Ready, Set, Go

"It's time to begin again, you need to put words on paper.  You need to move on with the things I am calling you to do.  I am calling you, do you hear Me?"

These are the words swarming in my head. I can't ignore them any longer.  I know He is getting my attention and  I know that it is time to pull my head from the sand and open up to what He is directing me to do.  I know in my heart that He has called me to be an encourager to women.  I hear His call to become a speaker but am limited by my own doubts and fears.  When will I learn that my strength lies in Him and not my own abilities?

Hebrews 12: 1-2 tells me, "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

I am reminded that I need to complete the race He has called me to run.  It's time for me to begin again. I am putting the past behind me and looking to finish the race He is calling me to run!

I am at the starting line ready to go!  I know I may run into road blocks along the way but I know that I am not alone in this race and He will direct my path!

READY, SET, GO!!!

Traveling Through......

I think everyone has one or more favorite verses from the Bible that have special meaning to them. I am no exception!! If someone were to ask me what my favorite verse is today I would say, Romans 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit. This verse has brought me much comfort over the past few months and has been applicable in many areas of my life.

As I began to seek the Lord for a clear direction in my walk with Him, I feel as if He is calling me to travel with Him through the book of Psalms. I have run to these precious chapters in His Word at various times in my life. I have looked to them for refreshment, for comfort, for strength and for peace, but I have to say I was a surface reader. I read them for what they could give at that moment but I did not take the time to really study or meditate on them.

I guess maybe I am getting the idea from a recent movie, Julie and Julia, to make the commitment to blog about my travels through the book of Psalms but this is a wonderful way to help me be accountable to follow through with this commitment. I am excited and apprehensive at the same time to begin an endeavor such as this. I will still have work, two graduate classes, travels to Memphis to spend time with my mom, a grand baby coming in April, and I am sure many more reasons that I could come up with to not do this right now but I know that I am not alone in this journey and that He will help me. There are 150 chapters in the book of Psalms and I know that things will come up that could keep me from studying every day so I will set the date of May 31st to be finished with this journey.

As I write this I am smiling with anticipation of what treasures He will reveal to me as we walk this road together. :)

Let the travels begin!!!!

New Beginnings

The word NEW has several different meanings:

• recently made
• first hand
• replacing the existing one
• recently discovered
  

The one that I like the best is the third one listed here, replacing the existing one. I think that is what happens with each new year, the old year is replaced with the new one. I am reminded that we can't go back to yesterday, last week, last month or last year but what we can do is to make the best of each day that we are given and that each day is the new day that replaces the previously existing one. I am trying to learn that each day is full of new things and that I shouldn't worry about the days to come but to enjoy the day I have been given.

I also like the definition of new that refers to things recently discovered. Over the past few months I have discovered that I can be a new graduate student and make good grades, I can handle new transitions at my job, and best of all I will be learning to be a new grandmother around the middle of April!!

I realize that life is full of new things to be discovered. As I begin this new year, I hope to look for the new things in different areas of my life with joy and anticipation.

Spring Break

Spring break is always a welcome time in the life of an educator. I look forward to this week off as much if not more than the children at my school. This year is no exception. I have made some plans for the week but I have also left some time to do what ever I want. I spent some of that time today reading a book. It has been so long since I have been able to put things aside and just read for the pleasure of reading. It was so nice and peaceful to do that for awhile today.

Yesterday I went to Murfreesboro to spend some time with my son, Ben. We had a great time despite the fact he got called into work for a few hours. I did his laundry for him (what a great mom I am!!!) while he was working and then he took me to dinner for my birthday (which is Thursday) and then we walked around "The Avenue" for a little while. The day zoomed by and before I knew it I had to leave to come home. As I drove home I couldn't help but wonder where had the time gone. It is hard not seeing him more than I do but I am thankful to be able to talk to him a lot on the phone. We always have a good time when we are together and yesterday was no exception!!









I am looking forward to the rest of my week that will include more reading, organizing, maybe some shopping, my birthday on Thursday ( I am looking forward to dinner at Tornio's with my hubby) and then on Friday I leave for Louisville, KY to attend the Women of Joy conference with Angela. What a fun week to look forward to!! I am so excited to see both of my children in the same week! I started my fun week spending time with Ben and will finish it off with time with Angela and sandwiched in between is time with my wonderful husband and my birthday!!! How great is that?

