Ta-Da

We finished up around 12:30am. When I finally climbed in bed, I was soooooo tired I could have almost cried (not really, just trying to let you guys know how exhausted I was)!

Anyway, this morning, I got everything back in place and here are the results of Morgan's FINALLY painted room. We are very, very, satisfied. She loves it and I'm glad!

Hope you enjoy: Click on each picture for a better view.

Spur of the moment

I just got back from the Y. I ran 3 miles.

Chandler and I had a good day in Algebra today. Lately it's been kinda hit or miss. What I mean by that is, although we would do it each day (except for Fri... I wasn't feeling well), we would run out of time or some distraction would come up. I told him yesterday that today we really needed to have a good full day of math. And, that's just what we did. Except for this one stinkin concept that we just can't seem to get. We will, eventually.

O.K. so yall know I've been doin the Kroger deal thing for a couple of months now, right? Well, Lynn told me that for every $100.00 that you spend, you get 10cents off the gallon when you buy your gas at Kroger. I needed gas today so I pull up to the pump with my Kroger Plus card in hand and my debit card ready for my discounted gas. I COULD NOT for the life of me figure out where to slide your kroger plus card. Lynn said, "all you have to do is slide your Kroger Plus card first"....O.K. WHERE? I'm looking and looking and I'm sure by now talking out loud to myself, which started out a simple..."where?" then progressed to "where is the thing?" and finally I'm sure was an all out "Where in the world is the thing?" So, I called Lynn and asked her..."Where is the thing that you slide your card through?" To the best of her memory she said "I think it's somewhere on the right" NOPE, not that I could see. OH GOOD GRIEF!! She told me to go ask the attendant person. So, just at that moment, this lady drove up beside me and I said to her "Mam, are you gonna use your Kroger Plus card?" "Yes", she said. "Could you please show me where I'm suppose to slide mine?" "Sure".....and she points to this thing that is not a slide thing at all. You simply hold your card under it and your good to go. WELL I NEVER......but I did get my 10cents of the gallon. Instead of 3.09...I paid 2.99. What I won't do for a deal these days. LOL!

Anyway, back to my title "Spur of the moment"

My mom called today and said, "whatcha gonna do Saturday?" I told her my plan was to paint Morgan's room. She said "let's have a girls day (girls meaning...myself, momma, Deb and Les). Let's go shopping and do lunch and such. Well, if plans change, about Morgans room, then O.K.

A little while later my phone rings, actually it beeps. I'm on another call so I call back, it's Deb (Deb is my sister in law, Tommy's wife). She says to me "I hear you need to get some painting done" (my mom had called her and twisted her arm to come help me paint so we could have our "girls day, Saturday") Well, I'm sure she didn't twist Deb's arm, really....she just put the bug in her ear. So, my sweet little sister in law says "I'll come over tonight and help you and we can knock it out". I'm certainly not gonna refuse the help, I'm not that stupid. HA! So, instead of painting on Saturday, by myself, Deb and I will do it tonight (hince...Spur of the moment).

I need to go shower and call to let her know I'm home and off we go painting.

Blessing - My sister in law, Debbie. Not just because she's coming to help me paint, but because she is really good to my brother and she's a great mom. Love ya, Deb.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

And that's just what it has done, off and on all day. It's been so purty out there at times. At one point, it actually looked like a blizzard, well, a blizzard for Tennessee that is. It really has been enjoyable. Nice...REAL nice (NEXT)... only my family will know what that means..LOLOLOL!!!! You have to be at my mom's on Christmas Eve to get it.

Anyhoo, I've talked to my dad the past several days about different things. There are those "official" times that I will call him and say..."this is your member, not your daughter talking....and I need advise". I'm so thankful for the wisdom of my dad. Years ago, in school, I had to write a paper entitled "My Hero". That paper consisted of several paragraphs about my dad. To this day, he is still my hero. I have a couple of hero's but he is at the very top of the list. I love him very much and I'm proud, very proud, to call him my daddy.

Tonight's menu will consist of....Chicken that has been marinating in some kind of mesquite grill something or other, green beans, mac n cheese, and chicken flavored rice. Mmmmmmmmmm, that sounds so good.

Has anyone ever shopped at the Goodwill Store? I know you have, Les. She (Les, that is) can find the cutest clothes in there. I think I want to go. I know, I know, Les, you tried to get me to go today....sorry.....how bout Friday?

