Can Hardly Wait...!

I know I haven't blogged any ornaments in a few. It's been kinda busy trying to finish up all the things that need to be done before...I GET TO GO TO FLORIDA FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!
I am so excited! I can hardly wait!! It's gonna be so great!!!
We have to make it through set up, a DOUBLE 18th birthday party(with about 50+ kids expected), a lock-in after the party of OUR youth group kids, a childrens church Christmas party in the morning, and a youth Christmas party. Once this is done, we will go home, sleep for a little bit, then take a trip to Florida!!!!
I am really looking forward to the parties...it will be fun. I just want to get on the road and head south!

I can hardly wait to get there and see my parents and my brother & his family!
I can hardly wait to see all our Florida friends! I can hardly wait to hang out with them all and enjoy some good fellowship and make some wonderful memories!!!!

Until then...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE! Remember how much God loved us to send us the precious gift of His Son for us~

R U still interested in my ornaments?!?

I know to some people collecting momentos from places you've been seems silly. For me, it's the memories that it brings back!

This ornament comes from Colonial Williamsburg, VA!

Our very first winter that we stayed here in NC, my parents came up to spend Christmas with us! Now, that was a HUGE DEAL to me! You see, I have a brother and sister-in-law who have given my parents 5 grandchildren (4 at the time!). For my parents to come and spend it with me and Claude was a priceless memory! Anyway, a couple days after Christmas, we went to Williamsburg together. None of us had ever been! It was alot of fun shopping, sightseeing, etc!

So, this little porcelain ornament reminds me of how much my parents love me! They gave up spending a Christmas with their grandkids to spend it with their daughter and son-in-law!

I love you, Mom & Dad!

Gotta love them ornaments!

Anyone who knows me fairly well KNOWS that I love CocaCola! I love the CocaCola polar bear even more! I have a hope chest FULL of CocaCola stuff and my spare bedroom & bathroom are CocaCola!

I have several Coke ornaments, but this one's my favorite!

I believe we got him on our trip to Atlanta at the CocaCola store! That place was AWESOME!!!

Ornament memories #7

This is not a very good picture of this ornament. It's "falling stars". I told you, I love unique ornaments! There were only 2 of these (again!) so i got both of them!

No real sentiment behind them either, just love the way they look on the tree! Like stars falling down the branches!

More Christmas fun!

This time, I'm gonn post 2 ornaments! they kinda go together!

I've been collecting ornaments every year since we've been married. Here are 2 of my favorite!

I'm not a teddy bear kinda girl, but I just thought this was sweet! This was from 2003!

The look in the eyes of these reindeer had me from the start!

This is me, looking all flittering eyed at Claude, who looks like a "deer in the headlight"!!!

This one from 2004!

Christmas, take 6

There's no real sentimental story behind this ornament!

I just thought it was unique! Instead of hanging from the tree, it looks as if it's floating and holding the tree limb up! I could only find 2 of this ornament...so I bought both!

I've had these for about 8 years! (I'm still amazed at how I haven't broken any of these!)

It's soooo pretty!

Christmas, take 5

For those who don't know, this is an Irish symbol, called Claddagh. The hands stand for friendship, the crown stands for loyalty, and the heart stands for love!

(The very first piece of jewelry Claude every bought me was an Irish wedding band, aka Claddagh!). I love the absolute beauty in what it stands for!

Everytime I pull this ornament out and hang it, I'm reminded of that first Christmas gift I received from my wonderful husband!

I am so blessed!

Christmas #4

While we were in Florida, Claude & I were heavily involved in the AWANA clubs. Claude was the AWANA Commander at our church & I was director of the 5th-6th grade girls.

We loved this ministry because we saw what a huge impact it made on kids!

After a few years of helping out with the ministry in Central Florida, the AWANA missionaries, Jim & Tara Lambeth, asked us if we would like to join the missionary team! We, of course, said YES!!!

Jim & Tara had an opportunity to go on a missions trip to India one year. They brought back this ornament. I just find it so pretty and, to know that it came all the way from India, is just neat!

Christmas #3

When we were in Florida, we became friends with a couple that, I must say, I NEVER SAW MYSELF being friends with! He was always so full of Biblical knowledge and so "deep" and she SEEMED like the submissive sweet wife!

Well, I was wrong! About a great many things when it came to this couple!

Todd & Diona Boyle are a unique couple. He actually IS very spiritual and deep. But, not in a pious or fake way. He truly loves the Lord and loves sharing what he's learned about Jesus with anyone who will listen! He's a kind and thoughtful man and I know Claude loved hanging out with him!

