AdvoCare...

Something that I am very excited to share with you is a new adventure David and I are taking.  A little over a month ago a friend of mine from high school got in touch with me!  I had heard of AdvoCare and had been following her family and another friend from high school as they were doing remarkable things through this company.  If you remember part of my New Years post was about getting into shape.  For the past year I had been "stuck" at the same weight.  I would exercise and I just could not break through that barrier.  My friend Casey from high school told me about the 24 Day Challenge and I decided it was something I wanted to try!  Not only did I try it but I am now an Independent Distributor for AdvoCare.  AdvoCare is a health and nutrition company that has been in business for 19 years!  They are not your fly by night company or the newest fad around.  They are a solid...might I add...debt free company!  A company whose #1 guideline is to Honor God through Faith, family and friends!  Amazing!!! After reading this and much prayer David and I knew that this was a journey we wanted to take!  Not only are we taking it we are jumping in feet first and we are so very excited about the results we have seen in the past month.  I have lost about 14 pounds with David having lost about the same!  I have broken through that barrier and I am in better shape and HEALTHIER than I have been in several years due to AdvoCare products.  These are not diet pills, they are not the newest found weight loss remedy...they are supplements...THAT WORK!  Putting nutrition into our bodies that we try to get from food but because of our choices don't always get. I know you have seen my posts about weight loss and it is not all about weight loss...it is about being healthy! I also know you probably get tired of them!  I can't help it!  I am so excited to share what this company and their products are doing for myself, my family as well as others around me!  For a while I had been praying for the Lord to point me in the direction he wanted me to go!  I felt as if there was something I needed and wanted to be doing that I was missing!  Guys, I believe the Lord has answered my prayer!  I love helping people, I love the excitement when I get a text early in the morning or late at night from a friend who says "you know I feel better than I have in years" or "I just got in pants I haven't been able to fit in for a long time"!  I love this!  My dad has been able to lose over 20 lbs in the last month using AdvoCare products.  He needs knee replacement surgery...but you know what, with being able to lose some weight we may be able to prolong that surgery for a while.  So very thankful for this company and excited about what our future holds with them! 

Full speed ahead...

Boy am I a slacker!  It has been way too long since my last post!  It has been crazy busy in the Bussell household.  A good busy but ready to slow down just a little bit and enjoy my sweet boys!  A lot has been going on!  Your normal school everyday...with no snow days in sight...bummer for all of us!  The boys all started karate right before Christmas with Mason and Jack adding tumbling into the mix!  They are loving it but keeps us moving and busy two nights a week.  We had a fun little run with the boys last weekend.  There was an adventure race in Nashville.  So, we loaded up and ran!  All of us...with the exception of Noah of course!  Grandma was nice enough to come watch him while we all ran!  I got to run with Mason which was so much fun and David and Jack ran together.  Dylan ran with a girl from their track club who was in his age group so everyone had a partner!  The weather had been perfect the week before and, of course, it turned off so cold the day we ran!  Oh well, had fun anyway!




Mason and me running!





David and Jack running!

Mason and I putting at one of the stations along with Jack and David!

Dylan and Dani Running!

We had a great time!  Enjoyed doing something fun with our boys!  Which brings me to another subject!  We get one chance on this earth.  One chance with our loved ones, one chance to do the things that matter, one chance to serve our Lord in the way he is meant to be served.  None of us know when that moment or second will be that we will no longer be here.  I am so guilty of not taking time...time for the kids, time to really do what matters, more time devoted to God!  Instead I worry about the house and whether it is clean, worry about work and what I haven't gotten done there.  If I died today what do I want my kids to remember?  I don't want them to remember mom was always fussing about messes, cleaning, etc...I want them to remember time spent with them!  I cannot wait for camping season!  Only a few weeks away and we will be hitting the lake building campfires, riding bikes, hiking, fishing...all of the things we hold dear and cannot wait to spend time with our boys doing.  Take time for what really matters...because we don't know how short our time is!  



Why Church?

