What is up with you??

Seriously, I have been really rather scarce in the "bloggin' world," really. Not intentionally, either. I love blogging, posting family photos, telling stories, sharing memories, sharing funny things my kids do/say, product reviewing, hosting contests....all that blogging is for. What has been happening lately? I am really not totally sure, but I think that I got a bit burnt out. I think I said, "yes," too much, and not enough of "not right now", or "no" to the requests. I can see from the past few months, that my blogging has become less of me, and more of reviews. I am so sorry about that. I got so busy, and everything got piled up. I have some catching up to do, and I hope you will all understand.
I haven't even been keeping up with the daily reviews and personal life stories, photos, or the like. I am sorry to all my readers who have come to see what is going on with me, as a person...to find not much new posted. Actually, we have been quite busy, and I fully intend to catch up, if that is possible. I have been through surgery to remove the melanoma in my ear. I am recovering, and healing! Praise the Lord the melanoma is gone from my ear, too! I just saw the Plastic surgeon on Tuesday, and he said it is looking good. I told him that I feel like I am sleeping on a rock, and asked if that will get better. He wasn't sure, but he said he could fix it in about 6 months if I am still having a hard time. I saw my dermatologist on Wednesday, and she checked me over again. We decided to have another mole removed on my back, and the surgery is set for the end of August. This surgery will take awhile, since the mole is bigger. I have had this mole most of my life (I believe) but it does concern her. I am praying that it is a cancer free mole. So, this is a worrisome fear on my heart, and I know I need to put my trust in God for good results. I also had Nathaniel in to see the dermatologist and had him remove a mole from his right temple. I hope that the results will be cancer-free for him, too. So, we ask for prayer that any and all moles removed are free of cancer, and that our trust remains strong in the Lord.
My blogging is going to be getting back to more of personal life and less of reviews. I won't be giving up on reviews, because I LOVE doing them. Plus, I like being "in the know" of what is out there. I am going to do my best to keep you all up to date on what is going on with my family, me, and our life. I want to put up lots of pictures of my kids, and their funny stories. Also, I don't want to lose touch with all the wonderful blogging friends I have made! I am sorry that I haven't been around much, but I hope to get back into the swing of things. I know my mind has been so much on the melanoma, and just life being so busy with 3 kids under the age of 4 and a pre-teen child. Plus, it is summer...so, that is less time indoors and at the computer. Thanks for hanging in with me. I hope we see more of one another. God bless you! Happy 4th of July!!

Precious Prayers

Yesterday, just before we ate lunch, Caleb, Nathaniel and I prayed. When I said, "Amen," I looked over at Madelyn. She had her eyes covered, and she had her hands slightly clasped. She was also jabbering some. Then, she opened her hands, and said, "A-ma." It was so incredibly adorable! Her first official prayer!

Last Night at MOPS

I absolutely love being a member of our MOPS group! I have been in this group for 3 years now. I was in MOPS when Nathaniel was younger at my home church, too. I think MOPS is a great place to connect with other moms, learn from them, talk about struggles, share experiences, pray for each other, and learn new ideas. It is also a great night out to fellowship, mingle, hear a great speaker, EAT, and make crafts. MOPS is for Mothers with kids from pregnancy-age 5! Since I am newly pregnant, I will be in it for quite awhile yet! Yahoo~

Last night, we had a leader from the local Moms In Touch group to speak. She was very encouraging and full of great ideas. I know that praying for our children is so crucial! We live in a tough world.
The main idea behind MIT is to gather (as moms) together to pray scripture over our kids, teachers, schools, bus rides, etc. They have a set plan with scripture, and blanks in the spots where you insert your child's name. For example, "May You fill________with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that_______may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You." (Colossians 1:9b-10).
Our speaker talked about the Basics of Prayer, which is communication. Communication involves talking, listening, getting to know God (through His scriptures), and sharing my heart with Him.
She also touched on Why we should pray...and Why don't we pray. Why should we pray? To see God's will done on earth. We are following Jesus' example~ He always went to his Father (God) to pray!
PLUS~ we don't have to carry the "load of worry around on our back," because HE WILL CARRY IT FOR US! There are 3 other good reasons to pray:
1. Because God knows more than we do! 2. God desires our companionship! 3. God's Power is released when we PRAY not when we think/talk about praying. When we pray, we are inviting God's presence.

