Must be doing something right.

My daughter spent the night with a friend last night. They decided to go to the movies, while she was there she looked down and saw a dollar bill. That dollar bill ended up being $300! What does an almost 13 year old girl at the movies with a friend do? She turned it in to the concessions. They were so impressed they gave her 2 free movie tickets. She decided she should give the other ticket to her friend who was with her at the time. A group of friends was talking about it and of course ridiculing her and she said I think taking stuff that doesn't belong to me is wrong and a sin. I am very proud of the lady that she is becoming and hope she continues on this path. She accepted Christ at Sportszone on the last night and I have seen a beautiful change in her since. She said she had been saved before but she really felt something that night at Sportszone. Either way I'm very proud of her. I figure you could line all 4 of my kids up and we would have gotten 4 different results HA! So believe me I'm not braggin!

By God's grace my husband is holding 2 things he will never hold again. Last night at 11:50 ish Rick smoked his last cigarette. Praise God! I know God will sustain him. As for the beer well he told me after we left the last family gathering that he had drank his last one of those. So it's been a lil while since he's had one...again Praise God. I love my husband and I hope he doesn't get upset with me for posting this I'm doing it because I know God is doing a mighty work in his life and I'm proud of him for being obediant. I want everyone who reads this blog and prays..to pray God will strengthen him through this process. God's Word says "When I am weak then I am strong" 2 Cor 12:10 I know Rick can do this and I will bathe him in prayer. He's my best friend in this whole world and I'm so excited to walk this journey with him.

a week in the life of me :D

Well I'm going to try and explain a normal week schedule for me for all the people that ask what do you do all week?

Sunday
Up by 7:30-8
At church by 9:30 for that service
11.00 Sunday school where I get to teach the Pre-K children...so FUN!
12:30 leave church ...I dont know why it's always that time but it always is.
Home lunch
straighten up/ downtime...maybe
prepare whatever for cell group
go to wal mart if needed and don't worry it's always needed I need to move this to Saturday but I haven't yet.
5:00-8:00 Cell group/dinner
8-9 bathing Bren/ getting him ready for bed at 9 and Adrienne's shower
9-10 reading time for Jere, Just and Adrienne they go to bed at 10
10-11 MY TIME clearing my head and sometimes blogging.
11 sometime after 11 I go to bed where I try to read some of my Bible

I love my Sundays as chaotic as it may seem it's 1 of my favorite days of the week.

Weekly Schedule
6:00 a.m. Wake up! get Just and Jere up for showers
Wake Adrienne up and she gets her lunch and also makes Brendans
6:30 Wake up Brendan ...give him his clothes and make sure he's UP!
Around 7 We read and pray
7:15 Start to school 4 kids 3 different schools 1 on a totally different campus.
8:00 Get home...check email look at facebook...blog even
8:30-9 wait for Rick to get up :D
9-2:30 straighten up mess on the computer do whatever figure out what's for dinner plan accordingly...well sometimes
Rick gets home from school around 2:30-3 everyday
3 Take Rick to work and then rush across town to pick up the kids
3:45 Get home....make sure homework and chores are done...
The kids get a snack and go play outside somewhere after that


Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays....
During ball season we go to practice or a game or band practice or band meeting or Jere has a football game that has to be at for band. I also try to encourage my children to support their friends so after our game or practice we will sometimes go watch a friend play their game.
During this time of year there is always something to do almost every night.

Fridays...
are football games where I either work the concessions stands for the band or take the kids because they enjoy it. I also work the concession stands for a few of the Jr high and 7th and 8th grade games that's during the week as well. When football season is over Fridays are just Kid's night they go spend the night with someone or go to the movies or have someone over.

Monthly Meetings
I am a Band Booster and on the board for the PYSA so those usually require monthly meetings.

Wednesday nights is Church night where I'm a cell group rover now so that means I drop Bren and Adrienne off at the church for AWANAS or whatever they have planned and go to the different girls youth cell groups. til 8ish and then home for the same schedule.

