Pathway to Purpose

Thank you for your prayers

2012-01-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your prayers.

Jackie is out of surgery-they found no blockage and

they DID NOT have to put a stint in. She is getting

ready to get discharged now.

She is going to be staying the night in Buffalo at a

sister's house of the people who took her to

Buffalo to rest and make sure everything is ok before

they go back home. Praising God for His grace and

mercy today. Not sure why her stress test came back

so bad now is the only thing. Keep praying. She can

now reschedule her surgery on the tumors in her neck.

Thank you for your prayers, not only for Jackie but for my family as well. God is so good-I am so grateful for today and for the grace and mercy God gives us every day.

Love to you all!

On this Pathway-

Jill

Blessings

2012-01-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." Philippians 4:6 NLT

God is bigger than any fear we face. We don't need to anxiously search for a solution. The best thing to do when we're afriad is to fall to our knees. He'll hear our prayer, meet our needs and help us face our fear with the courage only He can give.

"We know that all things work together for the good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NRSV

God promises to work everything out for our good. There is always a new way to see God, a new lesson to learn, a new way to prune us to help us grow. God doesn't prevent us from experiencing struggles but He walks with us and helps us grow through them.

They are two verses that have become very dear to me these last few weeks, with seeing my mom worry about her mammgram (praise God it came back fine-they are just going to watch the small tissue area the Dr. in NY was talking about-it has not changed in 4 months-he wants her to just have a follow up in 6 months) and all the struggles my sweet sister has gone through and is still going through. She could not have her surgery last week on the two tumors in her neck becasue they didn't like the results of her EKG. So she met last Friday and today to take stress tests to see if the cardiologist will clear her for the surgery this Thursday. Being this far away and knowing what she is dealing with all on her own is hard. I have had to cling to God and His mighty plan for our lives and that ultimately whatever the outcome of all of this is, He see the whole puzzle-the "bigger" picture and it is always the greatest plan there could ever be for our lives. I am trusting this, believing this, and so thankful that I know that my sister is a child of God. Our Heavenly Father knew before she was even knit in my mother's womb what plans He had for her life, the good and bad times, the things that would not only grow her in her faith and make her stonger in her walk with Him, but that her testimony would touch so many lives and one of them would be mine.

I look forward to 2012 and all the blessings that God would show us-whatever form they come in, because even in my deepest trials, when I look back and see the greater picture, I can see the blessings overflowing in those times too. I am most thankful that I can rest in the hope that only God can give us and that every day iin 2012 is truly as blessing from Him.

Praying for each of you and what God has instore for 2012 for you and your families.

On this Pathway-

The whole gang at Christmas. My mom and dad and Mike's dad and us. We had a blessed Christmas season.

Jill

Update On My Sister

2011-12-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

The update on my sister is mixed. She is still awaiting results on the tumor on her ovary-not sure if it is cancer or not. The spot in her pelvic area they believe is fluid filled but showed no radioactive activity so they are thinking it is not cancerous and can possibly be drained. On the other hand they scanned from her head down to her mid thigh area and two spots in the back of her neck (sinus cavity) in the lymph node area showed up and they showed radioactive activity so they are calling them Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.
There only these two small spots at this time and they found nothing else in the area or in the surrounding lymph nodes. She goes to see a specialist this Wednesday in Buffalo about what they need to do for this-surgery and then treatment following that. She will know more Monday from the pelvic ultrasound about the other two spots and what they will need to do about those.
Please keep her in your prayers. We have never had cancer in our family and this is a new road we will travel.
This has been a very hard day for my whole family, it is breaking my mom's heart, my dad's and mine too, but there is a special connection as all you moms know between your child and you and no matter how old they get, it is never easy and if you could you would change places with them in a heart beat.
Please also pray for my mom as she is hoping to get her second mammogram here this next week to see what the difference was. Please pray that is is nothing-I really don't know how much more she can take at this point.
Thanks
Love you all

On This Pathway-
Jill

Jackie's at the Dr. right now for her results

2011-12-16T12:17:00.000-08:00

As I am typing right now my sister is on her way to the Dr.'s office. They called her in am and said they wanted her to come in this afternoon to talk about the results on her PET scan yesterday.
Please just pray. My heart is so heavy I don't know how to pray right now except for God to protect her no matter what the results are.
Thank you-

I will keep you posted.

On This Pathway-
Jill

My Sister Jackie's PET Scan-Please Pray

2011-12-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

When we were at Disney in 2007-My sister Jackie being silly!

My sister Jackie has had so many health issues all through her life, (but as of two and a half years ago when she survived an abdominal aneurysm rupturing and not receiving surgery till 6 hours after the fact) her health issues have been worse. She has had blood clots, swelling, problems with her intestines (that required another surgery) sugar issues, you name it, it seems like she has experienced it and the Dr.'s don't know really what to expect and what might happen since they have never had someone as young as my sister experience an aneurysm rupturing and surviving it.

The latest issue was about three months ago she went to a new Dr. that wanted to do a total work up on her to see why she was swelling so bad. During a CAT scan they found two spots in the areas she had to have surgery so they thought they were probably scar tissue but wanted her to return in 3 months (which was 3 weeks ago) to see if they still looked the same. They did not-they have both grown a small amount. Since my sister is pretty fragile from all that has happened to her body, they do not want to just go in and open her up to do surgery, they are not sure she would make it through it to be honest. So she is scheduled at 3:00 pm today, 12-15-2011, for a PET scan to rule out that these spots are not cancerous.

To say I am ok with all of this would be a lie, I know that ultimately this is all God's plan, but there is a part of me that is really struggling with this. My sister has struggled her whole life with her health. She has never married and just had her 45th birthday this month, she never had kids because she never got married and had to have a hysterectomy at 40, she always wanted to be married and have children. She has undergone a lot of things in her life that have cause a multitude of health issues and pain, her life has not be easy and a lot of times "joyful" by any means. She however is one of the strongest Christians I know-she loves God with all her heart, never doubting His plan.

She is my only sibling and although we have lived apart (her in NY and me in AR and TX) for the last 17 years, I love her and would do anything I could to change what she is going through today.

Please pray for her, I am asking that it would not be cancer (I don't think she could make it through chemo and radiation) I am asking God would spare her life, that she would just be healed. I know I serve a God that is mighty enough to do that if it is the plan He has for her life. I also know that whatever road we have to walk with this that He is still there with us, still loves us, and still only wants what is best for my sister.

Today has been a very emotional day for our family, we are 1800 miles away and my parents just moved here to TX for the winter and so they are not there either. She will be doing these tests alone today-this has been very difficult on my mom as well. Please pray for her today, no matter how old your babies get they are still your babies.

I have shed many tears this morning already, just clinging to His promises as I type this.

Thank you for praying for my beautiful sister, if you knew her, I promise you would love her too, everyone does that knows her! She would hug your neck and tell you just how special each of you is and what a wonderful treasure you are in HIM.

Sometimes things in life just don't seem fair, (and I know we are not promised that) but when I look at all Jackie has gone through and the lives she has touched because of it-I am amazed at how God can turn beauty from ashes, my sister is a walking miracle and she has told anyone she meets about God's grace in her life. Praying that this is another stepping stone, another part in the journey that will bring God even more glory.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers-

On This Pathway~

Jill

Snowflakes inside when it is 65 outside

2011-12-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

I woke this morning with it being very dark and rainy again. This is our 3rd day in a row for such weather and I am not complaining because we sooooo need the rain after 4 months of summer and 100 degree temperatures that burned up all of our yard, but I can say that I miss the sunshine and would never choose to live where it rained all the time. It makes me kind of sad, it also makes me want to bake.

So tonight after dinner I thought I would make the kids some snowflake cut out cookies. I was going to have us all make them but Analeigh wanted to play Barbies and talked her wonderful big sister into playing with her and Brandon was not behaving well and had to go to bed at 7:30, (hopefully tomorrow with all the rest he will get he will make better choices,) and Derek was involved in a good book.

So I decided to go ahead and try this new cookie recipe I had for cut out cookies to see how they came out. I must say, it didn't make a huge amount-about 18 cookies, but the snowflake cutter I have it fairly large too. I must also say that the dough was really good and it rolled out easily and wasn't too dry or too sticky.
I think I will use it again. That being sad I did follow the recipe for the frosting as well and it was a basic frosting with meringue powder and I didn't love it-it isn't bad but I think I prefer the frosting I make for my butter cookies better and will make that next time instead.

All that to say, I liked the recipe and will share it just in case you are looking for a new one to try, if you do I hope that you enjoy it too! Happy Baking~

Cream Cheese Cookies (cut outs)

1 cup butter softened
1 3oz package cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

On medium speed, beat butter and cream cheese until blended. Add sugar, beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla, beat until blended. Beat in flour 1/2 cup at a time. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Preheat over to 350. On a slightly floured surface roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutters cut out your shapes re-rolling scraps to cut out more. Place 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I used parchment paper on mine too) Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies start or until golden around the edges (just slightly) Transfer to racks to cool and then frost.

Frosting- Beat 16oz of confectioner's sugar, 3 TBS of meringue powder, and 6 TBS of warm water until frosting is glossy-add 1 tsp at a time of water if frosting is too thick.

On this Pathway-
Jill

Dear Jesus It's Your Birthday

2011-12-13T05:43:00.000-08:00

Our kids had their Christmas musical at church last Sunday, it was really great (says this mama of three of the kids in it ) I know what you are thinking but it was really sweet and all the kids that had speaking parts did wonderful. My Derek had one of the main character parts and I couldn't have been prouder of him, he has come a long way from days when he played a Wise Man and threw his gift at baby Jesus feet and ran, even with Mike (my hubby) laying on his belly behind the manger so that Derek would even walk up on the stage. LOL! I almost couldn't believe it was the same kid.
One of the best parts of the program was the Angel Choir-(the 3 year olds) and our sweet Analeigh is in that choir. They sang a song Dear Jesus It's Your Birthday, I love that my kids enjoy being in Choir, Mission Friends, RA's and GA's and that they are learning through song and scripture to hide God's word in their hearts. I love that we have wonderful teachers that teach them faithfully every Wednesday and Sunday about Jesus and His love for them. Most of all I love and I am truly grateful that it isn't just something they learn there and forget-it is running through their hearts and minds and they want to sing it and quote it others places. Analeigh was singing "Dear Jesus" the other morning while eating her breakfast. That is why her hair is so messy and she is still in her PJ's. I grabbed the video camera while she was singing (she forgot the ending the words are supposed to be and the gift I have is me) but it still melted my heart and I wanted to share it.
When we got to ballet that day she sang it for Ruth (the business manager that sits up front when you walk in) and a friend of mine that was dropping off her daughter, not a bit afraid-so thankful!! God is good.
Merry Christmas-I pray that you will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus too.

On this Pathway-
Jill

Please pray for Rex Fleming

2011-12-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

About a year ago I came and asked that you would pray for Rex-a nine year old boy that goes to our church. He had been having headaches and throwing up with them and the school called one day and said he was really ill. His mom picked him up and took him to our Dr, Rob Wiley (who goes to our church) and he didn't like the way his eye looked, sent him on to Dr. Teaque, an eye Dr. that goes to our church too and he sent him on to get a CAT scan which showed what they all feared, a brain tumor.
Within a very short time they were at Cook's Children's Hospital having brain surgery to remove the tumor and then chemo and radiation. After his treatments he was declared cancer free.

About a two months ago he went for a normal scan and they saw a tiny spot that hadn't been there since all of his treatments were finished. They waited a few weeks and had him go for another scan to see if it had grown and if it had what they would do. Well, they went back and it had grown, so there plan of attack is surgery once again and that surgery is today, write now as I am typing this.

Please, I come to you once again asking that you would lift this family up in your prayers. Going through this once is more than any parent wants to go through, twice seems almost unbearable. Last year the tumor was a cancerous tumor inside a non-canerous tumor, it was the size of a golf ball. Today's tumor is the size of a grain of rice they say-tiny but if cancerous, just as dangerous. This tumor has attached to some blood vessels as well so it is making this surgery very dangerous. He could have a stroke, or many complications from the surgery.
I just ask in your prayer time today that you would lift them up-Rex is scared-he has been down this road at 9 and now at 10 he knows what is in store and he is scared. I also ask that you would pray that the tumor would not be cancerous-I know our God can do that.

