Singing in the rain .... Fierce style!!!

Yes it is raining here this morning and I have a song in my heart; albeit an unfamiliar song to my ears, a very familiar song to my heart. Do you ever have those? Ya know, that unfamiliar yet lovely song in your heart that let's you know that God is doing a work; that He is with you. That is the song in my heart this morning. It goes something like this:

I am your sustainer,
I am your healer,
I am your peace,
I am....

I am your joy,
I am your hope,
I am your strength,
I am....

Yes it goes something like that. God reminding me that He is the I am. The I am over every situation I face in my life and every storm that rages, like the one outside my window right now. He is there....my I am.

Yes I need to put that to music....I'll keep you posted.

Yesterday, I had a post all ready about being FIERCE...I hit "Publish Post" and got an html error, fixed the error hit "Publish Post" and blogger lost my post instead of posting my post. It was annoying.very.annoying.

But today is a new day, and blogger and I are close again........hopefully =) So I'm going to try again and talk about FIERCENESS.

FIERCE as defined by Merriam Webster:

1). Aggressive in temperament
2). Marked by unrestrained zeal
3). Determined
4). Intense
5). Wild or menacing in appearance

Sunday evening hubs and I went riding and this was no normal ride for us. You see, hubs for some time, has been riding Dak's old bike, like when he was in the 6th grade or so, and it is a small bike. But my hubs is the sweetest thing, and wouldn't even think about letting me even try that bike so he could ride my normal sized bike. Nope. So it has been hard for him to ride, but of course he has. Well last week, he bought a bike off of Craigs List and he is so happy; therefore, I am so happy!!!!!

Well, Sunday we went riding and can I just tell you, the man is FIERCE!!! I wish I had a video to show you. My heart was so happy to see him ride, like REALLY ride. What is it with men and speed, yes they just have the need. As a chic, I don't get it. I'm happy with a good steady pace, but my man, oh yeah the faster the better. So what's a girl to do but keep up. It was so much fun. Now don't worry, I didn't keep completely up, because ya know he is really FIERCE, but I did keep him in sight and when he slowed down, oh yeah I was right there. It was Fun, FUn, FUN!!

Well, so let's talk about fierceness in our Spiritual lives for a minute. Don't you just love that definition?!! Aggressive, unrestrained in zeal, determined, intense, wild in appearance (personal fav=) But am I? Am I FIERCE for my Jesus?!!! Do I live it out loud?!?!? If ya'll meet me sometime I want you to walk away from that meeting saying, "That girl is FIERCE for her Jesus!!" I don't want to live quietly, nope, I want to LIVE OUT LOUD FOR MY LORD!!!

Not only do I want to be aggressive in my love for Jesus, I also want to be unrestrained in my zeal for Him, in fact the Word says so. Yep no kidding!!! In Romans 12:11 Paul says, "NEVER be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord." WOW NEVER be lacking in zeal, sounds FIERCE to me!!

Now this definition also says to be intense and determined. I read our pastors blog this morning and he is talking about ILA ~~ I Love America event our church puts on every year. It is an amazing fireworks show that started out where we currently have our church and now 12 years later it is HUGE!! He talks about it here, He quotes out of The Message:

"God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20, The Message)

Yep FIERCE. God can do ANYTHING!! Some of you have experienced this, and I sure have as well. GOD IS AMAZING!!! I hope you take a moment to go over and read this post by our Pastor. He and Debbie are amazing people, and you talk about FIERCE for Jesus ~~ they definitely are!!!

I absolutely LOVE the prayer requests for this event on Friday that he posts about. I love it that he is so specific. He asks us to pray for the weather but specifically that it be sunny, 82 and low-humidity. Do you just love that or what?!! God wants us to be specific when we pray. That's awesome!!!

So go on and be FIERCE for Jesus today!!! Be aggresive, intense, determined, and unrestrained in your zeal, yep BE FIERCE!!! Live it OUT LOUD today!!

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Tuesday,

Mud Biking, Sunflower-blooming, Wonderful Random Friday...

First of all, let me just thank everyone for your prayers for my mom yesterday. Doc says that her kidney disease is stable. That is good news. We did found out some other things concerning this disease that is cause for concern, but mom took it like a trooper. All-in-all it was a good visit and best of all, she doesn't have to go back to see him for a year, unless she starts having trouble. That is indeed good news. So thank you all again for your prayers and sweet, sweet comments.

So I haven't talked about my knee in a couple of weeks, so let's have an update shall we? After my post about the knee not doing well, I decided that I was going to start working on my upper body and really getting strong as far as that was concerned. I used to really love working out, but ya know, it's like anything else, if you stop doing it, it's hard to get back to it.

