So, I'm a rambler..deal with it. :)

So..life is interesting. It's been busy. My patience is on a short fuse..but maybe that's not true. I think I have a lot of patience, but it's finally starting to run out. Perspective. Regardless, God is good! More than good, FANTASTIC. Always.

Chris and Ash leave for Detroit on Sunday. Mom n Dad left for Seattle today. J and I are leaving for Kuna on Sunday..oh wait, we live here. ;) Well, it's not a vacation, but it will be different. And, you KNOW I'm gonna try to find time (and money) to paint..and maybe a fire pit is in my future. Shhh..

Changes are coming, I'm very excited, but sad..really sad. I just wish that things could have been different. But, to everything there is a season. And when one season ends another one begins. I can either embrace the new one or waste time dwelling on the old one and miss the beauty of the new one. It's been a long time coming..and I do mean LONG. We tried to make the change in our own timing, but the Lord had other plans. Now, it's His timing and we are thankful for waiting. Although, it doesn't meant it's easy. It's actually one of the hardest, yet easiest, decisions we've ever made. I know for some this sounds vague..for others it's clear. Regardless, please be praying for us as we welcome in our new season. Pray for understanding, peace and new found joy. The Lord knows His plans for us..and we trust fully in His capability to make that future a wonderful one. As I write this Kirk Franklin and his choir are chanting, "It's gonna be a brighter day! Brighter day!" Perfect timing. :)

Chris and I are getting ready to celebrate FIFTEEN years of marriage!!!!!!!! Holy crap. I still remember people, even on our wedding day, murmuring that we wouldn't make it a year. And for the first few years we survived pretty much just to prove them wrong..yet we were falling apart. And the few years after the first few were even worse than the first few! Haha But the last 9 years have been blissful. Better every day. I just adore the man the Lord made for me. Couldn't have asked for a better friend or husband or daddy for our kids. I am truly blessed beyond measure. My cup runneth over and over and over and over..

Ash is starting high school next month. EEEEEEEK! Lord be with us, and her. I pray she is a light in the darkness.

J's books just arrived for 3rd grade a few days back. We were SO excited! I'm excited for another year with him. I will cherish it for as long as the Lord allows. (lump growing in throat) Who knows, that could be just another week or so. :) I tell ya, I'm learning all sorts of new things lately. Every time I think I have the Lord figured out, He goes and shows me something new.

Ashley just came in and described to me the process of "Doing the sponge"...I'm confused, but amused. She's a funny girl.

We went camping a few weeks back...J got baptized while we were there. It was so sweet. His friend, Delainey, got baptized, too. I have lots of pics. If you want them, let me know, I'll email them to you! We're hoping to go again..but will be going with family. We hope! We're all so busy we haven't had time to see each other much less get a weekend together.

Well, the enemy has been attacking from all directions, but the Lord's army has been quick to defend us/me. It's interesting how when you get in His will, the devil just hates it! :) Oh, I need to find something..hold..ok got it! I'm a fan of the Living Waters Facebook page. And, the other day (much like most days) they had something that I LOVED:

"Let’s bring Satan into perspective. Satan means "Arch enemy of good, and accuser" SATAN IS: Fallen, Defeated, Nothing on his own, Small, Ignorant, Weak. HE WILL NEVER FIGHT YOU AT YOUR STRONGEST MOMENT-Rather he will wait until your weakness is shown. REALITY: He is a coward, a liar, and a thief. THE BIBLE SAYS: Satan ...is "AS" a roaring lion, he is really a little kitten with an amplified voice."

And then, this lady left this comment, which I ADORED!!:

My mom had a dream a few years ago that she was being chased by a giant lion (in the dream she knew it was Satan)...she ran while he chased her and she climbed up a tree. She cowered on the branch and hid her face in terror. God spoke audibly to her and told her to look down at the lions face. She begged God in fear not to ask her to look, but when she did.....he was skinny and weak, as if sickly. He weakly roared at her a pathetic roar and she noticed as he did he HAD NO TEETH! PRAISE GOD! The Word says that Jesus disarmed principalities on the cross! The battle is not ours but the Lords and the victory is also His!

I thought that was pretty cool. The enemy can and will attack, but he only has as much power as you allow him to have. You have the power to cast the devil out. And, The Lord is quick to send in the troops when you call upon His name.  We must not grow weary.  He IS coming.  But, and I've been talking about this with Ash lately,  If we don't know the voice of the Father, we have no hope of knowing the voice of the Liar.  If we don't know the truth, we won't be able to tell when we are being lied to.  It's so important to know The Word.  Know who and what you believe in.  Don't put yourself in the position to be deceived.  Time is short. And the Enemy is pulling out all of his nasty tricks and putting on all of his pretty masks, parading around as someone to believe in..to look up to..to be like.  If you don't know JESUS, you won't know when He's being impersonated.  It's time to get intimately acquainted with Daddy.

So .. I like to swim.  And, I'm considering going swimming today.  But, I'm tired.  And laundry needs to be done.  Hmm..decisions, decisions.

I made focaccia bread for the first time yesterday! It was DELICIOUS!!! I want to make it everyday. But, then I will eat it everyday. And, that's not the best choice. So, I won't. Thankfully, it takes about 24 hours to make, so it's not an impulse make. That's good for me.

I also like Maple Bars.

Ok, I'm rambling, and obviously hungry. Better go for now. But, I love you. And, yes, I realize this blog is disjointed and rambling-ish..but that's what I do. :)

We'll chat soon..