Multitude Monday

24.  A "White Christmas"

25.  My father visiting over the holidays

26.  Staying home for Christmas for the first time in 14 years...it was heaven!

27.  Willow getting better at her Grandparents house

28.  Her Grandparents understanding the need for us to relax and being accomidating.

29.  Family traditions

30.  My daughter and I praying the Rosary to help her sleep.

31.  My son Alex getting jealous and insisting I pray it with him too.

32.  A rich prayer life

33.  My mother showing me the meaning of unconditional love.

34.  The ability to show it to my own kids.

35.  Our family service projects at The Day Center for the homeless and Catholic Charities.

36.  My toddler still wanting to sleep with me and being jealous of my husband.  I fall asleep with him nuzzled up to me.  I am relishing this.  Sadly, this could be my last baby!

37.  Daddy being jealous of my toddler...hey, at least he still wants to spend time with me!

38.  Him caving every night because secretly, I know he enjoys him too.  Especially when he won't go to bed without Chris being in bed with us too!

39.  My kids playing together.

40.  My daughter bragging about how every time she has to be away from us "I miss my brothers and sisters so bad.  I'm so lucky I'm not an only child."

41.  Yes, she is.

White Christmas

I tried to get a Christmas photo for you...

It just didn't work out the way I thought...

No, she is not trying to choke him!

Then we tried some Christmas crafts...

It didn't work out so good either...

Don't get the wrong idea.  Christmas wasn't all bad.  Something miraculous happened.  We made it to Mass.  We survived.  Barely.   It was amazing.  When we got out we had a white Christmas!   One thing that my family really knows how to do...

Is have FUN!!!!

Landons first snow...

He was having so much fun...

this was how we got him in!

A snow Angel.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Multitude Monday

1. My Family.  The miracle of all of our children.
2.  The incredible blessing of being married to my soul mate.
3.  My best friend of 20+ years Donetta
4. My friend Angela Gardner
5. My friend Jennifer Sartorius
6. My friend Ginger Mitchell
7. My friend Stefani Nolan.  My family away from family.
8. My friend Rachel.
9.  The fact that our family members are some of our closest friends.
10.  My mother.  Also my best friend.
11. My friend Christa
12.  All of my daughters therapists: Cheryl, Lauren, Rachel, and Amy.  I love you.
13.  The blessing of being married to a man of faith and his unfailing support of my vocation as a mother.  Also, his willingness to follow church teaching. 
14.  Did I mention my kids....?
15.  The Helow, Person, and Foss families for showing the many blessings living a life of "openness" gives you."
16.  My faith.  Which should be number 1.  I wouldn't have all of the other blessings without the Father.
17.  My landlords Richard and Theresa Cooper...for giving us an opportunity to go to JSE and their support.  We love our life here.
18.  My neighbors.  My babysitter Lizzie keeps me sane.  She doesn't charge me.  The most Godly teenager I know. 
19.  Autism.  The lessons it's taught me and for the amazing people it has brought into our life.
20.  The Millers.  For giving us the support we needed while in FL.  Like family.
21.  For my father and the lessons he has taught me.
22.  For my brother and his friendship.
23.  For my Sister-In-Law Stephanie...who has endured my gripe sessions for years.

Crushed

I have been feeling a little "crushed" this week...and then I found this quote.

"When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become."
Henri Nouwen

Autism Rates By State

This is an interesting article I happened upon. I have always heard Autism affects 1 in every 150 children. That is actually an average. It really depends on what state you are in.  Minnesota tops the list with 1 out of every 67 children.  Oklahoma has one of the lowest autism rates.  Our rate is 1 out of every 309 children have autism.  Willow was born in Florida and their rate is 1 out of every 155 children.  Hmmm.  Alex too.  Oklahoma is ranked 48th out of all 50 states. Go to http://www.fightingautism.org/idea/autism-state-rankings-prevalence.php
for more information.

Greenspan's Developmental Checklist

I am hoping that eventually most Doctors will change the way they screen for developmental problems.  Willow passed the "general" Pediatrician's checklist with flying colors. I wish we would have known about Greenspan's developmental checklist. I just found this on the internet while looking up information on "Floortime."  It is good information to pass along.

