Apron Giveaway Contest

I LOVE this....you must go check out her page and enter in the giveaway:)  I LOVE her pink one:)
Jen at 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven is giving away a Flirty Apron!

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Thankfulness and friends...some of them furry :)

Hello to all my friends:)  Thank you so much to all of you that have been checking in on me..either here or on Facebook.  I actually did alright with the epidural steroid shots.  I felt rough for the first couple of days..but after that I have gradually felt just a tiny bit better.  I also went to see a new doctor.  He goes to church with us and so I knew him and his wife.  I know his wife better because he isn't always there with her.  He is often at the hospital with patients.  He is very kind and took lots of extra time to answer all my questions and discuss everything with me.  He did want to know what happened with the other doctor which was awkard for me because I know that they are sort of friends...so I treaded gently with the subject and was as kind as I could be and sort of chalked it up to not clicking with each other.  My new doctor suggested another couple series of epidural steroid shots.  But he won't be sedating me..and that makes me extremely nervous.  He is giving me valium to take before I have it done.  He said after we do these then he will get me in with another doctor in the office that deals with neck pain and migraines.  He said he would probably give me injections in my neck. That also scares me to death...but I would love to have some relief.  I think the steroids have lowered my immune system even more than it already was.  I've had a sore throat, eye infection and ear ache all week.  The dizziness returned this week with a vengence and the headaches as well.  My Mom has been checking my blood sugar.  It has been higher than it should be.  At one point this week it was lower than it should have been.  I had felt bad all day and couldn't figure out why.  My Mom had me drink some orange juice and that seemed to have helped a little.  I was suppose to get my glucose and potassium checked again after 2 weeks which was last week and I forgot.  So I will be making a call to the doctor's office Monday to set up a time to do that.  
My Mother is doing very well from her surgery.  I couldn't be happier:):)  She was sent home from the hospital the very next afternoon.  She went in for a follow-up with the surgeon on Friday and he gave her an excellent report..:)
I am so relieved...more than I could possibly put in words.  
My friend Diana also had surgery..she had both knees done.  I have been keeping her in my prayers as well.  She is a brave lady:)  I'm glad she will be able to do all the things she wants to without pain, when she is all healed up and done recovering.  She doesn't live to terribly far from me.  Maybe when she feels better she can meet me at our mall and we can visit and shop..and maybe have a coffee or tea too:) Diana,  I am keeping you in my prayers.
I have been having daily prayer...(if we're able) with my sweet friend Shelley.  We are recieving such a blessing from praying for each other and everyone on our prayer lists...
My sweet Mother gave me this beautiful mug before she had her surgery.  With me not feeling well..it gave special meaning to me.  It isn't just beautiful on the outside.  It is beautiful on the inside too..

It reminded me to be thankful for all the little things that maybe I've been forgetting about.  I think sometimes..speaking for myself of course..that when we feel badly..we just sort of forget all the wonderful things that God does for us on a daily basis.  The pain medicine of course has made me groggy and not thinking well.  But now since I'm not as medicated I have no excuses.  So many things have been jumping out at me every time I take a sip out of my sweet coffee mug.  I have a wonderful family...I have a roof over my head...I have food on my table..I have the most wonderful friends that a person could ever ask for.  Old ones, new ones, even ones I have never met...  But each one of them are precious gifts from God.  For each kind word,  and each loving prayer, I thank all of you :)  I am SO grateful :):)

I'm especially grateful for these little furry gifts from God.....I've had lots of good days,  and lots of bad...

And on the bad days, these little guys are busy loving and caring for their Mommy....And yes, Teddy is is here and loved too...he just doesn't like laying up close to me like these two fur babies...He has more fur and doesn't get as cold as they do...

Aren't they just adorable?  They are like little heating pads.  I just love them so much.   My family has been really helping a lot too.  It is so hard having to realize that some things I just can't do.  And that I am just going to have to make adjustments depending on how I'm feeling each day.
I go back in to see my rheumatologist on Tuesday.  Next week will be a busy week for me.  I'm hoping it all goes well.  
I've made a new friend that is suffering with such similar health issues as I am.  It has been so helpful writing back and forth...she gives me some encouragement which I definately need.  Thank you so much Tabby :)  If you have fibromyalgia like I do...her blog is full of information and encouragement. I am so glad to have met her:)
That's all for now.  I'ts been a long day and I am ready to head to bed.....
I hope everyone has a wonderful and rested weekend..
1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (NIV)


