Everyday life....the good the bad and the ugly

Let no man , or woman steal your joy

2009-09-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

This is the second blog I've had on this subject, LOL, its funny I must really need to learn something here, as I sit at 1115 on a Saturday night with the neighbors music blaring, Aslan is not asleep yet because of it and I'm here with my thoughts.
It's funny because other men, (actually women) try to steal my joy all the time, it's not from being mean or anything like that its because I get concerned about them, so much that it makes me sick to my stomach and feel all down and like stuff is happening to me directly. I care too deeply for people, it's God's gift and it's his curse, but obviously he is trying to teach me a lesson. Care for people....love deeply...but let no man steal your joy....!

It's been awhile!!!

2009-09-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

I know it's been months and no things have not slowed down but my emotions have risen...LOL I was inspired to day to start blogging again, I just read a friends blog about her beautiful son who has down syndrome , and wow it puts things in perspective. You need to check it out what a blessing it was www.nina.downsyndrome.com

And I will read back for a bit on all the blogs I've missed ( maybe not all) and will update everyone on life...but not today...today is family night!! With homemade pizza to boot! We always have so much fun making homemade Pizza!

Simply put

2009-06-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

So Selah and I spent the day together on Saturday, just the two of us! I love her she is amazing, so we are sitting there and she says,
"Mommy the guy from Hannah Montana had cancer but now he doesn't"
I said "Oh really wow that's cool, he had it and now he doesnt huh?"
"Yeah and I've seen every episode of hannah montana and he never says OMG (meaning oh my God cause we don't say that) (and every episode, yeah right)
"And how does that have to do with it?"
"Because I think he's a Christian"
It was so amazing to me how she notices things in people at 7 years old, something like that, the morals of people that we are different and thank God she sees the difference in Christians. It was pretty amazing, my little girl is really growing up!
Also the other night in the car when she was tired and emotional she said, " I'm so glad that God healed Aslan, because I just love him so much and I'm glad he's here with me, I don't know what I'd do without him" she said with tears running down her face. She is so dramatic but feels very deeply, such a sweet girl!

I dont' want an add in your directory!

2009-05-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

So it feels like everyday I get a call here at work about this. They say they are just "updating" information on your business, then somehow they try to get you convinced that you agreed to sign up for another year and that you owe them 400 (they don't tell you that part on the phone of course that comes with the bill) . The first call, I almost fell for it, then when they said they were transferring me to someone to confirm I was like hold up I'm not agreeing to anything. That is when they pull the whole, this is for the previous year.

So I said all that to say , I got in a heated argument with one of these people on the phone. I was so mad, she was rude said we made a verbal contract last year, when I know that Lisa didn't so I told her I wanted a copy of it, and she was like blah blah really rude! So I asked to talked to her supervisor and she said conviently that he was not there. Ok yeah right, your the boss? right... so anyway...when I want to I can be very "firm" with my words. Years ago I used to have a point where I would just see red and go off on someone, and I haven't done this for a very long time, I have controlled these "going off" spells. (only certain people could trigger them) anyway this lady almost had me back in that place. Our words were heated for sure, but I kept my cool and was very firm and finally instead of arguing I said I will call back and talk to your supervisor, goodbye click.

It's just funny how the saying is so true, "Your old man is never so dead that he can't be resurrected because boy is that true, and I have to remind myself of that everyday when the devil tries to throw stuff at me, that way I keep on my toes.

Vertex and Vertice's

2009-05-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

Suppose you have a shape with 10 sides. Choose a vertex then draw lines to the other vertices's , how many vertices's do you have?

Ok that was a question on my 2nd graders homework. Wow it was crazy to me, I don't really remember all those terms it's been awhile. But the funny thing is I googled it to see what the answer was to make sure that I didn't misdirect her, and even on yahoo answers it was a very confusing explanation. I mean I get it, but still, Second grade? Am I crazy (don't answer if you home school because you already know this LOL)

The following were the answers:
Answer 1-the lines you are referring to are called Diagonals. Since you cannot draw a line between a vertex and it's two adjacent vertices's then the maximum number of diagonals that can come out from any vertex is 7. And also, since the vertex in question and it's two adjacent vertices's are out of the rule, then you may be able to start counting diagonals after these three points are discarded. (10-3)=7. However , if you assumed that all remaining vertices's would produce 7 different diagonals you would be double counting so what you must do is "discount" the diagonals that are already "shared" . Thus, the first vertex would have 7 diagonals, but the next one, would have only 6 different ones (as it shares one with the first one) So at the end
7+6+5+4+3+2+1= 28 different diagonals on a 10 sided shape.

Perfectly clear isn't it.

Answer #2
You can't draw a line to itself or either of the adjacent vertice's, but you can to any other vertex. thus, there are exactly 3 you cannot draw a line to. Note that you are drawing all the diagonals from one vertex The number is 10-3=7

A little more clear, but crystal clear to a 7 year old mind right?
By the way how do you paste onto this box, I couldn't paste that stuff I had to type it.

Let no man steal your joy

2009-05-04T20:50:00.001-07:00

You know I've heard that term many times in the past , always thinking it was referring to conflict etc. But a few weeks ago Pastor Joey used the term when he was talking about people you are concerned about, people you care for etc. It has haunted me since then. I am such an emphathetic person, I feel others pain really deeply and more times than not I let it bring me down. So for the past few weeks I have been saying it over and over in my head, " Let no man steal your joy"
Enter into the scene, someone you love dearly and have tried for quite some time to help through a struggle with sin in their lives, and for quite some time this person has done really well, until last weekend when this person blew it big time. Enter now my emotion of the situation, my heart breaking for this person, because they feel so bad and so condemned. I assured them that there is no condemnation through Christ and we just have to pick up the pieces and move on.
But all day yesterday I fought hard to "let no man steal my joy" God truly prepared me for the situation a few weeks ago but I can't say I passed with flying colors, it came after an exhausting weekend and some physical stuff going on with me, so my guard wasn't completley up.
I don't know if anyone is like me that when your trying to help someone through tough times and they blow it, a part (sometimes a big part) of you feels like you failed them. I know I'm very hard on myself, that is what the devil was speaking to me, all day long, " you failed, you should've done this different or this different" At some points I was really doubting the effectivness of my ministry (stupid devil) But I fought through it, we had an amazing day at church yesterday, which kept me in the right frame of mind, and when it tried to hit me again today I just kept rebuking and repeating the word
I don't think anyone still reads this blog, but if you do maybe it's for you that I shared something so personal, but it's also for me, to speak the truth of God's word , to shove it in the devil's face!

And the person and I are wiping off her knees and starting over, not from square one but getting back on the path, think about the fact also that she didn't have to tell me yet she did, that is a big step, and she knows that God is with her every step of the way, and I'll be there to hold her hand

Hello darling..

2009-05-03T23:04:00.000-07:00

Hello great world of bloggers , we must all be busy not many posts! Just thought I should check in, such a busy time right now, but well worth it and we are very very happy. God works in such ways that go beyond our wildest dreams, and although there are many challenges here, specially with money LOL I wouldn't change it for the world.

Funny Selah Story

We were in the car the other night driving home form church just the two of us. I had bought a croissant early that day and it was on my lap and I was eating it. She was in the back seat and said, " I smell pastries" I almost choked, NOw i have an insanely good sense of smell, but didn't know Selah had inherited it. So I said , " Really?" that's all i said, a bit later she said it again, so I held back my laughter, then finally handed her a piece of it, she said "Thank you" with no surprise in her voice. Now I knew she couldn't have seen it so I asked her if she was surprised, she said, " No, I heard it in your voice when you said really that I was chewing" Which I knew was not obvious, so I said, " YOur such an observant girl just like your mommy, cause I am forever noticing clues to everything. She said, " Yes, yes I am " Maybe it's not funny to you guys but it was so funny to me!

Grab a tissue!

2009-04-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.writerswrule.com/content/unseen

That is the link to my sisters short story that is based on Aslan's birth. Only names were changed. It's so accurate I was hysterical when I read it, but it reminded me of what a miracle my amazing little Aslan is. So grab a tissue ( or a couple of boxes) and enjoy!

Also she won the contest so that's pretty awesome too!

Randomly random random

2009-04-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

So yeah I don't know if anyone read my last post, cause I have not been consistent about posting, but it's funny cause I don't think anyone has been, all the blogs I follow are here and there too! Tis the busy season I guess.

Man it was hot today! Like all of the sudden out of the blue it got super hot! It's weird just a few weeks ago at camp it was sooo cold and now it's straight to summer! I need to get the kids a pool of some sort for the back yard for all the hot days to come!

So things are , as always, so incredibly busy! Literally all but one night a week , and most weekends we have something going on, it's a tad crazy but we are happy and loving it.

Aslan asked the other day if we could live here forever, he doesn't want to move away from Stockton and he was the one who kept saying how much he missed Gridley, so yeah things are great!
They are both growing up before our eyes, they did very well at camp. The teenagers here loooove them, it's awesome! When we were coming home in the car a girl Brittini was asleep and she woke up suddenly and Aslan turned to her and said, " It's okay Brittini, everythings okay you can go back to sleep" it was very sweet, he is such a love bug!

So yeah not much else to say surprisingly! Peace OUT!

There's a lot of Dangerous kids walking around!

2009-04-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah play on words, Easter camps theme was "Dangerous" and wow was it amazing, I can't even began to get into all that God did last week , which included a deaf girl being healed and she is now no longer deaf! Wow it was amazing, she has been texting me daily also so I get to keep up on her progress, it's sooo amazing!

Also I've had a lot of friend requests from girls from camp on Myspace, (the only reason I keep my myspace) and it's funny so many many of them have Dangerous in their display names, that is impact!

I've been to a lot of camps and it never ceases to amaze me how God does a new work at every one of them, it was so powerful!!!

Also at church on Sunday morning over 100 people gave their lives to Christ in our standing room only service! God is on the move!

Updates!

2009-03-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Life is busy
-Rest in Christ

Church is amazing
-Do not forsake the fellowship of believer

Camp is soon
-Lives will be changed

Work is busy
-idle hands are the devil's pathground (lol) Thank you Jesus for my job

Health scares are not fun
-Thank you Jesus that it was not serious, and by your stripes we are healed

Dameron hospital in Stockton is dirty
-God has nothing to do with this one

There is so many hurting kids in our life
-Thank you Jesus for you sent us here for a reason

I don't know how ends will meet
-God shall supply all my needs according to his riches and glory

When we feel like we have given of all we are til we have nothing left
-God only gives us what we can handle

Why do we go through the things we do?
-It's called the refiners fire baby!

I feel like God has blessed us more than we deserve
-He loves us so much more than we ever know and we are His kids, he loves to take care of us!

When Iwonder how some parents can destroy their kids, and bring so much pain to their lives
-We remember they are hurting, and thank God that he placed us in their lives to help try to shoulder some of the pain

sometimes I feel that the sorrow will overwhelm us
-Remember joy comes in the morning

When we just sit back and go......What in the world???
-All things work together for God for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose

When I wonder what the future will hold
-My favorite scripture.... I know the plans I have for you .....plans to prosper not to harm, to give you a future of hope!

In all things........
All things
ALL THINGS.....

GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

(IM NOT GOING TO GO BACK AND READ THIS SO IF IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THEN I GUESS IT WAS FOR ME)

First time for everything..

2009-03-18T09:55:00.001-07:00

So I am posting at work, my first time ever!!! Wow not a big deal because I never take lunches I work late and I work at home at night most of the time, but still the first time.

So if you don't' know Selah has a blog she just posted 2 days ago. Sissysasa7.blogspot.com
She is a funny random girl.

Well I preached last night at collision and it was awesome. Not me being awesome but the holy spirit showed up. I touched on quite a few things including my testimony. I really felt like everyone was really connecting to what I was saying, it felt good. It has been a little while since I spoke to guys and gals so I was a bit nervous. But once I got up there I was so calm and so walking in authority, I can' t explain it. It completely brought back to my memory the rock story , that I have shared before about my speaking gift. I even mentioned the rock when I was preaching and encouraged everyone to think of what would be on their rock. The thing that comes to their head when they think about their call. Bill said it was the best he's ever seen me, that he couldn't pick apart one thing about it. That feels good because I sooo love speaking, I sooo desire to be used in that way and when I do it's awesome! Plus our drama team knocked it out the park they were so powerful!
It's amazing to look at my life now, we are so happy here, we feel so appreciated,so loved, so needed, and I get to do my favorite things, pastor, speak and drama. Wow life is good.

By the way I'm also doing the woman of God talk at camp, Cindy just asked me yesterday, I'm excited!

Where to start?

2009-03-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'm so far behind on blogging it's ridiculous! Well I can't even put into words how amazing our life is right now. God has open soooo many doors for ministry around here , and given us favor in so many people's lives. It's like at every turn God is reassuring us why we are here and that we are in fact making a difference. It's funny cause we have hardly a chance to breathe lately with our schedule but we don't feel overwhelmed because it's all God!

So Bill preached last night at church and it was amazing and people really responded to that altar call. He was talking about the other side of the storm. How storms in our lives have a purpose and a reason and we need to call out to God and trust him even if we don't understand why. Which is funny cause our life has been such a storm lately. As I sit here blogging I have my sick daughter next to me, and I feel like my heads gonna explode. This is the second time I've gotten sick in a month, I got antibiotics the first time and now it's back!grrr! I had a fever at church last night. Selah has got a high fever and has a bad cold. We can't seem to catch a break with our health around here. Not to mention all the other stuff going on. ....
But it's amazing because the bible talks about the peace that passes understanding. That we don't understand how we can have peace through all the circumstances, but if we trust God, then he gives us the peace!
So yeah it's all very good, because God is very very good!
So also Aslan had a cardiologist appointment on Weds, after that Sunday night I blogged about last week, us praying for his healing etc.
So they hooked him up to all the machines, the ekg, the ecocardiogram, and the doctor comes in with quite a baffled look on his face and a big smile. He tells me that Aslan's heart is pretty close to perfect, he has a little leakage , but if he were to check my heart or his heart or any ones he guarantees that we would have the same amount of leakage. He said the only reason that he has to see him in the future is because he has had heart surgery in the past. He said we can wait two years, cause he is not concerned about it! Wow! God is sooooo good. God has once again healed my little man!
So remember the storm may be sooo difficult , it may seem crazy and endless but God is working in it if you just call on him and trust Him!

Ahh where to start...

2009-03-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well honestly I don't know where to start about yesterday. Sean Smith was ministering at our church, he is soo good. He's charismatic and animated and brings the word. Wow , so last night there were a few things God told me to do 1. Don't pray with anyone else 2. Be honest about your need for healing , etc. So he was calling out people with very specific needs of healing and I was so nervous that he would call me out and I would die a thousand deaths if people knew I was sick. I only tell people close to me about this stuff, and I do my best to cover it up to the rest of the world. Well I had a tough weekend with the way I was feeling so I was like the woman with the issue of blood so desperate! But little did I know my desperation went so much deeper than that!
So he called everyone forward that needed healing , I was already up there next to the first row so I raised my hand which is also what he requested. From there it's all kind of a blur, I know the first thing I felt after that, and closing my eyes was the first hand on my back. The person who prayed for me knows who she is and I don't want to embarrass her so I wont' say her name, but man oh man did I feel the annointing of God when she laid her hand on me. It was incredible, I felt like my knees may give out( which yes I'm pentecostal but it takes a lot for my stubborn self to fall over ) So anyway I just felt the presence of God so strong all over me, like a combination of heat and tingling!
So I just continued to pray. So I am never the type to want "the speaker" or the pastor to pray for me. I feel like God using anyone that has a willing heart, but another lady from our church had come to pray for me, and it was awesome as well, then Sean came over to me. Bill said he beelined it to me. Well the funny thing was he didn't pray over me for healing. God gave him a word for me about my calling, that God was going to take it to a new level and I may be afraid but God has been preparing me for it. Something huge, he kept saying. Something that will blow your mind.
Now....I'm always leary of prophets, I'm sorry if that offends you but I am, but everything he said, was so specific to me, and where I am in my life and what God is doing. He said some things that floored me, things I was thinking in my head or had thought in the last week or so. So I knew for sure it was from God.
So yeah it was just soo good and soooo God. So then Aslan and Selah came in (cause it was getting late and kids church was over) Well Aslan just came up to me and hugged on me for a really long time. He looked at a lady who was out on the floor, and he said, " Mom can I be baptized like that?" I said, " You want to be baptized with that ?" I said " Well maybe not" he said. So I told him God can do that right in your seat. So he said "Sure" and I prayed for him for quite awhile , and my son ( who never sits still) sat and just hugged me and he said he was praying. I was praying for his healing and his health and his circumstances, we sat there a very long time. Bill came up and prayed with Selah too. It was so amazing. All night after Aslan kept saying "Thanks for praying with me mom"
That was a lot of words but still didn't touch the depth of what happen last night. I feel like I sound super spiritual when I say all this, but I just "tells it likes I sees it" lol
Wow is all I can say really is wow!

