To my love............

Ken...........

I love you!!! Can you believe how the years have just flown by?!

Thank you for being my husband... my love... my best friend!

Our children couldnt have asked for a better dad EVER! They are the good hearted people because of you!

I LOVE YOU SWEETHEART!

have a Great day today!

Love,

T

Not my will.................

What if someone followed me around with a video camera all day documenting my every move? Catching on camera all of my words, facial expressions, actions, and reactions. And then what if someone packaged it all together and played it on some sort of reality TV show for all the world to see. What would be the glaring message of my life?

I am convicted thinking about this.

You see, if someone were to ask me, what are you all about? I would have some nice sounding answers. But what actually happens during the strains of everyday life can sometimes betray my best intentions.

I want to be a loving wife. Yet I can sometimes be found in a grumpy, selfish mood and view my husband as a business partner that better hold up his end of helping out.

I want to be a wise and patient mom. But my kids know the exact buttons to push that send me into a tailspin of emotion and exhaustion.

I want to be a strong witness for Christ. So why is it that I can read my Bible first thing in the morning and then find myself honking at the person that cuts me off in traffic just an hour later?

I realize there is a place for God’s tender mercies for me in all this. But I also know that while no TV cameras are following me around, my life is speaking a message about what I really believe and I want that message to honor Jesus. I once heard, “Great sermons are not preached, they are lived.” Oh how I long to live a message that speaks loud and clear, “Jesus is true and the principles found in His teachings work!”

Let’s just be honest, it’s tough being a sold out soul for Christ stuck in a flesh-filled body. That’s why it is essential that I view my time with God each morning as a preparation and an invitation. Every verse, devotion and prayer is all part of God’s preparation for me that day. Instead of just using it to quiet my soul for the few minutes of devotion time, I must allow His teachings to seep into my heart and mind. Then I must ask God to interrupt my natural flesh response throughout the day the truths He taught me that morning. That’s the preparation part.

The next essential view of my quiet time each morning is the invitation part. Spending time with God first thing invites His presence into my life and acknowledges, “Not my will God, but Yours be done.” So if my husband forgets to do something he promised, or my kids push my buttons, or a person cuts me off in traffic, or one of the other one million things happens that causes my flesh to want to rear up and act ugly… I can say, “Not my will God, but yours be done.”

This slight pause and acknowledgement of God redirects my frustration and replaces it with grace. Then and only then will my life speak to the fact that I have spent time with Jesus.



Dear Lord, please teach me how to reveal more and more of You through the way I live my life. I want to tell the whole world about You using words only when necessary. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.







hugs.......
love............
blessings............
.::Tam::.







**"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13 **

9 years old...........

Omgoodness.............. they grow up so fast! I cant believe my baby is 9 now. He had a great birthday. Ken and I delivered mini cupcakes to his class late in the afternoon so that he could pass them out before school was out and enjoy a little birthday moment with his class. When school was out ... we packed up the family and off to Chuck E Cheese we went for birthday fun.
David opened gifts before we left.... one of his gifts was this adorable BubbleBee Transformer costume. He just had to wear it to Chuck E Cheese... hehehehe... he is so cute!
As you see above.... David's Birthday Cake. yes... those are ants around the edges. He's the bug man... ya know!

Here we have one very happy Michael. He hit his very first JACKPOT on RockinBowler Ski ball.

We had a great time... ate too much pizza... had a piece of seriously frosted cake... played ski ball to supply almost all the kids with a jackpot or two. Yep... Ken is a ski ball junkie... he hits more jackpots in one night than most do in several visits. He gave away probably close to half of what we collected.... and that's alot being the boys spent 4000 tickets.
Once we got home... we tucked David into his new Bed Tent where he slept so peaceful.

hugs.......

love...........

blessings............

.::Tam::.

**Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23**

Fun Photo Friday.........

Well........... its school time again. My babies have grown so much over the summer. This picture is actually the second day of school........ they started yesterday.... but I forgot to grab my camera for a pic. Patrick reminded me this morning ........... whew!
So here we see... my 5'10" Patrick.... my super hero Michael and my little bug guy David.... and of course David is holding one of his pet Praying Mantis.
These were so much fun to make. I have seen several pictures on the Internet of covered tape measures... and they were all so neat. I decided to wing it and create a couple of my own.