Diona...what can I say about her?!? We are ALOT more alike than I ever dreamed possible! Sweet...yes! Submissive...yes! But, definitely the feisty, stubborn one of the two! She was my "partner in crime"! Our motto was always "better to ask forgiveness, than permission"!!! You laugh, but we got ALOT more accomplished when we went with our guts than when we waited on the committees and red tape that sometimes go with Southern Baptist churches!!! I love her! She was the brains and I was the brawn! She'd have these brilliant ideas and it was my job to make sure that they happened!

For the entire time we've ever worked in childrens church, they have been the ONLY couple that was in there all the time with us. We've never had any other 2 people dedicate their time and their chance at sitting in a service to the childrens ministry!

I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that they gave this ornament to us the year before we moved. It means so much to me bcause everytime I pull it out and hang it on the tree, I remember them and how much they love us and pray for us!

Thank U Todd & Diona! We will always love U and ur family more than we can say!

No ornament today...

I am having some difficulty getting my picture uploaded, so I decided to put something else on!

I was looking at animal videos on youtube and thought this was soooooo adorable! Hope u enjoy it!

I love Christmas #2

Claude didn't really see much need to put up a Christmas tree and decorate the house up since we won't be here for Christmas. But, somehow he understood just how much it meant to me so he pulled all the stuff out of the attic space and hauled it downstairs for me! I just adore that Man!

I love having a fake tree...I loved having a real tree. But, all in all, I love my fake tree better. It's just so convenient! When I'm ready to put it up, I don't have to go pick one out from Home Depot (NEVER LOWES!!! Got one with worms in it one year...NEVER AGAIN!). It's me, whatever works the most efficient. Besides, I got the tree 6 years ago from Walmart for $25!!! How can u beat that?!? A 7 1/2ft tree for $25 that I can use again and again!!!!!!

Anyway, I think it looks pretty real! And, I have a Yankee Candle that is evergreen/spruce scented so the house still smells like a tree is inside!

What do you think?!?

We love it!

Friends from Discovery Church gave this to us last year! Isn't it beautiful!?!

Thank U, Gar & Stacy!

"My" nativity scene! I know, I know...it looks like a child's toy. I just thought it looked so simple and yet it tells the story so beautifully!

OK, now for the ornament of the day:

This ornament is a door...the door to our new home in North Carolina, the door to a new life, the door to a new church, and the door to the new path that God gave us 4 years ago.

It symbolized so much for me that first year. I was excited, anxious, sad, happy, lonely...there were so many things happening and I just missed my family (especially during the holidays!).

God was faithful! He is still faithful! He will always be faithful!

So, the ornament means alot to me because of the MANY new doors that were opened that first year here!

I love Christmas time!

One of my favorite things to do is decorate for Christmas! It was always something we did as a family when I was growing up! Mom and Dad would get the tree up, then we'd each put ornaments all over the tree. We had lights, tinsel, ornaments, and sometimes garland!

I loved it!

Well, even though we don't have any children to pass this holiday tradition to, I want to keep doing that with my family (Claude!). So, I put the tree up and he helped with the lights. Then, I put all the ornaments that I've collected in our 15 years of marriage all over the tree!

I decided to blog ones that are special to me over the next couple of weeks.

I hope you enjoy it!

This was our very first ornament! "Our First Christmas Together - 1994".

A dear sweet lady at the job I had when I met Claude gave this to me right after we were married! A tradition I've started for myself is that THIS ormanent ALWAYS goes on the tree first!

I can't believe that throughout fifteen years of packing and unpacking, this porcelain ornament hasn't broken! It's sentimental to me because the lady who gave it to me was like a grandmother to me at work! She gave good advice, Godly counsel, and was always willing to lend an ear when I needed it! When I lost that job, she called me at home to make sure I was alright! Thank you, Clarice Harvey, for making an difference in my life!

Just another manic (poopy) Monday!

Ya ever have one of those days when you think it would've been smarter to just stay in bed?!?

So, I woke up this morning with church stuff going around in my head.  We have ALOT of things we are hoping to accomplish by the end of the year (mostly techno/financial stuff). 

I got my Bible and started reading Philippians.  I love Philippians!  It's such an enouraging book!  So, I read Philippians 4 and it talks about rejoicing in the Lord always.  Little did I know that God was gonna echo that back in my head the whole day!

