Ruby Tuesday

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Time to Decorate

Well the Holidays are around the corner and so that means TIME TO DECORATE!!!! yeah!!!! I Love my home during the holidays and I wish it were Christmas 6 months out of the year. I love the music, the smells, and the decorations. I mean it already is already Christmas in the stores so why not at home ha ha!! Although since it is not Thanksgiving yet I can not bring myself to put up my tree. I feel like I am skipping such a good holiday if I do that. I am thankful everyday for where I am, what I have and most importantly my relationship with my Lord and Savior. Thanksgiving gives us another chance to be with family, reflect of the things we are thankful for, eat lots of food oh and Shop :) Yeah Black Friday !!! Ladies I have learnd a "mission statement" for black friday. As a wife, Mother, Daughter it is our duty to save our husbands/or family as much money as we can shopping while having fun and we may have to take more than one car to accomplish this!!

Since I am not going to decorate the house yet I have decided to update the blog. The pictures above are from 2009 and 2008. I treasure these pictures because I know I do not have much longer before my children will refuse to match. So every year I buy the kids matching pj's and as much as they may not like it I will NEVER not stop. It is just one of the traditions I started. I keep telling myself they love the pj's. I take a picture of all my kids together and each year I add a new picture around the house. I have about 20 frames now. I love looking at how they have grown and changed over the years. My mom and I bought pj's last year.(picture to come)I love Christmas
I love the silly pictures.. Have fun taking pictures during the holidays.. the goofey ones are the BEST


Nana & Papa with the Kids (I will have to work on Papa's matching Pj's)

With all the running around trying to pick out the perfect gift and make sure I look right for all the parties the most important thing about Christmas is CHRIST. Every year we teach the kids that while Christmas is a fun holiday the true meaning is Christ Jesus birth. God Sent his son to be born to a virgin Mary so that one day he would die on the cross to save you and I. And he did just that!!
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See why I love my home at Christmas!!!!!!!
We have a nativity and a bible on our coffee table as a reminder that Christ is the center of our home and to slow down and make sure we are spending time with him daily. And every Christmas Eve before we open gifts we go to the candle light lord's supper at church and then come home and read the Christmas story as I call it out of the Bible. As the kids have grown and started reading each one has taken their role in reading from the Bible each Christmas. This another tradition my parents past to me and I hope my children carry on every Christmas. I would love to hear about some other traditions you have in your home for the holidays and I am hoping to share more of mine over the next few weeks. I would also love to see some of your decorations.
Travis Reading from the Bible

Ok Happy Decorating everyone... Husbands get the decorations out of the attic and then get out of the way!!!!! yeah!!!!!!

Kari Jobe: You Are For Me

I would love to share a video that a friend posted on facebook. I am in love with this song. No matter how I am feeling, how things may be going in my life, God is there and he will NEVER leave me!!! ENJOY

Wordless Wednesday

Oh How they grow... Homecoming 2010

Wordless Wednesday

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome



Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths"

Skywatch Fridays

http://skyley.blogspot.com/





We have had alot of rain recently and the thuderstorms have been pretty heavy. I took this picture one night before the storms and it just reminded me that although there will be storms in our lives. Some small and some big you can always find beauty(a reason) for them. God does not give us more that we can handle. So the next time you find yourself in the middle of one of lifes storms stop and listen. God is trying to show you the beauty :) Happy Friday

Wordless Wednesday

Beauty in unexpected places

Mom & Dad Happy 36th Wedding Anniversary!!! I have been blessed to be apart of your live the past 34 years ha!!! You all have set such a wonderful example in my life and in the lives of your grandchildren of what a marriage should be. You have always made sure you are grounded in your faith and the Christ is the center of your marriage and home. For that I Thank You!!

Below is what my Dad wrote on his blog today!! He is much better with words oh and he is the one that posted the pictures. I am not taking the heat for those ha ha!! I Love you guys!! But aren't they so cute :)

Tuesday, May 11, is our thirty-sixth wedding anniversary. Words cannot begin to express how fortunate that I am to have married the woman at my side. She is everything to me, and without her, I am nothing. A couple of years ago I posted "What's The Secret." How do you stay married thirty-something years. It is no secret. It works like this. So what's the secret to being married for thirty-six years and looking forward to celebrating number fifty one day? All I can tell you is that our marriage is centered around our faith and that the message from God's Word is critical to the happiness that each of us enjoys.

