With all the hype about the Rapture happening today, I have really been thinking! Mostly about my friends and family (and even my enemies - although I hope I don't have too many of those) who don't know Jesus as their personal Savior.
While I should be packing my home and trying to get ready to move (b/c I am quite certain the Rapture isn't occuring today b/c I have read my Bible a time or two), my heart is feeling led to blog! So...I am taking a minute away from the de-cluttering and packing b/c honestly in the grand scheme of things that isn't what's important. This stuff isn't going with me (PRAISE the LORD), but my heart is aching for those of you who really might some day get left behind!
The truth of the matter is that although the Rapture isn't probably occuring at 6pm today it is going to happen soon! Quite frankly - I AM READY! There is no place I would rather be right now and all of eternity than sitting at the feet of my Jesus! But....thankfully God isn't ready -- He is patiently waiting so that more of YOU will accept HIM. He is giving those of us who do know Him more time to share with all of you!
Are you READY? He's given you the invitation - all you have to do is open it and RSVP! That's right - just accept it! He LOVES you - no matter what! He will forgive you - even though I know some of you are thinking "there is no way He can forgive me!" He can and He wants to! And...trust me -- if He has forgiven me and my past - He is ready to forgive yours. Just let him!
I wish I could bring all of you to me for a day in our house so you could hear my sweet children and their amazing faith in Jesus! That's all that is required of us - to have faith and to accept Him - yet as adults we sometimes make this so HARD!
Just the other day I had a childlike moment smack me in the face and remind me that my faith was so weak compared to theirs. Here's that moment:
We were leaving children's choir/Missions at Riverland Hills on Wed. Kendylmae took off running down the sidewalk toward the parking lot. She knew she was suppose to stop but didn't and almost went out into the parking lot. I grabbed her hand and gave her a brief but pretty harsh lesson on what could happen if she had not stopped. Here is her response - "Mom....really it's okay! Getting killed by a car is ok b/c it means you will get to go live with Jesus!" My adult, human brain was swirling with things I wanted to say outloud to her, but really -- could I argue? No not really -- b/c she is so TOTALLY right on the mark! Losing our life here means gaining an eternity with Jesus ----- if - IF - we have accepted His personal invitation to allow Him to be Lord of our life!
So...what's holding you back? Grab a Bible and read! Ask me for help if you have questions! But...don't let this world keep you from seeking your eternity with Jesus!
I want to go and be at the party when Jesus is ready to take me home. But....there are so many of you that I don't want go without! I could name you all by name right here - but I won't! You know who you are! Family, Friends, team members, ---- Life on earth is short but eternity is FOREVER so please be certain of where you are going to spend it!
Loving and Serving Jesus until He returns --
Jami :)
The Family of Little Bit of Faith Farm
The Family that lives on Little Bit of Faith Farm
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jami's "need to vent" post ---
Okay -- so I don't normally do this but decided that since I need some venting time that my blog would be the best place to do it! I almost didn't do it b/c I certainly don't want my "venting" to come across as me not bringing glory to God (since I try to live my life to bring HIM glory in all that I do), but even as a Christian believer, I need just a moment to vent :)
No I am not venting about our government, our schools, everything that has happen with Bin Laden this week.........just need a moment to complain about this rotten disease that I have!
I know - some of you don't even know I have a "disease" right? It's hard to tell from looking at me! But...I do! And...it's a chronic, long term, nasty painful autoimmune disease that I would wish upon anyone! No it's not cancer, it's not CF, or other even more horrible things, but to me and my family it has definitely become something that rears its ugly head and keeps us from being the "normal" we would like to be!
Here's a link for those of you who have no idea what this disease (PsA) is --
Learn More About Psoriatic Arthritis Here!
Okay -- so here's the deal:
About 6 months after Kendylmae was born, I started just being so tired and having achy joints. I just thought it was part of being a mom of 3, trying to homeschool, and run my own business. It got worse and then.....3 fingers on my right hand developed this nasty skin issue - beyond dry skin. Cracked, swollen, painful! We spent 18 months trying to get a diagnosis! We were sent EVERYWHERE including MUSC and no one would diagnose my disease. Even though a dear friend of mine (P) and her mom (who work for my current rheumatologist) were certain that I had psoriatic arthritis. The dr's at MUSC said "this is something you are causing yourself!" REALLY? The dermatologists didn't want to diagnose it as psoriasis on my fingers b/c it really wasn't anywhere else on my body. It was a nightmare! The pain continue to get worse (could hardly move in the mornings - literally felt like I was 90 and not late 30's), couldn't keep up with the kids, etc. Finally, by the grace of God and thru a church friend, I was connected with a Dr. in another state that consultanted with on the phone. He pulled some strings and got me into an amazing Dr. at USC school of medicine that was no longer accepting patients but took me on. For the first time EVER, I sat in his office and someone heard what I said and after an hour and half with me - looked right at me and said "you have PsA!" Let's start you on treatment. I cried and cried - I finally had the answer and someone was willing to help me! I thought YES - I am home free! Well........that was 2 years ago this July! Yes...I have meds and am being treated but the battle is far from over. Little did I know how much this disease would change me and my family!
