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."

She's Wearin' Shades

From this.....Mel as our flower girl in 1991 (5 years old).


To this......graduating from University of Kentucky, 2008 (with her boyfriend Tom).

My niece graduated from the University of Kentucky on May 4th and I'm finally posting about it. Jenna and I were able to go and I'm so glad we did. We went to a nice party for her at my brother's farm (where we also watched the Kentucky Derby) and to the graduation on Sunday. She's a very special girl who has a great head on her shoulders and I know she will succeed in everything she does. She graduated with a finance degree with honors! Way to go, Mel. We're very proud of you.

You're future's so bright....you gotta wear shades!

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

A Great Week

The traditional "muscle" picture.


Celebrating Jared and Daddy's birthday at Red Lobster.


Aunt Jonnie and Jenna at the pool.




It seems like I am always catching up with my blogging. We had a great time at my aunt's a couple of weeks ago. The weather was great. David and I would start the day with a 3 mile walk which I really enjoyed. It's amazing how much you can talk about in such a short time without kids! We would spend all morning in the pool and then do some fun things in the afternoon. Thursday we saw Kung Fu Panda for Jared's birthday and Friday the boys saw The Hulk while the girls went shopping. We're always so thankful for our time with Aunt Jonnie (Uncle Don is in Kansas helping out with the family farm). Thank you for such a great time!

My Favorite Spot

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"
Isaiah 43: 18 -19



This summer I have really been working on a more consistent quiet time and not just squeezing it in when I can. During the school year it's usually in my van after I have taken kids to school. I have discovered a favorite spot to meet with the Lord-my front porch. I'm sure you have that favorite spot-one where you can just try and get in His presence and hear his voice. If you have little children (or even if you don't), it gets difficult, doesn't it?

It's hard getting up.
If you get up, the kids get up early-what's up with that?
If you get up, get started, and are really get going good-the kids get up!
If you wait until night, you fall asleep!

To me, it's just doing the best you can. There could be a lot worse things than your kids waking up and seeing you in the Word, right? I remember several years ago Jacob told my mother-in-law: "When I get up, Mom is always reading her bible." Well, always is stretching it but it sure meant a lot to me that he noticed that. I decided this summer that I would not have a list of "wants" for the Lord. My prayer every day has been for Him to be the center of my life and to invade every thought and EMOTION (I'm a very emotional person) that enters my mind. The rest will fall into place.

So, consider yourself tagged if you are reading this. What is your favorite spot? When is your best time for a quiet time? What has the Lord been teaching you? Post on your blog and leave a comment so we can read yours!