Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day 2010

Memorial Weekend!



We had such a great Sat. and Sun. watching Tyler play baseball in Grapevine, Texas.  We watched two games Sat. and one game yesterday.  HOT! The game yesterday was very hot....

I really do not know how those guys play so well out in the hot, hot sun.  Tyler's uniform was so dirty from the first day, that I thought there would be no way that even Oxy Clean could get all that dirt out.  But, it did.....yesterday he started out playing wearing white pants.

Mylee Jo kept herself cool with snow cones...Oh yes, she loved them.  Her mom (as usual) wanted to make sure that her little princess didn't get dirty, so she has on her little napkin bib while she is eating.  The wipes are never far away when Shanda is around.


Not sure about these three....(Sherri, Trista, and Melissa)
Most of the time, they were playing on their new phones.  I don't think they ever missed a play, but for the most part they were tryng to figure out which was the smartest (their phones or them)



Not sure about Sam....He left to go get him a snowcone and he came back all smiles wearing all these Hawaiian leis'.  Now that I have time to think about it, he made some regular trips to the snowcone hut!!!  Maybe I should have checked that place out...

All in all, we had a great time...The other kids played, went swimming and did some shopping.  You will have to check out the pictures of Tori and Mylee shopping.  The other boys shopped at the "Bass Pro Shop" and had a blast!  Great Time, Great Fun, Great Family!!

***********

Memorial Day is really about Honoring those who have died in service to our nation.  It is about remembering the courage and strength of those who gave their lives.......

Dear Heavenly Father, As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms.  Cover them with your sheltering Grace as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives. 

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each new day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task.  Let them feel all of our love and support.

In Jesus Name.....Amen



Shug................................

Remember to Pray for our Country...

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Incredibles

I know that I write about FAITH a lot, but without faith this life would be very difficult.

Faith is not an effort, a striving, or even ceaseless seeking that so many people try so hard to reach.  No, it is an abiding rest in GOD that nothing, not even the soul's shortcomings can disturb. 

Faith means knowing that GOD is real.  It means believing when you are unable to see.  It is simply taking GOD at HIS word with no doubt. 

I once read that Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.  How good it that??  I believe that Faith expects from GOD what is beyond all expectations.

Because we have Faith, does not always mean that everything we want is going to come our way.  To have Faith also means that GOD has a perfect plan for us and it is HIS WILL for our lives that we need to focus on.  Faith, that if we trust in HIM, our eyes will see those incredible things that HE has in store for us.  

My prayer for you is that GOD'S faithfulness will encourage you today, and that every moment will be filled with reminders of HIS love for you. 

Shug........

Determine in your heart to let Faith be your guide...

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Freezer woes

Oh, Yea!!!!!

I am up early this morning doing exactly what I wanted to do on this beautiful Sat. morning of Memorial Day Weekend...

The "Kitchen Closed" sign has been up since yesterday afternoon.  Some people in this family must not be able to read or else they thought that I was just taking a potty break.

I am frying steak.....deer steak to be exact.

May I add, this lady does not like deer steak at all.  We don't even eat fried foods. So, why am I up early frying it?  Well, it seems that a simple box of hot pockets was the culprit for keeping the freezer door open all night.  Don't you just love it when that happens.

To top that off, all the kids are gone for the weekend and it is just Sam and I at home.  Sure sounds like Sam has a lot of steak eating to do! 

I am thankful that there were only about six packages of steak and one package of fish that was thawed enough that it had to be cooked.  I guess that I can choose to have a bad attitude about it, or I can be happy that the cooking is done for the weekend.  

Hey, I could put up a stand in front of the house with a sign that says "Deer Steak on A Bun:  Chips and Drink included  $5:00"  Do you think I would have any customers? 

It really is frustrating when things like this happen, but, it's done and we just have to move on.  One good way to look it is that at least there was something in the freezer.  Could be worse, the freezer could have been empty with no food to cook at all. 

Ok, all is well and I plan on enjoying the rest of my weekend with my wonderful husband Sam!!

Shug.....

Have a safe and happy memorial weekend....Don't forget to remember our fallen soldiers and those we love...

Friday, May 28, 2010

Summer favs

What is it about Summer that makes you feel good?

I definitely know that it is not the summer heat here in Texas!!

It does get hot, but we always seem to adjust...
Believe me when I say that I don't like to be hot, I don't like to be HOT.  When everyone else is comfortable, I am HOT.

Guess I need to move North for the summer, but I would miss this great state of TEXAS way too much!!