First of all, God loves us and everything He does for us is for our benefit. He created the institution of marriage to be enjoyed by a man and a woman and to bring each of them happiness. The Bible tells us that God loved us so much that He gave His Son to die on a cross for us so that we might, through faith, have eternal live. Christ tells the husband that he is to love his wife with the same love that Christ loves the church and gave himself for that church (Ephesians 5:25). If I love my wife with that kind of love, then everything I do, I do because I love her and I want her to be happy. I want her to be pleased with this relationship. I want my Lord to be pleased with me as a man who loves his wife and realizes that his wife is a gift from God created especially for me and for my happiness.

Secondly, marriage is a partnership. Like any relationship, it takes work to maintain that relationship in peak condition. A happy marriage doesn't "just happen". Both of us are committed to the relationship and to each other because we love one another and it is our desire that our partner be happy in this relationship. No major decision in this relationship is made without prayer and conversation. God is not the author of confusion, therefore He will not give my wife a different answer to an issue than the one that He gives me. Again, God created the institution of marriage for our benefit, not for our demise.

Finally, I married a woman far better than I deserve. I thank my Lord and Savior for her every day. My wife is the most thoughtful, caring and giving person that I know

. Proverbs 31:10-12 says, "An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." I have found that woman. Proverbs 31:25-30 further states, "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and teaching of kindness is on her toungue. She looks well to the ways of her houselold, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." I married such a woman.

So, back to the original question, "What's the Secret?" The answer is, you have to give yourself to the marriage. You have to give yourself to your spouse. Whatever you have within you, you have to "Give it Away."

 

Posted by DrillerAA09 at 5:31 PM

Labels: 36th Anniversary, Marriage, Ruby Tuesday

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Yesterday was Mother's day and such wonderful time to celebrate all the Mother's and Grandmother's out there and the wonderful gifts they have given to us over the years and the many memories we all have to share. I cannot thank my mom enough for everything she has taught me whether she realizes it or not. She taught me how to be a loving mom, how to care for others, and how to be a loving wife. I grew up in a loving Christian home and my mom stayed in constant prayer over me. I don't think I would have made it through some of the things I did without her. I may not have thanked her at the time or even really got along with her but I now realize when she said no it was for my best. THANK YOU!!

Yesterday was also a special time for me as a mother. Attached below you will see my Testimony shown in church yesterday. After some years of struggling on whether I had made a true profession of faith on Easter Sunday I made that profession of faith and the was baptized on Mother's Day. I cannot think of a better Mother's Day gift than the gift of Christ Jesus. It is also an honor to be a mother of four beautiful children. I may have not always understood that with sick children, running everywhere, and just getting caught up in day to day life but THANK YOU Lord for intrusting me with these children. I will strive daily to do my best and raising them in the ways of the Lord and to be the best mother I can.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Crazy in Love

Well I have not posted in a while due to all the Matlock household activities. I am very tired just think about it. However in the midst of all the running I am determined to finish a book. I am not a reader I do not like to read but one of my pastors gave me a book called Crazy Love Overwhelmed by a relentless God By Francis Chan. I can say that in the first two chapters I love it. Go to Crazylovebook.com and check it out.

In one of the very first paragraphs is says" This book is written for those who want more Jesus. It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers. It is for those who don't want to plateau, those who would rather die before their convictions do." That is me I am determined not to plateau but to grow a little bit each day and grow closer to my Lord each day. He has given me everything my family, job, health, church, home and too many others to list. It is my job to glorify him in everything I do and use my abilities for him. I will not plateau!!

It makes you step back and really take a look at what God has done and everything he has created. All I have to say is WOW.. I will be writing on more on this soon. I want to leave you with a video. This is Carrie Underwoods new release Temporary Home. Along with this video is a verse that I took from my Dad's Blog ( Thanks Dad)

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3




Challenge: Don't Plateau but strive to make everyday count and live for God!! This is only your temporary home so use everything you have to the Glory of the LORD!!

