Thoughts of a Christian Mom/Wife and Nature Lover

What is really Tithe?

2012-01-03T13:21:00.005-06:00

Ok. I'm really trying to figure this out and I am totally torn. I fully believe that all mine and Marty's money is God's and we are blessed to have every penny and we only have every penny because of Him. Our church is a small church and like most churches are having financial issues because the world is having financial issues. One of the first things that people cut back on when their money gets tight is their money to the church. Marty and I are really wanting to do our part and feel it is our obligations to follow the word of God but here is where I'm confused. Is tithe 10% of our gross or our net?

Now I'm not trying to split hairs here or to short God. I would give him 20% if I could but I would like to know where the line is. Here is why I ask. (I'm using round fake numbers here to make the math easier and to not just say I make X amount so don't read anything into the numbers. If you want to know my income, call me. I've got nothing to hide but I'm not publishing it on the net.) I make a good salary. As does Marty. And because of that Uncle Sam really likes to collect "his fair share". From my salary is taken: retirement, social secrity, state taxes, federal taxes, health care insurance, dental insurance, FICA, TSP. This equates to 49% of my gross income that I never, ever see. At least I will see some (I pray) when I retire (which I will tithe on then), but 49% that is not available for use by Marty or me to pay any bill or use as we would like. So if I make $500 a week, Uncle Sam gets $246 a week and Marty and I get $254 a week.

So if Marty and I give $25.40 a week to the church, are we considered tithers? Or must we give $50.00 a week?

I'm really serious about this because my goal is to be a tither. I just don't know what that really is. This year we are reaching down and doing the 10% of net for the first time and it is really going to be scarifical giving. I don't know how the money will stretch each month, though I know God does. I guess that's why it bugs me so much because I want to be called tither but if it's gross I don't know if I have the faith to make that jump.

Pinnacle Mountain Day

2012-01-02T16:42:00.000-06:00

Headed to Pinnacle Mountain this morning to hike to the top but found that they are doing some trail maintenance. You can still go up the west side but you have to take the base trail around to the park access road and then go up from there.

The view from about marker 5, maybe 6 looking back north. It was a beautiful clear day. Just wish my camera lens had been clean. Dang it!!!!

The girls were full of themselves today. We laughed all the way up and all the way down the mountain. From watching them hanging out in trees, to scaling the rocks, to striking poses, they were cracking Marty and me up! The joy of being parents of two fabulous girls.

Dad found himself in a bit of trouble and required a hand from the girls. Ha Ha.

Erin was enjoying being at the top of the world striking poses for me. She has been looking forward to the day when I would let her scramble across the rocks without hollering at her to be careful.

I think the smile says it all!!! Thank you God for the beautiful day that you blessed us with.

What is there to say?

2012-01-01T18:41:00.000-06:00

I sit here trying to think of something to write and find myself without words. Or is it that I'm without subject. Of course I could use the obvious ones of new years and new resolutions. I could talk more about my hopes and dreams but really those are boring.

What about the fact that the tree is now down and the decorations (for the most part) are put away. I could look back at the many changes of 2011. The making of new friends or the lost of old ones. The many attempts to change either through weight lose to the journey of walking as Christ.

There have been moments of pure joy (not as many as I would have liked) and days of great pain that caused tears to fall without ceasing (far more then I care to remember). Each and every moment though, are pieces of my life that make me, well, me. Through some pain, I learned that each moment is precious and to take for granted our time with those whom we love could lead us regretting our choices and the priorities that led to those choices. Through other pain, I learned that we can only change ones self and it matters not if we forgive someone of their actions, we may still need to set limits concerning them if their actions continue to be the same. I have learned that secrets are some times kept by others because they think it is the best for all, but in all actually secrets only cause more pain and sorrow and leave people feeling lonely. Joy came from witnessing 17 women deepen their walks with God over a period of 72 hours and from seeing the joy on a 14 year old's face as she passed her driving test and made 3rd chair 2nd alto at All Region choir. More joy came through the deepening of a relationship over the summer with two family members that I had not had an opportunity before to really get to know.

There are many things from 2011 to think about and learn from but that's just it, they are to be learned from. They are not the to be hung onto and wallowed in. It's a new day. And a new day is a new opportunity to be whom God is calling me to be.

The Bowies of 2011

2011-12-31T10:00:00.000-06:00

There are many things to reflect on from 2011. Many things that made me smile and many many things that made me cry. It was a very tough year, tougher than many know but because of my wonderful family and because of Christ love, I have made it through and feel that I am in a better place to start 2012.

My wonderful partner in this life who makes every day so much better. He holds my hand, kisses my check and loves me when I act stupid.

My beautiful but crazy daughters. My how they have grown! 14 and 11 and the most wonderful people to be around. They are warm and friendly and sensitive and loving. Yet they are smart butts with make me laugh smart mouths. They make me laugh, they make me cry and they bring more joy then I knew could exist. So many people talk about teens being difficult and hard to live with. I am enjoying every day with them and can't image what these other people are talking about.

Yes, occasionally one will grow a tail but it usually doesn't last long and it usually actually makes me laugh. They are the best gift I have ever received and I am so very proud to be called their mother.

I am thankful for the blessing of my family.

WHATCHA DOING?

2011-10-14T11:03:00.001-05:00

Whatcha doing?

Over the last 6 years, a sweet ray of sunshine has asked me that question, over and over and over again. I would usually reply with exactly what I was doing when he asked it: cooking dinner; working on the computer; waiting on church to start; or trying to teach a Bible lesson. Or I might reply with some off the wall answer like: I don’t know; Picking daisies; or nothing. It didn’t really matter because he was going to ask me again within a matter of minutes. It would begin to irritate me after a while and I would wish he would stop. What I would give to hear him say those words again, but I know that if things were the same as they were just 3 short weeks ago those words would still just be an irritant instead of what they are today, a question of theological discussion.

See, when these words were asked 3 weeks ago, they were words from a special needs child, who though mainly none verbal, had great curiosity and no personal space. He didn’t think you needed personal space either and being right up in your business was exactly where he was going to be. Because of how my short sighted mind was, I reasoned that he asked this questions over and over again because this was a phrase he would say and since he couldn’t say much else then, what the heck, just say it all the time. I couldn’t phantom that there was any real question there or any real reason for him to ask it.

But I now know the rest of the story.

This young beautiful soul was one of the most free loving followers of Christ I have ever been blessed to be around, much less to actually be in his inner most circle. He knew Christ here on earth far more clearly then I believe even Christ disciples did. He understood that Christ is love and that all people are loved by Christ. He loved ALL people like Christ. He understood that Christ was not afraid of any situation or anybody. He was not afraid to walk up to someone and sit right down and touch them. He seemed to know when someone needed a friend beside them. He understood that Christ forgave everyone. He would forgive those of us who being so short mind and ill tempered would yell at him when he asked “Whaddya doing?” for the 6 hundredth time. He would just smile back instead with a big wide grin and rub his hands together in rapid motion like he was starting a fire. He had such insight into Christ that I believe he also understood that he was only going to be with us for a very short time and that he had to get the rest of us to understand and see Christ like he did. He did this through that one question, “Whatcha doing?”.

“What are you doing?” Are you being all who Christ wants you to be? Are you spreading the Lord’s message with all you encounter? Are you feeding the hungry and helping the orphans and widows? Are you actively seeking a relationship with God and working on healthy Christian relationship with others? How are you treating your family and friends? Why are you lonely when God is right there looking at you with His arms open wide?

These are just a few of the questions that I believe he was trying to ask………..but “Whatcha doing?” were the words that he had in his vocabulary that he could use to ask them. We just weren’t smart enough to hear the real question.

John Claude Scarborough was born June 12, 1995 to two loving parents John and Tammie Scarborough. Two parents who understood that Christ and God and church were a very important part of life and they loved their son so much they took him to church every Sunday and to every church event. They didn’t let his handicap stop him or them from their relationship with God. On October 8, 2011, John Claude’s earthly body could not withstand the challenges of this life and he ran on ahead into the loving arms of his Lord, Jesus Christ.

I will miss this beautiful follower of Christ but I now understand that he was trying so very hard to get me to listen; to stop and hear; to spend some time with our Savior so that I could have the inner peace and joy that he had. John Claude, THANK YOU. Thank you for being my mentor in my faith journey. Thank you for being a light in my life. Thank you for being you. I love you sweet boy and I will miss your sweet face but I know, one day, I will walk into Heaven only to be greeted by you and this words, “Whatcha doing?”.

The Big Dam Bridge Bike Race

2011-09-24T19:01:00.001-05:00

What a gorgeous day for a 30 mile ride and doing it with my family was amazing. I have always enjoyed being with Marty but wondered when we were expexting Emily how life would change. I was curious what the future would hold as the girls grew into easy stage of their lives. We do almost everything together and always have and I think that is a huge part of how special our family is.

The girls are growing faster it seems and I know in a blink they will be grown but I sure do treasure the days like today and I am so glad we are doing it together.

I love you girls!

2011-09-05T19:01:00.001-05:00

A little troll in the woods has a umbrella on it's porch.

Had a great weekend with my family. We enjoyed bike riding, working in the yard, playing Eartholopy, and more bike riding.

The weather has cooled and dried out and is starting to feel like fall. This is my FAVORITE time of the year. I hope to have many more weekends just like this with more photos to show.

Road to Emmaus

2011-08-11T11:49:00.001-05:00

Today I journey back to a place where my journey with Christ changed paths forever. 6 years ago I went on what I thought was just a weekend retreat with others from my church but found something far different. I found love, healing, and grace. I didn't even know I needed it.

I am honored and humbled to go back this weekend as the lay director for this walk. This journey that could very well be a key change for some one who is where I was just 6 short years ago.

Lord be with us this weekend as we go about your work. May our words be yours. May our hands and feet do your will. And may we spread your love and comfort. In your Son's name. Amen.

Father's Day

2011-06-19T18:21:00.000-05:00

Enough said.

Chauvinism

2011-05-16T09:19:00.002-05:00

I have always been fairly lucky in my career to not really have to deal with chauvinist. Usually they have been rather removed from the positions I have worked, but there is this one engineer who is now elligible for retirement that is getting under my skin.

There are a few conservation practices that we do that cross between irrigation (what I do) and livestock (what he does). Practices are divided up among us based on what we specialize in. But those practice that do multi aspects will have one in charge and the others who have a vested interest in will consult on it. Well I am the lead on one such practice and consulted with one of the other specialist about the pratice. The other person was off that day so I typed what changes we agreed upon and laid it on this indivuals desk for his comment.

This morning I hear him at the other specialist's cubical whom I did consult with talking about the changes. Three times the other specialist told him it was my practice and he needed to go see me. He leaves his cubical, of which I expected him to come to mine. He didn't. Instead I received an email 20 minutes later with his opinions. I work 2 cubical away from the other special and in the very cubical this specialist inhabited for umpteen years. Are you kidding me?

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.9

Enjoying Life

2011-05-13T18:57:00.000-05:00

I am so blessed. I have a wonderful life. I received a new swing for my back porch from Marty and the girls for Mother's day and I'm sitting out here on the beautiful spring evening wrapped in a blanket enjoying this gorgeous weather.
The wind is causing the leaves to rustle in the trees and the birds are signing. I can imagine many of evening right here. Hope your not needing anything from me any time soon. I can't wait until a bit later though when the Hwy 5 traffic slows down. It's rather bothersome.
I think I just found my new space to read my Bible and my books.

So where is your favorite spot? Do you have a retreat spot? A personal space?

Got to go. I feel like vegging.

Mt. Magazine with my Family

2011-03-27T19:11:00.000-05:00

Here are my pride and joy. I know most moms say they have great kids and they may but these two girls are amazingly awesome. Everyday they bring me new joy and laughter. They aren't perfect, they are just girls being girls. They giggle, they cry and they love. Thank you God for these beautiful creatures that you have entrusted me with.

First Assignment

2011-01-24T08:15:00.001-06:00

Well, my first photo is due tonight. I'm so unsure which photo to submit. But i think it is going to be the cat. Who knows. It's the first for all of us. It should be interesting.

The A student in me is having a hard time though because I want to be everyones pick. Now I remember why I wanted ou of college so bad. The pressure is tough on me. Lol. I will let you know Tuesday night what photo won.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Running Late

2011-01-06T06:50:00.002-06:00

Slept right through the alarm this morning. That is not good. Even though I ended up only 10 minutes late for work, it puts me out of alignment all day. I could blame it on the cold medicine I took last night but the fact of the matter is I just need a lot of sleep. One of my sisters sleeps maybe 5 hours every night and I just can't see how she is functioning. Maybe her body is just use to it or maybe I'm just a sloth. Not sure which but I had better find some time to sleep before working the Chrysalis Flight next weekend.

Speaking of that, prayers are requested for that flight and also for me and the walk God has entrusted me with. I am starting to get nerves now because Patti has submitted her team list and she is the last women's walk before mine. There is lots to do and the pressure to really listen to God and do what He is calling me to do is scary. I don't want to fail Him.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Running

2011-01-05T07:41:00.001-06:00

Considering I didn't run all of December, I didn't loose as much ground as I would have thought. I had got to week 5 day 3, though never completed it, but starting back at week 4 hasn't been too difficult. We ran and completed day 2 last night and now for this week I just have to do day 3. I can then move back to week 5. I'm rather proud of myself. I would never have pictured me as a runner and I am only interested in 5Ks but running for my health isn't too bad.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

2011

2011-01-04T10:06:00.002-06:00

Well, I feel I'm off to a good start this year. I'm making plans and getting somethings accomplished. The trick will be sticking to it. Tiffany turned me onto droid blogging so maybe I will even be able to blog online what I normally blog in my head. That should scare you.

I don't have any resolutions other then continueing with the couch to 5k program, staying organized and being more Christ like in our finances.

This is a year full of adventures with me being a lay director and Marty declaring his intent to become a Methodist pastor. Good thing God is good and always has a plan. We're leaving it in His hands.
Well this is my first droid post. Need to get back to work.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Christmas Time

2010-12-23T10:10:00.000-06:00

I just spent over an hour typing a Christmas post of which blog saves every so many minutes. Some how in a matter of seconds, I was able to unintentionally and with know clue how, highlight and delete the post just as the software was doing a save. Lost the WHOLE thing. And it wasn't a short thing. AAAAGGGGHHHH

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T11:15:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family, friends and those I have yet to meet.

God has blessed me with a wonderful loving husband; beautiful intelligent caring daughters; extended family and friends too numerous to count. The love that fills my heart with these blessings overflows. I wish each and every person this love. If you have lost someone one this year, I am praying for you this holiday season. God is always with us.

God loves you. I love you. And nothing you can do can change that.

Love to you all!!!

Couch to 5K

2010-11-24T14:51:00.000-06:00

Back in June Marty and I started doing the Couch to 5K running plan. Not really to get ready for a 5K but to get us off the couch and back to being active and healthy. This is a 9 week program where you run 3 days of each week, so you would think we would be done by now. LOL. Well we're not. Marty is way farther then me but he is going at my pace so I will keep doing it. We are on Week 5 Day 3. Day 3 is 5 minutes of warm up, 20 minutes of running and 5 minutes of cool down. When we started, I could barely run for 1 minute and I could hardly imagine that I would run for 30 minutes straight. We did Day 3 Week 5 on Sunday and I was able to run 14 minutes of the 20 minutes and travel 5 laps around the football field. This is just amazing to me. I have NEVER in my life ran 14 minutes for any reason.

I will let you know if I actually make it to 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Carving

2010-10-31T17:07:00.000-05:00

We finally found a Saturday where we could make it to the pumpkin patch and get our pumpkins. Every since we started carving pumpkins in girl scouts my girls have to carve a pumpkin each year. It's really cool that they love it so much. Pumpkin carving isn't something we did very much when I was young. I only remember doing it once or twice, but it is becoming a family tradition for us. The girls do a very good job of carving too.

Emily did a witches hat. Erin did a laughing pumpkin and Marty did a traditional pumpkin.

Life as of Late

2010-10-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

There has been so many things helping lately. I have thought many times about blogging and just haven't done it. Too bad my thoughts have to go through my fingers to the keyboard to blog. LOL.

