Whatever You're Doing

Hit stop on my play list. Great song for the new year.

Dear God....

On the way home tonight from Jenna's Christmas performance just out of the blue she asked if she could pray. I had to write this quickly so I would not forget. I said of course and this is what she said:

J-"you don't have to close your eyes Mom (I was driving) but Jared does."
M-Ok Jenna
J-"Dear God. Thanks a lot. Thanks for sending your son Jesus so that we can all be together."

Jared-"What do you think would have happened if Jesus had not come." A big discussion followed that one.

We have had 2 days of 3 kids bickering and fighting and I was at the end of my rope! We had a TERRIBLE evening leading up to the performance. Daddy at the fire station, trying to get everyone fed, kids fighting at the table. What had we done to raise such children? Shouldn't we be celebrating the true meaning of Christmas here people!? I don't want a 13 year old anymore-I want my sweet child back! You know how we do as parents. Guilt, guilt, guilt. What a gift God gave me on the way home. What a gift He gave me through a child's Christmas performance. A great message by Pastor Jimmy on reconciliation (more on that later). "A little child shall lead them..."

Pictures coming soon....

Family Adventures #2

I'm going for the wind blown look! Ha



So lately we are into adventures at my house so Sunday we decided to climb Stone Mountain! (It's on our "list of things to do".) It's a very nice hike but pretty steep at the end. I was so proud of everyone because we all make it! I wasn't sure if we would towards the end and the tram was shut down for maintenance! Then we found the perfect spot by the grist mill for lunch. It was beuatiful and the kids had so much fun taking their shoes off and playing in the water.

Also, yesterday we had the most awesome sermon on Change (it will take about a week to post online). Pastor Ronnie reminded us that, yes, we want change but are not willing TO change (more on that later). One thing we want to change in our house is to have more fun so this fit perfectly!

What's On Your List?

A few weeks ago in my ScreamFree Parenting class we talked about a question that was asked on the DVD: "When was the last time you REALLY enjoyed your children?" That hit home with me. Of course we love our children but we have not been enjoying them very much. I aked the class to write down 3 things they have been wanting to do with their family. One of mine was to start taking little day trips. Just time away together. Today we went to Burt's Farm and Amicalola Falls. We all climed to the falls (not all the way, just the 175 steps) then came back down on the trail. I was amazed at how well everyone did. Jared especially surprised us by getting ahead of everyone and climbing on everything. He even wanted to go again! It was such a beautiful day and we could not have asked for a better time. On the way there we saw 5,144 scarcrows in Braselton, GA. If you have not seen this you must go! It is really neat. At Burt's we got our pumpkins then went on the hayride. We also had a very nice picnic on the lawn at Burt's. The kids said some really funny things:

Jenna (on her way to the falls):
"I can make it. Little Jenna just needs to take a rest from time to time."

Jared (when we sat down to eat):
"Now this is waht I call nature."

Jacob (one the phone with a friend)
"Oh, we're going to some pumpkin thing."
Oh, well. Gotta love middle schoolers!

What are some things you want to do with your family? It could be something simple. Another thing on my list is to chill out at bedtime and enjoy that time more. How about it, let's enjoy our kids more (and life)!

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 57:5

A Few Days Of Rest

I'm very excited because my Mom is coming today. I'm taking a little break from getting the house ready while trying to watch the GA game (yeah, their back and ranked #1). On Monday Mom and I are headed to my aunt's (shhhh don't tell the kids) for one night then on to Myrtle Beach for two nights. I'm so thrilled to get away with my Mom and just have some time to sleep, read, and relax.

Special thanks to my dear hubbie who took a day off work, will get all 3 kids where they need to be, teach our ScreamFree Parenting class Wednesday night. feed the kids, do laundry. Hey, now I know why I need a break! Ha You're the best, honey!

Hangin' Out With the Senior Citizens

Several weeks ago our friends David and Melody invited us to a silent auction for
senior citizens of Gwinnett County. It was really fun and they had a ton of good stuff. They had trips, paintings, gift cards to restaurants, and all kinds of stuff to bid on. The theme was Hollywood and people were really dressed up and the food was awesome. David and I won 2 sets of tickets to Braves games for a STEAL (no pun intended)! They are right behind the dugout. One game is tonight so we're headed there later for a date night-yeah!

We decided that we will make this an annual event!

