VISIT TO THE LIBRARY......

Well as said earlier, we went by the library. The reason I'm even posting this is because the library is one of my most favorite places to go, I go about twice a week, sometimes more. There's just something so soothing and calming about it, and let's not forget the books, I'm obsessed with books.

Have you ever looked at your bookshelf TBR (to be read) pile and still gone out and checked more out at the library???? I do that a lot and I'm not ashamed to admit it :)

So I picked up two movies today. The Lion in Winter starring Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close.

The story of England's King Henry II as he manipulates (and is counter-manipulated) by his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their three ambitious sons, each of whom hopes to ascend to the throne.

I love historical movies, hence the one from last night "Victoria and Albert", so this is one I'm looking forward to watching this weekend. The other one I got was "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen.

At 10, Fanny Price, a poor relation, goes to live at Mansfield Park, the estate of her aunt's husband, Sir Thomas. Clever, studious, and a writer with an ironic imagination and fine moral compass, she becomes especially close to Edmund, Thomas's younger son. Fanny is soon possessed of beauty as well as a keen mind and comes to the attention of a neighbor, Henry Crawford. Thomas promotes this match, but to his displeasure, Fanny has a mind of her own, asking Henry to prove himself worthy. As Edmund courts Henry's sister and as light shines on the link between Thomas's fortunes and New World slavery, Fanny must assess Henry's character and assert her heart as well as her wit.

Well now that I have movies to watch, I couldn't just walk out without books. That would be like going to Starbucks and walking out empty handed right?

I looked through the New Releases and quickly found Beverly Lewis' new book titled "The Englisher". I've loved all her books so I'm excited to read this one.

Then while I was browsing through the Inspirational and Christian section, one caught my eye. I don't know how many of you listen to Delilah on the radio. She's one of my favorite radio dj's and her blend of love songs, compassionate advice and her straight forward and direct attitude, is one of the reasons I just tune into her whenever possible.
When I saw her book I snatched it right up...it's called "Love Someone Today" and it's about her faith and her personal strength. If you get a chance and have never heard her on the radio, I suggest tuning in if possible, I'm sure you won't be disappointed :)


Another thing I always do at the library, is stop by their Books for Sale shelf. You can find such great books for only 25c a piece and some are even free.
My hubby picked up "Left Behind" by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins....now I've seen the movies and I've been dying to read the books, so I'm thrilled to have it in my possession. I also picked up another one that caught my eye, just because the title was funny and you should have seen my hubby's face LOL
It's called "Angry Housewives" Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. Rest assured I told my husband this wasn't some sort of hint or secret message, especially on our anniversary. LOL

So there ya have it, now you know what I'll be reading and watching this weekend. Oh and before I leave, if you like MercyMe, be sure to pick up their CD "Coming up to Breathe". It's just amazing, there's not enough words to say how good it is. I got it from my MIL on my birthday and I've listened to it endlessly, especially the song called "Bring the Rain", it's one of those songs that seem to say exactly what my life is and has been.

I leave you with the lyrics and the hope of a goodnight.
God Bless,

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

ANNIVERSARY YEAH.......

Today is our anniversary and I would LOVE to say that we've been all lovey dovey, but for some reason we've been at each other's throats. LOL Is it a way to remind us that even though we fight we have managed to stick it out for the past 8 years?

Hubby and I have been married for 8 years and have been together for nine. It's been a blessing having him in my life, I'm not going to say that there haven't been ups and downs and fights, and screaming etc....but we do find our way back to each other and we work hard at staying together. After all, it's a MARRIAGE!!! When I think of the word marriage, I always think of carriage....maybe because it's a constant effort and struggle to keep it moving forward.

Curt is the type of father and husband that everyone wishes for. He's there when I need him, he makes me laugh until my sides hurt, he constantly asks me "what do you need me to do help you with?" and one minute he is the stern, strict father and the next he is acting like one of their best friends.....rolling around on the floor, playing tag, wrestling, jumping on the trampoline and acting goofy.