In the last month, I have become the mom of a teenager. Emily has grown up so fast. It is so hard to believe that it has been 13 years since we brought her home

Back to School and back to routine

2010-08-09T13:34:00.001-05:00

School starts in just 10 more days. Emily is going into 7th grade and Erin into 5th. Man, is this going fast.

Last week we picked up Emily's schedule. Lots of hype over getting a piece a paper. She spent all afternoon finding out she had no classes with any of her friends. Which I understand not having any of the electives with none of her friends because one is an athlete, one is a wanting band, one is a drama queen and Emily is into choir but her basics? She is taking PreAP English, PreAP Math, and PreAP Science and her three best friends are too. How many PreAP classes are there? This is the same 350 kids she went to school with last year, come on. Anyway, being the laid back kid she is, she wasn't upset in the least. Just OK and prepared me a supply list to go shopping for. Got to love that kid. She makes my life so easy.

Now if she would just plan her 13th birthday party for me I would be all set.

Erin doesn't find out about her team until the 10th. So we don't know if she will be with any of her friends or not. She is patiently anticipating though. She feels like she knows that school already from going up there for her sister's parent/teacher conferences and art night. We shall see. There is one friend from day care she is really wanting on her team because when they opened a new school 3 years ago and did the rezoning she was moved to another school and they no longer got to see each other. She so wants to get to spend time with her again.

Negative vs. Positive

2010-08-09T13:33:00.000-05:00

Wow!!!! I was just typing a post (which I deleted before I posted it) about my job and while thinking about it and my last post I realize. "Dang I'm sure negative." That isn't like me. I'm always the up beat one, the Polly Anna of the group.

Never Stops, Does it?

2010-07-26T09:46:00.006-05:00

We never out grow it do we? We never stop having those stupid high school dramas. Why is that? Why can't we grow up and just get a long? Why must we all be so self absorbed that we don't realize that others have issues too?

Christ tells us to love one another as we love ourselves. If we were to all do this I don't think this would be a problem. There wouldn't stupid issues of: "you don't ever call me." "You visit him more then you do me." "OH, you didn't invite us to the party." Why do we get our feelings hurt over, most of the time, unintentional exclusions? In high school it was because we didn't get invited to "THE" party or "THE" movie or "THE" whatever. But at what age do we stop feeling we are deliberately being cut off when most of the time it is just the lack of time people have in their busy lives.

I'm having an issue right now and I don't feel I can talk to anyone about it which is just silly because I have a ton of wonderful friends who would listen if I would just call. I know that their life is full of issues they are dealing with and so I don't want to call. What this does though, is it makes me feel like no one cares and like I'm the one always being there for them but not getting the same back. Which in turns makes me want to be there less for them because their not being there for me. Yet, I'm not giving them the chance to be either, but shouldn't they know me well enough to know what all is going on with me. Shouldn't they be calling and just checking in on me? Why must I be the one that always makes the calls? Thus a vicious cycle continues to go round.

I have tried to turn this over to Christ so many times but I am a weak, weak human and I let this chain of gloom drag me down. I love my friends, my sisters and would do anything and everything to move heaven and earth for them. I always try to put my sisters needs before my own and be Christ servant of love to all. Yet when the guilt monster comes out because one has needed more attention and thus left another feeling slighted, I can not deal. How do I get past my feeling of despair when someone feels that I'm not their "true friend" because I have not been there for them as they expect me to based solely on their view of the situation.

Sometimes I think facebook, instant messaging, twitter, text messages and voicemail have truly destroyed good friendships because us humans feel slighted when someone responds to another post but not ours, or comments on their photo but not ours, or they don't get right back to us when we sent them a text or twitter. REALLY - When will we ever stop putting so much pressure on each other to make us happy. Isn't that what we're looking for? You call me and show me I'm important to you and thus I'm happy. I call you and show you your important tome and thus your happy.

When will I fully let go and let God handle this? How many times do I have to take it to the cross? I guess Satan knows me too well and thus continues to undermine me growing in God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Gracious father, please take these evil feelings of loneliness and despair and inadequacy away. Please help me learn to discern the issues that I should concern myself with and to let go of those that are really of no merit. Guide me each day to love and accept each person as children of yours and remind me that we each fall short of perfection. Help me to forgive those that may not understand me or who may think ill of me and learn that being liked by all is far less of importance then being loved by you. Let me find my happiness in you and the wonderful blessing you have granted me. I just want to be your daughter, to walk in your way.

With all my love,

Walk to Emmaus

2010-07-18T21:10:00.003-05:00

The Walk to Emmaus is a very important part of mine and Marty's life and I have been asked to be a Lay Director in 2011. Basically a lay director is the person that puts the walk together for the weekend. They are responsible for getting the people to work, and organizing all the speakers and making sure all the supplies are there. It's a huge responsibility.

I'm a very organized person and have organized vacation bible school for 5 years, plus a children's ministry for 4 years, plus a girl scout troop of 10-20 girls and even a gs camp for over 150 girls. So I know I can do this BUT I'm so scared. I'm worried that no one will want to work this walk, which Marty swears is ridiculous. I'm scared that there won't be any one that is available because it is in Aug and everyone will be getting ready for back to school. I concerned about the ton of reading that a lay director must read through out the weekend. I'm concerned that I will not be a good servant and listen to what God is telling me to do.

See my walk was a pivoting point on my journey with Christ and it was because of the servants that Christ put there on the walk to help me discern the path that God had for to travel on. What if I don't LISTEN and do something more out of obligation? Stupid by most opinions I'm sure but I feel so very unworthy of this task. Christ is counting and me and I am counting on Him to see me through. I just have some doubts about my ability.

Hearing the Calling

2010-06-20T13:22:00.005-05:00

Every since Marty went on his Walk to Emmaus walk April 2006, he has been trying to discern the feelings God has been stirring within him. Marty is a cradle Methodist, which means he was born to a family that attended church regularly all his life because they had attended church all their life and that denomination has always been Methodist.

Marty was raised in two very different Methodist churches though. His home church and the one he was baptist and confirmed in was Pulaski Height UMC in Little Rock and it is very high church. They are televised and have 4 or 5 associate pastors as well as the senior pastor. Then there was his Grandmother Bowie's church in rural McCool, Mississippi. That church had an a circuit pastor, which they shared with two other churches. The pastor would preach at one church, travel to the next and preach and then travel to the last church and preach. The congregation was small, maybe 10 or 20 when Marty was growing up with those hard pews with no padding and there was a little elderly woman who always played the piano. It was a very broad church experience to say the least.

Pastors are also common in his family. His Uncle John (Dad's older brother) is a retired United Methodist pastor and John's son Scott is a United Methodist pastor.

Well he has been wrestling with: is he or isn't he being called by God to preach. He's currently a lay speaker by taking lay speaker 1 and 2 classes offered by the United Methodist Church, but the path before him has a few options. He can try to go to seminary and become an ordained minister, he can do some seminary but only become a local pastor or he can just continue to be a lay speaker. He doesn't know which is the path that God has planned for him but today was the first of a feel many times to come.

Today I got the humbling pleasure to hear him preach for the first time. Rev. Aubrietta Jones is on maternity leave from Old Austin UMC and she had asked Marty to fill in on one of the days she was off. Today was that day. It seemed very fitting that it was Father's Day to be his first sermon. His Dad and Mother came along with me and the girls, but also Emily Bredfield brought her girls. Which was very fitting because the first person I heard express their option to Marty that he should pursue preaching was Chip. I am truly sorry that Chip wasn't here to hear him though, but Emily and the girls were there for him. I don't know who was more nervous, me or Marty but it would be close. Then during offering they played Mercy Me's song "Here with Me" and the video. I lost it. The tears started and there was just no stopping them. The pride I felt being there in the Lord's presence knowing Marty was doing something he was called to do. I can't describe it any more then I could turn the tears off. It was so awesome and he did such a great job. I couldn't be more proud.

I love you Marty. What ever path God calls you down, I will be right behind you with my love and support.

Day 2

2010-06-14T20:42:00.003-05:00

This is only day two of trying to get my size 12 body heading to a 14 turned around into a size 12 heading to 10 or 8. I am not "depressed" but I so hate how my clothes look on me and I can't stand going shopping because of the sizes. This is really just a selfish because my wonderful husband and beautiful daughters tell me all the time that I shouldn't say I'm fat because I'm not. Well, I may not be fat but I'm not happy with my muffin top or my double chin.

So thus begins my determination to get fit. I have a friend who is fit and I want to look like that. It will not happen over night and it may not even happen in a year but it is one day at a time from here on out. I'm not dieting because diets do not work. Diets never work and please don't be offended if you think they do. Being fit is a way of life that when I was in junior high and high school I could maintain while surviving on cokes and snickers for lunch every day. But this 40 year old body is not going to be fit if I continue to have a sedimentary life. (Don't you love the fact that we grow up to get jobs to pay the bills and they turn out to be killing us slow as we sit in our cubicles?) Ooops! Sorry, don't chase that rabbit.

We are not doing much at the moment but walking the track and trying to not snack. I love to snack and my cubicle is the perfect place to snack, but again I digress. We walked 8 laps last night and sweated. Though I need to do way more of that as my fingers resemble little sausage links but which really is water retention. Too much salt in my diet. I love salt and salt loves to keep water in me.

We are talking about doing walking and bike alternatively which I love but I don't know if I get as good of an exercise with biking. I don't feel as tired when we bike. Maybe we need to do more then 18 miles but time in the evening isn't on our side.

Well, I will try to post more though I know I'm only talking to myself here. But, maybe I can hold myself accountable if I assume someone is out there reading this. Ha Ha. Let's see if this motivates me.

Time for a shower. I smell.

PS. There will be no before bikini photos for a while of this body. Like you wanted to see this in a bikini. LOL

Easter with my girls and hubby

2010-04-04T20:26:00.002-05:00

Getting to spend the last four days going through the Passion of Christ with my girls and my hubby has been such a wonderful time.

Thursday evening we went to Old Austin UMC and celebrated Maunday Thursday together. For those that may not know what Maunday Thursday is, simple it is a communion service that focuses on the last supper the disciples shared with Christ. It just amazes me the similarities we have with the disciples on that night. The Bible doesn't tell us what each of the disciples thought that night but the general consensus is that no one actually understood what Jesus was telling them but many of them knew something special was about to take place.

Friday night we went to our church property in Greystone and celebrated Good Friday together. Readings were done by Jeff, Aubrietta, Marty and Mitch of each point of the betrayal through when Christ took His last breath. We were each given a 20 penny nail to pray over and to ponder OUR personal sins that Christ died to wash away. After the readings, we each took our nail and hammered into a cross that had been erected.

Saturday afternoon we all gathered at Magness Creek Elementary school to hunt Easter Eggs and spend some time with our church family. The girls did a great job hunting eggs and won many prizes. I was the event photographer and photographed the kids that were will with the Easter Bunny. I know, I've been asking the question and trying to find the answer too. What does a bunny and eggs have to do with Easter. When I finally find it, I will let you know.

Sunday morning we all got up and were at Cypress Creek Country Club in time for SonRise Service. It was a beautiful sunrise and a balmy 58 - 60 degrees. So much improved over the 30s and 40s of the last couple of years. It was a beautiful morning with 200+ of God's children gathered together.

Emily and Erin got wear their new Easter dresses this year and I must say, they take my breath away. God blessed me and Marty with two beautiful young women that bring nothing but smiles and pride to us. Thank you God for all the blessing you have given me, but thank you most for the blessing of your Son and the fact that I know that He died and then rose from the grave just for me.

Happy Easter everyone.

Forgiveness

2010-03-28T19:59:00.003-05:00

Okay, for the last four weeks our church has been doing a church wide study called "Live Like You Were Dying." Yes it is based off the Tim McGraw song. It is only four weeks long and the topics have been 1) live like you are dying, 2) speak sweeter, 3) love deeper and tonight 4) give forgiveness.

Now we were charge to do a spiritual inventory of the broken relationships in our lives and then to call, visit or email those people and reconcile the relationship(s). I've been thinking about this and I sit here and struggle with the doing. Not with the reason why we need to but just the doing. I fully agree that Christ has forgiven me and all who have sinned and to be like Him, that I too must forgive. But the calling of someone who has hurt me and tell them I forgive them or someone whom I have hurt and ask them to forgive me????? How do I do that? How do I know they even give me a second thought much less care? What if it was something big to me but something they don't even remember? What if I did something that is eating away at someone that I don't now about and I miss communicating with them and asking their forgiveness?

What if...........

I can only repair myself, I know. It must start with me, I know. But where do I start, this I don't know. There in sits my dilemma. Who have I hurt? I have never meant to hurt anyone in my life. I can't stand to think that I have though I know I must have. After all, I'm human and it's our human nature.

If anyone out there is reading this and I have hurt you, please send me an email and let me know. It's not that whatever I did that hurt you doesn't matter to me but I just don't remember all that well anymore. Not an excuse, mind you, just a sad fact that I keep trying to avoid. I barely remember yesterday much less last week, or last month, or last year.

Forgiveness - what a complexed emotion. Can we ever really give it and let go like Christ? Can someone we tell we are sorry to, really ever trust that we really feel it in our heart and mean it? If I actually make those calls, and that person has read this, will they really believe this is something I feel (which I won't make the call if I don't feel it) and not just an assignment that I was trying to fulfill?

I don't know what I am going to do other then pray a lot. I know God has a plan, I just hope I will shut up and listen to Him.

Beautiful Day to Ride

2010-03-27T18:54:00.003-05:00

Today was such a beautiful day and we just couldn't let this day go without riding. We added a twist though, we actually went caching too. Hadn't been caching in over a year and a half. We use to cache all the time but when we started bike, for some reason we stopped caching. I had to do some maintenance on a friends cache this week and it resparked the bug. We hunted for four but only found two. One thing I noticed though is that there aren't enough caches along the river trail. I don't want to put any more out but I might have too.

The ride was great but the wind was brutal. We parked at the submarine and headed west to the Big Dam Bridge then crossed over to the Little Rock side and headed back east to the River Market. We paused at the playground to let the girls run around. We met a nice family of 7 who inquired about riding the trail. Maybe we inspired another family to ride together. Then we headed back across the river via the new junction pedestrian bridge.

A Running Family

2010-03-13T13:17:00.005-06:00

Last fall, when Erin went back to running club, things changed. One, instead of right after school on Tuesdays, it was moved to Sunday afternoons at 3:00 pm and it was opened to all the Cabot schools instead of just ours. Since it was Sunday now, Marty and I could actually participate with her. We didn't want to leave Emily out, so Sunday afternoons at 3 became the family run time.

Marty and I really need some physical exercise since both of our work has become office jobs. We joking said that if we continued all the way through we should do the 5K of the Little Rock Marathon since Erin would be doing her final mile at the Little Rockers Marathon then too. We were joking right? At least I was. Marty, I found, not so much.

Well, the ups and downs of Arkansas weather, we did complete the requirements for Erin and Emily to do the Little Rockers Marathon. But we also got the bright idea of the whole family doing the 5K together. Emily was the keenest on this but she agreed, since her friend Kristen was going to do the 5K, and I signed everyone up.

Well Saturday the 6th of March was "THE" day. So, Marty and me and Erin get up and we meet Emily and Kristen down there (Emily spent the evening with Kristen - hope they got sleep). We were blessed with a cool but not cold morning with a beautiful sunrise. We were there earlier then needed but that's ok. We're newbies. The starting line was on President Clinton Boulevard (or Markham street if you lived here prior to Clinton being president) and headed east to the Clinton Library before turning South for a block and then back West. We started farther back in the pack so the seasoned runners could take off on their way. Emily and Kristen were a head of us and Marty, Erin and I would We headed west from the library up 3rd Street to Broadway. Then it was North on Broadway one block to 2nd Street. Then East for 4 block to Izard. 4 more blocks south to 6th street. 1 block west again to Chester. Pass the first water station and mile 2 as we head North to LaHarpe. We turned East on LaHarpe and headed to the finish line back at the River Market.

This was so much fun. We ran the whole thing almost completely together. Erin finished first (she beat her dad only by crossing first). Then Marty. I was 4 minutes behind them and then Emily and Kristen crossed about 4 minutes behind me. It felt so good. Did I really say that? We are already talking about doing another 5K in May.

Love Dare

2010-01-29T06:39:00.002-06:00

Our church decided this year, for February, that we would do the Love Dare. Sunday the 17th was the official first meeting and last week was the first week of dares. Marty and I had watched the movie about a year ago, so we had a good idea of what this was all about.

