A "Spring" thing.......

"When is Grandma comming?"

Those were the FIRST words said by Shashamane after we closed the door of the van when dropping off Jackie/Hailey!

They LOVE seeing their family.
We hant seen Grandma in a YEAR, so we were WAY past due!!!

My mom got here on Sunday.
After i picked her up at the airport, the 1st place I took her was to Jays Gig at Jacks BBQ.
There she got to experience 1st hand .."Reggae Sunday"!!!!
The kids were so excited to see her!!!

We went home and had a PIZZA PARTY!!!!

The next morning we headed to Ginnie Springs.

That was AMAZING!!!!
I have lived in Florida for YEARS an cant believe that I haven't been there before!!!

We all had a great time.
The water was amazing and COLD...about 65 degrees!!!

I cant say enough how BEAUTIFUL it was.
The kids LOVED it!!!

We went snorkeling, iving, tubing, and TURTLE WATCHING!!!
It was amazzing!!!

The water was so clear...
I kept saying to the kids," Can you believe that GOD made a swimming pool like THIS?"

We aslo went tubing ddown the river.
Which was an EXPERIENCE in itself!!!

Shashamane was okay at first...THEN- as soon as we went fromm the spring to the river the water turned from CRYSTAL CLEAR to BROWN(from all the rain).
And in Shasha "style" ...she FREAKED!!!!

She was on top of the tube SCRAMING, "I want to go back, I want to go Back!"
Imagine a PEACEFUL river...THEN imagine a SCREAMING, CRYING, HYSTERICAL Shashamane!!!
It was HILLARIOUS!!!!

At first I wasnt sure WHY she was crying, But I was SURE that she was FREAKING!!!

Then I figured out that she THOUGHT there were alligators in the river.
I had her ALMOST calmed down when she asked DADDY if there were alligators an he said, "Only SMALL ones!"

I almost flipped out!!!
Then there I was on the river SREAMING!!!

It was a sight...Im SURE!!!

I cant stop laughing just THINKING about what those turtles on the river were thinking....
"Oh, CRAP! Here come THOSE people. Weve HEARD about THEM!"

LOL
Seriously...LOL!

Malachi was a "super-snorkeler".
He took right to it and was able to swim right out over the edge of the underwater cave. He LOVED it!!!

Zeek loved trying to catch fish with his net.
Sheba lived up to her name and FLOATED on TOP of the river the WHOLE time !!!!
Sooo Cute!!!!

What an AMAZING experience.
A FUNNY AMAZING experience!!!!

Sweet GROWTH...........

As I get older the VALUE of some things changes to me.
The value of friendship.
The value of money.
The value of children.
The value of faith.
AND the value of FAMILY.

When you are young you just dont FULLY realize what things are REALLY worth.
When I was young I DEFIANTLY didn't realize the value of things.
I thought it didn't matter who my friends were, how much faith I had, or how much time I spent with my family.

As I have grow I have STEADILY grown to understand the value of things ...NON- material.

NOW I unerstand how important it is to have GREAT friends.
I unerstand that money is the most OVER-RATED thing in the world....for happiness.
I understand that FAITH can move MOUNTAINS!
And I have learned that the time spent in the presence of family is MORE valuable than GOLD!

My sister and Hailey were here for a week and we had a GREAT time!
SERIOUSLY!!!
We used to fight when we got together..really.
We didnt unerstand the VALUE of having a sister.
NOW...we realize that it dosent matter how different we are.
We are SISTERS.
We love each othere for WHO we are NOW.
Without the expectation that we will be DIFFERENT from whe we REALLY are.
What a blessing to be at THIS place in my life.
Able an ready to recognize that time spent with family is a GODsend...no matter how "differently" we live our lives....
I love those girls!!!!

Give Thanks for LIFE, FAMILY, FRIENDS and INSIGHT!!!!

Rasta Rerun!!!!

This is an entry from Sat, Dec.8,2007....ENJOY!!!!
Were still on Vacation!!!!!!