One of the things that I love most about summer is swimming.  NO....I can not swim, but there is nothing better than having a nice float and just relaxing out in the pool.  I could literally stay there all day.  The water is so refreshing and my whole body feels totally relaxed.  You have heard of Calgon take me away...That is what the pool does for me.  My body is rested and so is my mind.

I also like picnics and eating watermelon.  My grandfather was a watermelon growing dude!  He always grew the sweetest ones I have ever tasted.....and the good thing is that they were free!  Went to the grocery store this morning and the price of a melon was $6.99.  And,... you never know if it is going to be too ripe or not ripe at all.

How about Lemonade?  Strawberry lemonade is so..o..o..o  good.  The kids love it too.  Rocking on the back porch with a nice cool glass of lemonade, what can beat that?  (I'm sure a lot of you have other thoughts about that....)

Then, I can't forget about vacation.  I love vacation time too.  Just getting a way to the beach or the mountains...It doesn't matter to me.  I am going to enjoy it anywhere we go.  If I had to pick a place this year, it would be Washington State and maybe on up into Canada.  Have never been there and it looks so cool. (I'm not just talking about the weather cool, but the whole area looks COOL)


Last but not least, I love the family being around.  Kids are out of school, girls are finished teaching for the year and everybody is in and out, coming and going.  I love spending the Holidays with the family and always seeing the fire works.  I remember one particular Fourth of July.  The whole family went to Panama City for our vacation.  We paid to go out on this boat and watch all the fireworks up and down the coast.  It was Beautiful!

So much to love about the Summer, but I can promise you that when Fall gets here, I will love that too.  But, for right now, I think Mylee and I will rock a while and have us one of those nice cool glasses of strawberry lemonade.  See Ya!

Shug (:)

Enjoy each beautiful Season that God has made....

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Words we Speak

Words We Speak.....Have you ever stopped to listen to some of the words you speak each day?  It is amazing the number of times that certain words are used and we don't even realize it. 

I had never stopped to think about this, until about a year ago.  This is when Taylor (my neice) came to live with us.  At that time she had perhaps what we would consider a small temper.  If something was upsetting to her, she would express herself by always saying the word MAD.  Such as "They make me so MAD" or "I am so MAD."  I guess you could say that this word was used very freely by her.  Is this a bad word?  No, it really isn't, but so many times it is used in a negative sense.

Sam and I wanted to help her realize just how many times the word MAD was used in her vocabulary.  We talked with her about it and the three of us decided to come up with a plan.  We finally decided to get a big jar and everytime the word MAD was used, we would put a nickle in the jar.  This was meant for Sam and I as well.  No problem, we thought!  As a matter of fact, I was convinced that I would never have to put a nickle in the jar. 

Within a few days, we were very surprised to learn how many times we all say it.  The first nickle was put in the jar by Taylor.  After that it was mostly Sam and myself filling that jar UP!  In a months time, Taylor may have put a total of.50 cents in the jar.  Sam and I were breaking the bank so to speak, to cover ourselves for saying the word MAD.

How interesting it was that we were trying to correct her from using this word and to realize that it was just as much a part of our language as hers.  To this day, we rarely hear her say the word MAD.  We ended up (after the jar was full) giving it to her, because she deserved it.  It had maybe, a total of $10.00 dollars in it, but do you realize how many times that word was used to add up to $10.00 dollars?  Approximately 200 hundred times. 

The next time someone says a word that is perhaps a little irritating to you, stop and check your own language.  See if it is a word that you speak and don't even realize it. 

We learned a good lesson....Think before you speak, especially if you are guilty of judging others. 

Shug...........

May you wake each day with God's Blessings and give him Praise!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Bunnies of Dust

I don't know what it is, but it seems no matter how often I clean our house (which is everyday),  there is always dust somewhere.

Do you ever wonder where all this dust comes from?

I change the filters every month, but still, there is this DUST!  I believe the biggest dust culprit in our home is having so much traffic in and out.  I know that another culprit is the carpet.
I have heard over and over that carpet is the breeding ground for dust and other allergens.

Oh, how I would love to remove all of the carpet in this house!
A big start would be the living room...Our living room is really large, and I know that with all the traffic we have, a lot of dust comes from there.

I don't think that simple surface dusting is the answer.  However, this is definitely something that has to be done.  Dust builds up under beds, on top of shelves, behind doors, and on all kinds of knick knacks that we have sitting around.  I even have to dust my plants....


