Neighborly Love

On Mother's Day in 2002, Mike, Abigail, Ethan, & I went to Alexandria Baptist Church in Alexandria, OH to surprise Mike's Mom. I was a new Mom myself at that time as Ethan was less than a month old. We were a two-kid family. WOW! I don't even remember those days.


Anyway, that Sunday they gave away a few prizes. A prize for the Mom who had the most children. A prize for the Mom who had the most children present in the service. A prize for the oldest Mom. A prize for the Mom who had the YOUNGEST baby. That would be me!! There was another baby that was one month older than Ethan so we barely got the prize.


The prize was a rose bush. We were really excited but at that time we weren't that into our yard and caring for plants and such. We went ahead and planted the rose bush on the west side of our house but didn't pay any attention to it and care for it as it needed. Each time it would get tall Mike would MOW IT OVER while he was cutting the grass. lol. We were crazy. (We even got rid of some hostas and other awesome plants for the flower beds when we moved in. NERDS!! But that's a story for another day.)


We were shocked each year that the rose bush kept growing and growing. How could that rose bush that we didn't care for and that we didn't water and we MOWED over keep growing??


One day I was in the boys' room and I saw the old man next door through the blind. I walked closer to the blind, barely moved the blind slits open so he wouldn't see me looking at him, and was shocked at what I saw. The old man next door was watering our rose bush through his fence. :) (You have to know how cranky this old man was to really understand the shock of it all. He called the police on us when we had only lived in our home 10 months... but that's also a story for another time.) Every time he watered his own flowers, which was VERY often, he was probably watering our rose bush.


After that we never mowed it over again and we actually started to be excited about how it was growing. Last year we had only a few roses but this year it is FULL of roses. :) I will never forget the story of our rose bush, the old man who cared for it, and the fact that he did it secretly without us knowing... or so he thought. ;)


Here are a few pics.

This rose bush is kind of like my life. Satan is the lawn mower constantly attacking me and trying to tear me down. Not wanting me to grow in the Lord. But my HOPE- Jesus is the old man next door watering my life and helping me to grow stronger and bare good fruit.

New Photo Album- April/May 2010

Click on the link below to see April/May 2010 Pictures.

Amy's MyPhotoAlbum :: April/May 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, May 24, 2010

Outside my window... Dark & Muggy

I am thinking... about ways to help others

I am thankful for... the time I spent with my sisters today and yesterday

From the learning rooms... ONLY science & history

From the kitchen... Coke Beef Tips & Noodles & Corn

I am wearing... lavendar v-neck t-shirt & blue pants with lavendar hearts

I am creating... nothing at the moment

I am going... to regret staying up this late

I am reading... Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury, Shepherding a Child's Heart WITH MIKE & then discussing it, and Created to Be His Help Meet.

I am hoping... the scale has a smaller number tomorrow than it did today.

I am hearing... Mike snoring.

Around the house... I need to do some spring cleaning

One of my favorite things... freshly planted flowers & mulch

Praying for... John & Marissa.

A Lyric or Two...

Before the Morning by Josh Wilson
Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see


Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning


My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer
And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture


Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning



A verse to share: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT, church, Mohican State Park with Akron family

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...  Chase climbing out of the high chair

Come on now... you know you want to do this too!!!

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Things I LOVED About Today

Do you have a routine at your house? We do. We (I) cannot function without a routine. With this many children and this TINY of a house we must be organized and have a routine.


Currently happening in the routine at this moment- the kids are (talking) reading books in bed and Mike is in the bathroom shaving before his evening shower. While I am waiting for him to be done I usually clean up. But since today is Sunday and miraculously I got all the cleaning done before now, I am able to sit and blog.


As I was standing at the kitchen sink tonight cleaning up the dinner dishes I was thinking back to all that had happened during the day today. What a super day it was. I feel so thankful and so blessed. AND so undeserving. Nothing majorly special happened but it was full of all of the moments I would wish for in a perfect day. I will list them for you now. ☺


