Ink Wars

What do you do when Hubby leaves an ink pen in his shirt pocket and said pen explodes in your 5 month old dryer? You forgive him of course and then try everything possible to get the ink out of your new dryer and the entire load of laundry. I got my washer and dryer for Christmas so it is still new. And of course it is the super-size so the amount of inked clothes is quite a lot.
I spent yesterday trying desperately to get the ink out of my dryer. I used Spray'n Wash, bleach, carpet stain remover, and Mr Clean Magic Eraser - Not at the same time. It mostly worked. I still have some ink in the dryer but nothing like it was. The clothes, I covered in Spray'n Wash and washed them. Then I covered them in hairspray and washed them. There is still ink in the clothes but I am hoping that another treatment will get the rest of the ink out.
I am slowly preparing myself to mourn the loss of 3 of my favorite shirts. I am resolving myself to the fact that I will have to buy a few items for the girls too.
If anyone knows of a trick I haven't tried by all means tell me. :) I am still hoping that I can save that very full load of clothes.

Do Not Worry - God Will Provide

I have an interesting predicament. I don't know where to put all of the food God has blessed us with over the weekend. My wonderful hubby has had no work since the beginning of March and even though he is tirelessly trying to get a new job, nothing has panned out at this point. This month has been the hardest for us and we are pretty much depleted in every area. I haven't really talked to anyone about it. I have just been really praying hard for our needs. Not even the money to buy our needs, just our needs. We needed milk, eggs and cheese - we got milk, eggs, and cheese just like I prayed for.
I had a great weekend with my aunt here for a visit and she blessed us with some fresh produce a some basics that would last us for a little over a week. Then on Sunday afternoon, a friend of mine came over with boxes of food that her church gave us. Then Sunday night some acquaintances came by with some food for us. Then Monday night, we got some more food! God is so faithful in every way. I know that He can provide for every need no matter how big. His provision is at times not what we were thinking but His way is always the best way.
My whole life has been a testimony of God's faithful provision. I wrote about it a little bit in my Marriage Story. When my honey and I go through hard times, it strengthens our marriage and brings us closer together. And I know that God allows hard times to happen to allow His glory to shine through.
I am privileged to watch God work through every hard circumstance life has to throw at us. I know that I can prayerfully watch God work in the midst of it and hopefully others will see this testimony and grow closer to the Lord through it. And I am so very thankful to all who followed God's prompting to bless us with so much food.

Luke 12:29-31
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:31-34
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Weblink Wednesday - Music Lessons

This week for Weblink Wednesday I want to share some music teaching links.

Music Tech Teacher - This site has worksheets, games, lessons, and so much more! It is a really neat site full of so much information.

8notes.com - This site has online music theory lessons. The lessons are really simple and easy to understand.

Blank Sheet Music - This site has customizable blank sheet music to print out. Determine the way you want it to look like and print it out. This is great for when you want to have the kids put in their own notes.

For more great homeschool links visit Homeschooling With Encouragement.

Father/Son Weekend

I missed my honey this weekend. He was only gone for the weekend but I still missed him terribly. I can't sleep when he isn't home at night so that made for a couple sleepless nights. And poor Baby G made sure of it when she spiked a 105 fever on Friday night.

My honey and my Little Man went on the annual Father/Son camping trip. This trip is so annual that my father-in-law and My Honey and all my brothers in-law have been going on this trip since my honey was a kid. My honey was the first son to go on the trip and then come back with his own son. This year it is Pop (aka my Father-in-law), My Honey, My Little Man and one of my honey's brothers. 3 generations of men (well, 3 men and a boy) camping with a bunch of other fathers & sons. I love that my kids have a strong relationship with their dad and their grandfather, (the girls go in August) but I still miss him when he is gone. I feel like part of me is missing whenever he isn't here.

Baby G was so excited when he got home she did a happy dance. She tripped and landed on the coffee table making it now her not so happy dance. And today, I spent the day doing all the laundry my guys brought me as a present. I love that my honey takes being a Daddy seriously and loves spending time with our little ones. They always come back so much closer than they already are. Believe me we take every opportunity to spend time together as a family so these trips are just the icing on the cake.

Okay enough of my rambling. It is late and I really should be in bed.

No Greater Joy

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:4

I thought about this verse yesterday. The greatest Mother's Day gift I could ever receive is to watch my children walk in truth and to hear from others how my children are walking in truth even when I am not around to remind them.

Are my kids perfect? No way! Every day I train them to walk in truth so in the "real world" they will walk in truth without wavering. You cannot expect from your children what you haven't trained or taught them in the first place. I don't always have the answers but God's Word does.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is instruction in righteousness, not just some but all scripture. I know that if I need to know how to address a behavior or attitude I can find the answer in the Bible to train and teach my children to walk in truth. I can read all the books ever written about raising children (believe me I have read quit a few) but they pale in comparison to the greatest book ever written.

Just thought I would share.

What a Great Night

Tonight I had the extreme honor of being at a book release. This isn't just any book written by just anybody. The author of this book is my pastor from my childhood and much of my adulthood. A little over 5 years ago, God called him in a new direction of ministry. But I have to tell you about this man. He is absolutely one of the most humble men of God I have ever met in my entire life. Every message was always filled with love. Loving God, loving and reaching out to the "unlovable" and God's love for us. I grew up listening to him and taking notes every service. I always was eager to hear what God was showing him. Even though my father-in-law is the pastor of the church we are now a part of, Gaylord is still my pastor. I cannot wait to read this book and share what God reveals to me through it. The name of the book is Love Revolution Rediscovering the Lost Command of Jesus. You know, love is a command not a suggestion or a piece of advice. The church tonight was filled with people from so many different churches pastors too. He has brought so many of this community together through his ministry and his walk with the Lord. His very life is a testimony to what he wrote about in his book.
Anyway, I am so excited to read this book and grow in the Lord in new ways.

Craziness and More Craziness

Okay so I had no idea just how crazy life would become for me and my little fam, no idea. My mom has been in town since last week and is leaving Wednesday. She spent most of last week at my house and now it is my sister's turn. My sister was here at my house too for a little bit last week for dinner then on Friday, I had my grandparents here as well. It was like a mini family reunion. Saturday I spent the entire day organizing the house, well, the kitchen mainly. I have yet to make this kitchen the most functioning for me and we moved in December.
Saturday night, Baby G slept THE ENTIRE NIGHT!!!! HOORAY! She didn't wake up until 7am - she slept 10 full hours. It was so amazing! I woke up with that wonderful panic that occurs the first time your baby sleeps all night long. Usually, this happens much earlier for me but I was still panic stricken and excited.
Sunday, oh man Sunday. Okay so we went to church, had a church potluck, went to Walmart to grab a gift for a birthday party, went to the birthday party, came home briefly and then went to my in-laws for a birthday dinner for my father in-law. So needless to say, I am exhausted beyond description. So was baby G, she didn't sleep through the night again *sigh* but, she slept until almost 10am this morning! And still took her normal 2 naps. Go figure.
Today my kids spent the day with Grandma and Papa. We decided to surprise my Little Man with a birthday dinner as he turned 9 last month right when we were celebrating my brother in-laws wedding. So the poor guy didn't really get to celebrate. When he came home today we had put a Happy Birthday sign up and surprised him with his requested dinner, cake and a couple presents. I didn't take any pictures even though I should have.
Wow, if you made it this far, you are probably needing a nap about now. I am still pretty tired and still have so much going on. So... how have you been?