I was up last night w/ the kids ...SICK . I turned on the TV and was brought back to real roots real FAST.

BOB MARLEY LIVE was one of the first concerts that I saw of Bob Marley and it touched me to the core.

It touched me at a time in my life when I was so lost and and I was searching for my own soul.

It was 1998...VILANO BEACH...my apartment.

I remember it like it was TODAY...
It was one of theose moments of CLARITY that CHANGED MY LIFE.

It was while watching this show that I realized that my life was in the depths of HELL...

It was while watching this show that I was INFUSED with the love of GOD...

I was while watching this that I realized that my life was soooooo far from where it was supposed to be...

It CHANGED MY LIFE!!!!

Almost from that EXACT MOMENT....I was SAVED.

Rastafari entered my life and I realized that life could be full of LIGHT.

It was in thes moments that I met CHRIST.

It was in these moments that I FINALLY realized that JAH was INSIDE of me...He was the light that was always there, waiting for me to bust thru MY 7 SEALS.

My eyes, ears, nose and mouth ....MY 7 seals..... BUSTED WIDE OPEN.

It was from these moments that my mind worked in a different way than it did before....I was now walking IN THE LIGHT.

I sit here and reflect on my life ...with tears streaming down my face.

Tears of Joy, thankfullness, happiness, love, light......

I thank God for this Journey...

I thank Jah for this LIFE.

"Marvelous Book Monday!"

So we missed "Fabulous Book Friday"...so sad!!!
BUT...Were making it up with "Marvelous Book Monday".
AND....We have a GUEST BLOGGER...
(Drumroll) My niece Hailey!!
She has chosen a favorite book...
"Junie B. Jones and some Sneaky Peeky Spying"
These are HAILEYS words:


I like this book because its really,really, funny.
In this book she spies on Mrs. and she gets into a real lot of trouble.
I think kids would like this book because its a really fun book to read.
Its a kinda long book with only 8 chapters.
Junie B. pops out of nowhere when Grandpa takes out his dentures and puts them in a cup.
She gets in LOTS of trouble.
I really liked this book.
I think kids would like this book too!

While were OUT...

I dont KNOW why , but I feel guilty whan I dont update my blog.
I know it sounds silly.
I know it sounds crazy.
I cant help it....I hate the feeling when I go to my Favorite blog and there is NO NEWS!
The funny thing is...I know WHY there is NO NEWS- Because she is BUSY.
Because she has a life and NEEDS a life in order to write all her sweet stories.
ANYWAY...
Jackie and Hailety are here and FRANKLY-I am too tired to write.
So.....I figured we would REVISIT some OLD posts.
Here goes.....Enjoy!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally written on April 16, 2009

Zoo Keeper...For LIFE!!!!!!


Sometimes I feel like were in a ZOO.

Sometimes I feel like I have 4 wild animals that live in this house.

The kids AND I are sick right now and I feel a little HOUSE-TRAPPED!

I feel like they are BORED and am REMINDED of TRAINING....

In times like these I feel like a CRAZY WOMAN trying to just DEAL.
An animal trainer TRYING to train these little souls.

In honor of THIS FEELING, I thought I would remind MYSELF of what the bible says about TRAINING your kids:


Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 22:15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

This kind of training REQUIRES CONSTANT DILIGENCE...
So much in fact that, lets be honest, sometimes we feel like were failing.
I always struggle with the feeling of "Im not doing enough".
Maybe its actually ME who needs more training....
More training in TRAINING our kids!!!!

Stand By......Vacation in Progress!

Family Fun!!!!

Life is a journey..this I know.

Family and friends ...forever we grow.

At times it feels like were so far away..

Miles betwwen us...too far to play.

But today starts our vacation ...

Oh My...WHAT a sensation!!!!

Sun, Sand, and FUN galore...

I know by the end well be tired and sore!!

But right now...were going to celebrate.

