54th TIME IS A CHARM! I'VE BEEN ROBBED!

Meet, THE SLEEP ROBBER.......

ISN'T HE JUST ADORABLE?

I used to be able to count on him and Wy Wy to always got to bed with no problem-it was usually those darn girls who gave me trouble at bed time!

For about 3 weeks now, this little angel has not wanted to go to bed. We've tried EVERYTHING! He kept me up til 4am Sunday morning so I decided last night (runnin' on E-2 hrs sleep) no matter how long it took- HE WOULD BE sleeping in his bed when I SAID SO!!!! It makes me particularly DELIRIOUS when The Captain is away!

It took me back to the day when I had 4 babies & I averaged about 1-2 hrs a night while The Captain was gone-GLAD THAT'S OVER! When he would get home from a trip I COLLAPSED-LITERALLY!

It took merely 54 times and 2 straight hours of my placing him back in his bed. We started at 9pm and he finally stayed in at 11. He was up again at 3am and I only had to take him back to bed one time-Oh the relief to get some shut eye! I don't feel AS CRAZY any more! I am proud of myself-I kept my cool-didn't yell, stayed consistent and prayed myself through it!

ANOTHER MILESTONE CONQUERED! Thank you GOD for getting me through again!

SO, DON'T DOUBT YOURSELVES! If your little one is having sleeping issues-YOU CAN DO IT TOO!! I'll be there for ya'!

Brotherly LOVE!

I was busy cleaning up the kitchen from a late lunch when I heard a little voice singing so I ask "WHO'S SINGING?" Bean says "It's me."

I walked around the corner and this is what I found............

I Love him, he has the SWEETEST HEART!

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." ROMANS 12:10

WELCOME 2009!

After having our family New Years meeting, we have decided to make some changes in 2009.

TO DO AS A FAMILY...

T-take more walks and go to Florida!

Bean-go fishing, go to a water park and Go to Disney World!

AwBell-go to a castle and sleep in a princess bed with makeup!

My My-paint a blue butterfly!

Mom-go away with the Captain ALONE TO A BEACH!

TO DO AS A SERVICE TO OTHERS.....

T-Clean someone's yard

Bean-Give orphans food

My My-Make balloon animals for people

Mom-Volunteer at the food pantry and faithfully write our church members in Iraq

The Captain-Fix dinners for people at church who have a need (hey that sounds like my job)

OUR GOALS....There are only 2

Finish remodeling our house (which will commence in 2 weeks)

Be MORE LIKE JESUS!

We have been blessed immensely in 2008

*We bought another 155 acre farm which we will be farming in addition to our home place of 160 acres so now Nick will have added farming to do.

*We went on a family vacation & Kissed a dolphin!

*We got 3 out of 4 ALMOST completely potty trained RAISE THE ROOF!!!

*We got to share our story on National TV twice.

*Nick and his buddy survived their first trip to STURGIS.

*I got to travel and share my story nationally in Utah!

*Started a Blog-we have already met people who are blessing our life through this!

*Been blessed by a wonderful family & friends!

The Captain has just returned from his New Year Harley ride with his friends "Sonic Rider" and "Trailer Man". THEY ARE NUTS! It's only 28 degrees! Even with my chaps on I wouldn't even think about it!

So it's time to go make my chocolate chip pancakes, hash browns and bacon AND the best part??? I'm still in my jammies!! Maybe I'll start that diet NEXT YEAR! Blessings & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

2009-How will YOU HELP?

"SEEK JUSTICE! ENCOURAGE THE OPPRESSED! DEFEND THE CAUSE OF THE ORPHAN!" Isaiah 1:17

Is that clear to you? It's VERY clear to me. It's NOT an option. It simply says DEFEND... not, if you want to or if you feel like it. We MUST join together as the body of CHRIST and MAKE A DIFFERENCE! It is our duty. We are all orphans adopted by HIM when we become new creatures in CHRIST!

God expects us all to do our part when it comes to orphans. We all have different gifts & talents. I challenge you as we embark on a new year to look inside your heart and soul and begin to pray for God to lay on your heart just how you can help in 2009. There are SO MANY WAYS you can help besides adopting a child yourself.

Sponsor a child

Help a large adoptive or foster family by babysitting or taking a meal over.

Pray faithfully for a family who is in the adoption process & let them know!

Donate money to a family to help offset their adoption costs.

Have a shower for an adoptive family.

I am writing this post as a former orphan myself. God looked after me, he made sure I was taken care of just as he promises in His word. "I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU AS ORPHANS; I WILL COME TO YOU!" John 14:18

So what will you do in 2009 to make a difference for the least of these? Maybe you have a nudging from God to adopt-keep praying, He will lead the way and he will provide.

You will be truly blessed by helping an orphan-our family has seen so many rewards from God since our children have been gifted to us!

NOT ONCE did we have to worry how we would afford having 4 in diapers...GOD PROVIDED!

NOT ONCE did we have to ponder how we would feed our large brood-GOD PROVIDED!

NOT ONCE Has our family ever gone without our basic needs-GOD PROVIDED and THEN SOME!

Look into the eyes of the 7 former orphans pictured below and ask HIM...What can I DO TO HELP in 2009?

I am so excited to see how God will work in our family and bless us this year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR & MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL IN 2009!