Reevaluating

 I was chatting with our exchange student Sunday night and she said her mom was looking at the blog and really liked it.  I told her how old those posts were and that I hadn't really kept up with it.  That got me to thinking and I took a look back at memory lane.  It also made me really sad as I realized that I stopped keeping track of our family at about the same time I started working a "part-time" job.  While I love what I do and why I do it, I have realized more and more lately that I am giving more to it than I am to my family and THAT makes me sad.  

I missed keeping the memories of Codey and Brogan's senior year.  I missed Codey's baseball seasons and Brogan's soccer seasons.  I missed Brogan and Christian raising their heifers and Rylen trying new things like sewing, hip hop and Junior Master Gardeners.  I missed Joshua's year at TAMU and his Air Force graduation.  I missed Brogan's freshman year at NWOSU and giving them heck on the college soccer field.  I missed the chronicles of our previous exchange students and all the kid's friends along the way.

This year is over half over (gasp!) but my resolution is to keep track of the memories, no matter how small.

I encourage you to take a quick inventory and reflect on what your last half of 2021 is going to be like.  I'd love to hear!

Here's to 2016...

 

2016 is here, ready or not!

I have never really been one to make resolutions with the start of a new year.  I like schedules and live by my calendars (meal calendar, chore charts, lesson plans and daily calendar with the kid's activities) but I know that everything is fluid and changes much more than it stays the same.  Resolutions have always been something that I knew I would probably never keep so I guess that is why I never made them. 

 

 

This year... 

 

Instead of resolutions I am going to have goals for myself.  I will check in monthly to see how I am doing and keep up with my progress that way. 

 

This year I will...

Quit drinking cokes

Start running & working out

(at least 4 times per week with Brogan)

Honor my husband

(I tend to be just a little bossy and like things my way,

I'll admit it)

Grow in my walk with Christ

(Spend more time in prayer)

Spend more quality time with my kids

(Not just running to events and less computer time for me)

Make breakfast for my kids

(At least 3 times per week, I need to be realistic!)

Learn to knit

Raise our level of self reliability

(Start back my garden, continue the rabbits, get chickens and maybe a pig and some goats if I can sweet talk Jeremy!)

Visit my Bible daily

(365 day reading plan)

Save more money

($5 bill challenge!)

Have a monthly date night

(Even if it is to the grocery store!)

Do Better At keeping up this blog

(Post at least twice a month)

My Wildest Dream for 2016 

is to pay off our car and house

(Anyone have any extra $$$$ laying around?)

Claiming Ephesians 3:20 on this one!!

 

 

Each year I try to come up with a word for the upcoming year but for 2016 I decided on a verse... 

 

 

 

 

With that...

 

 

Praying many blessings over you and your family in 2016!!!

Bad Momma

I have to admit that I am one bad mom.  

9 posts this year?  Really?  Only 9! 

I started to go through my pictures to catch up but that just seemed overwhelming so I'm leaving it like it is.  Here's to keeping up in 2016!

 

Rain, Rain....

.....We're glad you're here today!

This morning when we left for church I told the kids it smelt like rain. They told me that you can't smell the rain and it was to hot and to clear to rain anyway. 

Now, this evening, it began pouring without any warning. They are having a blast playing in it!

Just a hangin'

With this awesome bunch on the couch this morning....

Forever Friends

Thankful for friendships like this one for my boys...

Fair time!!!

Fair is here and it is time to have some fun. We aren't showing anything this year  so we are just riding some rides :)

      (To cool for this!!!)

Cell Phone & iPod Rules

Both of the older boys have iPhones now and Brogan has her iPod.  It seems like the boys have become glued to their devices and that they are the only thing that is really important.  In light of this, I decided to come up with some rules and limits of use.  This is not a very popular decision to say the least.  Actually, the times were the biggest grievance.  Other than that hiccup, here is what was agreed to.

