Pals

This story is called...

1 Kitten and A Baby

It all started when Arlo, the little orange kitten, was born under a barn. He longed for a warm safe home to call his own. Around that same time, a cute little baby named Glynis yearned for a play mate too. Someone closer to her size then the rest of her family. Arlo moved in with Glynis and they became instant friends.

They played together and worked side by side! So much to learn, so many ways to explore!

One night, very late after bedtime, a scary big brother came to menace them. But Arlo and Glynis weren't worried one bit. They had each other now!

To be continued....

My Heartbreaker

Here's the teenager that's been giving me a hard time recently. You've probably seen this video before. I love him so much and get so sad when he makes life harder on himself. Growing up can hurt. There are so many distractions and temptations especially in the year 2008.
God gave him this beautiful voice and I'm thankful to know that he uses his talents for God. Take a minute and listen to Cole again. The song is amazing and he picked it to sing at his high school. A public school! It's by Third Day.

I really need to post, but I can't post today, oh wait, that's what I'm doing...

Hi Everyone,
I feel terrible for not writing the last few days, but time has slipped away from me this week. I get on the computer every day and I've had time to check out some other blogs and my emails, but my brain has been too busy to write.
I just got home from the hospital where my Step-Dad had an angiogram this morning. That's the procedure where they stick a little camera up into your arteries and see if they are clear. And his of course, are not clear. He'll be looking to have a stint or regular surgery in the next week or so. We're talking carotid artery by the way. Lucky for us he has not had a stroke and this was caught in time. I'm so grateful to God for that.
Please pray for Tom! He is worried about his health, but even more so he has been struggling with some of life's hardest hits. He is in his early 70's and by the time you reach his age, you've seen a lot. Most recently, his son (my younger step-brother, Travis) passed away suddenly last December. It is still horribly painful for us all. He left behind a young daughter. And this is not the first child that Tom has lost. About 20 years ago, Tom's oldest son, Tony, passed away from ALS. Can you imagine the feeling of losing a child and then another?
I can't bear to even imagine it.
Anyway, that's it for my post. I suppose it's more of a prayer request and a reminder to go home and hug your children. Love your parents, kiss your husband and thank God for your life.
Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

My Super Designer Blog

I can't believe it's actually here! Lindsey is my hero. She's the cool chick that gave me a blog that totally says "ME." I just stumbled across her site one day and looked in awe at her reasonably priced and very beautiful web designs. And then some weeks later I stumbled across another site that was sponsoring a blog design give-away that just so happen to be Lindsey again by way of one of her clients! I told you it was fate...

With my mother's help, I came up with this theme from Psalm 84. Being a mommy and a servant of God, I can truly relate to this sweet, meek little bird nesting and raising her young near at God's altar.

After deciding on a theme I looked through thousands of pictures on http://www.istockphoto.com/. Weeded through them and finally picked the cute little bird that you see here. Learning much along the way. I so wish I had Lindsey's talent.
Lindsey did all the planning, vector image editing, and technical gob-el-d-gook (made up word.)
On the left side of my site you can find a link to her web page. Please check her out sometime. She's not only a web designer, but she and her husband are missionaries in Panama. (And they eat iguana in Panama, ewww.)

Now I must do my part and at least write some interesting posts now and then.
Please keep coming back. I love hearing from friends old and new. And you should think about starting a blog of your own. It's fun! And shamefully I feel a little pride knowing that someone actually gives a bird poop about what I have to say. Please forgive me for being a goofy little sparrow.

Are there dishes in your sink?

Am I the only mom in America with dishes in my sink? I think not...

Hubby just got a promotion which is wonderful, but he's on the evening shift now. I have to deal with sports, clubs, homework, dinner, baths, and tucking them in.

So tell me... is your house clean? Is the laundry piled up? Are your bills all paid and checkbook balanced? Have you sent out the birthday cards and made all the appointments that need to be made?

Join the club!

