a snip of goodness

Brazil, TACKY, Marlo Thomas, and call your Momma!

2012-02-15T21:28:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness, where have I been, and what a lame post about squirrels that was! I think my blog was hacked.

Almost a month since I blogged, and I don't know why. I think we can safely blame Pinterest!

Kartwrights in the green

Kartwright returned from Brazil with lots of stories, some failures, some successes, lessons learned, people met, family missed. Good stuff! I would deem his trip a total win win, and now I am thankful his feet rest firmly in the great US of A. His first text home when his rainbows flip flopped onto the Atlanta airport pavement was "God bless America!" Always making me laugh that boy!

Have you ever thought it strange that it is perfectly culturally acceptable to eat the same breakfast day after day, but that eating the same lunch every day is weird, and the same dinner every day is totally unacceptable?? Just thinkin.

A few important birthdays happened while I was off eating bon bons instead of relating my exciting squirrel filled life. My BFF, otherwise known as my better half, is now just a tad over middle age, if he makes it to 100 that is. Our first born, another of my BFFs celebrated making me a momma by eating our food, haha, love to feed my boys, and then the next day I got to sit for my cutie pie grands while he went out with his pretty wife. It was so fun, and I didn't take my girls along, so I didn't have to share the cuteness with anybody, they were all mine! And, guess who's almost crawling, yeah baby, the Ryder man is almost mobile! I had both cuties bathed and in bed when the parents returned, because I am a cool grandparent like that :)There were no drugs involved I promise, just a rocking chair. Oh the joy, you have no idea, well, unless you do, but if you don't, then you have no idea!

Do you think it is bad to tell your seven year old daughter that things she picks are tacky? I mean in a nice way. You know like "no sweety you can't have that purple feathered, rhinestone encrusted, supergirl scarf, because.....it's tacky!" She then proceeded to pick equally tacky merchandise up and ask, "Is this Tacky Momma, is this tacky?", in that loud whisper scream...you know the one that could wake the dead?! On the road home she sweetly asked "Momma, what's tacky?".

So Haven received this movie series for Christmas this year, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a period piece, but not without humor for sure. So fun, and the costuming alone is worth the watch. This is not for girls (or women for that matter) raised on the Disney channel and Hannah Montana, not hatin on Disney, just sayin. Although if you're raising your girls on that junk, just stop it!

Oh yeah, guess what I saw the other day, right on my own TV. And excuse me if this is old news because we now have TV (on a trial basis) after being without for several years, and I know nothing.

That Girl!

Remember???? took me right back to 1974! I Loved me some Marlo Thomas back in the day, in fact me and my BFF Susie Frifeldt down the street, vowed together that we would name our first Born children Marlo, after that cute star. We also dreamed of being Miss America. Oh the dreams you can dreams if only you try. Anyhoo, my girls and I watched it, and aside from some really really cute retro clothes, that show was incredibly stupid. She was apparently a very successful NY city girl with her own very cool apartment, fully furnished I might add, and clothes.....did I mention the clothes??? but she didn't have any sense in her pretty little bob covered head. really! In the episode that we watched she didn't even have a job, she was trying out for a play!But, cute clothes, for real!

Ever had all your kids contact you on the same day? I mean your away from home kids. It is the best! One calls stuck in traffic, and just wants to talk. Okay, he probably called his daddy first and couldn't get through, but it still counts. Then his brother texts cause he's bored in class, I know he shouldn't be texting in class, but it still counts. Then even DILove (daughter in love) texts with a prayer request. This is good stuff people, really good stuff. So, what am I sayin you ask??

If you still have a Momma, she would love to hear from you.

See ya, gonna go call my Mom.

squirrels

2012-01-18T00:01:00.005-05:00

The squirrels on this crazy Island are pertinacious!

per*ti*na*cious:

[pur-tn-ey-shuhs]

1. holding tenaciously to a purpose; course of action, or opinion; resolute

2. stubborn or obstinate

3. extremely or objectionably persistent

Not to long ago Liza and I were sitting in what was then our dinning room, pouring over the intricacies of 2nd grade reading, when one of these critters spied us through the window.

Our presence made him very uncomfortable, and he let us know. I don't know if he felt threatened, or was just having a bad day.

He seriously screamed so loud, and so long, that we couldn't ignore him. I found him to be very objectionable persistent. We finally went out and scared him away. I can be pertinacious too!

Saturday I was at the hardware store, and overheard a customer ask if they had a squirrel proof bird feeder. "Oh no" she laughed out loud, "those don't exist around here!".

Courageous high heels at the auto parts store

2012-01-16T00:01:00.009-05:00

On this new year I revealed my word for 2012.

COURAGE!

I don't have much.

Although I believe that God could supernaturally send one tiny pinch of courage my way, and I could instantaneously be filled to overflowing, and then conquer the universe, I don't believe that that is the way He will give me courage.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1:7

He has really already given it, I just have to take it, accept it, believe Him for it, and wear it. Here is where the rub is for me.

I wear courage the way a man wears high heels.

It isn't comfortable for me.
So I don't.

The only reason women can wear high heels,
is because they want to.

Think about it......

Okay, I just googled men in heels, and apparently SOME men like to wear them.....but lets go with the assumption that most men don't.
I am sure they don't for a number of reasons, both social and environmental, but I bet the number one reason, practically speaking, is that they aren't comfortable wearing them. If they wanted to wear them, they could, if they practised. If they put them on, and gradually increased the height, maybe just a little bit everyday, until they didn't feel quite so awkward, and then when they were ready, they could try them out in public. Just a quick run to the auto parts store perhaps, would get them over the hump. Before you knew it they would be sporting platforms and studlettos every where they went.

Okay enough of that analogy

Here's the thing, I can pick out times in my life when I was courageous. Most of those times came in the face of extreme adversity. When the going gets tough the tough get going you might think? No, I don't think that was the case. When I have been faced with really hard circumstances.....well, that's when I have leaned in a bit closer to my Savior. I wanted, no I needed ,to hear His voice, and lets be honest people, when we snuggle a bit deeper into His embrace, His courage (and whatever else we might need) is a bit more, shall we say, accessible. When I am not on my knees, seeking Him, desperate for His help, thirsting for His streams of living water, well then I am not recognising my need for Him, and I am living in my own strength.

When I am not seeing my need for HIM, then I am living in my own strength.

what, you didn't hear that??

When I am not seeing my need for HIM, then I am living in my own strength.

I call it COASTING.

So then, the number one answer my friends, to this need I see in myself for courage, lies in my recognising my constant need for Him, even when times are a bit less stressful, coasting times if you will.

Number two answer perhaps, is that I need to try it on, like those high heels. I need to push myself to exercise the art of wearing courage, just a little bit at a time. Perhaps with practise courage will become comfortable on me....or perhaps it will become second nature when I get used to wearing it, or used to letting God put it on me.

Is there anything you need to be more courageous about, some area where fear is holding you back from doing or being what God is calling you to? Could you try on some courage today, practise wearing it a bit, take it out in public? I bet a quick run to the auto parts store would do the trick.

Kartwrights in Brazil

2012-01-15T16:20:00.001-05:00

Last Monday Our son Kartwright left for a month long mission in Brazil with a group of Impact 360 students. Please pray for him and his fellow students as they spread the good news of Jesus. Friday we were able to skype with him, and he looks and sounds terrific. I am so excited about all the Lord is teaching him, and doing in and through him. This video just shows a small tidbit of what he is involved in. He is the big guy in the baseball cap playing Jonah.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZUVytGvd8xs

SOAP noodle soup

2012-01-11T02:41:00.000-05:00

Home made laundry soap is all the talk lately, have you noticed? So much so, that it is as if those who are not making their own, are somehow irresponsible. I began to feel guilty every time I bought a big jugO'Tide (I know, I have guilt issues),and I caved to blog pressure. So I went a googling, and found a laundry soap recipe, and went for it.

There were only 3 ingredients, how hard could that be?? All 3 were at my local Publix super market...cool! The recipe said after all was said and done, each load would only cost 1 cent! That sounded GREAT to me, and I specifically chose a recipe that made only one gallon, because I knew I didn't have containers to put several gallons into, or a space to store them.

The Fels Naptha was easy to grate, and then I measured out, and poured into the water, both the washing soda and Borax. Easy peesie lemon squeezie I thought. As I stirred my soap soup I grinned as the thrill of victory set in, and I planned the blog post where I would tell you all what a happy and successful home maker I am.

Then I remembered the laundry, and I quickly set off to get it done. Soon after the first load went in, my trusty front loader started singing warning signals that something wasn't right. She was literally spewing water out the front of the machine where the soap dispenser was housed. The bottom drawer, full of beach towels, had already filled with water, and there was about an inch on the floor. We have been in this house for less than 4 months, and this is the second time we have flooded the laundry room. We aren't going to talk about the first.....no, we aren't...I said no!

Pride goes before the fall I often quote, and I and my soap soup were falling hard! I called out to my resident handy man, and after shop vac-ing my mess, he set out to find the problem. Apparently my machine was rejecting the water, because her pipes were blocked.

Now in an effort to fully disclose, I must add that there was a broken piece of plastic lodged in her parts, acting as a sort of dam, where the soap had coagulated preventing the water from flowing into the washer, as opposed to into the laundry room (how's that for a run-on sentance Mrs. Rawls?). The soap was however the real culprit, who knows how long the piece of plastic had been hanging out comfortably in the bowels of the white Samsung.

I went back to the beginning and read in the recipe that I was supposed to wait 24 hours before using the soap. The next morning I had a gallon of what could have been mistaken as lard! I scraped it into a larger pot, added 2 gallons of water, and heated it up. The recipe said it should look like noodle soup, and it did. 24 hours later it was jello, hard jello. I added another gallon of water, heated it up, noodle soup again. In case you have lost count, we now have 4 gallons of soap soup, in a pot, on my stove. 24 hours later.......noodle soup, 4 gallons of soap noodle soup.

Easy peesie lemon squeezie.

Anybody need some laundry soap??

Giant snow balls,muffin tops,COURAGE??

2012-01-03T00:38:00.000-05:00

I have been missing in action in blog land since just before we moved. Life was being lived. In an effort to have some record of what's been happening, if for no one but myself, I am going to quickly recap the last two months.

The move from Georgia, to Florida, was uneventful other than the extra two days that it took! Everything arrived in one piece save a pottery bowl, and a few glasses. The unpacking and settling in took longer than I ever imagined.....and that is when the Holidays took over my life like a giant rolling snowball, and I could not stop its rhythm long enough to hang a picture or organise a drawer.

November marked my 47th year.....it's just a number ladies. It can not define me any more than my growing muffin top, or the ever deepening wrinkles on my brow. Lets just agree though that growing old is pretty much yucky.....I don't care what they tell you, don't believe them, it's yucky. Going to the cheesecake factory to "celebrate" with my family was pretty much heaven though, we had a wonderful time over indulging, and said muffin top came in handy to pad me as they rolled me back out to my car afterwords.

Thanksgiving wasn't long after that, and again we over indulged. This time at the home of my sweet niece Ellie Mae (Ellen) and her hubby, and two precious boys. It was fun to reconnect with my family and see all the growing babies. I took nary a photo as I forgot my camera. I was disappointed, but took the opportunity to just be in the moment for a change, instead of documenting it as usual. There was more food than you would need to feed an army, and I ate more than my share! We then had the privilege of caring for two year old Clairebell for the weekend.

One week later we sent Kartwright back to school, and delivered the girls to Hilton Head for an extended play date with their grandparents and flew off to Cancun Mexico to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss and jump start our next 25 with a bang! The sun was warm, the water was aqua, the sand was white, and the company was my FAVORITE! Again, the food was plentiful, and we partook, plentifully! The Mexican waiters liked to call it a booofet (buffet), always made me smile, and at our favorite restaurant, each night was a different theme. Our goal was relaxation, and Cancun did not disappoint!

We returned to the bustle of Christmas in the states, and it was palpable when we landed in the Miami airport. We had two weeks to get ready for the big day, so the pressure was on. Internet shopping was my new go to plan. So, the girls were retrieved, the college boy returned, my parents joined the fun, and son number one and his beautiful family were able to come for Christmas dinner! Somehow most of the pictures were hung, and errant boxes were banished to the garage and everything came together. Jesus was worshipped, His Birthday was aptly celebrated, and once again.....food, lots of it.

And, now we come to New Years. I LOVE new beginnings, fresh starts, clean slates, try agains.

So, see ya 2011, you were great! We learned a lot, and with each disappointment came a surprise right around the corner. We said good bye to our third son, not forever, but he is grown now, and the hormonal scales have tipped quite sharply toward estrogen. Our house of boys has become feminised, and Michael stands alone as protector....aka spider killer. We welcomed a new sweet bundle of boyness with the arrival of Grandbaby Ryder in August, and all of us relocated further south, have new work, and fresh beginnings. My one word for the year 'Kind' was used often, and practised even more, but stands still very far from perfected. It will be an on going resolution for our home, and added to the list of one words.

I have been ruminating on my one word for 2012. My problem comes not in thinking of a possibility, but of narrowing down many, to just one, and the narrowing has come to this.

