Okie Strong for My Aching Heart

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My heart aches.

It aches for the now total of 53 victims of two deadly tornadoes that have ripped through my state of Oklahoma in the past two days. Two twisters that killed, out of many that carved paths of destruction. The number of victims is expected to go up. 

It aches for the Mommies who can no longer old their baby boy or girl. I cannot even imagine. I cannot even bear to turn on the news. Especially with my own children so near. I can't even fathom.

It aches for the rescue workers, officials and clean up crews as they go through piles of rubble. Searching for just a glimpse of life. Of hope. 

It aches in fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what the next storm may bring. I typically do not express fear, for I know fear is not of the Lord. I admit though, these storms scare me and always have. I do take comfort in knowing that I have a heavenly home, and I will find solace in this verse:

Psalm 27:1 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 

(NKJV)

Be strong my fellow Oklahoman's. Strong in faith, hope and love. We always have been a state that prays together, a state that is OkieStrong.

*my friend Debbie Vinyard, owner of HappyFirst.com drew this Okie Strong picture. Feel free to post/share. 

Today's Post...

AXE is out to get me. Don't believe me? Go read me today at Oklahoma Women Bloggers where I just so happen to be their May blogger of the month. Yes, me! 
While you are there check out my other posts this month here and here. Leave me some comment love and let me know what you think.

Now if you will excuse me while I go sharpen my ax...I'm about to take out my 12 year old son's coveted supply of hygiene product.

Zit Cream is an American Girl Marker Miracle

Mother's Day morning. Getting ready for church. Of course McKenna and Kaybrie have to to wear matching dresses and have matching hairstyles. Before church. Why was this not planned the night before? That's when I discovered it. This.

Nooooo. How did that happen? Of course Kaybrie didn't know. And I could tell it wasn't done on purpose, but probably something had instead been laid upon her or beside her or grabbed her. Ugh! I tried makeup remover, fingernail polish remover, baby wipes, even a Clorox wipe. Nothing would remove it. A $105 doll, that we can't even afford to purchase by ourselves, we split the cost with grandparents or have the grandparents go in together for birthday presents. These dolls are special and are treated with magic fingers around our home. Obviously not magic enough this time or maybe a little too close to the MAGIC marker drawings or covered fingers this time. 
I just knew I couldn't wait and take the doll to the AG store and have them fix it, I don't want that to be our experience when we finally make it to Dallas or Kansas City to step foot into my daughter's dream store destination. So, I pulled my Real Housewife of the Internet and googled and came up with this site, which had this video. Their secret. zit cream. Yep the stuff with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide. Name brand is Oxy. I buy the generic. We just so happen to have the Target brand in the house right now.
I shot this Vine of the process. Have you downloaded and used Vine yet? Everyone else's videos are the coolest. I'm still learning. 

Anyway, put the zit cream on the marker, then wrap in saran wrap so it doesn't dry out. Take the doll and place her outside in the sun for about 4 hours. Be sure to cover her hair. You don't want your doll to get dry hair do you?

  Seriously. The marker is GONE!!  Zit cream is an American Girl Marker Miracle.

Run Across Mongolia

Compassion. 

 I'm not a wealthy person or a superwoman. Right now, I do not have the means or calling to go into the foreign mission field, however I do have a blog and tremendous compassion. I CAN write to share my Savior and I can also use it to spread the word about other people's compassion. This will be my second post this year telling you of a mission trip. The first one my own brother's. You can read about that one here. 

Today I want to share about a family in my church that I have "known", but have really known since we began volunteering in August 2012 in the children's ministry at our church, theChurch.at, where I am a small group leader in Kindergarten, my husband in security, and my son a small group leader in third grade. 

Brian Hunter, will run 1500 miles across Mongolia to raise support for the orphans and abandoned children living in the dumps and orphanages in and around the capital city. His wife Lissa and two children will be there with him, riding/running along beside him. 

Watch the below video to find out the WHY behind his trek.

  AME2013 Video from Corey Lack on Vimeo.

You can make a difference in the lives of these children by purchasing a Hope 1500 Necklace. All proceeds go directly to these precious little ones. 

To purchase, simply click here www.acrossmongolia.com

They are also making these beautiful farm tables. Information on these can also be found at the above link.

Above all, please join me in prayer for this family now and in June/July as they go into Mongolia. Pray for Brian as he runs, pray for health, safety, strength, courage. Pray for obstacles they may come in contact with as they spread the good news of our Lord. Pray that that are received well and that they touch many, many lives. 

Amen.

Tulsa Zoo Summer is King Promotion

I was so excited this morning to get an email from the Tulsa Zoo. They wanted me to tell my Tulsa area friends/readers and those visiting Tulsa, about an exciting summer promotion that the Tulsa Zoo is offering for 2013. The zoo promotion, “Summer is King”, is a buy one get one free admission valid until June 30th! How cool is that! Just right click the coupon below and save/print!

