Journey With Jen

We have had a wee bit of rain lately. . . There is a normal size fence in there... I really wish I would have gotten pictures during out flood. It was amazing how much rain we got in such a little bit of time. The places and roads just flooded with water. I did get out today with my camera and got a few. The usually dry creeks were water rapids. The little pond by our library was filled to the brim. The water reminded me of life. How it can throw things at us we don't expect. How life happens right now ~ not some time in the future. We don't know when the floods in our life are going to happen. Those moments when you can throw you hands up and just cry, "why?" Or those times when no words will come out. The floods... It's how we handle the floods that matter. Do we stay rigid and break and become uprooted? Will our circumstances determine us? Or are will learn to bend? There is a difference between getting knocked over and bending. Bending does not mean letting ...

God's Forgivness Isn't it amazing? That's what I've been thinking about this Easter. We even spoke about it in Sunday school this morning. (amazing how God can plant the seed before we need it!) We mess up each day. Maybe with words ....or actions. Maybe even just thoughts that no one even knows about. Yet ~ God knows. He's there through it all. And not only does He continue to love us... He forgives us. He died on the cross for you and I. So we could be with Him together... forever! Our loving Father is standing there with His arms open wide. What a Blessed Easter Gift that each of us can have!

As a child, I remember my Aunt Avis. Really she was my grandmother's sister; my great-aunt, but I didn't know that at the time. I know I've mentioned her before, but I still think of her from time to time. She would send me birthday cards, Christmas cards, Thanksgiving cards, Easter cards. Even a small gift once in a while. It was so awesome to get something from the mailbox with my name on the envelope. When your a kid, it doesn't happen very much. As an adult, the stuff with your name on it ~ we usually don't want!! LOL I send off birthday cards. And, a few times ~ I send off some goodies for them! This is my Easter box this year. It's filled with some candy, sugar cookies, double chocolate chip cookies, and some butterscotch brownies. It's not much really. It's just the fact that when they get it and see their names on it ~ they will know that I was thinking of them. That I made the time to make them something and send it. I'm thinking that I shou...

We work all week just to finally enjoy the weekends which seem so fleeting. Usually Saturdays consist of soccer in the morning, then coming home to clean up and do laundry. Dishes. Laundry. Bathrooms. Then, laundry. Have I mentioned laundry? LOL This weekend was a little different. It's Sunday evening and I still have some laundry in the basket. There are a few dishes in the sink. And, I'm just going with it. :) I'm enjoying the last moments of my weekend!! Saturday we went to the movies. I don't remember when we went to the movies last time. It's been a while. So, what a treat when we get to go and see a wonderful movie that had substance. It has hope! Soul Surfer was wonderful! My kids even enjoyed it. The theaters were filled with families. Families watching a main character (Dennis Quaid) read his Bible. Families listening to Christian music. Wonderful! The advertisements for other movies were other Christian movies coming out soon. And ~ my kids were saying, ...

Isn't it amazing what you'll find when you get on the Internet? Some good. Some, well, not so good, but I did love this one! :) I'd love to see this as we are driving through traffic in the morning trying to get to work while we drive over one another. Just a little reminder from the Man upstairs. "...whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13: 9-10 Looking in the mirror, I have to think about how am I fulfilling the law. Am I doing my best at loving my neighbor? Am I reaching out when ever possible? Last year I tried to find an organization for us to volunteer at once a month together as a family. My goal was a different one for each month. Twelve different organizations. You really wouldn't believe how hard that is. We made it to a Veteran's Nursing Home and an organization that raised horses for...

Lots of Yummy Chocolate Goodies! My first contest has come to a close. It was fun for me. I hope that you enjoyed it as well! I finished baking last night. This morning, I frosted the big chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. (enough chocolate for ya'?) Faith drew out the names for our red bowl. (you can tell from the monkey/peace nightshirt! LOL) Oh, yes ~ you can see that we have three winners instead of the two. Well, as I was baking I realized that I had enough for one more basket so Char lucked out! She was lucky number three. Thank you everyone for participating. It makes contests more fun when lots of people play. I will have to do this again. Let me know if you have any ideas. Mother's Day is coming up in May or Father's Day in June. Huummmm..... Have a Great Weekend! "We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our priviledge and our adventure to discover our own special light." ~ Mary Dunbar

Luke, Joey, and Faith Joey and Luke Faith It's nice to get back to the basics. I think that what this past year has been about for us. To get rid of all the stuff. We have downsized as much as we can downsize. Now, it's time to dig in the dirt, get our hands dirty, and replant. Of course, before we begin we need a plan. And the right kind of seeds. I'd like to plant some patience, but I've learned not to ask for that!! LOL When I ask for patience, God doesn't zap me and give it to me. Noooo...He provides something for me to do that needs lots of patience so it can expand and grow. So, no, strike the patience seeds right now!! LOL :~D Huummm... I'd like to plant the seed of Love in my children. That, maybe, they will be the generation that doesn't judge others. They maybe the generation that actually loves one another. I'd also like to plant some selflessness. I'd like for my children to realize that this world is not here to serve them and provide...

It is spring time! And Easter is around the corner! I know that all of the wonderful parents out there make sure that the kids have an Easter basket filled with good stuff. (well, at least what kids call good stuff!! LOL) Peeps are a must, of course. Chocolate bunny perhaps? Maybe some spring colored jelly beans. I'm thinking that a basket filled with things us adults enjoy would be wonderful! So, I am giving away two Chocolate Lover's Easter Baskets ! Yes, you read that TWO . Because one is just not enough! :D No, no pictures of them yet because they will be filled with HOMEMADE goodies. I wouldn't want them to dry out so I'll be busy baking this week. Chocolate Chip cookies , of course. Brownies . Fudge . I make this yummy chocolate mousse . Brownie Biscotti . So, many things I could think of! Oh, I can't wait to get started. I will post pictures when I get them done! I'm excited because this is my first contest! There is one rule, sorry guys! You have to b...

Luke & Faith, 2007 I love those moments when you can take a step back and just be proud. Proud of your kids for who they are becoming. We are given things in this life that shape who we are. Autism has changed our home. It has changed us as parents. It has changed Luke. And, it has changed Joey and Faith. Both of them understand people with disabilities better than others. Joey has developed an understanding. He has patience for other people with disabilities, yet with his brother ~ his expectations are too high sometimes. Faith from a very young age was sensitive to Luke. Maybe it's the nurturing aspect of a girl. She was a very quick reader and understood that Luke struggled with it. Yet, even in kindergarten and first grade was sensitive to this and would help Luke without bragging. Now, in school, she loves to help others. I've heard that from all of her teachers that she loves to get her work done and help others that struggle. She is protective of boy with special ne...