Not me Monday

Today is Not me Monday!!!! I am linking up with this blog:

http://mycharmingkids.net/2008/09/not-me-monday.html

Basically you just post things that you surely did "not" do and would never even consider doing....ha ha ha...very theraputic. Then I linked my post to this blog for others to post and view their Not Me Monday list...(yes, I know it sounds like I don't have anything to do with my life...but really, it's fun..)

Well here is my list of things that I did "not" do this past week:

I did not hurry out of the house on Sunday morning to church, wearing my gold house shoes...and wearing silver jewelry...and a purple shirt that did not match my olive green skirt...which did not make me look like had made a few fashion no no's...

I did not leave a garbage bag in front of our front door overnight knowing that the mice running rampant in our house would not ever want to go through a bag of dirty smelly garbage full of scraps of food...

I did not just leave a whole pile of laundry sitting in front of the laundry room for almost two weeks without being cleaned,folded and put away....and I did not run out of clean underwear and have to wear my maternity underwear even though I am not pregnant...

I did not put my car key in my console last Sunday and close and lock the door only to realize that I needed my car key on Tuesday and I couldn't get in....and this was not the second time in a month that it has happened...

And I did not have the kids set up a mouse contraption experiment for Science class on Friday involving a white bucket, peanut butter, and some "stairs"small enough for little rodents to climb...and I did not see a mouse just climb up the "stairs", take a lick of peanut butter and climb back down...

What did you "not" do this past week??

Soccer games and more...

Today Kamelah and Zaria had their first soccer games. Both their games were at the same time so Phil went to Kamelah's and I went to Zaria's with my tag-along (Anaya). Zaria scored a point and did very well. She is learning how to not be so polite with the ball and she took it away from the other team a lot!!! Above are some of the pics I took at the game. (I am still trying to figure out how to put pictures in differents places within the blog...does anyone know?) Zaria is in the green shirt with the #8 on her back. Zaria's team won 4-1 and Kamelah's team won 1-0. Hopefully next week I will have pics of Kamelah and more of Zaria showing her front this time with the ball...

Also, I wanted to put this little video of the girls acting silly. Anaya loves to dance and she is showin a little of her moves here with her favorite toy, the fly swatter...

Names

Thank you family and friends for all your comments...they were very encouraging...

Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Mouse are still outsmarting me, as they were not fooled by the 10 traps I put around the house. I put cheese in them tonight so we will see what happens...

The girls and I went on a walk tonight...soccer practice was cancelled due to inclement weather. Inclement weather down here is different than what it is in Ohio (where I'm from). It was drizzling and windy here and its funny that I remember playing outside in that type of weather back in my younger years, feeling carefree and very much unafraid.

So instead of going to practice...we enjoyed our little walk in the autumn weather. We are blessed to have woods and ponds in our backyard...really not just in our backyard, but it is behind the houses on our street and very convenient to walk to.

I wanted to comment about Zaria's name in the picture above. Phil chose Zaria's name after much searching on many name sites on the internet. Zaria means helped by God. I liked the meaning and I liked that you could pronounce it and it was not very common (not that I knew of until later.) But anyway, I was helped by God a lot during her labor and delivery. It was my first natural birth and I really did not have a plan as to how I was going to go through this process. I was ignorant to the different techniques used to help during labor. Basically, I was stubborn and didn't want to go to classes or read about it on my own. I wanted to do it my way...anyone know what I'm talkin' about...or am I the only thick-headed being out here in cyber land???

...So do not fear, I am with you: do no be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my rightous right hand...(Isa. 41:10)

I wasn't aware of the Lord's presence then, and thought it was my own strength getting me through those painful contractions. I found myself crying out to God only out of agony and desperation not knowing that He was by my side the whole time carrying me through each contraction. I thought about how I felt like I was going to die and I really was not aware that I could not do this without Him. His righteous right hand was there to guide me through every painful minute. And it has and will continue to be here every minute of my life. Even if I am not always aware of it...

Thank you to Rosa for suggesting "The Practice of the Presence of God." Great book of focusing on Him throughout your day...(thanks for the copy Lynette!!)

