPM7VM0cnWGjX0v0WJI0gJNS5cmSqvi4M_y5uNd1lE0jUJPes6DBZnRKsWvTNpgj-s9fXs-H79psd3hH1kj2o0Cfn_r7mzPf5op3oHt7lZR7KYAZvslRkeb4MCW-QimTDGt4EuA/s6000/moms%20blog%20p%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3368" data-original-width="6000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-jzl_TEkAzgD8bpQQYSCsBmrdsaVjkRWwfCHrSMKNbnHzPM7VM0cnWGjX0v0WJI0gJNS5cmSqvi4M_y5uNd1lE0jUJPes6DBZnRKsWvTNpgj-s9fXs-H79psd3hH1kj2o0Cfn_r7mzPf5op3oHt7lZR7KYAZvslRkeb4MCW-QimTDGt4EuA/w400-h225/moms%20blog%20p%203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I hope your family will enjoy this as much as mine! If you have any suggestions on how to make it better, please share them in the comments!</div><div><br /></div><div>PS Picture creds go to my amazing daughter! Thanks <a href="https://allaboutauthenticanna.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anna</a> for taking pictures for me!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-84310286807205462182022-08-22T08:00:00.001-06:002022-08-22T08:00:00.159-06:00Dear Younger Me<p>Dear 17-year-old Candi,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrtrX0Zp5A-R7LD6k3_knALZZBoegUdCR_LWQSpB-nruI3PVpU6JkGqaB_3MmLVnCq-3ZseeCWAHPCW747zZHlNXpzSKP--9FIWwAJohHnnE8Cn3NfgaRY57VTR6UCPEK74bOMTFKI7k9WqYBDdXVzUtWEBUhYc-ogPhh6wc1kPWTmmEsgBQ/s603/1910083_44306924081_1456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrtrX0Zp5A-R7LD6k3_knALZZBoegUdCR_LWQSpB-nruI3PVpU6JkGqaB_3MmLVnCq-3ZseeCWAHPCW747zZHlNXpzSKP--9FIWwAJohHnnE8Cn3NfgaRY57VTR6UCPEK74bOMTFKI7k9WqYBDdXVzUtWEBUhYc-ogPhh6wc1kPWTmmEsgBQ/s320/1910083_44306924081_1456_n.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Wow, I can't believe you are turning 49 in just a few days! Where did the time go, seriously!?! </p><p><br /></p><p>The first thing I want you to know is time will start flying by (just like your parents said - believe them!) Because time really does go by quickly I want you to live in the moment! Stop worrying about tomorrow or regretting things in the past! Live for today and enjoy where you are at all times! Even the bad days will have some good mixed in them. Be sure to look for the good in all situations. We don't usually have trouble with that but there are times when we get bogged down in the bad and can't find our way out. </p><p><br /></p><p>Another IMPORTANT bit of advice for you is do NOT be afraid to ask for help. If you are overwhelmed talk to someone! So many times we bottle things up and think we can fix them or change them by ourselves and trust me it is much easier if you share the burden. </p><p><br /></p><p>Marriage: It is a beautiful part of life but it is no walk in the park! Marriage is hard! However, it is worth the effort! Put in the work. Open up more, learn to communicate, and learn to actively listen! Trust your spouse to be your partner in life and lean on him when things get hard! Also be there for him when he is struggling! I can guarantee you will not give or receive 100% all the time. As long as you both push yourself to give as much as you possibly can, and you are giving each other grace when you can't give as much as usual, you will make it!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vb8wyxRdjgDUjVWWwyxSMbMsjbh0gIRtS1uJSpwlWbL4HF7E__mGYVAK1hu1xD33IwhIdr8cOvalCO4XgljKY9z33MY7IsB3w0w1d2HCTGn-cmHZjSLvUQG60AKYFvt39JM9QMqac9vDNxZRkt3pru00zeA1nNIKzJecFuLpXBuiAnQuKjs/s960/FB_IMG_1622505462633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vb8wyxRdjgDUjVWWwyxSMbMsjbh0gIRtS1uJSpwlWbL4HF7E__mGYVAK1hu1xD33IwhIdr8cOvalCO4XgljKY9z33MY7IsB3w0w1d2HCTGn-cmHZjSLvUQG60AKYFvt39JM9QMqac9vDNxZRkt3pru00zeA1nNIKzJecFuLpXBuiAnQuKjs/s320/FB_IMG_1622505462633.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Children: I know you want to be a mom more than anything. Be patient! Your time will come. It will just not be as soon as you would like. Trust that God has a plan and a reason for that plan. When you have a precious baby love every moment! Don't get distracted by life and things around you. Stay in the moment. Even the terrible 3's have moments you want to hold on to. Every stage has something incredible to experience. Every stage has something you are going to look back on and miss. You won't even realize it but suddenly you will wonder when the last time you did _____ was. You will wonder why you didn't know it was the last time you were going to do ____ so you could savor the moment. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYInbgKRI5M-8uVywHr76KSXH30DXM1hcixA0CI21zW8m8tonbnSk_DoZN8od6Zrb3x2pVsdQjfDdox62YSGOTCWJkyfliYr7W0NLl476eaO-znHVgQDhYgq0Xmn5bceYOnW2a9oS_z8nhsyFkFroW4enysjSHU_EpiPupORBgbj1RdlPnWs/s604/FB_IMG_1650897612553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYInbgKRI5M-8uVywHr76KSXH30DXM1hcixA0CI21zW8m8tonbnSk_DoZN8od6Zrb3x2pVsdQjfDdox62YSGOTCWJkyfliYr7W0NLl476eaO-znHVgQDhYgq0Xmn5bceYOnW2a9oS_z8nhsyFkFroW4enysjSHU_EpiPupORBgbj1RdlPnWs/s320/FB_IMG_1650897612553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br />Aging Parents: Your parents are not as young as they use to be. They will not be around forever. Don't let the past keep you from building and repairing your relationships with them. Your parents love you even when they don't know how to show it. They love you even when you don't feel like they do! You are loved and they want what is best for you. Let the bad go and focus on the good. Don't wait for them to get sickly to start mending fences! Spend as much time with them as you can. Time is something you won't regret.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTeVCsjx0Zgy01up2hnJO34hvPK9QljlYX3qO_Zvwj76hGiJOEcROWbVMtzu2wp4IR9ENtrvV49hqaQo2B6Wgva3rrtSMIe248JnHuGHdM89lrdGXU_Ly9oP-EwHdtYsjPiOoeVszq6KJKIDKr5L2x-BeYNsXArvYXDvEfS_IthCU6ZgVZPI/s4608/IMG_20201129_122706948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTeVCsjx0Zgy01up2hnJO34hvPK9QljlYX3qO_Zvwj76hGiJOEcROWbVMtzu2wp4IR9ENtrvV49hqaQo2B6Wgva3rrtSMIe248JnHuGHdM89lrdGXU_Ly9oP-EwHdtYsjPiOoeVszq6KJKIDKr5L2x-BeYNsXArvYXDvEfS_IthCU6ZgVZPI/s320/IMG_20201129_122706948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Aging ME: Again, I can't believe I am turning 49! Love yourself through the good and bad. Give yourself grace when you don't do what you should but push yourself to do better. If you stick with something long enough it will get easier. STOP drinking soda! Just don't do it!!! When you get Covid don't sit still and get pneumonia. Your feet will never be the same after Covid, or at least not a year later! Get in shape before you get there because it just gets harder! Always love yourself! You are beautiful! You are smart! You are worth it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbe81bN-P3A7j27LTi3EC-jxpkfcDVEs2bRrtit-wGAnI0PTYCbh0fE3CHcKXwbWGZWMfE8gUW3NkfQdHIJMEbucyrpSlrAoImhTzZMmHne5Qza99SWkphTdD_TzQqCoLiIyt7HS6Y5j2Z4AFsbzTBXadGP5JqJ_ptlJ-tlBlNjnnqzPDzrw/s3264/20220629_093122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbe81bN-P3A7j27LTi3EC-jxpkfcDVEs2bRrtit-wGAnI0PTYCbh0fE3CHcKXwbWGZWMfE8gUW3NkfQdHIJMEbucyrpSlrAoImhTzZMmHne5Qza99SWkphTdD_TzQqCoLiIyt7HS6Y5j2Z4AFsbzTBXadGP5JqJ_ptlJ-tlBlNjnnqzPDzrw/s320/20220629_093122.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Enjoy your life! It is a good life. You will have some good adventures and make some great memories. Love God, love people, think before you react, and always choose things that bring you peace and joy! Buckle up buttercup it will be a bumpy ride!</p><p><br /></p><p>Love Always,</p><p>Older Candace</p><p><br /></p><p>What would you tell your younger or older self?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-32050708331555521662022-08-21T13:39:00.000-06:002022-08-21T13:39:06.435-06:00Life is what happens when you are making plans!<p> When I was younger, I loved to make plans. I loved daydreaming about where I would be in 5 years or 10 years. Where would we be living, what would would my daughter be like, etc... What I didn't realize was that while I was daydreaming, planning, and working towards my goals life was passing. Here I am, almost 50 and some days I wonder where the time went! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubGxdQ3XNy4sZN7dFm_XMuG6ObyjXDbEIAgNJktNLxuEqv-bZ-L_1MRPuz3yfzwi_LEsBiCc1OieTMtNY5aLUR9H_Q_5BP7hO3JaGFik1c2BgxJok5fb_LcRQeHNuocr777leCIZidZULQ_AfpUzQSfybQ3SCasgPCzrysVOYfrcSHRkHYjLCDPRKuQ/s4624/20220417_122219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubGxdQ3XNy4sZN7dFm_XMuG6ObyjXDbEIAgNJktNLxuEqv-bZ-L_1MRPuz3yfzwi_LEsBiCc1OieTMtNY5aLUR9H_Q_5BP7hO3JaGFik1c2BgxJok5fb_LcRQeHNuocr777leCIZidZULQ_AfpUzQSfybQ3SCasgPCzrysVOYfrcSHRkHYjLCDPRKuQ/w240-h302/20220417_122219.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>So here I am, I blinked, and I suddenly have a 17 year old daughter. I've been married for 26 years to my high school sweetheart. My daughter, Anna, is a homeschooling Senior this year. We love spending time together as a family. I am a Church Secretary, and I love spending time with our youth at the church. I like to say that I felt the call to work with teenagers and to be a missionary. I did neither, except now I lead a mission team to WV typically once a year and volunteer with the youth a lot. At least I did until my Dad passed away from lung cancer in November 2020. My Mom then passed away in February 2022. Mom's cause of death is listed as covid, but it was really a broken heart mixed with heart problems, kidney problems, and a whole host of other issues. Since they have passed, I have struggled with finding who I am as an orphan. I can't even describe it any other way. I have extended family, but all of my immediate family is gone. I lost my brother when I was about 20 and now my parents...</p><p>I am finally getting to the point where I can breathe and feel somewhat normal in my own skin. I find joy in hanging out with my daughter. I find joy in spending time with my husband. I find joy watching birds enjoying our feeders and bird bath. I find joy in my God! This is one of my favorite verses and has been for a while. I love knowing that no matter what I am going through God is with me!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rc8nMLU6BTsyiDsbLzp1Hm3NMmjmreu7i_doKIG4oi57X9kXmf6eMc84gzPUGUQZJBhSE7IBQ3xqqZ85claGG2L4mMl-wR2bdVVsXPPnNQ7jCH6R_aFi7hlc3UEGLbx2LyNujgLU7gvpl6H6SMJOOuzw_VH75g4NfCEULWJSwwRiat4S0IBjadIfVw/s1080/When%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20waters,%20I%20will%20be%20with%20you;%20and%20when%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20rivers,%20they%20will%20not%20sweep%20over%20you.%20When%20you%20walk%20through%20the%20fire,%20you%20will%20not%20be%20burned;%20the%20flames%20will%20not%20set%20you%20ablaze..png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rc8nMLU6BTsyiDsbLzp1Hm3NMmjmreu7i_doKIG4oi57X9kXmf6eMc84gzPUGUQZJBhSE7IBQ3xqqZ85claGG2L4mMl-wR2bdVVsXPPnNQ7jCH6R_aFi7hlc3UEGLbx2LyNujgLU7gvpl6H6SMJOOuzw_VH75g4NfCEULWJSwwRiat4S0IBjadIfVw/s320/When%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20waters,%20I%20will%20be%20with%20you;%20and%20when%20you%20pass%20through%20the%20rivers,%20they%20will%20not%20sweep%20over%20you.%20When%20you%20walk%20through%20the%20fire,%20you%20will%20not%20be%20burned;%20the%20flames%20will%20not%20set%20you%20ablaze..png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I am hoping this journal, if you will, will help me find myself and who I am today. Feel free to introduce yourself to me. Let me know if there is anything I can pray for you about. Thanks for joining me on this journey.</p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-90431346761998968622011-12-08T09:52:00.004-06:002011-12-08T10:25:32.232-06:00Christmas is in the air!!!<div>I can't believe it is Christmas! I love this time of year!!! The magic in the air, the excitement of the children, the joy of all the adults! I love the traditions that each family has and I love how those traditions change and grow with the family. I do miss some of our traditions from when Anna was tiny. My favorite use to be her feeding the tree! Such a simple task but such a joy for her. Now she just wants to water it cause it doesn't take as long lol. </div><br /><br /><div>I believe my favorite tradition that started for me 3 years ago. Is our elf Twinkle! He is so much fun for both me and Anna. He is a mischievous little guy doing all sorts of things around the house. My Mom and Dad would have had a blast with this if they had had them when I was little. If you don't have an <a href="http://www.elfontheshelf.com/">elf on the shelf </a>or have never heard of them check them out. Here are a few pictures of fun things you can do with them!!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinozp5IuynH7bCleoAefgVvOteIwmXA92szcNTYeK_lGuYJKWId_pSDBZcNpEML5W8mXXKsSERoGnaiB4nEZZr7LuD-0I1xtnobE9wz-xiIiEvDgKD6gMhhvhTrKTe92p-YegClA/s1600/393581_10150425881614082_692479081_8246662_1420265346_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683788049470059762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinozp5IuynH7bCleoAefgVvOteIwmXA92szcNTYeK_lGuYJKWId_pSDBZcNpEML5W8mXXKsSERoGnaiB4nEZZr7LuD-0I1xtnobE9wz-xiIiEvDgKD6gMhhvhTrKTe92p-YegClA/s400/393581_10150425881614082_692479081_8246662_1420265346_n.jpg" /></a> Twinkle got bored and colored in Anna's coloring book. When we got home that afternoon he had finished the picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoItpB9402fIgnvXJBLDYatDJpX82ihhspFYAxotfhTqZopBdrNPWBn4TDAnT0IzdMf1NHoUKu-ZoAu-h8ljTtLNac7cGoWoCLNSpMiK2LeJ52LaFVhBuV-LQI0n76RI9rfWppg/s1600/390563_10150440955579082_692479081_8291313_1075173709_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683788036456541058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoItpB9402fIgnvXJBLDYatDJpX82ihhspFYAxotfhTqZopBdrNPWBn4TDAnT0IzdMf1NHoUKu-ZoAu-h8ljTtLNac7cGoWoCLNSpMiK2LeJ52LaFVhBuV-LQI0n76RI9rfWppg/s400/390563_10150440955579082_692479081_8291313_1075173709_n.jpg" /></a> He created a zip line in our living room! Crazy elf lol.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3he37-A2uKYKNqzJxT-zoTN24eEzjMNZULQh_9hH8q41s4f5CSQ3ZMI4znii0VvV16Sz8tUpylqvXAl2yyoelSTDcWVf9z57ZCYarz4sJzsfKQFhuEzebwVR9_NuCaCuff_EqfA/s1600/388274_10150439490779082_692479081_8287757_101228735_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683788027234574306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3he37-A2uKYKNqzJxT-zoTN24eEzjMNZULQh_9hH8q41s4f5CSQ3ZMI4znii0VvV16Sz8tUpylqvXAl2yyoelSTDcWVf9z57ZCYarz4sJzsfKQFhuEzebwVR9_NuCaCuff_EqfA/s400/388274_10150439490779082_692479081_8287757_101228735_n.jpg" /></a> He baked cookies when I went to pick Anna up. The oven was still warm when we got home.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEi-vZzMBEMgtIp3sL9t-U5X0N1UQ0KWvN5WtZ8GqYiWxc4yCehHKJPQjUKihACJJS1zSxmfmHZOCcC7QmmsuwQbNBGl0GfE7Zmv5lsDNzDWbFA5MuGpEBnaZxO19HOdyzVsmgQ/s1600/382953_10150434516009082_692479081_8269439_1885118341_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683788015923920066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEi-vZzMBEMgtIp3sL9t-U5X0N1UQ0KWvN5WtZ8GqYiWxc4yCehHKJPQjUKihACJJS1zSxmfmHZOCcC7QmmsuwQbNBGl0GfE7Zmv5lsDNzDWbFA5MuGpEBnaZxO19HOdyzVsmgQ/s400/382953_10150434516009082_692479081_8269439_1885118341_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>He slipped into my purse the night before we were going to the tree farm to get our Christmas tree! He hung out with us all day!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO1ARFGUCg3zf4CezsrnV56H4Zz63bIaInGLb1a-ifwA8nevv_Jn6rsRQJt_pF1wOrwB0xvPSWJyWURL6cRr6ydBFRaLM-igkyCs3DXnKegX2Ft8xSYiKu_yQVdVyvSEZ871EEw/s1600/376698_10150423803679082_692479081_8241278_997813521_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683788012346190770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO1ARFGUCg3zf4CezsrnV56H4Zz63bIaInGLb1a-ifwA8nevv_Jn6rsRQJt_pF1wOrwB0xvPSWJyWURL6cRr6ydBFRaLM-igkyCs3DXnKegX2Ft8xSYiKu_yQVdVyvSEZ871EEw/s400/376698_10150423803679082_692479081_8241278_997813521_n.jpg" /></a> He used makeup to leave a note on our bathroom mirror. He was reminding Anna to send Santa a letter.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">He is so much fun. The joy on Anna's face every morning is worth the extra time and effort he takes. Not to mention it is fun for me to create so much mischief.