Nikki's Ramblings

2011-09-22T07:22:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning and something occurred to me....
I can choose if I want to be happy or NOT. I put the word N O T cause there are many other words that mean NOT...(angry..discouraged...etc) but I don't want to feel any of those things.

I had to walk in the rain a block this morning to get some coffee to get my morning started because Sergio is getting sick and had me up most of the night...so coffee was a definite must this morning. As I was walking...and the rain drops hitting my face...It occurred to me each drop was a reminder that God sends the rain on EVERYONE. But not EVERYONE recognized the drops creator.
I don't want to be the kind of person who looks at Gods creation and doesn't see it for what it really is. There are many people out there who have no sensitivity or eyesight to see what God has given us each day. I WON"T be that person.
The rain...a gift.
The clouds...a gift...
Crying baby...YES....a gift

Most people have trouble with COMPLAINING about everything that doesn't fit their " way".
I've been guilty of this...

But I'm trying to get better.

But the rain may make it a "pain" to drive to your destination this morning...but God saw fit to send the rain so enjoy it. Cause it is GOOD.

Look for the good in everything....
Try to not be so pessimistic...

Be blessed because our God is the same today as always and ever more :)

Its a new dawn...its a new day.....

2011-09-18T10:06:00.001-04:00

Its been quite a while ..hasn't it? Well.....I think that its about time to start this up again. It was...and always has been therapeutic to write here.

So here I am :)

Nikki.

Mother

Wife

5 Incredible children that I believe WHOLEHEARTEDLY that were given to me specifically by GOD.

Friend(I find I have simplified my friend "list" . Or should I say OTHERS have simplified it for me.)

I am on a quest right now.

A quest to find out if I am still the person I was when I began this journal.

I believe I am not.

I feel God is doing a "transplant" with me....

In with new...and better...

out with the old...and well...immature.

SO many times in my life I felt like I've had blinders on and God has removed them at HIS time to show me certain things. At this point of my life...I'm 43 years old...I have 2 adult children...2 teenagers and 1 toddler...HE is showing me something else. Something VERY important and I wish to share it with others.

So this blog will be a "sharing" of sorts....of what God wants me to share with you as HE shares glimpses with me :)

2011-08-12T10:25:00.001-04:00

I really don't write on here very much anymore ...but you can find me on facebook...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1123372700

Please add me as a friend here..

New mom?

2010-02-12T08:00:00.002-05:00

One thing I've found from having Sergio is that I feel like this brand new mom all over again.
Its weird...I mean, I have the knowledge and wisdom that comes from experience but this newly found feeling of awe is just interesting to me.

He wakes up in the morning, and when he smiles and plays with me, I have the feeling well up within me...that I just want to squeeze him! Like I've never played with a baby before.

And these feelings I have are not only with Sergio, its with each one of my kids.

Michael, although he is 21 and will be 22 in June, I just want to hug him so tightly!
Joey, yes, he's 17 and 18 in May...even though he has this Mr. Tough guy persona....I just want to squeeze him till he pops.
Tony and Angel...same thing. I look at each one with such amazement now. How in the world can this happen?

I believe a baby in your life gives you a brand new appreciation for life in general. Look around you....everything is new and exciting when you look at it from a baby's perspective. If you do something new, he's never seen before...he is amazed. Why not take on that new found excitement in our own lives. Look for things to be amazed at. God created this beautiful world and universe for us to explore and be amazed by. Enjoy it! Take it in!!! and while you are enjoying all of it...don't forget to thank God for it too!

God's Family Planning

2010-02-07T10:06:00.003-05:00

And the Lord said to Abraham, " Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?' Is there anything too difficult for the Lord?

----So why this scripture this morning?
It touches my heart because I've always trusted in God to control my family planning.
After Angel was born, I had a misscarriage at 3 weeks of pregnancy. I didn't even know I was pregnant nor was I even trying to get pregnant. Mike and I thought..YES THOUGHT, we were done after Angel so me being pregnant really threw me for a loop.
Then when I found out I was losing the baby...I vowed to never take our family planning into our own hands again. So many people threw their opinions at us saying things like, " Oh you sure you want to do that? You'll have more babies than you can handle?" Well, so much for that. 12 years of "God planning" and even when I thought it was "impossible" because of me starting pre-menopause stuff...God knew what He was doing.

And Sergio's story began....from a mere prayer from my daughter to a boy who blesses my life daily!

Even again, I still continue to hear, " Are you guys done yet having children?"

The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Let them ask that of God and see what His answer will be lol :)

On my mind today...

2010-02-03T10:15:00.002-05:00

Its Wednesday and for our family this means Bible Study tonight.
Truthfully I find myself reluctant to go. Ever since Sergio was born, I find it very difficult to motivate myself to do much of anything outside the house. I can't really leave him home...and it takes so much energy and preparation to take him with me...I just want to stay at home.

Now, before you all start telling me how important it IS to go...I know this very well. Yes, it sets a good example to my kids and to others. I know this....But I'm in the process of finding motivators to go.

I am thinking of either teaching or help to teach the cradle roll class at church.
I am not ready to leave Sergio. He's only 8 weeks old...and he's not ready to leave me either :)

Now, to leave my house to go anywhere besides church? Its getting easier. I took Sergio with me to pick up Joey from work and usually he cries in the car seat ..and not just a whine. We are talking full cry ...chin shake cry. Mothers, you know what I mean.

But he was awake in his seat and very content. So many changes in just 8 weeks of his short life so far. Thank you DEAR LORD for giving me my family. I love my job..as a wife, and mother and teacher and caregiver. May I never take it for granted!!

New Beginnings

2010-02-02T07:20:00.002-05:00

So many things have changed in my life since I started my blog here. I began this when I moved to Ohio from Virginia when Mike was retiring from the Navy. Now, I've been in Martins Ferry, Ohio for over 3 years now. My kids are growing up like crazy and I have a new baby on top of it all. Michael is now a Wheeling Police Officer, Joey is almost graduated, Tony and Angel are practically teenagers...and Sergio is now 8 weeks old. YIKES!

I love my life....even the hardships I go thru. I've seen time and time again that whatever the world throws at me, God can and HAS gotten me through it. I hope my kids get that from seeing me go through tough times. I want my life that I live on this earth to be a life that people can learn from.

Friends, family, acquaitences, and even strangers...chances to show a bit of God's love and mercy to people who might not get to see any of it otherwise.

Purpose filled life? Each one of us has our own book within us...that we could fill mulitiple pages with our stories of why we live today and what our purposes are?

Start thinking about yours. What is your purpose? What does God want from YOU? And start working to get there.

yes, I'm still here

2009-09-14T07:27:00.002-04:00

Sorry bloggers that I've been gone for so long. I had every intention of writing here about once a day...but then facebook got ahold of me and I started posting there and playing games there also. I guess my blog took 2nd, 3rd or ...well it doesn't matter. The couple of followers I had, well, they seem to be gone.

Anyway, I am doing good. I am in my 28th week of my pregnancy now.
Sometimes it feels like it went soooo fast...and then others, it seems to be dragging by but its been a healthy one. Healthy is one positive note I'm trying to put with this lol. This has been tough so far. I'm more tired with this pregnancy than with the other 4, I'm more sore...but when you take into account I am also running a full time daycare in my home of 6 kids on top of this..and taking care of my own family and homeschooling....well, I guess I have every good reason to be tired.

Anyway, I hope to jump on here more often ...to get my followers back....Until then....and I won't say when cause I might just hop back on here today....and surprise all of you :)

This was touching to me.

2009-05-22T07:47:00.000-04:00

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.'"

Luke 1:30 (NIV)

Ten years ago I sat in a seminar listening to a very organized mom talking about how she parented her kids.
She was an amazing woman; a super mom in my eyes.
I held up my feeble efforts with my three toddlers and determined I stunk as a mother.
I thought that maybe if I went home and imitated her, I could enter into the world of super moms.
I mentally listed out what I discerned must be her secret to success and set about to be just like her.
But it didn't take me long to become absolutely miserable.
I mentally beat myself up for not having what it obviously took to be a great mom.
What was wrong with me?
I begged God to make me just like her - that really good mom.
And then one day in Bible study I read the story of Mary, the teenage mother of Jesus.
My heart beat fast as I realized she didn't meet the standard of super mom I'd set for myself.
Somehow, just as she was, God chose her to be Jesus' mother.
And the only qualification that she seemed to have was her willingness.
I made the choice to try and let go of all those expectations I had for myself as a mom.
I let go of the comparisons to other moms.
I laid down the measuring stick of perfection.
And I simply bowed my head and gave God my willingness.
Slowly, I started to see my own unique qualities as a mom instead of always focusing on the places I felt I fell so short.

I may not be the most organized mom, but I'm a fun mom willing to drop my to-do list in the name of spontaneity.

I may not do sit-down devotions with my kids every morning, but I'm good at helping my kids see God working in situations all through out our days.

I may not sew a lick, but I know where to find an alterationist that is the bomb.

I may not always keep my cool in the everyday aggravations of life, but throw something big at me and somehow I'll be the calmest person in the room.

Sure, I have a lot of room for growth in my mothering.
God and I work on things daily.
But over the past ten years I've learned how to embrace who I am and the beauty of living fully as me.
And while I still fall short at times, I'm finally learning that being fully me is so much better than an imitation version of someone else.
I have the exact qualities God knew my kids would need in a mother.

So, each day I hold up my willingness and ask God to make me the best version of me I can be.

wanna keep up with me?

2009-04-14T08:08:00.002-04:00

I have started a journal on my pregnancy...
Wanna keep up....???

http://whosepregnantat41.blogspot.com/

2009-04-11T14:31:00.001-04:00

Isn't this beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-07T09:13:00.000-04:00

2009-04-06T19:46:00.000-04:00

2009-04-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. Ralph Waldo Emerson

End of days...

2009-03-30T07:18:00.001-04:00

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me". - Erma Bombeck

Our military

2009-01-29T14:18:00.002-05:00

I saw a saying from an email that was sent to me today....
Think about it and honor one today!!!!!!!!

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank checkmade payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who
no longer understand it.'

Beautiful Song

2009-01-27T07:04:00.002-05:00

I heard a beautiful song the other day sung on God tube.com by a little girl and here are the lyrics.

Read them slowly ...carefully...like your life lives on each word.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable,
uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Meditate on that today during your quiet time.....
Do not get so used to hearing God's Word that you become numb to its message.
Be Blessed

2009-01-26T07:12:00.002-05:00

Does this picure make you FEEL anything?
I saw this picture on a dear person's myspace and it struck a heartstring.
Its so beautiful.
All I want to do is be like God created me to be and nothing more and nothing less and now at 41 years old, I'm just starting to figure that out and not fight it anymore.

