Fear...

Tonight I have a child who is full of fear...fear of the unknown...fear of sickness...fear of dying...fear of just about everything.  We have dealt with this fear for several years.  We have spent nights up talking, reading, praying...trying to get to the bottom of these fears.  We have come a long way but tonight they have resurfaced a little and I shared with him what I am fixing to share with you.

One thing that I have struggled with in the last few years is fear/worry.  I would have to say this fear or worry increased after losing David's father to cancer in 2007.  The fear that another loved one would encounter this horrible disease or that I would lose a loved one I most cherished.  This has been an ongoing struggle of "what would happen if I got sick" or "what would happen if one of my kids or husband got sick".  I have worked hard at turning this fear over to God.  It is hard sometimes when all around you someone is dying or just found out they have cancer.  If you have ever seen someone die from this horrible disease you know what it looks like.  It isn't pretty, it isn't nice, it isn't peaceful! The funny thing is that I know that any number of my loved ones would be in a much better place if something happened to them ,or if something happened to me I know that I will spend eternity with my Creator.  So, why do we worry about things.  Why do we put ourselves in this turmoil and work ourselves up for the unknown or for things that haven't even happened.  How many times have we imagined things and made ourselves nearly sick thinking about them coming true...when it hasn't even happened.  I doubt I am alone!  I have been reading a Beth Moore book that hit this fear subject on the head!  "I need to stop praying "Lord, I trust You to..." and start praying "Lord I trust You. Period!".  I am going to share passages from what I have been reading.

From Beth Moore..."Of course, I realize God would prefer for me to refrain from rehearsing those kinds of fears altogether, but He also knows my weaknesses and how deeply and subconsciously I associate love with risk.  As long as I insist on torturing myself with these terrifying possibilities, He seems to suggest that I think them all the way through to the other side.  The prospect of losing a loved one is horrifying.  I cannot imaging enduring it, but because I know God is faithful, I must trust that somehow I would.  Can you bring yourself to believe that you would as well?"

"Romans 8:18 promises that the future we have coming is so glorious that nothing we've suffered will compare to the magnitude and splendor of it.  We must not let the enemy of our souls get away with convincing us that anything can utterly destroy us.  If we do, we will hand him an engraved invitation to attend our constant torment.  Over and over Jesus implores his followers, "Take courage!" as if His hand is outstretched and His palm opened with offered treasure.  It's time we took Him up on it.  Do we really want to spend our time rehearsing deaths of all kinds rather than engaging in the effervescence of life?"

"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." Psalm 112:7-8

"I don't think the psalmist meant that the person described had a lifetime guarantee from God that he would never get any bad news.  Hard things happen to all of us, and they often come in the form of "news." It's part of pumping blood on this fretful planet.  The psalmist meant just what he said.  She doesn't live in fear of bad news.  Why is she free from such self-torment?  Stay with me here, because this connection is crucial: she is fee because she knows that "in the end [she] will look in triumph on [her] foes." Translation? God will work all things - no matter how difficult or devastating - out to her advantage.  Her enemy will not triumph over her.  It may hurt in the beginning, but it's going to be beautiful "in the end."

God knows my weaknesses...and so does Satan.  Sometimes no matter what I do I still have a set back and fear will get the best of me.  I have to remember that I am not in control.  I cannot let Satan win the battle over me and let fear win.  If something does happen to me, my husband or my kids...as long as we are a child of God we are in a  "win win" situation.  No doubt there will be heartbreak here on this earth but the glory and splendor of what is to come is unimaginable.

From Beth Moore...

"I, the Maker of heaven and earth, will:"

perfect everything that concerns you (Psalm 138:8)
work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)
contend with those who contend with you (Isaiah 49:25)
fight this battle for you (2 Chronicles 20:15)
equip you with divine power (2 Corinthians 10:4)
delight to show you mercy (Micah 7:18)
meet all your needs according to My glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
give you grace that is perfectly sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)
be your power in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
do immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within you (Ephesians 3:20)"

That is some good stuff!  So, there are all of the "what ifs" and things that I am uncertain of...the unknowns. But I am certain that if I turn this over to God and give him the authority and put my trust in him...HE WILL SUSTAIN ME!  "Take courage!" I don't want any of my children to have this fear of sickness or death. Although we all know death is fearful because it is the unknown and there is no way of knowing when or how it is going to happen.  We do know our Eternal Father has our back.  He loves us and will take care of us on this earth and in Eternity.  All we have to do is give our weaknesses to him and let him give us the strength we need!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

One of my favorite times of year!  CHRISTMAS! For several years I have helped organize a project at church known as "The Mitten Tree".  For the most part it is an angel tree where we help needy families during the holiday season. We start helping at Thanksgiving by delivering baskets full of food for each family.  We then get information from the families on what the kids need and want for Christmas.  This is an exciting time!  I look forward to it every year.  It is A LOT of work but it is good work.  You see, that is what it is all about!  We can get and buy so much!  How much can we give?  How much did Christ GIVE for us?  It is often said to me that people abuse this and know how to work the system!  I am sure they are right but that is not for me to judge!  I know from talking to some of these families that they are truly hurting!  Some are fighting cancer, some have lost family members, some have lost their jobs and can't make ends meet.  It is encouraging for them to know that their is someone out there who cares.  So, it is not just about buying these people gifts.  We bring them in and feed them supper and share the gospel with them.  It is a chance for us to talk one on one with these families and listen to what is going on in their lives!  Please pray for us as tomorrow night will be our "Mitten Tree Dinner" with these families.  Pray that we can touch the lives of someone who does not know Christ as their Saviour.  Pray that we can show Christ's love as Christ has shown His love to us!  Help us to show love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and Chistlikeness to these families!  Pray that they will see peace in our lives and long to find that same peace! 

One thing that I have often noticed when we are doing a big outreach like this...satan always seems to creep his head in.  There always seems to be something that happens to cause dissension or a disturbance in the plans you have made. I pray right now that we can overpower satan and not let him step in and claim what is not his to have. 

I guess our Christmas festivities officially begin this weekend.  We have had family get togethers the past two weekends but we have been unable to attend because of prior obligations.  This weekend we will have David's family up for Christmas and then attend an extended family Christmas get together on Saturday evening.  I love having family together.  Unfortunately, we do not get together with David's family as often as we would like because of the miles between us and kids going in all directions.  Looking forward to spending time with them all. 

