What’s in the Bible – Review and Giveaway

Oops...I made a mistake and did not post this on my Review Blog...please go to this link to enter. 

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

P.S.  Don't worry if you left a comment over here.  Those are still going to be in the draw.  :)

How to take your kids shoe shopping – for you (the mom).

I went shopping with all five of my kids the other day.  It was a great trip…please humor me in the next few minutes.

Top ten tips to make a successful shoe-shopping trip with 5 kids.

1. Go at naptime.
2. Go to the bathroom as soon as you get to the store.
3. Shop beforehand online. 
4. Identify target, try on and buy.
5. If kids get restless, carry them until they fall asleep.
6. When kids fall asleep, find a clean chair and make a bed.
7. Tell the salesman – you speak no English and these kids are the neighbors kids - if they decide to run and take off their clothes in the middle of store.
8. Talk on the cell phone the entire time and let your kids surf on the top of all aisles.
9. Let the sales woman feel sorry for you and let her shop for you.
10. Bring bribery – Lots of chocolate (not for the kids) for you – you’ll need some.

Okay, I really didn’t do all of the above.  I forgot the chocolate.

I did find two really nice pair of Yellow Box flip flops.

 

These are both black.  Why you ask – did I buy two of the same color shoe?  Because I despise shoe shopping unless I’m with my Mom.  (Mom – I needed my shopping buddy – but I’m molding new ones.)  It will hopefully be a while before I need new shoes. 

The precious sales lady told me that my kids were really well-behaved (what Mom doesn’t love to hear those words?) and she bought my exact pair of shoes for $57 dollars more than I did.  (I got a really good deal.) {Happy DANCE!!!}

The entire trip was a true bonding experience.  Tell me if this works for you. 

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Hanging out!

This has been for Wordless Wednesday!

We went to an Air Show and this guy started us off.  

(There are tons of pictures of the Air Show but I liked this one.  It just says adventure.)

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Mom to Mom – small tip.

I was in a Mom’s homeschooling group last Fall.
One tip that was so simple, yet could be so life changing.

Are you ready for this simple tip?

Make eye contact with your child(ren) and smile!  
So simple - yet so life-changing!

  Make sure they are looking at you!!! I mean they really need to look at you at a serious moment. There – well it is better to do it individually.

When you smile – it displays favor given from parent to child.  

Since receiving that tip…I purposely smile at my children at least once a day.  I have noticed a change. 

Such a little gesture has broken down walls, that I hadn’t realized had been built.
Sometimes I give so many orders during the day, I forget to “enjoy” the parenting process. 
This has helped me slow down and smell the roses.

Be encouraged if you are a Mom and go smile at your baby or babies!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

This Works for Me!

I have a new Facebook Fan Page - if you are interested.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

On a recent trip to North Texas, we had a little stop.  We heard about ABC networks, Extreme Makeover Home Edition was in the area.

So, we made a little excursion. 

We went where Verizon loses signal.  That is in the middle of no where.  Mineola, Texas.

This is a place where they have Mud Bogs.  I have no idea what that means, but they had this truck showcased in the local Lowe’s parking lot.

We found the house with a little sleuthing.  The internet is awesome.

We got to the driveway and met “Fat Albert.”  Yes, that was his real name. He told me we couldn’t go up the drive.  I said “We have driven like 12 hours to get there.”  Then I told him that was not the only reason we made the trip but, we did drive that far.  He was so sweet, he told us sorry, it wasn’t his decision.  So, he let us take his picture. He did a great job securing the drive to the Extreme Makeover House in North Texas.  Do you see the headlights – I pretend to think it was someone famous like Ty Pennington or it could have been a trash truck.  Either way, it was famous trash or famous Ty.

Thanks for listening to my traveling tales. 

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Happy Birthday Princess

 

After having 2 boys, my heart was crying out for a girl.  8 years ago, my wish came true.  After many weeks of bed rest, the Lord blessed us with a sweet Princess. 

