Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A Respite ...

Yesterday my daughter Kat and I took off mid-afternoon and had an outing together.
It was good. Good for the body. Good for the mind. Good for the soul.
She was supposed to work, but was given the day off. I was not working my usual Tuesday morning job with 3 year olds because of Easter week.
So we grabbed the time and RAN!

I love my girl. What would I do without my Kit-Kat in a world full of lots of testerone? :-) (love that too!, but girls gotta stick together!!!)

First thing we did was go see this super good movie (Dollar day at the theater ~woot!)



yeah I was sniffing through the movie. It was a great story (true).

Then we did a little shopping at Hobby Lobby and Michaels and Wal-Mart.

And then we popped into here...since I've never been there before:


and had some of this:


AND THEN... we both topped it off with one of their 40 shakes. I had blueberry cheesecake, and Kat got Banana Pudding. oh yeah...it was delish. (but my pants were starting to feel tight!!) {:-o

It was a wonderful respite from a lot of concerns and some worries this past week.
I thank the Lord for moments in life where we can step away, and fellowship with those we love, and get rejuvenated and recharged. And I am thankful for the memory to store in my heart and my online personal e-journal of time with Kat.


Thank you so much, those of you who stay in touch via this little blog, for your thoughts and prayers for me, my family, my mom's health, and my noble Marine.
Friends are precious.
God bless you all.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Blessings of Loving little hearts.

Across the miles came a specially delivered package from Plant City Florida and this smiling bloggy sister!



http://marilarkin.blogspot.com/

In her blog this past week she told about a fun day with her sweet soulmate picking strawberries, and then showed a photo of these:



YUM!!! and this is what she typed under it!


"...some of my dear friends might be excited to know, some of these treats are on the way to your home." *Shhhhhh--it's supposed to be a secret!

Oh my. How exciting to get these delicious cookies. and YES THEY ARE!!! (she was wise enough to also include the recipe, knowing I would want it!)



Mari, I thank you for such a very personal and sweet gift. It is yummy and also warms my heart. Whatever small thing I did to encourage you I am so happy I could, and boy is my family glad to benefit from your delicious thank you.

Bless you my bloggy sister, and you have a generous sweet spirit.
Tell your hubby thank you for his part in all the fixin!

Just had to share about another special blog sister in this www. world.

Have a great week everybody. Thanks for your prayers for my mom and for my Marine, Justin. Sending a hug and a smiling heart from me to all of you!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Impossible is Not A Word in God's Vocabulary




Joining Charlotte and Ginger here for their weekly post of giving praise to the Lord.

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/


This is my theme song this year. It is a new one by Kutless.
It is a beautiful message about FAITH.
Thank you for your prayers.
May God bless you today.






Saturday, March 27, 2010

Two Essential Ingredients...

Today I am just feeling the need to write this down.

Life is a journey. The longer we live on this old planet, and the further we get down the road in our travels, the more we learn about what the true meaning of L-I-F-E is. For those of us who know the Lord, it is so much easier. It is not easier in the context of a comfortable and carefree life. By no means. A Christian is called to "pick up a cross daily." If you understand that word picture, as it was played out in the life of our beautiful Savior, then you know we are asked to take the Hard Road.

I believe that every single one of us will have a "different" cross we will be asked to pick up and carry daily. And it may change through the different seasons in life...or not. It might be the same cross to bear throughout your entire journey here.

Jesus Christ was asked by God His Father to come to earth and lay down His life in order that any of us who believed the Gospel truth about that sacrifice...would be saved. We will rise again from Death. We will go to our eternal destiny which is Heaven...our real home.

I believe.

Not because I can prove it to you. Because I have a faith given to me that IT IS SO!

Don't ask me to deny what I know in my soul. You'll have to kill me. And then...I will know my faith was secure. I WILL be in Heaven.


That being said...I want you to know that all of you out there who believe this with me...you are simply put...my beautiful sisters. Woot! We may not spend time together here and now, but we sure will in heaven. Can't wait!


So why am I writing this here in my personal little blog today? Because I believe that of all the ingredients that are mixed together in our daily walk here on this earth, the two MOST essential ones that can NOT be left out are....FAITH and PRAYER. The final product will NOT be what it should or could have been if you leave these two out of the recipe.

Faith is believing in what you can NOT see. What you can see, you do NOT need an ounce of faith for.


Prayer is our pipe line to the ONE whom we know is in control of our lives and is listening to every word we bring to HIM, because HE CARES! (and that takes faith too!)



This is what I want to post today. It is my testimony. It is my life. It is what I stand on, and when my little corner of the world gets shaken, it is what holds firm for me. I am still standing after the rattling stops. I thank God.


My mom had a mild seizure Thursday night. She has been in a battle with cancer since '95. Yeah, her doctor calls her one "tough lady". But then...her name is Zoie, which means life in Greek.

We found out that the cancer has spread once again. Breast, lungs, vocal cord, pelvic area, and now, brain. She has already begun as of yesterday at 5 pm ...a regiment of 12 aggressive radiation treatments (whole head) to try and slow down OR eradicate the masses so that she will not lose the use of her left side and her vision. (she lost her left peripheral vision on Thurs. nite, but some of it had come back by last night, after steroids) PTL!



