Whatever Things.....

Okay, so by request, I am posting a small bible study on my blog once or twice a week. God has been laying this on my heart for quite a while. At the beginning of this year, our ladies bible study went through "Conversation Peace" By Mary Kassian. What an excellent study! I wish I could say I've completely tamed my tongue, but that would be a stretch! It's a daily battle. One thing that has really affected my choices was something from this study. It's called the P-48 Test. To quote Mary "P-48 is based on Philippians 4:8. It tests the goodness of thoughts, beliefs, and words, so we can judge if they ought to be planted in our hearts. With P-48, we determine whether the seeds are:

• Pure Are my motives pure? Are my thoughts/words holy?


• Right Is this proper and appropriate?


• Excellent Is it of the highest quality? Is is the best or just adequate?


• Praisworthy Am I proud of the way I am speaking?


• Lovely Does it mirror the beauty and gentleness of Jesus?


• Admirable Is it worthy of being respected and admired?


• Noble Does it demonstrate my position as a child of the KING?


• True Does is agree with the Bible's evaluation of the situation?

After being shaken through this filter, the words that remain are seeds we want to

P.R.E.-P.L.A.N.T."

This is the litmus test for my life. I want to evaluate everything I do based on Philippians 4:8. Can you see why? What a great way to know the will of God in every situation! That's my challenge to you today. I love you, my sisters and brothers in Jesus. I pray this is a challenge to your spiritual walk and will encourage you to draw nearer to your Savior.

God's Good, Pleasing and Perfect Will.....

Alright, I'm done talking about the stupid coons after this post. I will keep you updated if anything changes.

Raccoons are smart little devils. Tuesday morning, the hubby went out to check the traps and found a chicken inside one of them. All the eggs were gone. Then, to his surprise, he turned a corner and found an "R.J." in one of the traps. Unfortunately, hubby was outwitted by the masked bandit. When Eric went to pick up the cage, the weight of the coon shifted and he escaped the cage! He took off.

So, to answer your questions? Got any yet? No, but we've trapped 3 of our own chickens!

On to more important issues. I have been studying the life and ministry of the apostle Paul in our ladies bible study. It's been a very good and quite challenging. Have you ever done an in-depth bible study? If you haven't, I strongly recommend it. God has been challenging me for quite some time with something I just don't want to let go of.

You see, I struggle with allowing certain things to creep in and compete with my relationship with Jesus. Blogging has become one of them. If you were to read back on some of my earlier posts, you would see this isn't the first time I've dealt with this. There are so many things that I allow in that, very easily, become my favorite things. TV has been that. Eating has been that. I guess I have, what you would call, an addictive personality. Does this mean I'm going to cease blogging. No. However, I may be backing away for a while. Until I can get my priorities in order. I love the sisterhood I have developed with so many of you. The question I must ask myself is "Do I love Jesus that much?" Do I get as excited about opening His word as I do when I check my email and have 10 new messages from comments on my blog? I received a very random email from my Internet Service Provider the other day soliciting me for some new product and the title of the email was, "It's all about you, Melissa". Who knew God would speak to me through AT&T's marketing department?

It's not all about me. It's all about Him. I don't want it to be all about me. Don't get me wrong. I love the recognition I have received from all of you. I relish the comments about how funny I am. Keep stroking my ego. Like I need it!!! That's just it. I must decrease, He must increase. It's nobody's fault but mine. I am just making the decision to pull the reigns back a little. If I lose readers, oh well. I wasn't put here to serve anyone but my Heavenly Father. I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings by saying that. I care. I really do. But, if by visiting Another Day In Paradise, you get a chuckle and nothing more, I have really done my Savior a tremendous disservice. Beth Moore recorded the video session for our bible study about 10 years ago. She doesn't know this yet, but session 9 that we viewed last night, was a message recorded especially for me. God knew before He laid the foundations of the earth that it was exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment. I sat and watched with a nauseated feeling in my stomach. I knew when I got home last night, I would have some very critical decisions to make. I must choose Jesus. My readers who are believers, I know, will understand. I don't even know if my words are making sense right at this moment. I'm just giving you a piece of my heart. If you don't return, I will understand. I just hope that my testimony will not be that I am a witty blogger with crazy, awnry kids. I want to be a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.....not [conforming] any longer to the patterns of this world, but being transformed by the renewing of [my] mind..." (Romans 12:1-2).