So Curt, I want you to know that even though it's been hard at times, I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else. I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to butt heads again and keep going for another 80 years. LOL


With that said, what do you think of my new design? I know, I know, you're probably sick and tired of seeing me change it, but I get bored easily. I wanted something simple again and since my favorite color is pink, I thought this would be perfect.

Just this morning I was sitting here messing with the template and then got bored (HA! big surprise there), and decided to go browse through all the Blogger blogs. I just kept hitting Next Blog, on the navigation bar and I was surprised at the diversity of blogs, one minute I was in Sweden and then the next I was in Croatia, Brazil, Oklahoma, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand etc. It's just so much fun visiting all the different cultures and seeing their pictures, though I have to tell you some of them I really couldn't understand a single word posted.........I especially like the Asian ones that have just ????????? LOL

You're probably waiting for me to tell you what we're doing today. Would you be disappointed if I said ABSOLUTELY NOTHING?!?!?! We're just hanging out, and I know usually anniversaries are supposed to be celebrated with an intimate dinner, or an overnight stay at a cozy romantic hotel. I also could tell you that we don't like that kind of stuff, but I'd be lying and you would see right through me. The reason though is that, first, we don't have any family nearby to watch the kids while we whisk ourselves to some secret rendezvous (don't you just like how I make it sound all exciting lol)......the second reason would be that we don't put too much importance into things like that, the fact that we're still together and love each other, is enough for us, plus we are the kind of parents that love being with our children, so staying home with them is just fine with us :)

We do need to stop by the library....but I supposed showing up in a sexy dress and high heels would be looked down on??? And I guess bringing a bottle of champagne too would just be inapproriate??? Yeah, I thought so. Oh well, I tried LOL
They do say "It's the thought that counts" right?!?!?!

I was exhausted yesterday, I didn't realize that having family visiting could be so draining. This is the thing though, I didn't feel it when they were here, we had a blast, would stay up late playing games and laughing etc. Think my body was getting used to that routine, then they left and all of a sudden I was fighting to keep my eyes open.
I got into bed at 7 pm.......ahhhhhhh it felt heavenly, but then suddenly I wasn't tired anymore, I wanted to watch tv, so seeing as there was nothing interesting on, I popped in one of my Netflix movies "Victoria and Albert", the story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. I really enjoyed the movie, although I was quite annoyed to realize it's a 2 DVD movie and I had only the first part LOL

Well I'm being called upon, so I guess I better hop on out of here and go with the family. I'll be back later to take my Blog Drive, won't be my morning one, let's just call it the "Afternoon Blog Drive" today, shall we???

Have a wonderful saturday everyone,

I'm BAAAAAACCKKKKK!!!!!

The family left this morning so we now return to the regularly scheduled programming. Yep, I'm back to my blogging self, it feels good, I've missed all my favorite friends and blogs and it's wonderful that I get to come back and catch up.

Come on in, sit down and here have a cup of coffee. Don't worry, if you would rather have tea, that can be arranged too.

So mom and Chris left this morning, the kids are so sad to see them go, and so are we. We always have the best time and laugh, boy do we laugh. Mom goes back to more tests this coming monday so please keep her in your prayers, we will find out on August 21st how all the tests went and exactly where she stands. You know what's weird though??? When I found out my father in law had cancer it was just a terrible time for all of us and I was constantly worrying and upset and wondering if he would be able to fight it. I was ALSO distant from God and I could say that our relationship was pretty much non existent at that point. (makes me so sad just thinking about that)

With mom it's been very different for me, I am concerned for obvious reasons, but I am also finding this amazing calm and I don't feel myself consumed with constant thoughts of the situation and how bad it could be. Isn't that wonderful??? It's like I can feel His love and His protection, He's taken her into His arms and I get the feeling of "Everything is going to be alright, no matter what happens, it's ok".