So, I woke Claude up to go to the gym.  While waiting on him to get ready, I decided to put away the clean dishes out of the dishwasher.  I dropped a bowl from a top shelf and broke it all over the kitchen counter.  I didn't realize til later, but pieces of the bowl fell into the garbage disposal.  Yea, that was fun!  Apparently a piece was lodged in the disposal.  It was not pretty.  

Went to the gym and wasn't feeling well.  I think I'm trying to get sick.

Came home and realized we didn't have any milk or cereal to eat.  Made a sandwich with the last of the bread.  (Waiting for payday stinks!)

Went to work on several projects for church.  Just had a hard time focusing.  Another reason I think I'm getting sick.  

Got alot done (at least I think I did!).  Stopped around 3pm and vegged out for an hour then Claude went outside to put up my Christmas lights so I went out to help him.  

All day long, little things kept challenging me.  Things that would normally be nothing were enough to bring me to tears.  What's up with that?!?

With each thing that happened today, I kept seeing Philippians 4's words...Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.  

Thank you Lord for the good and the not so good things that come my way.  Each one of them are opportunities to rejoice in You.  So "...again, I say REJOICE"!

Blessed!

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all the family and friends that we have across the country!  

To our friends in Florida, we miss you.  We love ya'll and feel so blessed by God for each one of you!  

To our families in Florida, we can't wait to see ya'll over the Christmas holiday!  We love you!

To our friends in Kansas, we are rich to call you our friends!  We miss you all so much!  We love you!

To our friends in North Carolina, thank you for making 2009 a truly fantastic year!  We love you!

To our Discovery Church family... words aren't enough to tell you just how much we love and appreciate you!  We praise and thank God daily for each of you and for the blessings you bring to our lives regularly!  DC ROCKS!!!!!!

We hope that you have and your families have a safe and happy day today!  Take some time out from eating turkey to reflect on all of the wonderful things in your life to be thankful for!

It's Weird

It's weird how the older I get, the more nostalgic I become! It's also weird how the older I get, the more I realize just how precious family is. We are never guaranteed the next day with our loved ones. We are not given a promise that everyone will be together the next holiday. I am realizing how precious those moments with family are.

I talked with my Mom this evening. For those who didn't know, my grandmother (the same one who was in the hospital while Claude's brother was in a coma) broke her hip last week. She's 93 years old. She went to the hospital, they told her nothing was wrong. She went to a different hospital a couple days later and the x-rays showed she broke her hip. So, they did surgery and she's out doing well in her recovery. However, she's getting worse with her dementia; so being in a place that is NOT her home is very disturbing for her. My parents and my aunt & uncle are taking turns going up to the hospital and sitting with her so that she is not alone for too long.

It's times like this that I feel how quickly time flies by. My grandmother...

She's always been feisty and stubborn (probably where I get it from!). She's always been a very determined woman who alway knew her own mind. She raised 5 kids and has countless grandkids, great-grandkids, and great great-grandkids! (WOW! What a legacy!!!) I have distinct memories of sitting with her every Sunday morning in the back row of our church! My mom was always in the nursery on Sunday mornings so we always sat with grandma! I have such wonderful memories of her and our families getting together for holidays and bbques! It's an awesome blessing to have that!

Pray for her and her recovery. Pray that she heals enough to get moved to the rehab facility. Pray for my parents and my aunt & uncle as they share this honored burden of caring for her.

I told my Mom that I would be able to help if I didnt live so far away.

OK, I hear u Mom..."Be still and know that I am God".

Prayer changes things!

I've never been a "Prayer Warrior". I know several folks who are, but I can honestly say that it's not my strength.

However, I'm constantly learning how much I rely on God's grace and His mercy when I pray! He's always constant in His love for me. He has never let me go thru anything unnecessarily! Now, don't misunderstand me, I've gone thru things. But, in everything I've gone thru, I've come across someone who's going/gone thru it too and they needed someone who could understand and sympathize! Most of the time, I learn a great deal more from those folks than they learn from my experience! Isn't it amazing how God works?!?

So, I totally believe in prayer and the power behind it! I know that people pray for me and it's obvious by how God moves and works in my life! So, I'll say...let me pray for others the way that I know others pray for me!

God's blessings!

I've been reminded, yet again, by my wonderful friends how gracious and wonderful my Lord is!

He's blessed Claude & I with so much. The friends He's given us here in NC are AWESOME! I never thought I'd have such warm wonderful ladies here like I had in FL! Thank u Lord for your beautiful way of showing ur love through my Godly Christian ladies!

