The crew! It is very hard to get them to sit still or even this close together for very long at a time... The girls with Jack riding Molly...

Fun with bubble wrap..Paul had tons of it from work so we have been playing on it on rainy or too cold days..

Jason plays in the Bubble wrap too..he just cant stand it for very long periods of time....

My babies. and yes Alaina almost always has that look on her face..especially when she dont get her way..and Kylie is always that bossy..lol

My baby boy riding molly mule (our uncle Kermits old mule.) with Jesse and Jack helping...He loves horses..I am just too afraid to let him on the bigger ones...I'll take some pics of them in a couple of weekends and you'll see why..lol

I dont think I ever got to share pictures of Kylies Birthday so here are some of that.


Praying over her cupcakes..:)

The Cupcakes

Jason had fun tearing up the bags and stuff....
Alaina opening a puzzle with PaPa and KK on the side..

Kylie and her Granny...This Granny has more fun with them. She is such a big kid...Love Ya Mom...

And that is my pictures for now...I have more I need to get loaded on the computer...but I am haveing lots of other things to do for now...

Many Blessings

Crystal

What I've been up to..

This is what I have been up to...Paul took Alaina hunting tonight and so I have been playing Life with Kylie. Jason has been watching and throwing things at the board..lol. But we have been having fun and relaxing.

Blessings
Crystal

Thoughts

Some thoughts that are going round in my head after my awful...awful...and yes I will say it again....awful day...It really was.

*** My day is not as bad as some peoples. Some people dont have the blessings that I have, some women, dont have the wonderful husband that I do coming home to them at night. I am very blessed.

**** I could have made my day better, I just didnt put the energy into it. I should have...

**** Next time my DR. PEPPER gets spilled, I will take it as a sign from God that I dont need it and go exercise instead of getting upset over spilled "milk".

*** I am having an okay night, my kitten is still alive (had a scary night last night), my kids are being have now, my hubby is home and is so sweet, Jack helped me cook supper so that I wasnt so stressed about that. And I got another DR.PEPPER (see told ya my hubby is sweet)...

***** When I went to the grocery store to get wic, I seen a lady that works there who had a baby in Sept. Her baby is fine, she is back to work, and Jason was happy because he got to see his Peggy...lol.

*** I love the smell of the heaters...It is so comforting and as cold as it is going to get tonight, they are going to be going all night.

*** I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and walls that keep me mostly warm. It is a trailer so it is kinda drafty but hey, I am not homeless and that is a blessing. I feel like I should do something to help them.

**** I have a whole lot of stuff for a yard sale. But I dont like Yard Sales and I get grouchy when I have to have one. I dont mind going to them and shopping, I just dont like having them. So I think I will take all my stuff to a Women in Crisis Center nearby....or ask my Cop Neighbor if He knows anyone who can use it. He works with a lot of homeless and less fortunate people.

***I am glad that I have a cop for a neighbor who is so nice and helpful. If Paul has to go on the road working, It will be very nice to have him close (plus he just went on full disability reserve so he is home now most of the time....instead of out patroling...)

***** I am glad to have Jack here. He is a big help and if Paul goes out on the road, he will be here to help and between him and the cop, I dont feel so scared...(we have some not so good neighbors too...)

****The sound of silence in my house as everyone settles in for the night. The kitten even sleeps all night.

*** And last but not least, I have been struggling here lately with something that I could do to help make money and take some of the burden away from Paul. I have come up with ideas and dreams of going back to college and getting my nursing or pshycology degree (to be a Christian Counselor) but both things require time away from my family that I am not willing to spend just to make a dime...I have prayed about this, gotten angry because I cant do it, gotten mad at my kids because if they werent here, I could do it...or if I put them in school thenI could do it. I have struggled so much with this. Well, Sunday, Paul gave a lesson on Attitude and what our attitude is about what God has given us...Well, it was a lesson packed full of wisdom on several things but what hit me on the head was that I was given a job by God...to be a keeper at Home...to put my heart and soul into being a Godly wife and mother and to teach my kids and to be there for my husband. If HE wanted me to do any other job, HE would have put a way for me to do it. If HE wants me to ever do another job, HE will pave the way. There is no way if I had a job outside the home that I could give this home and my family 100%. My home would turn into just another house...... I make this house a home by having it ready for my family all the time, it is ready for my kids when they get up in the morning, it is ready for my husband when he comes home at night, it is something that we can be a family in...

