Six Word Saturday

Doggie Doors arent always the best!

Oh my goodness... I'm still a little freaked out!!!

See these pictures.... wander what they are.... can you guess what that is???

Give up?

Those are baby bird feathers... IN MY BED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I walked in the bedroom to get something & noticed Zoe was up there with a weird look on her face. The lights were out & I noticed she grabbed something - like she does when she has a bone & is hiding it so no other dog can get it... I get up closer & see, what I think is grass all over the bed.

But then I see her chewing & it hit me... she has an animal...

I turn on the lights & see that the grass is not grass at all - but feathers.. with the ends of them being roots... Zoe totally plucked this bird CLEAN...

I just SCREAMED... I yelled "DROP IT" & Zoe took off & hid... I just SCREAMED louder because there is a dead bird in my bed with its little neck broke...

Ricky comes running upstairs & then gets mad at me because he said I gave him a heart attack!

I told him next time there is a dead animal in the bed, I'll try to be calmer.... WHAT????... YES, I'm going to scream any time I see an animal in the place where I lay my head & its feathers, or fur, or whatever it may be, is shedded everywhere... or hanging out of our dogs mouth....I'm sorry - to me, that is a situation to scream about...

Zoe is still hiding - my screaming freaked her out.... between her & Ricky, I think they're both still shaking...

Off to see if the bedding is done in the washer yet...

Friday Fragments

*First - if you are a fan of Big Brother... you gotta go here - its a blog dedicated to Big Brother that I am so lucky to be a part of... it wasn't 5 minutes after the show went off, I had already posted an entry... Love this show... already love the "Off Beat" group... & mad as anything that Jessie is back... blah!

*For those of you that didnt see on my twitter or facebook - remember I said about someone stealing the AC units from my parents subdivision... well, they got us at work this week - AGAIN! They stole our units at work at the end of summer last year... so we fenced in everything - had barb wire around it to protect it. HA - they stole TWO of our units & cut wires to the other two to apparently come back & get.... so it was like 88 degrees in my office... Luckily - they got the unit I'm on repaired pretty quick... I'm the ONLY unit working - Thank you Lord! Times I guess are that desperate that people are stripping the copper out... sad...

*Did anyone else see the dance about addiction on So you think you can dance by Kupono & Kayla? WOW... I cried... his face & the smug look on it gave me chills... also LOVED Brandon & Jennette's dance by Wade - the little burglers... cant get enough of this show!

*Do you think Jon & Kate are probably happy the media has been on Michael Jackson lately? Giving them a break.... how messed up is that?

*My heart broke when Paris spoke about her "daddy" at the Memorial service.. my heart just breaks for all 3 of those kids... also tore me up when Jermaine sang "Smile"....

*Anyone else stand up & scream when Jillian got rid of Wes? I so badly wanted one of the other 3 to punch him in the face when he made his "comments" before Jillian passed out the roses... I love Reid & his humor... I think she's gaga over Ed - but still think she could pick Kiptyn... dont even CARE - just happy Wes is gone! And if anyone buys his CD - I'll scream at you!

*One quote from the book "The Noticer" that really hits me over & over... "What is one thing everyone would want to change about you?".... that's really deep... what is one thing that stands out to others that is obviously not a good thing... something that you dont see on your own? WOW.. I'm telling you - you gotta read the book!

*Count Down to Harry Potter is ON!!!!!!!!!!!! & did you see that "Ron" had the Swine Flu? Crazy!

Celebrity...

Someone asked me the question the other day - "If you could meet any celebrity & spend the day with them - who would it be"....

Now I know some of you would think it would be Hugh Jackman... & that would be a possibility... just so I could stare at him for a whole day... & make him sing songs from Beauty & The Beast to me... & make him put fake knives on his hands & act like Wolverine... but alas - that's not who I'd choose...

And I dont think this choice is a shocker at all either... I so badly would LOVE LOVE LOVE to spend a day talking with Steven Curtis Chapman!!!! & his whole family too!

I have loved this man since ... shoot, I dont even know when! I remember loving him back in the "Mullet" days...

& when the hair was still long, but not soooo mullet-y (is that a word - it is now!)

I love his wife, Mary Beth... love the love that they have for each other - love his whole family! I have watched his little ones grow up & become married people of their own... have watched his additions to his family with the 3 beautiful blessings from China... have watched their loss of Maria in that horrible accident... cried for them... watch as they continue to Praise the Lord through EVERYTHING... oh, the questions I'd have for the whole family.... a day wouldnt be enough!

I have EVERY CD this man has made... have seen him NUMEROUS times in concert... hey - he's a Kentucky boy - how can I NOT like him? Excited cause I will see him in just a few weeks at Women of Faith! I'm going to try like heck to get my picture with him during his "signing" time... I'll be like a 6 yr old at a Hannah Montana concert! Even if its just 5 minutes of a picture & a signature - it wouldnt be a day, but it would be enough to let him know how much he's a blessing to me... & so many!

So if you could spend a day with a celebrity... who would it be?

Blog Hop

The Blog Hop for today is to post your favorite picture... I have so many to choose from, but decided on this one! You can join along by clicking on the link below... lots of fun pictures to look at today!

I love this picture... You can see how much fun Ricky is having with Isaac... & I love how "watchful" & protective Sydney is over the shoulder - making sure everyone is alright! She's on guard if someone needs a rescue!

Want to give this to everyone I know!

I love my books... read alot of them! I've talked before about some quotes or lines from books that I loved... this time... I cant even give you anything... WHY? Because I just read the most amazing book & dont want to ruin any of it for you! I want you to go out & get this book! Read it for yourself...