Cell Phone and iPod Rules

1. You may have your phone or iPod after 3:00 pm or after your schoolwork is done, whichever comes later.

2. Phones and iPods must be turned in no later than 9:00 pm each night.

3. No texting and driving.

4. No riding in cars with anyone that is texting and driving.

5. Momma and Daddy must always know your password if there is one on your phone or iPod.

6. Always ask before turning on wi-fi or getting on the internet.

7. Please, no texting or playing games while eating or hanging out with friends. You are there to hang out and have fun. Your attention should be on your friends and not your phone.

8. Your phone is merely a device to communicate when the need arises. It is not an extension of you and should not be thought of as such.

9. Never take inappropriate pictures of yourself or anyone else. Never let anyone take inappropriate pictures of yourself or anyone else.

10. No vulgar, rude or inappropriate language should be texted to anyone or posted on any internet sites. If it can be misconstrued it is probably not okay to post or send.

11. Never use your phone while working. Anything, with the exception of an emergency, can wait until your work responsibilities are over.

12. Conversations with persons of the opposite sex should be limited to as needed only.





Violation of any of the above rules will result in the following:

1st violation- Device taken away for 3 days

2nd violation- Device taken away for 10 days

3rd violation- Device removed from possession until further notice.



Do you have rules established for cell phone or iPod use?  Just curious if I am the only "mean mom" out there :)

2013 Word of the Year: Guidance

2013 brings a new year and a new way to make a difference.  Make a difference in the world, in the lives of our children, family and friends, in our church and ourselves.

I thought of many words for 2013.  I saw many words that others had chosen.  None of them seemed liked it fit for me and for our family.  As I was reading in the Bible today the word "guidance" came to mind.  As I looked back over what I had written in my journal I saw that a constant theme was for the Lord to guide us in what He would have us do over the next year.  It was then that I realized the word for 2013 would be "Guidance". 

guidance: noun
the act of guidance, direction, leadership
something that guides
advice or assistance


In 2013 may we lean on the Lord for His guidance in our lives and in the lives of those around us and that we care about.  May we seek him in all that we do before we do it and wholeheartedly.  May His guidance lead us to those unknown places both near and far.  May we be the guidance that others seek with Him as our guide.

Yippee For Me!

My hubby who loves me so surprised me with a new laptop last night!  Yeah Me!  Now I have something that is all mine *insert happy dance* that my kids will not *repeat 3 times* get their grubby little hands on.  I know, I know that sounds so bad and the fact that I'm so excited about still doesn't make it it seem any better but it is so true.  I am really really excited that I can keep the blog up better now!  For some unknown reason the home computer won't bring up blogger dashboard so there is no blog updating for me.  Until now!!!!!!  Did I say Yeah Me!?!?!

Anyhoo, be expecting some upates and some backdates coming very soon!!!

Now on to a date night with the older kiddos.  A movie and dinner!

Posting Soon!

A visit from Esron

 

Esron came to visit!!!!!

Esron, the Pastor that we worked with in Rwanda, came to the US for a Pastor Conference.  While he was here he visited churches that have sponsored or helped the churches in Rwanda.  We loved spending some time with him, showing him around Huntsville and taking him to the best BBQ in Huntsville.  Rylen and Christian loved meeting him and want to go to Africa even more now!

 

 

 

Long Time, No Post

Wow!  I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted.  We have been very busy around here at Winston Manor although you would never know it from lack of posting.  Or, I could say that we have been so busy that I just haven't had time to post.  Either way...I feel like a definite slacker when it comes to this blog. 

Part of the problem is my computer won't pull up my Blogger dashboard anymore.  Don't know why and, I am not a computer techy.  I have been just borrowing Jeremy's laptop whenI can so I can try to get caught up.  That is no fun because I tend to forget things I want to post about.  Anyway, I will post what I can, when I can.  Hopefully today will be one of those days!

