For any of you that know me, you know that I love, love, love old movies! I really have always enjoyed the movie Pollyanna. For those of you not familiar with this film, Pollyanna is an orphan that is finally taken in by her negative, bitter, and controlling Aunt Polly. Pollyanna's parents were missionaries and lived basically off of nothing in the town that they were ministering. She is always grateful for anything she has and when she moves in with her town-owning aunt, she can't understand how so many people in the town are so negative and unhappy when they have been blessed with so many wonderful things. She plays the Glad Game constantly, always finding the positive in situations and sharing her ideas with those around her. Finally, her kindness, positive attitude, and witnessing wins over her aunt and the entire town.
I'm a very positive person and this movie for me is a little reminder of what it means to be thankful and "glad" for things, people and circumstances around me. Because I try to see the positive in most things, this sometimes annoys my sweet hubby, who likes to say he is realistic not pessimistic, "tomato, tamato"! hehe
Lately in my walk with the Lord I have really been trying to be a better wife, more respectful of what my husband's needs, and wants and wishes are for our family. Again, I'm so glad it is
his responsibility not mine to lead our family. I have also been really trying to make sure the things I do and say are godly and pleasing in the sight of God. Lately, I have noticed I have been negative, down trodden, and unhappy with things around me. The Bible says in Philippians 4:8,
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
I realized that I hadn't been thinking on these things lately and that a lot of my thoughts had been negative and judgemental. I started thinking about things I had been doing lately and realized that I had been spending TONS of time online. Since Tom has been home and has been taking care of most of things around the house, I have been spending my time resting on the couch, with the computer on my lap. Not only has this led to a permanent discoloration on my left leg, due to the hot fan on the laptop burning my skin, but has also been distracting me from important things. While I do spend most of my time on uplifting sites looking at ways to save our family money, ways to be a better mom and wife, and plans to update our new home (if we ever get there!), there were also sites where women were venting about their husbands, whining about their kids and family, and being unhappy about their emotional, mental, financial, and physical status.
This obviously isn't rocket science to anyone, but I realized in reading those posts and sites, I was getting worked up about those matters too and unkind and ungodly thoughts and words were creeping into my life. I was being idle and letting those things replace the Christ-like ideas that I hold dear. In 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15 Paul warns the church,
“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
I even noticed that some people that I am around were bringing this distraction into my life and I was having difficulty staying positive and seeing the good things when I was around those people. I talked to Tom about what he thought the Bible said about hanging around those people or going to those sites that are a negative influence. We are still discussing the long term effects and what changes would have to be made and are praying that God will show us clearly if those friendships need to be worked on, changed, or left behind, but we want to make sure we are keeping our walk close to the Lord, while not judging others for their choices. I know that I am no where near perfect and that I am growing everyday, and while it is hard to think of having to move on from a friendship, it is our goal to follow Titus 2 in our daily walk.
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
As Christians, how we live our lives is so important. I never want to cause another to fall because of something I did or didn't do. It is so easy to say I am a Christian, but if I'm not living like one, what a great dishonor I am doing to God's word. I want people to know without a question of a doubt who is in charge of my life and our family's life.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.-Romans 12:2
I have no idea who is watching my life, who is seeing how I react or what I do, and even if it is only my husband and my sons that see my Christian walk, those three people are enough motivation to make sure I'm following Christ's example. He has given us all such a wonderful gift that I don't ever want to take it for granted and get lazy in how I live. So in saying all of this, I took most of last week off the Internet to really refresh myself, I stayed away from those negative sites, and made sure the things I was watching, listening to, and reading were glorifying to the Lord and I had such a great week! Tom and I started a new devotional series together, we listened to a great relaxing hymn station online, and read uplifting books to ourselves and to Grant!!!
I know that balance is the key to everything, but with all the negativity in the world, did I really need to be adding to my load - for the fun of it? I would encourage anyone to take a sabbatical from the Internet and media and really refocus on your family, yourself, and the Lord......It's always a good idea! When I look back at my time on earth and when my family and friends look back at my life, I hope that they can easily say that I was as close to being a Proverbs 31 woman as I could be, with God's help!
Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Hello all! We are proud to introduce to you James Morgan Howard, born on June 11th at 5:20AM, weighing 7 lbs 4oz and with a length of 20 inches. Momma and baby are both doing great and big brother Grant loves to hold his little bubby. God has blessed our family and we are so grateful to have a healthy little boy!
Here is my attempt to do it myself, hehe, a lot of grunting occurred then the staple gun was taken from my hand.
Here is the fabric that it once was covered in......exciting huh? We kept one piece that was in really good condition to cover the bottom, so we would always have a reminder of what it was once like. The microfiber washes up with water so easily and the material and supplies cost around $12, what a difference it makes! Hopefully our material will last 25 years, but I won't hold my breath!
I found some cute fabric at HL that I have loved for a long time, but since I don't have little girls to make things for, I have always passed it by. Our dining room things have this beautiful color of blue in them that I love and this fabric just matched perfectly. The fabric was also on sale, so it was even a better bargain than I had thought of to begin with. There were 3 coordinating fabrics that were cute and then I got the solid blue cotton for the back of all of them, thus lowering the cost even more.
Now on to Graduation Week! 
Man, I'm huge!
Could there be an 8th doctor in the family?? 
The crafting seems to never end at our house right now. I love to make things and have a project to keep me busy, and with all our free family time lately it has been wonderful to work on crafts together with Tommy and sometimes, even Grant helps out!
We decided we wanted a cute sign for our front door of our new home, so we all brainstormed, headed to Hobby Lobby, and picked out something inexpensive and adorable to work on.
Grant and Tommy helped paint the letters, I painted the sign, Tommy assisted me in the gluing and spacing of the letters and even sealed it with a clear varnish. Now all we have left to do is attach this beautiful ribbon I got once we get to our home and we are all set! 
We did not find any bunk beds(wasn't really expecting to) or wood puzzles (do people not own these things?) and the book selection was terrible, but we did get a free set of encyclopedias (it's never too early to start that homeschool curriculum library), a picture frame that matches one we already had for $0.50, a free old mystery book(I love those old classics), and a silver tea set from an estate sale for $4.00(this was a splurge, but I've been looking for an old one for a long time, so Tom got it for me as a Mom's day present.) 
In total we spent around $12.00 and got tons of things. Garage sales can be very bad if you don't have a plan of what you want, a set budget or what you will spend total and on certain things, or if you just pick up random things.....it can easily turn into just grabbing junk and clutter you don't need, just because it's a good deal. I always like to ask myself three things before I buy or get something:
