tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81421576022883363992024-03-05T07:29:35.935-08:00CHOCOLATE, KNITTER, MOM....Yup, that's me!All About Having Faith ~ Loving Family ~ Living Well ~Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-48692244626961928352012-06-01T23:14:00.001-07:002012-06-02T18:12:19.116-07:00RITA’S HOME SPA<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;">At this time in my life I am looking at some pretty scary changes. Like the one where I look in the mirror and there is another <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrinkle" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Wrinkle">wrinkle</a>! Or the one where I cannot loose a pound no matter what. Then there is the one when I go to the doctors and she says to me (in her all of 20 something voice) "You know, at your age you need to watch your cholesterol". Geez, really?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;">Never one to be a quitter, I am now on a mission to find affordable solutions to the "beauty" of getting, well, closer to my Mother's age. LOL I am going to share with anyone who wants it, information on increasing health and slowing the "closer to my Mom's" <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageing" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ageing">aging process</a> down.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84N2zYPRwMNv_gyLwLvJmRFnWCVJtp4152gVqDjXuS_z_dRq7MQwlTeWZrUtOaXydUIfWVQe_RsWRPn_DjlPm-plG0viKlqL5Pu2Os86gFAam4L0fDILvxKwZVUcYPltnaCVchBTaAESR/s1600/St.-Ives-Timeless-Skin-Collagen-Elastin-Facial-Moisturizer-10-oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84N2zYPRwMNv_gyLwLvJmRFnWCVJtp4152gVqDjXuS_z_dRq7MQwlTeWZrUtOaXydUIfWVQe_RsWRPn_DjlPm-plG0viKlqL5Pu2Os86gFAam4L0fDILvxKwZVUcYPltnaCVchBTaAESR/s320/St.-Ives-Timeless-Skin-Collagen-Elastin-Facial-Moisturizer-10-oz.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;">Ok, let's start with this.....St. Ives Collagen Anti Wrinkle Cream face moisturizer.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"> "</span>Timeless skin <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Collagen">collagen</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastin" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Elastin">elastin</a> facial moisturizer is made with collagen and elastin proteins. It hydrates for visibly softer, smoother skin." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;">Most<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"> of the top anti-wrinkle creams were priced at $50.00 or more each. St. Ives was only $5.99 at the drug store for this large jar. The reviews on this product are really great. Rated </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Times; line-height: 21px;">one the top over the counter collagen creams available. It</span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0.5em 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;">Hydrates for visibly softer, smoother skin</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.5em 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;">Non-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_cosmetica" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Acne cosmetica">comedogenic</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.5em 0em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatology" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Dermatology">Dermatologist</a> tested</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"> This is my suggestion for a great, inexpensive <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisturizer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Moisturizer">skin cream</a> that works!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">I am looking for a good <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinol" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Retinol">Retinol</a> cream too. I'll get back to you when I find it. Until then....</span></span><br />
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<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=50c98b8d-6fb1-4176-84c7-71a258e93441" style="border: medium none; float: right;" /></a></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-2467562172520093122010-11-18T13:04:00.000-08:002010-11-18T13:09:45.196-08:00ANNIE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8c17RKOVPcQQlFU4TIas8Rm3UYUR7AruXZYe-_rICc2WAR9ZpglwTX9tDEm-Bjzd3ituivbeJPRyIqNMhvcbRGj_CZ8tdatB7bdFMOjzhNyuVB1EYFSmwOUuz1wEq27qQhPjxS9-UoUu/s1600/ANNIE+%257E+Nov.+11%257E13%252C+2010+-+170.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8c17RKOVPcQQlFU4TIas8Rm3UYUR7AruXZYe-_rICc2WAR9ZpglwTX9tDEm-Bjzd3ituivbeJPRyIqNMhvcbRGj_CZ8tdatB7bdFMOjzhNyuVB1EYFSmwOUuz1wEq27qQhPjxS9-UoUu/s320/ANNIE+%257E+Nov.+11%257E13%252C+2010+-+170.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540999869294450098" border="0" /></a><br />What a wonderful weekend we had watching our son and his friends perform in <a href="http://havenartsacademy.org/">Haven Academy of the Arts production of ANNIE</a>. These kids get better and better every show! I watched my son for the first time do on stage what he does normally at home: perform! LOL He has always had the ability to sing and act but he took the role of "Rooster" and really made it his own. The results were fantastic!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-60619828479311408572010-04-21T08:46:00.000-07:002010-04-21T09:08:11.885-07:00BACK ON TRACKIt has been such a long time since my last post. I apologize for not being more active and keeping in touch with you.<br /><br />It has been a long journey to this moment. One I will not quickly forget. On Monday my husband started a new job after being out of work for nearly 2 1/2 years. He is nervous and not sure if he is the "right" man for the job yet. I cannot image how a man feels when he cannot take care of his family but I do know how my man feels, lost. <br /><br />He has been Blessed with a job back in his own field! That is our God at work for sure. After a major healing in the relationship with his prior boss, it was, in the end, his prior boss who got him the interview and went to bat for him. He told the new boss that Eddie was still working for him and that work had slowed down so he wanted to help him get a new job since he had a family. How amazing redempion is! How great is our God!!<br /><br />I wish I could say that I knew it all along but I did not. I have had many ups and downs over the past 2 years and have wondered if I somehow disobeyed God in such a way that he turned His back on me. How wrong I was! Our God is a loving God. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"'The LORD is </span><b style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">slow</b><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> to </span><b style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">anger</b><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion." </span><strong></strong><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+14:18&version=NIV">Numbers 14:18</a>a<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The moment I realized that I felt something lift from me. It was a large bolder I had been carrying around for way too long. I was not raised with a loving God so for me I figured I was being punished in some way. But God does not put us through anything that He cannot handle. I know, it suppose to be "that we cannot handle", but I guess I do not see it that way anymore.<br /><br />I am grateful for the job that the Lord has given Eddie and pray my husband excels in it! In the meantime, I am getting my family and home back on track. I am also getting me back on track too. For the past 8 months I have been looking for work that I can do to supplement our income without being away from home too often. Since I love network marketing I decided to research companies to work for. All together I found 3 that I liked. through prayer and God's intervention, I settled on a skin care company called NU SKIN. Funny that it never occurred to me before since I have always loved skin care and make-up. Anyway, a very dear friend of mine told my story to a women who has been very successful in that company. When she heard my story she called me and asked to meet. I joined the Nu Skin family with her constant guidance, support and help. I am actually loving what I am doing! So I will be talking about skin care and products as I learn them. Hope you don't mind?<br /><br />All in all I know that the journey continues. That is why I love life and my Savior. I am never alone, never a failure and never unloved. <br /><br />God Bless you all.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></strong>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-41303854592742700352009-11-27T09:43:00.000-08:002009-11-27T10:12:55.244-08:00A THANKFUL HEART<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdZ7s6SwmJxiTIKDhOifv0nT0aanpIZjXFhdpiSw48MUIIUPD9XS59EI3KvwOzv9US3arZih2wgegScKzin_GT_JDzd4ISgBPXGDafFSyrGUDuAXUDoAOQLdKvPBUzDZSESH_sKbLCxGn/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdZ7s6SwmJxiTIKDhOifv0nT0aanpIZjXFhdpiSw48MUIIUPD9XS59EI3KvwOzv9US3arZih2wgegScKzin_GT_JDzd4ISgBPXGDafFSyrGUDuAXUDoAOQLdKvPBUzDZSESH_sKbLCxGn/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408840958240469890" border="0" /></a><br />A very Happy Thanksgiving to you all! There is so much that I am grateful for in my life today. With my husband still unemployed (18 months), I have had a chance too look back and see how we got to today. <br /><br />There are so many people in my life that have been our "angels" for our Heavenly Father. They have given us money randomly, dropped off bags of food periodically and prayed and loved us all the way through. I have tried to figure out why God still has us in this situation. You see, I believe in a VERY LARGE God who is bigger than the government, bigger than the economy and much bigger than everyone else. So that said, why are we still without a job? I do not have that answer yet, but I do know that our Heavenly F ather is in control of everything.<br /><br />Over the last few months I have been very busy with taking care of my Mom who was hospitalized at the beginning of October. Prior to that my husband's oldest sister was very sick with cancer and we lost her in September. Needless to say, life is in session!<br /><br />One-day-at-a-time we are healing and just beginning to come back to life. I put my 2 side businesses on hold and have been home mostly taking care of what needed to be done each day. Again, I could not have survived without the love and support of the people I have chosen to call Family. God may have our life on hold in one area, but he is busy at work in many others for the good.