Behind in blogging

I have been lazy in updating my blog. My computer was down for a week and then it just got busy around here before CHRISTmas. Now that CHRISTmas is over I can try and get back on track for those that actually read this thing.

In the beginning of November, my friend Susie, taught a sewing class and I was her only student this time around. I figured it was about time that I learned to sew. So, I bought a sewing machine and off I went. We made an apron. It was fun even though I had no idea what I was doing. I hate to see what it would have looked like if Susie was not my teacher! Anyway, we finished my apron and when I got home and showed it to my girls, they got excited and said they wanted me to make them one! Well, I'm not a pro yet so I was a little hesitant but I decided to give it a shot. they were going to be making some cookies for missions work so I needed to get them done before the first weekend in December. I went to Joanns and got them material that they liked and began my masterpieces!

Well, you all know what happened next! Yes, I called Susie and she said come on over and we worked on them together and got them done a day before they were needed. I surprised them the next morning.






So, Thank -you again, Susie! You have been a blessing. I did make another one for my Neice, Emily for CHRISTmas but she doesn't know it yet. I only called Susie once, and I did a pretty good job on it, considering it's still together!

THANKSGIVING 2008

For Thanksgiving this year, we went to Tennessee to see Ken, Robin, and the kids. We miss them so much and it was just great to go down and spend four days with them. We had a BLAST!!! It was so quiet in the country, (except for the kids and the dogs)Their house is so nice and comfortable and big!



The kids have grown so much! All the kids got along so well and we all played games and just had a wonderful time that when it came time to head home, nobody wanted to go. We look forward to seeing them at Christmas time and in the summer when we travel back down on our way to North Carolina.

When we left TN, we headed over to Andy and Lisa's house for a visit. Their house is beautiful! It was so good to see them and actually sit down and have real conversations without the rush. We were only going to stay for an hour and it ended up being 3! The boys are so big and handsome:) We had a wonderful visit with them and again it was hard to say good-bye!

Will is missing in this picture because he went to a friends house

12 years ago...today

I gave birth to my first and only son, Matthew Levi!






It's so hard to believe that he is 12 years old. It seems like yesterday that I brought him home from the hospital and wondered if I knew what I was doing. God had given Marvin and I a huge responsibility in the caring of this precious gift.

Overall, I think we are doing a good job. Matthew has been going to church since he was 5 days old and he was saved and baptized and he is now serving in the youth group. He is in 7th grade and again is on the honor roll. We are very proud to call him our Son and we cherish every day with him.

Matthew, have a wonderful day and know how much we love you and are honored to be your parents. You have given us a lot of joy and laughter over these 12 years of your life and we are blessed to have you as our Son. Keep up the good work in school and know how proud we are of you! You are the best Son we could have every asked for. We love you very much.

Love,
Mom and Dad

FALL FUN

The girls were outside playing in the leaves and they took these pictures. What fun!

It's a bird...It's a plane....

No, it's Matthew at "The Jumps" in AP.

Just about everyday, Matthew and his buddies go behind the high school and ride their bikes and do tricks and such. I'm glad I'm not there to watch! Pretty scary to a mom sometimes!

UPDATES ON EVERYTHING

Okay, time to get back on track with some updates of things that have gone on lately. First up, At the end of September, my Sister-in-law, Julie, participated in the breast cancer 3 day. In three days, she walked sixty miles and helped raise millions for breast cancer. She walked in memory of my Grandmother and her Grandmother. It was so cool to see her accomplish something she worked very hard at. We were so proud of her!



On October 4th, I went to my best friend's wedding but I don't have the pics yet so I'll write about that later:)

Today, I took the second kid to get braces. Lyndsey got her top braces today and she really looks cute. I can't wait to see the changes in her teeth. After she is done, it's Lauren's turn:)

PRAYER

I have been reading a blog for several months about a mother who is going to have her fourth baby tomorrow. This mother was told early on that her baby may not live long after he is born for various reasons. Well, she is going to have him tomorrow and is asking for lots of prayer for the life of her baby boy that they have named Stellan. Please pray for her and her family.

