As I begin to write this, it is 7 minutes until Valentine's Day which is also my husband's birthday. (WOW your birthday is on Valentines Day?!?!) Anyway, we have in the past only celebrated his birthday with a homemade lasagna and carrot cake (his favorites) and then celebrated Valentine's day on another day afterward. I have taught him well-Valentine's stuff goes half price the day after! LOL! Our anniversary is in 10 days...February is a busy month!
Tonight, I am thankful he was born....thankful he is mine and I am his....thankful that he loves me and I love him...
Happy Valentine's Birthday, Jason! Love you!
My daily life...the good and the bad
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Tonsils
Even after having two other children who have had to have their tonsils and adenoids removed, I was terrified about Madison's surgery. Maybe because I am older. (AGE, something every doctor blames everything on...so I figured I would-lol). Logically, I knew it needed to be done. I, after all, was the one who pushed us to see the specialist when the family doc was being wishy washy about it. So why was I suddenly filled with uneasiness?
I started asking for prayers....from my church family...from my former church family...from my fellow students...prayers not only for Madison, her surgeon and the procedure, but for ME. I needed to find peace with this uneasiness. I didn't know if it was just plain old mama worry or if I needed to call it all off.
Wednesday, we got ready and went to the surgery center. I woke with that peace I had prayed for...that I had asked others to pray for.
Madison's surgery went well. She is healing....but we both caught a bug and have been sick since the day after the surgery...probably not the best way to recuperate but she doesn't let anything keep her down for long.
I am thankful for the prayers that so many prayed for us. I am thankful God took care of Madison and guided her doctor. I am thankful for my little trooper, who so bravely walked away with a total stranger (the nurse) into the operating room, even though the night before she had said she wasn't ready to get her tonsils "tooken" out. I think the peace I was needing, she needed too. Thankful God gave it to us both.
I started asking for prayers....from my church family...from my former church family...from my fellow students...prayers not only for Madison, her surgeon and the procedure, but for ME. I needed to find peace with this uneasiness. I didn't know if it was just plain old mama worry or if I needed to call it all off.
Wednesday, we got ready and went to the surgery center. I woke with that peace I had prayed for...that I had asked others to pray for.
Madison's surgery went well. She is healing....but we both caught a bug and have been sick since the day after the surgery...probably not the best way to recuperate but she doesn't let anything keep her down for long.
I am thankful for the prayers that so many prayed for us. I am thankful God took care of Madison and guided her doctor. I am thankful for my little trooper, who so bravely walked away with a total stranger (the nurse) into the operating room, even though the night before she had said she wasn't ready to get her tonsils "tooken" out. I think the peace I was needing, she needed too. Thankful God gave it to us both.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Some Say Cheap, I say SMART
When Jason asked me to marry him it wasn't a surprise. It was something we had talked a lot about doing. He is a brave man marrying me and my two young children (almost 6 and almost 3). When he asked I immediately started looking for ways we could have a nice wedding on a shoe string budget.
The dress ($70)
I hired a local lady to design and make the dress I wanted. I took a rough sketch and she ran with it. She told me how much material and thread I would need. I went to the fabric store and picked out what I liked along with some shear material for a shawl. The material: <$20 the labor: $50
The venue, pictures, honeymoon cabin and video (about $725):
We were married in 2001 in Gatlinburg TN. We found a small chapel that offered package deals. Ours included 2 nights in a cabin, music, pictures, very small cake and a video. We had to pay the minister $25.
The reception: (about $30)
We asked the cabin management if we could check in early so we would have a place to get dressed before the wedding. They agreed. We decided that we would set up our "reception" there in the cabin so after the ceremony everyone could come back to the cabin afterward. (we had family coming from Ohio and SC). I had a cupcake wedding cake way before it was cool. A friend make the cupcakes. I supplied the saucer, salad plate and dinner plate and wine glasses to make the tiered cake plate. I later gave those to her because I picked a pattern of dishes she had and loved. This was my gift to her for going above and beyond by baking, traveling from SC. My friend as my wedding gift made punch and we carried dollar store plates and cups with us. simple yes....
Honeymoon:
The cabin was included. We went to the grocery store bought breakfast foods. We cooked breakfast each morning and cut coupons for early bird specials for our late lunch early dinner.
