Love Dare~~~~~Day12

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.~~Philippians 2:4

Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

July 19th, 2010

Well the morning started out like every other crazy morning, getting 3 kids ready for camp, getting myself ready, and of course, my husband wants to talk ( I am soooo not a morning person)!! Well, he starts by talking about the outside of the house. We want to redo it all. Well, I originally wanted tan siding, black shutters, and doors and he wanted a very light cream and every time we talk about it, we fight about it. I know its stupid.....but come on really, do we need to fight about everything. Then, I thought about dark gray and black shutter and a burgundy door. Well, now its, no I was thinking of stone and stucco, by this time I was saying to myself, "OK you know what Dave, I bet that would look awesome. We should take a ride around and checkout some other housing developments." When actually in my head I am screaming and ripping my hair out.... but instead I am just smiling. Well, that's all from the funny farm!!!

Much love, Jeanette

Love Dare~~~~ Day 11

Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies--Ephesians 5:28

What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile.

July 19, 2010

Well it's Sunday and that usually means getting up super early and yelling and screaming.....but today will be different.. I woke up and started getting the kids outfits ready. Dave was asking what was for breakfast? Are we going to IHOP or not? His usual rant about we are going to be late, we'll never get in!! Well, I darn near bit my tongue off again, but I am happy to say with my tongue in tact, I did my dare. We went to IHOP and no yelling. Then he bascially thought it was OK to kidnap the whole family to Wildwood. We walked at least 2 miles up and back, bought 2 kites ( 1 ladybug and 1 spiderman) and flew them on the beach. We ate lunch and bought some fires and cotton candy which is usually when I started flipping NOT ON YOUR OUTFITS OR NOT IN MY VAN! Nope not today, oh yea, I also had the kids dress up in old time photos and for sure, I thought my son David would give the most complaints, actually he only "Really" and I said "YES", he said "OK". My oldest daughter, Jenna, was in a state of shock. Check out the photo....hehehehehe........I'm not so pleased with them holding the guns, but it was done in fun!! Then a nice dinner out, home and nite nite.

Love Dare~~~~Day 10

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us -- Romans 5:8

Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse--something that proves ( to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the Kitchen. Buy his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.

July 18, 2010

Well today, I have to do something out of the ordinary. I really had to put my thinking cap on.....so I did most of the kids chores and had made hubby and the kids a nice dinner. I also made Dave's favorite dessert sponge cake with strawberries, grapes and ready whip for everyone ( the secret is I told them no I'm too tired...........hehehehehe).

Love Dare~~~~~~Day 9

Great one another with a kiss of love--1 Peter 5:14



Think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then Determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.



July 17, 2010

This day calls for me to pick a way to greet the people I love. Well with the hubby it was, a smile, a squeeze, and a kiss ;) The kids I greeted each one of the little ones with the same as my hubby, but the older ones it was a smile and a direct look in their eyes and called them by their name and asked them how they were feeling or if they needed anything.

Love Dare ~~~~~Day 8

Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire. --Song of Solomon 8:6

Determine to become your spouse's biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.

July 16, 2010

Well today, I told my kids how great they were and how when we all get along and we can achieve going places on our days off. And for my hubby, I has told him how proud I was and how amazing I thought it was that he has learned to fly (which makes me nerves as heck but it's his enjoyment, his release).

Love Dare~~~~~ Day 7

{ LOVE } believes all things, hopes all things. ~~ 1 Corinthians 13:7


For today's dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, Pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.


July.15,2010


Day seven's dare was easy for me to do I did the list and then proceeded to tell my kids how great I thought they where and that I;m their biggest fan! I also told my husband how much of a great provider he is and how much I love that, I can stay home with the kids and take them to the park or a water park or just to the track to walk and they are fine with that.

Much love, Jeanette

Love Dare~~~~ Day 6

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.~~~ Proverbs 16:32


Choose today to react to tough circumstance's in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

July. 14,2010


In terms of my marriage I think we..... no I meant I need to work on my marriage. Yes Dave has his moments where I wonder why or what have I done. But all in all he has always worked so hard for us. That allows me to take my kids out and for me to be home with my kids. Which in true light it's what I really always wanted to do is to raise my kids. I was the one that was there for all their milestones. I have known women that had to work to make ends meet and had missed their babies first tooth or roll over and I am so truly happy and blessed to say that I saw it all happen...... TIMES EIGHT♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Much love, Jeanette

Love Dare ~~~~~Day 5

He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.

Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

July 13, 2010

Well at first, I didn't understand the bible verse I said that verse in my head over and over............ even reread it out loud, saying wow what the heck does that mean. Then the light bulb went off. My voice is always at a decimal of 10 to my husband, to my children and then I started to think of every time I would open my big trap, it was to scream, yell, dictate, or bark orders. So I first kept on counting over and over and over and over and over. Now we talk together instead of yelling. There is more smiles then tears and frowns. The Dare says to ask my spouse three things about me that make him uncomfortable. I really don't need to know them by heart:

1. I scream way to much.

2. I scream way to much.

3. I always yell.

So that's what I am working on!! Keep praying for me!!!

Love Dare ~~~~~ Day 4

How precious also are Your thoughts to me.........How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

Contact your spouse sometime during he business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

July 12, 2010
Day 4 of the Love Dare went pretty smooth. I continued to do days 1,2, and 3. This dare calls for you to contact your spouse to see how their day is going....well that's one thing I have done forever at least two or three times a day. So anyway, I called Dave and he seemed to want to talk a little longer than usual (which was nicer than OK, I gotta go, I'm busy) I continued to talk to my children not at my children which believe it or not really does make a huge difference in our day. So continue to pray as I do my part for my hubby and kiddos.

Love Dare~~~~~ Day3

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. ~~~ Romans 12:10



Whatever you put your time, energy and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, Buy your spouse something that says, " I was thinking of you today"


Well I will be very honest..... This is SO HARD SUPER HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really had to bite my tongue, but I did my part I did not say one negative word ( WELL OUT LOUD THAT IS) In my mind I wanted to hit my husband in the head with a frying pan. It was almost like he was looking for a fight. I guess he had a really bad day at work. So I did my part and I think he was like wow what have I done I can not seem to break her. HA HA HA I got the last laugh!!!! The kids seem to be looking at me like I have four heads and are wondering when my head will just explode in anger but I will not give in this time family is so important. Although my son David wants to fight.... all the time, just don't understand but I guess in time I will I hope. This road I am traveling down has a lot of twists to it but hopefully I will see the other side of life. I want more kids just two more but need to work on what I got first!!! So wish me luck and pray super hard please.

Love Dare~~~~~ Day 2

This is a verse from the Love Dare book. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Well, I did it. Made it through Day 2, which really wasn't all that hard actually. There were plenty and I mean plenty of opportunities to scream and pull my hair out..... BUT I DIDN'T. My husband went out and got breakfast for us which was awesome. So that was a great start to the day. Then the kids and I met a friend and her daughter at Chuckie Cheese and had a great time. After Chuckie's, I stopped off at a couple of stores and got the kids silly bands a little surprise they didn't expect. The other day my husband was rambling on about some stuff he needed, of course, he probably thought I wasn't listening............but I was taking mental notes. That is what I stopped off to get at the store. He was quite surprised and you could tell he was happy I was listening to him.

So it is safe to say Day 2 went off without me blowing a gasket or pulling my hair out!! So I will leave you with this reminder. To breathe , it might be counting to 10 or 55 or 100, just keep going your family depends on it. I truly believe that.

Day 3 will be interesting!!♥

The Love Dare~~~Day 1

This is a verse from the Love Dare book itself. The first of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.

I worked on doing this dare towards everyone I spoke to, not just my spouse. I worked on this dare from the moment I woke up and until the moment they fell asleep. I realized that taking deep breaths works, a lot more than you would think. I also realized that counting to ten was not working for me and that I should increase it to fifteen. By the end of the day I was counting to fifty- five. Today, I received a counting lesson and a yoga breathing instruction. I have noticed today, that there was a lot less yelling from my end and a lot more listening and productivity.

