Let Freedom Ring

Lately Ive been having some random thoughts about what Freedom really is.  I think for the first time in my life Ive felt that my freedom is threatened.  This economy is squelching to say the least.  I feel like my freedom to have the "American Dream" is quickly diminishing.  Not to say thats all I want in life - that is far from the truth.  To reach further - maybe even to far - I feel that our country is being punished for turning our back on God.  And I think therein lies my feelings.  People I dont know, people who dont love Jesus or have no regard for God, have passed laws - such as taking prayer out of school, allowing abortion - that make my God cringe.  Therefore, my freedom to flourish is gone.  Maybe this is way off-base, but at least, Im really understanding the price our forefathers paid so that we could have religious freedom.  And now it seems that it is all in vain as people continue to choose to support agendas against Godliness.  Of course I know that God has me in His hands, I am not afraid of the future.  I trust His perfect path for my life and I do not waver in believing that He knows the Plans He has for me, to prosper me, not to harm me, to give me a Hope and a Future, as expressed in Jeremiah 29:11.  My hope is in Jesus, not national freedom.  It just saddens me.

My New Favorite

I am normally a SaveMart shopper, but on my recent trip to Vons to get cheap chicken - this is what I found! I was so happy - Ive been looking for something like this for a long time. Trader Joes has something similar, but its not whole wheat. I am ecstatic! The ingredients are:Whole Wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, sodium aluminum, monocalcium phosphate, & salt. This is the most "whole" pancake mix Ive found and its my new favorite!!

High Hopes

I have high hopes for my backyard. With the last several days being so beautiful Ive spent a good portion of the kids nap time outside. As I was sitting there, doing my bible study and just thinking, I was envisioning all that my backyard could become. I have some grand ideas and I cant wait to be able to make it what I want. But in the mean time, Im grateful that I have a backyard to have high hopes for!! Here are some before pics and hopefully one day Ill have after pics to share.

Historic day

I woke up early this morning and got up to watch the inauguration. I think it really is wonderful that Barack will be president. I think he brings a lot of hope and pride to African Americans. As much as I dont agree with so much of his ideas I appreciate that he has picked Rick Warren to be a part of the inauguration. Im praying that Gods Truth will be revealed to him and that he will surround himself with wise counsel. But as I was thinking about this historical day and the hope that Barack brings an old hymn came to my mind -

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;I dare not trust the sweetest frame,But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;All other ground is sinking sand,All other ground is sinking sand.

Im thankful that Barack brings hope, but for me, Jesus is my hope.

I love it!

I love my new home. I love where we live. I love days like today when the sun is out and shinning gloriously. I love getting up and making breakfast with my family. I love having my sis and her fam over and then going to the park. I love having them over for lunch afterwards. I love it! I love nights like the past few when Ive been cooking dinner for my family and watching the sun set outside my windows. I love it!!

Savoring it

Right now my kids are so much fun. I love Havens little personality. She has the cutest smile and chubber chubber cheeks - so squishy and cute. She loves to just sit at her little table and play. Justus is loads of fun right now too. He is great at playing all by himself. But often he engages Haven and they just laugh and laugh. He also is great at minding me so when we go somewhere I have no worries and complete confidence in knowing that Im in control. I love the conversations he has with me. It is always the most random things but I can tell that he is really learning about his world and all that is around him. He has the most tender heart and is so thoughtful. His face is so sweet and I just love it. I know these next few years will be so full of fun new things and fun times with great memories.

What do you do when...

you are craving something sweet - aka chocolate - and there is absolutely none in your house and the kids are napping soundly in their beds?? Well, Ive been known to eat all the faux chocolate sprinkles that I use when baking, but today, all those were gone so instead I ate the rest of my Honey Almond slivers that normally go on top of my salad when I have company. Hmmmm....just doesnt quite do it tho......ugh!!