Last please pray for his sweet mama and daddy, they are in our SS class, a neat couple. He is at ACU here and his wife is our church secretary. They have a little girl that is 5 or 6 I think and they just had a baby boy about 6 weeks ago. A lot has happened in their lives this past year. They just need to be surrounded in pray-to feel God's peace and presence like never before today.
Thank you all for being my prayer support group! :) I know I come here a lot to ask you for that-but I believe in the power of prayer-I have seen the miracles that happen when two or more are gathered in His name.
Thank you from not only me but I know from the Flemings-they couldn't get through this all if people weren't lifting them up in prayer.
I cherish each of you-love you-and I am so thankful for you!

On This Pathway-
Jill

Does anyone know?

2011-12-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

I have been praying for a women named Stacey whose blog I have followed for quite some time now. I am a little concerned though because for months when I have gone to check to see if she has posted anything new, the last post on there was from April 20th, 2011.
I know several others followed her blog too and I wondered if anyone else may know her or has had contact with her and knows how she is doing. If you do could you please let me know. I miss reading her posts and have been praying for the journey she was on with her breast cancer.
Thanks!

On This Pathway-
Jill

It's beginning to look at little like Christmas

2011-12-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

We finally got our tree up and decorated. Yeah!!

Our mantel

This is what we woke up to this am in West Texas! My kids were disappointed that they had to have school. :)

What our poor Oak trees looked like-the leaves still on them with the ice and snow.

Icicles and leaves on our front bushes

I collect snowmen and these are some of my favorites-they just make me happy looking at them.

Some our the kids favorites. Our wooden choir singers and manger scene (Janette-look familiar?)

This little manger scene lights up and I just fell in love with it last year after Christmas (best part was I got it for 90% off-I think I paid $1.99!)

Our bushes tonight as the snow has started to melt and then re-freeze.

It is starting to look a little bit more like Christmas around here. :) I think sloppy joe's and maybe even a little hot cocoa will be on our menu tonight.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Falling Apart

2011-12-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

We have had a few very difficult days this week. My sister is still waiting to here about if her insurance will cover the PET scan she needs to have to make sure if her two spots they have found on her abdomin and ovaries are not caner. We still have not heard. Please continue to pray about this whole situation.
Next, yesterday my mom received a letter from her Dr. (they are now down here living for the winter from NY to TX) saying that there was an irregularity in her mammogram and she needed to come in for another one. Well, she is 1800 miles away and can't so she had to call her insurance and is waiting to hear from them about getting a second mammogram done here. Stress and worry-please pray that they will allow that to be done here and that they finding nothing.
Then for the last few weeks Mike and I have been discussing Alyssa's learning level and how difficult even HS has been for her. We don't know what to do for her and we are at our wits end. So there is a school here that costs $4,500 a year that specializes in learning disabilities and children that learn in different ways. Although Alyssa has never been diagnosed with a learning disability-her IQ tests revealed (one test a little below average-one average) and her short term memory is bad-until she grasps something she bounces all over in grades on the same subject. It makes learning difficult because even sometimes when she learns something if we go back to it later, she may have forgotten it. We have decided to take her to Kenley to be tested there and see what they think-we will have to finish out this year HS because it is a very small school and they are full this year but we can do tutoring there this semester and see where we can go from there for the fall. Paying for this will be a struggle since I am home with Analeigh full time too and Mike and I don't want me working with our kids at home. So please pray about that too, that God would provide the money if we are supposed to send her there.
So we are going to take her to Kenley today to get here reading tested and see where we can go from there. She isn't learning like she should and we need help. This is such a blow to me-I wanted so badly for HS to be the answer for her and it doesn't seem to be working-we don't know how to help her and we have hit so many road blocks, I am so frustrated and have been fighting this for 5 years now. I worry about if they find something we haven't known all this time, what will her future holds-what happens when Mike and I aren't here some day-all those things floating around in my head. I am very heavy hearted today.
Please pray for me-I feel like my world as I know it is all falling apart at the seems right now. I feel like a failure as a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, all of the above. I am really struggling-clinging to God for strength and answers.
Thank you again for lifting me and my family up in prayer. I appreciate being able to ask you for your prayers.

On This Pathway-
Jill

Please pray for my sister, Jackie

2011-11-28T12:19:00.000-08:00

When we went home to visit her after her 6 week stay in the hospital from her aneurysm

Would you please keep my sister in your prayers? It is a really long story but she had an aneurysm rupture two years ago and she shouldn't even still be here but God spared her life and she is a walking miracle. The problem is it cause a multitude of other health issues the newest being a spot on her stomach and ovary. They thought they might be scare tissue but when she went this week for another scan they have grown since her scan in July. She is supposed to find out today when they want to get her in to do further tests.
My parents just got here 3 weeks ago to live for the winter and she is not married (in a relationship that we don't care for the man) and so she is there alone now. My mom is struggling with it (we just found out last night) and won't know anything for a few days at least, but depending on what it is and what has to happen may change their plans about staying here too. I am not sure if it is cancer that she could make it threw treatments because of her health.
I know that this is all in His hands, His ways are higher than ours and His plans are the best for our lives, my head understands this-it is my heart that struggles with this sometimes. Ever since my sister was little she has had a multitude of things happen in her life that have been usual and difficult dealing with health. She is a wonderful women of God and it breaks my heart that her life has always been this way. She is my only sibling and I can't imagine my life without her.
I would just appreciate your prayers, her name is Jackie and she will turn 45 on December 1st.
Thank you-I love and appreciate you all

On This Pathway-
Jill

Our Church Thanksgiving Dinner-11-20-2011

2011-11-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

My family with my mom and dad too-they are now living here 6 months out of the year. This will be our first Thanksgiving together in 14 years. We are thrilled. (I am the purple coat~lol)

Last night, Sunday the 20th, we had our annual church Thanksgiving Dinner. Since our church has out grown our sanctuary on Sunday morning(we had to go to three services,) we have to meet downtown at the Civic Center to have everyone fit, but it was so nicely decorated and everyone fit. We had a wonderful time.

Me and my baby girl. Waiting for our dinner and trying to stay out of the chocolate cake in front of us.

Me and My Sweetheart!

Finally the cake! The only way to eat it of course-one lick at a time. ha!

See? Why use silverware you enjoy it more this way, one lick at a time. :)

Of course you may be glad your mom has wipes handy when you are finished. (Don't worry I made her use her fork after the first few licks :)

We had such a wonderful time. It has been such a joy to have my parents here these last few weeks. It seems like they have always been here. My kids are adjusting quite well to having grandparents here :) I am so thankful for so many blessings God has bestowed upon me this year and having my parents here to share our lives with is one of them.

This Thanksgiving I will be cooking like normal, but we will actually have my parents and a friend and her husband here this year -10 of us(I know for some of you that is just your family size every day but for us it is just 6 normally, so- I am really excited.

I can't wait to see what you are thankful for too.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Giving True Thanks

2011-11-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

I heard a pastor on the radio say today "So, life is not what you expected it to be? Join the boat and welcome aboard. But, guess what? You will never know what is truly is to worship God until your let go of your circumstances and are thankful no matter what they may be-never!"

I needed to hear that-so easy to get wrapped up in me-in what is not how I had thought it should be, in what doesn't seem fair, that I am not truly joyful, worshipping, or thankful for the blessings He has given me and I have such much to truly be thankful for, so much to praise Him for daily.

May you give thanks no matter what your circumstances are today-we are called to rejoice "in the Lord always and again I say rejoice"

Let you petitions and worries be turned into prayer and praises.

So thankful for each of you that have touched my life in so many ways.

On This Pathway
Jill

Our trip to the Mary Kay Headquarters

2011-10-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend my husband was sweet enough to allow me to go on an over night trip Friday-Saturday to Dallas to go to my first Go Give Seminar for Mary Kay. My dear friend Kathryn has been selling MK on the side for about 7 years. Her full time profession is a nurse at a local hospital here but she was finally able to conceive their sweet Paige 3 years ago and she is wanting to be able to stay home with her more, so she has decided to try to make MK her full time job.

I have had someone trying to get me to sell MK since I was 18 (I have always worn make-up so I think they thought I would be good at it) but it was never the right time until now. Kathryn approached me about a month ago about wanting to grow her team and wanted to know if I would come aboard as a team member. I prayed about it and thought why not, I love and use the products already and could get them at a discount and maybe make some extra money at the same time. I am excited about the opportunity it offers, so we will see what happens.

Paula-Me-Kathryn (who I signed up under to sell Mary Kay with) on our way to the Mary Kay Headquarters in
Dallas Texas

This weekend there was a Go Give Training Seminar in Dallas (the headquarters for MK) and since we live only about 3 1/2 hours away we went. Kathryn had a friend who had bought a ticket before I joined and then couldn't go so I bought her ticket. We stayed with our Director who lives in Dallas in a beautiful home. We had such a blessed time of fellowship. God is always so good to do that for us. I thought after meeting Helen and staying in her home that even if my time in MK never amounts to more than getting my own make-up at a great deal, meeting Helen and being able not not only call her a friend but sister in Christ was such a blessing. She is an amazing women of God. I was so blessed in her home.

Kathryn-Helen and Paula (all beautiful women of God)

One of the reasons I decided to sign up with MK was because their belief in God First, Family Second, Career Third and that was so evident at this seminar this weekend. It was really an uplifting experience, I was truly blessed.

Inside the Mary Kay building-it is really beautiful.

Me-Kathryn and Paula (she actually was at Women of Joy two weeks ago when I was there which was really neat too) in front of the walls of photos of the National Sales Directors-maybe we will be there one day too. :)

Kathryn outside the MK building.

Paula-outside the MK building

Me being silly outside the MK building-I could almost touch the flag pole top-they were teasing me-always the tall one.

The outside of the front of the MK building-it was gorgeous. Paula and Kathryn

The outside of the front of the MK building-it was gorgeous. Paula and Me

A picture of the whole building from the highway-it is really pretty.

We really had a great time. I am looking forward to learning and selling more of Mary Kay-they have a great program and great products. So, if you are interested in anything let me know. :)

It was a great weekend, full of God's blessings, fun, fellowship and yes great food too. (sigh-I wish I didn't like that part so much. :)

On this Pathway-

Jill

In the Season of Waiting

2011-10-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Waiting certainly plays an enormous role in the unfolding story of God's relationship to man. It is God's oft-repeated way of teaching us that His power is real and that He can answer our prayers without interference and manipulation from us.

But we have such trouble getting our will, our time schedules out of the way. Much of the time we act like a child who brings a broken toy to his father to be mended. The father gladly takes the toy and begins to work. Then after a while, childlike impatience takes over. Why is it taking so long?

The child stands by, getting his hands in the father's way, offering a lot of meaningless advice and some rather silly criticism. Finally in desperation, he snatches the toy from the father's hands and walks off with it, saying rather bitterly that he hadn't really thought his father could fix it anyway.

Perhaps, it isn't even "his will" to mend toys.

On the other hand, whenever we are trustful enough to leave our "broken toy" with the Father, not only do we eventually get it back gloriously restored, but we are also handed a surprising plus. We find ourselves what the saints and mystics affirm, that during the dark waiting period when self-effort had ceased, a spurt of astonishing spiritual growth took place in us. Afterwards, we have qualities like more patience, more love for the Lord and those around us, more ability to hear His voice, greater willingness to obey.

( Catherine Marshall-Adventures in Prayer)

We had another appointment for Brandon at Cook's Children's Hospital last Wednesday, the 12th, to check on the results of the procedure he had done the end of July. We really had a good appointment over all, she does think that there is the start of some bone growth in the area where the new cyst had come back. Praise God!

The down side was that his good leg is now growing faster than the bad leg (some of it due to the cysts being so near the growth plate and some due to the fact he still has the rods and screws in there) it is a fraction longer by looking at it but the Dr. sent us on to the hospital that day to have a special scan done on his wrists and legs. It takes an more accurate measurement and can tell us just how much they are off and it can somehow tell from his wrists about how big they think he will get.
Sitting there she explained how we can do this scan and then we will have a base line to compare it to so in a year or two we can do another and see the difference and in another two years do another and in another two years yet another and if things are getting too different we will have to look into slowing the growth in the good leg.