Now .....before I go any farther let me say this --- I have SLOWLY and just recently finally come to terms with the fact that this is a life long disease that I will be dealing with until Jesus calls me home! I have yet to get to the point where I am joyful about it though! I am spending LOTS of time in prayer and reading amazing books (Joni Erikson Tada) and the BIBLE that are all helping me get to this point. I do know that God has allowed this in my life to bring HIM glory and I know that someone HE will use this disease and what my family is experiencing for HIS GOOD! Now -- that being said -- I do not always (actually hardly ever) exemplify this in my life (especially to my sweet family)! I do a lot of complaining and even more crying that I can't be the mom and the wife that my family need!
So...nearly 2 years after diagnosis -- I still battle this disease on a daily basis. Typically, I NEVER have a day where I am not in some type of pain! My meds help but not as much as I feel they should! I inject Humira every 2 weeks and take some nasty little pills known as Methotrexate every week! I am also suppose to take an NSAID 2 times every day - -but honestly (hopefully this doesn't get back to my doc) - -I AM SICK OF DRUGS! AND....I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND KNOW THAT THEY MAY BE HURTING ME IN THE LONG RUN! I do take my NSAID at night but don't always take it twice a day! I feel my LIVER SCREAMING out at me daily since I am torturing it so much!
I have been blessed by two amazing ladies who have led me down a road of trying more natural approaches. I have learned to eat more healthy (although admit that on the days when I feel rotten I don't eat nearly as healthy as I should), have added some GREAT whole food supplements to my daily routine (that I do believe help), and have fallen in love with Essential Oils to help with pain! However -- let me be honest again here and say -- I HATE THAT TRYING TO BE HEALTHY AND TREAT THINGS NATURALLY COSTS SO MUCH MONEY! It is so darn expensive! I wish our nation and our insurance companies would recognize that healthy living and natural remedies can work just as well as modern medicine and help subsidize these costs!
So....as I am typing and realize it is turning into more rambling than anything else :) what I do best :)
I guess this post is more about awareness! I know I have many friends who will read this that have RA, PsA, Lupus, fibro, and other diseases like this! They know where I am coming from! Those of you that are blessed to get up each morning pain free, not swollen, not feeling like you are 90 instead of 40 -- cherish it!
For me....I am praying that God will give me a more understanding heart, a desire to praise Him thru all of this, the ability to be the mom, wife, friend that I need to be despite the limitations this disease has put on me, and that others will see Him thru me despite my rotten attitude toward having this nasty disease!
I am also praying that somehow we will find a combination of meds and natural approaches that will work to keep my pain away! I would LOVE to have one complete day when I can wake up without pain! I know that I may not experience that day this side of heaven, but I am hopeful!
More than anything I want my attitude to reflect Jesus which has been so hard for me in all of this. It is so easy to become mean and hurtful to those you love when you suffer in chronic pain that seems invisible to the outside world. It's easier for me to put on a smile for those outside of my house b/c I don't want them to know what I am going thru. But...poor Mike -- he doesn't get that smile very often! And...he has lost the wife he married b/c I am not the fun, happy, easy going person I once was. Not because I don't want to be that way but b/c it's hard to be that way when your body hurts ALL THE TIME and you feel like you are gaining weight by the minute b/c your body hurts to walk, and run, and do all the fun things it use to do. And...my kids - they get to see more crying and tears than I care to admit! I just want to be the fun mom I use to be. My only desire (since before I can even remember) was to grow up to be a mommy who homeschooled her children and taught them Godly things! I wanted to spend my every minute with my kids b/c God had blessed me by allowing me to be their mommy here on earth. I still want that, but feel like I am missing out on so much and that I am not the fun mom they deserve. I know God knows my heart! And...despite the painful last 4 years, God has allowed me continue to live my dream! I am trying my hardest to cherish every moment He allows me to have - teaching and loving them!
Okay -- so now that I have rambled and rambled and rambled - I do feel better :) It has been a week and I just needed to type!! This is my safe place to do that I guess! It was one of those weeks where I thought it would be a good week b/c I had just injected and it turned out to be a painful week anyway with a nasty migraine added in and then a night being up throwing up! Every day I said to Mike (on the phone b/c he and Christian are living in another city right now - whole other blog post :)) "Just one day? Can God please give me one day where I don't have something wrong with my body?!"
So...I will end my post with a couple of scriptures that I have held near and dear to my heart lately:
1 Peter 4:12 --- Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffereings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 --- Three (Paul only asked 3 times, I am certain I have asked 1,000+) different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So...now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me! **I pray this verse constantly b/c this is where I want my heart to be!
and...my life verse ---- Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!