I have been given a gift but I fight the gift. Ever done that before?
I feel like Jonah who God called to save people and he didn't want to do it.

I'll share....
I have a soft heart for people...
Have you ever gotten mad at someone because they put you down or did something to hurt you?
It happens to everyone right?
But when it happens to me, I don't stay angry.
I try...cause I WANT to stay angry cause sometimes I feel like if I stay angry then the person who did wrong to me got what they deserved but lately I'm realizing that the heart God gave me to forgive and not to stay angry is a gift that not too many people have.
I also have an empathtic heart.
Its a blessing and a curse cause I can "weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice" but the weeping part is the hardest part.

I feel such sadness for people....Its almost like I internal someone else's pain and it hurts but I know I can do that to HELP others.

I'm just realizing the potential God has given me and I'm not sure how to handle it.
I feel like He is preparing me .....not sure what for...but its definitely for something
Pray for me will you?
I want to do with my life what God wants....
I don't usually do well with change.....
God Bless
Nikki

History is made...in more ways than one

2009-01-21T08:21:00.002-05:00

If God wanted to add todays history to His Good Book, what would he say?
Yes I know having a black president is a new one for the history books....nothing wrong with that.
But will he keep the Lords statutes as he leads our country?
Will he keep the Laws put in place by our founding fathers who had their faith in our Lord which you can see in all of the speeches and writings of our forefathers.

If you haven't seen the video lecture, the Silencing of God, please do a search online for it.
I believe you can purchase a copy pretty inexpencively or watch or listen to it online for free.

God will NOT be silenced people and for those who think that their cause to put away God is working, just wait.

God will DO the silencing...and He will NOT be silenced. Those who try to do so will be snuffed out.

I do not worry about our country.
God is in control.
He has always been in control.
and He always will be.

Lean not upon your own understanding cause your ways are not Gods way but acknowlege the Lord in all things !!!!

2009-01-02T11:54:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone....
I know its been a very long time since I've written last and all I can come up with for an excuse...
Just don't feel like writing.
As it got closer to 2009 I felt myself sinking into a depression.
Why?
Alot has happened in the past year that I really cannot go into here.
But I don't think I have the brain energy to put into this blog on a regular basis.

I am thankful for all of my faithful readers and hope to write when I can.

Be blessed everyone!

This and that!!!

2008-11-18T11:48:00.003-05:00

Well, I got yet another hair cut lol...

I love this one though and it suits me pretty well.

Whats going on in my neck of the woods?

Lets see, I'm cleaning house to get ready for the holidays.

I want to take my time this year and enjoy the holiday.

I want to bake cookies and fudge with my kids.

I want to not be in hurry.....

So cleaning is the first step for me.....

Thinking about doing a cookie exchange for my daycare families...

I've been involved on one in the past and its alot of fun!!!

Take time out of the hurried-ness of the holidays and look, LOOK for someone you can help!!!!

Nikki

2008-11-12T06:49:00.003-05:00

Please explain to me how this following story can happen :

Missing Baby, 1, Found Under Floorboards by Crowbar-Wielding Police
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

KPTV/Woodburn Police
Kate Higgins shown under her grandparents' floor.
A baby from Oregon who disappeared from her bed was found safe several hours later under the floorboards of her grandparents' home.
Kate Higgins, 1, vanished from her bedroom in Woodburn, Ore., late Sunday night, according to KPTV-TV, the FOX affiliate in Portland, Ore.
Her father, Lawrence Higgins Jr., told police he fell asleep in a room at his parents' house at about 10:30 p.m. with Kate and his two other children, ages 5 and 3. He awoke at around 5 a.m. to discover Kate had disappeared, the station said.
"We were like, 'She couldn't have went anywhere. She can't walk,'" Kate's uncle, Tim Higgins, told the station. "'She's gotta be here unless somebody came in and took her.'"
About 15 officers searched the home, but found nothing until Kate's cough was heard at around 7:30 a.m. from under the floor, KPTV-TV said.
Police used crowbars to tear it up and Kate was extricated unharmed, though dirty, the station said.
The state's Department of Human Services found both the grandparents' and parents' homes to be unsuitable for the children, and the kids were taken into custody, KPTV-TV said.

~~~~Nikki here~~~~~
UNDER FLOORBOARDS???????
I see so many stories about neglected children.....
In my line of work, I am a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect. If I even suspect it, I have to report it. But I just don't understand it.

I just read a local article the other day that police removed a child or children from a home so dirty and unfit for living in that the officers were sickened. THey said it was the worst they had ever seen? Now if an officer of the law can say that, how bad WAS that house? I'm sure police officers see alot of things in their line of work.

Pray for the children in our country and abroad. People are so concerned about what WILL happen from the outcome of this past election while right now, there are children being abused and neglected as I type on this keyboard!!! Pray Gods hands on these children and pray God's mercy to touch the hearts of the ones who are doing this evil to children.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T07:19:00.002-05:00

Today is the day our country takes time out to recognize those who have served our country!
My husband is one of those self-sacrificing people.
He did 20 years in the United States Navy and for those of you who live in this country and who are sooooooooooo anti -war...remember....some of those wars brought about the freedoms you so enjoy today.
Take a moment to thank an active duty military person or those who have served in the past.
It will mean alot to know they are appreciated!!!
Nikki

A little new stuff

2008-10-29T09:51:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

Here is my baby!!!

She just her hair cut a bit and some new highlights :)

Can you tell she loves the camera :)

Life is very busy as usual.

Just wanted to put up at least one picture and I will try to post more of the boys as soon as I can :)

Be Blessed

Nikki

Whats new?

2008-10-24T06:43:00.002-04:00

Good morning bloggers and readers!!
Boy how time flies away and fast. I didn't realize I hadn't blogged in a week!!!
The weather is getting colder and colder.....I like the chill but I don't like the money that I have to spend for heating that comes with it!!!

I had my hair done (as you guys well know and see from my picture) and let me tell you, I've gotten a mixture of responses. Most people who know me well, see me every day absolutely love it and have told me over and over again.

THEN......there are some who haven't quite come OUT and said anything but I can tell they don't like it. I wonder.....is it cause its a bit wild and crazy? There is nothing wrong with a splash of color? I am seeing that so many in the world judge just by looks. I'm dealing with a dear person to me who is being attacked for being NOT WHITE. Racism is wrong and people judging you by the color of your skin is wrong. Should people stay within their own ethnic groups.....
Alot of people would say yes and I've even heard Christians say yes. I do not agree, of course because I married someone who is American Indian, Italian and hispanic. Alot of the world makes him feel ashamed for his heritage and that is plain wrong. God made all people....ALL!!!!
He made us who we are to be HIS people doing good to others!!!!!
God made us to do His work to all nations!!!!!]
My kids learned who Rosa Parks was yesterday and I'm thankful that when I explained to her how racism used to be, she seemed shocked. I try to keep her away from alot of that with her only being 10 years old but someday she will see the world for what it really is and I know it will sadden her as it saddens me.

I was persecuted growing up because of this and let me tell you, it almost ruined my life but I didn't let it.

Satan is really attacking our family right now. So guess what, God must be allowing it and I believe its because we are standing our ground and staying faithful no matter what Satan throws our way. Let me tell you, its alot. Your eyes would open wide, mouth drop to the floor if you knew everything that we are facing....but we WILL stand strong in our faith. We will someday see justice brought....either in this life or the next. God is the ultimate judge and he will judge accordingly.

God just please give us the strength to endure!!!! We want to be your people doing your work and standing for the pricipals and morals you set forth in your Word....
May God be glorified in all we say and do....
Do not waver......any of you.....Stand stong in your faith!!! NO MATTER WHAT?
Imagine that God is putting you thru what Job went thru? Satan came to God to even ask if he could do it ....God gave conditions....but He allowed it. If God allows it then there is a good and pure reason for it.

Hang in there...
Nikki

What Makes a Nation Great? by Alexander Blackburn (1844-1921)

2008-10-17T06:55:00.001-04:00

~~Nikki Here~~~This wonderful poem came thru one of my emails...
Enjoy....

What Makes a Nation Great? by Alexander Blackburn (1844-1921)

Not serried ranks with flags unfurled,
Not armored ships that gird the world,
Not hoarded wealth nor busy mills,
Not cattle on a thousand hills,
Not sages wise, nor schools nor laws,
Not boasted deeds in freedoms cause
--All these may be, and yet the state
In the eye of God be far from great.
That land is great which knows the Lord,
Whose songs are guided by His word;
Where justice rules twixt man and man,
Where love controls in art and plan;
Where, breathing in his native air,Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer
--Thus may our country, good and great,
Be God's delight -- man's best estate.

(from One Nation Under God: an anthology for Americans by Robert Gordon Smith)

Big changes this way comes!!

2008-10-16T07:09:00.002-04:00

I am changing things up a bit.
Hair is going to be something quite different after tonight and I can't wait.
I need to change my look a bit different cause I'm feeling 40 and I am NOT liking it.
Watch out...pictures will follow lol

On other notes....
I am loving my daycare now.
The ages of the kids are my favorite and I just got a new family of 3 that I think are going to be fabulous. I get a feel for people and I really have a good feeling about this family!

Angel wants to try something different.
I think she wants to change from American Heritage Girls to something more physical like Karate so we are checking into a few places that offer a couple of classes free so she can try it out.

Ok tomorrow I will try to post some pictures unless I don't like how my hair turns out then I won't lol
Nikki

Just stuff

2008-10-15T13:13:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!
I am feeling a bit relieved today. I finally have gotten rid of a troublesome parent!!!
She never calls to tell me she isn't coming and has caused me trouble from the beginning and she is no longer going to be an issue with me!
The kids I will be having in care now are the following:
Baby 6 months old Monday thru Friday from 7-3
5 year old after school from 3-4:30
5 year old after school from 3-4:30
Twins that are 2 9-4
Girl that is 2 7:30-4;30
Boy that is 3 7:30am-4:30

Only one baby now which makes my life so much easier :)
I can actually start teaching preschool again!
I still have one opening and its from 7am until no later than 3.

I hope to get back to the gym soon now that my schedule will probably allow this again.

I'm getting a new Hair do on Friday! I can't wait.
I need something that is going to make me feel YOUNGER!!!!
More later
Nikki

Sweet Lips Increase Learning

2008-10-13T09:21:00.003-04:00

~~~~Nikki Here~~~~ I subscribe to this email group that I get a devotional in my mailbox daily!
This one I recieved this morning really touched home to me. I know Denise. I mean I've never met her but she found out in a short period of time that her family was in for a complete change of job and had to move and found out in a very short period of time. She, because of her faith in God, handled this like God wanted her to. May God be praised and glorified in that! Enjoy the article :)

Sweet Lips Increase Learning
By Denise Chaffin

"The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning." (Proverbs 16:21)
"In her tongue is the law of kindness." When I read the title and the scripture, I immediately thought of this reference in Proverbs 31:26b. The word law in this verse is defined:

Definition law, direction, instruction instruction, direction (human or divine) body of prophetic teaching instruction in Messianic age body of priestly direction or instruction body of legal directives
The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon

We cannot teach what we do not know.