Brain Injury

This is by no means to make light of a serious injury that someone may have had. I'm just using "Brain Injury" as a metaphor for what I've experienced since having my 4th child. Or maybe the brain injury occurred before I had this 4th one and that's why I had another one. I don't know.
I just know that having 4 kids is insane. And if you have more than that you don't deserve a medal, you deserve a straight jacket. (I'm Kidding for goodness sakes, lighten up!)
But for real, my kids are the best thing that I ever did. I want to tell you about them...
My first son was born when I was 23 years old. He's 16 now. He's handsome, he's a wonderful musician and singer. He's intellectual and is a great conversationalist. He's helpful around the house. He's thoughtful when he's not being selfish and he's a great dresser, but his room is a mess.

Son number 2 was the sweetest little baby! He is 14 and getting taller every day. He's my quiet one. He resembles my side of the family more than his older brother. He's super smart and oh so Witty. He also is a musician, but he wouldn't sing if you paid him. He is my hugger, but he is sandwiched between 2 others so it's no wonder he gets a little irritable sometimes.

And on to son number 3. Even though he's not the baby in the family anymore, he's still my baby. He's gorgeous! Blond hair and big brown eyes. In kindergarten a little female friend of his told me that she wanted to marry him. He's going on 11 now. He's a leader and I look so forward to seeing what kind of man he turns into. Also a musician and aspiring singer. Being the social butterfly that he is, he has always had a little trouble with containing himself.

And lastly, my sweet little Glennie Minnie. I hadn't prepared myself for a 4th child until just recently after I remarried 5 years ago. And wasn't God good to give me a daughter! I so look forward to having a special bond with her. At age 1, she is much like her Daddy in looks and well as personality. She loves music and bops her head every time she hears a beat. She says, Momma, Kitty and Doggy. She blows kisses and makes our blended family complete.

Stay tuned

I'm working on coming up with a new web design and I think I'll be changing quite a bit.
I've been racking my brain to come up with something more relevant than "Randomness." I actually really have come to hate that title.
So I let my fingers do the walking through the Bible today to give me some inspiration. One verse that spoke to me was Psalms 84:3

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young-

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

There are several references to birds in the Bible. It brings to mind peace and beauty. I love to think of myself as that little sparrow, finding her place, building her nest and trusting in God. Makes me smile!

The woman who will be designing my page is also a devout Christian. I have a feeling that she'll be able to help me design around this image. Tell me what you think!

Goody Good for Me!!

Remember the contest I entered last week? I Won!!!
I just about wet my pants when I opened the email.
I guess it's my destiny. When I started this blog a few months ago, I thought for sure it would be something that would fall to the wayside within weeks. It's been quite time consuming just learning how to use the easy blogger.com editing tools. And then wondering if anyone is really reading my lame posts.
But as you see, I now have "2" followers (see over on the right side of the page.) Thank you Joan and Robin!
And to my local friends and family: I know you're popping on here now and again to see what is going on in my crazy household, but it sure would be nice if you'd leave a comment so I know you've been here! My own mother hasn't even done that!
So like I said, winning the blog make-over is all the proof I need. Bloggerhood is my destiny. This is only the beginning. It all started here, with my little "mommy blog," but who knows what greatness I will achieve.

With all that said...One of my bloggerhood buddies and Sister in Christ, Tarah, has "tagged" me. She has a beautiful sight called Eyelashes and Endzones. Check her out after you've finished with my post. And don't forget to leave some random thoughts on my site!

7 Random and/or Weird Facts about Leah

1. When I was a teenager, I had a humongous mole removed from inside my belly button.

2. My Dad called me Dumptruck when I was little and sometimes still does.

3. I use to be a bank teller "BK" (that stands for before kids.)

4. I also worked in a party supply store and sometimes I would inhale helium from a balloon and

call my friends. (I didn't know back then that it was harmful!)

5. On the eve of my first wedding (I'm remarried) I ran over a possum and killed it.

(I knew that marriage was doomed.)

Ok, something more up to date...

6. I absolutely adore chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream and I don't like to share it!

7. My current husband and I met in Disneyland when I was 16,

we went our separate ways and then years later, I found him on Classmates.com. It's such an amazing love story. I'm guessing Oprah will have us on soon. :)

And I'm tagging these other bloggers:

Keli - http://dreamimaginelive.blogspot.com/

Kim - http://www.kimheinecke.com/

Joan - http://moregodlessme.blogspot.com/

Jen - http://cheaperthantherapyjen.blogspot.com/

Robin - http://robinandolivia.blogspot.com/

Valerie Lynn - http://simply4god.blogspot.com/

Ok, so I only have 6, sue me!