You don't live in Kansas any more Dorothy...

2009-03-05T22:14:00.000-08:00

Yeah so I wake up this morning to Bill saying... Charity, someone broke into our car! I seriously thought he was joking , but alas..... not so much!
So the funny thing was it was the Kia, they didn't touch the Expedition, thank you Jesus! Well they got away with Bill's work briefcase and ....our really expensive camera. It was in the backseat on the floorboard, with tinted windows so somehow they must have seen it, don't know how but whatever!
I was upset this morning but we kinda decided to make a joke of it, and God paid for the window before we even had to ask for it, literally, before we even considered how we would find the money , the window was fixed. God is soo good, and it helps when your walking in his will. So we had a great day actually, funny thing isn't it?
We've had so many attacks and bumps along the road here that it's comical. But each and every time God works something out amazingly above what we could ask or think.
But what was really funny is when Joey told us, "Hey guys you don't live in small town Gridley anymore....this is Stockton"
So...Hartmans..and all who follow our blog....for your safety, keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times...and hang on...it may be bumpy...but it's guaranteed to be fun!

Mom call the scientists, I know how the dinosaurs died

2009-03-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

Yes that is what Aslan said to me tonight after his reading time. It was so funny.
" Mom call the scientists, I know how the dinosaurs died" he said it so dead serious too, I know now and we bettter tell the scientists. His theory was that they starved because their habitat was changed. LOL

So update on school stuff, we talked to the school today, the vice principal and the school psychologist. We got the impression that we are not the first people who have had concerns about the teacher, so Aslan is going to be moving to a different class. We decided to go this route since Selah really didn't want to move schools and it's not fair to her, so this will be the arrangement until June. As far as the kids today, looks like they moved on, I was so relieved and grateful that he had a good day. I think I forgot about it for most of the weekend , as we had great family and friend times, then last night after church it hit me like a ton of bricks..so I was up all night praying and , I'm not gonna lie, worrying about it. I woke up this morning feeling like I was run over by an emotionally roller coaster followed by a train. So I literally cried when he told me he had a good day. I am just continually praying for good days , and with a great new teacher. The only downfall is that he will be on a different track but that could be a good thing.
Thank you all for your prayers.

So...yeah

2009-02-27T22:10:00.000-08:00

Well today was by far one of the worst days of my life, I don't want to go too much into it since I've rehashed it a few times today, but my children came home from school crying today , because a group of kids at school decided to make my sweet Aslan the brunt of their jokes. That topped off by all the other issues we are having with that school, like the IEP negative meeting, the teacher saying, " I'm gonna wring your neck Aslan" that kind of thing, just put the ice on this proverbial cake. I sit hear feeling exhausted just exhausted..... but as I told my amazing yet emotional family earlier, we have each other and that's more than a lot of people have. Plus I know this is an attack cause so many many things are going so very well.

So in honor of our crazy bad day I asked Aslan the 22 questions ,to lighten things up a bit.

1. What is something mom always says to you? - "I love you"(as he crawls up beside me on the bed)
2. What makes mom happy? - the fact that I love you
3. What makes mom sad? - when I fall and get hurt, or when I hurt you cry that is what makes you sad, how many more do you have, two more okay
4. How does your mom make you laugh? - (insert weird voice) when you do weird voices
5. What was your mom like as a child? - *shrug* I do not know, drawing maybe, okay one more
6. How old is your mom - uhhhhhh 32
7. How tall is your mom? - about six inches or maybe more
8. What is her favorite thing to do? - draw
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? - play on the computer like your doing right now?
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? - I don't know, maybe for drawing
11. What is your mom really good at? - drawing, I don''t want to do these questions, but your good at everything
12. What is your mom not very good at?- (insert funny noise here) your not very good at ummm... cooking...haha just kidding running maybe
13. What does your mom do for a job?- doing paper, Radical Reality
14.What is your mom's favorite food? - I don't know , shrimp
15. What makes you proud of your mom? -that I just love you half to death
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? -Charity the brave
17. What do you and your mom do together? -fun stuff , games and exercising
18. How are you and your mom the same? - we are both half viking
19. How are you and your mom different? - I kinda don't know, your bigger than me, oh...and your a girl
20. How do you know your mom loves you? -Because I'm your little boy, and your my mom, your really nice to me, things you do for me( as he loops his arm in mine and puts his head on my shoulder)
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? - He's your husband, you love him..he's handsome, and that's all
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go - ummmm....(laugh as he sees me type ummmmm)
Radical Reality?? ummmm church!

Funny stories! and 22 questions!

2009-02-26T19:35:00.001-08:00

So a few funny things, I haven't shared stories about my kiddos in awhile so here we go.

First , Selah informed me the other day that in "the really really old days" they didn't know real words yet words like the and they, they always used thee's and thou's. (LOL)

Tonight at dinner Aslan said, "This chicken is good" To which I said "It's not chicken it's carne asada" So he says, "Well whatever I like this carne asada flavored chicken"

So here is a cute little quiz that you ask your kids, tonight I asked Selah these questions, you really should do it it's cute

1. What is something mom always says to you? - "I love you"
2. What makes mom happy? - Me being obedient
3. What makes mom sad? - Me being disobedient
4. How does your mom make you laugh? - *by tickling me
5. What was your mom like as a child? - *shrug* I do not know, good singer , pretty, umm
you were super super nice, I think *giggle* why are you doing this, " to see what you say" " Well I quit then" "no please come back"
.6. How old is your mom - uhhhhhh 32....31 31
7. How tall is your mom? - I don't know. I would have to check on the wii fit to know that
8. What is her favorite thing to do? - I don't know.....wii fit
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? - Work , Watch tv, do wii fit
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? - being so nice and loving
11. What is your mom really good at? - everything (with arms spread wide)
12. What is your mom not very good at?-Nothing (so i give her that look) and she says "honestly"
13. What does your mom do for a job?- Work at Radical Reality, I wonder what your career is.
14.What is your mom's favorite food? - I don't know , tell me... Pizza?
15. What makes you proud of your mom? - Everything....being my mommy , being funny, and caring and nice and everything
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? -Olive on Popeye and Olive is nice ( she says without hesitation, not even a second to think about it).
17. What do you and your mom do together? - Draw, read , wii fit , we read together, we love each other
18. How are you and your mom the same? - everyway YOur nice I'm nice, your kind I'm kind your pretty, I'm pretty, you like fashion I like fashion, we look alike
19. How are you and your mom different? - Your older , taller, engaged slash married, you put on makeup, you watch tv more than me" " that is not true" " yeah"
20. How do you know your mom loves you? -YOur my mommy, your always nice to me your pretty much never mean to me
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? - Ummm I don't know (as she gets embarassed) I don't know everything, " he's handsome, and nice and sweet, great cook
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go - Long JOhn silvers ," so I say, "what" and she says " El Torito, am I wrong, what is it, is it El torito?
So I say not a place to eat
"oh what is your favorite place to go period....hmm grama's house, sunsplash, disneyland, LA, I got nothing"

Ok you gotta help me pick

2009-02-22T22:57:00.000-08:00

So we have to choose a pic to go in the newsletter to introduce my family to the world of Radical Reality and since a kid ended up taking the pics they aren't maybe the best but they are pretty good. Anyway please let me know which one you like best by Tuesday!

In other news, I'm sorry that I'm way behind in blog reading, it's been a crazy couple weeks we are doing great! I will also post some pics of our college bbq Saturday night! It was a blast , we ate tons of unhealthy food, talked a lot laughed a lot , drank some great coffee. When all was said and done it was a smashing success. God is good! We are going to do our first skit for college age on Tuesday night and I would like to have one every week to go with the sermon, as an illustration or an intro. I love drama so so much and I have been helping directing drama the last few years and I'm ready to be in stuff again. It's like "I've got a fever.......and the only cure is more cowbell....I mean more drama" Not baby mama drama mind you. LOL But it is a true passion of mine and I feel like I have the team that we need to get it done and done right, and the talent of course. So I will let you know how it goes, and keep us in your prayers that our church would continue to thrive and grow and there would be a huge finacial blessing on our church so the pastors don't have to sweat it at all!

pic 1 pic 2

pic 3

College Age BBQ

Ok here's the college age pics

picture of the day 7!

2009-02-12T20:52:00.000-08:00

It was a challenge to take a pic today, I've been feeling awful all day and have big bags under my eyes so it's blurry on purpose! lol.

So I have another one of those cut and paste info about yourself kinds things for whoever is up for the challenge, it doesn't require much thought it's just a bunch of questions! So hope you all have fun with it, ( you can thank my sis for this one)

44 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 44 things about your friends, and let them learn 44 things about you! Send back to me and to several more friends!!

1. Do you like blue cheese? EWWWW no way

2. Have you ever smoked? Tried to once but ewwww, and you don't have to answer this one!
3. Do you own a gun? No never have,
4. What flavor of Kool-Aid Is your favorite? Absolutley none.It's pure sugar but crystal light pink lemonade or peach tea is good
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yeah I do, almost always, partially because I hate to tell people about being sick or anything wrong with me

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Well sometimes I like them, specially at Ball games and Costco dogs, at home I only eat oscar meyer all beef or turkey or chicken dogs!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a wonderful life or polar express

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee of any kind nice and strong

9. Can you do pushups? I can do the cheat style ones pretty good

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? a silver necklace I have with wings and a heart and the heart earrings that match

11. Favorite hobby? Painting, hanging with my family, and adventure comp. games

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Well may.....what were you saying again?

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? My beat myself up mentality, I'm trying so hard to get past it

14. Middle name? Rebekah

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I feel awful, I am beating myself up about being sick , and I beating myself for beating myself up
17. Current worry? Aslan school and health, and finances.
18. Current hate right now? The attack of the enemy

19. Favorite place to be? With my family anywhere wher we can have fun!

20. How did you bring in the New Year? At home in our new home with the greatest family in the world.
21. Where would you like to go? To Disneyland before the kids get too old to really appreciate it
22. Name three people who will complete this? mom, Jen and Jess?
23. Do you own slippers? Can't live without them

24. What shirt are you wearing? Grey christian t-shirt

25. Do you like sleeping on satin Sheets? Sure mine are Sateen and I love them

26. Can you whistle? Sorta
27. What is your all time favorite song? I can only Imagine

28. Would you be a pirate? Hmmm I get really sea sick so maybe a ninja would work better for me since I have catlike reflexes lol

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Worship songs
30. Favorite girl's name? Selah, Iona , Ashlyn
31. Favorite boy's name? Aslan, Solomon, Tobias and Gabriel

32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets at the moment

33. Last thing that made you laugh? The show "Howie do it" that Selah and I and Bill were watching

34. Best bed sheets as a child? Rainbow Bright no contest
35. Worst injury you've ever had? back injury

36. Do you love where you live? Yes even though I live in #2 most miserable city in America, I love it and I love my house
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

38. Who is your loudest friend? Hmmm Sidney

39. How many dogs do you have? 1 .
40. Does someone have a crush on you? My husband he tells me all the time
41. What is your favorite book? Chronicles of Narnia
42. What is your favorite candy? tootsie roll

43. Favorite Sports Team? Sacramento King
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? That's kinda morbid so I will change it to What song played at your wedding? Steven curtis chapman, " Go there with you"

Picture of the day 6...oh yeah and I'm a bad mom..

2009-02-11T19:11:00.000-08:00

So I should've took a pic of myself wayyy sooner, before the cold and the rain sat in my icky feeling throat and chest. Now I'm in bed with my crosswords and my laptop,It's funny cause my phone does this blur photo thing sometimes, so I figured I may as well go with it. So yeah there's me in a blur.

So your probably wondering why I said I'm a bad mom, well I don't really think that necessarily but I took Aslan to the doctor today , an appointment I had made a few weeks ago for a checkup, not for his cold, but I figured I would throw that out there too. So we loved the pediatrician she was super cool and even though we had to wait close to 1 and half hours in the office , and even though she was ultra busy, she took the time for us. So anyway she told me that Aslan needed antibiotics ( a strong one) because he was on the verge of pneumonia. Ummm yeah bad money ...no soup for you!

To think I wasn't even gonna take him in for this cold cause I though , well it's just that, it's a cold or the flu etc. But I let him go back to school Tuesday (which she said he probably wasn't contagious at all by that time, since he hadn't had a fever since Monday morning) So yeah I got a chance to share what a miracle he was and she was in awe, an amazed that even being this sick, and everything he's been through that he didn't have severe asthma etc. Yep he's a fighter and God has done miracles in him, and the whole world can't deny that ! So anyway that is the tales of our day!

And as for living in the #2 most miserable city in America, whatever, they only go on numbers, they don't know what it like to live here! I love it!

Picture of the Day 5

2009-02-10T22:28:00.001-08:00

This is me and my baby! My sweet miracle who will always be my baby! We returned to the real world today and went to "kids eat free Tuesday at Denny's He is still not feeling great but we had college service tonight , so we had to come out of hiding. Though unfortunately, as Jess can attest too, the cold has hit my system. By the end of service tonight I had no voice, just a frog who took up residence where my vocal cords were. My throat is so sore, but thanks to an HSA I was able to buy all sorts of cough drops and theraflu and it was like it was covered by insurance! Thank you Jesus for the little miracles. It's weird I haven't gotten sick in years with a cold, etc. But for some reason now this is the second time in less than a month that my body is trying to get sick, first it was stomach and now this, maybe it's the climate change? Who knows, I'm so happy here that I don't care.

So I know your dying to know how college service went! It was fantastic, the funny thing was there were a lot of new people this week and some that came last weren't there so we had about 35 again, which means if they all come at once we would have quite a crowd. I'm not hung up on the numbers , just sharing info. Even if it would of only been a few of us, God has been showing up, I know he's going to show up because we have been under tremendous attack! BUt that makes us fight even harder knowing that God is going to show up, and boy does it. What a great service. Wow Wow, I know I'm biased but my husband has been preaching the roof off, and working in a fresh anointing. I sit there, knowing the notes in and out because I've done the powerpoint and the handout etc. and yet I'm intrigued with what he will say next. It's like on Sunday mornings with Pastor Joey, I'm like taking notes like crazy cause it's just so good. God is doing something great in our church that is for sure!

Picture of the Day 4

2009-02-09T21:12:00.001-08:00

This is me hiding behind some flowers that my husband gave me for early Valentines day gift! I have no makeup on, I have been caring for a sick Aslan for so many days I'm going stir crazy, and now my throat is hurting really bad which is where it all starts, but I'm not going to get sick in Jesus name, cause my life and responsibilities will go on whether Im sick or not! So no sickness!

So pray for us tomorrow night it's our next college service. It's gonna be good and we are very excited about it! Bills message is really good again and we are all pumped!

Sorry it seems all I talk about lately is Aslan being sick and our church being amazing!

I'm sorry it's just true, I got a call from the bookkeeper today from the church and she was just going on about how thankful she is for Bill and I that we are so upbeat all the time and such a blessing to the church etc. It was exactly what I needed to hear, because having missed church Sunday I feel so lame, like I'm slacking (even though I couldn't control the situation) I know I'm just weird like that.I'm trying to stop it though! I promise Im trying! LOL

PIcture of the Day 3

2009-02-07T22:02:00.001-08:00

Me and my mini me! I think this pic shows how much we look alike specially in expressions!

So I still have a sick little man on my hands but thank you Jesus his fever has broken!

Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend, I don't have too much to say tonight!

Picture of the day Day 2

2009-02-06T21:10:00.001-08:00

So I thought I'd mix it up a bit with my pic of the day, feeling a little salsa in me.