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. (James1:19)

This is a great book!!! I totally recommend doing the forty days the book has to offer. I will continue with the thirty- nine more love dares!!♥

FIREPROOF ( the movie)

My daughter Jenna and I can watch this movie over and over and never get tired of it. Which brings me to my next part I have been such a horrible person in general lately to my husband and my children over choices I choose to do.... I have tied my tubes so that I could no longer have children, I had to do it or so I thought I had too. In the movie Caleb is reading the love dare and he is working on saving his marriage. Though I don't think my marriage is in any trouble, but my family just might be..... in the sense that I yell, scream, demand things at once or else!!! Well I own the book now and my next 40 post will be of me doing my part to save my family life. Please wish me luck!!!!

Some random pictures!!!!♥

Wow! It has been Quite awhile since my last post. We have been really busy with life in general.... but here are some picture's of the little one's First Two pic is the four little one's playing at the limerick park. The next one is them in their vacation bible school shirts,they were in the butterfly group oh so cute!!! I hope you are all ready for the next one it is of the baby.... when asked by her dad what she was doing she said why daddy I'm Having my babies right now...well imagine our surprise when daddy asked her well what are you having a boy or a girl she said four boys and four girls just like mommy! This is her labor face.

Well school is over.... YIPPY!!!!! We now are just enjoying our days and planning our trips. So far no body wants to go to florida or tennessee which I'm really upset about, florida not so much as the tenneesse trip though I just love it there. We have a lot of input of shore trips water parks and such, but nothing big.

FUNK!!!!!!!!!!! :(

I have been in a very nasty funk!!! There I said it it's out there! Have you ever felt that you are the only one in the world with problem's? My husband is a good provider and father he really is it's just when it comes to helping with correcting the kids he is just not behind me on punishment's. We have talked about more children which now I'm not so sure I will be having anymore. I have a great friend who is willing to carry a baby for me at no extra cost to us which is great, but my husband wants to do it the old fashion way. I'm not so sure I want to carry another baby or even have another one, I mean no help now with eight, why would I go and have another one!!!! It hurts that the kids are getting so big they are great kids they just sometimes pay me no mind. The kids will soon be done with school and that I can not wait for no more running around.... we can just enjoy the summer days filled with lots and lots of ice cream trips and fun. I plan on fixing my funky thoughts to more positive thoughts so please send me your happy vibes I could really use them now... no really now!!!!! lol

Kids and Chores

I know it's the mommy's job to do most of the house work...........but is it really necessary for the kids to come home and strip off their jackets, book bags, and sneakers everywhere!!! So my husband and I came up with a simple chore list. Each kid has maybe five chores on it and some house rules which is actually working out believe it or not. We made them sign their name on the dotted line .We even included the three babies...well not really babies. Michael 7, Brianna 6 and Zoey 4 love it! Today my oldest Jenna took Zoey to the Chuckie Cheese's. She had a blast!! I actually enjoyed Chuckie's today. Zoey kept putting a coin in almost every game and walked away, so you know what I did..........I ran after every game and played the games. I think today I had more fun then Zoey. My little man Michael is star of the week. They talked in school all about Michael (he loved that). They talked about his horse riding, his favorite food, which is BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli....not candy or chips but chicken. Tomorrow I will be guest reading to his class.........Wish me luck!!♥

Health and Me!

Well exercise and I have always been enemies but to show my children that eating health and exercise are very important. I once again have been trying to eat healthy and move a little more. I went to the park today and walked over a mile!! My husband thinks I should start jogging but I don't want anyone to mistake my jogging for an earthquake! So now I will no longer eat ice cream or candy, chips or any heavenly thing I sooooo ENJOY, but that's ok. I will survive for sure. So my starting weight is 160 lbs OUCH. That's really the first time I wrote that down or typed that big of a number! Well I hope to inform you of a much much smaller number soon.

