Just a thought...

Well, I was watching 7th Heaven tonight and after watching Mr. Camden be given extra time on earth because of all the good that was done by him while living.....It made me think....

Could it be that what we do in life, can give us more time to do more good?

I wonder if someday once all is revealed in Heaven, if I will find out that if I would not have become a Christian when I did (which resulted in all 4 of my kids being baptized believers) what my life span would have been.

You see, life ...living means alot to me. I cherish it actually.

My mom died when she was 33 years old of Ovarian cancer. I was 11 and my sister was 6.
Ever since my mother died, I have learned to REALLY cherish the time I have with my kids. I try to do good wherever I go because I know that none of us really know how long we have here anyway and I want to raise Godly children and be a Godly helper to my husband.

Anyway, even IF there is a chance that God has given me the gift of "more time" with my family, I can only pray and say thank you...and that I will try to do my best glorifying Him in all I say and do.

Be Blessed Today....
Nikki

Service men

Here is a poem sent to me by a friend...
Hits close to home ...

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then thesure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give youmoney," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.
"Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Proverbs 31 Contribution

Good morning cyberspace!!!

Today I want to present a ? to all of you out there.

I would like to work at home to make some kind of contribution to the income. I make homemade lip balm with emu oil that heals skin so quickly its funny almost. But so far, I don't believe anyone knows about it.

But if you all reading have any other ideas to help make some money while being at home...please make a note of it in the comment section of the blog!!

More to come ....

Saturday December 9th

Here is an article that caught my eye on www.cnn.com..

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/12/08/im.poll.ap/index.html

One question popped into my mind....how can a parent NOT know their way around AIM or Yahoo Messenger or ICQ? If their children are chatting, then parents really need to know their way around these too.

There are ways to check archives to see what was said....some call it "snooping"....and I call it preventive parenting :)

Of course, I respect the privacy of my kids but I am not nieve to the point to think that everything they do or say is always right.

I hear alot of parents say that they don't know their way around a computer and really don't care too either. I challenge parents to learn if their kids know their way around a computer .
Here are some advantages....

1. You might be able to surprise your kids that you actually could HELP them with their computer homework from school. I love to always surprise my kids with my elite parenting skillz lol.

2. If you know your way around computer games...then maybe you might like to play the same games they do and then another generation gap is bridged and you might become the "cool parent" in your kids' eyes :)

3. Learn the jargon for online chatting on AIM or ICQ or Yahoo Messenger. Then you might understand what your teenager is actually typing to one of his friends...

That is just a few advantages...

Take the plunge...
Be blessed!!!

Nikki

Friday December 8th

Hello everyone!! Yes, I know its been a few days since I last wrote. Hmmmm how come I just can't seem to write more often? I really don't know but I apologize to those who check on me regularly and are disappointed to find out that I haven't updated the blog.

Sometimes I get on here and I find myself at a loss for words....HA......

Seriously though-

Here is a joke I found. Enjoy!!

A Few Words
Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."
The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."
The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon and it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

Have a great day!!!!

December 3rd..my BIRTHDAY

Well, what a day!!!
Only slept a few hours last night and when I woke up from what LITTLE sleep I had had, it was only because I had a nightmare. You see, today was my first day teaching sunday school for grades K-2nd. I had a night mare that I forgot all of my teaching materials at HOME!!!

Then after service today, I had to go to the funeral home to support the family on the loss of my cousin's wife. I got home from there with an hour to spare until evening service. Of course my two kids were acting in such a way that made me stressed out the whole time at the funeral home. My 9 and 10 year old were, HOT < HUNGRY < and not HAPPY!!

But I came home, and all I wanted to do is go to bed but I went to evening service to be blessed by all the wonderful people there. Today was a special birthday celebration day after services so everyone with a birthday in the month of December got to celebrate with cookies and punch. When I went tonight, let me say I didn't know about the birthday celebration thing nor did I know that so many people would wish me happy birthday.

