Letting Go

My baby is getting older. This past week I have relinquished all rights to the silverware. Amazingly, the independence has made Libby more apt to eat. She still isn't eating as much as I would like to see her eat, but she IS starting to eat better for her foods. She still likes her snack foods, but I've been trying to cut her back on those...me too. :) Anyway, I am completely happy with her being a little more willing to eat different foods.

Home Sweet Home...SOMEDAY!!!

Here are some views taken on our 5 acres in the Sherrill, Iowa area...where our future house is going to be built...

YOU CAN DOUBLE CLICK ANY OF THESE PHOTOS FOR A FULL SCREEN VIEW!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! WE LOVE IT!!!

Looking North, with our driveway coming up the hill on the right hand side...Hammerand Road is running parallel with the tree line...


Looking Northwest...

Looking directly West with "The Mound" of Sherrill, Iowa clearly in view...

Looking South toward Dubuque, Iowa...farmland as far as the eye can see...

More updates to come as soon as we get our house sold in Indiana and our new one started!!!

From the interior, the two will look surprisingly similar...only this one will have more great room space...no fireplace, and probably in vinyl...because we can't afford brick out here!!!

Libby's Eating Disorder

We have found that Libby does indeed have an eating disorder. She has been eating these Apple Jack's all day long...and we're beginning to get worried...This is the beginning of the disturbing disorder...she puts the Apple Jacks between her toes.
Here's a nice close up of this disturbing disorder.
And here we go...full blast. Stick that baby in your mouth! MMM...yummy.
This is obviously not normal toddler behavior...she must very sick. We will have to find a very good doctor and probably a psychologist as well to help us cure this problem. Please pray for us... 

February Weight

Ok, I am terrible at taking pictures, but anyway. Here I am at 220 pounds. That's a loss of 11.4 pounds in one month. Here's hoping for an even lower weight next month. 

They Say She Looks Like Her Daddy...

I'd say I have to agree! 

Play Time for Libby

Libby is a thirsty girl! Look at how BIG that cup looks compared to her.

Here she is playing peek-a-boo with our bed covers.
RAMBO...need I say more? 

Motivation...Hopefully

Ok...so, I've joined Weight Watchers again (this time I'm GOING TO meetings). Anyway, I thought if I blogged pictures along the way maybe it will entice me keep on going and not put the weight back on. So, this is a Christmas picture. I was at 231.4 pounds when I started in January. I'll have Chris take a picture of me tonight and post my current picture and weight then. Once a month I'll post a picture and my current weight until I reach my goal, which is 174 pounds. 

Yo Ho...It's a Teacher's Life for Me

I just LOVE how God works! Stacey, a lady I met at MOPS, and I just happened to start talking about home schooling at our last Craft Night. She and a group of ladies at her church just happened to start talking about home schooling while at church. One of the ladies has been home schooling for ten years (and still has some that aren't in school...six kids) and invited them all over to talk a little bit about it and show some of her materials that she likes to use. Stacey thought of me and asked if I'd like to come along. I thought it wasn't going to work out because I help babysit for the other MOPS group, but it just happened that this month is weird and they didn't have MOPS today, so I was able to go to Melissa's house.

All of this "just happened" at a time in my life when I've REALLY been struggling. Ever since "the incident" with Chris's family, I've been a little wobbly on my feet as a mother. Nothing like a wake up call to say, "You THINK you are a good parent, but ARE you really?" For quite awhile I really downed myself and felt like I didn't have the ability to be a "good" mother. I really had to look to God for some support because I felt like a MONSTER! Luckily, God really had a different plan in mind when everything happened. He intended on teaching me to STOP WORRYING ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK...not to tell me I needed help with my parenting skills. Although overcoming the atrocious feelings of being an awful mother, I have still been doubting my skills as a human being. I thought that God had intended me to be a teacher...specifically, my own children, but do I have the organization for it? Do I REALLY have the ability to teach my children what they need to know to get through life? I have just been feeling lost and like I didn't have anything to offer...well, anyone! I have been praying for God's guidance and asking him to uplift me and to show me what my purpose here on earth is. I have been crying out that he shows me where my niche is. Everyone has something they love to do and are passionate about and that is what they tend to pursue. I had always thought mine was teaching, but I was going through so much self doubt. THANK GOD! HE HEARS OUR PRAYERS...AND HE CARES!

As you now see the answer and the problem...you see how they clash into another work of God! Today, being around all of those teaching materials and books and school schedules...oh it just ignited my passion for teaching all over! Thank you Lord for caring enough about me that you renew our passions if we will just ask you! How amazing he is! I am a teacher...that is what God gave me a passion for, that is what God called me to in this life. Thank you Lord for giving me a purpose in life!

I am just overwhelmed with emotion right now. I know that this may seem silly to you, but to me, this is my life and this is a renewing of my purpose and dreams. This, for me, is a testament of how much our God cares for us...yes, each and every one of us. Just go to him, no matter how much life hurts. He might not answer you with what you want to hear, but he cares for all of us, more than we can even imagine! Give him a chance! Burn with a passion for God and you will see more and more miracles...BIG AND SMALL!

Thank you God!

MMM...Yummy!

I couldn't believe it! Last night at supper Little Miss Picky Pants ate chicken, celery, water chestnuts, red peppers and EVEN brocolli!!! We had chicken stir fry and Libby just chowed down. Amazing! I think I will be making stir fry a little more often if it means that Libby will not only eat, but eat healthy. Had to share the excitement!

The Future of Mary Kay

This is my Mary Kay secretary. She helps out whenever and however she can. Now, mind you, this is usually when I don't want her to help, but she does none the less. I think she will make a GREAT Mary Kay consultant in about 16 years!