We each selected a different day last week to start without telling each other which one and then we began. Kinda of funny for us to not tell each other because it didn't take long to know who was on what day when day 3 requires you to purchase something for your spouse. LOL. I don't think either of us are having too many issues with the actual dares thus far. Most of these we have been doing already or were doing but have let lag some due to day to day hassles of life.

I'm on day 10 and am looking forward to each day. The first 9 days have basically been a reminder to court each other like when we were dating. So that is kind of fun.

I so love my husband and being married has been a blessing. I thank God for the love and companionship that He has blessed me with in Marty.

I am praying for all others that are doing this study with us and that they find the peace and love that Marty and I are reviving in our marriage.

Labor Day Get Away

2009-09-07T17:46:00.006-05:00

The family hadn't taken a weekend to ourselves since Spring Break and since Labor Day was my first weekend since I quit being the Children's Ministries Director for our church, we decided for a family camping trip. We had been going to Mount Nebo a lot and though we love it there, I wanted to go somewhere different. Marty did search on the state parks site and because we are really getting back into biking and our bikes are mountain bikes he found that Cane Creek State Park has put in a new mountain bike trail. I know. There are mountains in the delta of Arkansas. I work there and that was my first thought. Well there are hills, just so you know.

Marty booked it and so Friday after work, we packed the suburban full and headed south. We didn't get out of Cabot until 7:00 so we didn't pull into our camping spot until 9:00. Even though there are hills at Cane Creek there are also the delta mosquitoes. They were in abundance. We got the tent up, the canopy up and to bed we went. More out of preservation then we were tired. Though we were tired of being mosquito food.

We got up the next morning and cooked breakfast and then explored the camping area. The camping area is very nice and laid out very well. We always look at which sites we would prefer for the next time we come and we were very happy with the one we had. It was a great layout if your tent campers like us. Most of the sites are really set up for RVs.

The park had several activities planned throughout the weekend and one was painting with nature. So, of course girls had to do that, since I had a touch of a headache, Marty took the girls while I took a nap. There Marty meet the Park Ranger, Mike, and the girls meet the park interpreter, Courtney. Mike and Marty had a great talk about the mountain bike trail and boy scouts, while Emily and Erin painted fabulous pictures of nature with nature (feathers, rocks, leaves, etc.) They came back to camp and we ate lunch, then decided that we would attempt the mountain bike trail. It is 15.5 miles long with the first 8 miles through the woods (nicknamed "the Roller coaster" by bikers), then .5 mile along a mowed path through tall grass and then 4.5 along a mowed levee (no shade and no rest areas), then 1 mile on paved road and finally .5 miles back through the woods. There are 3 suspended bridges and roughly 30 wooden bridges along the 8 mile roller coaster. We were hoping to do the 4.5 miles to get to the first suspended bridge. We got to about 1.5 almost 2 miles when Emily took her first ever fall off a bike. She was in front of Marty who was in front of Erin who was in front of me, so I didn't see it but he says it was quite impressive. She hit a tree root, bounce her front tire and it landed just off the path to the right and down she went. She took the bars to her lower chest, skidded across her palms and cut and bruised her left thigh. All in all though not real bad. Just a trickle of blood on her left palm. However she was ready to go home. Not back to the tent, I mean home. The only problem was she was wanting a helicopter to pick her up and take her there because she was not going to ride her bike back out of there. Well, the old belief of get back up on the horse was the one her dad and I were raised with so we weren't having none of that. We cleaned her up and wiped away the tears and off we went. Dad first, Erin second and Emily and me way in the back. We took it slow and walked down most inclines, for awhile.

It took some encouragement but we finally got her going down inclines again. Most were straight and none had any drops on either side. We finally made it to the first suspension bridge and were excited. We told the girls there were 2 more bridges like that and asked if they wanted to continue or go back. Well, Emily didn't want anything to do with going where she had just come from and Erin was getting into this down fast and back up the other side with her dad so on we went. We did the next 2.5 miles with great fun and glees of excitement from Dad and Erin. Emily started loosening up and then.......

Erin did a quick down across a bridge and then splat!!! In this picture you can see the disenchantment of her face as she is put back together after her fall. Dad was a head of her and Emily and I were coming over the ridge behind her, so none of us know how she fell but she laid it over on her and she has a huge bruise to her right knee and skint up her left elbow. We took a break and Dad thought it would be cute to get a photo. As you see, Erin was not thrilled.

Well like with Emily, we cleaned up Erin and got a snack (she ate all my Swedish fish!!!) and wiped away the tears and then started back out on the trail. We had decided we were going to at least do the 8 miles out.

This is the third of the 3 suspended bridges. This is located at around 7.75 miles. We are almost out of the woods now. We asked the girls if they wanted to continue or go back and at this point neither of them wanted to go back so we pressed on. It was okay at first but the levee was 4.5 miles of flat, low cut grass with no shade. It was not easy and it was not fun. It quickly became more then we had bargained for, but we had now passed the point of no return. Go on ward we went. We stopped, we walked, some of us cried and some of us made deals for Purple Cow. We were all doing the happy dance when we finally got off the levee. However, we still had 1.5 miles to go to get back to camp. Though this part was actual paved road. We could do this because we do it all the time. Marty had actually planned to ride it and let us sit while he went to get the sub but the girls were headed home. So the girls and us did all 15.5 miles of this trail. We started at 12:50 pm and ended at 5:30 pm. We are blessed with two beautiful and extremely great sports for daughters. Course a visit to the Purple Cow is to follow.

We made it back to camp but the idea of cooking was out of the question, so after MUCH needed showers by all, we headed into Star City for a quick stop at Fred's for bug ointment, paper towels, citronella candle, and children's Motrin before heading to the local Mexican restaurant, Los Toritos. We had a very good dinner but desert was from Sonic. No Purple Cow in Star City, so that will have to wait but had to have a milkshake. Fried ice cream wasn't going to cut it this time.

When we got back to camp it was off to bed, because these people were tired. Marty said that 3 laps of the river trail didn't wear him out as one lap of this trail. All I know is my knees are killing me.

The next day was Sunday and we had made plans to go to church in Star City but we were so exhausted from the day before we overslept. Which was good, because we needed the sleep but we really had intended to go. Instead we spend some quality time together after breakfast with Marty reading and the girls and I making bead people. We had also missed the morning kayak tour that the park interpreter was conducting around the lake. Emily was very disappointed because she really wanted to kayak the lake. After lunch we rented two tandem kayaks and out on the lake we went. Erin had never been in a kayak and was very uncertain of this plus she was convinced that the lake was full of alligators that would turn us over and eat her. Marty had Emily with him and I coerced Erin in with me and off we went. There is a 1.5 mile loop around the lake and we weren't sure how long it would take or if we could even paddle that much but out we went. Erin complained the first half of the trip. She didn't like the moss and the lily pads scared her. After showing her several open lilies and getting out of them into the cypress trees forest, she started to relax and enjoy it. We got through that forest and had to go back through more lily pads before coming to the dead forest (hard woods prior to the levee holding water on them). She really enjoyed the dead forest and looking at the markers that directed us through. Just as we got through the dead forest she figured out how to paddle and was really having a blast. Then we were at the beach, but we checked the time and still had an hour left so we decided to go again and do it backwards this time. It was so much fun.

Proverbs 27:9

2009-08-21T11:43:00.002-05:00

"Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul." (The Message - Proverbs 27:9)

How true is that - A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. ? Think about your friends. Think about how out of the blue you will receive an inspirational email from a friend that hits at the right time. Think about that friend that calls and you smile when you see their name on the caller id,you know you need to talk and she is there. Think about that friend that remembers your birthday and how you don't or do like to celebrate it and wouldn't dare celebrate it with you any other way.

I use to think these friendships were some fantasy that only happened in TV. I didn't seem to have these friendships when I was in grade school and I kind a had them in college but now I'm blessed with so many of these sweet friendships. My cup overflows with sweet, sweet friendships.

Just today, I received an inspirational email from one who has just been an aquanitance on facebook who I met through work. We don't see each other everyday but through watching me on facebook she knew that the "3 Things" video would mean something to me and that it would bring a smile to my face. She was right but more then that it refreshed my soul. It brought God into my morning because I hadn't made the time for Him this morning and I needed that little bit to remember Him so that my day would go better.

Sweet friendships.
Stop and think about your sweet friendships.
Stop and think how you can impact one of your friends by BEING that sweet friend.

Thank You God for the blessings of all my Sweet Friendships.

Back to School

2009-08-20T11:45:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was the first day of school and it went amazingly well. Emily is excited to be with her best friend on Team Dynamite and Erin is excited to be with her best friend for the first time since they started school together 5 years ago. We shall see how this goes. Though there shouldn't be an issue for Emily because Mei does not have the same advisery teacher as Emily and thus they are only on the same team and have the same lunch. They don't share actual classes together.

School is so much different then I was in 6th grade.

I've been really pround of my girls this summer. They have shown how responsible they are by helping with the house work. I am really missing them not being where I can text them all day. I must wait until school is over and then I'm picking them up so that doesn't accomplish any thing.

I am praying for a good school year. I want it to be challenging for them but I don't want it where they are struggle through anything. A nice balance would be nice.

I love watching them learn new things and am amazed at how much they already know.

I'm looking forward to Scouts and Bible study starting back. Scouts actually started Monday but we were missing several due to open houses at school but we have so many fun activities planned that this is going to be a great year. I am blessed with some awesome co-leader and parents. The girls are great to work with too.

Bible study starts the 2nd of September. I don't have as many as last year and I'm rather bummed about that but it will be okay. This is a great study and I know God will put those there that He thinks needs to be there.

Well lunch is almost over so go to go.

How are you doing today?

2009-07-23T12:09:00.005-05:00

As a society, we ask this question every day. Some times we really mean it and really want the person to share how they are feeling. But the truth is, most of the time we are just being polite and we really don't want a 30 minute conversation of why this person we know but not really is getting a divorce or has health issues or whatever.

What about when we are the receipiant of the question? Don't most of us just say, "I'm good" or "I'm fine"? Do we do this because we know they are just being polite? Do we do this because we just don't want to share? Or do we do this because that is what is expected of us?

Well, of late, I have been doing just that. If you have asked me in the last 4 months if I'm okay, you have heard me say "I'm fine." The truth is, I'm not. I have been rather stressed and not the nicest person to be around. I have wonderful friends that will listen to me and truly care for me yet they don't know I've been hurting. Oh, they suspect something but their not asking or if they are asking their not catching me at the right time where the dam would break and they would get more then they bargained for.

Why do we keep the truth to ourselves? Why when we have great friends do we choose to hide it? Is it because we don't want to bother our friends? Is it because we don't think they will understand? Is it because we don't believe they will listen? Is it because we don't think they will actually accept us with all of our flaws? Maybe they won't but so what? If they don't there is still one who will. Jesus loves me and he knows all of my flaws. He is all that matters. So why then to I keep so much of the true me hidden?

Biking Family

2009-06-30T07:18:00.004-05:00

Marty and I have been biking all of our lives. We both learned when we were 7 or 8 and in elementary school rode pretty much everyday. Back then it wasn't for exercise or our health, it was because that was what kids did. You rode to school, rain or shine. You rode to your friends house. You rode to the local grocery store to pick up bread or milk for your mom. You rode to get away from your siblings. And most of all you rode to just ride.

Somewhere between the late 70's/early 80's to the present, riding has disappeared from most kids lives. There are a lot of boys still riding but not young girls. When you go to an elementary school, check out the bike rack. Or do they even have a bike rack? Ours does but there maybe 4 or 5 bikes in there each day. Most of the kids are driven by their mom or they ride a bus. They ride a bus in a subdivision that the school is in that there is only one way out of and the school is at the entrance. They ride a bus from the farthest point of this subdivision which is maybe 1/4 of a mile. What has happened that our kids don't ride bikes to school?

Mine do not simply because we don't live in a subdivision but instead we live on one of the busyiest two lane narrow shoulder highways in Arkansas and are three miles from the school with no back rodes that would be safe to ride because of all the speeding drivers.

But I degress. Because my husband and I grew up with bikes as feet, when our daughters got to the point they could peddle, they were given there first bikes. It was slow going getting them from bikes with training wheels to straight up two wheels but three years ago we were successful. We have spent the last three now getting them to learn to pick up their pace and go longer distance. Now we're not talking miles upon miles, we're just talking 1 or 2 along the River Trail in NLR. Well, this year their heights (because my girls are not going to be short women) we had to upgrade their bikes. We had upgrade Dad's from the Wal-Mart special to a GT two August ago and he had been telling me how much easier and faster it was but bikes are now expensive and I just knew he was full of crap. Well two Saturday's ago, after the girls had biked the 14 miles from the NLR submarine up to the NLR side of the Big Dam Bridge and back and my baby is complaining of how much her back hurts and I've watched my eleven year who is only 8" shorter then me with her knees almost up to her chin, my mind was made up. We were not going biking again until those girls had bikes that fit their frame. Both were on 20" tires on 9 to 10" frames. What in the world was I thinking. Well, we started looking at the lower end markets (Wal-Mart, Academy Sports and the like) but my husband was not satisfied with anything. We made our way to Arkansas Cycling and Fitness and both girls with in minutes had picked Trek's that they were in love with. The guy (and forgive me because I'm terrible with names) that helped us was a true doll. He helped us size the girls and made recommendations for them. The girls got exactly the bike they wanted but in their size. One is now on a 26" tire and 15" frame and the other is on a 26" tire and 13" frame.

Well, we had to take those for a spin, so we loaded them in the truck and headed out to the trail right then. The girls took off like rockets. Now Mom is still on a Roadmaster from Wal-Mart and Marty and the girls are sporting aluminum frames and gears that shift with a press of the thumb. I had to work hard to keep up. It was a labor of love but it was labor. The girls were all smiles and no complaints about my back is hurting.

Lucky for me, I'm the special girl in my husbands life, because he couldn't stand it that I had to work so hard to keep up. Saturday, he purchased me a Specialized bike from the same guy at Arkansas Cycling and Fitness. I'm not a high tech bike sort of girl. All I really care about is will it shift gears with ease, will it travel down the trail and what color it is. I've been looking at the bike and the adult women are just not appealing to me. Well my fabulous husband did great. This one has all the tech stuff he wants me to have and I got a color that I can stand (metalic baby blue) and gears that shift without throwing a chain or having to wait on them to change.

I had to pick the bike up yesterday because it wasn't even on the showroom floor. The awesome guy had to put it together for me. That's a first for me. Well the girls and I meet Marty at the Submarine after work and we hit the trail. Man, what a difference. Other then my butt hurting because of a different saddle, that was awesome. We cruised down to the bridge and back and it was just fabulous. I even passed Marty and Em going up one of the hills because they were going to slow. That is a huge improvement.

Wow. Thanks Arkansas Cycling and Fitness for helping get us on the trail even more. I can't wait until 5:00 pm tonight.

Proud Parents

2009-06-29T11:14:00.003-05:00

Marty and I are so very blessed. Our girls are such well balanced, even tempered, well behaved pre-teens. They are responsible and so very pleasant to be around.

Emily completed the Red Cross babysitters course this Saturday and is a certified babysitter. She is so excited about doing it that she came an immediately got on the computer to go through all CD of resource material they gave each student and then organized a babysitting notebook. She is determined to be known as a "good" babysitter. I hope someone we know needs a sitter soon so she can put her new knowledge to work. She so is looking forward to it.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

2009-05-30T09:41:00.002-05:00

Though life has been very hectic this last month it has been such a blessing. The end of April was my birthday and I spent the evening with my family before going out with my gal pals on Friday night. God has blessed me with some wonderful women who continually teach me and enrich me. Girls if your reading this: I love YOU!!! For the ones that are too far away, Tiffany and Kristi, I LOVE and MISS you. It's not the same without you.

Celebrating

2009-05-08T11:51:00.004-05:00

Today has been a really good day for me and tonight is going to be even better.

I have been working on a project at work for about a year now and I finally had a huge break in the work yesterday. Today I got to make my boss' weekend by telling him about yesterday. That is really a nice feeling. Though I'm a long way from finish with the complete project, I'm a heck of a lot closer. I've been feeling like I've been spinning my wheels for months now and have hated going to work but this makes it so much better. I don't feel like I'm banging my head on the wall and a project can go out to the field in stages so that they know that we really are working on helping them. Guess I just needed a boost to my professional ego because I was really wondering if I wanted to continue to be a professional.

