Gigi and all her peeps

Coming in 2012...............................

2012-01-29T20:35:00.000-06:00

What a busy busy year we have ahead!!!!!! We have a date for the wedding - May 12th. So excited about all the fun times ahead over the next few months. They are so precious and can't wait to get married.

And then as if that weren't enough excitement for the year..................................................................

Look who is going to be a "Big Bro"!!! Baby Peep coming in September. We are bursting at the seams at the Cheney household. So many blessings to look forward to and such thankful hearts to the Lord for our family that just keeps growing and growing.

Plenty more to say in the weeks to come. Just wanted to share with everyone since the Okay has been given. Have a blessed week.

"Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

Deuteronomy 4:9

The Death of Pretty

2012-01-22T07:58:00.000-06:00

I read this article yesterday and haven't stopped thinking about the truth of it. As a girl who grew up hearing "pretty is is pretty does" this struck a chord with me. As a mother of two daughters, one grown and gone but one still very much at home and caught up finding her place amid the maelstrom of teenage culture, I am curious to know your thoughts on this. How do we bring pretty back? How do we teach our daughters it is your inner beauty that radiates to become lasting outward beauty. How do we teach them that if they spent as much time cultivating their spirit in relationship to Christ as they do scrutinizing themselves in front of the mirror that their beauty would be dazzling. I guess they must first see it in their mommas. Tell me what you think - I look forward to your comments.

The Death Of Pretty

Share by Pat Archbold Wednesday, December 21, 2011 11:11 AM Comments (631)
This post is intended as a lament of sorts, a lament for something in the culture that is dying and may never been seen again.
Pretty, pretty is dying.
People will define pretty differently. For the purposes of this piece, I define pretty as a mutually enriching balanced combination of beauty and projected innocence.
Once upon a time, women wanted to project an innocence. I am not idealizing another age and I have no illusions about the virtues of our grandparents, concupiscence being what it is. But some things were different in the back then. First and foremost, many beautiful women, whatever the state of their souls, still wished to project a public innocence and virtue. And that combination of beauty and innocence is what I define as pretty.
By nature, generally when men see this combination in women it brings out their better qualities, their best in fact. That special combination of beauty and innocence, the pretty inspires men to protect and defend it.
Young women today do not seem to aspire to pretty, they prefer to be regarded as hot. Hotness is something altogether different. When women want to be hot instead of pretty, they must view themselves in a certain way and consequently men view them differently as well.
As I said, pretty inspires men’s nobler instincts to protect and defend. Pretty is cherished. Hotness, on the other hand, is a commodity. Its value is temporary and must be used. It is a consumable.
Nowhere is this pretty deficit more obvious than in our “stars,” the people we elevate as the “ideal.” The stars of the fifties surely suffered from the same sin as do stars of today. Stars of the fifties weren’t ideal but they pursued a public ideal different from today.
The merits of hotness over pretty is easy enough to understand, they made an entire musical about it. Who can forget how pretty Olivia Newton John was at the beginning of Grease. Beautiful and innocent. But her desire to be desired leads her to throw away all that is valuable in herself in the vain hopes of getting the attention of a boy. In the process, she destroys her innocence and thus destroys the pretty. What we are left with is hotness.
Hotness is a consumable. A consumable that consumes as it is consumed but brings no warmth.
Most girls don’t want to be pretty anymore even if they understand what it is. It is ironic that 40 years of women’s liberation has succeeded only in turning women into a commodity. Something to be used up and thrown out.
Of course men play a role in this as well, but women should know better and they once did. Once upon a time you would hear girls talk about kind of women men date and the kind they marry. You don’t hear things like that anymore.
But here is the real truth. Most men prefer pretty over hot. Even back in 6th grade I hated the “hot” Olivia Newton John and felt sorry for her that she had to debase herself in such a way. Still do.
Our problem is that society doesn’t value innocence anymore, real or imagined. Nobody aspires to innocence anymore. Nobody wants to be thought of as innocent, the good girl. They want to be hot, not pretty.
I still hope that pretty comes back, although I think it not likely any time soon. For every Taylor Swift, there are a hundred Megan Foxs, or Lindsay Lohans, or Miley Cyruses etc.

Girls, please, bring back the pretty.

Random

2012-01-19T20:53:00.000-06:00

I miss blogging! The technology issues in my house are too complicated to explain beside the fact that no one cares. So..... what has been going on in my world? Not as much as what is going to be going on in my world. 2012 is about to get exciting! Did I mention we are having a wedding? May 12. We are so excited we can hardly stand ourselves!!! Our future daughter-in-love is precious (her own post is coming shortly -she deserves one :) ) and she is busy busy making arrangements. Baby girl has been asked to sing at the wedding and you would think she was going to perform at Carnegie Hall. She was so proud when they asked her. So she and I have been frantically searching pinterest - of which I am now obsessed - looking for stuff to wear. I laughed earlier at the idiocy of that because our groom - said son- was just commenting to me a bit ago when I asked him about a t-shirt he had on that I didn't understand, that in the last ten years (since he has been gone from credit card disbursing home)- that he has probably only spent about $100 on clothes for himself. To include socks and underwear. That Christine is one lucky woman. My boy is many many wonderful things, high-maintenance is not one of them. I will have to post pics later of his before and after beard he has been sporting for the last several months.
Aside from all things weddings I have been doing the following:
-working hard on lessons for the Bible as literature class I am teaching this semester. It is so much fun and my students are a lot of fun.
-reading the Hunger Games trilogy and several other books. I read several at a time. Don't know why but it works for me!
-trying out new healthier recipes. I recently lost 25 pounds and I am anxious to stay that way. Plus I have a wedding to dress for :) Just a note, baby girl and sweet man are not buying that pureed cauliflower and mashed potatoes taste the same. Even with cheese on top.
-Being obsessed with pinterest. Why can't I come up with a cool idea like that?
- Sticking to my resolution

What do I have to look forward to this year:
- Wedding!!!!!!!!
- Baby girl turns Sweet 16 in a couple of months, sniff, sniff
- Watching my sweet grandpeeps be ring bearers together at the wedding. I can just picture them in their little tuxes!!!!
- Watching our sweet baby boy get married. Sniff, sniff
- Our oldest grandpeep starts kindergarten this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sniff, sniff
- Starting our new Bible study on James with my bible study peeps! Can't wait
- Hopefully blogging more - I am anxious to write more this year.
- Every day being thankful to God for another day to live for Him - I hope I do not disappoint Him.

Hope your year is starting out wonderfully. One of my sweet friends commented today that January is the Monday of months! It will be gone in a flash. Cherish every day.
Blessings,
Michelle

RESOLVE

2012-01-01T07:20:00.047-06:00

Happy New Year!!!! 2012 - I still remember like it was yesterday being a senior in high school and thinking as I listened to "Party like its 1999" that that was soooooooooo far away! Now it is the year 2012. Time keeps right on marching doesn't it? It waits for no one.

2011 overall was a good year for our family. But as I look forward to 2012, I am eager with anticipation. I don't even know how to explain it, yet I feel as though this year is going to hold some major changes for us. Good things. Even if there is trouble - overall good things. My precious in-loves spent the day with us yesterday as we celebrated their anniversary. 57 years! FIFTY-SEVEN YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot imagine all they have experienced together. They have seen it all. But more importantly they survived it all - together. They have no idea what a testimony they are to all of us. My mother in-love said she and Gerald sat and talked yesterday morning about the day they got married all those years ago and having no idea what would be in store for them and then they looked above their mantle and stared at the legacy of their 57 years together. Their family of two is now one of twenty-three and this year will increase to twenty-four ( did I mention we are having a wedding!!! Whoop Whoop!).