With Love and Blessings,
Jerelene

Mothers, Flowers, Chickens, Maci, Health and Prayers

A lot has happened since I was on here last...I know that most of my friends see me on facebook too...but to be fair...I'll post on here too...and try to tell a little more than I did there. I started my morning today...off with a nice brunch of pancakes...I'm hoping today will be better as far as feeling better..than yesterday. Isn't it funny, how even at 43 yrs. old, that when you're sick..you still think and sort of want your Mother? I have found that I've always tended to be that way...strangely enough, even more so as I've gotten older. My Mother is such a dear lady, she was always..when she was younger and in better health...the dear one to invite visitors, or any of the people from our church...esp. the newest members... home for a lunch after church...sometimes keeping them there visiting and then playing board games and having pizza that evening. My Mother truly had the gift of hospitality. I don't see that in people as much these days. I guess because everyone is on such a strict budget? Or maybe they are so busy with their own families they feel overwhelmed at the aspect of company...I'm not sure which it is.. Church was always a pleasant time for me..even as a child. I feel like I learned so much more from all the time spent with the older people in the church. We didn't have the big youth groups that the churches have now. My time with the older people gave me insight into so many interesting and valuable information...(good information) that I would have never learned from young people my age. Sadly, I think the young people today...(which I hope I don't hurt any one's feelings) miss out on so much from being separated from the older people. They have such wisdom to share..it's a shame to miss out on it. :) Anyway, my dear Mother, will be having a surgery on her hernia next Friday..She is diabetic and always seems to have a hard time with things...so please remember her in your prayers if you could. This picture was taken quite a few yrs. ago..probably when my older kids were young.. She was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside...and still is :)

I know this picture was posted on my facebook..as well as the one at the bottom. But, as I've not been feeling well over this summer....my flowers have been a big blessings to me. They have given me great pleasure..either from the window or in a vase, jar or cup :) Roses, Hydrangeas and daisies of any kind are favorites to me...I do like my black-eyed susans too. I had a couple of rows of Zinnias last year, planted in the garden. The butterflies loved them and they looked beautiful brought in and put in a vase. I sure wish I'd been able to (I forgot) plant them this year. But I've made do with what I have...the chickens have kept me busy...so I didn't really have time to feel sorry about anything I didn't plant....except the giant pumpkins...I had promised Sam that I would (try) to plant some again this year...It didn't happen :( It is so exciting watching them grow from a tiny orange ball into a huge pumpkin..and they make such nice pictures...

One thing we did have plenty of was corn :) Every year Mark says..."I don't know...I think maybe we shouldn't plant the corn," then I say "Please!! Please!! " :):) I LOVE to watch it grow and see it blowing in the breeze...and the eating it part..isn't too bad either:)

The chickens have NOT been enjoying this heat...and no one...including myself...has been enjoying going out to feed and water them...on the days that we have had excessive heat warnings. It was brutal...I took frozen 2 liter bottles and big frozen blocks of ice out to them. I also put ice cubes in their water containers. I froze goodies that they could share from me and took it out to them..such as left over food that is edible for chickens...or tomatoes that fell off onto the ground. They LOVE left over spaghetti noodles!! I think they think it's worms :)

The barred rocks are almost the most friendly I would say...that's the black lacy looking ones. We have one of them that's named Bitsy...she was and is still...smaller (just a little) than the other ones...She kept getting hold of the camera strap...and then trying to pull it and run:) She made the funniest noises when she got hold of the strap..and looked so disappointed when I wouldn't let her have the camera :) They are funny...and so fun to watch :)
Maci is growing like a little weed :) She is crawling and pulling up! And...saying Momma like crazy. When Sarah is eating...she begs for her food...and screams when she won't or can't give it to her :) When that little girl smile....it just makes me melt...I just love her SO much. I hate it because I've not felt well...it seems...since she's been born. I didn't mean for that to happen..it just did:( I'm hoping that soon I'll feel better and be able to do more with than I have in the past. She has her Aunt Liz's smile...that big, beautiful smile:) Being a Grandma...is beyond words...It just MOVES you...totally...into wanting to be even a better person, Christian, woman, everything:)


I know I promised to tell you about what's been going on with my health...and got carried away with everything else...I had a sedated mri done of my neck...it showed quite a bit of degenerative disc disease just like the lumbar region...of course. And it also showed foraminal stenosis and foraminal encroachment in a few places. Disc osteophyte complex in a couple places..flattening of one of the dural sacs and dehydration of three of the interspaces? I'm not sure about some of the stuff on the paper...but, I do know that the foraminal stenosis and encroachment means that I most likely have some pinched nerves. The doctor just would not discuss the neck pain with me at all. He did an electromyography on me and huffed and puffed and sighed the whole time. I had taken Sam in with me...my in-laws drove me because I've not been driving much due to dizziness..High blood sugar and low potassium is what the lab work showed...that's another story. Anyway, the doctor evidentally was rolling his eyes at me quite a bit while doing the test too. I came home with a couple..(one was really bad) big bruises. He and I for whatever reason..were not clicking..I went ahead and had epidural steroid shots in my back on Wed. I was scared to death!! It actually went ok...he did not say one word to me before or after. So I got a call from my family doctor and he had sent notes back to them saying I have carpal tunnel in both wrists..one much worse than the other and that I needed to be referred in with a hand surgeon. The pain is radiating down from my neck into my shoulder, elbow and wrist and hands...still he would NOT address my neck. So I told the nurse at my family doctor's office what had been going on and asked to be sent to another doctor. There is one that I go to church with...I should have asked that to begin with...but didn't. So I go to see him next Friday. He loves God and is a very, very kind person. I am relieved...I still see the foot doctor at the other place..but he was very nice. He even said he thought I was having some major issues of radiculopathy...with my arms and legs...So I felt pretty rough after the epidural..esp. that night. Yesterday...I felt ok when I got up...then I think I did too much...was up too much and I was running a pretty good fever. I called after hours at the surgi-care where they did the procedure and the nurse was very nice..(all the nurses were incredibly nice before, during and after my procedure.) They said the fever could be due to the steroids putting my body into overdrive...trying to heal itself...or I could be getting infected..but to just take it easy...stay down(take it easy, which I seem to sometimes have a problem with :) and drink lots of cool fluids. My temp was down some when I got up this morning...I'm hoping it stays down..I am still sore, but they said it could take a while. So many people that I've talked to...have so many different outcomes with the epidurals...they either help...or they don't...But sadly pretty much all of them that had ruptured discs tell me that they all eventually had to have them fixed surgically. I'm praying that doesn't happen. But I've had this pain..in the lower back and neck for a couple of years...So, I'm trying hard to be optimistic and to put my faith in God. It's sometimes hard for us to do..or at least it can be for me..but I've been praying so much more than I ever have before...Not just for myself...myself at the least...but more so for my friends...(a couple in particular:) and my family...A dear friend so sweetly gave me the nicest little book...on arthritis..it is full wonderful, and promising Bible verses...I have been praying with these verses and have found them to be a blessings to me...