Today at 3 --were expecting 2 housemates!!!!

Aunt Jackie and Hailey are arriving SOON!!!!

Were dancing a JIG and singing a tune!!!!!

Knotty Boys and Girls!!!!

Check out this website that the kids pics are on...CUTE!!!.

Pulling at the "THREAD"....

Last night we were steam cleaning the carpet and there was a show on the TV in our bedroom.
It was about midnight.
I was trying to stay off the carpet and let it dry so I sat down.
It was called "Obsessed".
It was the story of 2 people who have SOME SORT of SEVERE OCD.
NOT the "normal person" OCD...but CRAZY OCD.
I mean there was a man who had to do SO MANY rituals before he left the house- I took him over an hour to get ready!!!!
AND he made his wife REPEAT things BACK to him!!!!
Kissing the dog EXACTLY 12 times before he left the house???
Only to have to go back and KISS HIM ANOTHER 12 TIMES?????
And all because he THOUGHT that if he DIDN'T do these "rituals" thaen something BAD would happen.
Then there was the girl who couldnt eat ANYTHING because of the fear of MOLD from it sitting out! CRAZY!!!
AND she PICKED AT HER FACE till it had scars all over it.
Because the bathroom mirror was the only place that "time slipped away".
The whole time watching this show I sat DUMBFOUNDED.
To me there seems to be a common THREAD here....
ABSENCE of FAITH!
Faith takes the place of fear.
Faith helps you understand that there is more to life than what you SEE in the bathroom mirror.
Faith lets you trust in God, not fearing the "unknown".
It make me soooo THANKFUL that I have FAITH in my life.
Faith that makes it easier to live without FEAR.
Thank God for saving me from a life VOID of FAITH!!
Give Thanks and Praises..........

Could he be ANY cuter???

As I had MENTIONED......

He is a "little Spicoli"....Too freakin' cute!

Lifes little moments....

Life is always full of obstacles.

From the time you are young to the time you are "old".

As I have gotten "older" I have CHANGED.

I guess you call it "social anxiety"....I don't know.

Its VERY hard for me to walk into a room full of people that AREN'T my "friends".

I mean....TRUTHFULLY- I think that I have been with Jason SOOO long that it has become more "natural" for me to let him be the "social" one.

I have just sat back and had babies and rocked my way right into HOMESTEAD BLISS.

My home has become my safe haven.

I only have to deal with people I know....NICE.

Well yesterday there was a (Dah Dah DAHHHH) HOMESCHOOL MEETING.

I REALLY wanted to join the local HS group- Homeschoolers By the Sea.

I had been a member before...but wasn't LAST YEAR.

Shainee and I had discussed joining the group TOGETHER.

Which I KNEW I could do, ALONG with my trusty sidekick.

BUT----Shainee is in NJ for the summer!!!! AGGHHHHH!!!!!

I wanted to go but I DIDN'T want to go ALONE!!!

So I pretty much BEGGED Sheba to come with me...She DID!!! Whew!!!

So we ran some errands first.

She had SUSHI for lunch!(Her FAV food)

And then we headed to the meeting.

The whole way there my mind was TRYING to talk me out of going.

"We can sign up later."

"NO!!! Go now!"

"Well ust wait for Shainee.."

"No...You NEED to go. You can do this."

"Later."

"Now!!!!!"

So...the "mature, level-headed teacher" in me won!!!

As I pulled into the parking lot I thought to myself...
"Sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable in order to GROW."

I tell the kids that all the time.

"You don't have to like it...you JUST have to do it."

I walked in and was greeting so sweetly by a woman who REMEMBERED me from before.

"Jana...How are you??? So glad to have you back!"

Ahhhhhh........

As much anxiety as I had about this meeting, you would have thought I was walking into the LIONS DEN.

And as soon as I walked in and saw a ROOM FULL of local homeschooling parents and kids.

There were tables set up with used curriculum for sale, flashcards, games...ALMOST ANYTHING you could want for your homeschooler.