Keep my little man in your prayers, we are having to rotate tylenol and ibuprofen cause we can't quite break the fever. Poor little man.

Soooo what else to say, my last post was long and emotional so today lets keep it light. I think I will put in a youtube video that is hilarious, so check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs

Words...words...

2009-02-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

Ok so here's the pic of today, (PER THE PIC OF YOURSELF A DAY FOR SEVEN DAYS)

We've had a tough couple of days around the Hartman house, just keep my little man in your prayers, he's struggling with school right now which makes him feel unintelligent, which kills us. He said yesterday, "I'm just stupid" Now we don't even say that word in our house referring to anything, so we had no clue where it came from. When we asked what the word meant to him he said, "I'm not smart" We hugged all night and encouraged him and uplifted him etc. , but still had no idea where the word came from. He said no one called him that , and he doesn't lie. Soooo we prayed together and went to bed, then today we had his IEP meeting at school (individualized Educational Program) We met with his Resource teacher, his regular teacher, the speech therapist, the vice principal and the school psychologist. Yeah can you say intimidating, not to mention I broke down crying in front of these ladies as at one point I retold the story he said last night. So anyway the homeroom teacher starts the meeting telling everything Aslan is doing wrong, not one positive thing. (now let me preface this by saying that we have made it clear that we realize he is struggling, we don't make excuses or live in a dream world about the situation, but we also know he is the sweetest nine year old boy on the planet who is loving and would never hurt a fly.) So she went on and on about he's not writing good, his math is not up to grade level , his reading etc. In comes the resource teacher same thing, not one positive thing at all to say about Aslan. Ok we get it! So then comes the speech and language teacher, and here we are expecting the worst, and it wasn't she was pleasant, and gave a lot of positive of Aslan and his work etc. His progress, and the potential he has. So basically that was the meeting but before it was out I told the speech and language teacher "Thank you for the positive, we realize that he is struggling and we are doing all we can, and it helps to hear the positive" As we continued to sign papers, all of the sudden the resource teacher starts being positive, "yeah Aslan is very respectful and polite yada yada....( can you say a day late and a dollar short lady)

So after all the teachers left and we were left with the school psychologist ( by the way they are required to be at these meeting even though he doesn't need any kind of Psychological help lol)

So the psychologist says to me, "I'm so glad you said that, they were being way too negative and I'm so glad you pointed it out" I was shocked actually, but we talked about the importance of it etc. And she said there was no excuse, and I can't say I disagree.

Oh and by the way the resource teacher said, "Aslan's not feeling well and is asleep in my office" So we took him and Selah to my office and Aslan fell asleep on Donnie's couch when I woke him up he was burning up so we came home and he had a high fever. Grrrr what a day!

But you know what? I don't care what those women say, they can be as negative as they want to be, but I know my son, I know he is called of God, he was born with a specific purpose. There were things spoken over him before he was born and confirmed, that he would have a Moses spirit, and if you remember Moses didn't have the gift of speech, but he spoke face to face with God.

The devil has done everything to try to take Aslan out of this world and out of the game and every time God says, " I don't think so Devil"

So devil you can shove it, we aren't bowing down to you because of what this world may throw at us, we know that God says in Jer 29:11, " I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you ..plans to give you a future of hope"

So there...God is good, not just sometimes but all the time, in the midst of every trial and test!

Our first college service!

2009-02-04T19:37:00.001-08:00

So we had our first college service last night and it rocked! It was awesome, albeit ultra stressful prior to service, and a lot of work went into it, but it was awesome! God showed up and so did quite a few people. Some unexpected too! Very cool! I knew it would be really good cause the attack prior to it was insane! God is good and faithful! Oh so faithful!

I'm sorry I have been behind on blogging and blog reading. My sister issued a challenge about taking a pic of yourself a day and posting it, one that shows your personality, and do this for 5 days , I am going to try to remember to do this tommorrow, I thought I would get to read blogs at work etc. but I have been non-stop busy. So busy I ended up staying half hour over every night if not more , so bear with me. But rest assured I always catch up, always, I always look back at all the blogs I've missed.

25 Things

2009-01-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

So I am challenging everyone who reads my blog to do this, it's not only fun but gives you insight into yourself and gives others insight to you. Lets get to know each other better!

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, challenge your friends to do this!

1. I was born at the same hospital as my mother by the same doctor, so I'm lucky to be alive..lol
2. I would rather spend time with my family than anyone on the planet, they are my favorite people
3. I am way too hard on myself, all the time constantly way to hard on myself
4. I enjoy drawing and painting a lot, I just started a few years ago and rarely have time but I enjoy it
5. My husband is my best friend and sometimes I'm too hard on him, We have been through everything in this world together and I can't remember my life before him. He is also my hero and he truly cares deeply about people. There is no fake in him, what you see is what you get.
6. I love to blog, I love to read blogs (if they give insight into someones life not a soapbox)
7. Nothing is an off limit subject to me, I will talk about anything, and I mean anything which my include but is not limited to poop , etc. etc.
8.I look up to my sister Heahter, more than she will ever know she is such an amazing mother and a loyal friend to soo many many people. Also she is very talented. (Her face is on my right side in the people column which is what made me think of it)
9. I love working with young adults and youth, I can't imagine anything better in the whole world to do.
10. I almost gave up on ministry a few times last year, and was very discouraged
11. My family eats dinner at the dinner table every single night and talk about our day, and it's my favorite part of each day
12. We have family movie nights on Friday nights which the kids look forward too more than anything, not the movie but the time spent
13. I work for one of my hero's Donnie Moore ( I truly gave my life to Christ at one of his camps, and got called to ministry when he was speaking at a youth convention)
14.I don't like people to know if I'm sick or not feeling good ,or about my fibromyalgia so I don't tell many people what really goes on with my health, and only one person in the world knows it all
15. I'm happier than I have been in a very very long time, I love our church, city and house so very much, (and my job)
16. My love language is acts of service, (people showing they care by doing nice things for you) and gift giving, ( I love to give gifts)
17. I like things like this quiz to really get to know people , so I hope everyone does it!
18. I am insane about note taking, I take more notes than any human being I know. It's ridiculous actually, I'm so afraid of forgetting things that I like to write them down before they leave my head
19. I worry wayyyyy tooo much about things I cannot control, and care too much about what people think about me
20. I'm a very honest person with my feelings etc. I like to get it all out there in the open so there's no gossip and backbiting
21. I used to be confrontational in a bad way, I used to go off on people , then regret it greatly later:(
22. My dad is my hero, he took on 3 teenage girls and later an infant , when most men would have run away, plus he adores my mom and she adores him. They just fit so well together
23. I get stressed out royally if my house is dirty, I just can't stand it
24. I love fashion, clothes shoes accessories and I like it when people say I'm stylish
25. I get hurt deeply, I take things personally, and I harbor over negative words spoken to me or about me. I remember things that were said at a very young age all the way up to now. But I truly forgive very easily , like completley if someone is genuine!
Please do this , it's fun and therapeutic! I enjoyed doing it!

What's in your backpack?

2009-01-29T22:48:00.000-08:00

We had some great friends over to see the house tonight and to eat dinner and when we were talking it reminded me that I was going to blog about this story, I didn't forget I just haven't had time to write it out, and when I wasn't feeling good I didn't want to take the time as the computer was making me ill.

So Monday Selah and I stayed home sick. I made us lunch and we were sitting at the table eating and somehow we started talking about peer pressure, the rest of the conversation is as follows
(remember Selah is 7)

"mommy do you know what peer pressure is?"
"Yes Selah I do"
"Well , I used to have a lot of it in my backpack"
"Your backpack, really Selah, what do you mean"
"Well I had a lot of things like selfishness, disobedience, and peer pressure in my backpack but Sunday at church I gave them to God"
As I sat there stunned at a few things, 1. She learned this at kids church 2. She understood fully the concept 3. She is such an insightful girl

The conversation that followed was so amazing she told me how peer pressure worked and how it was hard sometimes, and I asked if she had ever given in, and she said things like yeah I played that even though I didn't want to etc. but not bad things. Then it opened the door for me to really talk to her about the fact that she can talk to me about anything , (which she said she already knew) and then she talked about the fact that sometimes even though we leave those things they like to sneak back in, so we have to empty our backpacks again..... Wow.... Wow ...

If we as adults could truly have the faith and understanding of a child, I think sometimes we makes things so complicated when God is saying, "Hey just give me your backpack, Let me take the weight for you , give it to me and I will replace it with joy and a new lightness.
Thank you Jesus that we don't have to do it alone.

In other news:
If you want a good laugh check out this you tube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy-pD-M0rY4&eurl=http://liveasweknowit.blogspot.com/2009/01/another-psa-you-have-to-see.html&feature=player_embedded

I would like to eat 4 cookies!

2009-01-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

The title was just a response to a pal's post! But I would and I guarantee I would eat them if I had them. I had a completely wasted day today. I can't hardly move. I slept all day and my house is a mess because of it. 3 kids left up to their own devices all day leads to big messes! I will do my best not to stress about it! Mess is just a mess, and I can't do anything to change it now right?
I'm trying not to complain, cause my sis just posted about complainers, but ewwww icky wasted day, and to top it off, Selah got a bad headache tonight before bed, (which is how my sickness started) So I'm praying she doesn't get sick!!

Well I heard church was wonderful and we are having a strategy meeting next week before our Tuesday launch! So so excited about that! We have a myspace now and it's growing by the minute, also a cool logo that one of the college age just threw together, and it's good!

'Collision is coming, Brace yourself"

Happy Birthday DAD!

2009-01-24T23:02:00.001-08:00

So today was my dads b-day party at his sisters house. We usually only see them at Christmas and sometime Thanksgiving so it was very cool to see them today.
They are a great family they have been married a long time and are still very much in love, and they have two really great kids. It was really cool getting to bond with them, and get to know each other all a little better. If it wasn't my dads birthday I would have stayed in bed , I haven't been feeling good the last few days, and it was worse today, but I'm sooooo glad I went. We need times like that with them, to be an example of Christ in our lives , that we care what goes on with theirs. I geniunely like spending time with them, their son is going to be famous some day I'm sure he is so so talented. So please pray that we continue to get oppurtunitys to get to know them more and in doing so minister to them.

Yeah so good day

Also , so there is this pretty famous hip hop guy named Red Cloud, we met him 5 years ago at Joshuafest, and fed him and his crew spaghetti , and you know what they say about the way to a man's heart....anyway we have been friends since, he's done a few concerts at our church and it's become tradition that they eat with us at Joshuafest every year. Anyway he has this song called "Tapatio" you know the mexican hot sauce. So Aslan( being a little like his mom and grama) decided to try some on his eggs this morning. Then he said , "This tastes good......my mouths on fire...is it red?" it was cute but I wasn't feeling good so I missed this. So Aslan was telling me the story and he says," Yes mom and I lived to tell about it" It was so funny, he has been cracking me up with ways in which he is maturing. I just love him so very much. My kids are amazing little humans! I know I'm biased but no one I've ever known that has met Aslan has said anything but "he's a love bug" or he has such a big heart. He's like his dad that way. A big sensitive teddy bear. I think this is why the devil has always been out to get him, because if he accomplishs even half of what Bill has in his life he will touch so many many. I'm sorry if that sounded proud, but I am proud of my boys!
Selah also is so incredibly smart an intuitive, her friend (who visits her grama some weekends and spends all that time over here) likes to come to our house, and when she comes in she hugs us, and you can tell she just loves being here. She lives with her mom, and I don't think she's used to the "family unit" . So last night Selah says to me, " Mom DD needs to stay and eat dinner with us, like at the table like we do, cause it's important !" Then later she invited her to missionettes with her on Wednesdays, and church on Sunday. What will my little evangelist do next?

You've learned a valuable lesson today

2009-01-22T23:04:00.000-08:00

So God is up to something, just crazy little things that are happening in relation to the launch of
COLLISION- our new College Age ministry!
It's amazing because even talking to one of my closest friends today, about us not coming to their neck of the woods to minister and moving to Stockton instead, and it was confirmed even more in my heart and hers that we made the right decision. (Of course I already knew that but hey)

I get a random email today through Radical Reality because a girl thought it was a college group that met at her school, so I was able to tell her about our college group. She emailed back and said that she had gone to Lakeview and heard about the ministry etc. so It was crazy how everything is leading her there! Indeedy God is up to something... someone also put in an offering for the college age Sunday morning to the tune of 250 dollars which will help us get up and running...and...and...people are so so excited! So many people are just saying , " I can't wait , I can't wait." So it's gonna be good!

Oh and about my title.... Selah said something tonight joking about Aslan , that wasn't very nice, so I said something 'joking ' to Selah , and she was like mom. I said see Selah, just because it's a joke doesn't mean it's ok. So Aslan turns to her and says, "Selah you've learned a valuable lesson tonight" in those exact words, how cute its that!

The cat came back..

2009-01-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

Thet title has nothing to do with the post, it's just a song that Selah sings that gets stuck in my head all the time!

Since I missed blogging on the day our new president was sworn in, let me just say. I am happy. I think it says something for our society and where we have come from , that people can see past the pigment in someones skin. My Political views aside, it's a great day in America. Remember as Christians we need to pray for our president , for the good of our future and remember that God has it all planned out for us.

Anyway, things are so busy around these parts. God is good, oh so good! Simply put he is so faithful and he's doing things before we ask!

I don't have a lot ot say tonight and it's late but please keep Aslan in your prayers, he was starting to get a handle on school before we left Gridley and now here the school started in June (because it's year round) and so he is behind by two months and then his regular struggles. He is frustrated which makes us frustrated because he gets so discouraged and loses focus completley! We spend a good hour and a half on homework every night. It's not working for anyone. We are going to have an IEP meeting (which is a resource program), but prayer is what is needed in this situation.

Thank you all and I love ya!

Another GREAT Sunday!

2009-01-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

So...today was another great Sunday, Pastor Joey tore it up this morning , and Darwin Benjamin preached tonight and it was awesome! So our college age service doesn't start til February, but I told Bill this morning we should just see if anyone wants to go eat after church, to kinda get to know each other. So yeah we thought maybe 6 or so....ummm 30 people showed up, that is not just an evangelistic number it was a head count! It was a lot of fun, I kept looking around and everyone was laughing and talking, and a lot of people commented " I didn't know we had this many college age in our church" yeah it was awesome!
So it probably a good thing that we saw this because we were going to start off in our house but , as big and nice as our new house is, 30 people plus would be crowded. So we are very excited about kicking off the service we already have a lot of the band on board and we are rearing to go! It's so true that when God calls you to do something his blessing is there every step of the way!

Happy Birthday Jen!

2009-01-17T21:13:00.001-08:00

So we had a birthday for Jen tonight at our house and it was a blast! It was such a great team effort, everyone involved brought something, helped decorate etc. So Jen of course kinda knew something was up, but oh well we all hid and jumped out and yelled surprise! It was great, I didn't have the heart to tell Selah not to hide since Jen knew she lived here! So Jen fained surprise, which made the kids happy!
Anyway we truly had a blast!! It's always hard when you move away from so many friends and family and you feel lonely or you think wow this is a different world. But tonight, it was like, well I don't know how to describe it, it was just home. We have felt like this was home but tonight was like wow this is home. I don't know how else to say it... I sat there at one point when we were all laughing hysterically about twinkies and biscuits and I said to myself, "Self... this is the beginning of one of those memory times, the inside jokes, the things you look back on and laugh at, it felt good, really good, everyone totally being themselves and just having a blast. We also had a quite serious discussion about avoiding getting the "sug's" hopefully none of you will ever get the "sug's " because they involve twinkies, biscuits with jelly or a lot of both, and trust me folks it is ugly!

Wow I really have to catch up!

2009-01-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened in the blog world since I've been gone. I'm so sorry my comments on everyone's blogs are sooooo last week , but I have not had the time to read the blogs etc. Between logging my food and fitness on spark people, and actually doing the fitness to log and my new job and new school, well I just haven't had any time at all. But....life is good. Thank you all for reading that terribly long blog and all the encouragement you gave, I love you all!

Update...kids love school, we all love love our church, In fact Bill preached last night and it was amazing, now I know my husband is anointed but last night it was even different then I've ever seen him before. The people responded really well too! It was a fantastic night. We already have a ton of young adults waiting for the college age to start too!

