I am having a bad day!!

This picture is all I am going to post about today. I swore I would stick to happier things and I aim to keep that promise. So keep me in mind.
Amy

Puppy video

Hey if you all want to see something really cute, check out the puppy page of Amore Schnauzers. I posted a video of the puppies playing. It is not the best, but it is darn cute.

Yes I am Proud of Them

Okay you gotta check out this video of my husbands band. The guys are awesome even if I am a little partial!! They are great!!! You will need to either stop my songs on the player at the bottom of the page or turn the volume down on the player down there. Then play this you won't be sorry.

Oh yeah personally I think this is the best drummer ever. ; )
Amy

I've been tagged!
One of my blogging friends, Beemoosie tagged me for a game.

Well, here goes. These are the RULES:Link to the person that tagged you. Which I did. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


Okay so 7 weird or random facts, only 7 huh??? LOL

1. I am weird, LOL and proud of it.

2. I am full of contradictions, I want to have a lovely feminine tea room, but then I want to live on a farm and don't mind shoveling animal mess, LOL

3. I adore Mexican food, but have a hard time with spicy stuff.

4. I have an obsession with books. I have no book shelves at the moment but do have stack and stacks of books. Boxes and bags of books. Makes for heavy moving, LOL

5. I am full of laughs, you may not know it at first, I come across as quiet to some, but I will have you cracking up soon.

6. I am a Christian, but am rather irreverent, I figure God knew what he was doing when he made me. ; )

7. I have only had a computer and Internet for 4 years, and now I don't know how I got along with out them before.

Okay now to tag 7 ladies

1. Life at Bliss Blossom Farm

2. My Artful Heart

3. Tales of an Urban Farm Girl

4. Little Jenny Wren

5. Muckboots and Aprons

6. Rose of Sharon

7. Meandering Travels of Mindless Thoughts

Please check out these blogs. The ladies are wonderful and it is treat for both the mind and the eyes. Also it appears blogger and I are arguing again. I can not get links to work in the post, sigh........ Oh Well

Hugs
Amy

Cakes to take visiting!!!

We ran to Hutchinson to my sisters yesterday. My brother Christopher and his wife were up to visit briefly before he is being shipped over seas. It was so nice to see them. I baked the cake above for visiting. I keep trying out new recipes on my family, LOL. So far I have lucked out.

When my brother David was up in December, I baked a Chocolate Fudge cake with chocolate chips, a layer of raspberry puree in between the layers, vanilla frosting and a chocolate drizzle. I forgot to take a picture of the cake. Not sure what was wrong with me. LOL

This cake is Apple Cinnamon Swirl with cream cheese frosting and a Caramel Crunch drizzle. Everyone liked it. So I am doing good apparently. LOL. I love to take goodies when I go to visit someone.

SHHHHHH(It is a bribe so that they ask me back) Don't tell, LOL

Staynlis

I thought I would mention some exciting news for my husband. He is in the Christian Rock Band Staynlis. They recently had a concert in Oklahoma. It was recorded and they are placing the videos on YOUTUBE!!! So if you want to check them out please do!!! I think they sound pretty awesome. And the drummer is terriffic. I may be a bit partial as he is my husband, but seriously they sound good!!

Also they will be playing with DECYFER DOWN on Feb 2nd in Wichita at The Hub. So if your close the their check them out!!!

Our family room and Anne Shirley

I took some picture tonight of our family room, yes mean old mom kicked the family out to take a picture. But have no fear they are back in there as I type, LOL. I did let little Miss Anne Shirley stay. She is so cute. She finally got her haircut this week, and I have to say I would not have recognized my dog if I had not cut her hair at home. She looks nothing like the furry tornado that I started with, LOL. Well better go see what everyone is up to!!!
Night
Amy

My bedroom wall

This is one of my bedroom walls. The pic was taken at an angle to keep the glare from the flash from showing. Just in case you were wondering about the odd look. I love these little signs. I picked up the Inspire and Dream ones at a little feed store and gift shop outside of Spring City Tennessee. It was very picturesque all the buildings were cute and painted red. The gift shop had a lovely little covered porch. I also picked up a few of my teacups and saucers there. I picked up the Love Never Fails sign last week at dollar general. I do not shop there much. Usually just cleaning stuff and paper products. And a few odd and ends now and then. But this was cute and went with my little signs okay, so I picked it up for 3 dollars. As I get more done I will share more. And as soon as I can keep the family room tidy long enough to remember to take a pic I will, LOL.

