Debi's Creations Giveaway!

Check out www.debiscreations.blogspot.com for some fun give aways!

5 Min. For Mom Christmas Give Away!

It's always fun winning stuff! Here's hoping!

Mother's Day Give Away!

Wanna win something for Mother's Day...hubby just lost his job, so no gifts this year :)!

http://www.5minutesformom.com/6148/toshiba-portege/

5 Minutes For Mom Give Away to Disneyland!

Visit the link below and win a day at Disneyland and CA Adventure!

http://www.5minutesformom.com/5690/mom-blogger-discovers-disney-world/#comment-1243698

Hey, It's Been Too Long!

So I need to drop little notes on occassion, but truly I have a very full life! I want to update you on my heart, but need to get the notes on Facebook which is currently under site maintenance apparently! So just want to say hello for now, and let you know to look to be up to date on my heart and the plans ahead over the next few months very soon.

God bless...T

Win A WII!

Hey, couldn't we all use a FREE WII! So here's my post, now cross my fingers!

Win A WII!!!

Made It Through the Year

Well, 2008 is done. No going back, no do-overs, it's just over. Looking back it's amazing how much faster each year goes. I long more and more for Jesus to return so that we can all spend eternity with loved ones and in peace and harmony with one another. There will be no more pain, no more sadness, no more hurting one another, jealousy, back-biting, angry words, lack of grace, meanness, joy-robbers, hate, disfunction, disillusion, selfishness, pride, lying, bitterness, and on and on the list goes. We will be in the presence of the One Who created us and what a wonderful place that will be!!

We rang in the new year with our neighbor boy Marty, and dear friends Dave and Casey.

Our family photo New Years Morning before we took our tree down!

Our Baby is 18 Months. Where has time gone? What a joy it is to watch them all grow!

This has been a great year in many ways, as well as very difficult. We are all looking forward to a fresh start in '09! God bless you all as you enter yet another year!

Have A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Our official family Christmas card is available for you to view!

I will add more photos to my page after Christmas!!!

Please click either photo to go to link and view photos!

Enjoy!!!

Christmas Is Comin' Are Ya Ready?

Are you ready for the day? The moment we all await all year long? I can't wait!!! However, we don't wait to celebrate on one day, noooo, we enjoy the month! Just the thought of gearing up for the big event is so special!!! A great reminder of our Dear Savior Who came to live here...WOW! Among the lame ;)...that's us!

We are wrapping gifts, decorating, preparing to make our Gma Graber's favorite cookies, even making gifts, which ends up being the most fun! The kids get their creative flares going and we even have a laugh or 2! Maiah was making a gift for Marlee the other day, and it was so cute. She pasted paper all over a cereal box, it was priceless! She was so excited when she saw what Marlee made for Mandee, and then when Marlee told her to get out of her room so she could make her a special gift she got all excited! "Marlee's going to make me a wonderful gift too (as her voice raised higher and higher and her eyes widened) like Mandee's (can't say what it is)" She was sooo excited! Way cute! We also plan to watch The Nativity on Christmas Eve in our jams with hot cocoa and munchies. We are all really looking forward to that time as a family!!! Might even exchange a gift or 2!

Dad and his wife will be here for a week, and leave the day after Christmas, so we will have time with them. We plan to go to his house with my brother's family to do a little celebrating, and the Grabers always plan something!

Anyway...I am nursing colds at the moment, doing laundry, the kids lunch is in the oven, and now I am heading downstairs to do school. I will post more about our Christmas fine moments later.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey all...just wanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. What a great day to remember all the things we can be thankful for. Actually, we should have Thanksgiving everyday. Daily thanking the Lord for all He's done for us, given us, and spared us from. He is a good and faithful God!

So, today I am blessed because I have life, not only physically, but life in Him! I have a wonderful husband who is healthy and able to work to support all of us in this crazy economy. I have 5 gorgeous children that are able to stay home with me, and I have the pleasure of schooling. I have not lost my home, but am safe in it. I have my health, and that is priceless! Even more of a blessing...so does everyone in my family. I have neighbors who I can freely witness to. I have family, friends, a car to drive, food to eat, a yard to enjoy, a church to worship at, photography jobs, blessings upon blessings, there is no reason to complain!