Christmas in my house growing up was always a big ordeal.  We always started the morning by reading the Christmas Story...the one in the Bible!!  It was always a special time at our house and definitely a fun time.  We have always done the same thing with our kids.  When we get up on Christmas morning we read about Jesus birth and talk about the real reason we celebrate Christmas!  No doubt the presents are fun and watching the kids is more fun than anything for me!  I fix breakfast and my mom and dad come down and eat with us and play with the kiddos for a while.  It is a day to rest and enjoy our family!  We celebrate Christmas with my mom and dad, sister and her family the day after Christmas!  We spend the day at mom and dad's!  They always make is special for us all!  Mom always has a huge spread for breakfast...with her infamous stuffed french toast with raspberry syrup...it is the BEST!  Too bad we only get it once a year...but it is well worth the wait and always something to look forward to! 

Celebrating the season of our Saviour's birth and giving him the glory and praise for all that we have and all that we are.  This Christmas will not come without a few heartaches...thinking of the family that has passed on and are not here to spend this Glorious holiday with us.  We do have the comfort in knowing that Poppy and my father-in-law are celebrating this Christmas Birthday with our Saviour in person! 

Praying that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and truly remember the reason we celebrate!  It is all about Him...not so much about us!

Love you mom, dad & sis!  Thanks for being such a wonderful, loving family!  I couldn't ask for a better one!

The whole crew!

Aren't they cuties!

The LOVE of my life! My soulmate!

Love these pictures we had made a few weeks ago...hope you enjoy! 

Wishing you a very

Merry Christmas

from our house to yours!

Leave it all behind...and come to The Well!

I hope you listen...really listen to the words! I absolutely love this song! This has really touched my heart...especially in the last few days with some people in our lives that you know are searching but they aren't searching in the right places! They know something is missing but they refuse to listen to what is missing. They are down and out but they won't take it to The Well. Everything in the world is wrong but if they had Jesus...their lives would be so much different. You just pray and hope and wish that they could find Christ and experience what you have experienced and have the peace that comes with knowing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

"I have what you need, but you keep on searching. I've done all the work, but you keep on working. When you're running on empty, and you can't find the remedy. Just come to the well".

We can search for all the rights...we can think we have it made...we can find security with wrong addictions...we can hope for a brighter tomorrow...we can search and search and search...but Christ has all we need...he has done all the work for us...all we have to do is come to him!

"You can spend your whole life, chasing what's missing. But that empty inside, it just ain't gonna listen. When nothing can satisfy, and the world leaves you high and dry. Just come to the well".

We spend our whole lives chasing things that don't matter. Thinking if we buy this or that..have more money, have a better car or have a better house we will feel satisfied. When that turns up empty and we still feel this emptiness and nothing can make it go away. When bad things happen...we lose money, we go bankrupt, our marriage fails, we lose our job and we feel we are left "high and dry"...take it to Jesus! He has the remedy! If you will only let him help you!

"And all who thirst will thirst no more. And all who search will find what their souls long for. The World will try, but it can never fill. So leave it all behind. And come to the well".

"So bring me your heart, no matter how broken. Come as you are, when your last prayer is spoken. Just rest in my arms a while. You'll feel a change, my child., When you come to the well."

No matter how broken you are...no matter how bad you think you are...it is NEVER too late! We think we have to wait until we are perfect and have everything where it should be before we can go to Jesus. Go to him NOW...let Him help you through whatever problem you have...drugs, alcohol, addictions of any sort, depression, anxiety...He can help you with it all if you will let Him. Take your problems to him and rest in his arms awhile. Feel the comfort of knowing Christ as your Saviour...He CAN save you! You WILL feel a change if you truly know him. Go to the well!

"And now that you are full of love beyond measure. Your joy's gonna flow like a stream in the desert. Soon all the world will see Living water is found in me. Cause you've come to the well. Leave it all behind and come to the well. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Your pursuit of perfection (leave it all behind). Your fear of rejection (leave it all behind). Your temporary pleasures (leave it all behind). All your earthly treasures (leave it all behind). Dried up empty religion (leave it all behind). Rusty chains of addiction (leave it all behind). All the guilty that weighs you down (leave it all behind). Just leave it all behind and come to the well.

Can you leave it all behind? As my husband says...you go to the doctor when your sick...you don't wait until your well! Take it to Jesus! He can help you through any situation you may have. He has helped me through countless ones. I want you to experience Christ's unconditional love! I want you to experience satisfaction and happiness in your life that only He can bring. Will you let him? I am not perfect and I will never be this side of Heaven. I just want to share what Christ can do for you! You have to make the decision for yourself that you want to change. No one can do that for you. You have to decide that you are going to make God and church a priority in your life. No one can do that for you. I just want you to know that you can experience more joy and happiness than you have ever had if you will just come to the well! One of the things I hear most are "well, I am a good person" and there is no doubt in my mind that you are. But there will be a lot of "good" people in hell! People that think because they are good they have nothing to worry about. My friend, if you have not given your heart and life to Christ...you will not be in Heaven!

Thank You Jesus...

Jack was star of the week a few weeks ago...so Noah and I took a special snack and he was so proud to show his baby brother off! He is such a good big brother...I am very thankful for that!

A shout out to my big boys who ran the Drumstick Dash 5k... their first 5K and they did AWESOME! So proud! Dylan finished in 26:50 and Mason 27:41 (had to stop and tie his shoe..or he would have been on his brothers heels!)

"Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalms 100: 3-5

1 Chronicles 16: 8 " Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."

1 Chronicles 16: 34 "Give thanks to teh lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in christ Jesus."

So many verses to look at about being thankful! Giving God the glory and praise and thanking him for all that I have. What I have on this earth is not of my doing...realizing that God has placed people, circumstances, places, things, etc...in my life for a reason! I didn't get to this point in my life alone...only by God's grace and will am I here today! I want to be a Philippians 4:6 woman! I don't want to be anxious about anything, worry about anything, I want to take it all to God and let him help me deal with whatever circumstance, problem or anything in my life that I might be struggling or need help with. I need to turn EVERYTHING over to him before I give myself a moment to get excited or anxious about anything! I want my boys to learn to do this also! I want us to learn together to not be excited or upset about anything before we take it to our Father...who will help us through any storm we may encounter! This morning one song keeps going through my head "I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter his courts with praise. I will say THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE...I WILL REJOICE FOR HE HAS MADE ME GLAD...he has made me glad, he has made me glad...I WILL REJOICE FOR HE HAS MADE ME GLAD."