If you want to read her awesome blog, it's listed on the right "my charming kids" She is amazing and has beautiful children.

13 Years

This is what we looked like in 1993.

Today is my 13th wedding anniversary and I wanted to take a few minutes and write about the man in my life.

On this date, 13 years ago, I walked down the isle and into the waiting arms of my dear husband. During those 13 years we have had our ups and downs. Yet, he has always stood by my side as I have stood by his. He has given me four beautiful children, a nice home, and worked hard enough that I am able to stay home and be here when the kids leave for school and when they come home.

He has been a huge support to me during my MANY trips to the hospital for various reasons, when I felt like my world was falling apart, when my mom and sister needed a place to live he was willing to let them stay here as long as they needed to. He has NEVER ONCE made me feel like I wasn't special to him. I KNOW that he loves me like Christ loves the church. He ALWAYS puts my needs above his own and that I come second after God. He has shown me more love than I sometimes think I'm worth.

I always find myself wondering how I got so lucky to have a man like him. I am blessed beyond measure when it comes to my husband. I sometimes take him for granted but I know no matter what I do in our marriage, I know that he will always be with me and that we will grow old together.

Marvin, I love you so much and I will always remember what you have done for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for your shoulder that I have shed alot of tears on and thank you for providing for me and our children and never asking for anything in return. I am so blessed because of you and I look forward to many more years together and making more memories along the way. Thank you for being a man of integrity and a man of God. Thank you for being a wonderful father to our children, they love you so much. You are the best Dad to them and I know how much you mean to them. Thank you for being a Godly example to Matthew especially, so he will know how to be a Godly husband one day. Happy anniversary honey, I love you very much.

My how we've changed! 2008 at Kensington Metro Park

Dinner

Okay, for those of you that know me, you probably know that I AM NOT A COOK! I cook the basic meals for my family to survive and that's about it. I am a very picky eater so If I don't like it, I won't cook it! Marvin, on the other hand, likes just about everything! So, last week, I asked him if I was to cook something that he really likes/wanted what would it be?

Chicken and Dumplings!

I KNEW he was going to say that! So, because I love my husband, I went out on a limb and got together with a friend of mine to make this meal. I got all the necessary ingredients and headed over to Marcia's house and got down to business. We made chicken and dumplings and with the extra chicken, she showed me how to make chicken soup. I had alot of fun with her and I was so excited to show Marvin my masterpiece.

Now, I am also not big on TRYING NEW THINGS!! But, because we make our kids try things, I had to try it too! The kids were starving and they got tired of waiting for Daddy to get home from work,so we sat down and tried chicken and dumplings for the first time EVER!!!

Let's just say everyone loved the ....CHICKEN! I am not so sure if I liked it or not. Ashlee loved it of course but the rest of us only liked the chicken. So after we were done, Marvin came home and I served it to him with excitement. He loved it! He said it tasted like his Mom's!


It must have been good because he had a few helpings and it's all gone! I'm not sure when/if I'll ever make it again but he said he was happy that I tried it and that I would make something special just for him.

Buster wanted/liked it too!

Heaven Bound!!!

As of Thursday evening, my whole household is heaven bound! I shared the gospel with Lauren and Lyndsey and they both prayed to receive Christ and they want to be baptized! They have been asking alot of questions lately about baptism so we talked about Jesus first and why He loves them and died for them. They listened as a read them a booklet called "Who is your King?" It is geared for kids and their level of understanding. THey asked questions and were really interested. After they prayed in their own words, you could see the transformation in their faces. They were excited! And so was I. God is GOOD!

