Crazy Time Of Year...But Oh So Thankful!!

I have been so busy at work these past couple of weeks. I can't believe how many last minute shoppers there are out there. I am the type I like to get things done early and get it over with. Are any of you last minute shoppers? This is the first holiday season I have worked in retail and it is just crazy. And these past couple days it seems like everyone has been in terrible moods. If they only knew what Christmas was really about, maybe they wouldn't be in such a bad mood. But anyways I am very thankful that I have a job. The people I work with are all pretty nice. And I get along with them all for the most part. I am excited about Christmas this year. Our boys are getting older and I would really like to start a tradition of reading the Christmas story with them on Christmas. So I am going to try and start that this year. With all the different family Christmas that each of us have, we decided that we are going to cook Chinese for our Christmas dinner with my husbands family. Last year we done it for Thanksgiving, so this year we decided we would do it for Christmas. Sis. Frankie has some really good recipes that we use. Plus that will give the kids (and big kids- Bro. Jimmy and Bro. Johnny) time to play with the toys before church.

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. It seem like just yesterday it was January. But I have lots of good memories from this year. The Lord has given me many things to be thankful for this year. He has protected me and my family many of times. I pray that I can only be that much more of a servant for him this next year. I love you all, and I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Our Thanksgiving!!

What a great Thanksgiving we had. We actually started our Thanksgiving the Saturday before. We all got together and had a church Thanksgiving dinner. It turned out to be really nice. Lots of good visit. Then Thanksgiving day we went over to my families and had Thanksgiving with them. That was lots of fun. I got to see some of my family I haven't seen in a while. None of my family is in the faith, so you never really know how it will turn out. Especially with Christmas around the corner. We don't do the whole Santa thing and my family doesn't understand why. But it was never brought up and everything turned out to be really good. The weather was beautiful that day. The guys even ended up outside playing basketball. Then Friday morning I got up at 2:45 am and headed in to work. But by the grace of God it wasn't all that bad. Everything went really smooth. We didn't have any complaints, and customers were actually really nice. I was so thankful God blessed me that morning. Then that afternoon we done Thanksgiving with Jimmy's family. We had it our house this year. And it too turned out to be good. I have so much to be thankful for. The Lord is so good to us.

This is my grandma, Connie (my niece)
Ryah (my niece) and Noah

A Day at the Park...

Today I took the boys to a park round here (Bro. Jimmy had to work). Mamaw, Aunt Krissy and Uncle Barry went with us too, I guess you can say they took us. It was so beautiful there. I love this time of year when the leaves are changing. We walked the paths, and the creek, then we let the kids play on the play ground for a little. It was so peaceful to be out there. When I was younger I would stay out at my grandparents a lot. They lived way out in the country. My cousin and I would spend hours just out walking and playing in the woods. We had so much fun as kids out there. And being there today at the park brought back so many good memories. Lord willing I hope to live out in the country one day. It is so awesome just to look around and and see all that God has created. How the simplest things in life can bring such joy and peace to us. God is so good to us. And I am so thankful that God would allow me this day with the kids, and family.

Isaac, Mamaw, Jonah, and Noah in the back

We're Back!!

