Perfect Weather.....Perfect Weekend

Steve and I had plans to put our mulch out Saturday, and we did. We started about 9 and finished about 2. It was a perfect day to work in the yard. I think at one point in the day I saw one cloud. Other than that, the sky was crystal clear, bright, blue. My legs are SO sore. Steve did the wheel barreling. He would take the mulch from the trailer, put it in the wheel barrel, bring it to where we needed it and dump it out. Then, I would get on my hands and knees and spread it out. After doing this for 4 hours, I'm feeling the pain in the leg muscles. Oh MY! I suppose I worked muscles that I don't normally work. He got our lawn mowed and everything looks purty. Working in the yard is something we enjoy.

After all that work, we went to clean the church. On our way home, I got a text from Rick (my uncle) saying..."Ya'll got plans?" I knew exactly what he meant. So, I texted back...."Let's go eat". So, we met up with Rick and Les at Hickory Falls. YUM! One of my favorites. Les and I LOVE the carrot cake. It's huge, so we usually share it. It is the best. Good stuff.

Because I worked in the yard yesterday, I didn't do much in the house. So, today, I've been playing catch up. Trying to get caught up on laundry.......it's like that song, that never ending song. It' goes on and on and on and on.

that's about it for now

would rather be outside

I wanna be outside. It's gonna be 80 degrees today. WHOOOOOOO!!! Now, that's more like it. I wanna work in my yard. Dig weeds, plant flowers, that kinda stuff. Steve and I are gonna put our mulch out this weekend. I can't wait. We love that kinda work.

Last night was our first "workshop" of Youth Emphasis Week. But, first let me back up one more day to Tuesday. We had Ladies Prayer Meeting at the church. Just came together to pray. LOVE IT! It was great. Our WMB leader (Les) has asked for us to come together the 3rd Tuesday of each month for prayer. I think that's great. Just what we need.

So, last night, LaDonna spoke. She did a great job. It was very informal and our young people really opened up. The focus of the night was about each of us being "treasurers". That we each have things about us that the Lord can use for HIs Glory and Honor. She passed out this worksheet that had questions such as:
1) What do you feel is your greatest strength?
2) What do you feel is your greatest weekness?
3)Describe yourself in 3 words.
4) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

It really opened up for some great discussion. The young people shared from their heart. The Lord opened the door for them to share things about themselves that they probably wouldn't otherwise share. It was just really awesome and I really enjoyed it. I think it would be very beneficial for our young people to have more opportunities like this.

Tonight, my hubby is the speaker. His topic is Unity. I'm looking forward to it as well.

Friday night Kim is the speaker. I can't remember her topic. But, I know she will do great, she always does.

Saturday, the young people are going hiking. That sort of thing is right up their alley. We have such great youth leaders. Galen & Amy truly have the heart for this.

I'm gonna get off here so I can be productive. I'm gonna go flower shopping and play in my yard.

have a great one!

Sunday & Monday

What a super great Sunday it was. Several of our youth sang the song "Just Because" and boy did the Spirit of the Lord move in. His sweet spirit overwhelemed me! I was just SO humbled in His presence. The entire service was worship and praise to the Lord. Like a breath of fresh air, you might say. SO uplifting!!!

Then Sunday night, Bro Sutton preached such a good message on "being real". With every fiber of my being that is what I want to be. Not real in my own eyes (that could be decieving) but real before the Lord. Bro. Sutton said being real means being real when noone else is around. More and more I'm desiring to set my affection on things above NOT on things on the earth. Eternal matters is what matters!!! Oh, I want to get it right!

After church Lynn, Katie and Momma came over to the house and we watched a sad movie. Mo went home with Katie and Momma and Lady crashed here at the house, which meant this morning was our usual "coffee and talk." We seem to do that so well when we are together. I've gotten use to her being here when Daddy travels without her. Most of the time she is with him. 99.9% of the time she is with him but this time 2 brothers went with him to the lower part of Flordia to organize The Church there. Praise the Lord for what He is doing in Flordia and all over for His Sheep!

Today has been a great day too. I have just felt the Lord in a special way through out this day. Talking with Him is one of my most favorite things to do. You just can't do it too much!

I did some house cleaning (never ending) and some laundry (never ending). Went to the grocery store. Fixed baked potatos (sweet potato for me), baked Salmon, green beans and rolls. It was oh so yummy.

