Back to School-Part 1

Today was Jared's first day of 5th grade. His last year in elementary school. I have to say I'm pretty emotional right now. My kids are really growing up. Jared insisted on riding the bus this morning so last night I said:

"Jared, please do this one thing for me."

"What?"

"Let Mommy take you to school in the morning."

"Well, OK. As long as you don't kiss me in front of anybody."

When we got to school he would not let me take his picture. I had to take it right outside the van in front of the school. I had to threaten to follow him around school with the camera if he did not smile!! We went in to school, he got breakfast and did not eat one bite! What? My child is going to starve on his first day of school. I don't care how old Jared gets, he's my little boy and has always been a mama's boy (sorry, Jared). He will always snuggle with me, tell me he loves me, and will walk by me several times a day just to touch me or rub my back. I'm really going to miss that today.

Love Is Not A Fight

OK, I'm obsessed with this movie. Here is a song that was in the movie. It's great. Hit stop on my playlist!

My Movie Review

Today we were SO BLESSED to go to the special screening of FIREPROOF. I'm no movie critic but I'll give it a try.

First of all, the Georgia Baptist Center is gorgeous! It was worth going to see the facilities.

The movie was awesome. Kirk Cameron plays the lead role. We all had our fairy tale dreams of what marriage would be like. When that fades, we must be ready to face the fire! It was full of lessons such as:
1) Be careful who you choose as friends.
2) With God, all things are possible.
3) We need to focus on ourselves first and not the other persons faults.
4) What are the parasites in your life that are sucking the life out of your marriage?
5) God loves us and SEEKS US! All we have to do is accept it.

Some really good lines:
"Fireproof does not mean there will be no fire but you will be able to withstand it when the fire comes."

"Women are like a rose. Take care of them and they will bloom, ignore them and they will wilt."

Another thing that meant a lot to me personally was the support that this movie gives to firemen. David sees things on almost every shift that he has to push aside when he walks into the door. I do not know how he does it. It made me appreciate him, and all that he does in his profession, so much more. See the black t-shirt David is wearing? It says: "I love my marriage" on the front and has an advertisement for FIREPROOF on the back. He got that free for being a fireman and present at today's sreening.

Opening weekend is Septmeber 26th. Please go to support this movie and to show Hollywood that movies like this are wanted! Help spead the word in your church too. You can go to fireproofthemovie.com for all kinds of resources.

Turn Down The World Tonight

"Turn Down the World Tonight" is one of my favoirte new songs by Journey. When I heard the song I thought: "That's it exactly! That's how I feel so often when it comes to time with me and David."

Caught up in the livin...getting through each day
When all your tomorrows become faded yesterdays
Are you slippin away?

Blinded by schedules...running here and there
Become strangers to each other...I miss you everywhere
How did we get this way?

When the loneliness becomes too much to bear
Get off this merry go round...tell each other we still care

Help me Turn Down The World Tonight
Take a quiet moment...somewhere we can unwind
Losing touch...we forget to take time
To share what's in our hearts
Speak what's on our minds

In the silence hear your heartbeat next to mine
Baby help me...Turn Down The World Tonight

Too much information...streamin' at us fast
What I really need to know...is that we can make it last
I want to keep you close

We make commitments...take responsibility
Why do we let them...come between you and me
That's when I miss you most...

We gotta take this night...Knowin' our love won't wait
Before our moment is gone...Say it's not to late

Help me Turn Down The World Tonight
Take a quiet moment...somewhere we can unwind
Losing touch...we forget to take time
To share what's in our hearts
Speak what's on our minds

Far beyond the noise
With your body next to mine
Won't you help me Turn Down The World Tonight

Help me Turn Down The World Tonight
Take a quiet moment...somewhere we can unwind
Losing touch...we forget to take time
To share what's in our hearts
Speak what's on our minds

Turn Down The World Tonight

In the silence I hear your heartbeat next to mine
Baby help me...Turn Down The World Tonight

So, that is exatly what we are doing tomorrow night (Wednesday). All 3 kids are taken care of! We're not headed very far away but we are spending the night away then Thurday we are headed to a special screening of FIREPROOF the Movie, then on to a special event with our friends Melody and David. I'm so looking forward to time away with my husband and time with friends. I can't wait to see this movie! I know it will impact marriages all over the world.

Girls Day

We had a great day Thursday at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. The Blue Willow is THE best place for traditional southern food. My mother-in-law treated me, Jenna, my sister-in-law Debbie and my niece Mandy. We also went to our favorite doll store and "shopped around". I love those dolls as much as Jenna. Thanks so much to NaNa! Thanks Jess for taking our picture!

I just can't believe our summer is coming to an end. Jared starts July 31st and our days are packed with mostly appointments and stuff. I do believe this has been the quickest summer ever-until next year!

A Great Day In Jasper

This was the first thing we saw when we arrived at the cabin. They did not even move while I took these pictures.



Mom and the cousins on the front porch (Jacob was at camp).



Fun at the pool.

My brother has a cabin in Jasper that we have been going to off and on for about 14 years. We have so many memories there of the kids growing up. They have missed coming for many years because, well, you know, kids change our lives! My nephew Allan had tennis matches near the cabin this year so they were able to come. We met up with them on Tuesday. Mom came with them and we had such a good time swimming and cooking out. But GREATLY missed was my sister and her four children!

There's something about that cabin that just relaxes you. Boy, I could have used a few more days there!

I Cried, Jenna Didn't

Almost 2 months ago (wow!) we got Jenna's ears pierced for her 5th birthday. I could not believe how well she did. I got all teared up at my big girl in that seat smiling from ear to ear! She didn't even flinch. They gave you a sticker and a bag that said: "Just got my ears pierced." She loved carrying that bag around. She cleans them a couple times and day and I don't have to worry about a thing except making sure the back is on good. She has pretty little pink flower earrings and we're ready to put her new cross earrings in very soon.

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

What A Difference A Week Makes

Well, we did not have the best Staycation and we continued to struggle (and are still struggling a little bit) with Jenna's "tummy issues". Friday we tried to go to the mall and had to turn around and come home. Throw up at Ruby Tuesday was not all that much fun! But last week took a turn for the better. We had a fantastic day Wednesday at Lake Lanier. The weather was great, the kids did great, even played together. Jenna LOVED water slides. She went down with me on the inner tubes. Every time she got off she would say: "That was awesome!" and the people around us would just laugh. We stayed the entire day and had such a good time.

Best Parade Ever

Jacob drove PaPa's 4-wheeler this year.







"We miss you Daddy!"



If you were not in our neighborhood this year, you missed the best parade anywhere-at least that's what Jenna said! Every year our neighborhood has a "4th of July Tractor Parade" with tractors, horses, 4 wheelers, even golf carts! It really is fun. This year me, Jenna, and Jared rode in the back of PaPa's truck. It's fun watching how everyone decorates their stuff. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!


Paul Harvey's On Air PRAYER!

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your
forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word
says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have
exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness
and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We
have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to
discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called
it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and
called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of
our forefathers and called it Enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our
hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. In Jesus' name,
we pray, Amen!" (Amen)



Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio
program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this
program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this
prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that
we again can be called "one Nation under God."