So this week Mason has taught Noah to say "Thank you Jesus". It is probably one of the sweetest things I have ever seen! He looks up squints his eyes and says...what we can make out to be..."Thank you Jesus". If only I would look up, squint my eyes and say Thank you Jesus every day for the little things, big things, all the things that he does for me. So many times I go through the day without thanking him where thanks is due! I vow to do better! God has given me another day on this earth for a reason...I WILL MAKE THE MOST OF IT! I will further his kingdom, I will spread his word, I will be his light that shines, I will shout from the mountains that he is MY KING, I will stand on his Word, I will teach his way.

Halloween Fun!!!

The doctor is in the house!

Mason the mime!


Ghostbuster Dylan!

Not sure who these people are!

The whole crew...almost (minus Noah)!

Mason, Dylan, Jack, Cole & Ellie

The finished product!

Noah getting in on the action!

Cutie!

ooyeee gooyee fun!

He isn't so sure about this slimy stuff!

So here are a few pictures from our Halloween weekend fun! We started Saturday morning with carving our pumpkins...two of which were stolen off our front porch on Sunday night! Anyway, the kids has so much fun carving them and cleaning out the guts. They were so proud of their work so I thought I would show off a few pictures. We went to Amy's for supper Saturday night so grandparents could see the kids all dressed up. Sunday was busy as well. We had Awana Sunday night and the kids all got to dress up...as well as a few of us grown ups! The kids love it when we dress up too! Monday was fall fest at church...couldn't bring myself to dress up Monday night! We had a lot of fun though! Hope you enjoy where four boys grow....

The Fruits of the Spirit...

The Fruits of the Spirit are something we all want to live by. Instilling this is hard because every personality is different. We talk about them a lot in church...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Sometimes it is not something we talk about enough at home. My grandfather, I believe, lived by every one of these. He was one of the kindest, gentlest, patient, loving men I have ever known. I wanted to break each one of these down a little. I am sure this is not very interesting reading for most but it is something I want to work hard on with my boys and myself.


Love, Agape Love, selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. We should love everyone unconditionally as Jesus loves us. We may not agree with everyone. We may not like everyone. We may not agree with others decisions. But, according the Bible we should love them anyway. This is hard to explain to kids also. Someone might be mean to you and you might not like it or them but God says we are to love unconditionally. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. love never fails.





Next is Joy. Let's just face it, it is impossible to by joyful all the time and to constantly be happy right? I would agree, and I believe God understands how hard it is for us here and that it is hard to be happy 24/7! I do believe he wants us to have a joyful heart though. We should work joyfully, live joyfully, worship joyfully, etc...We will not always be 100% happy but we can be joyful in whatever we do and give the glory and praise to Him. John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full.





Peace...how do we practice peace in our lives? This is probably one of the hardest for me. How do I live peacefully and know that God is in control...NO MATTER WHAT. It is hard to not worry about what the future holds but with God I have to believe and have faith that good or bad he will sustain me and my family. John 14:7 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are so many verses that I could quote for each of these!

Patience...OH MY! This is my downfall! I am not a patient person! I am better than I have been in the past but only because I have asked for help and guidance from my Savior in this area. I remind myself how Patient Christ has been with all of us in this earthly world. I know that the things of this world are part of his plan and we are here to endure whatever his plan is for us PATIENTLY. Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. A hot temper is not something I want to be known for. When you don't have patience it is hard to obtain it...BUT, I promise with a little work and help from our Heavenly Father...it CAN happen.

Kindness...Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Well, that pretty much sums it up, huh! We are to be kind to one another in EVERY situation... that is hard! It is a challenge! But, it is something I want to try very hard to do. Even in situations within our own family these past few weeks...I vow to be kind and to be as Christ would expect me to be! I will not give in to the devil and I will be kind! In my kids this is also hard...not necessarily with other people but with each other. Of course, brothers will be brothers but imagine how much more smoothly the day would go if we would all show a little kindness and compassion!

Goodness...2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This covers them all I believe! In every aspect of our life we should general be good. I feel like goodness incorporates this whole list.

Faithfulness...Provers 3:3 let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Let love and faithfulness NEVER leave me Lord! I want to stay faithful to our heavenly Father! On a daily basis stay faithful to the Lord in what I do, say, the way I act, in every part of my being.

Gentleness...Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. I love this next verse. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to you give the reason for hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. We are to show gentleness to everyone. Gentleness to our children, parents, strangers on the street!

and Self-Control...We are to show restraint in areas of our life. Self control with our mouths (speaking only good), self-control sexually, self-control with money...etc...We should, as Christians, be set apart from others and they should see that there is something different about us. All of these aspects fall under self-control. If we have self-control we will be loving, we will be joyful, we will be patient, we will be kind, we will be good, we will be faithful, we will be gentle!

It is no secret that Satan attacks those that are doing good and living in God's desired path. He has attacked our family on different occasions. Have we always acted as God would intend...no! But, we have learned and grown from these mistakes. I want to teach my children these attributes! I want my kids to make this their lifestyle from the beginning so that it is not so hard to learn in their old age! I want to live these myself! How about you?

Contentment...

Something we have been trying to work on in our family is to be content. The definition of content is "happy enough with what one has or is; not desiring something more or different; satisfied; willing". This is a tough one to say the least! The human part of us is always wanting something more or different and we are rarely satisfied. I am guilty of this more than anyone. Always wishing we had this or that or we need to do this to the house or that to the house or buy this or that. I want to just be content with what God has given me. To be satisfied with what has been provided and to enjoy God's blessings and not always want MORE MORE MORE! Philippians 4:12 tell us I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I want to live this verse! I want my kids to live this verse and to learn to be satisfied! How do you teach this...how do you accomplish this from the human aspect of it. Someone is always coming in with something, young or old and we think "ooohhh I wish I had that" or "where can I get myself one of those" or "so and so has this and I want one too". I know it is impossible to completely erase those thoughts from our mind. After all, as I said before, we are human! What I am hoping is that we can say "you know that is really nice and that would be great to have but you know I already have a ___ and I am grateful that I have what I have". It is okay to buy something I am not saying that but to constantly think we need more is what I want to work on. We don't always have to have more more more. As the old saying goes "sometimes less is more". It is training yourself to look with the eyes and say that is nice but with my mind say "I just don't need it"! Controlling the wants from the needs. Sometimes it is easy to talk ourselves into making something we want into something we need. Anyways, just something we are working on here Where Four Boys Grow...