Also when we were eating dinner tonight we asked the kids what their favorite thing about church was, Selah said, "Little Joei, and the playground" Aslan said, " everything"

Now they also love kids church (as I've mentioned before but those were their first thoughts.

Ok your probably wondering why their is a pic of a bathroom on my blog, Lisa issued me a challenge. The fourth file in your pictures and the fourth picture , post it and describe it then challenge four people to do the same. So that is a pic Bill took of our new bathroom , before I got to see it, it doesn't do justice though, I love our bathroom!

So I challenge..........

Heather

Mom

Rebecca

Cora...it's all you guys now!!!

No forward motion.....

2009-01-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

No forward motion goes untested! For every new level there is a new devil! I know we have all heard those things before but when they come about , I don't know about you but it always throws me off just a bit. Maybe someday I will just stand with my hands in the air and say, "Come on devil come an get me, come on I'm ready!" but alas that time has not yet come.
But thank God for blogs cause they help you give a virtual scream about these situations and in doing so it lets out the viral endorphins to help you feel a bit better, knowing that your friends on the world wide web can share in your trials!

So as anyone who went to Lakeview Sunday can tell you, It was amazing!!!! Amazing and amazing, a great first Sunday kick off for the Steelman's, a Sunday night welcoming all was well.
Monday morning started off er...sorta kinda well enough...sorta..not really but not bad. So we get to the school to register the kids real quick for school. Now mind you we have checked this school out and were assured , yeah this is your school, etc. etc. We find out that you can only register them between 10am and 11am , ok big city we will play your game...
So 10:20am hits, (20 minutes to get the kids out of the house and into the car looking somewhat presentable) So we are there and second in line.. ok so we get the HUGE packet of paperwork to fill out and they don't even give you a clipboard, and I realize we forgot the utility bill as proof of address, so as I try to balance and fill out my family history in a (did I mention sweltering hot ) office, and Bill returns in the rain to our house to get the bill. So.... the kids are a bit antsy in the office but not too bad, I am feeling sick from the heat, and finally I hand over all the papers,( you think in the files from the other school they could've got some of this info, but oh no that would be too easy.) She looks at the papers and says, do you have the original shot records I can't take this printout you have because it could have been entered wrong, I looked at her blankly, and said :well no we turned them into the other school and our copies are packed " (considering we just moved and all) So the young lady, , says, "Well you can have them fax me the records then." Clearly she wanted to get rid of us, as they were busy. Bill pulls out the phone and says, ok I will call them, So luckily our small town school who loved us sent the papers right over. Now I must say through it all we were very kind to the Registrar. So finally we get it all signed and ready and then , "Wait your not in our school"
"Um excuse me?" ( this school is two blocks from our house, no lie)
" Your supposed to be at August Knot" ( oh and by this time it is 11 :30am) This is when it became a huge test for me not to get mad at the girl as it wasn't her fault, although no one at this school was very accommodating! So now we are past registration time , so I ask " Will they still take us," And she said ( Now she only said this because we continued to be kind to her and patient through the entire process) " I will call them and tell them your coming" Thank you Jesus!
So long story short ( I know too late) other school , people are much friendlier and immediate good first impressions, met 2 vice principles, one whom was an amazing lady! So all seems good then we get into the fact Aslan needs an IEP- which is a resource program to help him with his reading, and adaptive PE. Then it becomes about which track can fit him in (since it's year round school) and they may not start until February 2nd.
At this point mommy (aka me, the one who has had to bring them to work with me while trying to learn my new, not easy, job) is about to blow a gasket, because I was letting my flesh rise inside me. But as the lady told me she would call the school get the info and let us know in a day to be sure, I very politely said, "Thank you so much" because they were wonderful, then went outside and scowled to myself.
So then we get into the car, and the expedition is doing some crazy thing as I try to go to work, so I drive home call bill crying and saying I almost wrecked cause the car did something when I turned...blah blah. So he met me at home to take me to work and by this time its' like 12:30pm, and we need gas, Guess what the pumps not taking our card , we go to a new pump, not taking the card, there's money there it's just not taking it. We go inside every things fine, but meanwhile Aslan, who didn't look so good when he woke up, says to me , " mommy I'm really not feeling good" and I look at him he's pasty and white and with him you can just tell.....so.... I did what any sane person would do.... I called Jen... I called cause I needed a friend and because I knew she had been at the office earlier, and she knows me better than Cindy... I just called her to tell her what was going on and why I was running so late.. .but I cried...boy I felt dumb .. but I couldn't help it, ( oh I forgot to add we tried to get Aslan's medicine that he has to have monthly and they told us it would be $150 dollars) and basically Jen (obviously knowing me very well ) said I'm making an executive decision, you need to go home and take care of your family. At that point I knew it was what I needed to do but , so soon after starting my job, I wouldn't have made that choice, but Jen said she would call Cindy (Jen's amazing) So Cindy called me and was great about it, and I went home! When Bill got home we prayed, and we knew it was an attack and we just fought it, and I kept my sanity!
Yeah this was the longest post ever I know! But it's funny, the car ended up being just water on the brakes, the kids are now starting school tomorrow, and the medicine with my new insurance is only $120 (hmmmm not much better on that one, but what can you do?) and the things that came up today didnt' seem like such a huge deal after yesterday... hmm go figure....
How would it have ended if we would've tucked our tails between our legs and grumbled and complained and doubted? I mean we are human and we had an emotional go, but after that we prayed it out. Now I know more attacks will come, (there were a few big ones today) but maybe this time I can raise my hands to the sky and say" Come on devil , Come and get me"

Lutefisk is still nasty

2009-01-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

Lutefisk a norweigan tradition, not sure why, my ancestors are insane I guess. In case you are wondering Lutefisk is cod soaked in lye..like for hours then it's rinsed and cooked. It is probably one of the most disgusting things ever invented, I have only tried one little bite one time and it was enough for a lifetime! But every year at the family reunion I am shocked once again at the people eating the lutefisk, they also make lefsa which is potato bread and that is quite yummy and swedish meatballs which is a good thing, but still there are many pots of lutefisk and people eating it and even taking home doggy bags of it. I mean really is it even possible to like the stuff? Look at it, it looks so yummy and appetizing, don't you just want to dig in. By the way I saved some in a doggy bag , so come on over there is still plenty left my "doggy" wouldn't go near it!

In other news Pastor Joey preached all day today , as their first official Sunday, it was off the chain , as we say here in Stockton! hehe. But really worship and the word was so amazing, I am blessed to be a part of it!

Thankful for a new start in a new year.

2009-01-02T01:19:00.000-08:00

It's pretty simple. I'm very grateful for this new start in this new year. I love my home, I love the time with my family I have now. I love our new church and Pastors and friends we are close to. Most of all i love the future of hope that awaits us, and the ministry yet to be had here in Stockton.
"I know the plans I have for you , says the Lord plans for good and not evil , plans for a future of hope" That means so much more even now than it did before. Thank you Lord that you still saw fit to hear my feeble prayers and bless us!

A different kind of New Years Eve

2008-12-31T21:47:00.000-08:00

This is the first New Years eve in a lot of years that we haven't been surronded by lots of people, or teens or both. It's an odd feeling, we almost went to Roseville to see Pastor Joey preach and be around a bunch of teenagers, but we are both just tired. It seems that we have had no time to unpack properly, and get our house together, I mean I know it may look like that if you came in, but you haven't seen the garage. So we did a bit of that tonight, made an amazing ham, and had family time. It's been really nice actually, the wii has been so good for us too, Selah has been running all day long on it, Aslan has been working on his co-ordination with this step game, I worked out til it "made " me take a break ( yes it makes you take a break after 45 minutes, also I am still unlocking new yoga positions etc., and daddy well he's been sick so he just gets to watch and cheer us on! So here's to a different kind of New Year, and although I love being around lots of teens and young adults, this year it's exactly what the doctor ordered! So Happy New's years Eve to all!

Wii Fit rocks!

2008-12-30T23:05:00.000-08:00

So I think I said yesterday that my mom let me borrow her Wii fit. I stinkin love it. I never knew I was so good at yoga, in two days I'm a master on some of the exercises ( a master according to their rating) which might I add is not easy , just ask anyone who has played it, it would rather insult you then give you props, but I actually got applause today. I always knew I was flexible but my core is stronger than most people of my ...um weight ....hehe. So anyway I worked out for half hour last night and over an hour tonight but the best part is the kids love it too! It's the best of both worlds, exercise and a video game all in one. Selah was kickin booty on it tonight I was so proud of her. She really enjoys the balance games and the running, who knows maybe she will do track someday. But here is an infamous quote to got down in the record books of bloggerdom. When she had been exercising with us for over an hour and finished a long distance run, finally I told her she had to take a shower, and get ready for bed. Her response was in all of Selah dramatics and flare, " I better do that because under my arms is filled with sweat"
and if you know Selah just picture her doing that! LOL too funny it was! But seriously Wii fit is amazing, did I mention that?

Thank God for Lisa!!

2008-12-29T22:24:00.000-08:00

So life is good, like I said yesterday, I'm happy here, love it love it! The job will be great, it's a tad stressful right now. I consider myself a quick learner and an intelligent person, but how do you cram six years of info into one week. Luckily Lisa is the best trainer in the world, but I am so super hard on myself. I need to stop that, I like to be told once and get it right the second time, I hate making mistakes! Don't get me wrong I didn't even make any big mistakes , just little things that I caught and fixed, so what's my problem....hmmm I know it's cause I'm a control freak I want to know all there is to know right away...haha not gonna happen here folks...thanks for coming but it ain't happening. So thank God (literally ) for Lisa she is the bestest!
In other news, I did the Wii fit today( i borrowed it from my mom to see if I liked it) I worked out for 30 minutes and it rocked! It was fun, and has a combination of activities to keep it interesting. I highly recommend it, that and Sparkpeople.com, it's really very amazing and I love it! My dad has lost a ton of weight using the program and a friend has lost some too, and best of all it's all free! I tried running a few months ago, then it made my body worse due to the condition I have, so the doctor told me no running aloud, so it was discouraging then I moved and now I don't walk around all day I sit on my rump in an office, so I need everyones help to keep it up, I really want to , I really really do! Anyway nuff about that, you should check it out!

Here's to a new year coming.

2008-12-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

We went to church this morning in our new church and the kids absolutley loved kids church.(there was none last week due to Christmas) So yeah it was good. The normal worship leader was not there so it was a bit different but the pastor did a great job. He talked about change, and a lot about Joey and Jen coming and all they have to offer. It was very well done and a great service. I'm excited about things to come, I'm truly happy here. I feel at peace, I love our home and I see a bright future ahead.
In other news, a little girl approached us when we were getting out of the car yesterday after going to the store and she asked if she could play with Selah. I guess her friends lived here before us and when she visits her grama down the street she would come here and play. So she ended up playing with Selah, she is a nice girl who 10 and Selah has played with her yesterday and now today. It's weird though because I know you can trust us, but how does her grama know we are not crazy's, maybe I'm way to overprotective but my kids don't leave my site unless I really know the people. But God is good he has given Selah a friend, she has been a bit difficult lately with her attitude. She has had the hardest time with the move so we are trying to cut her a little slack but it seems like she just keeps tugging that rope. Today we were eating lunch, and my mom and dad are still visiting and Selah said something about the restaurant, so I turned and talked to her about what she said, that maybe she could phrase it differently, and she says, " Mom, do you always have to talk to me about everything I do, " I looked at her and before I could open my mouth she said, " Yup here it comes again" My dad who was sitting at the table had to get up so he wouldn't burst out laughing right then and there. It really was funny but of course I had to "talk to her " about saying that. lol. Oh to be young again.

"We are the Hartmans, we live next door and I got Lego Batman for Christmas!"

2008-12-26T18:17:00.000-08:00

No lie, word for word and then , Aslan added, " I was born in 99" Rewind a bit .... So today we are finally back home in our house in Stockton , in our sweet quiet little neighborhood, and I'm in the kitchen and I see a kid ride by on a bike,
"Kid " I say, " there's a kid" ( let me preface this by saying , in our old house the kids had two neighbor boys they were very close too and have been a bit lonely since the move. ( Although Selah hasn't stopped talking about when little Joei was here, and already planning their next play time)
Aslan was like "really?", and got excited then went back to lego batman. Having played a little too much lego batman for any human being in a 24 hour period
I said, " Aslan go outside and see if you can meet him"
"Ahh come on mom"
"Get a sweatshirt on, you need to go get fresh air anyway,"
So then I told Selah who got all excited and they went outside. So no sign of kid on bike, but I guess someone was down the street a bit on the scooter and since they can't leave the front yard they won't meet him today.
Soooooo, Then Selah comes in about 10 minutes later and says, " There's a sweet girl next door"
"Really?" I say , " Did you meet her?"
"No , she just offered me candy and I said "No thank you."
"You didn't introduce yourself? "
" No I'm shy.." Selah shy ?, yeah right, but I guess with some people she doesn't know she can be a bit shy. So she goes and gets Aslan, and says, " You can do it Aslan your my big brother , You'll know what to say" So Aslan puffs up his chest and looks all proud and says ok come on. And off they went to the front yard. I went back to what I was doing and about 5 minutes later they come back inside.
"How did it go?" the nosy mom asked
"It went great!" Aslan said
"So you met the girl?"
"Yeah she was standing behind the guy, "
"What ....." I say " Come again"
"Well when we knocked on the door ...."
"YOU DID WHAT?....."
" We knocked on the door she had gone inside..."
I went through both shock worry and oh my... all in one moment , but seeing them standing there in one safe piece I listened on..
"Yeah mom, we met her dad he was nice and she was being shy , hiding behind him, and I said We are the Hartmans we live next door, I got lego batman for Christmas and I was born in 99"
Now my mom and dad are visiting seeing our new house so they can attest to the fact that we were all cracking up , at this statement, it was so matter of fact and so funny! My dad even said "ok, whose blogging that one?"
Too funny, now I went over it with the kids that we do not leave the yard , we don't go to people's houses, mommy is extremley protective about these things. But that was too funny I don't care who you are! lol

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and have a blessed new year!

Shake of the dust folks... Im back!

2008-12-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

Feels like it has been forever since I posted. We have had no internet, it's funny how you don't realize how often you use it until you lose it.( I know I'm a poet and didn't know it hehe). I know you missed all my corny lame jokes, but no more fretting I'm back.
Well mucho has changed since I last blogged, we both started our new jobs, Bill got the perfect Monday thru Friday job, it doesn't pay a bundle but the family time is well worth it. I love my new job, there is just so much information! Part of me feels like I will never know it all! I am the type of person who likes to know everything about everything right away but at this job that is not even possible, not even a little bit possible. So anyway it's awesome though, with all sorts of great benefits!
Well I will get more into things later but for now I must go! I hope everyone is having a very Merry (couple days before) Christmas!

It's a waiting game...

2008-12-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

So a few more days of work, before we move! It's weird though I don't think it's hit any of the people I work with, we still talk about " in the future or stuff. Too funny! I think it's because I still put my whole heart into work. I am up making sure every customer gets great service, and that all employees are doing what they should. I guarentee you I will be doing that until Wednesday , my last day!
So It's all a waiting game right now, we are in limbo, I hurt my back so work has been tough but I will still miss parts of it, but not a lot lol. Can't wait to start my new job, my new city, I know I keep saying that but man, it's time isn't it? I know one thing for sure, next Sunday we will be in our new church coming from our new home.

The other night when we were in our new home eating dinner with the kids, We were talking about how much God has blessed us, with our home etc. Selah said , yes of course, because you guys have been youth pastors and you always let people live with us. To which Aslan added , "and it's cause you love people"
Wow...through the mouth of babes.

Hey and do me a favor, when you have to wait in a long line at a store, or it's busy or it's not ringing up right, try to make the cashier smile and let them know, you know it's not their fault and wish them a Merry Christmas...I have been up line monitoring for days and it still amazes me how some people act. But also they have a hard time grumbling to my cheerful smile and positive disposition!!

Say a prayer...

2008-12-13T01:26:00.000-08:00

Not too much to say, hmmm work was good went by fast, it's very late! I can't wait to be in my home, in my new city. But I would like to dedicate this blog to a few prayer requests!