So I am opening my heart to Gods will and learning to be happy with the lot that I was cast. It isnt what I had planned but it is what I have and what I am. And if I might say so, the hugs and kisses make it worth it.

Oh yeah...and when I was asking what the girls wanted to dress up as for Halloween( we dont do scary costumes...) Alaina wanted to be a princess cause she is fascinated with princesses here lately...and Kylie, well, Kylie being herself, shocked me again as usual..She wants to be a mommy because mommy's are the best..... (tears...tears...). She knows how to pull at this mommas heart...

goodnight to all...and many blessings your way.

Crystal

Update on the babies...

Here is an update on Brittany's babies....if you dont know what I am talking about, please read the previous post.

The first baby is named Justin, and the second one is named Richard. Richard is the one that is in Little Rock.

When Justin was born, the placenta tore which cause Richard to be without oxygen for 2-3 minutes...until he was born. In turn, his brain temp got too warm (did you know that the blood in our brain is at least 2 degrees cooler than our body..? Interesting info...). Then because of storms, the medivac flight pilots did not want to fly so Richard did not get to Little Rock in the 6 hrs after his birth that they consider the most optimum time for treatment...instead he got there 12 hrs after. So that added a complication.

They have a thingy ( I dont know what it is called) on him cooling his brain temperature down and on Saturday, they will try to take it off. If his body regulates his brain temperature, then they will do brain scans to see how much damage if any is done. They are predicting some but dont know how much. If he cant regulate his temperature, then the thingy stays on for another few days.

Please keep praying as we all know the power of God. We all know that this baby can be healed. Please pray for little Richard. Please pray for Justin he is crying without his womb mate, and please pray for Brittany and her boyfriend Justin as they go through this together...I am praising him today because he hasnt left her side through any of this. He is going to be an amazing daddy... Please Please Pray!

Blessings
Crystal

ps....I guess I should explain that I feel so involved because this is Jacks little sister that I have know for going on 6 yrs now. I have got to watch her grow just as I have Jack...she was the little girl that when I went to pick him up for the weekend, had to come say hi and give me hugs and always had to say hi to the babies (Kylie and Alaina..) She is a sweet girl and is trying hard to be agood parent to her babies...even though they are only hours old....She was a good mom the whole time she was pregnant..But anyway, just please pray.

Prayers please!

I have a special prayer request tonight. If I offend anyone by this post I am not apologizing, I know I made my share of mistakes growing up.

Jacks sister (by his mom) Brittany, gave birth to twin boys today. She is only 15. I am asking for prayers for her and her babies. The first one, is doing great. Weighed 5lbs 11oz and I could hear him crying on the phone when Jack called. The second one, was having alot of problems breathing and (Jacks description) when he was born, his brain temperature was too warm. Her placenta tore when the first one was born also so that added complications. I dont know what he weighed or anything. They have taken the second baby to Little Rock. Brittany is quiet upset as you can imagine that she cant be with her baby tonight.

I know she is only 15, she knows that she made a mistake but she is just as capable as anyone else of recieving Gods forgivness. Though I have to admire her because she is keeping them, still going to school, and is not backing down on going to college. She has had a pretty tough life and she is determined to make it better for her kids. Her boyfriend is in the picture, he was right there by her when she had them and they are planning on getting married. She has spent the better part of the last two months in the hospital going in and out of labor so it hasnt been easy.

Just please pray for her and the babies...and for Jack, he is staying by her side as any good brother would do. He may be going to Little Rock with her tommorow because none of her or her boyfriends parents are going.