<br /><br />Most of my life I have been independent of the help of others, enjoyed pitching in to help wherever I could and loved to just give things away. I never really "needed" people until now. The most amazing part of my journey is that I have had to learn to be dependent. That has been very hard for me. I never realized how much ego is involved in independence. The Lord has showered me with riches. Showered me with love. Showered me with help. My walls have been so high and so thick it was only recently that I was able to see all this. Feeling loved has never come easy for me either and when you are in a situation like ours and the people you deeply love and care about are at risk, you go into survival mode. When that happens it is so hard to feel anything else. But the Lord has melted the hard tough wall, self-willed heart through His mighty power of love.<br /><br />I will be forever grateful to Dianne, Irene, Trish (just for starters!) and many others for the great love, care and support they have given to me and to my family. But most of all I will always be grateful to them for overwhelming my life and heart with their precious love. <br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving to you and to yours. I hope you will find the part of your life that has been touched this year and find a way to share it.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-42829536576918736512009-08-02T13:51:00.000-07:002009-08-02T15:07:37.407-07:00STILL....THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOMEAfter almost 3 weeks away, we are finally home. It felt so good to walk into my humble home. There are 5 of us in this sweet 3 bedroom, 2 bath, no den or Family room house. We spend much of our time here together. So having an opportunity to get away to a LARGE home on 1/2 acre (almost) of land was quite a treat for us!<br /><br />I love the peace and quiet as I live near one of the Country's (and the World's) largest airports. I live in a large City with lot's of traffic noise, sirens and car horns. So the calm of Kernville was quite a shock to mine and my Family's systems for the first few days. LOL<br /><br />I wrote last week about my older son's bordem. How he had such a hard time finding a way to just "be". THAT I have found is learned behavior for sure as I have had to learn that too.<br /><br />My friend Jane suggested that I give Dante a camera and just let him go on an adventure with it! Jane, that was just the BEST advice. Thank you so much for that. He had fun shooting pictures all over Deb's property. I asked him to take pictures of God's creation. To try and see it through the eyes of God. Below are some of my favorites.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYvHqB3kWq_3plA_9rGOrzWi4c-HQr803KxtyNgRFKqaR25n6IK6u2DuqpCeZjCY-6fk6CH8DxmRa9vyFWXi2g3kFs7qUepFYiX4tvmaXUAldnrVs0L_KL_HskWMo2NLr9o7jlImIY6aN/s1600-h/IMG_8211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYvHqB3kWq_3plA_9rGOrzWi4c-HQr803KxtyNgRFKqaR25n6IK6u2DuqpCeZjCY-6fk6CH8DxmRa9vyFWXi2g3kFs7qUepFYiX4tvmaXUAldnrVs0L_KL_HskWMo2NLr9o7jlImIY6aN/s400/IMG_8211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365475360177964194" border="0" /></a>I LOVE this picture! it is the grapevines that grow just the most wonderful sweet grapes!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TipEzs_hTssUfGtPH5rsItF79ThUGHxNqqxai_udqebvgaTIKX5SU536ahYdmFMDAhz6zR2xcPQ_KbG8PZeD9O4cMILwMpIzXEmMM-NXe6STtQ0wWuLAlyXpO5CSHEYehyphenhyphenMSRk-B0ocf/s1600-h/IMG_8212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TipEzs_hTssUfGtPH5rsItF79ThUGHxNqqxai_udqebvgaTIKX5SU536ahYdmFMDAhz6zR2xcPQ_KbG8PZeD9O4cMILwMpIzXEmMM-NXe6STtQ0wWuLAlyXpO5CSHEYehyphenhyphenMSRk-B0ocf/s400/IMG_8212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365475370265774850" border="0" /></a>One of the many trees on the property.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EtZAbP270Xy0A9m9vngwVPTsFhdVIAz_E6IdumytZjk4EOQmKsTKOc33GKy650C4ykVhapYNTMIVTTotGjMusuvOkzkDo-a0_3sIYsO2e6TBvL1mkEeuegCxY2oT78mITM980ALAU8bq/s1600-h/IMG_8220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EtZAbP270Xy0A9m9vngwVPTsFhdVIAz_E6IdumytZjk4EOQmKsTKOc33GKy650C4ykVhapYNTMIVTTotGjMusuvOkzkDo-a0_3sIYsO2e6TBvL1mkEeuegCxY2oT78mITM980ALAU8bq/s400/IMG_8220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365475373015022818" border="0" /></a>This is one of Jake's personal favorites, the frog pond!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This morning our Pastor talked about being "content". Mmm, someone talked to me about that very thing this week?<br /><br />Through the past almost 2 years that we have been going through all the changes I have shared with you in the past, being "content" has tapped me on the shoulder once or twice but I quickly ignored it! After all, who wants to be content on 3/4 less that what they lived on before? However, if I put all my hope in that same old basket of wants, I will never get away from the place I am in. I hope that makes sense?<br /><br />Today's message topped off my week of thinking about do I want to be content in the first place? LOL Of course I do because I believe I am powerless to change many of what is happening in my life in the first place so why not open my eyes and heart to the idea that, this may be all there will ever be again, and if that is so, why not just be happy and content with what God has given me? This is not a bad thing, it is a spiritual thing. I have had a lot in my life and blessed beyond my dreams. To be content to me means to be at peace, to have acceptance and to know that I am right where I am suppose to be. I am getting there and it feels pretty good. After all, the most important things in life I realized, I already have. My husband, my children, my mom, my family and my friends. We all have great health and that alone IS great welath! As long as we can keep or kids eating and playing, they are happy too! LOL Sound good to me! <br /><br />I am working on just being content. It feels right and it feels good. <br /><br />Until next time........enjoy your self!<br /><br /><h3 style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am not saying this because I am in need, for </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)</span></h3>Here are a few highlights of our trip!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FZi-etDuuQVyhUF70zcKNDXac7B8ETFUkDP3x1UL0CQSptf4x6aMQbFPifrJckNnUh_tf-wl8bWxnNMNwhJfEuon3Xmrm1nXYYUY4-kKFr461QFGPY5h1LnxxUcFErpSUfUEyYho3Fb9/s1600-h/IMG_8136.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FZi-etDuuQVyhUF70zcKNDXac7B8ETFUkDP3x1UL0CQSptf4x6aMQbFPifrJckNnUh_tf-wl8bWxnNMNwhJfEuon3Xmrm1nXYYUY4-kKFr461QFGPY5h1LnxxUcFErpSUfUEyYho3Fb9/s400/IMG_8136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483570299048354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Dante with the Kern River behind him.</span><br /></div><br /><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; text-align: center;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OLotF8bXvAnEXIJnEkb-I9mEvQHxz6H9U7zk_5VA7USQPR8db0b6mo2S6LGtaOWlBeOXNZWqfMSUkneAqgoTJzHoqm0eiZn9fVIqpPAouoW6nFJ9Mvnjk7YxmLv8nR6piB64HSzGawl6/s1600-h/IMG_8315.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OLotF8bXvAnEXIJnEkb-I9mEvQHxz6H9U7zk_5VA7USQPR8db0b6mo2S6LGtaOWlBeOXNZWqfMSUkneAqgoTJzHoqm0eiZn9fVIqpPAouoW6nFJ9Mvnjk7YxmLv8nR6piB64HSzGawl6/s400/IMG_8315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365486779739110562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch on the Kern River!</span><br /></h3> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bj74q6kzgGpqxfSd1gzimHsKnbEpRdxT0o8waRFLpk8y7d63wfB034sdMfbMkFyL44yEpzXuEJofQ3BooCz52Kd_c2Q0bRpCEz7Wrz9OPkPc-MHGGwwOkfZkQC5cNUbhq6JlRAx1CZF5/s1600-h/IMG_8318.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bj74q6kzgGpqxfSd1gzimHsKnbEpRdxT0o8waRFLpk8y7d63wfB034sdMfbMkFyL44yEpzXuEJofQ3BooCz52Kd_c2Q0bRpCEz7Wrz9OPkPc-MHGGwwOkfZkQC5cNUbhq6JlRAx1CZF5/s400/IMG_8318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483584155242722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It's a good day!</span><br /></div><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTl82HAH8mPBLjjcO6dY7LdjSMj21EsRXN4OMaFQTSwb4XD4q_-h3kHVqtsct1NmULsCRJglFGN6OhwMzdaCyt0Cpl1Xlx5rY4kBWazl6HYaiwRH4cfjoxfxLN8fwiW4o1LU4etU0t80n/s1600-h/IMG_8302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTl82HAH8mPBLjjcO6dY7LdjSMj21EsRXN4OMaFQTSwb4XD4q_-h3kHVqtsct1NmULsCRJglFGN6OhwMzdaCyt0Cpl1Xlx5rY4kBWazl6HYaiwRH4cfjoxfxLN8fwiW4o1LU4etU0t80n/s400/IMG_8302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483579126931314" border="0" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Daddy & Jake River rafting.</span><br /></div><br /><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8k5r7NyJDrf31aNjI93N11svVz4YWWhn9g-XvoOEfFU66bj4mctHNaFfctHr6KubMQfTRglrGE7e0EN3jWiSxMVTzEaMbqRh038q5ryMLGzOtk-_Twhwuq-qAZSJCe23HDKtRKJhyphenhyphenHJU/s1600-h/P7260569.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8k5r7NyJDrf31aNjI93N11svVz4YWWhn9g-XvoOEfFU66bj4mctHNaFfctHr6KubMQfTRglrGE7e0EN3jWiSxMVTzEaMbqRh038q5ryMLGzOtk-_Twhwuq-qAZSJCe23HDKtRKJhyphenhyphenHJU/s400/P7260569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365486784135583618" border="0" /></a></h3> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tourist!</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix78c57Trp_Gsyfd60R4ohU0VIDc1Gg6gHgiZfrsNvATMS8XYnu-sbC_tYe3cnfWivxWiga_5lBrEjCNYpZtRC3r2K94F5XzMn-ctxsrJdey6NnYnc49-J-wtnHnQ4Bycglsd4HHZuzgEQ/s1600-h/IMG_8132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix78c57Trp_Gsyfd60R4ohU0VIDc1Gg6gHgiZfrsNvATMS8XYnu-sbC_tYe3cnfWivxWiga_5lBrEjCNYpZtRC3r2K94F5XzMn-ctxsrJdey6NnYnc49-J-wtnHnQ4Bycglsd4HHZuzgEQ/s400/IMG_8132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483565049299250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The beautiful River Kern.</span><br /></div><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVGrciXBLIWUn9hY_isUGkHsftjE7kIutSiJFOwsKsryso8RVGi1oaP2ydzLf0-SEF53idXfGNgThK1Ifo-SKrvfaF2wCY4KvU7mTr4An8ImZ0DOtbt2PNrSPAC2-U7wslPM3o7JX6bXP/s1600-h/IMG_8142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVGrciXBLIWUn9hY_isUGkHsftjE7kIutSiJFOwsKsryso8RVGi1oaP2ydzLf0-SEF53idXfGNgThK1Ifo-SKrvfaF2wCY4KvU7mTr4An8ImZ0DOtbt2PNrSPAC2-U7wslPM3o7JX6bXP/s400/IMG_8142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365483567548681954" border="0" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kunf Fu Jake!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-56373904733882696292009-07-22T10:23:00.000-07:002009-07-22T12:07:50.492-07:00WHAT TO DO...WHAT TO DO...We are still here in beautiful Kernville. The weather is gorgeous and HOT! My husband Eddie is busy working on his "to do" list which is the main reason we are here. Jake is continuously looking for frogs in the "frog" pond (they are ceramic but he is hoping for a real one real soon) and Dante is just bored! Ugh the teen years. I am not ready. Don't think I ever will be but they are on my "door step" now and I have to get ready.<br /><br />It use to be that I could entertain Dante pretty easily. Not now. He is a great kid tho and is always fun to be with. It is just keeping him entertained seems harder than before.