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Liebster Award

wpid-liebsteraward I know, don’t faint or anything, but I was nominated for the Liebster Award! The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. To imagine little sweet little ol’ me, is any of those things is encouraging, and I want to thank Jodie Lea for that! Thank You Jodie, for not only thinking about me, but passing the award on to my blog. Be sure to click her name, and check out her blog!

Upon receiving the nomination, you are required to do the following:

a. Tell 11 things about yourself

b. Answer 11 questions asked by the nominating blogger

c. Nominate 11 new bloggers

d. Ask 11 questions to the bloggers you nominated

e. Inform the bloggers you choose

11 Things About Me, That You May or May Not Know

1. I was a band geek. I played clarinet for 6 years, and even concert band.
2. I began my “job” as a Stay-At-Home-Mom before I was even a Mom.
3. I am well on my way to my Third Trimester in my pregnancy.
4. My ironing skills consist of throwing the clothes back in the dryer on “wrinkle free”
5. I do not own an Iphone, maybe one day.
6. My favorite TV shows right now are: Ax Men, Swamp People, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice
7. Trying to take at least 1 friend/family out for lunch a week.
8. My appendix and Gallbladder are both removed within 2 years of each other, on New Year’s Eve.
9. Learned how to do “The Wobble” 6 months pregnant, and still do it!
10. Dishes are my most hated chore. (Doesn’t help that we don’t have a dishwasher)
11. I love reading

11 Questions from Jodie aka Not Pretending (to be sane)

As a kid (or older) when you pretended to be someone else, who were you and why did you want to be them?
I don’t ever remember pretending to be like anyone. I was an only child, so I had my imagination with stuffed animals.
Have you had your “15-minutes of fame” yet? How did it happen? (If it hasn’t happened, how would you like it to happen?)
I try to stay out of the “Spot Light”
If you could change one thing about your personality – what would it be and why?
To not let others use me. I think it is one of my biggest things that I am trying to “change”
What was the last novel you read? Would you recommend it?
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Who was/is your favorite teacher, and why?
My favorite teacher was Coach Kribbs, he was my History teacher. I think the reason why he was my favorite is because he helped me with my Graduation Exam, he took the time to sit down with me and make sure I passed the history part of it, and I will always be grateful for that.
Besides writing, tell us about one of your other talents.
I like to craft. I just started back sewing. I also like re-doing furniture. You can see those under “projects” in my categories.
Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?
I wasn’t even thought of it, and my Mom wasn’t either.
You wrote a novel about your life growing up, and now Hollywood is making a movie based on that novel. Which actor/actress would you want to play you, and why?
I have no clue, but they would have to be pretty spacey and random to play a part of me 😉
What was your favorite TV show when you were in grade school? What about now?
Friends! Oh, I miss that show, I even catch reruns sometimes, and I will eventually own all the seasons.
Swamp People has to be one of my Favorites now.
What are your top 3 pet peeves?
Top Pet Peeves
Do you like your first name? If not, what would you change it to?
I would never change it, I love my name.

My 11 Nominees Are:

My 11 Questions for my Nominees

Why did you start blogging?
Favorite quote?
What is one of your quirky habits?
What would be your realistic dream home?
What are the three most important things in your life? List them off without thinking!
Who inspires you?
Have you ever Googled yourself?
Your favorite post on your own blog?
Your favorite post on another blog?
Kindle or real book?
What are you looking forward to the most in 2013?