Babies are Gods little Blessings....

Crystal

Frustrated....

I am so frustrated with Blogger right now. I have been wanting to upload pictures for a while and it wont let me. Everytime I get to the point that it says it is loading it freezes...but anyway, I will try to get some pictures posted soon...

Blessings
Crystal

Psalms

Have you ever just sat down and read Psalms....REALLY read it?

Just my thought for the day...

Blessings
crystal

Healing the Land.

Yesterday in Church, a Brother brought up this scripture.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (King James Version)

14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


We are always praying for our Nation and that God will put who he deems worthy in office...This verse just says alot.

Please pray for our nation!

Blessings
Crystal

Sunday at my house.

Sunday at my House....

My quiet solitude is interupted by my husbands rustling pages as he prepares his lesson for today. (not that I mind :) )

I can smell the coffee making in the kitchen..ummm...

I can hear the new kitten meowing becasue he just wants to cuddle.

I can see the fog lifting off of the yard.

I can feel the crisp cool air of fall...

Uh-oh Kids are waking up...time to get into the Sunday routine of getting ready for Church.

Blessings
Crystal

Video

I found this on Darcy's Blog. Very Moving.. Please listen.




You will have to pause my music to listen...sorry :(

Menu

Our week last week was so crazy. We actually did have half of the stuff that I had planned but not the other half. Just imagine, half the week with teenagers in and out and the other half...calm...lol. But it was great. Loved it.

So this week, we are still working on getting some of that food made. We have a trip planned for Wednesday and of course hunting whenever we can go. I refuse to go hunting if I dont have something planned for Supper that Paul can just put on plates for the kids. I dont like him having to cook for them. So on nights that I go hunting, I try to have one dish meals or soemthing simple. Remember also that I buy and plan for two weeks so I always start with Sunday and end with a Saturday.

I am still using recipes off of Razzle Dazzle. My sis recommended it and I love it.

Sunday--we ate out because we worked at Church and bought groceries

Monday-- Cassarole (recipe below.)

Tuesday--Pork Chops in Gravy over rice

Wednesday--Trip...eat on the road.

Thursday--Crockpot Tamale Cassarole.

Friday--Frito Chili Pie (Chili cooked in Crockpot)

Saturday--Chicken Noodle Soup (Chicken cooked in Crockpot)

Sunday-- Spaghetti (Sauce cooked in Crockpot)

Monday--Crockpot Chicken and Velveeta Cassarole

Tuesday--Soup (In Crockpot) (made with leftover grilled backstrap and whatever else I find :) )

Wednesday--Eight Layer Cassarole

Thursday--Omelettes

Friday--Homemade Pizza or Crockpot Pizza (recipe link to come later.)

Saturday--Crockpot Swiss steak


Recipe-- The cassarole I am making tonight is just a simple one. I take 1lb of ground beef, 2 boxes of Mac and Cheese and 1 can of rotel. Cook the beef (add any spices you want). Cook the Mac and cheese according to package directions Mix in 1 can rotel with about half of the juice. Mix with beef, put in cassarole dish and sprinkle with bacon bits. (My husband likes the bacon bits...) I bake this for about 10 minutes on 350. Sometimes I will add just tomatoes and onions instead of rotel. There is different variations that I have seen. But it is a hit whenever I make it and it feeds all of us so. :)

I am hoping that there arent too many changes to my menu this week. It gets hectic around here sometimes. Can you tell I love my Crockpot? :)

Blessings
crystal

Happy Birthday Jack!

I know I said this would get put on here yesterday but you know we got really busy with doing stuff with Birthday Boy.

Jack, my eldest. Even though I did not carry you for nine months and take care of you for the firt years of yoru life, you are my son. But you know that. You know that I love you like you are my own.

To watch you grow from that little kid who stood by and told his daddy that whereever I went you were going. To watch the little boy who was so fascinated with making weapons out of sticks, and racing through the yard with your homemade toys...all the store bought ones in pieces because you had to find out how they worked...and then didnt put them back together.

