Animal Names

For the past 8 years I have lived with my family on a small farm that consists of 5 acres, and plenty of excitment. But even before we moved out to the country we always had animals . . . even in our small yard in a little ol' neighborhood. That means we have had to come up with a lot of animal names. Of course we had to have a pig named Wilbor, a dog named Shylo, and a rabbit named Thumper. But we also came up with some unique names of our own . . . and some not so practical. For instance, someone had to great idea to name one of our pigs Rosie. Just because she was named after a flower doesn't mean she smelt like one or looked like one!

Last week Daddy and Ryan bought two cows. Before we bought them, Bethany and Phillip went with them to look at the animals. They came home and excitedly told us all about them. Bethany wanted to name the male cow Yankee, but they could not agree on a name for the female. After going through several names I exclamed, "What about Dixie!" They all loved it!

So now we have a cow named Yankee, and a cow named Dixie. Hopefully they will get along with each other despite their controversal names. You can see them at my sister's blog. (Sorry, I didn't feel like taking the time to upload them to my computer. I have other things to do!)

Cookin' up a Surprise

Lately my life has not been as easy and care-free as it has been in times past. It's easy to get bogged down sometimes, but not know how to get out of the gloomy mood you are in. Mama must have known I was feeling the pressure when she e-mailed me last week with the tittle to her e-mail being, "time for a little fun?" Mama seems to always know what to do in times like these. So what was her advise? Get in the kitchen and cook! She even offered to do all the cleaning! (Don't I have a great mom?)

So I went to Tammy's blog and looked through lots of recipes. Even that started to get my mind off of everything that I needed to do! I found several recipes that looked delicious, but this one really looked good! It's called "Saucy Broccoli Chicken Bake."

Today I cooked the meal. Everyone knew I was cooking but I wouldn't tell them what it was. They were all so eager to know what my new recipe was! After everything was ready we sat down at the table to eat. It was gone in a flash! We ate every bit of it! I was so glad everyone liked it and wanted me to make it again.

You can find the recipe at Tammy's blog. I made it with the homemade cream of chicken soup and served it with wild rice and homemade wheat french bread. It was a very pretty meal and fun to prepare! And yes, it did get my mind off of my hectic schedule.

A Valentines To Remember

I am always in the valentines mood on Feburary 14th, especially this year. Working in a restaurant means that I get to hear about everyone's plans for the special day and see all the girls get flowers from their sweetheart. *Sigh* There are no flowers for me this year, but I won't complain. Maybe next year . . .

Tuesday I went to Family Dollar to find some "goodies" for my parents and siblings. I was disapointed with thier selection, but did find a few heart shaped suckers, MnMs . . . and Reses Eggs! (We love those things! It was the first time I saw them out this year, so I had to buy some! I thought it would add some humor to the day as well . . . Easter on Valentines Day! I'm glad we've never been bound to the worlds traditions.)

Wednesday I ventured through The Dollar General to see if they had anything to add to the gifts. I finally found everything I needed. That night I printed up simple Valentine cards to fit their personalities and put everything together. (It was so much fun buying for others! I can't wait to do this for my own children!) Then, while everyone was asleep, I placed thier gifts in places where they would find them as soon as they woke up on Valentines morning. They all liked their gifts.

Today when I got home from work, I'll have to admit, I was expecting something from mama and daddy. Every year they give us a little something ranging from a Hershy's Kiss about the size of a base ball to little bags of candy. After we ate supper I went to my room expecting to find something sitting on my desk or laying on my bed. But there was nothing there. Trying not to let the others see that I was looking for something, I casually scanned the house. Maybe they put it on the piano? I wonder if they are going to see how long it will be until I ask about it? Finally I asked Bethany if she had gotten anything. This probably sounds so selfish, but I had thought about it all day and had set my heart on getting a little something! I also suspected that my little sister Amy had something to do with it since she had a secret for quite a few days.

Finally Amy told us. Being the littlest of us all, she loved being the only kid who knew about the surpize. She told us (in a grown up way) that the dishes had to be clean, the fire wood put on the back poarch, and everyone showered up before we could have our surprize. After all that was done, we had to go to our rooms while mama and Amy got the surprize ready.

Minutes late we came out to a candle-lit table adorned with hearts and a red table cloth over lapped by lace. The dinning room was arrayed with streamers and hearts all around. The air smelled of roses and music drifted in from the joining room. We were served cookies and red cool-aid along with personal bags of candy for us to keep.

After we ate a few cookies, the games began! Mama had hidden 18 paper hearts in several of the rooms for us to find. The person who found the most would win a bag of heart candies. When she said "Go!" we all ran to find the tokens! They were under the printer, behind the candles, in the microwave, and everyother place imaginable. In the end, Bethany found the most with me close behind in second place.

Next we played Heart Bingo. Insdead of spelling out b-i-n-g-o, we spelt h-e-a-r-t. Phillip was the winner of that game, and glad about that too!

To top the night off, we all sat around in the living room and watched a movie. It was the best Valentines Party ever! It will be nice one day to be able to receive gifts from my one true love, and give him presents of love in return, but I believe this is just as much fun!