Every Night except Wednesday
At 7 We go walk and Adrienne goes to run then home to the same process as Sunday night from 8-till whenever :D

I'm really thinking I need to start walking in the morning but I hate to take that run time from Adrienne because she's really the only one who really really enjoys that time.


Saturdays are a little more lax unless it's soccer, basketball, or softball season. I spend that time deep cleaning. I say a little more lax ...what I should say is there is no routine there...we do whatever is that needs to be done during that time. Saturday nights are reserved for family time.

During Soccer, Basketball, and Softball season do not come to my house if you expect things to be clean...you will be sadly disappointed. Esp during Softball before a tournament that PYSA holds.


There are days when I think I really can't do all this without Rick being here...but I know my kids wont need me forever and I really try to enjoy it while they still do.


After typing all this out and realizing all the things I have to do I realize how blessed I am to have children who are involved in stuff and how rewarding it is to watch them do the things they love to do. As a child I wasn't involved in anything and I know my choices reflected that. There are days where I am not a happy person and I can't tell if I'm coming or going but I really wouldn't trade my crazy and chaotic life for anything in this world.

Wonderful Day

Well I will admit things are changing in our house and I really couldn't be happier. Rick and I have been getting along wonderfully. The kids are adjusting great to the changes...well mostly! I spent last night at church helping with the teens and even with the younger kids which was soooo fun because we just laughed and laughed. I got to spend some time with Andrew which I haven't actually gotten to do much in the last few weeks. He's a wonderful kid I met when we went on the mission trip to Kansas this summer. But, to top off everything good this boy (I dont know who he is but I'm pretty sure I love him) asked Justin (my oldest twin) if I was his sister.... yes sister! I don't care who you are or how you are feeling someone saying that just brightens your day. I really had to laugh about it. I also spoke with my mother for a while yesterday about alot of things including my grandmother who is one of the most amazing women I've ever met and a wonderful example to my life. Her actions in my life will never be forgotten. I also had my meeting this morning with the associate Pastor at our church and discussed me being baptized. We decided on Sunday morning at the 9:30 service. I'm pretty excited about that because it's something I've put on the backburner for a long time. After finding out I was being baptized Justin called Pastor Josh and they decided he should be baptized too! Sooo he is going to be baptized at the 11 o clock service. God really is sooo good. I am so blessed to have children willing to accept Jesus as their personal savior and know that He gave the ultimate sacrifice for our sins not His. I will stop for now I hope everyone who reads this enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed living it. By the way I was fully exhausted last night when I went to bed. I don't even remember if I turned the light off or if I even finished reading.

Marriage

http://www.marriagemissions.com/scriptures-on-marriage/


I found this website and although I haven't completely looked it over its not to see a compilation of God's word about marriage. I know I can use it maybe you can too.

Big Huge Changes

Well my husband spent all night last night writing his speech and obviously dealing with things that I've been praying about for years! He woke me up and informed me of the thing God's been saying to him. I have spent the last several months quietly praying for Rick to see what God was doing in our lives and trying to do in our lives. I am so excited that he realized it. Now I'm not saying he is just going to change in a moments notice but I'm really excited nonetheless. I will admit that some of the changes that we are making will be hard for me too. I mean I know Rick doesn't half way do things. I will admit its something that I've been doing as much as I could without my spouses cooperation. Well pray for us and you better believe I'm giving thanks to God for never giving up on us.

Turkey Bacon

Well I went to the store last night because I wanted some pancakes for dinner. Yes I only make breakfast at night. Well I needed bacon and decided on Turkey Bacon. I've tried it before and it really is pretty good. I thought you know if I just make small changes maybe my family wont freak out so bad. They enjoyed it thoroughly. Of course Justin drowns his bacon in syrup so it could have been cardboard and he wouldn't have noticed lol. The trick will be getting Rick's approval..hes not much for change or eating healthy. I'm trying to make some changes slowly so it wont be so bad. Pray for me! LOL

Well I told you he wasn't happy! Every year I've taken a picture of him by his little name in the hall. This year would be no different...lol except this year he's crying which I think is really cute and sad all at the same time. I know years from now he will look at this and laugh...maybe. BTW he came home and he loves his teacher, Mr Andrews and so far he hasn't cried again. I think this is going to be a good year for him.