Lora, Laci, Kim, Chris, Hazel, Terry, Lisa, Diane, Amy C, Amy W, Laura, Suzanne...

So many wonderful ladies of Discovery Church! Too many to mention!

My fantastic FL friends who encourage me on a regular basis!

Mary, Cindy, Diona

My sweet KS friend who is the epitome of a Godly wife & mother!

Kathy!

The wonderful family that I have here in NC and back in FL! I'm blessed to get along and actually love my mother-in-law! I have a FABULOUS mother who LIVES OUT Proverbs 31's virtuous woman! I have a wonderfully sweet sister-in-law that I couldn't have chosen better if I'd been given the chance! BTW...congrats to Phil & Sarah on the news of baby #6!!!!! I am so excited for you! I love you both! I have a Wonderful father who has ALWAYS done his very best to love and provide for his family! He gave me the solid Godly foundation that I grew up on! There is no price and no words for how much that means to me! I have a terrific older brother that I adore. I wish he and his wife would move back to the US!!!

Thank you so much Lord, for the beautiful life you've given me. Help me to remember how much I love it when things go crazy!!!

His strength is perfect

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone.

He'll carry us when we can't carry on,

Raised in His power, the weak become strong...His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.

I hear you Lord. Help me to trust in Your strength and to let You carry me.

The lesson to be learned

I am feeling a bit blah right now.  Yes, the rainy North Carolina weather is probably a factor, but my real blah is coming from our house.  

Several things actually...first off, we've had a mouse problem off & on over the last 9 months and it's "on" again.  2nite, our dog, Jack-Jack chased one under the fish tank.  Now, we put bait out a couple weeks ago and I thought we finally got rid of them (yes, THEM...we had a whole bunch of them in the garage eating our bird feed!).  So, imagine my frustration when I go to our pantry and find a rice bag with a hole in it yesterday.  Then, Jack chasing one...I've had enough!!!!!  

Second, this morning we woke up and found a leak in our ceiling.  One of the windows from the 2nd story is leaking.  It's pretty bad too.  The water is running inside the rafters, down the wood, underneath the popcorn ceiling, and under the paint on the wall so that it's bubbling up and peeling.  Now, I know that Claude could fix this with caulking the window.  However, the rain and wind are pretty bad and it's suppose to be this way for the next 2-3 days.  So, he can't get outside and fix the problem.  We've tried laying towels inside the rafter, under the window, on the loveseat to catch the water dripping down the wall (so that it doesn't get on the wood floor and ruin it too).   It's so frustrating.  

Now, I know that we can't control everything that happens.  And, I'm learning to let go of the little things.  God has been faithful in taking care of us and I know He will continue to do so.  I just feel a bit helpless right now.  Claude is stressed about it and a bit nervous over how much damage it's gonna cause/how much it will cost to repair.  I try not to worry about that, but it's something to deal with.  This morning, after Claude left to work and I was sitting in the living room, I started getting teary eyed about the situation.  Then, a small voice inside me told me to look around and be grateful for the roof OVER my head and for the warm cozy house that I was sitting in!  Be grateful for the truck in our front yard that, although needs a bit of work done, runs and is completely paid for.  Be grateful for a healthy loving husband who adores me.  Be grateful for a happy marriage that some people only dream of ever having.  Be grateful for my family and friends and for their prayers and love that happen even when I don't ask for it or realize I need it!  So, my lesson learned is that I have an abundance of things to be grateful for.  

We may not be able to go out and buy new things.  We may not be able to take vacations and little getaways.  We may not have expensive furniture or a even complete dining room set!  But, we are still blessed and I will thank God for the things He has done for us that we've asked for (and even some things we didn't!).

Please be praying for these things if you are reading this!  "The effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man avails much"!

  

On a happy note, my puppy is so funny!  As I type, she is playing "follow the light" with Claude!  It always makes me smile!  Other than the surprise visit from my family 2 summers ago, she is the best birthday present I've ever received!  She is the gift that keeps on giving!!!

WOW it's been a LONG time!

So, does anyone even read my blogs anyway!?!  

I checked my last few blogs and no comments, so I'm not so sure there's much need for me to blog.  I think most folks are using facebook as their way to keep updated on the goings on, so I don't really know if I need to spend much time doing this.

If you like reading my blog and would like for me to continue, just let me know.  If I don't here much on the responses, I'll just figure there's not much need for this and kinda drop it.

thank you to those that have followed my ramblings of the past.  I do like to talk and blog!