You Can Childproof Your Home But They'll Still Get In!!!

I was looking on the Mop Shop web site and saw a book with this title.....and it made me laugh!! Gotta love it!!!!

Is Mom the Only One?

Why Is Mom the Only One Who... *Closes the cabinet doors? *Asks others to smell their house, just to get a third party opinion? *Puts the dishes in the diswasher (as opposed to the counter a mere matter of INCHES above the dishwasher. Ive even tried leaving the dishwasher door open as a subtle hint, but to no avail!)? *Pulls the shower curtain closed? *Turns off the lights? *Picks up the paper/box/shoe/sock/whatever, that is in the middle of the entry and everyone is walking around? *Puts the cordless phone back on the charger? *Throws away old items in the fridge? *Moves the old newspapers from the "reading receptacle" to the trash?*Picks up the towels off the bathroom floor ?*Cleans the scum that grows around the faucet ?*Picks up the tiny pieces of trash that accumulates in the corners of the room (where the vaccum can't pick up) ?*Straightens the welcome mat on the front porch ?*Smells the kitchen rags to see if they're stinky enough to be washed ?*Speaking of smelling things (a nose is an important "tool" in mommy's world)....smells the kids' hair to determine if they need a bath? *Smells the laundry in the basket to see if it's a clean or dirty load? Tip! Never, and I repeat NEVER smell underwear, always assume those are dirty, even if they aren't! *Gets on all fours and smells the carpet, just to see if that pee stain the dog left, came out (am I the only one that does that?) >*Turns the heat down at night ?*Looks to see if the toilet paper is out in the bathroom BEFORE going as opposed to doing the bathroom scream, "CAN SOMEONE GET ME SOME TOILET PAPER?" ...that NEVER happens to a mommy. *Throws away the reading magazines in the bathroom that are water- logged, ripped and otherwise trashed but still sitting there for reading? *Has dust bunnies on the mind? *Cleans the toothpaste goop off the tube, walls and counter?*Notices when it's time to get a new toothbrush? *Knows exactly how much soap is left in all the shampoo bottles even though the bottles aren't see through? *Knows how many meals that cube of cheese will last until its gone? *Is the only one to ever think about running the butter dish through the washing machine? *Cleans out the hair that accumulates down the drains....yuk! It's a dirty job but someone has to do it? *Saves rubber bands for future use to close the tops of food packages?

I'm Loving HIM~~~JESUS

When I read this I could only think....there but for the grace of God go I. Read all the way to the end of the story and you'll understand why. A Return is Requested....You'll see why! Breakfast at McDonald's This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!): I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the>table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings, and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE. There is an Angel sent to watch over you. In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over. An Angel wrote: Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart. God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest. Send it back, you'll see why ! A Box of gold *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* With a secret inside that has never been told *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* This box is priceless but as I see *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The treasure inside is precious to me *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Today I share this treasure with thee *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* It's the treasure of friendship you've given me. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

UNITED STATES MAP

• A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by His little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.Finally, he tore a sheet out of his news magazine on which was Printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today." After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked How she had finished so quickly. "Oh," she said, "on the other side of the Paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together." This one is worthy of forwarding. ~AMEN~

Running on empty?