Suffering for my Savior and praying for a heart like His thru it all -
Jami
No I am not venting about our government, our schools, everything that has happen with Bin Laden this week.........just need a moment to complain about this rotten disease that I have!
I know - some of you don't even know I have a "disease" right? It's hard to tell from looking at me! But...I do! And...it's a chronic, long term, nasty painful autoimmune disease that I would wish upon anyone! No it's not cancer, it's not CF, or other even more horrible things, but to me and my family it has definitely become something that rears its ugly head and keeps us from being the "normal" we would like to be!
Here's a link for those of you who have no idea what this disease (PsA) is --
Learn More About Psoriatic Arthritis Here!
Okay -- so here's the deal:
About 6 months after Kendylmae was born, I started just being so tired and having achy joints. I just thought it was part of being a mom of 3, trying to homeschool, and run my own business. It got worse and then.....3 fingers on my right hand developed this nasty skin issue - beyond dry skin. Cracked, swollen, painful! We spent 18 months trying to get a diagnosis! We were sent EVERYWHERE including MUSC and no one would diagnose my disease. Even though a dear friend of mine (P) and her mom (who work for my current rheumatologist) were certain that I had psoriatic arthritis. The dr's at MUSC said "this is something you are causing yourself!" REALLY? The dermatologists didn't want to diagnose it as psoriasis on my fingers b/c it really wasn't anywhere else on my body. It was a nightmare! The pain continue to get worse (could hardly move in the mornings - literally felt like I was 90 and not late 30's), couldn't keep up with the kids, etc. Finally, by the grace of God and thru a church friend, I was connected with a Dr. in another state that consultanted with on the phone. He pulled some strings and got me into an amazing Dr. at USC school of medicine that was no longer accepting patients but took me on. For the first time EVER, I sat in his office and someone heard what I said and after an hour and half with me - looked right at me and said "you have PsA!" Let's start you on treatment. I cried and cried - I finally had the answer and someone was willing to help me! I thought YES - I am home free! Well........that was 2 years ago this July! Yes...I have meds and am being treated but the battle is far from over. Little did I know how much this disease would change me and my family!
Now .....before I go any farther let me say this --- I have SLOWLY and just recently finally come to terms with the fact that this is a life long disease that I will be dealing with until Jesus calls me home! I have yet to get to the point where I am joyful about it though! I am spending LOTS of time in prayer and reading amazing books (Joni Erikson Tada) and the BIBLE that are all helping me get to this point. I do know that God has allowed this in my life to bring HIM glory and I know that someone HE will use this disease and what my family is experiencing for HIS GOOD! Now -- that being said -- I do not always (actually hardly ever) exemplify this in my life (especially to my sweet family)! I do a lot of complaining and even more crying that I can't be the mom and the wife that my family need!
So...nearly 2 years after diagnosis -- I still battle this disease on a daily basis. Typically, I NEVER have a day where I am not in some type of pain! My meds help but not as much as I feel they should! I inject Humira every 2 weeks and take some nasty little pills known as Methotrexate every week! I am also suppose to take an NSAID 2 times every day - -but honestly (hopefully this doesn't get back to my doc) - -I AM SICK OF DRUGS! AND....I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND KNOW THAT THEY MAY BE HURTING ME IN THE LONG RUN! I do take my NSAID at night but don't always take it twice a day! I feel my LIVER SCREAMING out at me daily since I am torturing it so much!
I have been blessed by two amazing ladies who have led me down a road of trying more natural approaches. I have learned to eat more healthy (although admit that on the days when I feel rotten I don't eat nearly as healthy as I should), have added some GREAT whole food supplements to my daily routine (that I do believe help), and have fallen in love with Essential Oils to help with pain! However -- let me be honest again here and say -- I HATE THAT TRYING TO BE HEALTHY AND TREAT THINGS NATURALLY COSTS SO MUCH MONEY! It is so darn expensive! I wish our nation and our insurance companies would recognize that healthy living and natural remedies can work just as well as modern medicine and help subsidize these costs!
So....as I am typing and realize it is turning into more rambling than anything else :) what I do best :)
I guess this post is more about awareness! I know I have many friends who will read this that have RA, PsA, Lupus, fibro, and other diseases like this! They know where I am coming from! Those of you that are blessed to get up each morning pain free, not swollen, not feeling like you are 90 instead of 40 -- cherish it!
For me....I am praying that God will give me a more understanding heart, a desire to praise Him thru all of this, the ability to be the mom, wife, friend that I need to be despite the limitations this disease has put on me, and that others will see Him thru me despite my rotten attitude toward having this nasty disease!
I am also praying that somehow we will find a combination of meds and natural approaches that will work to keep my pain away! I would LOVE to have one complete day when I can wake up without pain! I know that I may not experience that day this side of heaven, but I am hopeful!