I checked some of Chandler's work that I needed to check. (**note to self***I really should stay on top of that better) I got his Government & Economics checked and his BTI course checked. He's doing the BTI lessons for his Bible class.

So, now I'm tired. It's only 9:07 and yep, I'm tired.

I thank the Lord for another day. Daily He loadth me with benefits!!!!!

SO SO SO SO tired....did I say....SO tired?

I told my husband tonight that I didn't know how it did it everyday. Get up at 5:30am....every morning. I guess it's what your body gets use too. My body is not use to it at all. Of course, it didn't help that I didn't go to bed until 11:30 last night. I was at Kim's for Vicky's birthday party and we sat around and talked until 11:00. Imagine that ....us talking? NO!....YES!!!!! It was fun!

But, today sitting at Ladies Day, after lunch, I was struggling. I was SO tired. That's not good. I know better. I knew I was gonna be at Ladies Day today, yet, I stayed up late anyway. Silly me. Although, I was tired, I really enjoyed Ladies Day. It was very encouraging and uplifting. I was blessed by everything but Sis. Jackie Zimmerman's message really spoke to me. Especially the part at the end.

Our theme today was about the Joy of the Lord. At the end of her message she spoke on "things" the enemy will use to try and rob our joy. One thing she mentioned was our time. When we get so busy doing stuff, even stuff for the Lord that we neglect what is most important, that being, our personal relationship with Him, we can loose our joy. Think about it, haven't you ever just been SO busy that you don't give Him the time you need to give Him? We let our priorities get all out of wack. Am I the only one that has done this?! When we have to schedule the Lord into our day, something needs to give. He should be first, even if other things go by the way side. She encouraged us that if something needs to be neglected, it should be the things that will not benefit us eternally. I agree!

I was really blessed by this. At the end of her message, we spent time at the alter. That's exactly where we can and will keep our priorities where they should be.

So, now I'm back home in the bed and it's only 7:51. I love that! I need a good night sleep. I'm one that needs at least 8 hours a night. Not want....NEED! I do not do well on little sleep.

that's all
good nite!

get er done!

Today has been productive. I just love productive days!

First, I'm LOVIN this weather. Today is a true Spring day. So much so that right this very minute, the heat is off (of course) and my windows are raised and the celling fans are roaring. AH! gotta love that! I think it's about 73 today. And that sun is just a shining. Perfect! Thank you, Lord for this beautiful day.

The kids just left for Chandler's soccer game. I didn't make today's game because of Vic's 50th birthday party. It starts at 6 and if I had gone to the game, I would have had to leave early anyway. I'm excited for her party. Some friends from way back in the day will be there (i think). I'm super excited! Should be fun!

Backing up to my productive day. This morning, I got my hair cut or as my hubby says...."I got them ALL cut." He says that every single time he get his cut and someone says to him..."did you get your hair cut" and he says EVERY TIME...."No, I got them ALL cut".....goofball!

From the hair cut, I went to the Y and ran 3 miles. Let's see....from there I went to make the church deposit. From there, I went to Dollar General and then home.

I've been doing some house cleaning and laundry. Is it just me or does anyone else have laundry that seems to grow? It just seems to multiply. It's never ending.

I had to write a skit for Children's Church for this Sunday. The Fox's are teaching and we are having puppet skits all quarter for our Bible lessons. When I sat down at the computer, I simply prayed...."Lord, anoint me to write this". And, that He did. I had my general idea but the Lord gave it to me very quickly. I love when that happens. The title is "It's all about "ME".

So, now I'm sitting here with Morgan's laptop posting. I need to take a shower and get ready for the PPPAAARRRTTTAAA!
****I just heard my children's voices saying....."MOM...DO NOT SAY PPPPPAAAAARRRRRRRTTTTTAAAAA....You are way to old to talk like that.****LOL!!!!

But, they are not here so PPPPPPPPAAAAAAARRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I'm heading to Cleveland for Ladies Day. I have a car full. My mom, Chels, Morgan, and Chandler. Yep, Chandler! No, he's not a Lady but he has a friend in Cleveland that he's going to visit. It's gonna be a great day. I just know it. The Lord and the Ladies......can't beat it, right?

hope every one has a super duper weekend!

Home schooling (i titled this after I wrote the post)

Let see.....

Yesterday and today we had soccer games. We froze both times. Yesterday was rainy and cold, not just cold. Today, no rain, but cold. I really hope this was the last game that I have to sit there wrapped up in a blanket. I hope this was the last of those...."blueberry, blackberry, whatever berry winters." Just bring on the warmth, please!