September 11, 2001

Seven years ago today , I was at the doctor's office getting a stress test and blood draws. I needed to have a test then leave for a bit and come back for more blood work. It was during the time that I left, that I first heard about the terrorist attacks. I was listening to the news on the radio. I was horrified!! I called my dad and asked him if he was watching TV. He said no, so I told him to turn it on because our country was under attack!

I tried to compose myself as I went back to the doctor's office. At the office, no one was really saying anything about it. In the waiting room, they had a TV on and that's when it REALLY hit me what was going on. There's a big difference when you hear it on the radio verses seeing it on TV. It was horrible. I cried all the way home. When I got home, Marvin had the TV on, and they kept showing it over and over. The school called and canceled afternoon kindergarten for Matthew. My neighbors were outside talking and crying and just in total shock.

Our church called an emergency prayer meeting, so we gathered everyone up and went to church. There was comfort there. Our church was able to hook up to the TV and project everything on the big screen for us to watch when the President came on. He was so strong, yet I felt his sadness too!

American flags went up EVERYWHERE! As I drove down my street today, there was hardly any! That is really sad to me. I have my flag proudly waving 24/7. I love my flag and what it stands for. We need to keep them up all the time not when tragedy strikes.

The one thing I always think about is the firemen. What heroes they are day in and day out. I personally know several firemen and I always think highly of them even before 911. So many died that day. They ran into the towers while everyone else was running out! That in itself is heroic! Thank you God, for people willing to die to save someone else.

What were you doing 7 years ago today?

End times????

Okay, I'm not really one to preach at people but I feel the at this time I need to get the message out there.

I feel like we are now living in the end times. With that I mean, I truly feel deep in my soul that Jesus' return is right around the corner. I know that people have said that very thing for MANY YEARS, but I believe it now more than ever.

Have you heard that scientist have been working on this collider thing that is supposed to settle the big bang theory? That it has the potential to destroy mankind!

**As soon as I figure out how to get the article link in here,you can read what I'm talking about***


First of all, there is NO big bang theory. Scientist are still trying to say that there is but the Bible is the only PROOF that GOD and GOD alone created the earth and everything in it. You can choose to believe it or not but you better have it right because when Jesus comes back for his people, and you don't have a personal relationship with Him you WILL BE LEFT BEHIND!!!!

As a Christian it is my job to tell people about Jesus Christ. I would be doing a great disservice to you if I don't. Call me a Jesus Freak, nutcase, religious finatic. Call me whatever you want but know that I speak to you in love and that I care about your soul! I'm not a bible scholar, pastor, theologian, I am just a woman after God's own heart.

You have to ask yourself, "Where am I going to spend eternity"? heaven or hell? These are REAL PLACES!!!!

Becoming a Christian is as easy as ABC:

A: ADMIT that you are a sinner.

1) ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

2) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

B: Believe that Jesus is God's Son and that God sent Jesus to die for us that we would spend eternity with Him.

1) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that Whoever believe's in Him should not die but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

2) Jesus said unto him: I am the Way, The Truth, and The Life, no one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

3) But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for US. (Romans 5:8)

C. CONFESS A person must confess their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

1) That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you WILL BE SAVED! For with the heart one believes into righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

2) For WHOEVER CALLS on the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED. (Romans10:13)

If you believe in your heart that Jesus is the Way and do the abc's, you can say a prayer and ask Jesus to forgive you for doing wrong, know that He died and rose from the dead and that He died for you and call on Him to save you, you will be saved and spend eternity in heaven with Him.

I am not perfect, I sin everyday, but what sets me apart is that I have a REAL relationship with Jesus and I know I will spend eternity with Him. I want everyone to have that same hope.

You can choose not to accept Him but I would not recommend it. You can laugh at what I have said and deny it but God's Word is the truth.

If you do pray and need any help, just ask. I have an excellent church you can come to and I can get you a Bible to continue to live for Him and learn more about Him. Don't wait! We are not guaranteed tomorrow!