I guess I will end this very rambling post with my blessing:

2 men with great wisdom that have a HUGE impact in my life....my husband and my dad!

Wrong side of the bed or something

Have you ever woke up grouchy? Don't you even say no.....cause I know that ain't true. HA! Well, I did this morning. I think I'm gonna chalk it up to being stir crazy. I laid on the couch literally the entire day yesterday. Well, I got up for a few things, but mostly....couch potato. I must have needed the rest. Anyway, I've GOT to get out of this house today. I've even quoted the scripture to myself.."This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be GLAD in it".....not grouchy it it, right? HA!
I expect it to get better as the day continues. Prayer will take care of it!!

I think we are taking today off school. Steve is not working and he and Chandler are at the golf course right now. It's 11:16 and Morgan just came down the steps..."Good Morning, Sleeping Beauty". Remember, she did have a very social weekend and she needed her beauty rest. By the time the guys get back from golf, it will be time to head to soccer practice so, I guess we can just double up on school tomorrow.

Due to illness, I still have not gotten Morgan's room painted. Oh well......

I'm off for now...things to do around here...

**Blessing - The relationship that Steve and Chandler have together. They enjoy each others company.

Today's Blessing

Friends and family that have called to check on me since I've been under the weather.

Thanks guys!


P.S. Please say a prayer, I've been really dizzy today....weird!

"What?"

Let me start by saying that Chandler and Morgan had a lock-in at the church last with with the VLB and Gleaners. Chandler came home around 12:30, I think, cause he's having company today (a friend who happens to be a girl....(i'll stop there, read between the lines)) and he didn't need to be tired. Anyway, Ms. Morgan, my little social bug stayed all night then had plans to go home with Brennan and stay the night with her tonight. I guess I'll get my child back after church tomorrow. HA!

Anyway, I suppose Morgan had a brain freeze or something cause my phone rang this morning before I was awake to Morgan with a VERY chipper voice asking "Momma, how much did I weigh the last time I went to the doctor?" You can imagine, I'm sure, my response, being only half awake, and remembering I haven't felt good the past 2 days.."What?" "Are you asleep, mom", uhhhhhhhhh "yeah", never skipping a beat she says "wasn't it 86.4?" "No, Morgan, it was 84.6"....."Thanks mom, bye".

I went back to sleep

My phone ran again, it was that same chipper little voice....I said, "hello"...Morgan said, "Oh momma, you sound bad"...."I'm asleep Morgan"....."Oh sorry" and she proceeds to fill me in on her daily plans.

Am I complaining? Absolutely...NO! Now, I do have to admit that when she woke me up wanting to know her weight, the thought did occur to me....."What?"

I know I talk alot about my family and how much they mean to me but it's because they are my heart beat. I had a blessing the other day about my mother and I'm so very thankful because I see that same closeness between myself and my daughter. Morgan shares everything with me and I wouldn't change a thing.

***Blessing - I don't feel any worse today!

"like a truck ran over me"

Earlier Chandler asked..."how ya feelin, mom?" My response..."like a truck ran over me". It's really weird, I wouldn't say I have the full blown flu but something is going on for sure. My body is fighting something hard. It's like I need an injection of energy. I'm cold on the inside...does that make any sense? And, I'm aching on the inside....if that makes any sense either? This is how cold I was last night. I climbed in bed with my fuzzy socks, long Jon P.J.'s and my heavy robe on top of that and still got under the covers which consisted of the sheet and 2 blankets. It's sorta like it comes in waves. I'll think...well, I'm O.K. then in a matter of minutes I just want to lay down and sleep. It's like I'm split right down the middle......"your sick"...."your not sick"...."your sick"...."your not sick"....I would just as well stop at the "your not sick"....thank you very much!

Anyway, if my body let's me, and that's a great big question mark seeing how I'm feeling right this minute, I'm gonna try and paint Morgan's room this weekend. I did go get the paint. We are doing 3 of the walls green, the official color is called...."fresh pear" and 1 of the walls will be pink....officially "dreamy memory". We chose these colors from her comforter, which I think she has posted a pic of it on her livejournal that you can go look at, if you so choose.