Thought Prevoking Scripture

No matter how many times I read the Bible, I always find a verse that I hadn't noticed before, or I see a text in a different light. This morning God brought to my attention 1 Corinthians 2:15.

"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things. . . "

When I read this verse I thought about those Christians who have the kind of attitude that "everything goes." Those kind of Christians don't want to take the time to decern between right and wrong. I have to admint, I have found myself falling into that same mindset at times. But according to this scripture, we are suppose to judge everything. Music, habits, dress, conversation, attitudes . . . they are all things worthy of thought.

Sometimes in life I come across those who do judge everything. If they don't think the Christian Souther Gospel music is pleasing to God, they don't want to sing it. If they see that their friend has ways that they don't agree with and are not pleasing to God, they don't want to become close friends with them.

These things seem so small to me at times, (especially since I find it rather easy to become friends with anyone at the church) and I often get annoyed with those type people who always "nit-pick" everything. But God said, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things." So I am reminded that I need to check my view and see if I am seeing through God's eyes, or mine. If we see through God's eyes, things will be so much more clearer.

In a Child's Eyes

Tonight I found myself craving hot chocolate again. I doubt it is good to give into such unhealthy cravings, but it had been a long three weeks since I had a cup! (I think.) So I wandered into the kitchen and set a pot of water on the stove. As I waited for the water to boil, I scooped the hot chocolate mix into my cup . . . with extra big scoops! Topped off with a spoon of cool whip and the rich chocolate drink was delicious!

I was reminded of a time when I was a little girl and had spent the night at a friends house. Before bed we got some milk as we always did. My friend told me that I could put as much chocolate syrup as I wanted in my milk. I was amazed! I thought that was the greatest thing ever! I went home and told mama about it and found out that I was allowed even at my own home to put as much chocolate as I wanted in my milk. For some reason, I had the impression that we weren't allowed such privilages.

Now I look back and think about how silly it was of me to get so excited over chocolate milk! At the same time I am reminded of how easy it is to make a child happy. Simple things mean a lot to them.

So . . . when I have children of my own one day I am going to let them put as much chocolate syrup as they want in thier milk! (And big scoops of mix in their hot chocolate!)

All Because of Laughter

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: . . ." Pro. 17: 22

Today I didn't have the best day. Going to work and studying Human Diseases was the last thing I wanted to do! All day I couldn't bring myself out of that gloomy mood I was in. That is, until I spent some time with my family. While I was in the living room talking to mama, daddy, Ryan and Bethany, I decided to read them "A Dieter's Psalm" that was printed in our church bulitun. Yesterday I read it to my sister Amy and had no problem. This time however, I got tickled and couldn't stop laughing! I think they were laughing more at me than at the Psalm! So I thought I would share it with y'all just in case you need a little bit cheering up. It made my evening!

A Dieter's Psalm

Strict is my diet. I must not want.

It leadeth me past the confectioners.

It trieth my willpower.

It leadeth me in the paths of alteration for my figure's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the aisles of the pastry department, I will buy no sweet rolls for they are fattening.

The cakes and the pies, they tempt me. Before me is a table set with green beans and lettuce.

I filleth my stomach with liquids. My day's quota runneth over.

Surely calorie and weight charts will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the fear of scales forever.

What Are You Living For?

In order to live a meaningful life, one needs to have a goal. Something they can aim their energy and ambition towards. When I don't know what I should do in life it always helps me decide what is important when I remember what I am living for.

We can all say that we are living for Jesus, but do our actions say the same? A lot of times we live to please ourselves. Every day we want to find ways to have fun and make our self happy. Who doesn't want to have a great life filled with joy and pleasure? But if you live to be divinely happy, you will be disappointed over and over.

Most good things in this sinful fallen world don't last very long. A friend reminded me of this when he said, "Marriage is like a hot tub. Once you get in it's not so hot." This man has a good marriage, but I know what he was talking about. When a couple is courting, life seems great in the googly-eyed, excited, bubbly state that they are in. But after being married a while the excitement wares off and life is just life once agian. True and deep love will still remain, but not in the same way that it did when it was new.

If you live for your family, they may not always be there.

If you live for your husband/future husband, he will dissapoint you.

If you live for your friends, they will dissapoint you.

If you live for money, you will never be satisfied.

If you live to please your self, you will be unhappy in the self centered state you are in.

But if you live for Jesus Christ, you will live a life filled with joy, love, peace, and contentment. Yes, there will be hardships, but God will be there with you the whole time. Your husband might not be, your friend may forsake you, your money may run out, you may give up on having fun, but God will NEVER LEAVE YOU. He is always faithful and true. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. He is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. He is a shelter in a time of storm. He is a comfortor that giveth us a song in the night. He is the one that has prepared a place for us with many mantions and will one day wipe away all our tears. He is all we need and worth living for.

So the question remains. What are you living for? I assure you, if it is anything but to please God, you will be dissapointed. Live the ultimate life. Live for God!