I hope your week has been full of His never-failing blessings!
Cross Country had their State Meet last 
I celebrated my birthday this week with our family (plus 20yo’s 
Please join me in praying for the following: KM, JB, TG, SG, MW (all fighting cancer); SE (first week in the Navy!).
Have a blessed week!
Cheryl
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset because some folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.
However, I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish; I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.
And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember ...
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
The recent talk about mammograms has me intrigued. One camp says that women really don’t need a mammogram until she is 50. Another camp says that they can save lives.
Today’s Fresno Bee states: “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said Monday the benefits of mammograms for women in their 40s were not worth the anxiety and costs for false results that lead to unnecessary diagnostic tests – and also did not improve survival odds. The task force said that beginning in their 50s, women should get mammograms every other year, and women shouldn’t bother doing breast self-exams.”
WHAT? How many women’s lives have been saved by a mammogram showing a lump that could not be felt yet? And how many women have found a lump and then been diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of a self-exam?
I don’t believe “anxiety” plays a role here at all. If there was a concerning area on a mammogram, tests wouldn’t cause me anxiety. I would know that my doctors were researching a potential problem. Isn’t it better to be proactive when it comes to life-threatening illnesses? Mammograms? No big deal. They cause me no anxiety. They’re 30 minutes out of my year.
Somehow, just somehow, I think the word “cost” is the bigger issue here.
The proposed plan, almost 2,000 pages of new laws that most of our lawmakers have not even read, will cost approximately $500 million per page. $500 MILLION. And yet it will only affect you and me. Not the lawmakers. Hmm. Yes, our healthcare needs reform. But let’s find something that works for the benefit of everybody and every body.
If this is a sneak preview into proposed healthcare, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Good morning! Join me for some hot tea by the fire! We have a lot of fog this morning and my dear husband got the fire going for me. He’s got a 5-day ‘weekend’ that started on Wednesday, so it’s been fun having him home and we have been able to spend a lot of time together…playing right into Rachel’s “All the Fun” challenge! In a private conversation this week with another Company Girl, it encouraged me that we are not all in the same place with our relationships with our spouses…and that “Fun” could mean different things for each of us and that each of us must do the best we can with where we are, but PRAYER is the best thing we can do for our spouses! That’s not to say there was no ‘fun’ though. LOL
Cross Country Valley Meet was yesterday – our daughter was in the paper this morning…not as our team’s star runner, but the girl all the
Weekend with two kids going to an out of town band competition, hubby with full-day basketball commitments, another daughter with plans…sounds like it will be a QUIET weekend on my end. I hope to spend some quality time with my Singer sewing machine to get some more things in my shop and some great praise music.
I wish you all a blessed weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
Cheryl
This morning I saw a commercial on TV that I have seen multiple times over the last few weeks. Their closing statement struck me differently this morning. They end the spot with: “Christmas costs less at XXXXXXX*. (*Don’t really want to pick a fight with them, so it will remain anonymous!)
I understand the concept: Shop at our store where things cost less.
But…but…does Christmas truly have to ‘cost’ anything?
It just made me kind of sad that it is so commercial and dollar-oriented. Yes, we spend money on gifts, but I rather long for a society that doesn’t place so much importance on gifts that cost money, even if it’s ‘less’ money than other stores.
As a child, I read the Little House books over and over and have always marveled at the simplicity of gifts. It’s time to go back to those days…
I have missed linking up the past couple of months. I’ve done some
Life has been busy! Two girls in high school marching band means about 8 hours of practice a week, plus competitions (12-15 hour day on Saturdays) and weekly football games (another 6 hours). One of these same band kids also does cross country (15-20 hours a week), plus classes starting at 6:45 a.m. There is no “down time” and I can’t quite remember the last time either of these kids watched TV. 
I have also launched my new Etsy shop – scroll down to the next post to see some of the goodies I have for sale! If you’re in the market for a cozy baby blanket, let me know! If you don’t see one that you like, message me and let’s see what we can find! Coming soon…decorative pillowcases – a fun gift idea for all ages!
Have a blessed week!
Cheryl
This is a shameless plug for my new Etsy shop, ClovisCreations! I guess you would call it a “soft opening” because it is small and brand new and some of my pictures need to be tweaked…but…if you’re in the market for a cozy flannel baby blanket, please stop by and see if I have what you need! I also have some beautiful yarn listed. If you are local, you can save on shipping and I will happily deliver to you. All items are made in my smoke-free, outdoor-pet home studio.
Have a blessed day!