I knew that this was not going to be something that we would be done with in a year or two, he would be "fixed up" and be able to be a normal little boy, but hearing her say those words, in two years and another two years, and another two years, I almost broke down in the office crying-the reality of this situation and what it meant for his childhood hit me like a ton of bricks.

I had to hold it together and just pray in my head while she was speaking "Lord, I don't know if I can do this-please make me strong, please help me to trust you with this Lord, help me to trust your plan, your will for Brandon's life, please help me I can't do this alone." My baby will probably never get to play any sports, may walk with a limp, with special shoes to make one leg longer than the other, may have hip replacement surgery at some point. We really don't know at this point. I have really struggled with this for a week now, trying to give it over, but in reality holding on to it, leaving at the throne every time I prayed only to turn around and pick it up and walk away again.

Today during my devotional time and bible reading, I read the lesson above and it struck me, "Jill, will you trust me with this "broken toy" let me "fix" it, I created it to begin with you know, will you allow me to reveal myself to you, Brandon, the Dr.s, and every one else I have planned to touch through this? Or will you pick it up and walk away, struggling daily, worried of what "might be" what "could happen" or what "won't be" because you are not trusting MY WILL?"

While waiting, I am going to praise God for the solution I know He has for Brandon's situation-for the growth for both of us through this, for the lives He will touch, praying that I am open and ready to be used where ever and when ever He wants me, for strength to trust His will for my sweet Brandon's life. Today, I am choosing to focus on God's love and care for us instead of the problem.

Thank you for your prayers. I know that they held me up during our visit-Mike could not go again this time and so those visit are always harder on me because I have to take in all the information alone and process it all and remember it all to come home and tell him all that happened. It is always an emotionally draining day for me. I appreciate your love and prayers, they hold me together and make me ever thankful for the body of Christ.

Today I am choosing to believe that the One who turned a stick into a scepter, a pebble into a missile and saliva and mud into a balm for the blind, is the same One that is in control of my Brandon's hip and leg and He will "fix" the "broken toy" in His time and in His way.

Love you all~Thankful for each of you!

On This Pathway

Jill

Pumpkin Patch Time

2011-10-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we went to the Disability Resource Center to their annual Pumpkin Patch. It was a beautiful day and our daddy had to be out of town on a trip to Seattle for four days to learn more about trying to get the Art Department accredited for a BFA (right now they just have a MFA program) so we were wanting something to keep us busy while he was gone. So, we took a trip for a few hours to get some photos and pumpkins. We will have to take a run out their this weekend too because I love the color and need pictures with our daddy in them too. :)

My four sweet blessings @ the Pumpkin Patch.

My boys chillin on the swing there. It was a beautiful day to do that.

Waiting for the hayride.

My littlest pumpkin holding her little pumpkin. She had a blast looking for just the right one.

The timer and tripod came in handy for group shots without daddy their to help take them!

My girls-our swing time.

Just being silly-I love this silly girl.

Derek taking pictures with my camera-he does pretty good for 9!

I do wish I new what to do with my camera though-I have a Cannon digital SLR and it seems with group shots especially if we aren't right next to each other that some people come out fuzzy- I have read the whole manual and tried different things and I can't figure it out-it didn't used to seem to do that so I don't know if I am doing something wrong or what-any suggestions? I am hoping it is not a problem with the camera- (not cheap) and it seems ok with everything else-just group shots. Not sure what to do-I would love any ideas you might have!

Happy Fall-I love this time of year-our high is only supposed to be in the 70's today!!! Finally-I am so excited about that.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Please Keep the Ross Family In Your Prayers

2011-10-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is the Ross family-a family that we knew from our old church. This is Kris (mom) and her two sons Halden and Lane and her daughter Sloane on a trip to Hawaii just a couple of weeks ago. Kris was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago-she had been in remission for a little over two years when a new lump showed up in her neck. The cancer had returned with a vengeance this time-they have been fighting it for months now with radiation and many kinds of chemo. She became extremely ill and from all the chemo doing heart and lung damage, she was put in the ICU last week. I learned early this morning that Kris went home to be with Jesus last night about 9pm.
My heart is very heavy and saddened this morning-not for sweet Kris, she is dancing on the streets of Heaven I think with long flowing hair and hugging her daddy that went home about 5 years ago. I can imagine them embracing in a huge hug right now and that makes my heart smile, but I am very sad for the wonderful husband and these three precious children of theirs, left behind without their mama and wife. The grief they are feeling and trying to deal with today and making all of the plans that will happen in the next few days for her "celebration of life" that will take place soon.
I ask that you would uplift this precious family in prayer, not only will this week be one of the hardest times of their lives, but once everything has settled and life must go on, the every day things like games for the sports they are involved in, Sloane maturing into a young women with her mom their to help her, school events, awards, graduation, weddings, all those things that you want your mama their for, skinned knees, fever, upset bellies, hard days with friends, all those things that even as an adult, I am glad I can call my mom and talk to her about.
Heaven gained a precious soul today, our hearts are heavy because we no longer have her body here with us, but rejoicing that she is beholding the face of Jesus today and hearing "well done my good and faithful servant" and she is no longer in pain or sick with a terrible illness called cancer.
Please pray that God will comfort this family, wrap His arms around them and hold them close, that they would live with wonderful memories of their wonderful mother. She loved them with an unconditional love-she was an awesome mama.
Thank you for lifting them and Todd (her husband) and Martha (her mom) up this week before the throne of the One who loves us with a love we can not even fathom. I know your prayers will sustain them during this very difficult time.

Love you all-thank you for allowing me to come to you and ask for your prayers for a family you have never even met but that God has connected us with through Him.

On this Pathway, heavy hearted but ever grateful for His love and mercy-

Jill

Pink Skies in the Morning-Sailors Take Warning

2011-10-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

I woke up to this this morning! It was absolutely beautiful. It was really windy and a bit chilly for how warm it still has been in TX.

It will be interesting to see if the old saying "Pink Skies at night-a Sailor's Delight-Pink Skies in the Morning, Sailors take warning. As I was out there taking these photos this morning the wind began to pick up and the sky began to get darker-and so we are praying for rain. We really need it-things are so dry and the fires continue just about an hour from us. I don't think I have ever lived anywhere that is has gotten this dry.

This sure was a nice way to wake up today- like a painting from God.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Beauty in my backyard

2011-09-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

I love, just love butterflies and when I went out to our backyard to escape the sickness going on in our household since last Friday-(a stomach bug that is just lingering) I saw all these beautiful butterflies in our backyard. I ran back in to get my camera so I could get a few pictures. I love to photograph them-they have such beauty. I think God hand paints the wings of each of these beautiful creatures!

Thankfully I think we may finally be on the mend. I will be so glad-I feel like I need to bleach everything in the house and I am really sleepy-all I did the last few nights is run from one child to the next with a trash can so we could run to the bathroom. Thankful that God is healing them all and that I was well enough through it all to take care of everyone, even my poor sweet hubby who caught it.

On this Pathway-
Jill

Just something that makes me laugh!

2011-09-13T05:02:00.000-07:00

This just makes me giggle every time I drive by it-I had my camera with me when I was going passed it the other day so I pulled into the parking lot across the street and took and photo.
I wonder if they did that on purpose?! lol

PS This isn't far from my house, just a few blocks, maybe I could walk to eat my donuts and drop off the next time the clothes that then don't fit. hehe

On This Pathway-

Jill

Super Hero Home Schoolers

2011-09-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

I promise we really do homeschool during the day-but sometimes when life just seems a little too overwhelming-just one of those days when things have been a little too tough-

What is a girl to do but put on her handmade super hero mask and save the people in the house of their long day!

My sweet girl with her mask that she and her brother made at Art Walk downtown last night.

Of course I had to wear one too-a girl can't fight crime all by herself-at least not in my daughter's eyes-so I had to wear Derek's mask. Only fair that we both look silly right?!

Happy Friday!

On this Pathway-

The Wonder Twins

Analeigh and our Pre-K Work Today

2011-09-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got Pre-K work laminated for Analeigh to work on while I am schooling Alyssa. She is only 3 so some of it I have for her is a little above her abilities right now but one of the things we worked on today (I got from a free download I got from a great blog I follow) Confessions of a Homeschooler.
I really like her blog-it is full of great HS ideas and she has a Pre-K child that she has lots of great ideas she does with her children. She has items you can buy and download, but she has a ton of free things you can download and I have printed and laminated quite a bit of great stuff to be able to work on with Analeigh in the future.
Today I decided we would get out some of the Pre-Writing Practice sheets I had gotten from her site. I printed them out and laminated them the other day so we could write on them over and over again with a dry erase markers or these dry erase crayons from Crayola that I found and love. I wasn't sure how she would do-even though I think she is pretty advanced for 3-lol-I know you are laughing and saying to yourself right now, every mother does Jill, but my Alyssa really struggles with school and I am aware of that fact-so I do live in the real world. :)
Anyways, she had such a great time doing these and I was so impressed with how well she did with them-I took pictures to share. If you have a Pre-K age child and do not already follow Confessions of a Homeschooler-I would highly recommend it, it is worth your time, she has super ideas on there and she is so kind to share so many of them for free too. :)

When we first started I just told her what to do-as you can see she just started to scribble around the letter O but once I showed her what to do, she took off. Yes we HS in our jammies a lot of the time.

Once I showed her how to do-look how good she did that second "O" and the curvy lines-I was a proud mama. :)

She even traced the line the Pp were on-lol!

Showing her work-I was impressed.

Erasing her line since it wasn't quite right. That would be her mama there.

This one cracked me up. I was working with Alyssa and she was doing this-I came back to find after about 20 minutes of doing this she thought those squares were just too boring. She added faces and hair and legs and arms. Even the curvy line has a heart with a face at the end. Now that is her daddy, the artist, coming out in her and he will be very proud! :)

We had a good day, long after the break again, it is hard getting off our schedule and back on again. Still schooling at 3:00 today and I need to leave to get the boys, we also have dance tonight so we will have to end soon and play catch up tomorrow I guess. Some days are just harder than others.

Over all today was a good day though.

On this Pathway-

Praising Him for the beautiful 53 degree temperatures this am-just a few days ago we were still at 90 in the am and 115 during the day. I love fall-looking forward to cooler temps to walk again.

Jill

Discouraged

2011-08-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to do anything since school started except school. I have been on here to read the blogs I follow and comment when I can but time to type an actual post, not really.
Please just pray for us, our one car broke down and had to go to the shop to the tune of $965.00 and then it still needs brakes, that was just to get it to start and drive. Then today while I was driving our van the temperature gage went almost all the way up to the H. I quickly got back home with the kids and called a place someone told us to take it but they weren't open so I have to call and take it in the am. Please pray this isn't a lot to fix. I am really discouraged tonight. I know and believe that I was to step down from my job to HS Alyssa, she can't do public school and to be home with Analeigh so we didn't have to do daycare, but without me working our budget is very tight, there is no wiggle room for a new car payment or even for major repairs on the 11 and 12 year old cars we own with all that we owe from Brandon's medical expenses.
I am feeling very overwhelmed by it all tonight and so I am going to bed with a heavy heart and praying that I good night's sleep will give me better vision for me to give praises about all this in the morning. The van is the only car we all fit in too so it has to be working, I have to drive the boys to school and back every day and we don't all fit in the car and going to church or anywhere, we can't all fit. I am just frustrated and sad. Thanks for your prayers. I love you all for lifting us up, I know it will be ok, He has never failed us yet, and I know He never will, just so hard to see how it will all work out at times.
Going to bed. Praying for great things for tomorrow, I am thankful that it didn't break down while I was away 3 hours from home this last weekend so that we didn't have to tow it that far. :) Trying end this on a positive note. :)
On this Pathway-
Jill

Happy 16th Anniversary My Love

2011-08-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

Us 16 years ago-you never think you have changed much till you look back at photos! :)

My girls in my wedding.

I can't believe how fast 16 years has gone. Today, 16 years ago I married the man of my dreams, the blessing God had given me and I am so blessed. We never knew what the last 16 years would have brought us, much laughter and tears, heartache and joy, but I am so glad that you have been the one I have gotten to share all those things with. I love you with all my heart Michael Jones-thank you for loving my like Christ loves the church-and for 16 years ago asking me to be your wife. I love you.