Well, I started working out my upper body a couple of weeks ago, with the thought that if my legs were not going to cooperate, I'd at least try to get the rest of me in shape. Well, after just two days of upper body work outs my knee started really feeling better, I mean like markedly better. It was amazing!!! So I've just kept going and have started incorporating lower body work outs into my routine, and I'm feeling so much stronger. And the knee? Well it is feeling stronger to. The swelling isn't as bad and the pain?!! Well, truly amazing!!!!! This is the most pain free I've been since long before surgery. I actually can go a portion of the day with the knee feeling hardly no pain. It is truly AMAZING!!!!! In my eyes, it is a miracle, and I don't throw that word around lightly. God has truly touched me, I know this. It seems that I had to come to the end of myself, and when I did, God could take over. It is just GREAT!!!!!

So yesterday, D and I went bike riding at the Cross-country track like we usually do. Well, they are now building a walking track (which is so great) and so we took off down that track to see how far they'd gotten and what it would be like. And as we were going on our way, I saw D swerve and went up on the side, back on the grass. Well it was quite a jump and well, given the whole girl thing, I am a chicken, so I stopped and manually put the bike on the grass and manually put the back back on the track on the other side of the mud and went on my way, with D (hubby) patiently waiting for me and telling me just to ride on through the grass, to which I preceded to tell him that it was too thick and then I noticed I hadn't geared down to get through it ~~ yes, I am a goober =)

So on the way back to get to the regular track, I decided that I was just going on through the mud. It was hilarious and so fun. I felt like I was ten years old again. D looked back and said, "What are you doing? You're going to get all muddy!!" To which I replied, "A little mud never hurt anybody!!" WHEE!!!!! It was so fun and man was the mud caked on my tires. YAY for mud biking. I believe I shall have to do that again =)

Well, yesterday when I got home from taking mom to the doc, I got a very welcome surprise, well actually two really welcomed surprises. The first one was, Chase had been by and had cleaned our carpets, ALL our carpets; bedrooms, hallway, office, living room, yep ALL our carpets. I just love that kid. He is training an employee and so we benefit when that happens, out carpets get cleaned. Chase owns his own carpet cleaning business ~~ he is such a hard worker and we are soooooo proud of him!!!

Well, the second surprise was in the garden.

First of all, let me show you how the garden is looking now-a-days.

And then for the surprise, we have a sunflower that has come out of her beautiful bud.

Sunflowers are my favorite flower ~~ hands down favorite!!! So I grow them every year if possible. I love all the pretty colors as well as the traditional mumbo yellow that they are so famous for. Love them!!!!!

Isn't she lovely?!?!! Yep lovely!!!

Here are our beans. Yep I'll be picking this weekend!!!

YAY for fresh beans!!


Here is a shot of our tomatoes. We have many tomatoes on these vines and I'd say in less than two weeks we'll be eating yummee garden fresh tomatoes.
Be still our tomato loving hearts!!!!!

Here are our cucumber plants. Yep, I'll be picking either today or tomorrow.

YAY!!! I heart fresh cucumbers.

This is the first year we have grown them and so far they are looking (and tasting)

FANTASTIC!!!!!

So here is little miss beaut is again.

I wanted take a pic of her lovely environment.

Can you see the other sunflowers getting ready to bloom?

O I am beside my sunflowerlovingheart!!!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Please pray for Dak as summer school is over and he is now looking for a job in a tough job market for teens.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot (again) about New Recipe Tuesday's recipe this week.

Since it is a new feature for me, I forgot to get it on here.
I actually tried to get it posted on my recipe blog earlier this week, but blogger wouldn't cooperate, go figure.

So I am heading there from here and posting "Baked Onion Rings" here.

MMMM they were so good. So far we're two for two keepers.

Have a Blessed Friday,

Committ and Rely ...

Wow!! This is day two of the daily portion of Seista Summer Bible Study with BMoore and the gang (like thousands of others of ya'll out there =) and can I just say, if you could not do this study right now, it is definitely worth your time to pick this one up and do as soon as it gets back on the shelves you have the time.

Now that last sentence is a big one for me, because it generally takes me getting through the first week and kind of getting my feet underneath me in a study before I even really talk too much about it, little lone recommend it, but this one for me is different.

Yesterday we studied Matthew 12:35 which says, "A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil." (HCSB) She gave us the definition of storeroom in the Greek which is "thesauros", which means a collection of words, and also refers to the magi's chests of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. How great is that!!! Yes we get our word thesaurus from it. So she had us compile a thesaurus from differnt Bible characters identifying them with "I am" and then had us build our own thesaurus for ourselves. I loved this activity. It really helped me to see exactly where I'm at right now. I love it.

Well today she translates our thesaurus into our thought closet, and what is in our thought closet. Now can I just say, I really don't want ya'll roaming around in there. A lot of times it is yuckie in there. But I hope by the end of this study, that it will be looking much better and I can invite you right in..... anyway....

There were many things that stuck out to me about today's lesson, but the one I'd like to share is at the end of the lesson. She talk's about commiting our way to Him and relying on His word, and she says this. "As you talk to yourself today, tell yourself to commit your way to God - one word, one thought at a time - and tell your soul to rely on God's Word more than your words." Okay so can I just get an Amen right here?!!

