Some Stuff

To all my blog readers (nearly 400 of you per day)and all my commentors (nearly 8 of you per post - what up with that?): I would like to apologize in advance for the poor grammar and poorly constructed sentences in the following post (and previous posts for that matter). I seem to have a sinus infection that is causing me not to be able to produce a coherent thought.


It's raining again. Which is okay since we need the rain (we're hoping for a thick, lush lawn at the new house, but will take whatever we can get at this point), but it is not a good thing for those of us who have a sinus infection and an active TB type cough. Seriously, I have come close to hacking up a lung for the past week! I took some of the hubs cough meds night before last and had a cough medicine hangover for 48 hours....I'm still not over it! I have the kind of sinus issues where you turn your head and it takes a few minutes for it to actually get there....make sense to anybody? Probably not, since nothing I have said for the past week has made sense.

I thought it was time for a little randomness (that, and I couldn't think of anything of substance to write). So, here goes it:

First off......I have several "issues" with Facebook. Don't get me wrong, I am addicted to Facebook and I love it, but some things just totally get on my nerves. For example, how they change layouts as soon as I get used to the old one. Or how everyone uses it to brag on themselves. Or how everyone has to tell us in their status update every time they go to the gym (seriously, is it a FB rule that you have mention every time you head for the gym? I'm glad people are exercising, but do we have to hear about every crunch and lunge?). Or how people who use their status update to try to brag without being obvious about it - IE. "John Doe is tired from my long, difficult, and very expensive trip to sight-see in Europe" or "Jane Doe is so thankful that she can still fit in her size 3 shorts from last summer" or "John Doe is so tired of long meetings, but I suppose that is why I make 6 figures" and I wont even comment about the people who are constantly telling us how "hot" their spouse is.........can I get a witness???? Is it just me?? Please tell me I am not alone here. I am all about sharing what you are doing with you FB friends, but do we really need to know how much your car, your watch, and your 12 karat diamond ring cost???


As I was doing laundry and cleaning toilets this morning, something occurred to me: "What if I have actually reached my full potential?".......I mean what if I have been away from the "working outside the home" world so long, that cleaning toilets IS my full potential??


Monday was one of the most horrible days I can remember. A delivery service that works for SEARS delivered our new washer/dryer to the house (old ones are over 15 yrs old - R.I.P. old w/d). The men brought them in boxes and sat them in our laundry room floor. One man starts telling me how to install them when I say "We paid for you guys to install them". He looked at me like I had two heads and then he said, "Well, we'll have to take them back outside and take them out of the boxes then. I'll be right back."......I waited for about 10 minutes and looked outside to see what they were doing. This is the good part......THEY WERE GONE!!!!!! Left. Outta there. Needless to say, I called the company and they fell all over themselves trying to make it right. The same man showed up the next day to install the washer/dryer and the first words out of his mouth were : "I understand we had a miscommunication yesterday".............Is there a law against being a liar??? Or against being stupid???? Just curious (and yes, I know we don't say the words liar or stupid in my house).

So, I have told you that we have a car wash. That's right folks, I spend my days emptying trash and shoveling up junk - unfortunately, life ain't all Bon Bons and high tea for me. I do man's work....and lots of it. Anyway, shortly after the "Great Washer/Dryer Debacle of 2009", I looked out my window to see a wrecker with a dune buggy on the back at the car wash. That is not an abnormal sight except for the fact that the dune buggy was lodged into the side of the car wash. Damage was done, minor damage, but damage nonetheless. I walked over to the wrecker driver and the lady that was with him and before I could open my mouth she started calling me every name in the book. Cussing. Like a sailor. That has been in prison. For years. In front of her small children. I told her that I would need her name and number...she wouldn't give it to me. I told the driver I would need his and he gave me the name "John Jones"......yeah. Well. I didn't think it was enough damage to call the police, especially since I got their tag number and had two witnesses, but I did get a good cussing out for what reason I do not know (apparently she thinks I am a dog, have no daddy, and she uses God's name in the wrong context). So, in case you were wondering, gone are the days when people damage your property and say they are sorry. Now they violently tell you off........be prepared. The world has gone to hell in a hand basket.

For the record, I hate all buffets....just thought I would throw that out there.


