We are praying over some big decisions right now and we would really appreciate your prayers. Thanks! PK & TK

iNsAnE

Ok, so the hubs and I were at Whataburger tonight, and in comes a guy yelling, "everyone put your hands up!" (He also had some nasty language but I am leaving that out). I saw him in the reflection of the glass, and saw there was no gun in his hand but I was still a little freaked out.

He proceed to laugh and say he was just joking.

Ummm, what?

He comes back from the bathroom, and walks up to the counter and yells "hey you in the back. I need a burger NOW. Like now- {insert (abundant) nasty language here}. They told him they couldn't serve him and he had to leave, and he said more bad language and freaked out, etc, then left.

That guy was for sure on something. It was a scary/crazy experience to say the least!

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Something else iNsAnE? Today is my 301st post, and I have been married 901 days today!!! :)

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Something else iNsAnE? My poor baby sister has massive, (size and quantity), kidney stones. She has already missed 6 days of school! She had a procedure yesterday to try to break down her larger stones. (Stones are usually the size of a grain of sand, and her two largest ones are 4mm and 5mm- that's huge for a stone). It was not as successful as we had hoped and if there is no improvement she will have to undergo major surgery. :( Please pray for her! She is in terrible pain- they say it is worse than labor pains. :/

And since no post is complete without pictures... here is a pic of my sister, Taylor and me- 901 days ago! ;)

Please Don't Hate Me Forever

Update: I put off the paint reveal till today on purpose because this is my 300TH post!! Ok, so it wasn't on purpose, but if I could have picked- this would be a pretty exciting 300TH post, huh? :)


If you are anything like me, then you have been checking this blog incessantly to see pictures of my painted house. Sorry it has taken me so long!!!

Before I show the pics.... I read my book on Sunday to our 2nd and 3rd graders at Church, (most of my target age group), and it was a hit! Yea!!! :)

So, I picked a yucky time to take these pics... probably will retake at night... :)

Standing in the doorway...
Hard to tell, but this is one of the two walls that is burnt orange...
Living room... sun too bright!!
We will be getting black couch covers in here... will look 100 times better... can't wait! :)

Dining room with a slightly different gold than the living room...

New kitchen- every one's favorite apparently... ;)

The wall by the plant, with the cross on it,... is the other burnt orange wall


So in all we have... Aztec gold, (dining room), French mustard, (living room), 2 accent burnt oranges, and 2 purple accent walls. You will have to see it in person to really see all the different colors!




Introducing, the play room....




Ok, all I have done is this decor... will clean out and take another pic later! I ♥ it!

If this doesn't get to you- you don't have a heart...

www.jillstanek.com

Sad, But True

Lookie Lookie at what I got in the mail...

YEAYEAYEA!!! I received my final proof of my book! I just have to ok it and send it back and I will hear from Marketing! YEA!!! :)

Forgive the glare from the flash... Here is a sneak peak at my BOOK!!!


our FAV page! :) Do you see Jersey joining in the prayer? :)

I throwing a mini party right now! Ok, its just Jersey and me, but still- we are very excited! Wahoo!

My Fellow Americans

Yesterday I got to experience something SOOO cool! My friend, Santi, became a US citizen!! Finally! He has lived her for the past 9 years, and has been married for the last 8! You may not recognize him, but I refer to him often on my blog. Him and his wife are our bffs/neighbors that I often refer to. I just haven't posted a picture yet. :)

When they invited me to the ceremony, I thought it would be the 3 of us, (Paul had to work- he is not happy about that now), in a court room. I almost felt silly for going. We get there and I find out that over 1200 people are becoming citizens that day!!! From 109 different countries! Isn't that AMAZING?

The whole event was pretty emotional. Not just because my dear friend is FINALLY a citizen, but to see ALL those 1200+ people become citizens too- ugh- it was awesome! Like, after someone accepting Christ, getting baptized, getting married, adoption/birth, this was one of the most emotional/coolest days ever! (in that order of course) But this event is right up there. It was awesome! If you get a chance to go, you must!!! Paul is so disappointed he missed it!