COURAGE

I have heard much talk about the lack of need for resolutions this season....not needed? Perhaps not, but I think they can prove useful. Resolutions can be a starting point, a rendezvous of ideas that join and help make things happen. Just a tiny jump start to the beginning of something big. Big ideas have to start somewhere, and they also require a measure of courage.

It is a word just for me, very personal, and yet many may be brushed by it's afterglow I suppose. I need it, I must practise it, pray for it, encourage it, nurture it, and possess it, and maybe just maybe my little word can be the start of something big as well!

Have you picked a word yet??

Final goodbye

2011-11-04T19:11:00.000-04:00

We are back in Georgia to pack up the house for the BIG move. No, it hasn't sold yet, but our six months in the villa are almost up, and we had to rent something more permanent. Outside is luxuriously beautiful, and even though the leaves are well past their prime, they show quite beautifully.

Inside, not so much! Four strangers, two days, 276 boxes, and one huge mess! And guess what?? Someone wants to see the house tomorrow! No, I can't make this stuff up! The house has sat, show house ready, for SIX months, and had very little action, now they call! Really, really??

Outside it is beautiful!

Inside, ummmmmmmm, really??

Outside, cute as can be,

but they aren't for sale...well, not today (smile).

Inside, Ohhhh myyyyy!

Outside! yeah!

Inside, blah!

Okay Lord, time to do a miracle!

We call it Candy night

2011-11-01T01:01:00.000-04:00

The girls were paper dolls this year, the easiest costumes ever! They were so easy I almost felt guilty for not giving more blood swear and tears into the project. Not only were they super easy, they were a big hit, especially with the older folks. I was a little afraid that people wouldn't know what they were, but it was obvious that paper dolls brought back fond memories for lots of people. Several strangers asked where we got the costumes, "ummmmmm, they're just cardboard??!" The girls were so excited, and they must have thanked me forty times!

This guy really cracked me up, I just had to take his picture. He looked to be a very masculine man, and he was very stern with the children he was with, and so serious. Definitely not the type you would expect to find in a flamingo suit.....so funny. How do you wear a blow up bright pink flamingo suit, and not smile.

This family went all out. The mom is cut out of the pic, but she was the tin man, and the baby was the lion. It was fun to see so many adults dressed up this year, and very few creepy ones here in our "new home town".

This man looked to be eight feet tall. He was also very serious, but at least that went with his costume.

Over all we had a terrific Candy night and the girls went to bed exhausted, in spite of being hopped up on twizzlers and Reese peanut butter cups.

Funny

2011-10-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

Kartwright was home last weekend for fall break.

The girls were ecstatic to have him back!

I think his personal space was invaded repeatedly.

Funny how personal space seems to grow as you grow older.

Funny how just five weeks can change things.

Funny how some things never change.

Funny how funny Kartwright is.

Life is funny.

legacy or not?

2011-10-15T00:56:00.000-04:00

My Mom recently lost her last sibling, my Aunt Nanny (Nancy). She was a good aunt, even if she did get a tad bit demanding in her old age. When I was a little girl she used to bring a bag of candy to our house once a week for us to share, and she and my mom would sit at the kitchen table and talk. Every Spring she would overpay my sisters and I to "clean" her already immaculate house! I remember wiping down wood paneling with lemon scented Murphy's oil soap, and dusting hard back condensed version readers digest books. Every cupboard in the kitchen was emptied and washed, her sewing basket was organised, the chrome faucets were polished, and even the leaves of the plastic plants in her front door planter were shined to perfection. In my adolescent mind I thought it all very silly, and pointless, to clean an already clean house, come to think of it, I still think it pointless.

Nanny would drive me home after a short day of "cleaning" in her tiny red Volkswagen beetle. I thought her life was so cool. She was a career woman, and she dressed nicely everyday to be important and looked up to. She talked often of her job at Storey's Piano Factory, and the people that she was over. She didn't have any children, just one step son who was by then, grown and gone. I never saw Nanny working hard over piles of dirty laundry, or cooking over a hot stove for her family. She spent her days off, golfing at the country club, and learning to play the piano. In contrast to my own mother, her life seemed so easy and carefree, and I dreamed of one day being like her.

Aunt Nanny was a talker, never at a loss for words, never short on opinions, but I never remember having a conversation with her about anything of eternal value. She went to church every Sunday, and I know she was a believer in Jesus, but she didn't talk about her faith, at least not with me. I knew she was very proud of me, and she often told me I was pretty, and that my hair was shiny. She gave me lots of compliments about my physical appearance through out the years, and as an adult she always said my children were precious. That's what I remember about my Aunt Nanny, She was a nice lady, and I don't mean any disrespect, but it has just caused me to ponder.

A few Sundays ago we sang a familiar hymn in church, one that I had grown up singing, one that at the moment I can not remember the name of. It's sound carried me back to my childhood in Spring Lake Michigan and the dimly lit baptist church I attended as a small brown eyed girl, and I could almost hear my parents singing right next to me. When I came out of my little day dream about the past, I realised my 7 year old ElizaJane was belting out the tune sure and strong beside me, and her 12 year old sister Haven next to her. What a legacy my parents left I thought, and my mind drifted back to how the Lord has used my parents to create such a strong legacy for Him.

My parents made a decision to follow the Lord, and walk in his ways when they were in their 20s I believe, when they had two small children. It is my understanding that they had both heard the gospel before that, and stories have revealed that my fathers grandmother was a strong believer, but I think they really made a commitment, and began to serve Him in their local church, at that time. They went on to have 4 children in all, me being the baby. Boy I sure am glad that little surprise happened! All four children have married, so there are now also 4 children-in-laws, and then came 11 grandchildren. Five of those grands have now married bringing that total to 16, and now there are 8 great grand children and counting. That would be thirty two people from this one couple. That my friends is a wonderful legacy, and puts a new spin on the whole be fruitful and multiply. So, because in part, this young couple made the conscious decision that they were going to serve someone bigger then themselves, there is a family that will spend eternity together, not to mention the myriad of blessings we have encountered here on earth because of our faith.

Legacy has been large and in charge in my thought life lately. perhaps because of a sweet little somebody named Ryder that recently joined our family, and who has the middle name Clifford, after my dad by the way, and Michael after both of his grandfathers.

What have I been left....what will I leave...Will my children and grandchildren, some day remember that I cared about their spiritual condition, and have I communicated those things that are important, and not just those things that are temporal? Will I be remembered the way I hope to be remembered, and for those things that I really believe to be important? I want to be remembered as a nice lady, and a kind lady, and even a lady that told them they were pretty, but oh I pray to be remembered for so much more than that.

What about you, what will your legacy be?

Just two more

2011-08-25T21:02:00.000-04:00

They brought Ryder home in the same little feltman suit and sweet booties that we brought Dakota home from the hospitol in. It brought back such sweet memories of so long ago that seem like just yesterday.

New Birth

2011-08-24T22:36:00.000-04:00

I know that blogs where people show one million pictures of their offspring are BORING, but if you will indulge me as I show you two million pictures of my offspring and my offspring's offspring, I would be much obliged. I am truly sorry, I just can't help myself!

May I introduce the newest member of our Fam,

Mr. RYDER CLIFFORD MICHAEL

All seven pounds and five ounces of him arrived this morning in just twenty inches of sweetness!

I was fortunate enough to be allowed to bepresent for the birth, and let me tell you ladies, our bodies can do amazing things with our creators help, miraculous unbelievable things, and we should hold such everyday miracles in very high regard. What a beautiful thing, new birth, a most glorious gift, this honor we females have.

The new Daddy

With new birth comes new love, and there is always just enough room for more. Sometimes as humans, we wonder, how will one more fit in to this crazy mixed up flurry we call life, but at the very moment of new birth, more room is also born, and then one wonders, where has this sweet soul been all my life, and how did I ever live without it??

Then you realise uncles are also born, and relationships are started, and deep commitments of "I will always be there for you" are made without ever a word being spoken. And little tiny seven pound bodies move man souls to feel, and ponder, and make bold promises in their hearts.

Aunts are also born, with each new niece and nephew that arrives, I imagine the feeling is brand new again, and the commitment to watch over and protect is refreshed. Memories are etched in growing brains, memories that will remain forever.

And growing babies, learn to love smaller babies, and their eyes take every mi nut detail to heart, as they watch and smell, and breath in, and dream of one day experiencing the new birth grow inside of them also, and haveing the joy of their own burrito like wrapped love spreader to hold for as long as they want, without anyone waiting for a turn makes them giddy.

And, Grandparents are born, and the unmistakable understanding that a part of us will remain, as generations fade, is growing inside our aging hearts as we say farewell to older members, and greet fresh smelling newborns. In the face of prayer, for safe and healthy new birth, we rejoice in the promise that every good gift is from above, and that all new births are good gifts.

Sisters too become. She is unaware that this new birth means years of companionship, and a sharing of every rite of passage. She will spend countless hours with this male soul in her life time, and their secrets will be especially sweet. She loved him instantly and we all watched as the miracle of that love took place right before our eyes, today. That new love will spill over her cup as she grows in understanding of the gift she has received.

A family has grown, in numbers and in love, and new birth is so very sweet. Oh so very sweet indeed.

Thank you for indulging me, isn't he just precious?

waiting

2011-08-20T10:50:00.000-04:00

The girls and I are back in Georgia this week, on a very important mission. We are watching this little girl, She calls me Grandmomma and she is just about to turn two. She is also just about to become a big sister!

So, we are watching, and waiting! We are waiting for a sweet little boy to decide to come, and be born to this sweet little family. He isn't even due until monday, and we are already growing impatient to meet him.

One more to call me Grandmomma.

One more to love.

I couldn't be more excited!

So, we are Waiting.

sisters by the water

2011-08-16T01:20:00.000-04:00

She was born into a family with three brothers. One is gone now, but for her first five years she had only brothers, They loved her, cherished her even, and like her name she was a safe healing place for our family. I humbly asked the Lord, in the midst of my gratefulness for my three sweet boy children, and my one baby girl, for a sister for her, and he answered my prayer.

When we shared the news with little Haven that her Momma was going to have a baby for her to Love, With all the confidence she could muster in that chubby four year old body she replied, "She's gonna be a sista, and we're gonna name her Sally!" She was half right.

And although they are very very different, they are also very alike. And, although they sometimes push each others buttons, they are also the best of friends. They giggle and rough, and whisper sweet secrets, they play and explore, and bicker, and giggle. They build blanket forts and read together with a flashlight, and then spend the night on the carpet amongst plush bunnies and bears, and dream of American Girls, then eat Little Debbie Swiss rolls for breakfast, because they can, and play Go Fish, and did I mention they giggle?

I hope they will always be the best of friends.

BUDDY THE BIRD

2011-08-11T18:11:00.000-04:00

Just a few doors down from us is a nature center. They often have animals they have rescued. Their normal residents are turtles, and snakes, fish, and recently they cared for a baby opossum until he was ready for release. We love to stop in occasionally to see the critters, and just a few weeks ago we met Buddy.

Isn't he beautiful??? I just love his colors. When he first arrived he was in a large bird cage, alone in the back room. They let us go back and see him, but he seemed so lonely. I guess that was part of acclimating him to his new surroundings.

Now, he is in the main room, sitting on a perch out in the open. Every time the door opens, and rings, he says "HELLO", just as clear as a bell, and welcomes everyone to the center. We haven't heard anything else from him, but we will keep trying.

I would kinda like a bird like buddy for my very own, how'bout you?

The perfect church

2011-08-08T16:45:00.000-04:00

News flash to all those who have been told that there are no perfect churches. You can now rest assured that what you have been told is not true, and that there is indeedy at least one perfect church after all! I saw it with my own two eyeballs, and it is surely not a hoax, as they also have there own perfect website! Although I admit I am quite tempted, I will not be moving to Atlanta any time soon to join...lest they have to change their name!

Other than the aforementioned place of worship, my family and I have yet to find the perfect church. We have moved to three new cities in the last four years (seriously??? what were we thinking???), and searching for a new church home has been the most difficult part of our relocation every time.That, and a new hairdresser, more on that later!

At one point in our search Michael had become so frustrated by a particularly peculiar church service, that when we all piled into the family van afterward he announced that everyone was to find something positive to say about our experience, or they were to say nothing at all! 5 year old(at the time) ElizaJane piped in from the back seat, as I watched her much animated expression in my visor mirror. "Weeellllllll," she said with her usual perky smile, "It wasn't as long as the last one we tried, and their donuts were good!". Kudos for finding the good Liza, kudos all around!

Shopping for a church can be very complicated, and when you add to that mix several opinionated family members, you have a problem. We all have preconceived ideas in our heads about what church should look like, shaped by our childhoods, as well as our personal preferences. And, even though all those external stimuli should not in-fact really matter, let's be honest, they just do.

I know in my head, that when all is stripped away, and we stop comparing the length of the worship leaders hair, and whether any hymns are included along with modern day worship songs, all that really matters, is, "can I be used of God in this body of believers", and "will my unique gifts, and those of my families, be of benefit to the people who worship here."