Caught, Black-Handed

Okay, they weren't really caught, but a childhood friend of mine, who I keep in touch with through beloved blogging has joined the effort to bring these coons to justice. Karen has a developing story for us.........Karen? (that's your cue to click the link)

Okay, I'm a little behind, but SITS is holding one final contest this summer and they are giving away a killer (and I'm not being funny regarding my previous post.) PRIZE!!!

Apple 4G iPod Nano in Silver

Click this link

and here's your chance. I'm going to win, so I don't really want you to click here, but SITS says I have to if I want an extra entry, so I'm trying to follow the rules. Am I disqualified for being a bad sport?

Raccoons Are Chicken Terrorists

I don't know how long they have been plotting and planning their attack, but last night was a slaughter. Many of you know, and now thanks to SITS, many of you will learn that we have chickens. We, this spring, just got 25 new chicks. We had 8 or so, and that brought the grand total to thirty-three. My son is at the age where he can do little chores around our pathetic, little 1-acre farm. He feeds them and checks for eggs from the grown hens. It's been good for him. We bought a few Bantam D'Uccles for him to show at the fair next year for 4-H. We thought it would be neat for him to win a blue ribbon--for which he would have been a shoe-in with these hunnies......:)

Well, last night changed all that. The hubby went out to feed the chickens this morning and discovered a grisly scene. Eight of our chickens had been brutally attacked and savagely killed! A taliban of 'coons ravaged our coop. There were feathers and such everywhere--my source informed me. I, of course, did not survey the damage for fear of upchuckage.

So, this evening, off to Lowe's we went to buy reinforcements. We are making a shelter with a hinged door for the poultry. We've set up 'coon traps with eggs planted conveniently inside to lure the boogers. It's go time! Please don't get all "Over The Hedge"/ "raccoons are cute" on me. They are the enemy and they hit the wrong house. You mess with our cluckers, you're gonna fry! Booyah!

No Cats Were Harmed...

...in the making of the video below. Tigger is alive and well and living comfortably with his sister, Betsy and the O's in Tallahassee. I just wanted to disclose that in case someone was thinking of reporting me to the ASPCA or PETA. Tigger is living the life he always dreamed.....away from Emmy.

Cats Are On My Naughty List...

Our cat, Stanley the manly kitty, is currently in big trouble with his mommy.....that would be me, his adopted mommy. If he wasn't such an adorable, fat puff-ball, he would have been banished years ago. The problem, you ask? Here's the short list:

• He is soooo annoying in the morning. Kneading my neck to wake me up. Laying on my face to try and smother me....with love. I'm a loving person only after my caffeine injection.
• I despise being awaken, in the middle of the night, by the sound of retching. I know, he's a fur ball in and of himself, but nothing puts me in a sour mood faster than slipping in cat puke in the dark. He needs to take more "Eych, Cat Hairball Remedy."
  
  
  

• Why do cats and children put things in their mouths that are not food. That's probably the reason for Stanley puking as much as he does. He will eat Q-Tips, ribbon from presents, and his most recent favorite.....our computer chair! He sneaks out at night and has been steadily gnawing at the arms. The worst part about it? My SIL and BIL just gave us this chair because the stupid feline ate the arms off the last one!


• Finally, my youngest is rather hard on kitties. But if Stanley doesn't shape up, I'm gonna sick her on him!

Mommy, I Gotta Go!

Why is it that every time we go to a new place my 3 year old feels she must bless the bathroom. It's like an animal marking it's territory. She could have just peed 5 minutes ago, but if we are somewhere new, she must go. I know what you're going to say. "Melissa, she's only 3. Her bladder is so tiny...poor thing." Okay, I know this. She just picks the MOST inopportune times to feel the need. I, for some reason, have really bad luck with trips to the bathroom. We were shopping tonight at a nationwide discount retailer with a grocery side and a retail side who's name shall remain anonymous, but starts with WAL. You get my drift. My question to the powers-that-be of such a shopping empire is this. Why, why, why does it seem that the bathroom is ALWAYS closed for cleaning when I have to take 2 or more children to use the potty? What is it that is being cleaned? I never feel overly sanitary after I have completed my mission. And, why does the whole stinking place have to shut down? Why aren't there family restrooms at the front of the store? Duh, you sell underoos! Which says to me you are pro-potty training. You have a baby registry (which I'm not impressed with), diapers(which are getting a little costly, I might add), and a whole section dedicated to the materialistic desires of all the children of the world. Why can you not have more than one restroom available at the front of the store? NOOOOOOOOO, I must stomp all the way to the layaway department at the very back of the store with a child who may not make it there dry! Thanks, ___-mart. I appreciate your consideration for the people who are keeping you in business! My brother calls you the small town killer. I call you a potty-training murderer!!! Is that too harsh? Ask her......