What got to me was when the guest speaker started talking about how now they were free. Free to worship as they please. Free to EVERYTHING. It was an awesome reminder of how blessed we are as Americans. They also had to take an oath to DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION. UMM, every American should have to do that- it seems natural born citizens could care less about our constitution. But I'll digress... this was a joyous occasion. One that, for the moment, made me forget all the bad stuff going on in the land that I love, and it made me remember why I loved her in the first place. :)

Santi's favorite part? Well, after they took their oath of citizenship, the presiding judge turned to them and said, "let me be the first to tell you, Congratulations, My Fellow Americans." After the ceremony, Santi's boss wanted to do a video about the whole thing, (like 2 mins long and will be linked here eventually), and he asked Santi about the ceremony. He went on to say how awesome it was to hear those words, "my fellow Americans." He said he heard them many times, but it never got to him till now. Umm, yeah, that made me cry for sure.

He has loved America for many, many, years, and so it was one of the happiest moments of his life to become an OFFICIAL citizen. :) Just to show you how much he loves America: When 9/11 hit, he had lived in America for about a year, and had been married for only 3 days- he was so upset about the attack he went to the Army to enlist. He couldn't of course since he wasn't a citizen, but come on, how cool is that?

Oh, and now to confuse you. Santi has officially changed his name to James. So I finally introduce you to Santi, and now I tell you to call him James. :)

So I give you JAMES and his beautiful wife Elise. We love y'all sooo much and we are so happy that this day finally came! I was blessed to be a part of it!

Rip my heart out...

Jessica Simpson's dog Daisy was snatched before her eyes by a COYOTE! Isn't that heartbreaking?! Now she has search and rescue out looking for her, and a reward. Sorry, Jess, but I think it is a lost cause. Now, don't get me wrong- if this happened to Jersey, I would throw logic out the window and probably do the same thing. So sad. Isn't that a precious puppy though?

Ketchup and Preview

Ok... it's ketchup time- but read all the way through... paint preview later...


Oh, and be sure to check out these sites... here and here!!! :)


The Saturday of Labor Day we went to Space Center Houston with our besties and neighbors. :) Just FYI- it costs $19 for a ticket, but you can spend $23 and get a membership... free entry for a year and free parking too! UMM... WOW!!! Y'all have to do it too!!! We can't wait to bring the kiddos! ;)
Love this pic of my hubs... me, eh, but oh well! :)

♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥

9/11 of 2008 I blogged about getting to meet the heroes of engine 7 ladder 1. Click here to see this year's 9/11 post where I linked to the 08 post. :)
A sweatshirt they autographed for me. :) This and the pictures are in a shadow box so forgive the quality of the pictures.
Here I am with some of the heroes of Engine 7/Ladder 1... some of the guys from Engine 10 were there too, so they might be them too... Like I said this is in a shadow box, but even so- it was before digital age, and it isn't of very good quality anyway. :/
Here I am looking at the messages that were placed around the church near Ground Zero... NY lovers- which church is this again? Thanks. :)

♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥

What is Jersey so excited to see???
BIRDS. Ok, this pic does no justice- there were at least 30 birds in our yard!!!
He was sooo excited!!!
His throat was quivering with excitement...
Jersey chilling on an out of place piece of furniture since we are painting...


Oh, I guess you want to see the progress there huh? ;) Well, I will post the full pictures tomorrow, so today you will have to settle for a preview...
Our new fireplace...
I saw these pumpkins at the Christian store last year, and I HAD TO HAVE THEM!!! Well, I actually had to wait to get them, but either way- I have them! :) I LOVE them!!! They are my only fall decor. I love them because they can stay out from Sept to Nov. They are not too Thanksgivingish, nor are they too Halloweenie, (we don't celebrate Halloween). AND the scriptures- PERFECT!!!