Well, I would write more random thoughts, but to be honest I have none. My neurons are not all firing at this point. For those of you who have read this far (mom) I appreciate your reading my rant. For those of you who didn't read this far - you missed your opportunity for a good nap --- seriously, this post is like Nyquil - it will definitely put you to sleep ;-).

I'm Back

I am back from Spring Break and wishing that it wasn't over. It was a stupid idea for Spring Break to only last a week. It's funny how I look forward to school breaks for my child even more than I did for myself when I was in school. I think that makes me officially old or weird.....or both.

I suppose you have noticed that I haven't been blogging much lately (or maybe you don't really care - if so, feel free to click that little X at the top right of your screen - hahaha). The truth is that life is so busy right now that I rarely know whether I am coming or going. What I DO know is that blogging takes thought and usually by the time I sit down to blog, I am so tired that thought is an impossibility. I have lots of thoughts - the problem is getting them from my head to this blog. So, please forgive me for being absent from the comment section of your blog. It's not you - it's me (and all the things that life is throwing at me right now;-). Hopefully life will settle down soon. Hopefully.

I hope to be back later in the week with some of my usual mind-numbing randomness, but for now, I wanted to share something that I have been thinking alot about lately: Entitlement.

Why entitlement? Well, in the past couple of weeks, I have heard more than a couple of people say that they "deserve" this or "deserve" that. I actually heard one friend say, "I deserve to be happy". Well, the truth is that we all deserve one thing : hell. None of us deserves to be happy. We don't deserve ANYTHING, but God chooses to bless us with things like happiness, children, homes, etc. We have done NOTHING to deserve any of our blessings, yet if we are honest with ourselves, we all have a sense of entitlement when it comes to the things this world has to offer.

Truth be known, many people feel they deserve to go to heaven. Deserve to go to heaven? The Bible tells us that "it is by Grace we are saved, not by works lest any man should boast"....and we are great at boasting, aren't we? Our society has made us into a bunch of ingrates. Think about it.....when someone doesn't want to work, they are entitled to welfare. When a business is poorly managed and corrupt, our government races in to bail it out (regardless of the fact that CEO's are making millions and millions of dollars). How about our kids? Most kids today are being raised to believe that everyone owes them something, that they are entitled to have whatever they want and that they deserve all the "stuff" that they get. Gratefulness is a foreign concept to most children nowadays.....and sadly, most adults.


Our society is so focused on what they think they "deserve" that there is no room for God in the picture. When everyone feels they are entitled to every little thing their heart desires, the Cross is minimized and Grace is pushed to the side. We are rarely thankful for the things we feel entitled to, which may be the reason even Christians take for granted what Jesus did on the Cross.

So many people (Christians included) spend their time asking "Why me?", when the question is really "Why NOT me?". There are people in other countries (some even in this one) that have so little they are thankful for any little thing they are given. Go on a mission trip to another country and thousands of people will accept the gift of salvation, but knock on a few American doors and you will find people so arrogant and self-sufficient that they don't see a need for God (and they definitely don't think they need the church).

I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to feeling that I deserve the blessings God has given me, but my prayer is that I will get out of the mindset of entitlement and become more thankful ....in every area of my life and for everything God has blessed me with.

Off to bed.....thankfully ;-)

Peace Out.

So, I am off the blog for a week or so....it's spring break and the fam and I are having some adventures. If you didn't read my previous post, you will want to look at it....there is a giveaway involved that you wont want to miss.

While I am away, I thought it might be fun to leave something for you to ponder....something that I have been thinking alot about lately.....

True Christian, what differentiates you from non-Christians? When non-believers look at you and your life, what is it that lets them know you are a child of God? What EXACTLY makes you different from those who have no relationship with Jesus and what would a non-believer say it is that sets you apart from the rest of the world?

You dont have to answer in comments, although you are free to do so, but I think it's a question we all need to ask ourselves. Do we really act like a royal priesthood or do we look just like everyone else?

Just something to think about.......

Have an awesome week!

Love Mandisa?

Okay, this might be the shortest post in the history of blogging. My friend Stephanie is hosting a giveaway. If you love Mandisa, then you wont want to miss this. If you love the Lord, you wont want to miss Stephanie's blog because she does too....and you will be blessed. Off to do some spring breaking....be back in a week.