<br /><br />Whenever we come up here we are on the go. This time there is an agenda that much be met first. How do you convince a 12 1/2 year old that helping is a fun thing? LOL<br /><br />We will go off to the lake and he will swim until he drops. Boys; keep them physically active and they are happy. It is just the way God made them.<br /><br />Being up here always gets me thinking about living somewhere else. I see the beauty and want to have more of that in my own life. Living in a City that is crowded and now water rationing is killing off gardens, makes me feel like cement is not my friend. But where to go? The unemployment level is rising in California and Eddie has been on so many interviews and put out so many resumes that he is getting very discouraged. I pray about it all the time. But I get disappointed too sometimes. It is hard to understand why we are still in this situation because I see God as bigger that the recession, bigger than the issues in California and bigger than the issues in the U.S. It has me thinking about leaving California to hopefully find a healthy economy in another State where we can raise our kids and live simply.<br /><br />Los Angeles is over rated and over charging to live here. Since my zip code is a Los Angeles zip code, we are charged for everything! Only my relationship with Christ seems to be improving because I must lean into Him to stay strong. Some days are easier than others, but it is always where I get peace.<br /><br />I hope that you and your family are surviving the problems this economy is bringing on and that you do not loose hope because without hope we have nothing. Hope is the one thing I cannot live without. I live without a lot these days and I am just fine. So are my children. Maybe that is why Dante is so bored? Have we given him too much and now that we have cut back on so much he feels lost as to know what to do? Wow, if so that is sad. Back to prayer. Prayer is my answer to everything and the ONLY tool in my tool box that has ever constantly sustained me.<br /><br />When I come to Kernville I feel at peace with everything. The mighty hand of God is everywhere. The trees, the river, the lake, the birds, the animals and all the amazing blooming flowers. Getting a break from the noise, the cement and the fears I have is a huge blessing.<br /><br />I know that our Father has a great plan for us. He knows everything and sees everything. I also am coming to terms with the fact that if He wanted Eddie to have a job he would have one. Until then, both Eddie and I are doing whatever work comes our way and grateful to have it. My heart goes out to anyone going through this too. I know first hand a mother's concerns for caring for her family but God is good and His promises are real. And that we CAN count on!<br /><br /><em>"And we know that all things work together for the good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose". Romans 8:28 (KJV)</em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-4270643156882050452009-07-15T12:18:00.000-07:002009-07-15T12:38:36.506-07:00IT'S A GOOD DAY IN PARADISE!It is finally time for our family vacation! Whew. Just in the nick of time too. EVERYONE is burned out and in need of real down time.<br /><br />We have been here in one of our favorite places, Kernville, CA for 3 days. It has taken that long for me to feel just a little rested. Crazy huh? Life just gets so busy sometimes and we don't realize how burned out we are. We are not a crazy busy family because when I started homeschooling I was told that crazy busy is not healthy for our kids. I have found that to be a great truth.<br /><br />Eddie & I have tried to curb Dante's need to be doing something every minute of every day. Instead, he is learning to take care not run constantly in his day-to-day life. But sometimes you just cannot help it.<br /><br />We just completed a huge play Dante was in with many rehearsals and parent participation preceded by a convention that Eddie and I both are volunteers for. We love all of it but it just so happened that this was a 9 day period of non stop fun/work. Now that we are on vacation, I realized that today is the first day we are all relaxed. Even Dante finally is relaxing. Of course not so for Jake! When you are 4 you are ALWAYS very busy with things to do. Need to feed the birds, run around the backyard, go swimming every minute, play with toys, run around the backyard some more...well you get it.<br /><br />The best part for me is being away from the constant need to be busy. I cannot rest at home because there is the house to be cleaned, laundry to be done, appointments to drive people to, kids, gardening, etc. But up here in Kernville, I can do all those things and still feel like I am resting? What is that about?<br /><br />I love Debra and Jeff's house. It is big inside and out. There is always something to do or not. There is just beautiful birds, trees and other wild life. Of course there is the Kern River and the Lake! <br /><br />I love being in God's handy work. Watching the beautiful grapevine's Jeff has growing. The bird's Debra feeds. Oh and I cannot forget the skunks and racoon's that stop by at night to just say hello.<br /><br />So the bottom line is that today we have a beautiful day, in a beautiful place and a way to enjoy time together as a family. Thank you Father for this great gift and thank you Jeff and Debra. I'll keep you posted on all the fun.<br /><br />It is a good day in paradise!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-49430264203524260752009-07-10T17:51:00.001-07:002009-07-10T18:07:25.326-07:00WILLY WONKA & DANTEDante and the play he has been working on since the end of April opened last night. Our church has a fantastic drama ministry called <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://havenartsacademy.org/">Haven Academy for the Arts</a>. </span>It is a non-profit organization designed to give kids from 5-18 a safe play to learn and enjoy all types of arts.<br /><br />Dante has done a few plays over the past 3 years and really loves it. Who knew!<br /><br />This production has been a blast for him. He plays the deaf Grandpa in the show and wears a grey wig. By the way, he looks just like my Mom. Hilarious!<br /><br />All the kids in this production are between 12 & 20 years old. Except the Um Pa Loom Pa's of course. Who by the way are pretty great themselves. <br /><br />One of the main focuses the director, Rebekah has is character development. I do not mean the ones they play but the ones they are. She works to build respect, trust, patience, kindness and relationships between the kids. it show too because they really care about each other. I think this is such an amazing idea considering what entertainment really is...competitive.<br /><br />Since Dante is home schooled, it is an amazing gift to have an opportunity like this for him. The Academy has so much to offer. Since both my husband and I have been in entertainment most of our lives, we are not surprised by his interest. We have never pushed him, just drove him to try-outs. He has done all this on his own and we are both really proud of him. Dante has kept his commitments, showed up for everything and has tried to do a really good job.<br /><br />Congratulations Rebekah and to the entire cast of WILLY WONKA for all your hard work and a show well done!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzV4aWO7iQ-lnNtGoe15ah8vp5HGwDDnSnAvE2t2U5MZgojIazNyfqbrJxCwe4frUjUQqsc49buJfDhlQRk8nNY7P2RzQ0xWGpz22n1Z22yzfeQlQbGBOmKP80hvrMlswsI5hmvfFrv0W/s1600-h/IMG_7880.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzV4aWO7iQ-lnNtGoe15ah8vp5HGwDDnSnAvE2t2U5MZgojIazNyfqbrJxCwe4frUjUQqsc49buJfDhlQRk8nNY7P2RzQ0xWGpz22n1Z22yzfeQlQbGBOmKP80hvrMlswsI5hmvfFrv0W/s400/IMG_7880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356999078762305058" border="0" /></a>Dante as Grandpa George<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrvehjgUj7YtV43HPKLqhIEP7XLoy0WizbDgS58Bvlh8w5Cff3okDH9auObCjlHZISjqfpRu6WG6a-H5OrLrl6S_zVgyylgGiujws-R0FU4Kf1tL2YjiLmT6TueGe9udPFU4RbOq-m6dP/s1600-h/IMG_7877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrvehjgUj7YtV43HPKLqhIEP7XLoy0WizbDgS58Bvlh8w5Cff3okDH9auObCjlHZISjqfpRu6WG6a-H5OrLrl6S_zVgyylgGiujws-R0FU4Kf1tL2YjiLmT6TueGe9udPFU4RbOq-m6dP/s400/IMG_7877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356999075894261154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaCaXlHwq0tz01CkojLR6VKGPVDJ82EvzKoysI9OMvwETSOP0yOs4MKQ0mmPTKODG0E5ANPtpKXpYaIZIBKyiJen36QjIKkm6MEyLFc5r6p_C3H1D8buXLf4ZF1GaJ6SxCwtrdfXc4zvx/s1600-h/IMG_7871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaCaXlHwq0tz01CkojLR6VKGPVDJ82EvzKoysI9OMvwETSOP0yOs4MKQ0mmPTKODG0E5ANPtpKXpYaIZIBKyiJen36QjIKkm6MEyLFc5r6p_C3H1D8buXLf4ZF1GaJ6SxCwtrdfXc4zvx/s400/IMG_7871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356999083465293842" border="0" /></a><br />Willy Wonka & the Um Pa Loom Pa's<br /></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-59054184622870463532009-07-04T12:49:00.000-07:002009-07-04T13:34:22.260-07:00IT'S ROUND-UP TIME & AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA9G0mgqKLldox5mTfpnB8vXaqa6CQAyWPwsmh_mXxE4ntqCLZV9SrodfeV7nb1PFUYjcl0O1DMr7vw5DbBqiN5Fj1VKyfsgbcMgcomiaObkDx9dqRo45gXPDDrWi9_1zxX9uYFcZeGWD/s1600-h/image003.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA9G0mgqKLldox5mTfpnB8vXaqa6CQAyWPwsmh_mXxE4ntqCLZV9SrodfeV7nb1PFUYjcl0O1DMr7vw5DbBqiN5Fj1VKyfsgbcMgcomiaObkDx9dqRo45gXPDDrWi9_1zxX9uYFcZeGWD/s400/image003.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354701103882246674" border="0" /></a><br />What a great time of year. I get to celebrate the freedom from alcohol and freedom as a citizen of this Country I love! I am passionate about both.<br /><br />I have spent the last few days with friends and family at a yearly AA convention where I actually got sober. Most of these folks I only get to see once a year and others I see often. The great feeling is that we LOVE being together regardless. Freedom from bondage is surely a gift from God. I guess that is why I am so passionate about my sobriety and the blessing of being an American.<br /><br />The Statue of Liberty re-opened today in New York. What a perfect day for that! I remember going about 20 years ago and just being moved beyond words at the sight of her. We live in the greatest country in the world. I try to do my part each day through prayer and example to keep this gift. I do not like the alternative for either one in my life.<br /><br />I hope you all have an awesome 4th! Watch out for the seeds in the watermelon! LOL<br /><br />God Bless you all and please dear Lord, God Bless this wonderful land!