Friday, January 30, 2009

Clint Eastwood is still going strong!

Me & Phil
Wow! Last night Phillip and I went to see Gran Tarino starring Clint Eastwood. It was a sensational movie. Clint Eastwood was wonderful as always. I heard that this will most likely be his last movie. While I am not a fan of all of Clint Eastwood movies, I highly recommend seeing this one. There were moments in the movie that I actually laughed out loud. We went to see it at Hollywood Movie Theater, it has a restaurant in it as well. You eat dinner and watch a movie. How neat is that? It also has a superb atmosphere! All in all a fun evening out with Hubby.


I have been thinking a lot, about ways to save money during these times of recession.

How many of you are coupon clippers? Got any ideas on ways to save money at the check out counter? I would love to hear any tips you may have. Drop me a line with you thoughts on coupons and grocery shopping.

We started this week The Atkins Diet, anyone have an idea for recipes? Love to hear them. Let me know.

Until Later, Renee

Sunday, January 25, 2009

"Stop & Smell the Roses"

Recently we spent a month in Pensacola Beach, FL. We were there for Phillip's work, but we also took time out to just rest and relax and enjoy one another, and be with God. There were times when I would simply sit and take in the beauty of the beach and ocean. All God's creation. The sunrise and sunset all of God's handy work. However when I stopped to think about it, I didn't have to go to the beach to see God or to view his handy work. I see it everywhere, if I only stop to look. My mother-in-law drove that point home, she said to me that she has never seen a sunrise or a sunset. I said "how can that be?" She said she never takes the time to look, she is always to busy. She is always flitting about, cleaning up, straightening up, but never taking the time to stop and see the beauty of God's world or to listen for His voice. How can we be too busy for God? I know it happens often, but our world is so beautiful, if only we would "Stop and smell the roses".

I look at the snow as it is falling and it is so beautiful. It takes my breath away. You can hear God' whisper while standing at the window and watching the snow fall. He says "Be still and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10. If we stop and take the time, we can see God's beauty in our children's faces, and in the joy of living. I know there are times that I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, that I do forget to simply be still and listen for God's voice.

It is so easy to not see the beauty of the world, when we are watching the nightly news. I try not to watch the news. It depresses me. It stills my joy. So as a busy week approaches us all, please remember to "Stop and smell the roses" and see God's beauty in all we do. That is my prayer for each of you.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Random thoughts.


Life in the Esparza household has been hectic this weekend. The kids didn't come for visitation due to the cold weather, but Niko did come today (sunday). Phillip went and picked him up. They are going to wrestling tomorrow, along with Brad and Annette (Phil's Mom). She is going to be staying with us this coming week. PLEASE pray for her. She got laid off from her job and she is getting ready to move out of her home, (she can't afford it any longer) She is going to be moving in with us. Pray for me as well. We get along, but I don't know how it is going to be with her at our house 24/7.


I got all the Christmas decorations down, but not stored away. I have to clean out a closet, so I can put them in it. I hate to see the Christmas season pass, but I am most definitely looking forward to spring, and baseball season.


I am up right now at 1:30 a.m., because Niko woke me up standing by the side of the bed, asking me if he could sleep with us. So, we moved over and made room, but I was then wide awake, so I got up. Niko is 10 years old and has ADHD and Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD NOS). He is the sweetest little boy, but sometimes he can be quite a challenge. For those of you who aren't familiar with PDD NOS it falls under the austism spectrum. Niko is very high functioning and extremely intelligent. He really amazes me with how his mind works. I just know that he is going to be a computer genius one day. Maybe he will run NASA! I pray that he will have a full and wonderfull life, and he will face his challenges head on. I do worry that the older he gets he will have more struggles. Please pray for him.


The girls (Amber and Jacky) didn't want to go to wrestling so they stayed with their mom and all 3 will be back with us next weekend.


I have been trying to think of a few topics to discuss on the blog, but haven't come up with anything as of yet. If you have any suggestions let me know.


Do keep these things in mind.


1. God loves you exactly the way you are!


2. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!


3. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
and are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28


Everyday I am amazed at how God works in my life.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

The coldest day ever!