Tomorrow morning Morgan and I are headed to the dentist. Time, well actually past time for our cleaning. Chandler was suppose to be going with us but he has to work. I'll have to re-schedule his appointment. Steve is going from work to have his cleaned. It's past time for all of us. I'm pretty good, usually, about our every 6 month cleaning. This time I've kinda let it slip.

Lately, with such business, we haven't been able to get a good day of math in. It's been very hit and miss. We've home schooled for so long and now that the kids are older, they pretty much do their work on their own. Except for math. I usually do it with them. I was determined that today we would have a productive day. And, we did! For this, I'm happy!

When Cha and I were doing his Geometry today, we got to talking about all the years of home schooling and how time has flown with it. He graduates next year. Absolutely...UNBELIEVABLE!!! He said, remember when I use to do math on the board? He meant the dry/erase board. Oh those days! Boy could I share some stories. Stories of laughter and tears. Good days and bad days. Days of deciding to go to the park instead of doing school because it was so warm in January. (true story, we actually did that). Days of sounding out letters to form words and then sentences. I love the fact that I taught both of my children to read.

***O.K. so bear with me a minute here.....I'm having a Hallmark moment****

Days of taking turns helping the kids. Monday & Wednesday was Morgan's day to got first. Tuesday & Thursday was Chandler's day to go first. What I mean by "going first" is who I helped first. Days of flash cards to learn times tables. Days of going over spelling list again and again. Days of getting a phone call right in the middle of doing History (or whatever we might have been doing) because someone needed special prayer and us stopping right then and there to pray together. The Science experiments in the kitchen. The satisfaction on one of my kids face when they "get it". And, the pride (in a good way) that "I" had a small part in them "getting it." Sitting at the dinner table and sharing with the "principal" (aka..Steve) what we learned in school that day.

Boy, I could go on and on and on. Home schooling has been a true blessing in our home. I know it's not for every family but for the Fox family, it has worked. And, for this, I truly thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart! I wouldn't go back and trade it, not even for one day!

How in the world I got off on all of that, I don't know. It just started pouring out of me. HA!

I have LOVED this day!

What a great day. I have loved it. Seriously LOVED it. We woke up this morning to bright blue sunny skies. Just so Eastery. Just happy, ya know!

Church was great. Such a wonderful spirit. Oh let me back up to yesterday. The cookout and Easter egg hunt went great. We had a great turn out. There was just a fun spirit there. Great fellowship, great day! ***I just realized that I used the word great, 5 times in this paragraph.***

Today...Easter!!!! We also had a good turn out for service. Bro. Sutton preached a great Easter message. Very encouraging! He's just so encouraging anyway. Even when he says something that could possibly "sound" discouraging or negative in any way, he quickly turns it around to the positive and encouraging. I love that!

After service, I left church pretty quick so that I could get home to get ready for my family. Round about 2 they got to the house. We had SUCH a good time. There is ALWAYS laughter when we get together. And, lots of pictures being taken. You can see those pics on my facebook page.

Our Easter menu was ham, baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, fruit salad, and german chocolate cake. Good eatin!

After visiting for a while, we decided to ride and see Tommy & Debbie's new house. They are building a new home about 3 miles from my house. It's beautiful.

Oh, I can't not say something about how cute and pregnant my pastor's wife looked this morning. I'm just so happy for them and this miracle God has blessed them with. She was glowing today!!!

I truly hope everyone had a great day. How could you not, right?!

Great Friday

Today is Good Friday. To me, it's Great Friday. It's Great because of what Jesus did for me. I don't ever want to forget or take for granted how He suffered and died so that I could live. It's an honor and privilege to live a life for the Lord. It's a "GREAT" life. A life of peace! We were watching this documentary the other night on exactly what happens to a body when it is being crucified. They were talking about what all happen to Jesus. I made the comment to my family..."How could you NOT live for Him, after what He did for us?"

It's hard for me to comprehend a life without the Lord. Actually, I don't want to comprehend it. By His Grace and Mercy, I never will. I love the Lord! I love to live for Him! I desire to please Him!

So, Steve is off of work today for the Easter weekend. Our plan was to get our mulch out. But, don't think that's gonna happen. It's suppose to rain really hard today. I'm kinda bummed about that. It would have been a perfect day to work in the yard with him being home. Oh well.....