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Other Christmas traditions I love and wait for all year include: </div><br /><ul><br /><li><br /><div align="left">Going to the tree farm to find the perfect tree for our family! Anna and I have completely different taste in trees so this year it was more complicated lol. She likes trees that I call Charlie Brown trees simply because they are so small. I like the really big ones that would barely fit in our house lol. We compromised and got one that is probably close to 6 ft tall. </div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">I love the nights of watching the old classic cartoons and also new classics like Polar Express. Oh and we can't forget adult movies like White Christmas! Throw in a little hot chocolate and Christmas tree all a glow and I am a happy girl lol.</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">Christmas gatherings both with friends and family are a lot of fun! Our Sunday School class does an ornament dirty Santa game! My family does the white elephant dirty Santa game. I like to steal presents just to add a little excitement lol.</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">Our church does a traditional service the weekend after Thanksgiving. It is the hanging of the green. It is a beautiful service that I truely love being a part of.</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="left">Singing all of the Christmas songs! Both the festive upbeat to the old hymns that have been around forever! My favorite secular song is Santa Baby and my favorite hymn is What Child is This! Music really is a huge part of Christmas for me!</div></li></ul><br /><p align="left">I could really keep going with things I love to do at Christmas but I will stop at that. What is your favorite Christmas tradition? </p></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-21545214715803002742011-09-20T08:27:00.004-06:002011-09-20T09:04:27.515-06:00Summertime Blues!I have had a long hard summer. I lost both of my Grandma's this summer. I can't tell you how much that hurts. Mostly cause I block it out. I am the queen of denial! I don't like pain and suffering therefore I just put it at the back of my mind and forget it. Of course that probably isn't the most healthy way to handle things but it is what it is. I can say that some good came out of this summer. I have reconnected with my family better than I could have ever asked for. <br /><div><br /><br /><div>It was fun this summer watching Anna bond with her cousins. She had a blast dragging her smaller cousins around in a wagon, having a water balloon fight, playing in the sand and dirt, playing with chalk, pretending to be mama and who knows what else they got up to lol. She really bonded with my cousin Holly too. She had puppies at her house so Anna wanted to go there ALL the time! Of course sometimes that was just an excuse to go play with her kids. She especially bonded with Katie my cousins 3 year old little girl. Holly also went out and built a volcano out of sand and made it erupt with vinegar and baking soda or whatever it is you use together to make it blow up. The kids loved that!!! </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654456813518864274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfkEMTJAGVPdcdBxMlR6MN7e84GP9yp085nvcY0GD1IBL6PC1E4TVTf3h4fw1cDDdOMdqRt4kcpy0nX9KadkIfjJYlsRPI6s4CvzeXFO-Iffr3KrFvkFXXiw-RWemjIpKBVnbwA/s400/000_0223.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>I spent my time with Grandma Annie. I gave her mani pedis and talked and made sure she had food and drink. We watched Murder She Wrote and movies and talked. Grandma likes to talk. Some say I am a lot like my Grandma hmmm. She slept a lot so I did a lot of reading just sitting there with her. She has always lived 4 hours away so we have never been extra close physically but I always knew that Grandma was there if I needed her. I have lost that assurance now and I have to say even though I didn't call as much as I should and I didn't go see her as much as I should I feel a little lost without her. She started getting pretty sick in early July. Her kidneys started shutting down. She already had a bad heart and her body was just getting tired. She was 93 and I have to say up until recently she didn't act her age. I felt terrible in one way that she lingered so long cause she hurt and she was tired and well she was just done! On the other hand I thank God that I had time to spend with her. I had a chance that not many people get and I wouldn't change it. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654456814046151698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5pkwS87GDAn5Fpc-B2W-2zjR9V7PuKsmxya10ZEH2UmgXyeJOx3aa6v0bPHaoPptsR6dqxu83V2cni2afSTi0jp171ckjvWqgi-HeA4oUg9dlClFMgULx6HOP3lvHrXaiSfUsQ/s400/230739_226750297340097_100000153853241_1128055_1251017_n.jpg" /> <br /><div>Now before we went to see Grandma Annie we were with Grandma Caroline. She got sick fairly suddenly. One day she was ok and the next she was having surgery. Maybe not that quick cause she suffered with the pain before deciding to go to the hospital. She just never recovered from the surgery. She was moved to ICU not long after she went in the hospital and stayed there for somewhere around 2 or 3 weeks. It is all a blur for me. We would go hang out in the waiting room and go visit her during visiting hours. Anna actually enjoyed hanging out at the hospital and she always wanted to go with us. My Daddy and I would kinda take turns giving her a break from the hospital. Grandma Caroline had a brief period when she was awake enough for us to talk to but mostly they kept her sedated. When she was conscious though I managed to make her smile a few times (Well as much as she could with the tubes and all.) She was able to tell us she loved us and hear us tell her. </div><br /><br /><div>I will miss both of my Grandma's very much! They were both full of courage and spirit and spunk. They both thought of others before themselves and both loved completely. I am thankful I know they are both in heaven now. Grandma Annie is probably singing and dancing and they are both chatting with all of the people they lost. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Things I learned this summer:</div><br /><br /><ol><br /><li>You have 1 family don't waste time being stupid.</li><br /><li>It is ok to get dirty! It will wash off (eventually).</li><br /><li>Take time to go see the cows. Life will keep on going even if you take a minute to just breathe in the fresh air.</li><br /><li>Let the people you love know it because sometimes you don't always have another chance.</li><br /><li>Children can handle a lot more than we give them credit for.</li></ol></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-21612380195528472812011-02-13T12:02:00.006-06:002011-02-13T12:28:34.614-06:00Thank you plus a challenge!<div>I was overwhelmed with the love and support after my last post. I wish you could see my facebook responses on here but you can't. Most of us have lost someone special to us at one time or another. I don't intend to keep dwelling on it because that is not how I deal with things. I am the queen of denial. You know forge ahead as if nothing is wrong. If you tell yourself something often enough you will eventually believe it, right? </div><div><br /></div><div>That really goes both ways. If you tell yourself something bad over and over. "I look terrible" is a good example! Eventually you believe it and if someone says how beautiful you are you don't believe them. I am going to try a little experiment over the next month. I am going to tell myself something positive. The same thing over and over every day and see if I come any closer to believing it! Do you think it will work? My self-esteem is not the best, so this should be fun to see. Maybe I will even try it out on Chris and see how it works if you compliment someone each day with the same thing if they can start to perceive themselves in a different manner.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">You are so BEAUTIFUL!!!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><br /> </div><div>Does anyone want to join me in my challenge? If you do please let me know how it goes!!!