Wrestling With Why

It's been a long time since I let so many days go by without updating my Blog. I somehow found myself in a rut. Usually my Blog & writing is my escape. But following the death of my friends two boys, Zach & Drake, I found myself just at a complete loss for words.

Anything that I could write about was just so trivial in comparison. So I just stayed away, trying to deal with it by reading my Bible a lot, hoping to find an answer to "WHY could this happen to this family?" They have been through so much.

The dad, Steve, almost died in 2000.

It started out as just a normal day. He went to a pizza party, got a mug of beer from the tap and drank it.

All restaurants have someone come in & clean out the drink lines with chemicals. The person who had cleaned out the lines on this particular day didn't drain out all of the cleaning fluid.

Steve ingested all of the remaining chemicals. It instantly ate away his esophagus. He dropped to the ground grasping his throat as his oldest son Steven looked on in horror.

Steve was in ICU for months. No one ever expected him to live. They eventually manufactured an esophagus from his intestines. He was a miracle.

At his sons funeral he recalled that he told himself he had to pull through, his boys needed him & he refused to leave them.

From that point on, his life changed. He could never sleep lying down, he had to be completely upright. If he bent over after eating, all of his food would fall out. He went from a healthy 220 lb. man to about 135 lbs.

The stress of this event, eventually took its toll on his marriage. He divorced and raised his three boys on his own.

Both Steve & Steven spoke at Drakes funeral. It was incredible. His inner strength and love for his boys was evident to all who attended. He said he didn't know why so much has happened to his family, but wanted to encourage everyone to continually show and tell their kids, spouses, parents and the people in their life that they love them. Look them in the eye, not a text or a phone call, but TELL them face to face. Stop what your doing everyday in your busy life and spend time with your kids/family members. You never know how much time you have with them. MAKE EVERYDAY COUNT.

As I sat listening to him, I couldn't help but think about how caught up I get in little everyday tasks. I get flustered, stressed & find myself sitting behind the computer, isolating to escape. I needed to hear that, I need to make more time for my family. I need to write when everyone is at their activities so that I will be able to be there emotionally for them.

As I was praying & reading the Bible, I realized that God knows exactly how Steve feels. He too lost his son. He had to witness his son, Jesus Christ, in unbearable pain & suffering.

When things like this happen, and the question is WHY...the only one who truly knows the answer & can help in your pain & suffering is God.

What an incredible man...I pray for him, His fiance Shannon, his son Steven and Venus daily.

Be sure to count your blessings & look for the good in your life everyday!

Balancing the Computer and Family

I'm trying to balance my computer time vs. family time. This is a funny thing to have to think about, but I find myself on the computer a lot longer than I spend quality time with my husband and kids.

Whenever I have some down time, I love to get on the computer and write. Writing is my passion, it makes me feel complete. Being a mom often pulls you in so many directions that you have to find a few things that bring you happiness too. The problem I've noticed lately is that I'm a little out of balance. While I'm on the computer, my kids will be playing video games or up in their room watching t.v.

When they were little we were always doing things together. Times have changed...I sometimes forget about making time and continuing to build those special relationships. The kids are getting older and more independent. But I realized that this is still an important time to stay close (even if they sometimes push you away). I want to have a strong relationship with my teenagers. I need to find more balance in my life and stop escaping behind the computer.

I implemented FAMILY GAME NIGHT once a week, starting this weekend. I thought the kids would say, "This is stupid! I don't want to do this." I did a practice run yesterday and invited my 20 year son to play a game of Yahtzee with me and Elijah (we were the only ones at home). I didn't really think he would, but he sat right down at the table! WHAT...even a twenty year old craves quality family time?!!! My stepson came over last night and said, "When is family game night?" I think it will be a hit!

I'm excited to be able to have QUALITY time with my busy kids. Family is the most important thing, along with keeping the communication open. MY SOLUTION~LESS COMPUTER~MORE FAMILY TIME!

Giving Away Photoshop Elements! FREE!

