Evolution of Dance

If you are in a bad mood and need a good laugh...here you go. Cayla and I laughed out loud as we watched it. It is 6 minutes long, so watch it when you have time to watch the whole video.

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A New Fresh Look

I change my template about as often as I rearrange my furniture. I can handle changes on the little things...it's the big changes that scare me. Maybe if I take charge of the little changes then I won't have to deal with big changes. I don't think it happens that way, but it's a good thought indeed.
I hope you enjoy the new template. I picked this one because my favorite color is green. Take notice, I have added a question on the sidebar. You'll have to take a peak...and just for fun, leave me an answer. Also, for those of you who read my blog and don't comment, just for fun would ya comment? I love comments. Have a great day.

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Link Question?

How in the world do you get a link (with picture and all) to appear on a sidebar? I have been sitting here for two hours (waiting for Justin to come home) trying to figure this out. I am about to go insane. I have signed up for http://www.themomblogs.com/ and I cannot get the link to appear on my sidebar. Well it is there, but not how I want it. My desire is to be able to click on the picture and go directly to the link. Can anyone please, please, please tell me how to do this? You can email me with any suggestions.

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Larah's 1st Birthday

Here are some pictures from Larah's 1st birthday...January 4th. I am a little late getting them posted. But if you read my next post, you will learn how slow I truly am. Larah had a quiet first birthday. We thank the Lord that we were able to celebrate it. Her awesome cake was made by our good friend, Eleanor. She is a woman with many talents. Thank you, Eleanor and Happy Belated Birthday, Larah. I love you both!!

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Duh

Do you know that a slow cooker is called a slow cooker because it cooks slow? I would have to guess that your answer would be, "Why of course, doesn't everybody know that?" Well, you see, some people have logic and some....not so much.

Early this morning I put a roast in the crock pot. I let it "slow cook" all day. The house was filled with the aroma of BEEF!!! One of my favorite smells. Weird, I know, but it is. Anyway, my plan was to let the roast cook all day and when my wonderful hubby came home from a long day in the big city, I would present him with a delicious well-planned out meal. But this is where I failed to be logical. I thought if I added the potatoes, carrots and onions to the roast in the "slow cooker" at 4:30, they would be ready about 5:30. My great friend, Lolanda, had to break the news to me gently....if I put the veggies in at 4:30, it would be 3-4 hours before they would be ready. Thus the term "SLOW COOKER!"

Tim came in the door about 5:30 and I fed him leftovers. He was sweetly grateful. It is now 7:25 and the potatoes are still not done. My crock pot and I have something in common...we are both a little slow.

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A Lesson Learned

Sunday morning is not the most appropriate time to write a post. But I feel this matter is of utmost importance. If for nothing else, it will serve as a reminder to myself in the future as I go back and read what I have written.

Life is short and our children grow up FAST, way too FAST. I've heard this many times over the years but I think it may finally be sinking in. Last week, Justin took his driving test and upon successful completion, obtained his permit. We now have a teenage driver in our home. It seems as if he was born just yesterday, but no...that was 17 years ago. Seventeen years have flown by.

Seventeen years ago, when Justin was a baby, I was busy. Too busy. Too busy working, too busy socializing, too busy cleaning, too busy hanging out....too busy to hold my baby. And this pattern continued over the years through a few more babies. But God is actively taking a hold of my heart and I am slowly learning that time with my children is short.

Last night Larah went to bed at 7:00. For some reason or other she woke up at 9:00, thinking it was time to rise and shine. In previous years, I would have gone into her room, laid her back down and told her to go to sleep. She probably would have cry and protested, until finally crying herself to sleep. But as I learn that time with my baby is precious and fleeting, I took this opportunity to hold her. I picked her up, held her in my arms and cuddled with her for an hour and 10 minutes until she finally drifted off to sleep. During the hour and ten minutes that I held her, I marveled at God's gift to me. I sang to her. I prayed for her. I rubbed her face. I smelled her hair. I cried. I cried out of sadness that I didn't take these opportunities with our first children and I cried out of joy, for God has continued to bless me with more babies. I cannot go back and fix my yesterdays but I can learn from them and I can live today. Today I will slow down and hold my baby. Today I will not be too busy.

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Two Of My Favorite People

Aunt Amy and Larah at her suprise and belated FIRST birthday party.

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Family Reunion

January 12, 2008

Elkhart, Indiana

Steve, Dad, Micheal, Ben, Amy, Mom, Me

I love you guys!!!

And I miss you already!!!

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Happy New Year

January 1, 2008! Our celebration into the new year was wonderful...although now I am ready for it to be over and I am very, very ready to be in my bed. "Rumor" has it that that will take place in approximately 30 minutes. I wonder just how accurate "Rumor" is. Right now it is 1:12 A.M. Will I still be on here in 3o minutes or will I be snug as a bug in a rug??? I'll let ya know.

We held a prayer meeting in our living room tonight. Our house was packed. I was quite pleased with the turnout. I assumed not many would come because of snow and ice, but I was wrong. And how glad I was. Something amazing happens when Christian brothers and sisters gather together to pray. What a way to bring in 2008.

