My First Garden

I only planted Jalapenos and Tomatoes. Not exactly a big garden. But I am not very good at this stuff, so I take it one small step at a time. I planted Strawberries and never even seen them surface. I planted flowers as well...Dahilas and Gladiolas....and of course my castra beans. I did plant elephant ears and they are not looking too whoopy. I should have maybe planted them deeper. Anyhow....I am a youngin and I guess I learn each year what to do different. Oh yea....I almost forgot....I planted Caladiums too.



My First Dahila



My second one in bloom

I can see how people lose themselves in God's nature.

The New Grin

Another fun and exciting day. We lost our 5th tooth and nearly losing the 6th. She already sounds so funny ;o) But sis was persistant in letting everyone see her new grin. She spent the night at a friends house last night last minute. So we explained to Chloe that mommy would put the tooth under the pillow for her and the tooth fairy would still come. She was thrilled ;o)Tooth fairy is going broke with all these teeth falling out at once. Just wait....Noah's will be starting up here this next year.

Going Down!!!

I think every kid has a childhood memory of sliding down the stairs ;o) Atleast I do and I remember my dad telling me some pretty scary "yet" amazing stories ;o) Well, It was NOT my idea to teach my kids this tradition and I did not start it! LOL! Rusty will have to take the blame on this one....but I am guilty with taking part in it and I will admit that it was fun! Hopefully we didn't start anything that will cost us an ER visit down the road....BUT man we had fun tonight! Being a mom is so much fun....I love being able to make memories that my kids can pass on to their kids! Who needs World's of Fun?


Oh I wish you could hear the giggles! Aghhh it was so funny!



If we were not careful Roo would fly thru the wall if we let her go full speed. Tiny little speed demon!



She has to be doing what all the big kids are doing!


The look on their faces are priceless!



And Yes! There was no way we were not going to join in on the fun! Dislocated knees, broken elbows, and twisted hips....don't faze us.

Uncle Sharky and Uncle Barracuda

We spent the day and night at Nana and Pa Pa Nelson's house. I didn't have any problem convincing them to pack their bags and swimming suits that's for sure.

The kid's have improved so much since last year with their swimming skills. All their practice with their best bud Ethan has given them enough practice to impress their Nana, Pa Pa, and Uncles ;o)



We had a slight problem with Ruthi wanting to wear a swimmer or swim suit. And yes....she gave Uncle Sharky (Aaron) a sweet "Baby Ruth" right in the face! Mmm Hmmm YUCK!



Ruthi is absoulutely not shy whatsoever with water. Infact gets so fustrated when you hold her and don't let her go her way. The arm floaties come in so handy because she feels somewhat free to do what Chloe and Noah are doing.



Usually she doesn't say one. two, three....it is.....Nine, Nine, Nine!!!




It took her awhile to get to jumping on her own....but once she started...there was NO stopping her!





Chloe loves to swim at night. I must say I didn't get in...but it is a very relaxing atmosphere.
We had fun mom. Thanks for opening your home and sharing your pool.

It's All Right Here

I have been up for a couple hours now...I haven't even started my day...Kids are still asleep and I am wondering what this day is going to bring. I have so much anxiety I can barely breath. You think you have plans and then things can come out of no where. I am so clingy to my kids and husband...which is not necessarily bad...but just out of my norm to not want my own space. I keep thinking about how much I love them and despite what I might face mentally or spiritually, I have to be their mom and Rusty's wife far most. I get one chance at this. One! I feel like if I let anything else in outside of this circle I am only asking for distraction from my job and flat out pain and hurt. I try and work so hard to put God first in my life....and like this picture I have posted with my kids...even though times may be emotionally or mentally draining....they can still see their mommy is there for them no matter what....brushing the world off and loving them more than anything else.

We buried my Aunt yesterday. I didn't know her well. I didn't know what her favorite color was, her favorite food, or what her heart desired most. But I know God had major plans for her life and had desires for her. But it took a man drunk and drugged to change all of that. And a law system after already seeing this man kill a person before to wait for Shelli's death to finally have enough evidence to put this man away. It's hard not to let my blood boil thinking about this. What if a man like this had hit my husband? My kids?

I watched Uncle Steve look over his wife's casket and tell his wife goodbye. I just weep for his hurt. His daughter's and son....their grandchildren. What if I was burying my husband from a tragedy like this...I can barely type these words because I am just crying and hating myself for wasting so much time and forgetting what I have right in front of me....