1. Fellowship with Christian friends.
2. Teaching from God's Word.
3. Hearing from the Lord SO many things that I must ponder and pray about this week.
4. Conviction. (Yes, I like this one. I so desire to grow in the Lord.)
5. Mike making me scrammbled eggs for breakfast and when I asked him what the watery stuff in the bottom of the bowl was he said that he added extra butter "cause that's the way you like it." I ♥ Mike. I haven't been the best wife but I'm trying so hard. He is so good to me.
6. Abigail being disappointed when we finished family devotions tonight and asking me if we could do tomorrow's devotion now instead of waiting.
7. Ethan throwing a ball REALLY HIGH and FAR! Couldn't believe that he could throw like that.
8. Blake reading to me aloud from a chapter book with a TINY font and LOTS of BIG words. Can all 6-year-olds read books meant for 8-12 year olds??
9. Alison running to me, hugging me, and saying, "I LOVE YOU!" just because she heard the theme from The Office playing on someone's cell phone. (Every time she hears this song, even when she's in bed, she runs to me and says she loves me. Not sure how this started but I LOVE it)
10. Chase TAKING HIS FIRST STEP!!!!!!!! It was even more special because Mike saw it, too.... and Abigail, Mike's Mom, & Mike's Grandpa Brown. ☺
11. Seeing the kids running around (in mud) in the same yard that Mike played in when he was a little kid.
12. Talking with my in-laws without many interruptions.
13. Eating lunch with my SIL, Kathy, at a table under a giant tree.
14. Walking the grounds of Mike's grandparents home and taking my annual pictures of their flowers. I wasn't able to take as many today though cause the ground was VERY muddy. I'll have to go out again soon to catch some more flowers blooming. I didn't notice the Yucca's blooming today and those are my favorite flowers that they have.
15. AHHHH... I almost forgot... one VAIN moment. I weighed myself this morning before church and discovered that I had lost another pound. That brings my total weight lost to FOUR pounds. ☺ I realize that isn't much but I've only been dieting for 7 days.


Uh oh. Mike is out here now and we are about to watch a movie together. That's my list. I know there is more but I must stop for now. Thank you, Lord, for such a relaxing, uneventful, meaningful day. Hugs. ☺

Sanrio Cake 2

The cake is stacked and frosted. Will assemble it all a few hours before I deliver it tomorrow. Final pic will be posted tomorrow night- or tonight depending on when you read this blog.

Sweet 16 Sanrio Cake 1

Getting decor ready for a cake. These took twice as long as they normally would have because of my shoulder. I think I'm going to love this cake. I ♥ Sanrio (and Pucca who is a Chinese girl from a Korean cartoon and not Japanese like all the other characters.)

Matching Rings

I heard the question asked many times, "What is this Sunday??" Everyone answered, "Mothers Day," except me who always answered, "GEM SHOW DAY!"


Every March, May, & November, if I have a few dollars to spare, I go to the International Gem & Jewelry Show with my Mom & two sisters. We spend as many hours as we can just looking & looking. It isn't until the last hour that we actually make our purchases. Usually I buy a few hair accessories from the Korean lady or maybe a watch at the $5 watch booth or some beads from the many bead tables.


One thing I have always strived to do is allow my children to be children. I am the parent. I chose to have 5 children. I will be the Mom. I will not make my other kids help me in any way. (Now if they WANT to help me that is their choice but I will not ask them to do anything that I should be doing myself.) Abigail, however, has changed diapers, gotten milk & cereal, put down the side of the crib to lift Chase out, put him in his walker, cleaned up toys, etc. I am so thankful to her for helping me out so much without even a complaint. Whenever I try to do something I shouldn't be doing I hear Abigial saying, "MMMOOOOOMMMMMM??????" She has been such a good helper and I couldn't have done this without her help.

As a BIG THANK YOU to Abigail I decided to take her to the Gem Show and let her pick out a few things for herself. It was fun spending the day with her. We looked at everything a few times. There were lots of vendors missing and it didn't seem as crowded with people. Usually Mother's Day doesn't affect the crowd. Abigail had $20 to spend. She bought some beads, some temporary tattoos, a headband and a few hair clips, a pair of maneki neko earrings, & we got matching rings:

(I'm covering her fingernails cause they were in need of fresh polish and she didn't want them in the picture.)

It was a special time together. We missed the rest of the family though. When I went into Abigail's room to kiss her goodnight she handed me the Maneki Neko earrings she had bought and said they were for me. ☺ She spent the money we had given her to buy ME some earrings. I ♥ Abigail. Such a sweet & precious girl.

YES! I'm a nerd.

