Man, where does the time go!

Finally having a chance to try to blog again. I can't believe that is has been over a week since my last blog. A lot has happened since my last post. Lets see, where do I start. I went to the Y on Thursday to help with the Fall Festival. I helped Oasis man this giant inflatable obstacle course. If you check out Sarah Barrack's blog, you will see a blurry picture of me coming down the slide. We got to try out the course before all the kids starting coming through. I was fun watching all the kids go through and even having to get up there and help some of the small ones. Then on Friday, I got up and my Mom and I went to Greenville shopping. I was helping her look for a dress to wear to Matt and Kristy's wedding. Yeah!!! we succeeded. Now, everyone has their dress but me. Just can't seem to find anything I like. Anyway, Saturday morning Mark got up and went to Greenville to run in a 1/2 marathon (he broke 2 hr). I met Michelle EARLY and we ran ( I'll have to tell you about by running later). Then I met 2 other peeps and ran some more. Next, I went to go to an event that Camp Chinquapin for Critter was having in which I was a judge for the doggie Costume Contest. Later that afternoon, we went to Calhoun Falls to the birthday party for Campbell Grace. Then, on Sunday, my Sunday School Class at Harris Baptist had a bridal shower for Kristy, my future daughter-in-law. Monday night was a meeting for Relay for Life. Thanks Freda and Jill for helping out this year as captains. With 2 weddings in the next 5 months...need I say more. And lastly, Tuesday the 28th, Matt was home for a while. I did my workout at the Y, met Matt for supper took him to buy groceries and finally made it home. Now here it is Wednesday night. I kept thinking I would think of something interesting an wise to blog all week, but as you can see that did not happen. Maybe I'll get better at this one day, but for now...here goes another week.

Kids

This past Saturday we had a wedding shower for our daughter April. She is engaged to be married on March 7, 2009 to Austin. This is Morgan's brother for those of you that know Morgan and follow her blog. Can't wait to have him officially as part of the family. Anyway, it was her first shower. My how time flies. It seems like just yesterday she was being showered as a new arrival. And now, 21 years later she is getting ready to get married.

Well, Matt our son is getting married also. And our future daughter-in-law, Kristy is going to be a wonderful addition to the family too. Again, how times flies. Seems just like yesterday we were bringing Matt home from the hopsital. That was 23 years ago here in about a month.

The time you have with your kids is short. Cherish every moment. Pick your battles. Pray for them daily. Seems like one day they are infants and then you turn around and they are grown.

Matt and April, I love you both dearly and am very proud of you both.

My Grandma

My Grandma This past Monday, I had taken a days vacation. I had made arrangements to go to McCormick and pick up my Grandma and take her shopping. She turned 88 on Aug 31 and I had told her I was going to be giving her a late birthday present. I wanted to take her shopping to buy a new dress for a couple of weddings that are coming up (another blog for another day). So, I got up and drove down to McCormick and picked her up. My step-sister Zonya and her daughter Krierstan Daye met up at the mall (yes the Greenwood Mall) to see what or if we could find anything. Well, to our luck and surprise, we were able to find a dress for my Grandma and it was 50% off. She also found a few other things for herself. Afterwards, April, Austin, Matt, Mark, Zonya, Krierstan Daye, John Ayden, Andrew, Grandma and myself all went down to Chick fil a to eat a bite of lunch. I took Grandma back to my house to visit. After supper, we went to Wal-mart for her to pick up somethings that she was needing, then I took her home.

I am sure most have probably lost interest by now, but that is o.k. You see my Grandma is so very special to me. She is like a second mother. She is a wonderful woman. She is a godly woman. My Grandma has done so much for me that I can't even begin to explain. Because I love her so much, it pains me now to see her not being able to do the things that she use to do and to not be able to go like she wants. I think she really enjoyed the day of shopping, even though I know it had to wear her out. For the most of us, it doesn't sound like much, but for her I know it was tiring. I was just glad to be able to give her a day that she could enjoy. If you still have your Grandmother or even an older mother that doesn't get around as good as they use to and taking them somewhere can really be a chore, stop and take the time to do something for them. Spend time with them. It can be such a blessing for the both of you. She took care of me when I was little and needed it, now I want to be there to take care of her when she needs it. Take time to love your Grandmothers.