Mom and Dad Jones Mike and Me at our Chattanooga reception

Mom Dad my sister Jackie and Me

(The following is the letter I wrote to Mike on our wedding day 8-12-1995)

My Dearest Michael,
I love you more today, than yesterday and I will love you more tomorrow than today and even more than that in the days that follow. You are my precious treasure sent from God. He knew my desire to have a godly husband, one that I could learn from and follow his example and direction to grow even closer to God, you are all that and more.
You are a beautiful person both inside and out. You have a heart that extends out and touches everyone you meet. You are the most sensitive, sweet and giving man I have ever known. I am so blessed that God gave you to me to share my life with.
I hope you know from this day forth I pray I will be the woman of God I need to be for you. I will do all that I can to support you and help you in whatever way I can. Most of all, I will love you with an unconditional love for as long as God allows me to.
You are my most precious gift. God has shown me how much He loves me-you are evidence of the extent of that love. Thank you for asking me to share the rest of your life with you as Mrs. Jones. All my dreams have come true-thank you sweetie for making that happen and for all you do for me, but most of all your love and a lifetime with you to share it.
I love you with all my heart,
All my love forever,

Us today-16years later- a lot more grey, a little more wrinkles and even more in love!

Jill

Tender Mercy

2011-08-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

I recently started reading a book for moms called "Tender Mercy" and I have really enjoyed it. We took a little road trip to Sea World Friday and Saturday and so I had a little free time in the car to read. I love to read, but I am usually too busy to get to read "extra" things for just enjoyment purposes, like Christian inspirational books so I welcomed the time in the car to do that this weekend.
There was so much in the book that spoke directly to me, I think I have been so busy that my vision has become blurry trying to keep up with all that my life has had for me to do everyday lately.

I have always struggled since being a mom about being a "super mom" not that I will ever be close but feeling like I need to do everything all the time for everyone and if I wasn't doing that I was failing.

Lately though I have felt the Lord pricking my heart about things in my life ( at the time not that I even realized I was even doing it knowingly) but things like putting my family, and friends and even "church" things as a priority, above even my relationship with Him. I love my Lord with all my heart but I have let "things" rob me of a relationship of growing closer to Him and His will for my life. Even things He has blessed me with and yet I have allowed them to take over my life and crowded out the time I need to have more intimate time with Him, to grow in my relationship with Him, and to grow more into the person He has created me to be.

So when I was reading this book, there was so much that jumped out at me. One thing Angela talked about in the book was how we are God breathed, He called each of our souls into being and breathed His spirit into us to give us life. We are His precious creations designed for communication with Him. There is no way to fulfill the true destiny of our lives, to be the woman God dreamed of when He thought of us, apart from His indwelling.
Our soul is the place God fashioned for His presence-the place where He intends to abide and to work. Our souls are a holy place. We were made for God. We were designed to function poorly, to feel overwhelmed and alone, APART from our relationship with Jesus. We were made to be lost without God. If we look to ourselves or some worldly effort to fill our souls, then we are left empty because our souls were formed as God's dwelling place. Our souls cannot function as intended apart from the divine and supernatural indwelling of God.

I had felt overwhelmed lately, feeling like I wasn't doing any of the things I love to do well, I had to stop while I was reading the book and ask the questions of myself that she ask, Who was I doing these things for, approval from man or God? Have my expectations have been misplaced? No man can ever do what only Jesus can do in my soul. Only Jesus can fill us, only Jesus can love us completely. Only Jesus will meet every need. People need (even our family and friends) Jesus to spill from our lives onto them. We have to run to Jesus to be filled, and when we are full, everyone around us gets Jesus, my husband, my children, my family and friends. We will spill Jesus onto them from a full cup when we fun to Him first.

I just wanted to share with you some things that touched my heart. Maybe you are running on empty some days (I know I do) and maybe you already know you need to run to Him to be filled up before you can do what you need to for others, but maybe like me, you needed a little reminder to run to Him to be filled, to the One that created you and knows every hair on your head, the One that totally and completely loves you, the One and Only One that can completely fill you up so that you will spill Jesus over onto them!

My sweet family in front of the Alamo this weekend.

My treasures in front of Sea World

The sweet blessings God has given me to care for.

The reasons I want to spill over Jesus!

On this Pathway-
Jill

Be Anxious For Nothing

2011-07-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is another big day for Brandon. Tomorrow 7-26-2011, we will be going to Ft. Worth, to Cook's Children's Hospital to have our second procedure done on Brandon's hip. At our last appointment we had learned that one of the cysts we had removed a year ago April from his right hip had grown back. We have watched it and it has grown more, so tomorrow we will go to Children's where they will put him under anesthesia, and take him in to do a procedure to stick some rather large needled in his hip bone to drain the cyst (if it is fluid filled) and then to put steroids in where they packed the bone marrow in on his last surgery around the rods and pins that are in his hip and femur.
I would be lying if I said I was not a little anxious about this, yes it is not as scary as the 5 hour surgery last time, but it is still my baby, he will still be put to sleep, to which there can be complications, and he will be very sore afterwards, and I hate to see him hurting. He has been through a lot in his 7 years of life and some days that makes me very sad.
Please keep him in your prayers tomorrow. His surgery time is supposed to be at 8:00am and we have to be at the hospital at 6:30am. The hospital is 3 hours from our home so we will have to leave by 3:00am so that is another prayer request as well, we will need prayer for traveling mercies. It is a long trip when you are tired and worried, will be even longer on the way home I am sure after the let down from it all and being very sleepy.
Thank you so much for lifting up our sweet boy before the throne of our Heavenly Father. I know he holds all of this in His hands and that he loves Brandon more than I ever could imagine, which is hard to imagine, but my mama's heart (even with all the scripture I know to tell me other wise) is anxious today and I am sure it will be tomorrow too.
I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks,
On this Pathway,
Jill

My Beautiful Teenager

2011-07-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

At Chili's today for her birthday lunch-her choice for the Molten Lava Cake.

Our Beautiful Sweet Alyssa, we are so proud of you and the woman of Christ you are becoming right before our eyes. You are as pretty on the inside as you are on the outside and for that we are truly grateful. We are so blessed that you are a part of our family. I am so blessed that God picked me to be your mom. It just seems like yesterday that daddy and I were on our way to the hospital not knowing if I was truly in labor, getting there and having them tell us yes and just a few short hours later you made your way into this world, our precious first baby. We pray that as you continue down this road (as a teenager now-I still am having a hard time wrapping my brain around that!) that you will always remember to honor God in all you say and do, He has big plans for you and your life my dear sweet one! Thank you for being so kind and caring to everyone you meet. You have one of the sweetest, and most gentle spirits I know. Always shine for Jesus. We love you baby girl. You are more precious as each day goes by. Happy 13th Birthday-I hope you had a blessed day.
Love you-

Mom (and daddy too)

A birthday photo with Nana and Papa

You, Daddy and Me

Our beautiful Girl

Close up-love you pretty girl

Me and my sweet girls

Nana and Papa and Alyssa-on your 13th birthday

The birthday girl

The whole reason she wanted her birthday dinner at Chili's-Molten Chocolate Lava Cake :)

Happy 13th Birthday Sweet Alyssa-July 11th

2011-07-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

This photo album personalized with Smilebox

Where has the month gone?

2011-06-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

Not sure where the time since May 27th has gone,the last time I posted, but I was so shocked when I got on here to post today and saw it has been that long. I guess once May 28th got here and we officially started summer that having all 4 kiddos home all day has taken up most of my time. Imagine that! ha!
We are so excited because this Friday, these two very special people are on their way all the way from NY (my birth place and home for the first 18 years of my life) are coming to see us.

Our last day together last summer 2010 when they came to visit.

Otherwise known as Nana and Papa (or my mom and dad) ! Since the boys are in public school and they still live in NY we only get to see them once a year because the distance is so great we never have enough time except summers to get to travel to see each other. The exciting thing about this trip next week (they are staying the whole month of July) is that since my grandma's passing in November (she was 96 and couldn't travel anymore and mom didn't want to leave her for long periods of time) and my dad's retiring this summer they are now free to come see us more often. They recently purchased a 5th wheel trailer and are planning on looking for a place to bring it down in the late fall of this year if all goes as planned to stay here most of the winter and spring months. We couldn't be more thrilled-our children have never lived near one of their sets of grandparents and they are so excited that they may be coming here to live part of the year. They are thrilled that they will be here to see concerts and award things at school, dance recitals, church concerts, all sorts of things that they have missed out on being so far away from us the last 13 years. Dad has had some health concerns with his one kidney, cancerous cells showing up in urine tests, but no tumors found anywhere so they have been and will continue to keep an eye on that, at this point that would be the only thing that might keep them from being able to go through with their plan to come here. So, we are praying that he stays healthy. God knows and His ways are always higher than our ways, we are just trusting His plans.

We don't have any big plans like last year-these were taken in Corpus Christi-we had a wonderful time there-it was beautiful and so relaxing but we still plan on having a great visit. I know they will be shocked at how the kids have grown-I was amazed when I was putting these on here-when you are around them every day it doesn't seem that they have changed much but when I pulled these up I was shocked at how they have all grown so and filled out-not my little babies anymore.
I hope that you all are having a wonderful summer-it has been soooooo hot here-most days these last 3 weeks have been over 100 (between 103-108) we have been taking swimming lessons for a month-those end this week and even my Alyssa is now going off the diving board (which is huge-she drown in a swimming pool 3 years ago and had to be rushed to the hospital and resuscitated) a day I will never forget and that I am so thankful that God's plan was not to take her home yet. So, since then she has gone swimming but would not jump off the diving board-this week she has done it at least 20 times now-no longer afraid, God is good!
We are planning on trying to stay cool whatever we end up doing (not an easy task for sure)!
Just looking forward to spending time with our family, most of all our Nana and Papa and loving and appreciating every moment. :)

Saying goodbye last summer!

Mom and Dad on the beach in CC.

I will hopefully have lots to post about while they are here.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Brandon's Appointment-UPDATE

2011-05-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

Brandon's appointment went ok, not as we had hoped or prayed for, but as I am often reminded when we have to go and sit in the waiting room with children Brandon's age and sometimes younger getting cancer treatments, we are really quite blessed.
The cyst has grown but our Dr. thinks they will be able to reach it better now that is has grown more to the outer part of his hip, so we are looking at going back to out patient surgery the end of July, the 26th to be exact (I found out the date today) where they will inject it with steroids to hopefully stop the growth of the cyst and promote growth of the bone.
We may have to do a series of those steroids in his hip, we are not sure yet, we really won't know until after the first time to see what happens at the point. He will have to go up and be put under but shouldn't have to spend the night unless something goes wrong.
Thank you for your prayers-it wasn't quite what we were hoping for and we aren't sure this will work, but the Dr, wants to try this before surgery again since that would damage the good that has been done in part of the hip so far and the Dr. feels the body would just absorb the new bone marrow packing in that area again like it did the first time resulting in no more progress or having to go above the area that the rod is now and possibly doing damage to the tissue that supplies blood to the bone in his hip causing it to die which would be terrible, resulting in hip replacements, so for now the shots are the best way to go.
We are praying this works now so we can hold off on surgery for as long as possible since we will be looking at probably 2 more surgeries in the future-we would just like to hold off for as long as possible on that, it was pretty traumatic for him and us. :(
I am sorry to not have updated this sooner-I tried twice yesterday and it kept sticking and not letting me erase things as I typed and so I gave up and decided today would be a better day to try.
Today was our first day with no school and so I had more free time, I am thankful for that. Alyssa has her dance recital tomorrow and then VBS starts next weekend through the week and I am directing the 1st grade so I am trying to get ready for that-a little crazy, but after all that it will be summer here and we are planning on having a lazy summer with lots of fun around our house since gas is so high. At least we can swim this summer since his arm isn't broken this year and so that will make things better. :)
Thank you again so much for all the sweet words and comments and your prayers. I felt an incredible amount of peace while we were at the Dr.'s even when she was explaining the cyst had grown and what that meant. It was an incredible to know we were being covered in prayers while we were there.
I have had the words to the song "Carry You" running through my head all day today the words are this:

Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child

Cause I can walk on water...
Calm a restless sea
I've done a thousand things you've never done
And I'm really watching
While you struggle on your way
Call on my name, Ill come

Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child

I give vision to the blind
I can raise the dead
I've seen the darker side of hell
And I've returned
I've seen those sleepless night
And Count every tear you cry
Some lessons hurt to learn

Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child

I am so thankful that I can lay the burdens of my heart at His feet, He knows my fears about this, He knows and see the bigger picture of all of this-I just need to trust His greater way-His plan-and be thankful for His grace and the love of each of you and your prayers to help get us through all this.