I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving Psalm 69:29-30

I am so thankful for all the wonderful friends that I have...even if I've never met you in person...The prayers are still just as important and the kindness that you bestow upon me still as precious....

The picture at the bottom I also posted on facebook..It's of my moonflowers...It's such a blessing how God even gave us such beautiful things that we could enjoy at night:)

I'll end with this...

And so, dear Christian friends, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:1-2

I have found the last verse to be very important to me these last couple of months...

That's all for now....May the love of Yahweh be a blessing in your life....

With Love and Hugs, Jerelene

Friends and Prayers

Hello to everyone!

It's been a while since I posted anything. The last time I was on I mentioned going to the doctor. The doctor said the x-rays that they took showed Degenerative Disc Disease and that I needed an MRI of the neck and lumbar. So, I went to have the mri's done and I freaked out in the machine. The tech that was doing the test wasn't very nice about it either. I managed to get the lower back done...all the while boo-hooing and crying and praying...I have been having a hard time walking and getting around so I just knew that I really needed to stay in there for that one. I was close to the opening on that one..so they were able to get that one finished. I had to be rescheduled for the one on my neck. They redid it last week with sedation. I have since then, found out from the nurse that I have spinal stenosis in my neck. I got the feeling that it might be pretty significant, but I don't know yet. I go back in to the orthopedic doctor Friday morning. From what I understand..the spinal stenosis is a progressive problem and doesn't go away on it's own. I think it usually progresses to the point that they have to operate, depending on how compressed your nerves are. This might explain the shoulder pain, the dropping things, and the numbness I've been having in my cheeks and lips.. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back with arthritis in the facet joints. The doctor has put me on oral steroids first to see if that gives me any relief...and I'm going to physical therapy. I think the steroids have helped a tiny bit. I am able to walk just a little while without my legs locking up at the hips...but if I do too much...then I start having trouble again. I'm just moving very slowly and awkwardly. The foot doctor gave me inserts for my shoes..I was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis. The inserts are suppose to help raise my left leg up to be even with the right and to help my feet not to be flat..He also gave me a steroid shot in my foot. That was CRAZY painful :( And to make that worse....my foot hurt worse for 2 days afterward. And it hasn't helped at all :( I went back yesterday and the foot doctor seems to think that some, or all, of the pain in my foot may be related to what's going on with my back and neck. He said he was going to speak with the orthopedic doctor about it...he looked at my mri results from both mri's...both doctors are in the same building so they can easily discuss things with each other........I am somewhat close to feeling slightly depressed about it all...I guess maybe I am actually depressed about it....When I push to do the things I want to do...it just backfires. My family has been pretty helpful to me. But, I still hate relying on everyone else to do things for me..

So, if you could...keep me in your prayers. I know I need to keep looking upward...and not downward (except of course to pray :)...but it is hard to not feel a little overwhelmed. I know that I have some of the most wonderful friends to pray for me...and I appreciate it SO much.

I had the nicest present come in the mail...just out of nowhere...and I had been thinking about this person...and I came home from church...and there was a box on the table!! It was full of goodies...

this person is just an angel to me :) It's been a couple of weeks ago..I just haven't felt like getting on..but this dear friend couldn't have picked a better time to think of me! The holy spirit must definately have led her to think of me...and I am so appreciative!! Marci..you are such an angel and a dear, dear friend!!! I love you bunches!! Thank you so much :):)

Then after all that...I was suffering with a kidney/bladder infection and a cold...and another dear friend who was recovering from surgery...sent me a huge and lovely fruit basket!! She is a dear sister from church who I just love dearly :) My camera has quit working for me :( So, I don't have a picture of the yummy fruit basket...But, just imagine...yummy grapes, bananas, apples, oranges and pears...Thank you so very, very much Shelley :):) I am over my cold and infection now..and I am grateful for that!

Even though I might not be feeling super...I am super blessed :) ...to have such wonderful and dear friends..