The other night, Rusty and I were in bed ...and he out of the blue said "Do you know how good of a wife you are to me?"....He has said this before....not recently but has said it....but for some reason it was just the right time for me to hear those words and I melted. I don't say it enough, but I love Rusty and he is by far the greatest blessing God has given me. I won't lie, marriage is hard and often just flat out sucks at times. It is definitely something I would not want to do without God being in the center of it. But I hate the fact that I have wasted so much time on resenting his workaholic issues rather than just being his wife and loving him and supporting him. I have spent so much time in therapy and listened to Jan tell me all these different ways I can react and other things I flat out didn't want to hear, but there is a reason we pick and choose our battles....it's moments like loosing a spouse, child, etc...with no goodbye or getting to choose your last words....

Can I just say I have huge respect and admire people who don't complain and suffer silently...Not to the point it makes them bitter and angry.... or that you shouldn't rely on God or family and friends...But just don't whine and complain how life doesn't go their way. They don't have money, their husband is insensitive, their job stinks, their kids that....or whatever other trial they face. Some people are just born to complain....I could most likely fall into that category. Not that I haven't been jipped as Jan would say or didn't deserve better and was wronged....but not allowing other people's actions to define who I am or how I react. I guess that has just been something that has stuck with me. But will take training being that my flesh cries out to complain and at times can take over. A lot :o/
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Father, I don't think this email in anyway was spiritual but was basically just me letting it out. Forgive me for thinking wrong thoughts and for allowing wrong feelings to determine my attitude. Help me to believe your word and to ALWAYS be open to the Holy Spirit. When I lack trust in people help me to not EVER allow their actions or hurtful spews to become my perception of Who You Are. I love you Lord, and honestly need my heart cleaned from so many anxieties, hurts, anger....just everything my flesh is trying to cling on so hard to. I in no way claim to be perfect in any area. Help me to let go and to just focus on what really matters in my life. I have so much to be grateful for and don't want to take for granted what you have entrusted me with. An amazing man of God and 3 beautiful children who at an early age already show a passion for loving You.

100 Years And A Godly Legacy

Some say it's genes...Some say luck....But to live 100 years and to just have your license renewed for 7 years has to go deeper than than just genes or luck.

Ira has lived his life serving and living a Godly example for his entire family. He has put God first in his life and taught his family the true meaning of life....and like Abraham Isaac and Jacob....because of his faith he has left a "Godly" legacy for several generations and generations to come even after he leaves this earth to finally hear those words we LONG to hear. Well done and faithful servant. How awesome and blessed is our family to have such an amazing man in our life!

Dear Jesus

Nothing can make a mother more proud than seeing their children grow up to serve the One And Only God and Savior! My children 5,6,and 2 year old already have a passion for their Jesus. Just the other day Chloe informed me after getting home from her Nana's house that even if we are not in Church, it is ok to still talk about Jesus and sing praise to Him.

We just recently had a HUGE storn that caused a lot of damage in our neighborhood and miami county. Our power was out for over 14 hours. As we layed on the bed around 11 p.m. Noah said "Mommy, the clouds are MAD! We need to pray. Jesus can stop this and give us back our lights." The mad clouds made me giggle!

Then there is Ruthi. Recently my dad got her this praying precious moment baby. It says the prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep" At the very end it says amen. Well, we push it every night before she goes to bed. She always says "amen" after it's done.
Well, shortly after she got this doll she was inspired to pray with the kids at the dinner table. Can I just say it is the most precious thing I have ever witnessed. I am so proud of her. It is a huge wake up call and reminds me NOW is the time to be praying for the salvation of my children. Now is when they learn who exactly God is.

The bible says to teach our children in the ways of God and they will not depart from it. I don't believe this means mearly speaking that there is a God....I mean visably showing them and modeling for them the Passion YOU have for Christ....they will see in You how much you love Him and see in your actions and life how to serve Him. And when you fail and mess up....show them it's ok to fall at the foot of the cross and find forgiveness. They will not always have this innocence that we see now. Life will get ahold of them like it did us. The world will try to warp their minds and sin will steal so much from their life. But thank God for Jesus!

The best gift you can give your babies is to give your heart to Jesus. Love Him, serve Him, Worship Him....your children will see what you give your time to, your heart to....remember actions ALWAYS speak louder than words.