As a home schooling mother, I am often asked how I teach such things as Chemistry or Trigonometry. Now, I have a teaching degree; but it is in Elementary education and music. I must first learn a subject to teach it.

It follows that as Christian women, we cannot teach what we have not first learned. We can only show and teach through our actions what we have patiently acquired through the trials of the Christian life. If our nature is at odds with the words of our mouth, others will readily see that. Our teaching is lost in the glare of the obvious lack in our life.

We recently underwent a rather long and stressful period in our lives. One dear sister reminded me that I was being watched to see how I would act. I needed to display the image of Christ, not only to my own family, but also to the church and to the community. I could not allow myself the luxury of acting out under these circumstances. Kindness, both in the body and outside it, was needed at all times.

Genuine kindness will show itself under stress, if we are truly allowing Christ to dwell within and work through us.

We are all human, but we must transcend that and let Christ control our thoughts and actions. (Romans 12:1-2) We live in Arkansas and have the distinction of having the only public diamond mine in the U.S. Those diamonds, when cut and polished, are beautiful beyond compare. But remember the intense pressure and time that was needed to transform black rock into something so beautiful and precious. So it is with our lives. Learning kindness does not come from a life of ease and leisure. It comes from enduring and overcoming the difficulties of life through Christ. ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13)
Proverbs 4:23 teach us to 'keep your heart' for from it come "the issues of life.' If you have ever been to Yellowstone National Park, you have witnessed the powerful forces and beauty of nature in the mud pots and the sulfur springs. But you cannot touch them, let alone drink from them. They show the character of the 'heart' from which they flow from. It is a beauty that is not good for us; and while we enjoy the colors and the wonder, close contact would be disastrous.
So it is with our hearts and our words. If we do not learn to deal in kindness, we cannot teach our younger sisters to endure during the hard times and to develop kindness in their own lives. We might be beautiful to look at but empty of anything to help or sustain others in their Christian walk. We will not attract more than superficial notice from the lost.

May God work mightily within you as you meditate on his word and submit yourself in learning kindliness.

Questions:

1. Define kindness from the dictionary.
2. Give several scriptures which speak of kindness.
3. How can we, as Christian women, develop kindness in our lives?
4. Can we excuse any action with, "Well, I'm only human?"
5. Name a woman who has taught you about kindness.
6. What was her method of teaching you? (Classroom lecture, life example, etc. . .)
7. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is a time-honored saying. Where should we be looking for our examples of true kindness and beauty?
8. From where does our strength come to overcome our human weaknesses?
9. How can we, as Christian sisters, help one another in learning kindness?
10. The wise in _____ will be called ________, And ______ of the lips increases _______. (Proverbs 16:21 [NKJV])
************
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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OBC Ladies Daily Devotional is a part of the Online Bible Class sponsored by the St. George Church of Christ in St. George, Utah. Visit our Web Site and see all our Bible study opportunities which we invite you to be a part of and to enroll your friends! OBC Ladies Daily Devotional Archives Link: Ladies Daily Devotional Archives
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American Family Association News

2008-10-09T14:03:00.002-04:00

Standing up for what you believe in makes a difference;

http://www.afa.net/endmcdonaldsboycott.htm

Nikki

New Happenings..

2008-10-03T09:45:00.003-04:00

Hello and Happy Autumn!
The person you see in the middle of this picture is my Angel.
We went with the American Heritage Girls to Wooster, Ohio this past weekend to Ramseyer Farms.
We had so much fun and what you see her doing in this picture is slinging potato spuds!!!!!

I'm sorry I haven't been updating much lately. Life has me so completely swamped that I don't much of a chance to update here.
I wish I had more time cause I love to write on my blog but hey, you do what you can right?

Halloween is coming upon us quickly and we have so much fun with that holiday.
Mike and I and all the kids get dressed up and just have fun. Angel and her best friend Sydney are going to be punk rockers and Angel has been designing her clothes!!!
I will take pictures!

Anyhow, my daycare schedule has evened out alot.
My day usually ends at 5 now.
One child that is 16 months old (almost 17 months) only comes 6 hours a week now so that makes it alot easier.

Now, if I can just get off my lazy butt and get back to working out!!!!

Here is Angel and her best friend

Ok, I have run out of things to talk about.
Hope you like the pics
Nikki

A little of this and that...

2008-09-17T07:58:00.003-04:00

Fall is my favorite time of year!!!!

Anyway, whats new with me?
Let see, I have a full childcare. PRAISE GOD!
The 5 year old girl I was watching until 11pm is no longer going to be here that late. She will get picked up daily around 4:30 or 4:45 so I have my evenings free again. I am very excited about that cause I will still get part time hours on her and be able to have my evenings free.
According to my doctor, I am beginning the wonderful phase of peri-menopause.
Do a google search on that if you don't know what that is but its about 10 years of being miserable lol.
I'm over-exaggerating on that a bit. I know it won't be a piece of cake but hey its something all women have to go through.

I am almost done with a book that has really gotten my thought processes working a bit more than they are used to. I'm used to reading Berenstain Bears books. Not much thought needed for those :)
Its called The Giver by Lois Lowry.
I think its going to be needing to be read a second time through. Its very interesting and to grasp everything that is happening in this story, a second read is definitely called for with this story.

Kids are all the same.
Hard to believe that the weather is changing and soon, I will have to turn the heat on :(
Heating this house is so expensive.

Do me a favor!
Take a moment to look around. I mean really STOP and look around. I know you are all busy and each one of you is going thru something in your own life that makes life a bit difficult.
But look around and find something to Praise God for !
Once you find one thing, I'm sure you can find many!!! Soon, your list will just keep growing and growing.
I am so thankful for a wonderful family.
I have a great husband and 4 wonderful kids.
I have great friends!!!
I have a great church family!!!
I have a nice home !!
I have a full childcare!!!
I have the freedom to homeschool my kids!!
I have telephone communication that I can call anyone I want to, ANYTIME I want to .
I have air conditioning so I don't have to suffer thru the heat of summer.
I have my good health and the good health of all my family.

I am blessed!
Thank you Lord!!
Nikki

September 11

2008-09-11T08:43:00.002-04:00

Folks, there are many hurting today remembering what this day meant to their family and friends who lost or even knew loved ones affected by this tragedy.
Please, take a moment and pray for those families and also for the world that we live in today.
Its not the same world that we grew up in but one thing is for sure, we serve the same God that was the God of the Bible and He will judge those who did this to us.

Bucket List

2008-09-09T10:08:00.002-04:00

I am no way saying this movie was appropriate because of the language in it, but the concept is a good one.
I've always had a few things on my "list" that I wanted to accomplish but I've never made it a Bucket List.
The thing I have always wanted to do was run a 5K race. So that is one thing I've completed.
I think everyone should think about this and try to make one.
Give it a try!!!!
Comment me and tell me what your list is or email me
vilano6@comcast.net

Nikki

Each day is a gift

2008-09-03T07:31:00.002-04:00

I was very touched by a fellow bloggers comments about how we look at each day that God gives us.
I also around the same time reading his blog got this following email :

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.

Be happy with what you have:

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair: There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone badly, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking, "What is my purpose?", be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember: things could be worse. You could be them!

-- Author Unknown

(Nikki here)
I needed to hear this email. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own problems that I just cannot see the good things going on.
Life has really thrown me some major curve balls lately but instead of get struck out, I need to learn how to hit these balls anyway.

Be Blessed
Nikki

Socialization and homeschooling???

2008-08-27T19:16:00.002-04:00

Do these two things work together???
I have a dear friend of mine who is beginning the adventure of homeschooling her two children.
Then she calls to tell me that an in-law of hers "offered" $1000 to send them back to public school.
My mouth dropped and I was appalled.
Appalled yes, surprised? Not really.

You can check the news daily and see what kinds of things are happening in the school systems all over our country.

Anyone who takes the step of controlling your child's EDUCATION, not controlling their children to the point of abuse.....I applaud them wholeheartedly.

Homeschooling kids are normal kids.
Homeschooling mom's are normal too....
But we just made a different choice on how to education our children.

Don't knock it people till you tried it!!!!
Even then, respect those choices your loved ones make and find something else to do with your time besides bribery!!!
Nikki

American Heritage Girls

2008-08-25T21:21:00.003-04:00

The above pictures are just a few of the ones I took at our very first American Heritage Girls Camping Weekend which was August 8,9 and 10.
It was a weekend of lots of fun and fellowship.
If you haven't heard of American Heritage Girls, don't beat yourself up. I hadn't either but its a Christian organization focused on Jesus, Patriotism and serving God, family and others.
This year will be our 2nd year doing it and I recommend this to others who are looking for an alternative to Girl Scouts.
Below is a link to something that opened up my own eyes to the Girl Scout Organization.

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/5431/CWA/misc/index.htm

I care about my daughters well being and care about the things she is being taught.
This is my little cherished daughter who is looking to mom as an example as what she needs to be.
May she always be as sweet as she was in the picture below.

This picture was taken years ago when we lived in Virginia Beach but I remember it like it was yesterday.
Nikki

Its been a while

2008-08-19T21:41:00.002-04:00

I have been going thru a very VERY troubling time in my personal life and haven't even been able to contemplate blogging and for those who check here regularly, I'm sorry.
I know everyone goes thru these types of things but this was very bad.

I just don't have answers why God allows such suffering and I feel like I'm in the trials of Job.

I hope to be able to find what I need to be able to come back here to blog more regularly.
Nikki

A Day of fun!!!

2008-08-01T08:54:00.005-04:00

This past Tuesday Angel and Tony and mom went on a day of fun.
WE went swimming and on the water slide and went on the boats and did the put put golf thing.
I only got to take pictures of the golf but here they are!!!