Anyway, I could go deeper here, but I just saw one of my friends running out from under the bookcase. Thank God they are so fearful of men...I'll write more later.

And since I mentioned something about names, here is a list of the names of God if you have time to check it out:

http://www.characterbuildingforfamilies.com/names.html

It is really interesting to read all of the names of who He is and the I AM's. Much to think about and to realize that my small problems are nothing compared to who the great I AM is....

Much love to you. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am deeply humbled as I know I tend to ramble on a bit.

Love you.

P.S. Just some military humor that is a part of my life...maybe yours too??

You know you are married to a military man:
when you find yourself sorting out your laundry in four piles: whites, darks, brights, and camoflauge....and you can't remember the last time you saw your husband in a color that doesn't match the scenery in your backyard!!!...
And,
you know your married to a military man:
when you find yourself trying to master the art of taking off his combat boots with one hand, while holding your nose with the other...(lol!!)

I know I am desperate for friends, Lord, but I didn't know you'd send me some with four legs and a tail...

Hello hello family and friends.

Well another update from good ole' North Carolina, where last month, ants formed trails inside our home, where unidentified flying insects found their way to anything edible on countertops and floors...now mice (more than one!!) run rampant inside the Johnson house, coming out only when they think all is clear and no one is around...

Yes, we have a mouse family living here. Brother mouse was not so smart and was stuck by the glue traps (thank you Hanna!) but Mr. and Mrs. mouse were not so easily fooled. They are still running around here enjoying outsmarting me for now...but I will trap them soon...(I hope and pray really soon)....I'm thinking this patience ordeal I went through last month is going to be a lifelong process!!

Onto more important news. The girls are going to AWANA here and they are enjoying it. Kamelah is already in TNT and Zaria is in Sparks. Kamelah loves her class. They learn about God in a fun way. They are using a book called "Discovery Girls" filled with devotions geared toward her age group. Zaria is having fun memorizing her scriptures and earning her jewels. They both are excited about the Awana store where they can use the Awana bucks they have earned each semester toward buying prizes and candy....

And meanwhile me and my lil co-pilot (Anaya) go to Wednesday Night 20-Something Get Together at our church for praise and worship, fellowship, and Bible Study. Some of you already know that I am not 20-something, because the big 3-0 snuck up on me this year. But that is o.k., I can still hang with these youngins'...I'm showin' them how cool 30 can be!!!?

Anyway, if you have time, please comment and tell me what is the worst thing you found alive or dead in your home. I hope it is something bigger and better than a mouse, it will comfort me more than you know!! So please share...

I will be updating more frequently so please come back and visit soon...hopefully I will have a picture of mice in traps very soon.

God bless you all. I love you.

Zaria's special day

Well I am back again. I wanted to post some pictures of Zaria's birthday. It was fun...we went to Chuck E. Cheese's again for her birthday. Let me tell you briefly about Zaria's special day...

Zaria specified several things for her birthday, just like Kamelah. Breakfast, she wanted whole grain cinnamon pop tarts (the whole grain was a seller for me and they tasted surprisingly good too), then she also wanted eggs and bacon too but oops, we ran out of eggs and no bacon. So pop tarts was really all they had time for before heading out the door to Bible study on post. Zaria met a friend in her class at Bible study and invited her to Chuck E. Cheese. I asked the mom if she wanted to come since daughter and new friend were already making plans as to which games they were going to play...but her mom said maybe we could get together some other time.

So onto the rest of the fun-filled day. Zaria wanted to do no more school work. I happily obliged. Zaria wanted to watch PBS kids. I said yes, I was tired and worn out from the night before getting her birthday room ready that I thought that would be a nice break for momma. Anyway, Zaria did not want to go to soccer practice on her birthday and since it was raining we decided to just spend the time at CEC. Daddy met us there and it was a lot of fun.

I will write more about Zaria soon...

A New Design

Hello again blog friends...

Did you notice the new design??? I added a new template. It only took this half-way computer illiterate self two weeks to figure it out....but I think it looks nice. Better than the other one I had.

Anyway, I wanted to post pics of Zaria's birthday and of Anaya giving me a drink....but I will wait til tomorrow.

I will write more soon.

Love ya....