The other day, my dryer needed to be serviced.   I was dreading the guy pulling the dryer out from the wall.  Yes, there it was.....all kinds of little dust particles.  You automatically feel like you are being judged.  As if the service guy is thinking, "man, this house is so dirty, she must never clean."
Well, I'm not a bad housekeeper.  I am always cleaning.  That very afternoon, I pulled out the Refrigerator and everything else I could get to, and cleaned. Needed this house to be dust free!


I wonder how many of us go to bed each night, not even realizing that there are hundreds of dust bunnies under our bed.  Sounds terrible doesn't it?  I am hoping to do a better job at dusting.  Our bed sits high off of the floor and you would think there would be no possible way for any dust to build up.  Especially with kids sometimes hiding under there.  I just finished looking and would you believe I found some dust.  OMG.....I have to do a better job. 

If any of you know the solution to getting rid of this stuff, then let me know....For now I guess I'll just continue my routine of dusting.......Do you think that Sam being in and out of the field all day growing all kinds of Fruit and Pecan trees could have something to do with it?  You Think??

Shug..............

Thought for the day:  God's Priceless Love comes freely to us!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Don't Major on Minor things.

Don't Major on Minor things.....This is something I am way too good at...

It is not my intentions to get all worked up over some little minor thing that happens, but I do.

I sometimes think that there are two sides of me....One that likes perfectionism and the other that almost likes perfectionism.  I guess it depends upon the circumstances.  Take for example, my yard.  This is an important issue for me. 
I want a clean, mowed yard with no signs of old leaves, sticks, dry spots and NO grass in the flower beds.  It is almost as if it could be done and I would want you to turn around and do it again just to make sure nothing was missed.  I strongly MAJOR over this... Oh, so simple minor task. 

If we get to church and I look down and Sam's socks do not match......Oh my goodness, this is a MAJOR thing in my mind, but so minor to him. 

This past Sat. I did a little shopping for Sam...I purchased 3 pair of shorts and 2 shirts.  With our new way of eating (fruit and vegetables) Sam had dropped a few pounds, so I thought I had better get a smaller size from what I usually buy.  I get home and decided we had better find out if they were going to fit......NO, not one pair of shorts or either of the shirts fit.  ALL TOO BIG.   (Major thing to me)  I was so frustrated.  The focus for me shifted to when can I take them back and get the right size.  It is a good thing that we were going back to town that night.  I was able to take them back and I did find just the perfect size.  If I had not been able to take them back, that would have been a distraction for me for the rest of the weekend. 

Sounds crazy doesn't it?  I am not the kind that likes to leave things unfinished.
I want to take care of business right then.  The shorts being the wrong size was such a minor thing.  I have friends that might not have taken them back for two weeks.  Evidently they don't Major on the Minor things of life. 

I'm going to try to work on this small issue.  See if I can't allow some room (in the minor portion of my brain) for those everyday things that don't work out perfect.  I am going to tell myself that is is ok...Everything will be ok...Check out my t-shirt. I wonder if I had some made, if others would need to wear one too?  Maybe this will be a reminder for me to slow down and take life like it is a piece of cake.


Shug.......

Enjoy your day......

Monday, May 24, 2010

Baby Grand

Desire ...means to wish or long for something.  What is my desire?

I would love to be able to play the piano.  I see it as something that could be pleasurable.  I have never taken one single lesson and I don't really know that much about music, but I think that I could learn. 

I wonder how many people a little past the age of 49, take piano lessons?  I'm sure there are not many.  How funny would it be for a teacher to teach an adult to play "Mary had a little lamb?"
I can just picture myself sitting at that big, beautiful, Baby Grand piano.  Placing my hands on the keys and softly playing the sweetest song you have ever heard.  (Jesus love Me)

Don't get me wrong...I do have SOME experience playing an upright piano. The church I attended had one.  If we got to church early, I would go down with some of the other kids and we would play our hearts out......This is the song I would play....Just see if you recognize it!

         Dun a....du, du
              Dun a ... du, du
                 Dun..da, da
                 Dun..da, da

             Dun, du,du, du
                        du, du,
                 Dun..da,da

             Da..da,da dun
                     da, da

Wasn't that sweet?    It sounded sweet to me and
I was very proud....   I didn't figure you would recoginze it....

Is is too late for me to learn??


Seriously, I do love music and I love hearing every single note being played.

The lady that plays the piano at our church is a good friend, and I might add that she is so super talented.  She has that natural ability to play and write songs.  I could literaly sit for hours and listen to her play.  You do a Beautiful job Kathy!