This is a Kit Swap I am participating in. You and your partner create crochet kits for each other complete with yarn ... hook.. pattern.. .etc.... and send them to each other. This is what my partner sent me. 3 kits.... a stack of recipe cards......extra fun yarn.....rubber stamps for card making....teas.......lots of patterns... and an awesome tote bag! Thank you so much Lillibet! I love it all!!!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and peeking.

have a GREAT day!

hugs......

love..........

blessing........

.::Tam::.

**Jesus told her, I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. John 11:25**

Failing Foward........

I admire, maybe even envy, people who aren't afraid to fail. You know, those people who see personal setbacks as another goal to conquer. People who don't even consider defeat when they blow it.

I wish I were that kind of person. But honestly, I am not always so courageous in the face of failure.

Failure is painful. It's embarrassing. And sometimes it makes me want to give up, mainly on myself.

God is teaching me a lot about failing. In fact, He is giving me a little push these days, to fail forward.

The last few weeks He's been challenging me to determine in my heart and mind that I am a work in progress and move forward even when I have a setback. He is reminding me that I am a woman who is becoming all He created her to be.

A woman who is growing.
A woman who is getting better and better each day.
A woman who is not perfect - but who tries to surrender to God's perfect love and perfect power at work in her.

Failing forward...after I shoot harsh words across the room to "shoosh" my one of my boys when he announces that the milk in our near empty refrigerator has expired and there is nothing to drink! That is, after I'd just opened the carton of perfectly good milk, drank some myself and served some to one his brothers.
Failing forward...after I criticize my husband and realize I failed to honor my man, again. Instead I've added to an already stressful day for the husband and father who just brought home groceries.
Failing forward...after I tell God that a certain ministry blog assignment is too stinkin' hard so I can't do it because surely I don't have what it takes.

Every time I fail to be the woman God calls me to be, or the woman I expect myself to be, God reminds me of the progress we've made. Because, even though I may not be who I want to be, I am not who I used to be!
And I get that much closer to who I am meant to be every time I fail forward.


Dear Lord, I am so thankful that with Your help, I can fail forward!! I don't have to see my setbacks as a step back. In fact they can lead me forward if I let them. Today, I will take Your hand and trust Your heart as You pull me back up again and use my failures to help me
become the woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, amen.


hugs...
love......
blessings.......
.::Tam::.


**"The steps of a [woman] are established by the Lord, and He delights in [her] way. When [she] falls, [she] will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds [her] hand." Psalm 37:23-24**

Freebie Friday..........

Mile-a-minute scarf (stitch the strips together for an afghan)

Yarn – I used scraps of RedHeart Super Saver
Hook – I
Skill level – Easy!


Inside chain.
Row 1) ch 4, 2dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, 3dc in same ch as first 2dc,* *repeat 2 more times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch 4 at the beginning. Ch 3
Row 2) 3dc ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Dc in next ch2 sp, ch3, flip project over so that the ch3 is on your right.
Rnd 3) repeat rnd 2 until desired length. Tie off.

Border
Attach yarn in any side ch3 sp. Ch3, 2dc in same sp. 3dc in each dc and ch3 sp to end.
Turning corner - Dc in last 3 dc, 3dc in ch2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, 3dc in each dc and ch3 sp to end, turn corner as before, continue in patter joining with sl st to first ch3, tie off.

Scarf - Add any other decorative border at this point if you choose.


Afghan – join strips together with any joining method you prefer. Add as many or as few as you like to get desired width.


Written by Tammy Carlton
From memories of very old pattern!

