Florida Sunshine, Tennessee Snow

A quick trip to Florida with our newly family of four….it was just weird to make a trip without the oldest.  With first college exams looming, taking off for a quick vacay was not in the cards.  DJ was missed.  So with a tear in our eyes not really (we were to excited) we packed up our suit cases and drug along the dogs for a grand adventure to see family and friends! 

We left Wednesday evening to maximize our time there, so hubby graciously drove the entire way while the rest of us snoozed!  That is the way to travel, because every time I woke up, we were that much closer to the destination!

So here are the highlights of our trip, in bullet form…with pictures…yay for you!  :o)

• A cast for the nephew

• Seeing family…it’s good to be loved on, unconditionally!
• Lunch with the best folks on earth….
• Crazy family time at the sisters house…with iPods, an iPhone and computers…(we are such a tech savy bunch)
  

• Baseball games with the nephews…

• Saturday night Christmas musical at our home church

• Birthday present for the hubby…a new GPS (there is whole story about that coming up really soon!)

• A good bye slumber party with some of the nephews
• A short Georgia trip to see the Aunt and Uncle …sadly no picture was taken.
• A rough ride home with terrible winter weather and lots of prayers, a few tears and a snow day to end our trip…

A very much needed trip…..a very much needed snow day and a big smile on our faces to sum up all the fun!  Oh, and a picture of Higgins to make this blog post complete!  HA!

The Pity Party Will End

Sorry y’all for the previous post, and the sob story that danced off the tips of my fingers.  When a mama gets her feelings hurt, look out!  I thought I would feel better by putting my frustrations out there for the world to see.  The highlight that I thought would make my day by pulling the mom card, lasted for only a moment, and for a moment I smiled a devilish smile of pure victory but even that was short lived.

It was not until I was directed to this blog and read this post that made me blow out the candle on my pity party.  Many the miles, one foot in front of the other.  That is how I will view the journey of raising a family from now on.  I had a mini complete melt down over one mother’s day out of eighteen mother’s day.  Seventeen out of eighteen is pretty good!!

Today, I realized that the journey is only mine to have for a short while and if I give up, what does that say about me?  What kind of mom would I be if I threw up my hands and quit? (Trust me, I considered it Sunday.)  So here I am with renewed strength, ready to tackle the ever weary years of raising teenagers.   I honestly do not ever think I will miss these days, but I also said the same thing about motherhood with three young children under the age of five, and how I do miss those days.

I am claiming this verse for this season of our lives….

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

Blissfully Happy

So I was just thinking…Am I where I thought I would be today in life?

We were all young, foot-loose and fancy-free, at some point.  Some, a long time ago and some of us, just yesterday.  So am I where I thought I would be? 

I always knew I wanted to be married and a mother at some point.  Mostly, I pictured my self as a high-powered attorney, fighting the toughest court cases and of course, winning.  A corner office in a high-rise with a beautiful view of the city. 

Instead, I fell in love and life happened, babies came and now I work in a church office as a ministry assistant.  I have an office, not in a high rise with a view of the city, but a cute little room in the middle of our church and there are no big cases that I have to argue over, unless it’s about where to eat lunch .

Family situations are hard and I never thought we would endure things we have.  Broken dryers, flat tires and unexpected bills are inevitable.  All in all, we are in good shape

Laughing with the kids, playing games, enduring through tough teenage drama.  It’s the little things to be thankful  for.

Last night, I woke up and my husband and I carried on a conversation at 1:30 in the morning until we fell asleep again.  This morning, he drove me to work, just because, no other reason.  We share a special bond and a deep love.  We do fuss at times, but for the most part, it’s over silly stuff and nothing life shattering.

Life is good and I am blissfully happy. 

So are you where you thought you would be?

A Busy Day Yesterday And What To Do With My Space

Yesterday, Me and Hubby met the family for lunch at a small, famous little place on the outskirts of town, named Miller’s Grocery.  Good ‘ol Southern fittles at their best and a place where you throw caution to the wind on the diet home front! 

Here are a few pictures from our ever so scrumptious lunch…

  

Annette, April & Brandon waiting ever so patiently for lunch, well April not so much on the patience part!  HA!

 

Stacey smiling it up for the camera and I guess you can say the same for me and hubby!

The Miller’s Grocery Dog that is always there!  Cute huh?

The after picture, completely full and miserable!

*******************

Okay here is where I throw caution to the wind and show you the ever so junk yard that I call my office each and everyday at work.  I can’t believe that I am doing this, but I need help y’all!

My office is the where the party is!!  On any given day, there are folks that take up residence there, and I for one love it!  (I am a social kind of of girl!)

Here are my two partners in crime, April and Wes.  Wes is our ever mantastic tech guy, and the one I whine to the most!  April is our wonderful Children’s Ministry Director and aka ‘cuz.  Like I said, on most says the three of us are in my office, when we are not at lunch that is!