Now how great is that!! Commit your way to God one word and one thought at a time. How often does that happen? For me, not often enough. So this morning as I was working out, I was thinking about relying on God and committing my way to Him. This is something I love about Bible study with others. I feel accountable to my friend Carrie I'm doing this study with, but also to all of you out there who read this blog and love me through it. I am so thankful to be able to have this support as we help each other rely on God and commit our ways to Him.

Today, we (Dak and I) are taking mom to the kidney doc. My mom is in third stage kidney disease. We found out last October. I really haven't talked about it, it was really hard at first. Dick and I found out when we were at Mayo the first time, and it was so hard not to be home when she got the news. It was a hard time for our family. But mom is such a trooper and has learned to deal with this new set of problems with tenacity and faith. She is an incredible woman. So today we go and find out the results of tests she took last week, and pray that everything is still stable.

I hope you all have a Blessed and Glorious day,

What Kind of Dog are You?!?!!

Now isn't that a funny question =0)




Yesterday was the kickoff to the Siesta Summer Bible Study with BMoore. Oh how I love me summer Bible study!! ~~



Well, if you don't know how this works you get on the LPM site and log your group members in (this year it's just Carrie and I), and then you watch the video that Beth Moore posts and then I printed off the instructions for that meeting and then you meet. It's so fun!!!



So this year we are doing Jennifer Rothschild's "Me, Myself & Lies" and it is about your thought life. Oh yeah, that's gonna leave a mark!!

Well, the first question from Beth yesterday was an ice breaker. Ya know, a get to know ya better thing. And since Carrie and I know each other well, yeah we're tight, this was even funner, because we could so see why we chose the ones we chose. Anyway....I'm getting ahead of myself. I do that a lot .... Anyway .....

The first question was: What breed of dog do you most resemble in demeanor and why?

Oh wow, this was an easy one for me. I knew almost right off, but I was curious to see what Carrie would say was hers and she chose:

Yep a Lab. My sweet Carrie is sooooooo a Lab. She was such a sweet demeanor, but she's a thinker, ya know, contemplative. I love that about sweet Carrie. She is one of my heroes in the faith. Love her!!

Me? Oh yeah, I am SUCH a Cocker Spaniel!!! Carrie laughed at this and knew exactly what I meant. They are very DTDTDTDTDT, ya know what I mean? They flit here and there, you always know there in the room because they make sure of it =) They are kind of silly and a little ditzy. But oh so loyal. They love their owners. I love my owner for sure ~~ Praise You Jesus!!!

Yep I heart me a Cocker Spaniel.


So after that question we moved on to the next one which had to do with personal prayer requests. It was in this moment that I understood why God had just wanted her and I in this study just the two of us this year. We both have some prayer request that we just wanted to share between each other. Friendship like this is a beautiful thing!!!!!



So the last exercise had to do with describing what the Word of God, called by other names, does for us, and this was right out of Psalm 19 read out of The Message. Can I just say here that I had NO idea how much I love Psalm 19. Yep I could see some memorization coming out of this one. Love it.



Let me just share some of Psalm 19 with you out of The Message:

"The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together."

Can I get an Amen?



"The signposts of GOD are clear and point out the right road."

Yep all the signs are there to help us live our lives for God. we have no excuse not to follow.



"The life-maps of GOD are right, showing the way to joy."

His Word is our life-map. I love that.



"The directions of GOD are plain and easy on the eyes."

I especially like this one, because sometimes I try to make things so hard, but the directions of God are clear.



And then skipping down a few verses (mine aren't numbered) this verse was really convicting and eye opening to me.



"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!"

(Reminds me of His mercies are new every morning, out of Lamentations.)


"Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over Your work."

Okay so let this one sink in a minute. How many times do I think I can take over? Well I might be able to take matters into my own hands sometimes, but I can assure you that EVERY TIME that happens, it is a disaster. What a prayer to pray over our individual lives,



Father keep me from stupid sins (because they all are) and keep me from thinking I can take over Your work. Father, keep me from thinking more highly of myself than I ought. I love you Jesus, Amen.



This was a beautiful start to what is going to be a thought-provoking and soul-searching study.



I have much to blog about. I have about three posts running around in my head. So hopefully in the next week or so I'll get those posted.



Take a moment to read Psalm 19 out of whatever translation you usually study from, and pray and reflect on the last part of this Psalm. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!"



Have a Blessed Wednesday,

It's like a heat wave around here.... so why am I wearing a scarf?!!

I'm pretty sure that blogger has a beef with me. Apparently it doesn't like my long titles =)
I have been having SSSSSOOOOOOO much trouble posting and even getting on to read posts lately. I don't know what the deal is. My computer has been acting up lately, so maybe it's that. I don't even know what my blog looks like right now. I was in the middle of changing it yesterday and I couldn't get a background to load and then when it finally loaded and I looked at it, it was not the one I uploaded but an old one I had on before, and then the last time I looked it had no background. But today is a new day right?!!! right. Anyway, moving on .....