She makes me laugh and cry.  Her smile just blesses my heart and so does her desire to help her siblings.  She is also an awesome Wii bowler…no one can even touch her score.  (It is just sickening, she bowls backwards – just disgusting.)  She can also knit.  She tried teaching me and told me I was a bad student…yet still tried to teach me.

She is growing up so fast…I know she is growing up to be a Lady.  I pray that she will trust in the Lord with all of her heart and seek Him to direct her paths in the way she should go.

Happy Birthday Princess!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Just FAN me – I might faint!

Guess what?!?  ilovemy5kids has become famous! 

Well, sort of.  No, not that kind of famous – none of my kids were in the street chasing tires with knives or anything.  (I hope they don’t read this and get ideas.)

 

Okay are you ready?

 

How about now?  Even a guess?

 

Now???  Come on take a guess!

 

Here it goes - ilovemy5kids has a Facebook Fan Page.  Yep, you can become a fan and have all the latest deals and find surprises that are not going to be posted on this blog.

 

ilovemy5kids on Facebook

 

Did you guess right?  Congrats – I knew you probably guessed it!  If you want to become a Fan, go ahead – it will do your body good. 

Blessings to you!!!  You are so loved!!!

Disclosure:
(This blog nor its owner is not responsible or held liable for any kids chasing tires with knives. 
AND
This blog nor its owner is responsible for any bodies, the body in question will probably still be good or bad even if you don’t Fan ilovemy5kids on Facebook.)

De Plane! De Plane!

When I was in elementary, I wanted to be in the United States Air Force.  Not only did I want to be pilot but I wanted to be an astronaut.  Growing up in the Rocket-town area didn’t help matters.  I loved the field trips to NASA so much my Dad bought me an astronaut Cabbage Patch Doll. 

My Dad also would take me to Air Shows at Ellington field, near NASA in Houston.  Way before the movie, Top Gun.  However, that movie just fueled my desire.  But, you know life happens and my dreams didn’t jive with what God wanted to do with my life.

So, when I heard about an air show in our area – we got tickets.  I can still enjoy others who fly those sweet birds in the sky.

They started out with paratroopers.

It was HOT and my sunscreen spray can that I brought, was empty.  We received our first “sunburn” of 2010.  Not the kids, no, their Mommy and Daddy. They had old birds.  Even had a re-enactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They had  real Zero’s.  These were the planes that invaded Pearl Harbor. Planes were chasing each other
and dropping bombs. And the then there were the Flying Tigers.  My kids love that movie with John Wayne.
Then they simulated his gun power… Yeah, it was HOT!  We could feel it on our faces! Then – the grand finale. Can you say Bad Boy?  He went Mach 1 in front of us.  Unbelievable!!!

We had a “BLAST!”

Want to know the best part… This guy wants to be a pilot! Maybe this guy too.

Okay, I’m not pushing them to do “my” dreams but I’m a little excited that they like - what their Mommy likes.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!!!

This can truly change someone’s life…

Ever feel like you can truly change or touch someone’s life for the good?

My heart lately has been truly touched in so many ways.  I’m just a mom.  A mom who has laundry to fold, dirty dishes, and 50 fingernails to cut.  A regular mom who wants to make a difference in people’s lives.

I’ve been given an opportunity but only with the help of others.  Others like you!

Please go to this BLOG and read all about it.  The author explains the venture beautifully.  I’m so humbled and excited.


This Work for Me and for Beaded Hope!


If you would like to see other tips, please visit We Are THAT Family.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

If you feel led, please blog, share on Facebook or tweet about this…it truly could save a life. 

FYI:  The little buttons on the bottom of this post in the SHARE box are click-able, so it does the work for you.

Blessings to you!!!  You are so loved!!!

Need help to win a lil' contest...

Okay, I've entered this contest. To win I need some help. All you have to do is hit the image below.  (You will not receive any spam from this.)  You can vote ONCE a day!

I'd really appreciate it! If I win $1000.00 - I'm going to give half the money to Beaded Hope. It is an organization that I have just fell in love with. It is to help ladies in South Africa to feed their families. With $14.00 you can feed two people. 