Cheryl
Some people spring clean. I tend to get antsy in the fall and feel the need to clean, declutter, organize. I have been busy clearing out. Bags of things have gone to the thrift store, other things have been shared with friends, and still others sold online. Even bigger, though, is that I am working hard to weed stress and nonsense out of my life. Sometimes it means doing things you felt God telling you to do a long time ago. Pruning isn't comfortable, but knowing it is from Him gives me peace.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. ~John 15:2
Blessings,
Cheryl
Just because it's Saturday...And just because I needed to throw something together to take to a company picnic today...And just because sometimes a girl needs some chocolate...And just because sometimes you wake up, remembering recipes you haven't made in some 15+ years...I bring you this:
Cream Cheese Brownies
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
2 eggs
1 pound powdered sugar
1 8oz package cream cheese
2 Tsp vanilla
Combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg. Press into greased 9x13 pan.
Mix together softened cream cheese, remaining egg, sugar, and vanilla. Spread over cake mixture. Bake at 325* for 25~ minutes. Cool and cut into squares.
*Variations - you can sprinkle chopped nuts between the two layers - my kids don't like nuts, so I didn't add them this time.
Happy Saturday!
I just stumbled on a local jewelry designer. Sarah's creations are fun, pretty, funky, different, and affordable...all wrapped into one! Monday she is giving away the prettiest pair of earrings...go to her blog and read how to enter.
http://piecebypeacedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-contest.html
Blogging has taken a back seat to LIFE for the past 5 weeks. In a nutshell: kids started school, I am working on starting an Etsy.com shop (more details later!), working on a project for the 'day job,' etc.
Now, go check out Piece by Peace Designs and enter to win some earrings! :)
Blessings,
Cheryl
Yes, Terry completed his first FULL Ironman Triathlon on August 1 in the Santa Rosa, CA area. For those of you not 'in the know', an Ironman involves 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles of bicycling, then topping the whole thing off with a marathon - 26.2 mile run. It adds up to 140.6 miles. He has done two half-ironman triathlons in the past and was excited to take on this challenge. I have NO desire to follow in his footsteps, but am sure proud of him!
Carbing up:
Taking a good look at the finish line:
The neat thing with races is you get a free shirt!
Posing by finish line:
Checking in...about 5:00 a.m.
On the swim (at least it might be him - frankly, they all look alike out there):
Taking salt capsules before hitting the road:
Pulling in to ask me for Ibuprofen...this is about 50 miles into the bike ride:
Back on his way:
Cute shirt on a very pregnant lady - she and her husband are both triathletes and they have high hopes for their baby:
Headed into the run:
Taking time to walk a bit:
His finish wasn't eloquent. He was hobbling and had a Frankenstein-like walk, but he FINISHED! Official time was 15:01.14 (he started in the 3rd wave of swimmers, thus the time difference).
Friend and co-worker, Shahin Mansour, who presented Terry with a bar of iron after the triathlon:
Time for an ice bath. Numb those painful legs:
My step-sister's beloved dog ran away while they were on vacation. She has placed ads on Craigslist in hopes that someone will return their dog to them.
Today she got an email from someone who said they thought they had the dog. After multiple emails back and forth, things started smelling a little fishy.
Beware of a LATIFA JONES responding to lost and found ads. Her email address includes the words "holy" and "missionary". If she responds to an ad you have posted, she is only wasting your time.
Summer is going by all too fast. I look at summer as a time for my kids to unwind from the hectic pace of the school year. But there are only two days left in July. Next week my 15yo girls will be at church camp all week. The following two weeks they have marching band practice twice daily, then school starts the next week. Summer break is essentially o.v.e.r. for them. And I'm so, so sad. We had an amazing vacation in Hawaii, but...I am already dreading school starting.
Bad news, good news. I fell last Friday. (Am I getting old or WHAT?!) That's the bad news. I can still walk so I must be fine, right? 5 days later and things are healing...except that my left knee continues to be swollen and the pain increases daily. A trip to urgent care this morning at least got me x-rays (nothing broken), a knee brace, and started the ball rolling to find out what's going on. But hey, I can still walk. And that's good news.
More bad news, good news. While getting x-rays, kids call from home and tell me the kitchen sink is plugged up. That's the bad 
Really, in all things, I want to have a grateful heart. The first song on my playlist, Chris Tomlin's "I Will Rise" came to mind as I started washing towels. It's a song that has been playing in my heart often. I look forward to the time with no more sorrow, no more pain!
"I Will Rise"
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
Lastly, please remember to pray for Kate!
Blessings,
Cheryl
We are not cat people. Wait, let me rephrase that so it's in a positive light. We are dog people. BIG dog people. No offense to the cat lovers of the world, but I am allergic and when a creature makes me feel as miserable as the feline crowd tends to do, it's hard to even like the critters.