Last week, my doorbell rang and standing in front of me was our postman with a box in his hand. Have I ever mentioned my affection for mail?!! I REALLY dig getting things in the mail, even if it's just a card, but a box?! Oh my good gravy, I hit the jack pot that day!!!!!

So what was in it you ask?!! Well my wonderful bloggy friend RJ (Rebecca Jo, but she let's me shorten it because we're tight =) has been trying to help me knit since like, forever, okay only since like December or January, but I'm sure it feels like FOREVER to her. I, alas, am a slow learner. Unless she could show me in person, yep then I catch right on.....anyway...... Since she can't teach me in person, she sent me a DVD and a book, some yarn, needles and a pattern to make this really cute tote.

And tucked away in the bottom of the box was this......

Yes a BEAUTIFUL scarf. I just had to show you!!!!! My hubs really loved it too. Which is saying something, because generally scarfs wouldn't be his thing to comment on, but he was indeed moved and touched by the generosity of my dear RJ. Now let's address Dak and the scarf for a moment. I don't have a pic, but let's just say he saw it and saw a different use for said scarf. He tied it to his head and called himself Ninja Boy, oh yes and might I mention Dak is 16!!! It was so cute. But I took it away from him, mine boy mine. A girl in a house with only boys must fight for what is hers..... oh yes she does!!!!! =)
Little Scoot enjoyed this scarf as well. Yes that is raspberries he is getting ready to blow at GiGi. He enjoys that =)

Oh and if your wondering, yes I am very tired in this pic. We went swimming at G's on Friday and I got REALLY sunburned. So that is why I look like I'm about to go to sleep while wearing a scarf with the temp in the upper 90's, while holding the most adorable g-babe in all the world. Yes it is a tough job, but somebodies gotta do it.

And speaking of Sir Cuteness......

We picked our very first cucumber EVER out of our garden over the weekend, so of course we had to have pics of this momentous occasion.

G-babe couldn't get enough of this cucumber.

Look at that face.....and those curls.

How stinkin' cute is this little darlin' I ask you?!!

He is the butter on my bread... oh yes he is!!

And yes here he is pointing out the bottom of the cucumber and telling you all about it.

Yes it really was a wonderful cucumber. It didn't sing "Oh Where is My Hairbrush", but a wonderful cucumber none-the-less =)

Okay so I know this post is really random and all...... so in keeping with that theme.....

Yesterday, Chase took hubs out to eat for Father's day, so when hubby got back I wanted to get out of the house for a while, so we went to Bass Pro. It is such a beautiful store and I always enjoy going there, except for the price tag. Everything is soooooo expensive. Well Dick got a gift certificate for $75.00 to Bass Pro from work from a safety meeting. He won a drawing I think. Anyway, he'd been trying to think of something to buy and couldn't. Well yesterday as he was putting on his sandals and watching me come out in flip flops (because that is the way I get along in the good ole summertime =) he decided I needed a "good" pair of sandals. So off we went to find me some.

And voila!!!.....

Let me introduce you to a beautiful, good, most comfortable, feel nice on my tootsie's sandals from Bass Pro.

Now I NEVER give $75.00 for a pair of sandals, only on tennis shoes do I drop that kind of cash, but hubs really wanted to get them for me, and so we used his GC and added .31 and brought this beauts home with us. They are so nice..... My man is the most generous of souls, both monetarily and of his time and energy. He is the best!!!!! And major overtime starts this week, so I'll be seeing less of him for about the next 2 to 3 months. I.am.bummed.

In other news, Summer Bible Study Seistaville style, starts tomorrow. This year my friend Carrie and I are doing it together. I just didn't feel like I was to invite a big group this year like last. So her and I are going to do it just the two of us and I'm really looking forward to it. This year the study is a Jennifer Rothschild study, "Me, Myself and Lies". Jennifer is from Springfield so I feel like she is a hometown girl. I'm so happy, so many are going to be introduced to her and her work through this study. If you have never read "Lessons I Learned in the Dark" you really should. It'd be a GREAT summer read for you. She is a remarkable woman of God.

I have much on my mind and heart right now, so hopefully I'll be able to share more of those things this week. Hopefully Blogger will start cooperating and let me come and visit ya'll at your home-blogs =)

Love and hugs ~~

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Monday,

Petrii ~~

Gearing up for 25.........

So do ya'll go to your class reunions? I got a call yesterday finalizing date, time and location for mine; my 25th to be exact!! How does that happen?!! You graduate high and blink and 25 year reunion. Hmmmmm.....