The book - "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews

It is such a quick book too - at just 156 pages, some of you can knock this book out in a day! And it will be a day well spent! But I'm warning you - even you slow readers, you will read this book & not put it down until you finish it!.... & note - I got mine at Family Christian Bookstore - it is the book of the month so its 40% off - & you can get an extra 10% off sale items coupon online - so the book comes to just a little over $10.00! I truly want to go buy one for every person I know!! That's how much I love this book!

I'll just leave you with a little bit from the inside cover - so I dont feel like I'm giving anything away....

"I am a noticer," he said. "I notice things that other people overlook. And you know, most of them are in plain sight." The old man leaned back on his hands & cocked his head. "I notice things about situations & people that produce PERSPECTIVE. that's what most folks lack - perspective - a broader view. So I give them that broader view... & it allows them to regroup, take a breath, & begin their lives again."

Let me know if you read this so we can chat about this....

4th with scissors needed!!

Its always fun to get together with friends on the 4th! I think this is our 3rd year with the Neal Family... love them all like our own family! All the grands are adorable...But this little face right here is the one I want to run away with every time I'm there... How can you resist that smile?



Things went pretty crazy though when all the kiddos were running around with fans in their hands... We're sitting on the front porch when someone comes out & says "Mom, can we use your hair cutting scissors?" - you know that's never good. This is what we found!! And poor thing - this is Nina - Ryan's girlfriend visiting from Vegas... she went home with a little less hair...





And this is what happens when you let a 5 yr old play with your camera... some great pictures of her aunt Carly



Of course, cant miss a picture of new baby Emily... look at her holding onto her mommy's shirt!




And to top it off - I took this picture & heard someone say "Is that proof?"... Yes ma'am!!! I can make things when I have too... I got this receipe off of one of the blogs - wish I knew which one so I can say thanks - it was super yummy! The name of it was embarassing though - one I wont even share here... but everyone would ask Ricky, & he'd say "Its called Chocolate Delight Cake" - so we'll rename it, I guess! I'll just call it "a little bit of yumminess!"




So it was another great holiday! Hope everyone else had a great time & ready to start the new week!

Six Word Saturday

THANKFUL FOR OUR WONDERFULLY

BLESSED COUNTRY!

Hope you all are having fun for the 4th - Independence Day! Whether it be with friends, family, cook outs, fireworks, or just hanging out relaxing at home - remember what a wonderful country we live in! Even in the worst of times with recessions & all the things we can complain about - we still have freedoms that others would love to have! Let's focus on those today!

In honor of the 4th - I gotta include a fun memory.... here are my twin nieces on their FIRST 4th of July! This is in 2005... Tell me how cute these little girls were as babies (& still are as little girls!)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!

Friday Fragments

*YIPEEE... a day off work....


*Anyone else watching "MERLIN" on NBC? I ended up watching it on Hulu & am LOVING this show!! It reminds me of a cross over of Buffy & Charmed with the magic... but with the old King Arthur /Camelot feel! And even better - Arthur's father is still king - & he is played by GILES from Buffy!!!! It really is good... check it out! I'm keeping fingers crossed it doesnt get canceled - but Sunday night time slot.... probably not the best!




*Look at this that one of the girls drew at church... isn't this the funniest thing EVER? Poor Ryan (the drawing in the center) - he said "I didnt realize you hated me so much!".... the boy on the end said "I look like a Chinese woman"... Me, I was just glad I had a tiara on!!!!



*Barbie has joined Jazzercise! Honestly! This girl came in - she just moved here from Florida - she is blonde, looks totally like Barbie with the perfect body....& to top it off - she had on WHITE SPANDEX pants.... who wears white pants & looks good? She does.... if I wore them... this is exactly what I'd look like!



*Bachlorette Fragment! - I loved Jake even more for coming back & looking out for Jillian... but what the heck? Is this woman nuts???? She STILL chose Wes? I literally am loosing my voice every Monday from SCREAMING at the TV!!!!..... & poor Michael & his twin! He is the most adorable little thing! Even when he said "For the girl who broke my heart, I have nothing bad to say".... just the cutest!!!!



*So you think you can dance Fragment! - What the heck was that Alien impregnating dance? That guy is one whacky choreographer!!! Still rooting for my Evan & Randi team...



*Still get so sad watching all this Michael Jackson coverage....



*off to go furniture shopping.... have a great Friday!! Did I mention YIPEEE - I'm off work! Hope you all are too!

What I learned...

So what did I learn from this past week's lesson I taught to the Jr. High.... that we are LOST without Jesus!

It was a fun lesson! Literally had the kids bumping into each other!

I put blind folds on them, gave them each a number & WITHOUT talking, they had to get in order. Very interesting... some just stood there - others just sorta felt their way to a place - some just wandered around... the point? That the world without Jesus is just like that! Blind - not sure where to go - bouncing off each other - getting into a bigger mess!

For the Son of Man came to see & SAVE those who are LOST!!! -Luke 19:10

Then we did it again - this time, we had Joe & Ryan representing God & Satan - but the kids didnt know who was who... which one do you follow?

It was interesting because of the boys even said, "They sounded just alike - I didnt know which one to go with"... hmmm... such deep words & he didnt even realize what he said! How Satan disguises himself to look like light!

And then blind folds on AGAIN - this time - we let the kids talk - they could tell their numbers - they could "help" each other, all the while having Joe & Ryan talking to them - they STILL didnt know who was good & who was bad between the two!.... with the talking - it just caused MORE chaos... everyone talking over each other, yelling, giving orders when someone else was giving orders...

The perfect example of how its not the best thing to listen to others who are LOST as well... how can someone who cant see tell you where to go?

Finally, we told the kids - Joe is God/ Ryan is Satan - & they listened... they knew the voice - they tuned in to what Joe said... even while the whole time Ryan is messing up what Joe is doing - which was a whole OTHER thing to watch how frustrated Joe was getting (another lesson on how Satan keeps screwing things up!)....

