Engraved in His Palms

My Mouth, My Heart

2012-01-23T06:44:00.004-06:00

I read this in my quiet time this morning:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 14:23-- the note regarding the verse said that if we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will be good. "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks"-- this was somewhat convicting to me this morning. I had to ask myself what is in my heart? What is coming out of my mouth? Oh it is easy to have sweet kind words overflowing when things are going good or going "my way" but what about when I have been hurt or wronged? Then it can be a different picture. Oh it shouldn't be but it usually is-- The Bible tells me to keep your tongue from evil-- it doesn't say keep your tongue from evil only if you feel like it... so Lord, as I was very convicted by these vereses in my quiet time today I ask that you help me to guard my heart so that when I am hurting (like now) only things that are pleasing to you will come out of my mouth and that rather than going to the phone to complain about my hurts to others in a negative way, I will go to your throne and leave my hurts at your feet.

And to think---- I thought I didn't have time for a quiet time this morning.. This was a message I needed to hear today. Thank you Lord for your Word.

Some things that make me smile....

2012-01-16T17:25:00.011-06:00

Watching Chandler play soccer

Seeing Cameron put this on after I burned the bacon
Looking goofy while trying to stay warm at a ridiculously cold soccer game
My young ones dressed as baseball players for Halloween since they decided at the last minute to go out

Hubs and Cameron at a Tiger game with the Tiger

catching a fish in the backyard

Organinzation in the garage

everyone's toothbrush in one bathroom--makes for hectic mornings but fun conversations occur over the two sinks

organization in the bathroom

and of course The Cross where My Lord paid it all for my sins!(I took this one night in front of our church and thought they looked so pretty)

Blessings

Happy Monday/Happy Birthday!

2012-01-09T21:08:00.005-06:00

Back to school today.. I challenged by 5th graders to think of one word for the year.. Can't wait to hear what they come up with..
Although I am exhausted, and there have been a few changes at work that affect me, I choose to have a positive attitude and to trust in the Lord for his leading.

I have to wish my son's girlfriend, Cathleen, or as Cameron calls her "CathAleen" a happy 19th birthday... we love this young lady!!

Blessings

2012-01-06T20:18:00.002-06:00

Yes or No? In or Out? Up or down? Open or Close?-- so many choices yet so often I let life make or dictate the choice for me.. Not any more......

I was challenged by an article in the Praise and Coffee web magazine on the Praise and Coffee blog about choosing one word to focus on for the year. I loved all the words that she used in the article so I tried to make some of them fit in my life and they could have but I wanted the Lord to give me a word that would challenge me and my life. I waited and prayed for 3 days and today the word came..... So without further ado....... the word is ..... CHOICE .... I seem to forget that I always have a choice. My circumstances, don't have to dictate my response and yet so often they do. I can choose to be happy in any and all circumstances, I can choose to not respond hatefully, I can choose not to gossip, I can choose to treat my family with the love and respect they deserve, I can choose to read my Bible every day, I can choose to pray,I can choose to be the best teacher I can be, I can choose to say no.... there are so many choices that I can make.. rather than feeling trapped by my circumstances I choose to embrace them and be present in the moment whether it is a good moment or a bad moment....

So if you were to think about it what one word would you choose(another choice ha!) for your new year?
Blessings,

Do you need a little inspiration????Got it right here!

2012-01-02T07:52:00.015-06:00

I am the oldest of three girls. I love my sisters. Sandy, the middle sister and I have always looked the most alike-we look like our mom's side of the family. Debbie has always looked more like my dad's side of the family. Sandy was never overweight in high school, she has struggled some as an adult but has always had pretty good control over it. I, too was very thin in high school but have struggled my entire adult life with my weight and am currently about 50lbs heavier than I would care to be so overweight is the term I am labeled right now.(Having said all of that about me I must tell you I have a saint for a husband who truly loves me just the way I am . I know he would like for me to be healthier but everyday he asks me how I could be more beautiful today than the day we met? In fact he will probably be upset with me for talking bad about myself because he hates it when I do that. I seem to self deprecate a lot!!!)

I have digressed because this post is supposed to be about my sister..

Debbie, the youngest has always struggled with her weight. She was an overweight child, a happy child that had tons of friends and a family that loved her but the weight kept mounting and I know she tried to take it off several times but, like most of us, it never worked for very long.. Well as she was watching Biggest Loser one night something clicked for her and she never turned back...
I am so incredibly proud of her taking control of her life in this area. She has worked very hard and used the weight watchers program. She is truly an inspiration.

Sandy- the middle one

Debbie with her family about a year before she started her journey
Debbie and her kiddos with Ruby- from TV-- she drove a couple hours to workout with her and tons of other people
Debbie today-- love it!!! She does say after so many years of being overweight she has to deal with accepting the new her and trying to keep it off.
She started in May of 2010 and had lost over 100 pounds by May of 2011--this picture was taken 1 year and 5 months into her journey.
I am sooooooo proud of her- She got off the couch and out from in front of the TV-she made no more excuses and just did it.... She is an inspiriation!!!! Love you Day Day!!!

Here's hoping that she has inspired me enough to begin, yet again....

Blessings,

Well hello 2012, nice to meet you!

2012-01-01T18:23:00.011-06:00

A skinnier me??
A more organized me??

Thank you 2011 for all the blessings the Lord bestowed upon our family but also for being yet another year that my resolutions didn't last past a day or two. Why am I thankful for that you ask?? Well it is just another reminder that I can do nothing in my own power-- well I can for about a day or 2 then any little power I thought I had is all but gone.... I have resolved to lose weight, have more patience, be a better wife and mother, be a better friend, be more organized, be more spiritual, save more money,,, and so on and so on and so on. Year after year after year.. I am by nature an optimist so I truly do believe every year that this will be THE YEAR,, but it never is the year for me. To be honest I could probably be in the Guiness book of World records for the person who has joined Weight Watchers and quit the most times in a 20year period.. but please don't turn me in-- I couldn't stand all the attention! Unless of course there is a cash prize for such a dishonor and then at least one of my resolutions could be achieved. ha!
All kidding aside all I want this year is to be present in the moments of my life, the good and the bad. I am so busy and tired that often times I wake up and say to myself -- just get through the next two days and you will have a small break-- I have wished the day away and that is an awful thing to realize. I want to wake up in the morning and say Lord here I am, use me as you will-- I want to bless someone today in the busyness of the day--do one of my students need an extra hug today?, does my husband need an extra measure of mercy today that I would normally not give?, do my own children need to see that mom didn't go ballistic because things didn't go the way they were "supposed" to(her way)???? This is what I desire for this year.. to be present! I can only do this through drawing closer to the Father.. If I have an hour a day to search pinterest/facebook/twitter but not time for the Father what a slap in His face! I don't want to have a once a week relationship with my heavenly Father. The thought of my own children only wanting to fellowship with me one hour a week is a sickning one, yet at times is that all I am giving my heavenly Father??? I would have to admit that yes this is true at times.
The only thing that defines me is my relationship with Lord. Not how skinny or overweight I am, not how much or how little money I have, not how much or how little STUFF I have, not how many friends I have or don't have, It has to be all about Jesus, I know this in my head, I know that all areas of my life will fall into place if I put Jesus first. I DID NOT say my life would be easy and without tough times, but His Word says He will never leave nor forsake me, He is my strong tower, so I have to believe that I would be able to endure tough times because of a stronger relationship with Him. Now I just need to transfer that head knowledge to my heart.

So here it is--- Jesus was a present(a free gift, yet a sacrifice) from the Father now I want to BE present for Him- I want to show up for my life!

Blessings for the New Year to each of you!

2011-12-30T18:45:00.009-06:00

Our school didn't begin its break this year until December 22nd so I was rushed to finish shopping and get all the last minute preparations for Christmas together. While it was a whirlwind few days, I think I like the break falling this way. When everyone else is going back this coming Monday we still have another week. I usually have the week before to run around and prepare then the week after to clean up but this year it really feels like I have so much time off. I am so thankful. I enjoyed my years at home with my kids and going back to work was so difficult to adjust to but I am so thankful that if I am going to work I have the same schedule they do..and I really do love teaching.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Unfortuatetly we didn't get to see my side of the family but we did get to see quite a bit of David's side so that was nice. My mother-in-love has Alzheimer's so we try to get together as much as possible while she can still remember a little bit.. My sister-in-love,Helene, is always so gracious to host the majority of family gatherings we have, she has plenty of space, is a wonderful cook and my mother-in-love feels comfortable in her home because it is somewhat familiar to her which makes it easier for everyone.

Our Christmas Card this year- of course I had over 50 to send out but only sent out 18--how does that happen you ask??? Well busy got in the way and I had done 18 so they went out so if any of my friends are reading this and didn't get one I am so sorry but here is the picture and Merry Christmas about 5 days late....ha!

Can't have Christmas without watching Rudolph
We are never guaranteed tomorrow, only today, so with my Mother-in-Love's Alzheimer's we try to get a group shot whenever the whole family is together- This is David, his parents, and his sisters, Pauline, Helene, & Diane
These are all of the grandkiddos and the only great-grand-daughter, Molly--she is soooo sweet!!!
Uncle John and John-Paul serenading us
Memere & Pepere-(french for grandmother & grandfather)
Christmas Eve- the boys sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, then ring bells so Santa knows exactly where we are
Every year "santa" leaves a clue in each of the kid's stockings. They have to search to find each clue, usually 3 or 4 of them and this will lead them to their "big" present. Here are all three of them reading their clues before the big hunt is on.. My 18 year old loves this so of course he still gets a clue in his stocking too--tons of fun!

Some of the haul--the rest already made it to the playroom

Have a great night!!
Blessings,

A glance at 2011

2011-12-26T18:08:00.018-06:00

Wow!! One might think I walked off the face of the Earth by the lack of posts on my blog.. One might think that our lives are just plain boring and we just sit around with nothing to do so I quit posting... Nothing could be farther from the truth :) In fact walking off the face of the earth would have been much easier than this crazy busy year we have had but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my life and all of the busyness that goes along with it. In fact I heard a friend, a very young friend, once say, "Let's go!! We can all rest when we are dead!" I guess she is pretty much correct in that statement except I bet the busyness will be replaced with Awe and worship in the presence of my Savior..

So since February, our oldest, Chandler, graduated from High School which was exciting and bittersweet all wrapped into one. I traveled to Nashville for Cameron's first out of town soccer tournament, Sat at many baseball games, Carson broke his leg ending his baseball season a little short( I did not cry) Cameron finished his baseball season in first place, I finished my second year of teaching, Carson finished 3rd grade and Cameron finished 2nd grade both on all A honor roll for the year, We watched Chandler's high school team win state for the second year in a row and watched his club team, Tennessee Rush compete in their final games in regionals, We went to Hilton Head, South Carolina for vacation, visited my mom and dad's new home in Alabama( so excited to have them live somewhere we can drive to rather than on another continent), Saw my sister, Sandy's kids,we got a fish, celebrated birthdays, Chandler started his Freshman year of college where he plays soccer, Carson began 4th grade, Cameron began 2nd grade, I began my 3rd year of teaching, we traveled to Tulsa and Birmingham to watch Chandler's team play, Carson played football for his school, I traveled to Nashville for Carson's first out of town tournament, I watched countless soccer games between the three boys, and now am embarking on countless basketball games.... Talk about a run-on sentence!!! Wow that made me tired all over again...