Memories...

So we are in Florida. Trying to enjoy the vacation we were supposed to leave for on Tuesday but it just isn't that easy. It has been a rough week to say the least. I think that today was even a little harder for me than some days earlier in the week. I am not sad for Poppy because I know he is in a better place. I think what I am struggling with most is all the family times and events he was always there for that he won't be at now. My heart breaks for my daddy. They spent so much time together and I know that he will feel lost without him. I hated to even leave to come down here feeling like we needed to be home with family! I know that it will get easier with time but he was such a big part of our lives and we were all close to Poppy. You can't help but have all those memories from childhood and even adulthood come flooding back. You see, I spent many summers at Poppy and Grangran's house while mom and dad were working. I would watch TV, follow Poppy around to the basement or the barn. He was always working on something. He might be working on a car or just piddlin' making something. I would play with all his tools and look at all the things he had made. He is the one who taught me how to ride horses. We spent many a day riding around the fields at his house! He was the best! Grangran would always be piddlin' around the house and would always make sure we had something good to eat for lunch! If I got tired of piddlin' with Poppy and Grangran I could always walk across the field over to Uncle Jo and Aunt Edna's house and aggravate them for a while. Every, did I say EVERY Saturday night memory that I have growing up was spent with the whole family going out to eat. In those days about all we had was Quincy's, Shoney's and Cracker Barrel. It was always Poppy, Grangran, Uncle Jo and Aunt Edna, us and whoever else would tag along. We would end up at either Poppy and Grangran's house or Uncle Jo and Aunt Edna's house afterwards. Looking back these were some special times! I would always stay with Poppy and Grangran the week of VBS at Poplar Grove. The bus from church would come by and pick me up! The church was only a mile down the road! Christmas Eve's at Poppy and Grangran's house until Grangran got sick. Poppy then came to my house every Christmas morning since Dylan was born and would watch the boys open their presents. I don't think he missed a single year! Poppy was always at our Christmas with mom and dad. He was always at the boys birthday parties and everyone else's birthday dinners we had. We were always having supper at mom and dad's...mom always makes sure we are well fed. She always made sure Poppy had enough food to take home for a few days of meals also! His morning breakfasts with dad and his Saturday spent working on the building the hot rod with dad or restoring the old '48 Ford. Too many memories to share and ones that will never be forgotten. I am so thankful that Dylan Mason and Jack got to know Poppy. Poppy was a very special person in their lives! I am also glad that Poppy got to meet Noah...sad that Noah won't remember what a special person he was, but we will have lots of stories to share with him as he grows!

Today we lost a GREAT one...

Our morning started out with exciting conversation over breakfast!  We were leaving for the beach today for a few days of R&R over fall break.  Then we got the call that you always dread!  We lost my Poppy this morning.  Our excitement and joy soon turned to tears and sadness as we had to tell the boys about their great grandpa.  What a special man he was to all of us!  Our sadness turned to rejoicing that he did not suffer.  He never wanted to be sick or in the nursing home.  He was 93 years old but still driving, living at home alone, doing his own laundry, buying his own groceries, he ate breakfast with my daddy every morning at Made With Love or Cracker Barrel.  What a life this man has lived.  All the things that he saw in his lifetime.  He joined the National Guard in 1938 and was in the Cavalry...yes the horse cavalry!  When bombs hit Pearl Harbor his unit was activated and he was sent to California to prepare to go oversees.  He was in Okinawa when a bomb hit the tent he was staying in. Sixteen men in his unit died that night but he was saved.  Why?  He asked himself that same question!  He knew at that moment that God had a plan for him and he accepted Christ as his Savior.  What a testimony!  He married my grandmother in Rossville, Georgia by a Justice of the Peace at midnight.  He and his buddies all got leave one weekend from Camp Forest, Tennessee and realized they had no way to make it home.  Three men rode a motorcycle back to Cookeville!  I love these stories!  After the Army he was a mechanic for the state!  He loved to work on, well, just about anything!  He rode horses, trained horses, was a member of the Upper Cumberland Horeseback Riders Club for years, he loved woodworking and was a great craftsman!  He loved his family, his children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren!  Oh, the memories we all have!  He love to get together and eat...anytime!  As a matter of fact last Friday night we all had supper together at mom and dads! He was at my house every Christmas morning for the last ten years since Dylan was born!  My boys loved Poppy so much!  It is so hard to realize how much you love them also until they are gone!    We will miss his company, we will miss his smile, we will miss his happy spirit, we will miss his presence BUT we know that he is well taken care of! 

Forever After

Words cannot say what my hear truly feels
A sadness, a loss, that only time will heal.
But today my Poppy is in a new place
Where life after death really does exist.
No sickness, no sorrow, no pain, no tears.
For today is a celebration of his happy years.
(Ninety-three to be exact)
What a wondrous life, what a wondrous day
To know that he no longer has to say,
"I Can Only Imagine!"
He sits before our King, our Maker, our Redeemer
Holding the hand of his beautiful bride.
She has waited for him and she knew the day.
Their celebration of being reunited.
They are Poppy and Grangran
How we know them best.
Without them
Our lives would have have been so blessed.

Thank you Lord
For the time we had them.
Now they are yours...for forever after!

SMORES....and MORE

If you don't have a campfire to make those perfect smores!  I have found an easy indoor way for those yummy smores.  Now, my family tends to like chocolate graham cracker for their smores but you can use whatever you want.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees, line baking sheet with aluminum foil, place as many graham crackers as you want on baking sheet and add one jumbo marshmallow to each.  Bake for about 5-6 minutes until that marshmallow is all swollen and turning brown.  Remove from the oven and place chocolate squares on the marshmallow and your cracker to top...YUMMO!  Hope you enjoy!


Well, the cool weather we have been having has made me dig up some of he fall-ish recipes that I love!  Hope you enjoy too!