So there you have it.
We didn't get to finish the course because Angel hurt her toe :( but it was fun!!!
Tonight is me going for a small run at the gym after work and then taking the kids to Betty Zane Days in Ferry!!
Saturday I am running my first race ever!!! Its a 5K race in Wheeling called the Debbie Green 5K!! Its at 7pm and I'm so psyched!!!!!!! My goal for this race is to run it all the way thru without walking!!!!

Will update you later on how it went!
Nikki

Fire in Ferry

2008-07-25T09:19:00.002-04:00

Well, you can read about the Martins Ferry High School Vocational building fire here..

http://www.wtov9.com/

But here is a picture

This fire took place only 4 houses from where I live.
Lots of smoke and not a good thing.
The high school has been closed now for a year.
Not sure of what started this fire....But it sure brought congregations of people to see it.

Hmmm, wonder why when something bad happens people flock to the scene but its not interesting to see something good being done?
Nikki

Random-ness

2008-07-24T10:35:00.002-04:00

What do these words mean to you

Intimidated :: Sometimes

Brush :: Where is mine....ANGELLLLLLLL!!!!!!

Masquerade :: Ball

Procedure :: Under the knife surgery

Tattoos :: Wish I were brave enough to get one.

Square :: Geometry

Tuck :: In kids before bed

Boyfriend :: Don't want to hear that word for another 10 years

Thousand :: Dollars

The Silencing of God..................

2008-07-24T08:46:00.003-04:00

Psalm 83
1Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

On Wednesday night Bible Study we are watching a fantastic video series called The Silencing of God. Its is a MUST SEE series of lessons for any Christian living in our country today.

Here is a link that I think you can listen to it for free:

http://www.thebible1.net/audio/silencingofgod/

I URGE you to listen or if you get a chance to buy this series, watch it.
Its incredible and I've only heard the first 2 lessons.

Teachers, those of you in the public school environment, watch out. Its eye opening how our history books are full of lies.

Pray that God will help our country to get back to where He wants it to be and how it began when our Founding Fathers were still alive.

Nikki

Disciple's crosses

2008-07-23T12:58:00.005-04:00

The picture you see above is an example of one of the crosses my son Joey makes.
These are called Disciple's crosses and are handmade from bent nails and wire.

He makes them in various colors and one of the most popular crosses is pictured below.

These used to sell for $12 each.

If you are interested you can email me and I can give you the colors that he has available.

With the holidays approaching, these would make an excellent gift.

Vilano6@comcast.net

Nikki

Where has summer gone???

2008-07-21T08:33:00.004-04:00

Doesn't it seem like summer is almost over???
Its almost August and on the 19th that means starting back to a new year of homeschooling for us.
On Wednesday night Bible study we are doing a video series called The Silencing of God.
Let me say this, its incredible!!!!!
Those of you who are Christians reading this, ask your school system that your child attends to let you read your child's history texts book. Most school systems aren't even teaching our REAL country's history. I already knew this and make sure that the books I get for our homeschooling incorporate REAL history into our studies.

On another note, I'm trying to organize my home and my MIND to start another year of homeschooling. With the thoughts that I might be having 6 daycare kids here during the school year, I HAVE to get organized.

Angel's American Heritage Girls starts up soon. Our pool party is tonight and August 8,9 and 10th is our summer came we are attending and have been looking forward to that all year!!!
With that, I'm actually going to be staying at Camp Presmont WITH Angel!!! That should be interesting. Pray its a nice weekend with NO extremely hot weather :)

I wanted to share a nice picture of me and my son Joey who is 16!

Also here is another picture I wanted to share of my oldest son, Michael, on his 20th birthday.
Gotta love how I caught the expression on his face!!

Well, thats all folks!!
Daycare kids are here and in full swing!
Have a blessed Monday!
Nikki

What does a child need?

2008-07-10T12:05:00.002-04:00

' A Child Needs.........'

We are products of our environment it is said
and from birth through life we are variously led

From infancy to childhood others are in charge
When you are little, others seem rather large.

A child needs benevolent and respectful care
As well as being taught to love and play fair.

If a child is taught to respect God and others
He will love himself and likewise his brothers.

Whether our childhood was nurturing or not
Comes the time when we must deal with our lot

The decisions we make will color our future
And show what we're made of as we mature.

If victory is to be won, it's upon God we trust
Knowing, loving and serving Him well we must.

Getting through life is hard enough we all know
Traveling with the Lord is the only sure way to go.

Guide the little ones in the ways of the Lord
So they, too, will praise Him, and to Him accord

All Honor, All Glory, and All Adoration
hearts full of joy and expectation,

toward the day of eternal jubilation
and
infinite exaltation.