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-69777363253882560502009-06-28T08:00:00.000-07:002009-06-28T09:09:38.366-07:00JAKE GRATUATES FROM PRE-K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG-cKupN_xuJ-65bEssUnXiq4P1Qr_d0WBrm-XBKZCVmqLdgrfks7fMbHWVQMGjOd4aqNoZOBRSZaCn2A5IZwQ6L9RHBImnM22BBgoVxdgOrMXzCB2R8Xu7eAjpvAM-XE_A8YX8zM8PLF/s1600-h/IMG_7665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG-cKupN_xuJ-65bEssUnXiq4P1Qr_d0WBrm-XBKZCVmqLdgrfks7fMbHWVQMGjOd4aqNoZOBRSZaCn2A5IZwQ6L9RHBImnM22BBgoVxdgOrMXzCB2R8Xu7eAjpvAM-XE_A8YX8zM8PLF/s400/IMG_7665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352408438464664178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZTEi0XngmzZNJWAmysl4C9qEMM5vz8YBbmcRvUbo6p-ngRFe7kBOnxRVOGZu1dchbkHct0TDPmoE_gdHsts0tpSDY8hVmvMOmluVADtVBKYwNP_k4atNjj8lXJwevLfAfuC_mvjS4b5A/s1600-h/IMG_7666.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZTEi0XngmzZNJWAmysl4C9qEMM5vz8YBbmcRvUbo6p-ngRFe7kBOnxRVOGZu1dchbkHct0TDPmoE_gdHsts0tpSDY8hVmvMOmluVADtVBKYwNP_k4atNjj8lXJwevLfAfuC_mvjS4b5A/s400/IMG_7666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352411042668770242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLuO9jPYF80NIZmu8LMfMX-BwnJoXiUEXmcBsvPCDy6Ow8-8VXkd8E2uouvhGB1snIPoP0UHiEnXCmb0ypjMa-Vn9O_raLbHZ6OTOrmXVY7eXATHWPrpm-bRE1eb48QZsmXJvHttk3PEB/s1600-h/IMG_7668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLuO9jPYF80NIZmu8LMfMX-BwnJoXiUEXmcBsvPCDy6Ow8-8VXkd8E2uouvhGB1snIPoP0UHiEnXCmb0ypjMa-Vn9O_raLbHZ6OTOrmXVY7eXATHWPrpm-bRE1eb48QZsmXJvHttk3PEB/s400/IMG_7668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352410943700435346" border="0" /></a>It has been awhile since I have posted here. The past month has been so busy with fun and celebrations! Thank you Lord for fun and celebrations.<br /><br />Birthdays, 2 high school graduations, party to celebrate said graduation, Father's Day and of course the end of the school year celebrations for Jake and his class.<br /><br />Jake graduated from Pre-K and now it is off to kindergarten for Jake in September. Doesn't seem possible at all. As many of you know he has Developmental Delays and is part of the Special Education in school. So in order for us to get him the services he needs, we have to comply with the L.A. City School District.<br /><br />Jake going to Kindergarten is so scary for me because he is 4 and will not turn 5 until the end of November. That means his first semester he will be 4 NOT 5. Developmental Delays effect their level of maturity so putting him "ahead" does not make sense to me. The new teacher told me they are never to hold any back which was my request from the beginning. Because of the lack of maturity that comes with Jake's situation, I do not need him going to college at 17!<br /><br />It is a very frustrating process because you are one of many but to you, it is all about your child only. They told me he could do very well and move to first grade with no problems! Really? Move to first grade at 5 years old? The school district NEEDS the money so they do not hold kids back and lowered the kindergarten entry age to 4! Push them in push them out! It is the mentality like this one that has always driven me crazy with L.A. City Schools. I took Dante out after a miserable year in Kindergarten there and started homeschooling him in the first grade. I worked in the classroom 2 days a week and all I did was test the kids. The testing worn on them and they would cry when I would try to get answers from them. I just wanted to help teach them to read. I must say that the Lord did also put it on my heart to bring Dante home because I would have NEVER done it on my own. But with Jake, Eddie and I cannot afford the services he needs so in order for him to get them he has to stay in public school.<br /><br />I have decide to let him go and take it one semester at a time. The heart of a Mother is like a raging lion when her child's needs are at stake. I know I will through prayer get what Jake needs because I have faith that the Lord has his very mighty hand in this. All the signs show me that already. So for now I will continue to make peace with kindergarten in September. Take him to his speech therapy and keep a Mother's watchful eye on the class and the teacher. It is so much easier when they are little and gets a bit harder to get the services they need (even if they need them) as they get older. By the time they are 6 years old the district no longer recognizes developmental delays as a problem. NOW they start calling it "learning disabilities". UGH!!! All right? I figure they have reports hundreds of pages long that support that revelation, but to me I can't see what the difference is. And they are no longer considered the same and your child is basically just moved along unless some burning need arises.<br /><br />I get very emotionally involved and resort to prayer often. I can begin to feel powerless quickly otherwise. I think the not knowing how his class will be is the biggest part right now. When your child has delayed speech and cannot tell you all of what he needs to, it becomes a situation where you have to be right there in the middle to see so you can understand what he is communicating. Jake is doing well in speech but is still a year or more behind putting him at late 3 years old in his talking ability. We have moments when he will say a sentence crystal clear. It is always a time of celebration. We celebrate every victory no matter how big or small. So we celebrated his day at Pre-K with his 2 amazing teachers who he just ADORES. I think because these 2 women are so wonderful and he truly loves them, it makes it hard for Mom to let go too. I trust these women with my son, I know they love him and have always taken very good care of him in the almost 2 years he has been with them.<br /><br />Eddie and I showed Jake his new school and he cried and said "I want to go back to my school". :-( Poor guy. he asks for his teachers everyday. Thank you Lord for these 2 amazing women. They really care about these children and do everything they can to help us parents make the best choices for them. Both of them have been fighting with me to get Jake what he needs.<br /><br />Thank you Father for the Special Ed Teachers, they truly are wonderful advocates for our children.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,</span><br /><h3><span style="font-size:85%;">Colossians 1:3</span></h3>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-24081754753717276202009-05-20T08:40:00.000-07:002009-05-20T08:54:05.452-07:00CATCHING UPIt has been awhile since I last blogged here and I am sorry for being away so long.<br /><br />Since we last 'talked" I have been busy just doing life. I opened a new shop on Etsy called <a href="http://pixelrose.etsy.com">Pixel Rose</a>. I have been creating blog banners and background's for a while now. I became so curious as to "how to" on blogs. I saw so many blogs that looks personal and looked like you were coming into an extension of their home. The blog theme's I found were just not for me. <br /><br />After playing around with all this I started making my own themes and my own banner's for my Etsy shop. I guess I finally got the courage to put my creations up for sale. NOW, I am like a crazy person who just cannot stop making them! LOl I gues there are worst things in life to be addicted to. So when you can, I would like to invite you to my "open" house at Pixel Rose on etsy.com!<br /><br />I had a wonderful Mother's Day's. Eddie and the Boy's spoiled me! I had my breakfast in bed and watched a little morning t.v. (which I NEVER do). We went to church in the morning and to my Husband's sister's home for a visit and pizza in the afternoon. <br /><br />The boy's all played together and Terrin and I "played" in her new garden. This girl is SO creative! I always look forward to seeing her end projects because she has an eye for corners and walls like no one else I know. She turned this small front yard into a beautiful walk way with a great corner patio right out front at then end of the grass! We planted the flowers and there it was. This warm and inviting "coffee" spot! A perfect place to have some quiet with a cup of morning coffee.<br /><br />With my Mom at the table, my family and I enjoyed a simple dinner made by Dad. :)<br /><br />So let me know what you have been up to as I always love to hear from you!<br /><br />Love to all,<br />RitaRitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-68650139392073067562009-04-23T09:48:00.000-07:002009-04-23T09:58:57.536-07:00A LITTLE SHOT OF EASTER DAYI thought you might like to see the boys for a lighter blog today! Here are a few of our pictures from our backyard Easter egg hunt. Hope you enjoy them!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmww_GS5pAy8oChOBxgJvdyTs_LapbreEjWgfSBU0mrkZvxsE_ABQWoI-9MQY0_FuumjIy9_zlCnhA3_6FWnENSwNE8exL7zPYkGRe-HeFLUtwoeTHxe-AhXrB_LBnAPrtbJrFeG6MdqE/s1600-h/COPYIMG_7467.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmww_GS5pAy8oChOBxgJvdyTs_LapbreEjWgfSBU0mrkZvxsE_ABQWoI-9MQY0_FuumjIy9_zlCnhA3_6FWnENSwNE8exL7zPYkGRe-HeFLUtwoeTHxe-AhXrB_LBnAPrtbJrFeG6MdqE/s400/COPYIMG_7467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327929996185324594" border="0" /></a>My Guys.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgDISQkccUD4cGfMimmgA15clYmu6Dgc7osnKSHYmlmSxCw6OIuXdOc5oBP9VKDnU_9kzpbw1S9bkoMIjxUtRUCTYxq2y6wEMUKpf1oFK6trgXLkikcldoBhqERfAvYFOXFS_t8PgRVWw/s1600-h/IMG_7470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgDISQkccUD4cGfMimmgA15clYmu6Dgc7osnKSHYmlmSxCw6OIuXdOc5oBP9VKDnU_9kzpbw1S9bkoMIjxUtRUCTYxq2y6wEMUKpf1oFK6trgXLkikcldoBhqERfAvYFOXFS_t8PgRVWw/s400/IMG_7470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327929993954345602" border="0" /></a> Dante<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WFH1R4or05zLImRmaxQF-ZUxf6YxX_4saMHByZcVaB65a2bVR-3LvOVlOOjEDFYCiR7cbMtYz3wK0GZWfpAEHZhi7RXx3Jl2S-ZTV0NK08uDM2CNPC0Ac9jlCyxp1jaLxqIQuI_J2n8w/s1600-h/IMG_7472.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WFH1R4or05zLImRmaxQF-ZUxf6YxX_4saMHByZcVaB65a2bVR-3LvOVlOOjEDFYCiR7cbMtYz3wK0GZWfpAEHZhi7RXx3Jl2S-ZTV0NK08uDM2CNPC0Ac9jlCyxp1jaLxqIQuI_J2n8w/s400/IMG_7472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327929987852623026" border="0" /></a>Hey, what's this?<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN8b5KwrZCHS2iQReILxwMCSeKU0g_pfd-YikfHwz3ytiyOnp-RAa6j4Zdo2g3UkprjZwdzkCr-QkoZM2f1YXkS_4QacaOHf5rD59LbUmpMD-5PooZd_WTi5LhAWuQIxQeaU_e1m8iAm2/s1600-h/COPYIMG_7468.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN8b5KwrZCHS2iQReILxwMCSeKU0g_pfd-YikfHwz3ytiyOnp-RAa6j4Zdo2g3UkprjZwdzkCr-QkoZM2f1YXkS_4QacaOHf5rD59LbUmpMD-5PooZd_WTi5LhAWuQIxQeaU_e1m8iAm2/s400/COPYIMG_7468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327932032162761810" border="0" /></a>Run Jakey run!!!<br /></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-65705461730685138582009-04-17T10:53:00.000-07:002009-04-17T12:52:11.132-07:00THE TRUTH ABOUT TAX DAY TEA PARTY'S<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-QGYd6IaDTU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-QGYd6IaDTU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />At the end of this video you can see Eddie and I straight ahead in the crowd. Yes, we were there. We carried the American Flag and our signs stating that the SPENDING HAD TO STOP IN WDC.<br /><br />Over the last 2 days I have watched and laughed and been really angry at the news media and their "take" or as I affectionately call it "spin" about the events of April 15th.