Shortly after prayer meeting Justin and Matthew took off to the Goodrich's house. I called there at straight up 1:00 and they were just getting ready to come home. Yesterday (December 31st) was Audrey Jeanne's 16th birthday (AKA: AJ). The boys went to help celebrate. They were going to eat burritos and go sledding. Well...I think that was the plan. Happy Birthday, AJ!! You're awesome.

Lolanda stuck around our house until 12:45. She's a trooper. She, Katie and Cayla stayed up and watched a movie...Seasons of the Heart. Lucas fell asleep in my recliner, Tim and Larah had long gone to bed and I dozed on and off on the futon. It wasn't an overly exciting New Year's celebration, but we were all warm and cozy.

My boys are home so I am on my way to bed. The time is 1:38...4 minutes early. Good night.

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The Answer to Yesterday's Answer

This morning is the morning. But I am feeling stronger than I was yesterday. My mind still tends to do the what-ifs, but peace has overcome me...one that can only come from my Savior. Let me share what I read yesterday.

Psalm 3

O Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”

But you are a shield around me,
O Lord;
You bestow glory on me and lift
Up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
And he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord
sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
Break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

I must have read that passage 20 times yesterday. And I keep reading it. God is my comforter, my shield and my protector. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for Larah and her life. I love you!!!

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The Answer

It is 5:43 A.M. The snow is falling, the roast is in the crock pot, the jello is made, the laundry is going, the hubby is preparing his morning sermon and all the children are sleeping. On a normal morning all this would bring me such joy and I guess today it does. But I woke up with a heavy heart and I am feeling sad. Life since Christmas day has been challenging. Those of you who know us, know our situation. And for those of you who don't, maybe someday I will be able to share. But for now all I can say is we need your prayers. I know God is in control. I know he has all our days planned. I know I am not to worry. But I am having a struggle with living all this knowledge. I have my moments of peace and rest and then something is said or I have a thought and then I am right back to being worrisome. I am cluing in now...the answer is to get off this computer, go into the living room, open my Bible, read His promises, get on my knees and pray. I think I'd better go!

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"Tebecca Tendra" Has Arrived!!

Congratulations, my friend, on your new blessing. She is absolutely beautiful. I am so happy for you and your family. I know she will be surrounded by much love and adoration. I look forward to watching her grow up. Do you suppose I will be her "Bucca"?

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Peace and Happiness

Merry Christmas

2007

This picture describes without words how I am feeling this Christmas. It is not necessarily a Christmas picture, but it is a picture of true peace and happiness. May your season be just the same.

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Need a Good Laugh?

For those of you who homeschool, this is a video worth viewing. Even if you don't, you might enjoy it. I, personally, think it is hilarious. Let me know what you think.

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Today

Fourteen years ago today Tim and I were married in an itty bitty chapel on the campus of East Texas Baptist University. Our wedding was absolutely perfect. Our first years of marriage were full of good times. However, we did have a few years that were quite trying. But God is good and He proves faithful. Today I am married to my best friend. He is the one person with whom I can be 100% me. He probably knows me better than I know myself. I find joy and pleasure in being his wife. I am in awe of how God can bring two absolutely different people, with two absolutely different backgrounds together and form them as one. But He did and for this I am forever grateful. He is an AWESOME God who gave me an awesome husband. I love you, Tim!

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Mike Huckabee Responds to Evolution Question

This is awesome! All I have to say is GO MIKE!!!!

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December 5, 1969

"For this reason a man shall leave his mother and father and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." ~Genesis 2:24

Thirty eight years ago Marsha Lynn Durinski and Stephen Ray Marjason committed their lives together in marriage. Today, December 5, 2007, my mom and dad celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful to God that they have beaten the odds. Statistic state that more than 50% of all marriages end in divorce. By beating the odds, my parents have shown me the gift of love and commitment. They have fought some pretty hard battles and I have been witness to the sweet success of overcoming pain and heartache. It is incredible to see how "in love" they truly are. I love you, Mom and Dad, and am so thankful God made me your daughter. Thank you for your commitment to each other and thank you for your never ending love. You guys are awesome.

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That was then, This is now

Silvercreek

November 4, 2007

Five days ago we had 4-6 inches of snow and now we have none. Above is a picture of Silvercreek...the same location my previous post picture entitled "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" was taken. Most of the Northwest has been hit with floods. Randle did not get floods as bad as it did last year, but the river and creeks are all high and flowing fast. Below is a picture of our local WalMart, 65 miles from Randle. I don't think we will be doing our grocery shopping there this week.

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Brock Gill on The Logan Show

Well, I couldn't give up on trying to figure out how to post a video from You Tube. Justin and Matthew helped me find just the right one. This guy went to school with Tim at ETBU. I hope this works. And whatever you do, don't try this at home.

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Christmas with a capital "C"

A friend of mine sent this to me. It's kind of a catchy little tune. I don't quite know how to post a YouTube video, but I think this will work. Someday I'll be cool and have an actual YouTube video on my blog. Until then...this is whay you get. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

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