A Quick Word

This morning on the way to school, Lake was annoyed with Kaden. I am not sure what Kaden did to Lake because they were in the backseat while I was driving, but whatever it was....Lake was mad. He turned to Kaden and in a loud, angry voice said "WILL YOU STOP THAT!!?!!". The funny part is that when he said it, he sounded and looked just like me. The irritation in his voice, the sharp tone, the evil eye....just like me. Did I say that was the "funny part"? Yeah, well.... what I should have said is "sad part". Lake has heard me reply to him with irritation in my voice (more than once I might add) and in a "less than sweet" tone. Patience may be a virtue, but it's one that I don't naturally possess.

We all know that kids learn behavior from their parents. My kids spend most of their time with me so it's no wonder they would speak and act like me. We humans tend to take on the traits of those we spend the most time with.....ya smell what I'm cookin' here?

Maybe if I spent with the Lord, His traits would become mine and in turn they would also become my children's traits..........

I know it sounds so simple, but it's something I need to hear everyday.....The more time we spend with the Lord, the more we become like Him....and that's THE GOAL....to be like Jesus. We can teach our kids all kinds of valuable life lessons, but if we don't teach them to be like Jesus all those lesson are useless.

Yes, I think "Be Holy for I am Holy" might just be the most valuable lesson our kids will ever learn.....but, it wouldnt hurt for us as parents to learn it first.

Dear Winter, I dislike your actions.

When we were little and my sister or I would say "I hate so and so", our parents would smack our mouths and say "You do not hate them, you just dislike their actions".......since "hate" is a bad word at my house (along with stupid, dumb, b-tt, no, and many more - email me for a complete list of words that my kids cannot say), I decided NOT to title this post "I hate winter" (as originally intended). I guess I dont really hate winter, but as I get older, I dislike it more and more.

Why do I dislike winter? Well, I cant stand to be cold and I dislike sickness very much, and we all know that along with winter comes cold and sickness. For instance, I spent a couple of hours in Lake's pediatrician's office "sick" waiting room yesterday (with all the other mothers in the Tri-City area). Turns out that Lake has what is called "Flu Type B". If you will remember, it was only 2 weeks ago that Steve and Kaden had "Flu Type A". I am praying that there is no such thing as "Flu types C, D, E, or F" because at the rate we are going I am sure that we would get them all. And ya'll I am not the least bit interested in the Flu alphabet.

Also, I dont mean to sound ungrateful, but we have spend over $500 in three weeks on flu meds (do not get me started on how insurance and pharmaceutical companies are robbing us blind!).

Truth be told, I would rather have hemmorhoid surgery and a root canal than for my kids to be sick.....no! Scratch that! I would rather have hemmorhoid surgery WHILE having a root canal with NO anasthesia than for my kids to be sick!!! (okay, maybe the no anasthesia part is going a little too far, but the rest is really true!).

It's funny. My boys are used to being together. They sit right beside each other while they watch TV....much of the time with their arms around each other. They sleep together curled up like two little puppies in a ball. They lay in the floor with their little heads together and draw pictures. But when one of them is sick, I am constantly having to tell them to move away from each other. If I had a dollar for every time I have said "Please dont get in his face", I would be rich. They really would not know what to do without each other.....sweet.

So, I guess you all have noticed that I have become what I used to despise-- a blog neglector. I have been remiss in my self imposed blog duties. I spend most of my days running errands and carting kids to and from activities. I get up at 6 am and before I know it, it's 9:30 pm. How does that happen? I mean how do we get so busy that we have no idea where our day went? How do mothers with 5 or 6 children do it? I will never know.

I just wanted you all to know that the reason I have not been commenting on your blogs is not necessarily because I havent read them, but because I havent had time to type out comments. Well, at least comments that are semi-intelligible/intelligent.

In other random news, I think I may have turned into an angry old Republican man. Let me explain. I was working at our new house the other day. The painters are frantically working so we can move in before the return of our Dear Lord. While they work, they listen to (very loud) music. Music of the Rock variety. Now, I dont say anything because I feel that upbeat music makes one work faster and I have to say that I grew up in the 80's, so I am no stranger to rock music (ie. I know every word to the songs they are listening to - remember: God said not to judge). Anyhoo, as I was working, the song "Born in the U.S.A." came on the radio. We all know the words, but it doesnt hold the same appeal for me that it used to when I was younger. (This is where I become and angry old Republican man). I know now that Bruce Springsteen is an outspoken liberal who has used his celebrity status to help defeat conservative candidates. And it just plain makes me mad that celebrities think we are so ignorant that we care what they think about politics. Newsflash: The average American COULD NOT CARE LESS what Bruce Springsteen or any other Hollywood actor thinks about politics. Who died and made him "Boss"? And who is Bruce Springsteen "the boss" of anyway?