Beyond that, which is truly the bottom line for Michael and I, it is hard not to consider all the other stuff that goes along with a new worship environment. We have visited over twenty churches combined in the midst of our three recent moves, and we have had a lot of interesting experiences. Some of those experiences have solidified the importance of some preferences in our minds, like do they stay true to the scriptures, and do they practise missions, both locally and globally. Other encounters have put questions in our minds as to the validity of our desires.

We have been in church services lately that have run the gamut from exciting concert like worship complete with flashing lights and jumping guitar players followed by sermons that have convicted as well as admonished, to sweet elderly blue hairs sweetly singing "I come to the garden alone", accompanying a sermon just as convicting although perhaps relayed in a slightly more sedate manner.

Who's to say if either is wrong, or more preferred by the Lord himself, as long as He is honored, and His name is being proclaimed? If I had my way, these two styles would unite, and somehow we would fall somewhere in the middle. That combo however is few and far between as providence would have it, and we are left with a choice to be made.

It is hard not to compare what we are experiencing with what we had found in our last "home town". Although it was not the perfect church,(as we know, there is only one of those) it was our church, and we had grown to love the people there in the short time we attended.

So, what is it you love about your church??

Advise for Weird Homeschoolers

2011-08-03T12:02:00.043-04:00

We started back to school this week.

We do school at home....we are homeschoolers.

I feel like I'm at a homeschoolers anonymous meeting,

"Hi, I'm Amy, and I home school."

Now you all say together

"Hi Amy"

I don't really talk much about homeschooling here on my blog. I'm not really sure why.

When I first became a momma, I had a small circle of friends who were first time mommas. There were five of us who had all just recently given birth, or adopted. We would get together occasionally just to chat, and watch our babies pull each others hair. I was the youngest new mom in the group.

Those other four women L.O.V.E.D to talk about baby gear. Yes, baby GEAR! They could converse for hours, FOR HOURS, about the latest car seat, and it's attributes, or the greatest new stroller. Those convos bored me stiff! I loved my baby, and being a momma,(a good one), was my greatest desire, but when I had the opportunity to interact with other adults, that wasn't my subject of choice. I don't know why, it just wasn't. I would have loved to have had a book club, or discussed current events, or even more helpful would have been just a good ol' bible study, anything really would have interested me more then a debate over highchairs and baby bottles.

Years later when I entered the homeschooling ranks I felt much the same way. Homeschoolers L.O.V.E. to talk curricula, and wrangle over the latest and greatest. They thrive on teaching techniques and learning styles, and field trips. I would rather stick needles in my eyes then "compare" notes on where my child is in any given subject. It so often feels like one upmanship to me. I have enough self doubt all on my own, I don't need anyone to help me in that area. When a mother tells me her 3rd grader is doing pre-algebra, or that Jr. has already memorised the entire old testament, I begin to question what I am doing, and whether or not I am doing enough.

I have strong opinions about home schooling, but I doubt you want to hear them, or would agree with them, so in the interest of being a nice blogger, I will spare you. If you are a homeschooler though, I would like to share just two pieces of advise that I have picked up along the way. I think these two are particularly important for your homeschooling journey.

1. Nike made it popular, but it is still true,

JUST DO IT!

It doesn't matter how much money you pour into curriculum or how many conventions and workshops you attend, if your child isn't doing school at home, then you are not a homeschooler. period. end of story. In order to call yourself a homeschooler, you must actually do school, so if you are saying you are doing it, then just do it! When you don't, you give the rest of us a bad rap!

2. DON'T GET WEIRD

I don't think I have to explain myself here. Just don't. We are aliens and strangers yes, but that does not mean that we have to dress in arm pit choking 80s jeans, or ask one thousand embarrassingly ridiculous questions on a field trip, or dissect every dead animal we find on the side of the road.

That's just weird,

don't do that. You give the rest of us a bad rap!

I hope this helps.

Hello August

2011-08-01T00:05:00.001-04:00

Good-bye July, you were bursting with fun, and the brilliant colors of summer!

Thanks for the sweet memories of momma and tiny sweet baby ducks eating our stale bread,

and the moss covered turtles that let us touch their slimy shells just before they sank like rocks into the murky water,

and your hot summer sun that was shining every day to illuminate even the mundane and make it all spectacular.

Thanks for the memories July,

and hello August!

You promise to be a pretty special month,

and I can't wait!

randomness again

2011-07-25T00:07:00.000-04:00

Not sure who said this originally, but my pastor shared it a few Sundays ago.

"I don't care how much you know,

until I know how much you care."

good one to remember when we are busy pontificating to those around us, and yet failing to show them our love.

Is this not the coolest thing? Love I tell you, LOVE!!

you can find this adorable cuckoo clock pattern here, sooooo, who wants to make it for me????

I need some pillows in our new place to make it feel more lived in, what do you think about this?? It gives new meaning to pillow soft doesn't it?

So tell me this, cause here in lies my dilemma. I want pretty pillows, but they must also be comfy, because, well, because we will be using them, and isn't that the main purpose of pillows, besides being pretty I mean, to make one more comfy? Are your couch pillows comfy, or decorative??

Is it too much to ask that they be both???

At our new place we have opted to not have a land line, and to just use our cell phones. My only problem with this new development, is that I can't seem to keep up with my phone around the house. I don't always have pockets, and the "in the shirt" solution isn't working for me, and carrying my purse around while I do laundry seems a bit extreme. Where do you all keep your cell phones??

And, how about these cute boxes? Too cute for words they are! And, this art work above? That you can find direction for here ala Kal, one uber cool artist.

http://lovelife.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/07/the-prettyeasy-pretty-easy-diy-.html

So very nice! So, I ask you, with all of these great paint chip projects, how long before the paint stores start charging for their paint chip color samples?

So, what you been lovin lately? Please share your randomness with me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom

2011-07-22T00:15:00.001-04:00

Just a shout out to my Mom on her birthday. My mom has just recently become computer literate, and at 76, I think that is pretty crazy gutsy on her part. Having her own computer, means she can read my blog, so

Happy Birthday Mom!

(gift is in the mail)

vacation mode

2011-07-19T23:47:00.000-04:00

We are back in paradise, and drinking in the landscape of an island that begs to be admired.

The creatures here are innately calm and not easily spooked. They seem to instinctively know that they are protected here, and safe from the harshness of other worlds. They croon and caw, with no thought to being hushed. Yesterday the girls and I witnessed a raccoon walking down a crosswalk, and across a street. He stayed between the yellow lines as if he knew the rules, and hurried home to his tree. There was a sense by us that he was on familiar territory, and was minding his own business inside the bustle of noontime plantation traffic. Last Friday we spied a bunny in the back courtyard through the sliding glass. She was foraging for food just feet from where we gawked, with no care as to our intentions, she had only her job to contend with.

Fish gather under dark bridges and ferns, stealing the bread Liza throws to the turtles. Anhingas dry their wings in the hot sea air, paying no mind to loud strangers on the cart path. Squirrels jump from moss covered live oak branches, to palm fronds, as they chase and play, only stopping for short breaks to sniff and reject the cat food offerings of a pony tailed little girl.

The dolphins bounce close to the tourist laden beaches, the ghost crabs venture out of their sandy cocoons at sunset to fight and volley. The pelican sail in formation until distracted by circled schools of dinner. The herons share space with the golfers, the falcons with million dollar mansions, and the egrets with discarded golf balls.

We live a leisure life on this our paradise, and innately feel at peace and safe . together.

The man child is home from far away countries where children are alone on scary streets to make their own way, and orphans are given a cot to sleep on but not a hand to help them cross the street. They do not feel the sand in their suits from a well spent afternoon at the sea. Or have a momma to rinse their hair in a warm bath, and tuck them into crisp sheets, blessed with words of love and tender kisses.

The castles we build here are more solid then the assurances of their very futures, and yet it is hope that we strive so to give them, as we venture in person or in prayer to their places in our world.

Because not even the cosmetic beauty of an island paradise can cloak the lack of hope that every people group feels, be they wealthy or poor, in money, or spirit. We as christians have a hope to share, and the task of sharing it, even to those who do not even know they need it.

what are you looking at?

2011-07-12T17:10:00.000-04:00

We are trained to look to the future, never look back, set our sights on what is to come, live in the moment, move on to the future, and forget the past. I guess this is good advise when the past is holding you back, or preventing you from creating a future. I wonder though, if we just looked back differently, if we might see things a bit more clearly.

I once knew a man who lived so much in the past, that he found it hard to live in the present. The past hurt and humiliation of a particular sport coach's words and actions haunted him so, that 20 years later he was still dwelling on the pain that individual had inflicted way back in high school. The past was his present, because he replayed those old scripts in his head continually, and they affected not only his career, and public life, but his relationships and private life as well. Looking back was not only painful for him, but it was devastating for both his present, and his future. But I wonder, if he had looked back at something different, perhaps that would not have been the case.

I have a friend that is facing a possible move. The thought of a move is not pleasant to her, and she wishes to stay where she is. This same friend has confided in me that she is not happy where she is, nor are her children and husband. They have not built satisfying relationships in their present town, and they find people basically unfriendly there. Her husband finds his current job stressful, and he longs for a more relaxed way of life. Her children are very social, and long for more friends to connect with on a greater level. So, why I questioned is she not up for a change? It is the unknown, she replied, the having to relearn and readjust, and re acclimate herself to new surroundings as she had to do just two years earlier when she moved to her present location.

In both of these people's lives looking back is not the problem, it is at what they are looking.

If we look back on what the Lord has done in our past, how he has brought us through, protected us, made the path straight, guided us, or just poured out His mercy and grace on us, then how can we not face both our present and our future with anticipation and hope.

Life is stinking hard for so many. Hardships abound, and lest we think we are the only ones who struggle, we need only look as far as the next individual to discover we are not alone.

That man I knew, had so much to live for in his present, and he could have looked back at the loving family he came from, the cancer that the Lord healed when he was just a child, the gift of children he was blessed with, the many people who looked up to him and counted on him, the place of leadership for which the Lord had equipped him, and all the blessings that had brought him to a role of prestige and honor. He didn't look back at what God had given, and from what he had been delivered. He couldn't see what the Lord did in his life in spite of the cruel words of that coach so long ago, because he wasn't looking.

My friend looking towards a move, isn't looking back at where the Lord met her in the last move, or how He always supplied her needs. She can't see how He revealed Himself over and over to herself and her family, because she only sees the difficulty and inconvenience that she experienced. She doesn't look at what the Lord taught her in the uncomfortableness of a new place or what were the many blessings she and her family were to those around them. She can't see the benefit of the pain she already experienced, and that loss of sight, is stealing he ability to see the possibilities in what the Lord might do in and through her at the new location, not to mention that the chances that she will like her new surroundings better are very good!

This can be the case in so many circumstances. As we face the uncertainty of this earth existence, job change, a bad diagnosis, pain, loss of income, disappointment, or just the everyday inconveniences that life throws our way. Looking back can be a wonderful thing, when we can see what the Lord has done for and through us in years past.

Looking back can give us not only hope for the future, but the courage to face the present.

Don't panic!

2011-07-08T00:01:00.002-04:00

Saw this recently in town, and snapped a pic. I think I might print it poster size, frame it, and hang it on the wall! Kinda like keep calm and carry on, only better, less words, no crown, and more to the point. Whatchathink, could it catch on???

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T06:14:00.001-04:00

bear much fruit??

2011-07-03T21:47:00.000-04:00

After just two weeks away, our beautiful Georgia garden looked like this! At first glance, I thought all was lost, and I didn't even bother to look for fruit for a few days. Frankly, I am not much of an outdoorsy kind of gal, and all I could imagine was that snake that seems to be following us around! Because it was just the girls and I for a time, with the hubby back at our new "home", and snake slayer off in another country, I had to brave it alone.

To my amazement, the harvest was plentiful, but the laborers were few! Look at all the fruit these crazy plants bore amongst all that jungle of weeds.

It got me thinking of all the analogies that we Christians could glean from this sad looking garden.

And, at the risk of boring you to death, here are just a few. You may apply them as needed.

Sometimes, you have to look hard for the fruit, it is often hiding amongst the weeds.

Those who bear the most fruit, don't always appear as you might expect. Sometimes they aren't all cleaned up and pretty, but their fruit is just as sweet.

Somethings might appear to be fruit, but in reality it is just weeds that look really pretty, pretending to be fruit.

Good vines and bad vines often grow side by side, but almost always when they are that close, the bad vines can take over.

When the fruit stays too long on the vine, and is not harvested, it often rots.

We can all plant seeds, and if we want fruit, we must, but that is the easy part. The real work of nourishing the plants takes time, effort, and sacrifice.

We can do all the right things, but only God can make the miracle of the fruit.

We can do all the wrong things, but God may still make the miracle of the fruit.

The fruit that is harvested can go to feed many.

Can you think of more?

I am the vine, you are the branches;

whoever abides in Me and I in him,

he bears much fruit,

for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

She and I had a misunderstanding

2011-06-29T01:03:00.000-04:00

She and I had a misunderstanding,
She was angry, and I was hurt.
We both longed to make things right.
The relationship was important enough to both of us, to make things right.

In order for us to come together, we both had to come half way.

In order to understand each other, we had to listen,
and then, we had to see things from the others point of view.

We had to ~~keep~~ try to keep our emotions in check, her anger, and my tears.