More than anything I want my attitude to reflect Jesus which has been so hard for me in all of this. It is so easy to become mean and hurtful to those you love when you suffer in chronic pain that seems invisible to the outside world. It's easier for me to put on a smile for those outside of my house b/c I don't want them to know what I am going thru. But...poor Mike -- he doesn't get that smile very often! And...he has lost the wife he married b/c I am not the fun, happy, easy going person I once was. Not because I don't want to be that way but b/c it's hard to be that way when your body hurts ALL THE TIME and you feel like you are gaining weight by the minute b/c your body hurts to walk, and run, and do all the fun things it use to do. And...my kids - they get to see more crying and tears than I care to admit! I just want to be the fun mom I use to be. My only desire (since before I can even remember) was to grow up to be a mommy who homeschooled her children and taught them Godly things! I wanted to spend my every minute with my kids b/c God had blessed me by allowing me to be their mommy here on earth. I still want that, but feel like I am missing out on so much and that I am not the fun mom they deserve. I know God knows my heart! And...despite the painful last 4 years, God has allowed me continue to live my dream! I am trying my hardest to cherish every moment He allows me to have - teaching and loving them!
Okay -- so now that I have rambled and rambled and rambled - I do feel better :) It has been a week and I just needed to type!! This is my safe place to do that I guess! It was one of those weeks where I thought it would be a good week b/c I had just injected and it turned out to be a painful week anyway with a nasty migraine added in and then a night being up throwing up! Every day I said to Mike (on the phone b/c he and Christian are living in another city right now - whole other blog post :)) "Just one day? Can God please give me one day where I don't have something wrong with my body?!"
So...I will end my post with a couple of scriptures that I have held near and dear to my heart lately:
1 Peter 4:12 --- Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffereings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 --- Three (Paul only asked 3 times, I am certain I have asked 1,000+) different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So...now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me! **I pray this verse constantly b/c this is where I want my heart to be!
and...my life verse ---- Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!
Suffering for my Savior and praying for a heart like His thru it all -
Jami
Friday, April 22, 2011
Once a Month Cooking --
Okay all you busy moms out there -- came across this and wanted to share. It looks GREAT! Can't wait to give it a try. Have always wanted to try Once a Month Cooking but wasn't sure about the recipes -- this one looks like it has LOTS of ideas for different recipes! Something for everyone. And...she FRUGAL -- that means saving MONEY.
And...she homeschools LIKE ME and runs a business from home LIKE ME and has a chronic illness LIKE ME-- so looks like this is FOR ME.
Order your copy and let's make dinner time easier!!!!
Frugal Mom's Once a Month Cooking
And...she homeschools LIKE ME and runs a business from home LIKE ME and has a chronic illness LIKE ME-- so looks like this is FOR ME.
Order your copy and let's make dinner time easier!!!!
Frugal Mom's Once a Month Cooking
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Jann Family's new MOTTO --
I stole this from my facebook friend, Callie, but it is so something I needed to read and post!
My Boys --
 |
| Boy 2 favorite boys! |
Today felt like a good day to get back to my blog - sorry I know it's been a while. Life here is never dull and never slow :)
So many of you know that we have been needing to move to Greenville now for several months but are still here. Lots of reasons play into that, but we are completely trusting in God's perfect plan for getting us all up there.
In the meantime, several factors have played into us and Christian wanting to get up to the area so he can begin swimming for YSSC - the YMCA team of Spartanburg for those of you not from here or into swimming! It's been a hard thing for me b/c the MUDCATS have been our team since Christian was 5. They are like our family - really they are. When you spend as much time as we do at a pool - it becomes your home and the coaches, swimmers, and their parents become FAMILY! But...we feel like we can't live in Greenville and NOT swim for YSSC -- and those reading this that are swimmers or swim parents would probably agree with me (even if they really don't want us to go there)! Not that our coaches here are great - b/c they are -- we love them all dearly and they have brought Christian up to be an amazing little swimmer, but there is just something about YSSC (maybe b/c their Y pays their coaches to be full time coaches -- that is a HUGE differences).
All that to say -- this week has been a trial week for us. Christian headed to Greenville with Mike on Monday (mostly b/c he needed to have a tooth pulled and we went ahead and found a new dentist up there b/c our dentist here doesn't accept Mike's new insurance) and did his first CUKE (they are the fighting Cucumbers as in Sea Cucumbers :)) swim practice. I was secretly hoping he would hate it of course....but.....that was not the case :) He quickly asked if he could go back Wed and Thursday b/c he wanted to do dry land and see what their dry land workouts were like. So....this morning I packed him up for 2 days in Greenville with Daddy!
My days are a little lost without him here. He is my helper and buddy! And...my easy child :) So...my heart is a little sad. Not to mention it is just a LOT of extra work to get his school work all together and sent with him. and...I hate not being the one teaching him - I have taught him EVERY DAY of his life! He thinks it is cool though b/c Daddy gives him his own office (mike has an empty office in his department) so he can work and even use daddy's iPad to do his research! I guess if I was him - I would want to go too -- much easier than doing school work with 2 little sisters all over the place :)
This week is a bit harder b/c I will be leaving Friday morning and gone thru Sunday night so that means 5 days away from my "little" buddy (in quotes b/c he is almost taller than me)!