It was amazing.

There were different groups and tables set up for 4-H, the museum, etc.

I joined the group for $5 PLUS agreeing to help put on the FIELD DAY!!!(knowing that JAY would be PERFECT for that)LOL!

I bought Malachis curriculum, Money manipulative's, 3 Abeka science books, LOTS of Magic school bus workbooks and got a lesson plan book FOR FREE!!!!

In all I spent about $11!!!!

It was amazing and I have learned that Life is not a HARD as we make it out to be.

If I just put one foot in front of the other and LIVE IT!!!

Its better to let GOD lead and not let my FALSE FEARS and ANXIETY rob me of ANY moments.

Life is too PRECIOUS.

Life is too SHORT.

A word FROM the wise...from the wise!

I have a friend from High School (Heather Kramer)that is an AMAZING writer.
We always KNEW she was... She was AWESOME writing for out HS newspaper!!!
I read her blog DAILY.
To be honest...Its the ONLY blog I read EVERYDAY.
She always has something INSPIRING to say.
Something that makes you REALLY think.
Her blog on FRIDAY was great...
I couldnt write it better than HER, so I re-posted it HERE.
READ IT!!!! Shes amazing and it will make you THINK!!!


WARNING FROM THE WISE!!!

My mentor, Melodi said something in the comment section below that I thought was so great, I wanted to excavate it and bring it up here for everyone to read.

We were talking about self-control and here's what she said...

I also really pay attention to how my little ones are speaking to each other. They copy me, so it's a good clue to me if I hear them being impatient with one another that perhaps....they've heard that tone in their mom too many times. I actually heard one of the older ones being impatient with a little one today and had to point it out to them. It made me realize that I've reacted in the same way many times before.

Sin is deceptive. What Melodi said reminded me of Hebrews 3:12-13:

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

I think it's a social norm to be impatient with children...harsh...sarcastic and short.

However, scripture teaches us that as believers, who also happen to be mothers, we're to be kind...patient...loving...gentle...and that God wants to use everything that comes out of our mouths to build others up.

Our children are "others."

I'm always convicted when I read this verse...

1 Thessalonians 2:7
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

I'm taking Melodi's words to heart, and listening today for how my children speak to one another.

I think God, in His grace and loving kindness can use what I hear today to make my heart tender...revealing the areas where I've been duped by sin and allowed an ugly tone, impatience or lack of self control to become an acceptable norm. Unfortunately, scripture also lovingly warns us...our children will pick up our sin and begin to wear it as their own (Exodus 20:1-4, Proverbs 22:24-25).

Shashas pick for a "Fabulous Book"!

(This is in Shashas words)

I like this book because it was funny.
The fish kept growing an growing.
At first he was small an then he grew BIG!
It was a rhyming book that was goo.
I think you should get this book for your kids!

"Fabulous Book" Fri_ay!!!

Its Friday again!!!!!

This book is a great for summer .

Its short an to the point!

I love the way they "talk" to you in this book.

Perfect for those of us who want a KICK in the BUTT!!!!

Here is 1 example: CHAPTER 1

"Okay. Use your brain. You have to get healthy if you want to get skinny. Healthy=skinny. Unhealthy=fat. The first thing you have to o is give up your gross vices. You can't act surprise! You cannot keep eating the same shit an expect to get skinny."

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!

I keep this book with me at all times.

Its a KEEPER!!!

RUN to get this book!!!!

Lil' Miss "Cake Boss"

Its so funny how children NATURALLY have different personalities.
They just GRAVITATE towards different things.
Shasha LOVES to bake.
ACTUALLY...She LOVES to bake ANYTHING.
Well REALLY...She like to COOK anytime, anywhere.
Its one of those things that I can ALWAYS count on.
Shasha WANTS to help in the kitchen.
Since she was little I have noticed that she has ALWAYS loved cooking.
When she was about 3 she started WANTING to watch cooking shows.
And NOT ust Rachael Ray cooking show either!!!
She liked to watch the FANCY cooking shows.
The shows that are cooking something I COULD NEVER COOK! LOL
Now she is "hooked" on shows like "Cake Boss" and "Ace of Cakes"!
Last night she fell asleep watching the NEW "Cake Boss"...
The 1st thing she did this morning was finish watching that episode!!!
Sweet, sweet, sugar princess...
It is SUCH a blessing to see such SWEET personalities emerge from these little souls.