***Blessing - being able to go to Minnesota in June to be with Autumn for her graduation party and spend a couple of days with her and her family....we purchased our tickets last night! We are flying to Chicago, then driving to Minnesota (Chicago is half way) then when we come back to Chicago we are going to spend a couple of days there for a vacation.

No...No...No...No

Thus far, the Fox's have managed to not get the flu bug that has been biting everyone. But, today, I've been freezing, achy, and had a dull headache. NO...NO...NO...NO... please, say a prayer that this will move right along. I really don't want to get sick.

In other news.....

My blessing for today is my relationship with my mother. I was watching something on T.V. this afternoon where this daughter and mother hated each other. It was awful!! They had taken each other to court several times. It was unbelievable how they were talking to each other. They would call each other liar every other word.

I love my mother. We have a great relationship. We always have. I use to come home from a date with Steve, jump right in her bed and share the entire night. I trust my mother with my life and with the life of my children. We have the ability to talk to each other like best friends do. I appreciate her! We've been through alot together especially over the past 2 years and we have helped each other in ways only she and I know...right, momma?

It's never hard.....

to find a blessing. I had a post a couple of days ago entitled..."Small Blessings". It doesn't have to be a gigantic thing (but it can). Just something that you consider a blessing in your day. I think it would be really cool and encouraging to share our blessings with each other each day. So, in addition to whatever my post may be, I want to start or end it with "my blessing" for that day. I hope you guys will share. You might share something that just may be "the blessing" someone else needs. Now, don't forget to send your regular old comments but add a blessing to it if you have one.

Today's blessing - Chandler's good health report. I took him for his physical today and he is in tip top shape. I thank the Lord that my children are healthy.

Hump Day

Isn't that what Wednesday is called? The middle of the week? Over the hump?

Anyway, today holds several things on the schedule, as does most days for me. Usually, like yesterday, there are not enough hours in the day to get done all that I usually need or want to get done. But, yesterday has come and gone and I have today.

At 10:00 this morning, I have to have Chandler at the Dr. for a sports physical. He needs this in order to play soccer. I need to go to the chiropractor. School is a must. It's 8:00am right now, I would love to at least be done with Algebra before Chandler's appt. I want to fit the Y in today since yesterday I ran out of time on that one. I have to go to the bank and make the church deposit for my husband since that is another thing I failed to do yesterday. I also need to get by our personal bank. I did get by Kroger though and like every week got some pretty good deals. I only paid .29 cents for soft soap. Because of this deal, I purchased 3 of them. So, if I'm doing my math correctly that's all 3 for less than $1.00. Thank you Amy so much for showing me the light on this deal thing. LOL!

I need to call and see if Brad is going to church tonight. Usually, either Rick, Les or myself will go pick him up when he's up to going. So, we shall see.

I hope you all have a great day and get everything accomplished that you need to get accomplished...I sure hope to.

Small Blessings

James 1:17a - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above....

Today I needed to replace the fluorescent lighting in my laundry room so I went to Lowes (mind you...I could have gone to Walmart or Home Depot) but I chose Lowes. Before I went down the lighting aisle, I stopped at the paint section to pick up some paint swatches for Morgan and I to choose a paint color for her room. I grabbed several different ones then went and got my lights. I paid for the lights and when I did, the little cashier lady handed the receipt to me and said, "this is a coupon for $10 off your next purchase of $25 or more within the next week". I immediatley thought of Morgan's paint and said, "that's great" (or something to that effect). I told her about painting my daughters room and that I would be purchasing paint. She told me that if I had more than one purchase that I could use my $10 coupon for the first purchase (the first gallon of paint) and then when I get that receipt that I would get another $10 coupon to use on my next purchase (the 2nd gallon paint). Yeah baby.....I was sooooooo excited!!! As I was leaving Lowes, I simply whispered..." Thank you Jesus for that blessing."

Now, you may choose to say...you just got lucky, but I chose to say..."Thank you Jesus for that blessing." His Word, as I started this post says that EVERY GOOD thing comes from above. Wouldn't you say that was a good thing? I do!!!! This was a small blessing from the Lord today. What has been your small blessing today, or maybe large blessing? The blessings are all around us!!!!

THANK YOU JESUS

Prayer

As most of you know, Kasey is headed back to Idaho. She has several helping her including her mom & dad and Emily. Em called this morning asking for prayer and she also asked if I would have others pray........Please pray for Kasey's dad, Mr. Leonard. They think he has picked up food poisoning and he is very sick. This is bad enough, but especially on the road....so, please pray.