Love you all-thanks again for your prayers.

On This Pathway-
Jill

Please Pray for my Brandon

2011-05-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

If you think of it, please keep this little boy, my Brandon, in your prayers on Wednesday, May 25th. We go to Children's Hospital for a visit to have his hip re-checked. At our last appointment we found out that his leg with the rods and screws is not growing as fast as the other leg (by just a fraction) and that one of the cysts to the outside of his hip had grown back.
To say that I was in shock and very disappointed would be an understatement. To be very honest as a mom I am worried about what this will hold for him, will this continue to happen the rest of his life, will he ever get to be normal, play like all the other kids, run and jump and have fun?
I am scared that we will face a multitude of surgeries in his future, possibly even hip replacement and maybe more than one of those, he is just seven and this has been a long journey already and we have only been dealing with this since he was six, a year ago April is when we found all this out and had our first surgery.
The Dr. whispered to me that we may have a talk surgery again at this appointment. Last summer he was recovering from his first surgery when he fell at school and broke his arm so our whole summer was basically stuck inside because there was nothing he could do between his hip and arm. I am worried that if we have another surgery this summer we will be doing the same thing this summer as well, although summer would be the best time for another surgery so that he would hopefully be healed before the start of school again.
I am still praying for healing for Brandon, healing from this cyst-that we would go and it would be gone and that his leg will have grown. We were hoping that when they put these rods and screw in that we would get 2-3 years before we would have to have them removed and a new one put in. Now it has only been a year and we are possibly facing surgery #2 of possibly 5 or more.
I just want for him to have a normal life, this has taken a toll on not only him but our whole family, there isn't much we can do, even bike ride as a family, because Brandon can not do it so we can't leave him out. Everyone is frustrated and on edge this week-he has had to stay home from school two days because they were doing jump houses and water slip and slides for reward parties that he should have been able to do because he earned them but couldn't because physically he wasn't aloud to. It is hard for a 7 year old to understand all this.
So, please, if you think of it pray for my sweet boy this week. Pray that no matter what we find out when we go on Wednesday that we will be strong, make the right decisions on having surgery or not if need be and that the Dr. would be making the right choices, that we won't be doing something now that will hurt him later. Pray for this mama's heart-it is hard to see my baby sad, and frustrated and scared. I am too-but I am trying daily to give it over to my loving Heavenly Father who holds both Brandon's and my future in his hands and there is no other place I would rather have us be.
Thank you!
On This Pathway-
Jill

So Blessed Being A Mom

2011-05-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

All I ever remembering wanting to be since I was a little girl, was a wife and a mother, I am so blessed because I have been blessed to be both! God is so good to me-today was a wonderful day-my friend Donna who lives in Baird, about 30 minutes from me, asked me to sing at their church for their Mother's Day Service. We decided it would be fun to kind of have a pot luck lunch and have a bunch of us bring food to eat after the church service. I love church pot luck dinners-not only is there soooo much food, but everybody brings their favorite dishes so it is yummy food too! I made King Ranch Chicken Casserole and Peanut Butter Pie.

This was a new recipe but I thought it turned out really well and I didn't have any to bring home so I think it went over well. It was great to sing too. I love singing and they are always so sweet to ask me to sing at their church.

I have had such a blessed day-I thought I would share with you some pictures of my blessings! :) So thankful and even more blessed for these sweet kids-I don't deserve them but I am so glad that God chose me to be their mom. I love you Alyssa, Derek, Brandon, and Analeigh. You make my life as a mommy full of blessings, thank you for being my sweet kids. I love you to the moon and back.

Love you

Mom

My friend Donna and Me at her church today

Me and my sweet Derek

Me and my sweet Brandon

Me and my sweet Alyssa

Me and my sweet Analeigh

The 4 best reasons I love being a mom -my four blessings!

My better half and the love of my life-world's best dad

Brandon made me a Jesus in a manger

Analeigh gave me lipstick-we had to put some on-she loves makeup as much as her mama!

Putting on my lipstick

My beautiful necklace and earrings from Alyssa

My beautiful earrings from Derek
My sweet hubby gave me so great perfume too!!

My wonderful husband and kiddos-I love you-thank you for a wonderful Mother's Day!

On This Pathway-

Jill

Happy Birthday (31 again lol) to my Sweetheart!

2011-04-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have one of the world's best when it comes to my husband and my kiddo's daddy! I am very blessed-God has given me sooooo many blessings in my life and one of them is my husband Michael Jones Jr. Today is his birthday-(31 again-hehe) actually he is coming up on a very big birthday next year and I don't think he is looking forward to it too much. :) But the first birthday we ever celebrated together he was turning 31 and we were dating and madly in love and talking marriage one day-that came 1 year and 4 months later. I hope we get to celebrate 50 more birthdays (at least) together. Happy Birthday Love!

My sweetheart and Me on his 31st birthday!

Now-We haven't changed a bit-lol expect 30 pounds on me and a little gray on you-(I hide mine. :)

I love you my sweet! hope you have an extra special day, blessed beyond measure. We are blessed because of you-praising God for your birthday today. LOVE YOU!

All my love forever,

Your adoring Wife,

Jill

Our Easter 2011

2011-04-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

A scrapbook design by Smilebox

God's Gift

2011-04-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

We can't fully understand all that the Lamb of God endured to save us

Christ gave His perfect life for sinful mankind. He assumed full responsibility for all our sins and took the punishment that we deserved. As He hung on the cross, the judgment and wrath of God was poured out on Him instead of on us.

Since we are limited by our human minds and senses, we cannot fully understand all that the Lamb of God endured to bring us salvation. But we know enough to realize that we owe Him our lives. He took our place on the cross; let’s give Him first place in our hearts. So thankful for the fact that God sent His Son to die in my place-and some day this very undeserving person-ME-will get to stand before the King of Kings and Lords of Lords and here Him call me His Child. What an amazing gift.

I pray that you will reflect this Easter weekend on that amazing gift, a gift like none other, and give thanks and praise for God's one and only Son and the sacrifice He made for each of us-even if we had been the only one-He would have died for just us!

On this Pathway-
Jill

Palm Sunday and Baptism

2011-04-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, April 17, 2011, Palm Sunday, was a very special day for us. Our sweet 7 year old (or as he would say 7 3/4 years) son Brandon, got baptized. It was a blessed day indeed. My oldest 3 children have all asked Jesus in their hearts and have been baptized now (Analeigh being our only one left and she is only 3 so probably a little while to go still) and there is no greater blessing to me as a mom than to know that no matter what happens in this lifetime, that we will spend eternity together in the presence of our precious Lord and Savior one day.
I got to take a few pictures, I wanted to share with you.
Brandon, I love you so much, I am so happy for you and that a year ago you asked Jesus in your heart and now you wanted to go forward in church to let everyone else know about your decision through getting baptized. You are a joy sweet boy and your daddy and I are very happy for you, not only are you our precious son, but you are also our brother in Christ. I love you and pray that God will use you for mighty things for His glory.

Me and You (I love you!)

Daddy and You

You and Sarah McMillion (she is one year older)

Talking with Pastor about what will happen and reviewing what baptism stands for.

Pastor Stan explaining how he will baptize you. I love this photo

Waiting to get baptized and right before Pastor Stan dunked you under the water. You were really nervous.

Baptizing you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

After you had been baptized-leaving the baptismal.

On This Pathway-

Counting my blessings today-God is Good!

Jill

Blessings-Laura Story

2011-04-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Blessings

(click on the title to link you to the video on you tube-it is worth hearing it sung-it is beautiful-how my heart is feeling right now with Brandon)

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
It's not our home

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

He is coming back!

2011-04-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this.... The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, I'm finished." But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

Someone shared this with me and I wanted to pass it along~Praise God He is coming back!

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

2011-04-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

So glad that you have stopped by-if you haven't done so already you need to stop by to the Ultimate Blog Party 2011 and link up( just click on the logo above.) It is a fun way to win prizes and stop by all kinds of different blogs and meet new friends.

I have a give away on there for some of my lotion bars-stop by and enter to win. If you would like a chance to win something from my ""Simple Delights" website. Stop by there and then come back and let me know what you might like to win-join up to follow either my "Pathway to Purpose" blog or my"Simple Delights" blog and leave me a comment. I will be choosing 2 winners on the 8th.

I would love to have you let me know that you stopped by so that I can visit your blog as well.
Hope you have a blessed day!
On This Pathway-
Jill

I am blessed!

2011-03-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

I don't have anything really big to say today-just that somedays God blesses me in such little ways that it brings me to my knees to give thanks to Him. That I feel so unworthy of His blessings it brings me to tears and I am humbled at just how much He loves me.
God really is so good to us-even during the hard times-we are called to be "Joyful" because we have a HOPE- a HOPE like no other. He has already won the victory for us-this isn't the end-there will be a victorious celebration with Him one day.
What greater joy can there be than knowing and believing that!!!
Some days when I slow down enough to remember that-to truly see how much He loves me-how much He blesses me here while I wait for His return-it just makes me shed tears of gratitude. Yesterday and this morning (just reliving the little blessings from yesterday) I was able to take the time to see all He had done for me yesterday in the little things and it made me really grateful.
I need to sit still more, to trust Him more, to believe His promises more, and to make sure that I am living my life the way He has called me to do more, and most of all to give Him the glory and share His story more.
I just wanted to do that today. I am truly blessed. My God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
I hope that not only are you blessed today but that you take the time to see those blessings and thank Him for them.
As I was writing these words were running through my head "Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done."

On this Pathway-
Jill

God's Splendor

2011-03-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

We have Peacocks at our local zoo in Abilene that are allowed to wander around free in the zoo. We came up on this one the other night while we were there seeing the new Prairie Dog Preserve. I was able to get really close while he was eating and snap a few photos. The color on these birds is amazing to me. Absolutely gorgeous!!

God amazes me daily with the time and detail He put in everything He created for us to enjoy.

Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed getting to be this close and see the splendor of God's creation.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Lifting Up My Children Through Prayer

2011-03-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Lifting My Children

Through Prayer~

Lord, thank you for my children. I ask your will for them in these things according to your Word.

Early in life, fill my children with love for you, that they would love you “with all (their) heart and with all (their) soul and all (their) mind.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Train my children, to love deeply, sincerely, and sacrificially, seeing and loving others as you do. (1 Peter 1:22- 1 John 3:16) Empower me to daily model your love and compassion to them.

Give my children, love for your Word. Allow them to know and understand it, and to follow it wholeheartedly. ( Psalm 1:1-3)

Fill them, “with the knowledge of (your) will in spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of (you) fully pleasing to (you) bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” ( 1 Colossians 1:9-10 Psalm 90-17 James 1:5)

Compel them, to pray continually (1Thessalonians 5:17) so that they will live and walk by your Spirit (1 Galatians 5:25) Help them to listen to you as Samuel did. (1 Samuel 3:10)

Help me, to train my children according to the unique way you’ve designed each one. (Proverbs 22:6 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Ephesians 2:10)

Enable me, to commit them to your loving care and control rather than worry about them. (1 Philippians 4:6 1 Peter 5:7)

Dublin, Texas-The Home of the First Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant

2011-03-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well, the boys are on spring break from school this week, as well as my hubby from Hardin Simmons and so the girls and I are taking our spring break from home schooling as well. We thought it might be fun to take a few day trips that didn't cost too much money (especially since Bran went to the dentist today and has to have two chipped molar teeth fixed to the tune of $693.00) not sure where that will come from but I am not going to worry about it today. So, being that we live in Texas, and only about an hour and a half from Dublin, Texas (the home of the first and still working Dr. Pepper bottling plant) we decided to take a road trip/field trip (fun with a little education packed into it) to check it out.

I must say on our way to Ft. Worth to go to Brandon's hip appointments we pace the exit that you have to get off to go toward Dublin but we have never been out that way-it is out in the middle of no where kind of, a very tiny town that I am sure this little Dr. Pepper bottling plant has helped keep alive all these years.

