The power of prayer

I was reading people.com due to Two Pretzel's post and stumbled across this article.

Is it the latest salvo–or peace offering–in the on-going feud between Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Brody Jenner? One thing is certain, Pratt is relying on the power of prayer when it comes to his former pal.
“We pray for Brody,” Spencer said of he and girlfriend Heidi Montag at the LG launch of the “Scarlet” TV series in West Hollywood on Monday. “Honestly, Brody was such a good friend to me. He hooked Heidi and I up, and I think that everything will work out eventually.”
Pratt and Jenner have been taking shots at one another for so long, they’ve become the reality-TV equivalent of the Hatfields and the McCoys, which only makes Pratt’s latest revelation all the more surprising.
“I wish that Brody and I were still best friends,” Pratt insists, adding, “I pray every day that everything works out between us.”
So could a Spencer/Brody reconciliation be in the works? “Absolutely, 100 percent.” Pratt said. “It’s just going to take time. We’re both very stubborn, in the sense where, he thinks that he’s right, I think that I’m right.”
If forgiveness is in their foreseeable future, what about a Lauren/Heidi detente? “No!” laughed Montag. “I really pray for her!”

You know what gets me the most about this article is that Spencer is using prayer to try to show that he is the better person. When you are REALLY praying for people or for situations it comes from a good place, not a place of retaliation. I feel that he says this to upset others. I mean just look at what he said about Lauren. He LAUGHED, then said I REALLY pray for her. Come on. I truly dislike ignorant people.

Again

So I had dinner at my Mom's house and we got to talking about my blog.... She asked me when I was going to get bored again? Which I replied " you don't like the pink do you?". So I just changed it to green?? I kinda thought it went with the pea theme. So if you hate this PLEASE do not hesitate to say so... but if you like it you can also say so!!!

This is it until the next bored moment.........

The Family Center

Today we are going to the family center at the Toledo Art Museum! I will let you know how it is . Also I will be taking pictures!!! So here is just a little info for you and I will update this post later today.

Free, fun, and open to everyone! The TMA Family Center is the perfect place for our youngest Museum visitors to make and take memories with their parents and caregivers. Drop in for themed activities that enliven the world of art for kids of all ages (even those in grown-up guise).

Family Center Hours:

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sundays, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Weekly Marriage Builder

Dear ,
There is an interesting paradox about successful marriages. The first part of the paradox has to do with the fact that, according to research, the most successful couples are those with high expectations for their marriages. However, high expectations by themselves are a setup for disappointment and sure failure unless they are combined with a realistic assessment of the high price that will have to be paid to see your dreams come true.
This is the essence of the paradox — high expectations must be combined with a tough minded commitment to pay the price necessary to see them come true. It's no different than having a dream to own a successful business. The desire is wonderful as long as you expect to have to work hard and make some sacrifices. The same would be true of one's desire to have a body that is in great shape. The desire must be combined with a commitment to eat right and exercise, otherwise it will never happen.
Somehow, we understand the connection between high expectations and hard work in every area of life except for marriage. So many couples enter into marriage with high expectations but without the understanding that it will take hard work and time to get there. In fact, some people are convinced that if you have to work too hard in marriage, there must be something wrong.
No, there's nothing wrong. Marriage is work and it only works when people are willing to roll up their sleeves and give it their best. If you want to succeed in marriage, you need to begin with a big dream in your heart for what you want to accomplish. Make sure it's realistic, but don't let it be too small. God is the God of big dreams. Then, once you have a big dream and some high expectations, commit yourself to working hard and sacrificing for as long as necessary to see your dreams come true. This also includes praying hard for God's blessings and assistance.
Big dreams and hard work are the magic ingredients that create great marriages. Do you have a high expectations and a big dream for your marriage? Have you given up and lowered your standards because of previous disappointments? Are you giving your marriage your best and understand the work ethic and sacrifice that is a part of every great marriage?
I want you to succeed in marriage. Don't give up. Dream again and talk and pray with your spouse until you have the same vision for your future. As you do, commit to God and each other to give your marriage your best. Expect difficulty and hard work. They aren't your enemies. They are the inevitable path we all must travel on the way to our dream marriages. There are no exceptions and no “perfect soul mate” utopias. Just the promise of happiness for any good hearted, hard working couple willing to sweat their way to the promised land.

Blessings,

Jimmy Evans

A day at the park

Today I met my friend Jen and her kids at the park. We enjoyed watching our kids play together and get all their energy out!! Plus, it was just time to catch up and be able to have adult conversation!! Which most parents know you need this to keep you sanity. We also got to take a nice long nature hike, which was my exercise for the day!

I hope you get to enjoy this nice weather as well...... because " I heard" that next week is back in the 40's .