Thanks

Friday and Saturday

Yesterday....hmmmmm....let's see.....if my memory serves me correctly.....I took the kids to Lynn's to ride with her to their tutorial class. I came back home and normally my Friday's are spent with Bradley at therapy but he no longer has therapy on Friday's. I did go get him anyway though and we had lunch together. I called Les to go but she already had a lunch date. I also called Em and she was working. So, Lynn and the kids met us at Subway around noonish. We wanted to do something else after lunch so Morgan texted Rick for me to see if we could come visit him at the shop but he was super busy due to the nice weather. So, that didn't work out. Well, we went back home (to Brad's) parked the van and decided to walk around to Nanny and Bob's house. They were thrilled that we came over. We (I say "we" cause Verna... the lady that helps us out with Brad) got him back home, then I headed to the house to do Algebra with Cha (and Lynn and Justin).

Last night we had prayer at the church then I headed back home to call it a day.

Today my plan was to run about 6 miles, clean my mom's house and paint Morgan's room. She got a new comforter for Christmas and we have yet to get this project complete... re-decorating her room that is. Well, I didn't get the run in...my running buddy wasn't feeling well, so we've decided to run 6 on Monday when the kids go to soccer practice. I did not get my mom's house clean and I did not get Morgan's room painted. It's all good though....those things will still be there when I get to them.

Tonight we have a band service at Rick & Les' house. We are doing a Mexican fiesta thingy. I'm taking my Quesadalla maker....yum...yum!!! All of this good eatin will be after we have a season of prayer. PRAYER CHANGES ME...right? It certainly changes everything but when God says "wait", then the prayer will change me until He changes the situation.

Then I hope to play the Wii. Les got herself a Wii not too long ago and I love playing tennis on that thing. It should be a good night of prayer, eatin and good ole fellowship. Good stuff!

Love to all of yall out there!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

To Steve.....the love of my life for the past 24 years now. Six years of dating and 18 years of marriage. WOW! What a blessing you have been and continue to be. You're amazing! I told you just this week..."I wish I could be more like you". And I really mean that. Steve, you are a very wise man. You are an example of James 1:19 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. You are one of the most selfless people that I know. Many, many times you have put my wants and the wants of our kids ahead of your own needs. You always thinks of others first. You find the good in everyone. You WILL NOT "gossip" in any way. You are not a fault finder of any sorts. How did I end up with such a man? One answer....my parents prayed and God answered. You have provided a life for me (and I don't mean with materials things only) that I am so grateful for. You are a Godly father and the best husband any one could possibly imagine. You love the Lord first and love me with such a love it cannot be described in words. Our children adore you. What a blessing that is. I give God the Glory and Honor and Praise for what we have. It's priceless and unique. I want to be a better wife. I don't feel I come close to being what I see you, Steve to be. I love you babe, with all my heart.

To Chandler.... my first born. I love you and I'm proud of you! I loved you first...not more...just first. I didn't realize how much love you could have in your heart until I saw you for the first time. I see great Faith in you. The way you have responded to Brad's accident and other tragedies has shown me how rock solid you are in your faith. That encourages me so much......that Faith in the Lord will do wonders in your life. I 'm so proud of how "protective" you are of your little sister and how you love her. It warms my heart that you guys are close. I 'm thankful for the relationship you have with dad. It's obvious you admire him. I want you to "succeed" in life by doing whatever it is that your heart desires AS LONG as the Lord is first in your life....I'm happy. As long as you are truly seeking His Will....I'm happy. You have lots friends and the Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 - A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: You are friendly and kind to others and I'm proud of that. I love you Cha!!

To Morgan.....my peanut butter and jelly. You are special! I see such a deepness in you in your relationship with the Lord that is unique to a 13 year old. Matthew 5:8 says Blessed are the pure in heart.....this is you, Morgan....PURE! I see your choices and decisions and it is clear you want to please the Lord. What more could a mother ask for? I desire for you the same that I desire for your brother, that you "succeed" in life as long as Jesus remains #1 in it all. Don't ever take your eyes off of HIM and you will do well. You make us laugh. You keep things fun around here.....BAM!!!!! I love you more than words and I truly enjoy being with you.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY FAMILY........THANK YOU JESUS FOR THESE BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE....MAY I NEVER TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED!!!!