Busy Busy Busy

Wow, I have been so busy but I just looked and my calendar and it is not getting much better. However with that said I am realizing how important and precious it is to make time for your family and children. Yes I go to games and school activites but I am trying to make sure we have at least two sit down dinners a week and just that little extra with each child. I know some of you are thinking what only two sit down dinners. But one of these days I will post our weekly schedule and then you may understand why. We limit our children's activities to one a season however when you have four children YIKES!!! Katelyn loves to shop but what 14 year old doesn't. I love to go with her because it opens up many conversations and she lets me know what is going on in her life, school, boys, and friends. Emily just wants one on one time and she really doesn't care where that happens so I can take her to Sonic or even walmart. We just like being Goofy together. Alexis, Well she is another shopper. I am afraid I am in for alot of trouble with this one. Not sure I can afford her. Ha!! Mason loves to play catch and be outside. This is a little harder for me because I am very much an inside person but I make the effort because I know how important this is to him and the cute little smile on his face. I chanllege you to just slow down enjoy each of your children as individuals and when life gets out of control STOP and have family time no matter what. Time flies and you do not want to look back and wonder where that time went and wish you had done more. Learn to say NO!!.
Just last week two of my girls finished up their Basketball season. Emily played her first year boys and girls club and she learned alot. I am looking forward to next season. Alexis is finishing up Upwards now. Katelyn plays on the 8th Grade team and they had a wonderful Season!!


Wonderful Maybe I should say UNDEFEATED!!!! WAY TO GO LADY WILDCATS!! I could not be any prouder of these Ladies. They worked hard at 6:30am practices and after school and they finished the season 16-0!!!! I can not say enough about these girls. They know what dedication, practice, focus, and teamwork truly is. Again ladies I am so proud. Way to go!! Here a few pictures below of our Lady Wildcats!!!

This is just after their win!!




This is what little Brother thinks of the game!!!! This is typical. Poor little boy ha ha ha


The girls had a wonderful season but one thing they could Learn from little sister Alexis is it is not always about how you play but how you look while playing. check out these shoes.

That's right put your sunglasses on because you need shades... Alexis loves to play basketball and she makes sure she is fashionable doing so. Have a good Day!!! Slow down and smell the roses.

A Life Well Lived

My life just seems to be going round and round in circles getting everyone here and there, on time, dressed, and most of the time matching. HA Tonight I have a little time to myself and I was just thinking what to write about next. I am not a person who likes to scrapbook or likes to Journal but I think I have found something to record some of my thoughts and memories for myself and my family. I hope those of you that have been reading thus far have liked it and I always welcome feedback. But I am mainly doing this blog for myself and using this as a hobby along with photography. Trust me there will be many more pictures to come.I love reading everyone elses stories and they give me some insight into your families. Tonight I was specifically thinking of my Grandfather.
We Lost my grandfather lovely nicknamed "Yogi" by all that knew him just before Christmas. Papa lost his battle with cancer in a very short time but it makes me smile to say that he triumphed over evil and his cancer and is now in heaven rejoicing with his Lord and Savior and also with my Grandma.
I am an only grandchild and my father an only child so growing up I had so many special memories of my grandparents from taking me fishing, lunch dates with friends, beauty shop appointments, and going to church just to name a few.(just a little spoiled) Ha Ha. Its not a bad thing being an only child no matter what some of you think about us. ha A couple of the most important things I learned from papa and grandma by watching and listening is how important your faith is to see you through all life trials. Although I never really told them the showed me through their faith, words, actions and love for each other what a marriage truly is. My grandfather never left my grandmas side when she was sick. For over two years he went to the nursing home at 9am and left at 9pm. And my mom and Dad did the same for him and they never left his side. I was there as much I as I could be and enjoyed being with him during his last days. It is indescribable the feeling when you are with someone passing and you know that in an instant they are no longer suffering. There days of sadness and some of anger and confusion as to why but without my faith it would have been even harder to get through those days. I can also say that yes there were many tears shed when grandpa passed but many were tears of joy. I know where he is and I know that one day I will see him again.Below I have posted what my Dad wrote and read at his funeral service. As you read also listen to the words of the song to the side. This is a favorite song of mine. Desert song by Hillsong. Truly a worship song.
Grandpa I miss you and Love you very much Thank You for everything you taught me and Thank You for loving me. I will see you one day again

A Life Well Lived




April 11, 1920 - December 16, 2009

The Following was written and read by my father at the service

We come to this place to celebrate a life well lived. Depending on your relationship with Dad, we celebrate the life of John, J.E., Johnny, Uncle John, Papa, Yogi, or Papa Yogi. He would answer to any of these names. One might ask, "What does the phrase, A Well Lived Life" mean? Upon examination of the scriptures we can find many characteristics of the well lived life.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men."
Colossians 3:23