I suppose the reason that I have never taken lessons is because I am not interested in all the knowledge that it takes to be a good pianist.  I don't have the patience for it.  I just want  to sit down and let my fingers play some beautiful songs....

I have always said that GOD is saving that talent for me when I get to heaven.  I feel sure I will be playing a beautiful white Baby Grand and singing with the heavenly choir........I just know that is what HE has planned for me. 

It's really not too late for me to learn, but for now, I think I will sit back, and enjoy listening to those beautiful white ivory keys as someone else plays. 
I'm just going to relax and enjoy the MUSIC......

Shug.......

Music is the key to happiness in our hearts.  Listen and let your heart be filled with joy....
    

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Super-Charged World.....

Are our kids living in a Super-Charged World?


This is a question that many would argue.....Are their childhoods complex?  This is another question that could be argued.


Aside from the 7 to 8 hours a day that these kids spend at school, they are shuffled from place to place, practice to practice, game to game.  Most of them are involved in multiple sports and many are involved in a lot of church activities.  This becomes a hectic lifestyle, not only for the kids, but for their parents as well.


Their parents are caught up in what is called the "The Hyper-Parenting Trap."  Without even realizing it, parents put themselves under a tremendous amount of pressure because they do not want to deny their children anything.  In some cases it is about satisfying their own egos. In other cases it is based on keeping up with the Jones'.  I believe that parents have good intentions, but are afraid that their child will be left out or perhaps will not be considered successful if they are not involved in every possible thing. 


Sure,... most athletes or musicians start out at very young ages and many excel in what it is that they choose to accomplish.  However, I don't believe that they are jumping from sport to sport and from music to gymnastics to achieve their goal.  I am sure that if a child is in love with music, they will continue that road until they someday reach the goal they are seeking.  If a child has dreams of playing professional baseball, then their time and energy should be focused in that direction.  It is OK to play other sports as well, but not to the point of exhausting one's self so much that they have no time to perfect the sport that they love. 


Kids no longer have free time.  They don't know what it is to be creative or to have an imagination.  They have no time to Day Dream and if they ever catch a second to do so, they are are usually snapped out of it. 


We push them so hard and all they know to do is to follow what they are told and what they are expected to do.  Sometimes this can can cause them to feel grouchy, irritable and tired and it seems no one understands why they feel this way.  These kids don't even understand why they feel this way.  They experience headaches and a lot of fatigue.


Kids need to have a perfect balance in their lives.  They need structure in their lives.  They need family time, they need time for themselves to explore other venues in life.  Time to play with rock collections or to play with all the things that they get for Christmas, (things that are usually put up and forgotten about.)


  Most of all,  they need parents that will stand up for them and and make the decisions to protect them from being over-scheduled.   They need their parents to create time for them to enjoy their home, enjoy having free time, and enjoy being a child.  No Stress, No Competition, just time to play with one another and to build special memories that will forever live in their hearts. 




Shug........


Take time to show your children just how important they are to you!   Many, many, Blessings!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Learning made fun!

Anxiety, Stress, Pressure.....call it what you want, but my eyes have been opened this past year as to how much (ASP) our young kids experience today.....

Taylor has been living with us for a year now.  Sam and I have seen first hand just how difficult it is to be a student these days.  When we were in school, LEARNING was fun.  School was FUN and we didn't dread getting up each morning.  I know that our classes were pretty basic.  Math, Science, English, History.......you know, the normal subjects.  We didn't have all these classes with long titles like they have today.  One thing for sure, it wasn't required for us to learn Spanish....After all, here in America our language is ENGLISH!

When it was time to test our knowledge, there was one simple test.
the "Achievement Test."  The title speaks for itself, it was showing the administrators what we had achieved.

Stress was not a constant thing in our lives.  As a matter of fact, there was very little stress.  Our teachers were able to enjoy the profession that they had chosen and they themselves did not have to live under stress from their jobs. 

 This is an example of just how relaxed school was.  One year we were studying about something that pertained to Indians.  It was suggested in class, by several of the students that we take a trip to visit the "Alabama Coushatta Indian Reservation."  Our teacher told us that if the principle would approve it, then we could take the trip.  Right there in class, that day, a group went to the office and talked with the principle.  That week, we had an answer and it was YES....Seems like the next day, we were all loaded on a bus headed for Livingston...

We didn't have to start school in the middle of Aug.  That was still summer!  And, we certainly did not start the first week of school having to dig into this thing called TAKS.  We didn't have to go the next 180 days being taught how to pass a test.  If so, I would have called that stressful and BORING! 