Fabulous Friday

Snow days are always appreciated, especially in March. We were supposed to get snow and sleet yesterday and last night but it didn't happen the way the weatherman predicted and all we got was a dusting. I guess the school system thought it would be worse than it was and decided to call off school for today. It is hard to realize that just 4 days ago it was 80 degrees and spring fever was being felt by a lot of us. Now, I look out and see a dusting of snow and a temperature of 35 degrees.

I was reminded of the 8 inch snow we had this time last year and how beautiful everything looked with a blanket of fresh snow and had to share these memories.

One of Those Days.....

Today is one of those days that I am reminded that no matter what is happening in my life there is Someone who knows what I am going through.

I look around me and see the blessings of my life and I am so humbled. I have so many things that I am grateful for:

A God who loves me unconditionally,
A husband who cherishes me,
Children who love me and that I have a wonderful relationship with,
My family,
A church family that is always there for me,
Friends,
Food on my table, my home, and I could go on and on.

I encourage you to look around you, especially on days when things seem to be all mixed up, and begin to think about all the good things in your life. You will be surprised at how much better you feel when you take your mind off the negative things that may be happening and focus on the good things that are around you everyday.

Answers

The economy; will I have enough money to make it? Job security; do I have it? Marriages crumbling, is mine secure? The welfare of our children; are they okay? Health; am I okay, what about those I love, will they be okay? On and on the list of questions in our lives grow. I seek answers to these and so many more questions in my life.

I think we are all seekers. It is in our nature to want to know. We have become a society to want things quickly. Fast is something we have become accustomed to and when we don’t get it quickly we become irritated and begin looking else where for answers. We turn to the news; according to what you hear or read these days the answers to many of our questions are gloom and doom. We hear then we react accordingly. We become discouraged and depressed. We have a tendency to focus on the bad things in our lives and forget about the good.

Okay, maybe things are tough for you right now but if you would only look out the window, you can find some good. Look at the birds, watch the clouds or stars. Listen for the laughter of children and the rush of the wind. Smell the fragrance after a rain shower, open a bag of chocolate inhale the wonderful aroma then reach in and put a few of these wonderful morsels in your mouth, don’t chew quickly just let them melt in your mouth and enjoy the taste of this delicious treat. Your taste may include something salty as well, so popcorn could be your tasty treat. There are good things all around us; we just have to look for them.

As I was watching the news last night a story came on about the economy. I watched and listened with interest and sadness as the jobless numbers were announced. So many numbers given, so many people and families affected. What caught my attention in this story was the fact that indeed there was a business that was flourishing right now. It is the business of psychics. The news story introduced us to a woman whose business has picked up tremendously over the past few months. People come to her wanting to know what they should do about their money, job situation, will the economy get better, and on and on the questions come. She says that she can tell them exactly what is in store for their lives by reading it in the cards. People are so desperate for answers they will go anywhere and trust anyone.

What has happened to spending time in the Word of God to seek answers? I was reading His word this morning and was once again reminded that the answers for everything that we face in life are given to us in His Word. EVERYTHING. We have to take the time to seek and study His word. So many times we skip this resource because it takes time or even because we think we may not like the answer when we find it. It may require more from us than we are ready to give. We run here and there seeking answers to questions. We trust man to give the answers to us and when we don’t like their answers we run to someone else to seek answers that have a better sound to us.

When will we realize that He has given to us all the answers we will ever need? That there is not a question that He cannot answer. He knows the economy is shaky, He knows that many are sick or lonely, He knows marriages are crumbling, He knows that many are discouraged and hurting. He knows and He cares!!

Trust what you read in His Word. He has the answers!! Spend time with Him, let Him give encouragement and fill you with His Peace.

Sad Day

Tomorrow will be a sad but exciting day as the football season of 2008 comes to an official close. I love football on both the college and professional levels and it will be hard to see the games come to a close once again.

My favorite college team is Ole Miss. What a finish they had to their terrific season. They had earned a post season bowl game by beating teams such as the Florida Gators,( who, by the way went on to be the National Champion), LSU (the defending national champion), and other SEC teams. No one gave them a shot to win many games this year. They went into the new football season with a new coach and a new approach to playing the game. What a season they had!! They ended up with a record of 9-4, which includes a Cotton Bowl win against Texas Tech. Ole Miss was not a favorite in that game, but once again they played with focus and intensity and won the game!!