I'm so fired up for God right now that I could go on and on but I won't. Let Jesus speak to you. Let me know if you have any questions and I will try and answer them.

Love you all,

Shelly

The Bible

I admit that I am not the best bible reader. I pick it up from time to time and I try and apply it to my life....but sometimes it's hard to do.

I believe without a doubt the the bible is the Word of God and I don't deny that it is the truth. I believe that it should be the dictator of my life. It has all the answers that I need and that I should be willing to follow it with my life...but it's hard to do.

The world tells us that we should do whatever makes us happy, do what we want, say what we want, live the way we want, but that's not what the Bible says. I want my life to reflect what the bible tells me to do...but sometimes that's hard to do.

The goal of my life should be that when my life is over and I meet Jesus face to face that He says to me "Well done good and faithful servant". That's how I plan to change my life. I want to be His faithful servant.

It will be hard sometimes but if I look to Him, he will guide me and direct me. I will hide His word in my heart, and be the best that I can be for His glory.

Back to school 2008

Well the school year of 08/09 is in full swing! The kids are adjusting well already with going to bed early and getting up early.

Matthew got up early on the first day of school, got dressed, ate, and left before I even got up! I didn't even get a picture! He did not want me to take one nor did he want me to take him to school. He rode his bike! I guess he's too big for mom now.

The girls on the other hand still need and want me. Ashlee had a rough night before school. She gets a nervous/excited stomach ache when something is going to happen the next day, so she tossed and turned all night! I know that because I had her sleep with me and she kept me up late too. The next morning she had a stomach ache and I had to give her some medicine to help and she was fine after that.

The girls were ready to go by 8 am, so Marvin and I took some pictures and then drove them to school.

After we dropped them off, we went to breakfast together and had good time. He says I've come along way because I don't cry anymore! There was a time where I cried so hard I couldn't even talk on the phone! Those days are gone now!

Here are a few pictures from the day minus Matthew.


The girls are ready(Ashlee not feeling good yet)


At school (Ashlee's better, can you tell?)

Lined up ready to go in (Lyndsey)

Lauren

Ashlee happy and ready!

Kensington 2008

Today, Marvin had the day off and we took the kids to Kensington Metropark and spent the day. We first did some fishing but didn't catch much:( Then we walked a trail and saw a few things that the kids were excited about. I think chipmunks are the cutest things! The were all over the nature center. I took a few pictures of the quick little things! It has been a tradition of ours since Matthew was a little guy that we stop at Dairy Queen on the way out of the park. It's right at the entrance so it's hard not to stop there. So we finished up our day having an ice cream. I have a ice- cream layout page so the pictures will be perfect.

The kids start back to school next week and I am really looking forward to it. When they go back, I'm getting my butt to the gym and I am getting into shape. I know the summer is almost over but if I can make it through the winter getting thinner, I'll be ready for next summer!

I am looking forward to a better week. Last week was terrible! But, I know that Christ is in control and I am happy where I am in my walk with Him.

What a week

This has been a tough week for me emotionally, spiritually and just plain hard. But I have a Christ that is stronger than I am and He is what I needed most this week. I have never prayed and talked to God more than I have in the last few days and I prayed and asked Him for clarity and He sure did give it to me.

I realized this week that I need to seek Him more than anyone else and He will have the answers that I need. I can't put my faith and trust completely in anyone else but Him. I told my kids this week that whenever they have questions in their lives that the only answer is in the Bible and that they need to follow whatever it's says because it is the truth. We cannot be of this world because this world will lead us in the wrong direction. Satan is alive and well and is ready to destroy lives and friendships that have been built for many years. I WILL stand for Christ and I WILL NOT be ashamed either.

I pray that I can just stand firm with the full armor of God on me and that he would protect me and that His glory would be evident to all. I pray for miracles that I know only He can deliver. Thank You Christ for dying for me that I might live and that You live through me.

Big Changes are a comin....