I thought everyone should know about the free giveaway over at my favorite blog site The Secret is in the Sauce. I have been taking pictures for a while now and trying to adjust the color with my I-Photo computer program (haven't been able to afford Photoshop). I clicked on to check into my fav site...and they are giving away the new Photoshop Elements! Yes...FREE! FREE! FREE! No strings attached, just visit the link above and you could be the lucky winner (sorry but I'm rooting for me.)

My mind has been racing at all of the things that I could do with this. I have a bunch of raw unretouched pics just waiting to be fixed!! Oh, not to mention all the pics I take for the church. I wouldn't have to doubt my ability if I had this. I could fix any flaws...OH MY DREAM...to be flawless.

So hurry over and leave a comment.....

RECIPE FOR A DREAM VACATION (On A Budget)

I was scrambling around when I got home from work, packing, checking my list, looking for the passport, finding the suitcases, packing the snacks, you know...all of the crazy excitement that comes with going on vacation. Ohhhh...the Bahamas, vacation in paradise...snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, and going down the super slide at the Atlantis Hotel. Relaxing under the palm trees, tropical breeze, hammock swaying as you drink your ice cold fruity beverage and read your favorite novel...without a care in the world.

Oops sorry, I was getting a little carried away for a minute...but this is my 13 YEAR OLD SONS VACATION!! Yes, you can tell that I am sooooo jealous! My son just left last night for my dream vacation. I know what your thinking and yes, I am excited for him, BUT....I want to go!



Elijah (my son) has a friend whose dad is pretty wealthy and every year they take him on an all expense paid vacation wherever they happen to be going. Why didn't I ever have friends like that growing up!?! I come from a family of 7 kids, so we never really went anywhere for vacation. Now, here I am with a family of six kids in the same boat. I have become very creative though...here's how it works for all of you STUCK at home.

DREAM VACATION RECIPE

1. Make yourself a big, tall, slushy, ice cold, tropical drink...slice the pineapple and stick it on the rim of your cup. You will need this first to sip on as you complete the rest of the recipe (refill often as needed)

2. Take out some bread, turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, cheese, tomato's, lettuce, pickles and your favorite sandwich spread. Put it all together and set it next to your drink.

3. Go to the fridge, pull out strawberries, grapes, apples, oranges, mango's, papaya's, pineapple, cantaloupe, and watermelon. Cut and slice as needed, put into one bowl.

4. This is the most important part of the recipe...cut a HUGE piece of chocolate cake (if you don't have cake then grab your box of Bon Bon's, Godiva chocolate bar, or brownies) JUST MAKE SURE IT'S REALLY SWEET and CHOCOLATEY ! For those of you allergic to chocolate (poor things) substitute with whatever your weakness is...remember, this is YOUR vacation, you can work it off when you get back.

5. This part of the recipe can be a little tricky...put all of your items on a tray and head over to your computer. CAREFULLY place all of the items around your desk...a spill or mishap can ruin your whole vacation so BE CAREFUL.

6. Go IMMEDIATELY to your room throw on your most comfortable lounging around shorts, tank top, loose fitting dress...whatever you wear to relax in. Grab the fan in your room and quickly return to your desk.

7. Turn on your fan, sit down, grab your drink, take a big sip (remember, no gulping...it's your vacation), turn on your computer, go to your Blog page. Once you've arrived, click Next Blog at the top of your screen.

8. While your computer is thinking, take a bite of your sandwich, and grab a piece of fruit. The fan should now be supplying a perfect, light, relaxing breeze.

9. When the first picture appears, scroll down, there will be more. If you happen to arrive at an undesirable vacation spot, or heaven forbid a work site...simple jump to another destination by hitting "Next Blog" at the top of the screen. Often times you will not be able to read about the spot you have arrived at due to a language barrier...DO NOT get frustrated...you're on vacation for the scenery, relaxation and beauty. Be sure to continually enjoy the feast before you (no worrying about calories remember...V A C A T I O N).

10. You have now arrived at your DREAM VACATION...the Bahamas, Tahiti, Costa Rica, Brazil, Australia, Italy, Paris, Switzerland...remember your trip will not be complete until you bite into your sweet, smooth, rich, heavenly CHOCOLATE!! Yes...now you've arrived...and what an amazing place to be. RELAX, EAT and ENJOY!!



























Awwwwe VACATION!?!?!