Dear SITS,

First of all, Iwould like to thank SITS for featuring me today. I would also like give some advice for future featured bloggers.

#1. If you are a parent, be prepared that every and any emergency will come up on your special day. The kids will be climbing all over you while you read and type. It's okay. Just go with it. Shake them off if you have too. It's only one day.

#2. If your 3 year old comes up to you while you're trying to read comment #88, which may or may not be Expectantly Waiting (she really was #88 to comment :), and asks for a snack, it's too late. You should have planned all the meals in advance and hired a sitter to tend to the kiddies. If you're computer is not mobile, this may not make much of a difference, as in my case.

Oh well, next feature-day. We do get more than one right?

#3. Make sure you have the Shania Twain, Come On Over, album playing in the background while you check your many comments.......Why, you ask? Because you're SAUCY! That's why!
(Sing it, "I'm goin' out tonight, I'm feelin' alright, gonna let it all hang out....Wanna make some
noise, really raise my voice, man, I wanna scream and shout.................AAAAhhhhhh")






#4. Try, try, try to make sure your kids do this for, at least, 2 hours.





For those of you who have already been featured, please feel free to leave any other tips. You may also want to stop by Mama's Losin It and read her little post about your day of glory. It's good for a gut workout!


I still have a few hours to relish the feeling of fame. I pray I will gain a few more readers. I hope I didn't scare anyone off from parenting. Everyday is an adventure!


I would like to share a few of my favorite comments from today. I'm not playing favorites, well I guess I am, but not to be mean. There were just a few that really made me chuckle and I thought you might enjoy them.....Here goes....


Heather said: "I wonder how tasty those markers were? I mean, I'd get it if they were the scented ones... :)Those Color Wonder markers are the only Implements of Destruction - erm, I mean art supplies - that I allow my kiddo to bring upstairs to her room. All the rest of her art stuff must stay downstairs. At least, that's the rule, I won't comment on whether it is followed or not.......................Cheers!"
Marla said: "i think this is why we have kids... so we can forgive our parents for grounding us... embarrassing us in front of our friends...using spit to clean our faces...making us wear ridiculous clothes etc..." -Re: Destructo Strikes Again


Caroline said: "Yay Yay Yay it's your big SITS day! I'm so happy for you. Your blog is so fun and the best thing is its real life stuff. Now, instead of saying the walls have ears, you can say the walls have LIPS!!!"-Re: While Daddy Napped


Debbie said: "Yowza...those are the times I say, God lent me these children, God lent me these children, I love my job, I love my job...Now go to your room before Mommy asks for a raise!" -Re: Watch Out, She Bites!



All in all, it's been an awesome day.


***On a more serious note, please pray for Melissa Lee at Stretch Marks. She got some bad news today and I know she is hurting. I'm sure all the moms out there are hurting for her. Please take a moment to visit her blog and give her a word of encouragement.

July 25, 2008 Edition of SITS

Good morning and welcome to Friday's Edition of SITS. Grab a cup of coffee, sit down, and enjoy your stay...I consider it such a blessing to have each one of you here.

Some Of God's Greatest Gifts....

....are answered prayers. Don't get me wrong. I like Garth's music, but there are no such things as unanswered prayers. God may say yes. He may say no. Or He may say not yet. But He always answers. For example, a few days ago, I shared with you that our refrigerator was dead. It turns out it was the compressor and the evaporator. This FRIGIDAIRE was only made in June of 2005! I had a "bun in the oven" who will only be three in September. You do the math. We have had a repairman out to the house several times within the past 2.9 years since we have owned this stupid piece of metal (that I'm very thankful for :). So, at this last visit with "D", the repair guy, he informed us that to fix our fridge it would cost $498.74...approximately:). Add that to the amount we have lost in groceries, plus the $50 we paid him to tell us this great news (sarcasm intended), you're looking at roughly between 750-800 buckaroos! So, myself, my hubby, and our family minus one went shopping for a fridge the other night. We found one to our liking, but the price tag made us both run for the bathroom with a case of nerves. We've prayed about it and asked God to help us make the right decision, but at the end of the night we decided to wait. The saleslady put the fridge on hold for us, until today, so we could decided how to pay for it.