I know this is just a small season in our lives but it seems like forever! I know that people look at us and think we are crazy for making this sacrifice (actually I don't think this I know this b/c I have had people look right at me and ask me "why"?) - but we believe in our hearts this is right for Christian. And...we know in our hearts that God has a plan to get our entire family up to Greenville in HIS PERFECT TIME!
Being a mom is never easy -- God didn't promise us that! But...I wouldn't trade it even for one second of NOT being a mom. God has given me the most precious gifts and they are just that "gifts" and they are only mine for a little while. I pray daily that I will be the Mom that God has entrusted me to be. That I will be like Hannah and give my children back to Lord (daily) as I train them to be Godly people!
Okay -- gotta run and stop rambling :) I think I have completely vomited out the mouth this morning but needed to just sit and type :) thanks for letting me.
Be back soon - hopefully with some pictures of the things growing in our vegetable garden! The kids (and the guinea pigs) enjoyed fresh spinach from our garden yesterday!!!!
By His Grace and only by His Grace -
Jami
Friday, March 25, 2011
Why God Allows Circumstances to Happen -
Okay -- so today while preparing a little something for my Tastefully Simple team's Success Event tomorrow, I was looking for some motivational material that I could use at the beginning - God led me to this site. I had heard of this man before, but never really watched anything. Well....after seeing one video (the one God I am sure had picked especially for me), I am now convinced that God led me to this for ME not for my team.
Personally the last several years have been a struggle for me with my health. Getting and learning to deal with a diagnosis of PsA (psoriatic arthritis) has knocked me and my family for a loop - actually they all handle it much better than me. Just this week, I have begun to understand that God will use this if I only allow Him to do so. Living in constant pain - well for lack of a better word at the moment - SUCKS! But....God has this if I only let Him. He may choose to not heal me on this earth, but it is time for me to start letting Him use me while I am on this earth!
Our family -- has been dealt some YUCKY stuff both financially and just trying to get this whole moving thing in order. We have been praying and praying and praying and praying. I have been teaching the kids daily that God knows our hearts, but that He has the perfect plan for all of this. They are amazing in understanding it all, but have I been listening to my own words as I teach them?- I am not so sure. My faith has its moments! But...honestly -I know God has this completely under control. Even when I can't even figure out how we will get thru tomorrow - God knows exactly when and how we will move to Greenville. He knows all of the other many needs we have and are struggling with. HE KNOWS and HE CARES and HE WILL USE IT FOR HIS GLORY if I only let HIM!
Which is exactly what Mike and I began praying back in October - that God would use whatever we had to go thru to let others (especially all of our friends and family who do not know HIM) see HIM in us. This week I have so been Peter and have taken my eyes of of my Lord and Savior - shame on me!
After watching this amazing 28 year old man who had so much more of a reason than myself to doubt God, how can I possibly NOT KNOW that God is in the miracle business and He will provide for ALL of my personal needs and my family's needs in HIS PERFECT TIME so that others will see HIM in our lives!
Thank you Jesus for smacking me with the 2 x 4 tonight! May others be blessed thru our life and thru this amazing man without limbs!
He's got this!
Jami :)
Personally the last several years have been a struggle for me with my health. Getting and learning to deal with a diagnosis of PsA (psoriatic arthritis) has knocked me and my family for a loop - actually they all handle it much better than me. Just this week, I have begun to understand that God will use this if I only allow Him to do so. Living in constant pain - well for lack of a better word at the moment - SUCKS! But....God has this if I only let Him. He may choose to not heal me on this earth, but it is time for me to start letting Him use me while I am on this earth!
Our family -- has been dealt some YUCKY stuff both financially and just trying to get this whole moving thing in order. We have been praying and praying and praying and praying. I have been teaching the kids daily that God knows our hearts, but that He has the perfect plan for all of this. They are amazing in understanding it all, but have I been listening to my own words as I teach them?- I am not so sure. My faith has its moments! But...honestly -I know God has this completely under control. Even when I can't even figure out how we will get thru tomorrow - God knows exactly when and how we will move to Greenville. He knows all of the other many needs we have and are struggling with. HE KNOWS and HE CARES and HE WILL USE IT FOR HIS GLORY if I only let HIM!
Which is exactly what Mike and I began praying back in October - that God would use whatever we had to go thru to let others (especially all of our friends and family who do not know HIM) see HIM in us. This week I have so been Peter and have taken my eyes of of my Lord and Savior - shame on me!
After watching this amazing 28 year old man who had so much more of a reason than myself to doubt God, how can I possibly NOT KNOW that God is in the miracle business and He will provide for ALL of my personal needs and my family's needs in HIS PERFECT TIME so that others will see HIM in our lives!