A Teen & A Toddler

One of them is breaking my back and the other one is breaking my heart.

I would give anything to be able to just go poop by myself! (Sorry about the "graphicness" of my words there.) The baby is glued to me. Or should I say that I'm glued to her? I really can't get enough of her. She's like sugar! But I sure could use one morning to sleep in. Or at the very least, one night of peaceful sleep for at least 9 hours. Ahhh. I dream...

And this teenager of mine! Argh! Actually I have two of them, but at the moment I've only had the urge to strangle one. "Calgon Take Me Away!" (I remember my mom saying that when I was younger) Or better yet, "Carnival Cruise Line, Take Me Away!"

Thanks Marty

It doesn't happen often, but once in a while, someone takes time out of their busy day to share some encouraging words with someone else. And the God part of that, is that it happens exactly when it is needed!

I've been struggling this week with a teenage dilemma. I have good kids, but this is part of growing up. In fact, I am more than grateful for the relatively small troubles that I've been faced with thus far. Yet, here I am, heartbroken that my son hasn't discovered the importance of good grades. This kid is a sponge! He has talent beyond my dreams, but homework isn't fun and therefore does not merit his full attention. You can imagine my frustration and despair.

Here's where God stepped in today...
I received an email from my buddy "Marty." She jumped right in with the humor, empathy and encouragement. In just that order too! Write that down... humor, empathy and then encouragement.
Humor is sometimes a touchy matter. It may not be a good idea to start w/ humor in a more serious matter, but in this case it was absolutely a necessity. Empathy, not everyone can relate to each other's problems, so if that is the case then go with sympathy instead. And the most important of all is encouragement! God is our finest encourager, but we have this power also. I don't know why we don't share it with others more often. Take some time today to be an encouragement to someone else. It's as easy as sending an email, making a phone call or just smiling at a stranger!

Lastly, I just have to share the humorous part of the email that Marty sent me...
"I heard one time that raising teens is like being pecked to death by chickens."
Isn't Marty a hoot?! Thank you Marty!

quick funny

My neighbor is pregnant and Saturday was her due date, but she's being induced today! Yipee for her and her family!!
The quick funny...
I'm helping my 10 year old get ready for school this morning and I mentioned to him that little Baby Robert will be born today. He says "Oh yeah, what time are they endorsing him?"
teeheehee

Help with Blogging

I've been working so hard on this blog of mine, but does the design aspect of my page really work here? I think not. It's blue and green. Not even my favorite colors! Don't worry, I'll never lose that cute scrunchy face at the top. I just want something a little more "ME."
So there's this really cool contest on this really cool website and I'm posting this as an entry into the contest. The winner gets a blog makeover. Isn't that fantastic? You actually might get to see some pretty designs and some spiffy upgrades if I win.
Leave some comments below in support of my entry!!
Here's the link to the contest rules Blondereviews
And here's the designer's page Mommy Chronicles

Mommy Abuse

Glynis and I started our day with a little fun under the sheets. (I'm talking about my baby daughter here!)
She loves to play under the blankets. Basically she just sits there in awe and laughs. We make faces at each other and I flip the blankets over us and off again. It's just about the most fun you can have if you're a 1 year old. Apparently to make it even more fun, she thought she'd jump backwards right into my face! And do you know how hard a baby's head can be? They're not really soft all over... Check out my new fat lip. And don't worry, her lip is fine.

Back to the babies and kittens...

I'm in heaven!

Tell me, what were some of your favorite things when you were a little girl? Babies and Kittens, right?

They smell sweet (unless they just made a stinkie.)

They're soft and cuddly (unless they jump into your face when you're not looking.)

Their hugs are the most treasured prize (unless they've grabbed your hair by the fistful or clawed your arm till you bleed.)

Their silliness is so very amusing (unless they've just climbed your curtains or knocked over a vase.)

Heck, the pros most definitely outweight the cons.

And when you put them together.... like I said....Heaven!