We had a great time watching the National Championship game with Florida and Oklahoma. Of course we were cheering for Florida because they were from the SEC but also because the only game that Florida lost was to the OLE MISS REBELS!!!!!

My favorite professional team is the New York Giants, mainly because Eli Manning their quarterback is a former quarterback from Ole Miss. I am also a big Tennessee Titian fan. Because neither of these teams are in the big game tomorrow, I will be cheering for the Arizona Cardinals. I have several reasons for this, I like the colors, they are the underdog,(no one thought they would make it this far) and I like the quarterback, Kurt Warner. He is a man of integrity and is never afraid to acknowledge where his strength comes from. He is a believer that carries his faith and witness onto the football field with him. I first heard of him when he led the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl a few years ago. I heard him give and interview and he was not ashamed to share his faith while being interviewed. I have liked him ever since.

I am looking forward to the big game tomorrow, but it will be bittersweet to know that it will be several months before we hear the wonderful words

"It's football time in Tennessee"

Let it Snow (or ice)!!

One of the fun things about working in the school system is the anticipation of snow days. Teachers as well as the children get all excited wondering if we will be out of school when there is a chance of snow or as in the case today a chance of ice in the forecast. There is talk of doing the "snow dance" and the run on the grocery stores that always make me smile. I always say that I won't panic and go to the store on night before the big event but I found myself at Walmart last night buying up my bread and milk and cookies and chips and any other snack food that sounded good. I really did "need" some groceries and it was fun to be in the store watching what others would put in their cart. I got some ideas on what to buy such as cereal, hot dogs and the ever popular snow food of bread and milk!!

I went to bed last night wondering if there would be enough to close the schools for today and sure enough at 5:30 this morning the phone rang saying that our school system would be closed for the day. Looking outside ( a few hours later and sleeping in a little) there really didn't seem to be much out there but when I looked harder I could see a thin layer of ice on the driveway and sidewalk.

I was reminded of how sometimes things are not really as they seem. Everything outside looked normal at first glance but by looking closer I could see the danger that was looming if the ice was not given the respect it deserved. We must always be on guard to not be too causal in our everyday lives.

I am excited about the extra day off this week and plan to do fun things like make cookies, wrap presents and watch White Christmas!!

What Happened to the Alarm?

It was a normal Sunday morning at the Shaw home, or so I thought! I was in the state of not being fully awake to stretching and yawning getting ready for a new day when suddenly the phone rang, it was one of the Sunday School teachers telling us that he wouldn't be there for his class this morning. I was glad that he called so we could make arrangements when we got to church, but what I couldn't figure out is why he called so early, the clock said 6:30. I just shrugged and hung up the phone. I still had 15 more minutes to enjoy the morning before I would get up and start my day. I got up at 6:45 feeling refreshed and ready for my coffee and the rest of what the day would bring. I got into the bathroom and looked at the clock in there and not believing what I was seeing walked quickly to the kitchen to look at the clock in there, all the clocks were reading out the time of 7:55, not the 6:55 time that I thought it was.

Then I remembered that we had gotten a clock that would automatically reset when it was day light saving time. BUT GUESS WHAT? IT WAS NOT DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!!!!!! ( We copied Angela and Zach's clock that they had gotten for a wedding present.) I had thought how neat it would be not having to remember to set my clock those two times when the time changed!!

I never really had a problem remembering when to change our clocks before because the spring time change was the weekend after my birthday and the fall change was the weekend after Steve's birthday in October. What I had forgotten this year, is that the government decided to make daylight savings time last longer so the time change to spring forward this year was in March and the time to fall back is in November. The spring time change and not remembering to change the clock didn't have any affect on us. But, this one made us late!! We ended up with our extra hour today and then I guess we will get another hour when the time really does change!! (whenever that is!)

I am not someone who likes to be late, in fact that is something that Steve and I have had issues with over the years. I was brought up that you are not late to things instead you should be early. He was brought up to get there when you can. I know that when I yelled out "Steve, get up, we are late, the clock is wrong" really got his attention this morning. I made phone calls to let the leadership at church know that we would be late. It made me so irritated at myself that I let this happen but then I realized, how did I know that the clock would reset itself like it did? I realized that sometimes we put undue stress on ourselves because we think we are the only ones that can do certain things.

