Wow, here it is already 2007!  How can that be?  A lot happens here in 2007, we will have our oldest child turn a double digit !  That is a HUGE milestone!  :)  We will be married 12 years in April!  Just getting better with age!  I hope to lose some 30lbs!  With a little help from the treadmill and the bike in the basement here!  Praying I can keep up with my goals this year!

Well That is all that is going on here in our house, sorry its kind of slow right now...and I hear a little one crying now, not sure why!  Later

Julie 

Hi everyone,

I had an awesome but tiring day today.  We had to shop and pack food baskets for our church for tomorrow.  We are preparing 19 food baskets (not really fitting in baskets though ) we had so much stuff got these families it was wonderful.  I took the kids with me to run today and do the shopping and sorting and packing (hubby was at work again)...anyhow, the boys were so good at helping and learning what the true meaning of Christmas is.  It is so nice to give isn't it?  Nothing makes you feel better in my opinion.   Anyhow, it was a whole day affair since afterwards we set up for the kids programs and church services for Sunday ( we are currently meeting in a school building).  So the day we spent together tops the Holiday Season so far, tomorrow we get to see the faces of those we are giving too, they will serve them lunch, present the kids their presents and then send home the food packages!  YIPPEE!  I can't wait!  Its so nice to feel like this!  This is what I want my kids to remember not the "wants" they have but the needs of others, we can help with!  

Tomorrow after church we will be starting our baking as well so its one fun weekend for all!  Enjoy your Holidays!  

~Julie~  

Well its that time of year when I thought about what memories I wanted to make with my children.  What are those things you remember most about the Christmas's past?  For me there is alot~here are some of the things on the top of the head tonight! 

~I remember spending time with my family, mostly my sisters and my mom and grandma, we baked, we cooked, we laughed, we heard stories, it was just one special holiday for me, bitter sweet at times to think now since my grandmother is no longer with us!  ~

~Another thing, silly one, is I always remember coming down the stairs Christmas morning to the big middle step where we would wait for the morning christmas picture (my sisters and I in our pjs, hair all messy and sleep still in our eyes) We could go no further than that step, it was still almost downstairs but your view was blocked as it was a spiral staircase.  I can feel the excitement as ai tell it, kind of funny.  I was always amazed at my parents ability to give us so much even as kids, not that the number was a big thing mind you it was the idea of the " lots " I guess.  I always got one large stuffed animal, unwrapped under the tree and then a few presents besides.  I am still a stuffed animal girl.  LOL!  ~

~I also remember the nativity set we had as children, we always got it out and set it up as a family, read the bible story and got to put out the story as it unfolded.  My dad always did the reading. ~

~Then of course their was the rush to get it all cleaned up for company coming to dinner.  We always had the dinner.  My mom still has it!  She was always helped by my grandma when she was here, and now we all help (but she does the major work)  Anyway, the day would unfold by grandparents coming, aunts and uncles, cousins, and actually anyone who didn't have a place to go my mom would invite.  I honestly can say you never know who will turn up at our Holidays.  LOL- even your labor and delievery nurse, another story in itself but she was invited to an Easter dinner about two weeks after I delivered after showing up at our church service for the first time!  ~

And lastly the memory that brought this topic to mind, a Big Wheel.  Have you had one as a child?  I did and Oh how I loved that ole thing!  I went today and bought one for my little guy to give him on his birthday in March but its on sale now!  My older two never cared for one, but this guy is all about a moving outdoor toy!  Just like his mother!  :)  

Think of your memories an jot them down and send to me!  I love reliving the past ~!

~Jude~ (a name only my Papa used to call me)   

Its not like we didn't know it was coming or anything like that its just that we have an extended warming around here the past few weeks.  Its been in the 50-70's lately, tonight we are back to the 30's, such is life here in Michigan I suppose but it was so nice and unusual that we kind of got used to it!  :)  Tomorrow there is a winter storm warning for our area, so it truly is back to reality. 

We are back to health here.  Funny the one who usually gets the sickest didn't get sick either time its hit our house these last few weeks!  I am very Thankful for that!  Hubby is still working like a maniac, still thankful for his job but its so trying on our whole family!  I hope it ends soon!  Tomorrow is December 1st already, I still have christmas shopping to do and really do enjoy that part of Christmas as well.  I love to give gifts!  My youngest is in our school system here to have some speech and OT and PT, so this is our first experience with buying teacher gifts!  Any ideas?  LOL...this teacher (me) doesn't usually get anything special!  Anyhow, I am still pondering what to give them.  There are three of them that he sees regularly, and we truly have been blessed by them as in their personalities and all!  So I would like something nice for them. 