As for tonight, my wonderful "sisters" are taking me out for my birthday. It was last Thursday but schedules (and this time it wasn't mine) wouldn't allow it. So we are going to have a girls night out and go have a relaxing dinner at Chili's. Now, does anyone know where my Zyrtec is so I can enjoy having a DD for the evening? (THANKS Tammie) For those of you who don't know, I've developed an allergy in the last few years that causes me to sneeze and have a runny nose and not be able to breathe clearly when I consume adult beverages. This is not very much fun when I just want to drink even one glass of wine or one margarita (my favorite adult beverage).

That's okay, I'm planning on having a really good time because I will be with all my besties. Well, almost all my besties, because there are a few that will be missing tonight but I know they will be with our celebration in spirit.

Watching my daughter play

2009-04-17T22:29:00.002-05:00

It is very interesting to me to watch my daughters play. At the moment, I'm setting in a hotel room in Branson watching Erin play with her best friend Elena. The pretend world of 8 years is so amazing. Tonight is Beverly Hills Chihuhu with Elena being the beverly hills prima donna and Erin her trusty servant.

It is funny to hear pretend phone calls to the front desk because the dog food isn't prime rib or because the plate is just a common kitchen plate. I know they get this from the show but really where do they get this.

I love to watch them though because they are so innocent.

Just another month in the Bowie house

2009-04-15T06:50:00.008-05:00

It's not that I have a boring life but that it's just isn't all that interesting when I decide to post. Guess I could start with catching you up from my last post.

Several things have happened that I'd like to share.

Erin has ran her first 1 mile race. On March 14th, she, along with her fellow students in the running club at Magness Creek, participated in the Little Rockers Marathon. Though she didn't run the whole thing, she did get away from the TV and participated. She really has enjoyed running club this year and her Daddy is so very excited that he has decided that he would start running with her. Not a lot of running has been done yet, so don't be looking for them in the next Marathon, but who knows.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but in January Emily took the Duke Tip Explorer ACT test. This is offered to GT students as a challenge and a gage as to where they are at an early age. We received her test scores finally and out of a possible total composit score of 25, Emily scored 20. She made a perfect score in one part of the English and a 99% on the second part of the English.

Marty and I are so blessed to have two wonderful students.

The girls and I finally talked Marty into a new dog. On Saturday the 4th of April, we went to the Cabot City Animal Shelter and adopted a 4 month old German Shepard/Boxer mix. The girls named her Ginger and she is one sweet pup. She is an indoor/outdoor dog at the moment and is doing very well. She has learned to sit and not doing to bad on the house breaking. The biggest obstacle is her and Snowbelle. They will come to terms soon enough but it does get interesting if someone accidently lets go of Ginger's leash and Snowbelle is in the same room.

My junior troop has finished it's Bronze Award. WaaHoo. This is a big first step for them and has been a small chore this years due to some lack of planning on my part, but it is now done and all the girls will be receiving their Bronze pin on May 17th from the council.

Emily and Erin will both be bridging to the next level of scouts this year. Emily is becoming a Cadette and Erin is becoming a Junior. It is amazing to me at how much they love scouts. It is so much fun watching them and listening to them as they explore new things through scouts.

Well, Emily and Chip Bredfield and family are moving to Arkansas. On May 15th they will arrive from Germany. Chip and Emily were just here to find a house and their prayers were answered as they are now owners of a beautiful house on the south side of town. My only dislike of the house is it's location (the south side of town) but it is gorgous. My girls are so excited about them getting that house because it has an awesome playhouse that came with it and there is talk of a pool. We keep telling Emily and Erin that it isn't their house but Chip and Emily may be finding themselves with 6 daughters insted of 4. LOL. Sorry Chip.

I got to see Tiffany!!!!!! It was a whirl wind visit but I got to see and hug and chat with Tiffany. It's amazing at how fast that visit went by. She is looking good and the kids have grown sooooo much. Alexis is 2 or 3" taller then Emily. Course we knew she would be tall but gees. I've got a really good photo of Emily and Alexis going through Emily's yearbook from last year. I'll post it soon.

We had a wonderful Good Friday service on our church property. Some 50+ people were there and the service was awesome. The Men's Ministry did a fabulous job cleaning up the property for the service and though somewhat cold, the fire was perfect.

More Good News

2009-03-11T12:43:00.005-05:00

I love getting good news.

The Bredfields are 90% sure that they will be moving back to Arkansas and most importantly to Cabot. Their move date is May which they know for sure but the paperwork with the actual location hasn't hit their hands yet.

In 2002 when I watched them drive out of my driveway headed to Valdosta, I felt like they were driving out of my life. To say my heart was breaking was putting it mildly. From all my past experiences, I knew that the promises to stay in touch and remain good friends were just that, promises. Though I prayed for it to be different, because these friends felt more like family then just friends, I just couldn't help but fear change.

Well it's 2009 and the feelings for this family haven't changed. They are still like family to my family and I can not wait to have them in driving distance again. I can't wait to spend time watching our kids play together, going to each others house for lunch or dinner, and just plain spending time with Emily. Now, I'm sure that it will never be like it was before because we have all changed. It has been 7 years after all, but it will be much easier being in the same time zone to share the experiences of our lives. And who knows, maybe the experiences that have changed us will have changed us all for a better relationship together.

I really looking forward to talking to Emily about something that is very important to me and that I think she will enjoy. Not that I couldn't share it with her where she is now but I really want to experience it WITH her and for that to happen she must be here. So for now, I wait.

But the main point now is finding a house for their needs and then getting them safely here. Prayers, prayers and more prayers.

Thank you God for another wonderful gift. The gift of friendship you have given me that has helped me grow and learn that even through distance, true friendship can grow and thrive. This gift has been a blessing and a source of peace in dealing with the transfer of another true friend just last year.

Life is a circle. Let it go and through love it will come back to you.

Great News

2009-02-26T11:30:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited. My friend Tiffany is coming to visit!!!! She is in Japan and I haven't seen her since August of 2007. Though I keep up with her on her blog spot, facebook, emails and phone calls, I miss seeing her and going out for girls night. I especially miss having her at scout meetings. She encourages me and helps keep my spirits up when the logistics of scouts gets me down. This will be a drop in the bucket visit but she will be here in the flesh at least.

She called me Wednesday morning and we talked for an hour. It is so cool to hear about Japan from her. I just don't know though if I can do sushi, even though she swears it's really good when you get the good stuff. I'll have to take her word for it. Maybe one day I'll get to Japan so I can try it for myself.

She has decided that she is going to teach me Japanese phrases though. The first one is: I don't understand" Course she taught it to me yesterday and now I can't repeat it so I guess I fail my first lesson. Sorry Tiff. I promise I will try. Well lunch time is over so I'll get back to work. Dang it. More later.

The Love of My Life

2009-02-06T12:31:00.002-06:00

This October, Marty and I will be married for 15 years. It seems like just yesterday that we started dating, yet I can't remember life without him. Today statistics show that 50% of marriages end in divorce and of the ones that are still married the number of those that are happy marriages is questionable. How can that be?

I have many friends that get tired of hearing how much I love my husband and they don't understand why I want to do everything with him. For those friends that might be reading this, you might want to stop now. This is going to be one of those blogs and though I love you guys, I'm not trying to make you jealous of what I have but I want the world to know and most of all my husband to know that I'm not afraid for the world to know how blessed I am.

My husband is my rock and my strength. He loves me fat and he loves me skinny. He loves me with long hair and he loves me with short. He loves me with make up but most of all with out. I don't have to protend with him, or hide things from him. We fight, we disagree, we say negative things but we love most of all. Our marriage is not a fairy tale, it's real. It's sometimes boring and it's sometimes hot but it always.

I try to remember to tell him how special he is. I try to remember to show him that life with him is like a box of chocolate: some filled with gooy carmal and some filled with yucky fruit thingys. I'm not perfect and I'm not always right but my love for him is. Valentines is here and it's the month of love, but with him, everyday is love even when I don't show it.

Marty, I love you. Happy Valentine's month! Josephine

New Year

2008-12-31T16:28:00.002-06:00

Well in just 7 and a half hours 2008 will be behind us. The changes that have happened over this year are just amazing. I would not have believed it if you had told me on this day last year what all was going to happen. It as been a whirl wind.

One of my best friends moved.
I worked two Emmaus walks.
I learned one of my best friends is pregnant.
I learned one of my best friends will be moving back.
I've made so many new Emmaus friends that I can't tell you how blessed I am.
I've seen two of my friends preach.
My husband began his path to become a lay speaker and may pursue becoming a minister.
I've cried.
I've laughed.
and I've cried some more.

But most of all I found myself. I know who I am and I know that God loves me anyway. I know that there are people that love me even though I will never be perfect or have a perfect house or have the perfect clothes. They may kid me about my spelling, or my snoopys or my lack of style but they love me.

I am blessed. Thank you God, my father, for showing me how much you have blessed me. Even though there are days I may still cry, I know that God will be there with me and that my girl friends are only a phone call away.

Happy NEW YEARS everyone!!!!!

Silly Sentences Just for Fun!

2008-11-10T07:32:00.002-06:00

This is funny! Don't spoil the fun, and keep it going.............Using the comment function of my blog: Type out the sentence you end up with.

Pick the month you were born:

January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena with
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:

1--------- a birdbath
2--------- a monster
3--------- a phone
4--------- a fork
5--------- a snowman
6--------- a gangster
7--------- my mobile phone
8--------- my dog
9--------- my best friends' boyfriend
10------- my neighbor
11------- my science teacher
12------- a banana
13------- a fireman
14------- a stuffed animal
15------- a goat
16------- a pickle
17------- your mom
18------- a buffalo
19------- a Smurf
20------- a baseball bat
21------- a Ninja
22------- Chuck Norris
23------- a noodle
24------- a squirrel
25------- a football player
26------- President Bush
27------- David Letterman
28------- an Ipod
29------- a surfer
30------- a llama
31------- a homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:

White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink-----------because I'm crazy.
Red-----------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm cute and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me $1,000,000
Orange --------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown---------because I can.
Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made, in the comment line and review the ones that others have left. I can't wait to see what you get stuck with..........

Fall Fun

2008-11-08T16:48:00.000-06:00

Erin coming through the tunnel.

Emily emerging from the tunnel.

Emily and Erin in the tube.

A beautiful fall day with the family.

Today was such a beautiful day we just couldn't spend it at home. We loaded up and went down town to the Little Rock Riverfront where they just installed a new playground area. I must say, I am so impressed with the architects that designed this one. It is a very cool play area. There is a slide, loads of tunnels, climbing ladders and rock climbing walls made with real rocks. I'm very surprised the insurance geeks allowed them to build it. It is an awesome place. The girls were having so much fun. Dad joined in the fun with a game of chase.

A Mother's Pride

2008-11-02T15:32:00.003-06:00

Many of you know that Emily is singing in the praise band at church, but you may not know that she has started to do a few solos. A dear member of our church is moving and she requested that Emily do the solo "Untitled Hymn" again before she left. Today Emily preformed it and I finally had a camcorder there that worked and was able to get it. I pray that the file isn't too big to upload.

If not, I hope you enjoy it.

Halloween

2008-10-31T16:46:00.004-05:00

Trick or Treating at Aunt Tammie's

Emily was a wood fairy this year. It took a few trys to find the one she wanted and the size that would fit but here she is.

Erin wanted to be Cleopatra. That was an easy one. Worked out good. It was cool seeing her with black hair.

Here are my two girls. Aren't they cute?

Halloween Aerobics at Trunk and Treat

Okay this is my first attempt at putting video in my blog. This is a video of the crazy people that come out at a trunk and treat.

Beware!!!!

Blessed Love

2008-10-01T07:17:00.004-05:00

Today, 14 years ago, I was blessed to marry my best friend. I could not imagine then what marriage would be like though I dreamed of the fairy tale of my childhood as most young girls do. I don't have the fairy tale because my husband isn't a prince with a castle and more money then the country but he is my prince. He tells me he loves me every day and treats me as his princess. We have a warm, comfortable home that is the perfect size for us. Yes there are lots of things I would change about the "House" (like a bigger master bath) but not our "Home". We have two of the most beautiful, intelligent, loving children. Our girls are the perfect blend of he and I. It makes me so proud to know that we created them and that God has entrusted us to continue to raise them.

Through these 14 years, Marty and I have grown closer together but not only that we have grown closer together with God. God wasn't a huge part of the start of our marriage but He has become a huge part through the course of it and I believe that makes the difference for us. I thank God each day for the day He brought Marty into my life. He has such a wonderful plan set for us and I pray that we continue to seek His guidance in making our life together only more of a blessing.

I can't put into words the emotions that run through me when I think of my husband: love, admiration, pride, desire, comfort and peace are just a few. He is my companion, my confidant, my support and my lover. He is everything I had ever dreamed of.

Marty,
I LOVE YOU more then you will ever know.
Happy Anniversay, Baby!
Love,
Jo

My Baby is Eleven

2008-09-23T17:58:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Emmy Jo!!!!

Eleven years ago today at 3:52 pm my beautiful 9 lbs 5 oz baby girl was born. I was young, naive and scared out of my mind but she was so beautiful and sweet. She has been such a blessing to her daddy and me. She is talented both musically and intellectually. She is confident and outgoing. She is strong and yet she is tender hearted.

I have one birthday wish for you Em: may you always know in your heart that you are special and specially loved.

I don't want to see you grow up because I don't want to see you move away but at the same time I can't wait to see what you who you will become and all that you will accomplish. You have much to offer the world and I know what ever you dream, you will achieve.

Happy Birthday Baby! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!
Mom

Juniors! Cadettes! Ambassadors! Oh My!!!!!!!!

2008-09-20T10:19:00.004-05:00

We're back in action again. We had our first troop meeting Monday night and we have an exciting full year ahead of us. Fall sales start Oct 1st and our first outing is Oct 4th. There are some new changes for us this year though. Our troop has expanded into new territory with 2 Ambassadors, 5 Cadettes, and 7 Juniors. This is all new to me because I had Juniors last year but have never had Ambassadors and Cadettes. Course, ambassadors are new this year because they made changes to the Girl Scout structure. The new structures is:

K - 1st grade = Daisy
2nd - 3rd grade = Brownies
4th - 5th grade = Juniors
6th - 8th grade = Cadettes
9th - 10th grade = Seniors
11th -12th grade = Ambassadors

This is all fine and good but I wasn't planning on moving two of my juniors up to Cadettes until next year (I have to move them 1 year earlier then planned) and I wasn't looking at moving the 7 juniors up to Cadettes until the end of the following year. But, new rules and new changes and all is not the same. That's okay though. We will make this work. I just received new Junior training and will take Cadette training in 2 weeks and then Ambassador training. I will get this working. Cheri and I will be working hard to get us in alignment. Pray for us though. It does get complicated in a hurry.

Well, I must go work on budgets, scout level blog sites and make some scout phone calls. Well try to keep you posted with all the news.

Has it been that long?

2008-08-29T11:50:00.004-05:00

Two weeks of school

I can't believe the girls have been in school for two weeks already. It doesn't seem like it. I haven't even posted their first day of school photos.

Emily is in middle school now and has so much going on. She works the book store every Thursday morning with her best friend Maddy. She is joining clubs, (which isn't like joining clubs when we were in school - so we will find out which clubs she in next week) and already bringing home permission slips for special trips. With GT she will be going to the Heifer Ranch for three days and two nights. That sounds like a cool trip. She will do that in October. Once a month starting in Septmeber, she will be going with GT to a local nursering home where she will play games, read stores and just socialize with the residence there. Luckily this will go toward one or more of her GS badges also. Then the big trip is in the spring when she gets to so to Huntsville, Alabama to space camp. She is very excited about. I even applied to be a chaperone for that one. We'll see if I get picked.