What happened this morning reminded me that we should control the controllable. I couldn't control the fact that we were late this morning, it was just one of those things that happen. I think I handled things okay for me but as I got ready, I had to laugh that the more I tried to hurry, the more little things happened. Like I thought, I won't wash my hair but when I got in the shower as I was planning out step by step how I would get things ready to go, I realized that I was washing my hair, then I was getting out my makeup and dropped part of it on the floor, then I couldn't find my other earring. Nothing, it seemed was easy this morning.
I realized that with this experience that I have changed my way of dealing with things like this. I didn't get mad and try to blame anyone, I didn't stay stressed on the 30 minute drive to church, I was able to laugh and tell how technology got the better of me this morning.

Life is too short to stay upset over things that are out our control. I hate the fact that we were late this morning but I am happy in the fact that I didn't let the situation get the better of me. But, you better believe that I will be finding out the specific dates for day light savings time in the future!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!!!!!!

Today is my wonderful husband's 50th birthday!

For the past 7 months my sweet husband has been kind enough to remind me that I am 50 and that he is not!! Well, today is the day that he turns 50, so once again, he is the same age as me.

Finally, no more teasing about me being soooo old! Now he knows how it feels. I have to say that it doesn't seem to be bothering him either about turning 50, it's going to happen so why be depressed.The years keep going and so do our ages. We figure that as long as we don't act our age it is okay to keep having birthdays!!

He has been on vacation this week so it was good to spend most of today with him. I have had a few happys for him to open throughout the day, like chattering teeth, in case he needs to replace his, a small construction cone to put out when he is having a senior moment and things like that. I am saving the rest for when the children get here so we can have cake and open the rest of his special presents! Payback is fun!!!!

When it was Angela's, Zach's and Ben's birthdays I listed things about them that matched their ages but with Steve turning 50, I don't know if I can think of that many, ha ha


I will just say this about him:



He is a man who loves the Lord and his family with his whole heart. He is kind and compassionate. He has a wonderful sense of humor. He is very smart and knows so much about so many different things. He makes me laugh and has the most beautiful smile and twinkling eyes of anyone I have ever met.



I could go on and on but I will stop with:
Happy Birthday Honey, I love you very much!!

Fall Break

Over the past few years the school system I work for decided to add into the school calendar a whole week off of school in the month of October, Fall break. It has been a welcome addition for students and teachers alike. We all look forward having no school for the whole week. Many other school systems and universities also have fall break around this time. MTSU had fall break last week too, so Ben was able to come home for a short visit. His break was only on Monday and Tuesday, not the whole week like I had but I was happy just to have him home for a little while.


Ben was able to come home last Friday and stayed until Tuesday afternoon. He brought with him his wonderful smile and laugh, his guitar to entertain and his laundry that would fill an entire laundromat. I sure was glad to see him and enjoy his company. I even did most of his laundry. My mom was very glad to see him as well. She has been staying with us for most of the month of October. So the timing of fall break was perfect. Ben was able to have a little time with all of us. Ben and I did one of our fun things while he was home and that was to take a trip to Sam's Club. We are both very impulsive shoppers so when you get us together in Sam's, my checking account can take a hit. We went in there for TP, washing powder and coffee beans but came out with books, juice, water, cinnamon rolls, ink pens and much more. We always have a good time there.

When he went back to school on Tuesday, mom and I had Wednesday to get laundry done and get ready for our trip to Knoxville to visit Angela and Zach. We had already had tickets to the UT game on Saturday before we knew mom was going to be here with us, so Angela suggested that we bring mom to Knoxville with us and that we could take her up to Gatlinburg and drive around the mountains and show her around the area. Mom was excited about that since she had never spent any time in east Tennessee. Mom and I went on Thursday and then Steve came up on Saturday in time for the game. Mom stayed at Angela's and Zach's while we went to the football game. She was very glad for the chance to see where her grandaughter and grandson-in-law live, to meet their dog, Jere, and the newest addition to the family, Pickles the kitten, AKA Kitty, and to see some of the mountains. We were a little disappointed because the day we had planned to drive into the mountain area was drizzly and rainy so she didn't get to see as much as she wanted too but was still happy to be there.







We got home last night and of this morning, fall break is over, how sad is that? The time went fast and now it is time to move on with the school year. I am glad that I had a good fall break and now I am looking forward to Thanksgiving break and then on to Christmas break.!!!!!