With that said, our next door neighbors moved 4 months ago. Prior to moving, they asked if we would take over the care of their outdoor cat. Basically, they wanted to put the food dish and cat bed on our front porch. Nothing more and nothing less, as they know we are dog people. We agreed, since said cat was always in our front yard anyway. Said cat has been spotted three times since March, the most recent being in the last two weeks. My question is this: why are we feeding a cat (and yes, it IS eating) that does not patrol the grounds enough to keep a small mouse out of the garage? Yes, in broad daylight one of Mickey's cousins scampered out from under my husband's car, straight to a wall where there are some boxes stacked. Tomorrow the "special blue mouse food" gets put out and he will soon be a thing of the past, I hope. Silly mouse. Useless cat.
Thanks for stopping by! There's a pitcher 
Things haven't slowed down since our vacation and I'm not quite sure how it became JULY already. It's a month that we won't have much going on, so I'm hoping to relax a bit before the back to school rush starts up. What about YOU? Do you have any trips planned? Any big Independence Day plans? Our day will consist of swimming, BBQ, and going to a fireworks show with some friends. Hope your day is special...I am so thankful to live in America - may I never lose sight of why this country was formed, or the men and women who keep it safe.
Our last 6 weeks have consisted of:
Prom in May...Layne (17) and Kaylie (15) attended with guy friends Jon and John.
Layne (17) graduated high school the first part of June. Here we are with the graduate. My husband refuses to take a 'real' picture. He says he looks funny when he smiles, so ... yeah.
Last sunset of our 12-day Hawaiian vacation. This was taken between Lahaina and Ka'anapali and there were huge sea turtles swimming just off the shore, so we had fun watching them.
More vacation pix to come as time permits.
Please pray for this family: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal I do not know them, but just read their story today and it broke my heart to see what they are going through with their 5yo (brain tumor).
Blessings,
Cheryl
Go vote for my photo, please! http://companygirl.com/page/12/ - scroll down to the middle of the page, photo #82...click on the star below the picture to cast your vote. You have today ONLY to vote! Thanks!! (You cannot cast more than 3 total votes...and can only vote for any photo once.) After voting, go check out Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary page. She has a great website that helps us turn our homes into SANCTUARIES.
THANK YOU!
Yesterday, a friend's out-of-town relative came over to drop off her two young boys for me to babysit for a few hours. The mother (actually, it's Grandma who is raising the kids) came to the door and proceeded to 'interview' me. (Understandable.) She started with, "Got any kids?" "Yes, 4. They're teens." (Teens seemed easier to say than "I have 3 teens and 1 20-year-old out of the house.") "Ugh - I don't envy you." "They're great - I really enjoy my kids." The "interview" went on with me being told that they don't watch much TV, but then gave an extensive list of PBS shows that were acceptable [I would just like to publicly thank Comcast's On Demand PBS section. Um, not that we resorted to it or anything.].
I was so put off by the assumption that having teens is misery. I have worked hard to raise my kids so that I enjoy them...and that other people do, too. And, for the most part, this has happened. (YES, we have some of 'those days'...but so does everyone else!) But really...I can honestly say I have enjoyed each stage of child rearing. Some seasons (and some kids!) have been easier than others, but they have all been filled with experiences I wouldn't trade.
Now, better go find a new batch of toys since I am babysitting again this evening. And I should take an Ibuprofen early. :)
Enjoy your kids,
Cheryl
We have had an emotionally difficult week in our community. Three sisters from our town were killed, along with their father, when their plane crashed last Friday. The oldest of the girls, Kaitlyn, was a friend of my daughters, and we have all had a hard time grasping what happened. (The two previous posts talk a little more about this accident.) Please keep this family in your prayers.
Blessings,
Cheryl
Last Wednesday night, our 15 year old daughters performed with their high school band for the Spring Concert. Wednesday's concert included a tribute to the Beatles, music from Shrek, and a closing number of "YMCA." It was a fun night showcasing how much they have learned this year. After the concert, we gave two girls a ride home. I considered stopping for ice cream, but because it was late and the parents of the other girls might be wondering where we were, we went on home.
Little did we know that it would be the last time my husband and I would see one of the girls, Kaitlyn, who perished two days later in a plane crash with her father and two younger sisters.
Next time, we stop for the ice cream. Spend the money, take the time, and get the ice cream. Because for some, there may not be a next time.
Please keep this family in your prayers.
How do you tell your 15 year old daughters that one of their close friends, her two younger sisters and their father were killed in a plane crash the night before? Please keep this family in your prayers. I simply cannot imagine...
By Barbara Anderson / The Fresno Bee and The Associated Press A Clovis High School student and her two younger sisters flying to spend a Memorial Day weekend with family were killed Friday evening when the private airplane piloted by their father crashed in northern Nevada near the Fallon Municipal Airport.