My heart goes out to the students of today...Even those that are just beginning their long journey of exploring TAKS.  Pressure, Pressure, Pressure....that is what it is.  Just think, if our students today could go to school and enjoy learning and not have to live under all this pressure, it could make things a lot more simple. Life would be a whole lot easier for a lot of families. 

Taylor is a Junior in High School, and just yesterday we found out that she passed all three of her TAKS test.  What a relief for her and what a relief for us.  It was even a huge relief for our little ones.  Carson was commended, Tucker was commended, Tyler was commended and the other two did well on their little bench marks.

I know that things have changed in this great big world, but sometimes changes can hurt.  We have doctors, lawyers, accountants and the list goes on, of successful people that went to school during our time.  I understand that the knowledge of technology is so important now, so why can't we just let school be school.  Let the kids enjoy learning and let them gain all the wisdom they need for the goals they have set for themselves.  If you love art, then your learning should be geared to that. If you love science, then your learning should be geared to that subject. 

I know that I don't stand alone in what I feel about the education of our kids today.  Our teachers do an outstanding job and I am very proud of them.  I just feel that our kids today are under way to much pressure.  This pressure does not come from the teachers, it comes from those that we elect to run this country.  Our little ones should be exploring the creative aspects of learning and they should be able to enjoy being at school!

If it were up to me, each day would begin with Prayer and the Pledge Allegiance.  If more emphasis were put in these areas, I know we would be able to see a change in this world.  After all, isn't that what school is all about.  Learning so we can make a difference in our lives and in this world!

After those two very important things were accomplished each day, we would have all the kids stand and everyone together would do the macarena.  Loosen these kids up and let them have fun at learning. 

I feel sure that the atmosphere at school would be different.  Students would enjoy one another and they would have something to look forward to the next day.......

I am glad that I live in America and I am glad that I am able to express my opinion. 

Shug

Have yourself a great weekend!

Friday, May 21, 2010

300 is not good

Healthy Eating can result in losing weight!

I think this could really be true.....After seeing my doctor last month, I decided that I had to do something about all the sugar I was consuming each day...My triglycerides were high, actually they were very high ( like 300) and I have read enough about them to know that these levels are not good.... 
I knew that sugar was going to have to be cut out of my diet.

I guess you could say that I am definitely a sweet-aholic....
I love anything with sugar and would actually prefer sweets over regular food.  With the exception of chocolate...Not a big chocolate eater...

I have been buying a lot of fruits and vegetables for us to eat and I have also been drinking a lot of water.  I love sweet tea and especially, McAllisters sweet tea....It is the best!  But, this does not fit into the program I have set for myself right now.  This will be the reward I give myself from time to time.

  I really did not know that I had lost any weight, but yesterday morning when I weighed, I was happy to see that I HAVE actually lost 8 pounds.  I'm not going to complain about that.  In my opinion, eight pounds in two weeks is pretty good...Of course, there are many more pounds to lose.  My ultimate goal here is to eat healthy by adding the fruits and vegetables and by cutting those unhealthy foods from my diet that are causing such a rise in my blood sugar. 

It is amazing what changes can be made by just cutting out the sugar.  Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, these are all good for us and  an apple a day is great as well.  Apples are not my favorite, but I have been trying to eat an APPLE A DAY!  My doctor did give me some medicine to help with the weight lose and also to lower the triglycerides, but I am not good at taking medicine, so I don't!!

The foods that I have been preparing are so simple and not heavy at all.  I have been keeping the refrigerator stocked with  strawberries, blackberries, kiwi, grapes, pineapple, cut up carrots and celery.
I can't possibly forget about the almonds, pecans, and the sunflower seeds. 

It sounds healthy and looks healthy, kinda like Jillian has been here and has taken over my kitchen. I know she would be excited to see these changes. I'm not going to call this a diet, because it might jinks my weight loss, but I am going to call it healthy eating and loving it...

It's sad that it takes a negative report to open our eyes...These are the things we should have been eating all along instead of all the sugar and drinking all the sodas.  I'm just going to take it a day at a time and try to do what is best for me and what is best for my family. 

Shug.................

Join me today in saying NO to sugars and YES
to healthy eating..........Be Blessed!



Thursday, May 20, 2010

Funnies

Need some laughter for the day......

A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do.


"Well, you can paint my porch. How much will you charge?"


The blonde said, "How about 50 dollars?" The man agreed and told her that the paint and ladders that she might need were in the garage. The man's wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, "Does she realize that the porch goes all the way around the house?"


The man replied, "She should. She was standing on the porch."



A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money.