"...his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice" -John 10:4-5

While this was a fun lesson... I pray the point was put in their little hearts... The world is full of lost souls... Praying everyone hears God's voice to lead them out of the darkness!

Care to Share your WISDOM?

OK - you all know that my adorable, new mommy, friend Erica & I lead up a small group of youth girls.... we just started a new study on Colossians... so far, I know I'm totally enjoying it - any reason to get into the Bible & learn...

But, this study had us touching on the the topic of WISDOM... I asked the girls what was the first thing they thought of when they thought of wisdom - they pretty much all said immediately "Older people".... I dont know why, but I immediately thought of an owl... which made the girls think of the Tootsie Pop commercials... which led us to conversations on candy... Oh, we girls can get off track easily...

Anyways - we were talking about the verses of wisdom in Proverbs 4 - particularly the following:

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Do not forsake wisdom for SHE will protect you; love her, & she will watch over you." -Proverbs 4:5-6

First - I love how Wisdom is a feminine word.. SHE!!! I love reminding Ricky of that...

Something really struck me that they all thought it had to do with older people... I asked them if people just got "wise" or if they thought that people FAILED & then LEARNED from their mistakes...

But what I'm asking of you & need your help on... I suggested to the girls that they ask some of the people in their lives -

WHAT IS THE WISEST THING YOU HAVE LEARNED?

Share with me so I can share with them. What is one (or two) things you have learned ... share your wisdom... after all, wisdom is something you should pass on - right?

RUN! RUN! RUN!

The heat finally broke & it has been just GORGEOUS outside - warm, but still cool breezes - just PERFECT in the evenings!

So last night, I'm sitting on the front porch with my book! I originally had all four dogs out there, but Buffy just wants to play, Zoe gets freaked out & wants back in (She was found on the street - I think if she's out too long she has flashbacks or something! She just wants to get back in the safety of her home & fenced in yard) - & Bruno, he'll just wander & wander & wander - so the three of them go back in the house. Sydney - she's the perfect country dog. She'll sit at my feet for HOURS on the front porch - just watching everything, listening to sounds - all the while never leaving, never standing - just laying on her porch, watching the world go by.

Then all of a sudden, I hear a commotion - a strange sound - like a bird in distress... I walk out in the yard & look up & see a hawk chasing a little bird....

First - let me say, I HATE HATE HATE any sort of "nature" show that shows anything preying - ready to capture its meal... A lion coming up on a bunch of gazelles or something - FORGET IT! I literally get nauseated...

So I see this hawk chasing this bird... He gets so close, then the bird gets away, then the hawk creeps up again... its literally a chase! I started screaming RUN! RUN! RUN! - like this bird is actually running! I had to laugh about it after I said it - but it was instinct for me to yell those words! Just wanted this little bird to get away.... I could feel the intensity of it all for this little bird - its little life on the edge - one quick turn could save it - one wrong turn & it was in the jaws of this Hawk...

How did it turn out - I dont know... they went over a set of trees & I couldnt see them anymore...

I choose to believe the bird got away....

I sat back down on the porch, Sydney got right back at my feet, but I couldnt even read after that. My heart was pounding too fast & I was just feeling that "nauseated" feeling...

It hit me! Working with the youth - I can see Satan chasing them just like that hawk... & these kids of today have to RUN! RUN! RUN! - do everything they can to get away from those jaws that want to destroy. The youth - so small & so innocent - something that probably seems so easy for Satan to catch! One wrong turn can put them right into his trap.... one right move can get them a little further away - buy them some more time before he runs after them again.

Certain faces came immediately to my mind... names... some even of kids I have never met, but have heard stories from you, my blog buddies.... & I thought how badly we all need to stand on there & yell to these kids - RUN!!!! To give the words of Christ to build them up - give them something that makes them stronger - give them more speed to GET AWAY!

Maybe its even YOU .... if you feel the breath of the enemy creeping up on you in a chase - I'm cheering you on right now... I'm telling you to never give up... KEEP RUNNING!!!!

Tagged! Questions...

I've been tagged by Jen from Following the Footsteps (Love this girl!) to participate in this blog meme! I love fun questions... seeing how everyone answers the same question so differently - says alot about people... & its Monday... & I'm tired... so I'm playing along!

Rules:
1. Respond & rework; answer the questions on your blog, REPLACE one question that you dislike with a question of your invention - ADD one more question of your own.

2. Tag five other people........Easy enough... Let's play!

What is your current obsession?
Cleaning in 15 minute intervals... seriously! I'm becoming obsessed with it - I have a schedule every day on which room gets the "15 minute make over"... I have a basket with a timer, dusting stuff, cleaning stuff & use the basket to throw stuff in that needs to be taken to other rooms... you'd be surprised how much you can get done in 15 minutes!!!!

What are you wearing today?
Easy Monday outfit... khaki's with a brown tshirt & brown flip flops... comfy... what I need on Mondays!

What's for dinner?
Havent even THOUGHT about it...

What would you eat for your last meal?
Fettuccine Alfredo... YUM!!! Love it - but after hearing how many calories & fat is in it - I steer from it - dont even remember the last time I ate it... but if it were a last meal, calories wouldnt matter!

What's the last thing you bought?
Banana Bread from our church's bake sale... its the BEST... it never even makes it to the table - they just bring it straight to me!

What are you listening to right now? Pandora!!! Maybe that's my latest obsession too... LOVE IT! No commercials!

REPLACED QUESTION: What is your favorite scripture or quote? "If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

Which language do you want to learn? I'm with Jen - Spanish! Seems so handy...

What do you love most about where you currently live? TREES!!! Everywhere!!!!