1 Thessalonians 5
Last but not least, a preview of our living room. No it is not a steer skull mural on my wall- it is incomplete paint. ;) Our friend Corey pointed out that it resembled a steer skull so I thought it would be a perfect preview of what it will look like. :)

Ok, I am off to paint so tomorrow you can see my whole house COMPLETED!!! :)

The Princess' Return

I LOVE Disney Princesses and though I refuse to own any movies like these in my house- I have no issue going to see them in the theater. :) Besides it may make a GREAT first family date, (ok, maybe wishful thinking, but why not right)! ;)

Come on- it's the return of the classic princess, it's the return of classic Disney use of water color, it is the story of the frog prince- could I BE more excited?! :)

What? I have to wait till December? oh, is it December yet? ;)

{for those who are wondering about the whole witch doctor part of the movie- I am still deciding if my kids will be able to see that... may have to wait a couple of years to see this movie. If they do- you bet I will be explaining to them before and after that this is COMPLETELY fake, etc!}

The NY Post Article I Actually Agree With.

Betraying our dead

Forgetting the vows we made

Last Updated: 10:39 AM, September 11, 2009

Posted: 1:13 AM, September 11, 2009

Eight years ago today, our homeland was attacked by fanatical Muslims inspired by Saudi Arabian bigotry. Three thousand American citizens and residents died.<p> </p><br /> We resolved that we, the People, would never forget. Then we forgot.<p> </p><br /> We've learned nothing.<p> </p><br /> Instead of cracking down on Islamist extremism, we've excused it.<p> </p><br /> Instead of killing terrorists, we free them.<p> </p><br /> Instead of relentlessly hunting Islamist madmen, we seek to appease them.<p> </p><br /> Instead of acknowledging that radical Islam<p> </p><br />isthe problem, we elected a president who blames America, whose idea of freedom is the right for women to suffer in silence behind a veil -- and who counts among his mentors and friends those who damn our country or believe that our own government staged the tragedy of September 11, 2001.<p> </p><br /> Instead of insisting that freedom will not be infringed by terrorist threats, we censor works that might offend mass murderers. Radical Muslims around the world can indulge in viral lies about us, but we dare not even publish cartoons mocking them.<p> </p><br /> Instead of protecting law-abiding Americans, we reject profiling to avoid offending terrorists. So we confiscate granny's shampoo at the airport because the half-empty container<p> </p><br />couldhold 3.5 ounces of liquid.<p> </p><br /> Instead of insisting that Islamist hatred and religious apartheid have no place in our country, we permit the Saudis to continue funding mosques and madrassahs where hating Jews and Christians is preached as essential to Islam.<p> </p><br /> Instead of confronting Saudi hate-mongers, our president bows down to the Saudi king.<p> </p><br /> Instead of recognizing the Saudi-sponsored Wahhabi cult as the core of the problem, our president blames Israel.<p> </p><br /> Instead of asking why Middle Eastern civilization has failed so abjectly, our president suggests that we're the failures.<p> </p><br /> Instead of taking every effective measure to cull information from terrorists, the current administration threatens CIA agents with prosecution for keeping us safe.<p> </p><br /> Instead of proudly and promptly rebuilding on the site of the Twin Towers, we've committed ourselves to the hopeless, useless task of rebuilding Afghanistan. (Perhaps we should have built a mosque at Ground Zero -- the Saudis would've funded it.)<p> </p><br /> Instead of taking a firm stand against Islamist fanaticism, we've made a cult of negotiations -- as our enemies pursue nuclear weapons; sponsor terrorism; torture, imprison, rape and murder their own citizens -- and laugh at us.<p> </p><br /> Instead of insisting that Islam must become a religion of responsibility, our leaders in both parties continue to bleat that "Islam's a religion of peace," ignoring the curious absence of Baptist suicide bombers.<p> </p><br /> Instead of requiring new immigrants to integrate into our society and conform to its public values, we encourage and subsidize anti-American, woman-hating, freedom-denying bigotry in the name of toleration.<p> </p><br /> Instead of pursuing our enemies to the ends of the earth, we help them sue us.<p> </p><br /> We've dishonored our dead and whitewashed our enemies. A distinctly unholy alliance between fanatical Islamists abroad and a politically correct "elite" in the US has reduced 9/11 to the status of a non-event, a day for politicians to preen about how little they've done.<p> </p><br /> We've forgotten the shock and the patriotic fury Americans felt on that bright September morning eight years ago. We've forgotten our identification with fellow citizens leaping from doomed skyscrapers. We've forgotten the courage of airline passengers who would not surrender to terror.<p> </p><br /> We've forgotten the men and women who burned to death or suffocated in the Pentagon. We've forgotten our promises, our vows, our commitments.<p> </p><br /> We've forgotten what we owe our dead and what we owe our children. We've even forgotten who attacked us.<p> </p><br /> We have betrayed the memory of our dead. In doing so, we betrayed ourselves and our country. Our troops continue to fight -- when they're allowed to do so -- but our politicians have surrendered.<p> </p><br /> Are we willing to let the terrorists win?<p> </p><br /> Ralph Peters' new thriller, "The War After Armageddon," goes on sale next Tuesday.<p> </p><br />