Enter my hubby. This morning I opened my eyes to find him watching me sleep (another Garth Brooks song....). When he knew I was awake the first thing he said was......."I have good news." I'm thinking, he's going to rub it in that he's lost another 5 lbs. He's down about forty. Anywho,

he says, "I was doing some shopping around for an extended warranty on our new fridge and discovered something. In our owner's manual, in the fine print, it says that the compressor and evaporator have an extended manufacturer's warranty from the 2nd-5th year. We don't have to buy a new fridge!" Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! That was a great way to wake up and, might I add, my man was looking pretty good at that moment. So, we are not getting a new refrigerator. I have to admit, I was actually kind of excited about the LG that was to be our new appliance, but that will have to wait a little while longer.

How has God provided for you? I know you have a testimony.....I would love to hear.

These Are Your Next American Idols

Dear Michael,

We miss you. Lala and Emmy are going a little bit crazy without you here to guide them. Bedtime just isn't the same without your prayers :) being included in our family time. I know you're NOT HOMESICK yet, which is just, well, it's........(sigh, sniffle) fine with me, I guess. The house just has a very incomplete feel without you here. Please don't forget us. We haven't forgotten you! We can't wait to see you in about 1 week, 5 days, 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 12 seconds.........

Love,

Mommy

Totally Forgot To Mention......

......This is a continuation from the last post.....

We have hard water. We have put more money than I care to think about into a new well, a water treatment system (that doesn't work and we can't get our $$ back), and this house!!!! Anywho, our dishwasher has gotten stained in a pretty bad, ugly way. My mother-in-law told me to try..........Lemi-Shine......(I know it's sounds like an info-mercial). I wish I had taken a pic of my dishwasher prior to using this little miracle in a plastic bottle. I got up the morning after using this stuff and "I kid you not", my dishwasher was just like new!!! You, too, can have a clean looking dishwasher if you have hard water! Okay, that ends my list for now.....(don't you just love.............? It's like coffee, addictive........................................................................................................................................................)

Oh, How I Love Thee...

......Okay, that's where I'll start. I dont' know what it is about .....that I love so much, but I just do.....I think I am going to become know as the ......girl....I can't seem to leave a comment, type a post, or send an email without including.......Are ya pickin' up what I'm layin' down here?.......

I just figured I'd open with that little tidbit.

I love a lot of things. Here are a few FYI:

Oh, how I love my........

Electric Skillet. Do you have one of these monstrosities? It's big, it's bulky, but I go through on about every 18 months or so. I use it like a mad woman. It's great for frying eggs, makin' lots of pancakes, whippin' up stir fry, or grillin' cheese. It's a must have. I never use a frying pan on the stovetop--unless I wanna open up a can of "Madea" on someone.

Another love in my life is.......

Wallflowers. There's nothing like walking into my house and smelling Japanese Cherry Blossom. These are wonderful for creating the "illusion" that my home is actually clean.

This is a recommended staple for your home: Jumpsmart. My children have gotten so much use out of this. It's a great way to burn some fat while getting fat. I have strategically placed this little wonder right in front of the TV. Instead of couch potatoes, I'm raising hop potatoes! Sometimes, I don't know where I get this stuff. My head is a vast ocean of great one liners. And humble puddles.

My final obsession today is......

Aquage Working Spray. Oh, Oh, Oh it's magic! This fabulous stuff not only smells good, it's A-MAZING in it's ability to hold hairs in place. I don't leave home without it!

Okay, this isn't Oprah. People are not going to come walking up the sidewalks of your homes with these items wrapped in big red bows. I did not receive any kind of royalties for sharing the love. Although, I'm sure that would MORE than pay for a new refrigerator for our family:)??? Just wishin' and hopin' and dreamin' and prayin'.....doot da doot da doot doot....

What are some of your favorites? I'd love to hear......

Who Said Refrigerators Aren't A Necessity?

They are if you've just purchased $100+ worth of groceries, most of which need to be kept cool. Our fridge is on the fritz......again. We bought this thing 3 years ago and we have had a serviceman out to fix it more than 4 times already. The problem this time is that it's not under warranty.