I was on the Mops leadership website today and thought this was great and wanted to share. Not sure if anyone even reads my blog...but, that's ok.....it's still great to me. ENJOY!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sharing Your Faith: Refrigerator Half Full or Half Empty?By Liz Selzer “Mom! There’s nothing to eat! Can we pick something up on my way to practice?” my son bellowed, his head hidden by the half-open refrigerator door. Yes, that twinge of mother guilt hit me hard. I just did not have time to get to the store, and we really were out of most of the quick fix food items for hungry teenage boys. The refrigerator was empty, as were the counters. But for some reason the suggestion of getting something on the way felt like an added insult to my mothering. Wasn’t I supposed to be the source of sustenance for my family? As I busied myself with a makeshift grilled cheese for him, an interesting parallel shot through my mind (which I think was no accident): Mother guilt Evangelism guilt Not doing all I could as a mother Not doing all I could to spread the good news of God’s love Empty refrigerator Empty sense of God’s impact in my own life Not finding time to grocery shop and fill up Not finding time to be filled by God Grocery shopping Time spent with God I thought about how the kitchen looks after I make a trip to the store–food overflowing onto the counters, bread in the breadbox, fruit in the fruit bowl, that coveted box of donuts in plain sight. It is very apparent that I’ve “filled up” at the store. But what about “filling up” in my life? When people look at me, is it apparent that I have been filled up by God? Is his love overflowing from me to those around me? Am I taking the time with God to be filled by him? Evangelism, telling others about the good news of Christ, is an overflow from our lives with Christ. If we are living on empty, we have little to share. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Sharing the gospel with others comes from an active and vital relationship with Jesus. As we are filled through relationship with him, we can in turn fill others. Hope sloshes out of us and onto them. We cannot help but be a living example for the hope we have found. Over the years, I have found that evangelism guilt (just like mother guilt) is completely unproductive and unhelpful. I have to think it grieves God greatly when our perception is that telling others about him is a chore or something we have to do. How he must delight in us when our lives are a living testament to him, when our conversations are infused with his love, when our joy overflows onto those around us. The following are a few thoughts I had to help promote a lifestyle of evangelism, a life so full in God that it is outwardly apparent to all those we hope to touch by his grace and love. Make time with God a part of our every day. This does not have to look like a regularly scheduled time, it can be an on-going attitude of gratitude for all he does; an on-going intentional inclusion of him in all we do. Recognize that our part in evangelism is the willingness to speak about the joy we have found in our relationship with God and give credit where credit is due. Any “conversion” of the heart is in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Focus outside of ourselves. Even though the default of the human condition is to always see things through our own eyes, being intentional about seeing things from another point of view will help us see everyday opportunities of what is inside us that can overflow encouragement onto others. Increase our ability to observe and discern places where people need help or encouragement; this way we can tailor our encouragement to the specific needs of others. Treating people as unique creations helps them see that the good news of God’s love is for them specifically. Take the opportunity to talk about our own stories, how God has impacted our lives in very real ways. This tangible example is much more impacting than a bunch of arguments and logical reasons to believe in God. Remember that lives changed by God’s love are the greatest legacy you can leave in this world. So the next time you’re feeling guilty or empty or guilty for feeling empty, remember where your source of joy comes from, that you are meant to live a hope-filled life, a life that is not contained, spilling out and covering those around you. Liz Selzer is the Director of Leadership Development at MOPS International.

Today is ~my~ "Happy" Birthday!!!!!!

I am the little girl in the pink holding the birthday cake.....(or at least that is how my spirit and heart feel inside....young, happy, excited, hopeful) . I am happy that for the most part that is how I view life. Since it is early in the morning, I know I will update this later today...but, if you are reading my blog...... as a gift to me on my birthday, I would just appreciate if you could take a minute and say alittle prayer for me...... a prayer that God will fill my year with His blessings that He has waiting, the ones He has picked out special for me, His path and His will for me. A prayer that He will work in my life in such a mighty way that my heart will grow by leaps and bounds and I will open my heart and let God guide and and let Him work His will through me. A prayer that God will be so life changing in me this year that miracles will happen and His Love and His goodness will shine through and I can testify to others how truly awesome God is!!! I know I can do all this already....because God is ALWAYS so good and every blessing I have is such a huge gift from Him..... BUT, I pray for spiritual growth, I pray for a deeper faith in my God, my Jesus, I pray to walk more in HIS WORD then by my own will......and if I can grow these things in my heart & spirit this year......that will only make me want to share Jesus even more...because it will be a wake up call to my soul. So Please, if you are reading this today..... I would like that prayer said by you to Jesus for my birthday. Thank you!!!! I will write more later tonight. I am so blessed for all I have but most of all I'm blessed because I am HIS!

Samuel's 1st "friends" birthday party

SAMUEL WALTER BISHOP

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Today was our Samuel's first birthday party with his friends. He was so excited and this being such a busy month for us and his actual birthday being May 8th, he was also alittle annoyed it took his mommy so long to pull this together. I think I had a bit of "fear" not knowing what to

do, or play, or "craft" for a little boys party. I thought & thought & thought...and then I decided....LES WAS A BOY ONCE.....he can run this party. That only passed the anxious fear on to him. Les is such a wonderful husband. He always helps me with everything....even the parties.......but "RUN" the party!?!?!?!!? Oh wow!!!! He was (to say the least) nervous and talking for a week about what the boys could do. It was so sweet to see him that way over a party for our child. Anyway, the 3 hour party went very well. The boys all had fun. Samuel was so happy!!! Les felt so good that he actually handled the party. I was here for "moral" support. See some pictures from our fun day today. These are all Samuel's very "bestest"

friends and their mommies are some of mine!

GUESS WHO GRADUATED???? and, lost a tooth?

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Our Rebecca Grace Graduated from Kindergarten last night.

It was a wonderful celebration through our homeschool co-op.

Rebecca graduated with all her little friends and the Kindergarten class sang "Amazing Love". It was so adorable.

When we got home...she was so excited she was talking and her

second baby tooth fell out. It had been hanging on for awhile. There is another "big girl" tooth right behind it just waiting to break through. Rebecca looks so darn cute with those 2 bottom teeth missing....BUT, please stand back when she talks!!!!! She's not used to 2 teeth missing yet. Oh what a fun night! It was really so nice.