Apple-Cranberry Crumble

Filling:
2 TBSP flour
2-1/2 lbs baking apples
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 tsp allspice
2/3/ cup brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2/ cup sliced almonds ( unless you have an allergy like us)
5 tbsp. butter (melted)

Peel, core and cut apples into wedges.  Combine all the filling ingredients, and spoon into a 2 quart baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and remove.  Mix the topping ingredients until crumbly and sprinkle on filling. Return to oven, and bake at 400 degrees until the top is crispy and brown.


Pumpkin Pecan Crunch

1-15 oz can pumpkin
1-12 oz evap. milk
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
5 tsp pumpkin pie spice (divided)
1 T. vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
2 sticks butter melted
whip cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar 4 tsp pumpkin spice, pour into 13x9 greased pan.  Mix cake mix, 1 tsp pie spice and stir well.  Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mix, add pecans to top then drizzle butter over the top.  Bake 50 minutes until brown.  Serve with whipped cream!


Pumpkin Praline Pie

Filling:
1 frozen pie crust
3/4 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
1-1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1-15 oz can pumpkin
1-1/4 cup evap. milk
2 eggs beaten
1/2 tsp salt

Topping:
3 tbsp cold butter
1-1/2 cups pecans (roughly chopped)
2/3 cup light brown sugar

In bowl, whisk together pie filling ingredients, and pour into crust.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to  350 degrees and bake another 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine butter and sugar until crumbly.  Stir in pecans.  Spoon mixture on top of pie and bake an additional 10 minutes or until topping is golden.  Allow to cool!


I can smell the kitchen now! ENJOY!

Being Thankful....

So, again it has been awhile since I have been blogging!  Busy days with three boys back in school...a one year old that misses them dearly, a job in which I take my one year old who misses his brother's dearly and thinks mommy should be able to play while at work...lol,  a house to keep, and the list goes on...and on (but it is MY life and I love it)! 

We were able to sneak away this weekend for a little R&R at the lake but not everyone felt the greatest.  We started the weekend with me shutting Jack's fingers in the door...IT WAS AWFUL!  I felt so bad!  Mason proceeded to get the "fair crud" with a stomach ache all weekend and Noah just wasn't himself.  All in all it was a good weekend, just hoping no one else decides to get sick this week!  We got a surprise visit from my mom and grandma while we were there.  They didn't stay long but it was good to see them and I am so glad they stopped by for a few minutes! 

David is in full on work mode.  Stretching himself way too thin with clubs, archery, ATV safety and it is taking it's toll!  I keep telling him he is one man doing a job of three and he needs to take it easy and schedule some down time.  But you know how far that got me...in one ear and out the other!

The kids are busy with school and momma is busy trying to keep up with everyone's homework at night!  Whew!!!  They are fixing to gear up for flag football which starts in a couple of weeks which we are all excited about!  It means fall is around the corner which is the best camping weather with campfires and smores!   We love fall when the weather cools down, the leaves are turning and we love spring when it is warming up and it's time to get the camper out of hibernation from the winter! 

Something I am working on is trying to be more thankful and complain less.  I know you are thinking Rachel complain...never!!! lol  Yes, I find myself in a rut of complaints sometimes when I have absolutely EVERYTHING in the world to be thankful for!  I am trying to see that everything I do and have as simply a gift from God!  I can take that gift and use it to its fullest and be thankful that I have it!  Every task that I carry out throughout the day needs to be a blessing because God has given me the ability to be able to do it.  I know you are thinking...so you are going to be thankful when you empty the dishwasher?  Well, yes  I am!  I will be thankful that God has given me two hands to carry out the task and a dishwasher to work for me so I don't have to stand over the sink and wash them myself!  So, you are going to be thankful that you are cleaning house?  Well, that is a hard one but, yes, I am going to see that God has given me the ability to work so that I can have this house we live in.  He has given me the energy to see to what needs to get done...some days!  I know it is hard to be thankful for everything. God does tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I am sure I will falter and fail but I want to be better and with God on my side there is no doubt I can succeed if I try!

Thank you God for your promise of salvation!  Thank you God for covering me with your blood so that my sins are washed away.  Thank you God for loving a sinner such as me.  Thank God for allowing me to wake up every morning to a loving husband, who works way too hard and for four wonderful little boys.  Thank you God for giving me the strength to carry out each day, lifted up in your hands to carry out the tasks that need to be done!  Thank you God for a husband who loves me, through thick and thin, tired and cranky, bed head and no makeup! Thank you God for making me a mom and giving me these precious gifts that I get to call my sons!  Thank you God for my church and the family that we have grown with there for the last ten years!  Thank you God for loving caring parents who are always there for me! Thank you God for allowing me to work and take each child with me for the last 11 years...let my work be to your glory in whatever I am doing!  Thank you God for a roof to cover our heads and to protect us each night.  Thank you God for the sunshine to warm our souls and the darkness to give us rest. 

Some days....

Some days I just wonder what I am doing...why I am here...what is my purpose in this life! Have you ever felt that way? It is usually a passing feeling but sometimes it just hits me like a ton of bricks and pulls me down! Well I have an answer to one of those! I know I am here to be the mother to four wonderful little boys and I know that God has put me in this world if for nothing else, that purpose alone. It is a little scary sometimes! God has entrusted me (and David) with FOUR boys...four boys to be taught how to be men...four boys to be taught how to be Christian leaders in their families someday...four boys to be taught how to treat others...four boys to be taught what it means to be a Christian and what example that should be to other people! Sometimes it feels a little overwhelming!!! This week has been one of those overwhelming weeks. Not sure if it is just everyone starting to school...getting into a routine....lack of sleep...all those tired emotions from starting to school...did I mention lack of sleep???!!! Some days just seem like a fog and I guess I have forgotten over the last five years what that felt like with a baby in the house! Some days I feel like I am missing the whole picture but I know that His everlasting love embraces me even more when I feel this way. Is it Satan trying to get to me? Is it me searching for something more that He has for me to do? My answer would probably be "yes" to all the above...it is probably a little of both! I have this nagging that there is something I am supposed to be doing...or need to be doing...and I just don't know what it is! My prayer is "Lord, reveal yourself to me...show me your way and not mine...what do you want from my life...how can I let your light shine through me." I know that He hears this prayer and I know that when He is ready He will show me the way! I know God has a plan...a divine plan and I must be patient! Patience is not a strong point with me...but definitely something I am praying for help on!

