Enduring...........

I haven't blogged in a few days......I kinda felt that there was nothing exciting to write about, but then I realized that I was just going through a listening time. Listening to what????? Well, My Heavenly Father. I have been going through some personal issues and knew that I needed to rely on God with my whole heart. You know, saying that phrase seems easy, right? I mean, for those who call themselves Christians, we are supposed to lean on Him with everything that we have-but how often do we give it to Him, and then take it right back? I know that I am guilty of this.....just because it is not in OUR timing, we feel that God has somehow "stepped out to lunch" and is not aware of our situation. But I have been confronted with how much God is in control over the last 3 months. I know that nothing happens without His approval. Sometimes that may bring pain for us, but He will see us through that pain. Now notice, I did not say that He would take the pain away, but He will walk along side us as we endure.
So, as it has been almost 3 months since Kevin lost his job, we are in an "uncomfortable" time. We are not able to go and do as we were accustomed, and that has taken some adjustments, but nothing that has been too painful. We are really trying to multi-task to save on gas and have stayed home ALOT!! We have learned alot about each other during this time....I believe that is one of the reasons that God has allowed this storm to come to our family. Things have been fairly easy until recently. I told Kevin that I just wanted to go buy something!! You know how sometimes a purchase can make everything seem better!! Well, I am not able to do that at this time......oh wait, I did go to the dollar store and I bought a mini-cutting board!!!! It cost me a whole dollar!! I was excited with that purchase (I needed one!) and it fulfilled that need that was creeping up within me!
So, it is with a humble heart that I ask for your prayers. We are in need of an amazing job for Kevin! I know that since it has been this long, that God has something way beyond what we would ever ask for, in store for Kevin. Coming into these summer months when the kids are out of school, it is nice to have him around, but we need the income!! LOL!! That air conditioner doesn't pay for itself!! Some of you may be wondering if anything has come his way. Well, he has actually had a couple of offers. We have carefully considered each one, and we do not feel that the Lord is leading us in either direction. Either the pay was not what it needed to be, or there were insurance issues, or the drive, etc. Kevin and I have both agreed that if we do not feel it is in God's will, then he cannot accept it! We all know that the worst place to be for a Christian is out of God's will!
Thank you for those who have already been in prayer for this situation.....we know that people are intervening on our behalf. We are excited for what God has in store for us! I am sure that the best is yet to come!!
Blessings,
Kim

shuckin' the corn......

I think that there are some things that every kid should experience. In my childhood, I had the pleasure of having fresh vegetables and getting to do the work to eat them. I can remember going into the corn field and breaking the corn (and running into snakes and other yucky creatures). I also have fond memories of eating english peas right off the vine and watching the bats fly around my grandparents house in New York. Those were the good ole' days!!
I am finding that the older I get, the simpler I want life to be. I am not interested in complicated and want my kids to see that we don't always have to be in a rush-I want to slow the pace and enjoy life!
We have been blessed to have great family and Uncle Tommy gave us a bushel of fresh corn on Sunday. Since we were busy on Monday, we knew that we needed to shuck the corn today. It was quite an experience!! Mr. Man was down for a nap, and we took the girls on the back porch and showed them what to do. They were so excited to be a part of the process and enjoyed it when they found the silk worms!! They wanted to know if they could keep them for pets!! Of course, that was a big NO!! But I must say, it was nice to see them so interested in working to get fresh food. We tried to explain the difference between the taste, (between fresh and frozen) but we knew that it would be clear when they tasted it.
I am glad that I was able to show them how to put corn up. It is something that I wanted to be sure to pass along. As we ate some of the corn for dinner, Beatrice said that she could taste the difference!! I hope that as they grow they too see to slow down and enjoy what life has to offer!

Blessings,

Kim

Don't forget to eat the oreos.......