Well, Joshua and Codey a team of over 45 are headed to Amarillo on their annual mission trip with Mission Amarillo.  This is a great week of service and both of the boys look forward to this all year.  I am so excited for them and their teams and look forward to hearing about all God is doing while they are there.  I am kinda sad, though.  This will be the first year that I am not with them.  They, on the other hand, are excited about that!  Please pray for teams as they minister to refugee and low-income children and families. 

Brogan and I leave in 7 days for Kigali, Rwanda!!!  We are super excited and can not wait to see what God has planned!  I will post more details about that in another post.  I will try to post as much as I can once we get there also.  It may not be much but I will try to let you know how things are going.

Jeremy is job searching.  Please pray about that situation.  As of July 31, we have no income so it is getting down to the wire (or so it feels) to find something.  We know God has a great plan for where he wants Jeremy to be and placed it all in His hands a long time ago.

Well, that is all for now.  Updates from the last month coming later.

Big Dreams

We have some BIG dreams that we are dreaming and we are hoping that you will support us through prayer and maybe even financially if it allows. Want to hear what they are???

We are going to Rwanda, Africa and we want to take Brogan's ministry, Cases of Joy, with us!!

I say we are going but truthfully... We are praying that God will allow us to go. We want to go and feel that God is opening those doors but the fact is we have to have the money to go. Here is a little more information. After you read it, if you feel called to support us we would be humbled and grateful!

Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the organization that we are partnering with. All donations will be set aside in an account for us and a tax-deductible receipt will be mailed to you.

Please mail to:
One27 Ministries
1812 Southwood Drive
College Station, Tx 77840
Memo Section please note: Winston Family


If you would rather donate towards the dresses and animals that we will be making to take with us you may do so by sending your contribution to:
Winston
PO Box 1781
Huntsville, TX 77342

We are not a tax-deductible organization but would love your donations of felt, material, pillow cases or funds if you so desire. You can also make dresses and send them directly to us. We will do a seperate post on an easy pillowcase dress that can be made.




The Info:

Africa?? YES!! You read that right! Jeremy, Brogan and I have committed to a mission trip to Rwanda, Africa this upcoming summer. We will be traveling with a group of about 10 people with One27 Ministries out of Bryan/College Station. This group has been going to Rwanda since 2003 and has a very strong relationship with the established churches and pastors. The trip will be in late June and run through middle of July. It will last about 17 days. I am sure you have some (if not many) questions. I will try to answer some of the obdvious ones below. Please know that we have been praying about a trip like this for some time now. We are not going into this blind and know there will be obstacles along the way. We have served with many organizations locally and across Texas but feel like we are being called to go further. We are really excited about the opportunity to be able to spread the love of Christ with those that are so eager to hear the Gospel.

Why Africa? We don’t know. We just know that we have had a desire to go and this year God has opened the door.

What will we be doing? We will be going into remote villages to share the Gospel and the love of Christ. The people there are eager to hear the Word. We will lead devotionals, songs & skits, and give testimonials of how God has worked in our lives. Some of us will be leading and starting Bible studies with the men and women in some of the established churches. There is a possibility that Jeremy will even be helping with some pastor training while we are there.

Why is Brogan going? Because she feels called to go! She has been talking about a mission trip to Africa since she was in kindergarten and when she heard Jeremy and I talking about it she said she wanted to go to. We have spoken to her about the things she may experience (including the shots before, yuck!) and she hasn’t had a second thought with any of them. She feels like she needs to go love on some kids her age. She also wants to take her ministry, “Cases of Joy”, with us! We are hoping to take pillowcase dresses and animals with us to give to the kids we minister to.
Why aren’t Joshua & Codey going? Simply, they don’t feel called to go. That is important to us that they can say “no” and feel comfortable doing so. They know this isn’t going to be a sightseeing trip and feel like they are being called to do other things. Codey feels really strongly about the time he has spent in Amarillo working with refugee and underpriviledged kids there. He feels like he is ministering to the children of the world there and doesn’t want to leave something that is so close to his heart. We love that he has found something he is passionate about! Joshua doesn’t have the desire for Africa but instead feels called to Europe. We want them, and us, where God is calling.