Kodak Moment

I went out today for about an hour and a half, came home, went up to Chandler's room, opened his door and this is what I saw. Soooooooo sweet!

Congrats.....Nerves.....Pray

Let me explain...

CONGRATS....to Justin....today is his 16th birthday....He got a car....YAH for Justin!!! Soooooooo fun and exciting!!!

NERVES....Morgan is with Kasey tonight. They are hanging out, spending time together before Kasey goes back to Idaho on Sunday. Morgan is really good about keeping in touch with me but it had been hours since I spoke with her. I could not reach her by text or phone. I could not reach Kasey either. Why do we do this to ourselves....think the worst and let our nerves get the best of us. IT'S AWFUL!!! I even called Andy to please go over to Kasey's house to see if they were there. I was praying....shew.....FINALLY Kasey called....Thank the Lord....Kasey had left her phone in her car and Morgan's phone was in her bag and she didn't hear it. That is a sick, sick feeling but it's over and Praise the Lord my baby was fine.

PRAY....my mommas is really, REALLY sick. She has the flu and cannot shake it.

Shew...non-stop

I'm tired. I've had such a busy day. It's been good, just busy. It started with Dakota jumping up on my bed about 5:15AM. She sleeps with Morgan, usually, but made her way down stairs very early. I assumed that she needed to go potty so I jumped out of bed, grabbed her up and put her outside. I went to the restroom myself and had a surprise, a Dakota surprise waiting for me in the bathroom floor. Thankfully, I didn't step in it. That's it....Dakota has to go back to sleeping in her crate. We've tried this before, letting her sleep in Morgan's bed, and for a while she did well, but I think she has fallen off the wagon, so it's back to the crate tonight. I did not stay up that early. I slept for a couple of more hours and got up for the day at about 7:00. I did some cleaning and laundry. Chandler and I did some Algebra, then I quickly ran off to Kroger for my deals.

I really need at least 2 hours in there. I think I could have gotten more deals but I just didn't have the time. Maybe I'll go back before the end of the week. I had to leave to get the kids to soccer practice at about 2:45 in Gallatin. BUT, I did have time for a few good deals. We use ground turkey (I mentioned that in an earlier post) and Kroger has there fresh ground turkey on sale this week for .99 cents per lb. Yep, you read that right...99 cents. So, I bought 10 of them. I use several each week so I racked up. I also got a Pillsbury cake mix for 20 cents. It was one of the 10 for 10 deals and I had a 40 cent coupon which was doubled at the register so I paid only 20 cents for that puppy....cha ching!!!! I paid 50 cents for deodorant after sale and coupon. I also got those pizza roll things cheap. They are also 10 for 10, which means $1 each. My coupon was 40 cents...doubled that's 80 cents off of the dollar so, yes sir ree....20 cents yet again.

O.K. so much for that. I drove Chandler, Morgan and Brandon to soccer practice. I sat in the car waiting for them, which was a perfect time to read my Bible and pray, so that's just what I did. On the way home, Chandler and Brandon made plans for Brandon to sleep over. We went to his house, got his stuff and headed back to our house. I came in the door, immediately starting making dinner, which was spaghetti, washed up some dishes and finally have sat down to check things out and to post.

Oh yeah, I forgot something. I had to make a run to my momma's house to drop off her laundry detergent which has been at my house for several days. Well, since the last time I did her laundry. She has been really, really sick with the flu but she needed her detergent to do some laundry as she felt like it. Thankfully, we (the Fox's) have managed to not get sick with all the junk that has been going around and I certainly did not want my mom's germs so, I literally laid her detergent on her front porch and rang the door bell and left. My dad flew out to Oklahoma today for a funeral. One of the members at Antioch, his mother passed away and daddy went to be with them and attend the funeral. (Bro. Childress's mother).


So yeah, as I started this post...I'm tired, so...