<br /><br />A while back groups of people got really angry about the so called economy stimulus bill and protested like the Colonist did back in 1773 in the Boston Harbor. Since then this idea has grown and grown.<br /><br />Now I am not an activist, a politician or even a "news" blogger. I am an American citizen who is being extremely effected by what is happening in the economy in our country today. My husband lost his job last June. Since that time he has been offered 4 jobs and ALL have fallen through. He has placed almost 100 resumes with NO response. Eddie is a VERY smart and talented guy with excellent qualifications. He is willing to take a drop in pay and a start back at the bottom of his career if he needs to. Still, no job. We live on unemployment and whatever I make from my 2 businesses (Monavie & Etsy store). Where I made $200.00 to $300.00 a week part-time online, I am now lucky if I earn $25.00 a month. But I am not only speaking of us, I am talking about this entire County. Many, many families have similar stories to tell.<br /><br />While our current Administration boast of "good" results from the out of control spending , thousands of people in every state are loosing jobs every month. Major corporations and long-time company's are closing their doors. This is why I braved 40-50 mile per hour winds at the ocean (Los Angeles) and a chilly 50 degree day at the beach (burrrrr) to carry my sign.<br /><br />Never have I ever been counseled to spend more of my money so I could "stimulate" my personal economy. Never have I been counseled to borrow from whom ever would lend to me. Instead, I cut back. I stop services. I work harder and take whatever is offered to me. I barter and I have lot's of garage sales! That is what I ask of my government. Cut back, stop borrowing, drop unnecessary services (pork!) and take some pay cuts yourself!<br /><br />Instead, they are making money! Yea, right of the press! That lowers the value of our current dollar. They attack people who have money and are doing well?? What is that about? Is that not what capitalism is all about? I say God Bless them! Keep it up! And now we have to help stop the "stink" in a state that "suffers" from the stink of pig!! Really? Unbelievable.<br /><br />The media reports were a joke. Instead of thousands of people turning up, they report a "few" hundred. Instead of the TRUE protest signs, they showed the ones attacking Obama. Instead of taking us seriously, they made fun of us, called us terrorist, said we were "unwarranted" in our complaints! Nancy Pelosi said the we are not a "grass roots" movement started by everyday American people but a"astro turf" movement backed by BIG money on the "right winged" side! LOL LOL LOL Nancy, you are so wrong.<br /><br />This was not started by BIG money, Fox News or talk radio. It WAS however supported by Fox News and talk radio because if you loose touch with the people, you loose your audience i.e. MSNBC.<br /><br />There you have it. This is all coming from everyday American's just like me. I pray the direction and the control on spending happens quick becaus living like this is not only hard it is frightening. I have 2 boys. <br /><br />Maybe we can start a prayer chain for each other where we pray everyday for businesses to grow, record numbers of people no longer unemployed and a responsible handling of our money by out government. I know if we stick together and help each other as we are all doing, things will only get better. I would love to pray for you. Leave me your request.<br /><br />Until next time........Vintage Heart 2http://www.blogger.com/profile/11282823463138516623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-75161033537990359832009-04-14T15:38:00.000-07:002009-04-14T15:39:37.742-07:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALEIGH<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4f4463314e5451794d773d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: HALEIGH BIRTHDAY BOOK" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4f4463314e5451794d773d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/scrapbooks" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox scrapbook</a></td></tr></table>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-28821136945723377172009-04-07T18:14:00.000-07:002009-04-07T19:11:02.729-07:00KERNVILLE FISHING DERBY...AND OTHER THINGS TOO!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEc3IttKrcZm4EdZXfKRHlSJM6-IZyDkocL4EVNVGRR2VMnW17P3C4xbHRIBzOselzzimi_0TMB4dUvKByIYRiFAc7029T_ICIkNjv0_ZU0DRzPTgtHHyBAOZ5P_e-EkR1EPRfqu8O3AT/s1600-h/IMG_7434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEc3IttKrcZm4EdZXfKRHlSJM6-IZyDkocL4EVNVGRR2VMnW17P3C4xbHRIBzOselzzimi_0TMB4dUvKByIYRiFAc7029T_ICIkNjv0_ZU0DRzPTgtHHyBAOZ5P_e-EkR1EPRfqu8O3AT/s400/IMG_7434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322123745396984482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Dante, Jake & Haleigh</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend was the 20th Annual Fishing Derby up in Kernville, Ca. We have never gone before so this was really a treat.<br /><br />Eddie loves to fish and when her heard the fish were tagged with prize money, well he just loved it even more!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Both days Debra (she owns the home we stay in when we are there) had everyone out the door by 6ish..that would be A.M. in case you were wondering.</span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28GKTWjZ9_tAe2fBptVl7CQKA5neTLqaWZSwnCXvU9CnFiVehMuH2FxszjcLSxq01N_Eln4PAAMINtPWRhB6uFAugPek8L-JHVZ740bvfjlqHMYILWY8XKJD3AdvYyOwNTyud0Zixxsi9/s1600-h/IMG_7417.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28GKTWjZ9_tAe2fBptVl7CQKA5neTLqaWZSwnCXvU9CnFiVehMuH2FxszjcLSxq01N_Eln4PAAMINtPWRhB6uFAugPek8L-JHVZ740bvfjlqHMYILWY8XKJD3AdvYyOwNTyud0Zixxsi9/s400/IMG_7417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322123531101692114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Debra's got her list!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Debra is always organized and ALWAYS has the most fun stuff planned for the kids. She is a big kid herself and they just LOVE her. She is also just the best chef around so you KNOW we had the greatest food all weekend. Of course we all look it now!<br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4Og7lDMaxg7oeh2SF3QpqdnRyLpV7OBeJf6AURs2AftlLHmHBwLI64IU6Yd3dCwjNwSxiNrtEEgnS7O2K6HHpzdZ4SYVtQ59DUYzyIKAzhRxDvy7qGreJdFGQjdzaS00CFHt_Qal0iFL/s1600-h/IMG_7429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4Og7lDMaxg7oeh2SF3QpqdnRyLpV7OBeJf6AURs2AftlLHmHBwLI64IU6Yd3dCwjNwSxiNrtEEgnS7O2K6HHpzdZ4SYVtQ59DUYzyIKAzhRxDvy7qGreJdFGQjdzaS00CFHt_Qal0iFL/s400/IMG_7429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322123531757977938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jake being...well, Jake!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Later in the morning they came back to the house and picked Jake up so he could go and have some fun too. He is such a goob! Of course he loved it. But now I have to explain to him that we only eat the fish in the lake, not our 2 fish in our bowls at home! The fish are safe...for now!<br /></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFA3fB0FYedaaMFYLaN3xJNYRqyoe9i6XWSQzHefZpCxsssuOW_-AeIsLfFUBrOuIu8yGvMknA05OtJrhlqiJ10FsT8Y23Hs6TJtaubMC__Qvw2brDZYmM9ENG6J1qMjFRU7ZpuCJn535/s1600-h/IMG_7418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFA3fB0FYedaaMFYLaN3xJNYRqyoe9i6XWSQzHefZpCxsssuOW_-AeIsLfFUBrOuIu8yGvMknA05OtJrhlqiJ10FsT8Y23Hs6TJtaubMC__Qvw2brDZYmM9ENG6J1qMjFRU7ZpuCJn535/s400/IMG_7418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322123533314434978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Haleigh had a great time too.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">My beautiful Haleigh will be 13 next week. Can't hardly believe it! She loved the Derby and fished like a pro! You go Haleigh girl!!<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Happy Birthday Honey</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">. :)</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstXPxnFa6JLbSUHu71bRQd6IXF4hBvpYc3A-noEu5-OqiKqKMgGK8Me5mnG2965U_vflgjh0Vh3KBphWbKcOaC2gV56mZxq36CALsIRTbqisIe53HmcLeKrViEfWfHhVg-xbp7AOi599H/s1600-h/IMG_7449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstXPxnFa6JLbSUHu71bRQd6IXF4hBvpYc3A-noEu5-OqiKqKMgGK8Me5mnG2965U_vflgjh0Vh3KBphWbKcOaC2gV56mZxq36CALsIRTbqisIe53HmcLeKrViEfWfHhVg-xbp7AOi599H/s400/IMG_7449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322123529505731298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Daddy & Jake<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Eddie is such a great sport. As much as he loves to fish I was told<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (because I stayed home...6 am..really? NO!)</span></span> he made sure everyone's pole was ready with those gross things that are alive on each one...bait. Yuck. I do love fishing too but someone had to stay home and well do something?<br /><br />They fished both days and the only thing they caught was Eddie's hat! It flew off his head and they all started going for it in the lake! Ahhhhh, so funny. Oh yea, and they caught a dead fish that was not tagged with the big money. Oh, well, there is always next year!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">If you are reading this through your email, you might want to go to the blog so you can see all the fun pictures!</span><br /><br />We had a fun day with a baby sparrow that fell onto Debra's deck. Sweet little guy got his "foot" caught in the deck so I used a stick to help him get himself out. Apparently he was dazed because he did not fly away or even move. we sat around him and watched him for a long time. The kids loved being so close to a wild bird. Eventually he started walking around and just looking at us, wondering who or what we were. Eddie got a long stick and helped him jump on but instead the little guy jumped on Eddie's pants and just hung on! Eddie finally got him into a tree using the stick. Later when we checked on him he was not there. We hoped that he got his wings going and flew home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDBeWSRW3Bus5cmWReiSrv2cFYkR-f8zMvhwO_ntMs6Ysvw8cuUqJjXk97wfUqJFFP1n6h6849xHjhZcIAu-RPuGkIdQMJSLKPYxK4grV-V-e3DpZjEyHRO1npkXVdMIOd9zy1XK1c95r/s1600-h/IMG_7374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDBeWSRW3Bus5cmWReiSrv2cFYkR-f8zMvhwO_ntMs6Ysvw8cuUqJjXk97wfUqJFFP1n6h6849xHjhZcIAu-RPuGkIdQMJSLKPYxK4grV-V-e3DpZjEyHRO1npkXVdMIOd9zy1XK1c95r/s400/IMG_7374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322135012808752738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Bk9rp5ATj1SNbNs-a3Fjquxgjhmo-1Gt8craBHx9EVwXc1l8FmDPmWZE6R7oXaIqXRpxjuWYiD7_zHN3h3RP2rrZoyNcwqIYnBsObKGSY6YT7tyy6v1vuejKo5kzaLuYCo3FRhY20nX/s1600-h/IMG_7386.