When I was googling information on it and directions on how to get to it-their main page had some interesting facts about the place that I found very interesting and heart warming-thought I would share it with you. It is a little long-but interesting and well worth the read I thought-I found out facts about one of my favorite sodas (when I drink them-trying to eliminate them from my diet) and really neat things-kind of a rags to riches story on the man who ended up owning the company until his death in the late 90's and now his son and two grandsons own it. It still operates and it was really fun to see it and all the goodies this man saved over the years that are all Dr. Pepper and are in the little museum there.

Dublin Dr Pepper History

In 1885 Waco, Texas was a wild frontier town, nicknamed “six-shooter junction.” Wade Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store was a prominent business and popular meeting place in downtown Waco. People came in for everything from flea powder to stationery, from cigars to fountain drinks.

One of Morrison’s employees, pharmacist Charles Alderton, noticed how customers loved the smell of the soda fountain with its many fruit, spice and berry aromas. He wanted to invent a drink that tasted the wonderful way the soda fountain smelled. After much experimentation he finally felt he had hit on “something different.” Patrons at the drug store agreed.

Soon other soda fountains were buying the syrup from Morrison and serving it. People loved the new unnamed drink and would order it by simply calling out “shoot me a Waco!” But Morrison named it Dr Pepper, after the father of a girl he had loved back in his home state of Virginia. (We learned he was 20 years older and the father didn't approve and he never won her heart. :( )

In 1891 Morrison and new partner Robert Lazenby organized the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company in order to bottle and sell Dr Pepper as well as other soft drinks. That same year, while visiting Waco, a Texas businessman by the name of Sam Houston Prim tasted the new fountain drink and knew he wanted to sell it in his bottling plant in Dublin, Texas, 80 miles to the west.

Under the direction of Mr. Lazenby Dr Pepper enjoyed steady growth in sales and began to spread in popularity across the country. But it wasn’t until 1904 that Dr Pepper gained real national exposure. Along with other soon to be favorites like ice cream cones and hamburgers, Dr Pepper was introduced to the rest of the U. S. and the entire world at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

Since then Dr Pepper’s popularity has grown consistently over the years to become one of the top 3 soft drinks in the United States and the No. 1 non-cola. And over that time Dr Pepper Corporate Headquarters have remained here in Texas. That’s why Dr Pepper can truly claim the title of “Texas Original.”

The Story of “Mr. Dr Pepper”*

Bill Kloster never studied marketing. The words goals, objectives, strategies and tactics weren't part of his vocabulary.

He didn’t promote his product from a textbook; he promoted it from his heart — a concept that would have left marketing gurus cringing. Except that it worked.

Bill Kloster operated on instinct that was so on target that his tiny three-county Dublin Dr Pepper franchise is continuously among the top 10 producers in per capita consumption.

Bill knew his business. He started at the bottling plant when he was 14 years old — a job necessitated by the death of his father and his need to help support his mother and four siblings. For the next 67 years, including the day he died, he put in long, hands-on hours, focusing on quality control, community involvement and his own unique style of sometimes blustery, sometimes covert public relations.

Bill started as a bottle sorter for 10 cents an hour. He got his first painful lesson in economics when he dropped a pallet of glass bottles. After the damages were deducted from his paycheck, he took home mere pennies — his first paycheck. Before long, plant owner Sam Houston Prim took the young man under his wing, becoming a surrogate father as he watched Bill grow into manhood and into a self-styled promoter of Dublin Dr Pepper.

From the bottle sorting chores, Bill worked his way up to production manager. After a tour of duty in Europe during World War II, he returned to become general manager of the plant which was then operated by Prim’s daughter, Grace Prim Lyon.

Mrs. Lyon died in 1991 on the dawn of the plant’s 100th birthday celebration, leaving the Dublin plant in Bill’s capable hands.

As the owner, Bill continued to emphasize those same values he had learned as a young man. He held on to the original drink formula, the antiquated bottling equipment, and a massive assortment of Dr Pepper collectibles which became his passion. Through the years, he used those elements to develop a successful enterprise and a popular tourist attraction. And most important, he built a fiercely loyal following for Dublin Dr Pepper around the world. The media were drawn to him like bees to honey and dubbed him “Mr. Dr Pepper.”

When bottom line indicated the tiny Dublin plant should give up Imperial Pure Cane Sugar in exchange for less expensive corn sweeteners, Bill balked. He continued to subscribe to the country theory of “dancin’ with who brung ya,” refusing to change the recipe which has always given the local product its unique taste. Bill Kloster, the Dublin bottling plant, and Dublin Dr Pepper remained true to themselves.

The story was widely told that when his wife Iona told Bill he was drinking too much sugar and should switch to the sugar-free variety, he secretly had the regular Dr Pepper put into diet bottles which he stocked in his home refrigerator.

Residents of the community and the region enthusiastically support what they consider “their” Dr Pepper. But Bill was no less enthusiastic about giving back. Seldom does a community event take place without Dr Pepper, usually provided as a donation to a worthy cause. Most of the major projects in the area had a Dr Pepper signature somewhere, even though many of Bill’s contributions were done inconspicuously and, by his choosing, without fanfare.

Bill always spent long hours at the Dr Pepper plant. But following the death in 1995 of Iona Kloster, his beloved wife of 54 years, he dedicated himself to the expansion of the museum collection and the promotion of Old Doc’s Soda Shop.

The years took no apparent toll on Bill mentally, but he deeply resented the physical limitations caused by arthritis. He wore out the knees he came with, and several replacement knees as well. He rarely fussed about the pain, but he fussed often about the inconvenience, particularly when he had to take time out for surgery and rehabilitation. In the summer of 1999, he underwent his last knee surgery. As he began the therapy which would put him back on his feet, he suffered a severe heart attack, followed by several more. His doctors were not optimistic about his survival, much less his recovery.

But miraculously, Bill survived and returned to work, leaping headlong into the development of the commemorative 2000 calendar. He wanted this millennium calendar to be a tribute to the four young ladies who have worn the title of Pretty Peggy Pepper, his favorite advertising icon.

Bill died suddenly on Sept. 27, 1999 after a full day at the bottling plant where he had spent the day approving designs for this 2000 calendar. He is gone only in the physical sense; the echo of his chuckle and the shadow of the wide grin that accompanied his favorite Dr Pepper stories will always be felt in the oldest Dr Pepper plant in the world.

Bill Kloster was a man of conviction. When small bottlers have been gobbled up by conglomerates, the tiny, independent Dublin Dr Pepper plant remains. Its signature product is produced just like it was more than 100 years ago. Bill wasn’t afraid of bucking marketing trends because he believed in the unique quality of his product.

No, it wasn’t the textbook way of doing things.
But it was Bill Kloster’s way.

We had a great time. Many more pictures were taken but I was having a difficult time downloading them all.

On this Pathway-
Jill

Press On-a much needed reminder from a friend today!

2011-03-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

Prayers for my kiddos

2011-03-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

On a happy note-Analeigh's antibiotic seems to be working-still coughing but she no longer has fever, is sleeping and eating well again and for that we are doing a big happy dance.
On a side note though, Alyssa caught whatever Analeigh had and had been fighting it all week and last night started complaining her left ear hurt. Our history is not good with ear infections with her-she has had 3 sets of tubes and last year had a sinus infection that ruptured both of her ear drums. Well, last night about ten after trying the Dr on call and going to the minor ER-closed at 8-so we didn't get in, her left ear drum ruptured and has drained all night and we can't get in to the Dr. until 3:45 today. We didn't sleep all night and on she is crashed and I have to wake her soon to get ready to go to the Dr.-not happy nor fun.
Please pray she can get some relief to sleep tonight and get better quickly-I really would like to not deal with this anymore.
Also, we go to Children's tomorrow for Brandon's appointment on the new cysts that have grown back in his hip. He says it doesn't hurt but Mike and I think it looks like he might be limping a little again-I would be lying if I said I was worried or scared about tomorrow appointment. I am trying to give it over and let God truly have it, to be in control, it is just hard when it is one of my babies to release that and know whatever the outcome is that He is still God, still sits on the throne, still loves us and is in control of what happens. My heart knows it my head has a hard time letting it go, all the "what if's."
I need sleep-it takes 3.5 hours to drive there and 3.5 back home-our Children's Choir sings in church tomorrow night and so I have to be back in time for that and I haven't slept great in a week, but really not great last night-we were up all night with her ear in pain. I am weary and worn out and ready for spring to be here so hopefully we can kick this icky bug from out home for good. When I haven't slept this trip is a mighty long drive.
Please pray whatever I hear from the Dr.'s mouth tomorrow I would be ok with and remember God is in control-He knows what my tomorrow will bring-I am praying for healing of course-but I am thinking it is still there. Just pray it would at least have not grown or no new cysts. Our options at this point are very limited and my baby boy is weary too.
Thank you so much-I appreciate so that I can come to some of you whom I have never even met and ask you to lift my sweet babies up in prayer before the throne of our Heavenly Father.
I will keep you posted.
On this Pathway-
Jill

National Platypus Day!

2011-03-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

My boys really like the cartoon Phineas and Ferb. The cartoon has a Platypus named Perry on it and they have been advertising on the cartoon that March 5th, 2011 is National Platypus Day! So my boys decided that they wanted to draw their version of Perry on the computer and then we decided we would print them out and make T-shirts to wear today.

A little silly-but that is us-a little silly and it was a lot of fun to do.

So here are the final products. My Derek even designed a girl Platypus too and named her Penelope after his Nana. So the girls could have a girl shirt.

So we put Brandon's design on the back of our shirts too.

My budding artists-walking in the shoes of their daddy-so glad!
On this Pathway-
Jill

Taking Time to see Ordinary Miracles

2011-02-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

I watched the live action version or Charlotte's Web with my baby girl, Analeigh, this morning because she was home sick from church with a virus and is running a pretty high fever. I just love that story-I have probably read the book and and watched the movie a 100 times and I never get sick of it. If you haven't seen the live action version (by this I mean there are real people and animals in it, not the cartoon one) you must rent it and see it, it is really good and brings me to tears every time.
There are some really great lines between Charlotte and Wilbur, like when she goes to the fair with him and at the end tells him she is dying and will not be going back to the farm with him again because she is too weak and he starts crying and says he can't go back without her and offers to carry her on his back-lots of symbolism in this film. Another favorite line in the movie is when they are giving Wilbur a medal at the fair for being "Some Pig" and Homer goes on to say that he is a miracle and has made the town see miracles that were never there before, and then he says "Well maybe they were always there, we just couldn't see them before." I often have to stop myself to see the (click on the link to hear the song from the movie) Ordinary Miracles in every the every day happenings around me-things that truly are miracles if we stop and see them the way they were intended for us to see.

I am so thankful for the "ordinary miracles" that God lets me experience every day, taking time today to praise Him for those things.

On this Pathway-
Jill

God's Joy!

2011-02-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

It is hard for me to apply this verse to myself. I know that the Lord is mighty and that He saves. However, the idea of Him being joyful and rejoicing over me is more than I can comprehend.

When I put this in the perspective of my children, though, I get a glimmer of understanding.

I look at them and I am filled with joy.

love to watch them discover new things...

and how they change and grow each day

They are a delight to me, even when they make mistakes.

This is what YOU want me to see. I am Your child, and You delight in me even when I fall. You pick me up, give me a hug, and encourage me to try again.

THANK YOU FOR REJOICING OVER ME!

Humbly On this Pathway-

Jill

The girl with a thousand faces

2011-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

I am not sure if it was the giddiness from being her birthday or the sugar kicking in from the frosting on the cake or what~But Analeigh (who normally makes lots of faces that crack us up) was in rare form last night, all night long. She was cracking herself up, which made me laugh even more.
Just thought I would share them with you and hope they bring a smile to your face too!

Giving me kisses for her presents.

Funny girl!

Silly girl-trying to make us laugh!

Just being sweet.

Making jokes.

We were cracking up because she was cracking herself up which made us laugh even more.

Just being goofy.

She would say "What is it-What is it?" "I know a DVD."

She acted this excited about every gift-it was pretty cute.

Waiting for her cake while we sang Happy Birthday-she wanted cake-who cares about singing.

We had a great third birthday-matter-a-fact-she woke today saying to her sister, don't boss me around it is my birthday! lol To which I had to let her down gently and let her know it is only one day not a week. hehe

On this Pathway,

Jill

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Sweet Analeigh!