Thank God For Insurance

I was thinking over the past 2 weeks at my house and I just want to thank God for insurance and for good health. I know so many people struggle with good insurance and times are tough for so many people. For the past 2 weeks Jenna has been to the doctor 2 times, Jared to the orthopedic doctor where he got a waterproof (insurance does not pay for) cast on his left arm (another result of our Staycation!), then David called me about 12:00 yesterday and said:

"Honey, you know how I haven't been feeling well for the past couple of days?"

"Yes"

"Well, we were doing a drill today at work and I started feeling really bad and couldn't make it through the drill so I'm headed to Eastside. I really feel like I need to be ckecked out."

I'm thinking: What? A man saying he needs to go to the hospital. He must really feel bad.

I fill up the van ($86.00) and head to Eastside. After a series of tests, paying our co-pay (which was not too bad), the doctor concluded that his thyroid was very low (he had his thyroid removed 10 years ago), he has 2 kidney stones on one side and one on the other. He also ordered a stress test.

So, we've had 2 doctor visits, 1 specialist visit, one emergency room visit, one chiropractor visit, and one annual check up yet to come.

No wonder it feels a little crazy at our house. AND, summer is almost over and it is back-to-school getting ready time!


We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. ~ Romans 3:22

Let's Get Real! Staycation?

OK. So most of my posts are positive but not today. I'm just being real and expressing my feelings. David is on vacation this week. This year we couldn't really go anywhere so we decided to try a "Staycation". There is nowhere to go that does not require a lot of money (movies, water parks, Six Flags, etc...) so we're trying to make the most of it. Monday we went to a small water park, Tuesday David took the boys to White Water (are you kidding me? running around all day from slide to slide or siitng at the kiddie area with a 5 year old does not appeal to me). Three nights of Georgia baseball college world series. I think that adds up to about 12 hours. I like sports but three nights in a row? Then, at 5:30 this morning Jenna starts throwing up. All this time I am trying to stay positive and keep remembering that God is in all things in our life, you know, all that spiritual stuff!

No Place Like Home? I need to rethink that title. Who came up with Staycation anyway? Probably those people with pools in their backyard!

Then, I got up this morning and read this quote on a friend's CaringBridge site. She is struggling with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." Martha Washington

Wow! That really stung. Forgive me, Lord and help me be content whatever my circumstances (Phil 4:11). Now, I'm going to clean up throw up, hold my child, and be so thankful for every minute of it.

There's No Place Like Home

Date Night

Thursday David told me he called his Mom and asked her to watch the kids while we went out Friday night. Wow! Adult time. After almost 17 years we really do love spending time together. He knows just when I need it. We had the most wonderful time eating at Dominique's in downtown Lawrenceville. The food was awesome. It turned out to be a beautiful night. Did you know people really get married at the courthouse steps? We saw at least 2 weddings while we were walking around. We topped the night off with some ice cream and spent some time at the bookstore. After putting the kids to bed we watched a movie. A big thank you to my sweet hubbie. I really needed a night out after a long week getting ready for VBS. You saved me, baby!

Ahhhh.....Summer!

Kendall, Jenna, and Sadie Hill on the last day of Preschool ("Freedom Day").



Jacob and Mrs. Chambers.



Jared at field day.


Friday morning I woke up to summer! Even though I still work in the summer and have a lot going on, this is what summer means at my house:

1. No gettin up at 5:45.
2. No delivering children to 3 different schools.
3. No stress from delivering children to 3 different schools.
4. Morning walks in my beautiful neighborhood.
5. Sitting on my front porch (I'm trying Mom)in the morning with a cup of coffee, bible, and devotion book in hand.
6. Evenings at home with my family.
7. No baseball!
8. Going to my aunt's in South Carolina.
9. Hopefully getting away with david for a couple of nights.
10. Did I say, more time with my famiy?

Yes, summer is here but I am also so very thankful for the past school year. The Lord provided for a great school for Jacob. He finished 6th grade and did such a great job! Jared finished 4th grade and also did a great job especially since he had his appendix out mid-year! Jenna did great at preschool and we're looking forward to Kindergarten in the fall. Our life is pretty much the same year round with the same routines but I am so glad...."Some Things Never Change!"

My Heart Aches

This is a picture of well-know artist Stephen Curtis Chapman and his family. Yesterday his son accidently hit his sister Maria in the driveway of their home and she was killed. My heart aches for this family. I was sobbing when I read about her story. She and Jenna were born the same month and both just turned 5. I can't imagine waht this family is going through. Please go to Maria's blog and read more about her and leave a comment for the family. This storm they are going through is one that I can not imagine!