Now THAT'S the beauty of having a close relationship with God, it's almost like being two different people, the sad, miserable, lost and helpless one before finding Christ......and then the happy, carefree, brave and courageous one after finding Him. I'm just so glad that I'm on this side of the fence though, walking hand in hand with God and facing the problems together.

Thank you to all that left birthday wishes for me, not just through the blog but through email, it was really sweet and it means a lot to me. I had a great day with the family, I opened presents, we ate cake and ice cream and then just hung out all day, talking, playing games, laughing and just having fun. Perfect day in my book!!!

It does feel good to be back to blogging though.
I wasn't able to do my usual meme's, but being friday I'm sure I can come up with something for "Everyday Things" hosted by Julie at Everyday Mommy.

Want to know what I'm planning for today??? After I'm done with this post I'm most certainly heading over to all my favorite blogs just to say hi, but then I have cleaning to do.

Yep Mount Laundry is back and if I don't get to it, I'm sure it will erupt at some point today. We also have the back and front yard to mow, sweeping and mopping the floors, vacuuming and yeah you guessed it, cleaning the carpets. You know after having six people in the house, plus 2 dogs, this poor carpet has not survived very well so we're going to give it a good cleaning.

I also want to get all the bedrooms cleaned up and reorganized again. I just have to start getting the kids on the usual school routine, early bedtimes, sleeping in their own beds instead of falling asleep on couches, you know, the usual summertime stuff.
Yesterday was registration, so we got that done and I was able to request the teacher I wanted for Jasmine (not that it's a guarantee). On the 21st we will find out who's class she's in and then the 22nd we have Open House/Meet the Teacher, so I'm excited about that and so is Jasmine....seems that I seem to be the only one worrying about school starting, she's perfectly fine with it.

So I'm closing this post off. I'm refilling my coffee cup and going on my morning Blog Drive. You'd be amazed at the beautiful sights you see along the way :)

Have a wonderful day everyone, Oh and look for my Everyday Things post below :)

EVERYDAY THINGS!!! August 11th

"...For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

"If you want any one thing too much it's likely to disappoint. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk..."-- Augustus McCrae-"Lonesome Dove"

I'm so glad I'm able to participate in this feature today. Remember if you want to join all the ladies appreciating their Everyday Things, just head on over to Julie at "Everyday Mommy".

So you want to know what Everyday Thing I find contentment in?

Today it's definitely my health and the fact that I'm here with my family.

If you read my blog daily, you will know that this past week while my mother in law was visiting, she told us that she'd been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Nothing like that kind of news to make you appreciate the fact that you're healthy.

We go by everyday just taking for granted that we're actually able to be with our children and our husband and sickness is the last thing on your mind.

Well today I'm embracing my health and thanking God for the opportunity to see another day, to enjoy my children, to laugh at my husband's silly jokes, to clean up after one of the dogs and to be able to say that at least at this moment in my life "I don't have to worry about the possibility of not being there in the long run".

What everyday thing are you thankful for today??? Do you want to share it with all of us??? If you do, I suggest you run on over to Julie's and add your name to the list, and while you're there be sure to check out the other Ladies sharing theirs too.

Happy Birthday to me!

Now you may think that sounds a bit conceited, but it's not LOL The reason I'm wishing myself a happy birthday is because I felt that since I'm turning 32 years old today, I would post about what my life has been like.

It's not going to be one of those boring.....at 5 years old I went skipping by a pond.....at 10 years old I dropped my ice cream on my dress.........Nah, that's not what I meant, it's just that after being on this earth for 32 years, so much has happened. There's been good times and then there's been bad times, but who doesn't have their ups and downs right?

I'm ready, I have my cup of hot coffee and I'm about to pour it all out, are you ready? If you don't have time for a long post I would suggest doing something else for now, I don't want to bore anyone but I really want to get this all out.