The Holidays can be so stressful can't they?  I have been stressed out a bit lately, I actually thought I was having a heart attack the other night.  I was actually concerned enough I almost woke up my hubby to go to the ER, but I just felt so bad to do that since he gets so little sleep right now.  I know bad excuse to wait and see if I was truly dying!  But anyhow I am still typing and feeling better and truly think it was stress related, I am gonna schedule a physical though just in case.  Scary when you truly think about death, not in the fact that I know right where I would be when I died, but that I would leave behind my three children and hubby.  What a horrible thing for a child to lose a parent, at any age.  Anyhow it makes you think....

Well I have one of those children climbing all over me know...better run!

~Julie~   

I just love the Holidays.  Thanksgiving is one of those forgotten ones mostly though, I love Thanksgiving!  Its not as rushed as Christmas and you actually get to enjoy your family more since things are not focused so much on gifts.  We had a wonderful day ~ went to Moms and had a great dinner which my kdis helped prepare this year, they were so impressed with the whole preparation that goes into the meal.  One of my kids wants to be a chef when he gets older so he especially liked the whole process and to of course reap the rewards of his hard work!  :)  All in all it was a good day.  We all have been battling colds around here but we can't really complain, others have needs far greater than ours!  We are so Thankful for many things this year, one being employment and how fragile that is here in Michigan.  We are thankful for 3 beautiful children that are healthy and entertaining!  :)  A wonderful extended family that I can't even begin to tell how great they are, and so many friends that are so dear to us all over the world!  :)  Each one of us went thru our blessings this year as we drove to my moms for dinner, it was neat to hear what each one is Thankful for!  Life is so fragile, enjoy it to the fullest! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

~Julie~ 

Good Evening all....

I am having a difficult time with my 2yr old and bedtime.  UGH! ~  Of course he prefers to sleep in "Mama's bed" (not my doing by the way), he doesn't want to go to bed so he cries and yells in his crib for a bit.  My hubby then goes and gets him and lays him in our bed and lets him fall asleep planning to put him back after he is sleeping (Ha! Who falls asleep first?)  Anyhow, this has been going on since Halloween basically.  I am sooo tired of it!  I won't get him, I know he is safe and he is just trying to see who will win, but hubby wants him quiet and sleeping.  Mind you we have three kids and he is the baby, he has siblings before him to try this!  Mom put an end to that and will have to to this, why won't he realize (my hubby) that its not gonna stop until he cries it out and finally falls asleep!  He needs to get thru this in his crib not my bed.  Am I right?  Am I overreacting?  Am I just selfish?  UGH!  I want a good night sleep and I wan tmy own bed back, not the 12 inches allotted to me when I come to bed!  ~   

What's a mommy to do? 

He is in there rocking as I type with Daddy (the sucker)...

~Julie~

Hey Ladies and Gents!  I have walked on the treadmill for the last two days...I saw this articale in the Family Circle magazine for a treadmill workout to drop some weight, and well I guess I am trying it!  I have this love hate relationship with exercise you see...the love part is that it does make me feel better, the hate of course is the rest of it!  I have been waiting till evening to walk, which for me is the best cuz I am not a morning person, and with school its hard enough to just get moving normally!  So I am asking all you bloggers out there to join me and try to either keep the pounds at bay over this Holiday Season or lose with me!  At least I am hoping to actually lose!  I am a Biggest Loser fan, and thought if this people can do it, so can I!  I am not extremely over weight but definelty have packe don some weight since having the last child, actually I guess its easier to blame the pregnancies but its really come after the fact not post partum!  Oh well ....where ever it came from it needs to go back there!  My other big down fall is I absolutely love Tim Hortons ICE CAPPUCCINOS!  Oh my, they are heaven sent in taste and Satan sent for weight !  I believe a small one packs a whooping 300 calories!  I order a medium with "EXTRA CREAM"  Oh MY!  That is deadly!  Anyhow, I am giving these up as well...okay so I am trying.  Walking was a good start right????

Thanks

Later, Julie

Hey everyone,

Today has been good, this weekend has even been good, Thank you God for good days!  We as a family have been having a challenging month, since returning from vacation really.  My DH has been really working a ton (and I think although he won't really complain) I think he is not enjoying his work.  I know he is greatful to have a job as employment in our neck of the woods isn't real promising, he is just tired of the whole game I guess you would say.  Here in Michigan right now we lay tons of people off due to lack of cash, and then expect the remaining people will pick up the extra workload and not of course compensate them for it!  Its not even that compensation that is so depressing, its the lack of respect for people, their families, their time. 