What style is your current home decorated in? .... dont think it has an actually TITLE of a style... MINE? Is that a style?

Jen's Added Question: If you could do or be anything (career wise) what would you be?
A wedding coordinator!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE anything to do with weddings... the dress - the cakes - the rings - the love... its all so great.. would LOVE to be a part of organizing for a family!

What is your favorite color? Cant say I have one.. I love them all!!! If I HAD to choose - I'd say yellow... or pink... or green... see, I cant pick!

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? My Gap Jeans...

What is your favorite sound? LAUGHTER!!!!!!!!! Nothing like it!

Describe your personal style? I'd say SIMPLE... I'm a flip flop type of gal... flip flops with jeans, skirts, casual dresses... not a flashy, jewelry, dressy person...

If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on? I'd put it on a new camera.. I'm eyeing some nice cameras lately!

What are you going to do after this? Enter 200 checks for a Monday deposit!

What are your favorite films? Oh, you know what #1 is - Beauty & the Beast... also love "Moulin Rouge", "A Walk to Remember", "Phantom of the Opera", "The Lake House"

Favorite Books? Of course, The Bible..... When Heaven Weeps (Oh that book....), The Harry Potter series, The Twilight series, Three weeks with my brother by Nicholas Sparks, anything by Angela Hunt or Debbie Macomber

Do you collect anything? Beauty & the Beast goodies... & of course, YARN!

What makes you follow a blog? Interesting people that I feel I connect with.. people that holds my interest - have thoughtful words - or have a funny side to them!

What was the most enjoyable thing you did today? Well, since its 8 am... I'd say drink a Diet Big Red... desperately needed to wake up!

What makes you comment on a blog? I try to comment as much as possible to show people that their words are heard...

What is your favorite thing to do when you have some free time? knit, cross stitch, read, catch up on my recorded DVR shows!

Do you have a blogging pet peeve? Not really....

MY question: In honor of Michael Jackson just passing - What is your favorite Michael Jackson song? I LOVED the song "Keep it in the Closet".... so many to choose from!

OK - who do I tag? Lets see...

1. Running Away, I'll help you pack - Alexis... she is Miss Giveaway Queen right now... plus, her day to day adventures will TIRE you out! How do you do it lady?
2. Sunflowers, Chocolate & Little Boys - Denise... I love this lady! Her strength in health crisis is inspiring!
3. Eat... Pray... Run - Laurie - this woman is my running HERO!!! She's just finished the most incredible event.. & she is a woman who loves her Lord...
4. Infertile Myrtle - Meagan - this girl says it like it is about her infertility - & she speaks to my heart so many times - plus, she can just plain crack you up!
5. In Her Shoes - SB - Oh my... such wise words, such beautiful shoes! She is a fellow Sister in Christ... & feel like she's truly a sister... love everything about her - you gotta go visit her & say hey!

Anyone else wanna play along - feel free!!!!

Happy Monday everyone!

Six Word Saturday

Wont leave the house - ITS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOT DANG... & I mean that literally! It is so hot today!!! The dog days of summer are here!

The dogs were running around the house so I went outside with them to run them - get their energy out ... as soon as I stepped outside, it was like someone sucked all the AIR out of the sky... replaced it with a bunch of humidity that you cant even breath in... I think I started sweating just STANDING THERE!

Needless to say - I told Ricky, I aint even leaving this house today... our air is fixed & I'm STAYING in it! Got the crock pot going with a roast so got a good supper coming - got socks on my knitting needles - I'm good for the day!

Hope everyone is staying cool today! Happy Saturday!

Friday Fragments

Wow... what a sad day... First, to hear the news of Farrah & then the surprise of Michael Jackson... It was shocking!!!! So I'm going to focus today's Fragments on the sad news...

*I totally kept a comb in my back pocket in the 70's because I so badly wanted the blow backs like Farrah!!! Never looked as good as her's did!!

*I remember my Farrah Fawcett Barbie Doll... anyone else have one?

*I also remember my brother breaking her head off!!! I honestly can remember exactly where we are on the road, in the back of our big ole yellow LTD! I cried for HOURS.... it couldnt be fixed! My poor Farrah Blow-Back-Bang Doll!!! I kept the head & body for weeks after hoping for a miracle of repair... alas... sigh...

*I totally respect Farrah for documenting her fight with Cancer ... let the world see the face of cancer & how much of a fight it is.... I think there are people who truly dont understand.

*Anyone else remember Michael Jackson when his hair caught on fire from a Pepsi Commercial? That was HUGE news...

*There will never be a time again like Michael Jackson & his videos... Literally, there were WORLD PREMIERES!!!!! I can remember even the "Black & White" video being on regular TV - not just MTV! Now - what the heck is a video?... MTV doesnt even know anymore...

*Remember the premiere of THRILLER? It came on EVERY hour for days!!!! I love how its STILL iconic...

*The Thriller Album was AWESOME... I think EVERYONE owns this - & LOVES it, even now!

*I could never mastered the Moon-walk... hanging my head in shame... dont think I didnt try either! My brother had the cardboard in the basement, when Break Dancing was coming in... Couldnt even slide across slippery cardboard... I'm not a moon-walker!

*I worry about Michael's children... whatever you think about their birth, if he is "really" the father... I still worry for them... I bet there are going to be some CRAZY stories coming out... they dont need to hear this... & what happens to them... who will be their care takers?

*I think this is going to be one of those moments where people will remember where they were when they heard Michael Jackson died...

*Love or hate him... think what you want about him... he truly entertained for years - he had a following - he will have a legacy in this world...

*Finally.... what probably makes me sadder then anything... a friend of a co worker passed away today - he was 37 years old & died of cancer... he had two small children... no one is going to be doing a CNN report on this man's life... but yet, hopefully he AND Farrah & Michael are all in the same place, experiencing the same love of God!!!