As I sat and listened to them tell their story of courtship and marveled at how they both still blush as it is told all these years later, I felt compelled to ask them what is the one piece of advice they would give about marriage.

My father-in-love said without hesitation, " Give thanks for all your blessings, all the good times and prosperous times, but more importantly see the hard times as opportunities for growth." Mother-in-love said, " Never give up. Keep going day after day." Then I asked for their best parenting advice after all this time. They both agreed with one thing - Consistency.
It struck me as I thought about what they said, that their model for marriage and parenting has always been biblical. Even after 57 years - their model for living is God's Word. And it also struck me that even though the world is so different now than when they married 57 years ago and the times we are raising children in is so different than when they raised theirs - GODS WORD IS NOT DIFFERENT!!!!! His model for righteous living is not changing. Regardless of how the world changes, He is steadfast and His plan will endure for generation upon generation.

Which leads to me today. January 1. Beginning of a new year. A fresh start if you will. I don't normally make resolutions, however I am reading The Resolution for Women and I am stating that my prayer for this year is to become a woman of RESOLVE. By definition I am stating that I desire to be a woman who is determined and has firmness of purpose or intent.

A woman who:
- seeks God's word for daily living - not just in overall life but the dailyness of a life submitted to God.
- remembers that for my prayers to be answered for my children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind, they must see it in me.
- leads by example to my daughters and daughters-in-love what the biblical model for femininity is
-is not defeated when issues arise but rather is equipped with the armor of God to fight the battle ahead
- wants more of Christ every day
- who is not daunted in my role as mother when asked "Why do my parents have to be so different from everybody else?"
- who is ready to answer "Because God calls us to be different, that's why" and pray they too will choose Him over what the world offers.
- prays diligently for my husband and my family
-who stands firmly on the foundation of God's word even while storms may swirl around me.
- who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ
-who remembers every day the sacrifice made for her on the Cross and lives a sacrificial life not a selfish one.

I am so thankful for our time with my in-loves yesterday. I have been struggling with some things lately and through our visit yesterday God reminded me - He is the same. Jesus- yesterday, today and tomorrow. His plan never fails. And I RESOLVE to believe Him.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve pics

2011-12-24T22:57:00.000-06:00

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house as we do every year and had such a great time. Bear with all the pictures - hey, I have time to make up for!

My sisters and our Mama. Jennifer said she didn't get the red memo.

Anthony is crazy about his Uncle Jon.

We were happy to have Brent with us this year. He and Savannah enjoy aggravating each other.

My sweet grandpeeps.Oh how I love them!

My sweet sisters and their husbands - who are also sweet!

It was Connor's year to put the star on top of the tree.

He enjoyed his moment of celebrity!

Graham got a tractor from MiMi and Old Paw - wonder how they knew what he liked. :)

Anthony got a BB gun!!!! He was excited.

My nephew Brian loves to read and when he opened up the Hunger Games trilogy he grinned from ear to ear - until I said,"Oh Brian, I am reading that too right now - we can have a book club!!!" He looked like he wanted to throw them in the fireplace.

Sydney - our fashionista- loved her boots.

Rachel and her American Girl doll.

The boys wanting PawPaw to look at their tractors.

Our little Santa!

Did I mention Christine is GOING TO BE OUR NEW DAUGHTER-IN-LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More on that news later. Love you Christine - happy birthday tomorrow!

Baby girl loves her older brothers and sister. She is like her momma and is happiest when the house is full of them She has been pouting because they will all be somewhere else in the morning.

So she is stuck with Momma and Daddy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BELIEVE

2011-12-24T06:22:00.001-06:00

I'm baaacccckkkkkkk!!!!!! Long couple of months but back to blogging I will go.

Christmas Eve! It seems hard to imagine we are here already. Time goes so quickly. As I sat this morning during my quiet time and thought back over the last couple of weeks one recurring theme comes to my mind - BELIEVE. People go to such measures to get their children to believe in the magic of Santa Claus. (please no one misunderstand- we love us some santa around here. He still visits my grown children and they all moved a long time ago!) Parents wrack their minds to come up with innovative places to hide elves every night just so their babies will thrill at the expectation of the visit to come. We have done all sorts of things from leaving reindeer footprints, notes from Santa, letters and videos from Santa, emails from Santa..... on and on are the lengths to which we will go for our children to BELIEVE that they were visited by Santa. We want our children to experience something magical and we work hard to make it happen.

Question for you - What if we went to the same measures to get people to BELIEVE in the GIFT OF CHRISTMAS- Jesus Christ? What would happen to our families, communities, churches? Interesting thought for me this morning.

What does God's word have to say about believing? Glad you asked :)

1. John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2.John 1:12

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

3. Matthew 21:22

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer

4.Luke 1:45

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

5.John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

6.John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

7.Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

8.Mark 9:23
‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

This is the kind of belief I desire. A belief that has something promised at the end of it. I don't want the magic of belief to end after one morning. I want to stop being like the man who said to Jesus, "I do believe, Help me with my unbelief!" I want it down in my soul that believe is a verb and faith will always be its object. God's word shows us over and over the blessings of belief. That is how He is, giving us a promise if we will just believe. He is so good and loving. But more importantly He is faithful. He fulfills his promises ALWAYS.

If we just believe......................................................................... HIM.

Merry Christmas! May you and your families celebrate the reason for the season and be filled with the magic of Christmas that is Jesus Christ.

Getting her Groove Back

2011-11-06T08:44:00.000-06:00

Baby girl has had a tough racing season. She has had one injury after another, a terrible cold and was pulled from several races. Her time has been very slow and she has been awfully discouraged. Our state meet is one week away and she was in danger of losing her spot. Only the top seven runners get to compete at the state level. After running state last year she was going to be incredibly disappointed if she didn't make it. However...... in the last two weeks she has gotten faster and faster. She has shaved five minutes off her time from two weeks ago - Phenomenal!!!!! This weekend was our big District meet - the last race we have before state. Baby girl was only 14 seconds away from beating her own personal record. We are so proud of her!

She had some of her favorite fans come out to watch her yesterday:

The girls have this little ritual they do right before they race to get themselves all pumped up. They are so much fun to watch.

Love watching her run. :)

Two of her toughest critics are two of her biggest cheerleaders - Her big brothers. They want her to be her very best and encourage her as only siblings can. She loves them a bunch- in spite of how silly they act in pictures.

Our high school moved up to 5-A this year. So our competition is tougher and our boys and our girls took first at District! WHOO-HOO for our District Champs.

Baby girl is learning a lesson that will benefit her for her whole life- It is not how you start the race but how you finish!

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Have a blessed week!

Michelle

SSMT #21

2011-11-03T17:18:00.000-05:00

I have not posted my memory verse on my blog in awhile, but I couldn't let this one go by.