A Glance at our year-- Christmas pictures to come later....( Aren't you holding your breath????) These are mainly to record for me and of course for my out of town family to see.

Chandler & Cathleen before prom
Cameron- baseball
our newest addition- Mayo
A school tradition for the parents to decorate their senior's car with the colors of their college

Chandler's last home soccer game with my family here for graduation the next day

Carson broke his foot the day before field day at school- boo hoo

Enjoying our backyard this summer
visiting a historical battlefield
Hilton Head
Some of the cousins at my parent's in Alabama
Chandler's first game in college
Cameron's birthday

Carson's 4th grade bug collection
Carson carrying the football to score for his school team...

The Bottom of the Laundry Sorter

2011-02-10T22:15:00.006-06:00

Oh darling where have you been all my life?? I never ever get to see you. In fact it has been so long I forgot what you looked like. I now have the picture to prove that you do exist.... Please I beg of you don't stay so covered up all the time. It doesn't have to be everyday but at least once a week I'd love to see you if...if... it's not asking too much.

More snow!!!

2011-01-20T19:32:00.003-06:00

Yes it was predicted but I really never believe it till I see it but they were right this time and here we have it a beautiful blanket of white snow. I am pretty sure we will go to school tomorrow but we will have a late start so that will be nice. Several of my students live in rural areas though so I may have a few absent. Here are a couple of pictures of our house when I came home from school. I just love untouched snow. It reminds me of the fact that our sins have been washed whiter than snow. I don't like what lies beneath the snow. The brown muddy mess left behind after is melts is certainly not as pretty as when it was covered. Kind of like our sin. The cross where my Savior died covered all the ugly muddy mess of my life with a beautiful blanket of forgiveness. Thank you Lord!

A really nice day

2011-01-15T20:04:00.003-06:00

We have had a fabulously busy but fun Saturday. We started with a 9:00am basketball game then an 11:00am basketball game and finally a 1:00pm basketball game all three of which our team won. Both our younger boys are on the same 2 basketball teams so it is nice that we only have to go to practices once or twice a week rather than more because of two different teams. My hubs coaches one of the teams and does such a great job with the boys. I watched today as the opposing team's coach screamed at his players (7-8 yrs old) during a time out while my sweet hubs is just encouraging and instructing his players. I am so proud of all that he does to teach these little ones. In fact he coached our oldest son for years in every sport and to this day at age 17 some of the kids he coached through church ball still come up to him and say, "Hey Coach". I know it makes him feel good to have played a part in his players' lives. Having three boys you are bound to get a coach that really shouldn't be coaching..... Thankfully we have been blessed so far and have been pleased with all the coaches our kids have had and the impact and influence they have made in them as individuals.
The championship game is tomorrow at 3:00--hoping we can win it but if not we will have fun in the stands and so will our kids on the court--

After all three basketball games we scurried over to an end of the season soccer party to cook out and honor our coach whom we love dearly. The host family had such a beautiful home. Next time I go back I am taking pictures so I can share. She has a real knack for decorating-- not museum decorating but family friendly living decorating.

Here are a few pictures from the party

It was still a little wet outside from the melted snow so the boys were covered in mud after they played some football and soccer. I am soaking their clothes now.. hope they come clean.....

As the party came to a close I was able to capture this beautiful sunset-- How can anyone look at this and say there is no God??

Blessings,

New Bible study and a cool plate or at least I like it!

2011-01-12T22:28:00.007-06:00

Well tonight I went to a new Bible study by Priscilla Shirer called Jonah- Navigating a Life Interrupted. It was amazing! I sooooo needed it. I teach at a Christian school and I am surrounded by wonderful godly women and men yet there is not much time to fellowship with them when you are teaching all day. I was exhausted but knew I needed to go and I am glad I did. The premise is basically what are you going to do when your life is not what you expected it to be at this time. I have done one other study of hers and I was blessed to see her in person at our church several years ago. She reminds me a lot of Beth Moore. I am excited to get deeper into the study and feast on God's word as well as be in the presence of other women who are seeking Him through this study.

A friend of mine had this plate and I fell in love with it. I saw it at a local novelty shop and scooped it up. I love how you can change out the main piece. It has velcro attached to the plate and to the decorative piece. They have them for any season, holiday, sports etc.
Hope it was a great Wednesday for you!

Back to school!

2011-01-11T06:31:00.002-06:00

Well, ready or not it's back to school we go! It was a great snow day yesterday but we are headed back today with a one hour late start.. I was so hoping for another day off but thankful for the one we had yesterday. Hope y'all have a wonderful day, wherever you are.
Blessings,

It snowed! It really snowed!!

2011-01-10T14:01:00.007-06:00

Can't believe it but we are out of school today because of snow. We have had a blast so far today. The kids went sledding and we played out in it for a little bit now we are sitting here watching old home videos... Fun times! I hope you are all enjoying your Monday!

Dallas, our Lab has to be in the middle of everything

The firepit looking very much like a doughnut

My Father-in-love made these two chairs after we moved in. They are perfect looking over the frozen pond

Blessings

Hair today gone tomorrow

2011-01-09T17:13:00.006-06:00

So I went for a haircut over my Christmas break and while I asked for it to be short I am not sure I wanted it this short. I have been growing it out for a while and was just sick of it looking good okay in the morning but falling into a mess by day's end. So here is the before and after.. not been thrilled with it so far but after almost 2wks it is growing on me.

The before with my hubby at Christmas

The after with my crazy phone in the picture and no smile..

It is just hair after all I suppose it will grow... haha

We are supposed to get a winter storm this evening and being a teacher the thought of maybe having a day off for snow would be awesome but I don't want to get my hopes up too much... Who am I kidding they are already up!!! I just need to be careful because if we don't get snow I know my students will be even more disappointed then me so I need to have an extra measure of positivity( a word??? ) for their sakes...

One of my favorite pictures when it snowed about 3 years ago.

Blessings,

Happy New Year

2011-01-08T16:25:00.007-06:00

January 2011! Can't hardly believe we are at the beginning of a new year. The days seem to come and go a lot quicker the older I am getting. I can remember wanting my driver's license and how it seemed like an eternity would pass before I would actually get it and now I have been driving for more than 25 years. WOW!!

A lot has happened since I last posted interms of still trying to get settled into our new home. In fact the last pictures I posted of the living room are not even what it looks like now. I have to post some pics later of the "now".

Chandler's club soccer team won their fifth and final state championship. They qualified to play in Regionals in June but then the team will be done as they all go their separate ways to college. Thankfully for us Chandler has chosen a college close to home so, although he will live on campus we will still get to see him often( for food and laundry hah ) as well as watch him play soccer for the school so that will be exciting.

We had a fabulous first Christmas in our new home and after visiting relatives on David's side of the family my parents, who recently moved from Germany to the state of Alabama came to visit for a few days with their two Jack Russells Bear and Pooh. It was nice to have them.

Carson and Cameron stared on their first competitive soccer teams this year and are having a blast. We are on a short break then the spring season begins soon. Right now they are both playing on two basketball teams. David coaches on and a friend coaches the other. They are so much fun to watch. Soccer may have been for Chandler but he played or tried everything and didn't decide on "one " sport till he was eleven.. Not sure what these two will choose but we want to make sure they have fun till they do or even if they do. Till then we will keep running all over creation if they are enjoying what they do. I love seeing them active as we are seeing such a trend of inactivity in people(myself included) because we are way too busy for our on good.

David is loving coaching and teaching and his "day job". I am still enjoying teaching. I didn't think I could love a class as much as my first one but I love these kiddos just the same. It has been a good year so far.

Our church is doing a churchwide reading of the Chronological bible in a year. I started it last week and am enjoying it so far. In fact this was my only resolution-- yes I desparately need and want to lose weight, be more organized, strengthen and rekindle friendships, be a better mom and wife, handle my money better and many more things but I am finding that if I keep the main thing the main thing then everything else falls into place because my priorities become a little more like His priorities so basically doing everything I can to rekindle the love I have for the Lord is my only resolution this year, and in my life at this moment that's all I need.

Although I haven't blogged as much as I would like too I do still lurk and it brings me joy to get a glimpse into so many other lives to see how they are living for the Lord, giving tips on cooking and decorating, watching kiddos grow and just plain living life.

Here are a few pictures of the new home, some were taken the month we moved in so we still had some flowers. Some were taken recently by my mom. Of course I had to include some pictures of everything else going on in our life as well. Until next time!

Cameron's room

This year's Christmas picture
Dad and one of the dogs
The playroom

out back

The pond that our Lab, Dallas loves to jump in

The firepit

Blessings,

2010-09-12T13:25:00.007-05:00

Yesterday was the first day I was acutally able to sit and watch some tv in our new home. We have been working full speed ahead since moving in on the 6th of August. I thought I was handling everything ok until I went to get my hair done yesterday and my sweet hairdresser asked how I was doing and said I looked MUCH better than I did the last time I came in.. she said I looked so overwhelmed and was worried about me.. sweet thang!!!

Since we moved in I have started back to teaching, the kids have gone back to school, we have watched at least 10 soccer games and been to a countless number of soccer practices.... Carson cut his leg open and needed 11 stitches and Chandler sprang his wrist pretty bad and is in a brace.

On a fun note-- my parents who have lived out of the continental United States for the last 25 years are moving to Georgia in October-- and I was able to visit with my sisters and their kids, my Mom and my Grandmother right before we moved in... we had a lot of fun.

Here are a few picture of the house... just the living room and the master bedroom. I will show more later.. We didn't get it painted on the inside yet so if you notice some holes in the walls that is why.

Blessings,

Moved and getting settled!

2010-08-10T20:57:00.002-05:00

Well we have moved into our new house and then three days later I started back to school. Only in-service till next week but keeps me from being able to set up the new house-- I figure I will work on it a little at a time. We feel so blessed that God has allowed all of this to happen.

Like I said before I started in-service yesterday. While trying to open a small dry erase board I sliced the top of my finger which would not stop bleeding. The nurse said I needed stitches, the doctor was too busy to see me and said to go to the ER.. Now I wasn't about to go to the ER for a sliced finger.. We had the football coach who is also a doctor use some strips on it to hold it together he then wrapped it up and finally got it to stop bleeding.... oh the drama of a waisted hour! Then today I was using a ladder to hang posters and closed in on my thumb. As I pulled away from the ladder to console my poor thumb I tripped over my shoes and fell! hahahahaha I busted out laughing! I am cracking my self... a one woman show and audience! I can only hope this is not indicitive of the way the year will go.