I am so guilty......I know that I am. With out even knowing it, I became the parent who doesn't let their kids eat alot of sugar, cookies, cake, etc. I always let them have birthday cake or other treats when we are out, but at home, it is done in moderation. Now understand, I am not completely overboard with it. but it is a running joke with some friends how I withhold some of the "goods" from my kids. It is not to be mean, but I just feel like I don't want to give them too much of a good thing, you know? I guess that there is a part of me that feels like I might be contributing to a bad habit.......probably silly, I know!! I didn't even realize that I did it until a few years ago when I went to clean out my pantry, and there it was.........TONS of candy!! Candy from Halloween, Christmas and even Easter!!! How ashamed I was.....that I had not allowed my children to have the right of passage that every kid deserves!! Now understand that I do mean in moderation-there are too many children who have free reign over the pantry, and I do not want to give way to that, but I have become too rigid about some things. I realize that I also had a ton of cookies that my kids get when they get a kids meal from Johnny's that I have just put neatly into the pantry.
I said all of that to say this..............today, I went to Johnny's to get kids meals for my kids. Both of the girls got "terrific kid" and so we had coupons for some free meals. We all sat down at the table,and I distributed all of the food,and then I saw them.....,the oreos in the bottom of the kids' bag. I did what I always do, and just ignored them, almost like they would go away!! Then something came over me............................I digress.........
Last night, I read another blog that literally shook me to my core. I can honestly say that I have not cried that hard in a long time! This blog made me take a hard look at what I find so "important". I cannot imagine the grief that this family is going through, and was taken aback at the grace in which Angie is able to share all of her personal feelings. I ask that all of you please be in prayer for this dear family, and would like for you to visit the blog for yourself
http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ Start at the beginning, and prepare to laugh, cry and be incredibly blessed! After reading the blog, I couldn't sleep and literally woke up with my eyes so swollen from the tears that it was a huge reminder all day long.
So, after everyone ate..........I got the oreos and let everyone eat them!! I realize that life is so fragile, and that we need to embrace every stage of life that our children are in! For me to allow them to be kids is one of the greatest gifts that I can give them....I pray that they look back on their childhood and remember the days fondly and know that I always let them eat the oreos!
Blessings..........and many bags of oreos,
Kim

Last day of school......

Well, today is the day that most kids love and most parents loathe.....the last day of school!! I always have mixed emotions about the summer vacation. Sure, you can sleep in (as much as a 2 year old allows) but there is always 6 1/2 more hours in the day that you have to fill with FUN!! It seems as though the normal things that interested them during the school year now are BORING!!!!!! I swear, if I hear that word one time, I hear it a thousand!! There should be a ban on that word! So...here I am, at 11:10 p.m. with Beatrice sitting beside me, thinking, great.......I only have 2 more months of space and time to fill!! Don't worry, we will have plenty to do-probably too much, but somehow, for them, it is never enough! So for all of you other parents who are in the same predicament, you can scream with me................and then, let's embrace summer for all that it is, after all.....it isn't going away!
Blessings,
Kim

New Refrigerator........

Right before I left for California, my refrigerator went out. It actually was my freezer and it caused me to have to throw alot of meat away! Everyone knows that meat is expensive, and to have to throw it away is frustrating, to say the least! So thankfully, we were able to get a new refrigerator. I have never had new appliances, (except a new washer and dryer) so I was very excited to get a new one. After picking out one that would fit the bill, I was ready to head home with my purchase. Then, Uncle Allen said to measure it to make sure that it would fit. Well, as you may have guessed, it was too big!! I was so upset!! So, I tried to find another, and they just don't make them the way they used to. ALL of them were to big!! So I resigned myself to getting no new refrigerator. Then, Uncle Allen said that we could do some "rearranging" in the kitchen. Well, the rearranging is finally done and I have a brand new fridge!! I am so thankful for family that has helped us while Kevin has been out of work. We have been very blessed to have family that has offered to help us financially and otherwise. While the circumstances surrounding all of this have been.......um.........interesting, I am still convinced that this blessing was straight from God, and unexpected!
Blessings,
Kim

Done traveling for a while.............