Micah 6:8
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God. "

Our family ( immediate and extended)- has been through a lot in the last several weeks - An aunt diagnosed with cancer, a first cousin who died suddenly at a young age, a brother-in-law who suffered a stroke, and just hard stuff that people are going through and needing prayer. As I looked at this verse I realized it is for the hard times this verse is meant, not the good.
This is what I hear the Lord saying,
" Michelle you have seen, because I have shown you in your finite, mortal body how good I am. I have proved it to you. If only by My Son's death and ressurrection, as that would be enough, BUT no, I have gone further than just that . I have blessed you immeasurably,more than you deserve. Why? Easy - I love you, Michelle, and all your family even through the hurt and the not so good. Here is what I ask of you in return - TRUST ME, BELIEVE ME, CALL TO ME, SEEK ME, LOVE OTHERS, SHOW MERCY WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO. REMEMBER I AM GOD AND YOU ARE NOT SO ALL QUESTIONS YOU HAVE WILL NOT RECEIVE ANSWERS. I HAVE SHOWN YOU MY GOODNESS - DON'T DOUBT I AM STILL GOOD AND LOVING AND ENDURINGLY FAITHFUL."

What a mighty God we serve. So as I think of all the hard stuff we are enduring I am choosing to focus on all the blessings that are occurring out of them. And there are many. It is amazing what we see when we get our focus off ourselves.

Blessings,
Michelle

Dog and Pony

2011-10-27T16:39:00.010-05:00

It is raining and the temperature is dropping! Praise the Lord. I have been awol from my blog for the last few weeks. Time gets away from me this time of year. I walked into Lowe's last night and they are decked out for Christmas!! What the heck? My brain cannot even go that direction right now. So many things to post about that have been going on in our lives but today I am on a rant. Just what everybody wants to hear, right? I love my job. I know without a doubt I am fulfilling God's call on my life right now. BUT....... some days I wonder why do I do this????? Yesterday I am certain I could have walked to the office and said, "Hey I am done. Not just for today, but for the year. And all the ones to come after that!" Then I remember I can't. Baby girl is still there. Bill still must be paid. Benefits are needed. And, oh yeah, I do love my job.

The last several weeks have been very frustrating. I teach great kids. GREAT KIDS. I cannot stress that enough. Actually I feel all kids are great, some of them just don't know it yet. There is one particular group I teach that are so fun, but they cannot stop talking. They feel the need to comment on everything, to make an inappropriate comment about everything, to behave ten years younger than their age but want to be treated like adults. As my granny would say, "They slap wore me out yesterday." Could not get them interested in what we were doing in any way and I don't have issues that way. Then I question my teaching and that really makes me mad. Not that I am above reproach or above bettering my self as a teacher, but I can make all things relevant.

Why the frustration? Well, today (after yesterday) I had to go to an inservice where we were instructed that kids are different these days and whether we like it or not we have to teach differently. I can embrace that . BUT THEN....... we were told, "Gone are the days of the teacher having the students respect just by virtue of being the teacher. We have to EARN THEIR RESPECT."

EXCUSE ME? It was further stated that we have to make the students understand the relevance of what we are teaching so that they can feel it is worth their time. - I think my head almost spun off my shoulders. That is a problem with this generation - that they think they have to be entertained all the time and hey teacher if you aren't putting on a dog and pony show that I feel is "worth my time" I am going to talk, make inappropriate comments, and basically let you know you are wasting my time and make your day miserable.

This is not true of all students, but if the teaching pendulum is swinging toward what I mentioned we are going to have issues. You know when I was in school if a teacher said, "Would you pick that book up for me?" I would have done it and not responded with, "That is not mine." Or if I didn't see eye to eye with a teacher I could voice that at home but I still had to be respectful to them. They were an authority figure. And if they abused their authority there were appropriate measures to be taken by my parents.

I don't want anyone to have pity on teachers or think I am complaining - well I am complaining so scratch that, but I do want people to see that we need to make kids understand they have to be accountable. Even adults are accountable. I wonder what your boss would think if you said, "Hey, you really need to make me understand why this task you gave me is relevant because, hey I am just not feeling it today." Umm..... I think it is called a paycheck! And not everything in life is supposed to be "WOW this is so exciting" Even though I cannot understand why Shakespeare doesn't knock everyone's socks off :)!

Sometimes I wonder where we are headed as a nation. Sometimes I wonder where education is headed. And I really wonder how long my "dog and pony skills" can hold out.

Graham and his Gator

2011-10-05T05:52:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was so much fun. We ran a cross country race (baby girl had to sit this one out because she was headed toward pnemonia), then headed to our farm. My sweet grandpeep Graham loves our farm just about more than anybody. He asks everyday can he go and when they tell him, "Not today." He says, "But PawPaw said." Oh Lord help us all. PawPaw has a brainwashing on his two grandboys like you wouldn't believe. This trip was extra fun because Graham got a new toy:

Is he not the cutest thing you have ever seen? He must have put 200 miles on that thing. He drove everywhere and very well I might add. Only mutilated Mimi's bushes two or three times.:)

He even gave Aunt Nanna a lift!

He was all farm business when he decided there was work to do.

There was trash in Mimi's yard that needed picking up and hauling off.

Loaded it up......

Making sure it won't fall out.......

And dumping it out!

Off to pick up some more!

He said,"GiGi, I working hard!"

Good times and fun memories! Love my sweet boy!

Have a great week and count your blessings!

Michelle

Homecoming

2011-10-02T08:23:00.000-05:00

I knew our fall was going to be a busy time but my goodness...... It is all going by like a blur! Homecoming week was WILDLY hectic. Baby girl was sick and is going on two weeks of sick. She and her classmates worked hard all week on their float to have in the parade. It was so good and they were proud but at the last minute the parade was cancelled because of lightning. They still won second place, which is pretty great for the sophomores.

Friday morning was dress up day for the formal presentation of the court. Baby girl was pretty.

Then we made a mad dash to Baton Rouge and ran a cross country race, where we ran into some old friends! We love and miss you Sydney. Thanks again for coming to see us! Our boys and girls team won first place. They are awesome.

Then it was a mad dash home to get ready for the big dance. We had some company while baby girl was getting dolled up! It won't be long and he will be with the big boys all the time and won't care about being with all us girls. :(

Our sweet friend Becky, who has known and loved baby girl since she was about two, got her all beautiful. I think she didn't have much work to do :). She looks too grown up.

Sweet Christine is always my sidekick and right hand girl on days like this. And yes, she did make her famous sugar cookies for the occasion!

Then...... a boy came and picked up our baby girl.

I still like her with this boy: My goodness but they are a handsome couple. Daddy and his little girl who is growing up way too fast.

Then we rushed downtown for pictures with all the crew. The girls were so pretty and excited for the big evening.

Baby girl and her best friend. They are gorgeous.

Jon and Christine amused themselves by doing a little Homecoming pose! That mum is as big as Christine!

It is a sweet baby girl who will come find her momma who is chaperoning her high school dance and want their picture made!

Busy, busy times for us. They are going by so quickly and I want to cherish every minute of it. Just seems like yesterday and it was our boys and other baby girl doing all this. Our oldest son celebrated his ten year high school reunion at this Homecoming. Good times and good memories.

More posts and pics soon of our other recent adventures!

Blessings,

Michelle

Weekend with Connor

2011-09-22T06:01:00.001-05:00

A little late in getting these up but we had our sweet Connor this past weekend and had such a great time. We decked him out in some Panther wear and headed out to the football game. I am always so excited when I get to show off my grandpeeps to everyone. They hear me talk about them all the time.