Chandler is a senior this year.. I can hardly type that without a lump forming in my throat. It is so hard to believe. Tomorrow is his first day back to school. He has grown into such a fine young man. I am so proud of him and his character. He has been traveling out of the country several times for soccer but in October he will be traveling to Hondurus for a mission trip with his Sunday School class. They will be building a church. He is looking forward to it.

I will post some pics of my kiddos and new house soon. Till then- have a great day or should I say a great few months as that seems to be how long I take in between blog posts.. haha
Blessings,

2010-07-23T09:00:00.003-05:00

We have a lot going on here in our home. We have sold our house and found a house all this happened very quickly. We are trying to repair what the home-buyers want repaired and figure out what we want the home-owners of the new house to repair. My Mother, Grandmother, Sister Sandy and her three teen-age boys, Sister Debbie and her two kiddos are all coming in at different times this weekend. I am taking a class on-line and trying to organize my things for school because I start back teaching on August 9th... Under a little bit of stress and pressure right now but relying on the Lord to see my through.

On top of the above paragraph, my son, Chandler, was given an awesome opportunity to play for a soccer team that is comprised of players all over the country. They are in Europe. He has been gone since July 6th and comes home this Monday. I am missing him terribly. He has had a blast but I am ready for him to come home!

I have enjoyed getting caught up on blog lurking this summer. I hope to blog a little more just so the out of town family can keep up with us but for now. Here's to a great rest of the summer!
Blessings,

2010-04-25T07:47:00.002-05:00

Just stopping by to let y'all know I am still alive. Teaching has been keeping me busy along with taking care of my family and toting the youngest boys to and from soccer/baseball practices... watching the oldest son play high school soccer and just plain life! I still surf blogs from time to time to keep up with those I have followed for a while. Hopefull summer will bring some more time to take care of this neglected blog!
Happy Sunday! May God bless you abundantly!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:38:00.004-06:00

Excited to be opening a gift on Christmas Eve.... Looking at Chandler because they have opened theirs and Chandler says his is a toy....

All Three in their new jammies.... Ready for bed....

Good Morning and Merry Christmas to all......

Here are a few pictures from last night. One of the gifts the kids get every year are new pajamas from Nana and Pop-Pop. This was a tradition as I was growing up as well. We opened them on Christmas Eve and I have kept this tradition going on with our boys. Then we go out and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on the front porch. Not sure why I chose the front porch but we have done it since Chandler was little so we continue every year.

So our 16 year old is the one who went to bed last and woke up first. What's that all about? Of course now he sleeps..... ah the life of a teen! We have had a wonderful week around here with last minute shopping and celebrating Christmas with the in-loves. Our niece and nephew are also in town with baby Molly.. so precious!

I pray each of you have a wonderful day spent with your loved ones and the One who loves you!

Blessings,

Hello.....Let me re-introduce myself....

2009-12-21T05:21:00.003-06:00

Couldn't think of a more appropriate title considering I have been away so long. I have missed blogging terribly but the time has just not been there. I haven't worked full time outside the home since 1994 so beginning a teaching career so late in my life has been quite an undertaking. I love the job but have had an incredibly difficult time balancing home and school.

I have only been off school for 2 days now and I have really enjoyed it and am looking forward to getting caught up here and with all the paper work that I brought home from school. Of course it is 5:30am and I don't have to be awake but I guess I am programmed so it will take a bit to sleep in. Looking forward to that..

We took Christmas card pictures yesterday. You should have seen us. I made my oldest son grab a chair and we all went looking for a good railroad track location or older looking building and this is what we came up with. I am loving it. A little different but love the faces on my boys.

Looking forward to getting caught up on some blog visiting and posting. :)

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings

This and That from a bad blogger

2009-10-04T05:47:00.005-05:00

Can't believe that it has been almost 2 months since my last post. So much has gone on in my life that I couldn't begin to share it all but here are a few photos to give a small glimpse into my life. These first photos are of my classroom. I only have one large board so I have a picture of it when it was the beginning of the year and as it is now with the fall leaves. I had fun doing them. The soccer balls are actual balls that I cut in half and glued to the astro-turf on the board. It was fun... Then I have my helper chart and the You've been framed poster. This is where I post a student's picture when I have caught them doing something good.

I love the sign that my sister painted for my room. Love the colors... Thanks Sandy.

First day of school in my room. Carson and Cameron visiting me before the school day begins... Love those crazy faces.... :)

Of course there is always some soccer to be played by my 3 kiddos. Love watching them... And Chandler getting ready for the homecoming dance.. Wow can't believe how fast time goes when raising these kids... He has only one more year at home and I really feel like it was just yesterday that I delivered him.

Life has been crazy busy... but I am so excited about Fall. Here our Fall and Spring seasons are short but love them anyway..
Teaching has been fun and completely overwhelming at the same time. My appreciation for teachers has multiplied by a million.. I could never have imagined just how much work is involved teaching and preparing for 8 subjects...... The Lord has blessed me with some really great kids in my class and David has been so supportive. He has even cleaned the house on several occasions since I started.. What a blessing.... Hopefully I will post again before Thanksgiving(haha)...... Ya'll have a wonderful day... I am looking forward to church and spending time with family and of course writing a few lesson plans.. :)
Blessings,

Can I get a drama free day???? Please????

2009-08-11T21:30:00.006-05:00

Well well well where do I start?????
So yesterday was my first day of in-service at my new teaching job. I was extremely nervous to say the least since I haven't worked outside the home in quite some time not to mention this will be my first official year teaching in a full time position. I did teach one year of preschool part-time.
Knowing I had to be somewhere at a certain time was a little worrisome to me especially since I woke up with a flat tire. My son was spending the night at a friends and was going to come home early so I could use his truck when he couldn't find the keys anywhere. Now we do have an extra set but he was 45 mins. away..... Hubs got the tire plugged by 8:00, so I could leave, fortunately the in-loves were available to drive over (20 mins away) with a 5 minute notice to keep the two younger kiddos so that hubs could get spare key to oldest son so he could come home and watch the kiddos for us... Hubs got to his meeting on time, in-loves got to go home, and I made it to work on time.
Today was not going to be outdone by yesterday, oh no, no way it had to top yesterday. My father-in-love was scheduled for a heart cath early this morning we figured maybe a stent or something simple but to our disappointment he was scheduled for heart by-pass surgery for tomorrow. I found all of this out before I made it to work.

Wow! I am worn out! But I do know that Jehovah Jireh will provide all that our family needs right now and I am counting on HIM cuz aint nothing good comin from me right now!!! Love the grammar coming from a new teacher?? :)

Hoping ya'll are having a Drama free week and if not know that He can and will provide if we let Him.

Blessings

School/Birthday

2009-08-07T07:55:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet Daddy. I hate that he and my mom live so far away(Germany). I know they are traveling this weekend to celebrate. Hope it is a great trip.

Also want to say Happy Birthday to my niece, Janna, on my husband's side of the family. She is turning the big 30!

Love you both!

I start my new job teaching 5th grade this coming Monday. I am very nervous. I won't actually have the students til the 19th. I feel so old to be starting something for the first time. I am feeling such a wide range of emotions right now. If the Lord leads please pray that I will lean totally on Him and Him alone. I know that with Him I can accomplish anything but without Him I will fail miserably.

Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings,

Happy Birthday honey

2009-08-01T20:29:00.004-05:00

Today is my sweetie pie's birthday and we have had a busy day. I let him sleep in, got Starbucks for him. Then the boys and I went on the hunt for some presents to bless him with. We then had a wonderful steak dinner here at home which of course he grilled for us...... Maybe I should have grilled them..... Oh well that is just one of the things that makes him so incredibly special. We love you honey and can't wait to see what God has in store for you this year.

2009-07-13T12:07:00.003-05:00

Wow, alot has been going on around here. My front door has been bare for a while now. I wanted Boston Ferns but didn't want to pay the price for two of them so I waited until about a week and a half ago and was able to get them both for $16.00 which excited me. The pots they are in used to be a terricotta color and had seen better days so I spray painted them black. I also had a horrible wreath on the door so I shopped around the house and put this together. Layering in true Nester style. The picture of the 4 boys is from Regional Olympic Development camp.. They are only boys from Tennessee that made the Regional pool. There are around 400-500 campers there and they select 40 to the pool so it is an honor. Regional camp is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama so on our way back with the little ones we decided to stop at Elvis's birth place in Tupelo, Mississippi just to break up the trip. Now it is not something that I would plan to do but since it was on the way we stopped and it was interesting. The statue the boys are standing next to was of Elvis at 13. The caretakers of the place really need to secure it better to the ground because Cameron jumped on the back and it moved. My husband quickly pulled him off of it and noticed that the base is pretty flimsy and about give way so that lovely statue will fall down. I am just thankful we noticed it and it did not fall down after Cameron jumped on it. The picture of Chandler and his girlfriend, Cathleen was taken at the airport when he arrived home from ESP camp.
I am so ready for all Chandler to be home and stop all this traveling.

Hope you are having a great day. We are having some much needed rain and I am enjoying it tremendously.
Blessings,

Denver Update

2009-07-07T22:24:00.004-05:00

Chandler has had an awesome week in Denver. He has played the whole time in the first three games. He was chosen to be on the ESP ALL-Star team where France professional player Zinedine Zidane played along with them. He has had a blast. This is a picture of some of the team with Chandler in the middle and Zidane on the right (looking at the picture) of him.

Denver Bound/This and That

2009-07-03T13:43:00.012-05:00

We put Chandler on a plane this morning for Denver, Colorado. He is going to a soccer camp that he was selected to attend along with 99 other soccer players from across the country in his age group. He was so excited to be going. As soon as the lands here in Memphis we will drive him to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for Olympic Development Regional Camp. I hate for him to be gone so long but know that he loves to play soccer and he will have a blast, not to mention all the wonderful training he will get.

Carson, Cameron, and I along with some friends went to see Ice Age 3 on opening day. We knew it was going to be crowded. We rushed to get there and just take a look around the boys seats .... no one there... There ended up being about 40 people in the theater but nothing like what we anticipated. I liked the movie but did prefer Ice Age 1 and 2.

I am going to start teaching 5th grade this fall so I have been racking my brain trying to come up with bulletin board ideas and been purchasing posters etc. for my room. It has been fun and overwhelming all in one, and quite expensive. I guess the first year always is. I am excited about this new chapter in our lives but am a little worried at how it will all come together. I am going to have to be organized (a trait which I lack) and prepared both at school and home. But I don't want to fall into the trap of thinking I can do and have it all because I know it will not be possible.

Any of you who teach school that might have ideas for boards please let me know. Thanks

I know I haven't been a great poster lately but I have been a lurker. So I am keeping up with everyone. Please forgive me if I don't comment. I am usually just checking in and logging off.

Blessings to you and have a wonderful 4th of July.. Happy Birthday America!