I am worried about my hubby, He is so stressed!  I am also worried about my children, the time we don't spend with my hubby and their sincere heart felt cries for time with daddy!  I am trying to juggle being both mom and dad and I just am failing at it miserably!  Please pray for us!  My middle ds is truly missing his dad and his behavior is to act out when he can't tellyou what it is that is reallly bothering him, he is starving for his dads attention and I know my dh knows it and it is just all the more stressing for him since he feels he can't be here and work at the same time!  

I am tired as well of trying to single parent, I don't want to blame my dh cuz I know its not his fault but of course Satan would like us to butt heads over it. 

This is such a nice way to air my frustrations ~ Thank you for listening to my ramblings! 

Until next time~

~JULIE~  

Okay so they are leaving or have left!  All my friends I mean....in the last 9 years, since I had my first child I have made some wonder friends, life long friends!  I started this prayer group many moons ago....its not meeting now in a room of anything but I have to say I still pray for these women and I believe they still pray for me!  Anyhow...these very special women have now all grown up too, with their children I mean.  :)  BUT...many have either moved away or are leaving now....In the last 3 years I have lost 2 to other locations around the globe, and now one more joins them again out of state!  Boo hoo...I ma feeling like I am being left with no one...no support group...no quick lunches...not even a cup of coffee....I am belly aching I know!  This last friend is moving on December 4th, closer to her sister and actually I hear going to homeschool there, I am happy for her as I know its a good move for her.  But I am feeling sad for me!  :( 

Well I guess I am just whining so I best be on my way~

Lonely for now!

~Julie~

Hey everyone~

My keyboard has been on the fritz lately so this blog is behind I suppose.  Today was an okay day, we didn't get all the schoolwork done though, we had the chiropractor today and this afternoon we went out to a pumpkin patch.  This local farm has a huge pumpkin on display 1208lbs this year.   The kids thought it was cool and we took a picture with it.  If I knew how to post it I would!  :)  Anyhoo....it was so nice out today, 61 degrees and sunny~  That here in Michigan is great for October.

This past weekend we had very strong winds and cold weather...our backyard fence blew down the winds were so strong!  I am feeling kind of overwhelmed lately around the house and need to get a plan of organizing in action.   The house is overstuffed...too much junk that we need to rid ourselves of!  I think the stuff has taken over my peace...is that possible??? 

I am off for now....tired and not thinking straight really so I will sign off for now...

Till later~

Julie

Well we are back and it was great!  I love vacation, hate coming home to cold though.  It was so nice while we were away, high 80s-90s most days, nothing but sunshine while on the ocean! Oh it was so wonderful!  Everyone enjoyed themselves and we all had a wonderufl time.  I couldn't say I was ready to come home though...my sisters and parents are still there for another week.  Its so sad when you have to come home.  :(  But we would eventually have to come back anyhow.  Now its back to the old grind....we are back to schooling and back to therapy for the little guy here.  We are having a hard time getting things organized again, unpacking, laundry, putting away summer clothing, getting through the school work that has to get done and I am feeling a bit out of control!  I really need to get school stuff back together in a organized way for the coming week! 

Well I need to go make dinner....

More later....

~Julie~

You know the night before vacation and all thru the house.....that is what Ifeel like today!~  I can hardly wait...I feel like the kids...I'm so excited/nervous/anxious all at once!  We fly out tomorrow afternoon but will be leaving the house about 11am,  I can't believe how much time it takes to pack for all of us (there are only 5 of us).  I think we are finally all set though.  Please pray for us as we travel that we pass through airport security without hassles (the boys are a bit concerned with this part), we have tried to prepare them a bit without making it a big deal.  Anyhow if you can pray for us!  We are gonna have a long day too...we drive about 2 hours after the flight to get to our destination (vero beach, FL).  Its 37 degress here as I type and I have read its in the high 80's there.....YIPPEE!

Did I sayI was excited about this trip?  I really am!  

Well off to bed, I am not tired but should try to sleep! 

Talk at ya when I get back! 

~Julie~ 

Too Funny.....Today was an okay day but one of the highlights is listening to my slow to speak 2yr old trying out the ABC's song.  He has down the middle to end and has the tune down to a T!  Its so funny he just kept singing QRSTUV over and over today!  It was like so wonderful to hear him singing it made me smile! 

We had speech today, this morning actually, it went okay.  Today is the first day we had lots of tears during the class time.  I think he is overtired and I am praying he isn't getting sick with anything since we are on the verge of vacation!  YIPPEE~  The two year old I am referring to has a busy week this week, speech today, Occupational & Physical Therapy tomorrow!  Whew, it wears me out, he is a trooper!