Last week I had an early meeting for the homeschool co-op of which I am one of the co-leaders. 4 times a year we get together with leaders of the other small groups within the co-op and we discuss lots of stuff. May is the LONG meeting (9am-2pm) so I always try to get Mike to take the day off and stay home with the kids. This way I don't have to take the kids with me to the meeting. There is childcare but with 5 kids, lots of toys to entertain them, & LUNCHES to pack it makes for one very stressful EARLY morning... especially with my arm not completely working yet.


Anyway, Mike DID take the day off and decided to take the kids out to his grandparent's house in Alexandria, OH. They have MANY acres and a LONG, curvy paved driveway which is awesome for riding bikes. A great escape from our TINY house, yard, etc. The kids can scream and run and make memories with Mike's grandpa.


The good news for me: when my meeting was over I had a few hours to come home and unload my stuff from the meeting, pick up a cookie cake to deliver, and hang out with my older sister, Dawn, & my niece & nephew. The plan for those few hours (after delivering the cookie cake) was to go to THRIFT STORES. I LOVE looking for treasures at the thrift stores and Columbus has some awesome thrifts. Ohio Thrift Stores is our favorite.


At the first thrift store I was able to find Ethan several pairs of shorts. He grew a few inches over the winter... not kidding. He wore size 7/8 at the beginning of winter and is now wearing 10/12.

So, here is where the NERD part comes in. If you know me even a little bit then you know I LOVE asian stuff. Korean is my favorite but I'll take anything with the oriental feel to it. My favorite asian character is Pucca but anything will suffice. While at the second thrift store my niece discovered this and brought it to my attention:

It's a cell phone holder. This is a Chinese monkey cartoon character and it still had the tag on it. For ONLY 50 CENTS I couldn't pass it up. (53 cents with my tax.)

Delphi

You will think this is a silly post.


My physical therapy office is located on West Broad Street in the strip mall that used to be home to Factory Card Outlet, Pharmor, etc. Every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday I drive down Georgesville Road at 6:45am ALONE in the quiteness of the car since all of the kids are still at home sleeping while Mike is getting ready for work. I drive past McDonalds and wish I could stop for a Frappe. I see a house where I lived for a few years with my parents and older sister, Dawn. I stop at a few red lights and then I pass by the old Delphi plant.


The old Delphi plant. It is being torn down and will soon be replaced with a casino. I am not going to write about my feelings regarding the casino. Rather, I am going to write about the Delphi plant.


As I drove by a few weeks ago I noticed something that never caught my attention in the 33 years I have lived in Columbus and driven past this very spot. There are lights along a walking path. LIGHTS? A WALKING PATH? My mind immediately did what it often does... I started imagining people walking on that path. MEN walking during their lunch break. Hardworking men providing for their wife & kids at home. There was a lighted walkway so these men- many of which probably hated their job- could go outside and get some fresh air & exercise.


I started getting choked up- typical Amy- and started imagining the wives & children at home. Missing their fathers/husbands. Hoping their husbands would earn enough money to pay bills but also hoping their husbands would come home safely and not have to work late.


Where are these men? Where are their wives? Where are their children? DID THEY KNOW THE LORD? I am sure several are dead since I read somewhere that the plant was at least 60 years old. So sad. I never cared about that building or thought of the people who walked those lighted paths but I can't help but think of all the lives that were touched, bills that were able to be paid, friendships that were built, laughs that were shared, prayers that were answered.


Silly, I know. But I think of it EVERY time I see those lights along the path that will soon no longer be there.

You Were There

I put this on last night but something was wrong with the video. I fixed it now and it appears to be working.


I sit here trying to think of one major time in my life when I was feeling alone and needed reminded that God was there with me. There are so many that I can't seem to narrow in on one specific time- MIDDLE SCHOOL, being dumped by my first REAL & approved boyfriend at age 16, riding The Beast at Kings Island ☺, freshman year of college- being away from home for the first time and having my heart broken AGAIN, being rolled into the surgery room for my first c-section, money issues, Blake in the NICU when he was born and me babyless in my room, depression after Alison was born, and so many more that I could share.


Some issues seem so major to us and some seem so small. Often times we look back on our BIG issues and they don't seem so big anymore. I am so thankful that no matter what my "issue" is the Lord is with me, carrying me through.


I have a lot of friends that are dealing with major issues right now. I can't understand their pain or stress but I know someone who can. This song is for them.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, May 10, 2010

Outside my window... SUNSHINE! Gorgeous day.

I am thinking... I need to change my pants & put on shoes so I can walk on the treadmill now.