Other: ($25)
I made my bouquet with flowers I got for half price at a craft store. I also made my earrings, bracelet and necklace. I eve had enough flowers left that I made the "guys" flowers too. My mother bought some baby breath and she put my hair up in a french twist and stuck the babys breath in my hair. We rented Jason's tux here in SC and had family take it back home after the wedding.
The dress ($70)
I hired a local lady to design and make the dress I wanted. I took a rough sketch and she ran with it. She told me how much material and thread I would need. I went to the fabric store and picked out what I liked along with some shear material for a shawl. The material: <$20 the labor: $50
The venue, pictures, honeymoon cabin and video (about $725):
We were married in 2001 in Gatlinburg TN. We found a small chapel that offered package deals. Ours included 2 nights in a cabin, music, pictures, very small cake and a video. We had to pay the minister $25.
The reception: (about $30)
We asked the cabin management if we could check in early so we would have a place to get dressed before the wedding. They agreed. We decided that we would set up our "reception" there in the cabin so after the ceremony everyone could come back to the cabin afterward. (we had family coming from Ohio and SC). I had a cupcake wedding cake way before it was cool. A friend make the cupcakes. I supplied the saucer, salad plate and dinner plate and wine glasses to make the tiered cake plate. I later gave those to her because I picked a pattern of dishes she had and loved. This was my gift to her for going above and beyond by baking, traveling from SC. My friend as my wedding gift made punch and we carried dollar store plates and cups with us. simple yes....
Honeymoon:
The cabin was included. We went to the grocery store bought breakfast foods. We cooked breakfast each morning and cut coupons for early bird specials for our late lunch early dinner.
Other: ($25)
I made my bouquet with flowers I got for half price at a craft store. I also made my earrings, bracelet and necklace. I eve had enough flowers left that I made the "guys" flowers too. My mother bought some baby breath and she put my hair up in a french twist and stuck the babys breath in my hair. We rented Jason's tux here in SC and had family take it back home after the wedding.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Today is a New Day
Today I started a new journey in my life. I began weight watchers. I have been following the plan for the last week and have lost about 9 pounds. This has been the week for new beginnings! I started working on my bachelor's degree on Monday at Liberty University Online.
Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to attend a Christian based university that requires that I go through many Bible based classes, which will renew my spirit. I am thankful for the opportunity to make my body healthy, which will renew my health. I am thankful for the support of my husband and family in both endeavors!
What will you start today? What will you re-new in your life?
Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to attend a Christian based university that requires that I go through many Bible based classes, which will renew my spirit. I am thankful for the opportunity to make my body healthy, which will renew my health. I am thankful for the support of my husband and family in both endeavors!
What will you start today? What will you re-new in your life?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
1 Thessalonians 5:18: My Thankful Lists
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
In every thing....hmmm the good AND bad things....so here is my list of the good things I am thankful for
Now for bad thing I am thankful for:
In every thing....hmmm the good AND bad things....so here is my list of the good things I am thankful for
- The Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- My Salvation, without it I wouldn't have eternal life
- Jason, my husband
- Amanda, my first born
- Tyler, my middle child
- Madison, my youngest
- Our vehicles
- Jason's job
- My job as mother, wife, cook, taxi driver, etc.
- My Church
- My Pastor and his family
- My sisters
- Today, special day to remind us why we are thankful to God for all we have
- Yesterday, the opportunity to help pass out plates of food to others
- My Parents (Daddy, Mama and Shirley)
- My Aunts and Uncles
- My window to the world, my computer
- Our Military
- Grocery stores, without them I would have to spend all my time processing our food
Now for bad thing I am thankful for:
- Jason's speeding ticket, hopefully it made him pay closer attention to his speed and the entire ordeal of paying the ticket reminded me that some people do care
- Bills, having them reminds me that we have lights, water, tv, computer and phone service
- Difficult people, they remind me of how I don't want to be.