(not sure where this came from but it showed up in my email and I keep goodies like this)

~~~Nikki here~~~~

Well, the beginning of a new school year will soon be upon alot of us. In Martins Ferry, Ohio school starts around August 19th....so I had to start thinking about my plans for this school year for Angel and Tony.
Their standardized tests have already been done and I'm waiting the return of those with their scores so I can send in a new form to the super's office to enroll them in homeschooling for yet another year.
I don't have to do this with Joey cause he is enrolled in The American School of Correspondence so really he isn't being "homeschooled" but taking distance learning classes.

This years school should be alot of fun.
I want mostly hands on type of things this year.
We are doing ALOT of dissecting for hands on science..and lots of field trips for history.
I am looking into some board games so the kids can have fun while learning language arts and going to get a list of books to read to them that will be interesting to them and fun for me too.

This year my goals for Angel and Tony is to get them to love learning again.
Science experiments...field trips....games....hands on stuff....that is what I'm hoping will do this plus at the same time satisfy the requirements for the state.
Nikki

Update

2008-07-07T21:12:00.002-04:00

Well, I finally got a bit of encouragement today.
I have had alot of personal demons to fight lately but I think things will be much better

On the subject of exercise and weight loss....I hit one of my goals. I lost 10 pounds!!!!!

I am very stoked about it and that was even taking a week off. Last week, I just couldn't get up the energy or the motivation to do anything that takes that much will power.

But I'm back in the saddle again and can't wait until a pound or two more and I will be in the 140's!!!!!

Pretty soon, I have to start planning for our school to begin the middle of August.
Tony and Angel will be learning the history of Ohio and West Virginia and for science we will be focusing on dissection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are really excited and I can't wait either.

Daycare is still pretty slow. I still only have 2 full timers. I need 4 more but in God's timing, and not my own.

Joey is in Virginia Beach visiting friends for the next 3 weeks. I will miss him greatly but this time away before school and starting his first job will do him good.

Well, wanted to update you all. I thank you all for your prayers. I do feel them and I am thankful for a God who cares about our troubles.
Nikki

Very discouraged

2008-07-02T08:26:00.002-04:00

Good morning !
Its been a while since my last blog and really today I just want to ask for your prayers.
I have some personal issues I'm dealing with that the moment and all I can say is I am very distraught and discouraged. I'm feeling pretty low and really unworthy of anything.
I need prayer for strength. I know God allows things to happen to help us grow and that is the only thing that keeps me sane right now knowing God cares about me and I am not alone.
Thanks everyone
Nikki

The crazy business of childcare

2008-06-23T11:38:00.002-04:00

Oh kids come and they go!!
I have a family with 3 kids who used to be full time. Well they haven't been here now for 2 weeks. I don't think they will be coming back....I think the family is having health issues but now I'm down to 2 children.

The business of childcare can change from day to day.

Its been a busy Monday. I got caught up on paying bills and also paying my dad's stuff.
He has a hard time writing so I do his bills and any writing for him. Also had to make some phone calls for him on his behalf...so its been a pretty busy morning.

I'm trying to come up with a flyer for childcare to put in people's doors to advertise. I need to be full quickly!!!!

I feel like I have a huge list of things I want to do but can't even get to them. I want to clean out my car, clean out my dad's car...clean the basement....try making casseroles ahead of time and freezing them....etc...but I just can't find the time. I wanted to give more to selling these awesome books but don't have time for that either.
My day consists of childcare, cooking, cleaning, bills, laundry, organizing, teaching and then when my day ends around 4ish, I leave for the gym.

Speaking of the gym, how is my weightloss coming? Well, today is weigh in day so I guess I will find out. I really don't want to eat much today cause it will reflect in my weight in around 5.
Maybe eat now for lunch and wait until after I run to eat again. I don't expect to lose much cause if I expect then I can get let down. I will keep running daily and eventually, the weight will come off. This is the slowest I've ever lost weight. The other diets I've done are the South Beach diet and I lost weight quickly on that but I put it back on once I started eating carbs again sooooo maybe this way I'm doing it will help me keep it off.

Well, hope this update isn't too boring.
More later
Nikki

Has it been THAT long?

2008-06-18T10:28:00.003-04:00

Wow, I didn't realize it had been that many days between postings?
I haven't lost anymore weight since the last time I weighed but hopefully I will see more results soon. I've been pretty strict with my diet this week cause I wanted to see what I was capable of doing!!!

I will probably hit the gym tonight when I get done at 4 before bible study.
Not sure if I will be able to go tomorrow as we might be having company over.
Then I plan to go on Friday AND Saturday. I am trying to go everyday except on Sundays.

Daycare is slow right now. I only have two kids, they are twin brother and sister that are almost 2 years old. I had a family of 3 kids but things aren't very good with that family right now. Gotta wait and see what happens.

Well, not much more to update right now.
When I lose my next pound, I will let you all know hahaha

Nikki

Now, THAT"S what I'm talking about....

2008-06-13T08:02:00.002-04:00

Ok, I jumped on the scale again yesterday and since Monday I've lost another pound!!! I'm HOPING that on Monday, the scale will go down even more!!!
I worked out in a class called Bootcamp yesterday. WOAH!!! Its a very hard workout but when I feel burning, I know its working.
So, I'm down to 155.5. Seeing it working is giving me the encouragement to keep with my diet and get these pounds off!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, another church sign saying that stuck out to me:

The Lord gave us commandments. He didn't mention amendments.

Think about that one.
Don't we try to amend what God has commanded? I know I do sometimes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, I'll try to update again soon.
I got a few comments that have told me to write more "informative" things.
Let me ask you all this:

What would make my blog more interesting to you guys who read it?

NIkki

When I fall, I fall H-A-R-D

2008-06-11T13:13:00.004-04:00

Ok, I fell off the diet wagon yesterday!!!

So I had to find a cartoon that went with my story lol.

I guess my reasoning is I have to enjoy my food once in a while so I very much enjoyed a Wendy's burger and fries!!!!

I get done with daycare at 4 today so I will be able to make it to the gym to work out before bible study today!!!

Angel and Tony went to Wheeling Park pool today with their step grandma. They are getting to experience the slide for the first time. Denise called me and told me they are having a blast.

I thank God for family. We've been away for so long and I so enjoy being here with family again.

Sometimes I feel guilty that I don't get to take them places like this because of having a full childcare but then family steps in on days like today and the kids are having a blast!!!!

We got AC units put upstairs in the boys room yesterday and it is cooling off so nicely up there.

Well, i'm off to pack my bag for the gym so that at 4pm when the kids leave, I am ready to walk out the door. I want to run for 40 minutes today...I usually do 30 but need to increase it 10 more minutes all week to account for the yummies I ate last night :)

Good reasoning huh.

Nikki

Another pound!!

2008-06-10T08:07:00.005-04:00

Well, according to the all-knowing scale at the gym, I've lost another pound in a week.

I guess that isn't bad but you know how alot of women are, we want to results (that show on the scale) NOW NOW NOW.

My wonderful husband tells me that if I keep doing what I'm doing, I WILL see results, just be patient. He is right but I don't know why I have to see the scale to drop big time to show me results.

Anyway, I am very thankful for the loss of another pound. I'm down to 156.5 now. My goal used to be 125 pounds but its starting to change. When I was that thin before, I don't believe I had any muscle tone to me so since muscle weighs more than fat, I can probably get away with 130 or more and still look as thin as 120 or 125.

One thing on a positive note is this:

I am no longer at the weight I was when I was 9 months pregnant with Michael :)

HOpe you like the new cartoon.

I added the other on accident then I couldn't figure out how to get rid of it ....

GRRR.

ENjoy

Nikki

Am I crazy????

2008-06-06T12:06:00.002-04:00

I am really enjoying this workout stuff!!!!

I get where I almost crave it....maybe I'm just crazy. Who knows???

Yesterday, I ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes then some guy who was giving a "Boot Camp" Aerobics class came in and pointed at me and told me to come ....

He said, " You up for it?"

Well, if you know me well, you put a challenge in front of me and I HAVE to take it!!!!

So I went.

It was rough. Especially since I just worked my legs for the past half hour but I did it. It was fun and the squats I did really worked out my legs cause I'm a bit sore today.

But back to the treadmill again today.

Unless its just pure imagination, I think my body is starting to shrink.

My pants are a bit looser...but the pounds havent come off but a couple of pounds.

I've been hitting it hard for about 2.5 weeks now but things are working...I feel great!!!!!

Today is an easy day for childcare. Only the family that has 3 kids are here today.

And the didn't get here till 10:30 so its been a pretty quiet day.

I try to get my housework and laundry all done so I can enjoy my weekend.

But I don't consider the gym work...its fun to go and I like seeing "shrinkage" HAHAHA

Hope you like the little cartoon!!!!

Nikki

What is Sin?

2008-06-05T09:22:00.003-04:00

This little saying I found says it all :

Sin is a very short word beginning a very long sentence.

I love these little sayings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other news:

I took yesterday off from running. I needed a break.
Today I'm supposed to go run today and do some ab work. I might not have any daycare kids today so it will make for a very nice day to do whatever I want!!!
But for now, I'm enjoying blogging for a few minutes and enjoying the quiet while I have it.

The picture above is of Michael and Angel and most of my daycare kids.
The only one NOT on there is the baby cause he wasn't here when I took this one.
I have a fantastic group of kids!!!!

God has truely blessed me with the kids I watch !!!!
Nikki

Church sayings

2008-06-04T11:54:00.002-04:00

Because of a fellow bloggers site, I decided to do a search on the internet for sayings that people put up on church signs. One that popped out at me is this:

Eternity Is A Long Time To Think About What You Should Have Done

That sure says alot...
Can you imagine what eternity will be like with GOD?

Can you imagine what hell will be like WITHOUT HIM???

I can't imagine living an eternity with regrets.....

Do something about it people.

God is knocking, but who are you letting in?

Nikki

Weight Loss Update

2008-06-02T18:16:00.002-04:00

Ok, On May 6th, I joined our local Y.
The first two weeks, I didn't watch my diet very well, and only made it to the gym a few times so ....it really didn't do a thing for me.
I started out at 159.
Then after a couple of weeks, I went down to 157.5.
Then I went back UP to 159 and that was working HARD!!!!
I was figuring the weight gain was because of gaining some muscle ....My clothes were fitting better...which is always a good sign.
Anyway, today, back down to 157 so I think my body is starting to really kick into gear.
I also ran a mile in 11 minutes 45 seconds. I want to be able to do it in 9 minutes!!! For a 40 year old mother of 4...that is one of my goals!!!!!

Anyway, for anyone trying to lose weight....just keep it up. Don't get discouraged...
You CAN do it!
NIkki

Another week beginning.....

2008-06-01T18:07:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday to everyone!!
I really try to keep this day as a day to relax but something always seems to creep in.
Maybe its the thousands of loads of laundry that seems to be reaching for the stars...
Maybe its the cobwebs that seems to pop up out of nowhere lol...

Its always something...

But my work week begins again tomorrow.

Now that school is out for the summer, the group I have is 5 full time children 5 days a week. On Tuesdays, wednesdays and thursdays I have another child I watch that is 1 year old. His last day the 10th of June. Once he leaves I am hoping to get a preschool age child full time. That will make me completely full and I like being off around 5. It still gives me enough time to go to the gym everyday...even WEdnesdays if I can get out of the house by 5. On Wednesdays,if I cannot make it to the gym, then I just run around Martins Ferry for 30 minutes.

What are my plans for the summer? Well, daycare....then I try to keep my weekends free for my family. Family is very important to me and I don't want them to feel neglected by my work.

On the 25th of June by oldest boy turns 20!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, it means I'm getting old lol.

Well, there's a bit of an update.

More to come later I hope.

PS. For those of you who read my blog I want to say thank you. I don't always write the most interesting things, but you all keep coming back.
Nikki

Zumba Craze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-29T13:35:00.001-04:00

I just found out that there are these classes given at our local rec center!!!!
They are also given at the gym I go to but at 9 am in the morning. I can't do that with my daycare but there are 5 days a week that these are given in Martins Ferry!!!!
Only $5 and they go from 6:30pm-7:45pm.
I am sooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a video of it!!!! It looks like FUN!

Medical Miracle?...or Not???

2008-05-23T12:57:00.003-04:00

You can decide for yourself.
Here is the link to the story about this incredible medical marvel!!

http://www.newsnet5.com/health/16363548/detail.html

You can never, ever go wrong by giving the glory to God for all good things !!!
Nikki

War in Iraq

2008-05-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

~~~I really understand this little girls words. It upsets me to hear about people hating the war in Iraq when so many men and women of our OWN country are fighting and HAVE fought for their freedoms and our own on that foreign land.Here is a poem written by a little girl.

War Through The Eyes of A Child

My mommy and daddy have gone to fight,
To do what they know is just and right.

Protestors chant, "No war in Iraq",
While my parents fight to bring freedom back.

Americans sleep safe and snug in their beds,
While my mom and dad endure bombs overhead.

They fight for you and they fight for me,
So that terrorist threats will never be.

Please stop protesting and support the war,
So that my mom and dad can open a door,

To a future where children will only know peace,
Because the bell of freedom will never cease.

Pray for our troops who fight for us all,
So as Americans we may always stand tall.

For the free and the brave we should all take a hand,
To form a circle of love for those who fight in the sand.

My parents sacrifice is their greatest gift of love,
God's hand is safely holding them from heaven's gate above.

Please don't cry a tear for me for this I surely know,
My parents will come home to me to watch me as I grow

~Jenessa Alexis ~

Tragedy for Steven Curtis Chapman family!!!!

2008-05-22T06:16:00.002-04:00

This dear family is suffering a major loss today!!! Their teenage son, accidentally ran over his 5 year old sister in their own driveway. This is the family of Steven Curtis Chapman, the famous Christian music singer and star.
I cannot imagine having this kind of tragedy happen. Its a double tragedy!!!!
Please pray for this family!!!

Who reads my blog????

2008-05-20T21:36:00.003-04:00

I wonder if there are many people reading my "ramblings" on a regular basis....
If there are, I really need to know that people care about my "mundane" life hahaha....
Can you drop me a comment to let me know you are all really out there?

American Idol

2008-05-20T21:34:00.001-04:00

Well, as far as I can tell David A. won!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is good....very very good.
David C is good too and yes, I would buy his CD...but someone PLEASE ...when David wins...have that boy some oxygen handy...he will need it...and a paper bag!!!
Nikki

Short and sweet

2008-05-20T12:25:00.001-04:00

I found this quote and wanted to pass it along!

"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."
~Kenji Miyazawa

It definitely gives you something to think about!

Something fun!

2008-05-15T07:23:00.001-04:00

Proverbs: Homeschooling Kids' Versions

A first grade teacher collected old, well known proverbs. She gave each kid in her class the first half of a proverb, and had them come up with the rest. Here are the results:

As You Shall Make Your Bed So Shall You . . . Mess It Up.

Better Be Safe Than . . . Punch A 5th Grader.

Strike While The . . . Bug Is Close.

It's Always Darkest Before . . . Daylight Savings Time.

Never Under Estimate The Power Of . . . Termites.

You Can Lead A Horse To Water But . . . How?

Don't Bite The Hand That . . . Looks Dirty.

No News Is . . . Impossible.

A Miss Is As Good As A . . . Mr.

If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You'll . . . Stink In The Morning.

Love All, Trust . . . Me

The Pen Is Mightier Than The . . . Pigs.

An Idle Mind Is . . . The Best Way To Relax.

Where There's Smoke, There's . . . Pollution.

Happy Is The Bride Who . . . Gets All The Presents!

A Penny Saved Is . . . Not Much.

Two's Company, Three's . . . The Musketeers.

Don't Put Off Tomorrow What . . . You Put On To Go To Bed.

Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You, Cry And.... You Have To Blow Your Nose.

Children Should Be Seen And Not . . . Spanked Or Grounded.

If At First You Don't Succeed . . . Get New Batteries.

You Get Out Of Something What You . . . See Pictured On The Box.