Erin is now in the elementary school by herself and I actually think this is working better for her. She is working really hard in school and is progressing better then I could hope. She has her first spelling test of the year today and she was ready for it on Monday which is a huge improvement over last year. She loves her teacher and is excited about learning cursive. Aunt Tammie found her a cursive book to help her practice and it just happens to be the exact one that they are using in class. That is too cool. However for us old people, the cursive that we learned doesn't look anything like the cursive their learning and it's very difficult for me to help her. Our cursive had lots of loops and curves to it. The new cursive is very blocky. I swear I didn't know that it was possible to make the letter c with straight lines when your writing in cursive. I'll have to find you a sample of it. It's crazy. That's public education. It changes one way and then changes another.

Three weeks since the Hicks moved

What???? It can't be that long! They were just packing the house. We were just at the Walk together. We were just making bookmarks together. We were just working VBS together. We were just geocaching Searcy in a mad spree together.

Life gets away from us too fast. We must learn to stop and enjoy the good things and not stress over pooh bear's head getting broke. We can't run around screaming at the kids because before we know it their not kids anymore and they moved off to college or their own life. What I'm saying is we need to take the time for those we love why their with us. Let's not keep putting it off. The laundry can get done later, the vaccuming isn't important, so there's a ring around the toilet - tell me 95% of the toilet in the homes don't have a ring around it up to 2 hours before the guest walk in the door, but who really cares? And if they do, the are welcome to clean it them selves. I've got plenty of the cleaning products in the hall closet. That's why there's a ring in the toliet, the products are in the wrong place.

I know I'm making jokes but I miss my friend. I'm still talking to her on the phone and email. I still having a pillow fight on fb with her. I know what time she's getting up. I know that she is working out. I know when she is gone to get the girls and I even know what the weather is like where she is. I do still miss her.

Kristi, I don't care if you don't have anything to blog or if you blog the same stupid routine a hundred times. It comes from you and you had a hand in it and I know that your there. That's what matters. I don't care if you post everthing you eat or drink in the day. Though I will say it because I know if I don't I'll regret it: No bathroom stop schedule. I hope your regular but I don't have to know it.

New Phones

The nice mommy has moved into my house. I don't know where she came from and I don't why but she is there. Don't believe me? Ask my girls. Emily and Erin are proud owners of the new LG scoop phones. Em's is ......... blue and Erin's is ........ purple. Duh! I don't know what possessed me to talk their dad into it but I did. I was having issues with Erin not being in the same school with Em and so I wanted her to have a phone. Makes sense right? Then why is one of the rules for Erin that she can't take it to school with her? Not that she or Emily can use it in either place but it's for them to use when they get out of school and I'm running late or need to send them a message. Yet, Em's is off all day - per our rule and Erin's is at home on the bar until Erin gets home from school via me.

I must be careful because the next thing the nice mommy might do is get them a laptop or a tv in their rooms. YIKES!!!!!

Oh and I got a new phone too. I know don't know what is up with that but I now have a blackberry pearl. And I sooooo like my new phone., except that I need ringtones. Again see missing Kristi.

News Release: Bigfoot Sighting

I almost forgot to tell you that I have found "BIGFOOT". There is no more searching to be done. I have found him. Well actually her and actually two hers. We took Emily and Erin to get new tennis shoes for school. We went to Penney's because they were having a sale. Bad idea because they only had one girl working and the place was a mess but that is another story. Emily found a pair that the liked and she asked the lady for a six. Now, I don't know if you know anything about shoe sizes but they start at 0 and go through 13 for infants to kids then they start back over at 1 and go up for adults. Emily was asking for the 6 that comes after the 13. The lady is taking a long time and I'm thinking about the fact that Em has asked for a 6. Penney's has all the tennis shoes for the kids and womens and mens in the same area so I walk over to the womens and find a size 6 Nike. I ask Emily to come over and try it on. IT FITS!!! WHAT? Erin walks over and really likes the shoe and wants to try it on. I know that she likes to take my flip flops and wear them so I thought what the heck. IT FIT HER TOO! WHAT? Em is 10 (though she will be 11 in 25 days) and Erin is 8. Let me say that again: Erin is 8. "BigFoot" has moved into my house and ate my daughters. Erin can wear a size 6x childs shirt and a size 6 womens shoe and her daddy can touch thumb to thumb and middle finger to middle finger around her waist. That ain't right I don't care how you slice it.

A Whirl Wind of Activies

2008-08-14T13:23:00.003-05:00

I can't believe how fast the last two weeks have gone. It's just crazy.

Marty's Birthday, Mom's Birthday, Women's Walk to Emmaus #135, Hicks moving to Omaha and School n Scouts start next week.

Walk to Emmaus #135

If you haven't heard me talk about the walk to emmaus then you must not have heard my testimony about my faith and about Marty's and my decision to help start a new Methodist congregation in Cabot. The Walk to Emmaus was second of two major turning points on my faith walk and now I have oppurtunity to go back and work walks and be a servant of God for others as they take their piligrim walks.

I was lucky enough this time to work the walk with three of my best girl friends and my best best friend, Marty. Going back to work is such an awesome experience. It helps to refocus my life back on God because the activities of life pull me away so quickly.

This weekend I re-experienced His love in away that I have only found when I've been on a walk. Though I worked and am now physically exhausted, I'm so ready to go back and work. It was even better being there with Marty and the girls, but I found that I have so many wonderful people there that mean so much more to me then I will ever be able to tell them. Grace, Shelly, Lana, Rick, Joy, Chris, Veda, Vada, and the list could go on and on. These are wonderful people who I just can't wait to see again when I go back to the next walk. September seems like a very long time away.

I did get some very special news though, my friend Wendy is going to go on her piligrim walk in Oct. I'm so excite and can't wait to see her and then to talk to her about her walk. I wish I was working it. If I could take that much time off and they would let me, I think I would work every walk, but that isn't allowed for very good reason. I just so enjoy being a servant of God on those walks.

Corn Girl :(

As with every Emmaus Walk, you have to come back to reality on Monday. Sometimes it happens Tuesday or Wednesday but you do have to come back from that Mountain Top experinence. It's just the way it is.

It's no different this time but is more then just a bad day at work or a problem with the car or house. This time I got to come home each day to watch movers pack one of my best friend's house so that they could load her stuff into a truck and move her from here to Omaha, 10 hours away. No more quick hugs, no more lets go have dinner, no more "Hey can your run get the kids.". She's only a phone call, text message, facebook, blogspot away but it is still extremely painful. I'M NOT CRYING. I have vowed not to cry because God has a plan for her and her family and it's in Omaha at the moment and I support her family in this. I love God and trust Him but it is really hard to accept everything, I am only human here. Some think that I'm just crazy for not crying but to be honest - if this dam breaks it will be weeks before the flooding stops so it's best to keep the plug in it. It has almost broke all day but I'm still hanging in there.

Guess what I had for dinner in her honor? Well corn of course. Gonna have it tomorrow and the next day too. Why? Because I can. Good thing I like corn. I was teasing her yesterday about being corn girl and she started calling me rice girl because I work in the rice fields. So, here we are: Corn Girl and Rice Girl.

Okay, I'm done writing. Think I'll go climb in bed with a container of ice cream.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

2008-08-04T06:58:00.003-05:00

Today is my adorable husband's birthday. I spent all morning Saturday trying to get him a gift and still don't have anything that I think is good enough for him.

If you never been around my sweet fabulous husband then you don't know how wonderful and great he is. I am trully blessed. He is my dream come true and I'm so very proud to be his wife.

I LOVE YOU! Have a great day.

Braces are on!!

2008-07-30T19:09:00.002-05:00

BEFORE

WOW! I can't tell you how proud I am of my baby. She got her braces on today. She didn't scream and carry on at all. She listened and was a true champ. She is hurting some now but that is to be expected. I know that the pain will be there but will be so worth it in the end.

AFTER

Time Management

2008-07-25T13:09:00.004-05:00

I now believe that I'm terrible at time management. I am behind or was suppose to do so many things and there really just isn't any excuse except that I'm not managing my time. I don't post like I want (though I'm really rather boring and don't have much to tell). I haven't been exercising, biking, hiking or caching as much or at all. Okay..... I was just thinking about what my next line would be and I've decided to stop right there. I'm whining and I hate whining. You don't want to hear me whine, your just nosy (isn't that why we read other peoples blogs) and you want to know what's been happening with me. At least that is why I read my friends blogs. What are they doing and what are they enjoying. So... change of subject.

The last three weeks

July 14-18 was VBS - Power Lab. I'm the children's ministries director for our church and so I'm the head hauncho to make sure that it all gets done. Luckily, I've learned to deligate (well I'm learning) and this year's VBS director and co director were outstanding. They worked hard and we had another outstanding week with a few minor devil caused hiccups (like one of our pastors falling during setup and breaking her wrist.) We had 106 children on Monday and Tuesday, 104 children on Wednesday, 105 children on Thursday and 94 children on Friday. We had a Thursday night dinner and performance and sliming and had over 200 people in attendance. Plus we were able to raise over $1800.00 for the local EXCEL program (www.excelarkansas.com). This is only our third year of VBS and each year we are growning. It is so exciting to see Jesus working through all the volunteers that week. It always exhaust me but I'm always so proud of the team that comes to work during that week and before making decorations and special project to make it happen. God is so good.

Saturday was relax day and that's what I did. Our close friends have a house on Greers Ferry Lake and a party barge and so on Saturday Marty, the girls and I joined them up there for nothing but lazying around in the water all day. If you know how busy I am then you might be able to guess how little time I have to be out in the sun. So this white girl got cooked. I mean make yourself sick, can't walk cooked. I know what your thinking, I should have used sun screen, well rest assured I'm not crazy enough anymore and I did and I reapplied it 3 or 4 or 5 times. I still got sun burned. I was so sun burned I couldn't make it to church on Sunday morning and the kiddo sang their VBS music during the worship service and we had visitors. Oh how I hate that I missed it. I thought I was being smart. Guess I need stronger sunblock for these white legs.

It's Friday and I'm still suffering from the sunburn. Now I'm peeling and itching. Doesn't matter how much lotion I put on, I itch. Oh well. Leaving my DNA all over the place is kind of funny.

The other latest adventure accured last night. My godson, AJ, had an accident with his hand and a door jam. The door jam won. He got his left hand middle finger caught in it and he pulled it out leaving about an eighth of an inch of his finger missing. So off to the emergency room with a race to see which aunt, uncle or parent could get to him faster. See he was with his babysitter. I won, I got there about 5 to 10 minutes after the babysitter. Course, his momma had to come from the other side of Little Rock in rush hour traffic so that wasn't really a fair race. I make light because other then a scare and the fact that the finger is a little bit shorter then you would expect, he's fine. As his uncle Marty kept telling him, Chic's dig scares, so it's all good now.

Well that is the highlights and if I get ambisious enough then I might even get some photos up. Don't hold it against me if I don't. I'm trying.

The Cat Fairy

2008-07-14T18:16:00.000-05:00

Okay, which one of you has decided that VBS is the time of the year for the Cat Fairy to come? Last year at the end of VBS, we were "blessed" with a kitten on our front steps. This year, on the first day of VBS (today), I come home to find that the Cat Fairy has made a drop on our back porch!!!!

HELLO! We are not shopping for cats. We are not the city cat people. So please stop delivering them to us.

Now - Anyone want a cat????

Just one word.

2008-06-10T07:27:00.004-05:00

My friend Grace emailed me this one but I thought I would put it here and tag Tiffany, Laura and Kristi instead of emailing it around.

Here's the deal: answer the following question but the catch is to only use one word answers. ONLY ONE WORD.

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. What are you wearing right now? clothes
3. Your hair?: brown
4. Your mother?: Sherwood
5. Your father?: Heaven
6. Your favorite hobby? geocaching
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? margarita
9. Your dream/goal? healthier
10. The room you're in? cubicle
11. Your ex? not
12. Fear? snakes
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? bermuda
14. Where were you last night? Home
15. What you're not? fake
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? contenment
18. Where you grew up? Sherwood
19. The last thing you did? read
20. What are you going to do this weekend? entertain
21. Your TV? old
22. Your pets? cats
23. Your computer? dell
24. Your life? crazy
25. Your Mood? joyful
26. Missing someone? Emily
27. Your car? Suburban
28. Something you are not wearing? socks
29. Favorite Store? JCPenneys
30. Your summer? Hot
31. Like someone? Everyone
32. Your favorite color? purple
33. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
34. Last time you cried? Sunday
35. Who will/would repost this? Tiffany

Changes

2008-05-28T12:29:00.005-05:00

Changes are good right? Then why do most of us resist change? Why do I get sick at my stomach at the thought of having to change anything? Change is all around me these days.

Job Changes) For those of you who don't know - my job has changed and has many uncertainties to it now. I am now the State Irrigation Engineer and technically my office is on the fifth floor of the federal building in Little Rock. Now the idea of being the SIE is really cool but the new responsibilities are huge. The location of the job is an issue for me because this is the same federal building that Timothy McVay once considered as a location for bombing though he chose Oklahoma's Federal Building instead. I don't think like an extremist so to think that one person out there thought of this building makes me concerned about the other extremist that exist in the world. The scope of my job is the other issue - I've been working on irrigation project almost since day one on the job and I believe in the irrigation projects. They are designed to reduce the ground water consumption of farmers to a tolerable amount in order to keep from depleting the water source. The solution to the problem is to divert excess drainage water out of local rivers for their use. I fully believe in being good stewards of the land and believe that using our resources wisely is how we can honor God. How this relates to change is that because of legal suits against the government, funding for my office has been almost nil and thus the powers that be want to shut the office or reorganize it, as is the latest endeavor. I believe in these projects and don't want to stop working on them, but I work for the federal government and thus must do what some bureaucrat in Washington feels is important and not what I feel is important.

Girl Scout changes) Scouts is a huge part of my world. I have two girls who love scouts, a husband who should have made Eagle Scout, a mother-in-law that was a scout/leader/training for GS and the one of the first den mothers, two nephews who are Eagle Scouts, a aunt-in-law that is a life time scout and my very fond memories of my little time in scouts. Well, like all things people move up in positions and think that they need to make their mark on something and they start tinkering with it to make it "better." Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm sure that this too will work out fine but I like scouts how it is. I'm a very old school type scout and like the structure of the organization and I even like the uniforms for ceremonial purposes.

Friends change) It's moving season again in Cabot. We live in a community that has either lived there their entire life or are military (usually) transients. Every spring/summer, the moves start happening and we have to say good bye to someone that we have come to know. Well, this time it isn't a military friend but a UP friend. Thanks UP for bringing them here but do you have to all the good promotions in Omaha? Can't there be any really cool plush engineering jobs here in Arkansas? My family has grown extremely close to the Hicks family in the last year. The girls are more like sisters and Kristi and I are more like sisters then I would have thought possible for only really knowing her for a year and a half. I was there with her through the darkness of her sister's death and now I have to watch as she moves away to a city 10-12 hours away. With gas prices and economic trends, I know face to face visits are going to be very limited at best and that just isn't the same. Again change is good, but change still hurts.

Kids change) Hey did you know that my first born is now 10 years old? She is leaving elementary school next Tuesday for the last time as a student there and will be officially a middle schooler. Do you know that she is on the edge of becoming a teen and all those wonderful hormonal changes that come with it? I didn't either until just the other day. Wow, were did the time go? Just the other day, I was pregnant and scared out of my mind about child birth. I'm so very proud of her because she is an awesome, sweet, respectful young girl but am I ready for the next phase? I don't think I have a choice.

Technology Challenged

2008-05-21T06:35:00.005-05:00

Okay, must of you wouldn't think that I'm technology challenged but I'm. I love blogging and reading other's blog pages. This is how I know what my wonderful friend Tiffany is up to in Japan and that my friend Laura just had a baby boy. I love myspace and facebook, though I am completely challenged trying to make it look the way I want it to. However, I see things that other do and I want to be able to do it too. Like putting video online. So dug out our old RCA camcorder that we purchased just before Emily was born so that I could "record" ever aspect of her life. Yeah, right! I had to remember how to use the thing but was able to make some recordings. Okay that wasn't so bad, but know I have to figure out if I can get this old technology camcorder, which well before usb ports, connected to my computer. Well I asked my technology expert friend and of course she knew exactly what I needed. So for Mother's day, I got a dazzle converter. After several attempts, I managed to get the software loaded correctly and the recorder connected to the computer. I was even able to make a small move clip. GREAT! I can do this.