It is July 11th at a nice place on Indian Point, which is near Branson, MO. We didn't have a 20th so the last time I've seen at least some of these people have been 10 years now. Some I see every year or two. It's kind of strange, because my hubs was asking me last night why I wanted to go and I couldn't really give a good answer other than I just wanted to see everyone.



For the most part my high school years were atrocious. I was not popular, was not a cheerleader, didn't wear designer clothes, my hair was a permed disaster, and I was scared of a lot of the people I went to school with because they picked on me. Yep, good times.



So why go back? Why visit these people? God's all about the business of people, ya know? He loves us crazy humans, even the ones that made us miserable in High School. I am a grown up now (most days =) and I have a much better sense of who I am and where my life is. It will be fun. So I'll be letting ya know more about that.........



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Last night was "New Recipe Tuesday" in our home. Yes the maiden voyage........ So what is "New Recipe Tuesday"? Yep just what it sounds like. On Tuesdays we will be trying a new recipe. I have so many cookbooks and visit recipe blogs, Epicurious, Martha Stewart, BHG, All Recipes, and so forth, all in a search for a new recipe for us to try.

I tried a recipe out of a Weight Watchers cookbook, Chicken Rolls, which we have named "What in the Wide World Chicken Rolls" They were so unexpected. We expected them to taste good, but get out, be a regular in the house?... Yes I believe they will be. They were so good. You can check it out here.

A had a fun and busy afternoon, so not a lot of time to post, but just wanted to check in.

Hope everyone has had a fun-filled Wednesday,

Functional.... as opposed to .....

Yesterday was an interesting day around our cottage. Generally we are a pretty subdued bunch, no fussin', no fightin', for the most part pretty peaceful.......ohhhhh but yesterday.........

Dak was suppose to be home at a certain time yesterday afternoon to do chores and he was 30 minutes late and no call. Not.good.not.good.at.all. And his excuse was even more pitiful. So we fussed around and argued and D came home and I told him what was going on and of course, he was the voice of reason, but didn't let Dak off the hook. Dak was not happy with us.

It is very important to us that our kids have responsibility, so they can show responsibility. Dak had a lapse in good judgement yesterday, it happens. But I feel like our job as parents is to make sure that our kids understand there are consequences to their actions, because in the real world, boy are there ever!!!!!

Well, after Dick was done, he went to work on his truck and I started supper. Dak came in and sat down at the kitchen table and started talking to me. I apologized for getting upset with him and he apologized for yelling at me (which rarely ever happens ~~ thank goodness) to which I also apologized for my yelling, and to which he said:

Dak: Mom you didn't yell.
Me: Yes I did.
Dak: No you were just stern. You don't really yell mom.

funny.

So after that we just started talking like nothing happened and then this occurred:

Dak: Mom we are functional.
Me: As opposed to dysfunctional?
Dak: Yes. We just got through having an argument and we're all just going on.
Me: We can keep fighting if you'd like. smile
Dak: No. I'm good.

Too funny. I love this kid. Arguing is sometimes necessary. But we always make sure that we are finding the teachable moments in the argument. That's really important.

When Dak first became a teen God started talking to me about finding the teachable moments. I have tried really hard to do that. Even though yesterday I got upset, we were able to find teachable moments in that situation and in the end all was well and we were all better for it. I'm so thankful I know Jesus and He helps us through all the moments of our lives. I'm so thanful!!!


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Now as you can see, I changed my design again and included another pic from the ones I had taken for my hub for Christmas a couple of years ago. Well, I thought I'd share a few more with you today since ya'll seemed to enjoy them =)

My baby sis also went with me that day and had pics taken for her hubs for Christmas that year as well.

So this is my sis looking all fly.......Isn't she beautiful?!!! Yes she is tall and got my legs. How did that happen? I know I ordered legs like that ~~ and she got 'em.....hmpff..... =0)

How cute is she?~~~~ I love this pic ~~ this is so my sister!!!
Here we are together. See how much taller she is than me? and those legs.........

Yep, same pic as the header.....

Full view...

And this one is one of my fav's.

We have the full colored one of these above our bed.

I heart this one.....so artsy!!

I hope you enjoyed these pics and this story.

Sometimes I blog about things that maybe aren't that interesting to some of ya'll,

but I want to remember these moments.

I want to remember being functional =)

Have a Blessed Tuesday,

Petrii ~~

The Blessings in the Thorn .....

Sometimes the mental battle is tougher than the physical ones for me. As you know, for the past 7 months I have been battling recovering from surgery I had in November on my right knee; Patella Femoral Arthroplasty, to be specific. There have been many tears shed, but also MANY encouraging words spoken and much growth, however painful, very worth it.

It is sometimes so hard to see the blessings in the thorn, but Jesus has been my ever present help in time of need, and I have seen so much growth in my life with each painful step. Oh but the mental battle..........