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Bk9rp5ATj1SNbNs-a3Fjquxgjhmo-1Gt8craBHx9EVwXc1l8FmDPmWZE6R7oXaIqXRpxjuWYiD7_zHN3h3RP2rrZoyNcwqIYnBsObKGSY6YT7tyy6v1vuejKo5kzaLuYCo3FRhY20nX/s400/IMG_7386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322135011232966530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLZygVX7sxXzzbzmWNgWL8CBcqavucjUFQOngFlmW6diQdBrOdNwi83VmQulG6RC39RwGXdZ7JVLJrPIBKD83k2coGbebSPESt8f54QbUv6x6H-ld0yClxuIBOsbPmRvDwmNceGbT5iNF/s1600-h/IMG_7395.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLZygVX7sxXzzbzmWNgWL8CBcqavucjUFQOngFlmW6diQdBrOdNwi83VmQulG6RC39RwGXdZ7JVLJrPIBKD83k2coGbebSPESt8f54QbUv6x6H-ld0yClxuIBOsbPmRvDwmNceGbT5iNF/s400/IMG_7395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322135017132253170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ZiPatilE4yiF7nQ-uYo0OhxshfPghJ4Fam8a1hTHYp7CobQltrSaBoYK85AFfUaCjNRugvcA7utFUg6Bc9zPIWDejJxoavHVAdb2LJ6vTGPors7sOjQYLJKSlqmE2dapOjC3OL70Qfc/s1600-h/IMG_7401.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ZiPatilE4yiF7nQ-uYo0OhxshfPghJ4Fam8a1hTHYp7CobQltrSaBoYK85AFfUaCjNRugvcA7utFUg6Bc9zPIWDejJxoavHVAdb2LJ6vTGPors7sOjQYLJKSlqmE2dapOjC3OL70Qfc/s400/IMG_7401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322135016644861906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFlgt1Ik6IbBdT4oBRTAfi15OyPrOaTd0JUt8HDVZU5Cn_9xdK3qU4Sh5N5AvZg2kmnNARCS5XRP-KyeBh12fguOham2rsAZmceQ_xMY5UFHkTLUwoAG8b7P9Cfa49J8kWDPgIalaGweU/s1600-h/IMG_7406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFlgt1Ik6IbBdT4oBRTAfi15OyPrOaTd0JUt8HDVZU5Cn_9xdK3qU4Sh5N5AvZg2kmnNARCS5XRP-KyeBh12fguOham2rsAZmceQ_xMY5UFHkTLUwoAG8b7P9Cfa49J8kWDPgIalaGweU/s400/IMG_7406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322135021633430274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Until next time..........</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-28733492304617193052009-03-31T07:53:00.000-07:002009-03-31T09:47:38.145-07:00A BALANCE CALLED LOVE<span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;">"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;">1 Corinthians 8:1b</span><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" >How true is that verse! I blog about Jake most of the time. He is always giving me material to write about.<br /></span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Having a child with Developmental Delays can be tough so</span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">me days so I arm myself with knowledge. What to do when this or that happens, etc. My Bible verses also are very important because they teach me, calm me and "arm" me with knowledge also. Bu</span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">t, this verse (1 Corinthians 8:1b) keeps me focused on what</span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is most important. Love.<br /></span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a parent I am aware that my Boys need to be taught and shown what is right and what is wrong. In the day-to-day life it seems I spend most of my time doing just that. but this verse reminds me of what, as a Mom, is the most important of all because disciple without love is painful for the child. They feel things about themselves a parent never wants their child to feel. The more I seek that balance the happier my kids seem </span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to be.</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am learning to laugh more and let more just "roll" of me. Keeping with this new philosophy, I take pause before I say anything to my boys now.....well at least I do when I remember! LOL</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saturday afternoon Jake was playing outside in the backyard. He LOVES bugs and dirt. What fun when you are a boy. He also knows how much I love to garden </span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and how much I love flowers.</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After he had been out there for about an hour, he came running in yelling for me to close my eyes and come and see! He had filled up my watering pitcher with dirt and picked flowers from my garden. The he arranged the flowers in that pitcher making Mommy a special recipe!</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My Husband said, "please do not be mad when you see</span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> what he has done". The mess was horrendous!</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a walked out the backdoor, I saw it. The sweetest, most thought</span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ful gift Jake could have ever done. It was SO well done! I a</span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">m not saying that because he is my son, I mean it was very well done. Jake said it was his"recipe"! LOL Yes it was.</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And there is was, my verse: </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c9YpSPeSrWmRbCgg-yaIZs0OAy4uk9p-yxg3-4t0HcEZg61FSmqhg_wTGfYGSogLsTvHF2J-5N9oC803l38H6G-H9J9o2ATAK8F2qZH1gf0BZq0EYPTXqfdfSQh2G5j0THICb3ubcRU5/s1600-h/IMG_7363.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c9YpSPeSrWmRbCgg-yaIZs0OAy4uk9p-yxg3-4t0HcEZg61FSmqhg_wTGfYGSogLsTvHF2J-5N9oC803l38H6G-H9J9o2ATAK8F2qZH1gf0BZq0EYPTXqfdfSQh2G5j0THICb3ubcRU5/s400/IMG_7363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319392986470608402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxc2qPB8WzuWAu_qhM0rne6FcoFvymMOb2URh8N6Ja9xkrW7BwF2Y3gccoG6ovAYUZ0AMN06uQB7Dt-eX__4d1ClIcnYhuwwGvqdaUhTGFhNxJ80sHadchbeJ_GFTk6XUQt9Up6lIwFf4/s1600-h/IMG_7364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxc2qPB8WzuWAu_qhM0rne6FcoFvymMOb2URh8N6Ja9xkrW7BwF2Y3gccoG6ovAYUZ0AMN06uQB7Dt-eX__4d1ClIcnYhuwwGvqdaUhTGFhNxJ80sHadchbeJ_GFTk6XUQt9Up6lIwFf4/s400/IMG_7364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319392979895704354" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;">"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;">1 Corinthians 8:1b</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;">Love builds up, it certainly does. I am so th</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;">ankful for all the help and reminders God, you and Jake give me on a regular basis to remember that love builds it does not destroy!<br /></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span> </p>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-88729960365130959232009-03-20T12:22:00.000-07:002009-03-26T07:43:43.889-07:00EUREKA!!! DID WE FIND IT??????<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlv9zhS47KTXw72R7ogLry5sL4NNqx6gCvFN4ruhyi8KfmM3qjlBz_ZsoBWWS2R06kKrTOvRcAxcyGe9RfNnQA6UtXI7kGN70DHk1UYlEwcvYG7x8eP4Yu7zzLPGdy7vITPRc2kccDwuD/s1600-h/IMG_7337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlv9zhS47KTXw72R7ogLry5sL4NNqx6gCvFN4ruhyi8KfmM3qjlBz_ZsoBWWS2R06kKrTOvRcAxcyGe9RfNnQA6UtXI7kGN70DHk1UYlEwcvYG7x8eP4Yu7zzLPGdy7vITPRc2kccDwuD/s320/IMG_7337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315353284928158514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxJ4QHqSgJv2xv0eSamVUwKNYFWudBZgZYn-3udiXPg1xpHmbl8pLUUd-RoxW8-8B8jyfFZ693Zz3_-QwF5qEBAmrU00EN-DN5RfNZ-m9VtGOduEY_y1JSo2QdA6HcahPL8Kr0q1qfVj2/s1600-h/IMG_7335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxJ4QHqSgJv2xv0eSamVUwKNYFWudBZgZYn-3udiXPg1xpHmbl8pLUUd-RoxW8-8B8jyfFZ693Zz3_-QwF5qEBAmrU00EN-DN5RfNZ-m9VtGOduEY_y1JSo2QdA6HcahPL8Kr0q1qfVj2/s320/IMG_7335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315353284457407154" border="0" /></a><br />We FINALLY broke down and put a lock on Jake's door. It is a bolt lock that twist from the outside. He can never get locked in but we can lock it from the outside. It is very safe and very simple. We lock it when we go to sleep and he calls us if he needs us. He is no longer up and running around the house by himself in the middle of the night!! After ALL my frustrating attempts at everything else, it works!! The first night he fussed about it and then nothing. That was all. He just says goodnight Mommy and goes to bed! WOW, who knew?? Now when he wakes up he calls my name and I go get him. AND for some reason, he is sleeping later too which is good for everyone. He is sleeping better and happier all day long!<br /><br />SO, are we done yet!!! NO!!!!<br /><br />We put a different gate that is very tall on the laundry room doorway to keep the dog back there and stop her from roaming the house with her clicking nails all night long. Guess what? It works too! Even my little senile dog is sleeping better...aaaawwwwww.<br /><br />Does this mean I am done yet? NO!!!!<br /><br />Ok, so this morning I got Jake up and put him in bed with me. For whatever his reasons he did not feel like today! I told him he could go back to his room and play but could not go anywhere else. He decided to not heed my instructions and instead ran off to find the dog. SOMEHOW he managed to open the little doggy door on the gate, (which by the way, was locked?) and crawl through! HE CRAWLED THROUGH the doggy door on the gate and hid in the back bathroom with the dog who started clicking all over the floor with her nails!!! UGH!<br /><br />I still cannot figure out how Jake did that. Those of you who know him know he is not a small guy. He is cute and round!! LOL But he did, he wiggled his way through that doggy door and was so proud of himself too!!! Oh my gosh!!! What a character!! We really thought we had him this time!! LOL .......... Eddie and I just lost it! We laughed so hard!! But quietly so as not to let Jake know we thought it was funny. He is just too amazing! How DOES he do that?<br /><br />Dear Lord,<br />PLEASE let Jake grow up to be an amazing and bright boy, teenager and man who uses the beautiful gifts you have given him for GOOD ONLY!!!!<br />Amen!<br /><br />LOL!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-52693490900972083372009-03-14T14:00:00.000-07:002009-03-14T14:39:45.481-07:00JAKE STRIKES AGAIN!!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmlIsbtUevw17PrZAAv5-HfiCS_Y3ivnQ6BLEN8tUINC6lYIG1ozLIluIDCcPzaGTHFZLXyh9iyzaSSkMJA2wWRC40RE9UKsYqh2_S8vWGU1If0NupaNOgKOJ4Jl2qjeQW7heg3JTQdmX/s1600-h/2008-10-19+at+17-10-20.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmlIsbtUevw17PrZAAv5-HfiCS_Y3ivnQ6BLEN8tUINC6lYIG1ozLIluIDCcPzaGTHFZLXyh9iyzaSSkMJA2wWRC40RE9UKsYqh2_S8vWGU1If0NupaNOgKOJ4Jl2qjeQW7heg3JTQdmX/s320/2008-10-19+at+17-10-20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313156368630356434" border="0" /></a><br />Imagine you are in a deep and peaceful sleep. Then, out of nowhere......WHAM!!! Jake strikes again!!<br /><br />Of I go into the dark hallway looking for him. I KNOW I heard him, I also heard our senile dogs pitter patter of her nails on the hardwood floor. THAT is never a good sign because it means she is NOT in the kitchen. The only way that happens, is Master Jake has struck again.