Well, here's were it goes wrong. Last night was Emily's last elementary school musical and I was all excited because I was going to record it and post it on my blog. Alexis could see Emily way over in Japan. Yeah, that didn't happen. I went to make sure that I had the tape in the right spot because I didn't remember if I had after I had learned to download. Well, the recorder ate the tape. Okay no biggy there because I had nothing of importance on there really because it was a new tape we had purchase when I dusted the thing off and had only recorded some none important things. So, I fix the tape and tried making it play. No dice. No video is on that tape now. Okay, so I try recording. No dice. Flashes "Tape" at me and locks up. Okay, try another brand new tape. No dice. Press record, it starts, then it hangs up and flashes "Tape" at me. Get it froze and it will rewind or fast forward or play but try to record an "Tape", "Tape", "Tape". Okay, I get it.

So instead of me blogging and showing you my first video of my "baby girl" just before she leaves behind elementary school and enters the world of middle school, I'm blogging about crappy technology. Sorry, but you missed a GREAT musical. Oh and you'll also get to miss her second piano recital, because it is Thursday night and I just don't see me getting over this technical hurdle that quick.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

2008-05-18T13:33:00.002-05:00

My baby is 8 today. I just can't believe that it has been 8 years since the day this precious child came into my life. She was happy, healthy and a ray of sunshine and she still is today. She is a thoughtful, selfless child. She always seems to put others first and just loves to give things to people who mean something to her. She likes bugs and flowers and biking and cuddling. She is my cuddle child. She swarms a lot but she just loves to cuddle.

I didn't get to spend the day with her like I wanted to. I have found that with the end of school, Memorial Weekend and Mother's day, May is a very, very busy month and if you happen to have birthday in that month it's almost impossible to get a birthday party scheduled. So like most of our month, other things took president today. That makes me very sad. My beautiful, precious child spent the day at church and then at a friends where she wrecked her bike and skinned her arm and leg up. I wasn't even there to hold her when she cried.

She did get to have her birthday party last night though. She had a swimming party at the local indoor pool. She was so excited because she got 7 new webkinz and now she has more than her sister. I don't have her pictures handy to post but will get them up soon. She has grown so much in 8 years.

My baby!!!

Tagged by Tiffany

2008-05-07T13:51:00.003-05:00

Tiffany tagged me about my husband...

How long have you been married? we will be married 14 years this October.

Where did you meet? We meet at a friends house. He had been dating a girl for 3 years and I was dating one of his friends.

How long did you date? We started dating June 9th, 2001 and got engaged March 28th, 2003.

How old is he? He is 8 months older then me.

Who eats more? He does

Who said “I love you” first? I did

Who is taller? He is

Who sings better? We sing about the same.

Who is smarter? I think he is. Neither of us have had an iq test so who knows.

Whose temper is worse? MINE

Who does the laundry? we both do

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Is the right side when your laying down or when your standing at the foot looking at the headboard?

Who pays the bills? I do

Who cooks dinner? We both do

Who drives when you are together? 90% of the time he does

Who is more stubborn? Me

Who kissed whom first? We kissed each other first.

Who is the first to admit to being wrong? He is.

Whose parents do you see the most? we see them about the same

Who proposed? He did

What’s his best physical attribute? His blue eyes

Who has more friends? I do

What are you most proud of him for? wow - what am I not proud of him for?

Who has more siblings? I do

Who wears the pants in the family? We rule the house together.

Okay Tiff, there are the details. I tag Laura because other then Kristi, whom Tiffany already tagged, none of my friends blog.

Not the Mommy!

2008-04-30T07:05:00.003-05:00

Have you ever woke up and realized that you're not the Mommy that you wanted to be? We all make jokes about "you're turning into your Mother," or "I sound like my Mother" but do you have an idea in your head of what kind of mom you wanted to be?

I don't like the mom that I am becoming. I believe in being strict because I believe that my girls need to be taught that they are resposible for their actions and no one is to blame for their bad choices, but lately their choices are getting them into trouble. They're not doing anything that most people would get upset about, but again I'm the strict mom. I'm after them all the time and I'm loosing my temper almost on a daily bases and I don't like to. I've seen both of my girls in tears because of me almost everyday for of the last 7. That isn't what I want at all. This isn't the mom that I want to be.

I love my girls and I know they are great. I know that Em is intelligent and outgoing and confident but I'm always on her case. I know that Erin is intelligent and kind and loving but I'm always hard on her about school work.

I've been feeling like a monster lately and I just want to be a loving Mom. Not a best friend Mom but a loving, care what I think, be there to talk to Mom.

Today is my birthday and I'd rather not celebrate it because I've become a person I don't like and that isn't something to celebrate.

I love Spring

2008-04-25T11:07:00.003-05:00

Last Saturday was a beautiful spring day. The scouts had a planned butterfly garden work day and so we were up and out of the house working in the garden by 9:00 am. I just love doing that. It is hard work pulling weeds and digging holes and watering routinely but the garden is so beautiful and smells so sweet.

I enjoyed it so much that after we were done up there at noon, I came home in ripped out my front flower bed. Though you really can't call it a flower bed because the only flower in there is a rose bush that I keep trying to kill (it isn't something I want to spend time up keeping) and the gardenia bush that I planted two years ago that has not bloomed yet. I want to expand my bed to 8 feet by the length of the house south from the front door and then I want to create a bed that goes north that you would walk through to go to the garage. I want to also put one there along the side of the garage. The plans are all in my head but I'll try to take some time and draw then out so you can see. I'll also take some pictures this weekend of what it looks like now. Crap would be the word I would describe it as now.

Since I've got this project in mind, that is what I told the girls I wanted for my birthday. Flowers for the flower beds. I want to see butterflies and hummingbirds and birds all around my yard. I've always loved flowers and having gardens. My grandmother and mother had flowers and flower beds everywhere when I was growing up. I love the smell of gardenias because of the one that grew just out the door of the playhouse. That is my favorite scent.

She blogs!!!!

2008-04-17T06:44:00.003-05:00

Well now that March has come and gone and April is almost too, thought it would be a good time to catch you up. Not that anyone reads this anyway, but here goes.

Severe Weather

We have had record severe weather here in Arkansas. Snow at the first of March, then rain that caused flooding and then tornadoes that came way too close to home and then more rain and more flooding.

I am trying to figure out how to get my old camcorder hooked up so I can share the video I shot of the Arkansas River. It is absolutely amazing to see the river completely out of it's banks. I drove over to our construction site by the White River and was just in total awe of the magnitude of water. You have to see it to believe it. I saw it and still can't wrap my mind around it. It's actually a good thing that our project is stopped for litigation because that site is under water.

The tornadoes where a little too close for comfort and too many of my friends were even closer then I like. There was officially 10 come through from one wall cloud. I just consider it one that just kept touching down but they call it 10 separate ones. Marty and I were watching TiVo TV so we were behind on the warnings that were coming out. We had just caught up with real time when we really started looking at the path projections. I don't usually get worked up about storms (guess I've been through too many that were nothing) so we don't normally even do more then just watch the broadcast but for some reason we both felt that we needed to get up and get dressed for the weather. So we did and we even got the girls out of their beds and put them in ours. I've NEVER done that. (They slept through it though.) About that time, the phones started ringing. First Mom, because it had just past her and she knew it was projected at us. While I was talking with Mom, John called Marty's phone. I called Stacey because they are just down the street from us and if it was coming our way it had to pass them first. Her family went next door then to a neighbors storm cellar so I didn't have to worry about her. Marty called his mom while I talked to Stacey. She said that it wasn't bad there because it had gone east of them. Christine called me after I got off the phone with Stacey. They were doing well but they were concerned. Their power went out while we were on the phone. We had lost satellite but we still have an air wave TV in the kitchen so we could still see the news plus Marty has his ham radio license. So I stayed on the phone with her. The tornado turned and took the path it had taken when it wiped out Cabot in the 70's. Which was a lot closer to Christine than to us. Like I said too close. They didn't have any damage but there was lots of damage around the city park/pool off of Richie Lane. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep that night. I was on the phone calling friends to check on them.

Later I found out I had friends even closer then I knew: Laura, Melanie, Mr. & Mrs. Merritt, Ronnie & TJ.

It did a lot of damage to the baseball field at Sylvan Hills and my old high school, Sylvan Hills High.

Emily

The other things that have been happening is that Emily has started singing with the Praise Band at church on Sundays. She is really good and is starting to not look scared to be up there. Again if I can get through some technical challenges I'll post some video of her.

She decided that she wanted to do a talent show, so she looked in the paper and found the "Babies and Children's ABCExpo". She was very serious about it and kept reminding us what date and that she really wanted to go. So we took her. She performed Hannah Montana's "Rock Star" for the audition. They only took the top 10 talents for the show. She didn't make the show but she was great about it. She did well but it was her first audition and there were many of the "pageant/talent show" kids that were there also. Who knows, we maybe doing it again.

She is working hard at the moment on getting ready for her second piano recital. She is working on 4 pieces. I don't know the day of the recital yet but will be posting about it soon.

Erin

Little Miss Sunshine is working hard at school. She is still struggling with reading and writing. So if you get a letter from her, would you please be her pen pal? She doesn't like story writing so we are trying to let her write letters to friend telling about her life to get her to practice. She just finished benchmark testing at school and said that it was easy, so lets hope we're moving in the right direction. I do think the glasses have helped though.

Church

We have our first annual Easter Egg hunt and it was a huge success. I got to do the planning this year but I hope to have someone serve as Family Events coordinator and take that off my plate. We had it at a new members home and it was fabulous. They have huge yard out in the country. It worked out great except that it was really wet from loads of rain that we have been getting. Didn't dampen any ones spirits though and we all had a fabulous egg hunt for over 1500 eggs.

On Palm Sunday, the kids started the service with a parade of palm branches then stole the show with a performance of two songs. It was so wonderful to see the kids sing "Come to Jesus" and "Get Up, Get Up". Again, if I can get the technology worked out, I know where a video of it is.

There is more but I guess I can try to type that soon.

Snowing in Arkansas in March

2008-03-08T09:15:00.005-06:00

I know that some places it isn't strange to have snow in March but for those of us in Cabot, Arkansas it is. Especially when it was in the 70's only one week ago. We were running around in shorts, getting sunburned and now we don't dare expose any skin to the 29 degreee weather.

My kids are so over joyed at the snow and I'm very glad that they did get to see such beauty. Here are some pictures of the "Spring" wonderland.

How do you like the Christmas decorations in March??? Marty used the big C9 set this year on the Snoopy tree and he liked it so much, he has left them up. He asked me to get different colors so that he could just change out the bulbs with the season. Unfortunately by the time he asked me this they weren't out any more. So if you see ANY color C9 bulbs please let me know or pick them up for me. I'd love to present him with: purple, pink, spring green, kelly green, blue, orange, sky blue, royal blue. It would be so funny.

Check out how it looked like the burning bush in this picture!!!!

Pretty cool, uhhh?

Proud Momma Moment

2008-02-25T06:48:00.003-06:00

Emily has a very beautiful voice. This isn't a Momma opinion this is what I hear all the time when people hear her sing.
Emily reads very welll. This again isnt' a Momma opinion, this is what I hear when someone who doesn't know her hears her read aloud.

Well, Emily has decided to join the praise band at church and yesterday was her first day singing on stage on a microphone. Not only did she sing but she read a passage by herself for the congregation. Other then she looked a little unconfortable, it was her first time after all, she did a very good job at both. It isn't her first time reading a passage for the church, because she read one of the readings during Christmas of the lighting of the advent candles.

She is still taking piano lessons and now I guess I will have to get her voice lessons. Oh well, if this is the talent that God has given her, and she is comfortable using it, then I will be glad to encourage her every step of the way.

EMILY - your daddy and I couldn't have been more proud of you yesterday. Keep up the great work for God that your doing. WE LOVE YOU!! Mom

Go 88

2008-02-09T19:34:00.000-06:00

If you're wondering why my page is presently black and white, well that is the color of the checked flag and race season is back. I love watching cars go around and the faster the better. My lucky number is 8 which up until last year was also my favorite drivers number. It is still my lucky number but 88 is my race number now. Marty doesn't have a favorite driver, which is good because we don't get cross that way. He just roots for certain guys to not win and the guys he doesn't like I also don't like so it's good.

I'll have to see if I can make a checker flag for my banner.

I love the engineering of racing. It takes so much engineering to get a car to go around the different tracks and win week after week or almost week after week. Each track is unique and requires different technology.

In other news for today - I'm ready for winter to be done.

Today it was close to 70 degrees. So Marty and I loaded the bikes in the truck and to the girls down to the river trail for a ride. We started at the NLR Alltel Arena end this time instead of in the middle at Burns Park like we normally do. Marty and I had done that trail but not with the girls. We got started and decided that twe would just see how far the girls wanted to go. The NLR side is about 7 miles from Alltel to the Big Dam bridge. We made it to boat ramp by the Burns Park golf course which is about 4.5 miles and then we turned around and went back for a total of 9 miles.

Marty and I hadn't had enough yet so we left there and went down to the county farm trail and did another 3 miles round trip out to the peninsula that you can see from I-440 looking toward Penicle Mountain. This is a flat ride and doesn't take as much effort. It was a great ride. Though I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. My knees are screaming at me now. I hurt them growning up and now it doesn't take much. I pray that as I get older that I will not hurt them to the point that I can't do what I love to do - hike, bike and camp.

I haven't gotten to down load my pictures from today yet but I will get them on line as soon as I can.

Denver for a Week & a new job

2008-02-08T09:43:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I haven't written since Jan 17. I guess I've been a little bit busier then I thought. I have been in Denver since Sunday and am just now getting a chance to blog about it.

Okay, my first time in Denver is very uneventful. I flew out Sunday and arrived around 4:00 pm. I didn't have a rental car so was kind of stuck at the hotel. I am not a very experienced traveler and not a very adventureous person on my own, so I basicly went to my room, went to dinner across the street and then back to my room. Monday through Thursday was class from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm each day and again being the safe, cautious and boring person that I am I didn't miss any of my classes. I did miss one yesterday, but I was trying to change my flight for today for the earlier one. I had originally wanted all day today to explore and make the most of my trip but did I say yet that I'm rather cautious and unadventerous when alone? Well I didn't want to try to get around by myself and I didn't know what to do with my luggage and I didn't have transportation.

I really wanted to see the mountains up close and personal but I guess I will have to do that another time. I'm pretty sure if I was not married I would rarely adventure away from my house because I'm just too cautious. Now you wouldn't know this if you really knew me because when I'm with a group a friends, I'm always the one that takes the dare. I've just got to try it and if my friends are standing there encouraging, well, you just never know what I might do. Alone me is a complete different person.

I did get to see a really neat snow fall. I will have to upload photos later because they are giving me errors at the moment.

The other news is my new job. I am, as of Feb 3, 2008, the State Irrigation Engineer for NRCS in Arkansas. My official office is now Little Rock though I will be working on the same projects that I've been working on since 1996. Thus the reason why I am actually in Denver, an irrigation conference. I have been learning how irrigation is done in the western states so that I can have a better understanding when I communicate about my job. I'm excited, scared and overwhelmed but I can do it. It will require more responsibility but my boss seems to have confidence in me and that is good.

Way to Go Emily

2008-01-17T07:33:00.000-06:00

Have any of you heard of the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search by Duke TIP? Well I hadn't either until yesterday. Emily is in GT at school and she brought home a letter from Mrs. Gairhan yesterday. In this letter was an application for the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search. This is an honor given to the top 5% of students in their grade level. It is Talent Identification Program (TIP) offered by Duke University. According to the provide material this program is designed to help academically talented young people become inspired to learn through exciting educational opportunities through formal recognition, praise for performance, and a clear message that continuing to develop their intelligence can be fun and fulfilling.

Marty and I are so very proud of her. My nephew, Dylan, has been recognized by Duke University and many doors have been opening for him and now Emily is being offered unique opportunities also.

Emily, daddy and I love you so very much and are so very proud of all your hard work at school. We pray that you will take every oppurtunity that opens to you and use it to your best ability. God has blessed you with the world and the ability is yours to make the most of it.

Day 13 and Friends

2008-01-14T08:12:00.000-06:00

Still doing the 30 day challange:

"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." Song of Solomon 7:10

Okay this day's encouragement is too personal to put on my blog but let's just say that in this department my husband rocks my world and I never feel that I'm not his desire.