We got back yesterday afternoon. We had such a good time. I really enjoy going down to Kentucky very much. It has been a while since we last were down there, and it was such a blessing to get to go again. And the brethren there are just great. They are very hospitable to any and everyone. It is so awesome to just go down there and drive around, especially in the fall. It is so beautiful. The tree are all different colors. We got down there Thursday morning around 11:30 a.m. Yeah that's right it's around a 3 1/2-4 hour trip and Sis Frankie had us up at 6 in the morning. So we went to Bro. Brad and Sis. Deanna's house. Then we headed over to their new house. They bought a house back in 2005 and have been working on since then to try and get it done. Sis. Frankie and Bro. Jimmy worked on the ceilings some while I took care of the kids. It is getting so close to being done. I can't wait for them to be able to move into it. A little later I had Jimmy take me and the boys to Sis. Jan's house. The boys were getting restless. Then later that afternoon we headed over to Bro. Darin and Sis. Diana's house where we were staying. Bro. Darin and Jimmy ended up heading over to Sis. Deidre and Stephen's house to get it painted for them to come home to after the wedding. They didn't get the keys to it until last Monday so they had a lot to get done in such little time. The next morning we got up and the kids and I went over to Sis. Jan's, while Jimmy and Bro. Steve went back to work more on Bro. Brad and Sis. Deanna's new house. Then Friday evening and Saturday morning we just hung out and visited with the brethren. They were not able to start decorating the church until 11:30 a.m. so a lot of the sisters and some of the brothers headed to the church to get everything sit up. And with the Lord's help everything turned out really good. Sis. Frankie done the cake and it was beautiful. It was suppose to rain all day Saturday and the Lord blessed us with sunshine. Then Sunday we got up and went to church. Then after church we got everything loaded and headed home. What a wonderful trip the Lord blessed us with. Wish you could of been there Sis. Jana, miss you bunches. I am posting some pictures for you to see of the wedding.

Happy 6th Birthday!!

Well we celebrated Jonahs birthday yesterday. His actual birthday isn't until Tuesday, but we wanted to do it on the weekend. He told his mamaw that he wanted his cake to look like daddy's trucks. So Sis. Frankie did him a 3-D semi-truck. It turned out really good for her first time doing anything like this. Jonah was happy with it, and that's all that matters. We had that family over and cooked out. He got a lot of cool toys. His Uncle Johnny (Sis. Jackie's husband) got him a couple toy guns, that make lots of noise. So Jada's birthday will be coming soon and we'll have to pay him back for that, sorry Jackie. He also is into art stuff. So he got a couple art things...mess free painting and markers...YEAH!!! That was one of the best things ever invented. So it turned out to be a really good day. Also you might keep the brethren in your prayers here. A lot of us are going to be traveling this weekend to go to Kentucky. A sister in the church is getting married Saturday. So a lot of us will be on the roads. It's been over a year since we were last down there. I can't wait to see all of them again. We are heading out early Thursday morning and coming back on Sunday afternoon. Sis. Frankie plans on baking the cakes here and then decorating them in Kentucky. So you might also say a prayer for her.

Our Field Trip to the Orchard

Yesterday I got to chaperon Jonah on his first field trip. We went to the orchard. It was so much fun. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to be able to go with him. We got to the orchard around 9:45 am. We first went to the play area and the children got to play around. Next we had free time and we played games and went to see the llamas. After that we went and walked through the maze. That was lots of fun. I had a map and we still got lost in it, but the kids had a blast trying to find their way out. After we got everyone back together we went and ate lunch. When we got done with lunch we went and did the pumpkin walk. They had different stages of how pumpkins grow, and talked to the kids about it. They passed out pumpkin seeds to all the kids for them to try them. Some of the kids liked them others were spitting them back out. Next we got to go and do the hay ride. Each child got to pick out a pumpkin. Then we came back and done the apple tour. First we went to the huge cooler to see where they store them after they are picked. Then we saw where they wash them and sort out the apples. The good ones are sent to the store to sell. The ones a little beat up are sent to be made into cider. And the ones that with a actual hole or cut are thrown back in the orchard for worms to eat. Next we went to the room where the cider is made. After that everyone got to have a taste of the cider. Next the kids got to go and pick them some apples. Then we all loaded back on to the bus and headed back to school. I was such a joy to be out there and get to have this experience with him. The lord blessed us with beautiful weather and a wonderful day!!

Turning 8

So today we celebrated Isaac's 8th birthday. I can't believe how old he is getting. We had a small get together for him. It was lots of fun. Bro. Steve and Sis. Charlotte brought corn hole and Apples to Apples. If you have never played apples to apples you are missing out on a very fun card game. Sis. Jan from KY introduced it to us a couple years go, and we feel in love with it. And then you have Bro. Jimmy and Bro. Johnny,who can't stay away from the toys. As you can see from the video they like to bomb each other...good thing it doesn't hurt!!! I think they played with it more than the kids got to. Tomorrow is Isaac's real birthday. Weather premitting we plan on taking the boys to play putt putt. We are suppose to get the storms from Ike tomorrow. Lord willing they will go above us. But I guess we will just have to wait and see. Other than that everything has been going good for us. You might say a prayer for the brethren here. There seems to be a virus going around, and everyone is getting sick. Sis.Frankie and Sis. Stubby has been dealing with it the past couple days and tonight Jonahs, our middle child, voice had that sickness sound to it. So if you think about it please remember us in your prayers.