Speaking of friends....I have made a new friend from South Africa...Thandi :) I LOVE to meet new people :) You can meet her here :) Thandi, I am so glad that came here to visit me...I hope to get to know you better :)

Oh, yes....Marci, you were also so kind as to send treats for the furry babies...so here's a couple pics of them getting their presents...And Mickey was the first one to grab one :) Thanks!!!..from Teddy, Mickey and Peanut :)....(I just realized I don't have a pic of Peanut on the sidebar...note to self....I must add him!! :)

I am feeling just a tad better....but, lots of trouble sleeping and still hurting quite a bit. I have spasms really bad at night when I try to lay down :( I guess I'll find out more on Frid.....

One last thing.....Maci is crawling...really well!! In to everything!! And she is pulling up and standing...I don't think it will be long now and she'll be walking..She is SUCH a cutie!!

I will end with my very favorite verse from the Bible.

He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

With Love and Blessings and Hugs too.......Jerelene

Hot weather & Blessings

Hello to all my dear friends :) Boy, has it been HOT here! I hate when it is this hot and humid. I don't mind it being in the 80's; but when it is up in the 90's and very humid...it is miserable:(

I have been keeping myself busy with the our chickens. I just LOVE it!! I don't even mind cleaning up after them....Yeah, ask me in a couple months and I might not be as thrilled. But, for now...I am loving the feeling of farm life :)

Our garden is suffering from all this heat. Poor Mark has been watering things. But the heat is quite hard on new little plants. I am hoping we get some rain soon. We had big storms come through last weekend...but all we got was a few sprinkles. You would think after ALL the rain that we had in the spring..that I wouldn't be asking, or hoping for rain. But now that it's so hot..we need it desperately. I'll just keep praying that God will bless our garden.

I started a new prayer book & journal with the other ladies at church. We pick partners, and then each of us prayer for each other, our families, and specific people that God has touched our hearts to pray for. I feel like this is such a blessing for me..It has brought new friendship to me that I was definitely needing. It is so nice to have someone call everyday and for us to pray together. It has really helped my prayer life. The book talks about asking for the baptism of the holy spirit daily. That the holy spirit will help us to be able to pray better and to want to live in a closer walk with God. I am SO thrilled about this!! It has been a new experience for me to pray in front of someone else...that was something I had never done..and frankly was a little nervous about. But, since we've started. I feel like God has blessed me and helped me to be able to pray in front of others...and not be so nervous about it..:)

The book is called 40 days...Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming...by Dennis Smith. It has honestly changed my life for the better :)

I also just started reading the book called...Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler. So far it is a wonderful read and I am enjoying it (as often as I can :)

I suffered from a horrible migraine last week. I woke up Friday morning with a horrible headache starting. I still had it on Monday...so I ended up going to the doctor. They give me a shot which finally brought me some relief. They also gave me some pills to keep on hand if another one was to start. I honestly think that the heat had a lot to do with it. On top of the headache...I have been still suffering with some back issues...neck, lower back and hips. After my last visit with the rheumatologist..he ordered some x-rays of my lower back and hips. He suggested that I try to keep moving around. Well, I think maybe I did too much! My heel and foot that I've not had trouble with in a long time...started hurting me...really bad :( I was diagnosed with plantar faciitis a long time ago. Any time I get up and do too much, it will start giving me troubles. The doctors office said that it could me a bone spur too so, they made appointments with a podiatrist and orthopedics doctors..in the same building for later this month. When I was a teenager I saw an orthopedics doctor because of curvatures and one of my legs being shorter than the other...So I am anxious to see what they say. I wonder if one of my legs are still shorter and giving me troubles? It was bad enough..having trouble moving my hips..and then add in that I can hardly walk on my left foot. I love to (try) to get out and help in the garden and mess with my flowers and roses..so, this has been a hard thing to accept. I am just praying and hoping that God will give me some relief..or heal me from feeling the way that I am :)

On a more happy note, my sweet little chickens...really are sweet! They jumped on Mark when he went out to put them up for the night. They are nice little hens :) We all thought this was hilarious :) They do it to me too...but not like they do to Mark...

Sam really likes them too :)

I'll end my post with a beautiful Bible verse...

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" _Eph. 1:17-19

May Yahweh bless you abundantly and fill your hearts with love :)

Love and Hugs.......

Jerelene

PS...Be sure to scroll down and visit some of MY friends....

You'll love them too!!

A beautiful day!

It's a beautiful day here :) The windows are open and a gentle breeze is blowing in. Just had to start off with a cute picture of Peanut lounging around :) He enjoys a nice day too! High temp. of 82 and lots of sunshine. I am so very glad that it is NOT raining!

Maci is recovering well from her pneumonia. She is still a bit of a fussy girl..but, I think that may be from teething (she has 2 bottom teeth)and she may also be a bit spoiled:)

Mark has finally been able to get back out into the garden. It was just TOO wet for a good while with all the rain we've had. The tiller had quit on him as well, and so he's got it fixed now and going. The boys helped him get the corn planted..and finally the beans and cucumbers too. I'm a little aggravated with him. I had a row of Black-Eyed Susan's that I had planted last year. I told him I would transplant them...and he didn't wait. He tilled them down....Man, was I mad..Or should I say, disenchanted:)

Every time I make a promise to be back and blog...life steps in and says no :) I just haven't been able to find the extra time with Maci here..to actually sit and write, much less upload pictures...which on my dinosaur computer...takes forever. I LOVE blogging..and I think it is actually good for me. I especially LOVE all my friends in the village :) Even though I don't comment...I do check in on you when I can...Love and hugs to each one of you!