Thank you Jesus for smacking me with the 2 x 4 tonight! May others be blessed thru our life and thru this amazing man without limbs!
He's got this!
Jami :)
Easy Bake Oven-
Last night we were blessed to have our best friends, The Broussard Family, stop by and stay on their way to PA for their spring break (yes - they are going to a cold place for spring break :)). After dinner, Sara-Michael our 7 year old asked to "make" dessert in her Easy Bake Oven. I said yes.
Little did I know it would take nearly 2 hours to fix 12 bite sized S'mores :) But..it was so much fun to watch the girls "bake"! And....everyone waited patiently for their turn to try a S'more. As this process unfolded over the course of the 2 hours, it was so much fun for me to be in the kitchen watching and guiding. I was quickly reminded that teaching my girls to be homemakers needs to have a higher priority in my homeschool day. Especially in the kitchen! We do cook together quite a bit, but my attitude about it needs to change. I always look at it as "taking more time than if I just did it myself." But...God has called me to teach them - and not just math, reading, geography, etc....but the lifeskills they need as well. I want them to grow up loving to be homemakers. And...doing it with a joy in their hearts b/c they are doing it unto the Lord.
I will be honest here -- when I was a kid and a teenager, I was the rebel child that HATED to be in the kitchen with my mother. I never learned to do much except use the microwave. I still remember the day early in my marriage when I had to call my mom to get directions to make a pie :) And...even though I am 40, I still often call my mom and ask for her help with a recipe or something in the kitchen. I regret not learning more from her. She is an amazing cook and was an amazing homemaker - which of course I refused to see when I was younger. Now that I am older and wiser (well - maybe just older :)), I regret not learning more from my amazing mom.
I am looking forward to hopefully teaching my girls more than I was willing to learn.
Each of my girls already has an apron, but I am looking forward to starting their own collections of "tools" as they learn to be homemakers. Their own cookbooks, recipe boxes filled with recipes, their own cutting boards, and potato peelers. Oh I am excited about Easter Baskets this year and birthday gifts -- what a joy to give them something that will help them learn and grow into the future wives and homemakers I know God will want them to be.
In fact...I have started reading a new blog I came across thanks to a friend on facebook. I love it that she has an entire blog dedicated to Raising Homemakers.
So....here's to spending more time in the kitchen, more time doing laundry, more time doing chores -- but doing it with happy hearts as I teach my children that being a homemaker is a joy and a blessing!
but....I do believe the creators of the Easy Bake Oven need to make a deluxe version that cooks more than one cookie at a time :)
Happy Friday and Blessings to you all -
Jami :)
And...if you want - be sure to check out the link above to the Raising Homemakers blog I referred to!
Me and my "little homemakers" in the kitchen!
Little did I know it would take nearly 2 hours to fix 12 bite sized S'mores :) But..it was so much fun to watch the girls "bake"! And....everyone waited patiently for their turn to try a S'more. As this process unfolded over the course of the 2 hours, it was so much fun for me to be in the kitchen watching and guiding. I was quickly reminded that teaching my girls to be homemakers needs to have a higher priority in my homeschool day. Especially in the kitchen! We do cook together quite a bit, but my attitude about it needs to change. I always look at it as "taking more time than if I just did it myself." But...God has called me to teach them - and not just math, reading, geography, etc....but the lifeskills they need as well. I want them to grow up loving to be homemakers. And...doing it with a joy in their hearts b/c they are doing it unto the Lord.
I will be honest here -- when I was a kid and a teenager, I was the rebel child that HATED to be in the kitchen with my mother. I never learned to do much except use the microwave. I still remember the day early in my marriage when I had to call my mom to get directions to make a pie :) And...even though I am 40, I still often call my mom and ask for her help with a recipe or something in the kitchen. I regret not learning more from her. She is an amazing cook and was an amazing homemaker - which of course I refused to see when I was younger. Now that I am older and wiser (well - maybe just older :)), I regret not learning more from my amazing mom.
I am looking forward to hopefully teaching my girls more than I was willing to learn.
Each of my girls already has an apron, but I am looking forward to starting their own collections of "tools" as they learn to be homemakers. Their own cookbooks, recipe boxes filled with recipes, their own cutting boards, and potato peelers. Oh I am excited about Easter Baskets this year and birthday gifts -- what a joy to give them something that will help them learn and grow into the future wives and homemakers I know God will want them to be.
In fact...I have started reading a new blog I came across thanks to a friend on facebook. I love it that she has an entire blog dedicated to Raising Homemakers.
So....here's to spending more time in the kitchen, more time doing laundry, more time doing chores -- but doing it with happy hearts as I teach my children that being a homemaker is a joy and a blessing!
but....I do believe the creators of the Easy Bake Oven need to make a deluxe version that cooks more than one cookie at a time :)
Happy Friday and Blessings to you all -
Jami :)
And...if you want - be sure to check out the link above to the Raising Homemakers blog I referred to!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Couponing?!?!?