"You're finished already?" he asked. "Yes," the blonde answered, "and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats. "Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the $50. "And by the way," the blonde added, "that's not a Porch, it's a Ferrari." 
  ********************************************************

A tour bus driver is driving down a highway with a bus full of seniors, when a little old lady taps him on his shoulder. She offers him a handful of almonds, which he gratefully munches.



Fifteen minutes later, she taps him on the shoulder again and hands him another handful of almonds.  She repeats this gesture about eight times. 

At the ninth tap on his shoulder, the bus driver asks the little old lady why they don't eat the almonds themselves, whereupon she replies that it is not possible because of their old teeth.  They are not able to chew them.  "Why do you buy them, then?" he asks, puzzled.  The old lady answers, "We just love the chocolate around them."...............................

Oh, and I love this one!

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink.  She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette head.  She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about that for a few moments and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"


I have a busy, busy, day today......Hope you enjoy just a little bit of laughter...Give someone a smile today!!


Shug

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Labels of Worth

Labels of Worth....I hear so many people label themselves.  Labels such as:  I am a stress eater, I am a risk taker, I am a neat freak, I'm a loner, I am a follower....

We use these labels so freely.  We use these labels because they give us the permission we need to make excuses for ourselves. What we are saying about being a stress eater, is that we expect to eat all that we want just because stress knocks on our door. 

If we say, I'm a risk taker, that sets us up to have an excuse if we fail at what we are trying to accomplish. 

Have you ever thought about those labels we placed on one another when we where in school.  Things like... Most likely to Succeed, Most beautiful, Most Atheletic. 

Numerous times, I have heard someone say...."And to think, He was voted Most Likely to Succeed"...and then they go on to say, "I wonder what happened to him.  I wouldn't call that succeeding?"  Or, people may expect you to be a Pro Football player, Pro Basketball player, and a Pro Golfer, just because you were voted Most Atheletic!

We all do this!  Labels are just a part of life.  How we choose to use these labels is up to us.  Do we step out of our comfort zones and live up to the label that we have placed upon ourselves, or do we place limits on ourselves and never explore the incredible possibilities that come our way. 

So many times, I have said, "I am just a housewife" and that kept me from feeling that I could accomplish goals.  I made myself believe that I needed to concentrate only on the things that housewifes do. (Cook, Clean, Iron, Laundry, Errands).

Just in recent years have I discovered that, Yes, I am a housewife and because I am, I have the priviledge of exploring all the things I want to explore in life.  I can say, "I am a good cook", the reason is because I cook a LOT, and I like it.  I can say, " I am the outdoors type", because I like to be outside.  I like to work in my yard..I like planting flowers and making our yard beautiful.  I can say, "I am an artist", because I love art of all kinds and I am not afraid to try.   I love to be creative.   "I am a writer."  I can say this, because I love to blog. 

Not all labels are bad......"I am a Christian" allows me the opportunity to live my life for the Lord and to invite others to become Christians as well....

Use caution when you choose to label your children....What you might entertain as funny, could end up being a negative label that your child takes with them through out life. 

Let the labels you give yourself or the labels you place upon other people, be uplifting.  A label that does not restrict, but one that encourages. 

Shug...........

Enjoy the amazing opportunities of Life!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Twinkle

(By the way, that is Tyler in the picture above. He loved that little Casey Jones)
The Heart always has room for beautiful memories......

In only a few weeks, the kids will be out of school for the summer.  They will have completed a grade and should be prepared to move on to the next.  I can remember graduating from the eighth grade and being so full of excitement because my friends and I were on that wonderful adventure of entering High School...so exciting!  Those were some of the greatest years.

It is so hard for me to believe that our first grandson, Tyler, will be leaving Jr. High and starting a new adventure of his own.  He will be moving up to the High School campus and with that comes all the things that I am not ready for him to experience.  You know, things like Girlfriends and Parties, and Sports that will cause me to worry about him getting hurt, and Dances, and, and, and!
He just isn't suppose to be there yet.

Oh my, I think I feel a tear about to run down my face....I remember when he started Kindergarten.
The previous years before that, it was just He and I at home during the day..Trista was still in school, and Ty had already started his coaching career.  But...I knew that the day would come when he would have to go to school and his long journey of learning would begin. 

By the time he was old enough to start, Trista had graduated and was teaching on the middle school campus.  There was this one day a couple of months after school had started, that I was at home and the phone rang.  It was the school, and they were letting me know that Tyler was not feeling well, and could I come pick him up.  Of course, this delighted me!  I didn't want him to be sick, but oh how I was going to love bringing him home and taking care of him. 