~

The kids are going with my inlaws and their cousins tomorrow afternoon, they are taking them to a place that is like a Giant Video Game/Entertainment Complex thingy.  We aren't big on taking them to these places ourselves really but I hope they keep their eyes on them.!~  I know your thinking they are there grandparents and I do know that....I just always think no one watches your kids like you do, ya know?  I mean I still make my kids go into the "womens" bathroom with me (they are all boys 9.5yr, 8yr & 2.5yr), they don't complain but I hope that they know not to go in by themselves anywhere, people are so creepy with little boys!  I just don't trust my babies to this world (yes I am overprotective I suppose).~

The good thing about them going tomorrow afternoon is that I will be able to get some much needed running around done both in the house and to the store!  Its so hard keeping up with it all being a homeschool mom isn't it?

Well I guess I am off to bed, I am really tired now...

Later.

~Julie~

Hey everyone out there in Cyberspace!  Thanks for stopping by again!  I am so unprepared for another week of school ...can it really already be Monday tomorrow?  Here it is Sunday night and I am blogging like I have nothing else to do...oh well I need the mental ramblings I guess.

We leave on vacation a week from today!  Wow!!! I am so ready for it mentally but not physically, so much to do this week to prepare!  I need to sit and make a list of each days priorites!  Otherwise it will be here and gone and I will incredibly stressed! 

We have a had a really busy weekend.  We have family in from Virginia this week.  We went on our first Family Letterboxing adventure on Saturday and it was sooo neat and we had awesome weather, the leaves are changing here too so it made for a glorious day altogether.  Then Church today, lunch with friends, and a stop in at my Hubby's little brothers new home.  Whew...can't believe how much we can pack into 72 hours!  Aren't you amazed sometimes???  Why do we pack our lives so?  I don't know. 

 We were singing in church today a song by Chris Tomlin, I think it is his originally anyhow.  The song in entitled Indescribable.  It is so powerful to me.  It just really hit home at what an amazing God we serve and all he is in control of and that everything was made by him and for him!  Here is the lyrics to his song....(this is copied from a website of his songs)

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Incomparable, Unchangeable,
You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same.
You are amazing God


One of my favorite lines in it is about the lightening, my middle son is so afraid of thunderstorms and we have always told him that GOD is in control of all of our lives and he created the storms and can calm them as well with only a word.  Isn't it awesome when we consider the power we have on this earth with GOD on our side!

Well I should make that list of stuff that needs done this week!  Have a good ones to all who read this and enjoy your Families this week!  Thank our amazing God for them as well!

~Julie~

Hey ~

We are finally getting into a groove here with school I think.  Although we don't always get as much done as I would like to we are at least covering the stuff we have to.  OF course that means its time for a vacation right?  Isn't that how it always works, just when you find a schedule that works it all get thrown off with a little time off!  We are are going to Florida in less than two weeks and I just can't wait!  I am looking forward to a break from the rainy coolness here in Michigan and can't wait to see the sun.  I hope that happens at least, Is it selfish to pray for nice weather while we are gone?  I don't think so, God asks us to pray about everything, so I am praying for warm weather and sunshine and of course a Safe journey!  I really hate to FLY, actually I am petrified of it!  Silly I know.  God is in control whether we fly or drive, I just am humanly weak and worry about it!  :(  I am praying for peace with that too so as not to pass this on to my children! 

Well I need to go start on an idea for dinner.....

Later!~

Hey everyone,

Its been kind of one of those days when you want to cover your head back up and crawl back into bed!  Its cool, damp, and rainy here today.  So of course we went to the grocery store, isn't that what you do when you want to avoid the weather?  Just kidding, it seems like lately the days I need to get groceries is the day its down pouring!  I am a drowned rat!  But hey we do have groceries in the house!  :)

I am looking for some new recipes to make that would make the days run a bit smoother during the week, any crock pot recipes you have forward to me!!!  PLEASE!  We usually go out to eat on Sundays after church but tomorrow we are coming home, trying to save money in easy places.  We are a family of five so that can add up quickly!  Plus we are heading to Florida on vacation in a few weeks so we need to pinch for a while! 

Well I think I am gonna go sit with hubby and watch NUMBERS from last night that we taped!  I need to veg and not think about anything just relax!  Hmmm,,,,

Night,

Julie

Hi everyone,

What a day today.  School was well non existent, we did get our pictures taken this morning after a few tears and much complaining about tucking in shirts!  Whats a mother to do....?  Anyhow.  We managed to get there with no time to spare and I forgot the checkbook, ugh!  I had to have them take the pictures with the promise that I would send my check back with my sister whose appt was later today or I would get it back up before they left....fortunately the photographer was a trusting man and let us do this!  So ....all that said we did send the check back and are all set now till they come back.