I don't know where all of this will go, but I know my mom will go out swinging. She is a trooper in every since of the word. She loves life, and has never, ever thrown in the towel. She is inspiration to many many people...especially others who are fighting this horrible beast of a disease.



We love her. We hate to see her suffer, though she just keeps on smiling. I would ask you...(if you have gotten this far... :-) .... to please add her to a prayer you might whisper on any given day...when you think of her, maybe when you are praying for Justin, our Marine in Afghanistan...if you are already gracious and kind enough to be doing that. Her journey is in God's hands. I thank you, all of you for the sisters that you are, though miles may separate us.


I will be hit and miss for a little while. My dad is also having hernia surgery in less than 2 weeks so they will need us a bit more than normal. But I am still visiting!!! I may not have time to comment everywhere, but I will try to keep up with you ALL!!, and praying for your prayer requests.


Thank you all. Good friends in life are TREASURES. We are so rich in this life.


God is good....all the time ....GOD IS GOOD!


Thank you for prayers lifted up for our honorable military fighting to preserve our wonderful life over here, and to help others who can only wish for it.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday Favorites ~ Flowers!

Today I am posting along with many others over at Cindy's Friday regular:


Go here to see more posts about favorite things in your home or garden that are shared today:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

My post today is a testimony to why Spring is my Favorite Season of the year. Below are a few photos of the first blooms popping out in my yard.


"Where flowers bloom, so does Hope." (Lady Bird Johnson)



See the little tiny white flowers that resemble Baby's breath?..just a little bit larger. It is from a Spirea bush by my drive. I got a sucker years ago from my mother, I think she got it from her mother. Now it is very large and beautifully wispy. You can also see the pink tinted Lenten Rose (hellebores)


See the little white tulip shaped flowers with green dots on the ends? I call them Snowdrops, They came from my great Aunt's yard who used to grow gazillions of flowers to sell at the old Farmers Market uptown in Charlotte, eons ago. She sold out in the first couple of hours every Saturday. Is there a proper name for these???



In this photo, you can see the branches from a Redbud tree, (also known as a Judas tree), and the yellowbell (or forsythia).


And in this photo, you see the daffodils (jonquils).

I LOVE SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much color and beauty and delicate flowers.

Happy Spring and a Fantastic Weekend to everyone. Should be sunny tomorrow here, so I will be out in the yard (removing all the UGLY)

And I close with a BIG BIG thank you....


And the message sent from my loyal Gideon?
Semper Fidelis, Justin! Stay Strong!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Three Hundred Club...RAH!


Today I am cheering for Jonny because he reached his goal this week. He is my honorable son #2 who is studying physical fitness, weight training, and personal trainer certification. He had set a goal to bench 300 before his 19th birthday in April. And....drum roll..he did it! So I am honoring him with a special post and just recording about it for my personal e-journal. :-)









What would Justin say???


And Kat said: YAAAYYY! (but Bubba... you're STILL my little brother!!)


And Kam said: The Chief and I agree... You will now receive your new name and medal of honor...

You shall be called ~ NAPAYSHNI: Sioux name meaning "strong, courageous."


You have the spirit of a warrior,... and the bear, though inclined to peace, embodies that kind of blind, powerful surge of courage and strength that every warrior is want to tap into.

{***Yes, Honorable son #3 is a Native American history buff! In case you are wondering about this!!}


Dad says:
I stand tall with love and pride for your accomplishment!




Mom says:
Woo-Hoo!!!!, and I am even more joyful that you know and live out loud the following truth!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might."
(Ephesians 6:10)





We Love You Jonny!

Because your mom knows a man is challenge-and-conquer oriented and finds his identity through his accomplishments, she applaudes you for your discipline to accomplish your goals! You rose to the challenge, and conquered with your committed efforts! You are an honorable, godly, (and strong!) young man. Your are a great example to us. :-)

RAH!
And as always....Thanks to all of my kind visitors for continuing to remember our troops, especially thankful when you remember Justin, and Justin, and Billy, and Jeff in your prayers!!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

White Wednesdays...Getting To Know Me



Joining Kathleen again for White Wednesday # 40!
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Some Favorite Whites:

The White Rabbit (Alice In Wonderland)


Snow White (first movie I ever saw in a theater)



white dog (Dance With the White Dog~Hallmark)


White Christmas


white Hydrangeas


White Gardenia


Beautiful White swans



white wooly lamb


Crisp White Cotton Sheets hanging



the white muzzle of an old dog. (Jack)


white puffy clouds


white snow covered mountains



sparkling white sands and white foamy waves.


Little white churches in the vale


White Shoulders perfume


Estee Lauder White Linen mist


white coconut cake


White chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie


cold white milk with a warm brownie



My white cottage on Woodberry.



gideon...the angel....MY dog!



White Gloves and Cover of Dress Blues


White Tees


White dresses on Wedding days...


Is it any wonder we like white????

White Wednesdays with Kathleen.....Get some!

Have a great White Wednesday!! What are your favorite Whites?