Update of my life...

So I realized I haven't posted anything here lately. I have been pretty busy around here. With school starting and starting a new job. But all is going well. My job is OK, it's a job. The people all seem to be nice, I just hate being away from the family. I hardly get to see my husband. It seems like he gets home from work, and I leave for work. So while I was filling out apps. I had applied at a OB/GYN office as a receptionist. Well yesterday one of the lady's that work up there told Sis. Frankie that the spot had become available. So if it is God's will for me to get that job, I hope to get a call soon. But if that was to happen I would have to get a baby sitter for the youngest. So I ask that you might say a prayer. I don't want to have to take him to a day care, but I might have to. So I ask for your prayers in that. Isaac and Jonah are both doing well in school. I am so thankful for your prayers about it. I was so worried about Jonah. We went to Isaac open house last Monday and the teachers said he was doing great. He had some problems last year in reading. Well the way they do it this year is they have 3 different reading classes, well he is in the lowest one. When we talked to his reading teacher she said that they were probably going to move him up here soon. That they went off his test scores from the end of the year last year, and that he was just doing really good. Thank you God!! We really worked with him over the summer, thanks to the library's reading program. And then we went to Jonah's open house last night. His teacher said he was doing good. So I am so thankful for that news. I do ask prayer for my husband. He just called me and said that they were going to change his schedule at work, till they can find someone else. They had to fire someone. He said that he was going to be working nights on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursday, and he'll be doing the day shift on Fridays and Saturdays. Which leaves him with Mondays and Wednesdays off, so he doesn't miss any church, which is awesome. But that schedule messes with mine. He was at home with the kids while I was at work, and now he won't be able to. So that means I would be able to work a whole 2 days. And that's not really worth it. So I do ask that you might pray that they can find someone right away. Well I guess I kind of got carried away so I will get off here now.

First Day of School

So today was the first day of school. Isaac started 2nd grade, and Jonah started kindergarten. Isaac done just fine. He got up ate breakfast, brushed his teeth and then we walked down to the bus stop. Then there was Jonah. He really didn't do as bad as what I thought he would do. I thought we would end up having to take him to school. He got up with Isaac and he watched TV as Isaac ate breakfast. Then he walked with us to take Isaac to the bus stop. Then we came back and got him some food. Then we walked down to his bus stop. That's when he told me that his tummy was hurting. I got down with him and we said a prayer together. Then I sat and talked with him till his bus got there. Bro. Jimmy recorded it as I took pictures and helped him get on the bus. I got him to wave to us and even got a little smile as the bus pulled away. I never told Jonah, but I wanted him to stay as much as he wanted to stay. It almost brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe how fast they grow up. Well I thought it was over, that was until around 9:00. The school called and said that Jonah had wet his pants. Jonah had said at the bus stop he had to go, but we didn't have enough time to come back home. I told him to tell a teacher when he got to school, but I guess he didn't. So when I got to the school he just started crying. We got him all changed, and he had stopped crying by then. They wouldn't let me walk him back to class, but the school nurse gave him so gold fish and said she would walk him back. So now I sit here waiting for him to get home. It's all day kindergarten but today and tomorrow he only goes till 10:40 and on Friday he goes till 12:00. That way it gets them use to it instead of just throwing them into something that they are not use to. So if you think about it please continue to keep the boys in your prayer.