Saturday morning, I sat down to eat my yummy, gluten-free Rice Chex. To my dismay, the milk that accompanied my cereal had a rather warm feel to it at first bite. I said to my hubby, "I think our fridge it out again." To this he replied,"Oh no. I'm sure it's just because it didn't seal properly last night, from being overloaded with groceries. Give it a few minutes and I'm sure it will be fine." Tick, tock........an hour later, still no improvement. So, the 5 lb. bag of chicken, and the big pot of black beans, the homemade chicken noodle soup (made with rice noodles, I might add), my yummy Breakstone's Cottage Cheese, the best cheese in the world from Bud's Grocery(local mom and pop establishment), a gallon of milk, a gallon of OJ....okay you get the point. There were also some things that probably needed to be thrown away weeks ago. You can imagine how great that smelled! Did I mention how much I love to throw away perfectly good condiments that need to remain cool? This is now the third time we have had to throw away a good portion of our refrigerator's inhabitants since owning a Frigidaire (don't think I won't name drop). I don't know what we are going to do at this point. We went to Lowe's yesterday to shop around and get an idea of how much a new fridge would cost in comparison to a repair. Just to have a repairmen come out to the house it's going to cost $50. That's before they even walk over the threshold. If you figure that on top of how much we have lost in groceries over the last year and a half......we're already pushing $200. Now add a repair to that.....Can you see our dilemma?

I've prayed about it and I know it's in the Lord's hands. The title of this post was meant to be sarcastic. Can you tell? There are so many people in the world who don't even have food to eat much less have a fridge in which to put food. Sometimes we become so dependent on things that we really believe we need. Like A/C. Do I need to mention my sweat post yet again? I love me some cold air....mmm mmm mmm. It's not a need, but it's a blessing that I take for granted.

I am reading a book on missions entitled "Revolution In World Missions"(which by clicking this link you can have a copy sent to you for free. It will change your life!) that has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I like to ignore. I'm comfortable. My belly's full. My TV is on and supper will be ready soon. The man who wrote this book, K.P. Yohannon, didn't own a pair of shoes until he was 17 years old! It's amazing what we as Americans get used to. I don't want to get too comfortable. Who knows how long it will last?

Okay, I know that was a bunny trail from my original intent in writing this, but where the Spirit leads, I will follow........toodles!

Random Hilarity

My 4 1/2 year old gets in the van after, yes, her 3rd Vacation Bible School and informs us that a little boy in her class was so mean to her. This is recap of that encounter:

Lala: "There was a boy in my class that said something very mean to me!"

Me: "Oh really? What did he say, hunny?"

Lala: "He said I was HOT!"

Me and Daddy: (snickering)

Daddy: "Yeah, that was mean. You better stay far away from

him!"

What Would You Do?

This is a cry for help of sorts. I'm looking for any and all comments on what to do with my children to make their day productive. I am a little on the lazy, uncreative side......so nothing that requires sweat or sun. I know, I know, I'm asking for suggestions and I shouldn't be picky, but I truly hate to sweat.

I'm going to confess something that I'm a little embarrassed to admit. My kids spend a lot of time watching TV and just hanging around the house. Now, don't go calling Oprah or Dr. Phil on me. I've heard all the warnings about entertainment induced ADHD and obesity. I know this. This is why I'm calling on you for help. I need suggestions to assist me in engaging my children in meaningful, fun, quality, indoor activities. I will show you why.....you see (above)my backyard is full of dirt at present time. These fabulous logging trucks(to your left) whiz passed my front yard at about 60 mph! Can you say DANGER, DANGER, DANGER! Indoors is the safer place to be.

So, in conclusion, please leave some comments if you have any helpful hints to give a hand to a sister in need.

The Toddler Zone...

We have little aliens that came to visit us from a far off place. Their leader is a cat named Mixie. Pink is their signature color. Their language has a whiny tone and is sometimes laced with hints of grunting. They love to eat cheese and bananas. They treat these foods as though they were delicacies. I still have much to learn about the aliens. Others who have had contact with these strange creatures have told me I will never know everything.

Just when you think you have them figured out they leave.

Something's Missing....

When we got home from camp last Friday, little did I know my eldest child was already forming a plan in his head about staying with my in-laws.....for another couple of weeks. He asked me while we were swimming in the pool, "Mom, I don't want to go back to Palatka yet." I will admit to having the thought, "One less child at home......hhhhmmmm?" But I told Michael, "I will need to discuss this with your grandparents and your father before I say yes."