Mostly it was thanks to my Joey who is 14 who told one of the elders that it was my birthday today. What a great boy Joey is....

A fantastic lady named Sally, made me this beautiful awesome cake and gave me some goodies for me to use and a card that I was sooo blessed to recieve. I love you Sally!!!!

My daughter and her two friends each made me a birthday card and the kindness from those three girls made me cry. I love you Angel and Shaylyn and Bailey!!!!!

I wasn't sure what kind of day this was going to turn out to be but God did...Yes, in all of these ramblings, there is a lesson.

When you don't feel like going to church...GO ANYWAY!!! Yeah, i know, its simple and to
the point and you may even say to me " oh but....."
and you fill in the blank.

God will bless your efforts. Isn't it funny. He blesses YOU for worshipping HIM? Doesn't that just sound sooo wrong?

I also was blessed to know that someone in the Columbus area reads my blog. Someone I don't know personally but likes what I have to say!!! WHOA...Imagine that. So, if you are reading this out there in Columbus-land..... and thanks for reading. It means alot to know that my ramblings aren't just...well...ramblings lol.

To end the day, my 18 year old son called me (he is away on vacation) and sang to me for my Birthday. I have been so blessed by so many people in my life. God continues to shower me with blessings and all I can say is I am very humbled. I know I do not deserve it.
But he continues anyway.

I try to look at all the little things...just waking up in the morning...as a blessing.
I think HE wants us to recognize even those little things. And if you are a sound sleeper, it might not be such a LITTLE thing after all lol.

A little note to a fellow blogger....thanks for the reminder JOHN....I'll try to do better :)

Be blessed today...
Remember God in your husbands hug today...
or your child's tug on your clothing to play a game with him or her....
or that paycheck you are spending on a Christmas present on a boss who really doesn't appreciate you....

God is everywhere....
Nikki

Thursday November 30th.

As I was doing my usual internet surfing, I decided to visit the website of Vocal Union. This accapella group is AMAZING!! Since moving to Ohio, I can't find any of my cd's except one and its driving me crazy!!! So , I decided to order the Christmas one after listening to a part of a song on there called Mary Did You Know....
Here is the site...please listen...

http://www.vocalunion.com/discography.htm

Its under the family Christmas.....

Not too many songs touch my inner soul to the point of tears. I felt it with this one.
Something seemed to come to mind too. Why is it that certain music can touch our hearts and make us cry? Why are there times during worship that our hearts are touched to the point of tears and why doesn't it happen more often than it does? I don't see too many people in the church service touched to the point of tears while we are singing. Hmmmm....


I love this group!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be Blessed
Nikki

Friday November 17th

Good morning to all you bloggers out there...or blog readers anyway :)

Last night as I lay in bed laying next to my daughter who sleeps with me most of the nights since Mike is gone I couldn't help but to think about each one of my children. My children help me understand the relationship that I have to my own Father in heaven.

As she lays there asleep, she looks so peaceful. My children are such blessings to me and are so dear to my heart. When she wakes up, I tell her that I believe God blessed her today because he woke her up to live another day. Some would say, "oh its just the order of the universe that you sleep and wake up."

I say , "Recognize God in everything you see and do!"

Everytime my dear husband leaves for deployment, I learn so many spiritual lessons. I have to do alot of serious meditation on things around me. Like now, as I write this, my children are still sleeping. So the house is quiet, I am having my cup of coffee and I just finished reading my email from Mike.

I used to wonder what God meant when he said, " Be still , and know that I am God."

I think if you just sit, and listen, you will totally understand what He meant. He is beautiful. He cares for me. He answers prayers...

I mentioned in my bible class that Mike was recieving alot of persecution at work, not only for his faith but he works incredibly hard and his superiors only give him grief. Well, prayers were finally answered and he recieved " A job well done " 5 times yesterday from someone who he would least expect it from. THank you God !!