Football, Fall and Family

I love the fall and the things that come with it. I get to hear some of my most favorite words, " It's football time in Tennessee". I love football. I like the colors, the cheering, the excitement, the players working together for a purpose and that purpose is to win the game. I like watching the fans cheer when they see a great play and then boo when the players or coaches don't perform the way they want them to. Football is a game of skill and strength. It is a fun game to watch and cheer for. Did you know that football is on everyday of the week on TV except for Tuesday and Wednesday? I have to laugh when I hear about a "Special Edition of Monday Night Football on Thursday Night". Why don't they just say they are having a game on Thursday this week instead of renaming Thursday to a Special Monday? Oh well, I don't mind having another game.

We watch football all day on Saturday and from the time we get home from church on Sunday till we go to bed. There are games after games after games. We watch mostly SEC games but occasionally we will watch other conferences. We cheer for our Ole Miss Rebels first and foremost! This is a team near and dear to our hearts. Steve and I are both graduates from Ole Miss and we have a niece that is attending there now. Even though Angela and Ben went to other colleges, they too, have a heart for Ole Miss. I think even Zach is getting fonder of Ole Miss even though he is a very devoted Tennessee fan.

I love the fall for other reasons besides football. I love watching the leaves change colors. The vibrant colors are so amazing and inspiring. I love the smells in the fall. When you get up on a crisp morning, it is almost like you can smell the new day dawning. I love the smell of the tobacco being smoked in nearby barns. I look at the trees as their leaves begin to fall and wonder if it makes them sad to loose them. It seems that on a crisp fall day that you can touch the blue sky because it seems so very close and vivid.

Fall in the Shaw family means plenty of birthdays. It seems like every week someone is having a birthday. Steve's dads was last week, his sister's is this week and Steve's is next week. It is interesting having so many birthdays in one month. We were able to go see Steve's dad last week for his birthday and I think they will be able to come see him for his birthday on the 24th. He will be turning 50 and I know they want to help celebrate this milestone birthday. I guess we will just be able to call his sister for her birthday. She lives pretty far from us so it is harder to get together.

Fall has many things to enjoy. I will always love this time of year and the things that come with it. Football, changes in the weather, vibrant colors, crisp days, and of course celebrating these times with family. After all family is what makes these things that much sweeter!!!

Happy Birthday Pop!!!!

It is birthday time again in the Shaw family. My wonderful father-in-law, Billy Earl Shaw, is 77 years old today!!

It has been so fun to get to know this man over the past 30 years. There are many things about him that I have come to love.

He is a kind, honest man who always puts his family first. He loves his wife, children and grandchildren with all his heart. He is kind, honest and a man of integrity. He has been an example of what a Godly man is all about.

One of my favorite things about him is his smile. He doesn't just smile with his mouth but mostly with his eyes. He has the best twinkling eyes I have ever seen. I love to watch him smile and laugh.

He is special to me because he is a father that I never had while I was growing up. When I became the wife of his son, I became his daughter as well. I have never felt like an outsider or been treated any differently than his other children and for that I am truly thankful.

Happy Birthday Pop!!!! I love you!!

Happy Birthday Zach!!!!

Well it is birthday time again in our family!! Our newest son, Zach, is 26 years old today. He has been a wonderful addition to our family. Zach likes birthdays as much as the rest of us do. He makes me laugh because he wants to either know what he is getting or open his presents way before the real day of his birthday. He tries very hard to get people to tell him what he is getting. I have found it fun to make him wait and tease him about his gift. I was disappointed when I found out earlier today that his present that we mailed didn't get to him today, on his birthday. Oh well, he will have something to open tomorrow! He called me before wanting me to tell him what we got him since it didn't get there today, but we are making him wait!!!!

In honor of our new son, Zach, here are 26 things we have come to know about him.

1. He is a child of the King
2. He is married to our daughter Angela
3. He is a University of Tennessee fan
4. He is a Boston Red Sox fan
5. He is getting a cat for his birthday
6. He has one sister
7. He has lived in east Tennessee most of his life
8. He is very techy.
9. He has brown eyes
10. He likes NASCAR
11. He doesn't like onions
12. He likes deer jerky
13. He doesn't like to fly
14. He likes Mac computers
15. He is one of my technical advisers.
16. He likes green beans.
17. He has a dog named Jere
18. He works for a media company
19. He wears glasses/contacts
20. He plays guitar
21. He has driven the Dragon
22. He has family in Arkansas, Tennessee and Maryland
23. He likes to play golf
24. He and his dad went to the same college
25. He has a beautiful wife
26. He has wonderful in-laws

Happy Birthday Zach!!!!!