Connor has a hard time just smiling for the camera. He is at the age where he is mischievous all the time. Oh wait - he has ALWAYS been at that age!

He also likes to make funny faces all the time and we have contests regularly to see who is the silliest. I vote him.

Connor stalked the Panther all night long. Screamed for them, hollered for them and said to me at the end of the night, "GiGi, you know that is not a real panther. It is someone in a costume." Thanks for telling me sweet boy :)

More stalking..........

Showing a little love for the panther.

This is baby girls best friend who Connor loves a lot. He screams her name loudly until she pays him some attention! We had a blast at the game. Connor got a football, a clapper (which we lost in the trunk....Oh darn!) and had a blast running around the track.

Then Saturday.. RACING SEASON BEGAN! Whoop Whoop! I love watching the kids run and they had a fantastic opening race. Boys won first place (reigning state champions) and the girls won second. They were one point under the first place finishers - ARGH! Run baby girl, run.

I love these girls.

Then it was off the Mimi and Old Paw's house for some fun. Is this face not the sweetest. He melts my heart.

He and Aunt Savannah did some baking and this was Connor's favorite part.

Connor has always been a wonderful little helper. Mimi had some yard work to do and Connor was all set with his "glubs" (gloves for those of you that don't know!) and boots and shovel. He is so precious to us and we love any time we get to spend with him. Hope everyones weekend was great -

Blessings,

Michelle

Happy Birthday Josh!!!!!

2011-09-20T06:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Josh!!! You are making us feel old! Cannot believe you are 27. Just seems like yesterday you were playing with your army men, or whatever other object was keeping you occupied. You were such fun to watch because you could busy yourself with anything. Now you are all grown up and I am glad you get to spend the day doing what you love - hanging out in the woods. Just think if there was an LSU game on today it would be near perfect!!!

You bring such joy to your whole family. You are generous, kind, helpful, sincere and you love your family. We could not be prouder to be your parents. You may be 27 today but you are still and will always be our sweet brown-eyed baby boy! We love you so very much and hope you have a great day today. Your meal is coming and I promise you will not have to pick one veggie out of anything!
I love you,
M

Remembering

2011-09-11T00:05:00.001-05:00

As so many are remembering that fateful morning ten years ago, I can’t help but be transported back to that moment. I was sharing with my first block AP students about several events that had transpired on a trip my husband, in-laws and I had just returned from the day before. I thought many times how thankful I was we had not returned home on that day and been stranded from our family. My sister called me and told me to turn on the television as a plane had just hit one of the Twin Towers. We thought it was an accident at that point but it did not take long to discern this was no accident but an evil, calculated terrorist attack. We watched in silent horror as the second tower was hit. Then another teacher came down the hall and told us she heard the Pentagon had been hit. I remember the sheer terror I felt as I wondered what the rest of the day would bring. I felt a tightness every time I thought about our oldest boy we had just dropped off at college the week before. He was only an hour away but it seemed a continent. Our baby girl was in a kindergarten class at the elementary school a parking lot away from me. Our two middle children were at school with me. I could get my hands on them in a second if I needed to. I called my husband to make sure he was tuned in and he simply said, “I am watching.”

I then was jolted back to the stunned faces in my classroom. The questioning faces, that seemed to want to know “Why?” It was a difficult day as a teacher when you are supposed to have the answers and have to admit that you have none. Nothing. We followed our bell schedule and as each different class came in throughout the day we were all glued to the television. Some teachers tried to carry on with class, but I teach seniors. Their world, just like mine changed that day. They should see it. They should remember everything about this day and never forget, I told myself.

We have a military base two miles from our high school. It was actually the base they flew the President to and many of our students were outside and watched as Air Force One was about to touch down. I taught a young girl who came up and shared that her parents were stationed in DC and her dad worked at Dullos and her mother worked at the Pentagon. All I could do was hug her and pray. She came and found me later in the day to say contact had been established with both of them and they were okay. Many were not that lucky that day.

I have never been more proud to be an American than I was that day. To see a nation come together in prayer and grief and assistance from all over our country for the people in New York and Washington was a pride that I cannot describe. I guess my middle son felt the same way as a couple of months later he decided to join the National Guard. That was not one of mine and my husband’s happier days. As a matter of fact it was a rather low one. He was adamant and to this day I still do not believe he understand on that day the magnitude of what his decision would mean. He certainly does now and spent a year defending our freedoms in Iraq. I think about that year often with mixed emotions. One of the hardest years of my life, yet one I would not trade for anything as my faith grew stronger every day that passed. I learned to trust God in a way I never had before. I prayed so hard for all those soldiers that were deployed with our son during that time. It shames me to say that after he was home I was not as diligent in prayer for our other troops that were deployed. I think about my brother-in-law who has a career in the military and the strain it puts on my sister and their children when he is gone. Yet they do it gracefully because they too love our nation. I am in awe of our military families. They are certainly a special kind of people.

I don’t know if our country is better off ten years down the road than we were then. That is probably a post for another day, but I do know we still live in a free country. It saddens me how that freedom is abused over and over to satisfy self-serving people. I pray for the survivors of the people who lost their lives that day and every day that we have been battling terrorists since then. I am so encouraged when I read some of their stories. The human spirit is a remarkable thing.

It was hard to comprehend on that day what our world would be like ten years later. But here we are and life goes on. I have been a teacher for seventeen years and before 9/11 when I taught about heroes, I would get answers that centered around sports figures and celebrities. After 9/11 I noticed a shift in their mindsets. When asked about what they thought being a hero meant, I got answers like, “selfless actions”, “courage”, “others before self”, “helping those in need”. Yes, something good can come from tragedy. Look for the signs today. Pray for our military. Pray for those who will mourn their loved one s today. Most of all though, think of our country and her resilience and be proud to be an American. I know I am.

Glorious Weekend

2011-09-06T05:59:00.000-05:00

Our three day weekend started off with some much needed rain, but some icky I just want to take a nap weather! However, when I got up yesterday morning I was in near euphoria! Had to have been one of the most beautiful days I can remember. It was glorious. I was so thankful as I was having a party at my house yesterday... someone had a birthday........

I won't tell you which birthday it was............

But oh my - my man is the handsomest I am not going to tell you his age looking thing I have ever seen!

Graham is quite dapper as well.

We had such a great day. Great company.....

Great food..........

And a great time blowing out candles and eating all manner of desserts!

Sweet man got a lot of funny gifts.....

Graham loves to watch PawPaw and Aunt Nanna play the guitar and listen to them sing. We all do.

We had a great weekend and are looking forward to a busy week with some more great weather! More birthdays to celebrate this week and running season is about to begin!!!

Blessings,

Michelle

SSMT #17

2011-09-01T06:07:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 40:28

"Do you not know?

Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom."

This scripture gave me such comfort when I read it. Even in our weariness, our loneliness at times, our frustrations over our situations, we have a God who NEVER grows weary or tired and knows all.

The following song pops in my head:

"It makes me wanna shout
Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus
Lord You're worthy
Of all the Glory, and all the Honor
And all the praise!!!!!