7 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on January 18, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Awards

Tagged 2013, fun, games, idea, inspire, Liebster, Liebster Award, memories, Swamp People, thoughts

Posted by We're Jumpin' on January 18, 2013

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/liebster-award/

Nut Allergies with Vegetarian

Google Image

As most of you know my daughter tested positive for walnut allergy. We are a normal family that even grabs fast food when the mood strikes, which here lately has not been a lot. We took Jade yesterday for another check-up and the doctor told us “No nuts at all.” I even asked for additional nut tests and he tells us “there’s no sense in it”. Come on, right!? Wouldn’t any mom want to know if their child is allergic to other nuts? So, I think I will another opinion, but I think the answer will be the same, but I feel as though I should know…

After we get home I start doing research about nut allergies and found out that General Mills cereal contains Peanut flour; Chic-Fil-A uses Peanut Oil, and that we will have to read all labels.. not just for Ice Cream, but even bread and other vast of things.. crackers, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, fruit bars, granola bars, all kinda of cereal.. The doctor told us it would actually be better to just do homemade meals, because really we never know what they put in their stuff, or if they just did a wash down after nuts. With wash downs, I found out, that they usually don’t get everything and you will then have a cross contamination of nuts. We have to find business who have nuts on a whole other process line or machine. I hope this makes sense to you, LOL

We also have learned that peanuts are a bean, but they are packaged with other nuts, so therefore e would have cross contamination with that also. Crazy right?! So, now back to basic cooking and homemade style – which in reality tastes better anyway. The next step is getting Jade into Pre-K and well aware of her nut allergy, before school starts in a few months.

On top of the nut allergy we think Jade is going to be a vegetarian. We will be getting blood work done to check her vitamin levels for B12, and her protein. Busy 2012 for us, but at least things will get better from here.

Here is a little snip from last night….

We were in the car to go grab a pizza from Papa Johns – which is a nut free business, Jade is in the backseat and Savoy and I are just having normal conversation about Jade.
Savoy and I were talking about the chickens and eggs.. in general, our chickens should be laying eggs soon, and yada yada then…
Jade: “Don’t eat Chicken, the eggs hatch! Don’t eat my friends.. Eat Fries!”

Savoy and I laughed all the way to Bremen. I looked at Savoys and said, “Well, I guess that answers that question”

3 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on June 8, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Family, Life

Tagged Allergy, Family, General Mills, Kids, Nut Allergies, Papa Johns Pizza, Parenting, Peanut Oil, Personal, thoughts, Tree nut allergy

Posted by We're Jumpin' on June 8, 2012

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/nut-allergies-with-vegetarian/

Day 3 – What Drives Your Life

I like to hear other people’s ideas/thoughts. I will do this daily and want to stay focused. Please join in if you want to, but remember to bear with me and to be gentle because I will be posting my own thoughts and my own opinions. I am not here to debate God’s word, or have an argument over His word.

Ecclesiastes 4:4
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Genesis 4:12
When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Job 5:2
For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.

Isaiah 49:4
Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, And my work with my God.’

Job 7:6
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And are spent without hope.

Job 7:16
I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, For my days are but a breath.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Ephesians 3:20 – 21²⁰Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Proverbs 13:7
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Ephesians 5:17
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Philippians 3:13-15
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Romans 14:10-12
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.¹¹For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God. ¹²So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

There is 5 Common Driving Factors
1) Guilt – Live their life burdened by guilt. Guilt controls them, their past controls their future. Spending their life running from regrets and holding on to shame.

2) Resentment/Anger – Hold on to hurt from the past and never let them go. Anger/Resentment controls their life.

3) Fear – They rather play everything safe and always fighting to maintain the fear; traumatic experience, unrealistic expectations, or even illness.

4) Materialism – Bring in more possessions and believe that security can only be found in having more (things).

5) Need For Approval – Need other people’s approval to control their lives. They spend time worrying about what others think of them.

There is 5 main benefits to living a Purpose – Driven Life
1) Knowing My Purpose Gives Meaning To My Life
Without purpose life is meaningless. Meaningless life is a life without hope or significance. God gives purpose. Purpose gives meaning. Meanings gives hope and significance.

2) Knowing My Purpose Simplifies My Life
My purpose becomes the standard I use to determine which activities are important and which are not. If an activity does not further my purpose, even though it should, then it should be removed/ignored. My purpose gives me foundation on which I base my decisions and distribute my time and resources.

3) Knowing My Purpose Focused Life
A determined purpose is focused with my time and energy on what is truly important. Focusing on things that fulfill my purpose will yield results than attempting to focus on things that do not.