Cooper's Baptism

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Viva Las Vegas

Make a Smilebox photobook

Fall Fun

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Special needs, special blessings

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I take Willow to therapy.  It pretty much consumes my whole day.  I take my happy-go-lucky toddler, Landon, and his big sis and we just GO.  We are so blessed to have the therapists that we do.  Some have been with Willow since she was two.  Anyway, the past few days I have been in prayer about what to do with her therapy/school schedule.  Chris and I are also considering home schooling her at least part time.  It would give her one-on-one instruction and more time for private therapy.  I happened upon this article at Faith and Family Live.  It just reminded me of how blessed we are.  The article that struck me the most was Mary Ellen Barrett.  She says most people view special needs kids as damaged.  Mary Ellen has also had to endure the anti-life attitudes of doctors. When Ryan was diagnosed, she was pregnant with her third child. “The neurologist said to me, ‘You know this runs in families, but I guess it’s too late to do anything about that’ — he was pointing to my big belly,” said Mary Ellen. “With each subsequent pregnancy, I have been warned that the child will likely be ‘damaged.’ That’s the word they use. I think people who consider these children damaged are themselves broken.”   I have endured that attitude too.  We had two more children after Willow was born.  Willow is doing amazing and inspires our family every day.  I had a conversion experience at her bedside when she was two weeks old in the NICU of Baptist Hospital.  I have come to rely on the Lord so much.  I am constantly in prayer for her.  The Barretts also realize what a blessing Ryan has been: “My faith has greatly deepened due to Ryan’s disability,” said Mary Ellen. I gave him to Our Lady’s care and began praying Rosaries regularly. Ryan’s abnormalities were accepted and treated as part of his uniqueness. We have grown in faith together, and the biggest blessing has been the conversion of my husband, David, to the Catholic faith. I don’t know that any of this would have happened if Ryan had been born without his disabilities.”  People just don't know what they are missing.  You can visit Mary Ellen's blog at: http://maryellenb.typepad.com/
     

Abundance

Once again, God came through.  This week we had NO money.  I have been scraping for kids lunches!  I have been feeeling anxious even though I know he always provides.  I prayed my Rosary this morning and gave it to God.  I asked for an "explosive blessing."  Chris was supposed to get his check mailed.  It would have put us even further behind.  It was also supposed to be less than average.  Well, he spoke with the young woman who is doing his exit interveiw.  She is overnighting it!  We will get it today and it is going to be MORE than what we thought.  God is so Good.  JEHOVAH-JIREH, MY PROVIDER.  “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)







 

5 worse things than being in debt.

This woman has eloquently put into words what I have experienced over the last 13 years.  This blog was powerful for me.  It is called the 5 worse things than being in debt.  Please read the entire article!!!!!

They are:
1. Worse than being in debt is losing your peace. 
2. Worse than being in debt is not realizing how much good comes out of a real struggle.
3. Worse than being in debt is not having a baby because you think you don't have enough money.
4. Worse than being in debt is getting a job (the woman) to make ends meet.
5. Worse than being in debt is having your husband think he's not a good provider.

Small Successes

It seems like it has been forever since I have done this!  Here it goes:
1.  I took six children to Target today.  No one got lost or hurt.  We actually had a blast and they helped me pick out my first Christmas present of the year.  Tiana also came away with some much needed new bedding.  She is thrilled!
2.  I cleaned my living room top to bottom today.  I even cleaned the blinds and glass.  Try not to be too jealous.  I ALSO did three loads of laundry, steam cleaned Willow's room, and finished the kitchen.  While watching between 4-6 kids.
3.  I started simplifying my life.  I know it doesn't sound like it...but trust me.  This is as simple as it's going to get.
4.  I counceled a friend.
5. We moved Landon out of our room and into his big brothers room.  They have become best friends. 
6.  I realized I don't really care if I ever get back down into a size 6 ever again.  I think I am going to learn how to cook.  Like Paula Deen.  Lots of butter.  Yum.
7.  I also realized that all this stuff that we "had to have" will probably end up at a garage sale (for pennies on the dollar) or donated to charity.  It is making me seriously consider new purchases. 
8.  I am waking up at the crack-o-dawn in the am.  Alex's BFF (Cody M) is staying the night.  It is his birthday tomorrow.  I want him to remember it for the rest of his life.  Doughnuts for everyone.  Silly party hats at breakfast too!!!!  I love that family.  Love em.