2011-02-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

I remember this day three years ago so well-my mom and dad could not come down for this birth like they had the other 3 so we had to ask a friend of ours, Tiffany, from here, (Abilene) to come and stay with the other three kiddos that morning before school while we went to the hospital to give birth. It was my due date and since all the other three were born early, I guess you decided to fool us all and wait till the last minute-I was having contractions and dilating at my appointment that so the Dr. scheduled me to come in on your due date today, February 21st, to have my water broken.

@ 6:00am right before we left to go to the hospital

Once we got to the hospital in my lovely gown-you look like you are hiding under there! I had never gotten this big before-of course I never went to my due date either!

Getting all the paper work filled out and chatting with my nurse. Waiting to break my water.

We arrived and had to wait a little bit to get checked in, then we had to get all the paper work filled out and then they had to wait to break my water because the Dr. was doing an emergency C-Section so when got there about 6:15am and we sat around and waited till 9:30am to get started. That was crazy-but fine-by 9:30am they broke my water and you made your arrival at 12:13pm -a little less than 3 hours.

You were 8 lbs 9.5 oz (my biggest baby) and 19 1/2 inches long. You had a ton of dark black hair and really cute round cheeks-you were just beautiful and perfect in every way. I was finally able to let all the fear of losing you go after I held you in my arms. What a joy that was.

Minutes after you were born-when I first held you.

Our first kiss. My joy was overflowing-after a terrible late miscarriage God had given a wonderful gift, YOU!

You with you sweet daddy~

My beautiful baby girl(you were about 6 weeks old here)

You add such joy to our family Analeigh-I hope you will always know how much you were prayed for and wanted not only by daddy and me, but your brother's and your sister too-we were all so excited for you to be born.

You with your brothers Derek and Brandon and your sissy Alyssa in Glorieta NM-you were 5 months old

You have been a joyful child since birth-always smiling and laughing and as you have grown, so has your personality! You shine-where ever you go you make friends, you never meet a stranger, you are loved by everyone who meets you.

Our prayer for you is that first and fore most, you learn who Jesus is and that you ask Him to come into your heart to live one day-that you will know what it means to have a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father. That has been my greatest joy for each of your siblings (next to giving birth to them)-seeing them have a second birth that will give them eternal life~(there is nothing that has given me more joy) We pray daily that you will make that decision one day as well.

The day of your baby dedication. With Nana and Papa Schasre (mommy's parents)

After church on your baby dedication (August 2008-6 months old)

With us after church on your baby dedication-August 2008

Second-I pray that you will always stay as joyful as you are today-that you shine with the light of Jesus and that others are drawn to you by that and want to know the reason for your joy.

We pray that you are happy doing whatever you feel that God calls you to do with your life one day.

We pray that whatever happens to you on this journey called life, that you will know that we love you with all our hearts, that we are so blessed to be your parents, that you have brought so much joy and love to our family. We are eternally grateful for you-and the gift that you are.

The first time your Nana and You got to meet-love at first sight!

We are so blessed-thank you for being such a sweet Squee (daddy's nick name for you-rhymes with Analeigh) and you now call yourself that-cracks us up. I hope you have a blessed 3rd birthday precious baby girl. WE LOVE YOU with all our hearts.

You and "Little Analeigh" in your matching outfits.

Tea Party with the gang-nothing better than tea-teddy bears and tutus!

You really enjoy your chocolate like mom!

Snow day-this year Feb. 2011

At Six Flags-cracking us up with the hats.

Telling us a story

Just too cute!

Dying Easter Eggs last year-I think you ate more than you colored.

Snow day 2-2011

Giving daddy a new hair style-look at the pure joy!

You are beautiful inside and out sunshine-Happy 3rd Birthday. Love you!

You on your 2nd Birthday Feb 21-2010

Eating your cake-lol

One happy girl-loved that chocolate cake!

My beautiful almost 3 year old (Feb. 2011 at ACU)

Oh Happy Day (that is what you used to call birthdays!)

All our love forever,

Mom and Dad

Sorry about all the pictures! I have so many (I have over 8000 on my computer) I had a hard time choosing and limiting to this few. lol

On this Pathway-

Jill

Food for Thought

2011-02-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Choose your words, for they become actions.

Understand your actions, for they become habits.

Study your habits, for they'll become your character.

Develop your character for it becomes your destiny."

( source)

Just a little food for thought for the day.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

This just about says it all:

Ever have a day like this?!

Pictures at the Jacobs Dream Statue @ ACU

2011-02-16T06:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday it hit 72 degrees here and it was a wonderful spring like day (a far cry from last week when we had snow for the first time all winter) and so when the boys got out of school we ran to ACU's Campus (Abilene Christian University) to the John 3:16 statue to have some fun outside in the beautiful weather. Of course I brought my camera too because it is a great place to take photos!
It is a really neat

Sculpture Facts

The sculpture is 34 feet from the bottom of the pedestal to the top angel.
The site includes a round baptismal pool 10’ in diameter and 30” deep.
Each angel is eight feet tall.
The total metal work, including a stainless steel inner structure, weighs more than 7,000 pounds.
Models for the angels included the artist and six ACU and local high school students, utilized to verify proportions and musculature. With the exception of the second highest angel, whose portrait was based on Jack Maxwell’s son, Matt, the faces were inspired by individuals but not specifically modeled after them.
Several ACU art students assisted on Jacob’s Dream, and Jack’s wife, Jill, who also is an artist and talented sculptor, spent countless hours on the project.

From the Artist

The biblical patriarch Jacob lay his head on a pillow of stone, dreamed of angels and received a blessing from God. Upon awakening, he anointed the stone, calling that special place “the gate of heaven … the house of God.”

Scripture’s account in Genesis 28 of Jacob’s unusual dream provides a brief glimpse of a moment in time when the dark mirror is removed and the glory of God seen firsthand. I hope that through this sculpture, the viewer might find his or her heart echoing Jacob’s words, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I knew it not.”

The four angels are portrayed as masculine beings, consistent with scriptural descriptions. The heavenly beings appear to increase in age as their proximity to earth increases, symbolizing the fallen state of the earth, corrupted by sin. The angels become more human-like as they near earth, with smaller wings and more conventional attire. The wings of the angels are based on those of an osprey, one of the most powerful and beautiful birds of prey in North America.

In designing this site, I endeavored for a purposeful melding of form and meaning. The basic footprint is evocative of the Trinity. Engraved scriptures provide spiritual focus and guidance. The basic elements of creation – water, rock and plants – speak to the nature of God, His Son and His promises. The bronze angels, four in number, suggest God’s continual presence “whither thou goest” to the four corners of the earth.

It is my hope and prayer that this will be a place of meditation and worship, a place where new births in Christ might occur, hearts might be renewed, and, above all else, where the God above all gods might be glorified.

-- Jack Maxwell

We had a great time-and I really loved my photos from while we were there.

On this Pathway-

Jill

The power of the written word!

2011-02-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

I love blogging, facebook, and e-mail-it has give me a chance to meet new people and reconnect with old friends both, but I love to receive mail and there is something about receiving a letter and saving it to pull out and read again years later that neither blogging or facebook or e-mail can replace. I came across this clip (after the commercial of course) that I thought was so touching-hope you enjoy it-get your tissues ready and then go write someone you love a letter today-who knows maybe 40 years from now they will pull it out to read it and remember all over again just how much it meant to them then and now!
George and Barbara Bush love notes revealed www.msnbc.msn.com
Happy Valentine's Day!
On His Pathway-

Beautiful Roses my sweetheart surprised me with this morning-we had our first date 17 years ago today!
Love you baby.
Jill

Jesus welcomed and Angel Home-Six Years Ago

2011-02-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

Six years ago, February 9th, we got a phone call that we knew was coming, and actually expected many times before over the years, but still were not prepared for. Mike's dad had to call to let us know that, his wife and Mike's loving mom had gone home to be with Jesus.
What was a very sad, hard time for us was a glorious time for her. Mike's mom was diagnosed with a tumor on her pituitary gland when Mike was just five. Her OBGYN Dr. was the one who was actually suspicious when she had a miscarriage- the headaches she was having and blood work her had done led her to believe something wasn't right. She was then sent on to a cancer Dr. that confirmed what they thought might be happening. She had a tumor growing-back then they did not do surgery so they just tried to kill it but only shrunk it with chemo. It never grew more, but it also never went away and it cause a multitude of other health issues for her over the years which eventually ended up in more than her body could handle and she passed away 6 years ago at the age of 68.
She was a wonderful of God-she had gone to college to be a reading teacher-she only got to do that job a few years when she found out she was sick, started treatment and then had to quite the job she loved so much. She then started a library at Bethel Bible School-a place where children live in TN when for many reasons (mostly parents in prison ) that children are separated from their families and go there to live. She had books donated and organized the whole library because she loved reading and believed in the importance of children learning to read, loving to read, and being able to have books of their own to read. She kept up with that library whenever she felt well enough for years. She was such a women of God-her tumor caused many other health issues which over the years made her so sick that she basically was home bound except to go the the Dr. or hospital the last few years of her life-yet you never heard her complain.
She told Mike one day-all I ask of God is that he would let me see you get married and have grand babies. She was pretty sick but she did travel to NY to be at our wedding and then lived ten more years to see all of our children but Analeigh be born. It made her so happy. She started buying Dr. Seuss books years before Mike and I ever met for her grandchildren some day and then it led into books of every kind for every stage of their childhood-she stored them in boxes in the guest room under the beds in the basement. There are still books there and every time we go to visit Papa in TN we get more books that are age appropriate for the kids and bring them home with us which always give us a chance to talk about Nana J and how much she loved them.
I miss her so-she was well enough when Mike and I first started dating, got married and then were pregnant with Alyssa to go places-so we went to buy fabric she loved to sew-and she wanted to make clothes for Alyssa-we also went to shop for strollers and just enjoyed our only really mother and daughter time we had together that she was well enough to do things still.
In the 10 years I got to have my mother-in-love and got to know her, I adored her. I wished that I still had her here to love and I miss not having a mother in law-(I know some people don't but I really did love and treasure her) we laugh about things that she said and did and I wish my children could have gotten to know her more and love her the way she loved and treasured them-they were all so little they really only have the memories we have told them about.
I know we will be with her again someday-I picture her up there loving and caring for the babies we had that didn't get to be here with us-and drinking tea with my grandma that we just went home in November and just enjoying her time praising Jesus.
I love and miss her lots-this day every year is a little hard for us-she was truly an example of a godly woman and is missed by many.
Just wanted to share a few photos of her from her past.

Mom J when she was 12 My Alyssa now at 12-Don't they favor each other?

Mom and Dad J

One of my favorite photos of mom-I played around with the color on it.

My favorite photo of mom-I played with the color on it too.

The 1st photo dad ever took of mom.

On this Pathway-
Jill

Snow Day!

2011-02-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

We had rain last night-I mean lots and lots of rain, with lightening and thunder, it was quite a storm. They said the temperature was going to drop during the night and by morning and that the rain would turn to sleet and snow. Boy did it ever! We had 5.5 inches in the front yard this morning, that is where the wind blows some of it away too-it is very windy here today as well. I didn't measure the back yard but I bet we had between 5-8 inches, the most we have had since living in Texas for 5 years.

Derek and Analeigh in the front room looking at the snow when they first got up-waiting till I said it was warm enough to go out to play!

My ruler I used to measure how much snow was in the front yard-it blows really bad out there so some may have blown away-but I got 5.5 inches first thing this morning.

Analeigh wiping the water off the front window!

Our back yard-the kiddy car and wagon were filled with snow.

The soccer net and slide and tree house were covered too.

The trampoline was covered and underneath it was the only place where poor Zippy could stand and not have the snow up to her belly.

So, they cancelled school for not only my boys, but my hubby who teaches at Hardin Simmons University, and so Alyssa and I took off as well. It was a great day-no schedules, no running errands, no dance or cub scouts, nothing. We hung out and when it warmed up a little we went out to play.
I was a little nervous about letting Analeigh go out because she and Mike both have a cold again and she has a pretty bad cough going on with her but I couldn't tell her no when every one else was going out to play.
So we all got bundled up (can anyone else see the scene from the "Christmas Story" movie playing in their head) in the best snow apparel we have for Texans-and headed out to play-it was so cold I think we spent more time getting ready to go out than we were actually out there (maybe 20 minutes the first go around) but it was a fun time had by all-all but my Alyssa-she doesn't really like snow-too cold and she was happier inside watching a movie and drinking cocoa.
We had so much fun making snow angels and building snow forts for super heroes and throwing snow balls-it was fun and cold!