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-68741043121875826172011-02-08T08:13:00.004-06:002011-02-08T09:01:17.583-06:00Listening to God<div>A few weeks ago I had this urge to go visit my in-laws. I get along great with my in-laws but it isn't often that I get a whim to go see them. There are 2 very good reasons for that first of all because Anna is not a great traveler (she gets it from me) and second of all because they are here so often we don't have to. It had been Christmas since we had seen them and I just knew we needed to go visit. I told Chris that we needed to and he wasn't so sure lol. He wanted to just chill on our weekend and not worry about it. I convinced him that we needed too and even after I got sick on Wednesday I was determined to go. We left Friday after Anna got out of school. Saturday we went to breakfast and Anna stayed with Yia Yia and Pop most of the day. Her Daddy was in and out too but she was mainly Yia Yia and Pops for the day. They had a blast. Did a little shopping, played legos (Anna's favorite thing to do with Pop!) and colored and who knows what else lol. They just had the perfect day! Anna and I were staying with Aunt Casey and Chris stayed with his Mom and Dad. That is the way we do it when we visit for whatever reason lol. I have always thought of it as trying to give Aunt Casey a little time since Anna is always about Yia Yia and Pop when they are around. We left that night and everything was right in the world. We had no idea that less than 8 hours later our world would turn upside down. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571333393877154210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUYjS2yM8L-LQx5HrcGX20MRVvvOZWY_aPEi1owdWxoD1UA0hrZrOkZY3WTnQZC9OEAkF_xZOeGSrZkU6IIV6LmRMk846N6Xu2iu-KBjSGISk4k6h8jbrklE0-fsIwrwy4RnNxg/s400/100_5516_edited-1.png" /> <div></div><div>Pop had been having some health issues. His legs were constantly swollen and his body was starting to swell as well, he was on a heart monitor because they wanted to watch it for a while (they did this every year or so.) Around 4:30 am his alarm on the monitor went off. Less than an hour later we lost our beloved Pop! Our family has suffered a great loss! Pop was a large part of the sparkle in our family. He was a fun-loving friend to anyone he met. He could have a fabulous conversation with a brick wall lol. I remember when Casey woke me up and told me my first thoughts were that this was a bad joke. Sure he wasn't the healthiest person around but Pop was larger than life he was going to be around forever. Chris says it best I think - He gave so freely with his big heart that he had nothing left for himself. </div><div></div><br /><div>Now you wonder what all of this has to do with listening to God? I know without a shadow of doubt that God told me that we needed to go to visit! I know that for a few reasons. Pop loved his Anna more than anything and they needed that day of love for them both. I think I forgot to mention that they also made Valentine's Day cards. They made them for each other and us. We have the one Pop made for our whole family and that is a special gift! Anna now has the sweet memory of the day, doing all the things she loved with her Pop. If I hadn't listened to God she wouldn't have that. If I hadn't listened to God Lynn would have been home alone trying to deal with all of this. Chris would have never been able to forgive himself for not being there through this. If I had not listened to God we would have had a 2.5 hour trip after finding out he was gone. Casey would have been home alone when the call came in. You can sit there and think what you will but I know that my God was telling me to go home! My God loves me enough to put me where I need to be when I am needed. </div><br /><div></div><div>He loves me enough to talk to me and have a relationship with me. I am not a perfect person. In fact, I have screwed up more than most! However, I am blessed to be loved by a perfect God that is forgiving! I have a long way to go before I can claim the perfect relationship with Him. I don't read my Bible as much as I should, instead I read novels. I pray to Him but I sometimes hold things back. I give things over to Him and then I take them back because well, I think I know how to handle it. I am trying real hard to be the person that He wants me to be and I still fall short most of the time. Through all of that He still talks to me! He still loves me and forgives me each and every time!!! </div><br /><div></div><div>I thank God for that last day with Pop! I am thankful that I am assured that Pop feels 100% better now. That he is happy and talking the ear off of all of his friends and family that went ahead of him. We will always miss Pop, but I am so glad that I believe in Jesus and I know that one day we will see him again!</div><br /><div></div><div>Does God talk to you? Have you slowed down to listen to Him lately? I know I need to slow down a lot more than I do! My church has just started a Bible Study <a href="http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?ISBN=1415836620">Discerning the Voice of God</a>. I am excited about it. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-75186660446695501602010-08-30T10:36:00.004-06:002010-08-30T10:56:08.181-06:00I have a kindergartener!!!We took Anna to her first day of Kindergarten! I can't believe my baby is in kindergarten. Where did the time go? It has apparently been stressing me out! I freaked out last night thinking I had put my phone in the washing machine in a pair of pants. I was seriously about in tears until I had Chris call my cell. It just seems like yesterday when she was coming home from the hospital. Does that mean that the time between now and high school is just a blink? I want to hold onto every moment I can. I try to memorize all the fun and silly things so that I can have it to remember.<br /><br />For example: The way she loves to play games! Her favorite is eye spy!!! She loves to draw and read. She loves to ride her bike and climb trees. She loves to sing songs and if she doesn't know the words she just makes them up. She has the pretties smile that brightens up her whole face and puts the stars in her eyes. And her laugh is contagious. She has a great laugh!!! It is a lot like mine but even better because hers is well hers. lol We love to swim together. She is a great swimmer. She can do front flips and back flips. She can swim in the deep end without batting an eye. She loves to play ball and "chat". She likes to have picnics and a movie! We try to do it at least once a week.<br /><br />I can't wait to see how today went for her but for now I need to go clean up my house. It is a mess! I haven't cleaned in a week just so I could soak her up every minute. Now it is back to work! I have to say I am glad though I can't stand living in a mess!!!<br /><br />Oh one more thing! If anyone has fun lunch box ideas I would love to hear them. I would love to do something fun and interesting at least once a week for her.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-47286775078901783802010-01-07T09:43:00.003-06:002010-01-07T09:56:35.728-06:00#1 Favorite Christmas MemoryI left a memory out yesterday. It is so special it deserved its own post!!!<br /><br />The week leading up to Christmas I had Anna and Chris at home with me. Chris was in between jobs and Anna was out on Christmas break. Anna and I bought Chris a little something even though he and I weren't getting each other something. I wanted Anna to get him a little something. Anyway, I was in the floor doing the last of my wrapping including the present for Chris and several other things. Anna said, "Mama, where is your present". I told her that I wasn't wrapping one for myself. She said "OK , wait a minute" with her little mischieveous smile. She went behind the tree, took a present out of a gift bag that I hadn't closed up. She grabbed a Santa from the Polar Express movie that my Mom gave her a year or 2 ago and she put it in the bag. She then came and got the tape and proceeded to tape up the bag! She did it very efficiently going all across the top so that I couldn't peak! lol She then came around the tree and said "I got you a special present Mama." She has no idea that SHE is my special present!!! All I need is her and her Daddy! I didn't need a present but the thoughtfulness of that gesture really touched me. God has blessed me with a very precious little girl!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-80861766640479950022010-01-06T11:07:00.004-06:002010-01-07T12:28:26.757-06:00Christmas Memories 2009What a crazy Christmas holiday we had this year! We discovered how truly blessed we are and what an awesome God we serve!!! These may not be in order. I just wanted to jot them all down so we wouldn't forget.