What about Rylen & Christian? We will figure that one out.

What is the cost? We are looking at about $4000 per person. Multiply that by 3 and (GASP!!) we are looking at $12,000. We realize that figure is astronomical. For us that is. For God that is just a speck. We are believing in Him to help provide the funds that are needed. This isncludes all aspects of the trip: travel, food, lodging, and Bibles to hand out in their native language. It does not include shots ( aprox. $300/person, passports and misc. money that may be needed).


How will we raise it?
Lots of fundraisers! We have some in the works including a garage sale planned for early March. If you have anything you would like to donate to our garage sale we will take it! If you aren’t local but would like to sponsor a garage sale for us it would be most appreciated. We will come to you and help you work it for sure! If you are to far away for us to do that we would be honored if you would hold a garage sale for us J! I am also taking family pictures for $75 a session. Please pass this on to family and friends in the Houston, The Woodlands, Madisonville and surrounding areas. All money from these sessions goes to our mission trip!

Check out our Etsy shop: Shop here for your gift giving needs! All items are made by Brogan or I and all proceeds go directly to the trip. (It is almost up and running!)

Another way is simply by telling everyone we know and asking for help. Hence, the purpose of this letter J. Will you help us? No amount is to small as every dollar helps us to our goal. All donations are tax deductible as One27 Ministries is a 501 c-3.

Know a company that may sponsor us or donate? Please let me know. We would love to speak with them about the trip!

I know this is a lot to take in if you have never heard about our desire to go. We would love to speak with you about the trip or answer any other questions you may have. Please contact me if you would like any other information. We know that not everyone will be able to donate money towards the trip. If you can’t donate you can still help us by praying for our entire family. We will need to have lots of prayers for the trip to be a success. We know that prayers can do more than anything else!

Thank you for taking the time to read and learn more about what we (HOPE!) will be doing this summer. You can find more information on One27 Ministries at www.one27ministries.org. We are asking that you please return the slip and indicate how you can help. Should you be able to donate towards the trip, please make checks payable to One27 Ministries. You may notate “Winston Family” in the memo section. This way you can receive a tax deductible receipt for your contribution. Thank you for your time, support and your prayers.


For Him,
Jeremy, Denise & Brogan Winston

Back to...

Can anyone guess which of us have started back to school?

The boys and Jeremy are back to school at Alpha.  Praying for a great year for all three of them!

Book List

I have thought a few times about adding a reading list to my sidebar.  Then I thought about the fact that I am not an avid reader.  Instead, I read in spurts.  Sometimes, most times, books sit on my shelf for many months until I get to them.  I can read and at times I like to read.  In fact, on a trip down to Galveston and back a few weekends ago I read an entire book and still managed to carry on very lengthy conversations with Jeremy.  It is just not all of the time like Joshua or my sister that I choose to spend with a book, or Nook, or whatever your choice may be.  With all that said, I guess I thought I would feel silly if my reading list stayed the same for a while, and I mean for a loooong while.

Lately though I have been reading a new blog of an old friend.  I admire how she is being so open and honest with her writing.  I have thought about writing like that and you know what, every time I sit to write like that I end up erasing what I want to say.  I guess in a way, I find it rather easy to escape behind my kids.  It makes the world less complicated.  People get to see the "Momma" me and don't have to know the "me" me.  It's just easier.  Maybe one day I can shed my skin and just go for it.  This is one step.  Right?!

Then today a friend messaged me on Facbook.  I didn't know she knew about our blog but she said she really liked it.  We have shared a couple of books and she suggested I add a reading list.  So, I am taking her suggestion.   I have added a reading list and, well, if it stays the same for a while that's just how it is going to be!  I hope you might be able to find some new books to read and if you have any great ones that you have read then please let me know.  Maybe, just maybe, I too will become an avid reader!