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T07:52:00.002-05:00

Lots been going on since my last post. I finished my class and got an A. (Yeah Me) I had a birthday, as well as my mom, father-in-law, 2 brother-in-laws and two nephews.

I have tons of pictures to post of the kids activites but for now just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Husband, Father, and Father-in-law. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-24T17:03:00.002-05:00

Of course I start an on-line college course Tuesday and my computer crashed this morning. I am typing away on my brother-in-law's computer. We came out to celebrate Memorial Day with the family. Our neice and nephew are in town with their sweet baby Molly who I just got to rock to sleep. I could just eat her up!!!!!

Anyway I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day. Don't know when I will be back on-line. But it's not like I was posting daily......
Blessings,

A little project

2009-05-22T08:08:00.007-05:00

I was supposed to go to my in-laws yesterday but my mother-in-love wasn't feeling well so we changed our plans and went home. As I sat in the garage ready to get the kids out I had a spontanious thought(not necessarily a good thing) and asked the kids, "hey, why don't we paint the shed"? Of course they were on board so off we went to Home Depot and picked out and bought paint. I had no idea they now made paint that had the primer in it. My new best friend!!!! It was expensive but not more than if I had bought paint and then primer separately. Also it cut out the two coats, at least for this job it did. Anyway we got home and started right away. I love how it turned out it is just the pop of color my yard needed.

If you click on the picture of the kids you can tell they were really into helping me. I let them do the back of the shed and of course at one point there was more paint on them then the shed. They had a great time.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T23:18:00.006-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to my mother and mother-in-law. We hope it is a great day for both of you. Thanks so much for the impact you made in our lives growing up and now as adults. We love you! Grandma we don't want to forget you either. We hope you have a wonderful day too.

I hope all mothers have a great day. Whether you are a mother, want to be a mother, or a mother to a baby in heaven I pray it is a great day for all of you.
Blessings,

Can't believe it's been 7 years

2009-05-03T06:04:00.005-05:00

My middle son, Carson, is 7 today. I can't believe just how fast time goes. We had our oldest son, Chandler, and wanted another so badly. Right when we accepted the fact that God was only going to give us one child, 9yrs later we were excited to find that we were having another. He is such a wonderful little boy. Full of life, very intent on doing things the "right" way, very athletic, passionate, and such a tender-hearted little boy. He was so excited when he went to bed last night. Just waiting to be seven was killing him. haha.
Carson we love you and are so thankful that God blessed us with you seven short years ago.

Ever have one of those days???

2009-04-15T18:12:00.005-05:00

Ever have one of those days when you know everything you have said shouldn't have been said??? You just feel anxious inside and have no peace? I have fed my husband with raw emotion who then of course wants to fix my situation and to make matters worse it has to do with one of our children and how I am perceiving the treatment he is getting. I should have known when I went to the phone and couldn't get a hold of anyone that where I needed to be calling wasn't on the phone but the Throne! I just hate days like this. I have allowed myself to be rendered ineffective for the kingdom when I gossip, vent in an inappropriate way, fret over any situation. I know I need to let go and give it to God but can't seem to understand why I can't just take that short cut and talk to Him first. I always seem to find myself lost off the path then going the long way before I finally have the aha moment! Hello God it's me Linda, gotta minute?? " I have never moved my child, I've been waiting right here for you to call". Ugh Why is it the spirit is willing but the flesh takes over?????
How about you? Ever have one of those days????

Linda

Easter/ Changing of the rooms

2009-04-13T11:05:00.009-05:00

Here is a picture from yesterday. Easter morning before Church. The boys, especially Chandler did not want to take any pictures. Our Lab Dallas wouldn't get out of the pictures so she is in everyone we took.

This room used to be the playroom. The boys are now sharing a room and they love it. I have not bought the matching bedding yet or hung pictures that fit in their room. The ones that are up were in the playroom.

This room used to be the office, then Cameron's room and now is the school room. The pictures don't even do it justice. I love our new school room. I love that it is closed off so there are no distractions from the rest of the house.

So here are some pictures of the used to be dinning room then school room, then tried to be a dinning room again but couldn't fit couch in the room I wanted to so it sat in this room and I ended up liking it so now it is another living room of sorts. The tv cabinet was free, got it right off the side of the road.

Need I say more????

2009-04-10T09:53:00.002-05:00

Can't believe it!

2009-03-21T08:22:00.004-05:00

My oldest turns 16 today. He would say "Yes"! I say "Ugh"! Letting him go to Agentina was way easier than seeing him turn 16. At least when he went to Argentina he still needed us to drive him to and from the airport. Now he doesn't need to depend on us in this way anymore. My husband made the comment about a week ago, that after all these years of driving him to school, weather they talked or not, they were together now that is over. Just another part of letting go. Oh I am pretty sure I will get used to it and at times be very thankful that he can go pick up that forgotten item from the store for me and that he can now take himself to and from school and practices but for now I am sad that the "taxi" chapter has closed.
Happy Birthday Chandler, you are an awesome young man that we are so proud of. Looking forward to what God has in store for you and our lives in the future.
We love you!
Mom,Dad, Carson & Cameron

I aint got no move! Go Tigers!!! Happy Birthday!

2009-03-14T14:37:00.020-05:00

Did I really say in the last post title, "I got my move on" ? Well I quickly found out that I don't have any move to get on. All the plans I had remember?? I laid them out for you and they were so good in my head. However, when 2 key pieces of furniture just won't make it into two seperate rooms that you have carefully planned out you just end up with hodge podge. ugh! So Carson's old room was going to be a living area of sorts, couch, Chairs and TV. Now only has 2 wing chairs. The couch couldn't fit. The boys room upstairs has everything except the armouire(so spelled it wrong, don't care) that was in Cameron's old room. It matches the beds it is so key to being in their room, took us 25 mins to get it up the stairs on its side and that is where it stayed with us holding it trying to figure out how to turn it or get it off the stairs... ended up going right back downstairs but not before we broke one of the doors off of it. The only room that is completely the way I planned is the school room. My dinning room now has a green and marroon plaid couch, with a big white and blue armouire(again spelled wrong, again, don't care) because I've got nowhere to put them. Oh well so much for my little moving project to avoid buying anything. I am still not buying any accessories for my home but I will now be purchasing spackling and paint(Do you think I can use a can of spray paint?) to take care of the huge dents and divits we put into the walls with the pieces of non cooperating furniture and some bengay to help all aching muscles I now have from all this moving and non-moving.

On a much funner note. Our Tigers played for the Conference USA title today and won! It was so much fun. Chandler, Cathleen, David and I went to the game. It was sold out. So much blue and gray. Of course with us going to the game I needed to ask someone to keep Carson and Cameron. We reminded them not to fight with each other and to obey my friend. (just the normal things you need to remind boys of)
When I called to check on my sweet precious baby boys my friend told me they had a little incident. She ran into the grocery store where Cameron hit Carson and Carson bit Cameron. Thankfully she has 3 kids of her own and was able to handle them. She said otherwise everything was great. She assured us we could grab a bite to eat before we picked them up so we headed to El Porton(love me some white cheese dip) for lunch. We then picked up the hitter and the biter and finally we went home where I plan to hibernate and nestle up with a blanket on the couch watch tv and think what could have been if could have got my "move on".

Happy Belated birthday to my sweet niece, Hannah she turned 8 on the 6th of March the only girl on my side of the family. Happy Birthday to my nephew Austin today he turned 15 and is going to get his permit in a few days. Wow with him getting his permit and mine getting his license..... WATCH THE ROAD Tennessee & Georgia!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Six words.. and I got my move on...

2009-03-11T22:03:00.008-05:00

Paige tagged me to write about myself in only six words. Here goes...

bought and paid for by Jesus

I have had this brainy idea to move rooms around in my house. With the recession, buying stuff right now is just not an option so for someone who likes to change around the house with new accessories and things I decided to use only what I have and move the rooms around, just something different.
I started today and "HELLO" what was I thinking?????
Here is the plan.
1. Carson & Cameron have their own room right now but want to share a room so we are moving them into the upstairs playroom.
2. We are moving most of the playroom furniture into Carson's old room to make another living space of sorts. Tv, couch, games, and game systems.
3. Cameron's old room will become the school room.
4. My dinning room will finally become a dinning room again when the school room is moved. Of course I moved a ceiling fan in there and the old chandelier is in the kitchen so I will have a dinning table with a fan above it til I get a new fixture. I can wait. :0

I really thought I, will the help of Chandler and hubby, could get this done in a day. NO WAY! There is so much to organize first. Of course I had to break for dinner, my sweet mother-in-law made some homemade pizzas for us which was a break for me in that I did not have to cook... In the words of London Tipton... "Yeah Me" I have made a little progress though and it is fun to see something a little different.
Wow for someone who doesn't like change, I have never minded changing things around in my home.

You need to rush over to visit Kelly to get some great ideas on recession dressing. Of course while you are there take a million peeks at her precious little baby girl, Harper. I could just eat her up and those bows make me want to buy a bunch even though I am a mom of three boys. I do have a female black Lab though.... ummmmm
Blessings,

Snow fun

2009-02-28T18:41:00.004-06:00
WE have had some snow today. Typical for Memphis as one day this week it was 70 degrees and today it is below 30 and snow. Oh well.
I had an appointment for my hair and nails today and when I heard snow in the forecast I prayed really hard that it would hold off til I did those life altering appointments. Thank you Lord for caring about the little things in my life.

Chandler & Cathleen

Me and the boys

Cathleen and the boys.

Have a great weekend.
Blessings,

They won, They won

2009-02-25T07:28:00.003-06:00
Go Tigers........

Carson's team pulled off the win. It was such an exciting game. It went into overtime at 24-24. They didn't play in overtime they just shot free throws til someone missed, and the other team missed the last one so it ended up being 27-26. It was so much fun. We had only lost one game and it was to that team. They had lost none so they were pretty upset, just as I know our boys would have been had we lost. It was a great season with great kids, coaches, and parents.

Hope you have a great day in the Lord.
Blessings,

Dedication and welcome home

2009-02-24T14:39:00.004-06:00
Tonight is the big night. Carson's team is in the final game of the tournament. They have lost only one game this season and it was to the team we play tonight. Not to brag but just look at his dedication..... on game day he shoots 100 shots. David(aka,daddy and coach) told him to do this a while back. He fully expected him to shoot the shots and maybe make half of them. The first time he did this it took a while. What we found out was he wouldn't count them if he missed. So he was litterally shooting and making 100 baskets before he would be done. We are so proud of him.. Forget the sports ability that God has given him, He is just one great kid!!!! Go Tigers!!!!!!

Chandler made it home from Argentina. Doesn't he look excited..... This picture was taken after a 10 hour flight from Argentina to Dallas, a 2 hour layover, and then a final flight of 1 1/2 hours. He was so tired. He had a great time and we were thrilled to have him back. I'll do a post on it later.