He Is...

Hello blog friends out there....hello...hello?? Anybody out there in cyberspace reading this?

Well I guess I will be posting this for myself....here is something interesting, self, that I saw on the Priscilla Shirer website. This is a list of each book of the Bible and it reveals the character of God. They are the words to a song called, "He Is".

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s Guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit’s power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He’s God and the trinity Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!

Birthday Girl

Today is Kamelah's 8th Birthday. I am so thankful to God for her. The Lord has given us 2920 days of her so far as a gift and a blessing. I know I hear all the time that children are a gift and that I am blessed to have three healthy girls. And when they tell me that on a good day I smile and without hesitation say yes!!
But as I am thinking right now of Kamelah, I think of how she has brought me closer to the Lord.
I had no idea Kamelah was brought into the world for that special purpose, but as she grows and learns about Jesus, I am growing in my walk with Christ too. I am learning to trust Him with her, to really and trully in my heart give her completely to God. To not be so controlling in my mothering and to pray like never before in the areas I see that need the truth of Jesus touched on....I will right more later, but I want to say that my true desire for Kamelah and girls is to know Jesus and to see Him more clearly each day. To know of His great love for her, for them, for the whole world, and to serve others in a desire to show just how deep the Father's love is for each one that He has created....Much love goes to my big eight yearold. May she continue to draw closer and closer to Him, for He promises to draw close to her....

Below are some pics of the celebration:

Soccer season and more desparation...

Well soccer season is upon us. I will post pictures when I get some good ones of the girls in action. This season I have to drive two different places because the girls are on different teams and they split them up by age. I first drive to the local primary school (10-15 min. away depending on who you end up behind or who or what comes slowly crawling across the road ..) then drop Zaria off. Stay for a few minutes and then take Kamelah to a High School in Lillington (15 min. away on more country roads) drop her off. Stay for 10 min. and then, time to pick up Zaria, as practice is only an hour. Then after I pick up Zaria, its time to rush back to where I dropped off Kamelah...and then, hopefully, I will have a few spare minutes to snap a pic or two....

Meanwhile, my co-pilot is with me and enjoying herself. Anaya stays with me the whole time and enjoys the rides back and forth. I am pretty exhausted by the time we get home and then they want to practice more and stay up late and talk about soccer and run around the house and eat ice cream and play hide and seek and watch football with daddy and do whatever they can to stay up late. And lil one joins right in with whatever their doing. She has joined their don't-want-to-go-to-bed club by being her cutest at night. She runs (toddles) around the house smiling and laughing and gives me all kinds of short hugs because she knows if I hug her any longer I may just carry her straight to the bedroom...she blows kisses and plays peekabo and sings the sweetest little nonsense songs...so cute!!!

Anyway, onto something else...

I am excited about the weekend because I will be going to a Women's Conference and I am soooo looking forward to it. I really do not get much time away from kids and house so I really am going to treasure this time. I will tell you more about it later this weekend....



And, I just wanted to let you all know a verse that I have been memorizing and meditating on. It is from 1 Cor. 1:21-22, "He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." I was just thinking that He (God) did not have to do it but He did. He sealed me with the Spirit, He put Himself in my heart and it assures me a place in the heavenly realms. That is what I am living for and I need to constantly remind myself that because my focus tends to shift to the here and now. My emotions sometimes get the best of me, but I need this verse to remind me of what He did for me. I know the Word of God is full of reminders of what Jesus did for me and I want to just memorize all of them...I want to continue to seek the truth of His word while I am here on Earth. I want to know Him, I am desparate, blog friends. I really am...God moved me here for just that. For me to feel desparate for Him. I had friends in Columbus who I could call for anything. I don't have that here. I went to a house here in our neighborhood last week, to hopefully meet and talk to someone over 8 because a friend that I had known at Ft. Benning told me she and her family lived here. I didn't know her personally but I when I found out where she lived, I went in desparation and loneliness. I didn't get to talk with her right then so I continued to carry on with my day. But I know that this small event in life had really been a final clue as to the mission He has called me to be on here in NC. I have come to realize just how badly I need Him. I cried out to Him a few weeks ago after unforeseen circumstances forced me to reach a really low point. I needed Him and I needed to give Him those pieces in my heart that I could not submit to Him. It was hard to do and it hurt but I feel peace in those areas that I did not feel peace before. I am comforted in knowing that He cares for me and He wants all of me. He is an all consumming fire and I so desperately want Him to consume me with His love and fill all those empty areas in my heart.