So today I will be thankful, and though my pick for President was not MY PICK at all, I know my God has allowed him to be there to finish what He has started. My friends...we are on our way HOME!

God bless...have a blessed day!

What Is A Real Friend?

Ok girls...this is the biggie! We (as women) have been on at least one up and down roller coaster of friendship in our life. Whether it be when we were little girls, teens, adults +, or somewhere in between. We have all experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of friendships. One thing to remember is that each one is special. May not always be good, but there is something in it that God wants us to get out of it!!!

I want to encourage each of you to take a look at the friendships you have encountered in your lifetime and think about what God might have taught you during that season. For some it may have been patience, others maybe trust, how to encourage or offer grace, and maybe even how to love more like Christ. I need your help...please respond to my blog or email me at etm5@q.com with some personal stories of what you have experienced in your friendships over the years, stories of what you have loved about the friends God has placed in your life, and even the difficult times you've had with them. If you're brave, share the stories about how you've been a good or not-so-good friend at times. I will update you as I get to where I'm going with it all. One day at a time! As the Lord leads!!!

I also just got the book "Grown-Up Girlfriends, Finding and Keeping Real Friends in the Real World" as a bday gift from my dear hubby because I told him I wanted it! I know some of you from Calvary did this as a Digging Deeper class. I would love any and all imput you are willing to share.

If you want names kept private just let me know...not that I'm using it for anything right now, but since this is a blog and all!


God bless...Tonya

Feeling A Heavy Burden For Our Nation

PLEASE WATCH THIS LINK OF A DADDY & HIS BABY IN CANADA! click here

Tomorrow is the big day. Many of you are voting, some are not. Some for McCain, others for Obama. I am troubled that we as Christians can not see the handwriting on the wall. True, we must not fear, we know nothing surprises God. Though the end of time is eminent, we must not just sit back as Christians while our Nation slowly walks away from it's Christian roots.

No need to go into anymore detail than the letters below have expressed, but as far as I can tell there should be one issue in this election, and that is LIFE! If we choose to go directly against the Word of God and expect Him to heal our nation, we are sadly mistaken. If we vote our conscious we can stand proudly. The economy always has a way of finding it's way to recovery. Are we really ready for "Change" when we are uncertain as to exactly what that might mean? Read below for a personal message from me, and a true story about a mom in Canada forced to abort her unborn baby under the new health care system the democrats would like to see put into place in the US.

As the Newsboys say: "If the truth be know, truth is more than to each his own!!!!!"


So I've been pondering, as we all have, about this election and what it might usher in. My heart is heavy, and in some ways I feel excitement that we are closer and closer to our Lord Jesus' return, and in other ways feel a bit dismayed as to what we might have in store before His return.
That being said, I fully trust my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, Whom knows all and is in full control!

I've been thinking a lot about some Scripture that I feel may pertain to us during this election year. I'm wondering how many of you have thought the very same thing. I've often thought of how the Israelites cried to God for a king (1 Samuel 8). God's heart was not to give them a king, however hear His words as He speaks to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you (Samuel) but they have rejected Me (God) from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day-in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods-so they are doing to you also. Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.". In verse 22 of chapter 8 God granted them their king, even after Samuel's warnings of how they will cry out after what their king has done, and unfortunately God would not answer them in that day. He granted them their wish, He gave them Saul. How many times they cried and complained about their new king, wishing that God had not put them under his leadership...oh how this in so many ways seems to foreshadow our Nation today.

We have a Nation of freedom. Freedom that came at a price. Freedom that Christian men and women have given to us, and fought to keep for us! God has blessed us with abundance in this great Nation, but more and more we turn from Him, do things our way, directly against His Word, and then shake our fist at Him, blaming Him for all the tragedies we face. It goes completely against the Word. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we see how God feels about His people seeking Him... "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Will we stand? Will we remain one Nation under God? Though I trust the Lord completely and know He will use whatever comes our way to bring about His will, I also fear what we as a Nation are bringing on ourselves. If we vote in a president after being warned over and over again of the ungodly things he's done/taken part in, and stands for, shame on us. If the only reason we would vote against Obama was because of his stance on abortion, that would be enough. We all know how important life is to God. However, I believe we need to take heed! The warning signs are everywhere! Our Nation is at an incredible low, what a perfect time for one world government and currency. Can't you see it? If the people get what they want, we might just be ushering in the end of times.