Good night

Coupons

I just got finished clipping and filing my weekly coupons. (that sounds so important, doesn't it?)HA! Anyway, I've copied Amy on the filing system and it's the coolest way to keep up with what you have. You know those holder things that you put baseball cards in if your collecting them? You know, a clear sheet thingy that has about 9 pockets, on each side. Well, if you put your coupons in those you can see what you have and they are easily accessible. If you have your coupons in just an envelope or some other holder, you have to dig through until you find which one you need, and if you don't have each coupon memorized you could forget and miss a really good deal. But, this way (you actually keep the clear sheets in a 3 ring binder folder) and all you have to do is open the folder and "BAM" (as Morgans says)there are all your coupons in perfect view. It's great!! I can't wait to get the Kroger and Publix add now every Sunday just to see what is gonna be on sale. And let me just say, this week, I'm gonna get some good deals!

I feel tired. Can you think and feel like your sleeping really good at night but not really be sleeping good at night? Did that make any sense?

I think I'll go lay on the couch and watch Jon & Kate plus 8...I love that show!

Good bye fishy..........Morgan ACTUALLY agreed

When Morgan was 7 years old, she got 3 gold fish for her birthday. This fish are bionic fish, I'm telling you, they WILL NOT die, except for one that passed away about a year ago. Anyway, the two that are left are super sonic. Let me explain....Morgan is not the best at keeping the fish tank cleaned properly. As a matter of fact, right now, this very minute if you were to go into her room and look at the fish tank you would have to search diligently to even see them, that's how filthy the tank is. It really is fish abuse. Now, Morgan is an animal lover greatly and she does love the fish but they have become more of an burden than a blessing. She is wanting to move her bedroom around, but the fish tank is in the way. It stinks....literally, I mean the fish tank stinks when it gets this gross.

We've talked about "freeing" the fish but how???? No way would she "flush" them (if you know what I mean) and for real, who could do that? That would be so sad and cruel. Steve and I talked this morning that getting rid of them some how would really be "helping" the poor things. Can they live in a cold water creek? I really don't know but that's what has been decided. First, I had to call Morgan (she's at the soccer field playing soccer today) but I asked....."Can we please set the fish free in the creek" and she said..."sure...it would be better than living in the junk they are living in" and beside she really wants that extra space in her room. ***priorities here....hmmmmm....yucky fish tank vs. more space in her room????? (what would you do if you were a 13 year old girl???) LOL

So, today is the day. Steve is gonna take them to the creek. They've had a good life for the most part. They are huge, seriously some of the biggest gold fish you have ever seen. So....good bye fishy..... on to bigger and better things for you!

Ahhhhhhh....Friday again.....

Can you believe it's Friday again? These weeks literally fly by, don't they? Well, Friday usually means therapy for Brad and me but he doesn't go today. I'm not really sure why but he's not. Momma said something about going out to eat with him tonight though. We sometimes do that on Friday nights but have not gotten to in a while. Mostly the cold weather. So, tonight after we go to the church to pray, maybe we will go eat. We'll see.

The kids are at their tutorial classes right now so the house is good and quiet, except for Dakota chewing on her foot.....AH! that dog! My house needs a really good cleaning. I may do some today but will probably save most of it until tomorrow.

Because of being at the dentist office so long yesterday and the day getting away, we didn't get to Algebra so we will need to make that up over the weekend sometime. We don't really have a busy weekend, I'm glad. The older I get, the less busy I like to be. I guess that comes with age, huh? Speaking of age, I will be 40 in 3 months. WOW! Thank you Lord!

I think Steve is playing golf tomorrow and the kids have planned to get together to play soccer. Lynn and I need to run 6 miles according to our training schedule for th 1/2 marathon. Steve is up to 10 miles, but he is training for the full marathon.

So much for the rambling......

The Dentist

Today Chandler, Morgan and me had our bi-yearly teeth cleaning visit. We were there for 3 hours. Oh my goodness, there was only 1 hygenist (sp?) there today so we each had to take a turn. Usually when I'm having my teeth cleaned, there is someone else working on the kids but, nope, not today. I went first. I have really sensitive teeth so she decided to numb me up to clean my teeth. Not with a shot numb but with this rinse that I had to keep in my mouth for 3 minutes. O.K.....usually 3 minutes is nothing, right? Well, not when you are literally watching the clock, or actually watching the watch that was sitting in my lap cause I had to hold my head over my lap for those 3 minutes so that my throat didn't get numb! Let me just say, those 3 minutes felt like 3 hours. So, not only did I rinse with the numb-stuff but she also shot this other stuff around my gums for added numbness. Yep, I was numb. It helped though. It really only hurt once, I think. I'll tell you, I was so numb though, that when she would spray the water in my mouth, to rinse it out...I, for real, couldn't even feel the water spraying in. Weird feeling!!! Anyway, no cavities for me...YAH me!