Thank you God for giving me such an amazing man.

Revealing myself to my friends:

In honor of Tiffany in Japan, I'm taking the challange of blogging these personal questions. Here is what you didn't know about me.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 4:28 am cst
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Can't remember
4. What is your favorite TV show? Numbers
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? coffee and muffin
6. What is your middle name? Joann
7. What food do you dislike? vegetables
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? CD??? you mean ipod playlist right?
9. What kind of car do you drive? 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
10. Favorite sandwich? Nutella
11. What characteristic do you despise? Lying
12. Favorite item of clothing? bathrobe at the moment
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Australia
14. Favorite brand of clothing? don't have one
15. Where would you retire to? in the mountains in a cabin
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 2006 when Marty got me my Canon rebel digital camera
17. Favorite sport to watch? Nascar
18. Furthest place you are sending this? Japan and Germany
19. Person you expect to send it back first? doubt anyone will
20. What is favorite animal? wolf
21. When is your birthday? April (month of the diamond)
22. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning
23. What is your shoe size? 8 ½
24. Pets? 2 cats
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nothing new but exciting - Christ died for you
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A baby doctor
27. How are you today? Healthy and doing better then last week
28. What is your favorite candy? Snickers
29. What is your favorite flower? Gardenia
30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Feb 3 - I have a business trip to Denver and I have never been there
31. Mountains or the beach? mountains
32. What is your full name? You know my middle - why my full
33. What are you listening to right now? Nothing
34. What was the last thing you ate? Muffin
35. Do you wish on stars? Yes
36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple
37. How is the weather right now? It is clear and sunny
38. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Stacey
39. Favorite soft drink? When not dieting - Mt. Dew
40. Favorite restaurant? Red Lobster
41. Hair color? brown
42. What was your favorite toy as a child? baby dolls
43. Summer or winter? Summer
44. Hugs or kisses? Both
45. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
46. Coffee or tea? both
47. Do you want your friends to email you back? Well, I always love emails from my dear friends. Lets me know they are still keeping tabs on me.
48. When was the last time you cried? Last week everytime I drove in the drive and saw our empty yard
49. What is under your bed? clothes
50. What did you do last night? Disciple IV bible study
51. What are you afraid of? Loosing Marty or my kids
52. Salty or sweet? sweet
53. How many keys on your keyring? car ring - 1, work ring - 4, house ring - 8
54. How many years at your current job? 15
55. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
56. How many towns have you lived in? 4
57. Do you make friends easily? yes
58. How many people will you send this too? blogging it - so I don't know
59. How many will respond? didn't we already do this one?
60. If you could experience anything in the whole world, what would you want to do and why? Scuba diving, Snow Skiing, White Water Rafting, Backpacking in the Rockies and the Appalachians (I love the outdoors and these are things I want to do before I can't)

Loosing Focus

2008-01-11T10:29:00.000-06:00

This has been a long stressful week and it has caused me to lost my focus, my excitement, my enthusiasium. I know I have lots to get done but I don't want to do it. My shoulders hurt and I want to go to bed. I don't want to go out and sale Girl Scout cookies, I don't want to go purchase things for Sunday School, and I don't want to plan more activities - girl scout or church. I just want to be. That is me today: flustrated and unfocused.

One of my dearest and best friends called me this morning and she was soooo excited. She has been gone all week at a conference and she is fired up about what she learned and wants to spread the word. (Which I'm very glad for and support her 100%) I just am not excited to hear it. Not that it is her or the subject, it's just me. I don't like being this way because I support her work and her enthusiasium, I just wish I had it too. She wanted to get together this afternoon and normally if she has been gone as much as she has I'm right there. Drop everthing, reschedule, There. But today when she ask, I just couldn't and it has been eating at me since I got off the phone. I'm not a put my friends at arms length type person. I'm the hug, high fives, support beyond any cost type. This mood has got to go.

Dentist/Orthodontist = Evil Tormentors ????

2008-01-09T20:30:00.000-06:00

Have I told you about my daughter and her adversion to any professional person working in her mouth? Well ..... today was the routine check up for Emily at the orthodontist. She has had a spider for about a year and a half and we go every 9 to 12 weeks for him to check in preparation for braces. Now she has seen this man since she was 7 and she is now 10. He has talked her through every process thus far and has caused her the bare minimum of pain (I can a sure you that the cat has hurt her far more then him or his staff.)

Today's visit started like all the others. She goes in smiling and the assistant calls her name, she and I go back where she promptly climbs up in the chair grabs the gameboy provided and begins to play. The assistant calls for an x-ray which just brightens her day more and she hopes out of the chair heads to get the x-ray and comes back with an even bigger smile.

The assistance takes a look in her mouth and talks with her about her 3 loose teeth and they laugh and carry on. Doc walks up and looks at her mouth, talks to her about her 3 loose teeth, tell me to look at the front top because he thinks the next time in he will start putting brackets on the front, and then he promptly turns to the assistant and says "take out her appliance".....

You would have thought he just told her to jab a hundred needles into my child. Emily came completely and totally unhinged. She was hollering, crying and begging for Esop (her lamb she sleeps with). She was unconsoleable by him, the assistant and Mom. We tried to console her for about 5-10 minutes. Nothing would calm her down. And they haven't even touched her!!! Remember he has only given a verbal instruction to his assistant. The doc is getting flustrated with her, as is mom, and gets in her face about her behavior and tells her Mom will have to leave if she doesn't stop. He explains that it won't hurt and exactly what it will take to get the spider out. NO. Not working. He finally makes her open her mouth and pulls the right side off and then the left. She never even screamed about pain. She was fighting him and crying though. Then she wouldn't allow him to scrap the glue off completely. When he's finally had enough he asked her if is actually had pain and my stubborn, mule headed daughters says "Just a little." She doesn't know what pain is!! She can't even consided that it actually didn't hurt and that she was wrong. And to think we still have to put braces on?????

I love my daughter but I've never so not wanted to be her mother then that moment. I don't mean for that to sound bad because I would never trade her and couldn't ask for a better daughter - most of the time. I just don't get this side of her. Her fear is very real to her but unfounded. I don't know how to get her through this. Rational reasoning doesn't work, grounding doesn't work, offer of reward doesn't work... any ideas????

Oh and if your wondering, she isn't any better at the dentist when she gets her teeth cleaned.

Sad Day

2008-01-07T08:22:00.000-06:00

Scout Foster Bowie
October 2006 to January 6, 2008

Some days you just want a do over and try to change the events. This is one of those days for our family. Many of you know that our dog, Scout, has been sick since September. Even though we thought we had his condition in hand, sadly he passed away last night. I'm a dog lover. I always have been and our dog is like one of my kids. Some people think that is stupid but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Scout wasn't but 2 years old and had already had a hard life because he was hit by a car when he was 10 weeks old. We adopted him from our vet and had hope to give him a better life. Well things just don't work out the way we think some times. Instead, we had to wake our kids today and tell them that the dog they loved was gone and watched as they cried. All the while, knowing that we couldn't take away their pain because we couldn't even take away our pain.

Bye buddy, we miss you already. We love you!

Strong Character

2008-01-04T10:16:00.000-06:00

"Love suffers long, and is kind." (1 Corinthians 13:4a)

"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

My husband is one of those considerate men who knows who he is and isn't afraid to show it. He isn't super physical strong but he is so very emotionally strong. I know how he feels most all of the time (because like all men he does get quite and not talk at times), but I never have to guess how he feels about me and our marriage. Thanks to God for creating such a wonderful man.

For all he does

2008-01-03T07:22:00.000-06:00

"....through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b

Day one of encouraging my husband was rather easy. I had a staff meeting at church and didn't really see him but about 30 minutes before I left and 30 minutes before we went to sleep. Though it really won't have been hard anyway. I have always said that God blessed me far beyond what I ever deserved when He brought Marty into my life and that still has not changed.

Today I'm suppose thank my husband for the way he serves me and our family. Well where do I begin? Marty has always been a doer. There is no job that he won't do and most of them he doesn't have to be asked to help do. I know. You don't have to say it. He is fabulous. He takes care of feeding the pets, he washes dishes, he washes/folds/puts away laundry, he makes sure the kids have their baths, he cooks, he vacuums, he does anything and everything and NEVER complains. I have the greatest husband and he loves me on top of all that. He makes me feel special and perfect and sexy.

He is Mr. Wonderful and he's all mine. THANK YOU God for such a wonderful but undeserved partner to share my life with.

New Year - New Adventures

2008-01-02T09:25:00.000-06:00

It's a new year and have you done what everyone else always does and make new year resolutions? Do you really plan to lose weigh, get fit, spend less and save more?

Well I have made my resolutions with my husband and my family and I do plan on doing my best to keep them.

One that I am planning on doing is only 30 days and it is the 30 day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives (see www.ReviveOurHearts.com). I resolve for the next 30 days to: not say anything negative about my husband ... to my husband ... or to anyone else, about my husband and instead to say something that I admire or appreciate about him ... to him ... and to someone else about him!

I also resolve to pray for 31 days for him.

To get started - I am to thank him for "choosing me" above all other women. I plan on tell him this in person but so every one else knows without a doubt - I LOVE MY HUSBAND and I am so glad that he is my partner in life. I can't image going through life without him and love to experience each day with him. Going camping, hiking, bike riding, or doing work around the house is all fun because I do it with him. I thank God for leading me to him and for blessing our marriage.

"The heart of her husband safey trusts her; so he will have no lack of grain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11-12

If you care to join me in this challege then please go to www.ReviveOurHearts.com and click on the link to the challenges.

Wonderful Christmas Day

2007-12-25T19:44:00.000-06:00

It was a wonderful Christmas Day with family. We went over to my brother's house and opened presents, played Mexican Train and ate deep fried turkey. It was a very relaxing day.

The girls seemed to enjoy their gifts. Emily got two pandas, a telescopy, a panda calendar, loads of clothes and a camelback backpack. Erin got two giraffes, a MP3 player (she calls and ipod), a giraffe calendar, loads of clothes and a camelback backpack.

It's so nice seeing pure joy and love and happiness on my children's faces. You don't always get to see it and to experience it is just so rejuvenating. It tells you that your doing alright raising them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!

2007-12-24T09:39:00.000-06:00

Christ was born on Christmas Day and came into the world to be my saviour and yours! I know I haven't been in the spirit of the season but God is good and has a way of changing me when I least expect it. It's not because my shopping is done or that I've been spending some great time with my "sisters" and their family, but He gave me something that I have been searching for the past 17 years now. A pleasant, warm family holiday with my husband's family.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've loved them since we were dating and they have always loved me and welcomed me to the famiy but we all know that each family unit is unique and does things differently and it is hard to join any's family. Marty and his sister are 5 years apart and different as night and day and we just have never been very socialable, but I so enjoyed spending last night in her presence and it makes me sick thinking of the past missed oppurtunities. We have all changed as we have grown and had families and I think that it has finally reached us all at the same time that we are family and special to each other. Watching Emily and Erin play with Sorcha was so beautiful. Hearing them make her laugh and share with her was a true joy.

I know that Christ was working here. I can't explain it but it's something I know.

And I'd like to show you the very special necklaces Anna made each of us and the craftmanship and thought she put in them is awesome.

I pray that each of you have a very Merry CHRISTmas and that you tell each and every member of your family how important that they are no matter what differences you have.

Just can't

2007-12-13T17:41:00.000-06:00

I've been trying to get in the Christmas spirit and I just can't seem to find it. We didn't get the tree until Saturday and didn't put it in the house until Sunday. It finally got decorated on Tuesday. That's is about the extent of my decorating. I just haven't done it. My shopping is in the same state of not done. I've got nothing, NOTHING, for either girl and have just today purchase a present each for my sisters in Florida. I still have two brother-in-laws, one nephew and one niece in Florida to purchase for before I can mail their gifts.

I have made some small purchases but nothing is striking me as "the" gift to give. I love giving. I so want to purchase a gift for absolutely everyone I know and for ever child of my dearest friends. Well, so much for that this time. I just can't.

I'm not normally a "I can't" person. I'm normally a think positive it will work person, but something just isn't there this time.

This is really sad to me too. Christmas is about God's perfect gift to us and about family and love and hope and good cheer. It's not suppose to be stress and I don't a have time. My sisters aren't coming "home" this Christmas and there have been no special plans made with our parents. While my friends are taking trips to visit relatives, we've got no "family" plans. Now why is that? My mom and brother live just down the road as does Marty's mom and dad yet there has been no talk of being together. Maybe this is why I'm not in any rush to celebrate which is a terrible reason because then my girls are missing out on the joy and warmth that I always remembered from my childhood.

I'm not depressed guys, just random thoughts as I'm home alone while Marty is doing inventory. Now you see why he doesn't leave me alone with my own brain very often.

Emily is in "Faith Finders" at church and much to her dad's and my surprise, she read the reading for the lighting of the advent candle this past Sunday. We didn't know that the class was doing this and I just happened to luck into having my camera there. She is such a great reader and she did an outstanding job.

This coming Sunday the girls will be singing during the worship service. The children who wish to sing, will sing "Jesus, Born on this Day" and "Joy to the World". It should be very beautiful. So if you're able and would like to hear them then come this Sunday at 10:30 am.

Well, time for bed

Christmas Survey

2007-11-28T19:11:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by my good friend Tiffany who is the main reason why I blog and who has the most reason to be sore at me for not doing it lately. (This is her hint to do it. THANKS Tiff.)
On with the survey...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both but I really perfer wrapping
2. Real or artificial tree? REAL. I do not do fake trees. I can't... I married Clark Griswald.
3. When do you put up the tree? The first Saturday in December
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Eve or Day
5. Do you like eggnog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My guitar that I got in third grade because my third grade teacher played one and she was my favorite teacher.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? 4 or 5 of them.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My mom
9. Easiest person to buy for? My children
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't remember so it must not be too bad?
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail but I'm usually late
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and Charlie Brown Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's fudge
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored
17. Favorite Christmas Song? Go Tell It on the Mountain song by Garth Brooks, anything from Tran-siberian Orchestra or Go Fish's Snow album
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Well can't you
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Tinkerbell
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning except for our Christmas PJs that we get every year.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Nothing
23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme? No
24. What do/did you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk

Memphis Zoo Snooze

2007-11-11T19:32:00.000-06:00

Have you ever spent the night in the Zoo? We have. Our troop went over to Memphis Saturday afternoon and spent the night learning different thing about animals. We were given personal visits with a hen named Kellogg, an iguana named Indy, a rat named Louise, an American Thestral named Nina and yest a ball python named Monty. If you know me at all then you know there is no love connection between me and snakes and usually I'm not in the same county (if I can manage it) much less the same room where one is not behind glass but actually being touched by girls that are in my care. Well, I made a deal with my girls that if every single one of them (23 in all) and every single parent that accompanied us (9) would touch Monty, then I would also. I just knew I would have at least one person hold out. Well as you can see from the below picture, I was betrayed. I had to touch a snake. No it did not feel like I thought it one and no I do not have plans to do that again. I did it for my girls and my girls only. No one can say that I transferred my fears to my children.

The next morning we were served a light breakfast and then lead on a personal tour before the zoo opened to the public. This is an awesome experience and one I never forget.

4-H Camp

2007-10-30T07:39:00.001-05:00

Well, my baby is growing up.

Today the 4th graders head to 4-H camp for an overnight learning experience. Since I'm the girl scout leader and the children's minister, I always go with my girls on their trips but this is a no parent trip and it's weird being on this end of it. This trip is the highlight of the 4th grade. All the kids in all the low grades talk about getting to go when they are in 4th grade and Em has been looking forward to it.

We packed her bag last night and I called her dad on my way to work just to double check that she had everything before they left for day care. (Marty takes them because I'm already gone.) The 4-H center is a really cool place though. It was built back when I was actually in 4-H in the early 80's. I was one of the first 4-H kids to actually "camp" there. It's more like a hotel then camp though because they have dorm rooms not cabins or tents to sleep in. It is a beautiful facility that has a large lake, swimming pool, tennis courts, ropes course and many other activities. I actually went on my Emmaus walk there. They are suppose to do some canoeing and the ropes course and several other enjoyable activities. I'm very excited for her but will miss her tonight. It is so weird to not be going.

Lord, watch over my baby and keep her safe.