Pray for our Nation...for those who don't know the Lord...and share Christ's love, He may not return for many more years, but we are warned to pay attention to the signs of the times, and I have to wonder...

God bless...Tonya


One of my closest friends has a very close friend who moved here from Canada recently. Remember, Canada is using the same health care system that the Democrats are promising to put into effect if Obama takes office. Here's what happened to her...

She was pregnant, was forced to have an amniocentesis, the test proved her baby would be born with down syndrome. This very health care system Obama praises, forced her to have an abortion against her will because the gov't didn't see fit to allow her to keep her unborn down syndrome baby. Today she is still dealing with depression over the whole situation.

So we take away choice from the unborn baby first. Then after convincing the country to vote in a leader who will push this kind of health care system, we will essentially not only give up our unborn babies rights, but our rights to keep our unborn children if the gov't decides it's in their best interest to abort it.

So I ask...do you really want your rights as a citizen of this great nation, to be stripped away little by little? That is what is happening. It's happening in Canada, and it will happen here if we vote in a leader who will support this kind of health care system.

Thank you for your time, please pray, & vote your conscious!!!...Tonya

Sleeping Angel Photo Contest

Sleeping Angel Photo Contest


And isn't my little Malachi quite the sleeping angel?
I would choose the Summer Breeze set for my boy! But which color choice??? Not sure, have to see them all (Blueberry, Country Pine, or Vanilla Cream finish).

Something Funny!

I've been told to stop blogging about books and get back to something funny, like when I thought I was dying cause I had lost 10 lbs. overnight, only to find out my scale was not working correctly...so here ya go...

What is so funny you ask? Well...I'm really not sure today, so I will probably have to share all the funny stories that will come out of our family vacation to CA/Disneyland/Sea World/the beach! I can pretty much guarantee you there will be not only some funny stories, but photos as well.

In the mean time what is on my mind? Well, first...why am I still awake you ask??? It's because my little guy has decided the last few nights that he is a night owl. What is up with that? I am thankful he is feeling so much better however, because he suffered with a spout of roseola. I didn't realize how it made his joints ache. He did NOT want to do much of anything. I am glad he's back to his old self and we can enjoy watching him once again walk around, as he wobbles to keep himself up, and at the same time clapping in his excitement at his new accomplishment!

So for now I will leave you with anticipation for the "Something Funny" to come!

Love ya...

The Shack

This one should really come with a warning!!! It is not all theologically sound...please take time to research the links below. God is only who He says He is in the Word of God...remember...this is a FICTION book. I loved it for it's reminder of God's love for us, and the need to forgive...read on...

I think I am addicted. To reading that is. So far my last reads (one I still need to blog about) have changed me in more ways than I can even describe. They have sought out my deepest most parts...the very depths of the deepest most hidden parts that is...only to discover that parts of me in some ways have been stashed away for so many years, hidden as if they never existed.
Ok, that sounds deep, but really what I am trying to say is...over the years we tend to allow hurt and hardship build these ugly callouses over our true being, we become unmoved, and over time something that we never were or were meant to be. Does any of this make sense???
The Shack...another fine read, was one fiction that helped remind me of true forgiveness...TO THE CORE, the greatness of giving back to God what already belongs to Him anyway, and the importance of allowing Him to reign and rule on a daily...min. by min. basis. Though this story was not based on a true story, I do believe there are many people out there who have had to endure so much of what the man in this story (Mack) had to endure, and as painful as it was, we are still called to something more precious than we could have ever imagined!


I won't give away anything...it is priceless, and a MUST READ! Go get it, click on the book to see more on The Shack. Tell me your thoughts about the book, and if you are going to give anything away...PREWARN other readers first.

Cheapest I've found it click here!!!