There has been so much going on. Sam had his first cello recital last weekend. He did a WONDERFUL job!! I am so proud of him. He is coming along nicely. It is a pleasure just listening to him practice:)

My chickens...all 12 of them are getting so big!


The are 4 to 5 weeks old now. My Isa Browns were a little older than the others...they're the ones that I think are closer to 5 wks. old. I think Mark and Sam are probably going to be working on the coup and pen this weekend. I feel so blessed to have chickens. It is something I've wanted to do for a long time. It has been a wonderful learning experience for Sam as well. It's amazing, but they seem to grow overnight.

I learned this week, that one of my dearest friends is moving to another state. I am happy for her, but sad as well. Her husband had lost his job and has now found another wonderful opportunity somewhere else. She started in the homeschool co-op that Sam attends, at the same time as we did. It just wouldn't...and won't, be the same without her. Sam has made a very sweet friend in her son as well. I know he is very sad about it too. She is one of the most thoughtful, sensitive and caring, and loving people I' ve ever met. I am so blessed to have been able to get to know her and be her friend in the time that she has been here...Tamara...you will be greatly missed...Love and hugs dear friend :)

Health wise, I am feeling better. All the iron-infusions seemed to have helped. I mentally esp., seem much clearer and stronger. Physically I still have a few hurdles to go. The fibromyalgia and arthritis often leave me feeling weak and very achy. My neck and lower back have been the biggest struggles. The medicines have helped everything but my lower back and hips. There are many days when I struggle just to walk around..and lift and carrying Maci, is extremely hard for me. I know in my heart...even though the doctor hasn't come right out and said anything; that I need to lose weight too. I would love to start walking...if my lower back and hips would just cooperate :) I go back in next Wednesday to the rheumatologist. I guess I'll try to question him some more about the back issues.

We are getting ready to partially finish up for this school year. He has some science and math that he is going to continue to work on over the summer. With Sarah having the baby, and me having had surgery...he still has to finish some of his Math. The science is just to encourage him to read and learn something fun over the summer. I am probably going to have him do the summer reading program at the library.

I had the nicest day yesterday. One of my neighbors from across the street came over and told me she had something to give me. I told her I'd be over as soon as I got done helping Sam with schoolwork. I went over and she had a beautiful teapot for me. I just LOVE it! While there her husband said, "Well, if you like that one, I've got another one you can have too!" She had given me a gorgeous black with speckles teapot. The spout has a little bird..looks like a chicken:) He then brought out a cow teapot. Her eyes are faded off (I think I can get my oldest daughter, Elizabeth to put some back on for me) but she is adorable. She has a cowbell and a tail!!


What a nice gesture and it made my day!! Then to top it off...the neighbor next door to them, gave me 2 of these beautiful and huge yellow roses! They really are huge and they smell heavenly!! It was his 70th birthday yesterday(the neighbor) and my youngest daughter Sarah (Maci's Mom) turned 19 as well :) Happy Birthday (yesterday :) to Sarah! She was a big girl when she was born 9 lbs. 9 oz. Wow, how time flies!

It was a nice day for birthdays and I am so glad that that my sweet neighbors thought kindly of me and made my day special as well:)

This verse just sort of jumped out at me, and so I thought that it would be a nice way to end my post. Much Love and Hugs too, from me to you :) Jerelene

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

Wow...if it rains much more I think we're going to have to get a boat. We have had so much rain and severe storms...I am sick of it :( The dogs hate going out in the rain to go potty too! As I sit here and type it is thundering and lightning again :(

I did lose my little chick that was sick..I felt so bad..but there wasn't anything I could do for her. It's amazing to see how quickly they grow...overnight it seems. Sam has already picked one out as his own. It's one of the Isa Browns. It's a little darker than the others and easy to tell apart. He named her Brach. I guess you could spell it Brock..but that sounds more like a boy name. I'm just hoping that it's not a him :)

I've been getting iron infusions to help with my anemia. I think it has definately helped some. I am feeling a little more clear minded. I'm still tired though. The rheumatologist has checked my blood levels and I'm waiting to hear back if I need more iron infusions. I have fibromyalgia so my tiredness may well be because of that. My back has been what's really bothering me. I am hoping it lets up. When (and if ever) it quits raining..I am wanting to take Sam and Maci for walks every day. Maci is sure growing! Just like those cute little chicks...cute little Maci is getting bigger every day too! She sure loves the dogs! They are entertainment for her :) Now that her hand and eye coordination are improving she's able to reach out and grab things. Including her Grandpa's moustache..She reaches for the dogs too..they are her favorite thing to go after.

Homeschooling with a baby in the house is quite interesting. Especially when they are fussy! There's a lot of this going on at my house..So naturally when I have moments like this...they are to treasure. I thought the view from my lap was quite lovely :) If you notice, the dogs (babysitters) are all sleeping too. Even Teddy in the background...Ahh...the sound of silence :) Speaking of Teddy...he is getting his haircut today. He's needed it for a while..and I can't wait to see how cute he looks! I guess that's about if for now..