Today's Post

"Mommy? What are those, my daughter asked as we drove to my childhood church Easter morning.

Those, being one of these….

One of the hundreds that we passed along the seven mile stretch of Dillard Road on our way to Rexroat Baptist Church in the southern Oklahoma town of Wilson."

For the rest of this story you will have to visit me today over at Oklahoma Women Bloggers. I am being featured there as May's Blogger of the Month you know. Pretty cool, right? Be sure to leave me some comment love here on my blog as well as over there!

Teacher's Appreciation Week May 6-10

Is it already that week again? The past two years I have shared with you my ideas and gifts for my children's teachers at The RHOK here and here. This year since I am no longer writing there and can't "hide" them as well, I simply can't share all of them in this post- surprises will definitely be ruined. I suppose I will just be posting them each day after school when I know the teacher has received them.

I will however post what my son will be giving to each of his seven teachers as a token of appreciation and what my daughter will be giving to her specials teachers.

Sometimes I think when a child reaches middle school those teachers are forgotten. Not to mention the specials teachers who are only seen an hour or so each week. These were super easy and inexpensive. You can get an 18 pack of assorted M&M's at Wal-Mart for $10.98, that averages .61 each. Then I found the printable, somewhere- I can't remember. Had it saved on my phone and just added the text with PicMonkey. I have lots of great ideas on my Pinterest boards, be sure to check them out for last minute ideas.

Well, I guess I better get off here and continue to prepare for next week. There are rolls to be made, salads to be prepared, and gifts to finish up...

What will your kid's teachers be receiving this week?

Can't- Wait Willow! Book Review & Giveaway

Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great!

I learned a similar saying in college in my business management courses, in fact the saying was by none other than the author's uncle Zig Ziglar, "Sometimes you've got to say 'no' to the good, so you can say 'yes' to the best."

The author, Christy Ziglar,  is a financial planner, mother of twins and as I mentioned above, niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar. She is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series. My 6 year old and I loved this book. The lesson of waiting for something great was applied back to this past weekend when the $20 her grandmother had given her for the weekend somehow had burned a hole in her pocket. It didn't go very far at the mall when she wanted a Build A Bear and a new shirt and wallet at Justice. 

Kaybrie reading Can't- Wait Willow!, the readers of this book are encouraged to share pictures on FB and Twitter!

One of my readers is going to get their very own copy of this book! Who wants it? All you have to do is answer the following question on the easy Rafflecopter entry form, bonus entries are available and are encouraged.

Who will you read this book with?

About Shine Bright Kids:
The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a relevant framework to help instill solid values and teach the importance of making good choices. The principles that will be explored include: using good judgment, taking responsibility, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance. The first book in the series: Can't-Wait Willow!

About the Illustrator: Thanks to her first grade teacher, who recognized her superior skills in drawing a robin, Luanne Marten has been drawing, painting and sketching ever since. She is a great experimenter and has a fresh, whimsical approach to bring her characters to life.

The author's website has great resources to support the book, including a printable poster with 'Ways to Shine Bright,' as well as reward chart you can use at home with your children. 

Website: http://www.alwaysshinebright.com
The publisher site is: http://www.idealsbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/63779686

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Mother's Day Giveaway from Magazines.com

Happy Mother Month! I love May! I get to be celebrated. It's my wedding anniversary- #8! School will be out for the Summer. The flowers are blooming. If you live in Oklahoma, you might be setting a record cold snap on May 2, with freezing temperatures and possible SNOW!!! Oh and sarcastically speaking, I love the sinus infections that this month brings. I am miserable right now.

Anyhow, back to the Mother Month! One of my readers is going to be blessed with a Mother's Day gift! Something that they get to choose for themselves from Magazines.com.

Magazines.com is giving one of my readers a $10* code to select a magazine of their choice for free*. How cool is that. I chose Parenting School Years and since they are featuring Mother's Day Special Deals now through May 13, was able to double it and get Redbook!

Magazines.com offers people a fun, easy way to discover new reads and helps them track their magazine subscriptions. You can shop the great magazine subscription deals at Magazines.com for Mother’s Day 2013! You’ll find incredible savings on Mom’s favorite cooking, celebrity, crafting magazine subscriptions and more. Don’t forget about all the moms in your life—your aunt, sister and your grandmother! Give her a gift that keeps on giving!

What Mother is going to be blessed this Mother's Day 2013?

All you have to do is answer this mandatory question on the easy Rafflecopter form, visit Magazines.com and tell me what magazine you will get with your $10*! Bonus entries are available and encouraged!

Happy Mother's Day!!