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged, The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:7-9

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:4-7



written when Dylan was little...(for all my boys)!

Sometimes I get lonely and sad
Sometimes I don't know who I am
But when I look at you
It all makes sense
You are my true love
My greatest accomplishement

When you look at me
With those big blue eyes
That's all I need
That angel of mine
You make me laugh
You make me cry

You give me all the reasons why

You're the reason for my happiness
The reason for my joy
Your the reason I can shout from rooftops
I love you more and more

It's because of you I wake up in morning
Because of you my heart keeps beating
Because of you I know this love
Is the greatest love of all

You are the greatest love of all
You are my greatest love of all!

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's back to school we go...

Can you believe summer has passed so quickly? Me neither!!! I so enjoy having my boys home in the summer time having lazy days, just hanging out, taking little trips...just being together! Although we didn't take one big trip this summer we did lots of fun things together...camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, Dylan and David at 4-H camp and then at Centri-Kid, fun with friends...it was just a really good summer. It makes me sad for them to go back and not have them with me but I am very happy that they are excited about school and enjoy it like they do. It is hard to say goodbye when they start back but I am so very thankful for the Godly Christian teachers that each of them have this year...definitely an answer to prayer! Dylan is going into the 5th grade! How is it possible that my sweet first born will be going to the middle school next year...he is growing so quickly! It seems like yesterday I was walking him in for his first day of kindergarten. Mason is heading off to 3rd grade...again how is this possible that my loving caring Mason is getting so big. I have lots of prayers for my children but right now I have a special prayer for Mason and that is for him to find a good friend...a buddy! He has lots of friends but not that one good buddy that comes over and spends the night or that you can run pick up to go do something fun! Dylan has always had lots of good friends at church his age and that he can go home with or can come home with us but there just aren't a lot of boys Mason's age! God hears our prayers and I am sure in time he will bless Mason with a very good friend! On to Jack! What in the world am I going to do without my Jack Jack next week??? I cannot imagine sending him off. For several years he was the baby in the house! He is so ready to go and I am so thankful but I know that after I drop him off Monday...momma's gonna cry! He is a very special boy...who has never met a stranger! He is my social bug! He is so much like his daddy it isn't even funny! He can talk to anyone, make friends with anyone, he loves everybody and everybody loves him! He has a very compassionate heart...he loves "older" people. When most kids would shy away from an elderly man or woman...he will go crawl up in their lap and love on them! He is just special in that way! My goodness it will be so strange no having him here with me! Noah will be lost for sure when it is just him and me! Momma may be a little lost too..but I know God is watching over them and wraps his loving arms around them every day!

Livin' Inside Out...In An Upside Down World...

So proud of Dylan, Mason & Jack! They were once again in our church children's choir musical on August the 7th and they did a wonderful job! Dylan had a solo and one of the main speaking parts and he did a FANTASTIC job...so very proud of him. Mason had a speaking part and Jack was up there singing with them. This was a musical about a boy who was all "puffed up with pride" but through the help of his friends he soon learned that he needed Jesus in his heart. The whole crew did a wonderful job on Livin' Inside Out...In An Upside Down World!

My Baby is "1"...

Hard to believe that a year has passed by since we brought our precious Noah home from the hospital. This precious little boy is growing so fast! My heart is saddened a little knowing we are quickly leaving the "baby" stage...but look so forward to what God has in store for my boys that it is hard to stay sad long as this precious little thing begins to show his personality! Let's just say David and I may be in for it with Noah! No...he is a sweet little boy who loves to snuggle still but he is always into something. His new thing this week is touching everything...pointing and wanting to touch it. Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Noah!!! We love you very very much! As you can tell from his picture he loves his cupcakes!

When I saw you

The very first time

I couldn't believe

That you were mine.

With those tiny hands

And little feet

Those first cries

Made my life complete.

What more could I want

In this life of mine,

Than to hold my babies

In my arms each night.

Smiles on those little faces,

Goodnight kisses

And bedtimes wishes.

I couldn't ask

For any more, you see

I've got everything

I could ever need.

With those tiny hands

And little feet

Those first cries

Made my life complete.

Happy Anniversary...

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life! What a journey it has been for the last thirteen years. No, I am not that old...I just married very early. Twenty years old to be exact. Would I do it again...in a heartbeat! I was young...he was young...but awww we were in love...lol! Thank you David for being my best friend, love of my life, father of my children! I could not ask for a more caring, loving husband than you! I have loved being your wife for the past thirteen years. I hope we can spend many many more years together! You are the kindest, most considerate, caring man who loves his family and I cherish that. You always make time for our boys and are always finding something fun to go do with them. Most important you are a man of God. I thank God for sending me a man like you. I would often pray that whoever I married would love the Lord and God certainly answered my prayer. Thank you for being a great example and role model for our kids. Sure we have grown as a couple, we have grown in our faith, and we have definitely grown in number...but what a blessed 13 years it has been. I wouldn't trade it for money or fame! Love you lots babe....I look forward to what God has in store for us in the years to come and we watch our boys grow! I love you!

July 31, 1998...7:00 p.m. A date I will never forget!

Memories....

Tuesday night David, I and the boys went down to his mom's to pick up a bull. After supper I went up to the barn to help David load him. This farm was his daddy's life. We lost David's dad four years ago and I have probably only been up to the barn a handful of times since his death. When Larry was alive this is where you found him. This is where David and I spent many weekends helping as we needed to working cows or maybe just went down to ride horses for the day. Of course, this was David's life growing up.