If you would like to learn more about Beaded Hope, the book please go see my review.

So...please vote - don't forget - you can vote only once a day!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Legacy – Eye to Eye

This is my baby looking at my Grand-dad’s Navy photo.  Don’t they look like they are looking at each other?  What a precious moment?

Blessings to you!  You are loved!!!

This was linked up to:
Wordless Wednesday!
Go Graham Go
J. Leigh Designz

Busy Mom’s reasons for not reading God’s Word

God’s Word has been the focus of my life lately in a very indirect way.

At the beginning of the year, I started the Bible in 90 days.  I did great at first, then we took a trip.  Needless to say, when you need to read about 12 pages a day and your routine gets messed up – it is hard to catch up.

Then Life happened.  Business, chores, money, no money, friendships, raising kids, laundry, being a wife, being a mom, being a daughter, menu planning, cooking, being a teacher, being a curricula director, being the duster of the house, personal shopper, birthdays – it all just happened.  Some where in the midst, I decided I didn’t “need” the Word of God.  I would receive an email once a day with a scripture and they were encouraging but I couldn’t open the my Bible without getting frustrated.

I was feeling that the Bible wasn’t for a person like me, a busy Mom who had a life.  (I’ve been a Christian for 26 years so I’ve been a lover of God’s Word, for a very long time.)  I had been taught if you didn’t have a “morning quiet time” then you were basically going to Hell.  Okay, not that severe but that was what was being said in the back of my mind.  Talk about condemnation, in its finest form.  (Condemnation is NOT from God – just making that clear!)

For a time now, God started to do something to my heart.  He’s been pricking it and tearing away some ugly layers.  Yeah, it hasn’t been a pretty sight.

Seriously, it has been a tiring and rough road.  Probably if you saw me in store – you would have never known what has been going on in my life.  I look normal – this has been an inward battle.  Not a fight with flesh and blood.

When my UPS gently knocked on my door yesterday, I had no idea what was in the package.

I opened it up and here it was – A Busy Mom’s Bible.  Can I just say…God you are Wonderful?!?  Immediately, I tore into that sucker and started to read.  It felt so good!  It felt like a washing – a clean good washing.  It felt alive and pure!

The first page I turned to was about Relationships.  It was broken down in 1 minute, 5 minute, and 10 minute increments.  It also had a word to take with you…Restore.

Then one minute gave you a scripture to dwell on.  Then it asks questions to provoke your thinking.

The 5 minutes – gave you a time to Reflect and Pray.  Then some more thought provoking questions

The 10 minutes was STUDY time.  It gave you more scriptures to turn to and study.

Honestly, I believe this Bible has been a gift from God to me.  But, all of His Word is a gift to everyone, right? 

Oh, this Bible is thin and easy to tote, not to mention pretty.  It would be easy to put in a diaper bag or sit and read in the carpool lane.  As a busy mom, sometimes these are the best times to sit and think – when the kids are strapped in and the car is in park.  (I wouldn’t suggest to read and drive – now putting on lipstick and driving that is easy.)

Honestly, I feel and felt refreshed and encouraged.  Plus, it gave me something to study without the guilt of “what if I don’t know the answers” or don’t have time to dig out the Strong’s Concordance. 

I know my days of “busy Mom” are short and eventually I will have time to study the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the word love but right now – I just want God to speak to my heart.  I just want to feel His love by His Word.  I love what happens when reading and meditating on it.

Thank you Zondervan for sending me this copy to review.  I love it and was not compensated in any earthly form by taking my time to read it or post a “good” review.

If you would like more info about Busy Mom’s Bible – see their site.  It for Moms whose hearts are more open than their schedules.

Blessings to You!!!  You are so LOVED!!! 
(By the way – He never stops loving us – no matter what!)

Tow Mater – The real one!

Road trips in our family are simply an adventure!  We never know what we are going to see or expect.

This past trip was no exception! 

I couldn’t believe what we saw sitting on the side of some back road in Texas.  We turned our car around and went back just to get his picture.

Mater from Cars! 