What is your childhood memory of Farrah? Or Michael Jackson? What was your favorite Michael song? Fan of the Jackson 5 or the newer stuff?

Traumatized!

I absolutely LOVE Christianbook.com - am always going there looking for Bible studies, books & neat little gifts - they always have AWESOME Christian shirts/sweatshirts - just fun stuff!

Every Friday, they send an email for Friday Bargains - things they just marked down...

This past Friday - I opened it up & almost SCREAMED!!!! There was something there that had literally traumatized me since I was little... seriously! What is it... Oh, I hate even putting this picture here.... but I'm going to show you what has bothered me over MANY, MANY years!!!!

Yes - that right there freaks me out - the cartoon version of "The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe"... THAT exact movie!

Let me tell you - I have no idea what year that came out - but look at the graphics... I think its safe to say, its been at least 25 years! But I can remember watching it when I was little. And it totally tore me up!!!!! So much, in fact, that when the movie version came out - I refused to see it! And Steven Curtis Chapman - my main man - wrote a song for it ... nope, still couldnt go see it!

I remember Aslan & in this cartoon, his sacrifice, & the way they treated him... his laying there with his mane shaved, ropes holding him down - the strong King knocked down to a fragile being... I can cry STILL thinking about it!

Now, I'm a animal lover anyways - so that made it horrible ANYWAYS...

& Yes, I understand the symbolism of it being Christ, but as a small child, all I saw was this animal that sacrificed himself only to get tortured... It was horrible....

So needless to say - I still havent seen the new movie - or even the follow up, "Prince Caspian"... thank goodness there was never a cartoon version of that!

And look - I found this video... look how corny it is - its funny to think about how this could frighten a child so much - but just the line "experience the charm, the treachery.... the battle between good & evil.... & the breathtaking act of selfless courage".... oh dang... I swear, I got sick to my stomach at just that again...

I see where the whole movie is on You Tube too.... I thought I'd give it a shot watching it again - I can't do it... I need some serious counseling on this issue - right? hehe!

Anyone remember seeing this when they were little?

A Shot...

I just got reading little Miss Ava's story of her first shots ... go visit this mommy, Stephanie - her & her husband are amazing Christian people! And Miss Ava is just the cutest little expressive baby!

It instantly hit me while reading this - the process of taking your baby to get the shots. Even Stephanie's title of "This is going to hurt me more than you" hit me in the heart.....

Do you ever think God feels that way?

I mean, you take a baby in for shots because why? You want to protect them from the things in this world - you want to build them up - make them stronger! Do they know that when they are getting poked? Nope - they just know it HURTS!

And is a shot REALLY that painful? Yeah, it stings & yeah, certain ones can bring a tear to your eyes - but I think what makes a baby cry more then anything, is the SURPRISE of the shots. They're not expecting that! They're in the doctor's office with mom & dad, thinking everything is just fine - they get stripped down & they think, "Oh, this is fun, I'm going to get a bath here probably" - & next thing you know, a man or woman they arent too sure of is taking temperatures, putting cold things on their chest to hear their hearts, being measured - just things out of the ordinary... & then... the DREADED SHOT! Still, babies dont even realize that is coming until its too late!!!


The surprise of a little pain....


And then mommy & daddy rush & pick up the baby & rock them & tell them its OK - & just the sound of their parents & the comfort of their arms usually takes that fear away quickly...


Does God see us going into something we dont ever see? And does He say "This is going to hurt me more then it hurts you..." - because He knows we HAVE to go through something to make us stronger - to become "healthier".... & do we find comfort in our Father's arms - letting Him take away the sting of the hurt?

We are always God's children... no matter how old we get... shots of life are always going to poke us by surprise...

I can FINALLY announce....

Well, I've been good! Even when Ricky said, "She cant keep this quite"... Well, I kept it quite as much as I could! We got some news when we had our visitor! Hold on... you'll see...

But I was told I couldnt tell anyone - but my mom called right as we found out - so I had to tell her, & then of course, I had to email my friends & tell them..... so yeah, I didnt keep it TOTALLY quite - but I was under STRICT instructions to keep it off my blog... UNTIL TODAY!

When Julie was here, she took Isaac back immediately & put a shirt on him & he walked out...

Can you see what the shirt says??????

YES!!!!!! It says BIG BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julie is pregnant again!

We're going to have ANOTHER GRANDBABY!!!!!

I broke the news to Ricky.... we're probably going to have to get a mini-van in the future...

Pray for Julie though & this pregnancy... She had some complications with Isaac where she was on bed rest VERY early on - & Isaac was born 6 weeks early... so pray for a safe, healthy pregnancy for momma & baby!

...& if you want to add in the prayers for the baby to have red hair, you'll make me & Pappy VERY happy...

Friday Fragments

*I feel like I'm 12 years old again... not in a good way! My ear lobe is infected from my earrings! That use to happen all the time when I'd wear play jewelry - & now, I will only wear 24k gold or sterling silver earrings... now sure what happened... just know it HURTS! And I feel naked without my earrings!

*I am totally addicted to Pandora - the on line radio station!!! Its been the only thing I've been listening to at work every day...


*I've been watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Hulu every day at lunch time (Thanks again Chandra!!!)... I totally forgot how much I loved it - especially those early seasons. Xander & some of the lines he pulls off is hilarious!


*Favorite Xander Line of the week: (After Buffy rejected him for a date) - "I'm just going to go home - lie down & listen to country music - the music of pain"


*Will the media PUL-eze leave Jon & Kate alone???? She spanked her child - she didnt sit there & beat her daughter - she didnt pull out a whip & lash her.. she spanked her. Regardless if you agree with spanking or not, that is how she disciplines her child - leave her alone! Yes - a child will cry when they are being disciplined... I just feel so bad for this family...


