A Spoonful of Sugar http://spoonfullofsugar.org Makes the medicine go down. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:16:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 Point to Ponder…….. http://spoonfullofsugar.org/point-to-ponder/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/point-to-ponder/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:16:00 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=345 I was just wondering how God chose the people that He was going to give special needs children to?!?  I think He must have decided on those folks with tons of patience, love, determination, and perseverance!  I have been blessed by the presence of several parents of special needs children lately—oh how I admire them!

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/point-to-ponder/feed/ 0 Much Better!!! http://spoonfullofsugar.org/much-better/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/much-better/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:47:58 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=343 I know it seems like I have dropped off the face of the blogging earth, or perhaps after my post about my new foster kids you thought  I had finally lost my mind!  My two new guys are doing better — they still have a long way to go, but they are adjusting!  It’s tough when you go from no rules to a tyrants house–I feel like a tyrant because  I have to say” no” a lot!  They are both so cute and fun–it’s going to be great having little ones in the house for Easter!  Bring on the bunny!!!  I wish I could post pictures, but we are bound by that whole privacy thing.

They had a new baby sister born this week, but the judge decided that she would stay with her mother.  I don’t think I will ever understand the court system –and sometimes I wonder how judges who never meet these kids are able to make decisions concerning their future.  I understand they are listening to the evidence — but perhaps they should meet the kids before they dish out their decisions!  Maybe someday I will get the opportunity to ask one of them how they do it and still sleep at night.

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/much-better/feed/ 0 4 months!!! http://spoonfullofsugar.org/4-months/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/4-months/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:33:38 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=340 In just 4 short months I will be on an airplane headed back to Zambia—YAHOO!!!!  I am going earlier this year than in the past because Josh and Mindy will be spending 8 weeks there and I want to be there when they are.  The best thing is that Mindy’s  mom is going this year — it will be so much fun with her!  She has never been to Zambia–I bet God has great things in store for her.

One of the great things I will be doing this year is going on a Father’s Heart trip!  I will get to go and visit the home  of the girl that I sponsor–sweet Miriam, and I’m going to go to Agness’ home also–the school sponsors her!  I can’t wait to see “my girls”!

The Tree of Life Village will have changed a lot too–the new school should be just about open and I can’t wait to see it!  I am hoping to take some supplies for the school!

There is still room for people to sign up–if you’ve ever wanted to go to Africa, this is the best and most awesome way to get there.  God is going to be doing great things in Zambia — don’t you want to join Him?!

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/4-months/feed/ 0 Kicking my Rear!! http://spoonfullofsugar.org/kicking-my-rear/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/kicking-my-rear/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:29:27 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=338 I really want to say “kicking my butt” but I thought that might bring an ugly comment from my mom—yet it describes what is happening at my house!  We have 2 new foster children, ages 2 and 1—coming from no structure, no discipline, and no attachment–yeow!!!  They have been here a month and they are getting better, but I keep having flashback to the twins who were nearly my undoing!!!  It’s a good thing they are so cute!!!  Wish I could post  pictures of their cute faces, but that’s against the old privacy rules–you just have to trust me!

If you see me and I have that haggard look, you will know they are still kicking!!!

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/kicking-my-rear/feed/ 0 crazy life! http://spoonfullofsugar.org/crazy-life/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/crazy-life/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:28:51 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=336 It’s official — the octomom is insane!  Jon and Kate are completely nuts!!  I know this for sure!!!  This weekend I was the primary caregiver for 4 children — 3 years and younger—two boys (foster children) and two girls (friends children)!!  It was almost like having two sets of twins!  It was hard—Wray was home Saturday and Sunday which was lots of help!!

I usually don’t think it’s so tough to have lots of kids in my house—maybe I’m just getting too old to try to entertain them all day and hope everyone sleeps all night!

It was pretty entertaining though to watch everyone staring at us and wondering what on earth we were doing!!  We got lots of stares at the McDonalds playground, but we did have the best kids in the whole place –must have been jealousy!!!!