I want to end this with a wonderful quote I found on a friend's facebook page...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. there is nothing enlightnened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."-Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural address. Written by Maryanne Williamson

Until next time, With Love and Blessings, Jerelene

Babies :)

Today we did something we've wanted to do for a LONG time :) We got some chickens :) Yay!!!

Sam is very excited about it. We got a few different kinds..4 Rhode Island Reds, 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Brahma's and 3 Isa Browns..We might get a couple more..I want to see how we do with these :) One of our Reds is kind of sickly looking..I hope she doesn't die..I guess this will be a definite learning experience for us.

We've been having to be creative with getting our school work done with Maci here. She's been a fussy little girl...busy cutting teeth. Sam is reading "Our Island Story" for History. He's also doing a Progeny Press literature study guide on "Redwall." We just finished our latest read aloud, "The Door in the Wall." It was a good book. We are now moving on to "Swiss Family Robinson." Along with it he will be study Oceans and Sea Creatures. He is looking forward to it. He is studying about the platypus right now. It was something he wanted to learn about just for fun!

Our garden has been started..but it's been storming and raining so much that we haven't really been able to get as many things out there as we would like. I say we...but Mark is the one doing it :) I'm busy being a busy Grandma :) Miss Maci is growing like a little weed :) She is 5 1/2 months now..And her Grandma loves her SO much!! In case you can't tell.

I guess I'll end it here for now... I do hope everyone is doing well and that God's blessings are showering down on you :)

Until next time...(Hopefully soon:)

Jerelene

A give-away at Weather Vane :)

So the snow that was suppose to be just some flurries, turned out to be 1 1/2 to 2 inches here :) The local weathermen were not expecting us to get any measurable snow at all. When I saw it coming on the radar..I thought that they were going to be wrong...and they were wrong! At first they had the local schools on a 2 hr. delay. Around 6:30-7:00 they announced they were cancelling. The kids around here are getting lots of snowdays ;) Except for us..

We have been consistently having some snow just about every week. I think they are calling for some more next Monday too.

We are having some meatballs that I made from a recipe on our corn-flake cereal box. They sound yummy so we shall find out in a couple of hours if they are indeed delicious. I think we're going to have some mac-n-cheese and some broccoli with it. Possibly some rice-krispie treats for dessert :) If the meatballs turn out to be yummy I will share the recipe!

A new friend is having a give-away. It is an adorable hen spoon holder. Her name is Rae. She has a lovely blog and you should go check it out! Go to weather vane and drop by for a visit!The snowmen floral arrangement was a gift from our church to me when I had my hysterectomy. Even though it is sort of Christmasy..I love snowmen and they stay out for a while after Christmas at my house :) It's a short post for now as Sarah and Maci are here. Mark is feeling better, but Sam is still not 100% better. He's just been laying around a lot. We did a little Math and he watched a series on Ancient Rome on You tube with Mark. I'll do some read alouds later. Off to finish supper! ~HUGS~

With Love, Jerelene

Hot chocolate, a poem and a prayer :)

It's been a cold weekend here. Sam is still feeling under the weather and Mark has started feeling a lot worse today. I think he is going in to work tonight and checking things out, and then coming back home.. The terrible cold and snowy, damp weather we've been having is not helping at all. It makes you want to stay in and settle down with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.
Sam likes his hot chocolate with a candy cane it it!! It's very soothing when you have a sore throat :)

I spent some time cuddled up in my quilt doing some knitting this afternoon. We watched "Despicable Me" this weekend. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but I did! In the end the "bad" main character turned out to not be so bad after all :) I'm a sucker for a happy ending :)

A few days ago I ran across a great poem on a new friends blog. Her name is Anita and she has a lovely blog... I am so glad to have her as a new friend:) I of course had to ask her if I could use the poem here...and she said yes! Please check her blog out..I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I do...Busy Hands Busy Mind :)

As many of you know, I do a lot of reading aloud to Sam, due to his Tourettes. So, naturally this poem hit a soft spot in my heart. I immediately thought of another friend,..Lori...who's son suffers from Tourettes as well..You can meet her at her blog here...Jehovah Jireh Dwells Here..

So here is the poem...I loved it and hope you do too! Thanks Anita for sharing :)

When Mother Reads Aloud

Anonymous

When Mother reads aloud, the past

Seems real as every day;

I hear the tramp of armies vast,

I see the spears and lances cast,

I join the trilling fray;

Brave knights and ladies fair and proud

I meet when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, far lands

Seem very near and true;

I cross the desert's gleaming sands,

Or hunt the jungle's prowling bands,

Or sail the ocean blue.

Far heights, whose peaks the cold mists shroud,

I scale, when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, I long

for noble deeds to do--

To help the right, redress the wrong;

It seems so easy to be strong,

So simple to be true.

Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd

My eyes, when Mother reads aloud.