I get to the school and the secretary tells me that he was in the nurse's office and was laying down.
(At that time the school did not have a full time nurse.  The office help and secretary had to be the nurse a lot of days)  I walk out of the office and go into the next room and to my surprise, there was Tyler...He did not see me, and he was having the time of his life.  He was turning flips on the bed, and was singing songs.  I thought to myself, .......Hmmmmmm.....You are not sick.  I called his name and when he saw me standing there, he immediately grabbed his stomach and said, "Sugar, my stomach hurts.  I'm sick."    I could hardly maintain myself.  I wanted so bad to burst out in laughter, but I knew that he really was sick (HOME SICK) and sometimes that hurts really bad...

We gathered his things and I brought him home.  I'm sure he did what ever he wanted to do for the rest of that afternoon.  One thing for sure was that he was a happy little camper.  No more stomach pains, and no longer was he sick.  He was happy and we made a very special memory that day...

Now, here he is, fourteen and about to enter some of the best years of his life.  It is hard to believe!

He is a great guy, and he loves life.  He excels in his school work and is very active in sports.  Tyler is also full of comedy.  He keeps us all laughing at all the little things he does.  Never meets a stranger and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.  Tyler has good Christian standards set in his life and he openly shares them with his friends.  Now listen to me....sounds like I'm busy bragging, doesn't it?

I am proud of him....But, after all, A Grandmother (Shug) is one of the most important teachers a child can ever have. 

 I read this one time and I believe it to be true.  "The blossom cannot tell what becomes of it's fragrance as it drifts away, just as a grandmother can not tell what becomes of her influence as she continues through life"  I hope that I have been a shining example not only to Tyler, but to my daughters, my other grandchildren, my husband and all the other people that I have crossed paths with.  If not a shining example, then perhaps a little twinkle that has touched their lives in some way.

I guess I have to accept that they grow up and the cycle of life continues on.  My heart longs for him to still be that five year old little boy that was turning flips and singing songs that day when I picked him up.  However, I know that as he grows and matures, the songs of his life will be wonderful and that he and I will always have memories that last forever.

Shug......

Hug your grandchildren today...Give them a part of you that they will always cherish.

Monday, May 17, 2010

My heart at three

This is rare for me.  It is three in the morning and I have tossed and turned all night.  I was reluctant to get up and write this post, but not because I am sleepy or tired.  It is because I respect the opinions that other people may have. 

My Heart was so touched in church yesterday and I could feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit deep within me.  During Praise and Worship, we sang the song, "Amazing Grace" by Chris Tomlin.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

My chains are gone, I've been set free! My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns, Unending love, Amazing grace.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
My chains are gone, I've been set free, My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns, Unending love, Amazing grace.

What a beautiful song......This is an old hymn with a little contemporary mixed in, but it still brings the great comfort that the older generation has always known.  It is my opinion that these songs should never be forgotten.  I have bittersweet thoughts about the music that is played in our services today.   I want our grandchildren to understand the value that the old hymns have.  I want them to understand the reverance of Praising God.  I want them to hear the words and to let these words dwell deep within their hearts.  His word my hope secures, how incredible is that!

It seems that contemporary music is vital for the young adults and kids of today.  I realize that both of these types of music honor God and it is just a matter of preference.  I have heard it said, "that all that matters is that you are reaching souls and bringing them into the presence of God." 

 I know that we all have different emotions and we all are moved by an array of different things.  I for one, am moved to the point of tears when I hear the old hymns.  But, that is not to say that the person standing next to me experiences the same thing.  The style of contemparary music may be the very essence that they need to move their hearts in the direction of God. 

I do believe that it should be taken into consideration that some of the older generation still remain and that their souls need to be fed as well.  The old songs are like comfort food to them and they long to worship God in the way that they have always known and in a way that allows their hearts to be filled by the moving of the Holy Spirit.  

I was thinking about all of this and this funny thought crossed my mind.  If our younger generation is not taught the old hymns, and with time, these hymns are just forgotten through the ages, what will it be like when you attend a funeral of a loved one or friend.  Will they sing the " 7 - 11 " songs.  This is what a lot of people refer to as the new contempary music we play today..... you know, you pick 7 words and sing them 11 times......

Of course I am joking, but I can hear it now.....
Just as the pastor finishes speaking at the service, this song will start to play...."Oh Father God, Oh Father God, death has come and she is gone.  She is gone, Oh Father God...Oh Father God, she is gone.
Oh Father God, Oh Father God, death has come and she is gone.  She is gone, Oh Father God......Oh Father God, she is home.