4) Knowing My Purpose Motivates My Life
Having a purpose produces passion, with knowing my purpose I will be passionate about achieving it.

5) Knowing My Purpose Prepares Me For Eternity
My life on Earth is nothing more than preparing me for Eternity. The only thing that matters in the end is not whether people remember me after I have left this physical world, but what God says about my judgement. Building for my Eternity is far more awarding than building an Earthly One.

Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace
Verse to Remember: Isaiah 26:3
Question to Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force in my life? What do I want it to be?

I wouldn’t say I am totally driven by approval, but it does happen. Heck, I have probably done all of these at some point. I often do feel as though I need approval for a lot of things. In the past few years I have grown more of a backbone and I have begun to tell it like it is, and not really care what people thought about me, because it shouldn’t be about their approval of me. If they don’t like me for what I am then they can walk away. Amen!?

I would want people to say my life is driven by love, compassion, serving others, God, and being an awesome wife/mom/friend. I love to see people happy, or hearing someone laugh because of what I said or did. I care about people, even people I never even met. I need to also find my purpose in God, to figure out where He can use me. Make myself available for His calling.

God’s purpose is not limited by our past. He can turn a murderer (Moses) into a leader, a coward (Gideon) into a courageous hero, and he can do amazing things with the rest of your life.

Day 1 – It’s Not About Me
Day 2 – You are Not An Accident

13 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on June 3, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in 40 Days of Purpose, Challenges

Tagged Challenges, Christianity, inspire, life, Personal, Purpose Driven Life, Religion and Spirituality, thoughts

Posted by We're Jumpin' on June 3, 2012

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/day-3-what-drives-your-life/

4-year-old Vegetarian

For the past year or so Jade doesn’t want to eat meats. She has never been big on eating meats. We got chickens, so now she realizes what a chicken is and has put together that chicken nuggets are chickens.. the chickens that are her pets. She doesn’t eat a hamburger, she will eat the bread and all the vegetables including the raw onions. She also will ask for chicken nuggets but she wont touch them. She will however eat all vegetables and fruits. When I say all vegetables I mean Spanish, carrots, tomatoes (even though I think that’s a fruit) LOL, Potatoes, Mustard Greens, Turnip greens, Collard Greens, Broccoli, and etc.. all sorts and she is not picky on them. She is the same with fruits, she loves apples, bananas, strawberries and everything in between.
Who knows, maybe it is just a phase.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, no one in the family is vegetarian so I am not too sure on how to accommodate her preferences.

3 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on June 2, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Life

Tagged Kids, Personal, thoughts, Veganism, Vegetarianism

Posted by We're Jumpin' on June 2, 2012

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/4-year-old-vegetarian/

Time

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

We often live life in the fast lane. We thrive off technology; often on our phones, computers, televisions, video games or iPods. We take tomorrow for granted. We sit back and continue doing whatever as time passes by. We get up without thinking it could be our last. Everyday we are here is another day taken off our life. We often fail to see the connection of our conduct and our eternal life. We have to be wise and know to live life to the fullest.

Romans 13:11
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

What are you doing with your time?

Number our days; we do this a lot actually.
Weddings – We know the time, the date, and sometimes even the seconds till we say, “I do”
Due Date – We know when the child will arrive, or around what day.
Vacation – We plan, we mark our calendars

We will not make wise decisions of our time without God’s instructions. Wisdom should apply everyday in our life. We need to learn to teach ourselves to number our days, that we gain a heart of wisdom and fulfill purpose in our lives.

Start living your life as tomorrow is your last. Be grateful for everything you have today, even the bad. Stop and smell the roses. Do things today that you wished you should have done yesterday.

Someone’s Home

This piece was written in response to a Free Write Friday prompt in which American author and poet Kellie Elmore asked us to write about a moment spent at someone else’s house and then to end with a line hat is seemingly unrelated to the rest.