I had the pleasure of babysitting sweet little Maci this weekend. I've already posted some pics of her on my facebook page..But, I couldn't resist putting one on here too!
She is really growing. It seems like time passes so much faster when we get older. I remember as a child waiting on birthdays, Christmas, summer break..it seemed that time was so slow! Now I feel like I'm on a snowball and it's rolling down the hill at 100 mph :)

On a not so happy note, I found out this weekend about a homeschool family that's children were taken away from them...SO sad! I thought I would post a link and that maybe everyone could keep them in their prayers. It's always sad to hear about families being split up..the poor children :( Please if you could, ask other friends and families that you know to pray for them too!

Here is the link http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=253365

I know I've shared here that I've been dealing with a lot of heartache this last year. My wonderful new family doctor suggested that I read a book called "Life's Healing Choices" by John Baker. I started on it before I had my hysterectomy, then I felt like I couldn't get BACK into it..I think I found some of the personal stories of others' trials and heartaches to be too much for me. So, I am going to make an earnest attempt to finish it..even if it means scimming over some of the testimonies. One of the first things in the book is a prayer to pray...I thought I would share it here. The book deals with helping us (through God) to get over life's hurts, hang-up, and bad habit..Of putting God in charge...REALLY in charge of our lives....

Dear God, please help me not to ignore this pain You are using to alert me to my need for help. In the past, as I've ignored the denial busters You've allowed in my life, I have actually refused Your help. I am so sorry for this and ask Your help in facing the truth and trusting You to care for me. You know and care about all the pain and hurt I have in my life. Today I need Your help. I can't do it on my own. I have tried, and I keep coming up empty.

First, I pray for Your power in my life. I need Your power to break habits I can't break. I need Your power to help me to do the things that I know are right but can't seem to do on my own. I need Your power to break free from my past. I ask for Your power to get on with the plans You have for my life.

Next, I pray for love. I want real love. I want to be able to love people and have them love me. I pray that with Your love I can let go of past hurts and failures so I can tear down the walls of fake intimacy. God, I ask You to help me have genuine intimacy with You and others. Help me not be afraid of really loving and of really being loved.

I also pray for real self-control. I realize that I'm really not in control until I allow Christ to be in control of my life and circumstances.

God, please grant me Your power, love, and self-control. Help me to continue making healing choices. Amen.

I'm sorry for such a long post, but I felt moved to share that prayer...I think the control issue is probably a struggle for most of us. Really giving in and letting God control everything..that can be SO hard to do.

I better go for now. Since Mark has been working 3rd shift, it's been a struggle for me to not follow in being up at night. He calls me on his breaks and so then I'm up at night:( I feel like I can't tell him not to call. He is the only person there at the school at night..so I'm sure he gets tired and lonely..So, when he calls...I talk ;) What's a wife to do? I think he's being protective too..calling and checking up on us, to make sure we're safe here :)

I hope your weekend was a happy one and that the week starting will be happy and blessed as well.....Love and Hugs, Jerelene

PS...I always find it funny that spellcheck tells me that I'm mispelling my name :) HUGS

Books, Boots and Baby Maci

It snowed today! We got almost 3 inches here at my house. The public school kids were out today and will be out tomorrow as well. School has been kind of slow around here this week. I have been fighting a sore throat and temp. and now Sam and Mark have it too. The Doctor started me on an antibiotic yesterday. Sam will have to go to the Doctor too if he doesn't get any better by Monday. He is running a pretty good fever tonight. We've still been doing some school work, such as Math and some reading. I've been taking advantage of Netflix and You tube with watching movies on Ancient Rome and on Earthquakes and Volcanoes. When you aren't feeling well it is SO nice to be able to just relax and watch some movies. This is my current read...I am really enjoying it. I love it when I can find a book that goes along with what we are learning in the school work. This book is part of a series. I think I'll be reading more of them. It is a very interesting book.
Sam's current read aloud (read together :) is the Bronze Bow. We just started it, but I can tell it is going to be really good!! This is part of the stack of 11 books that came home from the library with us this week. We are studying Ancient Rome, Geology and Rocks and Minerals, Handel and the Messiah. We have been working hard on our Greek and Latin roots as well. I like to have Sam act as the teacher and test me on them. It's fun for him to play the teacher. And he's learning along without as much stress. I'm learning too...he thinks it funny when I miss them :)