Never go through a Crisis without Christ!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ken now owns his own business and as exciting as that is... it still has its scary moments. Will there be enough clients? Will there be enough money? What about taxes? insurance? These are things to think about.. but not "worry" about.
One of our older boys, Christopher has had to return home due to financial reasons.
We find our family dealing with health issues.... Michael going through the longest relapse he has had yet and it taking it tole on him emotionally.... Christopher trying to hold his head up during this trial he goes through... and so on. The future may look difficult to you ........ there is good news for all of us though!
The bible assures us that when we fully place our trust in Jesus Christ, He will sustain us. When we stop looking to man or the government to “bail us out” the Lord will be there to carry us through any circumstance. Matthew 10:29-31
**29-Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. vs. 30-But the very hairs of your head are numbered. vs. 31- Fear you not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. If Christ cares for the sparrow how much more shall He care for you and I?**


Do not let the news on TV or someone else’s worries become your burden to carry or consume you with fear. Do not let silly issues at work... family trials ... financial troubles or illness become your focus so much so that you lose site of God!!! Come whatever may in this life we can walk with assurance and peace.

Many of us are familiar with Psalm 23. We have seen Psalm 23 plastered on many church walls, key chains, plaques, and decorations adorn our homes with this chapter of the bible and many can quote this chapter line by line. Let’s take a closer look at this small chapter that carry’s a great big promise!

"The Lord is my Sheppard I shall not want." If we believe Christ is who His word says He is, we shall not want for our needs, we can be content in knowing our needs shall be met no matter what the news may be reporting or what someone says is going to happen to our financial affairs.
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures." How many times do we actually take time when the pressures and demands in life are pulling us in all different directions to just lay down and rest? Oh I can feel the peace that comes with just closing my eyes and thinking of those care free days as a child when we would lie on our back in the grass and watch the clouds go by. You can find rest in the Lord today.
"He leads me beside the still waters." When the winds are blowing or a storm is on the horizon water can become choppy, rough, and become very threatening, even overtake us by flood. When we place our cares upon The Lord He will lead us by still waters that by all standards should not be calm. The storms may rage but you can remain still in the midst of the storm.
"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." This would suggest that even if our doctors have told us death is imminent for us or a loved one we do not have to be afraid if we have placed our life in the hands of our Creator Father God!
We do not have to walk in fear because of what man threatens to do to us, be it foreclosure on a home, an unexpected illness or the future outlook of an economy.
...“thy rod and thy staff shall bring us comfort” suggest to me that even if we must be corrected for our wrong actions, bad choices or just stinking thinking we will find comfort in His staff as well. A staff was used by a Sheppard much like a walking cane may be used by an elderly person today who is less steady than they may have been at one time. The staff could help the Sheppard walk through some rocky places, steadying him on steep cliffs and by placing it in front of him it would guide him from making a misstep, the staff would help the Sheppard to prod the sheep when they began to stray from a safe path. This is such a beautiful example of our Heavenly Fathers love for us! He may have to correct us for choices or actions we made outside of His will for our life, but He also comes along with gentle prodding to get us back on a safe path and He offers his strength and assurance on a path that may seem unfamiliar and scary.
"Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” This verse tells us that Christ will protect us even from those that might try to harm us. God’s word states here that He will anoint us with oil. The covering of Christ will be with us, leading and guiding us through life. “He will make our cups to run over.” We will have more than we need, so much in fact that we will have enough to bless others who may be in need also!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” When we are walking in faith and full reliance upon God to meet our needs we will be covered in His mercy receiving His covering, His blessings, His strength. A life filled with contentment, joy and peace even if the entire world appears in chaos.
...“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” God’s word promises that when we repent of our wicked and sinful ways & admit our need for our Savior...and that we are fully reliant upon Him for our every need, He is faithful and just and able to forgive us. God will put us back on a path that is filled with hope and promise for a future with Him!
Do not waste another second living in discontent and fear, place your trust in the hands of The One who created you and is ready to place your unsteady feet back on a path that though rocky and rough at times will still be filled with His Peace that passes all of our abilities to comprehend!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Place your cares upon on the Lord. In Matthew 11:30- Jesus tells us “for my yoke is easy and my burden is light”
Wow...............huh?
Kens business...... will it stay strong? Take it to God
Christopher's financial troubles.......... Take it to God
Michael's health issue............. Take it to God
Whew............... what a relief!!


what do you need to take to God?


hugs.......
love.............
blessings............
.::Tam::.

Fun happenings around our house.....