Blessings to you today!
Michelle

SSMT #16

2011-08-15T05:45:00.000-05:00

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

Already time for another memory verse. This time of year is so busy and always seems to just fly right on through to the end of the year. We had a great and relaxing weekend. All geared up for a busy school week. I used to hate Mondays. Now I kind of enjoy them. Like a new slate and a fresh start. Actually I kind of think of it as my sweet mother-in-love told me yesterday - Every day my feet hit the floor I thank God for a new day.
Have a blessed Monday!
Michelle

First Day

2011-08-11T05:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday began a new school year. My baby is a sophomore!!! I know it must be so hard to go to high school where your mother is a teacher, but so far she handles it with grace. I pray it will always be this smooth. I know there will be bumps in the road but we will survive it. The other three and I survived and they even say on occasion how glad they were I was there. Hopefully baby girl will too!

We have a busy school year ahead of us and I know it will fly by.

Our yearly first day of school picture! Only two more to go - sniff sniff!

Have a great rest of the week!

Blessings,

Michelle

New Beginnings - Again!

2011-08-08T06:02:00.000-05:00

Today is the day where teachers all over my parish gather for two days of inservice before our eager minds show up on Wednesday!!!! Where did the summer go? We ask that every year and they just go by faster and faster. This is an interesting time for me - I hate it. I love it. I hate that I won't be working side by side with my sweet man during the day anymore. I miss him when I go back to school. And the best part is- he misses me too. I love it because everything is new all over again when you are a teacher. New faces, new minds to mold (hopefully) and new opportunities.
I am crazy about being a teacher (remind me when I am posting that I am sick of them next week :) ). It is by far the most rewarding job I can imagine having and as I get older I have no doubt it is my calling. I don't know how long of a season it will be and I hope even after retiring I will teach in some capacity. I look forward to new relationships and bonds formed with students. So many have touched and changed my life in remarkable ways. They teach me as much as I teach them.
I also miss my teacher friends. We may go all summer without seeing each other but will slip right back into the comfortableness of our friendships as soon as we see each other today. I am looking forward to catching up.
So thankful this morning as I sat and had my quiet time that the Lord allows me to do something I love so very much. I don't take one second for granted.
Have a blessed Monday!
Michelle

A Great Read

2011-08-04T07:41:00.000-05:00

It is sooooooooooooooooo hot!!! What a newsflash right? We start back to school on Monday and I can't even fathom how hot it is going to be. I usually want to hang on to summer a little longer, however I will be glad to say good-bye to this one.

Wanted to recommend a great read. Louie Giglio wrote a book titled i am not but I know I AM. Welcome to the story of God. He addresses a problem that is so prevalent in our society today - the obsession with self. Who we are, why are we here, what are we to do. And he reminds us that we are all here to glorify and share in the story of the One who gives us breath every day to do what we do. It is a short book but filled with scriptural wisdom and much needed reminders about our purpose in life. I finished this morning and wanted to share a bit of it:

"The cross of Christ is the place where trust in God is born. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is an act of kindness from a loving and trustworthy God, an undeniable demonstration of His goodness that we can cling to when our sight and understanding fail to make sense of the circumstances that surround us."

Life is full of things that don't make sense and questions of "Why" that just don't have answers that our finite fleshly minds can understand. His ways are not our ways. Thank goodness. BUT....... no matter what, it is imperative to remember it begins and ends with the Cross of Christ and trusting that we are not but He is the Great I AM.
A great read. Hope you check it out.
Blessings,
Michelle

SSMT #15

2011-08-01T19:36:00.000-05:00

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."

May we all understand when we are weak He is strong. He is faithful, He is loving and He is good ALL the time. Even when we don't understand.
Blessings from sweltering Louisiana!
Michelle

Please respond

2011-07-28T08:46:00.000-05:00

In a big hurry this morning but want to share something quickly. Go over and read Randy Alcorn's blog post today on living a life that preempts regret. He states: "You and I have but one life on earth to invest in Heaven." Shook me to my core this morning. How am I spending my time and will I have regrets? My daughter's cross country coach tells them all the time that regret lasts longer than anything.
Check out Randy's post at http://www.epm.org/ and let me know what you think.
All I can think is Christ gave his precious life for us, what will I do with mine?
Love,
Michelle

Girly Days

2011-07-19T22:00:00.002-05:00

I love being a girl!!!! And I am so glad that I am part of a family of girly girls!!!! Anytime our out of town family is in we always make time to have a girl day. We have a new addition to our family - Miss Paisley Noel and we could not wait to have a reason for Paisley to have her first girls day with her Mama, Zsa Zsa, MawMaw, aunties and cousins. So... my girls and I hosted a Sip and See at daughter-in-love's house- who is the ultimate hostess.

We also love any reason to dress cute and eat yummy food! Christine made her special sugar cookies. Baby bottles and mary jane shoes - how adorable and tasty. I ate them for breakfast for the next four days. Love you Christine!

These Petit Fours were incredible. So moist and just the perfect size. I think that is why they are called

petit fours - well that is why I ate four and didn't feel one ounce of guilt!

The Belle of the Ball! Paisley is the sweetest baby and was so good to just let all of us hold and poke and stare at her.

Paisley and her sweet Mama - my niece Mandy. What a beautiful mother she is. So precious to watch her mothering her first born. What a gift to be a mother. Paisley has been born into a family of wonderful, God-loving mothers.She is a blessed little girl and we look forward to so many more fun times with her.

My beautiful girls (minus Christine. She had to be somewhere else for a bit) and me. I pray they will treasure family as I do.

Jodi and Aunt Debsi. The Aunt Debsi who hogged the baby all day! Lucky she is such a good cook and we let her do whatever she wants for fear we won't reap the benefits of her culinary talents. :)

Auntie Di was giddy over the baby. Maybe she wants another one. HA! She will kill me for that.

Jodi, Andria, and Savannah. Beautiful girls. On the inside and out.

Lauren and Aunt Shelley. One of the things I enjoy about my in-love family is that no matter how much time passes without seeing each other, when we do get together it is like we see each other every day.

Seems like yesterday when my baby girl was Paisley's size. And here she is all grown-up looking. I miss her big hair bows. :(

Our other Belle of the Ball - MawMaw. She is our ultimate girly girl and we adore her. She loves all of us so much and is so fun and sweet. She is a wonderful mother, mother in love, grandmother and great grandmother.

My sisters-in-law are a total blast. I love them like crazy. You girls ROCK!!!!

Think these two resemble?

We spent much of our time laughing about how you spend half your life trying to be the opposite of your mother yet end up just like them. Of course by the time you realize you are like your mama you don't mind because you understand she is much wiser than you ever gave her credit for.

We had a lovely day with our newest "girl" Paisley and we look forward to many many more.

SSMT #14 and Some Catch-up

2011-07-17T09:26:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe how long it has been since I posted. I am sure everyone is about to keel over with anticipation! :) We have had a wonderful week with our out of town family being at our house. We did so many fun things and I have tons of pictures and will post throughout the week for all of them to see. But first, I just have to update on my sweet grandpeeps! Indulge me if you will. They are growing up so fast and are more fun than we can stand around here. An absolute blast these two are. A couple of weekends ago my sweet man whisked me away for a few days and we had a wonderful time. He spotted these shirts and said,"We gotta get those!"

In case you cannot see them very well, they read.."I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. I need to speak to my GiGi." How fun is that?!

Graham is such a pretty boy. But he is ALL boy and wild as he can be. I mean that in a good way. He makes the funniest faces and is so loving right now. He just runs up and throws his arms around your legs and I eat up every minute of it.

Connor is a ham. He can wink out of both eyes and does that boy ever have jokes! A slew of knock knock jokes to keep us all in stitches. His delivery is perfect. He will be a great story teller.