We had to be honest, and share uncomfortable truth.

We had to believe, and forgive,

and I am so glad we did!

Who do you need to go halfway to?
If you venture out, maybe she will surprise you, and you can meet in the middle.

He was only four

2011-06-24T00:50:00.000-04:00

The following testimony was written, and is now being shared in Ukraine by my son Kartwright. It is quite long, but I thought you might be blessed by it.

When one of the others on this trip asked if I would be willing to share my testimony, I replied, "sure, Why not?" I really wasn’t sure why anyone would want to hear my story, much less enjoy it. I’ve never really had anything that big happen to me. Then, when I began to look back on everything that has happened in my life, I reconsidered. Either way, I was asked to do it, so here goes nothing.

I was raised in a large Christian family. I have two brothers and two sisters, and a very loving mother and Father. I accepted Christ at a very early age, and that’s that. It’s not much of a testimony, but hey, that’s what happens in a sheltered home, just a nice and normal life up until now right?! Ummmmmn no….. not exactly. Don’t get me wrong, Christianity is the right decision for everyone, but don’t let anyone ever sell you into the lie that it’s easy. I’m not saying that my life has been awful or anything, it’s been great, but there have been hard times too. James 1:2-4 kinda says it for me,

“Count it all joy , my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

I can say confidently that each time in my life where things have gotten hard, I have grown closer to Christ. And, after each one, I have come out stronger. It’s definitely a choice, you can fall away from God, but that goes to show how much faith you had really put into this whole Jesus thing in the first place.

I think the first trial I ever experienced, was one that was with me for 12 years, and it’s almost laughable to call it a trial now. 15 years ago my little brother was born. We named him Crockett. He had a number of diseases that made him a highly handicapped person. So profoundly handicapped that he couldn’t walk, talk, or sit up by himself. We had to bottle feed him every 4 hours, and change his diaper also. He would have an average of one to two seizures a day. They would normally be full body seizures, and they were often so intense he would flex up into the fetal position, and stay there as the seizing lasted for sometimes several minutes. Afterward, he would be so exhausted that he might cry himself to sleep, or throw up, I’m not sure which was worse. I don’t want it to sound like he was always a downer, and made everything sad or depressing. He brought us a lot of joy and laughter too.

God really does work all things together for good, even things that seem like nothing good could come of it. For example, God taught me through Crockett to learn to laugh at things that might not be funny to most, but we had to laugh at these things or we’d cry. For instance, going to Church was always pretty hard on our family. In a family of seven it normally is, but put Crockett in that scenario, and it made things really interesting. Crockett had this thing where literally every Sunday he would do great. Bathe him, change him, feed him, get him all prettied up for Church, and he would be set, and ready to go. But the moment you placed him in his car seat, he would feel the urge to throw up. We would have one of us carry him to the car and have someone else right behind him with a towel. Right when we would sit him down, we would immediately put the towel like a bib and try to catch all the throw up, and protect him and the car. It almost became like a game, and we could laugh at this strange phenomena. Some would call that sadistic, we called it living.

On a more practical point, I also learned how to change a diaper quicker than any human should, I can feed someone a bottle pretty well, and changing someone clothes is easy for me. I loved making Crockett laugh. Sometimes I could find a noise that would crack him up, and he would just laugh this totally innocent laugh that would make me feel so good. However, sometimes his laughing would turn into a seizure, which would lead to tears, which would lead to throw up. I’m painting this true, but gruesome picture for you, to make a point. Throughout the entire ordeal of, throw up, seizures, the diapers, and feedings, me and my family loved him. My brother who taught me more than anyone I know without ever saying a word, from the world’s eyes, couldn’t do anything, literally, anything right, and He was loved. He was completely helpless without someone to meet his every need, and to the best of our ability we tried to provide for them all. This should be reminding us of someone, someone very familiar to us. Hopefully you and I are looking into an imaginary mirror right now. To God we are totally and completely filthy, swimming in our own wretchedness. We are so sinful, that outside of God we can do absolutely nothing right. Without God we are completely helpless.

I have this issue, where I really care about what people think about me, especially in the church. Sometimes, I tend to do things that are not necessarily for the right reasons, but in some people eyes are great things. Anyway, a while back I read a passage out of Ecclesiastes that really kind of opened my eyes to my false ways.

Ecclesiastes 2:11, “Then when I had considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and striving after wind and there was nothing to be gained in the sun.”

Years ago, in another trial of our lives, my family and I were in a flood. Everything we owned was destroyed. Our house, our cars, our furniture, our clothes, my toys…. Everything GONE! And when we were there on the sight, where our home used to be, we could look at our property and see how everything had been destroyed. We saw how meaningless everything is. Most people, in the back of their minds, would be wondering what is the point? This is like striving after the wind. My Parents however, knew what to do; they followed what the ending of Ecclesiastes tells us to do. Chapter 12 verse 13 says

“Now here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”

We have to understand the only real thing we can put our hopes, faith, trust, and love in, and know that it won’t amount to complete meaninglessness, is God. Fear God. Know God. Trust God. That’s all that matters.

When I played football last year, the coach asked me to give the guys a speech before the last game. It was a game that if we won, we could play one more game, and if we lost some of us would never play football again. So the coach wanted me to give the guys something that would get them ready for that night. I thought about it for a little bit, and decided on a story from the Bible out of one of the gospels. It's the one where the disciples are watching as the offering is being taken, and they see people come up and put great amounts in the offering bag, or whatever it was they put the money in back then. I can imagine the disciples watching Jesus and his reactions as these people put these large amounts of money in. And I don’t know, but maybe he shook his head or maybe he put on a straight face, but my guess is the disciples who had gotten to know Jesus pretty well by then, could tell he was not pleased. When a poor widow came up they had to be wondering what Jesus was gonna do. When this poorly dressed woman came up to the place to give, and dropped in just two small copper coins, they had to be watching Jesus, waiting for his wrath! But, when he (most likely) smiled, and nodded at the woman, and drew the disciples together, and then said these words, they had to be astonished:

“I tell you the truth, this poor woman has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty gave everything.-all she had to live on.”

See, God judges the heart, He doesn't want anyone to go halfway for Him. Revelation 3:16 says,

“so, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

I remember telling the guys when I read these verses to them, that I didn’t care about the outcome of the game as long as they gave their all. We ended up losing 66 to 0. I saw one of my friends after the game crying, and as tears filled my eyes, I gave him a hug, and I told him "Thank you". He kind of looked at me with question in his eyes, “for what?” he asked and I replied “just for giving your all”. That friend of mine couldn’t have made a huge difference in the game, but I did know that what he did give, it was his all. God cares about where your heart is at, and if you’re willing to give him your all. That’s all that matters. In everything you do you're supposed to do it for God, and do it to the best of your ability. So please don’t have regrets because you never really went out on a limb and trusted God. Think about how great it will be when we get to heaven and God points at us and says” this child of mine gave his all, and I am well pleased.”

When I was four years old I accepted Jesus Christ as my own personal savior. I can remember it vividly. Sitting in the rear seat of my Dad’s car, I was looking at the back of my Father’s head trying to figure out how to ask him a question. My older brother was in the front. I think we were coming home from his baseball practice. I usually tagged along, so nothing was really unusual, except that I had something big on my mind. That previous Sunday our Church had communion, and as usual, my Mom passed the grape juice over me, not allowing me to get some. This of course, in my little four year old brain seemed very unfair, and I began to tell my Mom just that. I was answered with a loud “SHHHH”, and a promise to talk to me about it later. Well, it was later, and I was ready to talk about it, so I simply said, “Dad I want some of the juice at Church!” My Dad was pretty confused, but after some explaining, he got the drift of what I was saying. Dad told me how the juice was only for those who were always going to follow Jesus. Also, how Christ died for me, bore all my sins on the cross, and how if I accepted him to save me from the fiery scary place known as Hell, I could go to where God reigns, Heaven. It was a long time ago, but I think I remember being quiet for a minute, thinking over what my Daddy had just said. The juice was no longer the issue, now Jesus was on my mind, and I wanted him in my life. I told my Dad that. He nodded and said “Lets Pray.” Since then, I have tried to follow Jesus. I pray all the time that he will help me follow him, and that I won’t take the pilot seat from him, but let him lead me down the straight and narrow path. I pray that I might not be swayed by what the world offers in all of its riches and glory, and is only good for a time, and that I might see my years on earth as a dress rehearsal for what’s after this life, and to honor Jesus in all that I do. I know that now instead of looking like Crockett did in this world I am perfect in Gods Eyes, just like Crockett is in heaven today. I can’t wait to see him and hopefully one day I will see all of you there too!

He's leaving on a jet plane

2011-06-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

The kids and I drove back to Georgia yesterday, to send this guy halfway around the world tomorrow. Yep, he's leaving on a jet plane that will take him to the uttermost, and drop him off.

This momma has done this before, and it ain't ever easy, but I know he is in the Lord's hands, and he is ready.

Even as I write this, I can hear him praising his Lord with song.

"with thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary, for you" he sings.

Nothing sweeter to this Momma's ears, then to hear her children praise God, folks this is what it's all about!

Please pray for my boy Kartwright while he is in the Ukraine ministering to a country hungry for truth.

savory cheese wafers

2011-06-21T00:10:00.000-04:00

We served these at Kartwright's graduation reception. They were a great compliment to all the sweet cookies and cake. They are super easy, they have a great crunch, and they also kinda melt in your mouth. I think you should try them out for your next get-together. Do it, it will make my day!

Savory cheese wafers

preheat oven to 350 degrees

mix together:

2 sticks of butter

2 cups of flour

2 cups of rice krispies

1/2 tsp. Emeril's original essence seasoning

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Roll in to small balls, and flatten with the bottom of a glass. I made mine just a bit bigger then a quarter, and about a half inch thick. Bake for 20 minutes.

makes about 90 wafers

enjoy!

He hunts, and he gathers

2011-06-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

This beautiful "green pasture beside still waters" has afforded Michael a brand new hobby that seems to, in a small way, restore his soul.

He and the kids have been "hunting" golf balls.
The latest count is 163.
His cup runneth over.
He likes to sort them according to brand.
Michael says it's like looking for sharks teeth on the beach,
only this new hobby suits his new vision capabilities!
Michael wants to train Diana (our welsh Corgi) to find them.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow him, all the days of his life.
He says she is already beginning to catch on.
One of the balls has a tournament date of 2002. That's a nine year old ball!
I wonder how long before I will have no kitchen counter left?
He will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
He is truly a hunter and gatherer.
Does your man hunt and gather anything unusual?

chickens for turtles

2011-06-16T23:33:00.000-04:00

We gave up chickens in our back yard,

for turtles on the golf course next door,

and more turtles in the pond out back.

Picnics on the square with friends,

have been replaced by

splashes in the pool down the cart path at the club,

but the snake followed us here!

I bet you thought I was busy moving

2011-06-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

Yeah, when you thought I was hard at the work of unpacking boxes, and setting up a new living space, I was really just enjoying the lush surroundings of a beautiful tropical paradise.

No, I am not on vacation.

Because our house back in Georgia has not yet sold (that was a shameless plug for a few prayers on the house selling front), we have moved into a nice furnished villa. Therefore, "moving in" consisted of hanging our summer clothes in the closets, and carrying in a few boxes of each of our "necessities", admittedly the easiest move we've ever made.

So, while I would have LOVED to have been setting up my very own space, and not my temporary one, I was not complaining while we enjoyed this.

Or this,

or, while gazing at these, while basking in the sun at the pool.

I know, you feel so sorry for me don't you??

The hardest part

2011-06-09T00:04:00.003-04:00

We have lived in a lot of beautiful places. We have spent almost all of the first twenty three years of our marriage in various towns on the coast of the Carolina's. When we moved inland to Georgia almost two years ago, we traded the colorful sunset horizons of the Ocean, for the untainted loveliness of West Point Lake. The marsh covered flat lands of the low country were replaced by rolling pastures of cattle covered farm land. Straight tall Palmetto trees, and bending moss covered Live Oak trees, were now sky high magnolias and sweet smelling cedars.

In spite of the differences in our surroundings, it was the people that we really found to be the real surprise in our new lives here, and it will be the people that we miss most now that we are gone.

Sweet friends have been what has made this place home, and sweet friends are what makes leaving so hard. Meaningful relationships have made our short stay here have purpose. This kind friend Tammy, has been a kindred spirit, and has been an encouragement to me in so many ways. Our busyness, and the 45 minute distance, has kept us from spending as much time together as I would have liked, but I have a feeling we will be staying in touch for many years to come.

Her daughters have been just as encouraging to my girls, and their boys to my Eliza and Kartwright, and their Daddy to my better half. I love this family, and they will be missed.

Then there have been these two lovelies, that from the very beginning have stolen the hearts of our whole family. We first met them at a church fellowship, and later they followed us around the church grounds every Sunday. We cheered for the cougars together, watched them perform in school functions, and celebrated birthdays together. they too have been a wonderful encouragement and example to my girls, and likewise to me.

I have been so blessed by the teen girls in this community who have given time and attention to my girls. They are such great examples of young ladies, and I will so miss them all.