Winter Cleaning.

Chris recently took a new job and the impact is life changing. For the first time in our 14 year relationship we will have the ability to live beneath our means and have a LITTLE left. So we are turning over a new leaf and getting rid of all that is unnecessary. Clutter is distracting. I am starting with our home. Since I won't be doing 20 million things at once I am tackling the house one room at a time. I mean clean top to bottom go through toys, organize closets, throw away trash and give away or sell the rest.
Here is my "winter cleaning" list:
Willow's room
Willow's closet
Alex's room
Alex's closet
Tiana's bedroom
Toy room
Office
Alex's Pullman bath
Willow's Pullman bath
Upstairs hall bathroom
Tiana's bathroom
Master bedroom (I should have taken pictures of what was under the bed. Scary.)
Tosha's closet
Chris's closet
Master bath
Dining room
Family room
Kitchen
Pantry
Eating area and built ins
Laundry room
Garage
Chris's tool chest!
Cars

This is just to keep me on track for projects. We are wanting to finish painting the house and redo some furniture. I told Chris that before I get started I want it all marked off the list!  Join me.  I am wanting to go into the Holidays joyful and prepared to relax and celebrate.  Happy cleaning.

End of 40 Days

Over 40 days ago my friend Jennifer Sartorius encouraged me to do a "40 day novena" for Willow and our family. I responded that I needed something tangible. I did not want to pray to a Saint (although I do regularly). I wanted needed "God's hands and feet."  I needed help!  We were struggling to meet our most basic needs and feeling very neglected and broken. Willow was spreading feces over her room on a daily basis and was in a plateau with her speech.  We literally had sacrificed everything and I was just dispondent with where she was at.  I literally had no help and was overwhelmed with the BASIC CARE of our children.  I sat on her request for two weeks.  I had resigned myself to the fact that this was just the way it was.  This was my life.  Then, while looking through my bookshelf, I found it. I picked up the book and knew that it was the one. I found Finding God in Autism: a forty day devotional for parents.  I called my friend and we both decided that it was the one we were supposed to do.  We read scripture everyday, carved out prayer time (along with some family members), and I prayed over my daughter for complete healing.  Two days into it my friend came to me with another request.  Chris should do it with me and if he did "God would work miracles...all he has to do is ask."  Well, God did work miracles.  Chris was completely devoted.  He never missed a day.  He developed a life long habit and I can feel it's difference in our marriage.  He has taken his rightful place as the "head of the household" and spiritual leader.  God put people (thank you Eddye and my amazing friends) and ministries in my life to help us get through.  Willow is doing amazing.  Her progress is phenominal and the people at Tulsa Sunshine Center have been so good to our family.  Chris is interveiwing for a new job and we are both so grateful for the great opportunities (thank you, Patti and Janna) and are looking forward to the future.  I haven't felt this much peace in so long.  We are experiencing our family's version of normal.  For the first time, in a long time, we have stability and hope.  It is a process and it is going to just take time and patience but I know we can make it through.  In the last month, God has shown us miracle after miracle.  We literally were short over $2000 dollars at one point and recieved in the mail checks from random sources to cover it.  I found a flexable job.  Willow quit doing "potty play time" the FIRST DAY of our devotioal and has never done it since.  God is shaping us and we are learing how we can evangelize through our family and our perserverence.  We are helping others.  We are blessed beyond belief.  Thank you, God.      

30 days!!!