When The Blind Leadeth The Blind . . . Get Out Of The Way.

~~~~Nikki here
Hahahaha...Tune back in tomorrow when I try this with Angel and Tony. I will post the answers :)

Diet and Exercise Woes!!!!

2008-05-14T06:53:00.003-04:00

Last week I got a YMCA membership for Mother's Day. Oh I was so excited. I've had this extra 25-30 poundage of yuck I've been wanting to shed for a while now.
Then I thought, OH NO>>>>> that means leaving my house at least 3 times a week.
Yes, I am very busy. How do I fit in working out 3 days a week into an already VERY hectic schedule. Honestly, I have no idea.
Here is an example of my day:

Wake at 5;30am
First before school child arrives at 6:30 (sometimes 6)
Second before school child arrives at 7:15am.
Both leave at 7:45am for the bus.
8 am a 3 and 4 year old arrive.
9 am 22 month old twins arrive.
9:15am 1 year old baby arrives. (he is here 3 days a week)
2:30pm Twins leave.
2:45 3 afterschool kids arrive
6pm (7pm on Friday's) all kids are gone.

THEN I am dressed and ready to go workout. This I try to do 3 days a week. I really need to do this daily...but cannot find the time to do it daily.

Anyway, I got on the scale last week and I weighed 159.
This week...158.
1 POUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, Mike's party didn't help with the cake and pizza. But this week, no cheating. Salad, yogurt, no bad stuff at all this week. I have to lose this weight and 1 pound a week is NOT going to cut it at all. I'll be doing this forever!!!!
Now, my daycare schedule will be changing once school lets out.
Josh and Ty won't be here. Josh and Ty are the ones that come in the morning.
And Ty is the one who stays until 6 and 7pm.
So, once school is out, my schedule will be 8am-5pm!!!! Thats a normal schedule!!!!
Then I will have more time.
With working out, I see Mike less and less. He is coming home from the gym...and I'm just finishing up work and heading out lol. Hey, its the price to pay right? Thats why I can't cheat on this diet thing. I have 25 pounds to lose and the quicker I lose it, the easier my schedule will be. I won't quit working out once I lose the weight but I can cut back some. Change one of my days to a Saturday then I will only have to leave 2 times in the week. Thats not too bad.

Know what makes me mad? Years ago, I worked hard to get my weight off. I lose alot of weight and got down to a nice 128 pounds. I had a flat stomach and everything. I was running twice a day. I got into "skinny" pants....Now I'm at a weight of 159 is what I weighed 9 months pregnant with Michael. Some women would ask me .." Why put this on your blog for the whole world to see?"
Well, first of all, I can tell from my blog meter that the "whole world" isn't reading about my life lol.
And secondly, why not. Maybe someone else is out there who will read this and having the same struggles that I am having and maybe my blog will insprire someone. You just never know.

Ok I'm done now.
I will post another update on my diet soon ...and hopefully next week when its weigh in time, I will lost more than ONE STINKING POUND!!!

Nikki

Good thought for your morning!!!!

2008-05-13T08:15:00.000-04:00

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says...

'Oh no...she's awake!!

Joey's coming home today!

2008-05-09T06:41:00.003-04:00

Yes!!!! Joey returns home from Virginia tonight at midnight!!!!
I will be very happy to see him but very sad knowing how sad it will be for him to leave Virginia.
You know......some of the abilities a mother has is hard to swallow sometimes. Being able to really feel your child's pain when they are sad is hard!!!! Its like taking on THEIR pain.....don't us mom's have enough pain of our own lol.

Well, yesterday was day 2 of working out!!!!

Here is a little joke I recieved in an email about working out...

Weekly Fitness Plan

Day One - Beat Around the Bush
Day Two - Buckle Your Shoes
Day Three - Drag Your Heels
Day Four - Jump on the Band Wagon
Day Five - Shop Til You Drop
Day Six - Pave The Road
Day Seven - Toot Your Own Horn

On Alternate Weeks, you may employ this program:

Day One - Jump To Conclusions
Day Two - Push Your Luck
Day Three - Run in Circles
Day Four - Grind to a Halt
Day Five - Throw Fuel on the Fire
Day Six - Put Your Foot in Your Mouth
Day Seven - Lift Your Spirits

Be Creative
Do you have some exercise equipment collecting dust in the corners?
If you do, here are a few - tongue in cheek - suggestions to put it to good use:

Got some dumbbells? They make great meat tenderizers, especially if you want to save some money on the cheaper cuts of steak - beat them silly with the dumbbell and you'll have a great meal to chase the workout with.

Got a thigh master? Perfect for wedging your child's door open at night, without letting the animals push it wide .

Rubber bands stuck in the drawer? Kids love these for toys and it's a great way to play tug of war with the dog.

Resistance bands just laying around? Stretch them between two hooks and you have a great place to hang clothes up out of the way.

Exercise ball taking up space in the closet? Kick ball in the backyard just got pretty hilarious, but don't let the kids smaller than the ball get hit with it - they may get run over.

~~~~Nikki here again!!! That really hit too close to home there!!! But it made me laugh.
But seriously, yesterday was day 2 of working out. It was a good one. Not only am I running, but I'm using the machines as well.
First of all, I walked right past that thing that tells you how FAT you are....but knew that if I got ON it, it would give me even more determination to lose what I need to lose so I got on and got weighed.....EWWWWWWWWW 159 pounds. YES, I'm actually posting my weight here for everyone to know. Now understand this, 159 is what I weighed at 20 years old when I was 9 months pregnant with Michael who is my oldest son almost 20 years old. I was not happy to see that number. At least Mike was kind and said I didn't look like I weighed that much.
I would like to see 125 pounds again but that means a loss of 34 pounds. Mike said he doesn't think I need to lose that much. But I am bound and determined to at least lose 25.
So, here is what I'm doing. I still enjoy my few cups of coffee in the morning with my creamer.
But during the day, I drink water and have my V-8 juice. I eat low fat vanilla yogurt with grapenuts and honey. I eat toasted whole wheat bread with just a smidge of peanut butter spread on it. YUM!!!
I am very careful with what I'm doing because when I work by butt off at the gym, I don't want it to be for nothing. I have to do this. The people I go work out with go in the pool and hot tub. I haven't had a bathing suit in years. Haven't felt confident enough in a bathing suit in years......but I need to get one and swim some SERIOUS laps!!!! Now THAT is exercise. Now, my gym membership is good for 3 months.
I ask myself ...what after 3 months. Will I continue? My guess is probably yes. I'm not a young'in (hahah) anymore. I will be 41 in December and as a woman ages, and her body stops producing estrogen....EWWW I HATE THAT WORD.....then my bone density starts to decrease...(along with the brain cells in my noggin ) so its best to keep up with what I'm doing even if I don't have weight to lose.
So, once I lose the weight, what happens to all my fat clothes?
HAHAHA....SOme people keep them around ...JUST IN CASE....I'll see my mental state once I get to that point.

Well, my post wasn't intended to be funny today...except for the little joke I threw in there.
But I hope it added a little giggle to your day.

Does anyone read this blog at all anyway?????
Nikki

Storms

2008-05-08T06:24:00.002-04:00

Today and tomorrow is supposed to bring rain and thunder.

Besides the tornado's that could happen and damage home and lives, I LOVE a good thunderstorm. Not just an occasional boom but a good, good thunderstorm. I love the sound of the pounding rain, and the smell of the air during a storm. What power!!!

God is really there people. Just open your eyes. That dandelion in your front yard, that you HATE, God is in that too.

THose knats that you whisk away because they are annoying, YEP God's in that too.

God's handywork is everywhere.

Its not just in the things that we consider to be beautiful.

His handywork is in everything.

That includes His whole creation.

Take a moment to really look and see his creation as HE sees it.

Enjoy the picture!

Need a motivator!!!

2008-05-06T06:53:00.003-04:00

Well, today that will seem like me!!! Its a good thing Angel and Tony are such good helpers!!!!
Days like today I wish I had a laptop with wireless that I can sit on the couch in the living while the little ones play cause I can chat with ADULTS on the computer....while my brain is turning to mush with these little ones!!!!
Actually, I'm hoping to try to change my perspective. If I had to do this to live....I wouldn't be complaining. I know alot of single parent daycare providers that run their childcare from 6 in the morning until midnight just to make a living for their family. Wow!!!!! They don't even complain :)
After my work day today, I plan to go get a gym membership at our local Y. I am approximately 30 pounds over weight and its time to change that. I hate my clothes I wear, and I hate even trying to think about taking my kids to the pool this year. Sooooo, add that to my crazy schedule 3 evenings a week.
I know I can do anything I set my mind to with God's help. I need help to find the energy to be able to do this.

Ok, I'm off to change the life of a child!!!!

HAHAHA

God Bless

Nikki

Diary of a Madwoman!!!!

2008-05-05T06:57:00.002-04:00

Some think that my life is like a psycho woman!!!!
Those who live a pretty slow paced life look at me like I'm completely crazy.
Here is my life, summed up in a paragraph or two.
I have a FULL childcare.
Full time I have twins that are 21 months, a 3 year old and a 4 year old.
Then 3 days a week add to that a 1 year old about 8 hours each day.
Then after school, I have a 6 year old, 7 year old and a 10 year old. The only thing is by the time the afterschoolers get here, the twins leave.

Add to that my NORMAL routine of house and home and groceries and life with kids...AND HOMESCHOOLING!!!....well, the mind starts to twist a bit.

THEENNN...add to that my 71 year old dad coming to live with us in 2 weeks. Trying to get a room renovated for him.

Am I crazy? Am I just do far gone to even see it????

Some days I feel really gone ...especially when the hormones hit me. THEN, it takes all I have just to make it thru my day. Thank God for friends who try to give me some sanity back.

Joey is in Virginia Beach this week visiting friends. He comes back Friday around midnight ...so actually its Saturday.

I hope you all take what I've written above pretty lightly lol.
Yes, I'm very busy but its always been like this really. Just lately I've gotten back into the childcare setting full time so it will take me some time to get in the swing of things again. Somedays it does SEEM harder than others...but most of the battle is in my own mind. I need to work with my own thinking and making it positive instead of negative and it really helps alot!!!!!

God Bless you All
Nikki

Positive Quote today!

2008-05-02T13:37:00.002-04:00

POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY
-----------------------------

I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for
myself... and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my
part.

-- Shirley MacLaine

I LOVE THAT!!!!
I know that we have choices to make each day that when made, have consequences to lead to what happens in our lives daily!

For example; Your child does something wrong. You can correct the wrong in a way that would be good for that child and for the relationship as mother and child or you can put that child down which also is making that child make bad choices when he or she grows up by modeling the behaivor he or she has learned from you.

I will try to live out my life on stage as a Broadway play.
Have a favorite one?

I do..Sound of Music.
So, would my family think I"m nuts if I start singing "The Hills are Alive"????
Have a blessed Day
Nikki

Just more me stuff...