These two were absolutely no help to me yesterday!  I want to move my office around to accommodate all of us when we are all three working on a project together and I need to decorate my walls, BAD!

Here is the view from my desk looking out.  Did I mention that I need organization as well?  (The mirror in the wall is the only thing I have hanging in my office.)

Standing behind and to the right of my desk, we are looking at a small desk that I also have in my office, this is where April usually hangs out.

This picture is behind my desk, looking to the left side of my desk.

Looking into my office.

There you have it….let the comments & suggestions begin on my much needed office makeover!! 

18 Years, Then & Now

On May 4, 1991, I married my best friend,

and today we celebrate 18 years together.

The Beginning

(Wow, we are so young)

For 18 years we have loved, lived, laughed, cried, celebrated, lost, gained and our love has grown for each other more than I think either one of us could of imagined.

If I had the chance I would do it all over again!!

Today

(We have changed a lot!)

Our Family

(Totally blessed!!!)

Mental And Spiritual Raging War & 30 x 5

Hey guys, it been a pretty busy couple of days for me, both mentally and physically, so first let me go ahead and get my 30 x 5 update out of the way! It was a rough start, the first day was dreary and raining, but I think I did a pretty good job of improvising! I briskly walked through many errands and two different grocery store trips, one being wow-mart. Of course the wow-mart experience was to get something I forgot from the other store. The funny thing was, what I needed was at the very back of the store, so I parked as far as way from the door that was safe enough and powered walked the entire way. Joey was worn out and kept asking me why I was walking so fast and I told him it was a new form of exercise!! It worked, not to sure about it being an entire 30 minute work-out, but it was better than nothing!!

Yesterday was not good for me either! We are doing photo's for a new church directory, and the bad part is we stated taking pictures on a Wednesday (bad, bad). I got to work at 8:00 am and I left work last night at 9:45 pm, so again, no time to really exercise. But on a good side note, I am making healthy choices on the food end, so I feel that is a great accomplishment!!

Okay, for the not so good part, the raging war. I am really struggling mentally and spiritually right now. I know our God is so powerful that he could nip this thing right in the bud with satan, but my human me, is fighting for strength to keep my head above water right now. There is a battle, and my thoughts are not where they have been for the past couple of months and I CANNOT go back to where I was. It was so bad this morning that I woke my Hubby up before I left for work and had to tell him, "please let me tell you something I am thinking, and it's so unchristian of me to be thinking this, but I need to tell someone that will understand". Of course what I sad was so not kind, so I will spare you the details of my conversation with Hubby. The bad thing is I do not want these thoughts to drag me back to my depths of despair, and I refuse to let them! Please be in prayer for me and my terrible family situation. Above all please be in prayer for my Hubby and kids, especially my teenagers. This has been so incredibly hard on them and I worry so much for them. Thanks!!

Focus Of Thanksgivng

Okay, it is officially the day after Thanksgiving, and to be more specific, Black Friday. No shopping for us today, we will spend one more day with our family before they head back home.

It has been a wonderful day, a few "oh no's" here and there, so let me throw a bullet or two in here to explain:

• Hubby is sick, really bad sinus garbage, and really didn't have the thankfulness thing going on.
• Forgot to put poultry seasoning in the dressing, so it was a tad bland.
• Two of the kids broke out in a fight today, so mom had to throw a mini melt down.
• Two runs to the store to get things we forgot for our Thanksgiving feast.
• Lack of love from some made sad moments today.

I know what you're thinking, geeze, here it is the day after Thanksgiving and this girl is complaining. No, I am not complaining, I just thought I would share with you the unfortunate before the really good stuff.

So, here is me, really liking the bullet thing, so here are the things I want to share that touched my heart today:

• Hubby, even though he was sick, was here, not working, as he usually has to on Thanksgiving.
• Family that was here, and I mean really here, for us, in every way that mattered.
• The kids playing and having a good time.
• Beautiful weather.
• Games and laughter.
• Dressing that was lacking in the taste department.

It's late here and everyone has just headed off to bed, but me. Tonight, we sat around the table and talked about our country, God, church and the mission trip that I went on this summer. I can't seem to get that out of my mind.

Tough times. Raw emotions. Uncertainties. The unknown. Heartache. Weariness. This could go on and on, and sometimes I can get so worked up and expect things to happen and they do not. So I tend to be pessimistic and upset and get hard on myself.

Tonight, after the long day of festivities and really comes down to me. I expected something to happen today, it didn't. For a while I was throwing myself a small pity party for one. You know something?? I need to get over that, so I did and I moved on. There are more important things in life to focus on and tonight, I am moving forward.

My heart is heavy and not for the garbage of my family. I am moving on from that. I am missing the focus of my ministry of missions. It has been 124 days since we have been home from our mission trip to the Dominican. What has happened in 124 days?