Well now that I poured my heart out to you blog friends, I think I will go eat me some Hershey's chocolate dipped in some Simply Jif peanut butter...simply mmm mmm good!!!

P.S. Please leave a comment or two blog friends. Ummm, you are out there aren't you? Do I have anyone reading this besides myself??? Oh, I didn't thinks so. Bye...to myself.

Salvation is Enough

Well today the kids really surprised me and woke up early this morning. It was 7:21 a.m. (yes that is early for them esp. since they didn't get to bed til 10:30 last night) and I heard voices coming through the kitchen, down the hall, and to the right. Quiet time is not the same when kids are up talking loudly...(sigh)

I've been having a thought run through my mind today that has helped me focus my day on the Lord and not me. I was listening to a message and the pastor said and I can't quote it word for word but he basically said that Jesus already did enough for us by dying for us on the cross. That God doesn't even have to or need to do anything else for us. He has already so graciously blessing me so much and He continues to bless me daily but even if He stopped the blessings, salvation in and of itself is enough . So I think about that throughout my day as I can so easily complain about things and I just tell myself my salvation is enough for me. Even if my life suddenly takes a horrible turn, or tragedy or heartache comes my way. Small storms, big storms...my salvation is all I need. My life is but a vapor and I need not dwell on the now for something bigger and better is waiting for me. And thanks be to Jesus who paved the way for me to God. Arguing kids, flies buzzing around on dirty dishes, dirty floors, tiredness, health concerns etc...ect.. seem so minimal right now compared to what God has in store for me...

Just some thoughts that have been in my brain for the last day or so. Even if I didn't get a quiet time that I so wanted today I still can focus myself on Him throughout the day.

I am really trying to appreciate these days with the kids. Kamelah will be 8 this Sunday...where are the tissues....my baby is going to eight? That is halfway to 16 and then two more years after that she is legal and then the college thing or the husband thing and then babies and...who knows what God has in store for her...but it really does go by fast. I read somewhere a mother said the days may not seem to go by fast but the years sure do fly by.
When Phil and I found out we were having another girl I sent an e-mail out to friends and family letting them know we were taking donations for their future weddings. I didn't have any one take me up on it so I am tellin you, my blog friends now, I am really serious about the donation thing. Really, I am...we take credit cards too. (lol)

Love and prayers to you.

High Hopes

Hello, hello to all my blog friends out there. This is my 2nd post! I am doing good so far...its been two days since I started this blog and two posts...

Happy Labor Day to you all. It has been a laborious Labor Day for me.. I took the girls swimming today in high hopes of wearing them out by 3:00 pm...

Doesn't the above picture kinda remind you of watching Michael Phelps swimming for the gold? I did say kinda...

When we watched him win, Kamelah asked me, "Mommy, did you swim that good?" I had shared with her previously about being on the swim team in high school and how we had to practice a lot, mornings and after school. I think all that practice I did over 10 years ago really paid off by the looks of this pic, what do you think!?

So anyway, somehow I ended up being in the pool more than the kids. It was cold they said (it was 87 degrees outside), I need to eat lunch they said (animal crackers and pretzels are lunch...?), and "I'm so tired" came out of one of 'em (which is never true because they seem to have soooo much energy right before bedtime!!) If you, my blog friends, were only here to have listened to all the begging and pleading with mommy for days to take them to the pool you would have thought that it would have been so hard to get them outta the pool. Let's just say I didn't have to use any extreme measures to get them to walk home. When we did get home my hopes of wearing them down at the pool quickly dissipated as loud voices and little running bodies emerged as soon as we entered the house...

Well I must go for now...my man had the day off today so I must go enjoy our time together before he has to go back to work tomorrow...

I will write more soon...do not wait in anticipation dear audience, I know you can't wait to hear more...(lol)

Much love to you all.