I have to say that I've been blessed with a wonderful life, I have the best family in the world, the best husband and kids and just everything I could ever wish for. I've also been blessed with the love of the Lord and even though right now I feel that I'm at the best place in my life, it wasn't always so.
As a matter of fact, just last year before starting this blog, I was NOT in a close relationship with God. I had drifted away and didn't know how to get back to Him, sure I could pick up the Bible and read it but even that I found boring. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was at a low point in my life and that I didn't have the hunger and excitement to pursue a closer relationship with the Lord.

Then I started blogging, and boy did that change everything. I would sit at my computer and read all the christian blogs and just marvel at the ladies behind the words. These were Christian women so devoted to the Lord that they brought out a hunger and need in me to be just like them.....I wanted to be able to quote scriptures and actually know what I was talking about, I wanted to open the Bible and read with a thirst for His word and get giddy with excitement at the thought of reading another word or another christian book.
But most of all I wanted to have my own testimony and my own stories to tell about how the Lord was working in my life, because you see, I didn't know it at the time, but he had been doing such wonderful work and it was SO obvious that I just can't believe I missed it.

Let me tell you something though, before I started blogging, I have already said that my relationship with Him was non-existent, but more so, I was at a crossroads in my life. They always say that around the age of 30 years old is when some women start questioning everything they've done, where they are, what they've achieved etc....I was there, I didn't know who I was anymore, I didn't know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go.

Finding that love with the Lord again not only brought me hapiness like I'd never experienced, but it also helped me find myself and realize that all the hardships I had gone through, all the crying and the yelling, the grieving over passed loved ones, my miscarriages, my move away from my family and even the fights with my husband, had all led me to this one single moment....I call it the "SANDRA TADA MOMENT". That was when I went......"OH MAN, this is what I want and it's where I want to be"......and the best part of it?????
After all the years of being distant from God, He was right there with arms wide open and waiting with the biggest smile on His face.

Call me a wussy if you like, but I'm getting teary eyed just writing this LOL

So now that I got that out of the way, I want to do something different, I want to make a list (if you will) of what my life has been, but divided into categories.

At 32 years old I have learnt so far that:
Life is what you make of it.
The Lord is always there no matter what.
The best treasures are those you already have.
Not to sweat the small stuff.
The best friends are those that accept you for who you are even when if you're not their idea of what a friend should be and act like.

At 32 years old I have YET to learn how:
To completely hand over control to God.
To swim.
To do math (yeah I'm running out of fingers and toes)
To garden.
To stop worrying about everything.
To be the best wife and mother I can be.

At 32 years old I've had to learn to live without:
My greatgrandmother.
My grandfather Julio.
My grandfather Antonio.
My father in law Doug.
My two angels in heaven.

At 32 years old I now accept that:
My life is as perfect as it's going to be.
I HAVE all I could ever wish for.
I love who I am and who I've become.
I'm extremely lucky to be where I am.

And now just to show you how blessings have come from hard times.
I had two miscarriages - If I didn't have them I wouldn't have my son Nicholas right now.
Moving away from my family - Learnt to be independent and to be the woman I am today.
Being distant from God - Makes me finding Him again all that more sweeter to me, I now appreciate much more what I was missing.

The list could go on and on but you get the point right???

Well it's time for me to go be with my family, open some presents and just BE happy knowing that I have everyone with me, not just here but in spirit and best of all I have the Lord, sitting right next to me at the table as I open the gifts, holding my hand when I get teary eyed and laughing along when I find something funny. These have been the BEST years of my life and I'm truly blessed to have made it this far, I only hope to be able to sit down in another 32 years and again pour my heart out and list what has happened since then. BUT I do hope that you will ALL be here with me, for I would have never found the Lord again if it weren't for so many of you out there, the ones that have become my true friends and that I love dearly.

Rena
Liz
Jaymi
Courtney
Emily
Sarah
Morning Glory
Christina
Melany
Jen
Michelle

and so many more, but those have really been there for me and I love them all dearly.....I will come put links up later, right now I'm being called to the Present Pile LOL

Love you all, have a blessed day and hey, have a drink for me will ya?