<br /><br />The strange thing I noticed this time, is that Jake's door to his room was closed and the blanket we put on the floor at his door (the door bottom is high in case a carpet is ever put in) to block the light was in place. Snoop Mom is on the case. I go into the dining room and there is the dog. She is walking in circles (because she is senile and has no real idea where she is going) in an attempt to hide I imagine from that crazy little boy who keeps telling me he just wants to help Sissey escape! Off to bed with her. The problem is, in her little senile mind she is not going back to bed, she is going somehwre, anywhere! Now I am spending 10 minutes putting the dog back into her bed 20 times. Then the real snooping begins. Where is Jake??<br /><br />After looking in all the usual places like under the dining room table, the living room and behind the couch, I heard a strange noise coming from the laundry room area. Lo and behold, there he was, hiding behind the back bathroom door gigling. UGH!!!! That Boy!!!!<br /><br />Off I go with Jake in tow back to his bed. All the usual instruction said, "DON'T get out of bed, DON'T go into the kitchen and DON'T TOUCH the dog!" Within minutes, the sound of Jake's bedroom door hits my ears and we are both off and running down the hallway again in the dark of the night.<br /><br />Now, believe me when I tell you that we are doing ALL the things that all of you have suggested. For example, we used bungee cords to hold the door so he could open it but not open it enough to wiggle through. He almost tossed the dresser the cords were attached to. Toss that idea out.<br /><br />Next, we put up the old baby gate that LOCKS, in his doorway so when he opened his door at 4 AM, he could see out but could not get out. Well, never one to be held back, Jake just piled a bunch of toy boxes and crawled (at 3:30 AM) over the top of the gate. By the way, this is NOT a short gate. We really thought we had him. I almost had a good night sleep that night thinking he is safe in his room. Silly me! Toss that idea, not safe.<br /><br />We even tried having Eddie sleep on the couch to send a message to Jake (consistancy ya know) that Mom and Dad aren't going to take it anymore!!! Silly us!! Toss that idea out.<br /><br />Those are just a couple of the things we have tried. It was suggest that we get a dutch door for his room but we are afraid he will just climb that too. Unless we put barbed wire but then DCFS will haul us off to jail! LOL Just kidding!!!<br /><br />Finally, we are going to have to go to our last resort. One we both hate but are at a loss to do anything else. We are going to put a chain lock on the outside of the door. He can open and see out but cannot do anything more. The goal is to keep him in his room and safe. He will yell and wake us up, but at least I know he won't get hurt.<br /><br />There you have it. My day or night in the life with Jake (just this week). Even with all of this he is still the funniest, smartest and strongest little 4 year old there is. <br /><br />Pray for us, PLEASE!!!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-56722463882246719182009-03-07T21:42:00.000-08:002009-03-07T21:42:05.239-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-tFvpjOZqpeXFNv6w613v0CJi2kD1F5dtJWq8Bg84jEKjTvwhJsEXRsHuZGPlVUsIbdRaf0jwoHiZxCyKXrfZtIKas1i4dzY3xnWJLjk6m4dXoMa7iEHeTwp6qTUFvywEra7ewoRavkC/s1600-h/IMG_7270.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-tFvpjOZqpeXFNv6w613v0CJi2kD1F5dtJWq8Bg84jEKjTvwhJsEXRsHuZGPlVUsIbdRaf0jwoHiZxCyKXrfZtIKas1i4dzY3xnWJLjk6m4dXoMa7iEHeTwp6qTUFvywEra7ewoRavkC/s400/IMG_7270.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;" /></a> Today's Humming Bird Photo!<div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-68842029129208814472009-03-07T18:30:00.000-08:002009-03-08T12:00:59.519-07:00BECAUSE PATIENCE IS MORE THAN ENDURANCEOne of my favorite daily devotional's is by <a href="http://www.myutmost.org/"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">OSWALD CHAMBERS. </span></span></a><br />I found his book on a sale table at a book store a few years ago and brought it home. I didn't know anything about him, just his name. Little did I know that this little book would change me from the inside out.<br /><br />There are many favorite "days" in the book that I highlight with <span style="font-style: italic;">read often.</span> One of my favorite's is May 8, <span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="font-style: italic;">THE PATIENCE OF FAITH. </b> The writing of the day (cira 1900) was strong and direct about everything related to our person relationship with the Lord. This day is no different.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May 8</span> ~ </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says - "I cannot stand any more." God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets it fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. "Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him."<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /></span>I am the "saint" that he is quoting in that paragraph! LOL This past 18 months has really tested my endurance AND faith. Eddie on disability, running through ALL our savings and retirement (I guess that one is looking good in todays economy)<span style="font-style: italic;">, </span>then no money for 8 weeks, finally unemployment and the shock of what they ended up giving us to live on, and now still no job start date on the horizon after being told he "got the job". You can say that my faith has taken a BIG ride.<br /><br />I love the part where Oswald says that "<span style="font-style: italic;">He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight". </span>Man, I hope His purpose is in sight soon! LOL<br /><br />Faith and the endurance it takes to keep on that path was easy until November when we lost the disibility benefits. Well, maybe easy in comparison to now. It was tight, but we were doing ok. The REAL walk of faith has been since that time until now.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to venture our all in abandoned confidence in Him." </span>Mmmmm, what an order, help me to go through with it because some days are harder than others. Some days I throw myself into my kids, house, work and other days I sleep a lot. Either way, I am focusing on what I believe will be the exciting conclusion to my story! I have been down plenty of time before and God has ALWAYS kept his promises. I know he will now too. It is just hard some days to keep that in the front line of my thinking. Maybe that is what faith is????? Not the fear of how will I feed my kids, not the frustration of today being just like yesterday, but knowing that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tommorrow and so are his promises. I just have to keep my head in the middle, between the beginning and the end, no promise goes unkept. So I focus on the promises so that I don't fail in my faith.<br /><br />Yesterday at the grocery store of all places, I picked up a new book. A little pocket book called <span style="font-style: italic;">The NLT Bible Promise Book. </span>Just in the nick of time!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Patience ~ The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled. <span style="font-size:85%;">Romans 15:4<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank you Lord for NEVER leaving me or forsaking me even when I deserve it.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></span>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-76237347911765743072009-03-03T08:34:00.001-08:002009-03-03T08:53:27.162-08:00JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMVP7Xko9KP82JgQkiH8bj-3Qv6iQtDdSHBhba5FsIc9Y84Ba1zlcRpIfIrMW9e4L4XgI0MhMkhPwz0bpHKYD4MSjFm7Rh2Ueak5UbcVDaMac7GCnm_NLxg2W2JstxvAROjiizG5dm8ta/s1600-h/IMG_7235.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMVP7Xko9KP82JgQkiH8bj-3Qv6iQtDdSHBhba5FsIc9Y84Ba1zlcRpIfIrMW9e4L4XgI0MhMkhPwz0bpHKYD4MSjFm7Rh2Ueak5UbcVDaMac7GCnm_NLxg2W2JstxvAROjiizG5dm8ta/s320/IMG_7235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309004084850311202" border="0" /></a><br />I'm sorry it has been so long since I have posted here. I got hit sideways with this ugly cold that is going around. Now, I have been sick with colds before, but I have never felt like I was not going to get up again!!! I have been in bed off and on for 2 weeks now. Nasty, nasty, nasty respiratory icky germ going around people! Wear your masks... LOL<br /><br />Many of you know that Eddie heard back from a company he interviewed with. Well, we are STILL waiting for a start date! Crazy huh? Meanwhile, he got a lead on another job that just might be a good one too. I still feel like we are living in the "hurry up and wait" zone. That is the crazy part of our lives this past 18 months. EVERYTHING is taking so long. I know, God is in control. :)<br /><br />Jake has been relatively the same lately. Still bugging the dog, trying to run the house and tell us all what to do! LOL Oh my gosh he is so funny. He is doing well in speech therapy. He started last month and seems to like the therapist which is a step in the right direction.<br /><br />Jake and I love hummingbirds. We have this crazy game we seem to be loosing with them where Jake whispers, "hungging ber Mamama". I then run and grab my camera and off we go trying to capture these beauties in flight. We feed them and they also love the flowers we have around too. Here is one of the most recent pictures we were able to get. Not that great but I am challenged and on a mission to get the best photo I can!!!Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-62978761360850238762009-02-17T15:46:00.000-08:002009-02-17T16:13:04.177-08:00"Because I asked the LORD for him." 1 Samuel 1:20<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtQ-f9DTak9VlbGGakx_-I-WDm0Cl2yWNawmtVxHbjsm3OdUXgs2gKfukJutUvddClI_CBqxHkfbyNp3nTXM9EYwrQ3etNSEpUCXFu-AGnzIBAaxIG5XOthmE7IfYDWU5U7rOD8Uqmd-X/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.53857851.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtQ-f9DTak9VlbGGakx_-I-WDm0Cl2yWNawmtVxHbjsm3OdUXgs2gKfukJutUvddClI_CBqxHkfbyNp3nTXM9EYwrQ3etNSEpUCXFu-AGnzIBAaxIG5XOthmE7IfYDWU5U7rOD8Uqmd-X/s320/il_fullxfull.53857851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303921858352427666" border="0" /></a><br />I was window shopping on Etsy.com today, when I came across a seller who makes the most unusual but lovely plaques. Her seller name is <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20016513">redletterwords</a>. </span>They are 12x12 and 3/4" wide. Hang them, set them on a shelf, etc........ I became so touched by her work because it is simple but elegant. She uses Bible verses along with other text.<br /><br />As I looked at all her designs, I came across one that REALLY set me back!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">I Prayed for this Child and the Lord granted what I asked of Him. (1 Samuel 1:20)</span><br /><br />WELL!!!!!!!