Something that has been on my heart and mind for a while, and also something we have been studying/talking about in Sunday School, is why do we go to church?  Why do we get up every Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday night and go to a building, sit in pews/chairs, sing songs and listen to a man speak.  What is the purpose of this?  Why do I feel like I need to do this?  Why would you need to do this? So many times, even with family, we have heard the church is full of hypocrites or they just had a bad experience with church and will not attend.  Some won't go because they won't make time to go...there is always something more important to do.  Others say they don't have to be at church to worship God.  They are absolutely correct...you do not have to be in church to worship God.  Many days I worship him in the shower, in my car, during my quiet time...I can worship him wherever I am.  Church is a place for you to come together with others and praise God...teach about God...learn about God...share God!  Plenty of people walk through the doors on Sunday morning because they feel that is what they are supposed to do...not because it is what they want to do.  I am not saying you have to be at church every Sunday...I am not saying that in order to be a Christian you have to be at church.  But, you should want to surround yourself with Christians and people who believe the way that you do.  You should want to learn!  I am a Christian but that does not mean that I know everything in the Bible.  I need to grow and learn and fellowship with other believers.  This is how I grow as a Christian!  I want my kids to be in the habit of going to church...not just when it is convenient or we don't have something else to do...but I want them to enjoy going and being at church.  Church for them is often a second home.  They want to go!  They want to be at church!  David and I choose to be very involved and invested in our church because (a) this is what God wants (b) we want to (c) our kids (d) we want to share Christ's love with others.  Not only do we need to surround ourselves with other Christians but we also need to surround ourselves with unbelievers who look at us and say "I want what they've got".  The peace of knowing when I pass from this world...it is not the end.  It is just the beginning!  The beginning of the life we are meant to have with our Saviour in Heaven!

"... but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15

This was given to me by my sister for Christmas!  And I LOVE it!

The FIRST of many...I am sure!

So my poor Noah had a little accident last night!  Can you believe that this is the first of my FOUR boys to need stitches, well actually dermabond!! Yes, we have been very lucky so far.  I guess we were due an accident, huh!  He is fine...and thanks to Dr. Chad for taking care of him and fixing his poor little head!  He was a trooper...scared...but a trooper! Bless him!

So, I have been reading Beth Moore's Praying God's Word.  It has really been great for me!  I often find myself praying "Lord do this, Lord do that, Please be with, Please watch over".  How often do I give God the praise for who he is instead of asking him for something that I want.  Very selfish of me!  Each chapter of the book has been devoted to, I guess you could say, obstacles you might encounter in you life.  Such as, pride, idolatry, unbelief, guilt, addiction...etc.  This gives you prayers to pray for any of the areas that come straight from God's word.  For example from Praying God's Word:

"Lord, according to Your wonderful Word, this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1John 5:45) Help me to see that faith is crucial if I am going to be a victor and an overcomer."

"My Father and my God, You are seated on a throne high and exalted.  The train of Your robe fills the temple.  Above You are seraphs, calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:1-3)"

"My Lord and my God, You are both a God nearby and a God far away.  No one can hide in secret places so that you cannot see them.  You fill heaven and earth! (Jer. 23:23-24)"

Needless to say, I am finding a new way to pray!  Before thinking of myself, my needs, my wants and desires...I am going to think of my heavenly Father first and the sacrifice and love that he has given me that I am so undeserving of!  He is the Almighty, The All Powerful, Maker, Redeemer, Everlasting Father...and he deserves to be praised!

God Knows Me...

In Sunday School this week...we have been studying Revelations...but we referenced to I Chronicles 29.  As I was reading there, a little side note in my Bible that read something like this. 

When God "tests" a heart, it is not to shame or manipulate, but to liberate and empower.  God wants to coach us into becoming the generous, teachable, honest and joyful people he designed us to be.  He is delighted when we live intentionally, choosing to cultivate a willing and happy attitude and behavior that demonstrates integrity and truthfulness.  Friends, family or associates may not take time to understand us - our vision, passion, spiritual desires or motives.  But God examines our hearts, and he knows the real you and the real me.  And even more remarkable, he loves us.