I Got a Job

First I want to say thanks for all the prayers that went out for me and a job. I had an interview yesterday at Dick's Sporting Goods. They offered me a job on the spot. But the hours and pay are way lower then what I needed. The one good thing is that it is hours when my husband is home, so he can stay with the kids. Of course I told them I would have to go home and talk it over with my husband. It is not exactly what I was looking for, but it is a job for now. Lord willing I will find something more along the lines of what I need. So I ask that you might say a prayer that I would be able to do a good job for them. And that if it is the Lord's will for me to get a job else where that something would come availible.

What a Great Day !!

What a wonderful Sunday we had. It started out by going to church. I really enjoyed church, and what was said. There wasn't a whole lot there due to brethren visiting other places and brethren going on vacation, but it was still good. I am usually in the back room with the youngest, cause he won't be quite, but he slept all through church. I actually got to listen and hear what was being said....yeah!!! Then we rode with Sis. Frankie to go deliver a cake, and then we went home and I got to see my husband. He's been working nights so I haven't seen a lot of him. So I was happy to get home and spend some time with him. We ended up taking the kids down to the pool. We had lots of fun. This summer we have been trying to work with Jonah to get him out of the armies. Every time we would take them off of him he would get scared and say he couldn't do it. Well that is something we don't take, we try and get them to see that they can do anything, they just have to want to. So Jonah yesterday asked if he could take one off. So we done that and he swam around for a while. Then I got him to float on his back with both of them on. So I asked him if he was ready to try it without any on. So we did and he did great. So after he saw he could float with no floaters he decided to try the swimming with no floaters,and he did great. So we finally got him out of the armies....yeah!!! After swimming we came back and grilled out. It was such a wonderful day, and I am so thankful that God allowed us it.

Also I ask that you would keep Isaac and Jonah in your prayers. They start school next Wednesday (Aug. 13). Isaac will be going into 2nd grade and Jonah will be starting kindergarten. So if you think about it please say a prayer.

Is It Sickness or Is It Teething

Hello to all my sisters. I have a couple prayer request. My youngest ,Noah, is either coming down sick, or he is teething. He has been really whinny the past couple days and has a runny nose and a slight fever. All he wants is for me to hold him. He gets downs for a little bit then is right back crying for me to pick him up. So I ask that you might say a prayer that if it is a sickness it would just go away, or if it is his teeth that they would hurry up and get through. I would also like prayer for my husband. Next week one of the guys at his work is going to be on vacation. So my husband has to cover his shift. So that means he is going to be working form 12 -noon till 12-midnight. Which means he will miss church Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Plus it's alot of hours that he is not use to. I also just want to thank you all for the prayers the went out for my mother-in-law. My mother passed just a little over a year ago, and since then Sis. Frankie has filled that mother place in my life. Don't get me wrong I still miss my mother very much and no one could ever take her place, but scine she is not here Sis. Frankie has taken me in as her own. I am so thankful for the husband and in- laws that God gave me. I couldn't have asked for any better. Well there is Bro. Johnny thought, but I have Sis. Jackie to take care of him...lol

First Hair Cut...

We took Noah today to get his first hair cut. His hair was starting to get really long and curl at the bottom. Which it was cute, but only for a little while. See both Bro. Jimmy and I have thick hair, so, so does Noah. We ended up at a place called Cookie Cutters. I wanted to take him some where were they dealt with a bunch of kids. They have a small slide in the waiting room. And the chairs are shaped like cars, trains, and the one he sat in was a dinosaur. It's really a cute place. While we were waiting, there was a little boy getting his hair cut, and he was screaming. I thought for sure Noah would do the same. But much to my surprise he done really good. He was a little whinny at first when we got by the lady. But she gave him a bottle of bubbles to play with and he was just fine. Then at the end when we took the bubbles away he got whinny again. But over all it was a good experience.

Another Weekend with Brethren....

We got to have another wonderful weekend with the brethren. Friday we met up with some of the brethren and went down town and watched the fire works. This is the first year we had done this. It was really a nice change. It always brings me such joy to be with the brethren. Then on Saturday Bro. Steve and Sis. Charlotte had a cook out at their house. So we got to spend the day again with the brethren. Their were a couple brethren that brought their guitars. They had corn hole boards set up, and of course the "Bounce"aleen...as Jada calls it. Here are some pictures of the kids and "big kids" playing. Everyone just had them a good time. How nice to be around brethren all weekend long....YEAH!!!!