- My childhood, it reminds me to be careful of my children's feelings
- Broken down cars, they remind me that I have a car, a husband who has the ability to fix it, and time spent giggling about what's gonna happen next
- Being angry at God, reminds me where I was and where I am now
- Ex husband, reminds me to be thankful for the gentle, kind, loving man God sent me
- Teenager trials, reminds me that they are independent, strong people and are able to think for themselves
- Preschooler trials, reminds me that she is finding her place in the world, learning and growing right before my eyes
- Money problems, remind me that "we" can make it through anything
- My mother's illness, reminds me that she was a fighter, that she knew where she was going when she died but loved us so much that she didn't want to leave
- My father's accident, reminds me how much he means to me and the changes he made in his life (made him thankful for life)
- Jason's job, reminds me that even though we hate his hours, he cares for us enough to get going back so he can pay for things we need.
I was trying to make both list be at least 20 things each, I couldn't come up with that many on my bad list. I guess maybe that is because I have tried to think about my black cloud moments in an entirely different way, to see the sunny spots and not just the black clouds. It truly changes you as a person when you are able to do that.
So tonight as Thanksgiving draws to a close and the crazy shopping begins, I am thankful to God for all things, good and bad...they have made me into the person I am today.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Joy to the World, Mama to me, Bonita to others
October 8th, would have been my mother's 62nd birthday. I still miss her everyday even though she has been gone 8 years. I remember her telling me one time how she missed her parents when they died and how she still wanted to talk to them long after they were gone. I understand this now. I still want to pick up the phone and call her to tell her the latest things that my children have done, to get her take on situations with them or to just talk about nothing.
I am thankful to have known her. I am thankful for what she taught me about life. I am thankful she was my mother.
I am thankful to have known her. I am thankful for what she taught me about life. I am thankful she was my mother.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Pocketbook parties, cell phones, bulletins
Tonight, I hosted a thirty one party. I don't like doing these things. I mean you run around like a crazy person getting food together for the party, then have a few people show up, and then get a few "free" things if you meet a sales quota. Whoever ( I suspect Tupperware) came up with the idea of these parties was a genius. You get a person to host a party (no cost to you), feed the customers (no cost to you), show your products and wait on the orders (profit for you), give the hostess (a gift if they meet the minimum sales limit) and offer half price items to her. No building to rent, no utilities to pay.
My consultant was great. A very nice lady I have known for years. I admire her for trying to make a living selling these products. I guess it just isn't my cup of tea. It was nice to hear the story behind thirty one because I didn't know why it was called thirty one until tonight. Proverbs 31. It was nice that eight people showed up since I have heard that sometimes no one does. It was also nice to sit and talk and munch on "party" food. I even "quacked" at Mary....I had to since Nicky wasn't there.
My 16 year thinks I am so unreasonable to have a rule where you can't use the phone/cell phone or computer after 10:30pm. I think it is lenient. I had to be off of the phone at 9pm until I left home. she said that she was the only 11th grader that had to be off of the phone at a certain time. boo hooo hooo poor thing life is so hard...LOL.
I have the job of doing the bulletin for church now. Wow! I almost have it finished (with the exception of the hymn page numbers, last minute announcements). I knew it was going to be challenging but just didn't realize how much. I think I am really going to love it because I love being creative. I just hope everyone else likes it.
Tonight I am thankful for those who strive for better things in their lives (like Ms Cindy, the 31 consultant), friends, 16 year old's logic, and a new challenge.
My consultant was great. A very nice lady I have known for years. I admire her for trying to make a living selling these products. I guess it just isn't my cup of tea. It was nice to hear the story behind thirty one because I didn't know why it was called thirty one until tonight. Proverbs 31. It was nice that eight people showed up since I have heard that sometimes no one does. It was also nice to sit and talk and munch on "party" food. I even "quacked" at Mary....I had to since Nicky wasn't there.
My 16 year thinks I am so unreasonable to have a rule where you can't use the phone/cell phone or computer after 10:30pm. I think it is lenient. I had to be off of the phone at 9pm until I left home. she said that she was the only 11th grader that had to be off of the phone at a certain time. boo hooo hooo poor thing life is so hard...LOL.
I have the job of doing the bulletin for church now. Wow! I almost have it finished (with the exception of the hymn page numbers, last minute announcements). I knew it was going to be challenging but just didn't realize how much. I think I am really going to love it because I love being creative. I just hope everyone else likes it.
Tonight I am thankful for those who strive for better things in their lives (like Ms Cindy, the 31 consultant), friends, 16 year old's logic, and a new challenge.
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