The Night The Lights Went Out in Monroe

Last night we had some bad thunderstorms. We were at the ball field when they called the game because of lightning. As soon as I pulled in the driveway and went in the house the electricity went off. David was at the fire station (of course). I gathered candles and flashlights and everyone went to the living room. We got Jenna's 10 inch portable DVD player and started to watch 101 Dalmatians. They were so cute huddled together. Especially my "almost" 13 year old. He started out listening to his I Pod but ended up huddled up with everyone else. (I was too lazy to get my camera out of the van.) Surely the electricity will come back on in time for American Idol!!!!!! No such luck. The storm stopped but still no power. Finally, I put flashlights in the kids rooms so they could have some light and we started our prayers. I prayed the Lord would allow the power to come back on so our food would be saved. I didn't even finish the prayer when it came back on. The boys could not believe it. They were so amazed by that. The funny thing is, it didn't stay on. So I prayed again that it would come back on and stay on. It did about 15 minutes later.

I was bummed about missing American Idol but not about the time I had with the kids and the opportunity for God to show himself to my kids through prayer. I was also thankful that David was safe. He was right in the middle of some really bad storms.


"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

The Last Two Weeks

We went to the Tennessee Aquarium on Thursday. We LOVED it. Jenna loved the butterfly room. She found a "buddy" that would sit on her finger.

Mel's graduation party.



Kentucky Derby breakfast.


The official covered bride of Kentucky in Switzer.



This was taken at a beautiful rest stop outside of Chattanooga-Tennessee River behind us.


The last two weeks have been so busy around here. It will continue to be that way until next week when school is out (what? school out?). I'm having a hard time finding time to blog so here is a summary of the last two weeks:

Thursday, May 1 we left for Chattanooga to meet Mom. A BIG thank you to my hubbie for taking us and for taking care of things at home for 5 days!
Friday, May 2 left Chattanooga for Kentucky.
Saturday, May 3rd we went to the Kentucky Derby breakfast.
Saturday afternoon we spent the day with my brother and his family at the farm in Stamping Ground to celebrate Melanie's graduation from the University of Kentucky.
Sunday morning we went to the graduation, to my sister's house, then spent the night in Nashville.
Monday morning we left for Georgia.
Tuesday I went back to work and tried to get back into the swing of things.
Thursday night, May 8th-ladies tea.
Friday night, May 9th-Jenna's party
Saturday morning, May 10th-Alexis' (Jenna's friend) birthday party
Saturday afternoon-Jacob ball game and pedicure with Mom and Jenna.
Saturday night-Longhorn's to clebrate Mother's Day.
Sunday, May 11-Mother's Day
Monday, May 12-spent day with Mom
Tuesday, May 13-Mom left for Kentucky

Good Friday

Why GOOD Friday? Christians know the joy of Easter is through Christ's death

By Khalid Moss

Staff Writer

Friday, March 21, 2008

What's so good about Good Friday?

It's the most somber day of the year in Christendom; the day Jesus was mocked by Romans and crucified before an angry mob. You might think not a lot of good can flow from such a scenario.

But miraculously, it did.

"The whole point of Good Friday is that it is this pivotal moment when the death of Christ is the transformative moment," said Alex Tuss of Dayton's Marianist Mission. "And whether you look at it as the passage to death or the passage to life, it's still that pivotal moment.

"Jesus not only lived and ministered as the perfect human but he died and rose to new life as the savior of sinners," Tuss said.

For Catholics and other Christians, the "Triduum" is the three-day period marking the death and burial of Jesus Christ. The Triduum is frequently observed by attending a worship service on each day.

The Triduum

Maundy Thursday: The Thursday before Easter remembers the night before Jesus died when he shared "Last Supper" with his disciples and washed their feet as a sign of the "new commandment."

Good Friday: Called "good" because of the wonder and meaning that flowed from it. On Good Friday, some Christians abstain from meat or refrain from food altogether. It is the only day of the year Catholic Mass is not held.

Holy Saturday: The day of waiting. Not much is said about it in the Bible except that disciples were in hiding and women were preparing to visit the tomb in order to prepare Jesus' body for burial.

What's so good about Good Friday?

"It was one of the saddest days in Christianity, but it was good because it was the day Jesus gave himself for us," said the Rev. James McCellan of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. "If he had not died, we wouldn't be at the point of Resurrection Sunday. He took on all the sins of the world that day so we could have an abundant life. That's why Good Friday is good."