This is gonna be a good weekend. Tomorrow we are having a cookout and Easter egg hunt at the church. Just good ole fellowship. I love it. At six that night, I will be a t Chuck E Cheese. My nephew is turning 3 years old.

After church Sunday, the family is coming to our house. We are celebrating Easter and birthday's. My dad 's birthday was Wednesday. He turned 60. WOW! Thank the Lord! Rick's birthday is the 16th and Tommy's birthday is the 22nd. So, we are hitting them all at once. Also, my grandparents anniversary is this month. So, we are just having a hang out here at the house.

I'm looking forward to all the stuff going on this weekend. I think I might get out my Easter decorations today. I haven't done that and with everyone coming over, I think I want it to look Eastery. hehe!

I hope everyone truly enjoys this Easter. Remember what Jesus did for us! Le't s celebrate HIM!

4 hours

For a while now, LaDonna and I have talked about having coffee together. Over the years, when we have been able to, we sit and have coffee and talk. You know, just catch up and stuff. She and I go wwwwwwaaaaaaayyyyyyy back. We have been friends, very good friend, best friends since we were younger than our kids. We've grown up together and now our kids are growing up together. I just love that!!!

Last week, we decided that we would get together today for that coffee date. Sunday at church, she asked if I wanted to not only have coffee but breakfast at IHop. Well....YEAH! Pancakes....of course!

We met there at 9 this morning and I got in my car to come home at 1. Yep, 4 straight hours. That's what we do. We both have busy lives. But, when we finally can get together we can talk and talk and talk. And, what I love about it is it's as if we talk every single day. That's true friendship. I love her dearly. Man, do we have some memories. It was great. We talked about old stuff, current stuff and future stuff. Well, the future of our kids. ha!

I SO enjoyed it. By the time we finally left, it was time for lunch. HA!

I love ya, LaDonna!

I AM getting old

If you read my last post, you know that I forgot to pay our phone bill since February. Last night, after church, it was brought to my attention that my car tags were expired. Good Grief! What is my problem?! haha! So, today, that's one of the things I will be doing. Ah!

It was a great weekend. Friday night Steve and I went to dinner with his mother. Saturday, Steve went and mowed the lawn at the church. When he got home, we did some much needed yard work. We are going to be getting our mulch this week and working on that. I want to plant a few flowers but this weather is messing things up for me. It was beautiful this weekend. But, today the high is 43. That is crazy. If I plant flowers now, the frost at night might kill them. So, I will wait a bit longer.

Saturday night, Steve, Rick, Les, Kim, Olivia and I went to the Japanese Hibatci place. I LOVE THAT FOOD. I think it's one of my favorites. SO good! And, so filling!

Oh yeah, Saturday afternoon, Steve and I rode around looking at houses that we might like to "retire" in. HA! Isn't that funny? It was a beautiful afternoon and we just went riding and looking. When the kids are grown, we will move one last time, into a smaller house. We will not need the space that we have now with the kids gone so we just wanted to get an idea on what we both liked. We are not moving anytime soon, but just for the future, IF the Lord tarries.

Steve and I are fixing to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. That is just SO bizzare to me. TIME FLIES!!!! What I mean by bizzare is how quickly it has gone by. I have been with that man longer than I haven't. Cool, huh?

Morgan got home from the GA/FL youth convention last night around 8. She had a blast. From the moment that she walked in the door she started talking. I mean, non-sop talking. Have you ever heard those "fast talkers" on T.V.? I think she could give them a run for their money. She had to tell Steve and I every detail. I love it! I'm very thankful that my kids got to go.

Well, Monday is here. Time for a new week. I hope everyone has a great one. Make every day count for Jesus! That's really all that matters!!!

OH NO!

I'll get to the title!

This weekend is just me and my sweetie. Well, until tomorrow night anyway. The kids have gone to the GA/FL youth convention. Momma recruited several of the youth to go and support. This morning one van left and then this afternoon the other car left. My mom and dad took Morgan, Kaite, Chelsei, Lindsei and Emilylynn with them. They left about 9ish. They are there safe and sound and ready for service tonight. This afternoon Chandler, Josh and Andrea headed out in my parents car. My mom & dad rented a van to take all those girls and left the car behind for the other 3.