*Speaking of which - did you see there is a "special announcement" on their show Monday...


*Random Fact about Me: I get just as car sick sitting in traffic then moving!!! The constant stop & go of traffic... I'm feeling green thinking about it


*So you Think you can Dance Fragments!!!!

1. When did Lil' C become quite the philosopher!!! What the heck was he talking about ... progression - labor - birthing pains... WHAT???


2. Did you see Ryan - Evan's brother - tried out again & is on his way to Vegas! If that guy doesnt make next year's show - I'm going to be like Mary & cry & say "I think I'll just die"


3. I cant believe Max got booted! He looked TICKED off! I think they are giving Kayla WAY too much credit! That first week - it was Max & his ballroom that made her look good! And he totally stole the show from her in that wacky "Princess" dance... felt bad for the guy!

*Ricky has to work on Saturday... which means for me... SLEEP!! When he's home - he's up at 5 AM! Yes - he's sick like that! And when he's up, the dogs are up - following him, jumping back in bed with me, following him, JUMPING back in bed with me... so needless to say, I usually dont get to sleep past 7 myself on Saturday... but when he goes to work, the dogs jump back in bed & sleep the morning away with me.... aahhh - looking forward to it!

*BLOG BUDDY YOU MUST VISIT: If you have a minute, you really should go visit Three Girly Girlz - this blog always blesses me! Nicki has such a way of writing about God... I always leave her site feeling like my heart has been spoken too... check her out!

Hope you all have a great Friday!!!

Hope Now

Lately, I am totally feeling the song by Addison Road called "Hope Now"....

But there is one line right from the beginning that takes the breath away from me every time I hear it .. or sing it... I'll be in my car & it'll come on, & that first line is the 5th line in the song - after that, I ususally cant sing much afterwards - it knocks the breath out of me every time...the line -

"How quickly I forget I'm yours"

I know I forget who's hands I'm in... who is in control of me & this world.... who I belong to... who loves me more then anything, even after I fail Him over & over....

For those who have children - think about how much you love them because they are "yours" - a part of you... no matter what they do - they are YOURS!

How quickly we forget we are God's children...

The rest of the words are amazing too... hope you take a few minutes to sit back, read the words, sing along if you want... & remember if you do - the DA DA DA DA is FOUR times... (I had to laugh at that part of the video)

Taste

My dad sent me this & I loved it... wanted to share...

At the University of Chicago Divinity School each year, they have what is called "Baptist Day". On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every event, the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.

One year, they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr. Tillich spoke for two & a half hours proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar & book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the "historical resurrection", the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who in fact, never rose from the dead in the literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions....

After about 30 seconds, a old, dark skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped white woolly hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. - "Doctor Tillich, I got one question" - he said as all eyes turned on him.

He reached into his sack luck & pulled out an apples & began eating it.

"Doctor Tillich... CRUNCH, MUNCH.... My question is a simple question.... CRUNCH, MUNCH.... Now, I ain't never read them books you read... CRUNCH, MUNCH... & I cant recite Scripture in the original Greek.... CRUNCH, MUNCH.... I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr & Heidegger.... CRUNCH, MUNCH...

He finished the apple.

"All I wanna know is this - the apple I just ate.... was it bitter or sweet?"

Dr. Tillich paused for a moment & answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I have not tasted your apple"

The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich & said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus"

The 1,000 plus in attendance count not contain themselves - the auditorium erupted with applause & cheers. Dr. Tillich thanked his audience & promptly left the platform...

"Taste & see that the Lord is good! oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him" - Psalm 34:8

...just sad...

Well, my house is very empty right now.. silence has never been more deafening...I of course cried at the airport & bawled all the way home, which wasnt good since we sat in 45 minutes of traffic... coming home & seeing toys laying around only twisted the knife in my gut... so excuse me while I just take another day to be sad....

I think Ricky is even worse then me - his little buddy is gone. Ricky even said sitting in traffic - "I always say dont get emotionally attached! And now, I just feel a hole in my heart!"... yeah, you cant stop love!


Even the dogs are going to miss him! Who else just smiles while sneaking down food! & Isaac would just grab Zoe & hug her through the day - or snuggle with Bruno - or just push Buffy out of the way... lots of dogs for constant entertainment!



And this little cutie is the only one I can walk into a room & see doing this - & I just laugh & take a picture... if Ricky were to pull all my yarn down, it would be MADNESS... instead, I just say "That's the cutest thing I've ever seen!"

Oh, how I'm going to miss this face.....

Counting down... 4 months till the next visit...

Last Day

Got one more day with the grandbaby....

Gotta suck up every bit of laughter, gotta memorize every facial expression, gotta gaze into those eyes & remember how blue they are, gotta make more memories & press them into his little mind so he doesnt forget us....

One more day....

Six Word Saturday

ISAAC AND PAPPY ARE BEST FRIENDS!

Ricky has a new buddy.... Isaac & him have been playing, running, chasing, laughing.... being boys! I think Ricky is going to be in worse shape then me this time when Isaac leaves Monday night.... (& yes, that is a flashlight in Isaac's hands... truly, truly TRULY his Pappy's boy!)

Here's just a little bit of fun they've been having... listen to that laugh!!!

Little April Rose... sadness

Well, I havent really responded about the whole Little April Rose "scam" that was pulled on all of us... Here is the updated article...

As soon as I was told that it was truly a scam - & I whole heartedly was hoping it wasn't true - I just sort of sat back & read all the articles & with every one, I sat with my jaw dropped, my heart heavy, & a brain that cant wrap around the "joke" of it all...