Ralph Peters

Eight years ago today, our homeland was attacked by fanatical Muslims inspired by Saudi Arabian bigotry. Three thousand American citizens and residents died.

We resolved that we, the People, would never forget. Then we forgot.

We've learned nothing.

Instead of cracking down on Islamist extremism, we've excused it.

Instead of killing terrorists, we free them.

Instead of relentlessly hunting Islamist madmen, we seek to appease them.

Our enemies' work: Ground Zero a week after the terrorist attack. AP

Instead of acknowledging that radical Islam is the problem, we elected a president who blames America, whose idea of freedom is the right for women to suffer in silence behind a veil -- and who counts among his mentors and friends those who damn our country or believe that our own government staged the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

Instead of insisting that freedom will not be infringed by terrorist threats, we censor works that might offend mass murderers. Radical Muslims around the world can indulge in viral lies about us, but we dare not even publish cartoons mocking them.

Instead of protecting law-abiding Americans, we reject profiling to avoid offending terrorists. So we confiscate granny's shampoo at the airport because the half-empty container could hold 3.5 ounces of liquid.

Instead of insisting that Islamist hatred and religious apartheid have no place in our country, we permit the Saudis to continue funding mosques and madrassahs where hating Jews and Christians is preached as essential to Islam.

Instead of confronting Saudi hate-mongers, our president bows down to the Saudi king.

Instead of recognizing the Saudi-sponsored Wahhabi cult as the core of the problem, our president blames Israel.

Instead of asking why Middle Eastern civilization has failed so abjectly, our president suggests that we're the failures.

Instead of taking every effective measure to cull information from terrorists, the current administration threatens CIA agents with prosecution for keeping us safe.

Instead of proudly and promptly rebuilding on the site of the Twin Towers, we've committed ourselves to the hopeless, useless task of rebuilding Afghanistan. (Perhaps we should have built a mosque at Ground Zero -- the Saudis would've funded it.)

Instead of taking a firm stand against Islamist fanaticism, we've made a cult of negotiations -- as our enemies pursue nuclear weapons; sponsor terrorism; torture, imprison, rape and murder their own citizens -- and laugh at us.

Instead of insisting that Islam must become a religion of responsibility, our leaders in both parties continue to bleat that "Islam's a religion of peace," ignoring the curious absence of Baptist suicide bombers.

Instead of requiring new immigrants to integrate into our society and conform to its public values, we encourage and subsidize anti-American, woman-hating, freedom-denying bigotry in the name of toleration.

Instead of pursuing our enemies to the ends of the earth, we help them sue us.

