Happy New Year =)

It's 11:45 p.m. We are a wild & crazy family.... Sheldon's sleeping, Brandon's knocked out, Gavin fell asleep about 10 minutes ago on the couch.... Darian and I are hanging in there! Jonathan went to the lock-in, so I know he's awake =)

Since Sheldon and I have been together, we have always made New Year's a family time of fun, food, and watching the boys TRY THEIR HARDEST to make it till midnight... now Sheldon's usually sleeping before all of us ;) BUT, he does get up early for work, so we forgive him & tuck him in each year.......lol

One of my mom's all time favorite songs was Auld Lang Syne, and I found this video of a beautiful piano rendition of it, so I thought I'd share it.

Here's to a revival-filled 2009! I pray this year is a wonderful, safe, and GOD-FILLED YEAR for all of my friends and family.

A favorite verse...

John 21:25
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. (KJV)

I absolutely LOVE this verse, because it is hard to wrap our minds around all the miracles that Jesus did then, and still does to this very day. To think that this very world itself could not hold the amounts of books that would be written.... AMAZING.

Lord, thank you for all the miracles you have done. It will never cease to amaze me how many miracles you have worked in my life alone, and I know there are some that I don't even know about! If every day for the rest of my life the only words I spoke were "Thank You Lord", it would still not come close to being enough. You have given me truth, you have given me love, you have given me forgiveness, you have given me LIFE.... here on earth, and for eternity. You have given me everything.... I am amazed that you love me exactly how I am, but I know that you made me this way for a divine purpose, and for such a time as this.....

Blue Clear Sky

I used to be a HUGE CRAZY country fan.... loved it loved it loved it, now I've listened to Christian music for probably 9 years or so, but I still love some country music. Some of the songs can take me to a certain time in my relationship with Sheldon. When we first met, we used to go to karaoke (actually, before we even knew each other, we went to the SAME karaoke place on the SAME night for MONTHS AND MONTHS and never knew each other, but after we met, we figured out that we knew a lot of the same people. ANYWAY, Blue Clear Sky by George Strait is a song that Sheldon has serenaded me with more than just a few times =) and it's funny if you listen to the words, it describes Sheldon and I when we met... neither of us thought we were looking for anything, until we found each other and found EVERYTHING. For some reason God is really stirring my heartfelt devotion to my husband... the things we've been through, the times he's held me up when I didn't want to stand, the loving way he always finds someway to show me that he's thought of me that day, or when he does something for me just to make my day easier or better.... I truly am blessed, and it really was ....out of the blue clear sky ;)

Filling time

Was looking for something to listen to while I was uploading pics... anyway, did a youtube search for Nicole C Mullen (I LOVE SO MANY OF HER SONGS) and thought I'd share this one =)

My life's partner

I never could have imagined that the night I met Sheldon was actually the beginning of a fairy tale. Let's remind ourselves that fairy tales often have huge dragons, evil witches, ugly harassing trolls under bridges, it's not just happily ever after..the end. It's a story that has it's twists and turns, it's ups and downs, dragons that have to be slain, sacrifices that have to be made for true love to prevail. I just have to admit that I never read a fairy tale that was truly as funny as ours.... we're definitely not the Brady Bunch, though we're close in number...lol =) It proves to me once again, the holiness of God, HIS ability to change us from the inside out, HIS ability to make the two truly and honestly become one. As we walk through this crazy thing we call life, and I couldn't imagine not seeing Sheldon's smiling, understanding, forgiving, gentle face looking back at me as we take life's knocks, life's blessings, life's questions, and life with 5 boys...

An email I got...

I got this email simply titled "Enough"
this was a small part of it that touched me deeply. I added the last one. Merry Christmas to everyone I love, and may we always hold our family closer than we hold anything else in our lives =)


I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

I wish you enough hugs from your momma so that after she's gone, you'll never forget that they could always make the whole world better.

Merry Christmas

The big day is finally here, what a beautiful day to celebrate the brith of our savior Jesus Christ. He always proves himself faithful. I could go on and on about all the blessings that have been brought into our lives over the last 2 weeks, but everyone involved wants God to get all the glory, and want no mention of what they did for us to anyone. This includes SO MANY PEOPLE, it was so amazing. At the beginning of this "blessing journey" I was given a necklace that simply says "Expect Miracles". It was a very personal message to me, because I have to admit that since mom passed away, and through her whole battle I just prayed Lord I know you can do miracles... please Lord... show your healing power. Though I know that the ultimate healing of our bodies is to be taken to Heaven and never have to worry about sickness, disease, anything at all. When I was given that necklace it was as if God just whispered in my ear... "Where's that girl of mine who has always expected miracles, even as a little little girl you saw angels, you have been shown things by me that you've never spoke of, I gave you that child like faith for a reason... expect miracles Angie... And since I have to say, I feel so much more full of hope, full of joy, full of love, but most of all, full of expectation... expect miracles

