In summing up Spring Break 2012, several of my items on the list will be similar to Marilyn's list. (Thanks, M, for helping me out!)

• A ladies' trip to Asheville, Gatlingburg, and Pigeon Forge in which we toured the Biltmore Mansion, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge mountain pass, and some cemeteries.
• We finished our income taxes to send on to the CPA.
• Rick and I camped at Texas Motor Speedway at the Good Guys car show. Enjoyed visiting with family and friends.
• I finished a nine-patch quilt top and put a border around another one--both are now ready to be quilted.
• Enjoyed watching Jonah and Glory play outside.
• Baked some cookies and a pie.
• Made a couple of trips to Sherman with Marilyn to run errands.
• Visited with Aunt Bonnie.
• God blessed us with the perfect weather all week. It was amazing!

Thanks'living' Evening

Yep, it was one of those precious times for me. Last night, Keelie brought a meal down to the house. She had made a couple of comfort foods that we all could enjoy (especially Tim with his soft diet).

Lots of good food and conversation at the table....

After the kitchen was cleaned, I retreated with the others to the living room.

As I sat on my nice comfy sofa,  I looked around admiring the picture in front of me. Family members, young and "older," with electronics going (the iphones, laptops, and oh, Tim's heating pad!). The television was playing to the tune of the Mavs and Tebow. Magazine pages being flipped through.

What a blessing and joyful thing. Thank you for Your Love and the love of others. What a Godstop!

(“The stop in GodStop comes from the acronym: God: Savoring the Observable Presence. When God makes Himself observable, we want to stop and take notice.  Savor the moment! A Godstop is any means by which God seems to go out of His way during your day to make Himself known to you." Believing God/Beth Moore)

Happy Day(s) After Christmas!

The Light of the world is still here.......

Remember to silence my playlist. This song is worth the 3+ minutes!

May You Be Filled with Jesus and Joy!

Almost there!

I don't have much left at all. It's great....I wanted to be able to enjoy some baking, the fireplace, the music, and family/friends the day or so before Christmas came.

When Chad gets home, all our family (except Jerry) will be within a stone's throw from here. And with the exception of some colds going around, everyone is well. We are blessed.

Thank you, Jesus!

Happy Anniversary, Rick

"I've thought about how long I'll love you.....And it's only fair that you know, forever's as far as I'll go."


(I used this last year, too. It still says it best!)

Happy Anniversary....

to Justin and Keelie. Can't believe it has been 10 years! So glad you got to celebrate in NYC. We love you and wish you many more blessed years.

Just an Update

I needed to get my last week or so on "paper." Here goes....

*Christmas children's program at church

*Christmas pageant at an area church

*meal at Marilyn's (with haircuts on the side)

*time with Jonah and Glory (Mom and Dad were in NYC for their 10th anniversary)

*Marilyn and I shopped for wedding things and Christmas gifts

*great time with Jenna

*Jenna's best friend (from crib through college to career) got engaged

*Rick's toe surgery was a success--no melanoma

*Christmas baking

*nice blazing fires in the fireplace

James 1:17

Random Thankfulness

I haven't been posting a daily "I am thankful for..." like so many of you. But none the less I, too, am thankful!

As I have said before, it's truly about "Thankful Living." Each day I am mindful of something to be thankful for. I say "something" loosely, because there are a multitude of things on a daily basis.

In our bible study, we have been discussing "Godstops" with the ladies. These are simply the big and small things that cause you to think about God and His hand in your life as you walk, talk and live in this  day-to-day journey with Him. As Christians, we know nothing is really by accident--everything comes and goes through His hands.

Today, I am reflecting on my relationships with my family and friends. Such blessings!

I am thankful for another fun NASCAR weekend.

Now....may I tell you one other thing I am thankful for this morning?

It's a ..............r-e-f-r-i-g-e-r-a-t-o-r.

Yep, that's right. I have been without one for TWO weeks. Mine was hit by lightening, and the one I ordered naturally was not in stock in the local store. So once again we relied on the one out in our 5th wheel trailer. (What would we have done without that baby these last few months!) I did get some extra exercise though, because every time I wanted a teaspoon of jelly for my breakfast I had to run to the trailer. The good news is the new one is being delivered today!

If you haven't been thankful for a refrig, let it go out!

SWAP and SHOP

Ok, ladies, this swapping and shopping is not for clothes, furniture, etc. We are at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for a car show. A friend is trying to sell a car here. Gates open this morning at 8:00. The vintage cars here are divided into two groups; one section is for show cars only. The other one is for the sale cars.  It honestly looks like a filming for Grease, American Graffiti, etc.