Today didn't turn out exactly like I had planned for it to. My plan was that today, after Phillip and my brother-in-law Brad, left for work I would do my Bible reading and clean up around the house. Our house isn't very messy, since it's only the two of us, here most of the time. My sister's husband stays with us some though, but he is absolutely no trouble. Anyway, I was going to straighten up and start taking down our Christmas decorations. Yes I still have them up. It seems to me that it is pretty dumb to only have them up for such a short while, when I worked so hard to get everything all nice and festive. But alas, like I said, my plans changed.

Phil left around 5 a.m. and I remember hearing the van running so it could warm up (you know it's -15 degrees here) anyway I do remember hearing that, and then turning over and going back to sleep. Sometime around 8 a.m. I woke up and was headed downstairs to check the lock on the front door. Sometimes, when he leaves, he doesn't always lock the door. I got to the top of the stairs and I saw this guys legs (only his legs) just inside the front door. I thought that maybe it was my brother-in-law, so I called out his name. (I was slightly confused at even seeing this vision on a person, when I thought I was home alone.) But it was Phillip. The van wouldn't start. The van I had heard running was our other older work van, that they had just started up, to let it run a little bit. The other van, a Sprinter, was dead a door nail.

So needless to say my day was pretty shot, because the guys were here must of it. I hate cleaning and everything when Phillip is at home. I didn't even get my Bible reading done. The kids are supposed to be coming tomorrow for the weekend (depending on the weather) It may just be to cold for them to be out. They may have to come on Saturday. (which I wouldn't mind at all.) When they are here, our entire household is turned up side down. But I have to get things ready for them to come and also on entirely different note, my mother-in-law will be coming on Sunday to stay for the week.. Uggggh.

She will probably end up moving in with us at least for short while. She has just got laid off from her job of 8 years and she is going into foreclosure on her home. It's pretty sad, but I just pray for her that all will work out. I just don't know how it will be with her here constantly. I may just go nuts. Pray for me that I will survive!

Also, my Mom called today and asked that a childhood friend of mine and my sister, be put on everyone's prayer list. She has a mental illness and also has black mold in her lungs. Her parents have taken her to Texas to a clinic there to see if they can treat her re: her lungs. So please pray for Jenny B.

Well, I have rambled on enough for one night. Hopefully tonight I can go to sleep. And I pray that tomorrow will be a better day. I really need to get my day on track.

What a Day!!

Today was trash day and it was so cold I didn't even get the garbage out to the curb. Tomorrow it is supposed to be even colder the high is going to be -3. Wow! They are saying that it hasn't been that cold in Chicago for 13 years. You would know it would have to be my first winter living here for these cold temps.

When Phillip got home from work we had to go out and run a few errands. The air was so cold it made my cheeks sting. We went to Kmart and just spent some time together. He talked to me about his day and we also bought some Christmas stuff that had been marked down. Phillip talked to the kids today. They don't have school tomorrow because it is so cold.

I have made a New Year's resolution that I am going to read the entire Bible all the way thru. I tried last year and got bogged down in the book of Judges. I can't believe that I have never read the entire book of God's word all the way through. Pray that I will be able to keep on track.

Well it's almost 2 a.m. and I am still awake. I have been having trouble sleeping lately. I am fixing to try to go to sleep again. Until next time my friends......

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I am new at this, so bare with me.

Wow, I can't believe that there is so much snow on the ground. I grew up on Southern Mississippi and we were lucky if we got 2 inches of snow per year. We have here in Naperville over a foot of snow right now in our front yard. We are supposed to get up to 5 more inches by tonight. I lived in New England for 3 years prior to this and I basically feel like a fish out of water, when winter comes. I do fine all through out the year, but once winter comes, I don't even like to leave the house. I can't explain it. I miss so much about the South. The warm weather, etc.

When we first moved to Connecticut, I didn't even have a decent winter coat. I just had a simple barm jacket. Boy did that change. I now am the proud owner of 3 coats. I have also figured out the why the fuss over scarfs. I never understood that before. Why have a thing tied around your neck. But believe me, it does serve a purpose. If your neck is cold you are cold all over. So, I have a scarf, a knit hat, and gloves. I do need to get some snow boots though.

I'm telling you it's a different world, up here in the winter. BRRRR.