So our fun begins with a visitor. Early morning barking comes from our garage from our two dogs. One of my older sons that is staying with us for a while gets up to go see what the commotion is all about. He opens the garage door and this sweet little schnauzer runs in past him and into the house. We think its a neighbors dog that has been here before... but had a fresh hair cut.. so looked a bit different. So off Ken goes to take the little baby home......... Ummmm.... the dog we think is missing answered the door with his owner. Well.......... that means its not the neighbors dog. Luckily this cutie had a dog tag from the local vet. So after a few phone calls .... we find the owner of "Bacon" Ken takes Bacon home and then heads off to a client site to work. So we all settle in for a relaxing day. All of a sudden... the barking starts again from outside.......... little David goes to the front door... opens it ............ and YUP... in comes Bacon. So we call her owner to let him know. He is off to work for the day... so we offer to babysit Bacon until he gets home. Well... you can see from this picture... Bacon had a day of serious spoiling.

Now this is just too funny................ look at my living room filled with my family and LAPTOPS!

This is a Coaster set I made ... with a few drink mixes for a Coaster swap I'm part of. I think these flower coasters are my favorite style. I made them from cotton yarn that was in one of the several bags of yarn my Aunt gave me this last weekend. OmGosh............ can we say A LOT of Yarn!!!?!!! 2 totes and 5 large bags of yarn! I will be crocheting on free yarn for some time! My Aunt is so good to me.............. she spoils me somethin' awful! I love you Aunt Joycie!

This was created in our yard by a tarp we had laid out with some things on it.... we moved it today to finish mowing and get the stuff tossed out...................... hmmm is it just me ... or does this look like Texas? heheheeeee
This is a dishcloth I received from a lovely lady on the 'ville through a KISS (keep it simple swap) Dishcloth swap.

Well.............. off to get some crocheting done..... I have swaps ...gifts... and charity items to get to.

you all have a GREAT day!

hugs........

love...........

blessings..........

.::Tam::.

**You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life… Deuteronomy 30:20**

Temptation...............

I think I've discovered one of the biggest tricks Satan plays on us to get us to give into temptation."It's not fair."

It's not fair that others seem permitted to have this, do this, act this way.
It's not fair that God won't let us eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden... one little bite wouldn't be so bad, right?
It's not fair I can't buy that new thing I really want... just a little debt wouldn't be so bad, right?
It's not fair that I have this body that I have to watch everything I eat when that girl eats junk and stays a size 4... one piece of cheesecake wouldn't be so bad, right?
It's not fair that we can't have sex before we're married when we're so in love... experimenting one time wouldn't be so bad, right?

Our flesh buys right into Satan's lie that it's not fair for things to be withheld from us. So we bite into the forbidden fruit and allow Satan to write 'shame' across our heart. Once you taste the forbidden fruit, you will crave it worse than you craved it before, giving temptation more and more power. And given enough power, temptation will start to consume our thoughts, redirect our actions, and demand our worship. Temptation doesn't take kindly to be starved.

I don't know what tempts you today. But, I do personally know this vicious cycle and I'm here to give you hope it is possible to get past it. Just typing that sentence gives me chills.

Several times in my life have I found temptation sneak into my life.

Like I said, I don't know what you might be struggling with today but I can assure you God is fair and just. There is a reason we must face this. The struggle may be painful in the moment but it is working out something magnificent within us. As James 1 promises, "This testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature, complete, not lacking anything."


Dear Lord, help me to see my sacrifice in light of Your truth. The truth is, this sacrifice is a necessary part of me seeking You - the only true fulfillment and satisfaction of my body, mind and soul. Give me strength, Lord. Remind me to rely on Your truth and Your Spirit to empower me moment by moment. In Jesus' Name, Amen



hugs...
love....
blessings....
.::Tam::.





**"The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of God is on his heart; his feet do not slip." Psalm 37:30-31**

A few goodies I've made lately.........

Tunisian short row dishcloths...

Knitted Fish cloth and knitted spiral cloth


Small tote bag with thread butterfly kit and chapstick holder keychain

Inside lining of small tote bag

hugs...

love...

blessings....

.::Tam::.

**The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:25**

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly.. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it.

hugs...

love.....

blessings.....

.::Tam::.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says~~"Oh Crap, She's up!"