Whew........

My world has been so busy the past few weeks. I am sure that most of us can relate to the fact that life is busy. It seems like I would get up, go to work, work hard and fast all day, run errands after work, meetings in the evenings, come home, see Steve for about 10 minutes and then go to bed. On days that I did not go to work, I had plenty of things to work on at home, ie laundry, ironing, some cooking, office work, errands that needed to be done, etc.

I have been placed in a challenging situation at work this school year and instead of relying on Him to help me through it, I have been trying to come up with my own solutions of how things should be done. I had wanted to show them that I could rise to this challenge and be super woman and have time to see approximately 45 children two times per week , have assessment time, paperwork time, planning time and meeting times for all of them in three days per week. I have come to the conclusion that this cannot be done!!!!

I had to do something last week that is very hard for all of us to do and that is to admit defeat!! I had to go into my boss and tell her that I could not do everything that needed to be done in the three days I worked. I told her I needed help (that is such a hard thing to admit). She understood my dilemma and said that she would try to get some help for me. I soon found out that the extra help I so badly needed was not to be and I was told to do the best I could.

At first I was mad, then upset and saying to myself that it isn't fair that they should expect me to do a full time job on a part time schedule and on and on. Finally, in desperation I cried out to the One who knew my dilemma and despair. Why I waited so long I don't know but He began to bring peace to my soul about the situation and helped show me the error of my ways. I was whining and complaining to everyone, and the whole situation consumed me. I had become negative and disheartened.

I was having my quiet time one morning and reading a devotional that was meant just for me at that moment. It was talking about whatever situation you may be in not to lose your joy and to praise Him no matter what. I was so humbled as I read this because it was all playing back in my mind just how negative I had been, how much I had complained and on and on. As I began to seek His forgiveness, I began to realize that it had been all about me. He showed me that no matter what He is in control and has a plan a purpose for me. I began to realize that He had moved me to be in this new school for a reason, He knew the road would be hard, He knew the circumstances that I would be in and He knew that I would wake up to theses truths. I read this morning that as I enter His throne room with my cares and burdens loaded into a dump truck; that I should dump them out before Him and leave with a song and dance of praise. I have unloaded all my cares on Him and now I am singing and dancing His praises!!!!

I know that the tasks will be difficult as I continue this path during this school year. I know that discouragement and discontentment are always lurking around the corner. But!!! I know that I am not in this alone. I know that He will light my path and give me what I need to face each day. I know that I am there to love on these children and to help them to the best of my ability and with Him I will!!! I may not get things done as quickly as I would like, I may not know where I will place the new children that will be entrusted to me but I do know that I will keep on plodding down the road just like a turtle, (slow and steady wins the race!!), and get things done as quickly as I can, even though it may be slower than I would like.

At the end of the school year I will be able to look back at all the things that have been accomplished and the lessons learned both in the world and spiritually as well and give a big sigh of relief!!!!

Whew!!!!!!! We made it!!

All By Myself......

It is hard to be home alone when you are used to someone else being here with you. Steve is out of town this week attending meetings for his job. For many years these meetings were held in August and he would usually have to miss our anniversary and/or one of the children's birthdays. I think it is kind of funny that now they move the meetings to September and the children are both gone from home, so it really doesn't matter that much when the meetings are. Oh well!!

I don't mind being alone too much but this is the first time that I have been alone for an extended time without my precious Pepper. It is hard for me to believe that he has been gone for almost four months. I never realized just how much I talked to him and even though he had slowed way down in his movements, wherever I was in the house, he was there too. If I went to the kitchen, he was in the kitchen. If I went to the bathroom, he was in the bathroom. If I went to do laundry, he would lie down in the hallway and watch me go back and forth. He would go with me to get the mail and to walk in the yard. He would bark and guard me with all his might.
He would love me and let me love him. We were content just to be with each other.

I told Steve tonight that I missed the sound of his paws as he walked through the house. I miss the sound of his dog tags hitting against his water bowl when he would drink. I miss the sound of his barking at the animals he would see from the window. I miss the sound of his breathing as he slept contentedly on the floor next to me. I miss watching him play and run through the house sliding on the floors trying to stop. But most of all I miss his devotion to me. I was his and he was mine. I know he was the family dog but he was my dog. We would call him "momma's boy" Although he had his moments for the most part he was a dog to be proud of, he had a very laid back personality and he loved people. When we would have friends over he would be so excited, it was like he thought they were coming to see him and not us. He would go from person to person with his tail wagging and waiting just in case they happened to drop a bit of food!!