Mainly what hurts me is the idea of following other blogs that have showed the TRUE stories of people that have hurt over babies that have passed, such as Miracle Max... or the stories of joy of babies that have survived with prayer, such as Baby Harper.... & to have deceived so many who have followed this with prayers lifted & hope extended... I just dont understand.

A friend of mine, Chandra was telling me how her little girl was praying for Little April Rose the other night & she had to tell her that the baby was OK, that they needed to just pray for the mom... that's what hurts me... even little children were scammed in this... what is the joy or pleasure in that.

And that my Blog Buddy Lianna or others even submitted prayers for "His Will Wednesday"... that these people feel deceived & hurt - it just confuses me... no other word for it - confusing....

I am in agreement with the other blogs that promote praying for this lady who had this scheme going... she truly needs to be held up for issues of the heart that God can touch & heal....

I even had the link on the side to direct people to this place - wrote a post myself... I was just as deceived....

The reason I am saying something about this now... I got home from a great day with Julie & Isaac at the zoo & we were beat... naps all around. I go to check out my email & ABC News had contacted me! TRULY! They had seen my blog & wanted to discuss with me the whole story & how it felt to be deceived....

This was a legit call....I called them back & the number went straight to ABC News... I was amazed... but the reporter was very friendly.... unfortunately, I contacted him too late for my response - he was on a deadline... but he thanked me & now, I'm just waiting to hear the story on ABC News!!!!

And now, we go on with our guards up .... But I hope we can still, as bloggers, hold our hearts open for others who are going through hard times & need prayers & support! I hope we don't become jaded & automatically think the worst... but that we always love others... even Beccah... who obviously needs love more than anything right now...

Now, I'm headed to upload another LOAD of Isaac picture & we'll get back to our fun days with the most beautiful grandbaby in the world!!!!

Isaac Visit - Day 1

So we had a little scare at first... Weather was shutting down flights & Julie's was canceled this morning...

But after even going to the wrong airport... yes, she went to the wrong airport (we're so teasing her about that) - God was so good because Julie was able to get on a stand by flight which was so much better then her new flight that would have came in at 10:00 at night!

Julie & Isaac got here & Mr. Isaac was all smiles for me... but things didnt go well while mommy was loading up the luggage.... People thought I had to be punching him with the screams that were coming...

But soon, everything was all smiles & fun & games.... Isaac was running around hugging dogs, laughing at Nanny, playing with his new favorite toy with Pappy - a FLASHLIGHT! Yes, this is his grandson!!!! So fun hearing the laughter of a 20 month year old!

Pappy was ready to play some baseball with his little buddy....


Showing Nanny how smart he is with his toys... (Does that smile just melt your heart, or is it just me?)

We even had time for a super hero to be running around our living room... Cape & all! I think I saw a tear in his Pappy's eye at the sight of a tiny super hero!!!

& what a better way to end an evening sitting back & watching "So you Think you can dance"...

Its going to be a great few days ahead!!!!

Jesus got bug sprayed!!!

Our office was swarming with bugs in our window sills this morning.... it was very "itchy-feeling" once you saw them... (You itching now?)

A co-worker ran & got bug spray & was going crazy shooting it in the windows....I had a headache from the smell all day long!!!

Well, back up a second - when you walk in my office, you notice two things - I'm a Beauty & the Beast freak - objects on my desk, pictures on my wall, even use a Belle pen, have an Cogsworth paper clip holder, a Lumiere Pencil Holder, a Mrs. Potts Post it holder!

The other thing you will know about me- I love Jesus! Next to my big movie poster is a dry erase board that always has scripture on it that I'm memorizing... so when you see me at my desk, you can help but see scripture...

Here's a close up... I'll be talking about this verse very soon... Am loving this one!

You also will see Bibles on my book shelf & usually a study guide & a Bible open on my desk...

AND you will see a Navity Scene in my window... I keep it up year round! I love Nativity scenes - & this one is small & pretty sitting in the window sill. Since its all glass & in the morning, the sun beams right through that window - it will hit it & you will even see tiny rainbows on the sill... its beautiful!

Well... my poor Jesus today!

When someone ran in with bug spray, they threw everything out of my window - a jar full of jolly-rancers (can I hear a HOLLA for Watermelon flavor) - a picture holder with pictures of my nieces & my parents - even a bucket full of toys for when kids come up to the office to visit. All of that was grabbed...

Not the nativity scene....

She sprayed my Jesus with BUG SPRAY!!!! I just had to laugh at the scene of it...

Later, she did come back & clean it up for me...

But again, it showed me how little she may know about Jesus...

putting it together, she said, "How does this go?" -

I said, it doesnt matter as long as Jesus is in the center....

She walked out leaving the 3rd wise man on my book shelf

maybe she didnt know there were three... Mr. Wise Man #3 just waiting on the side lines here...

my Jesus is shiny & ready for another work day tomorrow though!! Hopefully Baby Jesus will make it through the day clean & bug spray free!

Loudest Cheer

I just got my "Christianity Today" magazine the other day & if you have it, you'll know what I'm talking about...

There was an article written by Kay Warren called "The Loudest Cheers in Heaven - One day God's invisible heroes will gain due respect"

I have to sum up a part of this to share...

This writer was in an airport & noticed a big crowd of people who had flags & were waving them & passing them out - signs everywhere - people waiting! They joined the crowd since they had time until their plane took off. Soon, soldiers were returning home - young, old, men & women. Families were cheering, strangers were cheering - everyone was there to show they were so grateful for these people & the work that they do.

The woman & her friend then thought about how it will be in Heaven.

One even said that if she made it to Heaven first, ".... I'll be on your welcoming committee - I'll be jumping up & down screaming "You made it! I'm so proud of you"

The friend said if she made it first "... I'll be at the head of the line to greet you!"

