More Rambling and subject jumping

I cannot seem to fathom how some people can be so negative.  I just want to scream at them and say "Look around you!  There are blessings swarming around every inch of your being!  Be positive because there is always a positive to every negative!"  I mean seriously!  Come on!  Just look around you and see what God has given you.  I know I do on a daily basis. 

I am blessed beyond belief!  An amazing husband, awesome kids, great family and friends, and above all, a Loving Lord!  That alone makes me smile!  I know at the end of the day, I have so much to be thankful for and I pray! 

Why is it that people tend to hate the fact that Monday is coming up?  Yes, the weekend is over...SO!  In a few days you will have another weekend.  I love Mondays.  A new week!  A new beginning. You may be suffering from a diet disaster and you turned to pizza, or you didn't work out as much as you wanted.  Guess what...start over on Monday!  And plus...Mondays have great shows on tv lol.  See...a positve to the "negative Monday" outlook :)

Enough rambling...we had a great weekend.  The boys had to go to their mom's to make up from the icy weekend we had a few weeks back, so it was just the girls and me.  Alyssa had a friend come over and stay the night and they had a blast.  Cannot believe they stayed up til 2 am!  I am just way to old for that!  I like to be in bed asleep no later than midnight....I actually prefer 10:30 lol.  Anywho--they played Barbies, watched movies, ate popcorn, and just giggled!  Then I took the girls to McDonalds to play until the girl's mom came to meet us.  We visited for awhile and then Alyssa and I came home and rode the 4 wheelers.  Like I said, a great weekend!  Now my boys are home and the only piece of the family missing is my hubby!  This is his long week so he wont be home until Wednesday. 

My baby girl, who isn't much of a baby anymore, Isabella (Izzy), turns 4 on Tuesday!  Oh my gosh...time sure does fly!  Can't believe it!  So, we are having a birthday party at our house on Wednesday for her.  Bought decorations and ordered the cake...wanna guess the theme...Yep Minnie Mouse lol.  She is really excited! 

I am really excited about this coming up weekend.  Going on the Cottonwood Church Ladies Retreat in Abilene!  I have been looking forward to this for over a month now!  I am so ready to see what the Lord has in store for me to learn this weekend! 

Other than that, don't know much else to write about.  I know it seems like I am just jumping from one subject to another...but I like to ramble at times lol.  For anyone who reads this, just remember one thing, you are blessed!  The more you focus on the blessings in life, the less you stumble on the pebbles of negativity!  Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC Monday!

Till fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren

The Look in the the week

Well lets just start off with today.

Wednesday:

Lets see, almost done teaching for the day.  Going to work out on the treadmill.  Hmmm...and of course the kids and I are going to play on the 4 wheelers.  Dereck already had one, so we bought one for Alyssa and James...it is their birthday present...but we thought it would be fine to go ahead and give it to them early.  I will post pics of them driving them later.  It is going to be a blast!  We have tons of property, so we now get to go and explore it all at the same time lol.  We like to go treasure hunting.  The kids love it.  They get to look for arrow heads and we even found old items that dated back into the early 1900s when there was a railroad out where we live.  It is so much fun to see the kids' faces when they find these valuables :)  So that is what we are going to be doing this afternoon.  Then we will come in for supper and then the lovely bath time.  Kids will be put to bed for reading time, and Chris and I will watch some American Idol.  Then some cuddle time while we watch some movies he rented.  My life rocks!


Thursday:
Hmmm...about the same as Wednesday lol.  School, play outside, 4 wheelers, then KARATE CLASS!  The kids are so excited.  Alyssa was doing dance, and was kind of getting bored with it and she decided she wanted to try something else...and the boys wanted to do karate and she thought she would like it.  So we shall see.  I bet she does.  If not, we will find her something lol. 

Friday:
My sexy hubby has to go back to San Antonio to prepare for work on Saturday.  Sure going to miss him!  But he will be back on Wednesday.  This will be his long week.  And since I had to reschedule time with the boys bio mom (because we had ice and I wasn't going to drive in it), Chris will be taking them to her for the weekend.  So it will just be me and my girls this weekend.  Alyssa will be having a friend sleep over Friday night.  So I am planning for a special supper, some movies, some games, and popcorn.  She is super excited!  Then we are planning on going into Stephenville on Saturday afternoon to meet with the little girl's mom and go get a bite to eat for lunch and then go to the movies (if there is anything that they want to see). 