We went over the pros and cons and in the end, decided it would be good for him to stay. After all, we will be back down soon enough.

Now that we are home......I'm having a rough time with it. I talked to Michael yesterday and the first thing he says to me is, "Mom, I'm not homesick yet." I'm thinking, "Great....here I am feeling like I'm mourning the loss of my firstborn and he's not even thinking he misses me." Reminds me of someone else I know......me. I was always up for new adventures as a child. Cruel irony is being played out right now. Michael and I are so much alike, it's scary. He is king of drama, which I NEVER was.....my mom would beg to differ. Red hair, freckles, fair skin......the force is strong in that one. He is my son. My only son. He's my bud. I miss him. Our family is incomplete without him here. The dynamic in our house has changed and I'm not happy about it. I am glad that he is not bored there like he is here. Not much to do around these parts. At least he can swim and play with his boy cousin at Grandma's. I'm a so proud of Michael. On Sunday, he invited the neighbor boy to church and he came! That's my little evangelist!

I'm counting the days until I can see him again.

It's Not What You Think....

Anything for the kids, you know what I'm sayin'? Okay, so our theme at camp last week was "Restless" and we used the scripture from Isaiah 62:6-7 that talks about the "watchmen on the walls". So for our 11th and 12th grade students, we chose a Police Academy theme. So, of course.....mug shots were a must. I wouldn't show such an unflattering pic of myself if there wasn't a true spiritual meaning behind it. Don't I look like Ms. Hilton? The police academy motto is "The more you sweat when you train, the less you bleed on the street." All kinds of spiritual application there!

We had such an incredible week. It was definitely not what I expected! I really expected to be uplifted and personally challenged at camp, but it turns out, God used me to uplift and challenge others. I had several chances this week to work with students who had been through more in their sixteen years than I have in my thirty-three. I now understand why God allowed me to go through some of my difficulties in life, however. I like to call it fellowship of sharing in sufferings. Not that I have suffered greatly in my time here on earth, but I have hurt deeply and been healed with even greater depth. Only God has that kind of power. Madison Street Baptist Church brought about 75 students with them to camp and on Monday, the first night, got a phone call that a 12th grade student and his mother had been killed that afternoon in a terrible car accident. Like I said earlier, God did not do what I expected. Fortunately, Ben and his mom, Lisa, were both saved before exiting this life. What a testimony they left behind. An even greater testimony was that of the husband and father, Don. This man talked to the students at camp over speaker phone and basically quoted Job, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Strength like that can only come from God.

We really have no idea just how short this life really is for us. For example, take 1000 years and cut it in half. Did you come up with 500? I hope so. Okay, now cut that in half. 250? And again...1/2 that. 125??? Did you know we are still not even at the normal life expectancy of any person living and breathing today? Crazy, huh? Our life here is but a vapor in comparison to eternity. Where are you going to spend forever and ever? It's one of two places. Heaven or hell. There is no in between. Because of our sin, which we chose, we are separated from God by death. We cannot be in fellowship with Him because of our disobedience. So, God sent Jesus to come and live a perfect life on earth and take our punishment in death on the cross. It wasn't the crucifixion that killed Him, it was taking our sin's punishment that sent Him to the grave. However, to conquer death Christ rose again. At that point, death had been swallowed up in VICTORY! The choice is ours, though. Do we die in our sin or accept Christ's death for our sin? Please don't make His death for your sin a waste.

Nostalgia

Okay, this is very random, but do you ever get nostalgic for your past? Last week, I had a hoss (80's word) time with a wicked (90's word) friend at camp. We mulled over some good ole tunes from the 80's and 90's and then I went to Lulaville this morning and lo and behold.......she's posting about random oldies. Boy was I taken back to a much "simpler" time in life. Remember "More Than Words" by Extreme? Yowsa!



Okay, the lyrics hint at something a little more risque than I had originally thought, but those boys could harmonize like nobody's bid'niss!

And what about "To Be With You" By Mr. Big? Okay, just makes me miss my big hair and double socks. Remember those? I used to buy a bigger Ked's size just to accomodate!



We took a long stroll down memory lane and thanks to her I-Pod, I was able to hear one of my favorites........



Okay, and I had a major crush on this guy and I used to sing this one in my mirror with my hairbrush as my microphone.