True Friendship

I have a wonderful friend who I've know for about 15 years. She lives in the south, I worked with her for 5 years, and we were the best of friends. I have kept in touch with her through all these years and I was saddened today when she called me and told her sister had passed away...just 49 years old, it was a complete SHOCK...it was an aneurism (sp??). It's so hard to have the words to say especially when you feel far away. Things happen so suddenly in our life and turn everything upside down and we have no control over it. It was sweet because she just kept saying she just wanted to talk to me, she had to hear my voice. The only difference between me and so many other people in her life, is that I took the time to get past the "rough" exterior of this beautiful friend, I chose to take what she would say, even though it could have been said nicer and just look past her short-comings on "how to be friendly" Yet in getting to know her, I never knew someone who cared so deeply for the ones she loved, and fought so passionately for what she believed in. I wish more people would quit judging by the "rough" or "tough" exterior of some people, and know that pain and rejection have made them that way. The true love of God showing through us can break through the toughest of walls that have been put up!
And to my friend Monica... You my dear are NOT MEAN, BRUTAL at times, but not mean...lol =)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas =)

So with the snow, the ice, the kids snow-day from school...one can tell the Holidays are upon us. I just wanted to share one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. As a momma, this song has always touched my heart as you hold your baby and look into their eyes and picture what they will become.

WWE wrestling...

Boys will be boys is all I can say.... I really love that I have all boys, these tough little creatures that somehow like to toss each other around even at the young age of 2 all the way to the teenage years ;) This is what is typical around our house... the wrestling, or Brandon pushing his brothers in his big dump truck...HE doesn't want to ride in it, he wants to push his brothers in it... (how sweet) Anyway, I'm just super thankful that when all else fails they will have each other just as my brothers and sisters have proven to me in life. Family is what matters, taking care of one another, being respectful, being considerate, being forgiving.... the list goes on and on. There's always time for fun & wrestling, but when push really comes to shove, there is no bond stronger than that of a loving family! It's just sad to know how many kids are looking from the outside in at other families who have this, and they can only dream about it. Remember to reach out to these kids in love...that's what shows them the love of Jesus!
Take a sneak peak at the WWE wrestling match that went on at home ....lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl9w9ZqwGI8

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

So tis the season.... It's almost Christmas, and I have to admit I'm doing my best to be "merry" and "jolly", but everybody seems to be struggling in so many ways this Christmas. For a lot of people, it's finances, for some it's marriages, for some it's decisions in life that have the capability of altering other peoples lives, so many trying to be happy, trying to get into the Christmas "Spirit". I know it's not about gifts (thank goodness), I know it's all about Jesus and the fact that he came to live so we also might have life.... he died so we can live eternally in Heaven... his sacrifice, his life, his love, his forgiveness, his holiness.... it's all about HIM. Keeping our eyes on Him, keeping him first in every part of our lives, keeping His word coming out of our mouths.

Lord thank you for this time of season where so many people turn and focus on their family. Please use our lights through this holiday season as the light that points to you, the light in the middle of confusion that shows the way to the one truth that is YOU.

Decisions, Decisions

Sometimes there are easy decisions, and sometimes there are not so easy decisions. I'm kinda stuck in a not so easy one praying about going back to work...hence, leaving Brandon either at a public daycare or private daycare, in other words, mommy is wondering if I can handle it too .. lol

I see his little face 24/7 and honestly it's such a joy watching him mature and he really never ceases to amaze me everyday with something he knows and shows me that I had no idea he even knew...

Maybe it's because he's the last baby
Maybe it's because this is what I've done for the last 10 years
Maybe it's because I feel guilty even thinking about it, yet at the same time feel excited at the thought of working
Maybe it's because I THINK TOO MUCH..lol

It's another point in life that comes down to me making a decision.

Thank you God that I can give this to you and trust you to speak to my heart
Thank you for putting Godly friends around me for advice and wisdom
Thank you for the gift of all of my children... 5 boys who I love more than life itself
Thank you for the husband you blessed me with Lord, you sure knew what you were doing =)
Most of all thank you Lord for always loving me, even if I make a wrong decision..such mercy and love and grace and forgiveness can only come from you Father

Jesus bring the rain

Bring me joy,

bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

Lots going on...

God is who he says he is!

God can do everything!

I am who God says I am!

I can do ALL things through Christ!

The word of God is active and alive in Me =)

And just a note to our little buddy Gabe... even Brandon is praying for you handsome!! We love you guys and each one of you are being lifted up =)

I survived the first school snow day =)

I loved Thanksgiving, I loved the left-overs, I loved being with friends and family, I loved that this Thanksgiving at a good friends house was dedicated to my mom... to her memory, to who she was and what she meant to all those who loved her, I loved that Ronnie asked "Brother Carver" (my mom's pet name for Sheldon) to bless the meal, I loved that I ate way way way too much. I can remember praying and thanking God as I went to sleep Sunday night that we had a wonderful long weekend and for all the blessings he gives us each and everyday.

Monday morning comes as usual and without looking outside you would've thought it was a normal morning... my cappuccino was yummy, it was still quiet because the kids only Brandon was up, the kids still had about another 10 minutes of sleep to enjoy, and the phone rings.... School has been cancelled ... WHAT??? I looked outside thinking I've seen worse, are you kidding me? NO WARNING? KIDS ALL DAY? Not my "normal" routine?

As you see I survived. The "BORED" children survived. When the phone rang this morning I was still sleeping...the message was that school was going to be delayed an hour. Once again I was thankful ;)