Exciting Weekend

2007-10-29T06:49:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a fun weekend we had. Saturday evening my junior troop got together for our annual pumpkin carving. It is so much fun to watch the girls as they clean out their pumpkins and then to start work creating their master piece. Most of these girls started this when they were in second grade. As they have grown their skills have grown and we had some very awesome pumpkins this year.

Troop 130 Pumpkins

Then there was the first annual Christ UMC Trunk n Treat. What an amazing turn out! I had my concerns but of course God took care of all of it. We had 8 trunks and 8 activities, plus music, a space walk and hot dogs with chips and drinks. They counted 170 people at 6:00 pm. There is no telling how many people went through total. I can't wait to plan next years event. Course I have to get through Christmas, Easter and VBS first.

Jonah and the Big Fish

Me and my buddy

Thank you Lord for all the blessing in my life

Nothing Exciting

2007-10-26T08:03:00.001-05:00

We'll I just read my friend Tiffany's blog and I just don't know what I have to share that is as exciting as her experiences right now. Yeah Tiffany!! I'm living vicariously through you, girl. Make sure we're enjoying every minute of life.

No, seriously, we all have wonderful lives but it just seems like I don't having anything different to say.

This past weekend we took the Girl Scouts on an overnight camping trip at Petit Jean Mountain. I had two girls that had never slept in a tent and two moms with little camping experience. We really had a good weekend. I love camping in October. The weather was beautiful and the girls had great time. At least that was what they told me.

Also this past weekend Kristi and I went to our rehearsal/training for working the next Noahs of Ark Walk to Emmaus. We were so excited that when we got back we were able to get two people to also go on the walk as pilgrims. One was a lady that I have been praying would go since my walk 2 years ago. God is good all the time! I can't take pictures of the walk because it isn't allowed but I will write what I can. Please pray for the pilgrims of Walk 131 starting Thursday at 6:00 pm until Sunday at 5:00 pm.

For those that know that I love math, here is an email that a dear friend just sent me and instead of just forwarding it, I thought I'd post it here.

Beauty of Math!
1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?
And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
1111 1 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%.
How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude willGet you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

DeColores

Happy Late Birthday, Tiffany

2007-10-13T19:44:00.000-05:00

Okay we know that we are late but on Tuesday (your birthday) each one of us had a sick child so we are just now getting to have our margarita in your honor. We love you and miss you. Hope to hear from you soon.

Trust me when I say we did your birthday up right last night!!!!!

Never play mexican train dominoes while drinking margaritas.

Sick Children

2007-10-11T06:43:00.000-05:00

It's day 3 at home with my sick child. Em came home Monday from school with a fever and looking very much unlike her lively self. She was crying and just so upset. I can't stand to see my kids feeling this bad. For the last two days we have been fighting this temp that has gotten as low as 99.8 and as high as 104.2. You can easily tell when it has risen because she just looks lifeless and just wants to be under the covers. She isn't reading and is really watching very little tv. NOT my healthy child at all.

We went to the doctor on Tuesday and she has an ear infection and red throat. So she is on antibotics but it isn't working yet. Let's pray that she will be well soon and can go back to work and I can go back to work.

Tag your it

2007-10-10T07:58:00.000-05:00

Okay I've been tagged by Tiffany because I've been to lazy to update my blog.
Tiff, I do this for you!!!!

Two names you go by:
1. Charolette
2. Jo
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Shorts
2. Jesus rainbow t-shirt
Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Hiking
2. Scrapbooking
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. A well child
2. A hair color and style
Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. Scout (our lab)
2. Honey (the sweetest but stand-off cat)
Two people who will fill this out:
1. Good questions?????
2. ???????
Two things you ate today:
1. Fiber one bar
2. Just got up so nothing else yet
Two people you last talked to:
1. Marty
2. Krisit (last night)
Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Going back to work (fingers crossed)
2. Field survey
Two longest car rides:
1. Arkansas to Melbourne, Florida
2. Akransas to Lubbock, Texas
Two favorite holidays:
1. Halloween
2. Christmas
Two favorite beverages:
1. Diet Coke with Lime
2. Margarita (cheers Tiff!)

Really Good Day

2007-09-25T08:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a really good day and it was even a Monday.

I was up on time and out the door on time so there was no rushing to beat the clock. Instead a did something that I've rarely done and that was to turn off my radio and pray. I prayed from my house all the way to work which is about 28 miles or 30 minutes. It was just right to start out my day like that. I believe that it helped me stay calm and focused yesterday.

Well, work went smoothly, I got something accomplished, I recorded all my food intake, I got to go walk for 15 brisk minutes at lunch, and I got to have a wonderful afternoon with my family. Marty had gone to school with the girls for Emily's birthday and so he was home at 3:30 with the girls and we had all evening together.

I cooked salmon and rice which both of my children ate some of and that was really really good. The dishes got done and all the home work was done. We did discover that we are going to need to get more computers in my house. We do have two but one is being rebuilt by a friend at the moment (no pressure but could use it back). Emily had a research project to work on and Erin accesses her Math book that way. She really loves math and looks forward to having work to do on the computer in her Math book. Well that meant that I didn't do anything on it (which really was a bad thing) but I could have balanced the checkbook or did some church planning or some scout planning.

I have been told before that when we put God first and start our day with Him that all things will fall into their appropriate places and yesterday was a wonderful example of it. I am going to try this on a daily bases, so, yes, I started to day with prayer and today is progressing just as nicely. Priority is a hard thing to do but all things are possible with God.

General thoughts

2007-09-14T12:47:00.001-05:00

I guess I haven't been posting as much lately because school has started back. It's not really that we have had that many activities it just processing all that is going on.

The girls are loving school and their teachers. I'm so glad they have who they have. You might remember I posted that I was concerned but I'm quickly getting over that. They have very little homework and all their papers have been 100's or 90's.

Emily says her teacher is very funny and puts a lot of science into the classroom. She does great with science so the combination is great. Erin's teacher seams to be more math oriented and that is Erin's subject. She is all about the numbers. Well she likes bugs too. It is so cool to hear my girls talk about habitats and environments and sedimentary/metemorphic/igeneous rock types and species of trees when we are out on hikes or just around the yard. I don't think I learned these type of things until 8th grade earth science. School is way cooler then when we were in it.

That is one of the great wonders of being a parent, rediscovering the world as your children learn it.

Labor Day Weekend

2007-09-03T18:59:00.000-05:00

What a fabulous weekend!!!! We had a great family weekend.

Saturday we got up and went down to the river trail and road bikes for 5 miles round trip. Then we came home changed and headed to a friends house to enjoy their pool for an hour or two. We came home and Marty grilled pork chops and then we set around and played Skip Bo for the evening.

Sunday we got up and went to church and then came home and loaded our GPS for an afternoon of Cabot geocaching. We haven't cached in a year and just had to get the new ones that have popped up so close to home. We finished with another evening of Skip Bo.

Today we got up and packed for a morning at Pinnacle Mountain. We started on the west end of the base trail and walked it's 1.5 mile to the East Summit trail head. We then took the East Summit trail up to the top of the mountain, where we rest for a bit before we took the West Summit trail back down. While on the way up, Grandma called and we invited her and Pop to come out to meet us for lunch at the bottom. We were almost down when Erin almost stepped on this guy.

She loves bugs so I took this picture so she could draw him and tell about him in her nature journal. We then proceeded on down and was almost down when Erin took a tumble. She skint her knees and bruised both of her palms. She was a trooper and through some tears she walked on down. We cleaned her up and ate lunch with Grandma and Pop. Then the girls talked us into take a walk on the King Fishers trail. There we found the following critters to look at:

It was a very nice walk around.

We finished the afternoon off back in our friends pool and then dinner at Chili's. What fun to spend time with your family.

God never gives you more than you can bear.

2007-08-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain .... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always ready, To answer your call ... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, A word from His lips, can calm every fear ... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, in dawn's early light ... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, To give you His grace, and send you His love .. Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, "God always sends rainbows .... after the rain ... "

To get out of difficulty, one must usually go through it! God never gives you more than you can bear – so bear it willingly and you will rejoice in your rewards!

School has started

2007-08-21T10:35:00.001-05:00

Well, yesterday was the first day of school.

Here are the girls just before we leave the house. Erin is starting 2nd grade and Emily is in 4th. They are both very good students and are very excited about getting back to schedule.

Erin's teacher was very welcoming and warm which really made for a great start.

Emily has the new teacher who happens to male. She is very focused on the fact that he is male and was a little apperhensive about him.

I picked them up instead of them riding the bus home (upon their request) and was glad to hear that they both had a very good day. Em says that her teacher is funny but very strict. We'll see how this will work for her. I'm sure she will be fine.

Scouts also started last night. Wow are we going to have a full year. I have 12 Junior scouts and Cris has 12 Brownie scouts. We will be having lots of wild times together learning about being women in today's world.

The juniors got to pick our troop crest last night. By votes, they picked the Unicorn crest to represent us with it standing for our Friendship, our Adaptability and our Creativity.

What if I stumble????

2007-08-13T09:10:00.000-05:00

Thursday, September 27, 2005, I left for a 72 hour spirtual retreat that, at the time I didn't know it, would change me forever. I was excited and scared all at once about going. This was something I had never done before and I was doing it alone. There were 5 other women from my church going but I had never taken any religious class or activity before without Marty. He wasn't even allowed to go with me to drop me off.

On the drive out, my fear rose and by time the sponsors from our church had left, I was in near panic mode. Friday, I walked around in a haze trying to figure out why I was there but actually started settling down. I talked with the ladies from my church and made some friends that I didn't expect to make. On Saturday morning, I received the answer to why I was suppose to be there. God's grace came so hard to my heart that I'm still in awe of the power of Him. Knelt at a foot the cross I laid down my pride, my selfishness, and my selfpity and I picked up my cross and have been carrying it every since.

Until this Saturday and then Sunday...............I stumbled and then fell. The pain in my heart is so heavy. I'm confused and bruised. I'm human and I'm subject to all human conditions. God knows I've experienced most all of them at some point. God's grace is so devine and I know that when I asked His forgiveness it was unconditional given to me but the feeling of letting Him down is so strong. Letting anyone down or being anyone elses stumbling block is something that truly weighs on my heart.

With being the Interim Children's Minister for the church, the very thought of the possiblity of causing someone to turn from God because I stumbled or fell due to my humanist causes me to be so ill. I know there is only one perfect Christian and none of us will ever compare to His glory, but ...............

I can't find the words, yet I can hear some of my friends as they will read this. "Don't be so hard on yourself." "You have to forgive yourself as God has forgiven you." "We all suffer from human errors." I know. Just hitting earth after being among Angels since October 1, 2005 can really hurt.

God, I'm listening. I don't know what your telling me but I'm trying to listen.

DeColores

What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

Father please forgive me for I cannot compose
The fear that lives within me or the rate at which it grows.
If struggle has a purpose on the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses will it leave a deadly scar?

DC Talk's - What if I stumble - from the Jesus Freak album

The count down has begun.

2007-08-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

In 9 days Marty and I start back Disciple. We will be doing IV this time and have been doing Disciple Bible study four years. This will be 5.

In 10 days the girls start back to school. Emily has a male teacher and Erin has a teacher that moved from K to 2nd grade this year.

In 10 days Girl Scouts start back on regular meetings.

In 12 days our Wednesday night cell group starts back meeting every week at our house.

In 24 days Emily starts piano lessons back.

I could go on and on. We schedule everything, can you tell. I'm a very structured individual but even this gets to me sometimes.

I am excited about all of these starting back though. I may be a nerd but I love planning and since I'm the scout leader and the children's ministry, I'm always planning something. We have a very exciting new year in scouts since Emily moved up to Juniors. There is so many activities and badges and things to learn. I've got so much planned for them that I don't know how they will find time for school.

Then there is the new program that we are starting for the 4th through 6th graders in Sunday School. We're starting a new group called Faith Finders and have the really cool curriculum that even has it's own website that the kids have access to. They give us the feed back on it as to what they want us to teach each week and they do the choosing of the games they do, so that they get a hand in their activities. The ones that I have talked to are very excited about it.

Lots of different great things and then a few sad.

We have our going away/back to school scout party tomorrow. It will be Alexis' last event with us. She and her mom are so cool (check out her blog). Alexis is one of Emily's best friends and Tiffany is quickly becoming one of my very close friends too. It's great but now we are gonna have to communicate via our blogs because she will be in Japan. I'm very excited for them and am actually very envious too. I'm not really a mover type person but I'd love to see other parts of the world and learn different cultures. I just do it through my military friends. I told Tiffany that Alexis is gonna have to get a webcam so she can still attend our meetings. I've already sent her an invitation to our private troop blog so she can still communicate with the girls. Another thing that is wonderful about Tiffany that we are going to miss is she knows all of the Camp Story Girl Scout songs and she has been our teacher. So the webcam will have to serve two purposes, to keep Alexis connect and so Tiffany can still teach us music.

I'll try to get a picture of Tiffany and Alexis tomorrow at the party.

August already

2007-08-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that it is August already. Scouts, School and Small Group are starting back and I just can't see where the time is going to come from. We stay too busy these days. I'm always feeling somewhat rushed. I love all that I do I just wish I had more oppurtunity to do it. Thers'e only one activity on my plate that I'd like to give up and I can't because it's the one that pays the bills.

Work is not what it use to be. It use to be interesting and busy and changing. Now it's slow, stressful and full of politics. I don't like politics.

Well, I know I have to make the lemonade out of lemons so I won't complain. I have job with great benefits and when we do have funding it is rewarding. I just have to make it through these slow periods I guess.

There are so many topics talk about some days and others I've got nothing. Today I could change subjects over and over. I could talk about scouts and how excited I am about this coming year. I could talk about the girls going back to school and how excited I am for Emily and concerned I am over Erin. I could talk about Children's Ministry at our church and how I'm looking for servants to help out in all departments. I could talk about starting our cell group back and that I'm not ready because my house is a disaster. I could talk about the walk that is coming this weekend and how excited I am for the women who are going. I could talk about my friend who might be going on one of the next women's walk in Oct or Nov. I could talk about how I wish more of my friends would blog and that it actually flustrates me that they don't. I could talk about the dear friend who is moving in a week to Japan and I'm going to miss.

Pick a topic. Any topic. I've don't know which to discuss. Maybe it isn't my life that is busy but just my brain with too many thoughts.

Family time

2007-07-28T19:22:00.000-05:00

We've been having a very full summer and not much family only time so last night after SLUFY we went and had a dinner at Applebee's and planned to come home and have a family tv night. Well the best laid plans were not last night. Instead we came home to find this:

Meet Snowbell or Snowball. The girls had her named in about 10 minutes but keep going back and forth on which of these two names they like. If you were the "wonderful, thoughtful" person that left this precious gift on our doorstep, Mommy and Daddy would like to meet you so we can personally.... ahhh.... "thank you". She is a very sweet kitten and we're not sure what we're going to do with her. At the moment she resides mostly in the wash house with some trips into the big house. Mom isn't sure if the itchy eyes and sneezing last night are from her or being on the floor on the carpet. If they are because of snow then other arrangement might for sure be in the future.

Another part of our family time was getting up today and going biking. Daddy packed the truck yesterday so we could get an early start today but we were alll so tired that we sleep late. That's okay, we still made it to the county farm out by Maumelle Park and went for about a 5 mile ride. We found a new part of the trail that they've constructed and rode it.

It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed having time together. We ate lunch at Maumell Park after the ride and just enjoyed the day. It was hot but the breeze from the river was really nice.
Then in the afternoon we went to the Launius' house and swam in the pool for a while. It was really nice to cool off and relax. Now were going to watch Mary Poppins before we go to bed. Family is a wonderful thing to have.

New Blogger

2007-07-27T07:59:00.000-05:00

Welcome Cre8iveOne to blogging. I helped my friend, Wendy, last night in setting up her own blog spot. She has been staying at our house for the last 2 weeks while she works at SLUFY. This has worked very well for us as Emily and Erin are attending SLUFY and she has been able to help us with transportation.

I don't know if she will use her blog much but it was her idea and I said I'd help her. Though her first post says I pushed her into it, this was her idea. I do hope she'll do it so that I can keep up with her and her family. It's too easy to loose touch when your more then an hour away and though I think of her and my other friends from college often, getting time to really chat with them is slim to none most of the time.