After being gone for 2 weekends in a row, I am so ready to just be a homebody!! I really enjoyed my time away, and knew that I needed it, but there is no place like home!! I really missed my kids, and was so glad to see them. I think that they missed me alot too!
Being away also makes me realize how fortunate I am to belong to such a wonderful church! It was great to back tonight for the evening service. There is something amazing about being with my church family and having praise and worship time......I cannot wrap my head around the fact that Heaven will be even better praise and worship-I feel so blessed with what I have. I can only imagine what it will be like when we get there!!!!!
Tonight was Beatrice's reception for leaving Children's Ministry and going to the Youth. GULP!!!! It is so hard to watch her grow, but I couldn't be prouder to be her Mom! Her Sunday School teacher even said that "Beatrice is our braniac, she is very smart. She is also very deep....she just gets it...she could really be teaching the lessons!" What an amazing thing for someone to say about your daughter! I already knew all of this, but it is great when someone else says it. I am blessed to have such a beautiful daughter that truly loves the Lord! Please pray for her as she transitions into the Youth.........or maybe you should pray for me!! She will be fine.......she is grounded in the Lord.
I am tired, and need to get some sleep so I will talk to you soon!
Blessings,
Kim

Love is in the air..........

Today, I had the privilege of going to Jo Beth Roberts' wedding. For those of you who do not know her, she is a sweet young woman who loves the Lord. I have enjoyed watching her grow into an amazing person, and am glad that I was able to take part in her spiritual growth. I taught Jo Beth in Sunday School for 2 years, and am glad that God brought her to Madison Street. Although I miss her terribly, I know that her new home is in Orlando. She and her new husband Chad will become a family
and make new memories to call their own.
Here are some of the days events...........










Sabrina, me and Jo Beth




Chad waiting patiently for his bride to be!






Her Daddy adores her!!






























I just thought that this was a pretty picture!

Best of luck to Jo Beth and Chad!! I love you guys!!


After leaving the wedding, Kevin and I came to Orlando for some "Alone time". Since I was in California for our anniversary, we are kinda pretending that this is May 25. I am thankful that I have a husband who allows me to be me, and realizes that it is good to have a break from one another. I can't say that I have always appreciated my husband for the person that he is, but I am trying to be a better wife, by acknowledging when he is being the wonderful husband that he is. I know that I don't deserve alot that God has chosen to give me..........actually, I don't deserve any of it, but I am grateful for every blessing that He has given!

After being married for 12 years, I would say that I love him more now than ever before....I know that God put us together, and who am I to question that?

Thank you Kevin for putting up with me, and may we have many, many more anniversaries together! I love you!



Here is a pic that we took

today in the car.............













Blessings,
Kim

Growing...............

As most of you know, I went to California last weekend. The trip was amazing!! California has the most beautiful scenery, and I was constantly amazed at God's handiwork! I figured that it would be a fun trip, but little did I know how much I would learn on the trip. I have been hesitant to write this blog, simply because I was not sure if I could muster up the true emotions that I have been feeling since my return. Well, here goes............................First of all, let me say that God is so good! After Kevin being out of work for 2 months it was, needless to say, a little stressful to think about me going on this trip, but everything just fell into place, and I knew that it was meant for me to go! It is amazing how God knew what I needed, when I needed it!! On this trip, I was able to have some "Me" time, in which I did alot of reflection. I took the opportunity to sit back and do some soul searching about some things in my life, to listen to God, and to allow Him to guide me in some decisions. I realize now, more than ever that I am to be a light, and although that is not always easy, He didn't promise it would be!! I am to love others where THEY are, not where I would like them to be!! I have been so tremendously blessed to have such wonderful Godly friends that encourage me, and I pray that I am able to return the blessing! Everything that I have been given is of God, and I am trying to remember to be thankful for every blessing that I have, as it can be easily taken away! So, while the trip to the others may have been a get-away, for me, this was the trip that I needed.......in more ways than one!!

Blessings,

Kim