Adrienne with her zebra print backpack all smiles as she gets ready to start her first day at the Intermediate building. She has been excited basically all week. She loves both of her teachers and I'm so thankful for that.

So they are off to Jr High...next year they will be freshmen :( Jeremy has his trombone case because he actually had to perform at the assembly. He's excited about the band this year. I am too.

Back 2 School 2008

Well they are all back to school. They look so different than last year at this time. It amazes me how fast they grow. Brendan was not all too happy about going to school. The others were suprisingly happy. Jeremy originally wanted nothing to do with Pre AP classes but the 2nd day decided he would give it a shot. He decided on 2 Pre AP classes Social Studies and English. The counselor suggested he take Pre AP PreAlgebra but he passed. I saw that he had Advanced on his Benchmark Math scores. I know he's so smart and I also know him taking this Pre AP classes will be a challenge for us both. Rick is in school full time right now and works 2nd shift leaving me home alone with the children all week. I realized after 4 days of them back in school I gotta get it together and find a routine that works for me. I have been trying to walk every night while Adrienne runs. I do not want to give that up because I really do feel better. On the other hand I can't cook dinner before we run or walk because then we feel sick. I will work this schedule out I'm certain. This year also means that Jeremy gets to play (band) at some of the JR high ballgames. I'm excited that he's a part of the band. Justin joined the FFA I'm not really sure what that means but it amuses me. Adrienne can't wait for basketball season starts. Brendan will be playing soccer and boys club basketball when its time. I'm not really sure how I'm gonna manage all this and keep my sanity but I know I will enjoy every minute of it. Well I've rambled on enough and I would really like to get the kitchen clean before I go to bed so I'm going to post a few more pics of their first day. Enjoy

100 Things about me:

Wow this may not be easy! I read this on my friend Ginger's blog and thought Hey I'll give that a try! Here we go...