Being a Navy wife is difficult sometimes. Lately, its been really rough. When Mike is here, the kids do NOT fight like they do when he is gone. It is soooo hard to deal with. Because of being homeschooled, they don't get many breaks from each other like those in public school do. My kids are around each other constantly. Yes, i know that since we've just moved things are a bit more hectic and I need to still let them adjust ....but know this....IT TOTALLY STINKS!!!
I can't imagine the life of a real single parent!! My life is like one when Mike is gone because I don't tell him much about when the kids are acting terribly. What can he do? Nothing really so I try to handle it the best way I can which tends to be not good at all lol. I'm too nice, I don't stick to what I say and I get manipulated way to easily!!!! Yes, i can admit it. Oh well, a few more months to go and I don't have to worry about this kind of stuff anymore.

Ok, my blog is called Nikki's Ramblings and that is what my post has been today. A mixture of my thoughts...but all about different things.

Be Blessed Today and Give God the thanks He so richly deserves!!! He gave you the eyes to read this and the brain to understand the thoughts.
Nikki

Thursday November 16th

http://www.tftw2.org/Articles/placeforwomen.htm

The above article is one I read in its entirety this morning. As women in the church today, most read it and say, Sure...no problem but those who are outside of the church and involved with their church in ways that go against what the Bible clearly teaches, is my topic today.

LEt me ask WHY? Why go against what the Bible clearly teaches? I know such Godly women!!! People that love God with their heart , soul, mind and strength but clearly go against what the bible teaches about women's roles.

Understand, that I didn't come to accept what God teaches without a fight, let me tell ya. In all honesty, sometimes I still have some troubles but mostly just in my own home. But gathered together with the other members of the Lord's body, for me isn't difficult to accept the role that God has given me. Ladies, God has blessed us with sooo many gifts and given us so many talents to use. Why take something from the men that is CLEARLY meant to be theirs and theirs alone? Do you see them trying to take over the roles God gave to us? I, for one, do not.

Do you have a gift for speaking and teaching? Awesome!! Use it for what God intends. Teach a ladies class or teen girls class...What better way to teach other women with a gift God has given to you!!! Why want so much more and disregard the word of God?

Do you desire more...want the opportunities that men want? Ok, lets talk about that. Doesn't God teach us to not covet? Are we not supposed to want what others have? God has told us to be content with what we have. Maybe we want the skills that others have...ok, then find someone you admire and talk with them. You can ask to be taught but not by what men do!!
Do it as to NOT break the will of God. We are to do things that bring glory to God, not glory to OURSELVES!!!

You may say, "God gave me the gift of preaching and teaching! Do I just not use it. I thought we were supposed to use the talents we have for God."

I say, "Do not lay waste to the talents God has given you!!"
Use your gift to uplift others...but use it in the context of not disregarding the word of God.
Have a ladies class at your home.
Teach a ladies class at church.
I'm sure teen girls could learn alot from the words of wisdom you have to share.
And for those at home with small children, God has given you a gift to teach your children. Use it there to raise up those children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ladies, nothing is more important than what God teaches. NOTHING. He is our direction on how to live in this life. If you aren't following the Bible for your walk in life, then you are walking into death. Plain and simple!!!

Be blessed today!

Sunday November 12th

Good evening blog world!!!
I know my fellow Brother in Christ John, put a link to my blog on his so to those who are reading about me for the first time, let me please say WELCOME to my world lol.

I want to talk tonight about how Satan is at work ...
He twists and turns things in people's minds that make them want to end their life. I cannot understand that kind of desperation. All over a boyfriend? I mean, not that someone like a boyfriend, or girlfriend for that matter, isn't important but isn't LIFE more precious than that?

I feel like I"m writing my sisters obituary. She is Satan's focus lately. No , she isn't a Christian and seems to have no desire to be one. But as long as she is taking her breaths, she still has hope because God loves her just as much as he loves me.