We've dishonored our dead and whitewashed our enemies. A distinctly unholy alliance between fanatical Islamists abroad and a politically correct "elite" in the US has reduced 9/11 to the status of a non-event, a day for politicians to preen about how little they've done.

We've forgotten the shock and the patriotic fury Americans felt on that bright September morning eight years ago. We've forgotten our identification with fellow citizens leaping from doomed skyscrapers. We've forgotten the courage of airline passengers who would not surrender to terror.

We've forgotten the men and women who burned to death or suffocated in the Pentagon. We've forgotten our promises, our vows, our commitments.

We've forgotten what we owe our dead and what we owe our children. We've even forgotten who attacked us.

We have betrayed the memory of our dead. In doing so, we betrayed ourselves and our country. Our troops continue to fight -- when they're allowed to do so -- but our politicians have surrendered.

Are we willing to let the terrorists win?

Have You Forgotten?

I can't believe it has been 8 years since 9/11! Click here to see what I had to say on the 7th anniversary. I hope we never forget 9/11/01. Watch this video as a reminder of how you felt that day, and in honor of those who lost their lives and those who mourn them.

Watch this video in its entirety and be sure to grab the kleenex! There is a man talking, and it is worth a full listen!



So if you would have died in the tower, the pentagon or the field in Pennsylvania, would you have gone to Heaven? Jesus is the only way to Heaven. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus is that Savior. Accept Him as your Savior, and repent of your sins, and you can have Everlasting Life. Want more information? Please comment and leave your email address, and I would be happy to share it with you! ♥

Have you forgotten, By Darryl Worley

I hear people saying we don't need this war
I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground?
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start preaching
Let me ask you this my friend


Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it every day
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right


Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And we vowed to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for


Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yes, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I'm still here...

I have been so busy. SO BUSY. We started painting our whole house, and we are still not done. We are almost done, but my mom wanted help redecorating her dining room... our house got put on hold. Hopefully our house will be done by Monday at the latest.

Today is my BABY sister, Taylor's, 17th birthday. I can't believe it!!!

One of my favorites of us! Playing at McDonalds- 1993/94 ish.
Us June of this year, (this angle makes me look preg- ignore this) lol
My mom and I decorated her car today...
Inside joke with the fam... :)
Yat Yat... Tay Tay backwards... :)

Taylor, I hope you have an awesome birthday! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Now on to my mom's dining room. :) It was a reddish coral color before and housed junk. She wanted it to be a "kids" themed room. I think it turned out great, if I do say so myself. ;)

I couldn't get good lighting at all... she has 2 tables in here because last night she hosted Bunko. Obviously they both aren't usually here. Just trying to give you a feel for the whole room. :)
Ugh, so dark.... you get the idea...
When my sister Tracie was in high school she was on the dance team, known as the Angels. This was one of her costumes. It was her favorite, and she kept it even though she wasn't supposed to! lol After she died her dance teacher found out and let us keep it. :) I framed it for my mom, (per her request), and I think it looks great! :)
Mrs. Heathcock, (the dance teacher), looked very hard to find this picture of Tracie in her costume and gave it to my mom. How sweet!
All 4 of us, K-12 grade... Taylor has 2 years to go!!! (Can't believe that either)!
Close up to give you an idea... :)
Tracie and my tshirt quilts, and some other items...
This picture is a holorgam... here is one view....
here is the other... cool, huh? :) (very hard to photograph, and couldn't use flash, but you get the idea) :)
Tracie's dance shoes... cool, huh? :)

Nick's football poster... left other space so when we get more memorablia for Taylor, then she will have space for her stuff. :)

What do you think about the living room? I know it is hard to see since it is dark. :/ What do you think about the color? :)

Hopefully soon I will have the pics up of my house... sorry for the wait! :)

Oh, did you hear Katherine Heigl is adopting? YEA!!! I'll post our adoption update eventually too... :)