So....I thought this would be a good topic for today. I have lots of other thoughts whirling around in my head, but my heart is not quite ready to let them onto the keyboard quite yet. Praying about how to and what to say next.
But...those of you that know me know that couponing has become a huge passion of mine.
Let me back up just a bit though --- I haven't always couponed. Mostly b/c I watched my mom and aunts share and clip coupons all the time when I was little. Quite honestly, it looked like a painfully long process that resulted in a box with a bunch of little pieces of paper that were never used. Then...you had to dig thru that box each time you went to the store to see if you happened to have a coupon for what you were shopping for. BLAH - so not for me!
But...over a year ago I was first introduced to Get Couponing thru my friend, Chris. And...now...I am addicted to the Southern Savers site (nothing against Get Couponing - the Southern Savers site just works better for me). I highly encourage you to check out both sites (especially if you live in SC or NC)
http://www.southernsavers.com/
http://www.getcouponing.com/
My big question to each of you is -- do you coupon out of necessity, out of addiction, or both? Are you buying only what you need and really saving? Or are you someone who thinks they have to get everything that is listed even if you don't need it (then you might not really be saving money)? Just some thoughts.
We coupon out of necessity right now. Money is extremely tight at the Jann house these days. I do admit though that I am extremely addicted and love seeing how much money I can save. I almost cry when I have to buy something without a coupon. I cry even harder when I have to shop at Wal-mart :) I do most of my couponing at Publix - I love my Publix at Kennerly at the Crossing. They are so good to us. Please, please, please...if you are a couponer and you read my blog, don't be a hoarder! That just irritates the snot out of me. Seriously, only get an item (or lots of an item) if you really use it or have a need for it or can give it to a place that does need it (ie - food pantry, family in need). Don't just get it b/c it's free or nearly free! Drives me nuts to get to Publix the first night of the new week and have NOTHING in the spot where the product I want to buy is suppose to be. And...I hate getting rainchecks!
My hope is that I will always be a couponer. Not just b/c it saves us money but b/c it is helping me be a better steward of what God has given me. Even when we are some day not in the money slump we are in now, I hope I continue to coupon so I can give back to God's Kingdom. I hope you will too!
Now -- if you are like me and thought that couponing was too time consuming to justify saving money, I encourage you to take a class through Southern Savers or Get Couponing. You will be surprised - this is not your MOMMA's COUPONING! Give it a try -- you might like it!
Stay tuned - I will report my savings from Publix (and maybe Bi-Lo) tonight after my shopping trip!
ps - Moms - it is much easier to coupon without your children, but if you are a homeschooling Momma like me and have to take them with you sometimes (right now I go when they are at Choir/Mission Friends at church on Weds) it is a GREAT schooling opportunity! Give it a shot!
By His Grace -
Jami
But...those of you that know me know that couponing has become a huge passion of mine.
Let me back up just a bit though --- I haven't always couponed. Mostly b/c I watched my mom and aunts share and clip coupons all the time when I was little. Quite honestly, it looked like a painfully long process that resulted in a box with a bunch of little pieces of paper that were never used. Then...you had to dig thru that box each time you went to the store to see if you happened to have a coupon for what you were shopping for. BLAH - so not for me!
But...over a year ago I was first introduced to Get Couponing thru my friend, Chris. And...now...I am addicted to the Southern Savers site (nothing against Get Couponing - the Southern Savers site just works better for me). I highly encourage you to check out both sites (especially if you live in SC or NC)
http://www.southernsavers.com/
http://www.getcouponing.com/
My big question to each of you is -- do you coupon out of necessity, out of addiction, or both? Are you buying only what you need and really saving? Or are you someone who thinks they have to get everything that is listed even if you don't need it (then you might not really be saving money)? Just some thoughts.
We coupon out of necessity right now. Money is extremely tight at the Jann house these days. I do admit though that I am extremely addicted and love seeing how much money I can save. I almost cry when I have to buy something without a coupon. I cry even harder when I have to shop at Wal-mart :) I do most of my couponing at Publix - I love my Publix at Kennerly at the Crossing. They are so good to us. Please, please, please...if you are a couponer and you read my blog, don't be a hoarder! That just irritates the snot out of me. Seriously, only get an item (or lots of an item) if you really use it or have a need for it or can give it to a place that does need it (ie - food pantry, family in need). Don't just get it b/c it's free or nearly free! Drives me nuts to get to Publix the first night of the new week and have NOTHING in the spot where the product I want to buy is suppose to be. And...I hate getting rainchecks!
My hope is that I will always be a couponer. Not just b/c it saves us money but b/c it is helping me be a better steward of what God has given me. Even when we are some day not in the money slump we are in now, I hope I continue to coupon so I can give back to God's Kingdom. I hope you will too!
Now -- if you are like me and thought that couponing was too time consuming to justify saving money, I encourage you to take a class through Southern Savers or Get Couponing. You will be surprised - this is not your MOMMA's COUPONING! Give it a try -- you might like it!