Sam is currently reading this book as well. It is not on Ancient Rome. But he's been showing a lot of interest in learning about Hitler, and so this book was perfect. Especially being that it takes place in the winter. We will be learning about modern American History from the Civil War on..next year.
In our free time Sam has been having fun playing on his new X-box that he got for Christmas. The dogs are enjoying cuddling up with him to stay warm. They are constantly snuggled up with someone. Especially Mickey. He is ALWAYS cold :)
So, as some of you know..my favorite color is purple. It has always been my favorite. Through the years I acquired more favorites as well, but purple still has a special place in my heart. It's my birthstone too, so maybe that is part of it. When I was a little girl, I even had purple carpet in my bedroom!! Well, the point to this is..my Mom got me some boots as an early birthday present for me. (My birthday isn't until Feb. 12.) The boots are PURPLE!!! I was thinking that maybe I'm too old for such cute boots...but I had to wear them to the doctors office and try them out :)...and the nurse practioner and nurses all really liked them. They are a bit more of a heel than I am use to. But, they did grow on me after I wore them around. I originally thought that I would give them to my oldest daughter Elizabeth; being that she has her birthday after mine. But then I changed my mind. I think she was really disappointed. Especially after she tried them on :) Now I just need a purple handbag to match! She is such a pretty young lady. I think she is hoping that I will change my mind!! Here is a picture of Lovely Liz wearing my purple boots :)Maci is doing well except for her eyes. She is on her 3rd round of eye drops. Both eyes keep giving her trouble. I suspect if the newest drops don't work that they will be sending her to a specialist. My oldest had a clogged tear duct, but only in one eye. It got better after a LOT of eye drops and a lot of massaging it. Maci is over 10 lbs now. She is such a cutie. Her Aunt Liz just loves her SO much. It is obvious in the way she looks at her little niece. I think Maci loves Aunt Liz too!! What do you think?
I'm going to end this post with my favorite Bible verse. Sam is currently memorizing it and using it for copywork. I hope that everyone is staying warm and safe and that God's Love and Blessings are with you and your family :)
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40: 29-31
With Love and Hugs, Jerelene

Happy 2011!!

Hello! After a long absence I have finally returned :) 2010 proved to be a very eventful year for my family. Including a new member to our family. Little Maci Evonne Postin was born Nov.10, 2010. She weighed 5 lbs. 2 oz. and was 17 3/4 inches long. She was born a month early..but, came out healthy, only needing to be given oxygen and monitored for a short period. We were so happy that she didn't need to go to the NICU. Although, she wasn't born into the perfect family situation..(Sarah and Maci's Daddy aren't married,) we still LOVE her dearly and pray that things will work out for the best given the situation. Trever (Maci's Dad) was in the delivery room and watched her being born. He has been doing pretty good at helping take care of her.
She is growing like a little weed and has quickly made up for being early. She is now weighing about 9 1/2 lbs. :) All I can say...is that being a Grandma is heavenly!!
Little Angel... Just a couple hrs. after she was born....

She had her days and nights mixed up...but, she's doing a little better now. She wears her Mommy out :)

Growing SO quickly:)
On December 13, I had a hysterectomy. I have been so sick for so long...so, this was a GOOD thing. I am finally feeling a little better and seem to be less tired and moving around a little better every day. I go back to the Doctor to check in on Tuesday. It is SO hard not to do what you aren't suppose to do :) I did learn quickly that the bending over didn't feel so good....I tried not to do that very much. I also had a swollen belly up until about a week ago. Now I am hoping that the severe anemia issue may hopefully get better for me. I won't know for sure if my blood count is up until they check it again. I am hoping they do that pretty soon. If it doesn't get better, they may refer me to a blood specialist or to a rheumatologist. I have trouble with arthritis and hurting everywhere. My family doctor has done some tests in the office and seems to think I definately have fibromyalgia too. She has give me medicine for that too. So, hopefully I am on the mend for 2011. I am SO ready to feel better :)

The last time I posted...we had a new puppy at the house. Peanut....Well, he is still here with us and Mickey finally adjusted and they get along pretty good. They even cuddle up together. They do have little spats over the toys once in a while..but all in all, they are buds. Teddy even joins in on the fun sometimes :) Peanut likes to watch out the window for birds and kitties too!

Sam is doing pretty good too. We had a really rough fall with his Tourettes. It was probably the worst that he's ever been. We literally had to take about 3 weeks off from school. He had a cat-scan done on his brain, and then started on some new medicine. It seemed like it had been helping a little to begin with but, now it seems his tics may be coming on stronger. He is suppose to see a new doctor here in town the first of February. It will be a regular Neurologist, not a Pediatric Neurologist this time. Since he is 13 now, I figured we could possibly go in that direction now. Plus, this doctor is much closer by...not an 1 1/2 hrs. away. School work is sometimes a challenge. He has a biting tic..which makes him have to bite things when he is reading. When he is writing he has to beat the pencil over and over...so things take a while to get done. In comparison to the terrible tic he was having in the fall...this is somewhat better. He had a terrible tic where he had to pull his head down forward into his chest as hard as he could..over and over. It was to the point that he couldn't talk, and hardly breathe. It was really serious. His vocal tics are still there too. It's really hard to watch as a parent. And still, so many people don't realize what Tourettes really is. I pray that someday there might be a cure. Until then, I guess awareness is SO important. I know God is in control...but sometimes it is hard. I am going to make an effort to post at least once a week. That was my New Year resolution ;)I have been suffering with depression and just couldn't seem to find it in me to post. My family doctor...who is a really super sweet lady, recommended that I read "Life's Healing Choices, " by John Baker. I am taking something for the depression as well. I just couldn't seem to get out of dark hole I seemed to have been in. I seem to be doing a little better. Just the fact that I've been able to sit and put this together is amazing :)

Please keep my family in your prayers. My oldest son has still been having troubles and got himself into some pretty big trouble. He could really use some HUGE prayers as well.

Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting,) but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. II Corinthians 4:18

And he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Hoping each and every one of you are doing well and that your new year is off to a beautiful and blessed start! With Much Love, Jerelene