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hook, 15, Rachel Katherine Hook, 12, and Mackenzie Elena Hook, 9, were killed when the twin-engine Cessna 320 crashed near the Fallon Municipal Airport. Their father, Naval Air Station Fallon Executive Officer Cmdr. Luther H. Hook III, 44, also was killed. He was the No. 2 officer at the local naval air station.
The girls routinely flew with their father to spend weekends with him, said step-father Pat Doles of Clovis.
Gina Gutierrez, a friend of Brenda Hook, the girls' mother, said Kaitlyn, was "an amazing athlete" who loved soccer. She would bring her mother coffee in the morning and pack her lunch. Brenda Hook earned a law degree about two years ago from San Joaquin Valley College of Law and is a child custody attorney, Gutierrez said.
Rachel, the 12-year-old, recently sang at a baby shower, Gutierrez said. "She wanted to be on American Idol." And Mackenzie, who had an upcoming birthday, was "the baby," she said.
Details of the crash are being investigated, but Zip Upham, a Fallon Naval base spokesman said the Cessna 320 crashed and burst into flames Friday night about a mile from the runway after a flight from Fresno.
Witnesses told authorities that the plane appeared to be in distress and was maneuvering erratically shortly before the crash. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane was manufactured in 1966 and had no prior incidents.
The National Weather Service said wind was gusting up to 40 mph at the time in the town about 60 miles east of Reno.
Hook, a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was a decorated pilot who amassed over 2,700 flight hours in an F/A-18 Hornet, flying from the USS Kitty Hawk and other aircraft carriers.
“The fact that it’s Memorial Day weekend makes the loss of our executive officer even more poignant,” Upton said.
The crash was being investigated by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.
Welcome to my place for coffee! Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Over at Home Sanctuary this week, we were challenged to do something "half-way". Well, for me, that's GREAT...because...sometimes I simply don't do a job because I know I don't have the time, energy, or money to do it the "right" way. Our 
Yesterday we were challenged to wipe out kitchen drawers...empty out the crumbs (where DO they come from?) that migrate to our silverware organizers. I did all 9 drawers in my kitchen. I now present my 'best' 3 drawers:
Go to http://www.companygirl.com/ and check out the photo contest! There are already some precious photos that have been uploaded!
An old hymn has been playing over and over through my head this week:
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
I am so grateful for our God's overwhelming love and grace. May I always keep this at the forefront of my mind.
Have a wonderful weekend. If you know a soldier, please thank them for their sacrifice and service.
Praying today for: G (swine flu); family of C; N (dizziness); G&B (to know the Lord).
Welcome, welcome! I'm running late today because I [gasp] slept in! 
This has been a great week over at Home Sanctuary! If you haven't checked out Rachel Anne's site yet, why not today? Each weekday, we are given a "small thing" to do to transform our homes into sanctuaries. That should be reward enough, but she assigns point values to each task and has prizes each month! I have been able to keep up with each task this month. We're half-way to the end, so here's hoping I stay on track.
My 15 and 17yo daughters both finished track this week, not placing 
She hopes to vault in college next year, too. I have tremendous admiration for my daughter who started high school and just thought pole vaulting looked fun. She's not the team's best vaulter, but she is certainly the one who tries the hardest to improve week after week. 15yo ran the 3200 meter (2 miles) with a respectable time of 12:32 - not her PR, but not a bad time to end the season on. This weekend is prom and these same 15 and 17yo girls will be going. The other 15yo is going to a friend's for a sleepover.
Have a blessed weekend!
Cheryl
Praying today for: Family of C. (committed suicide last night); N. (recovering from surgery).
Several years ago I met a bunch of local ladies who were all Flylady followers. We went from being a group of women who struggled to keep our homes clean to a group of wonderful friends. Most of our discussion these days stems around our families and activities, not the housekeeping website that brought us together.
Coffee today is a time to celebrate those friendships and enjoy each other. Isn't it just fun to have girlfriends who understand you and don't judge you because your house isn't spotless? I think those are the best! I enjoy opening my home to others. It used to be a burden and I would clean for ~days~ before having anyone over. I'm a slow learner, but I finally accepted that my friends actually like me for who I am and they come over so that we can enjoy each other's company...not so they can inspect my home. My true friends know that there may be dust here and there, and perhaps a dust bunny will sneak across the tile floor if a breeze blows through. But they also know that the coffee will be fresh, the iced tea will be refreshing, and that they are more than welcome.
Home Sanctuary has helped form this mindset: My house will never be perfect, but day by day, with each Small Thing I complete, my home becomes a sanctuary for my family, as well as my friends. And that's what I'm going for - sanctuary, not perfection.
Have a blessed weekend and Happy Mother's Day!
Cheryl
Praying today for: D.D. (many of life's issues are very heavy right now); F.S. (divorce recovery); R.W. (loss of her father).
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