People , don't take your Christianity for granted. Especially those who grew up in the church. I did not and neither did my husband but my kids really don't know anything else. I don't want them to get so comfortable that its just routine. Don't just make God routine. He deserves more than that. I try to think back and remember where I came from. He has brought me and my family through so much I can't imagine any other way than to be a child of HIS but my sister has lived without him all her life and He keeps calling and calling but she refuses to hear.

Our Sunday morning message struck me today. When Jesus calls, are we listening...do we WANT to hear his call? Maybe its selective hearing....because if we hear his call, we feel an obligation...so we choose to not hear anything at all.

Don't shut him out!!!!!!!!!!! Choose to listen because if you do, you will not be sorry!!!!

I am very thankful to God that He has brought friends in my kids lives here in Ferry. God is soo good. I knew He had in His plan for us to be here and that He would work out everything and I can see exactly that happening!!!

Please pray for my son Michael as next Sunday the 19th he takes his first plane trip to Virginia Beach to visit friends and will return on the 4th of December. He has never ridden in a plane before so he's a bit nervous. Pray for safe trip and return. Thanks and God bless!!!

Nikki

Thursday November 9th

Lets talk about our kids.

I'm very humbled that my 18 year old son is not embarrassed of me.
I talk to his girlfriend, I talk with his friends on IM and on the phone. Where else do you know of an 18 year old who is that comfortable with his mom.

What a blessing....

Now the thought...

How comfortable are we with God? Do we talk to Him like he is a million miles away...like He is unreachable????

God wants a relationship with us....

Do you know what that entails...spending time....getting to know....

Just like it takes TIME to get to know your kids, it takes Time and effort to get to know God.

We do not want to be ashamed to be in Gods presense as I don't want my son to be ashamed of me.

It means opening up people...

God knows us yes...but somehow,,,when we OPENLY reveal something, audibly, OUTLOUD, its very humbling...

Lets take a step closer to being a REAL daughter and son with our FaTher :)

Sunday November 5th

Its 11pm as I write this but I had a nap this afternoon and felt like I wanted to say hi to everyone...or ANYONE who might be interested in my blog ...LOL...



I've had alot on my mind lately with tomorrow marking the 1 month mark that my best friend has been gone. He says.." only 5 more to go" like that isn't a long time :(

Now that my move to Ohio is over, and things are settling down, my mind is on him more and more and especially with the holidays coming. It does make it easier being around family for the first holidays in a long time but without him here, its just not the same.

Don't get me wrong, everyone here has welcomed me and my family with open arms and for that I am thankful. I am trying to think of what a big party it will be when he comes home.

If you don't mind, please keep me in prayer as I try to get more involved with the youth at church. I think alot of people, when they get to a new church, expect things to be just like where you came from. When its not, people are dissappointed. I say JUMP IN!! I have two boys who are 18 and 14 that really don't know many people here. So, I am hoping to help change that by hosting a youth devo at my house sometime, having a game party/get together so people can come over and get a glimpse into " their world"!!

I look back over the years and I can see how much God has changed my life thru the difficult times that I've had to go thru. Its amazing how much I've grown. No credit on my part though. God is good and gracious and merciful.

I want to post a poem I wrote in honor of someone very close to me who is hurting.
Its my prayer that God will call her heart to HIM!!

Thank you God for friends and servants of you who are willing to do YOUR work for the kingdom...



Desperate Prayer


Dark Pit
Tears falling
Lord can’t you hear her calling?

Pain and hurt
From years gone by
Lord, can’t you hear her cry?

Hatred, anger
Wounded deeply
Lord, can’t you hear her weeping?

Touch her heart
I know you care
Lord, can’t you hear her prayer?

Open heart
Surgery needing
Lord, can’t you hear her pleading?

Waiting, praying
Comforter sent
Lord, can’t you hear her lament?

Broken , fallen
Her spirit calling
Lord, please call her home!!!

Thursday November 2nd

Good evening fellow Readers!!!

I just want to say that I am very blessed by what my husband emails me.