Though this is a great read, it is NOT in any way theologically right on...I mean it is just a great fiction way to understand the Father's great love for us, and forgiveness. Here are some links for your theological questions:

Nead Adobe Reader (can download for free here)
Readers Review
Trinity Western University
Crossroad

So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore

Did I get your attention with that title? I really should have written about this book before the Daniel study. I received this book from my aunt, and honestly...it transformed my way of thinking (in a healthy way). It is a fiction book that shares a lot of dialogue between a man named John and a man named Jake. John's insight is amazing, and his sweet approach is something to be learned. A quick read that I couldn't put down! Click on book to see more about it.

Read below:

Some conversations between Jake and John (click to meet Jake)

"This is not difficult, Jake. In this kingdom you really do get what you seek. That is the point of the whole thing. If you are looking for a relationship with God you will find it."

"Then why don't I have it? I thought that's what I had been seeking all along."

"No doubt, it might have been at first. But this works the other way around as well. If you look at what you've ended up with, then you'll know what you've really been seeking!"
*******************

..."He told me that after all he's done for me, I owe him this."

"It seems to me that if you owe him then he never really did anything for you."

His words hung in the air while I tried to figure out what he meant. "You mean he didn't do those things for me? Who then? For himself?"

"Who else"
*******************

"But where do I find that kind of faith"

"You won't find it. It's something He creates in you, even in the very circumstances you despise. Just keep coming to Him and watch what He will do."
*******************

"So there's no trust where there's no relationship?"

"No, there's not."


Some great quotes:

"Everything He wants to do in you will get done as you learn to live in His love."

"...just keep hanging in there with Jesus. He'll sort all of this out in ways you'd never believe..."

"Don't run from your pain, or try to hide it from Him. It won't impress Him and it won't help you."

"He's inviting you to live with Him in the joy of the moment, responding to what He puts right before you."

"Institutionalism breads task-based friendships. As long as you're on the same task together, you can be friends. When you're not, people tend to treat you like damaged goods."

"As long as you need other people to understand you and to approve of what you're doing, you are owned by anyone willing to lie about you."

"Because they draw their affirmation from others they'll never stop to question it, even when the hurtful consequences of their actions become obvious."

"As long as we see church life as a meeting we'll miss its reality and its depth. If the truth were told, the Scriptures tell us very little about how the early church met. It tells us volumes about how they shared His life together. They didn't see the church as a meeting or an institution, but as a family living under Father."

"The more organization you bring to church life, the less life it will contain."

"The church is God's people learning to share His life together."

"He'll (God) often use other people to encourage or equip you in that process (yielding to the Spirit and depending on His power), but the people He uses won't let you grow dependent on them."

"We often mistake the middle of a chapter for the end of the story."

"It's not about teaching, Jake. It's about living. Learn to live this life and you'll find no end of folks to share it with."

"Does trusting God to do what you think is best really sound like trusting God to you?"

"Living in the freedom of God's provision is critical to what God has for you. Learn to live by what God puts before you, not by your plans and schemes."

"If you tell someone the truth before they're ready to hear it, you can push them further away no matter how well intentioned you might be."

"Where Jesus is given first place, the church simply emerges in wonderful ways."

In NO way is this book saying you should avoid a local body, or local home group etc., it is just challenging believers of our motives, and why we do what we do. It has impacted the way I think and feel about the body of Christ. We must never just rely on going to church to fulfill our obligation as a Christian. We should never really feel obligated at all, but step into a real relationship with our Father that spills over into every relationship He places before us.

This is a MUST read...you won't be disappointed!!!

Best price I've found

Something "Moore"

I have been so blessed to be in the Word with Beth Moore. Such a great study in Daniel, and boy has she got me thinking!

Beth is teaching Daniel in ways I never really thought about...at least not as deeply. Looking into the rich context of Babylonian lifestyle, we will soon discover that we all have tendencies to fall into the trap. The trap Beth speaks of is one in which we think so highly of ourselves, that there is none quite like "ME." The Scripture...Isaiah 47:8 & 10..."...I am, and there is none besides me." Pretty warped way of thinking, but we all at times fall or have fallen into this trap.

Click on book cover to read about it.

I am only in chapter 3, but my discoveries are as follows:

1. Babylon is much like our western culture, in that we show favortism, desire the best the world has to offer, like to look good in the eyes of others at any cost, put ourselves above others, desire perfectionism, despise the thought of others getting ahead of us.