There are a lot of changes going on at our house. My Mom and Sister got their own apartment and are moving out AGAIN this weekend. It's a good change and I am happy for both of them to have their own place.

We have a bungalow and since the girls were smaller, Marvin and I gave them our room upstairs so they could all fit and have room to play. Now that we have 2 rooms available, Ashlee is moving to the basement in Kelsey's room next to Matthew, Lauren is getting my Mom's room, Lyndsey is getting mine and Marvin's room, and Marvin and I are going back upstairs to our original room! WHEW!!! The bad part about all that is that I messed up my back last week and I am still on the mend. I could hardly walk across the room let alone move things around, so that hampers everything a bit. There is so much to do that it's a bit overwhelming, but everyone is pitching in so hopefully it will all go smoothly!

There is also a lot going on at Marvin's work and we are not sure yet what is going to happen. The worse thing is that he may lose his job and the best thing is that we may relocate out of Michigan. PLEASE pray that God's will be done...not OURS!

Next week, Lyndsey starts the procedures for braces. She is in phase one, which is an expander for 6 months. She's excited and Lauren is not, because she also needs braces but I can only afford one kid at a time.

Plus, we are gearing up for the new school year which begins in a little over a month. I have to save up for the school supplies, which get bigger every year times 4!! What happened to the days where you went to school with paper and pencils?!!!

So, that's about it for now. Hope everyone is well and having a good week.

The fun of being a kid

My girls were across the street last week playing in the slip-in-slide with the neighborhood kids. I watched them play from my front porch. I couldn't help but watch with awe at something I loved to do when I was a kid. When I was watching them I couldn't help but think of how fun it would be to be a kid again and not have any of the worries that we as parents have today. I wanted to run through that slide and just be that kid again. After watching how much fun they were having, I decide to go over there and take some pictures. You decide if you want to be those kids again? I sure would!

Sabrina

Ashlee

Lyndsey

Zachary

21 years ago today...

Today is the 21st anniversary of my Neice, Amber Nicole's, death. She died of crib death when she was 4 weeks old. I cannot believe she has been gone that long. I always wonder what she would have looked like and what she would have become. She was a beautiful baby when she was born. She was so cute and tiny. I called her peanut because she was so little. I don't like to think of this day very much. It was such a difficult time. I will never forget what it was like and I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like for my brother. He was so young to go through something like that.

But, the comfort I get is knowing that I will see Amber again when I get to heaven. I hope that when I get to heaven and see Jesus face to face that he has Amber in His arms like I have dreamed so many times.

I miss you Amber, and I always think about you. You would have been a good Neice and I know you would have brought all of us joy and happiness. I love you.

My latest pages

I have been busy in my scrap booking room the last few days. I made a page honoring my husband. I also did a page for my girls and a photo collage of when the girls were small.





Okay, so this year I decide to plant some flowers. I have NO green thumb whatsoever, but the girls asked me to, so I did. We went to the store and I bought 2 small hedges and some pink lilies and I planted them on one side of the front of the house. After about a week, the lilies started to bloom. They were so pretty and the smelled awesome. I would sit on the porch and the wind would blow and I would get a whiff of them. I was so excited.


Then, the storm hit and we got pelted with hail and the stinkin hail KILLED my beautiful lilies...this is what was left...


I think my green thumb will be washed and I will hang it up, because I can't handle the pressure!

Colorado

Well, Matthew survived 9 days out of Michigan without me! From the little bit of information I got out of him, he had a great time. He loved going up in the mountains where he was having a snowball fight and the breathing was different then he was used to. He learned to defend himself from the "older" students, and held his own. It's hard to believe he is officially part of the youth group and will be doing things now that he is a part. I know that the Lord is going to use him and that he will grow into a man of God. He might even be the next youth minister! Or the worship leader! He plays a mean drum!

This was the top of a tree in Utah, where the flooding was. They had to go 170 miles around to get pass the flooding.