His emails are soooo spiritual sound and strong. How he keeps so strong out there is a mystery to me. Yes, I know God is with him , but he is alone out there on his ship. He has people that he works with but no one close to him. Most of his emails are sooo wonderful and he talks about things in a perspective that put mine to shame.

He is not in a rush to get thru this next 5 months. (as i would think he would be)
He wants to take things one day at a time and enjoy the time he has and lets God use him in whatever way that would be best. WOW....

And I wake up in a hurry to clean my house and get school done with my kids.
I rush my oldest into fitting into the new church congregation and rush him into a job.

I rush even my friendships trying to show my appreciation for what everyone has done for me. ...rush rush rush....why? I'm clueless......

I hope that I can take some of the wisdom that Mike has and learn from his example.

I miss him ....sometimes alot more than others. Don't get me wrong, I always miss him being here as he is my best friend and we have a very close family relationship, but when I slow down, I guess that is when I really start to think about him and miss him. Maybe I try to block it out with keeping busy...who knows....

I do need to slow down. God wants us to enjoy what he gives us every day.

Look deep into my kids...hug them, love them, take time for teachable moments.

I get so worried about what others think that I think i have to keep a clean house all the time because if someone stops over, they will think I'm a messy person. I know I hate to be that way.
Yes, I have a hard time with being a people pleaser....

anyway, be blessed..............
Nikki

November 1 Wednesday

Hello everyone!!!

As I woke up this morning, all I wanted to do was stay in bed. See, I woke up with a headache and my throat was sore. I was very tempted to give my kids a day off from school because I just didn't feel very well.

Instead, I took an Advil and asked God to help me get through my day.

What a blessing I recieved. Understand that almost DAILY school can be like pulling teeth with my 8 year old daughter. But this morning, school has gone soooo well, that it cheered me up, blessed me and gave me the strength to do the other tasks that needed to be done.

I usually do not like to tell others when I have rough times with my kids cause the first response I USUALLY get is, " oh, just put them back in school". Of course, I don't ever plan to do that so I usually just keep my hard days to myself. And LET ME TELL YOU.... I have alot of rough days.

Understand that I don't get much help from anyone when it comes to the schooling.
Since I am a Navy wife, usually everything I do, I do on my own because I have to.

So, there are times I just want to crawl back in bed for the whole day!!!!

But I was definitely blessed this morning by a good attitude from her.

Anyway, be blessed today!!!!

Monday October 23rd

Hello everyone.
We have arrived in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Less than one week after arriving, we have snow flurries!!!!

I LOVE IT!!!!

I will post pictures of the kids and stuff later on. I hope all my friends from Virginia Beach will use the blogger to keep up with whats going on here.

I can say this for sure.....

God wants us here!!!

So many things have happened here that have shown me that this is the place we need to be and stay.

Its amazing how God takes care of us with everything.

God is alive and working in everything....

Sometimes we just have to get our spiritual contacts on and get our FOCUS off of the worldly stuff.

Its like having worldly cataracts. Once they are taken off, we can see God working in so many ways. Its sad really, when we cannot see HIM. He is every where and in every thing.

Those of you who want to SEE HIM and get proof of HIS existence, Just open your eyes.

Why would a God who WANTS to be found, be so hidden? He isn't!!!!! Its US who seem to not want to see HIM. We think we can hide our dark secrets...there are none to HIM anyway.

The snow I saw today was beautiful. God created it for our enjoyment.
Thank you Lord for the snow, even when it makes things difficult sometimes. In those difficulties, you are Glorified and my faith increases!!!!

Tuesday October 3rd

Hello everyone!

Today brings me another day close to Martins Ferry but also another day closer to MIke leaving us.

I had a friend over for lunch yesterday and I was looking over my TO DO BOOK, not list mind you, but BOOK, and she laughed at all I had to do . :)

One day at a time is how I try to do it all. I make my lists and try to accomplish them day to day.

Angel is having a hard time about leaving. She cried off and on yesterday. She is going to miss her friends alot.

She asked questions about how many people were going to be in her Bible class and she will be the " new girl" and all. I told her that both her and tony will be new cause they both will be in the same class together. That seemed to make her feel a little better.