"Roosters"

Today was a beautiful day. After storms all weekend in Georgia it was nice to get outside. We had at least 3 places to be today so we decided to scrap them all and play all day. We ended up at Brusters (Roosters, as Jenna says) for some good ole' ice cream.

Oh, we would also like to say congrats to the Georgia Bulldogs basketball team for winning the SEC. Even a tornado could not keep them from winning two games in one day! Sorry, Kentucky family-they deserve it!

Mug Shot

Well, today I had to get my driver's license renewed. Do you think I could have waited to the last minute? Did I renew by mail? NO. Did I renew by internet? NO. They expire tomorrow (my 42nd birthday-yuck) so I had to go today. In the rain. In the busy Atlanta area traffic. 40 minutes away. The good news is-when I got there it only took 10 minutes. I actually did want a new picture because the last one that was taken was when I had a 10 month old baby and I am a little bit smaller than 4 years ago-just a little. Can't say much about the picture (remember the rain?). Just looks like a mug shot to me. And can you believe it's 20 bucks now? That's for the 5 year. I chose not to get the 10 year because I REALLY didn't want to compare this year's picture and one ten years from now. That would be scary-like this poor lady.

Friday Fun Night

Last Friday David and I had a wonderful date night for Valentine's Day. We went to eat at Chili's then he took me to see Fool's Gold (with Matthew McConaughey-hee hee). It was a pretty cute movie. Chick flick, for sure.

Last night we had a family night and went to Steak N' Shake-my favorite burger joint. Jenna and I went to see Hannah Montanna and the boys went to see Junper? Don't even know what that is but Jenna was so excited to see Hannah Montanna. Yes, she LOVES that show. The "concert movie" was OK but it sure was fun watching her.
She was the only one dancing in the movie isle-so cute.

A Mamogram Can Be Fun

Yes, you are at the right blog. I just had to put this first picture on here. It's what you do to prepare for a momogram! It can't be any more perfect! I'm sorry if it offends someone but I think it is soooo funny.

Last Wednesday, my friend Chelle (not my bloggy friend Chelle)and I went to have a momogram. Some time ago we decided to make our appointments at the same time then go have lunch. Why not make the worst appointment ever into something fun? Well, the procedure was not fun. I went back first and thought I was going to pass out. The digital was not any better for me.

But, we had a great lunch at Long Horn (my favorite) and did a little shopping for the kids for Valentine's Day. I think we will make this an annual thing.

Super Weekend

GodTube.com - A moms overture

One of my New Year's resolutions was to laugh more. When my friend Jodi called me and asked if I wanted to go to an Anita Renfro taping (Saturday) of her new DVD, "Thyroid" I knew this would be a great chance to do just that-laugh, laugh, laugh. I saw Anita at the Women of Faith Confernece back in August and she was so funny. This new DVD is going to be sooooo funny. I have never been to a taping before and even that was funny. She had to take severl re-takes and for some reason a train kept going by-seriously, at 7:00p.m? She ended the evening with a great tribute song to all the women that have influenced her through the years. Anita is most famous for her mom song (above) . You MUST take a moment to watch this. She has gotten millions of hits off of YouTube. She is also going to be on Good Morning America soon.

Don't forget to laugh, ladies. I'm trying to do it more. I never thought it would take WORK to laugh more but it does. For me, it works!

Then Sunday night we went over to Jodi and Jeremy's house for a super bowl party. There were a lot of adults and A TON of children. Can't say I watched any football but we had a great time tlaking and the food was wonderful! No finger foods at this party-steak, chicken, vegetables. Really, it was great! Thank you to the Yorks for hosting it.

Pray for Nicole

For those of you that pass by my blog, please take a moment to pray for my sister Nicole. She is having surgery on Wednesday to repair 2 disks. Some time back her neck was hurting. She went to a chiropractor and ended up getting two ruptured disks from the treatment. The chiropractor was new and apparently did not do x-rays before treating her. The surgery will be disk replacement and not a fusion which is usually what they do. This surgery will allow her to move her head from side to side. Since she lives in Kentucky I am finding myself getting more and more emotional lately about not being able to be with her. A few more things to pray about:
1) That the "ball" used for the replacement will fit.
2) For her 4 children and husband. The children are ver nervous and worried about their Mom.
3) For my Mom as she helps out during recovery time.

Please leave a comment so I can send them on to her. Thanks!

Love you, Sis. You know I'll be there as soon as I can!

January 22nd update-insurance did not approve the surgery. Please pray for God's perfect plan and wisdom for Nicole and doctors as they decide what the next step will be.