Lily-that everything in her little body would be just perfect!
My friend from work's mom who is battling cancer-she is a fighter though!
Aslan and Selah-that God would give them the perfect teachers and friends at their new school!

why worry!

2008-12-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

So last night if you noticed I did in fact, sound a bit stressed and worried, it's hard when you think your husband is unemployed and you have Christmas coming and rent due , and utilities etc. But it all worked out today, from the beginning we told his work that he wanted to stay on , on an on call basis, but instead his boss took him off the books, which made him get paid for vacation, which is sweet, and now he has turned around and re-enstated him, he only did it so Bill could get the vacation pay. That was great!! And now he's got a guard card and some hours so we are not sunk lol! I have no doubt he is going to be on with a new company soon, and it will all be awesome. It's a whole new world for us with rent and utilities, so please bear with if I am not always worry free. But I can honestly tell you God has guided us every step of the way on this move, and he has been more than faithful to us. I feel so undeserving of all the great doors that have opened, all the needs that have been met for us.
Also you never realize the impact you have had on people until you are leaving, it's very touching to see the reactions of people, telling me how much I will be missed or how I've touched their lives. I will miss them as well, it's always nice to know you are making a difference, and now I get to do that on a whole new level.

P.S.
My assistant store manager told me I would forever be known as "WG" world's greatest 1-2, 1-2 is my title, she said I was the best she has had and will probably ever have..ahh And my store manager told me that the form I made to evaluate, the cashiers he is going to send to the district because he thinks it's that good. Wow those things would look good in my file , (considering I'm leaving the company, that won't matter lol) but it feels good none the less.

Only a minute

2008-12-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

So I only have a minute to catch up , We had an absolutley fabulous time in our new home for the two days we got to be there, Selah actually said of Monday night by the fire with hot cocoa and prince Caspian and after decorating our tree, was "the best night of her life" It really was great, our new home is beautiful, and the kids keep saying that over and over , that they love it etc. We had a little water incident Tuesday night but came away unscathed and it's fixed now, which it was just a faulty part on the washer connection. So we are very blessed, please pray for us though, we still need Bill's perfect job, he has applied everywhere, for security up there he needs a guard card, which I guess we are going to go ahead and pay the money for, so he has it, so that will probably work out, but it's hard for me to not micro-manage and stress about it. I'm really trying, I mean I know that God has worked every other detail out, so I know he will work this one out!
Also we met a neighbor he is a pastor and a cool guy. Our neighborhood is very quiet . I love it!

Schedule

2008-12-06T22:35:00.000-08:00

So it's been crazy times, but we are moved in, well sorta, our stuff is there, we are not, so I guess "moved in" is not the correct term. But the kids and Bill are going to our new home tommorrow afternoon and I 'm going there after work at like , late past late. But we will be there Monday Tuesday and part of Wednesday, then not sure , we are coming and going until the 17th. After the 17th we will be there for good , (except Bill commuting, until we find him the perfect job.) He is going to pound the pavement while we are up there the next few days, so please kick the prayers into overdrive, I really don't want him commuting with all this fog, and the crazy hours, we need a miracle, but everything else has been a miracle so I expect one.
In other news , Cindy said she got us a great tree, that was so sweet of her and I can't wait to decorate my new house, I'm like a kid when it comes to Christmas.
So more updates later, and right now I'm realizing I'm so not going to miss retail!

Soon and very soon.....

2008-12-05T01:36:00.000-08:00

I'm so exhausted, packing all day then working 9 hours til 1am, and tomorrow same story. Tomorrow we will be packing up the uhaul , then Bill will be driving it down on Saturday with some boys to help him unpack, while I work 11-7:30 (I'm hoping they will let me off early, that would be rad) Then it's down to the house for Saturday night and Sunday until 2pm when I have to go work until 1am again, come back and stay on Monday and Tuesday in Stockton. Crazy yeah? I know it is , I'm just so excited about getting there and getting settled, i really want to decorate for Christmas , and build a fire, and drink coffee and chill, I 'm so so so so excited, the only thing not do-able in that is the 'chill' part, I won't be doing that for quite a while. I am so not the type that will have boxes still packed after a month, they will be gone and done as quickly as possible. I'm also doubly blessed cause Cindy M. text me today and asked if we needed a Christmas tree, and I asked " Yeah , Do you have one, lol?" and she said, " I could get you one, and I said that would be amazing!" What a kind beautiful person she is , how considerate is that? So once again I 'm so blessed to have all these beautiful people around me.
Also could you all pray for a little angel named Lily, she has been having some sickness going on and we want complete healing. She's already proven to be a miracle and a fighter so we are not worried but all the pray we can get is great!!!

The new house!!

2008-12-04T00:59:00.000-08:00

So we got up this morning and drove down to Stockton to drop off some pictures and mirrors, so they wouldn't get broken in the move, and also so I could see the house. So as soon as I exited off the freeway I was impressed. The area is Weston Ranch and it's only been there for like 10 years, so on each side of the road that goes through is the walls to protect the neighboorhoods, with grass and a walking/bike path and benchs along the way. I kept expecting to see a rough area in the middle or something, ( because if you know Stockton you know that , a lot of areas go from really nice to rough in .2 houses ) Anyway so we turn down our street and all the houses look good then we pull up to ours. There are rose bushes in the front and a nice path , tile entryway and a cute outside light, it also has a window next to the door and on the top,it looks cute!! So I go inside and I was so thrilled , it looked better than the pictures. You will all just have to see it to understand. It's perfect for us. My closet is huge, and I have a nice round bathtub!! The two things I really wanted, oh yeah and a fire place! The only things I noticed that weren't perfect is that you can tell a man cleaned it, cause it needs some tlc, and I won't have a lot of time for that right now , but I will have to make due, and the other is inside the cabinets in the kitchen need some tlc, the kitchen is my favorite part of the house so it's funny that inside them needs some work, but we can handle that, it's a great amazing house, I love love love it!!! I just need some area rugs very badly since there is no carpet, so if anyone has a few lying around let me know, LOL!

Breaking up is hard to do..

2008-12-03T01:20:00.000-08:00

So I gave my two weeks notice today, it was tough cause I don't want to let people down, I'm so weird like that, I even considered telling him I would come back for some key days like Dec 26 and 31st and 1st but I didn't, I guess I just realized they will manage , and I can enjoy my Christmas and New Years. So my store manager was not there or my supervisor so I had to break up in email (lol) So I hope he understands......but...... having said all that I will say that I am so so excited about my new job!!!! Not only the hours and family time but the job itself, I was already dreaming last night and talking to my sister about getting Radical Reality to her neck of the woods! hehe I am stoked! God is so very good.
Now it is very late ( I didn't get off until 12:30am) So I should probably go to bed, I get to see my new house tomorrow I'm super de duper excited, I will report back soon.

Wow squared

2008-12-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

So just another thing falling into place... I just got off the phone with Donnie and Cindy Moore and they offered me the job at Radical Reality!!!! Wowie wow wow, I'm so excited, It will mean way more family time, more ministry potential on a grander scale, and a chance to support a ministry that has been a huge part of the person I am today. I was actually called to ministry at a youth convention in Sacramento California where Donnie Moore was speaking, the following summer God changed my life at the Donnie Moore camp and haven't missed many since that year when I was 17... wow what an honor to work under this man and woman of God, and of course the rest of the amazing team (which includes one of my favorite preachers Joey Steelman). So I stand once again in awe of the awesomeness of God , that he would reach down to work out these details for us, every little detail...wow.
In other news....one of our teenagers posted a bulletin on myspace titled, " To Pb and Charity"
I only post it here so I will have it forever as a memory, since someday I will print these blogs out and scrapbook them or something... but I'm honored to be a part of this amazing young lady's life, she is truly one of the best girls I've had the privelage to know and I love her dearly.... this is what she wrote

"thank you for everything that you guys have done. i can't even express how much i will miss you guys because of your being here in the little town of biggs i've grown so much as a christian. i know u guys will be doing great things in Stockton and God will continue to use your family for greatness. to pb: thanks for always being crazy/fun/energetic. you really opened my eyes and you've shown me a new way to look at Christianity. you are always looking for improvement and God will bless you for that. to Charity: ok you already held me in a hug yesterday when i was bawling:) you have always been there for me. like a 2nd mother. you have not only encouraged me in my walk with God but also in my art. and you better keep up your artwork too. you both are very talented and i can't wait to see what God's gonna do in Stockton and even here in Biggs and Gridley. ok i better stop. im crying. ok but the point is that i love you both and i want you to know that you will be missed. And i want you to get excited about the future cuz God has great things in store.:)"

Now you see why this is so hard...

Goodbye's are never easy.....but "God told us to!"

2008-11-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

Well I think I'm out of tears...literally...emotionally exhausted ...but in a peaceful joyful way. Today was so hard. Saying goodbye to people who are family, who have embraced us,

and loved us for 5 1/2 years, and the best pastor we have ever had...not an easy day. It was my last day leading worship for our church and I could hardly get through each song, due to all the memories flooding back, and all good memories.When you leave somewhere in peace all you remember is the good! Pastor honored us today in so many many ways. The church honored us today, and there was so much love all around. People are truly excited for us and we are truly blessed to have known all of these wonderful people, and we can't wait to see what God does here in Gridley, because I know He is getting ready to do some great stuff.

Even though there is great sadness in our home (kids too) there is much anticipation for the new chapter. I have so much faith, like never before because God has worked every detail of this move out more than I've ever seen happen before, it's amazing, I know I've talked about it but wow! So here starts a new chapter in our lives...I know God has amazing things in

store for us, "Though the vision tarry....wait for it"

Today at lunch when Bill's grama (mana) asked Aslan

"So Aslan what do you think about moving to Stockton?"

Aslan said matter of factly , "Well God told us to" and went back to eating his food. It was so special and priceless, not only does Aslan have such a sweet spirit , but an understanding

of spiritual things, he is so very amazing ( of course I know I'm biased but oh well!)

So now comes a week of a lot of packing and a lot of moving, I wish I could skip over this part but , it is a neccessary evil, lol So I will try to blog this week , by the way do you know if you subscribe to blogs, when they post it shows up on the dashboard so you can know who posted since the last time you were on. It's kinda cool!

Is it over or has it just begun??

2008-11-29T17:29:00.000-08:00

So Black Friday was long and exhausting but it went very quickly.
I got to bed around 7:30pm woke up at 11pm couldn't get back to sleep,
but laid there until 1am when the alarm went off, got to work at 2:30am
and then worked until 2:30pm. On my end of things it went very smooth,
I did my job so well that it went off with out a hitch,
(my store manager told me so!) It still amazes me though how people
will fight (literally fight) through those lines to save 10 dollars or so .
Literally a few girls in the line about an hour , had two toys, they retailed
at about 10 dollars and they were on sale for 3.99 each , and thats all they
bought. A line that long for that!!! I can almost understand the blenders the
microwaves, the pots and pans cause you save a lot , but two little toys, wow.
I think for some people it's nostalgia, they just like the rush of it all. Most
people were being civil human beings which was nice, but there are always
those exceptions. When we opened the doors at 4am the line went all the way
around the building outside and we had over 500 people walk in the door I was in
utter shock!! Anyway though today I got up at 4am got there at 6am and it was the
opposite, it got busier later but Im super exhausted, and I have to pack and move
on Friday!!
So I'm not at all sad about that, even though I couldn't do the walkthrough
with Bill today, the kids love the house and the back yard and their rooms,
and Bill loves it too of course, We just need to get some Big area rugs
(since it's all tile) So if anyone just happens to have some of those laying
around let me know (lol) I will post some pics of the inside of the house tommorrow
but if you want to read a tear jerker concerning "the hartman's journey"
check out my mom's blog , it's an honor to us and a tear jerker for sure! I have the best mom!
http://katladyspawsandscrap.blogspot.com/

I stand in Awe of God...

2008-11-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

Wow.... pretty much sums it up....wow and wow.

We got the beautiful home with all the things

we could ever imagine wanting, and we sign the lease tomorrow.

God is so good, a few weeks ago when all this happened

I never would have imagined that every step would be so clear and easy.

A few weeks ago we didn't know how we would get the deposit,

where we would live, or work, etc. but now it's all fallen into place,

( the only detail left is the perfect job for Bill) I have been told that

I am pretty much getting the perfect job, monday through Friday,

evening weekends and holidays off, and a constant hands on ministry

( I will tell you more when I get the for sure for sure from my new boss's)

As tears fill my eyes for the hundreth time today, and I pinch myself not

believing it could all be this smooth, and the fact that the plans we

had for a house , God was like oh no I have something better,

every detail you wanted that you didn't even think to ask,

a great neighborhood and a great school district, wow and wow.

I had an amazing lunch with my current Pastor's wife the other day and

That was another awe situation, she was so supportive and excited for us

She said we have so many giftings, and talents that she can't wait to see how

God uses them. We wept together and bonded like we hadn't done in awhile .

It could not have gone better. God you are so very very good, and you do

order the steps of a righteous man

So maybe this will encourage someone today, you feel like your in a desert or in

the fire, take heart, stay faithful, and trust in God and he will bless you , "above what
you could ask or think, pressed down , shaken together and running over."

WOWWWWWWWWW!!!

Thank you Jesus!

(By the way these are the kids new haircuts)

Happy Thankful Day

2008-11-27T10:53:00.001-08:00

So I figured I should post now because I am going to try my best to

go to bed by 7pm, since I have to get up at 1am to get ready for work,

Yes I said 1am, I have to be at Kohls' (30 minutes away) at 2:45am.

In-stinkin-sane I know. But anyway I am thankful for my job,

I got a text from someone I've been ministering to at work,

a college kid who needed encouragement and he said he was

thankful for me, for caring and helping, it touched me, cause

to me it's just how I roll, I listen I help when I can and I

encourage, but it meant a lot to him and that feels good.

God has given me such vast opportunities to minister in my job ,

I will truly miss that, but I know I will have even more

in the future!

So Jen asked what people were thankful for in her blog

and this was my response, (forgive the copy and paste but I didn't

want to have to type again!

I am so very thankful for so many many things, I too had a very tough

childhood and very often I sit and say, Wow God I don't deserve all of

this, all these blessings and the perfect family, etc. I'm so grateful that

even when I've questioned the call or felt like giving up , God has held

me right there on the edge not letting me fall over. I'm thankful that

he has sustained the house we are living in and thankful that he has

something better for us. I thank God that he has given us the opportunity

to open a new chapter in our lives, with people we love more than they will

ever know. The people who , when we were going through our hardest stage

of ministry took the time to send us a card saying they believed in us, and

who would've that that the bond that begin there would end up here. I'm

so so thankful, for the opportunity he has given me to minister at my work

and to truely touch lives there, and now a greater opportunity in my job to

touch even more lives. I'm thankful most of all that no matter what the future

holds for us that we are in God's hands and nothing will change that!

If what you think you want to work out doesn't...

2008-11-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

I tell young people all the time, if what you think you really really want to

work out doesn't , there is a reason for it and God has something better for you.

So it happened that way today. Now I admit when the landlord from Hacienda court

called us to say that he decided to go with an older retired couple with no pets, my

heart sank, I was at work and I'm not gonna lie, I kinda felt the wind knocked

out of me a bit. I know I seem extra anxious, but if you only knew the extent of where

we live at this time and I really want to get settled to decorate for Christmas,

and convince the kids that a new house is all the gift they need from us ...lol etc. etc.

Anyway, so I got home and resumed my search for the perfect house.

Well when we visited Stockton awhile back we drove

through this area called Weston Ranch, it is really really nice, and there

schools are highly rated , it's a bit further from the church than we want but a really

it appealed to us. Anyway we called on it and left a message not expecting to

hear back from the guy right away, well he called

us right back and he and Bill really hit it off, and etc. so he sent u s pics of the inside

and my mouth hit the floor, these are recent pics he just took, and so we sent off our

application, and Bill is going to go see it Saturday, the guy said if our info checks out

then the house is ours, so pray that he gets all the info he needs and if this is God's

will that it will all work out, it is beautiful as you can see but I only want God's will!

But in case God wants my opinion, those granite countertops, tile floor and

walk in closet in the bedroom are looking pretty good....lol

Emotional day....