Snow Angels-had a hard time getting up!!! lol

Having fun throwing snow.

Brandon-not too sure if this was worth all the time it took to get ready to go out-cold!

Pretty Snow Princess

Derek proudly snowing me his snow fort.

Sonic in a snow fort.

Derek-running through the front yard.

Brandon falling face first to make a snow angel-crazy I know!

First snow angel-great fun-lots of laughter!

Throwing snow balls.

Just a close up shot of my petty snow princess!

Analeigh throwing a snow ball at me.

Even dad got in on the snow angel making!

Mike getting ready to push Derek down to make a snow angel.

Growing up in the snow my whole life in NY-I am not a snow girl much anymore (16 years living in the South has made me cold blooded-I can't take it anymore) so I went out for a bit and played but I left most of that up to dad while I took some photos I wanted to share. Mike did take a few of me with the kids, I will share, but do not laugh-this is why I can not go without bangs- and my makeup was not my top priority since we were out doors playing and the wind and snow drifts were blowing in our faces-so not my greatest look-but we had fun so I didn't care (well that much-I guess I am more vain than I like to think I am!)

Me with the kids-my mom saw this and said where are your gloves?! Being a mom never ends-funny mom-love you!

Me and the Skwee (Analeigh's nickname) now you know why I wear makeup and bangs-don't look great without either.

Us-minus daddy and Alyssa-she didn't want to be cold.

Another shot-not in the sun so we could open our eyes.

Me and My Sweetie-cold and looking like he was going to rob a bank-that wind was cold. We had a great time though.

I did make Alyssa go out the second time around to play for at least 5 minutes so I could get photos of her so people would know she still lives with our family. lol

Alyssa and Me-changed coats-our second time out-my first coat was wet.

Trying to make her have fun-we almost both bit the snow!

I even went out to collect up some snow not yet trampled on or run through or anything else by some animal and we brought it in the house and made ice cream-that was really fun and easy-I had never done that with snow before-who knew!

Me trying to be Martha Stewart -collecting snow to make ice cream!

Here is the snow-nothing yellow or dirty-I was told by my family-lol

Derek eating his-yummy!

What is looked like after it was done.

All the apparel for 6 of us to go outside and play for about 20 minutes! lol

I must say it takes a lot of time to get all this stuff on 6 people and coming inside all wet-the aftermath is wet and messy-but it was worth it!
On this Pathway-
Jill

It is Well With My Soul - Brian Doerksen

2011-01-31T12:49:00.000-08:00

How Sweet and Unexpected!

2011-01-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

I was so surprised and excited to receive the "The Stylish and Trendy Blog Award" from a my sweet blogging friend Janet over @ Janet and Marvins Life. I just adore her blog-she is so filled with the love of Jesus and she just down to earth and so kind. She always leaves the sweetest comments on my blog. I always enjoy reading her blog and hearing from her on mine-she would be one I would nominate as well (but I didn't think she would want to do this all over again-(smile).)
Now, I really don't think my blog is that stylish or trendy (sometimes I can barely figure out what I am doing on here) but she was kind enough to nominate me and I was thrilled.

These are the Rules for accepting this award

1. Link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass it along to 7 other stylishly and trendy bloggers.

4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

Here are 7 things about myself.

1. I am blessed to be the mom of 4 beautiful kids.

2. I was born and raised in New York and now live in Texas!

3. I was a live in nanny when I was 18-21 in Philadelphia.

4. I became a Christian at the age of 15 even though I was always raised in the church-praise God that He allowed me to see the difference in knowing who God is and KNOWING God as very personal Savior.

5. I love Dr. Pepper-Dislike Peas immensely and could live on nothing but Chocolate.

6. I love reading Karen Kingsbury or Francine Rivers Novels.

7. One dream I always wanted was to be a Christian Singer-oh well, you can't have them all-I always wanted to be a wife and mom first and God gave me both of those.

The 7 bloggers that I pass this award on to are listed below in no particular order. Each one of these women have greatly impacted my life with their friendships. They all have wonderful blogs that make me want to seek to be a better Christian-to grow in my faith and to love my Lord with all my heart. I thank each one of them for their BLOGS full of encouragement, inspiration and blessings and their comments, prayers, and friendships since I have been blogging.

Congratulations!

Janette @ Janette's Sage

Kelly @ Loving lifes little moments

Karen @ my 3 clucklings

Barbie @ my freshly brewed life

Courtney @ storing up treasures

Stacy @ His way not mine

Bethany @ Confessions of a chosen one

Please stop over and see how you can be blessed by these ladies.

On this Pathway-

Jill

Josiah's Tribute Video

2011-01-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

This video is of a precious little angel (one of my best grade school and high school friends married into this sweet family) their precious Josiah went home to be with Jesus a year ago today-please keep them in your prayers today as they are still learning what a new normal is for their family. Days like today bring back a flood of memories. He was born with some very rare heart issues and was in the hospital for almost the first year of his life-he was able to come home for a three days-got ill and had to go back to the hospital. He never got to come home again.
Thank you for praying for them.
On this Pathway-
Jill

A photo a day-a little behind 1-11-11-1-15-11

2011-01-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

Our Texas State Flag-flying high in the air with the sunset behind it-we were at the top of a ferris wheel at Six Flags when I shot this.

Just a sweet shot of my kitty-he looked like I felt that day-worn out-wish I could have joined him in hanging over the edge of my bed asleep!

Silly squirrel-this is a stuffed animal of our dogs that is in the back yard for them to play with-it was bigger than the squirrel-but he grabbed a hold of it and drug it up the tree in our back yard. LOL

My sweet baby girl- modge podging the letter "A" for Analeigh all by herself, for her bedroom to hang her coat on.

A saying I really like that I saw somewhere that I decided to paint on one of the walls in my office in our house.

Analeigh with a mustache and beard- lol Girl after my own heart-she really enjoyed this bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup on it.

A Giveaway over at She Looketh Well-you don't want to miss it!

2011-01-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

Michele over at She Looketh Well is having a great giveaway-you must stop over there and check it out-join up to follow her and let her know you stopped by-and repost on your blog to be entered.
Great new book by Ann Voskamp-not even out yet. You must go see-you will be touched by her blog too.
I know I was.
Thanks-
Jill

My Business Website-It Is Finally Official-Open For Business

2011-01-19T06:59:00.000-08:00

Yeah-I am really excited this morning-after working for about 4 days (in between homeschooling, being a mom, going to Curves, cooking meals, washing clothes, cleaning the house, running errands, getting the boys from school, taking Alyssa to dance twice a week, church on Sundays and Wednesdays, lets see what else-lol) I have finally finished and published my website for "Simple Delights!" I am really excited and can't wait for you all to stop bye and see it some time soon.

I must say I have a new appreciation for people who design websites for a living-now, not knowing what I am really doing at all and having a husband who is a college professor and has started back to school from Christmas break so he wasn't around to help(even though he is a graphic designer-how he got out of this one I am not sure) might have a lot to do with it but it was a lot of work!!! I have been working on it for about 4 days now-downloading photos and writing up descriptions and trying to fit everything in on 6 pages, because I didn't want to pay more for more pages at this point-took some time to figure it out and how to lay it all out.
Whew! I may go back and change things up a little and add things and change things for each season and holiday but for now it is published and I am excited to finally have a website to put on my business cards and a place where people can go to purchase my lotion bars and lip balms, or special order items like my hymn pieces, children's skirts, washer necklaces, and bibs and silkies.
So, if you get a chance I would love for you to stop by"Simple Delights" and tell me what you think-and buy something if you want too. (smile)

On this Pathway-
Jill

Advertise on your blog and earn money doing it.

2011-01-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

I just recently signed up to advertise for a company called Chunky Bling on my blog. You can click here to check them out. You can see in my side bar that I have a button where their add is running. They give one of the highest commissions I have ever seen for advertising on your blog and their products are really cute.
They are looking for other blogs to advertise on. So this is your chance.... if you want to make a little money by advertising for a great company off of your blog...click here- you need to use the link provided to get started.
I get a little something for referring you and then you will get something when you refer people too.
Thanks!
Check out there new Mother's Bracelets-great for mom or grandma or aunt or sister or anyone else you might now that loves jewelry-they are on sale right now for $15.00 up to six birthstone pearls and they will do a total up to 12 birthstone charms ($2.00 for each extra pearl after 6.) I love it and plan on ordering one soon.

Check it out-lots of fun things on there.
Thanks
Jill

Interesting thoughts on "Blogging Cliques"

2011-01-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

I follow a blog http://www.firefliesandhummingbirds.net that had an interesting topic today-Do you think the blogging world has cliques too? She listed her thoughts comments and some from other bloggers on why she thought maybe this was true.

I found it interesting-mostly because if I am truthful there are times when I log on that I wish I had comments and I don't and I read other blogs I follow and see all the followers they have and all the comments and I wonder why I can't or don't I.

So yes if there is a blogging "clique" I know I am not in it, but the friends I have met from blogging are wonderful-the ones that have responded to my posts and have left the sweetest comments and heartfelt prayers- I am so blessed that I have met each of you, to call you my friends.
I started my blog as a way to journal my thoughts, our activities as a family, photos, daily things like that-mostly as a way for me to keep a scrapbook like journal for my our family and friends that live all over the the US that we have never lived near since we were have been married and had kids. So they were able to get on and read what we were up to and see how the kids have grown but also for making new friendships and seeing glimpses into other people's lives and know how they live and what they are like(has always been interesting to me.) So, I am thankful for the few followers I have and the friendships that I have made from them-there are so many of you I wish I could meet in person and someday maybe we will.
For now I will keep on blogging for me and for anyone else who might be interested in reading my blog.

PS-So glad to be out of Jr. High!

On this Pathway-
Jill

More photos to share 1-8-11-1-10-11

2011-01-10T17:32:00.000-08:00

Just the last few days in the life of the Joneses.

1-8-2011

I always say it is a zoo at our house-this proves it-lol! Our sweet Analeigh as my favorite animal a giraffe.

1-9-2011

Max loves to get on top of the TV in the living room and bat at things like he can get them-he does this to the arrow on the computer screen when ever I am on it too-He was loving the shade rolling up and down on Elmo-too much fun!

1-10-2011

I was so excited about this one-after Christmas I always try to get one really great deal on something that I would really like but that I won't pay the normal full price for since we have so many little ones to buy for at Christmas. So last year it was my snowmen plates-ceramic dinner plates with a snowman in the middle of them (which I collect) buy the time I got them they were like 95% off and I was able to get the 6 we needed for our table for 10 cents a plate!!!!

This was my bargain this year. I love nativities too and this one even has a light in the area where Mary and Joseph are being covered by and angel. I loved it-the simplicity of it-it is just really pretty-any guesses on the price? Well I will tell you cause I was so excited $4.99!! So I had to take a picture to show you my great deal for the day.

That's all there is-there isn't anymore (for today)

On this Pathway-

Jill

Photo a day 1-3-2011-1-7-2011

2011-01-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

As I was getting ready to do this post on my photo a day project-I realized I had a theme going this week with our pets I guess-they are pretty funny and pretty cute too and they stay still when I want to take their photos so maybe that is why. hehe

January 2-2011-yummy cookies that I made form a recipe from this site: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/the-chewy-recipe/index.html really worth trying!

January 4, 2011 My sweet kitty Max-so relaxed in my office on the futon. Wish I could sleep this hard and this relaxed!

January 5, 2011-My sweet, adorable Derek holding our super soft, cuddly Max-love this boy and the kitty is pretty cute too. (smile)

January 6, 2011 Another kitty one-both of our kitties Max and Angel peacefully existing together for a few minutes-of course on my futon-in my office-it's the hang out spot.

January 7, 2011 A new hymn piece I made today with one of my favorite hymns
"Because He Lives"
What is your favorite hymn and why?

A glimpse at some of my week through the lens of my camera-don't what that says about my life with all these cat photos-lol!

On this Pathway-

Jill