Moving on.........I wonder if you all would think less of me if you knew that Steve, the kids, and I think it's fun to go to Sam's Club and eat dinner? (Again, Judge not lest ye be judged). We love to go to Sam's and get hot dogs, pizza,cokes, and ice cream for dessert. We sit and watch people and talk about what we are going to buy and the best part is that all four of us can eat for $10. Yeah, we're classy like that.

This morning, Lake woke up with a nosebleed. A huge nosebleed - we are talking lots of blood here. His nose has never bled before, so I thought I should call the Dr. to see if it might be a side effect of the Flu and see what I needed to do. I asked for a nurse and told her the story. She asked me what I was doing to stop the bleeding, I wasnt exactly sure what to do for a nosebleed because we have never had one before (ummmm, that's why I am calling a Doctor??? Hello????). She was so rude to me and acted like I was a total idiot for not knowing how to stop a nosebleed (let me just add that I love our Dr's office, we know most everyone there and they are always very nice, well until today).

I think it says something for my intelligence level that I knew enough to know that I didnt know what to do and to call someone who supposedly does. So, after making me feel stupid (and yes, I know stupid is a bad word) she told me to pinch the top of his nose and hold it AND (this is the weird part) to tear off a piece of a brown paper bag, roll it up and place it in his upper lip..........AND I'M THE STUPID ONE?????? Okay, maybe I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but does the average Joe out on Main Street REALLY know that a paper bag between the teeth and gums stops a nosebleed???? (Sadly, My mother just called and when I told her his nose was bleeding she asked "Did you put a paper bag in his lip?" ....Apparently I am the only one in America that does not know a paper bag stops nose bleeds....P.S. Dont tell me if you knew that already. I feel stupid enough already without your two cents. Thank you.)

Okay, I suppose those of you who have read this far have been punished enough. Thank you for reading this and if you think of it, say a prayer that Lake will get better soon and the rest of us will stay healthy. Neither our nerves or our bank accounts can handle any more sickness.

I will leave you with some pictures of us from the Monster Truck Race we went to a couple of weeks ago. You know, you might be a redneck if you like to eat dinner at Sam's and go to Monster Truck shows.....I hope these pics of my family with ear plugs in our ears watching loud trucks with large tires does not change your image of me (although I fear it will just reinforce what you already knew;-).

Have a happy day!

Whatdya think?

Like my friend Cassie, I have been thinking of changing up the blog. I am over all things winter and ready to move on to spring (well actually summer, but we all know spring has to come first). What do you guys think of this background? It seems like I have seen it on someone's blog recently, but I cant remember whose it is, so I hope I havent stolen anyone's blogskin (if I have, let me know and I will change it really quicklike). Let me know what you think......we'll see if it stays for more than a day or two ;-). You guys know I have a problem making decisions, right?

Monday, Monday, Why do you hate me so?

So, it's Monday. Not my favorite day of the week....usually not even my second favorite day. And this has definitely been a Monday (sad part is that it is only 1:20 pm - there are several more hours to go until Tuesday rolls around). I wont bore you with the details, but let's just say that "life is tedious today".

Anyway, I thought I would check in and post my new memory verses. It's a familiar one to most of you....the first part of it I already knew, it's the second part that I will have to learn.

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Why did I pick these verses?

Well, because I need to remember that God's Word is relevant to me today....and everyday until He calls me into His presence where He can speak to me face to face. His word speaks to us in the way we need to hear it - you can read a verse today and it will speak to you differently than it will tomorrow - no other book can do that (because no other book is divinely inspired by the One True God - and no other book is "living and active").

Through His word I can get a glimpse of Who God is and what He expects of me. He uses His word to show love, to rebuke, and to cause me to change directions.......and to remind me that when I sin, I sin against Him.........nothing I do, say, think or feel is hidden from Him, He knows it all - the good, the bad and the ugly, yet He loves me anyway........the Word is living and active, because "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God".....These verses remind me that spending time in the Word IS ACTUALLY spending time with God Himself...... and quite frankly, I need to be reminded of that....often.