2008-11-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

Alas, a very emotional day. Next Sunday is our last Sunday

at our church. Bill is preaching , and we are leaving on the best of

terms, but it's still very hard. They are our family, and of course ,

there is my real family, it's not easy. But I do know God is up to

something big, even Bill's grama came down today and said some

surprising things about this move, I thought she would be negative

about it , but she wasn't at all, she was very encouraging , so it was

good. Now more of the unknown, not my personality to leap so far with

so few guarentee's but that is where God always comes in, when we get

to the end of ourselves and our ability to control situations is when he

does his best work. So keep us in your prayers, perfect job for Bill,

perfect home(hopefully on Hacienda court lol) etc. I had an interview

for the most perfect job the other day , I feel good about it, and I really

pray I will get it. So I can't wait to share all the miracles with you as

they come! Thanks for all your support, you guys are the best!!!

What a day...

2008-11-23T00:08:00.000-08:00

Well aunt Faith is here with here two kids Allie and Tyler, they usually stay

with us but I feel so bad cause this time they can't , for so many reasons, first one

being we had not two but three boys sleeping here last night, and we are packing,

and we are down one room. So thank God my Parents had a place for them, we stayed

up late talking which was good, it's always good when she comes, we have great talks

and great fun. We had a very long day and I'm exhausted, then I came home and

packed a bit cause we still have quite a bit to do and it's easier to tackle it in little bits

at this point, and now it's 12:15 am and we have church tomorrow so it's night night

time for me!

Believe with us!

2008-11-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

This is the one we want! It has the seal of approval of Pastor (bishop rofl)

Joey Steelman, and most important Jen Steelman. So believe with us, the landlord

said we were at the top of the list, so here's to the perfect house. Check it out! http://stockton.craigslist.org/apa/916773465.html

Just another miracle...

2008-11-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well last night I found out that the two houses I really really liked, from the same

owner, we got approved for. They are in a great neighborhood by a golf course

(not that I play golf, although I can aim for the little windmills pretty good).

It's near a few elementary schools , that are well rated. So we are on our way!

We are going there tommorrow to choose our home. So pray for us, the deposit is

covered, but we need all the moving costs which I'm not worried about I just want to

get in there soon, so we can decorate for Christmas and get settled to start this new

chapter in our lives!!!

There's always lumps..but sometimes it adds to the flavor

2008-11-19T00:28:00.000-08:00

Even in the best of plans and scenarios I guess you gotta take a few lumps.

I called home tonight and Selah was bawling her eyes out, she said she just missed

me so so so much, and I know that is true because I 've closed for a few nights in

a row, (which is why I woke her up early to lay with me this morning before school),

but she was just inconsolable tonight. She is having the hardest time with the move,

she has lots of friends she is going to miss,and her teacher etc. It ripped my heart out

tonight, but I know God's got her in his hands and I will just pray for a better schedule

so I can be there to distract her lots til she can make new friends which she totally will,

but please pray for my princess, that she will make friends quickly and will not have as

hard of a time.
But if those are all the lumps then we are on a good God road, we get to see

two houses on Friday and we have a good feeling about one of them in particular,

I've been in communication with the guy quite a bit, so please pray for us in this situation,

It's a nice house in a great neighborhood. I'm so very excited at the possibility!

God is so good!
Oh and one more thing, I have two possibilities for jobs already, my position in Stockton

will be open in January which is exactly when I am quitting my store, kinda odd, but I

also have another possibility to look into so things are good. Let's now pray for Bill's

perfect job, cause anyone would be lucky to have him!

Where God Guides....He Provides...

2008-11-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

I can't stinkin believe it, I'm in total shock right now.

It's taken me two days to be able to blog, and I'm still in utter shock and awe of God.

So last post we were talking about house vs. Apartment, well as it turns out having a

dog and an apartment isn't the greatest mix although we have two options, funny

thing is they are the same price as houses, which we have two solid options on those

as well, so it's a little crazy how this has all progressed, in a way that can only be God.

We told the church on Sunday and it was amazing, they gave us a standing ovation which reduced me to hysterical bawling, what a honor it has been to serve this church and this

man of God, who I know they are going toward bigger and better things. So Sunday on

my way to work I am on the phone (don't worry I used my headset..being a good girl for

CA law) and telling her about everything all the exciting stuff, and she has walked with

me through all the struggles of late so I don't have to tell her my fears of getting a deposit

etc. So we hang up. She calls back five minutes later and informs me that her and her

husband want to pay our deposit, not lend or loan but pay......I stood there in shock,

" Come again...what are you saying to me?" She said they believe in us so much and

(by the way her daughters got saved in our youth ministry) that they didn't want us

to have to worry about it." Wow guys that can only be God... there is no other way

around that, Where God guides he provides....Im still in shock and awe.....

So this morning as I'm trying to not step on one college age kid on my floor and not

to wake the teenage boy on my couch, and after Going to Walmart at 11pm last night

to get milk , yet again for these milk lovin' boys, I felt like God said to me...I want you

to have a house....pure and simple. Now I am pretty sure it was God, although I ate late

last night it could have been indigestion lol... but we will see, cause even though utilities

will be more in a house , I believe God will provide, but we will still check out the two

possibilities that accept pets and are decent, just so we can follow the peace. Gotta go

now or I will be late for work....!

Hmmmmmmm.....

2008-11-16T00:59:00.000-08:00

So everyone needs to read Bill's blog , he is all sad because, "No One reads my blog"

yada yada it's hamboneflippy.blogspot anywho, things around here are moving right

along. We have one house that is a real possibility, or we just have decided to look at

apartments, which are actually about the same price but , with utilities included they

can be much cheaper, plus you get the pool , fitness center , etc. etc. So we are going to

go down Friday to check some stuff out. There are some really nice apartments that are

1500 a month, you can get a 4/2 nice house for that much, So we are looking at the middle

of the line ones, they seem nice but we will have to see. What do you all think? Should we

just go the apartment route, to make it easy and be done with it, give us a year to find a

house, although the one house that is a possibility is nice, in a beautiful court, where there

is no through street at all near it, it is a turn off a road with lots of courts and no through

street which is nice. So I think we will look at it as well, we still aren't quite sure where

people get deposit's from, rofl, that's a lot of scrilla, which we may have had if Bill wasn't

off work for so many months. Oh well it will happen.

So in other news , my sister posted about Black Friday, and whether you should

all go shopping and spend your money, this was my response.
"From a retail manager who has to be in my store at 2:30am on Black Friday,

(which for me since I live half hour away it means getting 'up ' at 12:30am,

hmmmm getting up?) and working a minumum 12 hour shift , but it will probably be

like 16 hours, means you all will be crazy spending money and fighting over things and

I will be making bank, and calming you down,while I tell you Im sorry there is no way

I can just pull that item , or an extra cart out of my behind, if I could I would , but I

just can't!, Thank you , have a nice day and "expect great things"

My little evangelist...

2008-11-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

So tonight at dinner we were talking to the kids , as always, and they were being amazing as ever, (after the stint in the store where they were both being the opposite of angels for some reason, maybe because they are kids lol) anywho Aslan said out of the blue, Beer is bad it has drugs in it... and people drink it all the time at parties and stuff. " So we asked, " Well Aslan where did you hear that, and it 's not drugs it's just alcohol, " and he said, he had heard it different places, etc. and almost none of the kids at Wilson school love Jesus, but at least my teachers do, " he said. " How do you know? " Because I ask them , "Do you love Jesus", he is such a little evangelist , he always says things like that and is concerned with people's salvation, and people saying "OMG" he considers that a cuss word which we have told him shows disrespect to God. But anyway we then had a blast telling silly stories , the ones we grew up with and stuff, too funny.

So today was exhausting but it was fun, we felt the feel of Stockton, got familar with some areas and found a few possibilities for houses, it was a good day , Stockton is so much more intricate then anyone would think from first glance, the church is beautiful and has so much potential it's amazing! It's tough when I think about coming up with the deposit and jobs but when God guides God provides. So keep praying for us and guidance and now I'm off to snag a job and google. lol Love you all!

Doors part 2

2008-11-13T00:40:00.000-08:00

So tommorrow we are going to test a door...lol not really it's a pretty amazing opportunity for us, and nothing we planned or even saw coming, yet the most amazing opportunity we could have asked for...so pray for us, it's going to require a few miracles but God is in that business...lol

funny story of the day: Aslan loves to talk with his hands, he comes by it honestly, since if I sit on my hands I'm silent because I forget how to utter words. So he is describing something tonight and he is counting on his fingers and for some reason he always uses the middle first, so he is sitting on one forever just flipping us all off, not of course realizing what he is doing he is just trying to remember his number two point , /bill and I turn our heads and are cracking up, cause it's just so innocent, he's so amazing an cute and innocent, I wouldn't change that about him for the world....our little zilla gorilla....

Does this count?

2008-11-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

I hope this counts , in the challenge I accepted to blog everyday from my sis. I didn't get to yesterday, work was insane with Mervyns closing we have even more customers than before, then dinner with the best family ever , then some "im "conversations and some googling (lol some people know what I mean) Now I am off to go back to the rat race, although I love this season for so many reasons , the fact that it's so busy makes the days go by so so fast. Not to mention the fact that our future is filled with even more hope than ever, God 's got some plans for us I just know it, now I'm just waiting for it to all fall into place cause I know it will! Oh and I'll blog again tonight just to make sure!

Mommy, no more buying stuff .....

2008-11-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

So we have told the kids recently that we will be moving, We told them that we weren't sure where yet but that we would be leaving this house. Selah has been saying things for awhile about wanting a different house, and now she cannot sleep in her room because of the moisture against one wall in her room, reaking havoc. I hope when I talk about these things people don't think we are lousy housekeepers, cause the ones who know me know I am a clean person, I actually get a little crazy about messes. But the things I'm mentioning are the things beyond our control. Anyway so Selah and I were hanging out yesterday and she said, "Mommy , No more buying stuff, it takes a lot of money to buy a new house, maybe like 1,000 dollars and we have to save." Mind you I am aware of the cost of things, I had not bought anything recently to bring this conversation on, just little Selah putting in her two cents.She is too funny she is always acting like a grown up in certain situations, and then like a wonderful 7 year old in other situations it's great!
Last night she came into my room and I was reading the bible, I was feeling an attack from the enemy,( he was trying to make me go back to the 'worry wart ' personality I tend to cling to at times),So I was doing my little 'trick' of asking God to show me the scripture that I needed to hear, so I had this bible, one I don't usually use, it's not broken in, and I kept turning to Job. hmmmm not exactly the answer I wanted, "God why have you deserted me, left me in this place....lol" ok so I am convinced at this point it's just the way that bible falls , or else I'm in big trouble lol . So I get my John Maxwell leadership bible, which I adore , and I open it straight to, my favorite scripture of all time, Jeremiah 29:11, " For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord, Plans to prosper you not to harm you, and plans to give you a future of hope" Wow that was so amazing, it's like in one minute I was transformed, from my old man creeping out trying to rear it's nasty ol head, to a peace like a river, There is so much power in the word of God! So back to Selah she comes in and I told her what I was doing so she wanted to join me, and she started opening the bible and reading out of it, the first scripture was in numbers where ashem begot adem begot shessalameccela jones etc. etc. So she said that is just a warm up I guess, then as she turned to the next and the next it was all so pertinent, one even going as far as to state, 'Pack up your belongings and leave this place' kinda odd. Then she sat on my lap and we watched Ed Young together and fell asleep. I would rather be with my family than anyone in this whole world, I have the greatest kids and family on the planet and I thank God so much for them, let's not neglect these moments with our kids, they can be a time where God chooses to speak very clearly to us, or our kids decide to reprimand us about spending money, either way they are precious!

Doors

2008-11-08T22:58:00.000-08:00

So yesterday's post the word i made up didn't work, not one hit on google or yahoo, not sure why, I wonder what it takes to get on google or yahoo, too funny, then I tried googling my name, and my maiden name , it turns out there is a Charity Hartman who graduated one year before me in Iowa, even though my name then was Pitts it's rather interesting. But a bit disturbing was in fact the people finder thing that said there was a Charity Hartman living in Gridley and if I paid I could find out more.... a little unnerving actually but luckily God has our protection in his hands.
Speaking of God's hands, we are always in his, recently God has done some big things in Bill and I's heart. To start at the beginning of the beginning, we have been in Gridley for 5 1/2 years and we love it here, our pastor is like a father to us, and our church is our extended family, which those things will never change. I know your waiting for the but... there is always a but... in a blog like this, you know what they say about but's lol...anyway I digress.... So in the last year our house has gotten really bad as far as the natural side of things breaking, leaks, holes, dry rot, not fun stuff at all. We have put band-aids on all these things, but in the last six months they have gotten out of control, some conditions becoming unhealthy, so I have been very discouraged and frustrated. Honestly I haven't blamed anyone etc, it's just hard to live like this. I know Pastors desire is to fix it but the church finances don't allow that at this time. So here we are faced with a dilemma, we are constantly praying about it, and even with Bill and I working full time each we cannot quite afford to get a house on our own (specially one where our live in teenager Ryan can have some room) So as the scripture says, God will keep in perfect peace those who's eyes are set on him. We just have been waiting it out , seeing what God was gonna do. So Bill and I have been really praying for direction in our lives with where we should live etc. and neither of us are sure how it happened but we both have felt a release, like it's time for us to move on. In our natural minds we don't want to leave Gridley , we love our Pastor and our church, my family is here, the kids have friends etc. But in our hearts we see the doors in front of us including the door that is shutting. We don't understand why this is happening this way, but if you know us you know we are faithful people, we are not hireling's we have never gone anywhere or left anywhere for the money or power or position involved. But God has His plan and His way , and when you just have that peace that just 'knows' you can't fight it. So with sorrow but anticipation we have decided to move on. We have some doors open to us, but honestly we have no idea where we will go. (that's girl scout's honor God's honest truth) We have met with our Pastor and he has been so supportive of us and our decision, he is an amazing man of God. He knows we still believe in His vision and the vision of the church 100% and are so grateful for the opportunity he has given us, but we must follow the will of God in our lives. So please if you think of it, say a prayer for us, that the right doors will open and we will continually follow His will. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Kings rule!

2008-11-07T23:41:00.000-08:00

So I got to do an event tonight at the kings game! At half time we handed out shirts to the craziest hyper fan, then in third quarter to even crazier fans. It amazing how much people cheer for their favorite team. We have all heard it said that if we would just give an ounce of that devotion to God, what a difference we could make, and boy is that true! Or an ounce of the money people spend at these games, fries $6 water $4 beer 6 or 8 I'm not sure and yet so many people had so many of these things (especially beer and alcohol). If you look at it in that perspective , it's funny how much time and money we put into our hobbies, yet when it comes to the house of God, it is lacking. Intersting thought anyway.
But the game was fun, we were on camera a few times and I looked awful on camera, but oh well I'm not trying to get a movie career anytime soon. :)

doodlepoodle
I typed that cause I'm curious if I type that then google it will my blog come up, it's a burning question for me I'm so curious , I will let you know next time how that turns out.
Sorry my blogs have been so serious, it's a result of some major changes that require seeking God that much more in this season of our lives, but I promise I will try to be funny next time!

Ok that's odd I googled that word and there were a ton of hits, and I thought I made it up so I must try another hmmmm.....
doodlybeary

Jesus bless us indeed....

2008-11-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Jesus bless us indeed
Enlarge our territory
That your hand be upon us
And you would keep us from evil
Help us to have sweet and happy dreams
In Jesus name, Amen

YOu may recognize the pray of Jabez (except the last line we added ourselves, actually Selah made it up when she was 2 and half) Anyway we have prayed that prayer with our kids since before they could talk. Now it is said in our home , every single night without fail, If they are being watched by someone they pray it together, although that doesn't happen often. So this morning I was having my coffee and thinking about everything going on in my life right now, the way that God works, and I realize how God sets things up. I don't feel worthy of God's blessing in my life, I feel more worthy of the bad stuff that happens and Ithink that it is God punishing us for some unknown reason sometimes. Then my sane mind takes over and I realize everything is in a season, and God says if you are faithful with little he will give you much.
Sometimes he also closes one door and opens another, it's not for us to understand why, just to know that when God's in it he has every person involved in his hand, every situation that comes up. It's taken some serious faith to even explore any new doors lately, and a lot of prayer, but God pretty much has set up some "that's not odd it 's God" situations lately. I have more peace then I have had in months , even in the midst of the unknown, because there is a few things I know for sure and that is , My family's steps are ordered of God, God wants to bless us indeed, enlarge our territory, His hand will always be upon us and he will keep us from evil. Thank you Jesus.