Blessings,

Basketball fun

2009-02-15T18:11:00.005-06:00

The "okay mom I'm smiling " pose

Then there is the "what I really want to look like" pose

Basketball season has been so much fun this year. What a difference a year makes.....
Last years record 1-0-13 We won the very last game and you would have thought we'd won theNCAA championshipthe way the boys acted. I loved it!!!

This years record 13-0-1 We have a little rec. tournament starting this week, should be fun.
I have enjoyed watching these little bodies run up and down the court and improve week to week. We were up 14-1 yesterday and a little boy on our team that has never scored a point made a basket. All of our parents and the coaches went crazy screaming and clapping. I am sure the other team and the parents and coaches thought we were crazy but it was a big thing for this little one and we wanted to cheer for him. He deserved it.
Blessings,

Chandler's on his way......

2009-02-13T19:26:00.003-06:00

Driving to Cathleen's house for one last good-bye of course we were at a stop light for this picture :0

One last hug. Poor thing just had her tonsils out yesterday.

proud daddy and his boys

Texting Cathleen of course :)

proud momma and her boys!

One last picture and he was off to the gate Where I shed few tears.
There was a maintenance delay but only about 45 mins. and off he was.
And again I shed a few tears....
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,

Letting go......

2009-02-11T11:28:00.013-06:00

Wow what a downer my last post was!!!!! I am happy to report that I am feeling so much better. God has certainly proved himself faithful and true to his word. I just needed a few gentle reminders. Thank you for praying for me. You will never know this side of heaven how much it has meant. Thanks mom for all the encouragement. I love you!!

My heart is so full right now it is just bursting at the seams.
My oldest son, Chandler made the Region III Olympic Development team and they are leaving for Argentina this Friday. He will be gone 9 days. We are not going just him and his team. He has never been away from home more than about 5or6 days and we were there with him so he has never been away from us longer than 3 days. Am I worried you ask????? Absolutely 100% full of all the "what ifs" but God will see us all through this first time experience and I know we will be better for it after we get through it. Did I mention we are not going????? ugh!

The reason I am bursting at the seams......
I decided(like yesterday)that since I know Chandler is bound to be homesick I would ask family, former and current coaches, sunday school teachers, his girlfriend, some of his favorite teachers, (you get the picture) to send me an email encouraging Chandler. I am printing them off and putting them in a notebook to hide in his suitcase so he will be surpised when he gets there. The responses I have received have been incredible. I asked for nothing big maybe just a few sentences or a scripture but some have written several paragraphs. There are some that have made me laugh and the one I just finised reading from his school soccer coach (who is also an English major) made me cry. It was full of word pictures and beautiful words. It was wonderful. You are wondering how this will be a suprise if I am writing about it... No worries, he never reads my blog. Sweet Cathleen, his girlfriend, has read it before but she is in on the suprise so she won't tell.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall when he begins to read them.. Did I mention we aren't going??

Here is a recent picture of him and Cathleen from last Saturday's Valentine dance. Did I mention that we don't get to go to Argentina. Not that it's bothering me or anything. :)

As the Lord leads please pray for him and for us.
Blessings,

What to do

2009-02-03T17:56:00.006-06:00

I have been asking myself lately what to do when you come to a crossroads. One road is scary, dark, somewhat selfinflicted, and lonely and lives in the present. The other road is full of light, warmth, and love and lives in the past. Do you stay in the past because it is comfortable and just live in denial or do you move ahead with the road that is very uncomfortable?
I don't like change. I really don't like being alone either. Right now I am going through a lot of change and feeling very much alone. I know that the God who created me is with me and I am trying to find comfort in that knowledge because I don't feel it. I am wondering if he even hears my prayers through my all my sins, confessed and unconfessed. Am I worthy of all he has to offer when I am so selfish and seem to only tap into what He has for me when I am in need.
My head tells me to dive into His word but my body just wants sit and do nothing.
I often wonder how I got where I am but I guess it's like the Casting Crowns song says.. It's a slow fade.. People never crumble in a day.... Maybe I have accepted a little of what the world offers bit by bit? Maybe it is the lack of work on the part of myself to strenthen relationships not only with the Lord but with others because it is too much work? Whatever it is I know only he can give me peace and life. I know I won't find it in people or things. I just want my heart to feel what my head knows. I want what my pastor used to tell us, to believe in the dark what He has shown me in the light.

Am I making any sense? If so pray for me, if not pray for me.

UPDATE...... As I pushed the publish post button my son's girlfriends mother called to say she and my son, Chandler had been in a wreck... Everyone is okay. God reveiling himself to me????

Perspective

2009-01-20T08:24:00.008-06:00

I pulled open the curtains at our hotel and this was the view. Pretty huh??? Notso much.

I turned my head a little and this is what I saw. Beautiful. Huh? Very much so!

Sometimes just a little turn of the head can change our perspective can't it? I'd like to live with my head turned toward heaven. How bout you?

My sister Sandy is participating in the One world one Heart giveaway go check it out...

2009-01-17T11:44:00.005-06:00

I'm out of town but had to post and ask you all for prayers
for Kelly and her family. You can see her post here
Kelly's Korner

A little reflection

2009-01-10T07:15:00.003-06:00
It is quiet here right now. No one is awake but me. I know it has been a while since I have posted and I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Day. This time of year brings so much reflection. Taking stock. What have I done that has worked? What hasn't worked? What type of person am I? Do I really live what I profess? I have so many things I would like to change about me but I have boiled it down to one. A closer walk with my Lord. I have to believe that everything else will just fall into place if I make it a priority to put him first. The weight, the finances, the guilt, the selfishness, the loneliness, the attacks from the enemy, the laziness, the organization, and many more. Don't they all really start because a void needs to be filled?? I want to fill not just a few voids but all my voids with Christ. I want to be so filled with Jesus that if he were liquid he would just pour through every fiber of my being. Several years ago a friend in bible study made the comment that she wanted to be so filled with Jesus that if she unzipped her body Jesus is who we'd see. That is what I want. Right now if I unzipped myself I know Jesus would be there but would I see him or would he be behind so many other meaningless things???

Just thinking out loud......

Blessings,

Because they can

2008-12-29T21:50:00.004-06:00
Hubs and Chandler are still out of town and I have been cleaning a bit. Pay day is coming this week so I cleaned the fridge out to prepare for the bounty that will be arriving.(I wish it would just arrive and I did not have to shop for it, anyway..) While I was cleaning in the back the kids were in the livingroom watching tv, or so I thought, I went to get a drink and this is what I found.......

A fridge full of beanie babies.
They really are sooo smart too just take a look where the polar bear is... that's right the freezer.

Have a great day!

2008-12-27T16:27:00.006-06:00

If you have a minute stop by this blog. This woman is incredible. The gift ideas she has given are so wonderful. She never claims to be perfect but loves the Lord and it is so obvious in all of her posts.

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. Hubs and Chandler are in Orlando. Chandler is playing in a soccer tournament with the Region 3 team. I have been trying to get the Christmas decorations down and up in the attic but I keep getting tripped up by this game called PathWords on Facebook. ( you can only access from this link if you are on facebook)

A good friend of mine lost her grandmother yesterday and so I have kept her two girls all day so she and her mom could take care of the arrangements. You would think four in the house all day would be hard but I think it is soooo much easier. They entertain each other which gives me more time to get important things done. (like play pathwords)

Have a great weekend.

Blessings,

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T10:25:00.003-06:00

This picture certainly sums it up.
Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. May the Lord bless you and guide you in all you do not only this year but on a daily, sometimes minute by minute, basis.
We love you.
Blessings,

2008-12-19T13:41:00.002-06:00

These are a few glittery finds I got at Walgreens last night for $1.00 a piece. I was so excited to add them to our Christmas decor.

I wanted to show you some ornaments that my mother sends me every year. They are from the White House. She has been ordering them since we got married. I love them so much. Each year I say that it's my favorite. Here are just a few. This years is the Christmas tree. They are really nice to have. Thanks Mom! Love you!

Have a great weekend!
Blessings,

2008-12-13T22:19:00.002-06:00
My baby's first "real" dance. Of course neither of them drive so I had to drive them to eat and then to the dance and in about an hour and a half I get to pick them up, but I don't mind it was fun to see Him having so much fun and before I know it he will be driving away from my house and leaving a hole in my heart. Wow, what a downer I am becoming. Anyway, just wanted to show off my handsome "little" big boy.

Blessings,

Why? Why not?

2008-12-13T12:00:00.004-06:00
So, I am on the phone with my mom and dad, who live in Germany, and it is really quite. I begin to search the house as I am talking and this is what I find. Who knows?? I sure don't. Once again I am amazed that I am still looking for presents when they will play with anything.
A little pat on my back though..... Can you see they chose carrots and oranges? How healthy is that??? I'm thinking maybe they aren't my children because I would have chose chocolate and zingers.

Have a great day!
Blessings,

What presents??

2008-12-11T06:57:00.003-06:00

Remind me again why I would try so hard to search for just the right presents for Christmas when they spend hours playing in a box????
(excuse the messy school room.)

Fun stuff

2008-12-09T07:50:00.008-06:00
This soccer picture was something I was trying for a Christmas picture. Soccer is such a big part of our lives so I thought I would give it a try. While I like it it made the cutting room floor this year.

While getting down the Christmas decorations, the boys noticed two huge tubs of beanie babies that I used to collect. They begged to bring them down and have not quit playing with them or sleeping with them as you see here. Cameron is not only sleeping with the beanies but he decided last night, after I tucked him in, to get his soccer trophy and picture. I went to check on him and this is what I found. :) So sweet he is so proud of it. Of course I moved them so he did not bonk his head in the middle of the night.

These last two picture are Cameron and his Pepere enjoying a little unscheduled nap. They sat down to watch a cartoon and both were asleep within minutes.

Chandler asked his sweet girlfriend, Cathleen to the Winter formal last week. I did not know that when the boys ask the girls it is supposed to be in some creative fashioin. So her mother got her out of the house and we put streamers all over her room and balloons. ( I know you only see one in the picture but there were several) We also picked up some roses. I left so she wouldn't know he was there and when she came home her mother sent her to get something from her room and there was Chandler waiting to ask her. ( normally their bedrooms are OFF LIMITS but her mom was right there and I wasn't far behind. It was fun but what's up with this generation???? I thought you only were supposed to be creative with engagement. Oh well at least it is teaching these boys to think creatively and maybe it stick with them.
Sorry for the long post just had these pictures to share.
Have a great day in the Lord.
Blessings,

2008-12-08T10:55:00.002-06:00

This is what I have the privelage to gaze at every morning. (Of course that is if I get up early enough) The Lord is good and His mercies are new every morning. Why not a fresh start with Him today??
Blessings,

Happy Anniversary

2008-12-05T17:17:00.002-06:00
Today is mine and my husband's anniversary. We have been married 21 years. Of course we got married at age 10 that's why I look so young (haha). I just want to tell him how much I love him and am thankful for him. Neither one of us is perfect but we both have done our best to put God first then each other. After all these years we still are learning things about each other. Thank you honey for 21 wonderful years. I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for the next 21plus.
I love you!

Parenting & Birthday wishes

2008-12-04T12:28:00.006-06:00

We are trying so hard to get Carson, our 6yr old to STOP sucking his thumb. One of the things we are trying now is to put a band-aid on his thumb just as a reminder when he puts his thumb in to take it back out. The doctor said after 21 days of no sucking the thumb the habit should be broken. Well our 5 yr old, Cameron has been paying very close attention to all of this and he doesn't suck his thumb but his finger is ALWAYS in his nose. I am constantly having to get onto to him about this and ask him if he needs a tissue. The other day he walked out of the bathroom with a band-aid covering his nostrils and matter of factly stated that he would wear it for 21 days and then he would break the habit of picking his nose.

Kids......aren't they precious?????

Birthday wishes to my brother-in-law, Jimmy. Hope you have a great day!

Blessings

2008-11-27T10:05:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I pray it is a wonderful day filled with wonderful new memories.

Blessings,

Thankful for good news!

2008-11-24T09:58:00.010-06:00

I spoke with the nurse late Friday and while I wasn't able to talk to the doctor at that time she did get my file and said that he had signed off on the results and that there were several non-cancerous words in the results. She said it looked really positive. So even though I have not spoken to him yet I have to believe that had it been bad news he would have called me right after signing off on the results. Anyway I feel really positive about all of it and am Thankful especially this Thanksgiving for this good news. Thank you to those who were praying for me and kept inquiring about the results. I really appreciate the friends I have made here in blogville.

Thank you Jesus!

Please know if you have cancer right now, I have prayed for you today. I pray that you are leaning on the only one who can truly sustain you through this difficult time in your life. Blessings to you and your families this Thanksgiving and through out the year.

Blessings,

Because everything else is done.......

2008-11-21T11:41:00.012-06:00
Because I don't have an extremely messy house right now, because my dishwasher is not broken and I don't have dishes on my counters and in my sink that need to be washed by hand, because I don't have any laundry to do, because I am done with homeschooling today, because my dinner is already planned for tonight and because I have had a shower and got fixed up real nice...... I decided to to what any normal person would do and that is take hardware off my bathroom cabinets and paint them. So there. Oh and because I know how to use this,

I did not strip any of these.

Of course all of the above is a complete fabrication except the hardware stuff and I tell you what I have some freshly painted hardware that looks a lot better! (I would much rather have gone out and bought new hardware but for now the painted ones will do just fine).

Hope you all have a great weekend.

update on results......... No results.... oh well I will let you know when I find out.

Blessings,

Happy Birthday Sister

2008-11-18T07:57:00.008-06:00
Just wanted to wish my sister, Sandy, a happy birthday today. Your present will be in the mail tonight. Here is a picture of yours and Debbie's belated present. They are much taller in person!

Love ya and have a great day!

Blessings,

Thank you

2008-11-17T07:42:00.001-06:00
Thanks for the prayers and sweet comments. My surgery went well and I am feeling pretty good today after a much needed restful weekend. The doctor said we should have results in by Wednesday.
Happy Monday!
Blessings,
Linda

Surgery Tomorrow

2008-11-13T22:32:00.003-06:00
Please pray for me as I have my surgery tomorrow. Satan has a field day with me on the what ifs. I will update as soon as I feel well enough to.
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,

Back Home/ Need a prayer

2008-11-09T15:42:00.011-06:00

Well we just made it back from our State Weekend and while it was a good weekend we did lose a game which cost us the opportunity to play in the finals. I must admit the anticipation of losing was far worse than the actual loss. The team that beat us is from Brentwood. We know some of their players and parents personally and so while we were devistated to lose it was nice to see them win. After winning 4 state championships in a row we definatley had a big bulls-eye on our backs but the Brentwood team and their parents, who had plenty to celebrate were very gracious. Our coach, whom I adore, looked at our boys when it became apparent that we were going to lose and said "We win with class and we will lose with class" Our boys handled it very well and I was very proud of them. The team that beat us went onto play in the championship game and lost to Knoxville futbol Club, another team of kids and parents that we like so while I am personally sad for my kiddo and our team I am happy for those that won. Overall it was a good weekend, experiencing several emotions and a little head-ache from it all.

On the surgery front. I went for my pre-op Friday and I am currently sick with conjestion etc. I have to get to the doctor tomorrow and then call the surgeon to let them know what the doctor says and then they will decide whether or not to proceed or change the surgery date. Please pray that the surgery can stay as scheduled. I need to go ahead and get this mass out and move on with the holidays. For those of you that asked, there is still a small percentage that I may have cancer. I did not interpret the biopsy results correctly the first time. They will not know for sure until the pathologist reads it after they remove it, however, I feel confident that everything will be just fine and my doctor is very positive as well.
Hope you have a great week!
Blessings,

We're leaving in a packed van. Surgery update

2008-11-06T15:38:00.004-06:00

Leaving for Soccer State championships tomorrow afternoon. My son's team plays at 8:00 tomorrow night and then 5:00 Saturday evening. Depending on how they finish in those two games will determine when they play on Sunday. I don't want to sound selfish but they have won State 4 years in a row and I would love to see a 5th. We are going to be up against some really tough teams though and not sure how it will play out. The boys are as prepared as they can be physically, I am hoping they are mentally as well. If you have a moment will you say a prayer for them. I cannot trick God by asking him to allow the best team to win he knows I want to win and I just come out and say it in my prayers. I do want Him to be glorified and I do pray that I will be gracious and humble to the parents of the opposing teams whether it is in victory or defeat. Several of the kids on this competitive team are also on the State olympic development team along with other kids that are on the opposing teams so we personally know several of the other kids and their parents plus one of the teams is from our hometown as well. We have been truly blessed by the soccer community with the friendships our son has made as well as the ones we have made with the parents. We have also been blessed with an outstanding coach. Not only is he a great coach he has character and expects it from the players. He has been a true role model for our son and the team. Only one thing left to say... "Go Rush Go!"

Have a great weekend.
On the surgery front. I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow before we leave and the surgery is scheduled for next Friday the 14th. Please pray that the pathologist will be able to read the tissue that day and that if it is cancer it will be removed fully and successfully.
Blessings,

Just hanging around....

2008-11-01T15:31:00.011-05:00

Two trips to the doctor, strep both times for both of them in one month!

One trip to the corn maze.

Halloween

Jumping Ninjas

A little bit of Chandler's art. He had to look at a picture and draw from it he could not trace it. We are amazed at how tallented he is in Art.

Hope your weekend is going well.
Blessings,

Which way do I go?

2008-10-24T13:45:00.004-05:00
I drove to Birmingham, Alabama last weekend. This is monumental for me as I do not travel without my husband. I have a horrible sense of direction and cannot read a map. Well I figured with the new navigational system I would be fine and set out for a soccer tournament with my son and two of his team mates.

All went very well until I missed a turn and the system told me to turn left when left would have put me in the median. So I panicked.
I kept driving and the system kept saying recalculating, then I realized I did not have phone service which was a double whammy. I drove about 3 miles to the next exit so that I could turn around. Again the system kept saying recalculating and with the phone service still gone I was really frazzled. As I approached the missed turn. I had a message on my phone from a team parent telling me to bypass Jasper and take exit 85 as is was now open. So another U-turn and back I went. As I arrived to my destination I was struck by the spiritual application this little mishap really had. Sometimes I just drive along the road of life on auto-pilot, just waiting for the next direction. When somthing unfamiliar happens, like missing the turn, I try in vain to go back, back to the familiar, the known. The unknown scares me. I had all the tools I needed to move ahead yet I just wanted to go back. I want to go back to a place where I know my relationship with the Lord was stronger, I make so many u-turns to try to get there I miss the only road to a closer relationship with Him. That road is called Time. Time with Him is the only way to arrive at my true destination(heaven) with Peace and joy, and just like that parent told me the road was Opened I need to be receptive to hearing from fellow believers that I may not be going "the right way".
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Linda

2008-10-23T07:15:00.001-05:00
Happy Anniversary to my parents. They have been married 43 years today! We love you.

2008-10-21T07:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday to my little sister, Debbie. We love you and hope you have a great day!
Blessings,

I Got Nuthin!, Well maybe a little :)

2008-10-14T14:04:00.008-05:00
Really, "I got Nuthin" I have been gone sooo long from posting. I have become a blog lurker and hardly ever commenting. Those that keep track of who visits please don't be offended I sometimes just enjoy looking around and then getting off the computer. :) On that note I had to take my counter and tracker off my blog because I became so obsessed with people not commenting. I would see a visitor and wonder why didn't she comment, she doesn't like me, I have nothing to offer anyone, not creative, not too great at decorating even though I love it, too fat, boring, whatever I told myself I would believe until I realized just how stupid that was. Most the time people don't give it a second thought they just visit and leave just like I have been doing lately. I had to go back and remind myself that I maily started this blog as a tool to keep in touch with family but I have met a lot of great people along the way.

On a different note I must say that I have watched entirely toooooooo much coverage of the upcoming election. I am so "in the know" of course "the know" is what the news anchors tell me and let me tell you there are some stations that leave a lot of stuff out. I KNOW because I have watched just about all of them. I do know who I am going to vote for but I have wanted to get all the information I could in making that decison. There is one station, named after an animal, that I have decided really does do a good job of getting a lot of information out and asking people from both sides their opinions. There is another that has a segment called "the worst person in the world" Nice real nice! There are also some stations that truly just do not mention some things which makes me angry because I believe they are there to give us all the information available and then let us make a decision. Thank goodness for the internet, now we have access to actual documents and facts about things and not just someone's opinion. In watching so much TV and hearing so many views I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of ANGRY people out there. Some because of the current economy crisis but some just becasue they are angry and somewhat bitter. People can call it passion and maybe for some it is but wow it sure looks like anger and bitterness to me.
One of the greatest privelages we have in America is to VOTE. This is the one way our voices can be heard. If you don't vote you have no right to complain about our government. Educate yourself on the candidates,don't believe everything you hear, check it out, line it up with the scriptures, pray and then VOTE!
Okay off the soap box. :)
Blessings,

My baby is 5 today!

