Happy Birthday Jacob

Can you believe it? Jacob is having yet another birthday and turning 14! We love this child so much and thank God every day for him.

Lord Jesus we pray your will in Jacob's life. We pray that through these difficult teen years you will guide him and lead him to a closer walk with you. We pray Lord Jesus for wisdom to make good choices and decisions. We pray for protection not just physically, but from worldly temptations. Thank you Jesus for this precious child.

Beanie Baby Mania

My name is Kim . . . and I'm a recovering beanieholic.

Do you remember the beanie baby craze? . . . Were you addicted to buying those little furry animals? . . . Did you search high and low? . . . Take your toddler so you could get more than one? . . . Hide them so your husband wouldn't know where you'd been that day? . . . Did you get hooked on beanie buddies, beanie minis, and classics? . . . Did you join a beanie club at your local library hoping for insider information? . . . Do you still have tucked away in your wallet a beanie baby club card?

I feel your pain.

Many years ago my wonderful mother got me hooked on beanies. She showed me one, let me hold it and then took me beanie hunting one day and well the rest is history. I became hooked on acquiring them. I have taken my toddler (now nearly 14) with me so I could get two. I've camped out in a parking lot. I've made friends with some crazy people just so I could scope out their favorite beanie haunts. When just getting the babies weren't enough, I started collecting the buddies and other Ty products. In my attic right now are plastic tubs with beanies, buddies and more carefully stored and labeled in plastic baggies. I have some of the more exclusive ones tucked away in a curio cabinet a constant reminder to me of wasted time and money.

A few years ago I did manage to donate most of my buddies and all of my classics to our youth group to carry with them to the Gulf Coast to use during their mission trip. It felt good to know that some child who had lost everything would at least have something soft and cuddly to snuggle up with. It gave our youth an opportunity to open doors and spend time with children and to share the gospel. My mother and I both are looking for ways to donate these once cherished albeit crazed beanies.

I have to admit though some of those outings were fun times! I especially remember spending a lot of time with Jacob hunting the next big find. He was my beanie ally back then and it was definitely good times.

Lottery!!!

So I've never been a huge supporter of the lottery, but occasionally I buy a ticket. Every once in a while I'll buy a scratch off. I've never bought more than a $1 or $2 ticket.

Thursday evening I couldn't help myself. I was craving chocolate so hubby and I drove over to the corner store and while inside I bought myself a ticket -- okay I bought two or three. We got home and hubby had bought himself a couple and he won $1 and then he won another $1 and then he won $5. As usual my tickets were duds until . . . I scratched off a money bag symbol . . . I reread the directions . . . get a money bag double your winnings . . . I slid my ticket over to hubby and asked him to look at it . . . he smiled and said, "honey, you just won $1000 dollars. "

I couldn't believe it. I never win anything! We drove back over to the store to have them verify it. Yep, it's a winner. Friday we drove to one of the claim centers and I'm a $1000 richer (less $70 of state tax of course). Yep, who's got the golden horseshoe now?

That Darn Cat

My husband is not a cat lover. When we first got together my oldest was just six. He had a kitty and we loved her desperately. Hubby tolerated her at best. Funny thing was she really liked hubby! As things go she passed away several years later. Hubby was firm on no more cats. So, we got a dog instead. Shadow is a very neurotic little cockapoo that lives in fear of the vacuum cleaner and goes nuts at the sound of the doorbell. We love her and for that she's gentle, cuddly and will always greet you at the door.

Back to the cat. Several months ago a kitten took up residence at the barn. It was just the one and we had no idea if the mother had died or someone had just dropped it off. Hubby was not amused, but I said it's at the barn it'll be a good mouse catcher. Well, we couldn't not feed it so I bought some cat food and set it out every evening at the barn of course.

Several months later -- the cat is huge, a big, red fur ball. It no longer stays at the barn. It comes up to the house and it's a meower. It drives Shadow nuts when she can see it through the windows. It's great a catching mice. Living out in the woods -- he catches them all the time. Sometimes he catches and kills them and leaves the carcass on the front porch. A gift I suppose. He loves to lay on the patio around the pool and really adores the flower gardens. There are little tufts of cat hair all over the yard. Hubby is really not amused.

The house is still for sale -- the cat is part of the deal, no extra charge!

Where Have I Been ???

Well lets see . . . I've been waiting patiently on God . . . I've been in the truck with hubby running all over the United States . . . I've been not so patiently waiting on God . . . I've been getting our new business up and running . . . I've been waiting on God . . . I've been struggling with a teenager that I love more than life itself . . . I've been wondering if God is listening . . . I've been trying to keep a house clean while it's on the market . . . I've been yelling God are you there . . . I've been trying to hold down the fort when hubby is out of town . . . God??? . . . I've been chasing cows that get out of there fence and its always at night . . . Hello??? . . . That's where I've been.

I've also been looking at this blog (for weeks) and thinking how depressing. I've also realized that I am a complainer and whiner. So, I think some changes need to happen -- in me.

I don't have all the answers. Sometimes, I don't even know the question, but God is faithful. He can move mountains and he answers prayer. The mountains he moves may not be the ones you specified and answers may not be what you had in mind, but he is faithful. Sometimes happily ever after doesn't come in a pretty package and chase away our misery. Sometimes happily ever after comes . . . well after. In the midst of trials God wants us to stop and listen. What he's trying to teach may have nothing to do with the trial. I believe that God is teaching me something powerful about myself. I've been judgmental with other people and I thought I was better than some.

Jesus, never thought he was better. Jesus ate with tax collectors, prostitutes and the poor. He touched them, loved them, fed them. He gave his life for them.

"Keep me near Thee, blessed Jesus, Keep me near Thee lest I stray; With Thy mighty hand uphold me, Lead me gently all the way."

Random Bits of Info

Another birthday for me has come and gone. There's something cool about having a birthday in January (when you're older) you get it over with and you don't have to worry about turning another year older all year! I know it sounds crazy, but I'd really like to stay 40.

Jacob seems to be settling into his new school. Sometimes it's hard to tell because he's such a pleaser that he doesn't always tell you his true feelings. Last week was Spirit week and he participated in dressing up a couple of days so that's encouraging. Their mascot is a Viking and he made the cutest Viking ever!

Hubby is back out on the road today and just when I thought this was getting easier -- it's soo not! I miss him terribly and this is just day one.

Some friends invited us over last night (along with several other couples) for dinner and Brick. We learned a new game and got to know some people better. I'd never played before and lo and behold I won every game but the last one, which is too bad because I really wanted to sweep the evening.

No takers on the house yet though we've had some inquiries and showings. It kinda feels like living in limbo. We are actively looking for land to build another house, but so far nothing has blown us away.

The house is way too quite today. Hubby gone, Jacob in school, even the dog is at the groomer, but I always have the laundry. It never seems to go away and is always waiting for me.

Surviving the Teenage Years

Remember when the terrible twos were terrible and you thought, "man if I get this kid passed two and potty trained I'll be cruising!"? Yeah, well that was nothin!

Teenagers have a unique personality and I'm convinced they are of a different species altogether. They are relentless, crafty, manipulative, clever, moody, and sometimes when you least expect it -- they are your child again -- sweet, lovable, touchy feely. Thank God, he gives us those moments.

It's no secret we've been through a difficult time with our typical teen, but God has been there each and every step of the way. For now, our teen seems to be settling down. He's adjusting to private school and making a few friends along the way. He's still a teen and instead of surviving I'm embracing my teen because all to soon he'll be grown, graduated and moving on.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness even when we lose our way. Thank you Lord for your patience when we go astray. Thank you Lord for your love and mercy when we find our way back.