(The rest I'll just quote from the article because it is amazing & I dont want to do it unjustice)

All of us fight unseen battles every day, each believer a secret soldier locked in battle with forces no one else can see. The bravest among us are not necessarily those who fight with guns or tanks. The bravest person you know might be your husband or wife or neighbor or coworker who goes on living one more day when every bone in his or her body says its no use.

How much courage & tenancity does it take to enter this hidden war zone every day when an unseen Enemy is whispering (or shouting) "Let it go; give it up! There is no hope for a better tomorrow"?

The loudest cheers in heaven's victory stands may not be reserved for the obvious heroes. they may go instead ot the young man who chose to face the crushing disappointments of life, or the person who learned to ignore his Enemy's taunts. The most applause might go to the woman who refused to surrender her joy to the evil forces that never stopped reminding her of her brokenness. (That line right there just makes me cry every time I read it... relate?)

The hidden battles often involve hand-to-hand combat & leave us exhausted. How much more bearable would this daily fight be if we knew we were not alone?

How much could we lighten the load for another just by telling him how brave we think he is? Oh, to be so merciful with fellow soldiers fighting their personal, hidden wars.

Best of all, how much better when we bring undisclosed struggles into community, where victories can be celebrated TOGETHER, great losses mourned TOGETHER, & where whoops of encouragement can provide even the most weary soldier the courage it takes to keep on keeping on, ONE MORE DAY

Keep being Brave!!!! You're going to have a crowd cheering the loudest cheers for you one day!

What I learned...

The one thing I love about teaching & working with the youth is I learn so much myself...

I almost titled the last lesson that I learned something from this same thing.. but just used "Come thou Fount"... but I think from here on out, the things I learn from teaching, it'll just have to go under this name... so much to learn...

But today's message was very simple. Today was the big "move" - & by move, I mean our 8th graders who will now be in High school moved up to Senior High - the 5th graders who will be in middle school came up for the first time to "CrossRoads"... which can be very scary for these little ones. Change always is...

So my lesson was called "Are you normal" - which is really to show that no matter where you are at, especially when some scared 6th graders are in the same class with "mature" 8th graders - you are normal... that 8th grader was just in their spot just what seemed like yesterday...

The cool thing - Jesus went through the childhood ages, the teen ages, the young adult ages - he knew those feelings, those emotions.... how much encouragement is that! And we dont know much about his childhood - the Bible skips most of those ages - but we have to know he developed physicially, socially, mentally & most important, Spiritually.... because God was with him!

But at the end of the lesson - it totally hit me! As a Christian - we are called to NOT BE NORMAL! Normal isn't a preteen who speaks boldly of Christ - Normal isn't a bunch of kids organzing a Bible study at school - Normal isn't a group of young teens who pray before school for their school day together - Normal is not a teen who does not follow the "crowd" with drugs & sex.... so much of the "normal" world isnt the world that Christ longs for.

So yeah, these kids are normal... but I want them to be MORE THEN NORMAL! I think God wants that for all of us!

"Do not be conformed to the world...." -Romans 12:2

Six Word Saturday

WELCOME TO THE WORLD BABY EMILY!

My friends are now first time parents! This is Baby Emily.... Isnt she beautiful?

Pray for Mommy Erica - she had to end up with a C-section where she had to be completely put under, after a full day of laboring.... pray for a quick healing for her!

Pray for this new family.... this is a young couple who are amazing people & who love the Lord with all their heart! This little girl is going to grow knowing who her Heavenly Father is! So excited to see who she becomes in Him!!!

HAPPY BIRTH-DAY EMILY!!!!!

Friday Fragments

*Yes... as of this minute - still NO Air Conditioning in my home... enough said on that...

*Watching "Ellen" - I realize there are alot of people out there that really can't dance!!!! OH WOW.... & I wonder how many of them think they do dance good?

*It is LESS THEN A WEEK for Julie & Isaac to be here... anticipation is building!!! Gotta get my batteries all charged up for my camera! Be prepared - tons of Isaac stories & pictures will be coming up soon!!!

*THE BACHLORETTE.... did anyone else get totally creeped out about Tanner talking about feet the way he did???? And doing his little "Kiss Feet" Dance?...... I sat with my jaw actually DROPPED... especially when she KEPT him another week! SERIOUSLY?

*My buddy, Joe has turned me onto a Christian Rock group - "RED"... Here's their CD that I just picked up! Rockin' isnt even the right word!!! Its fantastic!!!! The song "Pieces" is just a great one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-bpvq4_tEA (If you want to check it out)

*So You Think You Can Dance.... Can someone PLEASE tell me how Sonja picks Natalie (The adorable red head) to show how the dance is supposed to be danced & then the judges get rid of her????? But yet they let others "Dance for their life" & not let this girl have another shot? I am furious about that! Natalie.... you were treated WRONG!!!!

And WHY SYTYCD... why toy with my emotions even more? Putting the two Broadway Brothers against each other for the last spot? They were both awesome! If anything - the older brother should be put on as a choreographer... he is awesome! I wanted to cry when he took off his hate & said "My fears is what was holding me back...." & saying how everything that he thought was against him is now what could put him through! Evan is now my favorite! I will be voting for him every week!!!

*I am excited to see how this.....

Is going to turn into this......

*MOST EXCITING OF THE WEEK: My buddies, Joe & Erica are having a baby... they are enducing Erica this morning!!! If things go easily, Baby Emily will be born today!!!! This is one baby that has been prayed for & so anxious for her to meet her mommy & daddy who love her so much!!! Here's the moment that Erica told Joe she was pregnant 8 months ago... Of course, I'm always camera ready!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!