Since I was posting cat pics.......

This is Simba our big handsome boy. He is an ABYSSINIAN. He is such a cool cat. If the alarm goes off and you don't get up you will be nudged and then head butted until you comply. He scare most dogs that do not know him. He is declawed, but he will go after a dog and snort and bat at him and has scared labs and boxers out of the yard we do not allow him outside anymore. I worry that one day a dog will fight back and he would lose. We love him too much to allow that to happen.

The art of taking a picture of a wiggly cat, LOL

Okay the first try he is like no thanks not interested!!

Okay so I get a kid to try to keep his attention, but I stayed too close and so he is indeed startlingly blindingly white in this pics, LOL

He became bored with just one hand so tried two kids keeping him occupied. This pic turned out better, LOL. This is by the way our Snowball.

Are you looking for a cuddly friend

Please check out Amore Schnauzers. After you get to the main page, click on Amore Puppies and see updated pictures of the puppies as well as information on what exactly you are getting.
Thanks
Amy

Updates

Hello, Hello, Hello

We have been getting settled and enjoying our new home. We moved boxes down stairs and are going through them. My DS has been enrolled in school and seems to be enjoying it. I hope things go okay. I posted a new picture today of the puppies on the Amore Schnuazer puppy page. They are getting big and awfully cute they are a bit disgruntled in the pic as they had just had a bath, LOL.

We had some more snow. And though it is lovely. I am so tired of the cold. I can't wait for spring, yup I am wimpy. Although I am thankful for the winter cause really there is a good reason for it and I know God has it all figured out. I guess I should not whine and groan so much, LOL!!!

Well my DH is lighting a fire, so I may go sit in the family room and enjoy it.
Amy

How great is our God????

I love this song we sang it today at our church. I know God is great. We have been so busy this last week making so many trips back and forth to get moved. We had to be out by this last weekend as my friends daughter needed to move in. We had 30 dollars and were not sure how we were going to get moved.

A friend helped us rent a trailer and gave us money for gas. They then asked what we had to live on I told them 30 dollars and they decided to help us out a bit more. Then even with that help it was looking tight again and I still had so many trips, which on a side note leads me to believe I need to down size dramatically. Anyway we were running so cloes to nothing again, when another friend said their church took up an love offering for us and gave us more money, which helped us finish moving, and then we were down to 20 dollars again to last a week. How great is our God??

My DH was going to have to stay at a friends house so that he could get to work. Okay we could live with that still 20 dollars is a bit tight. Then another lovely friend emailed me and asked if we could use a 50 dollar walmart card she had? How sweet is that. Then today we went 24 miles to go to church even though we were tight and they decided to take up a love offering for us there as well. Our little church donated 247 dollars to us!!!! GASP!!!! I could not believe it!!! How great is our God???

We have been so blessed by so many people right now. We have had so many issues that it is not even funny. In Dec when we knew there would not be extra money for a good Christmas dinner and present a variety of people blessed us all of them people I do not know and have not met blessed us with some gifts for the kids, some gift cards and even a money order and some cash from others. God is indeed awesome. These people did not have to do any of this. Many of these people said they felt led to bless us. How great is our God???? Our God is indeed great, He can get us through anything we just have to trust Him and keep on going.


How Great is our God
by Chris Tomlin

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God


So how great is our God???? Our God is greater then any treasure we can find. Our God is so great that he can knows our needs long before we can even begin to imagine what they are. He can speak to people we do not even personally know and use them to help us get through. That's how great our God is.

Thankfully
Amy

The sun will come out tomorrow, or maybe today, LOL

We have sunshine, yeah!!!!!!! Sure makes for better trailer loading conditions!!! Stopped for lunch so though I would post real quick.
have an awesome Thursday.
Amy

Into every life a little rain must fall.

Well today it is falling. I was planning on driving a load up myself to the new house, alas this will not happen, SIGH............. I will have a load ready to go by the time by DH gets home and then he can run it up there and get back here to return the trailer in time. I was hoping to spare him some of this work. But he would rather the kiddos and I did not try to drive all that way and pulling a trailer as well in the rain and wind. Ahhhh he loves us!! LOL

We are actually really right on schedule. Except for the storage unit, but we will get the empited soon enough. We do not have to pay again until Feb 1st so we have plenty of time to empty it. Tonight and tomorrow morning I will clean carpets and windows and touch up everything else and then we are done. My DH will go to work tomorrow with his regular ride, my son who attends school will go tomorrow for the last day.