Hand to the homeless, heart for the lost

2008-11-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

My kids say all the time how they really want to help the homeless, I know they handed out sandwiches in Colorado when they went to visit there and we have taught them quite a few times how to react to homeless, we've showed them what it means to have compassion. So there isn't a lot of homeless people in Gridley for some odd reason but Friday night on the way to Sacramento there was a homeless guy with a sign , and we were able to give him a few dollars, actually Aslan was able to hand it to him, and it was the best thing in the world for him, better than any toy we could have given him. My kids have an honest heart for the homeless and I have always had one, that is why when all the homeless people were coming to our church I was so thrilled, then when they stopped coming I was upset, (but that is a whole other story). It is odd to me how some people can excuse their lack of compassion for the homeless by saying they deserve it, they've earned it etc. which may be true. But how many of us get what we deserve, are we without sin, do we deserve God's grace and mercy on our lives? I know I don't! I have been going through such a time lately of just feeling like I just want to be able to reach more , do more, etc. We were at a friends church last night, this church has numerous outreaches to the poor, and the pastor was talking about, the call, the harvest being plenty laborers are few and he said that the ambassador of Christ is 1.appointed and sent, 2.he travels light, (meaning to we own stuff or does stuff own us?) 3. Understands the urgency of his message. I think some times it is just too easy to keep on keeping on instead of really exploring what God may have for us, because time is short and the message is urgent, maybe we are being used but maybe God has even more if we just ask him, and if we ask , seek and knock He will answer and open the door.

I live with superman!

2008-10-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Ok that sounds so generic cause I can't compete with Bill's post today you can read it at www.hamboneflippy.blogspot.com . You won't be surprised to hear it may me bawl like a baby and no one can ever compete with that blog in my eyes. I guess there is a reason why after all these 13 1/2 years together he is still my best friend. God knew what he was doing, we have had our rough times in life and with each other but never even uttered the big "d" word or even considered it. Times are a little unstable right now, a storm at every corner, but he is my safety in the storm, covering me with his amazing strength and buff arms. My cheerleader and the spiritual head of my house... thank you God for my superman.

Auditors are Satan's spawn!

2008-10-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

So today we had a corporate audit, not cool at all! I didn't get one break or lunch in a 10 hour day icky icky. So auditors aren't really satan's spawn, it just feels like it sometimes! One auditor was on a power trip , witch hunt because she is from a different district and wants to make sure she finds everything we are doing wrong, so she can prove how great her district is. The corporate auditor was actually pretty cool for an auditor that is. But the worst part is my boss was not there , she didn't even come in when they told her they were there, so I get paid less that half what she does and I had to deal with all the pressures, but I'm not bitter no not bitter at all nope not me , no way , no how, not bitter at all. Did I mention I wasn't bitter!
LOL jk actually I learned a lot from them even the one who was on a witch hunt lol! But anyway what a day what a day!
When I got home I got to cuddle with my amazing children and Bill told me a sweet story about our amazing son. I know I talk about them all the time but they are my life , of course! So Selah was at breakfast, saying she was cold, shivering , (not being dramatic at all of course) so Aslan gets up, and Bill says, "Aslan sit back down and eat your breakfast", Aslan says, " I 'll be right back" , then my sweet little angel goes and gets his sister a blanket and wraps it around her shoulders and sits right back down. He is such a sweet little guy with the biggest heart! Ahhhhh I love my children!

Seek and you will find

2008-10-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

I want to share something in this post, but you have to know my heart in this, I am not by one ounce of anything wanted to get a pat on the back, or a well done from anyone, and I waited to share this cause I didn't want to even sound close to that, Does that make sense? But I want to encourage everyone in something cause I feel so blessed right now!

So the other morning getting ready for work, Joyce was talking about looking for opportunities to bless people, just by open our eyes and talking to people and asking God for an opportunity to bless. i would like to think I try to do that, I love to give little gifts , and bless people. Its purely selfish though I'm sure because I feel so good if I can bless someone.

That being said, I went ahead and asked God to give me an opportunity that day to bless someone even in a small way. So I went to work and things were just kinda normal. Nothing special. Well we have this gentlemen who does the housekeeping for the store at night. We have talked before, he even once brought me homemade enchiladas that his wife made, he is full Hispanic so let me tell you those enchiladas were out of this world!, Any who I digress..... he seemed kinda down that night, and I asked him how he was doing, he began to tell me about running out of gas on his way to work from his other job, not having money so he had to walk, so he didn't get to go home to get food, so he didn't eat all night. Now this is a family man, he has never complained, never talked about money, so he was not looking for a handout. So I felt really bad for him, but I definitely didn't have any money to give him so I felt helpless, then I remembered I had some frozen meals in the freezer, so I asked if he was hungry, and I was able to give him one, but he had mentioned his kids, so I asked how old they were and he said, 22, 20 and the other will be 15 tomorrow, so we talked a bit about it, and he said he would make a big deal for her 16 cause they didn't have money to get her anything this year, So something occurred to me, earlier that night I had bought a few things with something we call Kohl's cash, it's like free money to use in the store, so I asked him if I could give him something to give to her. And I returned the stuff and bought a gift card with the Kohl's cash and gave it to him to give to his daughter . It was only 25 dollars but that way he would have something to give his daughter on his birthday. It just goes to show that if we open our eyes there are opportunities every day to bless someone, even if you don't have money , or resources, there will always be a way if we ask God for the opportunity.

I hope you all know my heart and know I didn't tell this story to bring glory to anyone but God, because he gives us every blessing we have anyway, and wants to use those things to bless others.

"You've got to be kidding me" and Chilloween

2008-10-24T19:09:00.001-07:00

I don't know which is funnier or which to talk about first I think the potty story wins then you can have the other.

Disclaimer: If you you are offended by "potty stories" you probably should stop reading now, maybe even stop reading my blog in general because no subject is sacred on this blog

So for some random reason, unknown to our family, Every time Selah goes "#2 " in our bathroom the toilet gets clogged. I don't know why, Bill doesn't know why, Selah doesn't know why even sweet Aslan has no clue why. Of course we have pulled out our CSI kits many a times to try to get to the bottom of the mystery, (not literallly of course cause that would be gross) We've checked on using too much toilet paper, the size of bodily excretions is a possibility but that doesn't seem to be a factor since the toilet has probably seen much worse ( I know ewww!) But without fail it happens, one of life's great mysteries that I will have to ask God in heaven some day.
So tonight, Selah was getting ready to get in the shower and decided to use the bathroom first , and I turned to turn on the shower, and look back and she flushes and wham the water starts to come up, not much in there either so I have no idea why this happened. So I am now frantically searching for the plunger can't find it
"Selah go get the plunger"
"But I'm naked"
"Go get it anyway no one else is here" ( but the front screen was open oops!)
So Selah screams, ahh drawing attention if anyone was in fact outside, and I move the hamper and there is the plunger so I say, " Selah I found it" and she comes running back in naked,
"you've got to be kidding me" so I try to plunge the the toilet and it's not working, uh oh bill's not here, and it is just not working. So now I'm frantically moving things off the floor, (cause this toilet loves to overflow) and trying again. Selah says, "mommy let me try I have mucho experience in this" exact words
So I let her try and she puts heart and soul into it's not working, then I try again and again and finally selah says, "Lets both try" So here we are both of us with our hands on the plunger in the toilet and finally the water goes down ordeal over. Selah ends it with, " I don't know what it is it's weird I guess your toilet's hole is just too small for me"

Wow that was so so funny!!!! Potty stories to the max around here!

Ok here goes the second one, We were sitting at the dinner table (which is where the best stories come from and
Aslan says, "Too bad tommorrow is not Chilloween"
I said, "What is that"
Selah says so matter of factly, "You know Chilloween it's August 21st, " and keeps eating.
Ummm ok I thought , "What is Chilloween?"
"it's just a day where you sit and do nothing and chill, " she says hand motions and cool as a cumcumber.
"So Selah where did you get this holiday, I heard the word on a show but I made up the rest!"
So then Aslan says, " I wish tommorrow was Chilloween,"
to which Selah says, "NO Aslan it's on August 21st you can't just change the date of a holiday" (which mind you is only a holiday to my two amazing children lol)
So remember next year in August 21 don't forget to celebrate Chilloween

You just never know

2008-10-23T21:24:00.000-07:00

So there is a girl at work that I have had a bit of mixed feelings about in the past, she is super fakey sweet sometimes, and then she will say something to try to hurt me or insult me just out of nowhere, she does it to everyone as well as being someone who takes advantage whenever possible.
So I continually am forgiving her in my own spirit , knowing she is just lost and intends no harm in what she does, cause I always want to keep my spirit right, and my witness! So last night at work we were closing and she told me that she thought I was an amazing person and so strong, and she looked up to me. It's like everything she has done has been a test , will I still accept her, will I lash out or gossip about her,and none of those things have happened. So I'm not sure how it happened but wow it threw me off for her to say that.... I guess you just never know do ya?
Then today someone else who has been hurtful in the past opened up to me , and we had a definite "moment" and she said it was nice talking to me.
It would have been so very easy in either situation to react badly to people who hurt you with no reason except their own gain, to harbor unforgivness , develop an attitude, plot revenge etc. but I made a choice that I would rise above it, for my own sake really. And now look what God has done with it. Maybe that helps someone, maybe it was just for me... You just never know!

Compromise

2008-10-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

That was the theme of today's message... Compromise... I forgot to tell you all to pray for me , I spoke at New Life's chapel today, I could've used the prayers since I only got 3 1/2 hours of sleep after closing last night at work!

Anyway I think I've mentioned before how God uses Joyce Meyer very specifically in my life, well yesterday before I went to work , I was getting ready and I always put Joyce on in the background (thank God for Tivo) so I get out of the shower, a nice hot one in which I was thinking about my message etc. I wrap my head in a towel and push play on Joyce. I kid you not, If I'm lying I'm frying, her first words were, "And compromise is going a little below what you think is right." God has a sense of humor that is fo sho! It cracks me up when he does these things to me, I just lift my finger to God and go, " Alright you got me again." and even funnier is the fact that I was looking up the definiton in the dictionary only a little before I saw her and I was able to add that definition and the story to my message today, too funny, too funny!

Speaking of funny, my kids are hilarious, of course I'm their mom so I'm completley biased, but the other day Selah says, "So mom did you know that the kids get to vote on who becomes president we get to chooose on nickelodeon," I was like oh really Selah and who are you voting for? Her response" Well I don't know, who has lower gas prices" it was just too cute lol!

And in "Aslan is so funny" news:

Aslan who was chilling with us, proceeded to call me his queen, and he said he was King-farts-a -lot, (cause he tooted) and Selah was Princess tiny toot, and I will not disclose my name as it could incriminate me.

Not sure if that made sense, just two unrelated stories that were cute and it's almost midnight and I'm exhausted so forgive me if I am not making sense!

Ode to a great friend

2008-10-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

I have a great friend, she has been my friend for 5 years now, I met her because her daughter got saved in our youth group. Well this weekend we went to Sacramento overnight as her gift to me for my birthday, it was so so fun. We took her daughter and her friend so we were shopping for dresses for the girls for a fall ball . We looked around and had fun everywhere looking at makeup etc.

(This is us in Torrid being silly by the way! )

We just had fun being together and hanging out, she is a great friend she always makes me feel very special and loved. Thank God for friends like her and of course , the amazing red and pink glasses, those are definetly a godsend!

Personal days?

2008-10-18T01:41:00.000-07:00

So today I found out I have three personal days available for work! Yay exciting I can take a day off and get paid, joy of all joy's the elation, the grandeur.....errr ummm one problem, it's well kinda sorta , a little bit, completely black out months for the next two months......elation ended. Bummer ..... but I guess they will, be waiting after these two crazy months are through.

I've also decided that making costumes for a living will probably end up making me a million dollars , I bet I would be richer than Bill Gates, because they are so very expensive so you must make bucks on them.... so my evil plan to take over the world begins....hmmm now to learn to sew, find time and get a passion for it...hmmm probably not going to happen... oh well evil plan number one is a failure, I'll let you know when Pinky and I formulate plan #2!

The Bridge

2008-10-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

Wow , someone just emailed me the most touching video I've seen in awhile. I encourage you to watch it, even if you think you know the store and want to spare yourself some emotion don't it is so well done if you just watch til the end!
http://www.maximumreferrals.com/videos/bridge/bridge.html

Anyway, I'm an emotional wreck now from the video, and reeling from a tough week with a lot of hours worked. Welcome to the holidays in retail! The problem is, this is the first week Bill and I's schedules have directly conflicting most of the days of the week ... and let me let you know picking up two sleeping kids from mom's at 1130pm at night is not an easy task, but it could be worse! Thank you Jesus for our jobs!

So funny story of the day, a lady came into the store today, I'm talking grown woman, and she grabbed a stroller cart and proceeded to buckle a doll into the cart and push it around the store, when I saw her later she was checking on the "baby" making sure it was strapped in ok. There was no one else with her, wow the things I see......

Our emotions betray us...

2008-10-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ever notice that? Sometimes we can tell ourselves over and over again the things we need to hear and the things we know to be true, but then those stinky emotions try to sneak in and change all that. Oh how life would be without so many emotions, but then we would miss out on all the good ones so I guess it all evens out in the end. What emotions betray you? For me lately it's discouragement, I fight and fight it and most of the time it's a winning battle but we all have those moments I guess. What's a true blog if you can't be honest ?
I was talking to a girl online who has been messaging me since I met her at Radical Reality camp, this girl has had one tough road, she 's had a lot of bad happen to her, so we talk A LOT, and last night when I was talking to her I had an amazing revelation. She was talking about the hands we were dealt and I told her a little about my tough childhood, before my dad came into the picture. And she was floored she had no idea that I didn't have a perfect upbringing white picket fence and all. Anyway I said I used to always wonder why I was dealt the hand I was dealt, now I wonder the same thing in the opposite way, How did I get so blessed as to have a husband that is the best person in the world for me, and the most amazing kids. Cause I really have wondered that, I see me, and all my shortcomings and attitudes and think I , what did I ever do to deserve this? Whereas 20 years ago I wondered it all in the opposite direction, So I explained to her that it's not about deserving it's about doing the best with what we have where we are at and know that some day God will use it to His glory if we trust him and do not lose heart.
That was therapeutic for me to type out, so maybe it helped one of you? Who knows , I do know there is a reason for everything.

What's your word?

2008-10-11T23:58:00.000-07:00

That's what my message was called. Everything in the world tried to keep me from going, but that made me even more determined that it would be a good day, and it was. God showed up, he used my mouth I guess but it was all him. It's funny every time I speak I get nervous that for some reason he won't be there, like I didn't study enough or I should've prayed more etc. but somehow he always shows up, in spite of me. ( Not to make it seem like I don't pray and prepare, it just never feels like quite enough) But each time i speak I feel more and more at ease and more and more like what is God gonna do with this? I wish God would use me in this area all the time, although it's getting more frequent. I'm just thankful he uses me in other ways, but this one is just so fun! LOL I say that now because it's over last night my tune was a little different lol!
The conference itself was so well done and put together those girls are blessed to have that quality of a conference made available to them. They are the ones who worked hardest in this scenario, Lord bless them.

We are rich!

2008-10-10T23:26:00.000-07:00

No we have not won the lottery, ( that is a bit hard to do when you don't play it) No we didn't win a million dollars but according to Selah "WE ARE RICH" Here is the conversation that led into that. We were eating dinner, Mahi mahi and couscous salad (yummers!!!) and yes my kids eat real fish and whole wheat couscous, score! Anyway I was talking about food being "rich" and Selah was like, " oh i know what that means you have lots of money etc., " and I said that is one version of the word rich but I'm talking about food, then she continues, (cause she loves to talk , I have no clue where the girl gets it) ,"We are very rich , because we have a great family and friends and many blessings in our lives" (I couldn't make this stuff up folks, Selah talks like she is a teenagers , she loves big words. ) But it was just such an amazing moment.
Then she went on to tell us how much protein was in couscous, since she looked at the box 15 minutes before and still somehow remembered the exact number (???) She has the memory of an elephant! Then Aslan explained more to us about our planets, and later when Selah gave me my "birthday gift" which was hour long massages whenever I wanted, (and by an hour she means 2 minutes max) she explained to me where my vertabrate were spelling it and all, no wonder she got best speller wow!!! So that was a nice big jumble of stuff, but I just love and adore my family and I'm amazed by my children everyday.