The rooms are empty
The warmth of the air
Humid captures your breath as you stand there
Your eyes darting around
Dust covered all the shelves, even the walls
Walking farther into the house
Beds are made
Curtains are drawn
Sunlight peers in
but no laughter at all
Children toys thrown about
But no one was home, not even the mouse
Pictures of happiness hanging alone
Lights are out
A cow moos at dawn

2 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on May 25, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Blog Hops, Free Write Friday

Tagged Blog Hop, Free Write, fun, inspire, Personal, thoughts, Writing

Posted by We're Jumpin' on May 25, 2012

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/someones-home/

Book of Life

In the book of life, we are often dealt with cards that seem to be unreal or never thought about being possible. We often think about “Why” this would happen to me, or why “now”, but what I have learned in the book of life is…

Life throws us curve balls, it is up to us, as a person to either take it and learn from it, or to let it drown us in the pity and self-doubt.

Why constantly let life be about depression, or the “whys”?

Do you want to live life always being depressed? or do you want to show people how much stronger you are?

Life is WHAT YOU MAKE IT!

If you choose to be sad, mad, depressed, or anything else… that is on you.

We all need to learn to trust people to talk to, we all have bad days, or even years, but we always need someone to have an ear.

I have personally have been through so much this year alone, that you would think I would be depressed. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have my bad days. I have those days that when I need a friend, I find one.

I have taught myself to speak up about my emotions, to let someone in when I need them to hear, rather if it is a friend, or family, or whatever helps. I have learned that speaking about it, helps me, it clears my mind from over-thinking and it gives me a sense of knowing I am NOT alone.

Not only am I going through a hard time, but I have a friend who has recently fell back into old ways, old ways that I personally don’t know how to deal with, and usually I can handle anything. Usually I know how to show support, and encourage them, but right now I am numb. I feel as though as I failed as a friend, I feel as though I wasn’t there enough for them, which sucks, because I have been through so much this month that I have a lot going on already that now I have something else to add to it, and the one time I needed them I can no longer talk to them, because I think I will be adding more emotional baggage to them, when they have already went back to things they hate doing.

In this last Month…
1) Car is in the Shop
2) Pawpaw’s back surgery
3) Brayden is in the hospital
4) Pawpaw’s not doing rehab
5) Nurses are rude
6) Pawpaw has blood clots in his lungs
7) Jade’s severe allergic reaction
8) Pawpaw’s going to a nursing home (3-4 months)
9) Tumor in Pawpaw’s bladder
10) Taking Jade to Doctor
11) Brayden is still in the hospital (3 weeks)
12) No Extra Money
13) Friend is falling back into old ways

I know all this is in God’s hands, but this is a lot for anyone to go through emotionally. I call everyone to get updates, I think about them often, I pray for them as much as I can. I am starting back exercising (when the going gets tough, take it out on the Elliptical machine, right?) So, another thing to add to my list is not being able to fit into any of my clothes. I have gained back probably 15-20 pounds, and that in itself is hard to take, but only one person can change that and that is ME!

So, my point is… You are in Charge! You can CHANGE and You will get Through, This will make you STRONGER.

Good things that has happened…

Jade gets to start school in SEPTEMBER!!! Brayden is a TROOPER! and my Pawpaw is making jokes and LAUGHING!
Through all bad times, you will find the good, you just got to dig a little deeper.

3 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on May 14, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Life

Tagged Book of Life, Christianity, Exercising, Friends, God, inspire, life, memories, Personal, Religion and Spirituality, thoughts

Posted by We're Jumpin' on May 14, 2012

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/book-of-life/

Ways to be Generous

I often find myself wondering how I could be generous to others. Being a parent has opened my eyes of how Generous we need to be, and not only being generous but being patient. Being generous doesn’t have to mean giving out money, it can be the art of giving others what we take for granted. I sat down yesterday and came up with way to be generous. This may not happen today, or even a year down the road but I would like to get some of it done. I would like to be a generous person and always think about others before myself (not saying I wont spend good on myself, but to even help one person would be a praise).

II Corinthians 8:7
“But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.”

Here is some ways you can generous.