I will remove the rest of our belongings and the kiddos will my DH has band practice tomorrow night and then come back and pick him and the drums up, and head home. Awaiting us will be a long weekend of rearranging and putting away, LOL. SOunds relaxing right?? Thats okay it will be done.

Then we have my brother and his wife coming for a quick visit home before Chris is shipped overseas. And then 3 birthdays this month my daughters, my sons, and my sisters. Busy busy busy. I am also tentativly planning a valentines tea party if not then a spring one.

Well gotta pack some stuff
Amy

Wow what a wise little boy

I listened to this and sniffled right through it. What a smart kid. It is a shame that more people don't get it. Thought I would share. You may want to go down to the music player at the bottom of the page and lower the volume before playing this.

Thoughtfully
Amy

Struggling to find Joy in the everyday

With all the upset over the last 6 months, I have on occasion struggled with finding Joy. Today has been as slightly stressful day. But I did manage to find some joy. When one of my kiddos crawled into bed with me and said mom your warm and your blanket is soft. That brought a bit of joy to my heart. When he went on to say Mom I am gonna pray that God does not make me have a beard, LOL, that brought some more joy to my heart.

5 year old are usually pretty good for a smile and maybe a chuckle. My 4 year old is becoming less combative and actually seems to be falling more into the sweet side of himself, that sure brought me some joy. Watching him grab his big brother around the neck and plant a big kiss on his check that sure brought me some joy.

A warm puppy can sure make you smile and bring some joy. These little guys are sure growing like weeds, and are way too cute. They are barking and growling and try to sound all ferocious. This is too funny, and makes you feel some joy.

So even though things are a bit frustrating, there are everyday things that can bring joy into any ones heart. We just have to be open to them and recognize them for what they are. God created all these things around us. He knew that they could make us smile and laugh and yes even find some joy in our day. I do believe that was the plan. Why else would there be so much variety. God made this earth a wonderful place where we can find joy while we are here doing what God put us here to do.

I hope that everyone can find some joy today. Even if it is just a cup of tea, like I had. ; )

Joyfully
Amy

Another funny picture

moar funny pictures

OKay I could use one today, LOL. Things just never seem to go smoothly. Keep us in mind please.
Amy

Todays funny cat picture

moar funny pictures
I love this site, and the pics are way too funny along with the sayings.

Ahhh about Amore Schnuazers link

I changed the URL of the main page for Amore Schnauzers, but I forgot to update that here. The link should work properly now, sorry to those who tried to acces it, darn I am a bit goofy the last few days.

Have a Happy Saturday

Amy

Times of frustration can be a learning tool

I know I have touched a bit on this before but was feeling a bit frustrated and thought well I would post about it again. Sorry if I bore you all. ; )

I am not sure what others believe, sometimes I am not sure what I believe, LOL!!! Just kidding, well sort of. Your going through life, minding your own business, and something happens. Could be something good, something bad, something just okay..... So why, why did it happen, is it because long ago we were predestined to end up right in this very spot, to go through this very thing??? I guess that would be called fate, I really don't think I believe in that. We all have been given free will by God, and FATE to me just is not free will, we all make our choices and that is where we end up.

As to persecution, I am unsure about this one, I have said before that I am going through times of persecution, Why??? Did God allow me to be persecuted, I don't know, but then there have been plenty of people who have been persecuted because of their belief in God. I have always kinda struggled with this one. I did discover that it says in

2 Timothy 3:12
In fact everyone who wants to live a godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted

However if you back up a bit to verse 11 it says

persecution, suffering- what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. YET the Lord rescued me from all of them.

So I if we believe what the Bible says, and I do then it is reassuring to know that God did rescue Paul.

I have heard that God will never give you more then you can handle. I do wonder about this, and sometimes why must I be so strong. I have half heartedly joked that today just today could I be one of those weak people who just get everything handed to them. Sigh....... okay mostly I am kidding. But sometimes you feel weary.

I DO believe that should we be wise and deal with what is going on we can learn through most any trial, time of persecution, or just those days when all the traffic in front of you is going slower then molasses. When ever that happens, I have tried say alright God thank you for a chance to be patient today. I am not always successful, I do get frustrated, but I am doing better then I used to. Been working on that patient thing, ; ) I know that I can do better and I am aiming to

1 Thessalonians 5:14 says
and we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

I know that it is harder to get the lesson sometimes when the trial is very hard. My friend has been going through some stuff, had bad days and good days she brought her Bible with her every where. And kept stopping to read it. She made it through so far and will continue on and make it through the rest. It is hard be she is trusting God and is willing to lean on Him and learn through this.