Looking back, I wish I could have journaled every day. It has been an amzing journey. Willow is doing fantastic. God's plans are always so much greater than anything we can ever imagine. She has not had "potty play time" in a month, she is talking more, her eye-contact has improved, and her therapists all say she is doing the best she ever has. Lauren, her SLP told me at her last session that some day we will be able to have conversational speech with her! My little Willow talking to me!?! It is too bad that our society often encourages people to run from situations that are uncomfortable. It is usually during those times that we have the most spiritual growth. Over the last 13 years we have experienced miracle after miracle. Everytime someone told us "you can't" God has said "yes, you can!" Here are our "greatest hits!"
1. They told us we couldn't have children...um?
2. Willow's sucessful heart surgery
3. Alex's miracle birth. I lost 60% of my blood in 13 minutes. It is a complete blessing I am even writing this.
4. Willow's Autism diagnosis and the blessing that came with it!
5. Chris loses his job and God gives us a job in our home state.
6. We go through hell and back for Willow and we find the best therapists, friends, and an amazing school
7. My Landon gives me the most perfect pregnancy and delivery. (Via Jay Williamson, DO and his trusty sidekick, Cora!)

God has blessed us with the most amazing friends, family, and professionals to help us through our life. Thank you all for everything. Most of all, thank you for your prayers!

Take time to pray!

I didn't take the time to pray today and it was a mess!!!! Not doing it again for the rest of my devotional. Enough said.

Count your blessings...

We had an amazing Sunday. Chris' youngest brother Patrick (AKA Patti) blessed us with his company at Mass. The kids were amazing and I actually had TWO people to help me at Mass. I dare say he was almost more helpful than Chris! Father's homily was about counting your blessings and having an "attitude of gratitude" today I really did. Pat is Chris' best friend, another blessing in itself, but we rarely get to worship together anymore. That didn't used to be the case. I miss our family being together every Sunday. We used to take up an entire pew! Afterwards we would go to Mom and Dad Schiffli's for lunch. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out and visiting. That is the part I miss the most. We have all grown up and have either moved on or have different schedules that prevent us from being together. With five kids, it is difficult to get everyone together all at the same time. Today was the closest we've come to those early days together. We met Chris' other brother Andy and his family at Mom and Dad Schiffli's and ate (way,way too much) and just hung out most of the day. The kids had such a blast. I am so thankful that Pat took the time from his day to give us that. It was such a gift.

Big Blessings-My Top 10

We are on day 23 of our 40 day devotional. It has been the most amazing thing spiritually I have ever done. Here is my top 10:
1. My husband and I are spending time TOGETHER in prayer and devotion every day.
2. My husband is reading his Bible for at LEAST 30 minutes every day. Unprompted. Amazing!
3. Willow has not had one "Potty play time" since we started. She was urinating and smearing her fecal matter all over her room daily.
4. She is completely off all medication.
5. She is writing constantly and her personality is starting to emerge again. She is her sweet happy self.
6. Alex is doing AMAZING at school! He does not have anymore support in class. No more outbursts at school.
7. I found a part-time very flexible job.
8. God blessed us with a $1400 check from a completely random source. He also prompted a family member during their prayer time to offer to buy school supplies and clothes.
9. Krystiana's faith is flourishing in the environment in our home. She is a Saint. Mark my words.
10. My friends the Sartorius' were able to buy the land they needed to start their Catholic community. It is something they have been praying about for a very long time. Now I am praying if we are supposed to be a part of that community...

40 days update

There have been so many prayers answered I can't even begin to put them in one blog. I am thinking of making a journal and posting it. Willow is doing so much better. My relationship with my husband is amazing right now. He is definitely taking his role of spiritual leader in this family seriously. My prayer life hasn't been this strong since before I left Florida. I am only on day 14. I can't imagine how many more miracles God is going to work before the end of my 40 days! My devotionals every day consist of: Morning offering, Rosary, The Litany of the Saints, and AT LEAST 30 minutes of reading the Bible. I am also trying to stop by for Adoration as frequenly as I can even if it is just a few minutes. We read Finding God in Autism in the evening and finish with reading scripture (usually again). We go up to Willow's room after she is sleeping and lay hands on her and pray. I am trying to follow the requests of Our Lady Queen of Peace and I am fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays too. She states that the weapons against the Enemy are: Prayer, Fasting, Confession, Daily reading of the Bible, and Holy Mass. I am also reading Come Be My Light by Bl. Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Through my readings and my prayer life I have discerned that I should start focusing on the neglected: the elderly, the disabled, and the sick. I feel that the most important thing that you can spend on people is time. There are many ministries that focus on the poor but a phone call and stopping by is what most people need most. It's what I need. I am starting in my own backyard.