For Kartwright there have been both Kevins, Drew and Boyd, Nathan and Trip and Matt and Devon, and several others.

There have been so many that made our short stay here a sweet memory. The Tuesday morning ladies, the graduates mommas, Lucy and Amy, Anne and Kindra and Yashika, and so many more. Some were just a kind face once a week, like Mrs. Barbara, others were ministry partners, like Deborah. Each one has had a part in teaching us community, helping us grieve, and encouraging our walk.

This couple has taught Michael and I much as well. Greg and Sherri are both so very different then us in personality, and even in interests, and yet so very much like us in their love for the Lord, and God's people. I expect also that they will remain life long friends.

And these people, they are the hardest to say good-bye to. It has been such a blessing to be close enough to get together often with our oldest son and his beautiful family. I have so enjoyed our times together, and wish now that there had been even more. Though we just saw one another this past Sunday, being miles apart makes me miss them more. I will continue to pray that they will soon live close to us again.

So, from our family to yours my sweet Georgia people, we love you, and miss you already. Thank you for making Georgia such a nice memory.

I've been keeping something from you

2011-06-08T00:02:00.007-04:00

I have a confession of sorts, I've been keeping something from you. I didn't want to, but in the name of safety for my children, and myself, I had to......cuz I don't really know you!

Well, I don't know all of you, and most of those I do know, unless you are out of town, already know the secret, cuz I know you are not axe murderers, or armed robbers. Not that you who I don't know are axe murderers or armed robbers, but how would I know that, cuz like I said, I don't really know you.

We are moving, like now, today, like, as you are reading this. That is a weird thought, as I am sitting here writing this ahead of time knowing that I really should be doing.....well, any number of things to get ready for said move, but instead, I am blogging......cuz it's more fun to confess, than to pack.

Michael accepted a new position, in a new company, in a new state, back in January. That was 5 months ago, and we have been living the long distance family life since then....yuck! He has been coming home about every three weeks, thus leaving us alone for long stretches of time. That has not been fun for us, or for him, but could have been fun for axe murderers and armed robbers, so I didn't tell you, just in case. Don't be mad, I don't really know you!

So while I've been hanging, out on a limb, without my better half, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about trust. Not only do I not trust you, because I don't really know you, I don't always trust Him fully either. Could it be that I don't know Him well enough? He is always faithful to provide however, and it is that very faithfulness that has supplied my needs during this hard time, past hard times, and will supply them in the hard times to come. Because, believe me, there will always be hard times!

That doesn't mean that He supplies my needs exactly the way I desire, or in the timing that I expect, or even in the way I deem appropriate, but supply them He does!

During a conversation months ago with a young woman that was experiencing some upheaval and unknowns in her life, she said to me, "I'll just be glad when things can just be settled". That comment has been rolling around in my brain for several months now. At the time, I tried to encourage her that things would be better soon. Then I got to thinking about my own story.
When have things ever really been settled??
Even at those times in my life when I might have thought things were settled, there was always a surprise right around the bend.
Does my Heavenly Father really want me to be settled, or comfortable, or relaxed?
Hasn't it always been those times of upheaval, or tension, or vulnerability, that I have depended on Him the most?

So as I swing out on this limb yet again, and face new challenges in a new place, some exciting, some scary, some invigorating, and some potentially painful, I confess, that I am trying to trust Him more deeply, depend on Him more fully, and He is continually supplying my needs. I know Him well enough to know that.

And if you are an axe murderer, or an armed robber, well, to bad for you. If you are out on a limb, like me, welcome to reality, get comfortable, enjoy the ride, and trust Him to catch you.

Camp Viola

2011-06-07T00:05:00.004-04:00

Last week Kartwright was a camp councilor,
and Haven was a part of the camp clean up crew.

All of the children that attended this free camp had very little.
Most did not have in-tact families.
Many had not experienced a loving and nurturing home life.
Some had never heard the gospel.

All of them have heard it now.
Most of them went home with hope.
Many now know what it feels like to be loved.
Some accepted God's offer of redemption and will never be the same.

It was a wonderful experience to watch my children be involved in such a hands on outreach. The thing I love most about our church here, is it's commitment to community. I have never been a part of a fellowship that cares so very much about getting involved with the nitty gritty of peoples lives like this one. Lives were changed last week, because people cared enough to take the time to get involved.

Happy Birthday Haven

2011-06-06T00:04:00.001-04:00

Michael had the privilege of baptising his little girl on her twelfth birthday Sunday.

It was a sweet sight.

There is something so very wonderful about watching the love of your life baptise out of obedience to your Lord, one of the biggest blessings that very same Lord has given you, with many of the other blessings He has given watching on also.

I think it was wonderful for them as well.

Happy Birthday sweet Haven Dorothy!

Okay, okay

2011-06-05T23:05:00.000-04:00

OOPS, Correction, you do not sow the the fruits of your labor......duh, you REAP the fruits of your labor. You sow the seeds that you will later reap, because of the sowing. The seeds that you sow produce the fruits that you later reap. It is the sowing that makes the very fruit possible to reap, otherwise there would be no reaping. No sowing, equals no reaping. I get it now :)

First Harvest

2011-06-03T00:08:00.001-04:00

We are just beginning to sow the fruits of our labor, so fun. I love the vivid colors of new veggies, and all the surprises they bring. What a gift from our generous Heavenly Father, that just a small dead seed can bring so much joy, and excitement, and nourishment. Did you plant this year? Oh do tell, what is growing in your garden?

ice cubes?

2011-06-02T00:02:00.014-04:00

Son number one, and his beautiful wife, gifted me this beautiful orchid for Mothers Day. Son number one texted me two weeks later and asked, "Is your orchid dead yet?". He knows me well! I absolutely LOVE flowers, and flowering plants are even better, but my thumbs are very definitely pinkelish peachelish, and not at all green, if ya catch my drift. Said orchid is still looking gorgeous, but I fear her days are numbered, and as I told son number one, I try not to let her catch me looking at her.

Look at this beaut, milky white petals, set off with magenta centers, she truly deserves a better care taker.

Well, while picking up balloons for the aforementioned graduation of son number two, I noticed some pretty plants similar to her, awaiting purchase. On their tags were directions for care. The tag suggested three ice cubes per week! Yes, I said ice cubes. Crazy huh? It doesn't seem like her delicate self would like that coldness, but I'm gonna give it a try! I can see my right thumb turning a very slight shade of mint as I write, perhaps pretty orchid has a chance after all!

Finally, my spring wreaths!

2011-05-31T00:02:00.003-04:00

I wrote quite a while ago, in this post, that I was going to make some new spring wreaths for my front doors. I didn't forget, just took an unplanned hiatus from blogging, and never showed you the outcome.

Here they are, not EXACTLY what I was going for, but they work, and they do say spring, as well as summer, maybe I can even talk myself into them being both fall and winter, and that is a good thing, as I doubt I will be changing them anytime soon.

First I sprayed the grapevine wreaths I found at Hobby Lobby with satin clear coat, to give them some shine. That stuff dries almost instantly, and it's clear so you can spray them right on the grass and no one will ever know. Not that I did that Michael, I'm just sayin. I couldn't find felt in the colors I wanted, so I used real felted wool sweaters (as opposed to imitation felted wool sweaters). They were still not the colors in my head, but they are bright and cheerful. I used faux eucalyptus to fill in a little. I glued it all down safe and secure with LOTS of hot glue!

I found the cute polka dot ribbon at Hobby Lobby, and it all came together in the end.

check out more great projects here

http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-13/
Lettered Cottage">

upward and onward

2011-05-29T18:57:00.000-04:00

Kartwright graduated Saturday.

He was one of six beautiful people in his small homeschool ceremony, and they all did wonderfully. I had the privilege of spending a few hours every month for the last nine months, with the sweet mommas of these nice looking young people, planning every cookie, candle , and cake for the sweet ceremony that we all enjoyed this weekend.

All of the graduates professed faith in Jesus Christ, and a desire to serve Him in college and beyond. What a blessing that is to the parents, friends, and families of these seniors.

Kartwright was asked to give the invocation (opening prayer), and did a magnificent job. Each graduate also chose a mentor that prayed for and with them and their parents, during the service. Kartwright chose his friend, teacher, and pastor. As parents we also were allowed to present his diploma to him ourselves, which I found particularly meaningful.

Many friends and family joined us, and we were so glad they did. It went so far in making this day special. I can hardly believe Kartwright is done with High School, and let me just say that the makers of water proof mascara deserve a BIG chocolate something for their part in making my day.

Kartwright has truly been a joy to "teach", and I put that in quotes as he has for so long now taught himself. I have been purely a facilitator, cheerleader, and encourager. He is a very smart guy, and is already on his way to very big things for God's kingdom.

I love you big guy,

and I am so very thankful for you, and the opportunity to educate you at home all these years.

I will forever be cheering you on!

If you love snakes, then don't read this

2011-05-26T00:04:00.002-04:00

Lumberjack boy is now the snake slayer.

We have chickens, eight little laying ladies to be exact, and apparently snakes love eggs. Recently Haven, our resident keeper of the hens, went to collect eggs as usual, and found this long guy coiled up in the nesting boxes with an egg sitting on top, as if to mock her arrival. My quick and logically thinking girl child immediately let the chickens out of their cozy cabin, and locked them out. She then opened the nesting box hatch with a stick (that she had previously slammed shut when she discovered the egg eater), left open the door to the outside, and ran to the house to tell her tale of serpent sabotage.

Do you like all my alliteration??? Don't you love words like alliteration, that sound like what they are. What is the word for that???? Oh, I should know that. help me out people.

Unfortunately, the soon to be snake slayer was not at home, and night fall was looming. My sweetheart was out of town, and I was left with two girlies that were very afraid for their chicken friends. ElizaJane proceeded to remind me of how Daddy had once retrieved a snake from the bird feeder, and then proceeded to fling the slithery thing up over the fence with a pitch fork. Apparently she gives her Mother a bit too much credit in the bravery department, and has also measured my love for our feathered flock inaccurately. I explained, that I would NOT be "taking care of" the snake, not then, well...... not ever!

In the morning the snake was gone.

Fast forward a week, and guess who was back for a fresh warm all you can eat EGGstravagant smorgasbord! The snake slayer made short work of the long fellow, and if you are wondering why it looks like he has no head, well....it's because the snake slayer doesn't like to take any chances!

Callaway Gardens

2011-05-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Because the universe has lately been revolving around senior, soon to be graduating, and up to his eyeballs in stuff to do and places to be big brother, the girls and I recently took a little reprieve from "Kartwright world" into a land of butterflies and foliage.

You would think they had never seen grass before,the way they begged to lay in it, and soak up the sunshine. The butterfly building is behind them, and is filled with the most beautiful and intricately designed insects one has ever seen. We had such fun watching them together.

Liza was determined that one would land on her, and this is seriously the longest she has ever stood still in her 7 year life. Her patience paid off in the end, and she was thrilled to be tickled by this creatures tiny feet.

I took the opportunity of such a pretty setting to snap lots of pics of the girls. I will spare you a million, and just share a few of my favorites. We had such a fun time together, and made some really sweet memories.

Thank you Lord Jesus for these two sweet girls.

Randomness

2011-05-24T01:12:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted for a long time for no particular reason, and thank you for your encouragement to do so. I have missed it.....kind of.

The older you get, the faster life flies by, so if you have littles, and you long for the days when they are older, and things will slow down, you can stop longing now. It ain't gonna happen!

The girls and I went to Taco Bell for lunch today, and a man held the door open for us. As I passed by he said "chivalry is not dead" I smiled warmly, then he proceeded to jump ahead of me so he could be first in line.

Does it bother anyone else when male customers at Publix grocery let women employees push their carts of groceries to their car for them, and then load the bags of food into their trunks?

My computer crashed recently, and it cost us big bucks to get it fixed. It was only 6 months old, and it was still under warranty. Everything on the hard drive was lost! ummmm...........really?
Two words friends, back up your pictures, well, four words, but very important ones. Do it now!

You don't listen very well do you?

Kartwright my second born, is graduating soon, and then he will fly the coop, spread his wings, take flight. He is a very tall baby bird at six feet two now, but he is my baby bird. I keep reminding myself that this was the point, the goal, the objective, but 18 years just doesn't seem long enough to prepare to have your heart ripped out of your chest......again!

Kartwright was recently asked in an interview,"If you could go out into the world and accomplish whatever you wanted, and be assured that you would succeed, and could not fail, what would you do". I thought that was a very thought provoking question. What would you say?

My new favorite Sonic drink is cranberry sprite, yummm!

Do you think the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil had any intrinsical (I didn't want to use the word magical, or intrinsic, so I made my own word, I can do that, cuz this is my blog) power in it, or was it just a piece of fruit? If it was just a piece of fruit, then why did the tree of life have to be guarded by the angels after Adam and Eve sinned?

I did miss blogging, for reals!

time is like cabinets

2011-04-06T00:58:00.000-04:00

21 months after Michael and I tied the knot, we purchased our first home. It was bank owned, which means the former owners were most likely foreclosed on, and we were blessed by their misfortune. It was a big house for just the two of us and our baby boy, much more than we needed. I hadn't been married long enough to acquire an arsenal of kitchen gadgets, and I remember thinking I would never fill all the walls of cabinets in my new cooking space. Ten years later we moved. We had three small boys by then, and a whole house full of stuff. In that decade I filled every last cabinet in that kitchen. Six houses later, I have learned that if I have the space, I fill it up.