Tough times, raw emotions, uncertainties, the unknown, heartache, weariness. What should of been happening in the 124 day since our trip? Not that!!

I was telling Jenny & Brad tonight about a women I met when I was in the Dominican. Her name was Juanita, and I had built a relationship with her and could not wait until Thursday when I would have the chance to make a visit to her home and get to meet her husband, her children and see where she lived. I could hardly wait to catch that glimpse into her life.

Our interpreter took me to a home and instead of the Juanita I had spent three days with, I met another Juanita. She was very shy and withdrawn, not the Juanita I knew but another Juanita. I was a little disappointed because I really wanted to visit the women that I made the connection with, but God really needed me to meet her. The visit was great and I told her I would be back the next day to bring her a Bible because she did not have one.

I didn't get to go back to her home the next day and I was so upset. I remember pulling out of the village on that Friday afternoon so heart broken that I did not get to see her. I did give her Bible the Juanita that I made the connection with and she promised to get it to her, but still it was not the same.

So where am I going with this? I have focus back. Strange, because just a few hours ago, I was depressed, wallowing in self pity, selfish and downright ugly. I am ashamed.

Here I am in my home, surrounded by family, the people that care and love me. Food on my table, seasoned correctly or not, I have food. Drinkable water. Heat, electricity, a shower with hot water.

What about those precious people that I met this summer, where were they today? Were they throwing themselves a pity party?

These people I met this summer have nothing, but they are so happy, grateful and most importantly thankful. Thankful to God, thankful because we came after praying for 13 years for Him to send somebody, anybody. Where was I 13 years ago? Have I ever prayed earnestly for anything for 13 days much least 13 years?

Tonight I am thankful that I was able to spend 9 days with people that are not so wrapped up in life that they miss out on everything that is important.

Today, I am thankful for not what I do not have, but for what I do.

Thank you God, for my blessings. Big or small, today or 13 years from now, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending me to the Dominican to meet Juanita, both of them. Thank you for allowing her to have a Bible, even though I could not give it to her, she was able to receive it from a dear woman that I was able to meet and make a connection with. A woman that loves the Lord so much, that reassured me that she would get that Bible to this woman for me. That's the most important thing. Planting seeds for You. That is where the focus should be.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Hey Paco.....It's a Chalupa!

As you know Jeremy's sister, brother-in-law and our nephew made their grand entrance into Tennessee on Saturday night. So what is more exciting than coming to visit us??

Meeting Higgins!! Yep, this fine specimen of a dog will make any one's heart leap with joy!! Look how this man-tascially fine dog poses for his picture. Goodness, how could you not love a face like this???

Higgins being the most wonderful dog in the world, of course shows great hospitality to our guest with begging for back rubs, keeping their laps warm and of course serenading them with his loud snoring. What else could anyone want??

But some, can be so rude......yep, poor Higgies has been the topic of endless jokes. I know, say it's not so, how could anyone tease this poor baby. They call him Paco, Chalupa and other nasty names. No bother, Higgins being the upstanding dog he is, holds no grudges. How could he, take a look at their dog!!

Believe it or not this is a dog, not a lady bug!! Some people.........they just don't know a fine dog when they see one. It must be pure jealousy!! Totally joking here folks!!!!!

Anyhoo, so what else have we been up to this week? We taught Brad a new game, Race Horse Rummy! Of course again, taking notes from Higgins, I have totally let everyone win. I would hate to mean to those that are just learning a new game. I know, what a saint!! Here is picture of our nightly card game!

Not a flattering picture, but Jenny was not to thrilled of the one I posted of her, so again, being a good sport here, I posted one that was not flattering of myself either! We are now even!!

After work today Jenny and I will be conquering the crowds at the grocery store, please pray, those Thanksgiving shoppers can be brutal!!

They Have Arrived

Brad, Jenny & our nephew Caleb have arrived, so let the Thanksgiving festivities begin! Hubby's sister and her family made it in last night and almost all the laundry was done!!

That's big woo to the hoo!!

First thing, Abbey my wonderful spoiled rotten pussy cat, goes straight to Jenny. Jenny was her first mom until we stole her away at a tender age of 6 weeks, but Abbey still loves Jenny! Actually Abbey loves anyone who will hold her big 'ol butt!

(When Jenny sees that I put this picture up, she will kill me!!) He he!

Here is picture of our nephew, Caleb. Joey was waiting for him all day to arrive! So what do you think happens when he gets here? Tons of hugs and kisses for Auntie? Nooooooooo! Hugs and kisses for Uncle????? Noooooooo!

He comes and and runs off with Joey! The nerve!!

They played until after 11 o'clock last night, and would still be going strong if we did not stop them!

So when they woke up this morning, were there hugs and kisses for Auntie and Uncle??? NOOOOOOOO!!! It's all about Joey!

FYI

Go check out Jennifer blog for fantastic Thanksgiving giveaways!!!

She has such yummy stuff!!