Sometimes I can get these two handsome boys to slow down and cheese real pretty for GiGi.

Most of the time though this is what I get.

They love GiGi's pool and keep us entertained for hours. Connor is such a good swimmer.

Graham thinks he can do anything "Nonnor" can do and is right behind him. Precious.

There are always treats of the sugary kind at GiGi's!!!!

I love my boys. They fill our days with so much laughter and joy. What sweet times these are right now with them. They are growing too fast. I hope they understand early on the blessing of family bonds. I have much to say on that later in the week.

On another note..... it is Scripture memory verse time!!!!

Psalm 25:5

"Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

For you are God my Savior and my hope is in You

all day long."

Blessings on this Lord's day. More pics to come!

Michelle

Little Blessings

2011-06-28T21:51:00.000-05:00

No time to blog much - just sitting in the office working late and so thankful as I sit here watching and listening to my baby girl and her sweet daddy sitting side by side at her keyboard singing duets of praises to the King. Such a sweet gift to me right at this moment. Can't even be jealous of the amount of talent the Lord gifted each of them with. My prayer is that one day Baby girl can truly grasp the depth of love both her earthly Father and Heavenly Father have for her.
Have a great week and count your blessings - especially the ones that seem to escape us in the busyness of our lives - Funny, as I typed that last sentence I accidentally typed "busymess" - How true that is. Our lives can get to be a busy mess if we aren't careful.
Thankful and Blessed,
Michelle

Far Behind

2011-06-22T21:23:00.001-05:00

Well, I haven't blogged in what seems like forever. I am traveling everyday for our big project we have going on and I don't seem to have much time to do what I want to!!! A little late in posting but here is my June 15 SSMT:

Nehemiah 8:10b
"This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Many times I remind myself of where my true strength comes from. There is much I want to blog about but it will have to wait until I have more time to assemble my thoughts into something coherent. As you can see, I am reading a new book- All Over but the Shoutin'. Rick Bragg is a Southern author and journalist that I have grown fond of reading. This is his personal memoir and tribute to his mother. It is a beautifully written and extremely poignant account of his life growing up in the rural south. One of the reasons I like it is I am always telling my students that to truly grow up and move forward in life you have to look back and examine where you came from. My seniors always think that real life is awaiting them far beyond the confines of what they have known as home. But what they always find out and sometimes even come back and tell me is how important their roots are and how much more home meant to them when they had to leave it. I love epiphanies!
Hope you have a blessed week!
Michelle

SSMT #11 and A milestone

2011-06-01T00:05:00.003-05:00

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Scripture memory verse 11 coincides with another important date for me - mine and my husband's wedding anniversary. I thought it was fitting to choose a scripture that is appropriate for such a day.

Twenty years ago today I walked down the aisle toward a man I loved with all my heart, toward three precious faces that would make me an instant mother, and toward our future. I had not a clue what that would be, I just knew I wanted to see that man and those babies in every day of my future. Twenty years have flown by. We are not those same people we were then. Both of us are a little more gray (one of us colors theirs!), a little more wrinkled (one of us looks more distinguished with them), a little more worn by the road, and hopefully a lot wiser. It is hard for me to remember what all I thought about that day. Probably things like, "I hope he thinks I am beautiful." "I hope we will always be as happy as we are today." "I hope we always look at each other the way we do today." Whatever the thoughts were, I am certain if I had known what all the next twenty years would bring, I am not sure that I might not have grabbed up that dress and run out the church door. See, I was too young to understand what life would bring. Aren't most of us on that day? Marriage is not all lovey dovey, I want to hold your hand while gazing in your eyes and skipping through the garden. No it is more than that. It is so much better than that.
It is enduring those little things that seem to frustrate you but really don't matter at all.
It is holding each other up through the losses of life - loss of family members - Grandmothers, grandfathers, and sadly- siblings. Loss of friendships, loss of faith in things and people you counted on. Learning faith in only one thing matters - the Lord.
It is leaning on one another through hard days at work, job changes, new businesses, busy times and slow times.
It is learning to parent with each other and not against each other with children.
It is trusting each other.
It is forgiving each other for the little things and the big things.
It is putting self last and the other first.
It is growing in faith when a son goes off to fight a war.
It is pride in watching your child get married.
It is unspeakable joy at the birth of your grandchildren.
It is learning to communicate with each other and never speaking a word.
It is going through hard times with raising children and yes even good kids can put their parents through the ringer! :)
It is learning to pray for each other and your children.
It is waiting on test results, surgery recovery, illness that brings out the ugly in us and loving each other anyway.
It is knowing that at the end of a bad day, someone who loves me just like I am, flaws and all is waiting on me at home.
It is the comfort of looking across a room and knowing we are each others.
It is looking at our sweet grand boys and smiling at each other in a way only grandparents do.
It is the pride we feel in our children's accomplishments.
It is the love we feel for each other's parents that grows and grows as time goes by.
It is the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of our hard work and seeing what the Lord has allowed us to accomplish together.
It is not taking ourselves so seriously.
It is knowing our real life has been so much better than the one I imagined that day twenty years ago.

To my sweet man,
The past twenty years have been filled with joy, laughter, contentment, pain, happiness, sorrow, and all the things that are just a result of living in this old sin filled world. I would not trade one second of it. Not even the bad. Our road is what has made us who we are today. You still surprise me regularly and make me laugh harder than anyone can. When life is hard there is no one I would rather have in my corner than you. When life is easy there is no one I would rather soak it all in with than you. You are my rock and my very best friend on this earth. Thank you for making the last twenty years an adventure and I can't wait for what is ahead.
I love you with all my heart.
M

PS- I still want you to think I am beautiful!

Transformations

2011-05-29T21:56:00.001-05:00

Well. Summer is here!!!! Our business has been without much work all year long. I joked with my husband and said, "You wait, as soon as it gets close to school being over for me - work will come." And come it has- like a freight train. I was excited at first but then the day after my last day of school I was headed to where our summer work will take us. An hour and forty-five minutes away. That makes for a long day.And it will not be over when I return to school in August. So...... I had a pity party. In the wake of Joplin, MO and Oklahoma sounds quite petty doesn't it? Well it sounds petty because it is. And this morning in my quiet time my Lord and I had a come to Jesus meeting! My study directed me to the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8. I am sure you are familiar but if not here is a condensed version :
A farmer goes out and sows his seed (God's word). As he was scattering the seed:
1. Some fell along the path and the birds ate it -Those along the path are the ones who hear, but then the devil comes and takes away the word so they may not be saved.
2. Some fell on a rock and when it came up the plants withered because they had no moisture - Jesus said those on the rock are the ones who receive the Word with joy but they have no root. They believe for awhile but in the time of testing they fall away.
3. Some seed fell among the thorns which grew up and choked the plant. - These stand for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches, pleasures and they do not mature.
4. Some seed fell on good soil and when it came up it yielded a crop a hundred times more than was sown. - This stands for those with a noble heart who hear the Word, retain it and by PERSEVERING produce a crop.

I want to persevere, not fall away and not be choked with life's issues. I know this sounds trivial to many in the wake of what others are going through, but for me it has been a lesson to be learned. Life won't always go according to my plan. It won't always work according to my time table. But, my God will work His plan and on His time table. He also answers prayer. Thank you Lord.