I was very encouraged to pray daily for my kids, my husband, and so much more. My daily time with God is lacking right now, and I really need to just make the time for HIM! He craves our attention, and He is begging me. Prayer is His GIFT to us! A beautiful, daily gift...and he will bless us for praying! When I need peace...he will supply! When I need Joy, He will supply! When I need comfort...He will supply!
We have an enemy (Satan) who doesn't want us to pray...and he (tries) to keep us from Prayer~
(John 10:10).

I need to make a plan...what can I do? How much time can I start with?
I need to set apart a time (morning/evening).
I need to pick a special place of refuge.
I need to have a plan to read the scriptures, get a prayer journal to write down my requests and praises!

I was very encouraged and excited about this topic covered in MOPS last night. MITI is a great ministry, and very effective!
Do you have a daily devotional time with God? When do you do it? What helps you stay focused and committed?

A little background information...and randoms

I was a single mom with Nathaniel for 5 1/2 years before I married Terry. When Terry and I married in 2004, Nathaniel was entering Kindergarten. I decided to home school him. When Nathaniel's Dad heard the news, he was not happy with it, and really put up a fight. (By the way, Nathaniel's dad isn't a Christian, and we have very different parenting styles) Well, since "legally" we share joint custody, we have to agree on school choices. Well, how do you agree on something you don't agree on? It wasn't something that we could come to an agreement on so we had to go to mediation...In the mean time, I just kept home educating Nathaniel. Kindergarten went great! Nathaniel really learned a lot. Him and I really both enjoyed learning together. I really enjoyed seeing him grow educationally. I taught him how to read and write! That was an amazing feeling knowing that I did that. I still don't know how I did that. The following fall (after he started first grade) his Dad and I went to mediation. The outcome of the mediation was, I made a lot of changes (in favor of his dad) so I can keep homeschooling until, at least, 6th grade. I home educated Nathaniel through Second grade. During Second grade, things changed. Nathaniel and I were constantly at each other. We really didn't get along very well. We ended our days in tears (both of us) many days. I was tired of home schooling him. I didn't like what our relationship was turning into. I wanted to enjoy him, and I really felt like I was starting to not like him so much. Don't get me wrong, I love my son...but I am sure you can relate with not really liking them at moments.
I had Madelyn during that school year...beginning of March. I am sure being pregnant during that time didn't help our situation. I was so very emotional with my pregnancy with Madelyn. I got lazy with schooling, too, but I could tell that it just wasn't working out. Nathaniel had a hard time with separating me as mom and teacher. He took what I was trying to teach as criticizing. I know I can be very critical at times, too...but that is another post in itself (stay tuned). So, with a lot of prayer, and a lot of talk with Terry and friends, Nathaniel entered the Public School this year (2007). He is really doing well, and he enjoys school. I think he does really well under another teacher's direction. He gets challenged by other peers, and he loves competition. He thrives well with structure, and he gets that at school. This isn't a defeat statement, but I don't have to fight with his Dad about school anymore, either. Nathaniel's state test results came back and he far exceeds the standards, he is at a 6th grade reading level, his spelling is a daily struggle....and that makes me want to take him out and keep home educating him. We will see how this year goes. We may end up taking him out and maybe do Christian online school down the road. Who knows. All I know is that I need to do it all in prayer.
I am still wanting to home educate Caleb, Madelyn and any other kids we may have, but I think that having Nathaniel go to the school was a good choice. It was prayed over, and God gave me peace about it. I would have preferred a Christian or Private school...but, finances won't stretch that far. I don't agree with some things with the school system, but I just have to keep bathing it in prayer.