I'm sure that some of my posts as of late have given this away. Yes, I have struggled, but I have had many a break through as well. Over the weekend I battled, and battled, ugghhhhh and battled. I went to bed last night feeling defeated, but I woke up this morning ready to face the day. I started out by reading the precious Word and spending time in prayer and just asking God to help me. I told Him I was tired, so tired. And He gave me strength. I am feeling so much stronger because of time spent in prayer.

Today is also time for my next memory verse with The LPM team. As I sat with my memory verses in hand this morning and going through each one and saying from memory (amazing what God is doing through these verses in my life), God brought to mind the specific circumstances that each verse represents to me. This has been life-changing to my life and my families life. When I am doing better so do they. Mama's we are setting a tone in our families, and they will follow suit. If you are kinder, they are kinder. If you are calmer, they are calmer. It just works that way. If you are sweeter to your husband, he notices and responds in kind. The opposite is also true; harsh reaps harsh. It's just the way it works.

My memory verse from the first half of this month is:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and pray to me and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I have struggled with getting verse 12 memorized, so I'm still working on it. (I needed help getting it just right above even, so I'll keep working on it along with my new verse).

So that brings me to my new verse. It is so relevant to the season I'm in at this very moment. (As they have all been.)

Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

I love the promises in this verse. He will sustain me and He will not let me fall. That is so comforting to me. I already LOVE this verse.

I want to leave you with some encouragement today, YOU ARE NOT ALONE ~~ OH KNOW YOU'RE NOT!!!!! ~~ No matter what it is, God knows EXACTLY where you are. Rest in Him child. He loves you so.

I would also like leave you with this video. This is a song that I have been playing for a long time. I love this song so. It has really spoke to me through the years, and I know it will continue you to, just like it has this morning, years after I first heard it. The video is almost 5 mins long I know, but I hope you will take the time to listen to it and watch the captions, especially the last one. I was crying through this song and that last caption, WOW!! I feel like it is me in this picture He is holding in the grip of His grace.....and the caption..........Praise Him!!!
(The screen is blank for about the first 20 seconds or so...)



Thank you for all the kind words and the prayers that go up to Abba on our behalf. I rode my bike again yesterday for the first time in about 2 weeks. I took it easy and will continue to just take it easy and do what I can, and most importantly will be resting in His arms as I make each step.

Have a Blessed Monday,

Petrii ~~ Dawn

PS I wrote that first paragraph before I watched the video, so when I saw the caption I just cried all the more. He knows exactly where I am today, and what I need. Praise His Name!!!!!

Father,
Thank you for knowing exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for loving me through every moment and teaching me to see The Blessings in the Thorn. Praise Your Name, Amen.

Random Friday and Face Paint ..... Huh?

So today is Friday, and my random brain is on a coffee rush. Yes you did read that right, I took a break from coffee hiatus today. Oh shame on me!!! But Dak left his wallet in his car, and hubs took his car to work today so I can have our car to take Dak to the doc and run errands and Dak had early morning aerobics with the itty bitty's (how much do I love this kid?), so I ended up taking him and A to school today, and on the way back took a detour into Casey's and found a hazelnut coffee waiting in a carafe just for me. It was delightful. WHEW!!!!!!!!! Glad I got that off my chest. Coffee rush....what coffee rush?!! =) heeheehee

So this would be a very random post if I had time, but since I don't (I seriously need to get ready and out the door) I'm going to direct you here to read about MckMaMa's face painting adventures, because I am a lover of the face paint for kids. I didn't use to be, in fact I didn't like it at all. But when Dak was an itty bitty we went to Sucker Days (another post for another day), and he wanted to get his face painted. So I being the very hip and cool mom that I am, plopped (that is a crazy word =) down the $3 and let my child's face be painted on. He chose a dolphin, and I put on that fake smile, you know the one, and was too-overly happy to have a stranger painting a dolphin on my itty-bitty's face. Call me cynical, but it seem like a little much for a pre-schooler. That was until I saw my child's face, not the dolphin, but specifically his eyes.....oh how they lit up with sheer joy as he saw himself in the mirror. In fact, he even slept with that dolphin on that night (what a cool mom am I? =) And that my friends started the first of many face painting experiences for us.

I am no longer cynical about face painting and I my child still digs it apparently. At school this year at a pep rally this is my "itty bitty" ahem.... 16 yr old, Dak.

Now I didn't even see this pic until we switched phones (another story for another day =)

I so love it that he still wants to be a kid........please always........

GO........

JAYS .....

So I have so much more to say, but I must go and I'm not even proofreading....scary.

But before I go, if you think of us today, please say a prayer for Dak. He didn't pass his physical for sports so we have to go to the doc and have her sign off on it so he can play. He is in the back ground right now saying "I passed my physical, they just have to sign off on it." Too funny. But as a mom ya know, you just want all to be well.

Have a Blessed day,

You Asked and Baby I deliver.........hopefully!!!

Last week I changed my header to some of our wedding pics and then earlier this week I posted some more of our pics and a little of our story and had a request for more. Ahh shucks...thanks.