2008-09-28T19:19:00.004-05:00

I have been MIA lately in blogville but need to surface to wish my youngest little one, Cameron, a very happy birthday! I love this little guy so much! He brings so much laughter to our home. He was a Very Very big suprise to us and we are so greatful that the Lord entrusted him to us to raise for Him. Cameron had a big day today. He pet some horses over at my a home near my in-laws house. David took him to breakfast that he chose. Of course he doesn't want much just McDonalds. Then we had cake and ice cream here this evening. We are very blessed to have this little guy in our family.
We love you Camo!
Mommy & Daddy

Happy Birthday

2008-09-13T11:29:00.002-05:00
Happy Birthday to my Grandma and my nephew Holland. We got to spend some time with Holland this summer I can't believe he is 12 already. My Grandmother was just here last week with my mom and we had a great time. We love you both!
Blessings,

Update

2008-09-09T15:09:00.002-05:00
Thanks so much for the prayers yesterday and today. The biopsy went very well. No pain at all and that was a concern for me. I am not even sore today so that is great as well. I expected to get results tomorrow but did get a call today. I do not have cancer but what is there, I won't even attempt to spell it, has to be removed for fear that it may become cancer in the future. Please continue to pray for me as I now have to work out the details for surgery. It is only supposed to be an outpatient proceedure so I should be home relatively quick and the recovery is about 2-3 days.
Blessings,

A Little Nervous Today

2008-09-08T06:06:00.002-05:00
I am having a biopsy today and I am really nervous. I am really not concerned right now about what the results maybe its just having to do something I have never done before and not knowing what to expect that is really bothering me. I did not sleep well last night over it. Satan has had a field day with me over this. If you have a moment please pray for peace for me this week because I am sure after the biopsy I will transfer my worries over to the results which I won't get until Wednesday.
Blessings,

Happy Anniversary/An Award

2008-08-31T19:48:00.016-05:00

Just wanted to wish my sister, Sandy, and my brother-in-law Steven a Happy Anniversary. Tommorrow they will celebrate eighteen years together. They married in Okinawa,Japan where my Dad was stationed with the Marines and Steven was stationed there with the Air Force. I had just started college again and could not go. I did help as much as I could by sending things to her for the wedding that she could not get over there. She made a beautiful bride. Steven has been a wonderful member of our family. He treats Sandy with the utmost respect, believe it or not he does a lot of the cleaning and laundry in their home. They are wonderful parents to three wonderful boys. We hope you have a fabulous day.

I want to thank Christina for this award. Christina was one of my very first Blogging friends that I made. She has been extremely sweet and has two great blogs. Thanks again Christina you are really special.
Now I want to pass this on to:
Dawn
Denise
Fran
Brandy
Jennifer

I love all of these for various reasons. Go check them out and you'll see why.
Blessings,

Fun with boys

2008-08-26T07:09:00.010-05:00

A simple trip to Sports Authority to purchase two soccer balls turns into a one hour adventure for Carson and Cameron. Oh and dad will say he was just an innocent bystander but he was right in the middle and loving it! By the way, even thought there is not a picture we did actually purchase the soccer balls. :)

School Already?????

2008-08-13T11:45:00.004-05:00

Well school has started here so of course I have to post the annual back to school pictures. Chandler has been at the same school since k-5 and is now a sophmore so he will continue where he is but other two are going to be homeschooled. Carson is in 1st and Cameron is in preschool. We all started on Tuesday. Cameron will actually go to a little preschool two mornings a week starting next month but until then he does little workbook pages and art work and things with Carson and I. I was in the process of turning our dinning room that was an office back into a dinning room when I got the brainy idea that I would just make it a school room. The picutures of the little ones show a little bit of the room behind them. I took the picture of Chandler by himself and the one of Chandler and David right after each other I am not sure why one looks like I took it at night.

In other exciting news... Chandler got his permit. YIKES! He is actually doing very well. He only drives with David or myself alone I am not ready to put the pressure of driving with the little ones in the car on him I just don't think that is very wise. :)
Have a great day!
Blessings,

Hall Bath

2008-08-08T10:11:00.005-05:00

I recently took down the builder mirror in my hall bath and put up this mirror that I have had forever. I am not sure if I am really satisfied with the outcome. I was trying to make a change without spending any money. So I painted the standard light that was brass, brown you can see in the picture where I have some brown paint on the wall (oh well). It is okay but when I can find one on sale I plan to change the fixture out. After removing the mirror there was wallpaper behind it so I had to remove that and I painted the room with left over paint from another room in the house. It is really pretty similiar to what was there before. I did buy the pictures from Hobby Lobby when they were 50% off. I do somewhat like it but I believe my tastes change with the wind because now I am thinking of getting a more decorative mirror and painting the cabinets black. I am liking a more sleek look. Which would mean some $$$ so I will probably leave it like this for a little while. The curtains are some mistreatments (thanks Nester) that I did a while ago. I can see though that I did not do as good a job of hanging them as they were before I painted. You can't see the pleats very well. I will have to adjust those.
How about you? Have you painted your cabinets and if so how difficult was it to do?
Hope you have a great weekend.
Blessings,

More Birthdays

2008-08-07T09:47:00.006-05:00

Just wanted to wish my Dad a wonderful birthday. He and my mom live in Germany so we don't get to see him very often but we always enjoy it when we can get together.
Happy Birthday Daddy, We love you and miss you.

It is also our niece, Janna's birthday today. We are excited because she is expecting the first great-grandchild on David's side of the family.
Another birthday wish is for my sister-in-law, Diane. Her birthday is tomorrow.
Hope you all have a great day!

A Birthday, an Award and so much more

2008-08-01T08:36:00.011-05:00

Today is my sweet husband, David's birthday. I am so blessed to have this man in my life. We met in high school and have been together ever since. He is an awesome daddy, not one day goes by in this house that he is not outside playing ball, teaching how to ride bikes or just chillin on the couch with the kids watching their favorite disney shows. He will be coaching both younger ones this fall in soccer and is very involved in Chandler's soccer club and is the manager of his team. He loves the Lord and really his entire life revolves around our family and how he can provide for us to spend as much time together as possible. Honey, we love you and hope it is wonderful day!!!

I was plesantly suprised to have received these awards from Kim. I love visiting her blog and I was humbled when I found out she passed them onto me. She is a sweet christian who loves her family and can really make you think when you read some of her posts on spiritual things.
I have such a hard time selecting a blog for an award because I really am so attatched to all on my list and several more. So I am going to cheat a little and if you would like to accept the award please do if you are on my list. I enjoy each and everyone of your blogs. I am probably missing several though because I am so in need of updating the blogroll.

Your “official instructions” follow. Now go forth and share the love! To the recipients of the award...pick five blogs you consider deserving of this award, whether for creativity, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogging community, no matter what language. Name each nominee and link to his/her blog. Show the award and include the name (and link to his/her blog) of whoever presented you with this award.Link to the Arte y Pico blog so everyone knows the origin of this award. Post these rules.

She was also having a give away and I won a handmade prayer journal, anticipating its arrival. :)
I will take a picture and post when I receive it.

My Sister, Sandy and my three nephews arrived last night. They will be here til Tuesday morning so I am looking forward to getting caught up with her.Sh Don't tell her but I am hoping I can get some stuff painted while she is here. She is so talented. I will just casually bring it up one day like hey that would be nice to have hanging on my wall right here but I am sure you don't have the time, she'll say yes I do and I'll say I don't want to put you out but okay what are you waiting for start painting you're only here til Tuesday for heavens sake!:)
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Blessings,
Linda

Say what????

2008-07-25T19:55:00.002-05:00

Hubby came home with his today and wow were the boys excited. Funny thing is I think he was just as excited so I am not sure who he bought it for. Just saying....
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Linda

Fun, Fun, Times

2008-07-17T12:43:00.010-05:00
My kids love to know what is on the agenda for the day. Every morning when the little ones wake up they ask,"What's the plan, Mom?" I give them a list of things we are going to do that day and for some reason they love that I guess it is their own way of having order to their day. If we are going to deviate from the plan I try to warn them or they get upset and say "that is not in the plan!"

This past weekend when they woke up I told them there was no plan and to get in the car. I would be taking them to some suprise locations.( I really just made them up as I went along)

Our first stop was Starbucks where we actually went in and drank our Fraps, theirs was strawberries and Cream and mine Carmel. ( one of my serious weaknesses) We then drove about 25 mins to this really great park. I did a short bible lesson for them at the Gazebo and then away they went. My husband works for FedEx and this park has a neat little FedEx plane in it. They had a great time. Then I said it was time to go to the next place. Somehow they began calling each new stop, levels, so they said let's leave the park and go to level 3 and so we did. We went to Memere & Pepere's house where they picked blue berries and went swimming.

Then to Burger King(yuck) Where they could play and eat instead of just going through the drive thru. The last level was bowling what a blast. I had planned to do a movie too but I was tired after 7 hours so home we went. That was the beauty of not telling them exactly what we were doing. No one could hold me to it.:)

They were so cute telling daddy about their day. They had a blast and so did I.

Carson is very competitive so here is is not smiling because the score was 82-81 and he did not win. :)

My father in law has a few blueberry bushes. Every summer he picks them sometimes 3-4 hours a day.
This park was fabulous!

When they were at the park and BK I had an opportunity to read the study I am doing, No Other Gods, by Kelly Minter. What a great study. I know that Beth Moore is doing it online with thousands of women but I came in late so I am doing it on my own. It really is an eye opening and convicting study. So simple yet so profound!

Hope you all are having a wonderful week.

Blessings,

Silly Stuff

2008-07-14T09:15:00.010-05:00

As I pointed out the very large glossy looking stomach carrying SIX babies probably about 7months pregnant of Kate (Jon & Kate plus 8) to my youngest children, Cameron, my youngest, yelled "Hey look Carson, That tummy is bigger than mommy's" Now I realize that could be perceived as sort of a compliment but when he said it what I heard was" Wow, I can't believe it Carson there is actually someone out there bigger than our big Mom" I can promise you my tummy is not that big. :) Silly kids sure know how to make their mom feel like a real beauty:)
I never know when it comes on but if I channel surf and see it we will watch it. If you do watch it you know exactly what I am talking about you know in the intro when she is in the hospital and probably having an ultra sound so she has all that jelly on her tummy.
Back to big tummies... My sisters and I are on a Journey to better health so we have started a new blog called (now do not laugh) Three hotties trapped in Fat bodies... I heard that laugh! We are just being silly and trying to use humor to tackle this really tough struggle and long journey we have ahead of us.
Changing the subject a bit. I wanted to wish my Nephew, Adam a very happy birthday. It was yesterday and he had to spend it in the desert, the VERY HOT desert. Thanks Adam for your service to our country. We love you.

Blessings,

2008-07-12T17:40:00.002-05:00
Chandler was held over for Regional pool and we were thrilled. The one bright spot in the weekend.
The only truth I seem to be able to grasp today is that I am Engraved in Him Palms and nothing I do, say, or feel can remove me. praise Jesus.