God teaches us that everything we do in life should be done in such a manner as to honor the Lord. We should take pride in our work because our work should bring glory to God. There is value in work and there is great value in work done well. I builds a good reputation and allows you to sleep well at night. My father was great worker. Dad had a gift for understanding mechanical objects. If it had a moving part, Dad could fix it. It didn't matter if it was your lawnmower or your automobile. It didn't matter if it was your hair dryer or your clothes dryer. If you were a neighbor of my Dad, you were among the blessed. If it was broken, give it to John, he can fix anything. Dad loved to fix things for others. He loved the challenge of figuring out what was wrong, and how to fix the problem. He love saving himself and others time and money by fixing things that didn't work anymore. It seems that lawnmowers were his passion. People would give him broken ones and he used them for spare parts. I can remember that it seemed like every shrub in our hard had a broken down lawnmower parked under it. It was kind of like a mechanical Easter egg hunt to go and see what was hidden under the landscape.
Dad loved the railroad and worked for the same company for forty-two years. It was his firs love until he met the love of his life, my mother.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25

In 1941 in Henryetta, Oklahoma, Dad met the love of his life. They were married on November 14, 1942 and spent sixty glorious years together, until Mom wen home to the Lord on June 4, 2003. No man ever loved his bride and gave himself up for her like Dad. In 1999 Alzheimer's had taken it's toll and Mom entered a nursing home. For three and one half years Dad went to the nursing home every day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year. He would arrive by 9:00 a.m. and leave around 9:00 p.m. The staff was amazed. They had never seen any husband show such love and devotion to his bride. Dad had spent his life providing for his family and he wasn't about to let something like Alzheimer's keep him from loving and caring for his wife. For over sixty years their relationship was the perfect example of what a marriage is supposed to look like.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Dad was saved after he married Mom. At the age of three, I was a witness to his baptism. I thought the pastor was trying to drown Dad. None the less, the example had been set. Confess your sins before men, invite Jesus Christ into your heart, and follow our Lord in baptism. At the age of nine, I was saved and I didn't drown. And while his work did not allow him to be the servant in the church that some are, Dad gave his time whenever possible. Like his neighbors, the pastor soon found out that Dad could fix anything and was more than willing to do so.

" Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

I don't know of any child who hasn't been upset with the discipline that their parents have administered at some point in time. The truth is, we were mostly upset that we got caught. The discipline that came from Dad was swift, fair and never without warning. The motivation was never anger, rather it was love. Just like my Heavenly Father, Dad loved me and everything that he did, he did with the motivation of training a boy how to be a man some day. A man who loves his work, loves his wife, and loves his children. If I live to be half the man that my father was, I will have lived to be twice the man that most others are, and that will be "A Life Well Lived."

It could not have bee said any Better!!!!

Be My Valentine

I know it is a little past Valentines Day but I am trying to get the hang of this blog thing and I think I almost got it. I am still learning so bear with me. Also FYI this post is a little long. oops

When I first think of Valentine's Day I think of one verse. If you go to church one time or hundreds you have heard this verse and probably know it by HEART. This is probably one of the first verses you memorized as a child and now you are helping your children learn. I am so humbled to think that God loved me so much that he sent his son to die on the cross so that I can be forgiven and one day join him in Heaven!! WOW what amazing LOVE and the best thing is that it is a free gift. You just have to receive it!! If you want to know how just ask me.


BibleGateway.com: "John 3:16 (New International Version)
16'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I also think of five very special Valentine's close to my heart.


Katelyn is my fun loving 13 year old. She loves school, church, and sports. She can always make me laugh and has grown so much in grace and beauty over these last 13 years (soon to be 14 Drivers Permit) scary!! She is an absolute joy to be around and knows how to make me smile. I am so proud of her and the young lady she is becoming. I also love watching her relationship with Jesus grow.

Emily is my quiet, shy but my quick witted 9 year old soon to be 10. She acts, walks, talks just like her dad(not always a good thing ha ha). She loves to dance and hopes one day to be a ballerina and decorate cakes. I love her freckles and sweet smile. I have had so much fun watching her personality shine through and can't wait to see what the the Lord has in store for her.