As for the rest of the weekend...School prep for the upcoming school year.  Tons of stuff still need to be done.  Been working on it for the past few weekends.  But as of this upcoming year, I will have all of my kids in homeschool.  Izzy will be in Pre-K, James wil be in 2nd grade, Alyssa will be in 3rd, and Dereck will be in 6th.  Next week Dereck has to take the TAKS test.  TAKS tests start at grade 3 and are supposed to be done every other year...well I do not go by that.  I make the kids take them every year.  Extra education is what I strive for!  So, busy busy busy.  Hope all is well with everyone!  I am now going to go jump on the treadmill so the fun can begin. 

Here are some pics of the older ones on their new 4 wheelers.  And I had to put a pic of Izzy up too because she said she wants to see her as well lol.  Hope you enjoy.

Here is Dereck.

Here is Alyssa.

Here is James.

Here is the one of Izzy lol.

Here are 2 pics of the kids together on the 4 wheelers.  They had a blast!!!!

Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren

Some more rambling...hey it is Monday...give me a break lol

As many people know, I am one of the most open people you will meet.  I am not one of those people to hide anything.  If you want to know, just ask...and boom, you get the truth...whether you wanted to hear it or not.  Yes I am blunt, but honest!  In most cases I don't like to "sugar coat" anything.  As my dad says (all the time) "It is what it is".  No matter what life throws your way, you have to just go with it.  I have realized that the hard way.  I have decided to basically not sugar coat my life or the people involved in it.  I have a "circle" that consists of certain people.  These people, some family and some friends, are the ones closest to me.  I love them with all of my heart and care deeply for them.  On the other hand, there are those that I do not really put in this circle.  Does that mean I don't care for them?  No, I do.  Love is a choice.  I choose to love everyone because that is what Christ asks of me.  Some have wronged me or my family, but I am not to judge.  I have forgiven them.  It is Christ's job to judge, not me.  I am told to turn the other cheek and forgive and forget.  Forgiving is easy, forgetting...not so much.  I am trying though.  That is what is asked of me.  So, people that know me, and I mean truly know me, know that I am always here for anyone if they need help, support, advice, a shoulder to cry on, etc.  That is just how I am.  And I am proud of that.  I do have a big heart.  Have I made mistakes?  Of course. Everyone has.  Do I have any regrets...NO...a BIG NO!  I do not regret anything.  I am who I am now because of my successes and my mistakes.  If my past turned up any different, I wouldn't be where I am today.  Praise God that I am where I am now.  Jesus has blessed me with an amazing husband.  He is my hero, my love, my life!  He even to this stay still opens every door (including the car door) for me.  He is always calling me periodically throughout the day to tell me that he loves me and is thinking of me.  Yep, that is my man!  And with him, came the blessing of my sons, Dereck and James.  They keep me on my toes.  I know it is just a matter of time before James, aka Courageous Dare-devil, breaks a bone and I have to take him to the hospital.  lol  I swear there are so many differences between girls and boys!  But I wouldn't change it for anything.  Dereck is my little helper...and I cannot believe I said "little"...he is 10 years old!  6 years and it is driving time for him!  OMG!!!  Which now brings me to my girls.  Alyssa is a very loving little girl!  She is also my helper.  She loves to help me cook.  She is also my little taste tester..."Mommy, we need to add more Serendipity".  Now, let's get to Izzy.  She is just like her Daddy!  Oh my goodness!  She is the little trouble maker lol.  She is always instigating trouble.  But she is also my little cuddle bug.  We have several weekends that it is just her and me.  She like to help with laundry...not the help that I would want persay...for example I just folded up clothes and put them away, she wants to take them out and put them ALL on.  Yes...helper right lol.  Anway getting to the point, I am blessed beyond means!  I have a husband who is an excellent Daddy to all of the kids.  He is simply amazing!  My kids are the best!  And my Lord is awesome! 

Priorities need to be adjusted to see the whole situation.  Most people tend to have their priorities all screwed up.  And they wonder why things always go wrong.  Well, let me be blunt (and yes without the sugar coating), you need to put JESUS first.  Without Him in your life and heart, things are going to fall to pieces.  Jesus is the "glue" in your life.  That "glue" holds all your relationships together.  That "glue" keeps your marriage inseperable and blooming.  That glue holds you tight to your children.  So, put Jesus first.  I know some people don't like going to church.  Well, look around and try to find one that suits you.  I love going to Cottonwood, don't get me wrong, but I love Double N Cowboy church!  Amazing!  Also, don't just worship and study Jesus only on Sundays.  Do a daily devotional.  I do three different devotional books a day and I just LOVE them.  When you put Jesus first, everything just falls into place.  After Jesus, you put your spouse and children. But with that, you need to make sure they have the "glue" and knowledge of Jesus.  That is the blessing of homeschooling.  Each child has English, Spelling, Math, History, Science, Bible, and Literature...but with that said, there is always either a Bible verse in those subjects or the lesson deals with Jesus and the Bible as well.  That is what our children need.  I am not saying that public school is bad by any means.  Just when your children get home, do a family Bible study with them.  Not only is it quality time, it is also a life-time knowledge that benefits them now and in the future. 