Another Autism Tragedy

I was checking Elizabeth Foss' page today and saw this. A fourteen year old Autistic boy drowned. My heart is breaking because this could be me. This is the most isolating part of caring for an Autistic child. You can't go anywhere because you are afraid for your child's safety. You spend most of your time running around keeping them safe. No real time for visiting. I have just gotten to the point I am more happy at home. This is a link to her blog. They seem like an amazing family.

Tall Grass Prarie

We went the day before School to Tall Grass Prarie. I took 6 kids and my trusty babysitter Lizzie. It was an amazing day the kids will (hopefully)remember forever. We saw buffalo, deer, and the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. It was just as God had made it. It is part of my "miracle week" since we started our 40 day devotional. Just another amazing day. I can't wait to see what happens next...

For Matthew Karol

I opened my homepage today and saw this. Please pray for this family. I do not know them but the loss of a child is devastating. I only hope that if anything like this ever happens to me...I can follow this mother's example. Christ personified.

40 days

Our 40 day devotional is going amazing. We are definitely seeing improvement. I really owe it to my friend Jennifer. Amazing things happen when you pray for others. I have been struggling for some time with Willow's care. She was regressing and I have become so bitter from the lack of support from my family. Jennifer told me that during her Holy Hour the Lord put it in her heart for me to do a 40 day devotional for COMPLETE HEALING for my daughter. Two days later she came to me and said that Chris was supposed to do it too and if Chris did it miracles would happen. I relayed the message and things have CHANGED around here. He has never wavered from his devotional time. He is reading 40 days for Autism and reading the Bible every night. After we are done we go upstairs and lay hands on her and pray. Last night, I fell asleep before we finished. He said he went upstairs and prayed over her. He said while he was praying the Lord told him that the reason that Willow hasn't been improving is the television. That all of the time the kids have been watching it is robbing us of having a relationship with them. So no TV anymore! I am really excited about how God is working in our life. Continue your prayers. The changes I am seeing are nothing short of miraculous. God is so good.

Finding God in Autism

The picture of Willow and I above is on her second birthday. It was the day I found out my daughter had Autism. The five years since this picture was taken have been such a journey. It is indescribable to those who are not walking this journey with me. This has been a rough week to say the least. I consider myself a patient person but ignorance, especially when directed towards my child, is intolerable. I am averting my gaze to God and trying to figure out His will for my family. In order to do that I have started reading this book. When there is never enough time or money to get anything done it would discourage Mother Theresa. Anyone who knows me knows I am NO SAINT. So I am really down. I came upon this quote: "I believe having a son or a daughter with special needs is a test of fire. Who are we going to turn to? What kind of sacrifices are we willing to make? How much is too high of a price for us to pay in helping our offspring? We need to be strong enough to remind our hearts that God is allowing what has happened to our children for a reason. And that reason has a huge eternal purpose." In case you had any doubts the answers are: God,I have no shame when it comes to my kids, and I will pay any price.

Life's great blessings.

I have the most amazing friends. It is a great blessing. My friend Jennifer tops the list. I am putting together my next post in order to share the Catholic religious education curriculum she just bought for my Willow. It is AMAZING. Up until two days ago I had no hope of helping my daughter understand the sacraments that mean so much to me. I had hoped to share my faith with ALL of my children. I just didn't know if Willow ever would understand. My friend Jennifer has changed all that. I can't wait to share.
Love,
Tosha

My daughter is 9!!!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Small Successes

1. Got everyone in the house on antibiotics. We are officially over strep. This was no small task.
2. Watching my brother's two young children while my mom is in Callie. No, I am not crazy. Mom Mommy wanted to go see my new nephew. We see her all the time (big blessing) it was the least I can do!
3. Got my daughters invitations out for her Luau/Pool party/sleepover. I only mailed them out a day late!
4. I am catching up on my laundry...now I need to get it off my floor and put away.
5. Got accepted to Grad school.