Since we are talking about soil, some interesting transformations have taken placed I would like to share. Remember on spring break when we plowed our SMALL garden?

Here it is now!!!!!!!!!!

We are so proud. Worn out, but proud! We worked yesterday all day long. I am so sore today but it is good for me. Don't want to get idle. After weeding for several hours, Daughter-in-love and picked some bounty! Here are some more transformations of the yummy kind! Our crookneck and patty pan squash:

Fried up so nice!!!!

We planted 79 tomato plants. No, that is not a typo. 79. SEVENTY-NINE. What can I say? We like tomatoes. So we picked some green ones:

And fried them up a' la Paula Deen style!

Yes I am very aware that if I fry everything in the garden a transformation will take place with me as well! So, with all this zucchini:

I sauteed onion, bell pepper (also from the garden), baby bella mushrooms and put some Italian dressing mix, tomato sauce and loads of cheese and baked it in the oven YUMMY!

I am so glad vegetables are healthy and good for you.

So much to be thankful for. The one I am most thankful for is a God who loves me and reminds me when I need it how He will transform me if I will let Him.Lord, help me to persevere and reap the harvest that produces a crop a hundred fold more than was sown.

Blessings,

Michelle

Rapture, Calendars and Books

2011-05-22T15:37:00.000-05:00

Well, the world did not end and the Rapture did not occur yesterday, so....................... I am still here and I guess God meant when He said in Mark 13:32:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. "
Sorry Mr. Camping. You could have saved yourself a lot of math.
That is so like we humans to think God would make us privy to something He doesn't even let His only Son in on. I am sure we are appalling to Him. Thank goodness He loves us in spite of our ridiculous ideas and notions. And yes, He still loves Mr. Camping, although I do wonder what he is up to today and what he thinks about still being here. I hate to admit it but I was hoping yesterday would be the day. Not so that Mr. Camping would be correct but because I hope it happens in my lifetime. I long for it every day.
I guess the truly sad part of all this is the fact that secular society thinks all this talk of rapture and the end of the world is only for crazy, psychotic, religious zealots who are so dumb they really think Jesus is coming back. What a comfort to know the Bible is true, God means what He says and His promises will all come to fruition. Every knee will bow and tongue confess - what a day that will be!

On a different note - three more days of school!!!!!!!! I cannot wait. Graduation was yesterday and it, as always, is such a bittersweet and precious ritual to observe. So many new beginnings for those young people. I hope they know the most important thing is to live their lives as though Christ is coming that day. Not in hedonistic pleasure, but in serving others for the sake of Christ. One of our valedictorians issued that challenge to her classmates and I was so proud of her. She served as my yearbook editor this year and has a wisdom about the Lord many adults would envy. I keep filling the summer calendar in my mind with all sorts of grandiose ideas: cooking, reading, being by the pool........ The reality is probably: running baby girl to all her summer activities, harvesting our ginormous garden we planted, working in our business which has work again (than you Lord), and I won't mind one bit of it! Oh I am certain I will get to throw in plenty of things like reading and lounging poolside. Just started a new book, Water for Elephants and have a huge list to follow up with. I know I should not end my sentences with a preposition but hey it is almost summer and I am throwing caution to the wind!

Hope you have a blessed week and keep looking to the sky for the Glory of the Lord to appear!
Michelle

SSMT# 10!!!!

2011-05-15T17:40:00.000-05:00

James 1:26 (NIV)
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

I was all prepared with another scripture. I even had it written down in my spiral. Then I was doing my bible study and this jumped out at me. You know, as though God was trying to tell me something with just falling short of hitting me square in the forehead. Sometimes the things He has for me to recognize are painful. Yet I am thankful that He loves me enough to prompt me to look at myself and change those things that aren't in line with His precepts. I constantly ask God to give my children wisdom and discernment, good sense and a heart that loves Him above all else. I also ask that I have the courage to believe and claim all those things for myself as well. I would be devastated if my own children found my religion "worthless" because my theology wasn't in line with my reality. May they see and know He is good, faithful and His word is life to us all.
Hope you have a blessed week!
Michelle

Even in Death

2011-05-08T11:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!!! What a wonderful day to celebrate and honor our Mothers and those who have spent their lives mothering us. I love being a mother more than anything in this world. It is a calling I never thought I wanted on my life yet I cannot imagine being created for anything more fulfilling and rewarding. I spent the last couple of days hanging out with my mama having a blast at our farm. Sat in church with my baby girl and worshipped our Creator. Some of my kids are coming over later to just hang out and I am going to lay by the pool and enjoy my day. Hopefully get to call and visit with my sweet other mother, Lila and hope she is having a great day.
The pastor referenced this morning Hebrews 11:4 " And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." The verse is specifically referencing Abels sacrifice to God but I started to think about those mothers in my family who have gone to be with the Lord and how their faith still speaks in my life even though they are dead.
I marvel often at how spoiled we mothers of today are. I know we work hard and have long days, but compared to our grandmothers who, lived through the depression and World War II raising children, raising crops that they were dependent on to feed them, and cooking three meals a day - because they couldn't pick something up in the drive-thru or pop something in the microwave.
My Granny, Ruth Squyres - The best friend I had growing up. I can see her tiny hands, arthritic and bent from raising 10 children, from cooking homemade biscuits every day of her married life, from working sunup to sundown, I can see those hands holding that big worn black Bible and reading it with such devotion and urgency to receive a word from her Lord. I can't breathe sometimes I miss her so much. I know my sweet mama does too. She is much like my Granny. I hope get a bit of it too.
My Grandmother, Ruby Murray - who raised three children on a farm and cooked (food that I miss so much) three meals a day, picked eggs from her chicken house. She too loved the Lord and her family very much.
My Nannie, Katie Raleigh - one of the sweetest, kindest, humblest souls I have ever known. Her daughter, my other mother Lila, is just like her. Precious, kind and generous. I know Lila is missing her mama today.
My Grammy, Ida Grace LeGendre, who taught me more about unconditional love than I could ever repay. She loved to tell others I was her oldest grandchild, but not her first grandchild. She worked hard to make things special for my sister's and I. I miss getting cards from her with EVERY word underlined. She liked to emphasize and didn't want us to misunderstand how strongly she meant every word!!

My sweet man's two grandmothers that I am so blessedto have had the pleasure to know:

Bernice Cheney - Every time I think of the phrase joy of the Lord, her face is what I see. Always, smiling, laughing and pure joy to be around. Her hands too were bent and crooked from years and years of hard work, yet she taught herself to play the piano and was the church pianist for many years. One of our most prized possessions is a recording on our piano (which records the keystrokes and the keys mash and play as though she were sitting there doing it) of her playing. She liked to say she was terrible, but to her family it is a joyful and blessed sound. And she was not terrible she was wonderful. Her Bible was given to our youngest daughter who brought it out this morning before church. I pray baby girl will treasure those notes in that beautiful handwriting and someday understand what a Godly woman Great-Mother was. We miss her so much.

Maude Fisher - the only one of all these women who didn't have crooked, bent hands. Not because she didn't work herself to death raising seven children during the depression, but because she took some kind of "green manna" she always told us about that prevented her from getting arthritis. What we wouldn't give to see her once again hold her hands up in the air, bending her fingers and saying, "How many 90 year old women can do this?" She was beautiful. She talked about the Lord constantly. She wanted more than anything to see Him return in her lifetime. I loved her so much and revere my sweet mother-in-love for taking such tender care of her in her last years.