Fun times/Soccer

2008-07-10T15:32:00.010-05:00

Carson's birthday is in May. This is an incredibly busy month for us so it seems if there is going to be anything then just a family get together it has to be later, in this case 2 months later. We had originally planned to have a pretty big back yard party when he decided he just wanted to have some friends spend the night. Now I know 6 year olds typically don't have sleep overs but I also have a 15 year old who always has friends over so my little ones are always begging to have friends spend the night. Well I told him two friends from soccer and two friends from school could come and so it was. Now we purposily had it last night knowing my oldest would be gone that way they wouldn't bug him and he wouldn't bug them. What I was not anticipating was that hubby would be gone as well. (I'll explain further into the post).
The kids ate pizza, then Carson opened presents, then of course they played with them. I gave the kids some little toys to thank them for coming one of which was the glow necklace's which they quickly cracked open and went outside in the dark to jump on the trampoline which was a really neat sight. We all watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and ate popcorn after the sleeping bags were layed out on the living room floor. I think the last kiddo went to sleep at 12:00am. Of course all were up by 6:45am and I being on WW and being the health conscience person I am offered them cake for breakfast. :) Now I also made waffles for them but some did eat cake as well. The kids were all gone by 9:30am and I am exhausted. It really was a really fun, easy, little get together. I really enjoyed hearing the conversations 6 year olds have with one another. Bodily functions seem to be the universal topic that cracks them up. So Silly :) Which reminds me that Carson went to a Soccer camp a month ago and he loved it but when you asked him what he favorite party of the whole week was he told us that it was when his friend taught him how to make "special noises" using him arm pit and hand. Yes bodily functions are a topic of comedy for sure for 6 year olds, boys in particular.

My oldest is at Regional Olympic Development Camp for Soccer. He is having a really great time. The state teams play games in the morning against each other and from those games the regional coaches select a few players from each state to play in pool games(combination games of players from each of the different states) He was selected to play in last night's pool game and we just found out tonight's as well. My husband took him to this camp which is at The University of Alabama and said he would stay to watch if he were selected to play. Of course since he was selected last night hubby stayed.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of him playing soccer. Even thought those two other players are on his back he still has his eye on the ball.

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Blessings,

I"m so Cool

2008-07-08T13:38:00.009-05:00

12

Well the air is fixed and I could not be happier. In case you were interested we bought one that looks like the first picture not the second one. We did not have room for the unit and the girl nor the money so we settled on the unit alone. :)

Blessings

I am SOOOO Hot!!!

2008-07-06T22:24:00.006-05:00

And no I do not mean my looks:) My air conditioner was making a weird noise this week so I had someone come check it out. He said the compressor was on it's last leg and there was nothing he could do for it. It was still cooling so he said keep using it as long as it is cooling and when it stops give me a call and we will replace it to the sweet tune of $1850.00. Now I was still cool and fortunately my neighbor on the side of the air conditioning unit was not home so she couldn't be tortured by the awful schreeching noise it was making. The man left and I prayed that somehow we could wait til the fall to replace it. Well, I got my answer to my prayer today and it was a no. The warm air made it's way into our home at a speed faster than a race car and now at 10:30pm I am typing and sweating at the same time, I guess you could say I am multi-tasking:) It was about 97 today so that did not help things.

In thinking it over I feel like it is more of a test of faith for me today. We had a really great church sermon and morning so it was only appropriate to come home to some hot air to see what I was made of. Can I go with the flow and be thankful for the blessings I still have or am I only going to focus on being uncomfortable for a short while? So far my reaction has been pretty positive I hope I can keep it up. Isn't it typical though how easy it is to act in a Christ-like manner when I am surrounded by all things "comfortable" but the minute the comfort is disturbed it becomes so hard, how selfish of me. My nephew is living in 110 degree heat everyday in Iraq not to mention the 20lbs of extra clothes and gear he has to wear, people all over my town that are homeless have to find places to keep cool and I am inconvienced for probably a day or so and my lower lip comes out. Poor me! Father thank you that I have an air conditioner and that even thought it may be difficult to pay for you have given us the means to pay for it. Oh and I guess I should also thank you that I have a two story house and only the downstairs unit is broken so I could go upstairs to cool off if I want to.:) I was going to leave that one itty bitty piece of information out because the story of my sacrifice was so much better without it but it somehow it just seemed WRONG. haha

Be thankful for all things........

Blessings,
Linda

Hello again,,Hello

2008-07-03T19:09:00.010-05:00
I am back. Yeah for my family as I know they have been tired of not hearing from me through my posts. The computer did crash thanks to several virus' then it did not help that I purchased an anti-virus program that was a virus itself and gave freely my credit card information. I have been a little anxious about that because I have seen no evidence of purchase but probably need to cancel the card. As I write this I am thinking how dumb that I haven't already cancelled it!!!

We went to North Carolina for Soccer regionals with my son's team where they made it to the quarter finals which was exciting. Then we went to Hilton Head, South Carolina for some relaxation at the beach. Then home only to leave the next day for Nashville for 2 more days. I have never been gone that long from home. It was busy but a lot of fun.

I have enjoyed lurking around and getting caught up on so many blogs. So many wonderful things happening to so many wonderful people. Some sad things that are hard to hear but neat to see how people are choosing to lean on the Lord to get through their pain. Tears flowed from my eyes as I read that Kelly is finally pregnant and doing well, and as I read Angie's blog about several mothers that have lost little ones met up at the deeper still conference this past weekend. And Lisa's post on selfishness wow!!! I can so relate!!! And Nester's computer down... oh the horror ( I have enjoyed her sister's guest posts though) and Kat's great news.. No Cancer! Isn't crazy how we can feel like we know someone so well and we haven't even met them in person? My husband laughs at me when I begin to tell him stories about some of you. He asks, "and who is this person?" Oh well the connections can run deep even if through a computer. :)
Happy fourth of July to all of you. We are heading to the drive in with the little ones.
Happy Anniversary to Helene and Bruce we love you guys!
Blessings,

2008-06-14T07:38:00.005-05:00

My computer has been attacked!!
Just a short note from Linda's sister to let you all know that she will be away from her computer until she can get it fixed. Isn't it a shame that PEOPLE create these monsters?!

Hurting anyone????

2008-06-06T22:10:00.005-05:00
I have so many friends who are hurting right now and I am so sad for them. Some because of their own choices, some because of other people's poor choices and some just because they can't keep their eyes on the one and only Jesus. I believe I fall into that last category right now. I have been so incredibly busy, tired and not feeling all that great that I have allowed my eyes to focus horizantal rather than verticle. My eyes have fallen on my circumstances. (which I might add, to most may not seem very bad at all) Whatever the hurt comes from whether we asked for it or not it still hurts!! I am so convinced that there are so many of us out there who pretend that everything is just fine and we have it all under control when in all reality the only thing we have control over is our reaction. Our reaction to our circumstance is our choice and ours alone. Do I react in a manner worthy of a good witness or do I fail miserably? Lately I would have to say it is the latter. I am going to hop off this post right now and go stick my heart, soul, and mind into His one and only word. The Truth. Oh it won't change my circumstances but I know it can and will change my reactions if I am willing and I believe I am ready to be willing.

Cry when you need to cry, vent when you need to vent, but I pray we can be real with one another and pray for one another without judging cause I don't know about ya'll but I am one sister who does NOT have it all together. :)

Blessings,

Another birthday and Back to the desert

2008-06-04T07:40:00.004-05:00
I want to wish my Father in law, or as my kids call him Pepere, a wonderful birthday. He has had a tough year this year with carpul tunnel (sp) surgeries and rehab for his hands but he is doing so much better and for that we are thankful. We hope you have a great day! We love you.

I also want to ask for prayers for my nephew Adam. He leaves tomorrow to go back to Iraq til January. I think he has had a pretty good visit but I am sure he is not ready to go back. Please pray that God will keep him safe and that the time will go quickly for him.

Have a great day!
Blessings,

2008-06-01T06:42:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet friend, Jessica, my "heart friend".

Blessings,

A birthday and an Anniversary

2008-05-30T13:56:00.010-05:00

Yesterday was my sister, Debbie and her husband Matt's Anniversary. They got married in Hawaii and it was beautiful right at sunset. Hope it was a great day!

Today is my sweet mother's birthday. She and my dad live in Germany so we don't get to see them as often as we'd like. They will get to visit this September though so we are looking forward to a visit from Nana and Pop Pop. Please go check out the pictures that my sister posted from when my mom was a little girl. Somehow she has all the photos from our childhood and I guess my mom's as well.
Mom Hope it was a great day sorry we missed you on the phone.
I love you,

Favorite room

2008-05-28T21:46:00.010-05:00
Kelly did a post on her favorite room and asked us to do the same so here goes.....

I really love my master bath. Not so much because of the decor because I am no designer and it is 16 yrs old, but more because of what it means. Long hot baths with no noise. Alone time. This really is about the only place that I can be alone to rest, relax, and recharge. I love the Relax sign. The lillies were painted on an old window by my sister Sandy and given to me as a Christmas gift a few years ago. If you click on the pictures to enlarge you can see that this room is in need of some deep cleaning. Oh well clean or not I can still relax in there. :)

Have a great day!
Blessings,

Just playing around

2008-05-27T16:35:00.008-05:00

Well now that school is out I am finding that there are a million things I want to accomplish but so many of them will take so much time that I say to myself, "I can do that later." I have bought several plants and two really cute pots. I have been planting most of the time that David and Chandler have been gone. These are the pots that I found at Lowe's.

My sister, Sandy, sent me this really cute towel. I told her I thought I might add some ribbon to it with my handy dandy glue gun. So I will take you through the before and after with these photos. I don't know why I asked the opinion of my 6 year old, Carson, but I did and he does not like the "furry stuff". So of course now being the insecure person that I am I will fret over the "furry stuff's existance and whether or not it is really needed.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I did not get a "mud cake" but a very real one with lots of calories. YUM! My father in law and mother in law got one and we ate it and went swimming at Helene's (my sister in law) house. My children did get up and put several of their own things into gift bags, tissue paper included( I was very impressed). Then they waited anxiously as I opened them. They were so excited that I oooed and awed over the presents they chose to sacrifice from their own collection of things. How sweet are they?? That is until they told me that since they gave me some of their toys maybe I should take them to buy them a few new toys. I mean after all that's only fair, isn't it?
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Linda

Happy Birthday to me

2008-05-26T06:57:00.008-05:00

Every once in a while I get the privilege of sharing my birthday on the same day we honor any and all service men and women. Those who have gone before us. My Dad and father in law are retired Marines. One brother in law is about to be retired from the Air Force, another brother in law is a retired Navy man and another was in the Army for a short while. Now my Nephew Adam is in the Army stationed in Iraq. Our armed forces are near and dear to me. Often taken for granted and forgotten about. Pray today for them and their families. It is not an easy life to live. They are underpaid, often unappreciated and sometimes just an after thought when in all actuallity they are the heros who have paved the path of the freedom that our country is so blessed to have.

Today will be a little quiet. David and Chandler are at a soccer tournament out of town. Carson and Cameron are plotting to make me a suprise birthday cake. I believe I overheard the main ingredient to be MUD. It will be the thought that counts plus there will be no calories to rid myself of. I do believe on Weight Watchers mud is O points. :)
Thank you Lord for creating me in my mother's womb and allowing her to give birth to me MANY years ago on this day. I pray that the rest of my years here on Earth will be glorifying to you and you alone.
Blessings,
Linda