Catching Up

Where have I been since my last post?

Hhhmmmm???

I have been (the theme of the decade) - 

busy. 

Seriously, I can actually recall days that stretched...

Watching the sun and shadows cast long slants on my walls.

Solid blocks of time.

Where did all that go? 

Well, since I last spoke here,

our little one got a raging fever,

a trip to the doctor, chest xray, pneumonia, shots and antibiotics.

Then a recent round of high fever, concerns the pneumonia was returning,

another round of antibiotics.

This was when chills had set in, and eyes drooped closed, with forehead hot.

I have done lots of reading.  As usual.  It is the one thing I do in my "downtime" -

those brief moments between one thing and another. 

Amazing how many books you can actually read - in those in between moments.

Me and my honey celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary!

And we actually ate at a fancy restaurant - all by ourselves,

where they make these squiggles all over your plate.

I am still trudging along in Chemistry and Physics...

Daily trying to decide which one is harder and which one I dislike more...

Yes, that bad.

I had a test in each class today, don't know my grades yet.

But for now, I am taking a bit of a breather.

I still love to get up early, to light some candles,

enjoy my coffee and kitchen table moments...

Always working in some bible study -

 though with school, they take me way longer than they used to.

Presently memorizing The Sermon on the Mount.

My problem is, I get to where I know it completely while looking at the first

letter of each word.  Take away my first letters, and I struggle more than I'd like.

Counting the blessings - the wonderfulness of now.

Even enjoying late nights - at the kitchen table.

Where God can and does meet me over candlelight,

my bible, and a tall glass of iced coffee.

I even went to see a movie with my best girlfriend!

Then promptly went home, did a little research on this

"based on a true story" story.

Bought the book on my Kindle and had it read by the next night.

So glad I saw the movie first...

And all the regular mom things as well...

Laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning (though less and less these days!),

packing lunches, tending to dogs (who wanted these anyway...?),

driving kids around, trying to get back into running and exercising...,

wondering where the sun had gone for the past few days, celebrating in

seeing it today, grocery shopping, watching American Idol...

I think we are all caught up!

Hopefully I get another breather before long!

Eleven Eleven Eleven

How cool is that?

Love those one once in a lifetime events 

11-11-11

Another cool thing??  

Today is the first frost of the season here.

I know, places may be knee deep in snow right now - 

but since we don't get that here, 

this little frost just thrills me! 

Love when all the roof tops in the neighborhood are covered in white...

I know, I was meant to live in the North!

Though when I did live in the North - I would have been happy to have had my windshield look like this, as opposed to all the scraping I did back then!

Its those little things - like frost,

a new season,

fireplaces and hot tea and cocoa,

roasting marshmallows and smores ,

holidays around the corner,

that delight me.

And speaking of once in a lifetime events - 

so is today.

So this very day, 

look for the little things that bring you delight!

I also want to take a moment to thank my hubby for his 21 years of service

to our country this Veterans Day!

And to all those who have served!

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

It was our first Thanksgiving at our house - with extended family - usually we go to their houses!

Our table almost set



The sweetest plates and napkins I found at Hobby Lobby

My hubby cutting the turkey

My niece Hailey and Jalyn - (Hailey trying on Jalyn's spare glasses - so they can be "twins")

Me and my hubby

 Joshua trying to fill up on chips

He is succeeding, since Mama and Daddy are occupied!

All the nieces and nephews - being sooo good!



So grateful for wonderful family - for the many blessings of God....



The Power of a Testimony

Today was such an amazing day.  It even started off great.  I went outside on the back patio with my coffee and prayer journal.  Something I have not done because it's been too hot to do so.  But this morning, - it just looked too pretty.  And I was so surprised to feel a bit of a breeze as I sat out there.  Just that first hint that fall is on it's way. 

Oh that always makes me so happy!

Today our church held its "First Annual Testimony Luncheon".  It's been an idea of ours for quite some time, and finally today was the day.  We decorated the sanctuary with pretty tables and table clothes, vases, flower petals and candles.  One woman made bookmarks with ribbons on them for each lady - and also a take home craft for everyone.  It looked so pretty.

We had nearly 100 women come.  We ate lunch, women sang, 2 women danced to a beautiful song, 4 women shared their testimonies.  Those four women reached so many of us by sharing the struggles of their lives - the pain, the heartache, the wrong choices, the consequences of sin, and how God used the things they endured to change their hearts and lives.  I was in tears through most of it.  It was all so beautiful.  Toward the end, about 14 of us got up and one by one walked across the stage, holding up our cardboard testimonies, while a song played.  I was so nervous, as I do not like to be in front of a group of people, especially on a stage, but as I walked across the stage, I got so emotional.  Not out of fear, but out of seeing the emotion is the womens' faces, and knowing that when we share our lives with others, we give hope.  I actually bit my lip trying not to cry.  (As I did through most of the night).

I praise God for today.  For giving women the strength to share with others, things that were very hard for them.  For touching hearts and changing lives.  For women just loving other women, as sisters.

"They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

Revelation 12:12

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Multitude Monday

I haven't written one of these in a while.  Of that I recall as I check off what Monday is... garbage day, bills need to go in mailbox, go visit Mom, and what else...? 

Count... the many blessings.  Oh yes, life brings so many things to dwell on.  To worry about.  To pray continuously about. 

But there comes those moments, to stop.  To recall all that God has done, and is doing.

And count the blessings.

*  A cool house - a refuge from the unrelenting heat outside

*  Seeing old friends

*  Sisters in Christ

*  God growing my knowledge and love for Him

*  And for others

*  Dragonflies flitting all over the yard this morning
    Joshua said that they must be dancing :)

*  Giggling girls

*  Little one's love for his Daddy

*  A break from all the studies of college

*  Seeing fall decorations at Hobby Lobby - knowing it's on the way

*  Good books bringing good things - in me

*  The One True God - that we can go to Him any minute of the day :)

My Birthday Gift

Okay, so everyone who knows me knows I always have to have a book with me.  You never know when you might be just sitting somewhere...

Like when you are sitting in a McDonalds while your little one wants to play.

While you are just cozy on the couch.

While taking a bubble bath (but I had really better not drop this!)

Before bed reading.

When doing bible study.

When I can't have my everyday bible handy.

Ta-da!!  My hubby got me the perfect gift - 

The Sony Reader - I love it!!

It's even cute! 

The first thing I bought for it was this women's bible.

Now, I have several books on it, and I only bought 3. 

 There are lots of free books available online - yay me!

I absolutely love that I can have several books with me - all in one!  All bookmarked where I last left off. 

Great job honey,  if I would have chosen for myself, this would be it!

Whatever is Lovely

"Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Philippians 4:8

Todays lovelies...

Easter Lillies from my hubby...

Filling my living room with their sweet fragrance and beauty. 

 Spring Azaleas brought inside....

Seeing them all in bloom...

Our Crepe Myrtle that only last week had barely any leaves - now full of leafy greens...

This cool breeze blowing through the windows after days of muggies...

 "And the peace of God will be with you."

Philippians 4:9b