<br /><br />That hit me pretty hard. I have been whining, crying and struggling with Jake and his unwillingness to stop doing the things we ask him to stop doing. Most are about manners, etc. The biggies are what he thinks is fun to do like showering the dog, hiding her poo (my personal favorite), playing with his toys in the dining room at 3 am. Reading that verse took my breath away because, you see, I DID pray for this boy. And yes, the Lord gave him to me.<br /><br />Oh how I love the word of God. It is fresh air to me all of the time. How cool is our Lord that he got my attention window shopping!!! Aaaaahhhhhhhh, I love it! LOL I love my Jakey too. No one lights up a room the way he does, no one can laugh as hard or as great as he, and I love him because I prayed and my Lord granted what I asked for. Thank you Jesus.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-51867936059249648742009-02-14T07:36:00.001-08:002009-02-14T08:54:53.543-08:00HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAYLove is in the air...........<br /><br />On this special day where we stop for a moment from our busy schedules to think about the people in our lives we love, I thought that I would share this amazing story from a business associate of mine. I had a whole different idea about what I would post today, but as it says on my sidebar...As for me and my blog, we will serve the Lord!!<br /><br />This was written by my friend Mimi from <a href="http://mimisrosechenilleboutique.blogspot.com/">Mimi's Chenille Boutique</a>.<br /><br /><em>I want to tell you about a very special friend of mine, who made me smile and laugh! She was very special to me, you knew you could always count on her when you were down, when you needed a cup of sugar and just wanted to share a cup of coffee with in the morning, or anytime! Her name was Agnes, "Ag" as we all called her! She could make you laugh even when your heart was blue or aching. She was my best friend! You always know when you meet someone you just "click" with and this was true for me! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I moved to North Carolina in 1996, not by choosing, but because of my husband's job being eliminated due to "base closures" when Clinton was in office! Oh, I didn't want to move, we had built our life, our home and memories in Virginia, but we had no choice! My husband had 8 years left before he could retire, my daughter, who was 16 at the time, still had college to attend and we knew couldn't send her to college without relocating and getting the retirement he had worked so hard for! So we moved! It was dreadful, in a new place, where we knew no one, had to make friends again and try to fit in! While we settled, bought an old house built in 1890, just to keep me and my mind occupied while I renovated and redecorated! </em><br /><br /><em>Well, about a year later, I hear all this commotion across the street, boy, were they loud! I thought to myself, "oh, great" what kind of neighbors are we getting!! Well, it was Ag and Kenny, they were from New Jersey and had rented the house from the previous couple who had renovated it and moved to another part of the city! Little did I know at the time, she would be one of my best friends! She was Italian, talked with a "Jersey" accent and said what she had to say! They were wonderful neighbors, we became very good friends, traveled, antiqued, dined and even had a "luau" party! They had bought property and Kenny was going to build a house on the land they had purchased! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Ag and I had so much fun looking for antique pieces to use in their new house! One day, we went antiquing and stopped at this little place, we found a gorgeous oak fireplace surround and an antique white iron bed! Well, actually I found the bed, and she oohed and aahed, asked me "Deb, you want this bed" (I have four bedrooms upstairs, anyway, I said "no, I don't", so she got it. It went into her new house in Bath! Every time I saw that bed, I drooled, but it was perfect for them! We always joked about it, because I told her more than once, I could kick myself for not getting, and she would say, "you had your chance, it's mine now!". We had so many wonderful times and I truly miss her! You see, she died on her birthday of cancer, after loosing her wonderful husband and friend, to pancreatic cancer, only five months before, not even suspecting she had cancer!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>So, I dedicate this heart to my friend Ag, and wanted you to know the story behind this heart! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I was on eBay looking for beautiful crocheted doilies and roses. I emailed one of the sellers to ask a question about her beautiful work. Add a bit of info about me and she emailed back, told me she had a sister who lived where I do, mentioned their names and I also most fell over, it was Ag's sister! What fate it was, she is now my friend, though lives in another state, and </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5749104"><em>crochets the most beautiful things, you can find her on etsy!</em></a><br /><br />There is more and you can see the rest on Mimi's blog.<br /><br />Watching the Lord work in such powerful ways in our lives is my favorite part of day-to-day life. Thank you Father for your love, your grace and for this very special day where we can remember you and the amazing heart you have for us!<br /><br />Call the people in your life today who mean so much to you and let them know how much you care.<br />With all my love to all of you.....A very HAPPY DAY OF LOVE<br /><br />xoxoxoRitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-55492267053380928962009-02-12T12:43:00.001-08:002009-02-12T13:54:59.543-08:00WHAT NOW???????<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKtE7XX8E1eR1uyH3KmagYesMdDzxfWOJn0ksMZWxHVnJIQuLZu6b_MAFEMRECdsWanO5G79R7lRdwlN3_0t8GfwTvxZsqWkQ2Mry9DuJmOqYUvme_KaM90a_jb3BOi8znFMbC7wWVomH/s1600-h/2008-10-19+at+14-54-55.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKtE7XX8E1eR1uyH3KmagYesMdDzxfWOJn0ksMZWxHVnJIQuLZu6b_MAFEMRECdsWanO5G79R7lRdwlN3_0t8GfwTvxZsqWkQ2Mry9DuJmOqYUvme_KaM90a_jb3BOi8znFMbC7wWVomH/s320/2008-10-19+at+14-54-55.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302026255617863138" border="0" /></a><br />I have been blogging for awhile now. I THOUGHT I was going to blog about everything in our lives. Eddie, the kids, friends, places we go, blah blah blah. It has become pretty clear to me that I blog about Jake 90% of the time. Now don't get me wrong, he is funny and does some of the most bizarre things but this AM takes the cake...or maybe it runs a close first place next to trying to get the dog in the shower with him so they could "clean up" at the crack of dawn!<br /><br />Ok, I am shaking off a bug right now, bad headache, chills...the whole deal. This morning Eddie got up with Jake which he rarely does, so I could sleep. That means Eddie has no idea what to expect when he reaches the kitchen or livingroom first thing. he has no idea what to look for or where to look for it first thing in the sunrise of morning.<br /><br />It seems like it is every morning that I end up disciplining Jake and sending him to his room because he is playing in the kitchen with our sinile dog Sissey, who thinks my livingroom carpet is the backyard grass (if you get my meaning). Now fast forward to about 10 am this morning. All of a sudden I heard Eddie yell..."NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Jake of course ran and hid because he KNEW what he had done. Apparently, Jake (once again) went into the kitchen before dawn. In an attempt to set Sissey free, he moved the doorway blocks (chairs, etc.) that keep Sissey in the kitchen and let her out into the living room and eventually to my rug. Being senile, she is thinking my living room rug was the grass...you guessed it.....she did her <span style="font-weight: bold;">business</span> right there on my carpet!!! UGH. I must be getting through to Jake because he knew he or Sissey or both of them were now in trouble with Mom. So Jake decided to hide Sissey's poo himself. But where????? Mmmmm..... I know he thought........<span style="font-weight: bold;">IN MY CLOTHES DRIER WITH MY <span style="font-style: italic;">CLEAN</span> CLOTHES!@%$#%$#^&%%<br /><br />WHAT </span><span style="font-size:100%;">am I going to do with this child????????? Eddie just lost his mind! Jake of course eventually came out of hiding and when Eddie told him (the same thing I say everyday) not to let the dog out, stay in your bed and of course, DON't touch the dog mess!!! Jake just said "Oh?".</span><br /><br />What is left for me to say? Either I need or Jake needs therapy. I'll let you know what I figure out.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8142157602288336399.post-58417883215980547692009-02-05T09:25:00.000-08:002009-02-05T09:37:56.553-08:00THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BLOGGING<span style="font-style: italic;">I love to blog! It took so long to figure out what blogging was and why people did it. Of cousre I know now why. It is to create and stay connected to a community of like minded people. I have become friends with people I have never seen and I am learning that the blog community is a caring community too.<br /><br />I have 4 blog and each has its own unique purpose.<br /></span><ol><li>Right here ~ This is my personal blog devoted to Family, Faith and Friends. This is were my story begins and continues. The people I love can check in anytime and see what we are up too and watch my children grow,</li><li>Vintage Heart 2 ~ My online store blog. I joined a network of business women who have turned out to be the most wonderful group of people. The talent alone is mind boggling! Each Friday is Flea Market day and people from all over the country (maybe the world) shop in all the stores that are part of the network. There I showcase the things I make and the vintage treasures I have found.</li><li>Queens Corner Cottage ~ This is an information blog helping people learn how to buy, sell and research vintage items. I am part of a huge vintage community and I love it. On this blog I showcase one highly collectible vintage item at a time and try to provide the information someone may need to sell it. I also give information about selling on Ebay, Etsy and Ruby Lane.</li><li>Blogbackground4u ~ I became obsessed with templates for Ebay, blogger, and banners for Etsy. I went on a quest to learn how to make my own. In my travels I found some of the most talented and generous artist who give away digital papers, elements, etc. to create my own. On this blog everyone is welcome to stop by and snag any of the free blogger templates they want.</li></ol>I have always known that networking is an important piece of relational existance in life. With each other we will end up with a very sad life.<br /><br />I welcome anyone to comment and let me know they were here. As of now, I only know of one person who reads this on a regular basis. LOL<br /><br />Ok, back to work for me. Take care.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00848562255108316355noreply@blogger.com1