<br /><br />In Oct. Chris found out he would be losing his job Dec. 18th. We knew that we would be ok. We both just had a peace about it all. Which I can assure you didn't come from either of us! We did continue life as normal, buckling down in a few areas financially. About a week or 2 before Chris's last day he got a call from a tech school and they wanted to see him that day. He was dressed casually cause they were packing up the school etc. So he ran home and changed and drove out to the interview (a little more than an hour away). Long story short he found out he was getting that job on the same day that he was signing his termination papers. By the way I should add in there he was not "fired" he was laid off cause they were closing the campus that he was working at. They probably knew they would do this when they hired him... That doesn't matter because our God is such a mighty God He had everything planned out perfectly!<br /><br />Back to Christmas...<br /><br />Yia Yia & Pop & Aunt Casey:<br /><br />They all came to spend Wednesday afternoon through Sunday with us. Wednesday night we had a Low Country Boil! My friend Denise and her son Dustin came over and did that for us. Now I know that I am a southern girl and I live on the coast but I do NOT like seafood lol. However, the corn and potatoes were delicious lol. Everyone else raved about the whole thing and we heard about it all weekend!<br /><br />CHRISTMAS EVE:<br /><br />We had a lazy day. Yia Yia and Pop took Anna shopping so that we could put together the lego table they were giving Anna and also the Princess table from Santa. After we did that we (Chris, Casey and myself) went to grab lunch and to pick up a shrimp platter for the night. (yuck ;0) We came back home & I pulled together some spinach dip and some queso dip and opened the shrimp platter and a chicken nugget platter (from Anna's favorite place, Chick fil a). That was our dinner! It was yummy! We had a few peanut butter balls for dessert. We opened up all our presents and Anna was so funny! The second present she opened was the Cool School computer from a few ladies Chris had worked with. A very wonderful and thoughtful thing for them to do! She saw what it was and she started going " O O O I WANTED ONE OF THOSE FOR MYSELF!!!" She squealed with delight after each gift she opened. I wish I could have captured it on video! We finally got to crash at some point and she was almost instantly asleep!<br /><br />SANTA:<br /><br />I was able to find a Princess Jeep online for $75 for Anna from Santa! I was so excited about it and it was barely used! Pretty much perfect!!! Santa had a hard time getting it out of the garage and into the house. lol I didn't realize it was so HUGE. Chris brought it home and put it in our garage so it didn't look so big in there. Santa also brought her a Princess table with a dry erase table top. Oh and we can't forget a Cinderella baby. When she came out of the bedroom she zoned straight in on the baby that was sitting in the car. It took her a few minutes to even register the car! She got in it after that drove straight into the coffee table. She didn't have any room really! She eventually made her way over the the table where Santa had left her a note. He wrote on it "Merry Christmas Anna thank you for the cookies! See you next year. Santa" She loved that!!!<br /><br />CHRISTMAS DAY:<br /><br />After Santa was enjoyed for a while we ate a biscuit that Pop had bought from Anna's other favorite (Hardees). We also had a cookie cake kinda thing and lit candles and sang happy birthday to Jesus! We then played with some of her other toys until Grandma & Grandpa came in with more presents to open! Anna is definitely lacking for toys! She had a great time playing with them and opening more presents. Her favorite things were trying to run over Grandpa and sitting in the chair with Grandma listening to music. We had a non-traditional lunch of a mexican chicken dish that is super yummy! with mashed potatoes and green beans and a dump cake for dessert! Everything was tasty! That night Yia Yia, Casey, Chris, Anna and I piled into the car to go see Christmas lights at this house that is totally awesome! They blink lights to music they have set on a radio station. I can't even explain to make it as cool as it really is. Anna liked it so much that we had to go see it probably 6 times over about 2 weeks!<br /><br />RIDGELAND LIGHTS:<br /><br />One night a few weeks before Christmas we piled into Denise's car with Hannah and Nancy and all of us. We headed about an hour or more away and looked at some very cool lights set on a trail. We walked it and then had dinner at a place called Jasper's Porch. The food was pretty good but we were in there for almost 2 hours! After that we walked the trail again and then headed towards home singing all the way! It was a blast. We had to go by Denise's sisters house (her Mama said we had too lol) Her house was done up very cool including reindeers on the top of the house! Then we went out to the same house we went to on Christmas day! That was our first visit of the year there and I think it was probably the most fun. The group of friends we were with were just THAT much fun!!! We went to McDonalds afterwards and went through the drive thru. I am sure they thought we were drunk even though we hadn't had anything!!!<br /><br />NEW YEARS EVE:<br /><br />We went over to Denise's house and had pizza and played cards. We had a great time. laughing and cutting up. It is great to have such good friends! I am truly blessed and honestly they are the only thing that makes me sad to have to move. Hmmm, you think I could convince them to move with me? lol Denise let us spend the night at her house so that we didn't have to go out on the road.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-21664809900640754512009-11-06T10:20:00.003-06:002009-11-06T10:24:08.175-06:00Christmas!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">Christmas is just around the corner!!! I am getting geared up! I am planning my gift list. I am thinking about the candy I will make! I am thinking about decorations! Anna's Christmas tree is already up! We will put a real one in our living room so that will wait until after Thanksgiving. Probably the weekend after cause we have a Christmas show we are going to Saturday after Thanksgiving! I am excited!!! I love the holidays! I might even try to talk someone into shopping on Black Friday!!! I haven't looked at the sales pages although they are stacking up in my inbox! <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">What is something special you do at Christmas time? Do you have any fun or special traditions you do with your family?<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-71248797439677296202009-11-06T10:05:00.003-06:002009-11-06T10:18:24.453-06:00Rest in Peace Papa George<div style="text-align: justify;">A week ago today my Grandfather passed away. He had been pretty sick for a while. His problems included a severe cancer right behind his airway. He was really struggling and now he doesn't have to struggle any more. He is at peace! I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">relieved</span> for him but I hate it for my Grandma! They were married for 40 years and now she is alone. I can't even imagine what she is experiencing. We had a lovely service done by my little cousin. I say little because he is 11 years younger than me but he is a good bit taller than I am. Anyway, that is beside the point. He did our service and I don't know that I have ever been to a better one. He is an amazing young man! The one thing that sticks out in my mind about the service is when he said: He thinks when we are called up, Jesus won't be the first person we will see. He thinks we will be reunited with all of the loved ones we have lost and then we will ALL go worship at the feet of Jesus. That is a beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sentiment</span> to me. I like the idea that when I am called up I will get to see Papa George and my brother right away. I am going to hold onto that and I hope that my Grandma will too. <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-75241871987749991892009-09-30T12:07:00.002-06:002009-09-30T12:09:17.910-06:00M.O.P.S.I am looking into starting a MOPS group at my church. If you or someone you know is involved with a Mothers Of Pre Schoolers group I would love to talk to you. Can you leave me a message?