The life I want to live...I want to be generous, teachable, honest and joyful in all I do. I want to have a willing and happy attitude and behave with integrity and truthfulness for others to see.  Yes, my family and friends may not take time to understand me...truly know me.  But, GOD KNOWS ME!  He knows every aspect, ambition, love, failure and fear that I have.  Whether anyone else knows me GOD KNOWS ME!  God ...knows... you!  He knows every part of you inside and out!  He knows every thought and every action!  He sees you when no one else does!  I want every aspect of my life to be for his glory and his honor.  I want him to be a proud Father with everything that I do.  How about you?  I want my boys to know that no matter what happens in this life...God knows them...every hair on their head!  He is always a dependable force in their life!  Just say it out loud...God knows ME!   God loves me no matter what!  Am I going to mess up?  YES, every day probably! But no matter what I do in my life, no matter what happens each day, no matter how many times I mess up, no matter what...NO MATTER WHAT...God still loves me! God knows you...whether you want him to or not!  Let him be the dependable force in your life! 

Mason turns...9!

What a great few weeks we have had celebrating birthdays.  I can't believe that my Mason is 9!  Where did nine years go to.  Mason is my sweet, tenderhearted, very content child.  It was like pulling teeth just trying to get him to tell me something he would like for his birthday. That is just Mason ...he really just didn't want anything.  I finally came up with a few things to get him and then he will have some money to spend!  When all else fails...they like money and gift cards at this age!  We had been to Chucky Cheeses the week before for some birthday fun for both Mason and Dylan.  This weekend they went to a movie and then we had a little family combined birthday party for the two of them!  I think they had fun!  Sunday we had a house full of boys...oh the noise!  It was good noise but it was loud!  They had the biggest time! Mostly with nerf wars in the basement!  There were 7 boys here...not including Noah and David...that makes 9...I am REALLY outnumbered!  Noah can be as loud as they are...he feeds off their energy!  He was a little mad he couldn't participate in the nerf wars with the big boys...but it won't be long! 

I feel very blessed that God has allowed me to be Mason's mother for the last nine years!  I hope to cherish every moment that I get to spend with them and to never forget they are just on loan...they aren't really mine...they are God's precious gifts to me for a time!  I better enjoy every minute of it!

Always doing tricks on the trampoline...he is like a monkey!

Mason the mime...for Halloween!

Such a cutie!

Rock Island fun! 

Being goofy!

Lego man!

Some wintertime favorite treats...

Here are a few recipes that I love for wintertime.  I am all about making sweets and treats so here are a few!

Wassal (spelling...not so sure)

1 cup water
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
boil these three...I usually finish mine in the crockpot then
add 1/2 can cranberry juice cocktail
and 1/2 can pineapple juice
This is one of my favorite drinks of winter!!

I also make a lot of candy and goodies so here are a few you might like to try out!  Super easy of course!

Crockpot Candy

1 can unsalted peanuts
1 can salted peanuts
1 bar german chocolate
1 12 oz milk chocolate chips
1 chocolate almond bark
1 white choc. almond bark

Layer in above order in your crockpot.  Cook on high for 1 hour and DO NOT STIR.  Turn on low and stir every 15 minutes for about an hour.  Drop onto wax paper!

LuLu's White Trash

2 c. Mini Pretzels
2 c. wheat or rice cereal
2 c. peanuts
1 c. mixed nuts
2 pks. white bakers bark

Mix above ingredients minus the bark and spread on large wax paper lined cookie sheet or two small ones.  Melt bakers bark and pour over ingredients on cookie sheet...let it harden and break apart into desired size pieces.

Haystacks

5 oz. chow mein
12 oz. butterscotch
2/3 c. peanut butter
Melt chips and peanut butter over low heat.  Stir in your chow mein noodles.  Drop by teaspoons on wax paper until they harden.

Tiger Butter

1 white bakers bar
12 oz peanut butter
12 oz choc. chips

Melt all the above ingredients and pour onto wax lines cookie sheet...let it harden  in refrigerator and break apart.

Oreo Balls

Mash up 1 pack of oreo cookies and roll into balls...refrigerate for one hour and then dip with a toothpick in chocolate or white almond bark...A kid favorite!

Hope you enjoy!