This was a baseball field in Utah, completely underwater!



I am so glad he got to see another part of the country. I missed him very much and was so happy that he got home safe and that he had a good time.

If your over thirty...

Got this in an email and had to post it. The writing is not mine so if the language offends..sorry. Enjoy!

If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their
tedious diatribes about how hard things were when they were growing
up;
what, with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning ....
uphill
BOTH ways yadda, yadda, yadda!

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way
in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how
hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help
but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so
e asy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn
Utopia!

And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know how good you've
got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we
wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it
up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

There was no email! We had to actually write somebody a letter...with
a
pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in
the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there!

There were no MP3's or Napsters! You wanted to steal music, you had to
hitchhike to the damn record store and shoplift it yourself!
Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the
DJ'd
usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the
phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it! And
we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either! When the phone rang, you
had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss,
your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't
know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with
high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like
'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids' and the graphics sucked! Your guy was
a
little square! You actually had to use your imagination! And there
were
no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen forever! And you
could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and
faster
and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

When you went to the movie theater there no such thing as stadium
seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy or some old
broad with a hat sat in front of you and you couldn't see, you were
just
screwed!

Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like
15 channels and there was no onscreen menu and no remote control! You
had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on!
You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off
your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel and there was
no
Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday
morning.
Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons,
you
spoiled little bastards!

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we
had
to use the stove or go build a frigging fire .... imagine that!
If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that stupid Jiffy Pop thing and
shake it over the stove forever like an idiot.

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too
easy. You're spoiled!!!!!!!!!

You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980!
Oh yea, and a seatbelt was Mom throwing her arm across your chest
every
time she hit the brakes.
Regards,

The over 30 Crowd

Blogging

For the past few days, I have been reading random blogs that I have come across and I have found some of the saddest and heart wrenching things from people, mostly moms, who have gone through difficult times with their children. I continue to read Angie Smith's blog and I am always so touched by the things that she writes about. She has a gift of writing and I enjoy reading her thoughts and admire her strength.

When I was in high school, English was my favorite subject and I really got into writing in my freshman year. I could write stories after stories using my imagination and I loved it. I hoped that it would continue long after school was over, but I got out of the habit. I'm going to try to get back in it. I have, maybe thirty journals that I have started and never got through. I would write daily for a couple of weeks then that would be it. I have yet to complete a full journal!

So, after being inspired to write my thoughts and dreams and goals from the blogs that I read, I am going to start back up my journals. When my kids are older I would like to leave them to them to read so they know all about me and the things that I have gone through. Who knows, maybe they will be writers and journalers too!

Family

This past weekend, Ken and Robin and the kids came up from Tennessee. It was so good to see them! They have only been gone a short time and the kids have changed so much already. They are great kids and Ken and Robin are doing a wonderful job with them. They have such good manners and are so polite. We got together with them at Vivian and Kevin's house and had a BBQ. All the kids played outside and just had a good time. One of the best things to do in life is to be with your family! I love to be with mine. If you don't have family, you don't have much. I enjoy every minute I spend with Marvin's side of the family. They are so fun to be with. When you get Marvin, Vivian, and Kenneth in the same room, it's always fun.


Ryan turns 4


Candle blowing



Funny face cousins


The Metcalf Family

Today was the last day of school for the summer! I am glad it's over. I'm tired of the driving, homework, lunch money, and getting up early! It will be nice just to relax and not have to rush in the morning and get to bed early. The kids are glad too!

I'm getting Matthew ready to go to Colorado on Friday. This is the first time he will leave MI without me:( It's going to be a Loooong 9 days! I know he will be fine and that he will have a good time.

Please pray for a friend of mine. Her BIL is having a feeding tube put it because he had part of his stomach removed because of cancer. His name is Jason, also pray for his 7 yr. old daughter, Sammi. She had an MRI and they found a mass in her brain. They are doing more tests to find out what it is.