So I had hubs teach me to scan, now ya'll are in trouble...anyway.... and I scanned some pics for you that I didn't already have on a disc. It was fun.

So this morning I'd like to share some more wedding pics with you, well actually these are reception pics. You see, as I've already shared, we eloped, no cake, no nuts, no mints, no need (remember?). We were Married on September 30, 1998 and in November ('98) my cousin threw us a wedding reception. It was so nice of her, completely unnecessary but totally appreciated!!!

It was just mainly family and it was a VERY fun night for us.

Most of these pics were taken from my wedding album, so I have a couple frames still attached, I just scanned them frames and all.

So here we are the happy couple....yep always & forever we are.


Oh my stars ~~ yep this is Dak when Dick and I married. He'd just turned six, and was in kindergarten. How stinkin cute is he?!!?!

Me and my mama!!! Is she not beautiful or what?!!!! Love you mom!!!!!

Me and my man ~~ I love this shot.

Me and my man again ~~ I love this shot too ~~ I love this man so!!!!!

Okay so these next two might just need a little explaining. First of all we had an early fall wedding and my dress was fitted for that season. This however, was November and it was REALLY cold and rainy on this particular evening, so I had an ivory cape I wore over my dress for this occasion and I loved it so much. It was so pretty!!!
This is the posed pic. The photographer (my other cousin) had us pose and well as you can see it makes me uncomfortable.

Well, in this one, I know it looks like the posed one. Nope. This one is just little ole me and the way I roll. If my big sis is reading this she is laughing out loud right now, because this pic is so me. I'm always turning my head weird or leaning back or something in a pic. I don't know why. Just my quirky funny personality I guess =) Look how skinny I was..........tear.
Moving on..... =)

Our reception table. Look at that cute, sweet cake ~~ it was yummee!!! And the grooms cake is the chocolate loveliness you see on the corner of the table. My Aunt made Dick a homemade German Chocolate Cake ~~ He was so happy!!!!!!!!!!

And here we are leaving. Now we should be outside, but did I mention in was REALLY cold and raining?!! So they blew bubbles inside ~~ it was so much fun!!!

And here we are with Heather's son Devin (Heather, my cous who threw the reception for us.) He LOVED the bubbles and wanted to walk with us ~~ how cute is that?!!!!
He's almost 13 now ~~ how cute was he?!!!!!!! Oh yeah he's still REALLY cute!!!!!!!

And then these last two were taken about 2 1/2 years ago. My hubs really LOVED my wedding dress and I'd never had any formal pics taken, so for Christmas I surprised him with these. So I thought I'd share these two with you.

I LOVED my dress, especially the back of it. It has a sheer scarf that attaches at the shoulders and hangs to the floor. Beautiful!!!!!

Did I mention I bought this dress at Dillard's for $55.00. Yep, I was THRILLED!!!!!

I cannot tell you what a thrill and a delight it is to be married to my sweetheart. Dick is the kindest most generous person I know. He helps me beyond belief. It is not easy living with someone with chronic health problems and he married into it. He knew it when he married me. He is an amazing man of strength. I love you honey.

So there you have it. Some fun wedding pics and a little more of our story. I wanted to get this

on while I still have this header up, because yep, it will be changing soon =)

_________________________________________________________

Let me also just thank you all for your kind words of encouragement yesterday. I went walking last night, although I really didn't want to, but it feels better this morning, and Dak and I will be going for a walk when he gets out of school. Because even though it hurts I MUST press forward I MUST. As I was walking yesterday afternoon, God reminded me of my memory verse for these two weeks.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I really felt He was emphasising that it is His plan and not my own. I need to trust Him more with every step, painful or not. He is in control. I gained some peace and insight over this situation last night. Thank you so much for praying for us.

Have a Blessed and Peaceful Thursday,

Feeling more like Petrii these days...

Do ya'll remember this post? I had forgotten that it was written on our 10th anniversary and on the eve of our first trip to Mayo. Very interesting that it is what I am thinking about today.

Why?...you might ask...

Well, this would be why!!!

Yep the knee. This is the torture chamber turnbuckle brace I have written about, in action. This week I haven't been in it because the knee is trying to take an ugly turn.ugly. And I don't like it. Nope.I.don't.like.it.one.bit.and.I.am.officially.protesting.

Let me back up a minute. Remember last week when I was back to riding my bike and feeling so good about the knee? Yeah, it didn't last. It seems that whenever I do ANYTHING the knee swells and becomes a monster, well when the tendon popped last week it has not been doing well.bummer.

For the most part I just don't let this get to me, but this time it is hard. Pain is hard. Chronic pain is the pits. Pain with every step makes me mad.