Weekend Getaway

This weekend Chris and I packed up the kids and headed to AK. Chris' parents bid and won on a silent auction for a weekend stay at a cabin on Greer's Ferry Lake. The home is owned by one of the parishioners in our church. Great family. We said yes to an opportunity to get away. Anything to get out of housework. We are slow learners or stubborn one of the two. Usually our trips are a fiasco and end in disaster. Traveling with four children is difficult...but when one is Autistic, one has profound ADHD and anxiety issues, and you are traveling with a toddler...well, you asked for it. I have to say it was better than we expected. Only the first night was a disaster. Willow pucked 4 times and none of the kids got to bed before midnight. Today, I found out all of the kids had strep and that is why she was sick. But hey, lets keep a positive spin on it! Chris' parents came with us. Back up! We were at the lake all day. Everyone wanted to leave at lunch and come back later but I stuck to my guns. I am glad I did. Outings are so rare for us. The kids had such an amazing time. That night, the kids went to bed at 9:30. We actually had 8 hours of sleep for the first time in...? We went to lunch with his parents mid-day and set out for home. We took a side adventure that the kids will never forget. We stopped at Wiedeker Winery in Altus AK. It is the same spot that Chris proposed to me. He took me up to the tower and said; "I want you to to be the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I see when I go to bed at night for the rest of my life. Will you marry me Tosha?" I said yes, and he put the ring on and fireworks exploded in the distence. I started crying and asked him how he did the fireworks. He said "I didn't!" Pure coincidence. Pure God. The kids have heard the story a million times. They were so excited climbing the steps of the tower. I can't wait for our next adventure. People don't know what they are missing. Without the hardships and the chaos I don't think that we would appriciate those moments as much. We take advantage of everything we can. I think we had the most fun out of everyone.

Parents Say Autism A 24-Hour-A-Day Challenge|NewsChannel 8

Parents Say Autism A 24-Hour-A-Day Challenge|NewsChannel 8

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It takes a village

Please watch Channel 8 news tonight a 6:00pm. Willow, her therapist, and I are going to be featured tonight. A little boy with Autism was hit and tragically killed this week. Since our daughter is the poster child for the need for Autism safety her therapist, Lauren Hutson, asked if I would like to interview with her. It was an amazing experience and I hope that I represented the community well. Please pray for the family that lost their son. I am crying as I write this because it could have very easily been us on so many occasions. I hope the interview will help shed light on the need for our community to help keep our children safe.

4 Mom

I had an amazing 4th of July. I was all set to tell you about the fireworks...and then I missed my Mom. I went through a "dark night of the soul" for several months. Actually, it really started two years ago but it took this long to get really ugly. The end result being a Renaissance of my faith. I guess I must be a really slow learner but I finally get what He has been trying to tell me for 39 years. I love you unconditionally. I am your Father. I want you to have a happy, faith-filled life full of joy and abundance. Everything that is in your life, including suffering, is for your benefit. I know this does not seen like rocket science. It's in the Bible, right? The problem was I understood it but I wasn't really living it. The 'peace within the storm' moments were fleeting. I have major anxiety problems. I thought if I just got through things that I was doing great. My entire life all I have ever wanted was stability. My childhood was chaos. I reminded my mother of this all the time, trust me! I have spent my entire adult life trying to give my kids what I thought I never had. Imagine how mortifying it has been for me to deal with moving 9 times, job losses, complicated pregnancies, financial problems, and a raising a disabled child. Don't get me wrong. I love my family. I have the most AMAZING friends. I am married to my best friend and soul mate. The only thing that has ever really eluded me is stability. Which brings me to my point. I had it but I really was just to stupid to see His point. All I should need is Him. Not the same address and phone number. My mom gave me something better than a white picket fence. She showed me that stability is not in things. Houses will go and people will fail you. She has loved me my whole life with her entire being. Without condition. She sacrificed for me so that I can have my wonderful life. She showed me that being a Christian is more than going to church. It is the same gift that I am giving my children. Chris and I chaotically loaded the kids up tonight and went out seeking fireworks. It is our typical style. No pre-planning whatsoever. Like mother, like daughter. We found a patch of grass that nobody else wanted and four wheel drove our truck into it. Did I mention we don't have four wheel drive? We forgot to unload the truck last night and our chairs and pack and play were still in the back! Right about the time the mosquito's were about to eat us up another suburban pulled up and they had bug spray. It was the most amazing, magical night. My Mom would have loved it.