To the two ladies that I spoke of...I hope you know who you are from reading this and I thank you both and love each of you dearly!!

Now, go check out the sidebar!!!

A Game of Many Trades

One of the many reasons that I love being able to homeschool my kiddos is that they have a lot of free time to play together and with friends that they otherwise wouldn't have.  They are spending quality time learning how to deal with different situations and inventing new games to play.

This Monopoly money has been so many different things.  It has been used for the game, of course, and has been used to purchase goods, services and food from inside our home.  We have used it for many of math lessons also.  We have bought snack & lunch with it, placed to go orders and paid for Spy services from Brogan's Spy Agency (yes, she helps me keep an eye on her brothers!).  Somehow, I'm not quite sure how, Brogn always ends up being the conroller of the money.  This hasn't been a controversial issue, yet, but Iam sensing it soon will be.  Christian just wasn't a big fan of having to pay for his gun today!  We can only wait to see what it will be next.

Park Day

We had a fun park day with friends this week.  I think the pictures say enough...

Happy Fall Y'all!

Well, as much as I loved the background that I had, it was time for a change.  Fall is here so I just had to update for my second favorite season.  This one will only be around for a few weeks though until December comes.

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

2009

Look at how much this guy has changed in just a year!  He may not be a baby anymore but he is MY baby!

 2010

Our Rye-Rye

Birthday Surprises

Well, today is my birthday.  Yeah!!! 

I have always loved my birthday.  I'm talking countdowns in my head from like, well whenever I get a new calendar and start filling in all those major dates.  Over the past years it hasn't had a whole lot of splendor like it used to.  I had such fun parties when I was kid.  Always a costume theme and lots of fun.  Even in college we made a big deal out of it.  But, since I got married (10 days before my birthday) and kids came along it hasn't had as much attention.  I guess that's the way it works.  I'm fine with that.  I will even announce my age if someone asks.  Yes, this would be #36!!!  I am starting to see the wrinkles or "laugh lines" and I have spotted a few gray hairs.  I lean on the fact that Proverbs 16:31 says "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness."  while we, I, struggle, I have been blessed with a life filled with so much.  So much more than the overwhelming majority of this world.  I have also been blessed with wonderful friends.  Friends that even though we don't see each other as often as we used to still remember.  I haven't expected anything in years.  Like Codey said, "It's not fair we never go eat for Mom's birthday but we always do for everyone else's."  I would just rather spend that money on something else.  I would rather have my family with me here in my home on this day.  I have a special day when we are all together.  But, this year Jeremy did take me out.  It was an anniversary and birthday dinner in one.  Yes, Dave Ramsey would be proud.  I also had these flowers delivered to me...

...from a very special friend.  Thanks so much Linda for making my day, for making me feel special!  In addition, I got a call from a friend asking if I would be home and could her and her son come to visit.  I have had sick kids all week, and one today, so I told her that probably wasn't a good idea.  she said she just wanted to stop by.  When she got her she had a gift and her little son sang "Happy Birtday to you".  So sweet!  She gave me this...

...wonderful necklace that her and a friend make.  They are selling them to fund their mission trip to Russia this Thanksgiving.  It says "Faith" in Russian.  So beautiful and so sweet.  Thanks, Erin.  You are a true friend!

I had several calls and lots of those Facebook messages and I am thankful for each and every one of them.  I am blessed to have such great friends and family.  HaPpY BiRtHdAy to ME!!!!

A Year Has Come & Gone

A Year Has Come And Gone

A year has come and gone.

I can't believe it's been that long.

Since you left us in this ordinary place,

All because of extraordinary grace.

A hole is here that can't be filled.

An ache that reminds me still,

Of all the times that you were there,

To remind me just how much you cared.

No one will ever know,

What an awesome person we had to let go.

Until we meet again,

I will always remember how you were back then.

Love you and miss you, Daddy!