New Look

OK, I obviously get bored very easy..... so what do you think??? Too girly?? I thought it was fun for the time being. Of course it will change in the near future anyway. Hope you like it.

The Ant and The Grasshopper

OLD VERSION: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long,Building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!-----------------------------------

MODERN VERSION:The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

• CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so ?
• Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
• Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
• Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
• Hillary and Barack go on national television agreeing that the plight of the grasshopper is the fault of George Bush.
• Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
• The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government.
• Obama gets his old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal Judges that Bill Clinton appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients.
• The ant loses the case.
• The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
• The ant has disappeared in the snow.
• The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
• MORAL OF THE STORY:Be very careful how you vote in 2008!
  

Trip To The Zoo

Boy oh boy did we have a good time. We were sad that sissy couldn't go because of school, but she'll come next time!!

All smiles, he sure loves his hat that Grammy bought him before he was even born!! Thanks Grammy!! It was a life saver due to the bright SUN. (yes I said it SUN)

Evan jumped at the opportunity to get on the monkey's back. What a great photo opp!!!

Here he is with LOUIE the elephant. Evan couldn't get over the fact that was his name. He kept repeating " Uncle OOIE???" So finally I just said YES, that is Uncle LOUIE. He then giggled and pointed.

Where's Evan?? Can you find him??

What a blessing that day was for us!!!!!

Friday's Quote For The Day

"If you must begin then go all the way, because if you begin and quit, the unfinished business you have left behind begins to haunt you all the time." – Chogyam Trungpa

I find this to be true at times. My unfinished business would be college. BIG ONE I KNOW. But, I think until I finish it it will forever hinder my future for a career.

Whats your unfinished business??

Needed A Little Humor Today

(or women who have had multiple breastfeeding babies) he he

Book Review

I know that I may be a little late in reading this, but I really haven't had much time in the last five years. I thought it was good, not great but good. It had a lot of twists and turns, but for me I always know where it will end up. The same goes for this book. In alot of ways it was touching, it had alot of views on different kinds of relationships. I would recommend it if you like Danielle Steel, but if you don't I would pass. So I would say this was 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

The next book I want to read is Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks. Have you read it? Any thoughts? Please don't give anything away though.....

Dear,
I talked to a man recently who had problems with his wife because she was very neat and he was a self-admitted "slob." Even though their problem wasn't threatening to their marriage it was a regular point of contention for them.
As I talked with this man, I really liked his attitude concerning his wife and his problem with being messy. The first thing I liked was that he admitted his problem and didn't try to blame anyone or justify what he was doing.
The second thing I liked about him was that he was actively seeking ways to improve. He went to a lot of trouble to read books on the subject and also found a support group at his church for messy spouses married to "neat freaks."
The third thing I liked about him was his honesty about his problem. He told me that both of his parents were messy and hoarded things in an unhealthy way. In the conversation he said that he felt like the root of his problem was twofold: The first was perfectionism.
As crazy as it sounds, there is a part of perfectionism in some people that doesn't even try at something unless they can do it perfectly. The second root was a loyalty to his parents. He said that being messy was in part an emotional connection to his parents. In a candid moment he told me that his wife's insistence upon him being orderly was a challenge to his loyalty to his family. He emotionally equated neatness with rejection of his parents.
I really liked this man and by the end of the conversation felt as though I had been enlightened. I believe he will successfully overcome his problem and I also believe his marriage will succeed for a long time.
We can all take a lesson from him because we all have issues in our lives that keep our marriages from being all they should be. We all have problems that at times cause our spouses frustration and sometimes even great distress.
Admitting our problems and actively working to solve them are important keys to a great marriage. We are the only people who can clean up our messes in relationships. When we do, it says something to our spouses beyond what words can say.
Blessings,

Jimmy Evans

Who am I

Have you ever thought about how you got to the place you are in your life? I found myself thinking am I really this? Is my style really mine? Are my words influenced by others? Who am I really? I thought that I have found myself by now, but do we ever really find ourselves? Or are we molded by our surroundings?

These questions have me unnerved. I feel that I have wasted a lot of my life making way too many mistakes. But because I have God in my life he has promised me to make them to his glory. I can't stress enough that with God all things are possible. And I know that my blog has really been blunt lately, but I feel that I am not representing myself correctly if I am not saying what really matters to me most. If I haven't made that clear it is my relationship with our Savior.

See without him I may not be here at all. I was living a life of confusion and despair. I blamed things on everyone else but myself for where I was at. I had a lot of resentment in my heart and I had anger that HURT me bad. I had broken family relationships that I thought could never be mended.