When I walked in the barn I noticed a pair of gloves laying next to the barn door and it just hit me that this is probably the exact spot Larry laid them down over four years ago. Looking around at the things that were untouched and unchanged since his passing and then looking at all the things that had changed. The weeds are all growing up around everything, the barn is in desperate need of repair or be torn down. I started to get a little sad and teary eyed just thinking about him and the fact that he is gone. Then, I stopped and thought about all the wonderful times we had with Larry, especially on the farm. The weeds can grow up and cover everything, barns can fall down and disappear, but we will always always have the memories of our time with him here on this earth. Of course we miss the loved ones we lose, but as a Christian and knowing the loved one was a Christian there is a sense of peace and calm knowing that someday you will see them again. Knowing that they are in a much better place than this old world where weeds can take over. He has a new body where cancer no longer is destroying him...he is in a perfect world where thorns and weeds don't take over. So many times we have had family members/friends say...you know they were a good person, never did anything bad, worked hard, been a good husband, father, grandfather but they are here sick and dying while bad people are healthy and alive. I know suffering is hard to understand...I don't understand it myself. I do know that GOD cannot be blamed for it. Sooner or later we will all pass away from this life. Even the best of people will die someday. The only thing that matters in this life is knowing without a shadow of a doubt that when my time on this earth is finished where will I be. I know where I will be...my home will be in heaven. Do you know where yours will be?

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me and you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him. "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " John 14 1-5

Can you turn over your life to Christ? We will never be perfect until we are with him in heaven one day, but we can strive to live a Christlike life and to turn everything we have over to him. All of our vices, our troubles, our worries, our sinful nature...everything can be turned over to him. It is a daily struggle no doubt to say Lord I am not going to worry about this...it is in Your hands...Lord with your help I can overcome this...Lord I don't want to live like this anymore, please help me. But, if you can ever do it you will have more peace than you can ever imagine. Give it all to Him...let Christ sustain your life!

"It's simple...just hard!"
(If you have ever seen them movie "What If" you can appreciate this line)

Busy Days...

The last couple of weeks have been filled with the business of LIFE! Busy at work...and with what seems like just everything in general. As I was shopping for school supplies today I realized that we only have three weeks left until school starts (sad face). I am not ready to give my kids back to the school system. I always ask...are you sure you don't want mommy to homeschool? My kids like being at school and I am very thankful that they enjoy being there. They are very great students and never cease to impress and surprise me with all that they learn...Thanks to some great Findlay teachers!!! Of course, along with this school shopping I have a little heavy heart as Jack will be starting school this year. Yes, I guess I finally have to send him. He is so excited which is wonderful but momma is going to miss her little guy! What will I do without him? What will Noah do without him? It will be strange having a baby at home and no big boys here!

We were able to get away for a few days last week and go to the lake which was nice. We are really missing the beach this year but I just don't think I was up for having a toddler at the beach. We are hoping to sneak away for a few trips over the next few weeks with the kids and enjoy the pool as much as we can before school comes again.

With all that said I will have a one year old in a little over a week...WHAT? Where in the world did the last year go? How in the world can this precious baby boy already be one year old? Makes me a little sad knowing that the baby stage of our lives is coming to an end but excited to see what God has in store for my boys. They are each talented, smart, handsome and funny young men...I am one proud momma! Another WOW moment for is I will have a 5th grader, 3rd grader and a Kindergartener! Whew!!! Time is flying but we are having fun!

My Four Sons...

Just want to give a big thank you to my boys. I failed to do that in my previous post about the reunion, but my boys were such troopers last weekend at their great-grandfather's WWII reunion. All weekend long they couldn't wait until we got to the hotel and we were there all day most of the days until bedtime. I even gave them the option of staying home on Saturday and not going until after lunch. They wouldn't hear of it...they were up and ready to go and could not wait. I am so glad that they realize what a special time this is with their great-grandfather...and I think he really enjoyed having them there also. I have to brag on them a little...on more than one occasion my mom or myself were approached about how well behaved they were especially to have been there as long as we were! Thank you Lord for Four wonderful blessings!!!

Recipes!

Sharing some of my favorite recipes! Hope you enjoy! I plan on sharing a few along!

Chocolate Chip Pie

5 Tbsp butter softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup self rising flour
6 oz semi-sweet choc. morsels
3/4 c. pecans, chopped
1/2 coconut (optional)
1 unbaked 9" pie shell (deep dish works best)

Combine butter, sugar, vanilla in medium bowl; beat well. Add eggs and beat well. Gradually stir in choc. morsels, pecans and coconut if you wish. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake 350 degrees for 40 minutes. YUMMO! ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

Lasagna
1 and 1/2 lb hamburger
1 and 1/2 tsp garlic
1 T. parsley flakes
1 T. basil
1 16 oz. can crushed tomatoes
12 oz. tomatoe paste
24 oz cottage cheese
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 T parsley flakes
1/2 c parmesean cheese
3 pkg mozzarella cheese
1 pkg lasagna noodles

Brown hamburger, drain fat and add garlic salt, parsley flakes, basil, tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer uncovered 45 minutes, meanwhile cook 12 lasagna noodles in salted water and rinse. Mix together cottage cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, parsley flakes and cheese. Layer noodles, cottage cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese and meat mixture then another layer starting with noodles and ending with meat mixture. this fills 2 11x7 casseroles. Bakes 375 degrees for 20 minutes, let stand 15 minutes before cutting into square. It can be frozen!


Sweet Bread

2 cans crescent rolls
2 pkg. cream cheese
1 and 1/4 c. sugar
1 egg yolk (save the white)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 to 1 c. pecans, chopped (optional)

Press 1 can of crescent rolls in bottom of 9x13 greased pan. Stir cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, egg yolks and vanilla until creamy. Spread over crescent rolls. Press out another can of rolls and lay on top of cream cheese mixture. Spread egg white over top of rolls. Spring 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and nuts on top. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Sin Cake

1 c. flour
1 stick margarine
bake 350 degrees
This is for the crust. I change this up most of the time and use graham cracker crumbs and make my own crust instead. My kids like it better this way.

1 cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup cool whip

1 large instant chocolate pudding
2 cups of milk

Make crust and let cool completely. Mix together in seperate bowl sugar, cream cheese and cool whip and then pour on crust. Mix together choc. pudding with milk and put on top of cream cheese. Finish off with Cool whip on top and chocolate sprinkles... a family favorite!

What a weekend!