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-14917864233598469142009-09-14T09:55:00.003-06:002009-09-14T10:14:19.252-06:00I'm sorry can you repeat that!?!<div style="text-align: justify;">I have been a Christian since I was 15 years old. My parents started taking me to church when I was in 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> grade and I loved it instantly. The people were great and having a higher purpose was wonderful. For some reason when you are 15 it is easy to hear God but then as you grow older it is like you turn the volume down (or at least for me!) I am now 36 years old and finally I feel like I can hear God and this time I am really listening! I don't know what all He has in store for me but I am trusting in Him to show me the way. This week I had 3 visitors in my Sunday School class and I was so excited! It felt kinda like a reward for stepping up and doing what the Lord asked of me.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am excited to finally feel like I am listening and acting on what He wants me to do. I feel like I am finally getting onto the right road after being lost and confused forever! It is almost like being on vacation, really! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lol</span> I have been trying to take Jesus where I wanted to go and lets just say He isn't someone that you can easily push along! Now that I am letting Him drive, I can kick back, take in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scenery</span>, and let Him show me the way. Saying all of that doesn't mean that I am not doing anything. I think I am doing more now than I have in a long time but when He is driving it seems so much easier. I am drawing closer to Him through reading His word more often (I can't say daily yet) and praying more often and listening for Him. Sometimes He just wants us to be still and listen. I didn't think about that very much until recently (no wonder I couldn't hear him!) When is the last time you were still? I know it is hard to find time but sometimes you have to make the time and it is SO WORTH IT!!!<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-4782876614203364342009-09-04T07:13:00.003-06:002009-09-04T07:37:10.849-06:00Day 5<div style="text-align: justify;">She cried and cried! All the way to school she begged me to take her home. I knew if I did take her home that battle would have been lost but the urge to turn that car around was SO strong! I continued down the road and we made it to school. She really started carrying on when we got there and I did our normal routine. I helped her get her stuff up and gave her a hug. I told her I had to go and I practically ran out the door cause the tears were coming down. It breaks my heart that this is so hard on her. I keep asking myself if it is something that I have done that made her need me so much. There is only one other little boy in the class having the same problem that Anna is having. So what causes this problem? What makes one child cry when they are going to school and another delight in it? The only thing that I can see that I have done that would have created this is the fact that she has been with me pretty much all the time. I mean I leave her with a friend every now and again and she goes to church to her class with no problem. But she has never been in daycare and I don't think I would change that just to have her go to school without crying. As a mom I know it is natural to question how we raise our children. To constantly wonder if we are ruining our childs life. Are they going to need therapy because of me? Seriously, all I know is that I can do the best I can and leave the rest up to God. I was listening to this radio program one day and it said something like: You can do better than your parents because you can learn from their mistakes, you can do the best as you see it but then you also have to pray regularly for God to make up for your mistakes to fill in the gaps so to speak. There is NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT PARENT except for Our Father God! Don't try to be and don't claim to be but lean on Him to heal you and your child from your mistakes! I guess through my attentitiveness with Anna I haven't taught her the independance that she needs to get through this week but I know with my prayers she will make it through. I am going to hold onto that thought with both hands. <br /></div><br /><h2><span style="font-size:100%;">Psalm 18:30</span></h2> <p> </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14149">30</sup> As for God, his way is perfect;<br /> the word of the LORD is flawless.<br /> He is a shield<br /> for all who take refuge in him.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-37403861715144630332009-09-03T11:31:00.004-06:002009-09-03T12:05:36.685-06:00My life<div style="text-align: justify;">We are on day 4 of this school thing. I am adjusting although I am not getting into a groove yet. Today we got there and Anna was not happy. She didn't want to stay and she was on the verge of tears. It broke my heart. Last night she tossed and turned and cried all through the night. I don't think she was awake for any of it. That broke my heart too. I like to think it is just because she is worn out! She seems to be making a few friends at school. She doesn't really talk much about what is going on but she seems happy when I pick her up.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Now about me! I am having to adjust to a quiet house. I think that is why I am not staying home so much. The house is TOO quiet! I feel like something is missing, ya know. I am going to have to come up with a game plan and work on that. Maybe next week I can figure it out.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, I went to pick out our Small Group stuff! We are going to do The Love Dare. I am super excited about it. I haven't talked about it much on here but Chris and I have gone through a very rough patch. We are now on the way to happier days but I am hoping that this group can help make it even better! Every marriage has ups and downs! If we didn't have the downs we wouldn't appreciate the ups! The Love Dare teaches us how to reconnect and think about the other person, how to treat the other person etc. It is all Bible based and it is supposed to be wonderful for all couples. Whether, you are in good times or bad because you never know when the bad might hit you. It is better to be prepared and now how to deal with things. If you are interested you can watch the movie Fireproof! It has that cutie pie <a href="http://www.kirkcameron.com/">Kirk Cameron</a> (my how I loved him when I was growing up, lol) in it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am in a season of change, as is Anna. We will come out on top because we are fighters and because we have the support of family, friends and most of all Our Jesus! I am trying to really rely on Him more! I am trying to listen to Him! I want to grow and learn and be the person that He intended.