Then I was shown God's love and mercy. He showed me how to forgive. He showed me his heeling powers. Today I want to share them with you. If you have pain in your life, ask the Lord to heal it. If you do not know the Lord ask him into your heart and start to trust in him and he will answer all your prayers. That may seem simple, but really it is. We are the ones that complicate everything. He is simple. He is love. He is understanding. He is LIFE.

Losing A Loved One

How do you handle such a tragedy?

Some people may shut down and close themselves off to others. Some people may turn to anger to help them cope. Others may rejoice in the Lord and know that it is not for them to understand. But all people cope with loss in many different ways. Is any way right or wrong? I don't think there is a certain way for people to handle an unexpected loss, or an expected one.

I do know that life is a precious gift from God, and each day we should treat it as such. Give your friend, child or spouse an extra hug today and always. Say I love you more. Do random acts of kindness when they least expect it. It is our choice how our legacy will be viewed by others and God. Will they remember us as angry? Will they remember us as too busy to call? Will they remember us as working so hard to make a living?

I can only hope that we all take a look at our lives and think " Am I making a living or am I making a LIFE??? Sometimes our lives are cut short, so we need to make our changes NOW not tomorrow.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to call?? Is there someone you need to apologize to? Do these things, because we are never promised another day.

To my family, friends and readers I Love You All. I wish you an overwhelming amount of happiness. But most of all I wish you the love of the Lord. With him all things are possible!!!!

Take Me Out To The Ball Park

Hello officer, May I ride your horse?? Of course you sweet and bubbly little man!

Ball park franks are always a must at the game!!!

Which Evan thoroughly enjoyed.

Waiting for the game to start. He was so excited. All day he told everyone that he was going to a baseball game!!!!

Let's not forget the "all you can eat" cotton candy. I think this may have been his favorite part...

No, I think his favorite part was just being with his DADDY!!!!

Dear,
“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Amos 3:3
This Scripture in Amos is very important related to marriage. The question Amos asks begs a response—yes or no? Can two people walk together in a harmonious relationship when they have not reached agreement beforehand? The answer is no.
Prior agreement is crucial for harmony in a relationship. Notice I used the word “prior”. In order for a relationship to be peaceful and intimate we need to take the time to talk things out in advance. This dramatically reduces the chances of relational tension, fighting or serious problems.
Let me illustrate the importance of this issue by listing three levels of communication in marriage and the results of each one:
Proactive Communication - Communicating in advance. This means talking about finances, budgeting, time and calendar commitments, household responsibilities, children, meeting each others needs, etc. The result of communicating in advance is mutual understanding, agreement, accountability and peace.
Reactive Communication - Communicating in response to problems or tension. Even though all couples will do this at times, without prior communication this becomes the default method of dealing with issues. Reactive communication is inferior because it is emotionally charged in the heat of the moment. You are making decisions or talking through issues when offenses are fresh and objectivity is compromised. Reactive communication leads to inferior decision making and lowered levels of trust.
Radioactive Communication - Because issues have not been discussed and decided in advance, problems arise concerning things such as money, children or sex that become so emotionally charged that they cannot be discussed without damage to the relationship. Reactive communication leads to radioactive issues. The answer is to discuss issues when you are not in crisis and you have the time to be thorough. If things are so bad you can’t work it out as a couple, get help.
I encourage you to take the time to sit and talk things out in advance. It will improve every area of your relationship. You can walk together if you will first agree.
Blessings,

Jimmy Evans

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

On this day and always, I wish you happiness!!

Love, Your Daughter

Women's Retreat!!!

I am off to our annual women's retreat! This time is for us women to get renewed. There is a speaker for our spirit. There are women for fellowship. There is food for our soul. Lastly there is rest for our bodies!!! Can I get an Amen!!!

I will be away from my kids and this PC all weekend. I will miss everyone, but lets just say I won't be crying about it. So I hope that all of you enjoy this good weather and the weekend. I know I will.

God Bless and Goodbye!!!!

Ms Bee's Cake????

I know that this pic is so tiny, but click on it to enlarge.

I have been inspired by my awesome Aunt Penny to

start baking beautiful cakes. I propose this cake to be

Ms. Bee's first birthday cake and I will make it.

What do you all think???

Click here to see ithttp://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/daisy-cake-ghk?click=main_sr

Free Maid Service For A Year!!!

OK, this just may solve my issue that I stressed in an earlier post. Good Housekeeping is giving you savvy strategies to make cleaning and decluttering easier. But let's admit it: A professional housekeeper is the biggest time saver of all. Now, one very luck reader can win an entire year of whole-house cleaning every other week from THE MAIDS. A $2,500.00 value, the service will follow a 22 point process to assure that no soap scum goes unscrubbed and no bookcase is left un-dusted. Log on to http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/win to enter!

Bonbons and fuzzy slippers not included.

Good Luck. (and if you win you have to share with me)