2. We are also tempted to speak sweet words to get what we want. Ahh the sweet words we drop upon the ears of those in high places that we might climb the ladder to reach that high place with them. YIKES!

3. Babylon only desired the best of men to be leaders. As a western culture we put a lot of importance on status, age, race, etc...

4. It's caused me to think of the things I put at the top of importance...there are many that might struggle with anything from appearance being everything, to thinking smarter is better, or taking pride in the perfectionism of a well put together home...it can really be just about anything!

5. This one is good...why do we feel we need to be glorified in the things we do...if we are doing them as unto the Lord...or as a ministry, then we should desire nothing more then for the Lord to get ALL the glory. So many times we find ourselves doing things so that we will receive praise from others...a good little pat on our backs!

6. I've learned we are just as wrong in bowing to the world as we are in expecting the world to bow to us...enough said ;)!

7. The importance of becoming culturally relevant without becoming spiritually irrelevant.

8. Reminded that the enemy will always fire the dart right in the center of our inconsistency!

9. Reminded once again of the importance of prayer!!! God delivered Daniel and his friends after they had been in constant prayer!

10. The "I AM" idea is experienced in areas where we claim to be better then others and seek a great image, as well as when we focus on ourselves in other ways, still allowing the focus to be again on self...examples:

I am ugly, and there is none as ugly as me.

I am pitiful, and there is none as pitful as me.

Though different from the prideful views of being better than others, still just as wrong!

We must never seek the approval of others, but be humble putting others first, and always desiring God to receive ALL the glory!

Great quotes:

"Babylonian size egos need bigger strokes...they need the strokes of VIP's"

"Kiss-ups can be as nauseating as "suck-ups!"

"Babel's head coach cheers us on, "Make a name for yourself! Make a name for yourself!"

So, that's as far as I've gotten...like I said, I JUST started chapter 3, and look at all I've already learned. I would encourage you all to look into this study. It's not just a bunch of great theology ;)...and it is...but it brings us to a place of recognizing the Babylonian is each of us. I can't wait to get even deeper into the study.

God bless...I will keep you updated as I read on.

Best Price I've Found!

My Boy Is Getting So Big!

My Big Sister Took These Beautiful Pictures of Me!

"Ok, so I have got to be the cutest little 13 month old boy in the world!!! And my what big teeth I have! The better to eat Mama's food, cause she's always got the best food on her plate, even if my plate has exactly the same thing on it. OH MY what big eyes I have...the better to bat at Mom to get what I want. MY what a big yawn I have...the better to make my mommy's heart melt with...it makes her want to cuddle me, and I love that! I am just the cutest..."

Malachi

"Summer Fun" Photo Contest

Summer...BRING IT ON!!!!!

I love photo contests! This picture says it all...She's ready for summer, there's not question about that!
Here my tot preparing to take a dip in our very classy blow up pool (goes great with her get up)!
As a photographer, this is one of my faves! I could capture the most beautiful sunset on the perfect beach with a little baby holding her Daddy's hand, and this would still be the one that captures my heart! That's my girl!

"Summer Fun" Photo Contest! by 5 Minutes for Mom

Vote for your favorite semi-finalists beginning Fri. Aug. 15th, go to above link and cast your vote!

Can It Be?

Ok, so been experiencing this weird stomach pain, and figured it was my hiatle hernia. Of course though...I had to get all freaked out and wonder if it's the "C" word. Had blood work and an ultra sound done, and all looks normal...whatever that is? So I still have issues once in a while, and am waiting a referral for the GIJOE doc ;). In the mean time I am fine...no more worries. No more until this a.m. that is. I stepped on the scale, and WHAT? Since a week ago (says the scale) I lost 12 lbs. oh no...I must have the "C" word...I'm dying! Great...now what? So I showered, got all ready, prayed, and then decided to weigh myself again...oh the dread...what am I going to do???? As I stepped foot on the scale and looked down...WHAT? It can't be...I've just gained 17 lbs. in an hour! Praise the Lord!!!! In one day I went from dropping 12 to gaining 17, putting me at 5 lbs. above my original weight, and I'm happy??? I must be a freak. So the good news is my scale is off...the bad news...I'm still dying...we all are...sorry!