I am feelign so scatter brained lately, I am forgetting things all the time and NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!  Sorry didn't mean to shout but it seems that is everyones first guess!  I am thinking its stress and lack of a good nights sleep!  :)  I am tired and stressed all the time it seems, I really just want some time to myself as selfish as that might sound!  I need a breather, a time out, a vacation for the mind!  Whatever I need, I need it really bad!  :)

Well its snack time here and they are waiting liking vultures....snack, then bedtime!  YIPPEE , some mommy time! 

Later,
Julie 

Hey out there in cyber world! Today was a good day on mom rating scale!  We started the day with Grandparents coming to help out, I had to take my littlest for an OT evaluation at 9am. We went for that while Grandma and Papa started the older two on their work.  I love having my parents so close and willing to help!  They are awesome to invest their time in my kids, did I say I am blessed! WOW, I am BLESSED!  Thanks mom and dad!  This afternoon we went to the mall, just the boys and I, to look for something to wear for school pictures tomorrow!  That was an adventure!  :) My Luke is an easy shopper, he is easy to please and goes with the flow for this type of stuff.....my Austin is not so easy to please !  Austin likes some clothing and clings to it for its life others no so much and they may hang in a closet for ions! Anyhow, I think we may have found what we are wearing to the pictures! I hope!  The picture is at 10am tomorrow so hopefully the morning goes well for us!  We are not morning people! Okay MOM is not a morning person, either is my peanut (Caleb 2yrs) We like to sleep.....its one of God's many blessings I believe !

Anyhow....I am a night person....not a morning one! Speaking of which I had  better get moving around here before it ends up being morning and me never getting things done!

Thanks for reading ,.....I am feeling scattered tonight and this keyboards space bar is sticking....hmmm...what could that be stuck in there! I am not sure I want to know!

Want to wish one of my very bestest friends a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY before signing off though !  MISS YA KERRY!

~Julie~

I am praying for a new spirit here at the Steppey household.  We are so stressed this year and things have gone so badly for the most part.  I am tired and the kids are cranky with working and don't want to get things done in a timely fashion.  I have been encouraged this weekend by another homeschool mom who I have never met but responded to an email I sent one of my groups.  I truly was needing some encouragement and I was soooo encouraged by this I am like a new person!  Some of things she said:

Pray for Wisdom, ask God to pour it out on me concentrating on James 3:17 which says

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."  Let me tell you ....I am not always Gentle, full of mercy or good fruits, although at times I am full of hypocrisy.  Such as when I tell the kids don't let the little things ruffle your feathers....HA!  Then I sit and complain about something silly!  What an example! 

Pray for God to give you the hearts of your children and give them the desire to obey!  This one was such a blessing to me.  How simple a statement but how often do we pray this simple prayer?  I know from now on I am going to be praying it daily!  :)

Anyhow....we are starting to take a new approach to this whole homeschooling journey!  Pray for us if we come to mind~! 

Thanks
Julie

Oh dear, I am feeling stressed.  I really have to say this has always been my favorite time of year and right now I am feeling so stressed I can't seem to enjoy it!  I feel as if we haven't had time to breathe lately!  I need a day off at work.....does any one know how you call in sick at this job we call motherhood?  I am feeling as if my soul is shriviling up and drying out!  I need a bit of replinishment!  Today is Saturday, my day, as I think of it (yes that right there is wrong in itself, I know), but don't you kind of pick of day to be yours?  I like Saturdays, we can sleep in and eat breakfast slowly, enjoy the morning feeling like the world has slowed down a bit from the week...isn't that what should be ?  Today was another story, its been a hard week here and school was anything but peaceful, then coming into today I was ready to crash!  Well....today started with my hubby leaving in a rush to get a golf outing, the pool hose broke somehow and water was spraying everywhere (of course after DH left), and kids just being in a bad mood, feeding off of mom's frustrations I am sure!  Anyhow....DH is still golfing, pool filter is shut off so it won't leak at such a fast pace and the sun, well it is beginning to try to make its appearance now at almost 3pm.  Did I mention this weekend was supposed to be the last taste of Summer we here in Michigan were supposed to have, the pool was gonna close this next weekend, after we enjoyed one last final heated swim!  Well since the rupture, I don't see that happening....and the weather man seems to have gotten his reports confused with another state....

So today continues ......hopefully bringing better moments ahead...I'll keep ya posted! 

Till the next time,

Julie