A Poem

Just wanted to share a poem with you today.

At Days End
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
The day is almost over and its toiling time is trough,
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly work to you?
Can you say tonight in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the man whose hopes are fading now with courage look ahead?
Did you wast the day or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close you eyes in slumber do you think that God will say,
"You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?"

John Hall

Poor Buster

Most of the people that know us, know that we have 3 small inside spoiled dogs. Today when I came home for lunch, there were only 2 at the door to greet me. Barking, singing, tails wagging, they are always so happy and excited to see us when we come home. As I opened the door, I started calling Buster, our male dog. He didn't come. Buster loves to play with his toys. He loves a ball. At first I thought he had just gone to get one of his balls. But I called and called, as I came into the living room. Still no Buster. I was starting to get a little worried. Where is Buster? As I got into the living room, I heard a noise down the hall coming from the bedroom. Buster had gotten shut in the bedroom that morning. I had gotten them out and shut the door, but remembered that I had forgotten something. Well, I guess Buster went back in the bedroom behind me and I had not seen him. Hence getting shut up in there all morning. Boy, was he glad to get out of there. What a morning. Poor Buster Boy. Luckily he had not gotten into too much. But he should have good breath now. I had a pack of gum in my gym bag that was sitting on the floor and he did eat all the gum in the pack. I will be more careful in the morning and I'm sure Buster will be too.

Speaking of Buster liking to play ball, he likes to play soccer and makes a good goalie.

Are you properly dressed?

For the past couple of Saturdays, I have been getting up early to go on a distance run. In early, I mean like while it is still dark early. Oh, and let me mention here, that I am not a morning person so it is hard for me to get up. But, I get up and prepare myself for this run. Since it is still dark outside, I put on light colored clothes, get my reflective gear, my blinky light, etc. And since it is a distance run, I have my water bottles, my gel and ipod. I make sure I have the right socks and shoes. Maybe eat a piece of toast and drink a glass of sweet tea. Once out there running, you have to be careful of your footing and be extra careful not to trip and fall on what you can not see. Anyway, I do what is necessary and what I can to prepare myself for a good safe run. Well, this got me thinking. What do I do to prepare myself for any normal day. No, I don't mean physically. I mean spiritually. Every morning, do I get up early and spend time with God, talking to him and in his word to prepare myself for the day? Do I put as much effort into suiting up with the armor of God each day as I do into suiting up for these early morning runs? I am afraid to admit it, but more often than not I fail miserably. I can manage to get up and get ready for a run, but find it hard a lot of mornings to get up and get ready for the day by spending time with God. Ephesians 6:10-20 tells us that we must put on the armor of God so we can take a stand against the devil's schemes. So that when the day of evil comes we will be able to stand our ground. We are to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. We are also to take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Otherwise, how will we be prepare for what the world and Satan has for us that day. How else will we be able to resist the temptations and stumbling block that will get in the way and try to make us trip and fall. Just like running in the dark, Satan has placed stumbling blocks in our want and he wants us to trip and fall; he wants us to fail. But, if we dress ourselves in the armor of God, we can be prepared for whatever comes our way. Yes, I am talking to myself in this blog. I have been convicted that I need to spend more time each morning putting on the armor of God. I hope anyone reading this blog can make sense of my analogy. I hope you will be convicted as well to dress yourselves every day with God's armor.

26 Wonderful Years

Today is my 26th wedding anniversary. Yes, I have been married to the same wonderful man for 26 years. He is the father of our 2 children, my best friend and soul mate. When I stop and think about it, I just don't know how he has put up with me for 26 years. I know I'm not the easiest person to live with. But, I am glad that he has managed to hang in there. I still wonder sometimes what he saw in this small town country girl. Whatever it was, I'm glad he came into my life and I know that God brought us together. A word to my husband, just want you to know that I love you very much. I can't imagine life without you and look forward to spending 26 more years together.