Some recent events in our life......

A group pic of the kids.....This was not jasons best day to take pictures..very few came out okay.

Alaina being the dare devil she is ....

Kylie, going to join sissy.....

Jason, wondering if he dares to pull the flowers or run....He ran.

Alaina being silly....

My monkeys, I think they really really wanted to climb this tree...

This is what we did in between torrential downpours.....played in the mud puddles...what else. lol

and again....Kylie was running from Alaina and her bowl of water...only after Kylie had poured water on Alaina.

Buffalo or Bison whichever you call them. We call them Buffalo. They were at the place that we took a mini vacation.

Baby Buffalo....This is as close as I dared to get to them with the mommas around. I really wish I had a bigger lens for my camera. One thing at a time though....

A deer on our vacation...

The kiddos after a long day in the car....cause it rained most of our mini vacation so there was not any time to get out and run around....but they were great for being in the car for so long....

My Best Friend!

As I have went through the last couple of weeks, I have found more and more to be in prayer about. As a family, we are struggling right now to just let God have it all and not worry about it. I have several friends who are having marital problems and I cant stand to see them hurting. I have family members who are going through so many struggles.

I have found myself thinking about how I used to pray and talk to God like he was my best friend. I realized that I dont do that anymore.....or should I say didnt. I have thought about it seriously over the last few months. But never did...until the other night, I found myself in the shower (tmi I know) on my knees praying and talking to God. I was talking to Him like He was my best friend. And He is my best friend. He is....and that feels so good! So now, during this time when it feels like the world is crushing me, I have found myself on my knees alot....enjoying conversations with my Best Friend....

And you know what, all these problems that my friends and family and I have, dont look so bad anymore.......

Blessings
Crystal

Bringing my Faith back into Focus!

For my Birthday, I got to go to a Christian bookstore and shop...while my husband sat in a little kids chair with our blessings and colored...so cute I wish I had taken my camera to get a picture but how was I to know that he was going to insist that I go shop and hold my selections hostage so I couldnt put some of them back...(I have this bad habit of second guessing what I am buyin because I feel guilty for buying stuff for myself..so I will put stuff back and get things for others. ) Well he had me bring my stuff to him every few minuts and I couldnt put it back on the shelf.

Anyway, I chose the movie "Faith Like Potatoes" Excellant movie by the way. We have been wanting to watch this movie for a while and were waiting on the money to order it. Oh Man! I needed that movie... Not to ruin the movie, but how often do we have Faith enough to do something when everyone else says it wont work? How often do we really listen to what God wants us to do, and then do it with the FAITH that HE will make it work?

Watch the movie, It makes you think about all the things that you havent done because you were scared it wouldnt work. Or you really didnt believe it could happen.

On another note, I have been having a hard time having enough patience with my kids. I get mad at them for little things, I expect them to be perfect when they already are, they are exactly the way God made them and that is perfect. I have been having problems with my Faith in myself as a mother and wife. I dont ever think that I am good enough. I dont have enough FAITH in myself. When reading through my blog list today, and scanning blogs (which I havent been doing alot of lately) I came across this again. It made me realize that I had quit doing this and maybe if I start doing this again, or at least start praying for my kids more, I might have a better day....and the next be better, and the next. I have FAITH that if I put enough effort into being a better wife and mother, that God will help me along.

There is a book that I picked up at the store. It is called "Mothers of the Bible" by Dena Dyer. I have only read a few pages but it is very interesting and uplifting. Makes me realize that I'm not the only one who has bad days and I am not the only one who needs to drop to my knees several times a day and pray.

I am going to try to get back to blogging more. I really miss it but this time away from it has mad me focus on things that I need to fix in my life.

Blessings
Crystal

hmmmm

I know I know it has been a long time since I posted.

I do have a thought today though. Just one :)

There is a saying going around on the web, mostly on myspace but it has made me think.
The saying.

A Womens Heart Should be so lost in God

That a man needs to seek Him to find her.

What are your thoughts on this?

My Babies......Homeschool

If one thing over the years keeps me homeschooling through all the trials and all the frustrating days, it will be the fact that everytime I get frustrated, my kids start singing Christian Songs! Thats right, they dont know any other songs. All they know are Church Hymns and Praise and Worship songs....and thats what they do when Momma is about ready to pull her hair out...

Gotta love my precious babies! Thank YOU GOD!

Blessings
Crystal

Prayers

I am requesting prayers for my family. There are lots of different things going on but just a few of them....

My uncle Edwin, a dear uncle that has been an inspiration in our spiritual walk, has cancer and they have given him one to three weeks to live. We really arent expecting him to make it through the weekend.

My sister Julie had a tooth pulled last week and is still hurting from it. Please pray tha ther pain is eased.

Our oldest sister and her husband are having some problems and they really need prayers right now. They are some wonderful people and it hurts to see them hurting. Please pray for them.

And last but not least, My best friend, was put on bed rest this week. She is 36 weeks pregnant and her blood pressure is up. Please pray that she can get the rest that she needs for her baby to stay in a couple more weeks. Please pray for her husband who is taking care of her and their little boy while she rest and Pray that when she does deliver, that she has a safe delivery and tha the baby is heathy.

Thank You and Blessings
Crystal.

Happy 4th Birthday Alaina!

Yesterday my middle child, the one that I worried wouldnt get here, turned 4! 4 can you believe it.

Alaina, I really didnt think that you would get into this world safe. You were stubborn and a mess while I carried you. The doctor was never sure that you were definately a girl, I was sicker with you than with the others, and then you had some heart beat issues that scared us all like crazy. But when time came for you to come out, you didnt waste any time. And that is how you have stayed. In fast gear!

You are a rotten mess as you like to tell us. But we cant help but love you. You can take anyone you want to and wrap them around your finger....Its amazing to watch.

You are probably going to be my farm girl. You would rather play in the dirt or with the dogs than with the dishes and dolls.

My sweet "Lainda Bear" I love you more everyday and pray that you will grow up to be a loving God fearing woman who wont beat up all the boys who try to date you. lol. Please stay strong and always be daddy's little girl.

We love you mommy, daddy and the rest of us.

I will try to add some pictures later, I am in the process of redoing my computer.