2008-04-30T15:39:00.002-04:00

The depths of our spirituality does not depend upon changing the things we do, but in doing for God what we ordinarily do for ourselves.

-Brother Lawrence

Hmmm.....I got that in an email today.
Now, if we are doing things differently and changing our perpsective on why we do what we do, won't that sometimes mean CHANGING what we do?
I think the first part AND second part of the above quote go hand in hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, whats new here?
I'm getting Joey ready for his FIRST plane ride. At 3am we leave for the airport then he has a flight that leaves at 5:30am. He should arrive in Virginia Beach around 9am....He will return on Friday night the 8th close to midnight. I hope he has a good time but he's never been on an airplane before. I'm sure he will be fine but its a learning experience for sure.

I'm also trying to find all..yes ALL of my regular photographs and scan them into my computer to save on disk. That is a huge job but I think it will keep them safe incase anything should ever happen to them.

I don't know why I make more work for myself lol. I'm always trying to complete some grand project even though the daily things I have to do don't even get done because I just don't have the time.

Well, gotta straighten up the house. Kids should be gone within the hour then bible study 2 hours later.
Hope you all enjoyed the update
Nikki

Usborne books!!

2008-04-29T11:01:00.002-04:00

I just became a distributor to sell Usborne books and while I was looking around locally for someone to sign up under, no one even knew what Usborne books were!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was shocked!!!!

www.usbornebooks.com

You can look at some of the books and see the fabulous quality these books are!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am hoping to be able to furnish my childcare with these books and help promote education thru these as well!!!!

If you want to host a show, let me know!!!!
Nikki

How to spend our surplus checks!!

2008-04-28T10:50:00.002-04:00

~~~~This came from an email. Its funny....but true.

How to use Your IRS Rebate check

As you may have heard, the Bush Administration said each of us would
get a rebate check to stimulate the economy.

If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.

If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.

If we purchase a computer it will go to India.

If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras,
and Guatemala.

If we purchase a good car it will go to Japan.

If we purchase useless junk it will go to Taiwan and none of it will
help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America. The only way to keep that
money here at home is to spend it at yard sales, since those are the
only businesses still in the US.

---this is a Calgon take me away moment!!!

2008-04-21T07:58:00.002-04:00

Ok, when you've had a bad day, and you want the "Calgon Take me away" moment,

think of this picture. Oh the colors are beautiful ...you can just hear the sound of the waterfall.

Oh the things our Good Lord has created just for us to enjoy!!!!!

Anyone ever feel like this??

2008-04-18T13:03:00.001-04:00

Anyone ever feel like that is you on the water????

It's friday!!!!

2008-04-18T07:26:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!
Anyone else sooo glad its Friday?
I appreciate my weekends so much more NOW than before I was doing childcare.
I love my weekends mostly for the aspect of sleeping in!!! I wouldn't mind doing childcare on a Saturday as long as I could sleep in until noon hahaha.

I had an interview with a mom of an 11 month old. Hopefully, everything will be approved for her for state paid care and I will have him 2 days a week, a total of 10 hours a week and I will get $75 a week. If I have a child Part time hours, which is between 7 hours and 25, then I get that amount for care. Thats not bad for only 10 hours. But if she doesn't get approved for state assistance, then I will probably only have him 5 hours a week which means only $3 an hour. Anyway, it won't be too bad. Any little extra helps out!

What else is new?

Well, my visit with my dad comes to a close today. He's been here almost a week and he leaves today around noon. I will miss him but I'm hoping he will be back to stay for good in a couple of months.

Even though tomorrow is a day off from daycare, I still have to go to a Child Abuse Class from 9am until 4pm. YUCK!!! I hate this kind of class. I will walk away sickened by this and it will rip open my heart. But its a required class that I have to attend so ....I do what I gotta do.

I'm trying to sell my wax dipped scented bears again for Mother's Day that is coming up.
I am in the process of uploading pictures of the animals I have for sale onto my blog site for the little creatures.

Two scents are the top sellers. Love spell and Bouquet of Roses!!!!
Let me know if you are interested. I will post the blog address soon
Nikki

What is happening to our children?

2008-04-15T18:32:00.002-04:00

I want to know what is happening to our children?
All of this violence against others and themselves?
These children are killing their family...their friends?

I do not remembering this happening as a child growing up.
Was it still there but I didn't notice?

Every day I read the news and I see some kind of child or teenage violence.

I don't understand.

Some say, "oh kids are kids"

Thats bull!!!!

Parents, take the reins from your children and start giving your children some old fashioned discipline.

I'm not saying to give them a beating. Discipline means TEACHING. I'm not saying to Punish them, but discipline them. Are there any parents out there who know the difference between these two words?

Both of those words can be done in love.
Parents, are you investing more time in your job than in your own children?
Do you take time to really listen to your children?
Do you know your children well enough to see, just by the look on their face, that something is bothering them?
Do your own children trust you enough to tell them where THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG!!!!

Children are a blessing from the Lord. Treat them that way.
If you recived a set of china as a gift. You would take care of that china so well. You would display it for everyone to see. You would handle it with care so it doesn't get broken.

Children also need handled with care.
If their spirit gets broken, sometimes a little glue just won't fix it.
If their spirit gets broken there is a scar that can be left that never mends.

Do you want that for your own children?
Think back to your own childhood. What happened in your past that hurt you so badly that to think about it again brings pain to your heart?

Do you want that for your children as well.
Parents, do what it takes to get your children back?
Mothers, be home with your children if you can.
If you can't then you need to work EXTRA hard to be there for them whole heartedly when you ARE home.

This isn't an easy task at hand but your children are worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I will get off my soap box now.
Nikki

Nikki on April 14th

2008-04-14T06:15:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!
Yes, its 6:15 am and I wish I were still in bed.
I wanted to write about my weekend and the thrill of a life time I had. YEAH RIGHT!
I found out a few days ago that Deal or No Deal was coming to Pittsburgh which is about an hour drive for me. I've ALWAYS wanted to be on that show so I said, OH YEAH!
I drove an hour. Stood in line OUTSIDE the mall in the cold for 8 HOURS, then inside the mall for another hour, and for what? I got 20 seconds to tell someone something exciting about myself. THen I was told thank you very much. Now, that might now mean anything. It doesn't mean its over for me because this happened to alot of people and later got called to be on the show and win alot of money. But it was something interesting to do thats for sure.
They should have given out T-Shirts to everyone though. We got nothing but 20 seconds lol.
The things I saw while standing in line though. There were mothers with SMALL babies there in line for those 9 hours. Remember 8 of them were OUTSIDE IN THE COLD!!!! These babies were only a couple of months old...
There were people in short shorts and tank tops..and least they STARTED OUT that way. Then off to the mall to buy some REAL clothes hahaha.
THere were people in costumes, trying to get theirselves noticed!!! It was interesting to say the least. One of the questions on the application was " What was the most outrageos thing you've ever done"-----Going to this casting call has topped my list now!!!!

And on another note, where did the nice weather go?
My weather says it feels like 30 degrees outside? I like the 70 degree weather we had a few days ago....and so did the trees and bushes cause I see buds beginning to appear.

I guess I should try to be content with whatever weather the good Lord gives us. He determines it all anyway :)

God Bless
Nikki

The Cab ride

2008-04-13T11:00:00.001-04:00

"The Cab Ride"

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.
Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.
This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice.

I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened.
A small woman in her 90's stood before me.
She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.
All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.
In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued.

"The doctor says I don't have very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.

She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.

She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now"
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said "You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut.

It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.

What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Nikki

Something scary just occurred to me------

2008-04-09T11:39:00.002-04:00

With the violence that is happening in our public schools, I just had a thought occur to me today.
I need to start checking backpacks upon the children coming to my home in the morning and after school.

With me opening up my home to families that come from all walks of life, I need to make sure that no weapons of any kind come into my home.

It never occurred to me until today that I would have to do this. But , its better to be safe than sorry.

Its sad that these days, this precaution has to be taken.

Very, very sad..................

Pray for children all over the world....
NIkki

2008-04-07T11:16:00.001-04:00

Who DOESN"T love a bit of logic.....

2008-04-07T06:29:00.002-04:00

Oh how I wish this kind of logic actually worked!!!!
Who's with me on this one :)
Nikki

Denial is in the eye of the person denying :)

2008-04-04T07:22:00.003-04:00

Boy do I relate to that little cartoon somedays!!!!

What reality will you guys accept?

Maybe we all need a reality check.

Sometimes I have such bad days...but they are bad to me but not to anyone else. Thats when I have to step back and really take a look at the situation. Maybe its not as bad as it seems. Sometimes my reality is based on my hormonal state.

YIKES>>>>>Did I really admit to that?

Hahaha!!!!

God and Potato Chips......

2008-04-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

Is God Dancing on Your Potato Chips?

Not too long ago I had "one of those days."
I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline.
I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged.
I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit
Had to start over three times.
I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things
And the lines were serpentine.

By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty
And in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner.
Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup,
I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can,
Then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store.
Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B,
Which was leftover baked beans.
I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge,
Popped the seal, took a look and groaned.
My husband isn't a picky eater,
But even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars.
Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised
To be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free:
Hot dogs and potato chips.
Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard,
I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull.
The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened.
I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle.
With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way,
Ripping wide from top to bottom.
Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help.
Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen,
Where he surveyed the damage:
An opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans,
And one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips.
My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment.
He took a flying leap, landing flat- footed in the pile of chips.
And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl,
Grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process!
I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile.
Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him.
I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.
Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response
Wasn't the one I was looking for.
But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed.

I didn't need a cleanup crew as much
As I needed an attitude adjustment,
And the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this:
Has God ever stomped on your chips?
I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times
When I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and
I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up
With a celestial broom and clean up the mess. What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips,
Answering my prayer in a completely different manner
Than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.

Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all.
Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand
How and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did.
There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand.
I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.

Do I trust Him?

Even when he's answering my prayers in a way
That is completely different from my expectations?
Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:?
Can I embrace what He's offering?
Can I let His joy adjust my attitude?
Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk,
Or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance he's dancin' with my needs in mind?
I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance.
I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former.
I guess the older I get the more I realize that
He really does know what He's doing.
He loves me and I can trust Him.
Even when the chips are down.

~Author Unknown

One more reason that I homeschool....

2008-04-01T13:58:00.003-04:00

I love collecting articles like this. Its sick to see how young these children are that these problems are coming from. Oh thank God for the ability to homeschool.
The first one is about a 7 year old bringing a loaded gun to school.
The second on is a 3rd grade classs plotted to hurt their teacher.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/01/school.guns/index.html

http://www.news4jax.com/news/15755299/detail.html

So many people think this doesn't happen in young children. They think it only happens to hormonal teens....Look again people.
Be careful....
Pray for these children. All children in the public school system
Nikki

What do you see when you look at nature?

2008-03-28T11:12:00.002-04:00

Daily Christian Wisdom

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting system though which God speaks to us every hour; if we still only tune in.

-George Washington Carver

More interesting thoughts :)

2008-03-25T07:14:00.002-04:00

Opportunity may knock once,
but temptationbangs on your door forever.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Quit griping about your church;
if it was perfect,
you couldn't belong.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If the church wants a
better pastor,
it only needs to pray
for the one it has.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God Himself does not propose
to judge a man
until he is dead.
So why should you?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and
permanently set.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Peace starts
with a smile.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I don't know why
some people change churches;
what difference does it make
which one
you stay home from?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

A lot of church members
who are singing
'Standing on the Promises'
are just
sitting on the premises.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We were called to
be witnesses,
not lawyers or judges.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Be ye fishers of men.
You catch them -
He'll clean them.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Coincidence is when
God chooses
to remain anonymous.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Don't put a question mark
where God put a period.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Don't wait for 6 strong men
to take you to church.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Forbidden fruits
create many jams.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God grades on the cross,
not the curve.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God loves everyone,
but probably prefers
'fruits of the spirit'
over 'religious nuts!'

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God promises a safe landing,
not a calm passage.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

He who angers you,
controls you!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

If God is your Co-pilot -
swap seats!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Prayer: Don't give God instructions
just report for duty!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The task ahead of us
is never as great as
the Power behind us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The Will of God
never takes you to
where the Grace of God
will not protect you.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

We don't change the message,
the message changes us.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

You can tell how big
a person is
by what it takes
to discourage him.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

The best mathematical equation
I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