Next, Miss Morgan...good cleaning...no cavities.. YAH Morgan!

Last, but certainly not least, Chandler...he needs to floss more (I do too, but she told him he needed too..HA!) He's got great teeth but guess what?.....yep, he has a cavity. So, we go back next week to get it filled. MAN!

CAETIE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAETIE......

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kasey

I don't want to steal her thunder by sharing too much cause I don't know how much she will want to share on her blog but I'll just say that tonight we had a special "going away" (back to Idaho) service for Kasey. It hasn't "hit" me until tonight that she's leaving. I'm sad....really....really sad!!!!!! Under her circumstances now, I can't blame her for wanting to be with her family but I don't like it one bit that she's leaving us. Kasey has been such a vital part of our congregation for the past almost 4 years. If I had to sum her up in one word, the first thing that comes to mind is...FAITHFUL. No matter what was going on or what needed to be done, you could count on Kasey to be there supporting. There's absolutely no doubt that she loves the Lord and wants to please Him above all else. I miss her already and she's not even gone yet. I miss the idea that she's leaving. My kids, both of them, think alot of her. They both hate to see her leave. We all hate to see her leave.

I love you Kasey....you have been a strength to me through all that you've had to face.
I will be praying for you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

to two of my favorite people in the world!!!!!!!!!

LaDonna - We go waaaaayyyyyy back, from kids. I was 11, she was 13 when we met. Our families have grown up together. Man Ladonna, I'm making us sound really old, huh? lol
Anyway, we were in each others weddings. When I was pregnant with Chandler, she was pregnant with Chelsei. When she was pregnant with Lindsei, I was pregnant with Morgan. When she got pregnant with Jacob, she broke our routine. HA! When I was in the hospital delivering Morgan, she brought me a rose. (I usually have a terrible memory, but certain things I do remember)
Going back to our teen years, we once decided we would "run away" from home together. We both had our teddy bears and climbed out my bedroom window. We made it to the end of the street and chickened out. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.....remember that LaDonna? Oh my word...I would so kill one of my kids....LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!! We've spent many Christmas's together. I've said before, LaDonna and I can not talk for a while (for no particular reason, busy lives) but when we do hook back up and talk it's like we've spoken every day.
LaDonna...I love you with all my heart and I hope this birthday is the best you've ever had. YOU DESERVE TO HAVE THE BEST DAY YOU'VE EVER HAD!!!!!!!


Laura....."my buddy"....this is what we call each other. We also go way back. Before Steve and I were married and before Josh and Andrea were born. Actually, Laura played her violin in our wedding. We have raised our kids together. When I need some advise, "motherly" advice, Laura is one that I call because I feel she is one of the "best" mothers that is out there. When I thought I was pregnant the 2nd time, I called Laura and told her. She went straight to the store and bought a pregnancy test. I took the test and Laura looked at it and I will never forget her words...."You are SO pregnant". We hunted for our first houses together. (She and Jeff lived in an apartment and Steve and I lived in a condo). We both bought our first houses at the same time in Smyrna. When I was pregnant (i keep talking alot about when I was pregnant) anyway, when I was pregnant, I wouldn't drink diet coke cause I thought it might be bad for the baby so when I was in the hospital and had delivered Cha, Laura comes walking in with a 2-liter diet coke, crying her eyes out (those of you that know Laura, know exactly the cry that I'm talking about )lol. We also have spent many Christmas's together, as a matter of fact, we still do.

Laura....I love you with all my heart!!! You will always be "my buddy"!! Thank you for being you in my life!

8 LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG Hours

Yesterday, I spent my entire day at the E.R. with my Nanny except for about an hour to go eat some lunch. It all started like this. I got a call from Les yesterday morning asking if I could please teach Sunday School. Momma and me take turns each quarter teaching Morgan's age class and it is Momma's quarter to teach. (I got the call from Les cause she is the Sunday School Super at Antioch) anyway, daddy had gotten an emergency phone call to come to Vanderbilt Hospital and momma was going with him. So, I began preparing the best that I could for teaching Sunday School. I was getting ready for church and my phone rang. It was my mom saying that she was having to take my Nanny (her momma) to the E.R. with severe pains in her lower abdomen area. I told momma I would go with her. So, I then called Lynn and asked her to please teach the Sunday School class. She said yes... thank the Lord for people you can call at the spur of the moment and you know if at all possible they will say yes and she of course, said "yes".

