{Awards & Chasing Light}

Buddy received the Leader of the Month Award! 

 He was so excited and has worn his pins. . .everywhere. . . .and he sticks them. . . in everything.

  It's okay.  Really.

These pictures show his sweet little personality 

and that he is a complete HAM! 

The Head Up-Leg Up Pose.

Carson you are so smart and special!

I hated so bad he missed his special breakfast, but Mrs. Barker is going to treat him to McD's next week!

(I am chasing light in these pictures! I refuse to

 use a flash, and I obviously refuse to read my

 camera manual. . . so I will just continue to chase light!)

{A BIG Thanks to B!}

The Baby returned to school today, and Sis was left behind.

  Thank goodness for B's Post about Duct Tape Bows!  

I HAD to work today, so I was more than thankful she had plans to be crafty!

B, I think you are right. . .There is nothing duct tape cant do!!!

Sis just worked and worked. . .

until she perfected her little bows. 

And once she got started. . .

She

was

UNSTOPPABLE!

Bows for everyone!

Thanks B from Lily!

Thanks B from me too! I was able to get much work done while Sis crafted!

{The "Get Well" Agenda}

 Good Morning! I feel confident today is going to be a better day!  I am having a horrible time getting The Baby better!  He has had the flu, stomach virus, and now a repeat of the stomach virus since the beginning of December.  

 This morning was his special breakfast at school and as you can see. . . we wont make it.  He was so disappointed.  His precious teacher, Mrs. Barker, said she would figure something out! Whew! 

Aren't loving and caring teachers great!?!

 After 2 doses of Tami-flu and 2 other concoctions of meds this little girls eyes seem much brighter this morning!  I made 4 calls to the doctor and 3 trips to the pharmacy yesterday.

 I am so so thankful both of them are feeling better, and that Clayton seems to have escaped it so far.

 Nothing on Buddy's and Lily's agenda today except for soup & crackers, TV, books, and some snuggling.

(I couldn't help but notice how long her hair is getting this morning.)

My agenda on the other hand. . . 

Nurse Mom

House Keeper (thinking of tackling that frig. . .)

Laundry Specialist

Nursery Director (time for that February Schedule)

Curling back in next to Buddy sure does sound more appealing though.

Would anyone like to share their secret to successful laundry?

{Happiness is Found in Serving Others.}

 These pictures seem like they were taken a million years ago. . I have been up . . . all night with The Baby.  He is sick.  He has the stomach virus.  We are all home. . .and when I say "all" I mean ALL.  The Mr. took off to help me. . . isn't that sweet?  (Lord, help me. . .a big baby too??!!)

 This weekend we volunteered at the concession stand for Upward Basketball.  We had a ball!  I took plenty of money so the kids could graze to their hearts content.  Picklesicles.  Pretzels.  Sour Straws.  Pepsi.  Candy bars.  It just made for a delicious way to serve our church!

Buddy was in charge of candy.

Sis took care of drinks.

Clayton kept us stocked up.

 It was hard to get them to focus due to the sugar high and the sour deliciousness of the pickle juice. 

 Oh yes, I failed to mention M&M's. . .

and Dr Pepper and one Dew.

 

Happiness is Found in Serving Others.



{In my Bloodstream}

 Let me just say, right out of the gate. . .The Mr. wanted to know what in the world possessed me to write on my hand in Sharpie.  Before I could get a word out the kids explained (because you know they noticed the very second they seen me), needless to say, he just didn't think Sharpie in the bloodstream would be a good thing.  Really? Well, after a few questions. . ."Did you get a tattoo?" and "What is on your hand?" I cave. I give-up on my idea.  What was genius yesterday around 2:00, was ignorant around 10:00.  Never mind.  I will figure out someway to improve my prayer life w/o doing bodily harm.  It was highly-effective! I have got that sweet soul all prayed up!

Moving on, Monday my babies were all home.  Sis spotted some pine cones in our meat market parking lot and asked if she could get a few.  Absolutely! She is my crafty-queen! I love it!

Delicious Peanut Butter Sprinkled with Yummy Birdseed.  What kind-of bird wouldn't enjoy that?

When she had almost every nook & cranny covered we hung it right outside her window.

Lovely.

{Apply Sharpie to the Hand}

 One area of my life that I have been working on is. . .The Prayer One. . .Y'all I cant help it. . .  I get sleepy.  I am ashamed, as I should be.  I have gotten much better about praising AND praying throughout my day.  I believe I should be worshipping, praying, learning, thinking, or speaking of the Lord at all times.  One or the other.  Or all at the same time. The Bible says:

 

1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,

 

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

 

Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

 

Colossians 1:3 (KJV) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing

 

I know you see the same pattern I see.  Always.