This morning I was asked by my dad to take the car and get the oil changed and have it washed. So, I did, being the good daughter that I am. :) Chandler had class until 1:30 as did Andrea and Josh had something he was doing, that 's why they didn't get to leave until about 4. Please say a prayer for their safe travel if you read this before midnight. That's about the time they will get to Georgia. They will be coming home tomorrow afternoon. There is two sessions and then some of them are heading back. Morgan, Katie and Andrea are staying with my mom and dad and visiting one of the church's there in Georgia Sunday morning. Then, they will head back to TN. I'm glad my kiddos are getting to go. I want them to be involved as much as possible with things such as this.

Tonight, I am going to Hickory Falls for dinner with my hubby and mother-n-law. Yum! Tomorrow, Steve and I may be doing some yard work. Sunny and 73 degrees...can't beat it.

Now, back to my "OH NO" title. You will not believe what happen today. Although, I don't think it is altogether my fault. (hehe)

I sat down to pay bills. I pay several of them online. I get a notification thru email when it is ready to be paid and I pay it. Our cable bill was ready. Our cell phone bill was ready. And, our home phone bill was ready. When I clicked on the home phone bill, it said $286.00. WHAT?????? I did some checking and.....I HAD NOT PAID THE HOME PHONE BILL SINCE FEBRUARY. You have GOT to be kidding me. How in the world did that happen?! When I got to investigating it, there was a button on my page that said....."do you want a notification thru email when your bill is ready?" (or something to that effect). Well, it was not checked. Therefore, I was not getting the notifications. ***told you it wasn't all together my fault***

I guess the reason I got a notification today was because my bill was getting so high and they wanted their money. ha!

I have NO idea what happened. For a while, I was getting the notifications so I have no clue how it got unchecked. I'm surprised they didn't cut our phone off. Anyway, I paid the stinkin thang. And, I checked the circle to get notified again, so hopefully that won't happen again. Good grief!!!

Hope everyone has a super weekend!

3 years

3 years ago today was a beautiful, sunny day! It's strange how I remember this because my memory is horrible most of the time. But this is a day I'll never forget. Even details! The guys.....Steve, Rick and Chandler left for Georgia to go to the Masters (in case your not sure what that it, it's a really uptido golf tournament.) Tiger Woods and those guys play in it. Anyway, it's not easy to get tickets but this year, Steve got them. They were super excited to be going. Backing up a bit, before they left we all went to McDonalds to eat lunch. The guys and us girls (me, Mo, and Les). When the guys left for Georgia, us girls decided to go to Opry Mills and do some shopping. After we shopped, we went to O'Charley's for dinner. ***I can't believe I remember such details, seriously, it's not usual for me). After eating, Les headed home and Morgan and me went to our house. Morgan slept in the bed with me that night because that's what she does when it's just us girls here.

The phone in my room wasn't working for some reason. So, that's why when it rang around 6am, I didn't hear it. Finally, after numerous tries, I barely heard it. I jumped out of bed, ran through the house into the family room and grabbed it. As I was picking it up, I realized the handset caller I.D said.....Rick Moncrief

"Why would Les be calling me this early?"

"Hello?"

"Tammy, Bradley has been in a car accident, he's being LIFE FLIGHTED to Vanderbilt."

"OH Jesus.....OH God......Les, what do I do?"

"I don't know, Tam"

we hang up

Praying the entire time.....I call my mom

"Momma, OH God....."

We are both in hysterics.

I asked her what I needed to do. She told me to call Lynn to come get Morgan.

I called Les back to come get me to head to the hospital.

I CLEARLY remember pacing in my living room saying over and over and over....."JESUS, PLEASE HAVE MERCY....JESUS, PLEASE HAVE MERCY"

That was the beginning of the hardest summer of my life!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But, God brought us through. There were days, numerous days, that He carried us in His arms. He will NEVER leave nor forsake us.

We've come a long way. Bradley has come a long way. He's already a miracle because the Dr.'s told us he would be a vegetable the rest of his life. He's not a vegetable. Thank you, Jesus!

Are we where we want to be? Of course not. We are trusting God that He's not finished with Brad. God has a work for Bradley Ryan Moore. He spared his life for a reason. By every since of the word, we should be coming up on the anniversary of his death. But, God DID have mercy as I prayed in my living room that morning.

When I think about it, it's still so weird that this has happened and that his life changed so drastically but my hope and trust is in a God that knows exactly what He's doing. I believe the Word when it says that ALL things work together for our good.

So, please keep praying for him. Please believe with us that one day the work that God started, He will complete. We, as a family are believing just that. There is no room or no place to stop believing or stop praying. One of these prayers for his healing will be the last.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!