This will be repeated 11 times and then the service ends.  I hope that no one is offended by my joke, but in my heart, I do try to grasp hold of what the future holds for our children and grandchildren.  Is there really a generation gap here...I'm not sure about that, because not like other things in this world that come and go, these old hymns of the past have been around for many, many years. They have a message that needs to reach our children of today.....I pray that my grandchildren will never forget how important these old hymns are to me (their Shug) and that they will long in their hearts to know the words that bring tears to my eyes as I worship and praise the Lord God Almighty. 

My heart is at rest now and I think I can go to sleep...I hope that I have not offended anyone and just as I respect the opionions of other, I hope you will respect my opionion as well......

Shug.......

Take time to sing one of the beautiful old Hymns to your child or grandchild today....
They will be Blessed and so will you!




Sunday, May 16, 2010

A Princess


As For Me and My House, We will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

I love this verse.....   Powerful sripture


Last night was Prom night and I want to share with you the beautiful young girl that God has placed in our home and in our hearts........Taylor is my great-neice.  Her grandmother (my sister) an her grandmother on her mom's side both died early in their lives.  Her dad (my nephew) passed away when Taylor was only three and her mother passed away when she was twelve.  How difficult is it to be a young lady who has no mother or grandmothers in her life.  These are the women we as daughters lean on for these special occasions in our lives.

Sam and I are very happy that God has placed her with us and in our home.  We are extremely proud of her and of the accomplishments she has made in her life.  She has struggled with many disappointments in her life, but she remains to be a beautiful young lady inside and out.  I am happy that we were able to share in this exciting time of her life.  HER FIRST PROM......

Our girls have taken her in as a sister and have helped us in guiding her through what we all know as those happy, wonderful years of being seventeen. 

Here they are helping her with the details of getting dressed for the Prom.  Having fun....and laughing with one another.  Even Mylee was doing all she could to help Taylor get dressed for the .....PARDY

She was very pretty and I know that her mother and grandmothers would have been very proud of her.  I pray that she will continue her path along this journey we call life and that she will continue to allow God to lead this path for her.  We have opened our home to her and with that comes the responsibility of teaching her that God is the center of our home and that we will always serve HIM.  In our home (above the french doors) we proudly have this scripture written on the wall. 

Taylor is a beautiful girl and we are so very proud of her.  I hope that her prom, this special day for her, was all that she wanted it to be. ( A "Cinderella" story if you will.)  Her nickname is "Princess" and that is exactly what she was last night.  Dressed up, excited for her PRINCE  to come an escort her into a fairy tale world that she so deserves!  


Shug..........

Hope that every chance we get, we can bring love, joy, and happiness into someone's life....


Saturday, May 15, 2010

Pink I think

So it is Prom time......TODAY!..  Will post pictures tomorrow!

Taylor and I left yesterday morning EARLY!  Lots of little errands to do.  Nail appointment was at 10:00.  I decided to go ahead and treat myself to a warm relaxing pedicure while she was getting her nails done.  G...Whiz, I love me some pedicures.    I thought I would step out a little more than what I usually do and select a color that I like to look at.  HERE IT IS!  It really is a beautiful color.  The only thing is, I don't wear a lot of orange.

I know, I know, TEXAS is orange, but they are also MAROON as in TEXAS A&M.  Shanda graduated from A&M, so I have to bleed some maroon too...

Back to Subject:   While I was having my toes polished this bright big color of orange, I didn't even realize that I had black shorts and a bright pink shirt on.  Oh yeah, they clashed...
But,  ......back to the pedicure.  I know that if I could ever talk Sam in to getting one, he would be hooked.  It would be an every week thing for him.    Might be a little difficult for the ladies giving the pedicures.  Hard to rub lotion into hairy legs!

I can not understand a single word that those ladies are chatting about, but what ever it is, they are having a good time.  Laugh, Laugh, Laugh.  Hope it's not me they are laughing at.  Oh, well.
If it is they sure have something good to laugh at. 

I am a flip flop gal.....LOVE THEM!  Just check out my new polished toes in my flip flops.


So many flip flops to choose from these days.   I can dress my feet up up or I can dress them down.  Nothing more comfortable than a good ol' pair of flip flops on a warm sunny day. 
Bling, more Bling or no Bling, it just doesn't matter for this country girl.........


I love the orange, but next time.....Pink I think!!!!



Can't wait to post pictures of Taylor all dressed up for the Prom....

Sunday Thinking

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