Okay stepping off the soap box again.  I know I tend to ramble, but that is what blogs are for.  Putting down your thoughts, feelings, etc.  So there you go, you have the Monday morning look in the life of a busy mom.  Now going to fix lunch and do my workout. 
Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren

Just a bloggin for no rambling reason other than to ramble

As I am sitting here at my computer, I have decided to write down a list of "to-dos".  And boy...that sucks.  I have a wedding coming up in July that I have to get ready for...no not for me, I am just in it.  It is my friend's wedding.  All of her other brides maids are gorgeous and thin...me...not so much.  So I need to work out.  My friend Kasey has started the workout from couch to 5k in 9 weeks...so I am going to start it tomorrow morning.  I am going to do that workout on the treadmill every morning before I start school. Then in the afternoon, workout an additional hour on the treadmill at my normal speed and incline.  Lets throw in the dreaded ab workouts, leg lifts, and weight workouts and POOF...you have one tired, swetty momma!  My schedule is already crazy.  Yes I know, I am a stay at home wife and mom...but by no means is it "easy".  I also homeschool my kids.  I start teaching at 8 and usually school is done around 2 or 3.  So, I look at my schedule and the only time that I can fit in a workout is before school and after...so...I am going to try my best at it.  So back to the "re"start...I am going to just put my mind to what I want to do and not accept no for an answer.  And usually it is me saying no lol...."No Lauren, you need to rest today...you are tired....put off your workout".  Uggh...sometimes yourself can be your hardest battle lol. 

So other than that rambling stuff.  My youngest is going to have her 4th birthday a week from Tuesday!  Cannot believe it!  Izzy is going to be 4!  Boy does time fly!  Which brings me to my next point.  TIME DOES FLY!  Don't take any moment for granted!  Enjoy the extra five minutes after you push snooze and focus on who is lying beside you.  Enjoy that time when your youngest child begs fr just 5 more minutes in the tub to play, because then you can watch them laugh and giggle even if they are more wrinkled than ever.  Children grow up so fast.  Life is just a dot in time.  Live for Jesus, Love your famly, and be blessed!  Let those people know how important they are to you.  Even those who do you wrong, life is too short not to forgive and forget.  Life is too short to judge.  Leave the hard stuff to the Lord and just enjoy the breath He gave you!

Okay, stepping off my soap box now.  Time for cuddle time with Izzy.  Sure am ready to have Alyssa home tomorrow morning and Chris and the boys early Tuesday morning! 
Til fingers meet keyboard,
Lauren

So the blogging begins...

A few of my friends already have a blogspot.  Well, I decided to go ahead and jump on the bandwagon and have one too.  I used to blog all the time on myspace but since I became a member of facebook, I don't use myspace as much.  And blogging on facebook is not as private as I would like it to be.  There are certain people that I would allow to read certain things and other not so much.  So, I buckled down and decided to get a blogspot.  And soon after I get certain people's email addresses, I am going to make it where only certain people can read it.  No, I am not trying to hide anything.  I just prefer only letting a certain few into my thoughts and my day.  It is called privacy, and we all like to feel like we have that somewhere.  As moms, we know that we rarely have what they call "privacy" even on the potty doing our thing lol.  We always have at least one of our children busting in either to tell on someone, the wii game is not letting me win, etc.  Gotta love our children.  But with saying that, we also have to have "me" time so we don't forget that there is more to us than "wife" and "mom".  You have to remember that you are ______________________ (insert your name here).  You can't get so bogged down with everything that you forget who you are, forget what excites you, forget what you like to do.  I know with all the things going on with your family, you have a tendency to place you on the back burner.  But not anymore.  You have to just set aside some time a day to focus on you.  Whether that is exercising, reading the Bible, doing your devotionals, or watching a tv program.  You have to, or you lose who you are.  So in closing, here is the first blog.  So if you are interested in reading "A Look in the Life of a Busy Mom", email me your email address so I can add you to the list on who can read my thoughts.