* NY, NJ, and TN winners will have to pay sales tax when you sign up for a subscription, everywhere else is tax free

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Blogger of the Month and Today's Post

For the month of May I have been chosen to be Blogger of the Month at Oklahoma Women Bloggers. Me. Yes Me!!! They like me, they really do like ME.  They told me so. Thank you so much to these lovely ladies/bloggers for having me as their BOM. I’m truly flattered and honored- in fact I wasted absolutely no time at all getting my posts to them, heaven forbid they change their mind on me. I'll be posting over there quite a bit this month. I'll place excerpts of my posts here at The 4-Crow's, but if you want to read the full post you must visit the Oklahoma Women Bloggers and Gather, Grow and Connect with them to read!

Here is a taste of today's post:

"Think about it, who is your Moma, Mama, Momma, Madre, Mother in Law? You know the woman your children or future children will call Nana, Grandma, Granny, Mamaw or whatever other name of endearment is chosen. Those two or more special ladies in your life that not only birthed you, but also your significant other. That raised you, your spouse and now may or may not play a significant role in your life and your own children’s life. If they do, like in mine, you are truly blessed."

To read the rest of the story you must head on over to Oklahoma Women Bloggers, I promise it's a must read. With a picture of PIE!!

Ring the Bell DVD: Review & Giveaway

It was family movie night again at my house this past Saturday. 

Once again we were able to enjoy a movie with three of our favorite things: God, Family and Sports. 

Is there anything else to life than those three things on the weekends? Not at my nest.

My husband is telling everyone about this movie. He loved it. We all loved it, but if Daddy Crow is singing praises, you know its good.  It was awesome to see familiar faces in this movie and to see how they come together for the glory of God to Ring the Bell. 

I am so excited that I get to help give away a copy of Ring the Bell to one of my readers.

Who wants it? Main entry question is who will you watch this movie with?

Enter on the easy Rafflecopter form below, bonus entries are available!

About Ring the Bell:
Ring The Bell shares the story of a slick, big city sports agent Rob Decker who seems to have it all. But on his latest mission to sign a high school baseball superstar, Rob becomes stranded in a small town where the simplicity of life—and the faith of the people—stand in stark contrast to his own fast-paced, win-at-all-costs mindset. Torn between these two worlds, will Rob have the courage to let faith transform his life? This heartwarming story of redemption is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family.

Ring The Bell features a host of well-known Christian music artists, such as Mark Hall along with his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West, all who play a role in this inspirational drama. Several former and current Major League Baseball all-stars are also featured in the film: ESPN analysts John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe (a former Cy Young Award winner), along with Ben Zobrist.
This family-friendly movie was produced by Mark Miller, Beach Street Records' founder and Casting Crowns’ producer. Miller, who is also the lead singer and founder of country music group Sawyer Brown, co-wrote the script with Thomas Weber and Weber directed the production.

Ring the Bell is available NOW on DVD for only $19.99.

DVD Special Features:

• 
The Heart of "Ring the Bell"
• Casting Crowns “The Well” Music Video

• On Set with Casting Crowns
• Famous Faces

• A Very Special Movie

• Ringing the Bell

• The Artists and Music of "Ring The Bell"

Website: http://ringthebellthemovie.com
Trailer: http://ringthebellthemovie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RingTheBellTheMovie

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Revisit, Remember and Never Forget- April 19, 1995

Where were you on April 19, 1995?

What an emotional question if you are an Oklahoman and if you have an memory at all of that tragic event. The first act of terrorism on American soil killing 168 of our own and then to find out that an American citizen, an American soldier who had defended our country, actually had committed this act. The acts that followed the bombing give me a great sense of pride and make me so proud to call Oklahoma home! Oklahomans from all over the state joined in on the rescue efforts, those who couldn't gave blood, sent supplies, and prayed!

So, where was I? In Weatherford, OK. I was in my first semester of my senior year at SWOSU. I had just finished up my eight o'clock class and had a conference with my Grammar professor, yes I had Grammar at one time in my life. The conference was over my senior thesis, Communication in Management. The meeting did not take that long, I'm not sure why.  I was back in my dorm room by 9:30, those of us students lucky to have any reception or cable on our TV's were glued to our sets, the one's that didn't have TV's were glued to our sets. We were in awe. I don't know the stats, but probably a lot of students missed classes the remainder of the day as news filtered in. We were 70 miles west of the site. For those of us who didn't know someone in the Murrah Building, we knew someone, who knew someone, who knew someone.

It was a real awakening moment for a college senior, knowing that my life was getting ready to start and that such evil was out there. I still was very protected and naive. I remember driving back home to Wilson from Weatherford on the weekends through El Reno on I-40, knowing that was where Timothy McVeigh was, and seeing the sign "Warning Hitchhikers may be escaped Inmates".

I finally visited the Oklahoma City Memorial eight years ago. It is beautiful, it is peaceful- but it is a complete shame that we had to build such a place. I will never forget that tragic day 18 years ago today.
A day that stands out in the minds of all Oklahomans and for me shows just how much this nation needs God!

Where were you?

Note: This is a repost from The 4-Crow's 4/19/2010 and again 4/19/2012, with only the years that have passed updated. I think it is important to REVISIT and REMEMBER and of course NEVER FORGET.