<br /></div><br /><h2><span style="font-size:100%;">2 Samuel 22:33</span><br /></h2> <p> </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-8636">33</sup> It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-87623513293462065682009-09-01T10:26:00.004-06:002009-09-01T10:54:10.355-06:00My baby is a school girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-NZKyMzt5Sl-PituHcMBdJ5B8H0TKu_ZxvcHaHb-Sx47bp9s3ys608Mx-JhOtJmHNpivOItgaMn-0baSCsX8vyl5z-74qR6zC9j1gaC1OpJ5U8b-aa7ld60IiVBJvXZxAVqVAQ/s1600-h/100_6556_edited-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-NZKyMzt5Sl-PituHcMBdJ5B8H0TKu_ZxvcHaHb-Sx47bp9s3ys608Mx-JhOtJmHNpivOItgaMn-0baSCsX8vyl5z-74qR6zC9j1gaC1OpJ5U8b-aa7ld60IiVBJvXZxAVqVAQ/s320/100_6556_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376542421800452386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA0CelfW2RN4tdkwQybms6ynJadRVULQXbmOsxBQjvcRDZv5_aRMANcmXtTPgFyR6nqKGlP2Qx6g0rYRt8oOlKYT6cL386V2FPNaHq-zERproRvweKPmi0HJtxcoIhl14Bz7StQ/s1600-h/100_6555_edited-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA0CelfW2RN4tdkwQybms6ynJadRVULQXbmOsxBQjvcRDZv5_aRMANcmXtTPgFyR6nqKGlP2Qx6g0rYRt8oOlKYT6cL386V2FPNaHq-zERproRvweKPmi0HJtxcoIhl14Bz7StQ/s320/100_6555_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376542412636604962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday my baby started in pre-k! I was worried about how it was going to go for her (and me lol.) Here is how it went:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday night we were talking about it on and off and laying in bed I told her it was ok to be scared! I told her that I use to go to school and it is lots of fun! She asked me in a quiet little voice "were you scared"? I told her that yes I was scared but I made friends and started learning some neat stuff and I felt better. I told her that most people are scared when they do something new, you just have to make sure you don't let those feelings keep you from having fun and adjusting. She didn't really say anything and fell to sleep soon after that.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We woke up bright and early and I packed her lunch. I came to get her out of the bed and I told her how the morning would play out. We were going to drive her to school and help her put her things away and then we would have to leave. She started crying and saying she wanted to go with me. It broke my heart, of course! We have been reading a book called The Kissing Hand. So I reminded her of it and gave her a kissing hand (well 2 really) and kissing feet and kissing knees and a kissing belly! I told her I wanted to be sure she could find a kiss if she needed it. Well by that time she was giggling and smiling so we went and had breakfast and finished getting ready.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the car, we went through again how proud we are of her and wonderful school was going to be for etc. Then her and her Daddy sang a song for the rest of the trip. We walked into the school and took her to her class. We helped her put her things up and I said OK baby we have to go now. She said ok, waved and said bye! I, of course, was trying to hold back the tears. I looked back through the window and Anna was waiting to find a chair and she was chewing on her little fingers. She was nervous and scared but she was such a big girl!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today, she attempted to see if she could stay with me but she didn't try as hard as she did yesterday. She went into her class and didn't cry again! I couldn't be prouder. Maybe by the end of the week she will actually enjoy going (one can pray for it anyway!)<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-26953458475007533702009-08-12T06:41:00.001-06:002009-08-12T06:42:31.665-06:00Wordless Wednesday<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u8cFiVQf6CM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u8cFiVQf6CM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This is hysterical!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-31247264297305899392009-08-11T12:29:00.004-06:002009-08-11T12:57:42.363-06:00Summer Camp<div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't done summer camp since I was a teenager. This year our church decided to do a Family Camp and I was excited. The closer it got to it the more I worried about how it would be at camp with a 4 year old. I worried so much that I toyed with the idea of backing out. However, the side of me that likes to have fun just couldn't do that. We left on Wednesday morning. It turned out to be mostly teenagers and their parents and people with smaller children. There were a hand full of adults without children or with older children. We had a great time.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We slept on bunk beds and watched the teenagers play pranks on each other. The preacher even got in on that! I had told my friend Denise about pranks we did like underwear up the flag pole and vaseline on the toilet seats. Thursday afternoon Denise had to GO so she went in the girls dorm. (We had moved out to a neutral dorm so we wouldn't be caught in the cross fire of the "war".) She went in and well lets just say she discovered that vaseline is still used as a prank at camp lol. She had never been to camp before and now she has been crissened, lol.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a talent show, I got to be the hostess. That was a ton of fun. If you are my friend on facebook you can see a few clips! We had devotionals together, time to bond with adults while the teenagers entertained the little ones. We had a camp fire and s'mores. The teenagers had a shaving cream fight and we had 2 teams that had a eating challenge. You know the kind where you get the nastiest stuff you can find and see who can eat it the fastest lol.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The best things about camp was that we made stronger friendships, we drew closer to our God, we started understanding each other a little more. If you ever have a chance to do Family Camp be the first one to sign up!!! It is well worth it!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4ZOFAaoMeil3IF4Jyhz1Of3a6mbzST9mde2NVg8yeWiiThvX2x1Q5hjvSAvlTnlt4_RlvbIWhc-TlY9XLnqnY6aAZoq0xx-dP5_s_p_FmZ10RSocIWRQ4x7PLXu_-0FB9q4uwQ/s1600-h/100_6308_edited-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4ZOFAaoMeil3IF4Jyhz1Of3a6mbzST9mde2NVg8yeWiiThvX2x1Q5hjvSAvlTnlt4_RlvbIWhc-TlY9XLnqnY6aAZoq0xx-dP5_s_p_FmZ10RSocIWRQ4x7PLXu_-0FB9q4uwQ/s200/100_6308_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368779829453978674" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_56vLc6faAkWLAughpKOMXf8SiL_AndZCc1qiSMuhnDe4PboghzrdYx21FIAxiFpnVx8ZKaBKSebnlArFFkOIp-2vS7OX3lqlhoDvnbdKKotFw5x1dtKoIWR2PG6AJlqZT-yWg/s1600-h/100_6256_edited-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_56vLc6faAkWLAughpKOMXf8SiL_AndZCc1qiSMuhnDe4PboghzrdYx21FIAxiFpnVx8ZKaBKSebnlArFFkOIp-2vS7OX3lqlhoDvnbdKKotFw5x1dtKoIWR2PG6AJlqZT-yWg/s200/100_6256_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368779815751256498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2vEBy45kcDYYnab638980pBFg9uvzOKSKTjOesT6SAjUhu9arreIdRC2A5-eN-3ssM6xR9rt63xz2X3yIyN1uTiT04atTCVgZ8GsWGL8L3dLkYT4K0KSnsdAyzZjxxrPdfKrfw/s1600-h/100_6240_edited-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2vEBy45kcDYYnab638980pBFg9uvzOKSKTjOesT6SAjUhu9arreIdRC2A5-eN-3ssM6xR9rt63xz2X3yIyN1uTiT04atTCVgZ8GsWGL8L3dLkYT4K0KSnsdAyzZjxxrPdfKrfw/s200/100_6240_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368779818741751346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy8kSR5kB2V_vDS8R9VOg0Gc4dtB3T8CVRuuuX20q0FEdsij77KBb1Pouc-Ctz4pojLDHZhoECXqOsqhTspXLqeyetc9uVtVidzfkytKMhpMxAEzOLyx3GOSMsNzF3Ye4wXbLXQ/s1600-h/100_6213_edited-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy8kSR5kB2V_vDS8R9VOg0Gc4dtB3T8CVRuuuX20q0FEdsij77KBb1Pouc-Ctz4pojLDHZhoECXqOsqhTspXLqeyetc9uVtVidzfkytKMhpMxAEzOLyx3GOSMsNzF3Ye4wXbLXQ/s200/100_6213_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368779808554719522" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH6jxsIZzmKLgTByy7JpfH6wtc0tTC5jxP_di9Yy0_kyaTUGgPwRy-NAD2MTWcsFADUL2cEQaIG3uApxbYxEtgiAbda2OXeKlrUUint8FJ0wEtOqS9X7g_kvSXrn1EdLEd0uBbg/s1600-h/100_6301_edited-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH6jxsIZzmKLgTByy7JpfH6wtc0tTC5jxP_di9Yy0_kyaTUGgPwRy-NAD2MTWcsFADUL2cEQaIG3uApxbYxEtgiAbda2OXeKlrUUint8FJ0wEtOqS9X7g_kvSXrn1EdLEd0uBbg/s200/100_6301_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368779827895191858" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-20685534081546537602009-07-31T13:06:00.005-06:002009-07-31T14:22:16.224-06:00Happy Birthday My Darling Anna4 years ago you came into this world kicking and screaming. You were a little tiny thing but you knew how to make your presence known. 4 years later you are still a little on the small side but when you decide to make your presence known there is no ignoring you. You are a delight to have around (most of the time lol). There is a quote out there that says something like Don't have children until you are prepared to have your heart walking around outside of your chest. That isn't it exactly but you get what I am saying. It is so true - I look at you and I know that you are my heart. You are the best of me and your Daddy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are a blessing and I try not to take you for granted even on the days when you are driving me nuts.