Next is my sweet, energetic, Alexis. Alexis has a very caring personality and is the little mom in the house. She is always making sure everyone is well taken care of especially her little brother Mason (lovingly called Buddy to her). She loves to dance, sing sing sing, and play basketball. Vary rarely do you find her without an ipod in her ear or playing Disney sing it.!!( I actually caught her in bed asleep with her ipod) ha ha I can see the possibility of a future American Idol with this one or maybe a nurse.


And here is every ones little "buddy" Mason who is the baby of the group. I keep telling his sisters that one day he will get them back for all the playing dress up and shutting him in closets but they just don't believe me. Mason is such a sweet sensitive guy with a funny personality. Look out teachers I am afraid to say he may be the next class clown. He can always make us laugh even when anyone in the house is in a bad mood. We thought we were done having children and then I guess God thought otherwise and gave us Mason. Boys are definitely different but FUN!! Not sure what direction this one is going yet. But he loves baseball!!!

I can not imagine my life without any of my kiddos. I would never have guessed my life as it is now. Although I go crazy driving my kids to school, and other activities it is all worth it and each and everyday I thank God for such a wonderful family. With that said I saved the best for last and that would be my wonderful husband of 11 years Travis.

God certainly knew what I needed in a husband. Travis is my rock and the spiritual leader of our house. I could not have asked for a better husband and aside from Jesus He is my very very very best VALENTINE!! I mean really he folds the laundry, does the dishes, and cleans up after the kids get sick. Sure we get irritated with each other but I think I got a good one and he's MY VALENTINE!!

What Mask Are You Hiding Behind?

You may be looking at my title and wondering huh? Well this past weekend our church youth studio 412 ministry held a weekend for the girls 7th through 12th grade. The weekend is called "String of Pearls" and the theme this year was Masquerade. During the course of a day and into the night the girls come together through a series of group discussions, quiet times, and worship to focus on their relationship with God, drawing closer to him, examining their life, and also building those important friendships with other girls. I am positive there was much giggling, pillow fighting and just craziness as much as there was crying.
I say crying because on Saturday evening many women of the church came together and participated in something called cardboard testimonies. Below you will see the cardboard testimonies from another church. I have never seen this before but let me tell you you will ball like a baby. And if you don't cry well then there is just something wrong with you ha ha!! Go to the link below and take a look. What are you dealing with or have delt with and the Lord has turned it around. I would love to hear. My testimony would read something like this

Front: Selfish, Rebellious Teenager that controlled my own life
Back: Now Jesus is the Lamp unto my Feet and the Light unto my Path




I also say crying because a question that stuck with me was "What mask are you hiding behind and are you willing to lay it at the foot of the cross and let God take control?" YIKES!!! We all have one mask or many that we hide behind whether it be anger, selfishness, a hard past, home situation, going through the motions, weekend Christain,I think you get it. But are you willing to take that mask off and give it to the Lord and let him guide you? Are you willing to take off that mask and expose your heart and become vulnerable and let him begin a work in you? It will not go away over night but with much prayer and sometimes many tears those mask will be taken away!!! I do not know about you but I am so thankful that I have a heavenly father that cares so much for me that he sent his son to die and take away my SIN and take away my MASK.

1.2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Snowed In

Good Evening.. Well I am new at this and I thought I would give it a try. This week has been interesting to say the least in Northwest Arkansas. The kids were supposed to go back to school from Christmas break and well we received 3 to 4 inches of snow Saturday night into Sunday morning and school has now been canceled for the 3rd day. I love spending time with my children and have been so blessed to have all of them home with me (yes there are times I am ready to send them back) but I really have enjoyed them. We have played in the snow, played the Wii, bored games and slept in. (yeah!!!).
As we start off 2010 so many people make new years resolutions just to break them. Not me I think I will just say I am going to live my life better than last year. I will definitely be looking forward to drawing closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and can't wait to see what he has in store for me. Last year I was part of a wonderful bible study " Lord Change my Attitude" and "Seeking Him". Wow is all I have to say. Our family is also on the Dave Ramsey spending plan. This is a budgeting system and money saving. I can say we are almost DEBT FREE!! Check it out at Daveramsey.com. I can't wait to see what happens in 2010 and I pray it is a wonderful year.