YUCKINESS

1. Had my niece, nephew, friends 2 children, and my four kids all at the house today. Nothing got broken and no potty play time.
2. Took the kids swimming. Willow had a playdate.
3. Did not give in to any frivelous spending...you ain't seen nothing yet!
4. Made my friends Enchilada recipie...DH ate it!
5. Did my evening devotionals.
6. Watched my sweet Willow fall asleep...its been a long time.
7. Realized that my 15 year relationship with my husband is the greatest thing God ever gave me.
8. Trump that. My 5 kids. Every one is a miracle. I have babitis. Daddy better watch out!

CHAOS is over

CHAOS, otherwise known as "Can't have anyone over syndrome" is getting ready to stop. Willow is so bored and irritated she is on a search and destroy mission. This has included two new episodes of "potty play time." Don't ask. Images are available to those of you who can stomoch it. Chris and I are at our wits end with the house and kids. It is like Lord of the Flies over here. I'm serious. So I am entrusting Flylady.net to get me back on track. The kids need some structured activities to combat boredom and I need structure to combat insanity. I am going to concentrate on the three areas of my life that need a makeover: my home, my spiritual life, and my body. I am also going to have mandatory "Mommy Time" for at LEAST 30 minutes per day. My goal is one hour. I would like to dedicate the same to my prayer life and include Chris and the kids. So, here it goes. My blog is pretty much going to be dedicated to this the rest of the summer. I have included two new websites on my "go to" list. I hope you will join me. I could always use a partner in crime.

"It's the thought that counts"

Willow and I were both sick today. My oldest is extremely nurturing and did not miss the opportunity to do something nice for her sister. So, she filled a couple of glasses with water and some interesting items. Of course, Willow loved it! I came in to witness Willow grinning at her sister's creation and dumping the water and its contents all over the floor. Afterwards, my oldest looked at me and replied: "Remember it's the thought that counts...and NOT what happens."

New Photos!!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Where's Willow?

It never ceases to amaze me where I will find her. Hope you enjoy!

Spring Cleaning

HERE IS MY UPDATE!!! WHAT I GOT DONE IS IN BOLD!I have read several Blogs that are including Spring cleaning with the spiritual cleaning of Lent. It is a beautiful concept of preparing our homes as well as our hearts. Here is a very ambitious Spring cleaning list I borrowed from Elizabeth Foss:
March 2nd: Desk
March 3rd: Dressers
March 4th: Hall Closet
March 5th: Master Bedroom Closets
March 6th: Laundry RoomMarch 7th: Clean Truck
March 8th: Sunday
March 9th: Master Bedroom
March 10th: Hall Bathroom
March 11th: Kitchen
March 12th: Kitchen
March 13th: Linen Closet
March 14th: Pullman Bath
March 15th: Sunday
March 16th: Hallway and StepsMarch 17th: Entrance and Closet
March 18th: Library Hutch in Kitchen
March 19th: Living RoomMarch 20th: Craft Cupboard
March 21st: Storage shelves
March 22nd: Sunday
March 23rd: Dining RoomMarch 24th: Baseboards
March 25th: Windows
March 26th: Master Bathroom Drawers and Cabinets
March 27th: Kitchen
March 28th: Family RoomMarch 29th: Sunday
March 30th: Pantry(both)
March 31st: Freezer
April 1st: Refrigerator
April 2nd: Drawers
April 3rd: Cabinets
April 4th: Paschal Baskets and Clean Garbage Cans
April 5th: Sunday
April 6th: Master Bathroom
April 7th: Children’s Artwork
April 8th: Garage
April 9th: Launder Spring Bedding
April 10th: Clean Car
April 11th: Plant Flowers for porch
April 12th: Easter

I've been busy!!!!

Shamefully,I was looking forward to the kids going to school today. I could tackle a mountain of laundry, clean my kitchen, and study for my test. My toddler has other plans...