<br /><br />Here is a summary of your birth story:<br /><br />Your Daddy and I got pregnant after trying for a year. I had waited much longer for you than that but you were well worth the wait! We started having problems with the pregnancy when we were half way through. They noticed you were very small and there were times when you would get really still. I started seeing a specialist and having you monitored more often. They noticed you really weren't growing much and they decided you would need to come out early. After a false start they finally set the date (Your Great Grandma's birthday). They did a planned c-section so everything went as planned. Your Daddy and I assumed you would be going to Neonatal and I made him promise me no matter what he would stay with you and protect you. You came out and they checked you out and instead of going to Neonatal they sent you to the regular nursery. There you got your first bath screaming and carrying on the whole time. They put you under the baby warmer for a while and wouldn't bring you to me until I moved my toes. When they told me that is what I had to do to get you I started doing everything I could think of to get my toes to wiggle. They said I did that quicker than most Moms. That is how badly I wanted you in my arms. You are still a Mama's girl and I hope you will stay that way.<br /><br />This next year is going to be full of changing and growing for both of us. You are going to start Pre-school in just a month. You are going to make new friends and learn so much. You are going to learn that Mommy isn't the only one that can fix things or make it better. You will learn that you can do so much more than you ever believed. In fact, you have already learned that in a few cases. You had a dance camp where you learned so much in one week. You even learned this week how to go down and touch the bottom of the 8 ft pool. You amaze me with your swimming skills! You will do great in school! You will adjust to not having Mommy around (hopefully very quickly). You will be a leader and a follower each in its on time. Maybe you will even learn to share toys and take turns.<br /><br />Your future is bright! You can be and do anything!!! You are smart, funny and adventurous (at times) you will go far. I want to teach you to believe in yourself and no that you can depend on yourself if necessary. But I also want you to know that you are not alone! You will never be alone! Your Dad and I will always be here for you as will so many other people. But the best one to lean on is our God! He will never let you down and as long as you remember to rely on Him everything will be ok. I hope that you will find something to do with your life that makes you happy! I hope that one day you will find out how wonderful and rewarding it is to be a Mommy. I hope that you find a man that will treat you like a Princess or if you don't that you will treat yourself like a Princess! Because you are a Princess. You have been telling me lately that you are my Princess - I guess that means I am the Queen woo hoo.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love you with all my heart! As the book says I love you to the moon and back!!! Happy Birthday my darling! I hope it is full of fun and laughter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlER3CHAPfo84PnQzjtx-E1ASoMZ4KsisrfJoff7dZ1nbeoTx44N8B3D14PP00bmX0QkYWCbwF2_bNPi-HTqVgBn2dAGaII0xxlUF9mGC-z_P-hbdTtdQfJpVCGitigmFX-K_rw/s1600-h/100_0245.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlER3CHAPfo84PnQzjtx-E1ASoMZ4KsisrfJoff7dZ1nbeoTx44N8B3D14PP00bmX0QkYWCbwF2_bNPi-HTqVgBn2dAGaII0xxlUF9mGC-z_P-hbdTtdQfJpVCGitigmFX-K_rw/s400/100_0245.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364721442816910274" border="0" /></a><br />New Born<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI2slJwHPaOisfCCVttirPG7wjq0o551wIRwa9-ZuyKFbZ5I8gFFY6J_RGhPLj-DYiMeK6kARi2saeDbgkJ5WdcPrYz-tv4y0tLuXGlZbcWodwo1XUwucODzWkTrwuIqoE6Ggaw/s1600-h/100_1359.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI2slJwHPaOisfCCVttirPG7wjq0o551wIRwa9-ZuyKFbZ5I8gFFY6J_RGhPLj-DYiMeK6kARi2saeDbgkJ5WdcPrYz-tv4y0tLuXGlZbcWodwo1XUwucODzWkTrwuIqoE6Ggaw/s400/100_1359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364718479189449122" border="0" /></a>First Year<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvIjh6dFsVK7XkquWbvzjEwKWjHrVIG1mI2t6sGF73MIc0HfEn_Huor4uTVuLWZPLrvZUnkoT_v4X6yI2J9mi3-GCWtk8Wxyy5r2NJ96rdgTdwdSnQ-yI2BNDFOORp9pdVrbJ5Q/s1600-h/100_4493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvIjh6dFsVK7XkquWbvzjEwKWjHrVIG1mI2t6sGF73MIc0HfEn_Huor4uTVuLWZPLrvZUnkoT_v4X6yI2J9mi3-GCWtk8Wxyy5r2NJ96rdgTdwdSnQ-yI2BNDFOORp9pdVrbJ5Q/s400/100_4493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364718475030846498" border="0" /></a>Second Year<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrwctD_cj1wJnLMJlKV3CB-TG5HoaJv4-LccDR81OZyT75_paA6aQYHZmAyPaPhXT1BMOwSMzzumI1j_i2lJXVQ6rtxzZUM8_Nrg_CtUAGBRIlNXk-Wj-RrtdK4xBmohV6ik-QA/s1600-h/Picture002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrwctD_cj1wJnLMJlKV3CB-TG5HoaJv4-LccDR81OZyT75_paA6aQYHZmAyPaPhXT1BMOwSMzzumI1j_i2lJXVQ6rtxzZUM8_Nrg_CtUAGBRIlNXk-Wj-RrtdK4xBmohV6ik-QA/s400/Picture002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364720735976095938" border="0" /></a>Third Year<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9_37Y3XKCKKY5SeOsi6gTzl4rGRa7nUlj0eZVeX-nKaEkhmBdbWoa2txSMWTxB2FWLbPm1CnxCgJg004tF9-Ta6OSmtu6jDsDMRPLckJz0vusp8EjcRecs5HsNvlucfEGwAeKw/s1600-h/100_5699.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9_37Y3XKCKKY5SeOsi6gTzl4rGRa7nUlj0eZVeX-nKaEkhmBdbWoa2txSMWTxB2FWLbPm1CnxCgJg004tF9-Ta6OSmtu6jDsDMRPLckJz0vusp8EjcRecs5HsNvlucfEGwAeKw/s400/100_5699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364720736388540770" border="0" /></a>This Year<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-24333452598764922582009-07-26T19:20:00.001-06:002009-07-26T19:23:57.505-06:00One Proud Mama<object width="425" height="344">Dance camp was last week and I was very worried about how it was going to play out. She did great (after the first day!) She even seemed to learn a lot in only a week. On Friday they did a "recital" for all the parents and I was so afraid that she wouldn't do anything with all of those parents watching her. She did a beautiful job. I was one proud mama!!! She is the one on the very end in black!!!<br /><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8kl4H_-NtnM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8kl4H_-NtnM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36246122.post-49036145129210410292009-07-16T05:51:00.002-06:002009-07-16T06:00:19.795-06:00Worn OutI am so tired of all the bickering going on in my house with the 2 extra girls in it. I would like to appeal to you more experienced moms of multiple children on how you deal with it. Please share your secrets cause seriously it is driving me crazy. <br /><br />I believe this morning I am going to sit them down and lay down the law. If anyone is unwilling to share and arguing follows the item will be taken away for 30 minutes and will come back to the person that requested it (as long as they requested nicely). If it happens again with the same item it will go away for the rest of the day. If they can't sit together and complain they are to close or whatever everyone will have to move. How does that sound? I don't want to be an ogre but come on can't we get along? <br /><br />The younger one tends to say if you don't do <span style="font-style: italic;">"whatever"</span> I am not going to play with you again. The older one can't decide if she wants the younger ones to play with her or leave her alone. She sends mixed signals and then gets mad if the little ones stop wanting to play with her. Anna just doesn't know how to share and thinks if someone gets something that looks fun she should get it. She is finally picking up on the take turns thing but sometimes it is still hard. <br /><br />Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</div>Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637007952872304077noreply@blogger.com0