2009

is nearing an end. Not only is the year ending, but it is the ending of a decade.

There have been great losses...there have been great joys.

A quote I read once at We Are That Family sums it up for me.....

I believe God orders our steps. The baby ones that move us small paces and the giant leaps that take our breath away.

Here we go...............

Do You Ever Box God In?

I know I do..and I don't know why.

Right now we have in our lives something that could change the course of our lives at least for awhile. It is medical. Today a test was being performed on my husband and I knew he was nervous, not necessarily because of the results but because of the pain.

With the kids out of school right now and the appt. being first thing in the morning, we opted to have his mom take him - he couldn't go alone. Throughout the night I would wake up worried about him, hating that he was nervous. So I prayed. I prayed that the Lord would not let it hurt too bad. I prayed that several times, until I asked myself why am I not praying that it wouldn't hurt at all. I mean the dr. did say there would be pain, so there has to be some pain. There I went.. putting God in a box. I knew He could make it not hurt too bad, but for some reason I apparently didn't believe that He could / would make it not hurt at all, so I didn't even ask.

Have I lost you yet?

When Jesus prayed in the garden, He didn't ask that the pain on the cross wouldn't be too bad, He prayed that He wouldn't even have to bear the cross AND He even knew before hand how that prayer would be answered, but He still prayed that prayer.

So laying in bed last night, I began praying that it wouldn't be painful for him. and you know what...He answered my prayers. My husband called me on his way home and told me he couldn't believe it - he had been nervous for nothing. The procedure went fine. He even gave his dr. grief about telling him it would be painful.

Thank you Jesus!!

So I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough Jesus!

Lyrics to Big Enough by Ayiesha Woods... great song!

Planning...

for next year already!! Yup - I sure am!!

So I have been reading a series by Kaley over at Cha Ching on a Shoestring how through careful planning she and her husband will be spending less than $50 out of pocket for Christmas... and no, she wasn't a grinch!! In fact she said because of her planning, they has been able to be more generous this year than in years past.


One of her biggest "free money makers" is creating an account with SwagBucks. Swagbucks is an online search engine that rewards you for searching online. It doesn't take but a minute to sign up and you will immediately earn $3 Swagbucks. Download the SwagBucks tool bar and let your searching begin! Unlike alot of online reward programs it doesn't take long to have "earned" enough to redeem for prizes or giftcards.

I am going to give it a whirl for next year....wanna join me? Just click on the banner below to sign up and like every reward program I will get a bonus for you joining!!

Clue Secrets and Spies...

As usual, Amazon is throwing out some ridiculously low prices.. I wanted to post this particular game. I had wanted to get this game earlier in the shopping season, but it was running at least $25 at most places..Amazon at the moment (who knows for how long) has it down to $3.99!!! Check it out here.
Believe it or not you can still get it in time for Christmas with their two day shipping option.

I Just Have to Share...

what a wonderful weekend we are having!!

We took the kids to Our Lady of the Snows shrine Friday night. My oldest rode a camel, while my son rode a donkey. The other two enjoyed watching them ride, but were a little unsure that they need any other transportation other than their own to feet or mom & dad's van.

We drove through the Way of Lights and tested each other's knowledge on the true meaning of Christmas. I am proud to say we passed!!






Yesterday I was able to get up early, sneak out of the house and go Christmas shopping with my mom. We had a great time.

Then last night Brian and I decided to make a cake using fondant for a family Christmas get together that we are going to today. We enlisted the kids for help, ok actually they volunteered.. Ace of Cakes and Cake Boss is a family fave in our house. While we won't be having our own show anytime soon, I think our collective effort made for a pretty cute cake and certainly made for some great family fun!! Take a look...






As if our weekend was not filling enough, after church we will be heading to a get together with Brian's family for some food and games!!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend too!! Enjoy!