I am thankful for... Mike

From the learning rooms... a couple chapters of math and a few more weeks of history, science, & health.

From the kitchen... poppyseed chicken, noodles, & corn tonight.

I am wearing... blue jeans, turquoise shirt, gray half sleeve jacket/shirt

I am creating... beaded stuff- got new beads at the gem show. ☺

I am going... to take something for my headache.

I am reading... Shepherding a Child's Heart WITH MIKE & then discussing it. Also, Created to Be His Help Meet.

I am hoping... that my left arm will shrink 3/4 of an inch so it will be the same size as my right arm. And I'm not talking about since the surgery. The past 2 years my left arm has been bigger. I don't even want to know how much bigger it is right now swollen. Just hoping that one day they will BOTH be smaller.

I am hearing... my girls making crafts in their room. Blake laughing.

Around the house... EMPTY trash cans, CLEANED OUT litter boxes, the scent of COFFEE, happiness ☺

One of my favorite things... a clean living room (even if the rest of the house is a mess)

Praying for... friends & family who have lost babies.

A Lyric or Two... He's been faithful, faithful to me. Looking back His love and mercy I see. In my heart I have questioned even failed to believe yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.

A verse to share: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. For we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
A few plans for the rest of the week: SCHOOL, PT Wed. & Fri., prayer group on Wed., Alison crazy-eye checkup Thursday, appointment with the ortho. surgeon to check on my progress, Sat. morning walk at the park, and I'm sure lots more to fill up the empty spaces.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... Chase chillin was Abigail on the recliner.

Come on now... you know you want to do this too!!!

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Green

I LOVE this time of year when everything is turning green and things are starting to sprout. Can't wait til the plants are in full bloom. Will take more pics then. Still need to weed the flower beds and plant a few more things.

Irises from Grandma Brown's House

The Garden (just before Mike cut the grass)

Rose Bush

Hostas

LOVE it!! God is awesome. How did he think of all of these plants?? Amazing. :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, May 3, 2010


Outside my window... sunny, breezy, & cool


I am thinking... I need to get my clipboard out and make a few lists cause I have a lot going on in different areas of my life and I am getting overwhelmed.


I am thankful for... quiet moments when the Lord speaks to us.


From the learning rooms... everything is finishing up. Ethan & Blake have each finished two books. Abigail has finished one book. I love this time of year. Canceling assessment with our usual person and having someone else do it for less money.


From the kitchen... Awana potluck/awards tonight. We are taking subs and cookies.


I am wearing... blue jeans, red tank top, white t-shirt, and socks.


I am creating... cake order sketches. So excited to be back to cake making. I have 8 orders lined up.


I am going... to balance my checkbook & pay bills. UGH.


I am reading... was reading Shepherding a Child's Heart but the library wanted it back. SOOO... I bought it off of Ebay for $2.57. Will read it more when it gets here. THEN I want to share it so you can all read it also.


I am hoping... to get the flowerbed weeded tomorrow. Will do my best with one arm. Probably gonna get Abigail to help.


I am hearing... Judge Judy and kids laughing.


Around the house... my laundry has overtaken us.


One of my favorite things... McDonalds Mocha Frappe.


Praying for... reconciliation and peace.


A Lyric or Two...

The Only Thing I Need- 4Him
Eyes closed in a veil of tears when I hear the sound
Once more you've come to me - You've calmed me down
You still the raging sea inside of me
My Lord has come for me
Why-why is it so hard for me to see
Why is it so hard to just believe
Show me what it means to be free


Chorus:
The only thing I need I already have
The fullness of Your mercy in my hand
The only One who loves me as I am
The only thing I need I already have


My heart - a companion to my wounded soul
Again You comfort me-You take control
You quell the fear that owns too much of me
As it was meant to be
So why-when each and every word becomes a war
When there's nothing I can see worth fighting for
You come into my heart and set me free


Chorus


You're all I need-already have it
All I need-already have it
All I need-already have it
All I need-already have it


Chorus


A verse to share:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14


A few plans for the rest of the week: Awana potluck/awards tonight, school every day, PT Wednesday/Friday, EP Leaders Meeting Thursday, meeting with Dawn Thursday night, Saturday morning walk at the park with Steph. Church on Sunday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Abigail is a little excited. I think we're gonna wait about 12 more months to do this.

Flower Flips

Last night I made a few more flowers. I glued these two to my flips. :) Good thing my toenails were painted already.