This is just a cute picture from the park. I had all the kids try to lay in a circle and smile up, but the sun was so blinding that day it didn't turn out that way. I still love it though!♥

Religion

Well this is a touchy subject....My daughter has decided that she wants to be baptised Catholic and I know this sounds really ..........really bad, but I am not baptised. My husband is Catholic and my kids are not baptised and well that's where our story begins. We did not do our life according to certain "life rules". We had our first when I was a senior in high school and then David arrived and we bought a house and then Matthew and then Nicholas. Then I was preggers with Brittany. David felt the need to be married so when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant we got married. I know this is not by any means normal but it was our normal. I did think about and want many times to baptise my children and myself but felt that we would be turned away for being rule breakers. I really don't like to break laws whether they are laws of the government or land or in life but I guess this is my way of putting it out there that we as a family are trying to get baptised whether in the end its Catholic or another religion. We are hoping Catholic so as a whole we are but I think we will be learning many different ways of religion and life♥.

Updates on the House!!

Here are some random pictures of our little home improvements, snow falls and kids at play. So far, I have remodeled two bedrooms, a powder room, a full bathroom and family room. Now it's onto the Dinning room, Laundry room, and then Kitchen. We definetly want to finish all inside projects so we can move onto the outside projects and FUN! Today, I took my eight crazy yet adorable kids to the local park for a nice walk. Boy did it feel awesome to just be able to walk in this wonderful weather and have a little fun. My oldest, Jenna and I have been planning our Summer ( I know I know it's soooo early), but we like to plan ahead. Our daily tri ps will be beach, Sahara Sams, Limerick Park, Hershey, Dorney, and Great Adventure. Also plenty of trips to Lancasterto see a really great family. So please feel free to look over some pictures and have a great day!

We painted our powder room a really bold blue. The boys room is tan. The girls room is tow tone pink with lots of butterflies. I will post more of the main hall bathroom once I finish all the painting......being that I have changed my color of the walls....... My poor daughter wants to lock me away in a room so I stop changing my mind!!!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well up at 5:30 yelling Britt, Britt, Brittany, Brittany Ann all the while 15 minutes of hot water running down my drain all while imaging little water men laughing all the way to the bank....... awwe children are great!!!!!! Then feed all. My wonderful husband went out to Einstein bagels and brought home bagels and coffee. Hubby leaves at 7 am and now my work really begins it's a constant run..David is the first to go to his bus at 7 am and then it's Jenna also running around she will take Matt and Nick and our neighbors boy to school at the same time my husbands niece is bringing her 3 month old daughter over so I can watch her while she works and now Jenna's home, let's go Brittany, Michael and Brianna we gotta go you are all gonna be so late if we don't leave now!!!!!!!!!!!! We load up the car with the kids and the baby and two strollers and we are off to school it's Britt, mike, Brianna out the car and kiss,kiss,kiss and hug, hug, hug have a great day times three. Then it's peel wheels get to the mall before it opens. Walk, walk, walk...talk, talk... gab, walk, talk, gasp...... walk then shop, shop, shop and oh Jenna that would look awesome on you!!!!!! Then get Zoey Boey a big giant pretzel and drink for being super good then run home eat lunch, clean up play and feed baby go get the boys and drop them off then go to get Jenna's car gas for gymnastics tonight and to the bank then go get Britt, mike, Brianna at school. We all get home and Jenna and I start dinner they eat then it's off to gymnastics.. which they love love to got to. Dad comes home give him his dinner talk a little about his day. Then the kids go and start getting ready for bed and then it's me time!!!!!!!!!!! We watched the Duggars 19 and counting little Josie was born very early, but holding on pray hard for her and her wonderful family. Now off to bed to do it all over again!!!!!!!!!!!!

Valentine's Card Game!

Yesterday, my husband came home from working a thirteen hour day, ate dinner and looked like he just wanted to fall asleep, but instead he sat down with Brianna and Zoey and played a card game at the Kitchen table. Poor Daddy so tired, but such a good Daddy!!! The game was developed using different colored Valentine's Day cards!!

Crazy Hair/ Hat Day & PJ Day!!

Well my elementary kids, Brittany, Michael and Brianna had crazy hat and hair day at school. It cost a dollar each and it raised money for the people of Haiti.......What a great cause to be able to slip a simple $1.00 in an envelope to help others and let the kids do crazy things to their hair. Here are a few pics. It was also Pj day at the preschool for Zoey. she loved the idea so much that when we went ot lunch with my girlfriend she actually had to wear them in for lunch. She is too cute. Here is also a pic of her in her PJs!!