I don't need more cabinets, I need less stuff.

Time is like cabinets.

My time seems to be filled up just as soon as I find some extra. That's OK, because I like to be busy, I think it is good to be busy, but recently, I have been feeling like I fit God in around my schedule, instead of fitting my schedule in around Him. My time with Him in the morning is always the first to get cut short if I'm running late, or have over slept. Evening prayers with the girls has been turning into short and sweet intercession, because I'm late getting them to bed, or I'm especially weary. We often pray quick over meals, so we can eat, and hurry hurry to whatever is next. My relationship with my maker is most often the first thing to go when I get busy. When I don't slow down and acknowledge His gifts as I walk through my day, commune with His spirit as I recognize His mercy, intercede for my loved ones and their needs, as well as my own, I am the one that pays the price. He then seems distant, but I am the one who has receded into my own business.

I don't need more time, I need less business.

Do you find that the more space you have, cabinets and time, the more stuff you find to fill them up?

Heavens anesthesia

2011-04-02T16:26:00.000-04:00

I felt it down low, almost in a place far below my soul. That slow brewing emotion that I keep hidden almost always, not because I am ashamed, or fearful of feeling the gnawing, but because life must go on, children eat and play, friends expect, strangers presume, and weeping just isn't living. Not always, only in quiet alone moments when vanilla scent brings up flashes of remembrance of his Pediasure diet, or the high squeal of a far away drill on wood conjures images of his uncontrollable giggles, or just a heaviness of soul longing weighs on my chest and I escape to an alone place...my car, the shower, the basement, anywhere to feel, and wish, and regret, and weep, because a mothers heart misses a sons sound and presence. But this time, this time at bible study, with no one even suspecting the battle I was fighting in that back row booth, I could not stab it dead, freeze it quiet, it was brewing, slowly coming to the surface. I could almost hear it's groan as it passed the diaphragm gate, and entered my throat. I warred with the burning, defying it to surface, begging it to wait until we were alone, and the flood gates opened, and my sitting was now walking, then running, to the safety of the restroom, and then the tears were pouring, and the sound was escaping and I wept, and won only the battle to not scream that guttural death moan my body hoped to let out. My control was defeated, the weeping won, and I too, as the release was cathartic and cleansing, and mascara trails marked the way to peace.

Weeping is heaven's anesthesia.

I know he speaks theology with Spurgeon now before audiences of angels, and dances with David and grandma Dee before the throne. He and John Calvin laugh together at the audacity of earthlings claiming to understand the intricacies of predestination and foreknowledge. The 12 year old earth suit he wore here no longer restrains his ability to think or move or see. He is perfect. He is not present in that filthy grave, with the sweet soft body that contained him once, and It is not for him that I weep. It is so much more than grief that fuels that soul groan, so much more than pain or sorrow, although those too are very present. It is the knowing that God's plan was best, that He is sufficient, that His ways are not my ways, and being so very grateful. It is in the making and receiving of tender memories that my savior so lovingly weaved in and around my boy's life, that grow me to Him, grafted to Him more purely, all because of the gift of one small broken male child with soft warm hands and deep brown eyes. It is because this is not my home, this beautiful place full of flowering dogwoods and azure blue skies, this is not it, and someday I will be with him, and.......with Him. And there, there will be no more pain, and no more tears.

No more tears? I ask Him in disbelief, but I NEED to weep. I like to cry, sometimes it helps Lord, No more tears? And in His most gentle of voices, calming and assuring He reminds me that no more tears, holds firm hands with no more pain. No more feeling inadequate, no more voices of you're not good enough, thin enough, smart enough, anything enough. No more striving for perfection with your home, your meals, your clothing, your children. No more fear, fear of the future, of loosing someone else, of being alone. No more being overwhelmed, no more guilt, no more hurt, no more regret, no more harsh words, no more abuse, no more hurt feelings, no more anger, no more unmet expectations, no more loss, no more sorrow.

No more tears, He will wipe them all away.

We won't NEED them any more.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Rev. 21:4

Proverbs 31 ministries seeks to connect women, and bring them closer to the heart of the sovereign God of the Universe who will one day wipe every tear. A scholarship is being offered to one brave sweet soul, who dares to peek through the veil of fear, and tip her pinkie toe into the iciest of rivers, in hopes of a cleansing bath in the warm pool of She Speaks acceptance. You could be that brave soul.

He makes me laugh

2011-04-01T00:29:00.000-04:00

Kartwright needed a picture recently for something he has going on next year, so we took a little stroll around the ol' homestead to see what we could come up with. Here are a few of the out takes.

"Hello, ummmmm anybody home???"

"Am I the only one who showed up for this shin dig? Wait, are you all going to roast me, or worship me?"

This is the look I will get when he sees this post.

Cute ain't ee ?

How did that one get in here??? sorry

"Next year I will be joining the NYC ballet!

Ballerinas can wear cowboy boots can't they?"

"Or, I might be a magician"

"No, wait, how about the opera."

"Hey, is this your dog?"

"Seriously Mom,

Do I have to wear this big yellow head dress?"

Yeahhhhhhhh, there's my boy, he is cute ain't ee?

She quotes

2011-03-30T20:13:00.000-04:00

ElizaJane LOVES to quote movies.

Recently Michael and I and our three still at home children were in the car together. The kids were being a bit crazy, especially ElizaJane, and Michael got a bit stern. We were headed to a restaurant, and I'm sure visions of an uncontrolled 7 year old in a public place were flashing through his mind. He began to remind ElizaJane of how to properly act when we arrived. You must sit still he instructed, and speak quietly, no jumping or skipping, he reminded, and if you are spoken to, remember, look them in the eyes . Yes sir she respectfully responded in her trademark southern squeak, yes sir, yes sir, at each direction she responded the same. When he was done she added firmly and with the perfect low voice effect.

"all of my training has prepared
me for this moment"
(BOLT by Disney)

Our story part six the final chapter

2011-03-28T01:02:00.000-04:00

Soon after arriving at the fellowship of college and career people, it was discovered that the lid on my baked beans was stuck fast, and I mean REALLY stuck fast! No one could budge it, and it was the joke of the evening. It was all in good fun, and after much prying some was eventually to be tasted, but not so much enjoyed. The fellowship was uneventful otherwise, small talk, bible study, worship, discussion, and then it was time to say good-night. Michael and I climbed back in his car, sticky glass dish in hand, and I sighed to realize our time together was coming to an end, and we really hadn't had the chance to really chat. He must have been feeling the same, and asked if I would mind stopping at Burger King for a soda.

We shared a large Coke, and fries, and talked BK closed, then we drove to the Lexington dam, and talked some more. We broke the cardinal rule of talking about old flames on the first date, and laid it all on the table. We talked about our families, jobs, favorites, dislikes, pet peeves, childhood stories, memories both good and bad, dreams, plans, faith, we talked about it all, and somewhere between the words, and the laughter, we fell in love.

I returned home that night floating on a cloud of disbelief, knowing that the Lord had handed me a very special gift, and I immediately thanked Him for it. Michael called his Mother that night and told her he had met the girl of his dreams. The next morning he picked me up for church, and we worshiped together, this time in the same pew. We had lunch together at Ryan's, and then spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other even more. There was never an awkward silence, no red flags of distrust, or unsettled feelings. I was completely comfortable with him, and I wanted to hear and understand everything he communicated to me. He led us in prayer, and enjoyed talking about spiritual things, and I couldn't believe how God had blessed me. From that first date, we spent every moment together that we could.

Our courtship lasted 3 years and 8 months before we blissfully exchanged wedding vows on a warm evening in November. I could probably get to "Our Story part 86" writing every thing that happened in that time, but that would bore the three people reading. In hindsight it was crazy that we waited so long before we married, considering we both knew on that first date that the other was "the one". We took road trips to Greenville to meet Michael's Mom and extended family on Easter, Hilton Head to meet his Dadand his wife Susan and their two children, and Michaels Grandma Dee, Michigan, to meet my siblings and their families, and a few old friends, all in those first few weeks and months. I left for that far away school in Florida that next fall, because I thought that was what the Lord told me to do before our meeting, so I felt I had to go. I only completed one semester of Hell before returning to Lexington, a semester full of florist flowers, daily letter writing, and long distance phone calls. Those were the days before e-mail, and cell phones. Shortly after returning, Michael took a job in North Carolina, working on top of Sugar Mountain, that meant more letters, and more phone calls. Because of those circumstances, ours was mostly a long distance relationship. The Lord used that time to grow me up, and teach me a lot of important life lessons.

I am so very grateful for the gift of Michael, and although it is not an amazing story, or particularly riveting, it is our story. It was, and has continued to be for many years, a story of God's faithfulness, provision, and love. We will celebrate 25 years of marriage this coming November, and I would do it all over again if I had the chance. We have the most amazing relationship, and although it sounds incredibly cliche' Michael completes me. Our God brought us together, He has sustained us through much heartache, and He has blessed us beyond measure. To Him be the Glory!

Our story part five

2011-03-21T11:19:00.000-04:00

With out my knowledge, the man I would later learn preferred to be called Michael, had been sitting a few rows behind me in church for four weeks before our “chance” meeting at the sanctuaries front! He had been observing me, and trying to work up the courage to speak to me. In our brief conversation that day in the lobby of first Baptist, I learned he had quit the University to work full time on a real estate project of town homes there in Lexington. That would explain why I never met him all those cold mornings on campus, I thought. We exchanged very little information in our short dialogue, and he ended the pleasantries with “well, maybe we can have lunch sometime”. I remember walking away thinking to myself, how lame, lunch sometime??? Seriously? He is obviously not interested, lunch, nobody that says” let’s have lunch sometime” ever REALLY has lunch, and besides that, he doesn’t even have my number, how is he going to call me?

Eleven days later his voice was on the other end of the telephone line. He had spent the previous weekend at a Christian conference, and was anxious to share with me what he had learned. His voice was strong, and sure, and he talked as if he already knew me. "We can call him Abba Father” he explained with emotion, “that is like saying Daddy, Daddy, and climbing up into his arms of safety”, I remember his excitement. It was as if it was not really a new concept to him, but as if it had just become alive in his heart. I was hooked on his enthusiasm over a spiritual concept, and blown away that he was so open and honest about his “experience”.

Then it came... his invitation for dinner the next evening. My spirits shrank, I had already accepted a date with a boy for that night, “well” he rebounded quickly,” how about lunch?” Oh, how embarrassing, I had already agreed to tennis with Rob. I explained apologetically, then without hesitation, I invited him to join me for a college and career fellowship at the teachers house the next night, Saturday. He agreed, and we settled on a time for him to pick me up as I gave him directions to my house on Summerfield lane. I was so glad that my silly insignificant social schedule with those boys hadn’t prevented him from making plans with me.

Fridayflew by as I floated on cloud nine, and dreamed about my date with Mike. He was a great looking man, seemed to love the Lord, and wasn’t the least bit afraid to speak of it. By my account he was my dream come true. I couldn’t wait for Saturday night’s fellowship, so I could get to know more about this guy.

On that evening I chose to wear my black velvet Calvin Klein’s, and I remember spending a lot of time on my hair. I do remember that I wasn’t very nervous though, considering how excited I was. He came to the door just as I was pulling the baked beans I had made to bring to the fellowship, out of the oven. I noticed his bright smile as he entered the kitchen; he was so confident and friendly, as he chatted with my mom. He told me I looked nice, and his big brown eyes sparkled, then we were off, the two of us, and my baked beans.

unexpected sunshine

2011-03-18T00:00:00.002-04:00

special delivery

2011-03-17T00:01:00.002-04:00

Remember these little beauties?
Well, they are finally paying their rent.

spring wreaths

2011-03-16T00:02:00.004-04:00

I think this paper roses wreath by Stephanie Lynn at Under the table dreaming is really to-die-for. I have been keeping my eye out for a pretty wreath idea to make my doors a bit more welcoming, and this was the first that really caught my attention. I have double doors, so making a wreath, means making two:). Here is the line up of the favorites I found. I am enlisting your help in choosing which one to try to make.

In the etsy store Itzfitz there are some really pretty wreaths like this one,

and this one,

aren't they just so pretty?

I also found this nice image online, but the etsy seller no longer exists, and doesn't have a blog anymore, so I can't give credit where credit is due, but I did want to share, it is so very feminine. I am not certain that I could recreate it, but I could try. I would change the sign to perhaps He is risen, or Happy Spring, or He's alive, or maybe leave it off so It can stay on my door longer.

and, this from Home Confetti,

don't you just LOVE that little sign stuck on top??

Or, click this to see some goodness from under the sycamore!

And, at the spotted sparrow look at this, so simple, but the vintage feel really appeals to me. I'm not sure how I would hang it, perhaps by a ribbon attached to the back. My doors are also glass, so the back has to be at the least tidy, and at best pretty.

Here's one from etsy seller DanaAndCarol,

it really screams spring doesn't it?

