THE CAMPER IS PIMPED!!!!!!!!

for all of you out there who were wondering when i was going to post the finished product (i'm sure NOBODY had anything else to think about)--well i promised before (i wasn't the greatest at getting these shots) and after pictures, so here you go!! completed just minutes ago.......the bedroom: BEFORE........ and AFTER!!

i am still going to find some cool shades for all the windows and get rid of the valances.bathroom: BEFORE....
....and AFTER!! i didn't get a before shot of the kitchen area, but this was mid-process (just in case you might be thinking this was a cinchy job--WRONG!!). i primed everything once and then it took two coats of paint on everything---i forgot to ask for one-coat paint! uggghhh!

....AND ALL DONE!!!
this is the living room area--woo hoo!!!
the floors were done by my little bro, clay, in september. then i painted all of the nasty brown woodwork the creamy color you see and the 70's (and this camper is a '98) wall paper is now the orangy-brown shown. i spray painted all of the hardware and knobs anodized bronze instead of replacing them. so i've been working on-and-off since mid-september, but the weather hasn't really cooperated. i know i'm probably the only one jumping for joy----OH WELL!!!
i'm hoping dic has no intentions of taking it hunting now!

****COOKIES!!!

No school on Monday for teacher in-services and so we did a craft--yes, I know, it's about time!! Of course it had to do with lots of sugar and home-made frosting! Caleb was over for a little while to play with Luke and he informed me that the reason I know how to frost cakes so well is because I go to Stamp Club with his mom. Thanks for the help, Trine. What a great friend :0)

I'm doing a little bit of a sugar thing the last week or so--makes me feel pretty crappy and yet I do it anyway. I question myself sometimes, but I'm pretty sure it's all about the comfort of it---it really makes me feel better.....until the next day, of course. After I ate almost two whole containers of ice cream myself (in a week & a half, mind you), Luke and I made chocolate chip cookies today (I'm doomed), and some very healthy (very nasty-tasting) peanut butter cookies. Sometimes if I only make the healthy stuff the kids eat it cause they don't have any other goodies around. We decided we would put these in the skunk-trap. We're certain HE will like them. And then we thought of Grandma Jo (I know, I'm rambling).......she loves pretty much any cookies she can get her hands on (if she doesn't have any we find her pouring packet after packet of sweet-n-low in her glasses of water). For any of you who haven't heard the story about my grandma at the nursing home--well, I'll just tell it again............

Grandma thinks that the beautiful aviary at her center is supplying her with the fabulous cookies she receives. She thinks that the sweet little birds (canaries--and the yellow one to be exact) are making her cookies! The bottom of the cage is lined with some type of grit or gravel and she believes it's oatmeal. So the birds make the cookies out of oatmeal and give them to her. I love my Grandma and I am so glad she is using her imagination--there really isn't anything else to do. :0)

The God Questions

I have questioned whether or not I want to share some things on my blog; some things seem to personal....do people even care to know? I really have to put thought into the things I say (the reason why I edit everything ten times before I have my finished post), and for the first time in my life I'm thinking before I'm speaking (or writing , in this case). So now I have decided to share some things that have been on my heart, which has been hurting and very hard lately. I am struggling with my relationship with God. As a "new Christian" (I say new because I was previously just doing "the walk" which lots of us Christians seem to do). I have finally gotten to a place in my walk with Christ where I was really feeling some changes and feeling like I am ready to take that next step. But what is that next step? What does God have in store for me? Am I really in the place that God wants? What now? And I am soooo impatiently waiting for his sign. I finally realized that God DOES talk to me.....when I listen. I never understood when people said they'd had a conversation with God, or God told them this or that......but maybe I was more envious than anything. I can feel his presence now and I follow my heart when I feel like it's what God wants. So where do I go from here? I'm stuck...........

"So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so God willing, we will move forward to further understanding." Hebrews 6;1-3

Our sermon at church today was just what I've been needing...so other people really do understand where I'm coming from, cause they've been through it too, and turns out it's a very normal thing. When we give everything to God he will show us where we go next.....what that next step is. It's that giant leap of faith that we are so afraid of---that I'm afraid of. And there is something bigger than what I am doing now. Something with higher meaning. God has a plan for me to do something more magnificent than I could have ever imagined. It doesn't mean that I neglect my responsibilities as a wife and mother, but something in addition to this.

God has brought several people into my life in the last year--just when I thought I had enough friends...the best friends I could ever have, He gave me more. People who love me....adore me even though I'm not perfect..and they ALL test my faith (every single one of them :0). God is showing me what I need to do next, He's been showing me all along. I just didn't know what to look for--I couldn't see through the "real world" stuff, the sometimes very meaningless stuff. My marriage was put to the test, my confidence as a mother was challenged. I've been told that these changes wouldn't be easy even though this is the road such a loving God has chosen for me. And I now need to put all of my trust, not just some of my trust, in Him. I want to take that giant leap and leave it all to Him, trust in Him. I am ready.....as scary as it may be...I am ready.

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else--not only in his word but also in head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself." Ephesians 1;19-23

Where do I think He is leading me? I can only guess, and I may very well be wrong. But right now I think...........it's the children..........He wants me to take care of His children. I believe he truly wants me to embrace the poor, the lonely, the hungry, the tired.....wherever they may be. I have felt it. I have acted on it. I am ready for it. I have followed many people who are already doing God's work and they are such an inspiration to me. I have seen people in need, I have felt people in need, and now I wrap them up in my arms. I can feel God's love all around me and I kinda sorta have a plan. We'll see. I'll keep you posted. And prayers along the way couldn't hurt any. I may be asking for support. I may beg for mercy and forgiveness along the way. But I will give all of the love I can possibly give. God is so gracious and good and He loves me--I know He loves me. He will show me the way..............................

"Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called--his holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance." Ephesians 1;15-18

*hang'n with my boy*

Luke and I went to a fun Disney show that came to Rapid City--we actually scored tickets from my mom. I was a tad bit disappointed that I didn't have tickets for the big boys to go, and on the other hand, I think they will enjoy the ice show (High School Musical) even better--coming in March (that's a big secret, so hush!). Hopefully Grandma's connections will come through again! Anyway, Luke had a blast, even though we don't have cable and he doesn't have a clue who most of the new Disney Channel characters are.

Luke took this picture--mighty proud, I must say! I love these times I get with the boys individually. :0)

lighter notes......

Yesterday was so beautiful outside--finally the sun shone on us, so, me and Lukey were out scooping dog doo.....

Luke: "Look at Smoke (the poop culprit), Mom.....he's watching us.

Me: "Yes....he should get over here and help us".

Luke: "Mom!! He doesn't even own a shovel!!!!"

:0)

~Self-Love~

my heart is feeling quite heavy lately and i am patiently (or maybe impatiently) waiting for God to step in and take the lead. in the meantime i found a little something in a book i was reading.

Self-love is something many of us lose sight of along the way. We learn to take care of others but not ourselves, and we get rewarded in insignificant ways for our selflessness. Often we get tricked into thinking it's too selfish to take loving care of ourselves when we could be taking care of our children, our spouses, our partners, our parents, our bosses. The truth is, we can't really be there for the other people in our lives until we're first there for ourselves.

How often do you feel burned out from tending to everyone else's needs and resentful toward those people in your life? This resentment creeps into everything you do, and into your relationships. Ultimately, no one is happy, and no one feels well. If you would just give to yourself generously, you will have plenty to give to everyone else.

Some might find the concept of self-love to be elusive. They may have a negative body image or think they're not pretty enough, which poisons their attitude toward themselves. A big part of self-love is accepting how you look, and realizing that when you love yourself, you are naturally beautiful. Beauty is not defined by society's model standards, which change all the time. Everyone is beautiful in their own, unique ways, and we radiate our beauty when we love and accept ourselves.

Finding and adopting self-love is easier than you think. It begins with telling yourself that you deserve to treat yourself well.

What a Day!!

Just got back from our day together...................

We used the "Book It" coupons from Pizza Hut that the boys earn through reading at school. Got ourselves some little pan pizzas and hung out at the "pick-up" store (you know, where you are really suppose to take your food and go? :0)) Then we headed over to The Journey---our wonderfully-amazing museum in Rapid City---also one of the very few places to go during the winter months. They have a star room where the boys like to twirl about until they're dizzy, or just lay on the floor and listen to the pre-recorded natives tell their stories about the universe. We were thinking of possibly going to the library for awhile, but we passed the Elks Movie Theatre and saw lots of kiddos entering with their parents. SOOOO we thought we'd check it out! Yeh!! Madagascar 2 was playing!! My sister gave us a gift certificate which I had in my sweet little hands (such a great gift, by the way :0)). As soon as we got home the boys ran out in the field to explore their "snow fort" which I'm assuming is NOT so snowy anymore. It has been in the 40-50s the last several days, but because of the nasty wind it hasn't been any fun to be outside. Dang! Cause I really want to be outdoors---with the sun shining---and temps around 75. :0) Okay, I know that's asking a lot, but I NEED it! I've hit a bump and can't seem to get up. I really want some good weather to soak up some good rays.

Light shines on the Godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. PSALM 97, 11

Luke Rocks..........................

Feeling a bit dazed and confused these days........

So much that I think I've been neglecting the important things (people) in my life. So last week I put the effort towards my family and because Luke is still at home with me he got some good mommy time. I've been struggling with some of his behaviors lately and haven't been sure how to deal with it all. And realizing, finally, that it could be from the tension that's built up in our house, or possibly from his mama's sarcasm (everyone who knows me, knows this :0)), or maybe just because this is one child who never went through the terrible twos or threes. So I decided to have some really special one-on-one time with him to see if it helps.

So we painted..........

and painted..............

made gingerbread men....and mooses, and buffalos, and Scottie dogs. (I had mixed up the dough for Christmas cookies and never got around to it.)...........

and then we just made him feel good (he colored this poster in with rainbow colors). It now adorns his bedroom door so we all know how important he is. :0)

It has made an amazing difference--imagine that---although perfection is still far away. I am feeling more peaceful and I know that modeling will put my kiddos at peace too. The boys are out of school today (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) so we are going to have a day about the town. Hopefully some things are open.

Thoughts of peacefulness and deep breathes......peacefulness and deep breathes................

~times worth treasuring~

This was our fun party on New Year's Eve. We played some games, drank some wine, and had a few laughs (quite a few, actually). Our great friends, J & A, as usual, but this was the first time we had Theresa and Brian over and I hope they'll be coming back--they are a blast!!!! :0)

The kids and their crazy cousins, Haley & Jessica, whom they adore. I begged for one nice picture before they left us for the night..........

SWEETNESS

How can you help but smile when you see this?!?

We went bowling as a family for the first time in a longgggg time!! And I kicked some booty the first game!!!! (We won't mention what happened the second game)------WOW, it's gotten quite expensive too!

I feel your prayers..........................

I find myself always blogging about the fun times and great experiences and inspirations in my life. And it may not be very uplifting to post about having hard times........I am all talked-out, but could use some prayers if anyone could send some up.

I have faith in God.

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.

Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God.

Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.

Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.

O lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for help.

Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me. Psalm 86;1-7