If you think about it tommorrow keep me in your prayers around 2pm my time, actually not me, but the girls I will be speaking to, that there hearts and minds will be open to the message.

Funny it doesn't feel any diffrent...

2008-10-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

Another year old doesn't feel any diffrent I feel a lot diffrent from 2 years ago though, before surgery's and all that, I am an old woman compared to that young 30 year old. But I have no regrets , I have an amazing family , the best actually, they are all a little crazy and can be dysfunctional at times but amazing to the core!
So today I had to lead a training class at work, 3 hours long, tommorrow another 3 hour class then a three hour orientation for new employees. The funny thing is , every time I do one I realize how much I love public speaking! People who have been with the company much much longer than I were actually learning from insights I had for customer service. It's a great feeling , like you can actually teach someone something. So even though I get nervous about speaking engagements like the one on Saturday, I always enjoy it, specially when I feel like people 'get it' , God puts those desires in our hearts , before we ever realize they are a dream of ours or even a desire. He prepares us with circumstances etc. You can be somewhere writing on rocks what seems like an impossible dream , then all of the sudden a few years down the line and your are full force into the dream and vision...that's not odd it's God!
So an encouragement, no matter how crazy the dream may be, no matter how outlandish it may seem now, if it's a deep desire of your heart and it's a God given desire, it will come to pass if we are faithful to pursue it.

P.S .
My sister is amazing, she dedicated her whole blog to my birthday how sweet is that!

Already a great Birthday!

2008-10-08T02:21:00.001-07:00

So I had to work another late night! Got home around 1:50am! To back up a bit, there is a sweet young pregnant girl at my work who I have been trying to be a witness to, her birthday is the same day as mine, so tonight I gave her a little gift. I love to give little gifts, it makes me happy so it's actually a selfish thing I'm sure! Anyway you would have thought I gave her a million dollars, she cried and was so grateful it made my night. It was such a little gesture but it meant a lot to this sweet young single soon to be mama. Makes me even more aware of all the little things I "feel" like doing or saying and don't , how many could lift someones day or be a little Jesus to them.
The second wonderful thing is that at exactly 12am I got a video message from my best friend, boyfriend for life, singing happy birthday , it made me cry, and I came home to a clean house. He may not have money to get me gifts but I can say with 100% truth as God is my witness , these things meant so much more than any gift. My man is the best and after all this time together I think he finally figured out how to give me the perfect gift!!!

Oh to imagine again.

2008-10-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

So I have always loved drama! Making up human videos, plays etc. I love it love it! I haven't had time to do it for a long while, they say when your super busy creativity is the first thing to go, but anyway! We were in the car with the kids the other day and we had gotten a new cd, It's the new group one crew song lets see if I can find a link for it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X54m3AAYyKE Ok but WAIT! listen to this so Aslan listens to the song, then he asks to hear it again, which I immediatley loved it so I had no problem with that, so after the second time through he says "mom and dad you know what I see , I see the angels taking the keys from the demons. They fight and there are arrows but none of the angels die only the demons, and of course Jesus wins. The song is called "keys to the Kingdom" and he said more details etc. but it was so neat, his little imagination came up with it all in his head, like he could just see it, it was so very cool. Now you can listen to the song and picture the scene just as Aslan imagined it. And by the way he informed me he now wants us to pronounce his name like they do in the movie instead of (Os-lon) the correct pronunciation, he wants the one that the movies all use (As-laan) who knows how long that will last?

The wonderful world of retail!

2008-10-03T12:49:00.001-07:00

So the last night I got off at 1:30am then drove home which put me home at 2am! We were supposed to have "a corporate visit" so we called in all the troops and busted our rumps to get the store perfect, but even at 1:30 there were flaws so I had nightmares about getting a call from the store manager saying it wasn't good enough etc., woke up with a stomach ache because of it, then got a text saying they weren't coming! I was like are you kidding me, cause they are coming next week which means this will yet again be reapeated , this whole process, and we already blew our payroll on this night , and payroll is a huge deal. So for us this means , cutting hours everywhere, which means understaffed on the floor, and upset customers and unrealistic expectations of the store manager as to why the store doesn't look as good as it should, when we have no staff. Talk about a catch twenty two! Not to mention when I took over as Customer Service manager, our customer service score was 49.2 and not it is 89.1 (which is the highest in our district ever! for weeks running) but when we are understaffed it hurts that number a lot!
Well anyway big rant that was and now I'm through cause I have to go back to work tonight and I won't be home until minimum 12am cause we are open until 11pm. Sorry I bored you with all that!

God's promises on pebbles

2008-09-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

So today I had an actual day off where I didn't have to go anywhere, So I cleaned under my bed, my closet and cleaned out my drawer, boy was it fun!!! In the meantime I was listening to Joyce Meyer, Ed YOung and Hillsong in the background. First Joyce talking about our attitude toward change, then Ed talking about change and then Hillsong talking about how we deal with the seasons in our lives, like when it feels like things are stacking up against you etc. Very interesting how the 'theme thing' always happens to me, God loves to talk to me like that. So in the midst of all of this, and the drawer cleaning I came across a little mesh back with some smooth stones in it. I remember very well what those were but haven't looked at them in years. At a womens retreat shortly after Selah was born a speaker handed out the stones and asked us to ask God what dreams and visions he may have for us, and then write them down. I remember thinking at the time that the things I wrote on the stones were pretty out there, maybe even fleshlly, because 3 out of 5 were a stretch. But today looking at them, it was definetly a 'God-moment'
1. Aslan-the prophecy over him that he would have a "moses spirit" ( that's a story for another time if you have not heard it, but in brief it came from 4 totally unrelated sources, from the time I was pregnant to when he was born ill, that he would have a moses spirit- and Moses is the only one who spoke face to face with God) anyway 2. Selah would be a woman of God- So these were the two softballs, what every mother desires for their children, no surprise there. then comes #3 That I would speak to women/girls someday- weird thing was at the time, I had never preached a sermon , (except once in high school) and that seemed like a huge stretch for me, but in case you guys don't know I have now been speaking at camps and conferences for almost 3 years, wow how God knows when we have no clue.
4.That we would have a youth ministry that people would pattern theres after- This actually happened when we first moved to Gridley- 3 seperate youth pastors that came and started using the ideas to bring back to their church. So odd
5. (Now this one confused me, it wasn't neccessarily a dream or vision so I'm not sure why I wrote it) but the weirdest thing is that today it was exactly what I needed to hear, it so amazes me how God works , I shouldn't be surprised but it surprises me everytime. I know you want to know what it said but Im not going to tell you! :p
Ok ok just kidding 5. Though the vision tarry wait for it....
This may mean nothing to you, but the life and times Bill and I are in it means everything so in case you are questioning, or wondering maybe this will encourage you too or maybe try to put something on paper and see what God may do with it in a few years or maybe try some stones in a little mesh bag with a sharpie, it worked for me ....

Did you know it's Christmas!

2008-09-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah Christmas has come to Kohl's ....Already, I've been looking at the fall/halloween stuff as I walk by for weeks now so I feel like that is already over, Our schedules are holiday-like, the stress level etc. Too funny how retail works at it's own pace. Speaking of work some of the girls are taking me to dinner for my birthday, what a nice gesture that is!
Hmmm.... what to say , what to say, I'm speaking at a conference on the 11th and 12th so pray for me, I always get nervous until God gives me the entire word, all organized and ready to go! It's still a very odd season for us, Bill is working over night 4 times a week which means I sleep alone, which I haven't done more than a month combined in our entire marriage, now it's most of the time, I miss him a lot, we use to get away every six months too , so we will have to start doing that again, since we also have a teenager living with us, like most of the time. LOL
I really pray for a house where we can offer them a bedroom not just a couch, but most of them are quite thankful for that!
Not sure what else to say except Merry Christmas!

And I have the certificate to prove it!

2008-09-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was the awards ceremony at the kids school. They give out monthly awards to the students who excel in certain areas. Well Selah came home as thrilled as she could be and said, "I'm the best speller in 2nd grade! And I have the certificate to prove it!" I'm so proud of my little girl. Now she is determined to get student of the month, which it took me til 5th grade to get that, but then I got student of the year so maybe she will follow in those footsteps. We framed her certificate and she said, "NOw when I get student of the month it can go over this" Not if but "when" , I like that faith, I like that determination, and Selah is the type that will not stop until she attains it I guarentee you that!
Aslan on the other hand, keeps getting these "Caught ya " cards, which means he gets caught doing something good, you turn them in to a drawing and they pick names weekly for it, he's already won once. He picks up trash and helps people out a lot so I'm told him, he is "Helper of the month" in the mommy awards.
Ok bye for now!

Warning on Mercury.....

2008-09-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

So Aslan is still learning so much about planets and the solar system. Every dinner he talks about how much he has learned, So tonight he told us to be warned, because on Mercury, you will "Fry like a chicken" It was so funny how he said it and so cute. Then we asked why it was and he said, " Because its closest to the sun duh" It's just amazing to me how much he has learned and how much he enjoys it! Thank God for great teachers!
There is an awards ceremony tomorrow at school and Selah thinks she is going to get student of the month, I know she is an amazing student, but there are a lot of students in the school so I told her not be disappointed if she didn't get it this month there are lots of months left! Also her girl scout troop is selling magazines and nuts so please let us know if you need some chocolate covered nuts or a magazine, (she has a catalog with every magazine imaginable in it) and we have to make a good first impression with fundraisers lol jk.
Alrighty then good night all and have a great day!!

Ad Set...grrrr

2008-09-24T02:20:00.000-07:00

So I just got home, I had to stay for adset, at work it always takes place after store close, it's not a bad process but it keeps you up late, I actually got a lot of work done at my desk, since my only job was to supervise the team, (even though they have an ad set supervisor) so actually I supervise him supervising them, (hmmmm ) anyway it wasn't so bad, but the air conditioning goes off right at close and the office is like a heater box, and the drive home was tough , but oh well I'm home safe. Thank you Jesus!
Selah started Girl Scouts today, a lot of girls from her school were in it, and she had oh so so much fun! She went on and on, and you know what's interesting. Girl scouts have not taken, "serve God" out of their motto, I was quite pleased to hear that. She also came home with her first fundraising, and of course she is like the best salesman ever, on the phone to me she described on of the chocolates, as "smooth chocolate with a touch of mint" she is too funny, I bet she will make a killing (sales wise) with the girl scout cookies when they come up!
I was glad I got to drop her off even though I couldn't pick her up since I had to go to work, a girl walked straight up to her and talked to her , so mommy was comforted!
Aslan is in Royal Rangers and he is doing amazing in it, he has expressed interest in wresting when it comes available, Bill and I both think it's a great idea, and that he would be good at it!
OH yeah and when I was picking up the kids, there was a nice lady standing next to me, and she turned to me and said, "My daughter loves reading your blog", I literally stood there mouth open trying to comprehend what she said, lots of thoughts racing like am I a blog celebrity???!???! LOL
Anyway then she said she was Mandy's mom, (Mandy being a very sweet young woman who used to go to our youth quite often) Love ya Mandy! Anyway that was the funniest sweetest thing!
So I better go to bed now its 2:35 am and I have to be back at work at 2pm tomorrow!

Not much to say.....

2008-09-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

Not much to say today. Church this morning was good, after a few technical difficulties, then it was off to work. We had a guy stalking a woman in our store today pretending that he worked there, (that was weird), so we walked her out to her car, then he flipped back around to follow her and we stood in his way, and I pretending to be looking at his license number and grabbing my cell phone, so he flipped around and went the other way! Victory, I'm so tough! The guy was creepy though I will give him that, and I don't think he will be back! So that happened and an associate fainted, she has been going through some major health issues, and they can't quite narrow it down, she's been off for months (since the last 2 times she worked she left in an ambulance, due to seizures and incoherence,) so I found out today she is going to a psychatrist and a psychologist, and trust me this girl is so far from being a drama queen it's ridiculous, she is the type that likes to work hard and not cause a seen, so it makes me think that , there may be something that happened to her long ago or something, poor poor girl, so if you think about it say a prayer for her , lets just say A.
So then came home just in time to tuck some kids in and kiss a husband before he ran off to work 5th night in a row at 10 hours a shift, I felt so bad for him this morning, we were missing most of the band, including the guitarist, so he had to play, and there was a mike unplugged, and he was sweating like a madman, my poor baby I can't imagine being up all night then all that. He's working so hard!
Well not much to say turned into quite a bit, so I'm off now!

The Amazing Crawdad Hunters Part 2

2008-09-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

Crawdad

Graveyard

Far right

RIP

So family walk time again and of course we had to visit the crawdads, So as they stop at the creek thing I keep walking so i can get some good walk time in , Sam and I circle up to the stop sign and back then follow the levy. Well this time I decided to go a diffrent direction and I hit the jackpot, I found a virtual crawdad graveyard not to mention some huge crawdads in the water next to the bank. So I went and got the fam to check this out , sticks and all. Well of course Aslan had to collect every little shell and claw he could find , but hey what would you expect? We had a blast , and got selah to take some more pictures, I can't show you any pictures of actual crawdads on this blog because well, Selah "called " all of those pics. So I must abide by the "I called it rule, in blog etiquette lol! So to see the crawdads and all the pictures she took tonight, I will post them after this, go to sissysasa7.blogspot.com
So not much else to report on this end, just spending every bit of family time we can get, cause after all that is what life is about!

Crawdads hunters!

2008-09-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

So tonight we went for a walk as a family, ( as we tend to do quite often) and the kids love to go to the little creek and look for crawdads So that's what we did, we found a few got a few pics but as soon as we got our stick even close to them they ran off. Man those things are so fast! It was so funny cause the kids were talking about how big and bad of crawdad hunters they were! Also they both got sticks and then daddy said they could keep them, so Selah says, "This will be passes down for generations! It was too funny! In the pics you will see Selah covering her eyes and looking scared and thats because daddy stradled the little creek thing and she was afraid he would fall in. So enjoy the pics and our fun story. Not much else to report except God is good all the time, and I have so many many blessings in the family that I have and my husband and my children. We absolutley love spending time togther and it's the highlight of any day! They are my favorite people in the whole wide world!

A New Season

2008-09-16T23:40:00.000-07:00

Today was overcast and thunder and lightening followed. I love it, I'm so ready for fall, I know we are going to have lots of hot days left here in Cali, but soon enough it will be here!
So now lets decide to have a new season in our lives. Those things we worry about , those things we can't quite let go of , our selfish pride, our negativity, our apathy, whatever it is. So I'm deciding to start a new season in my life, no matter how hard things get I will do my best to stay positive, because there is always someone way worse off than me. My blessings are so numerous how can I not think on them all day long! The enviornment of my world is going to change.

Entertaining Angels unaware.....

2008-09-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

So, as I was fixing Selah's hair this morning , and listening Joyce Meyer( I know what a shock), Joyce was talking about giving to people and we have so much , that we think we need but why not give of what we have, etc. Well it's always funny to me how Selah not only listens but fully understands Joyce's ministry, and if she doesn't then she will ask. So we were not discussing it or anything and she just says
" Mommy did you know that God sends Angels to us sometimes to test us, " (this is word for word), " Like the time we were at Del Taco and daddy bought that guy some tacos and gave them to him, I know he was an angel and God was testing us, Or the time we were at Taco Bell and daddy brought the guy eating out of the trash some burritos he was probably an angel too , cause God does that you know." I just sat in awe of my little girl and I remembered a time when she was only 2 and she was in the bath and she kept pointing up above my head and saying angels, and when I asked what they looked like she said, "like birdies , tweet tweet" So I think we need to give out kids a little credit for the spiritual understanding they have, and not only that but follow our heart when God tells us to give or serve, etc. Because we may be entertaining angels unaware.

And a couple extra thoughts to leave you with:

"Change your thoughts , Change the World!"

"Sometimes in the winds of change we find true direction"