The always beautiful and fresh Layla shares a how-to for an equally fresh and beautiful wreath HERE, at the lettered cottage. If you haven't found her decorating blog, you must stop by for a visit.

What about this braided wreath from Carolyn, she also shares the how to for this one, on her blog Homework, with a robins nest complete with tiny blue eggs that I adore!

So, there you have it,

anyone with spring fever out there?

Which wreath do you like best from those I've chosen?

platters, splattered on the wall

2011-03-15T00:02:00.006-04:00

This post went out without any words first,by mistake, so for the three people who read my blog, if you read it through a reader you received that post, and must have thought I was a bit random. So sorry!

Anyway, since I was on a plate hanging rampage, I decided to finally hang all these white platters I have been collecting.

Here they are on the left,

and from the right.

They were so much bigger before I hung them up!

There you have it, platter splatter.

Our story part four

2011-03-14T01:07:00.000-04:00

I was not aware that my mystery man had dropped out of college to run a town home development full time. He was not aware that I had quit my job as a pizza server to lead women in aerobics to the beat of "it's raining men". So while I sat on a cold brick wall on the campus of USC hoping for a "chance" meeting, he continued to order pizza in hopes of spying his new favorite waitress.

As days turned into weeks, the semester changed, and so did my class schedule. I eventually gave up my quest for the stone khaki clad prep, and other boys came a calling. I dated muscle man Mark, the older brother of a high school friend for a few weeks, only to determine that he was a very nice boy, but not for me. There was Rob, a boy whose father worked at the same plant mine did, and who had come to the south under the same circumstances. We had several lunch dates, and he had been a good friend, but that was all I saw him as. Rafe was a boy from the hut, that never really asked me out, but asked for rides to school sometimes, and we had spent some time together at his house.

The Lord continued to work in my heart, as I sought him and his plan for my life. Months prior to this my mother and I had visited a college in Florida that I was interested in attending. I felt like God was calling me there, and was saving and planning for that to happen the next fall. That was seven or eight months out, and I was looking forward to that change. I had spent the last eight months grieving the deaths of two very important parts of my identity.

The death of the relationship to my high school sweetheart was painful, although I had accepted that a future with him would have been a disaster, and that it was truly God's will that I move on, and I was grateful.
It was clear to me at that point that he would not have been the spiritual leader that I longed for in a life mate.

The death of my parents relationship however was not something I was learning to accept. I could not see God's hand in that fatality, and I was growing bitter and uncomfortable in my roll as a daughter. The holidays had been pitiful, as my thanksgiving was a Burger King whopper alone in my bedroom, and my Christmas had been a painful attempt at a insincere reconciliation. I felt abandoned by my older siblings, and often felt like I was bearing the burden alone. My Dad was like a walking dead man, and I longed for the stability that he had always been for me. I watched as the Mom I knew wasted away, plagued with a chronic nervous cough, and I was being used as both a confidante and a sounding board, caught in the middle of their pain. I hate to admit it, but I longed to escape, and an out of state college sounded like a good option.

I was getting more involved in the college and career group at Lexington Baptist, and we were getting together as a group every weekend for food and fellowship. Between school, and work, church, and my social life, I was a busy girl. Spring was fast approaching, and my second semester was in full swing. It had been three months since the night I met the mystery man.

One Sunday morning as the service came to a close, I reached for my purse and bible, and as I rose to leave I glanced up to see Steve and Kathy at the front of the sanctuary. It had been a while since we had talked, so I decided to go up and say hello. As I approached I noticed there talking to them was a man whose back was toward me. Kathy warmly smiled at me, and welcomed me into their circle. I turned, and there he was, a heavenly chorus broke out that all of Lexington county could surely hear, as Kathy introduced Mike, the man they had tried to set up with Steve's sister....her voice trailed off as our eyes met. "Aren't you the girl from Pizza Hut" he asked, smoothly. "yeah" I replied, "I waited on you."

to be continued

click
for part one
for part two
for part three

jumping lenses?

2011-03-11T00:18:00.003-05:00

You will have to excuse my pictures for a while, as my favorite lens decided to jump off the highest shelf in the TV cabinet in my bedroom. It was the middle of the night, and there was a big thud that woke me up, and it was my very stylish, but still padded camera case, that was on the shelf, but was now on the floor. How does that happen? It was the middle of the night, no one was moving, just the earth rotating the sun as usual, and splat goes my beautiful Nikon 18-135 loveliness, and now she is scrambled eggs inside, rattling like the pit full of snakes in that Indiana Jones movie. Tragic I tell you, eye leaking tragedy, and now my pics are, well, not very good, because I have to use my long lens for everything, and well, I don't know, it just doesn't work like my scrambled friend did.

So any way, here's what I did with some plates....whatever!

The latest in slipcovers

2011-03-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

Who knew that our small town was so very hip, and right on the cutting edge of the latest home fashion?

Case in point,

They slip covered their water tower!

How cool is that?

Our story part three

2011-03-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

After taking the food order of the two young men, I delivered their drinks. Water for the one on the left, and Michelob lite for the one on the right. Small talk ensued, and the one on the left asked if I was in school. It was about this time that the guy on the right seemed to disappear, I don't remember much else about him from that evening after this point.

"Yes", I replied, "I'm a freshman at USC". I cringed, knowing what the next question would be.

"Oh" he said pleasantly, "me too, what is your major?" I stuttered a bit, I hated to share my major. It had never occurred to me when I had enrolled as an art major just a few months before, that I would ever be ashamed to be associated with the art department. "I'm an Art major", I haltingly revealed, "but don't hold that against me." They both laughed out loud, knowing instantly what I meant. It was well known back in the early eighties that if you saw someone on the gamecock campus that, well, that stuck out in the way of purple hair, excessive tattoos and or earrings, or just outlandish clothing, then nine times out of ten they were most likely an art major. I returned the question and found out he was a business major. After more small talk it was determined that we had 8am classes in the same building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. "Maybe we'll see each other on campus someday", he remarked. Soon their pizza was up, and the small talk was over, as I left them to enjoy their late lunch. On my way back to the wait station to freshen their drinks, I glanced back at the table. The young man on the left was praying over his meal.
While they ate, I shamelessly re-wiped the surrounding tables hoping to catch some small snippet of their conversation. When I delivered their bill, I signed their ticket, as I did everyone, "It was a pleasure serving you, amy", but this time I really meant it.

I took a longer look at the young man as he stood at the register waiting to pay. He had very broad shoulders, and a large build, and he stood straight and tall with a very confident gate. His auburn hair was cut short, but appeared to be very curly. He wore stone colored flat front trousers, with cordovan penny loafers, and matching thin leather belt. His shirt was a light blue pinpoint button down oxford polo. His smile was easy, and he engaged the manager in conversation at the register. I remember in that moment thinking that there was a special place in my future for that man, and although I tend to think love at first sight is most usually vanity at best, and dangerous at worst, if there is such thing as love at first meeting, then this was surely the case. He smiled a goodbye as he passed me on his way out, and left a very generous tip on the table to seal my affections. It would be some time before I would see the young man again.

That evening I returned home to find my aunt Eileen and uncle Roy visiting my mom from Muskegon Michigan. I told them all about the handsome man I had met at work, and as I remember, my mom was unusually interested. Perhaps it was obvious that there was something different about this chance meeting. As a waitress you hear it all, from seemingly harmless obnoxious flirtation to beer induced marriage proposals. She had heard me relay them all, complete with eye rolls, and feigned humiliation. This time the story was not littered with insincere flattery, or sordid innuendo, it wasn't anything really, but a chance meeting, containing harmless small talk, and punctuated with a good looking, nice guy at the end, but for me, I hoped it was anything but insignificant.

The problems at work had grown worse, and I was offered a job at the women's health club Spa Lady, that my mom and I frequented. I jumped at the chance to get out of waitressing, and although it was nice to not spend those long late hours on my feet any more, now I was teaching three or four aerobic classes a day. It was a challenging job, and I was exhausted at the end of a shift, but I completely enjoyed it.

The weeks that followed found me shivering in unusually cold South Carolina mornings, outside my 8:00 class building. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I sat on the low brick wall surrounding the old building that housed my French class, hoping for a glimpse of the nice young man to whom I had served pizza.

to be continued

"big girl" party

2011-03-03T00:41:00.000-05:00

ElizaJane wanted a big girl party this year, and by that she meant she wanted to invite the big girls. She calls these girls her friends, and frankly they are! She met them all last fall at Kartwright's football games for our local Christian School. The school allows home schoolers to play for their team. Three of these "big" girls also go to our church, and they are all so very sweet to my girls.

ElizaJane has never had a party with anyone outside the family, simply because we have moved around so much the last 4 years, it just hasn't worked out. This was a big deal for her. What began as a fairy princess theme, kinda morphed into just a colorful frilly theme. I found some frog picture holders at Joann's fabrics, and painted them all the same. I then used sparkly letter stickers to spell out the girls names on card stock, and used the picture holders as place holders (they are on the far top left). Strips of pink, purple, and green tulle were tied in bows around each chair, topped with satin flowers I made to give the girls as favors, each was a different color. I backed the flowers with a pin and Velcro so the girls could wear them, or attach them to a head band, or their purses. I also used the tulle to dress up the chandelier along with tissue paper puffs. I found the tutorial on the Martha site. I used the frog place cards as a pattern to paint a larger frog on a canvas for the game, Pin the Crown on the Frog.

We had lots of yummies to eat, including white chocolate popcorn, marshmallow fruit dip, and chocolate cupcakes.

The girls were game for everything on ElizaJane's agenda. They visited our chickens, jumped on the trampoline, walked down to the pond,and even danced, they were so sweet, and so much fun. This was a birthday that she will always remember. I sorta slept through the dancing part, cause I may or may not have stayed up all night making everything perfect.

Thank you girls for making a little girls day. She loves you all so much!

Haven, Jocelyne, Jenna, Angelina, Peyton, and the birthday girl.

Happy seventh baby girl. You can stop now.

Our story part two

2011-02-28T01:17:00.000-05:00

I was beginning to formulate in my mind what I should be looking for in a mate. The Lord was teaching me through my observations of Steve and Kathy's Christian marriage, and the negative relationship I had experienced with my former boyfriend. I didn't desire only a church attender, but someone who loved the Lord, not just a protector, but someone who would nurture my spiritual life, not merely an escape from my situation at home, but someone with whom to create a home and family. I was also beginning to think that perhaps it wasn't a boy I needed at all, but that the Lord would be all those things for me, and more. I grew closer to Him, and desired a future with Him at the helm. The Lord had brought me to a place where I felt really alone, and it was to Him that I cried, and for Him that I longed.

My life in Lexington was busy. I worked often, and late, sometimes pulling all nighters after my shifts, to complete the projects for my classes at USC. My art history class was incredibly difficult, held in a dark auditorium full of hundreds of students. I never even saw the teacher up close, as I was assigned a seat in the back. She literally spent the entire class time flicking through slide after slide of art, spouting off dates and long Italian names and places, as we all furiously struggled to take impossible notes. The tests might as well have been in Latin for all I knew of the content, and I was struggling to keep my nose above water. My English class was just as impersonal, but the work was easy compared to my high school AP class. Beginning painting was a breeze, as was anthropology, but French was more of a challenge. My first semester was winding down, and I was ready for it to be over.

My job at Pizza Hut was becoming increasingly stressful. The other employees were living lives very different from my own. Although a few of the girls there would meet me at the gym, or chat with me over lunch, and were sometimes receptive when I tried to share my faith, they were a typical party crowd, and they knew I was not interested in participating. They teased me often about my "goody two shoes ways", which didn't really bother me much, but the s*e*x*ual innuendo from the guys did. Most of the males there were much older then me, and some even sought to protect me, but there was one man named Eric that was becoming increasingly bold in his conversation, and invading my personal space. I tried to make it completely clear that I was not interested, but it never deterred him. He was a strong man, very good looking, and used to getting his way. He was also in authority over me as a manager. I never feared for my safety, as I should have, because I was just that naive, but his advances did make me uncomfortable and confused. I wasn't sure how to handle the issue, or who to talk to about it.

The Saturday afternoon shift at the Hut was the slowest, and least desirable, because no customers meant no tips. One particular Saturday afternoon I was getting ahead so I could leave just as soon as my shift ended. I was doing all the necessary responsibilities, filling the salt and pepper, Parmesan and red pepper flake containers between taking orders, and just basically leaving things ready for the busier evening shift. I was totally unsuspecting that my life was about to change.

My co-worker was seating the patrons as I checked the contents at the salad bar. She chose to seat the late lunchers at my station. At the two person booth next to the far window, were two nice looking young men, nicely dressed, smiling and chatting, and studying their menus.

to be continued

UMMMM, I just don't know

2011-02-23T14:11:00.001-05:00

So, I am at dinner with my husband and 3 other couples recently right?, and I didn't know any of them very well, and the man at the head of the table says with a question on his lips.

"AMY?"

all eyes turn to me

"Is that your hair" he asked, completely and unabashedly serious!

ummmm, I thought, okay, he is foreign, so maybe he doesn't really know what he's saying.