Momma picks up Nanny then comes and picks me up and we head to the E.R. It is 10:30 am at this time. We sign in and wait and wait and wait in the waiting room for at least and hour or maybe more. Finally they call us back and we wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait (are yall getting that we are having to wait?) About 1:00 or so Rick and Les show up and we wait and wait and wait some more. Later, Steve showed up and we wait and wait and wait some more. It was so funny cause my Nanny at one point said, "I'm gonna be well by the time they get to me" LOL. Several times through out the day we got hystarical (sp?) laughter. I'm talking from the gut laughter. I Love that kind of laughter!!! Anyway, my Nanny was starving. She had only eaten a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and it was late in the afternoon. She wanted us to ask if they served dinner while you wait. (she knew that they didn't for real, but it was really funny).

The E.R. was extra busy yesterday. They had stroke and heart attacks patients so we had to wait since Nanny wasn't life threatening. ( Thank the Lord)!

Finally they drew her blood and ran some test to check things out. They were so amazed that at age 85 she is in such good health. They could not believe that she wasn't on any kind of medication for her blood pressure or heart or something. They said that her kidney's look like a 15 year olds, and that all her labs look perfect! We have a joke in our family that my Nanny is going to out live us all. She is not just in good health but she goes and goes and goes like the energizer bunny. We were talking about that yesterday and my Nanny said..."prayer honey....prayer changes everything".

Come to find out...the problem was with her bladder. Nothing serious at all. Have you ever heard of someone's bladder dropping? Well, that's all that it was. She needs to get it tacked back up (don't mean to be graphic but that's exactly what it was). By the end of the day or the end of our day at the E.R. which, we left there about 6:30, I think. We were thrilled to find out that maybe my Nanny is gonna out live us all. God has really blessed her abundantly with good health.

I love my family so much. They really are great! We are a close family...very close and I praise the Lord for that. Me, Momma & Nanny were talking in all of our waiting yesterday that there is so much dysfunction in families these days (now, don't get me wrong....I am not saying we are the perfect family at all) but, we are very blessed to have what we have. I love them and trust them. I really, really do!!!!!

"Makes me so sad"................"why?"

Today I went to my mom's to clean. As I was there I decided to put a DVD in of Bradley skydiving less than a year before his accident. As I stood in my mom's living room, I pushed play on the DVD player...there he was "BRAD", my cousin, with that big grin on his face, so excited and "pumped baby" as he said on the DVD to be there with his best friends (Ricky, Daniel and Keith) fixing to jump out of an airplane. He was SUCH an adventure seeker. Not scared to try anything! He was SO full of life and excited.

As I watched I could literally feel my heart ripping in two yet again, and found myself praying yet again..."God, please"! Seeing him like "he was" before absolutely tore me up!

When I left my mom's, I went to Lynn's where my kids were and decided to take the DVD to let them watch it. We all gathered in her living room and watched it together. I said out loud......"This makes me so sad, I can't hardly stand it". And Chandler said to me..."Why?" "It doesn't make me sad cause I know he will be like that again". He was VERY matter of fact about it!

I know God has a reason for everything. He doesn't "owe" me an explanation at all. He's God!!! One thing I do know is that ALL things work together for the good of those that love Him. God's ways are far above my pitiful thinking. My job is to trust Him. Still, I wish....I hurt....and I wonder. I'm glad God understands that too and I know He does cause we don't experience anything that Jesus has not already experienced.

Em was over not too long ago and we were looking at pictures of Bradley on her computer. It's sorta like I forget who he was before until I see those pictures and it all comes back.

I usually do really good with this and I'm still holding on to the fact that GOD WILL COMPLETE HIS WORK. But today was just different...I guess watching that DVD brought back "Bradley" to me and it made me really sad.


I end this post with a prayer:

Dear Jesus,
PLEASE make Bradley COMPLETELY whole spiritually, physically and mentally!!

Thank you