No Pain...No Gain!

Sooooo Sore............
Yesterday I CONQUERED my fear and took ZUMBA for the 1st time.
I "generally" dont like to dance in a LIT-UP room w/ 35 strangers, BUT-
It was fun! I havent sweat THAT much in a LONG time.
I came home and immeiately felt my muscles start to TIGHTEN up.
I KNEW IT!!!
I was going to be soooooo sore.
Yesterday I coulnt MOVE without hurting...Im a LITTLE better today.
A little....
It was so fun that I think I am hooked....Im going again tommorow!!!
ZUMBA, ZUMBA, ZUMBA!!!!!

RE-claiming our "independence"!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

TRUE Patriotism!!!

17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:17-18





For some, patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. For others, it means dissent against a government's abuse of the people's rights.

I have never met a politician in Washington or any American, for that matter, who chose to be called unpatriotic. Nor have I met anyone who did not believe he wholeheartedly supported our troops, wherever they may be.

What I have heard all too frequently from various individuals are sharp accusations that, because their political opponents disagree with them on the need for foreign military entanglements, they were unpatriotic, un-American evildoers deserving contempt.

The original American patriots were those individuals brave enough to resist with force the oppressive power of King George. I accept the definition of patriotism as that effort to resist oppressive state power.

The true patriot is motivated by a sense of responsibility and out of self-interest for himself, his family, and the future of his country to resist government abuse of power. He rejects the notion that patriotism means obedience to the state. Resistance need not be violent, but the civil disobedience that might be required involves confrontation with the state and invites possible imprisonment.

Peaceful, nonviolent revolutions against tyranny have been every bit as successful as those involving military confrontation. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., achieved great political successes by practicing nonviolence, and yet they suffered physically at the hands of the state. But whether the resistance against government tyrants is nonviolent or physically violent, the effort to overthrow state oppression qualifies as true patriotism.

True patriotism today has gotten a bad name, at least from the government and the press. Those who now challenge the unconstitutional methods of imposing an income tax on us, or force us to use a monetary system designed to serve the rich at the expense of the poor are routinely condemned. These American patriots are sadly looked down upon by many. They are never praised as champions of liberty as Gandhi and Martin Luther King have been.

Liberals, who withhold their taxes as a protest against war, are vilified as well, especially by conservatives. Unquestioned loyalty to the state is especially demanded in times of war. Lack of support for a war policy is said to be unpatriotic. Arguments against a particular policy that endorses a war, once it is started, are always said to be endangering the troops in the field. This, they blatantly claim, is unpatriotic, and all dissent must stop. Yet, it is dissent from government policies that defines the true patriot and champion of liberty.
---Ron Paul

Obama-Shmobama!

I was going to write about politricks and lies...

I was ready to write about hypocrits and spies....

All because I watched "The Obama Deception"-

I wish I had never WASTED the GAS to vote in the F%&*ing election!

I felt the FIRE rise deep inside.

A fire that only rises when the TOTAL TRUTH they try and hide.

PoliTRICKS.

Its a battle worth fighting...I can not deny!

But on THIS homefront...weve got BIGGER fish to fry.

Ive got....
lunch to make
kids to teach
dogs to feed
yoga to do
noses to wipe
a kitchen to clean
clothes to fold
plans to make
Nuff' work till im OLD!

I am chosing my battles and THIS isnt one...
Theyll NEVER convince me again..
Ive got too much WORK to do with my DAUGHTERS and SONS!