What blessings this morning --  we have gotten up in the 5th wheel to a beautiful sunrise and cool temps here in the DFW area. It's going to be a great day!

Gabfest

Marilyn and I took flowers to the cemetery to put on Mother's grave on Saturday. It was exactly 6 years ago that she passed away. We were so blessed to have had her as our mom. What a lady!

We went to see Aunt Bonnie, Mother's remaining living sister. She will be 90 next month. Yes...90 and she still looks like she's 70.

Chad flew out to Singapore on Saturday evening. I know Marilyn was relieved to have heard from him 24 hours later that he was there safe and sound. He is going to have incredible opportunities over there with his job. Tara has wedding plans in motion for 12-31-11.

We had two great services yesterday at church. Both were remembering 9-11 with special music and messages. (Got to hear Keelie sing once again there last night.)

Jerry is here for another week or so. We are enjoying some stories and food. Thanks, Marilyn, for some meals. (My kitchen is still basically closed--except for the trailer one.)

Work continues around here this morning. I just know it's going to be a very productive week. Hoping the dust settles. HA

Love my family and friends.

I am blessed.

"Do Everything"

Silence my music at the bottom and be reminded today that everything we do really does matter to God!

This Is Why!

This cute new little badge I received in my box at my new place of employment this afternoon explains it all. I mean -- everything -- from May through today, August 22!

It explains......

*why Rick has had to survive on nachos, Sonic, sandwiches, t.v. dinners, and anything else he could muster up
*what God orchestrated and directed me to do
*why I basically lived away from home the entire month of June
*why I have bribed and "practiced" testing so many adults and kiddos around town
*why I continue to make meetings/training at least two times a week (nights, Saturdays, etc.)
*why I will be working parttime (when I finish all these requirements!!!)
*why and how I want to continue to invest in the lives of our children at school
*why my blogging has been so sporadic lately

And....that's a wrap for tonight!

An Engagement

My sweet nephew, Chad, proposed to his girlfriend, Tara, Friday night. She said yes, and now their "forever" life together is on!

There are some really good stories to be told. Chad is suppose to pen those himself. When he does, I will direct you to them.

Some kind of wonderful.......

Where Did It Go?

The weekend was way too short. I am very thankful though that I got to:

*spend time with Rick, children (grands, too), and sis
*go to church
*reflect on some special "fathers" that I was blessed to have in my life
*see friends

And...it's been a profitable Monday for this week #3 endeavor!

Have a great week!

Weekend Stuff

Easter weekend was packed. Packed with everything we love and enjoy......

~~a great church service
~~time with our family
~~an Easter meal (or two!)
~~egg hunt for Jonah and Glory
~~camera fun

Rick was personally pretty busy, too. He went to the church "youth lock in" on Friday night for several hours, and then he went back Saturday morning for several more. Youth is not his ministry area, but the sound booth is! Because they had special music, they needed him in there to operate this.

Hope your weekend was full of everything you wanted. Have a great week!

Happy Easter

Accepting Our Assignment

This morning just a few thoughts from “Jonah”  (week #1)...........

Are you being given a Nineveh assignment—something God wants you to do that you do not necessarily want to do? Why not?

This “thing” our sovereign God has chosen you to do over someone else means He has literally singled you out for this particular purpose!

Will you accept this....... 

challenge AND privilege to write a story of significance for eternity?

My "CAR" Time--Part I

I had to drive into Richardson, Texas yesterday for a meeting. (This is not a routine thing for me.) When you drive the route I had to go, you never know if it will take an hour or four to get there with the crazy traffic. I left early and made it in what I would consider an "OK" commute time. I don't know if you do this or not but I usually go prepared with things to do in the car once I get where I'm going.

I couldn't resist taking this pic as I looked around after I parked. It is highly representative of the things I usually enjoy while killing time in the car. So for the next hour and a half, I enjoyed catching up on my daily bible reading, a brand new slick magazine, and a Diet Coke. I would have included my iPhone (Words w/ Friends), but then I was taking this pic with it!

Simple pleasures to me..........

To be continued.......

New Bible Study

We just finished our ten-week study of "The Patriarchs" by Beth Moore. She has challenged us each week, and we have learned so much. We had a time of praise and reflection last night that blessed my heart!

I have such an awesome group of ladies to fellowship and study with each week. We are jumping right in and starting a new one next week. I am SO excited!!! I have never done a study by Priscilla Shirer. We will be doing "Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted." I hear it is awesome and life changing!!


"What do we do when God interrupts our lives? Many times, like Jonah, we run! In this study, Priscilla redefines interruption and shows that interruption is actually God's invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. When Jonah was willing to allow God to interrupt his life, the result was revival in an entire city."

Can anyone relate?!