1) Buy some amounts of gift cards from fast food restaurants (5-10 dollars) & hand them out to homeless/people looking for food.

2) Buy someone else’s groceries
– even if it is just a $1 candy bar for the person behind you.

3) Do someone else’s job
– If your husband always cuts the grass, sneak out before him and get it done.

4) Offer/Buy someone else’s coffee.

5) Be Nice
– Say Hi to strangers as you pass by.

6) Appreciate People
– Drop notes to friends/family
– Leave a generous tip

7) Make a difference

8) Give things you can make
– Plant a garden and give as much of the bounty away to others.

9) Give your time
– Volunteer somewhere

10) Give Your Patience
– Volunteer with preschoolers at a church or Sunday school, or help as an assistant.

11) Purchase a few cans/boxes to help out a local food bank.
– Most local grocery stores have a local food back they sponsor.

12) Pray for someone
– Ask if there is anything you can help pray about.

13) Donate to a toy drive
– Instead of throwing toys away

14) Walk dogs at a shelter.

15) Color A Smile
– Let your child help out! You can make someone smile today.

16) Donate your hair to Locks of Love.

17) Help spinal cord injury victims.

18) Participate in a marathon/walkathon.

19) Buy a bird-feeder and keep it full.

20) Brag about someone to others, while they stand there listening.

21) Help someone by paying one of their bills.

22) When someone compliments you about something – give it to them.

23) Save coins for a month or two and then give it to a special organization.

24) Clean someone’s house/apartment for free.

25) Babysit for someone so they can go run errands/have a date night.

26) Go to a Senior Citizen’s home & visit.

27) Hold a door for someone

28) Forgive a person’s shortcomings/mistakes.

We get so tied up into our busy schedules that we often don’t think about others. We just focus on the “now” and “today”. I hope this list helps you in thinking about how to make someone smile, I often think of ways too and I hope I can achieve some of these.

6 Comments

by We're Jumpin' on May 4, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Inspiration, Life

Tagged Inspiration, life, thoughts

Posted by We're Jumpin' on May 4, 2012

https://werejumpin.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/ways-to-be-generous/

Without Grumbling

I am often wanting to have gatherings with friends/family, rather if it is just popcorn, a movie, grilling hot dogs, or etc. I love sitting around talking, hearing laughter of kids as they play, and the chatter of adults talking about their interests, or other topics.

The only time I really see my family is on holidays and I rarely see my friends. Which it’s not all my fault, it is hard if you only have 1 car and your husband works and goes to school (which could be used as an excuse, see I’m not perfect). Why is it we are in a time that we don’t have enough time for people we love?

We often find excuses (as mine above), or something happening constantly that we just fall into a routine of “maybe tomorrow”.

1 Peter 4:9 “Offer Hospitality to one another without grumbling”

We don’t want others in our house, because we don’t feel as our house is clean enough (I’m really to blame on this one). Truth be known is that your company will not be coming in to see if you have dusted this week. If they are that judgmental, then they need the gift of love and hospitality more than yourself.
– How often has this happened to you? or how often do you think your house isn’t clean enough? Do you really think your friends/family is that judgmental of you or your belongings?

One thing I am willing to learn is worry less about my house and be more about hospitality. Hospitality is about people, not about my surroundings. It is about showing love and showing you care to others. It is about opening your door, not just to family or friends but to even your neighbor. Love Thy Neighbor has yourself, remember? and it doesn’t say Love Thy Christian Neighbor.. it says every neighbor!

I have always been big with wanting to be around people – friends/family/strangers. I would love to plan get togethers, wanting to spend time with whomever was willing to show up. My husband isn’t so much about gatherings as I am, but I have respected that, but he is finally coming to sense of knowing we need friends and willingness to show love for others.

Matthew 25:35 “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say, I came as a guest, and you received Me.”

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Whether we entertain friends/family or even strangers, we are told that the Lord is in our midst. What company to keep.

When you entertain, you bring honor and glory to yourself. Showing hospitality brings honor and glory to God.

Do you entertain or show hospitality?