~~~Nikki here :) Some great thoughts. WHere do people find these little things that they pass on thru emails :)
Be Blessed

Happy Easter !!!

2008-03-23T07:45:00.002-04:00

I wanted to wish you all a wonderful Happy Easter!!!!

It is a day to rejoice about!!!!

May your day be blessed :)

Nikki

Just stuff :)

2008-03-21T06:30:00.002-04:00

Good morning all!
Yes, for me its 6:30 in the AM and I am up. NOT awake, but up. Still working on coffee cup number one.

Daycare has done alot for me but one thing is get me up in the morning. SOmetimes when my before school kids have gotten off to school, I would climb back into bed for a couple of hours but that will stop as of Monday because I have new kids starting.

A family of 3 kids will be here. One is 6 and will be before and after school but because it will still be spring break on Monday, he will be here all day. Then I have his two sisters. One is almost 3 and one is 4. They will be full time as well. About 8:00 am to 4 or so PM. I am excited but apprehensive. My work really begins now. Josh who is one of my before and after school kids and is 7 will be here all day on Monday as well so 4 kids all day. Haven't had that in a LONG time. Financially its a good thing. Of course, I won't see most of the money until the state sends me a check on the 20th of the month. But it will come.

WIth daycare I have to be VERY organized. I have paperwork to fill out daily and computer programs that have to be kept up with. I have to keep up with my laundry and house cause with people coming in daily, things have to be kept clean.

I'm glad Angel and Tony are done with school for the year. THey finished their end of the year testing and just have to work on little things like reading and stuff that I want them to practice all summer.

Since one of my before and after school kids will go full time in the summer, I am not going to fill his day spot. Sooo that means I have a spot for one more child.

The stomach bug has been kinda hitting us. A couple of the kids haven't felt really good lately.

I hate this time of year when everyone is sooo sick.

Well, thats it I guess.

Its Easter Egg decorating today.
Nikki

Why go to Church?

2008-03-20T08:35:00.002-04:00

~Nikki here..I'm reposting this from an email I got. I thought it had a great point!!!

Why go to Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this!
If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.

But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.
If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

All right, now that you're done reading, send it on! I think everyone should read this!

"When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

What does YOUR child see?

2008-03-17T14:06:00.002-04:00

This was sent to me in an email and I thought it was worth passing along. Give it alot of thought :)

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you praying to God, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in Him too.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care "the least of these my brethren."

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given to be good stewards.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt , but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared what I did and what happened to me and I wanted to be everything that I could be to please you and God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

---Nikki here....many good things to think about.
But many things to pray for too. I know a family that is very close to my heart that are going thru some TERRIBLE difficulties....Satan is attacking their family head on and they need prayers. I don't wish to name them hear but God knows who they are and what they need just please pray for these friends of mine. Thank you

Friday has arrived!!!

2008-03-14T06:53:00.002-04:00

This was my first "real" week of working with daycare. I mean, I've had the 2 year old here and there but this week I had a real schedule to work with for my before and after school kids.
It was great. The two school age kids I have are great. The 10 year old plays great with both Angel and Tony!!! They get along sooo well together.

On Monday I will find out if I have two more kids enrolled. A baby who is 5 months, and his sister who is 3. That will be like 8-4. I would LOVE that!!! So, things are coming along.

Its been slow but slow is good for me in order to get used to doing this full time again.

I have many plans with this extra money.
1. Pay off bills
2. Fix up my house
3. Do things with kids we haven't been able to do for a while . For example, weekend trip to Pittsburgh or something. Cedar Point this summer....etc.

I can't wait.

If anyone in the Martins Ferry area or Wheeling area read this and know someone who have some baby items they are planning to sell at a yard sale, let me know. I am looking for things like a bouncy seat, exersaucer, play ring, anything to help with a baby and keeping him occupied and happy.

Today, I feel good. Better than I have in a couple of days. There was a stomach thing going around. Joey had it pretty bad but hopefully he is doing better.

May God Bless you all!!!
Nikki

Calling all Homeschoolers!!!!

2008-03-10T20:15:00.000-04:00

Where is Spring?

2008-03-06T09:04:00.002-05:00

The above picture speaks more words than I can write...

Many are ready for spring and I am definitely one of them!!!

I had my food program interview yesterday and all went well. YES!!! Also had an interview with a mom for after school care for her 10 year old son. It went great. He hit it off with Angel and Tony pretty well too!!!

Ok I'm off to check about this crazy weather I'm hearing alot about.

Some say we are getting alot but so far, I haven't seen that ....

Later gators :)

Nikki

More info on me..

2008-03-04T09:05:00.003-05:00

Todays question:

Who gave you your name and why? Did you have a family nickname? How did you get it?

My name, Nikki is not short for Nicole as some may think. It's just plain old " Nikki".

My dad's name is Nick so being the first born in the family, I was named after my dad. Its funny because I have only one sibling and her name is Tami. She is 5 years younger than me and I am named after my dad but she is most like him lol.

Nicknames for me? Well, family all called me Nikki Sue growing up. WHen I visit family now, I feel like I'm 10 again being called Nikki Sue but hey, it IS my name but that is how my family knew me.

~~~~Ok Nikki here....I hope these little question and answer things are interesting enough for you all!! I am posting a new and updated photo of the family that was taken at Christmas time!

ENjoy

Nikki(aka Nikki Sue)

A bit more personal...

2008-03-02T08:25:00.002-05:00

I have this book called Reflections from a Mother's Heart.
Its a bit like a journal but there are things you write about that you would like to preserve for your children. What I am going to TRY to do is write from it on my blog a little ....to give my readers..(however many there are of you lol) a little insight to me.

What was your favorite pastime as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else?

What comes to mind is a card game that my Grandma Baker taught me when I was a little girl.
You see, alot of my childhood I lived only a few seconds away from my Grandmothers house.
When I grew up and went back to the old house, it had been torn down but my view of her place and my old house was not what I thought it was. Its great to keep memories because they are a huge part of who we are as individuals.
She and I would play a card game called Nutsie.(not sure if this is the correct spelling)
It was kind like solitaire but it was a game that could be played with more than one person. I couldn't explain to you how it is played but it was something that came to mind when I read the above question.
I preferred playing it with other people. I don't usually like playing games alone anyway.

I challenge you to think about this question a while and find your own favorite pastime as a child also. Why did you enjoy it?

Be Blessed on this beautiful Lord's Day.
Nikki

Navy Transition....

2008-03-01T12:43:00.002-05:00

Something hit me the other day that never occured to me before.
It was the fact that I won't be moving again in 3 years lol. It may seem very simple to most but for a person who moved 17 times in 20 years, its a big deal.

I was thinking about the friends I've made since moving to Ferry and it occured to me these are the friends I will have for a long time. Its awesome!

I was thinking about Angel's best friend Sydney and it occurred to me that this is someone she will grow up with and won't have to leave again!!!

What a great relief!!!! There are still many transitions that I go thru. Some DAILY.....with Mike retiring from the Navy. But all in all, things are smoothing out alot. God has straightened a path that I thought for a while to be Mt. Everest. God is good.

I am very thankful to be back home after being gone for so long.

I love my church family! Its great knowing I don't have to find another one in 3 years. Of course, I struggle with trying to fit it all in. I want to serve in so many ways in my congregation but I have to serve my family too. Not only take care of my own family but also run my own daycare business. I know with having my own daycare, I serve families who would not have encountered God in any other way. Whether they are here for a few days or a few months, I plan to be the light that some have never even seen!

Be Blessed
Nikki

Whats New?

2008-02-29T12:47:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone!
I am in the process of gathering my resources to start my preschool program each morning from 8:30 - 11:30. I have developmental skills checklist for 2 years old thru Pre K and try to work with each child to attain those skills before Kindergarden.

I seem to have a problem though.

It seems people are looking down on me. Not sure why....

Yes, I have mostly been a stay at home mom for the past 20 years but during that time, I've had my own daycare business for most of that 20 years. I've been state licensed, state certified and Navy certified. I've also been a big part of my own soap and body care business before where I made and sold items I made.

I know about my own business, I know about teaching as I've been homeschooling for many, MANY years.

I make it my business to know children and when I tell people I have my own daycare, they ask me if I TEACH anything to children????
Teaching is my business and raising these children to be GODLY adults is included. Not only do I teach the basic skills, I run my business like I live my life, to give the glory to God. I let people know that I am a Christian and will run my business likewise which means teaching the Bible and stories in the Bible and character lessons that bring about Godly character.

Just because I don't have a college degree doesn't mean I'm less than someone who does.
Anyway, guess I needed a vent!!
Thanks for listening!