Please pray for peace for everyone during this transition. The children and I are going thru so many different emotions.

I mean, Mike leaving, leaving our friends here that we love so much, going home and for the kids going to a place that they know nothing about.

Nikki

Wednesday September 27th

Anyone else having a hard time believing that its almost October?
Some inportant dates in October are:

October 7th is my 19th wedding anniversay
October 10th is Tony's 10th Birthday.

The bad day in October is the 5th and that is the day MIke leaves for his deployment.

It will be a rough day for me but with God's strength I can get thru it.

I will update more later.......

Thursday September 21st

Good morning to all you cyber people out there!!
Nothing much new has changed since I last posted yesterday. Just trying to remember to write something every day so that I can keep you updated on me and my family.

My dad made a major move. He packed up his car(I guess all of his belongings fit in his truck) and travelled without stopping from Maine to Kentucky. I believe it was 21 hours straight. Not bad for a 69 year old man!!! I couldn't do 8 hours without stopping. I'm sure he stopped for bathroom breaks and all but to drive that far and not taking a break to sleep is crazy in my opinion lol.

God is soooo good . He takes care of us in ways that we will never understand.
Nikki

Wednesday September 20th

Wow, only one month to go till I am on my way to Ohio. My 30 day notice to my landlord has been given also. I finally have a moving company assigned to our family now so on October 23rd, my household goods will be arriving at my new place in Ferry.

I also get to come back to Virginia Beach on Saturday October 28th so I can finish recording with my ladies group called Sweet Inspiration. If it wasn't for one of the members , also my very good friend, willing to drive to Ohio (8 hour drive) to get me on Friday, and return me on Monday, then this would have even been a possiblility since I really hate to drive anything over 2 hours lol.

But things are looking very good right now.

My youngest two children ages 8 and 9 (well, my 9 year old is almost 10) were baptized the other evening in our home bath tub lol. What a blessing to know that all 4 of my children are baptized believers in the only ONE who matters , Jesus Christ.

My anxieties are up with the anticipation of all that is happening. With Mike leaving in 2 weeks, the happiness of all the moving stuff is being squelched by him getting ready to leave.

Please pray for our family during this crazy time of transitions. Please also keep Mike in prayer as he is away from his family and serving our country.

Nikki

Tuesday September 12, 2006

Hard to believe its been so long since my last post. Please forgive the overlook of it.

I will try to do better but I have so many things on my plate right now, not sure if I will get more committed to my blogging now or should I wait until after my move in October.

Here are some updates:

Praise God that He provided us with a home in Ferry. Its half a mile from my mother in law's house and one block from my father in laws house.

It has everything that we really needed. It has a 2 car detached garage that we needed for storage, we can keep our dog with us since our landlord allows pets.
It still has only 3 Bedrooms but we can deal with that for a year.
_________________________________________________________________

Kids are all doing well with homeschooling. I love the curriculum we are using this year called Switched on Schoolhouse. Its all on the computer and the kids have mostly A's and B's.
_________________________________________________________________

Mike is on his last week of leave then he actually will be leaving in about 2 weeks. That is when my workload begins. But it will help me deal with the seperation. As long as I keep busy, then I don't have time to feel the sadness of him being away.

__________________________________________________________________

Austin Cook seems to be doing well. What a strong little boy FOR SURE!! I am on an email update list so when someone posts an update on him, I get to go read up and find out how he is doing.

_________________________________________________________________

I am very much looking forward to coming back home after all these years. I am also looking forward to coming to National Road Church of Christ on a full time basis instead of as a visitor.
Believe it or not, I already have a friend....YES ....you know who you guys are lol.....

God is good....He takes care of everything...not just the big things....or the small things...but everything including all in the middle. He has worked so much out for me lately, I could publish a book all about it.
__________________________________________________________________

Be patient all...I will update more as I can.

Take care
Thanks for reading,
Nikki