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/crazy-life/feed/ 0 Sadness in Haiti http://spoonfullofsugar.org/sadness-in-haiti/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/sadness-in-haiti/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:01:19 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=334 I have never been to Haiti, but I really want to go.  It’s an incredibly poor country and I think the opportunities for ministry are tremendous there.  I would love to go and try to add a little laughter to the lives of the children there–after the recent earthquake, it seems that there is great need in Haiti.  As I look at the news and see the devastation, it seems really unbelievable.

While I was in Kenya several years ago, they were experiencing little earthquakes.  We never felt anything, but were totally blown away when the news media there said that a big earthquake would devastate that huge city because the buildings were so poorly constructed.  We saw builders holding up sides of buildings with sticks waiting for the cement to dry.  I am sure Haiti’s construction is much the same.  We need to be praying hard for the people of Haiti, not only now but for years to come.

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/sadness-in-haiti/feed/ 0 Good bye 2009 http://spoonfullofsugar.org/good-bye-2009/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/good-bye-2009/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:53:15 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=330 I have to admit that I am glad 2009 is over!!  It was a tough year for the Rives family, but yet there were so many blessings also!  Wray lost his job in January, but was able to find work in March–bad news/good news.  His new job doesn’t pay much, but God has continued to provide for us through out the year —bad news/good news!  Wes graduated from Texas A&M and has a great job with Spring –good news/good news!  Jacob is doing great at Texas State and will graduate in December 2010–more good news!  Josh and Mindy continue to be able to work at jobs they love — still more good news!  I love my job and we constantly get to welcome sweet foster children in our home–yet more good news!

I guess when you sit down and consider all I have to be thankful for, 2009 was not so bad!  I hope 2010 will be another great year!  This year I resolve to count my blessings daily!!!

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/good-bye-2009/feed/ 0 Christmas 2009 http://spoonfullofsugar.org/christmas-2009/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/christmas-2009/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:20:11 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=327 This was our very first year to spend Christmas in Coppell.  We usually go to Houston to spend it with my family.  Although we missed being with the Winters clan, we had a terrific Christmas.  2009 christmas

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/christmas-2009/feed/ 0 Lessons Learned http://spoonfullofsugar.org/lessons-learned/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/lessons-learned/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:56:31 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=325 It is amazing what you can learn from children!  Last Friday night I had another babysitting night to raise money to go to Zambia—and here is what I learned:

1. Polly Pockets are really little pieces.  Even when you think you have put everyone away, there is still a little tiny piece stuck somewhere!

2.  It is possible for one child to play Rock Band for 4 straight hours!!!

3.  The Indiana Jones handheld game (I think it’s PSP) has camels that when you click on them they fart!

4.  One little girl listened to the radio where they told about a girl who was “jumping on a  trampoline and wasn’t paying attention so she fell and her face fell off”.   That must have hurt!

5.  Peanut butter fudge is not as much fun as rolling out cookies then icing them!

Good times!!!  I can’t wait until this Friday!!

]]> http://spoonfullofsugar.org/lessons-learned/feed/ 0 It is well with my soul!!!! http://spoonfullofsugar.org/it-is-well-with-my-soul/ http://spoonfullofsugar.org/it-is-well-with-my-soul/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:36:27 +0000 Julie http://spoonfullofsugar.org/?p=323 I had put off signing up for Camp Life 2010 –not because I didn’t want to go, but because I was torn about when to go!!  I love going for week 8!!!  I love all the people who go for week 8!!!  This year I am going week 3 which is June 10-June 20.  The reason I’m changing is because Josh and Mindy will be there at that time—they are going in May and staying for about 6 weeks!  Nothing  is better than watching your children serve the Lord, so I’m headed out week 3!!  I’m looking forward to making new friends too!  Carolyn is praying about going — ya’ll pray with me that she is lead to Zambia this year!  My prayer partner and children with me in Zambia —-AWESOME!!!!!

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