Although I do bathe regulary, Sharpie is a challenge to take off.  I am going to write a letter from the persons name I am praying for on my hand. . . with a Sharpie. . . to serve as I reminder for me to pray for this person.  It will not wear off immediately so I will continue to pray without ceasing until it fades.  Slow fade (love that song, btw). 

 

 

Its just what I am going to do.  Be intentional. . .improve my prayer life. . .its what I am about.

 

 

{Hanging out in the Laundry Room}

Yesterday I mentioned how hard it is for me to hang things on the wall, but I am in a recovery program.

I've had these 3 pictures. . . forever. . .I think all the kids still have their baby teeth!

I asked The Mr. to hang them, but not before I broke out in a sweat & had a tad bit of trouble breathing. 

I contemplated and contemplated. . . 

and finally said. . . "Hang them in the laundry room!!" 

I am enjoying them so far. 

One is crooked at the moment. . .so I must go straighten it!

{Home Sweet Home}

I am home!  As much as you enjoy a trip. . . the best part is coming home.

I learned many things, but my favorite was meeting the founder of Back2Back.  

She is amazing. Here is a bit about her. . .

Beth and her husband, Todd, live with their family in Monterrey, Mexico where they serve as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries, an international orphan care non-profit, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.  After graduating from Indiana University with degrees in education, the Guckenbergers  moved to Monterrey, Mexico.  Since founding Back2Back in 1997, they have hosted thousands of guests on the ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted children, they are raising nine children.  

Nine children y'all!  I could listen to her talk all day.  All day.

Since I am sure you know that feeling of "I want to sleep in my own bed", how about a tour?

My bedroom. . . makes me nuts.  One phobia I need to overcome is hanging things on the walls.

I cant do it. I try. . .a crooked picture drives me to more insanity.  Anyways, I almost have my bed to a state of happiness.  I still need some pillow tweaking and something (who knows what?) hanging above. 

Here's my blogging space. . .Well, more like a college students space.  The Mr. has it set-up to his liking at the moment.  The tower ON the desk is growing on me. . . eeeek. 

Sometimes I throw a throw on the bed. . .

This is one of my most favorites of all.  This cabinet.

I have high hopes curtains will adorn each side eventually.  What in the world color? 

This chair was my Mothers Day gift last year. Love. I am thinking it might need a coat of paint?

I am not sure. . . 

Would you paint it? 

See those silver pieces above the cabinet? 

I love that sort of thing at the moment.  Mercury Glass & Silver pieces.  The "genie looking one" is from Mom for Christmas.  Treasure.to.Me. 

Have a wonderful week!

Here is Beth's Blog if you would like to follow her!

P.S.  God is amazing.  Be sure to seek him out this week. . .He is everywhere.

{I am Tonia Hobbs over there too. Sunny FL}

Yesterday after school my son took a notion to bake a cake. . .his first thought was the "normal" cake-in-pan-iced. Then he shifted to cake balls. . . 

but he ultimately chose a "volcano cake" with molten icing.  It was just fun in every-way!

It also made a fun-hot-mess! Its okay! I don't sweat things like that! 

Isn't he getting so big?  

He has the best sense of humor! He makes me laugh everyday!  He hates being late.  He feeds the dog everyday.  He makes excellent grades.  He loves the Lord.  He loves spending time with his friends. 

He loves the Bourne Movies. He loves Jack Johnson.  He is much like me. . . really.  But ever so often he will do something and I cant help but say, "Son, you are just like your Dad." (and that is not a bad thing)

 He is very particular about his clothes and room.  He is a tidy little boy.

He is a delight to me! He is precious-precious!

Today I am cleaning up the volcano mess and packing.  I am heading out early in the morning for 

SUNNY FL! I bought this shirt yesterday to celebrate! 

A trip to FL is a celebration!

I will join 100's of Children s Pastors from all over the country. It is a time of refreshment, praise & worship, 

and learning.  It is great to hear what other churches are doing and seeing how God is working. . .and

using people like me to do it. Everyday. 

I spent some time doing my kids a little "chalk art" with the date of my return. 

They are into dates.  

They love a good "count-down"! 

At 5:15 am "Daddy Duty" will officially begin. . . I am going to go ahead and lay clothes out today for Buddy and Sis.  The hair is just going to be a gamble. . . it might get brushed. . . it might not.  Teeth brushed?  Who knows?  I just pray.  Earnestly.  

This will be my last blog post until I return! 

BUT you can follow me on Instagram.

I am Tonia Hobbs over there too.