I know someday we will get another dog but none will ever take the place of Pepper. Thank you, Pepper for all the joy and love you brought to our family you will never be forgotten!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

It has been a busy few weeks around our house with all the birthday and anniversary celebrations, the garden stuff that had to be done, working and the everyday things that have to be done around the house as well as the errands that have to be run. I have found that the days go by so fast when you are busy.

Last week after a trip to Eupora to see Steve's mom and dad over the weekend, and a busy two days at school, I actually found myself looking forward to a dental appointment that I had scheduled just so I could sit down for awhile and not feel guilty about not getting something else done. I don't think I have ever felt that way before about the dentist!! There was a plus to the visit in that I didn't have any cavities and everything is looking good. That is always nice to hear.

There are days in which busyness is a good thing because you can get so much accomplished and then there are the days that you feel that you are spinning your wheels; you work and work and look at what you have done and you realize that you have only scratched the surface. This is a time when the whining and complaining can start. I found myself in that situation and was whinning to my son when he said to me,"Wait, wait, I hear it, it is getting louder, can you hear it? Here comes the whambulace, whaaaa, whaaa!" Well, he made me laugh but I also got to thinking about what he said. I was whining and complaining and what good was that doing me or anyone else? I had to admit to myself that my complaining was bringing me down along with whoever the lucky person, or should I say unlucky person, I was complaining to.







The only one that can fix this issue is me. So I will be trying very hard not to whine and complain about things that come along in my life. I realize that when I do this, I get fixated on me and when my focus is on me, I tend to forget about Him because it is all about me. I felt very ashamed when the true reality of this hit me. My devotion one day this week talked about this very subject, it was time for me to get my act together!!! I have made an effort to stop, but it very hard because you just want others to understand what is going on and before you know it, I hear the whambulace once again! I realize that this will be an ongoing process but one that I intend to work on very hard.

I realize too, that many times we bring busyness on ourselves. We feel that we have to do this and go there, watch this and that, be the one who does everything and in doing these things we get so tired that we can't find the time for the most important thing. We sometimes forget where our strength comes from. When we get too busy that we don't spend time with God, then we are too busy. When our priorities get out of balance many times our quiet time with Him is one of the first things to go. I want to encourage you that if you have been forgetting or you have been too busy for your quiet time with Him, that you make it a priority once again in your life. He promises to give us what we need and through Him your busy life will have purpose once again.

Happy Birthday Johnny!!!!!!!

August is a month of many birthdays in our family. We have had Ben's, Angela's but the biggest birthday in the month of August this year is my brother-in-law's, Johnny. Johnny is Steve's sister's, (Lisa), husband and he is celebrating the big 50 birthday today.



Johnny had a good time helping me celebrate the big 50 birthday this year back in April, so Johnny Fulgham, this one is for YOU!!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

We hope you have had a wonderful day and aren't paybacks fun!!!!

Cheers For 50 Years!!!

Happy Birthday Angela!!!!!!!

Today is a very special day in our family, it is the day our first child, Angela Lee was born 26 years ago. Steve and I talk often about how fast these years have flown by. It seems that she was born only yesterday. She has brought us much joy and we are so proud of the young woman she has become. We were able to go to Knoxville this weekend to visit with her and Zach and to be there for part of her special day!!



26 Things About Angela

1. She is a child of the King
2. She has had her daddy wrapped around her finger since the day she was born!!!
3. She has a dimple in her cheek
4. She has a beautiful smile
5. She is tall but doesn't play basketball
   
6. She is the older sister
7. She has a wonderful husband
8. She has a cute little dog
9. She has been to China three times
10. She loves to travel
11. She loves to shop with her mom
12. She likes to scrap book
13. She loves Cinderella
14. She loves her grandparents
15. She is the oldest grandchild
16. She loves to read
17. She is a photographer
18. She plays piano
19. She loves football
20. She likes Tennessee but her heart belongs to Ole Miss
21. She has a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree
22. She used to think Lou was her middle name
23. She is a blogger
24. She loves the colors pink and purple
25. She can charm just about anyone with her twinkling eyes and cute smile
26. She loves to be with her family

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!