On a different note last Tuesday I went for a job interview. The lady told me that they didn't have any job openings at that time, but they were tyring to get interviews done cause you never knew when one would open. Then on Wednesday or Thursday (I can't remember) my husband called and said they posted a internal job post for CSR. So that means the position I wanted would be coming available. So if you would please keep me in your prayers about this.

Church Cookout/ Singing

Well we had our church cookout and singing yesterday. We had lots of good fellowship. I really enjoyed being around all the brethren. We had really nice weather for this. It was suppose to rain yesterday evening, and God blessed us with nothing but sunshine. Some of he brethren brought their instruments ( as you can see in the pictures). I always enjoy the singings we have. It's neat to add the music with our singing. I enjoyed seeing the kids,and adult, out playing together. We saw some brethren that we hadn't seen in awhile. That's always a blessing.

Names left to right.....

Bro Dillard, Sis. Kathy, Sis. Charlotte, in the back Bro. Charlie V.

Bro. Ralph, Bro. Jerry, David, and Bro. Johnny

Bro. Charlie, and Bro. Jim

Bro. Paul and Bro. Joe

Jonah, Jada, and Noah

Sis. Krissy, Bro. Barry, Sis. Sondra, and Bro. Jimmy

I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us this day. It uplifted and brought smiles to so many. I am thankful for all who got to came out. This was truly a day given by God.

Sis. Krissy singing Sweet Bulah Land. I was told that Sis. Lori wanted to hear this song. Sorry I didn't get the whole song I ran out of memory and didn't get it started in time. Maybe we can get Sis. Krissy to sing it another day and post the whole thing.

1st Tennis Match!!!

Isaac had his first tennis match today. It was a beautiful day for it. His Aunt Krissy and Uncle Barry got to come and watch him. He did really good, he won 3 matches. There are still some things he needs to work on. He likes to over power his swing and hit the ball really far. I have to keep reminding him that it isn't baseball and that he doesn't have to hit it as hard as he can. They had 4 different matches going at once. And then the kids left over got to play some tennis warm up games. Well by the end of the matches none of the kids wanted to play matches, they all wanted to play the games. So they ended with a game of tennis ball (it's kind of like baseball but with tennis balls and rackets). It was funny to watch. I enjoyed being there and getting to watch him. He had a blast and that's all that matters.




Also we all done good at the yard sale we had. We had beautiful weather, a little humid on Friday, but for the most it was good. We also got to spend some time with brethren, that's always nice. Thank you all for your prayers about it.

Prayer Request

Hello to all. What a beautiful day we have had here today. It's been around 80 but it has a nice breeze where it's not to hot. Just got back a little ago from taking my oldest, Isaac, to his tennis lesson. He is doing so good and really likes it. He is already asking to sign up for the winter program. Which I am thankful that he likes it. I hope it is something he sticks with. Anyways I would like your prayers about a job. I quit work when I had Noah back in Feb. 2007, and my husband and I have decided it was time for me to go back to work. I started putting applications in back in Dec. and still no calls. I really don't want to go back to work, I like being a stay at home mom, but with the prices of gas and food going up it would really help us out. I know that God has really blessed us this far and that he will continue, but I ask that you all might pray that I would know what God's will is for me and my family in this. That if it was for me to go back to work he would lead me to where he would want me to work. I will also do my best to keep all of you in my prayers.

Thank God

I just wanted to say how wonderful it has been to meet so many new sisters. I have enjoyed the many blogs I have received and the ones I have left for the sisters. I was talking to Sis. Jackie before I started blogging and she had nothing but good things to say about blogging. It really has up lifted me to hear from the brethren in different places. I thank God that there could even be this communication between us.

Hello to everyone

Well I figured it out, well with some help of others. For the most part I think I know what i am doing now. I look forward to talking with the sisters and meeting new ones.