Facebook Friend or Foe??

Well this has to be the third argument my husband and I have gotten into about this subject. He saysit has people on there that are just looking to cause trouble and to find out where you are. But in my defense I am only on it to see old friends, their families and to actually be in touch with a few really good people and some family members that I have not seen or talked to in years. My cousin Steph and I have not seen each other in about 20 some years. I always thought of her but you know how it goes you hear this or that or you just get caught up in life! Well she friend requested me and oh my gosh, she is all grown up. LOL!! So what are your thoughts on facebook?? I already know my thoughts and my husband's thoughts!! But I don't know your thoughts on facebook!!!

My New Morning Regime!!

Well, I take garlic with CQ10 and Shitake Mushrom, two chewy multi-vitamins, and was feeling ok, but my husband went to a natural food storeand brought me liquid aleo vera and noni. All Natural. Let me just say that taste is not so tasty but the affects of it are awesome. I have so much more energy, I can go all day. I lov ehow he finds little things for me not to mention that before I started, I could barely bend over to pick somethign up. My husband came home and dropped his pen and I said "Oh, I'll get it." And I did! I bent over and picked up the pen. Everyone in the Kitchen just stared at me. On any given day, I would have grabbed one of the kids to go get it off the floor or my hat trick as I like to call it was to get a chair sit in it, bend half way and then kick the pen up. It's crazy I know, but it really works.

Heart Check Up!!

Michael was born with two holes in his heart, he had checkups after checkups. The doctor told me that the holes were closed up and that was when he was almost two years old. Well a couple of times, he had come to me with his heart racing and a couple of times his lips were blue. Long story short, Michael had a recent checkup and his heart is perfect. Awesome, no more worries!! Just look at that face!! Too Cute!

Dentist Visit!!

Matthew and Nicholas who both wear braces always go to the dentist every three months. Matt, who scrubs his teeth until his arm falls off, has no cavities. Nicholas who I have to beg and bribe to brush his teeth, also had no cavities. LOVE IT!! He has since took a new approach to brushing and has been doing a really nice job!!

New Year's Eve!!!!!!!!

New Year's Eve was just as relaxing. We went to the store and got a whole bunch of nothing good for you, just tasty goodies. We all stayed up and watched movies and then watched the ball drop and then we dropped....... but of course the husband had to get up at the crack of dawn and go eat breakfast at IHOP!!! YUMMY!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a picture of my senior elf in charge of wrapping a last minute item that needed to be wrapped, also some pictures of the tree with gifts before the storm hit !!!!!!!!!!!
Now here is the aftermath of the little monsters wripping up the wrapping paper.To watch this was awesome to see the look ontheir little faces that santa really listened and brought them what they really wanted!!!! Here are pictures of the kids with their favorite presents.

After all the gifts were opened, we ate breakfast. Then Jenna and I made X-mas dinner. We had ham, taters, greenbeans, corn, cranberry, yams, rolls, gravey, and numerous desserts. We made brownie bites, cookies, and cornbread. The day was filled with relaxation and it felt good for once to have nothing to do. The kids enjoyed playing with all their goodies that Santa brought them. I hope everyone else had a wonderful holiday!!!!!

SNOWDAY!!!

Here is the kids playing in the snow on their first big snowfall of the year!! The kids couldn't wait for it!!! Of course it took most of the morning to find all the gloves and scarves and hats and lets not forget the stinken snowboots that took me about an hour to find for them to just stay outside 10 minutes...... oh well at least they had a fun snowday!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve!! We just stayed home and ate all day and night!! We sat down and made edible x-mas trees. Take a peak at those trees aren't they sweet!! David the oldest of the boys said " oh no mom I will just help Zoey with hers!!!!!" He ended up really making "zoey's" tree really pretty.

Gone Forever

WOW........ It feels as if I have been gone forever!! It has been a crazy December with shopping and school parties! The family and I went to visit a high school friend and her family ( Hi, Kelly and Gang). We had a great time!!! She has the sweetest kids............too cute! Well, the next couple of posts are about Christmas and New Years!!!