1. I am a Christian!
2. I am married to Rick Chambers for going on 5 years.
3. I was married before to the father of 4 of my children.
4. I have 5 children and 3 stepchildren.
5. 1 of my kids is in Heaven.
6. She was truly an angel I'm certain.
7. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.
8. My life revolves around my family.
9. I go to church at Southside Community Church.
10. I am the Sunday school teacher for the Preschool-Kindegarten students.
11. I have twin boys that are almost 14.
12. I gave birth to them at the ripe old age of 17.
13. I have some anger issues.
14. I just signed up to help with the youth girls and that kinda terrifies me and excites me at the same time.
15. I try to walk a mile everyday I would like to make it to two by the end of this month.
16. I do not like English Peas at ALL the smell of them makes me gag.
17. I do however like almost every other veggie be it cooked or raw...with the exception of bell peppers. :D
18. The sound of someone chewing ice makes my whole head hurt.
19. I will watch a Disney movie over an adult movie any day of the week.
20. I've seen Grease more times than I would like to admit and still watch it everytime its on TV.
21. Music is my outlet for everything...joy, anger, praise...everything.
22. My favorite song at this moment is Jesus loves you by Stellar Kart.
23. I have always wanted to play a musical instrument but never learned.
24. I dont cook breakfast unless its for dinner or a very special occassion.
25. I love Hello Kitty.
26. I've never broken a bone.
27. I am alot more OCD than my house shows.
28. Rick Chambers is my best friend and he will never know how much he means to me.
29. I was raised Catholic for the first 10 years of my life.
30. My mom raised us by herself and it was not easy.
31. I never long for my childhood years.
32. I lived on a farm and worked my tail off for most of my teen years.
33. I could live without a TV....well not with my husband...he has to have his ESPN.
34. I could not live without a computer. ... well I could I would just rather not.
35. I want to start a support group for CHD mothers or maybe just mothers of Angels.
36. I'm not real sure what I'm supposed to be doing for God but I'm trying really hard to find out.
37. I want to own a Mustang one day and I will.
38. I love to sing although I'm not that good at it.
39. I love kids .....I really truly enjoy being in their company.
40. I just started going to small groups at our church and so far...so good.
41. My brother is named Shane and is 4 years older than me.
42. He has 3 children that I love with all my heart.
43. My mom and I are alot closer than I realize which is odd.
44. I miss the relationship I had with my Dad but I fear it will never be like that again.
45. I am currently undecided on what I want to be when I grow up...Did I mention I just turned 31!
46. My favorite color is pink.
47. I think my favorite food is pizza only because its something I've never got tired of eating.
48. I dont like my handwriting unless I have a certain pen..or a mechanical pencil...
49. I have been to DisneyWorld once in my life and it was amazing!
50. I rode the Tower of Terror and I'm terrified of heights...(Ill do anything for my kids)
51. I have an unreal fear of rodents...its unhealthy.
52. I am addicted to purses...I love them.
53. I miss my stepson Justin more than I ever imagined I would.
54. My family wants me to be a nurse but I really don't think I would be good at it.
55. I love balancing checkbooks...just not my own.
56. I hate math and algebra...
57. Reading makes me sleepy but I think I really need to start reading more.
58. I love to shop...I got that from my dad.
59. I don't like to shop for myself.
60. I am usually late ...I also got that from my dad.
61. I am not very creative but I wish I was.
62. I procrastinate ALOT!
63. I wear glasses all the time because when I was told to wear them for reading...I didn't.
64. I used to be a Mary Kay consultant.
65. I haven't wore makeup everyday since I was in high school.
66. I love t shirts and blue jeans its what I'm most comfortable in.
67. I enjoy watching sports with my husband.
68. My favorite pasttime is watching my children play sports.
69. I love taking pictures of my kids.
70. I have very few pictures in a photo album.
71. I married my best friend.
72. I have never been dumped....seriously.
73. I have no sisters but I have a cousin who is like my sister (Crystal)
74. I have been a Christian since I was 12 years old.
75. But I was never baptized...that will soon change.
76. I am currently trying to experiment with cooking different things.
77. I would like to start eating healthier. I'm making small changes.
78. I am super excited about meeting Emily Leeann Chambers. She will be here in late Dec. or early Jan.
79. I could sit down and watch Disney movies all day.
80. I like a good hamburger every now and then.
81. My favorite memory with my dad is going to Frost Top and eating burgers and friends and drinking the best Root Beer EVER.
82. My favorite memory with my mom is eating popcorn and pickles while curled on the couch watching movies.
83. We are about to start date night in our house where we spend time with each one of our children individually.
84. I want to cry at Jeremy's band concerts because I am so proud of him. He doesn't know that.
85. I don't like to read but I'm working on it.
86. My favorite numbers are 23 and 7.
87. It is amazingly hard to think of 100 things about me...
88. If this was about my children I would have been done days ago...
89. One day I would like to travel with my husband and see the U.S.
90. I recently fell in love with missions ...they are awesome.
91. I would like to go on another.
92. My favorite book growing up was Amelia Bedelia HA HA yes that had some influence on my daughters name but there was family ties there as well.
93. I really truly love to laugh and I do alot.
94. People think I'm silly but I'm just trying to appreciate the gifts most people take for granted.
95. I am sarcastic and I am just now realizing how damaging it is.
96. I love perfume but I can only wear certain kinds w/o getting a migraine.
97. Baby lotion is my favorite scent. I would probably wear it if I could get away with it.
98. Rick and I have never had a romantic getaway...that's gotta change.
99. My grandmother Mary Enriquez is the strongest female influence in my life.
100. I am so glad I am done answering this...but it was a very enlightening experience.