Yep, he was just parked in this parking lot waiting for us to take his picture.

Want to know the saddest part of getting to see Mater?  All my kids were asleep and didn’t get to see him.  They wouldn’t wake up.  I had some pretty tired out children from the Canton shopping experience.

It just made me smile then I smiled some more when I think of Tow Mater
.
Mater in Cars the movie – just blesses my heart.  He is a good friend to Lightening McQueen, the boastful and prideful race car.  (We love Cars – can you tell?) 

When I see or hear Mater I think of a scripture…
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
       but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

That scripture just fits that movie to a T!
 
Even when we feel that we have not a friend in the world, there is someone who desires to be in a relationship with us.  He is a relational God who knows our pain and our joys. 

Sometimes when everyone else seems to let me down, I just have to go to the Rock –  He is the only one the can lift me up.   

When I saw Mater on the side of the road…I was dealing with a few things in my life.  Although, they did not go away,  Mater just reminded me that I need to turn to my Friend, who has a plan for my life and it is a Good plan.

I hope and pray you will be encouraged in whatever you might be going through right now!  Sometimes encouragement might just be sitting on the side of the road – it is how you see it that makes the difference.

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!! 

This Works for Me!

CANTON, TX (Trade Days) My paradise! World’s Largest Flea Market

Now I know a lot of people know of Canton, Texas but maybe this might be new to you. It happens the weekend (Thursday – Sunday) before the first Monday of the month.  It is like Esty in real life plus more.
If you have read my blog at all – then you know that we are striving to see all the “World’s Largest _______”.  Well, this fit that agenda and my love language – shopping.
How can I say this without downing my family?   They just don’t appreciate a good shopping experience.  In fact, next time I go to Canton, “I’m leaving them at home”.  (That is the phrase they were wishing I had said before we went.) 
Do you see the joy in their faces?  Not so much… My hubs and I can’t wait to go back!  We truly enjoyed ourselves!My Grandma went with us.  She is so much fun – I think I finally even wore her out by shopping so much.   We finally were on the hunt for the car after walking to at least 900 shops.  I know, we only went to half of them.  Next time, I want to get there on Thursday.
There is so much from yard ornaments to footwear.  (Although, we never saw any stain glass.  Next time – hopefully.)
I’ll have to share what I bought when I get it put up.  It is so beautiful.  (Give you a hint – SPLISH SPLASH-I’m taking a bath.) 

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Happy Birthday and 1200 miles!

 More than 1200 miles, with 5 kids, in our cramped SUV with a broken dvd player, we arrived home a little after midnight, this morning.

We went to Tyler, Texas to visit my Grandma.  My aunt planned a surprise birthday party for her with all her grandchildren.  Only one didn’t show, my half-brother, who had to work.  (Another cousin did show up the next day.)

My Grandmother had made her grandchildren a special Christmas gift.  Each of us received a framed puzzle that represented something in our lives.  Mine was a Thomas Kincaid lighthouse.  It was absolutely beautiful.  I forgot to get a picture of it.

It was so good to see all my cousins and their families.  My aunt even discussed our heritage that had came from Tennessee.  It was truly awesome to see all the family that filled the room.

My Grandma stayed in tears of joy.   It truly was a sweet surprise! This is my brother’s eldest son and my eldest daughter.  He is a spitting image of my brother and she looks just like I did.  Their personalities are so much fun to be around.  It reminds my brother and me of when we were young.
I believe some great-grandbabies are missing.  Still – isn’t a sweet heritage?

This is my sweet Aunt and Uncle.  My other Grandma also came up.  They have been dear friends for so many years.  I was very blessed to have both my Mom’s Mom and my Dad’s Mom there – very blessed indeed!  They are precious ladies to me.
My husband truly made them laugh.  I love to hear my elders and my kids have a hearty laugh.

I have so many more pictures I want to share –but I’ll have to wait till I get caught up on sleep.  Please forgive any grammar errors-I’m just tuckered out – I’m praying some of this makes sense. 

Blessings to you!!!  You are so loved!!!