Stay tuned - I will report my savings from Publix (and maybe Bi-Lo) tonight after my shopping trip!
ps - Moms - it is much easier to coupon without your children, but if you are a homeschooling Momma like me and have to take them with you sometimes (right now I go when they are at Choir/Mission Friends at church on Weds) it is a GREAT schooling opportunity! Give it a shot!
By His Grace -
Jami
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Ooops ----
So...I was trying to update the blog a bit and totally changed the address b/c I didn't like the old one -- which is why some of you couldn't get to it when you clicked on the facebook posting from earlier today :)
So....this is the right one -- I won't change it again :)
Notice to those of you who might be checking in (especially family :)) -- B/c of the stage of life I am right now, my blogging will tend to be raw and uncut -- that just means I will speak from my heart and probably tell you exactly what I am feeling and thinking.
I am feeling God leading me to be completely open as I type. Especially on the subject of salvation. After all that has happened lately with Japan and the horrible tragedy and loss that has occurred there, I realize that so many people I know and love are in jeapordy of dying without knowing Jesus as their Savior. So....my hope and prayer is that God will use this blog and all that our family is going through right now and in the future to help others see that God is real, He is HOPE, He is LOVE, He is all this world needs.
Now..that being said - am I the perfect example of any of this -NO! In fact, as I type it is with tears streaming down my face b/c of my own lack of faith at the moment. Our family is going thru some tough stuff right now - my heart knows that God has this all under control. His plan is perfect. But...being in the middle of it - well...I sometimes have my moments of being human and letting my head fill with doubt. Tonight is one of those moments. So...I will be seeking His word and continuing to wait upon His goodness. I know He wants what is best for our family!
Okay - so hopefully those of you that check in will somehow be encouraged by my rambling on :)
Off for tonight and hopefully when I come back to edit a few things tomorrow I won't make it impossible for you to find our blog again :)
Because of Christ -
Jami
So....this is the right one -- I won't change it again :)
Notice to those of you who might be checking in (especially family :)) -- B/c of the stage of life I am right now, my blogging will tend to be raw and uncut -- that just means I will speak from my heart and probably tell you exactly what I am feeling and thinking.
I am feeling God leading me to be completely open as I type. Especially on the subject of salvation. After all that has happened lately with Japan and the horrible tragedy and loss that has occurred there, I realize that so many people I know and love are in jeapordy of dying without knowing Jesus as their Savior. So....my hope and prayer is that God will use this blog and all that our family is going through right now and in the future to help others see that God is real, He is HOPE, He is LOVE, He is all this world needs.
Now..that being said - am I the perfect example of any of this -NO! In fact, as I type it is with tears streaming down my face b/c of my own lack of faith at the moment. Our family is going thru some tough stuff right now - my heart knows that God has this all under control. His plan is perfect. But...being in the middle of it - well...I sometimes have my moments of being human and letting my head fill with doubt. Tonight is one of those moments. So...I will be seeking His word and continuing to wait upon His goodness. I know He wants what is best for our family!
Okay - so hopefully those of you that check in will somehow be encouraged by my rambling on :)
Off for tonight and hopefully when I come back to edit a few things tomorrow I won't make it impossible for you to find our blog again :)
Because of Christ -
Jami
We're Back -----
Okay -- we tried this a few years ago and I failed miserably. But...so much has happened and is happening in our life right now that I really felt led to get back to blogging. Mostly b/c I feel God telling me that what we have and will be going thru might help others. And...if our lives can be encouraging to other Christians and more importantly to non-believers, then that is what we want.
So....be patient with me as I update our blog a bit, but I hope to be back posting daily or every other day soon!
Many of you have been walking this road with us for the last couple of years and for that we thank you! Thank you for your prayers, your love, your wisdom, and most importantly YOUR LOVE.
We are blessed! I hope that as I begin blogging again, God will use my words and our daily lives to bless those who read what I type!
Because of Him -
Jami :)
So....be patient with me as I update our blog a bit, but I hope to be back posting daily or every other day soon!
Many of you have been walking this road with us for the last couple of years and for that we thank you! Thank you for your prayers, your love, your wisdom, and most importantly YOUR LOVE.
We are blessed! I hope that as I begin blogging again, God will use my words and our daily lives to bless those who read what I type!
Because of Him -
Jami :)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
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About Me
- Jami
- Greenville, SC, United States
- I am just a mom - like so many others who may read this. But...I am living my dream. All I have ever wanted to do was to be a mommy. I am a mommy to 3 beautiful children. I hope others who read our blog will see how much we Love God, Love our family, Love homeschooling.and now Love our small homestead/farm! My prayer is to be the best Godly mom, wife, teacher, friend, sister, daughter,aunt...and whatever other roles God gives me along this journey. May I be faithful to the roles He has called me to do. And...may I do them as doing them unto the Lord!