This is Brendan Chambers. Rick and I's only child together. He is 6 as of Aug 7th and he is unexplainable. From the time he was born he has been a handful and unlike any child I've had. He loved watching sports when he could focus. (NO LIE) He loved SportCenter esp the beginning music. There isn't a sport we have found that he can't play. He loves memory games and math. His favorite thing other than sports is watching movies and play video games. He got a Nintendo DS for his birthday and he couldn't have been happier. He is God's way of showing me I'm so done having children. I know that sounds awful but he's my biggest handful and you have to remember I had a child with a life threatening illness. He is so stubborn but he's the sweetest most loving child. I imagine he will still want to snuggle with us when he's 12 He loves nothing more than spending time with us. He is the hardest to discipline I guess cause he's our baby. He really is the main reason I'm still sane after Amelia's passing. He's my handful and I wouldn't trade him for anything in this world. His favorite toy as of right now is his Super Boo Jr. Adrienne made for him while we were in Kansas. Its a dinosaur. His favorite store is Bass Pro Shop and no I'm not kidding. His favorite food is his Paw Paw's steak with lots of steak sauce. He's his daddy's son that's for sure. I named him well.

This photo is just priceless to me. He just turned six and I fear I wont get many more like this.

Adrienne

Well this is my "middle" child, Adrienne Nicholle. I will have to admit she was not born a "Momma's girl" but has really become one since her sister died. Her smile will light up a room. Shes the lil mama of our house. She can do anything she sets her mind to. We held her back in kindegarten and she still hasn't forgiven me. She doesn't like books as much as the boys but she does read some. We know the boys will come a knockin as some of them already have but we also know Adrienne has a pretty good head on her shoulders. She went on her 1st mission trip this summer and I learned she is a willing servant of Christ. That blesses my heart. Her passion is running and basketball. She doesn't know what stop means. She makes friends so easily. She can work like a grown man and will. Her favorite chore is mowing the lawn which works for me. She has been called a tomboy but as she gets older she's transforming a little more into a young lady. Oh yeah she still loves her t shirt and basketball shorts she just mixes it up a little more. 75% of the time you will find her with her hair in a pony with a headband. She is not your average typical teenage girl that's for sure. I have no doubt she will grow into a very strong confident young lady. She is my only daughter on Earth and we have an unbreakable bond.

Jeremy aka Twin B

This is Jeremy Thorn Nelson. I think this photo of him speaks a thousand words. He has a very dry sense of humor and you just never know when he's going to say or do something funny and completely catch you off guard. He's not like Justin at all! I will say he is my sensitive one although right now its all coming out in anger (we are working on that). He's not my social bug either. He is very reserved. He is also extremely intelligent. When he was 10 we all got DVD's for Christmas...well he hooked them all up. No JOKE! He doesn't see his potential. He has an amazing singing voice and refuses to sing in public or private for that matter. I do hear him in his room and in the shower sometimes. He has an ear for music which makes me so envious of him. He plays trombone in the band so he also knows how to read music. He has low self esteem and I'm really not sure why because he is so greatly talented. I have no idea what God has in store for him but I believe he will be very successful in life because I haven't found anything he can't figure out. He loves video games there are very few games that he can't finish and the ones he can't frustrate him to no end! He loves to read and has a million questions on any given day. He soaks up every bit of trivia he can. He loves knowledge. When we went to DisneyWorld the place he wanted to visit most was the Hall of Presidents. I wish his grades reflected his intelligence!

Justin aka Twin A

This is Justin Ross Nelson. He was my first born and he truly amazes me with his take on life. He understands the Bible like no child I have ever known and has no idea the impact he has on the people around him. In the last few years he's turned into this person people just want to be around. He's probably the funniest person I know. He marches to a different beat that's for sure. You never know what he's going to say. He's taught me that sometimes different isn't bad. As he grows into a young man I can see God speaking to him and I really believe he's trying to listen. I don't know where God is leading him but I know if Justin learns to utilize the tools and gifts God is giving him it will be amazing. As he grows (taller than me) I see him transforming into a beautiful person. He loves to be around people that are as different as he is and that sometimes gets him in trouble. He has a passion for music but wasn't blessed with the musical ability that Jeremy has, Ironically Jeremy doesn't use his (well he plays trombone but ill explain more later in his post). Funny how that works huh? Justin will be taking guitar lessons soon (bass to be exact) so we are hoping that goes well. If he keeps his grades up he will get a bass guitar for Christmas. Its going to be loud in my house but I love music and can't wait to hear them perfecting their instruments.