Last night I got into bed and told my hubs: "Honey, I think I've lost my mojo!!" To which he replied: "I'm sorry." Yes, he knows, he is living through it with me. It is not the worst thing in the world and certainly not the worst thing that has ever happened to me, but it is not pleasant and I am feeling like I've forgot how to fly. Remember this post? Hubs stopped calling me Petrii because he said I knew how to fly now. Well, I still know how I'm just finding it more difficult to get the wings (wing) to work. It's frustrating. I wanted to just go back to bed and pull the covers over my head like I've done the past several days, but I stayed up today and did my study in the early hours, like I so enjoy.

This morning my study fell to the Rich Young Ruler and the author of the study said this:

"Keep in mind that this is an actual encounter, not a parable. Although the ruler possessed much of what earth had to offer, he was wise enough to know this life isn't all there is. How gracious is our God to create us with a Spirit that somehow knows life must be more. That "knowing" was meant to compel a search for God who promises to make Himself "findable." "

How awesome, THIS IS NOT ALL THERE IS!!! Even though I may feel pain right now, and feel like maybe my wings (wing) has been clipped so to speak, Christ is the Author and Finisher of my faith, and finish I will, strong. So in these seemingly tired, weary, earthly moments, I know that Christ is indeed the Author and Perfecter of my faith and my life. So when the going gets tough this bird gets to flying!!! =)

Love and hugs to you on this Beautiful Wednesday,

Petrii ~~

Random Friday on Monday...What's up with that?!!

So I didn't get my customary weekly wrap up on Random Friday last week. So what's up with that?!! Well, Dak and I had a wonderful day on Friday and because of all the wonderfulness it just didn't make its way onto the blog........so sorry about that.

But I'll do me some sharing today....

I haven't posted about said teen in a while. He's been a very busy boy and now that he's driving and almost 17 and all, well he's just not home as much.tear. How does that happen?!!?!

He is tutoring at summer school this summer, and it's just too cute. He tutors K-1 and 2nd-3rd graders. He is only scheduled 8:30-10:30, but he goes in at 7:30 to do aerobics with them (I know!!! How cute is that?!) and then he stays usually until 12:30pm, the end of the summer school day for the kids. They dance with him in the morning, read with him during class, and tackle him at recess. Yes, it does a mom's heart good to know that her "baby" is making a difference to these little ones, and wants to, yes it's very good for this mama.

Well on Friday he went in just to do aerobics and then he came home about 8:45am, because they were going on a field trip and he had a physical for Cross Country and Tennis. Yes he is playing his beloved tennis. He is just ate up with it and can't believe we are finally getting it here in our little mid-western town in the Ozarks of less than 1200 people. Good news indeed!!! anyway......

After the physical we went to eat lunch at one of our fav Mexican places, El Charro. It is a little authentic Mexican place and let me just tell you, IT IS DELICIOUS and cheap inexpensive.

And I took our camera along for the ride. your welcome =)

So one of Dak's fav things about going here are the chips and salsa...

Apparently one of my fav's as well.... Do my eyes look scary or what?!! Please be kind and just tell me their cute...it will make me feel better about myself =)

Did I mention that Dak really likes the chips...

see.... he can't get them in fast enough!!!

Oh yes, doesn't Dr. Pepper just taste better in an authentic Mexican restaurant?

Yes.yes.it.does.

And apparently Dak is so hungry he will eat the taco sign....poor kid.....

And if you're wondering if we are bothering the patrons.....ummmmmmm no, they must have had a feeling that we needed to be in our own room. Yes they put us in our own room to eat. It had one other table, but those people left right after we arrived. Should I have a complex...??... =)

Dak ordered something he's never had before..........can I just interrupt this caption for a brief moment to reflect.....Yes this is a HUGE step in the right direction. There was a day....back in the day of this young one, that he NEVER tried ANYTHING NEW.NEVER. Did I mention NEVER?!!!! But now, it seems 16 yearoldhood brought with it adventure and now he surprises us all the time....progress people.....progress.

Okay back to the caption........

He ordered Chile Relleno (sp?) and here it is...

Have you ever seen anything like it? I mean seriously. Apparently Dak hadn't either!!! And man was it hot!!!!! Did I mention Authentic?!!

Here he is determined to get the better of it, but in the end, ummm yeah it got the better of him and he REALLY likes hot stuff!!!!! It was too funny!!!!! You crack me up son!!!!!

Ahhh yes and then my food............Fajita Quesdilla........let's take a moment......

My two fav things in one.....beautiful!!!!! And on the side.....guacamole salad, bestillmyauthenticMexicanlovin'heart!!!

Yes it was a BEAUTIFULLY large and wonderful meal!!!!!

Okay so what post would be complete without a pic of lil Scoot?!!

Here he is being all cute and adorable!!

And again, the cute and adorableness just continues.....can you ever get enough?!! Let me answer that for ya.....nope!!! =)

Oh yeah, if you didn't see my last post, please go take a look at what Sir Cuteness LOVES to do now.....ahhh he just makes my heart go pitter-patter.

I hope ya'll had a GREAT weekend.

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Monday,