Oh, and yes, Billy Joel must not be excluded! This one is for my junior year crush....I was so deep and he didn't even know it!!!! Oh well, he missed out and my hubby won the prize. I love you, babe!



I'm still sappy, just not the melodramatic I was at sixteen. What are some of your teen favorites??? New Kids didn't make it on here, but they were always good to me....

Just Let Me Unpack.....

Okay, we're back. We will be coming home tonight, but I just need some time to unpack and decompress. I made a commitment that I would not blog while I was away at camp and I stuck to it. Praise be to God. We had a great week. We saw many come to know Christ. It was incredible. (Taking deep breath)...
I've been away from my children for an entire week and need to spend some time just being mom. I will get back to blogging soon. For now, I am going to go jump in the pool with my Michael, my Lala, and my Emmy. Toodles........

Off To Camp

Well, I don't know if I will be able to blog at camp this next week. I will definitely try. Check back, just in case. I definitely don't want to lose my "great following":)......
Okay, well, miss me. Pray for our students lives to be changed this next week. I am praying for my life to be changed this next week. I need to be refreshed and revived.
It's off to Super Summer.

By the way, check out this website that was given to me by a commentor, on my Prosperity Gospel Post. Justin Peters has some interesting things to say.....

Happy Birthday, Bro!

I gots to give a shout out to my only brother, Rob. Okay, so when we were little we hated each other in a loving way. He loved to get my goat by trying to the control the television with He-Man cartoons and making farting noises while singing some obnoxious song entitled "Farty-Pants". He called my younger sister "Duker" just to annoy. I never thought I would see the day when I could actually say that I adore my younger-by-5-years brother. Today is his 28th birthday and he, along with my sister and her precious family are enjoying the 4th of July weekend with my parents in the mountains of North Carolina. I'm not...jealous.........not. in. the. least. (clearing my throat and choking back tears......). Alright, so maybe I am...a little.
My parents bought a home in Murphy last summer and are planning to retire at the end of this year and move there permanently. We are planning a trip for Thanksgiving. I can't wait! I love the mountains and I love my family. Okay, so I have some memories of my brother that make "Stillwell-Angel" from "A League Of Their Own" look like a mild-mannered boy. Yes, my brother and I fought and argued just like most. But I love my bro and I'm proud to call him mine. Happy Birthday, Hobart! You're awesome.......but you already knew that!

Dependent Independence

Today is the 4th of July. I'm more thankful than I can type to be living in a country where my family can read the Bible and carry it out in public without being arrested. I'm forever grateful for my freedom to share Jesus with the cashier at Publix. Did you know we can have a church service that lifts up the name of our Savior down at the waterfront on any given day? These are a few of the things that come to my mind when I think of Independence Day. I could go on and on, but I will keep this short and to the point. Our liberty depends on someone else's sacrifice. Our Independence is dependent on our soldiers' willingness to keep fighting. Please remember, as you watch the fireworks this evening, the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Someone died in that fire for your freedom. America Bless God

I Wuv My Brudda.....

Some girls can wear anything and look cute.........

Emmy is wearing a 2006 version of Batman Underoos made by Fruit of the Loom. These original cotton delicates were earlier worn by older brother, Michael. This will be Emmy's final catwalk in boy's underwear. She has decided to pursue a career in singing Jesus Loves Me and other Christian favorites. She will be unavailable for autographs due to an early bedtime. Thank you for coming.

Lord Of The Fly Swatters

Which do you prefer? I thought I was more of a zapper than a swatter, but it's maddening to try to actually get the fly with that thing! It is such a rush, however, to watch the spark that occurs when the annoying pest meets its doom. If I really want the fly dead quickly, I think I will swat the conventional way. If I'm feeling sadistic and need to blow off some much needed steam from my day with 4 children.........I'll get 'er done as "The Executioner".

Dear Jesus,

Tonight's family prayer time (prior to bedtime):

Emily (age 2 1/2): "Dear Jesus, skank you for 'dis day and skank you for 'dis food, Amen."

Lauren (age 4): "Thank you for this day and be with our missionaries, Amen."

Michael (age 7): "Father God in heaven, thank you for this day. Be with our soldiers who are fighting to defeat Rocko Mama (Barack Obama)...(Chuckle from mom and dad ensues)....'stop laughing' (says Michael)....and help them to come home safe, Amen." :)