"Yes?" I reply," it is my HAIR",
I enunciated clearly in hopes that he would realize his faux pas. perhaps he meant, Is that your car outside, I pondered, or is that your wedding ring on your finger, or is that blouse you're wearing from Banana Republic, anything but is that your real hair? Surely he did not mean to ask that? And of course I immediately felt self conscious about my hair, and also thought to myself, If I was going to wear someone else's hair, do you really think I would choose this sad state of affairs?

"Is it your real color?" he then inquired.
My mind is reeling now, my real hair, my real color??? I am not offended, I make no bones about coloring my hair, I mean, if I didn't I would look like... 75, and that would be fine to look 75 if I wasn't 46. I am all for aging gracefully, but all in good time you know? I am really OK with people knowing that I color my hair, I mean seriously does anyone really expect people to believe that highlights magically appear in the middle of February when evidenced by my pasty white complexion I have obviously not seen the sun for months? Yes, I color MY real hair, well, Darlene does, and I talked it over with God and He "told" me it is OK. And, as my favorite preacher always says, if the barn needs painting.......well, paint it! but, it is a bit strange to be asked these questions at dinner, isn't it, at a table full of virtual strangers, and even more bewildering to be asked by a man. I must share that said man does own a beauty supply shop, so....I don't know, I just don't know.

"Yes" I answered, a bit timidly, and glanced at my ever even tempered and roll with the punches kinda guy and hubby Michael. What next? my eyes asked pleadingly toward my other half. There is a smirk on his kind face that says "we will laugh about this later, and that is the craziest dinner convo question ever, and I like your hair, and please don't explode as I know you are prone to do when people are rude, and I love you." Yes, all in that one little smirk, all that was said, and when you have been married for almost 25 years, you too will hear whole conversations from your spouse with just a glance.

"At the store it is color # 27" the oblivious to all that is the wrong thing to say in American culture man replies candidly. "It is the favorite color of black women" he adds.

ummmm, I just don't know!

Have you ever been asked a weird or awkward question? do share!

Our story part one

2011-02-21T00:15:00.000-05:00

It was 1983, and I was just 18, and in my first semester as an art major at the University of South Carolina. I was commuting about 40 minutes from home to attend college during the day, and spent most evenings and weekends serving up Delicious pizza at the hut in small town Lexington. I had only been in the south for just over a year, as my father had been transferred the summer before my senior year of high school and my parents and I had made the move from the cold snowy dunes of western Michigan, to the buckle of the bible belt in South Carolina.

It had been a year of complete culture shock as even the "language" seemed foreign at the time. As the "new" girl in a high school where my graduating class had more students then my entire former school had, both Jr. and Sr. high combined, I received a lot of attention. My clothes were different, my hair wasn't as big, I didn't carry a "pocket book", and I talked funny! Everybody said "yes ma'm" or "yes, sir" when addressing any adult, the halls were a chime with "hey" instead of "hi", it was y'all instead of you guys, "pop" became "soda", and when they asked to "hold" my homework, they really meant copy it! I will never forget the first time my new boyfriend asked if he could "carry" me home, and I laughed and said "well,I guess, but that's a long way, don't you think you might get tired?".

Just a few weeks after graduation my parents chose to separate after more then 30 years of marriage. Because I had been so very self absorbed at this point in my life, the separation had come as a total and complete shock to me. I hadn't even suspected that things were not right between my parents. All of my siblings were miles away, and the heart break I was feeling over my parents had become overwhelming at times. Just a few months later my heart was broken a second time by the boy I had hoped to one day marry. I had invested most of my senior year to that relationship, and although many people knew me, I had failed to make any real close girlfriends. My parents had always provided a very secure and happy home for me. I was the baby of the family, and had enjoyed the pampering and attention that came with that role. I had never endured any kind of hardship or even real disappointment before, and I now I was feeling very, very, alone.

As a freshman in college, I was being pursued by a few different very nice Christian guys, but I was not particularly interested in any of them. I didn't really hold out much hope that I would ever find the man of my dreams, so I had stopped "looking".

Steve Boyd was my youth pastor at the time, and he and his sweet bride Kathy had taken me under their wings in recent months. They would invite me over to their lovely home to eat, or to play board games. They would often call and check in on me. I am sure from the outside they saw a young girl who was a bit lost, and beat down, and they were just trying to reach out, and minister to their little Yankee friend. They treated me as their equal, and not like a child, and that felt incredibly good.

Steve had a beautiful green eyed red headed sister, who was barrelling head first into the mission field of China, and they invited me to come to her "going away" festivities. Kathy had confided in me that she and Steve had met this great Christian man named Mike at a real estate project when they had toured some town homes recently, and that they hoped to introduce he and Steve's sister to one another that night. I remember her saying that just because of his demeanor, they suspected, and then asked, if he was a believer. He answered with a hearty YES, and after a few good conversations with him, Kathy said, she and Steve were both convinced that this man Mike, and Steve's pretty sibling (can you believe I can't remember her name?), were made for each other! Their secret plan was to invite the young man to the party, and happily watch the sparks fly, only to seal the deal so that the sister would soon be accompanied in far away asialand by a suitable mate, and they would "mission" together, and surely live happily ever after. They had it ALL figured out how the Lord would take care of the green eyed beauty.

Our small crowd met at a nice darkly lit restaurant in Columbia, with candles at every cloth covered table, and although I don't remember much else about that evening, I do remember that the mystery man never showed up. So the pretty red head flew off into the wild blue yonder alone, to the sound of our humble rendition of "friends" by Michael W. Smith, and I went back to delivering ice cold beverages to hungry pizza eating customers, and finding my way in the enormous sea of USC students, studying "art", with purple haired, classmates with earrings and tattoos, in my perfect Calvin Klein jeans and shoulder pads.

to be continued

"Our Story" introduction

2011-02-14T00:01:00.002-05:00

"I want to marry a man just like Daddy" said my brown eyed 11 year old side kick, from the passenger seat.

"Well, choose well then" I entreated, "choose well."

But then as quickly as those words crossed the thresh hold of my lips, came the reminder from my heavenly Father that my love was not chosen, but given, as a gift... in spite of myself.

I have recently read several "love stories" on blogs of younger newly married women. Their romances are fresh, their stories are recent, and their unions, although not usually seasoned by the hard stuff of life just yet, are beautiful. Most of those that I have read, have been surprised by love, and reveal in the words of their stories their gratefulness to God for the gift they have been given. I love to read their stories, and hear the varied ways that God knits families together.

I have not had the opportunity to read any "stories" from older woman, accept for Monica's online match-up, who is not at all old, just no longer considered a newlywed, and inasmuch as I would not yet categorize myself as that just yet....ahem (old I mean)! I do have a story.

My love is not fresh, although it feels new every day, and it is not recent, nearly 28 years young actually, but it is miles deep, and fire tested, and sumptuously seasoned by some relatively hard stuff, and it is indeed exquisitely beautiful.

So today, on this Valentines day I want to thank the Lord for the gift that is my husband, and tell him publicly how very much I do love him, and how grateful that I am for my story, our story.

I love you boyfriend!

And also I thought it fitting that I would write our story out, not because I would ever forget even a tiny morsel of the miracle that it was, but simply because I want to share with you, and with my children, and someday perhaps, with their children, the miracle that is our love.

It is my intention to write "Our Story" every Monday, until it's completion up to the wedding day, and I hope you will come back and visit. I would also LOVE to take the opportunity to encourage some of my fellow "older" bloggers to share their stories, so come on Char, Audrey, Jolie, Michelle, Hannah, Danielle, Ginger, etc...we would love to hear some of your stories.

Happy Valentines day!

rainy day fun

2011-01-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Check these puppies out, so very fun!

The mouse marbles are my personal favorite.

2011-01-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

Remembering the white Christmas of 2010, so very fun!

What's your word gonna be?

2011-01-01T00:01:00.003-05:00

Hello 2011, good to meet ya!

We have been waiting for you, and we are so glad you are finally here!

With you comes a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning, and a bright hope!

There is lots in store for you 2011, new adventures to experience, and lessons to learn, hearts to stretch, lives to impact, and truth to impart.

So welcome new friend, lets jump in together to the shiny brightness that comes with a spankin new year, and we'll take it all on together, you and me, come what may, with anticipation and attentive intentionalism.

My word for you 2011, is KINDNESS, simple, but just not enough of it around this big bad world of ours. It is so worthy of a year to major on it, dwell on it, preach it, teach it, and practise it, paint it on the wall, and even harp on it if need be, because kindness begets kindness. That's what they say isn't it? And we can all use more, to both get and to give, can't we?

So you and me 2011, killing our world with kindness, together!

Be kind to each other, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

How about you, have you picked a word for this year?

good to have known you 2010

2010-12-31T01:40:00.000-05:00

Wow, 2010, you packed a punch, but with every blow there was a come back, and for that I say THANKS! You were a good year, because hard is good on God's barometer, and it is only His barometer that counts.

Thank you for the good times too, the laughs, and tears of joy, the learning, the stretching, the healing. It was during this year that we welcomed two new members, and with that our family grew in more ways than numbers!

Forgiveness was the word you chose for us, not for others sakes, but for ours. It was this year that I learned that FORGIVENESS is a gift to ones self, and really has very little to do with anyone else, that it can come without the admitting, or the asking, or even the deserving! It was this year that I had to relearn that friends are not always who they seem, and to share sparingly, and trust slowly. Being transparent does not come without a price, and is not always a wise investment.

That being said, new friends have abounded for us all in this the 2010th year, and for that too we are eternally grateful. It is this year too, that we learned that more is sometimes less, and less is often better, that chickens grow incredibly fast, some puppies pick their own homes, root canals are really bad no matter what they say, and conscious sedation is for me, truly conscious.

Gardens, puppies, children, and love all grew. Trophies, sports letters, college A's, scholarships and theater tickets were all awarded for good performance.

Refrigerators, relationships, transmissions, and cracked fillings were all repaired. Cell phones, computers, sunglasses and bathroom tiles were all replaced, and magazine subscriptions, distemper vaccines, and drivers licenses were all renewed.

Repaired, replaced, renewed......that was the theme.

Good to have known you 2010, you will not be forgotten!

How was your 2010?

2010-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas
From all of us, to all of you

For unto us is born this day,
in the city of David,
a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord!

A small town parade that proclaimed Jesus

2010-12-11T03:04:00.000-05:00

Night time Christmas parades are new to us, but when some new friends asked us to join them we gladly obliged. It was fun to see our small town folks NOT be politically correct.

The high school bands were so fun to see and hear.

and the old cars were very fine.

I would love to know what it took to get these men to dress up this??

My favorite float!

Night time Christmas parades are the best!

cloche party

2010-12-10T01:57:00.000-05:00

Although I am fashionably late, I really wanted to join the fun over at A stroll thru life, and join the cloche party!

I really love cloches, and have in just the last few years tried to collect a few.

Here's a tiny one, at just about 5 inches tall. I simply hung a nativity ornament on the hook inside.

This is my largest, and most favorite,at about two feet. My family gave it to me for Mothers day this year.

I have centered on a candle stick, an antique tiny creche that I found recently, with holly and magnolia greenery as well as some mercury bulbs, to add some sparkle.

This next one I found at TJ Max, for just $16.oo, love it! I just added a small tea cup with a bright red glass bulb on top.

Next is holding my prize angel. My oldest sister gave me this angel when I was very young, just a child I believe. And I have cherished it always. I love that it is singled out this year in a place of honor.

This one isn't technically a cloche, but I like it. Here it is just holding some pretty Florida oranges on some Christmas greenery.

If you weren't aware of cloches before, you will begin to see them everywhere now that you are.
Join the party, or just stop in for a short visit to see lots of cloches HERE.

November, where did you go?

2010-12-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

So, seriously, was Thanksgiving really a week ago? Can someone answer a simple question for me? Why is it, that when we are children, without a care or trouble in the world does Christmas seem to take so very stinking long to arrive, yet when we get older, and are overwhelmed with all that life throws our way, and can't possibly see the forest for the trees, or conceive of a world where all is ready by Christmas, Does November run into December like a rogue freight train, and the countdown seems to count by 3's?

Haven was my big helper in the kitchen this year, baking both the pumpkin and pecan pies for me Thanksgiving morning. And my ovens are not harvest yellow, although they do appear so, don't they?

Everyone looks like they have already slipped into their turkey induced comas here, but I think we were all so very hungry (including the the photographer) that we didn't look up to smile. Everything was delicious, and all were thankful, so I guess Thanksgiving was a colossal success!

And our initials are not P A, one of our A's had a run in with Chief the naughty power jumping dog!

And yes, if you must ask, that IS a turkey leg on ElizaJane's plate, and yes we did let her have that on purpose, and no she did not eat it all, in fact she only had two small bites because she was to full of mashed potatoes, but no it did not go to waste, and yes it did irritate her brothers that we indulged in such foolishness, and no we didn't care, and yes she was happy.

This little preciousness slept through our meal, but awoke with a big smile, and a sunny disposition, on our very dreary overcast day.

The girls enjoyed a movie together, so fun to see them all snuggled down eating pop corn.

Thank You November,

got to go,

December is passing me by.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all

2010-11-25T10:05:00.000-05:00

So very thankful for you!