Thank you Mr. Mail Man!

Thanks really goes to our special care package sending friends. Our Mail Man probably thinks is's someones birthday with 3 packages coming today. Nope Mr. Mail Man we just have sweet friends!

Pkg 1 ~ the boys were thrilled to find Bat Man pens in the "Fall Care Package" from Mrs. Madison. Jacob held up the lime green ghost towel and said "Mommy's going to love this!" They were very cautious not to get the yellow shredded paper on the floor but I told them I didn't care!

Pkg 2 ~ "Boogeyman's" family sent Ben a package today stuffed with puzzle pieces. I only wish Kathy could have seen Ben's face! "look Mommy...what are all these puzzle pieces for?!" I got so excited and explained that we put it together to find a message. He thought that was so special and so did I. Thanks Jonsies for the fun!

Pkg 3 ~ MY long awaited "Food to Live By" Cookbook!! I've waited for almost 2 weeks! Yipee for Spinach Canelloni! For a used book, it sure is in great condition. At least I haven't found anything other than a smudge on the front cover.



















Now we are just waiting for our Kleen Kanteens to come in and we will get rid of all of our plastic drink containers and cups!

It's that time of year for FOOTBALL! And we have a great (sloping) yard for it.

The Lucky "7"

Congrats to Shelley, Jennifer, Liz, Steph, Hannah, and Macy for making this little darlin's Top 7! Only the last 2 are his age! Click on the triangle to hear.

*update ~ he is up to 8 . . . he added Alyssa Kate to the list. She is also his age. For those of you that know Hannah she still ranks number one. He told us today that she is his favorite!

Lessons Learned

In our ministry we have had the priviledge of serving along side of some amazing people. Therefore we have learned from them as well. Most of what I have gained from them is their lifestyle. We encourage others that "worship is a way of life" and there are so many in our life that also have that mindset.Whether it be the joy that they exude in the every day circumstances or how they respond to tragedy.

Emily & Tom - this sweet, romantic, 80 something year old couple has been married for 65 years. they are ALIVE, on fire, and truely SHINING for our Lord~at all costs avoiding "wasting their life". it is my prayer that when JM & I have been married this long that we continue to love one another as tenderly as Tom & Emily do. I also pray that we will desire to serve our Lord as faithfully as they do. They have such a delightful energy, spark, & joy for serving the Lord & loving His people. What an amazing example to follow. Tom calls her "EM"! *grin*

Ken & Debbie, John & Cheryl, Kathi & Joe - may we be to someone else the LOVE that they have been to us ~ time, encouragement, support, guidance, yummy dinners, wisdom, experience. . . LOVE! Most of all we appreciate the wonderful times spent in prayer with each of you.

Gary & Tina - selflessness. . . again i pray we can love on others the way this couple has blessed us. Amazing gift of love & ministry to others. There is LOTS to be learned from wise Gary and sweet Tina.

Richard & Yvette - faithfulness & rejoiceing in the hard times, thanksgiving through it all and honoring God no matter what, giving praise to Him for the calm that followed their series of storms.

There's more . . . later though! :)

we miss Richmond!

We miss...
~ Chelsea Brook Lane
~ Echo Lake Elem
~ Living Proof
~ North Run Pre-K
~ girlfriends (R)
~ wing nights w/ the guys (JM)
~ Ukrops
~ Tom Leonard's
~ my walking route
~ neighbors
~ relationships with teachers
~ Nestley
~ cousins
~ family
~ Sam, Sam, Hannah, James, Tyler
~ school involvement
~ after school chats & preparing
~ our garden
~ Appollos
~ Maggie, Jennifer, Jennie, Lisa, Tina
~ youth ministry
~ "my girl"
~ Glen Allen Day
~ HOME!


however we do enjoy...
~ walking to school
~ the milk man
~ our mountain view
~ new friends
~ being closer to other family
~ being near my sweet gf
~ less shopping temptation
~ less traffic
~ the quick drive to lburg
~ new friends & neighbors
~ Craig's Cooking

Latest Purchase!

This book for 21.95 at my favorite book store...B&N but on Amazon for $1.60. Yep it's a used copy but with shipping cost less than $6!

I can't wait to make the spinach cannelloni! I was trying my best to copy the entire recipe along with a couple of others the other day while the boys read other books. I gave up. I haven't been able to get that pasta out of my head. Looks like it will be on the Skamamama menu next week!

Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for reminders of God's unfailing love!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "the Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him."

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,

to the one who seeks him;

Lamentaions 3:22-25

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

foe I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143-8

I am thankful for FRIDAY.

I am thankful for old friends and new friends.

I am thankful to work in a place where all the pre-school teachers gather for prayer every morning.

I am thankful for our director who inquires about my sweet friend and how she can pray for her.

I am thankful for God's word and how He is working in our life.

I am thankful for the thirst He has given me for Him.

I am thankful for my "roots". (lburg, family, NR, glen allen, Tx, relationships)

I am thankful for phone calls with friends to catch up and check in.

I am thankful for stillness.

I am thankful for you.

I am thankful for early bed times for this Mommy. Good Night!

Look what my friend did for us!

Remember when I said we were reading Flat Stanley and I had some very wonderful friends who agreed to participate in Stanley's travels?! This is his visit to NYC!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWqVE9RfLs

Careyanne & Tony, you are awesome!

a new treasure spot

I'm excited about a new place to find inexpensive, vintage, personal treasures! We purchased a few other things and will be able to pick them up in a couple of weeks. I've always wanted to make these but I have such a hard time painting letters. I'm going to retry though!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for:


*new Roanoke Finds nutricious & yummy AND just yummy! Now I do realize the 2 totally go against each other!


*making a new friend and getting healthy advice! In an effort to help our family be heathier and to turn some of our habits around, I am really enjoying her book and benefiting from the knowledge she provides! I'm also reading this. When Jacob hears me talking to JM about either of these books he just says, "aw Mommy, why don't you just put that book away!" We definitely have some positive changes to make and healthier habits to encorporate!

*the milk man! yeppers...he comes by our house and delivers local milk w/out added harmones in glass jars! he has lots of other great items as well. he even gave us a FREE tub of ice cream.




*Benjamins First day of preschool! He told us this morning "I'm going to wove it mommy!" And he did have a great day and upon leaving said to me, "I even talked to almost everyone." :) He also said "there is even a girl who has hair like Hannah."

he was determined not to smile for the traditional first day pics!

*Tie Dyes, Labor Day Weekend, 7 children at a 7 yr old birthday party, and some wonderful family to pull it off for us!

*Getting caught up on things back "home". Good thing we went...not only did we celebrate the big 7 year olds birthday but the boys have haircuts and we have a spotless van!

thanks Tammy!

Pawpaw has a cute little helper!

* A day "off" tomorrow. It has been an exausting week for sure! I already told Ben that we would be cleaning bathrooms. He seemed excited...glad someone can get excited over that!

*our family, our home, our view, our life, our God


*a joyful, peaceful morning and wonderful start to our day. it ended well too!


*I met the children & parents in my class for this year. It's going to be a good year with 13 kiddos! The parents all seem wonderful & supportive!

Have a wonderful Friday! Happy day to NR teachers. Hope you all enjoy gathering with your new classes tomorrow ~ we miss you Mrs. Hurt and tell little miss hannah that she is missed as well!

Show me your ways, Lord,

teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm25:4-5