During all of our problems with homes, and illness, and jobs this last year I have teasingly said okay God what am I doing wrong just tell me and I will stop it okay??? LOL I know God does not work that way, and that while we struggled at no time were we truly ever in physical danger. God protects us he has never dropped us.
And now through all of this my husband has a job with a good company that will work with you if your sick not just hold it against you, we are moving into a house here soon, right in time as my friend is actually needing the home we are living in next week for a daughter and her children.

God has amazing timing. And if we just look to the Bible and try to do his will, and trust in him and remain close to Him God says to Joshua in

Joshua 1:5-9

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As with Moses, so I will be with you, I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous, be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you, do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful where ever you go. Do not let this Book of the law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, For the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go.

So obviously we will go through some stuff in life, I mean God knew this we know this so what do we do?? Do we hide become downtrodden no we learn through them. And we go forth Boldly and with strength for the Lord our God is with us.

If your struggling and have become downtrodden, I hope that you can take a bit of heart from this and rise up again. God has you he will never drop one of his children. Only we by our choices can pull away from God.

Amy admitedly a work in progress

New house pics thanks to my son

Thanks to a good question from Nikki, I shall specify where the pics are, LOL.

This is the family room ceiling fan and the windows. This ceiling is I belive 14 feet or so....

This is the front bathrrom that back wall is a very dark purple there are also a couple of very dark green walls, sounds kinda weird, but it really looks good.

This is looking out the bathroom window, kinda right in the middle of the house. So your seeing the middle of the yard, LOL

This picture is on the far wall of the kitchen, across from the stove. To the left of it is the door the the mud/laundry,second bathroom, to the right of it is a second door way into the family room.

This woodstove is in the family room directly across from the dining room which has the second entrance to the family room.

These pictures were taken from the point of view of my 12 year old. He took some pretty good pictures. We paid all the deposits and the house payment and got everything hooked up and the keys to the house. The back door did not have that little metal plate to keep the door from opening, so I have already fixed that. Took one with and a screwdriver, now it closes and locks nice and tight. I think we are all ready to move. Again I have been very thankful for this nice warm house, but I am ready to be in a bit more space. So are the kiddos and the dogs, LOL. I am working on a post that I might have done tonight or maybe tomorrow, but will get it posted. Then it may take me awhile to post again as we will be moving, but you never know. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Amy
a work in progress!!

; )

Wow 2008 New Years Ramblings

Sunset over frozen river in Kansas
It is amazing how time flies. My kiddos are growing up, my baby is 4 years old. I know he's not exactly out of the house yet, LOL. But still it seems like for the first 18 years time drug by. You know it felt like you had to grab on to something and pull to get time to pass, now the last 16 have flown by. And here starts another one, sigh......

Don't get me wrong. I am very thankful for each and every day that God has given me on this planet weather they flew by or drug. I am also very thankful that 19 of those years have been spent with my DH. We started "dating" okay we hung out on the phone and at youth group, LOL, anyway we were hanging out when I was 15 and got married 3 months after I turned 18. It is hard to believe I have been married 16 years.

I know I am not the only one who is amazed at how time flies. I am just thankful that God has blessed me with my wonderful husband, 6 great kids, good friends, good health, and the ability to wake up every morning, believing that today can be an awesome day. Even with some of this last months trials, and the issues posted below, I still believe that everyday is a blessing and that God can do anything.

So how do I plan to start of 2008??? With a positive attitude and fresh outlook. We should finally be able to move into the new house soon. Praise God. I have been thankful every day we have had this house to live in. It is warm and dry and my family is together. I plan to spend some time with one of my brothers who is home briefly from the Marines. He will be shipped overseas in March. I need to be sure to see him.

I still can't believe how grown up two of my brothers are both Marines, both being shipped overseas this spring. I will be adding something to my blog as a constant reminder to pray for them as well as all of our military. Sigh I used to carry my brothers around as babies. And now they are going to defend OUR country the USA!!!

Makes me worried for them, I support our military, but do fear for my brothers. Of course the bible says

Psalm 27
Of David.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, [a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

This is as true for me, as for my brothers, the rest of our sevice men and women, and all of mankind. Gotta work on it. Still human still a work in progress.

Happy New Year