Watching you skateboard and ride your bike....but not just anybike, a trick bike..one that you could go airborne and jump and flip and all kinds of things that made my mommas heart stop.

I was there when you were baptized. I have got to watch you grow as a Christian. My heart cried and ached when you fell away.....but oh it rejoiced and sang when you came back. And just as usual, you didnt come back slowly, you took it by force and are now someone to be reckoned with. You defend your faith and you are so proud to be a Christian. You gave your first lesson at Church Sunday and if you seen tears in my eyes, it was because I couldnt have been prouder. You were awesome. I think someday you are going to be an excellent preacher....you have the ability to move people.

I have watched you grow from a boy who just wanted a girlfriend to say he had one, to caring so much for one girl that you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Even though I am not quite ready to turn you lose, you couldnt have let God give you a better girl. I will cry when I have to let you go, but I will be so glad because you have her and God.

So much like your daddy you are. You are so very passionate about your family and your jobs as part of the family. You take so much on your shoulders even when you dont have to. You are turning into such a wonderful man.

So now to quit being sappy because I know you dont like all the sappy stuff, Jus tknow that Your Dad and I Love You and I wish you all the best in your life. You have alot of dreams and I hope you get to live them. Thank You for being my Son.

Love You
Mom (Crystal)

Menu

I said our menu was likely to change. It did. But that is okay, I was able to rearrange and not buy anything extra. Most of my Crockpot recipes are coming from Razzle Dazzle Recipes .


So Here is our new Menu for this week.

Sunday--WE had leftovers and if you wanted it cook it night...lol

Monday--Backstrap got moved to this night cause Jack wanted it for his Birthday...so he is supposed to grilll...but it is raining so..

Tuesday--Shephards Pie

Wednesday--Crockpot Tamale Cassarole(Bible Study)

Thursday--Beans and Cornbread and Fried Potatoes

Friday--Chili (probably frito chili pie...)

Saturday--Pork chops in Gravy/Mashed Potatoes.

The Eight Layer Cassarole was a Hit! and so was the Swiss Steak in the Crockpot. I used my Crockpot 5 out of the 7 days last week either for the main dish or for a side dish. I love it. I went to look at new crock pots and couldnt find one that I just really wanted. So I will wait.

There will be a Birthday Post on here for Jack later. He is 18 today! His day started out bad though....he spent the night with his granny last night and his stereo got stolen out of his truck. So please pray his day gets better.

Blessings
Crystal

Morning thoughts! & Husaband Encouragement!!!

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:3-4). KJV

This was the scripture in my daily devotion from Alpha Omega this morning. Head on over to Wonderful Words of Life to read more!


On Heartlight's Todays Verse, Phil Ware talks about Isaiah 10:1-2 Very interesting thoughts. Have I become too worried with "stuff"?

Ann over at A Holy Experience has a great post on family knots

And my Sis had this post a couple of days ago.

Just some interesting places I visited this morning.

HUSBAND ENCOURAGEMENT!

My dear hubby this morning let me sleep in. He turned my alarm off and got up, made coffee and kept quiet while I gained some much needed sleep. What a wonderful man! There has been a struggle within our family (Not Paul and I) but it has affected our lives the last few days. Paul has been my stronghold, constantly reminding me that I have to let God take care of it. We can pray and help if asked but we have to put it in Gods hands. He has let me cry and rage and overall be a complete grouch without saying so much as a word to stop me. I am so grateful for my husband..He is my rock...(After God of course..which he keeps reminding me of..lol) Sweety, I love You and Thank You so much for being there and for helping me..I know you are hurting just as bad as I am...but you are putting me first after God and altghough that is how it is supposed to be, I feel so unworthy.

That has been my morning thoughts, and now, I am off to enjoy a day with my kids. After we finish our initial school and cleaning assignments for today, I am going to make curtains and aprons and we are going to immerse ourselves in Little Cabin In the Big Wood..for like the third time through. HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Blessings
Crystal