In one of my earlier blogs I talked about my grandfather or "Poppy" as I know him! This weekend I had the opportunity to once again celebrate this special man! Not just this man but several men. This weekend was my grandfather's WWII Army reunion which was once again held in Cookeville by our family. We had the privilege of spending three full days with these men and their families as we all visited. It has not just become about these men but also about the families of these men. Some that have already lost loved ones still come to get together with special friends they have made over the years. As I was talking with Ms. Agnes this weekend she said that they started attending the reunions in the 1950's...wow! Ms. Agnes said that this was their vacation every year and they always planned their vacations around when the Army reunion would take place. I am so thankful and feel very blessed that I have been able to be a part of this special time for the last few years. I am also very thankful that Lord willing we will again host it in Cookeville next August. There are only a handful of these men left and we only had three of the veterans out of my grandfather's unit there this year with one not able to attend because of a family sickness at the last minute. We still had around 40 people there who were family of these men or family of ones that had passed on there to celebrate and enjoy this special time. They lost three men this year which has taken its toll on all of them. I know that everyone leaves the weekend with a heavy heart because they are all in their 90's and they all realize that next year there is always fewer and fewer able to be there. What a life they have had and what a blessing it is to celebrate them!

This is a poem I wrote for one of the first reunions I was able to attend. I wrote it at the same time that I wrote the one for my grandparents 60th anniversary (in 2002)...they kind of parallel each other...so I wanted to share.

These Men

Sixty years have come and gone

But the lives of these men

Have changed us all.

They fought for our country

With all that they had.

Some lost their lives

Who did not understand.

Each year they come together

With family and friends.

To remember the times

They spent with armed hands.

They tell stories of each other

And of friends lost.

The laughter of men

Who know life comes with a cost.

So few left of so many.

Some day they will all be gone.

Their stories will live on

In their families.

Their lives in the hearts

Of us all.

Just stuff...

For years I have had this binder hanging over my head in the closet...lol! That sounds crazy I know! This binder is filled with pages upon pages of things I have written...full pages, partial pages, one line thoughts, etc... Why is it so hard for me to share this? For years it has just been stuff...stuff from the past...stuff that didn't matter...stuff that didn't mean anything to anyone...not really even me. As I have been writing this blog I have started remembering how much I like to write. I may not be any good at it...I don't know! For some it is meaningless words upon a page and they won't bother reading...that is ok! What I hope is that someday my kids and grandkids will look back and enjoy a good laugh or just remember who momma was and smile. Here and there I may start sharing a few things I have written. I have picked one out today that was written when Dylan was probably 2 and Mason was just a baby. Why did I pick this one? Because we are STILL in this stage (for only a short while longer (sad face))...and I LOVE it!

ME

I wake up and everyone is still asleep
I don't want to sleep-I want to get up.
The suns not up...baby borther's not up
Mommy and Daddy aren't up
but what about me.
Some days it's just so hard to be me.

I don't want to put on my clothes today
Can't I just wear my pj's
I don't want to pick up my toys
You pick them up - I just want to play
Yuck, I don't like to eat green peas.
Some days it's just so hard to be me.

Mommy wants me to brush my teeth and hair
But that's not any fun and just not fair
I want to take a bath you see
Just me and my baby brother
And splash water all over the place yippee.
This is whats fun to me.

Mommy tells me the reason she wants me to do
All the things I don't want to do
Is so everyone is happy and has a good day.
So, I should stay in my bed and try to rest
Until the sun peeks in my window
Then Mommy and Daddy and baby brother and me
Aren't so tired in the morning.
Some days it's just so hard to be me.

Putting on my clothes
and brushing my teeth
Makes me feel good
then I can go out and play.
I pick up my toys because I made a mess
I eat green peas because they are good for me.
Some days its just so hard to be me.

But when my Mommy an Daddy hug me tight
And my baby brother shares with me
When Mommy lets me put on my favorite shirt
And brush my hair all by myself.
When I get to help make my very own lunch
And my friends get to come over and play
What fun this is for me.
So I guess ...some days it's not so hard to be me.

Ninety-Three...

Yes...I said 93! What a blessing it was to celebrate the life of my "Poppy" today! He has been walking this earth for 93 years...can you imagine? Well, I can't! Here he is in his new Atlanta Braves hat from Charley, Haven, Tanner & Tomas! He loves the Braves! Today was special with family and friends getting together to just enjoy a very special man. Think of everything that he has seen in 93 years! Oh, the stories he has to tell. He has been very blessed with good health, he still drives, still has a very good memory...and he loves getting together to eat! In fact, he and my dad eat breakfast EVERY morning. Monday, Wednesday, Friday they go to Made With Love in Cookeville. Tuesday and Saturday's they go to Cracker Barrell. Sundays they don't eat breakfast together but meet for lunch after church! David has often said he wished that over the years we had recorded the stories he has told about the things he has seen and the things he has lived through. For instance, in WWII he was in a tent invading an island (for the life of me can't remember which one) pretty sure it was Okinawa. He and his buddies sleeping on their cots in a tent when they heard the familiar whistle of a bomb falling...he rolls over with his cot on top of him...his life is spared when most others in his tent were not. He spent the night giving morphine shots to his buddy just to get him through the night...hoping he would not run out before morning until help arrived. The places he has gone...riding trains to California! He and my grandmother were married for sixty-six years. My grandmother "GranGran" passed away three years ago. She would have been 95 this year. Today my aunt shared something she found in a basket that GranGran had written...must have been some 30 something years ago and was just found recently. She titled it "The Things I Like". This was a five page handwritten note listing all of the thing she liked! We all cried reading it...She liked antiques, hanging baskets, and pillows...Gatlinburg, California, and her hometown...when a man shows a woman affection like reaching for the hand of the woman he married...likes it when a man looks as good in overalls and whiskers as he does when he is getting ready for a party...likes junk jewelry and polished nails...likes covered porches.... The list goes on and maybe that will be another blog. Altogether this inspired me that we should all leave something special for our children and loved ones to find one day. Gone but not forgotten...We love you GranGran!

Several years ago on their 60th Anniversary on January 25, 2002 I wrote a poem for them as a gift...I have decided to share it with you which is very unusual for me to share anything I have written. I used to write a lot but after two babies the writing slowed and eventually stopped for several years...like 7 years...but I love writing...good or bad I enjoy it and I might as well share it because I don't do it for money or fame...just because!

Without Them

Some sixty years have come and gone

But the love of two keeps livin' on.

At a time of war

There came a love

A love that changed us all.

The end of an era

Where love really lasts

Part of the few who make it past.





They are givers of much

And takers of little

Two people who love

Without much in the middle

They are Poppy and Grangran

How we know them best




Without them

Our lives would not be so blessed!