Wonderful women and godly mothers. I would be remiss if I did not honor them today, even in death, for their sacrifices and examples they set for all their families. I strive for that kind of legacy to leave my own children and grandchildren.

Thank you God for the women in my life. Mothers past and mothers present. May we all know that it is a gift from You and without You we will fail.

Happy Mother's Day.
Michelle

SSMT #9

2011-05-01T21:41:00.001-05:00

I am a results oriented person. If Plan A doesn't work, then let's move to Plan B. If that doesn't work........ well, you get the idea. Patience is not one of my strong suits, but it is something I have prayed often to possess. There are several areas in my life that have been long standing prayer requests. Things I feel like I have been praying for a REALLY long time. And I see nothing happening. If I am honest with myself, I would realize that only in some seasons of my life do I pray passionately about these things. I kind of move through it like a wave. It builds and builds until it crescendos and then ebbs back out calmly. Then something reminds me I need to pray harder, I do, and still nothing, so I stop for a while.
Isn't it amusing that at times we think that the answers to our prayers are going to come exactly as we request they do? I am sure God gets a kick out of us. I get so caught up looking for the answer I want, I sometimes miss the answer He gives. Many times the answer is, "In My own time and in My own way, but you keep praying."
As I was searching for my verse for today I knew it as soon as I saw it:

James 1:4
"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Only a God as gracious and good as ours would refine us through our prayer life for others and other situations. Or help this poor woman see her continuing need for Him as I am praying for others to know Him. Or help me to see persevering through my own stuff will mature me and complete me.

So....I will persevere in my prayers over these situations and realize He is answering them in ways I will not be able to believe or fathom. What a mighty God is He!

Blessings,
Michelle

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T09:35:00.000-05:00

I have had the joy of a four day weekend!! It has been glorious. Lots of relaxing, drinking coffee with my man, hanging out with my peeps and reading. And as always - eating. The first couple of days before Easter I did a lot of reading and listening to sermons on Easter. I like to read all four gospel accounts each year and ask the Lord to really bring something to the forefront to me that I need to focus on. I never fail to be amazed at what my Savior did for my on the cross. I should have posted this earlier but I am just now getting around to it. Here is a link everyone should listen to :http://audio.sovgracemn.org/2010/04/02/the-fathers-cup-a-crucifixion-narrative/. It is the most graphic, moving description of Christ taking on our sins that I have ever heard. And that is what Easter is about. His taking on our sin, being separated for those moments from a Holy God, and paying the price for us. Instead of us. Because He loved us. My sweet grandpeep Connor summed it up the best : "Jesus died on the Cross , cause He loved us and then he camed alive." Hallelujah He camed alive!!!! May we never forget our Savior lives! And one day soon I hope we will all be with Him in paradise.

We saw a beautiful portrayal of the life of Christ at church yesterday, and then headed to the farm for a day with our family. It was a blessed day filled with the things that matter most to us, our parents, our kids, grandpeeps and other family members. After a yummy lunch several of us headed to the farm to hide eggs for the kids.

Josh is always a trooper with helping for the kids. They all love him and want to hang all over him.

Brent hid eggs and Jodi walked around trying to look busy! She is good at that! :)

Some were out in the open for the smaller kids.

Graham found them before it was time! Then he smashed them together and threw them on the ground. That one is ALL boy.

Mimi arrived with the rest of the kiddos ready to go.

They all lined up and Graham dumped his stuff out on the ground. He keeps his momma busy.

Busy little egg hunters!

The more mature people sat and watched!

The great grandmas sipped their coffee and watched. I love these two ladies so very much. Then we had dessert. I am so lucky to have two precious women in my family that are so creative and love to make things for others. Laura and Christine - and they are beautiful,on the inside and out.

Christine makes these sugar cookies that are out of this world. They look like they belong in a bakery don't they?

And these cake pops Laura made! Oh my. I ate two in the bed last night! Graham eats them in about two bites!

We all know what the next picture means when we see these two hand in hand headed to the barn!

The perfect end to a perfect day!

What a great weekend we had celebrating our Savior's sacrificial death and Resurrection. I hope you all enjoyed the same with your families and hope you have a blessed week!

Michelle

My Grandpeep Plays Ball

2011-04-19T19:00:00.001-05:00

My grandson is four years old and played his very first T-ball game last night. We had such a blast going to watch him. Don't you wonder many times what they are thinking in those sweet little heads? I do all the time. Last night I imagine it went a little something like this:

"Man, am I glad to see my PawPaw. I am PawPaw's friend."

"I know I am supposed to pay attention to the batters when I am in the dugout, but Hey PawPaw, I love you!"

"Okay I am up at bat. Brent told me to tell that pitcher he better back on up!"

"Whoo Hoo look at me run! This is so much fun!!!"

"Time for my team to take the field. I better get my game face on. Serious business."

"Look at me PawPaw. Thumbs up means I'm ready!!!"

"Still ready. Not much action coming my way."

"Hey this dirt fits in my glove pretty good."

"This is fun. Who knew t-ball could be such fun? What is all that noise around me? Oh yeah, a ball game is going on."

"My turn to bat again. The ball is going way out there."

"Look at me gooooooooo!!!"

"Time to take the field again. I'm ready again PawPaw. What? You want me to run after the ball and not wait for it to come to me? Okay."

"I ran for it, but so did everybody else. Now I am mad."

"Okay trying again, ready!!"

"Why won't the ball come to me?"

"Now I am just mad."

"PawPaw, why does my momma keep yelling 'There is no crying in baseball?' Tell her to come get it."

"One more time, I'll try but I am getting sick of this."

"I got it!!!!!!!!!! Did y'all see me? This is fun after all."

"T-ball makes a boy dirty and tired."

"My GiGi thinks I am the cutest player on the field no matter what I do!"

CAN"T WAIT TO SEE HIM DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!

SSMT #8

2011-04-15T05:23:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe that it is the middle of April! And we have already had some 90 degree days. Unbelievable. I didn't get my last memory verse posted and then time got away from me. I didn't want that to happen this time.

I have been reading 1000 Gifts and just soaking it in. Voskamp's perspective on gratitude and thankfulness is resonating with me at this point in my life in a huge way. I told my sweet man the other day that I really feel God telling me in my spirit, "Simplify, Simplify." I don't consider myself an ungrateful person. I can find something to be thankful for in most situations. But this is different. Things can get crazy and seem out of control quickly, can't they? That is why one of my prayers lately has been to have a more eternal perspective on things rather than a worldly one. However I had to realize that is what I had first! Sometimes I just feel so bogged down with all the "stuff" in my life that needs tending to. Stuff that is of no eternal importance whatsoever and can very quickly overwhelm me and cause me to inadvertently get my priorities all out of whack. Maybe it is due to getting older, or maybe God is giving me a teeny bit of that wisdom and discernment I keep asking for, but I want priorities like His. I want to think like Him, respond like Him and desire Him more every day.

That is why my scripture for memory is Philippians 4:8
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things."

Lord, help me to focus on the things that are of real importance. Not the stuff that blurs my vision and distracts my focus from You. Help me to truly learn to give thanks in the smallest things in my day. May gratitude become my instinctive reaction in situations. You are so faithful with me on a daily basis, forgive me those times I don't acknowledge it. Amen.

May you have a blessed day and weekend and may you too think on what is excellent and praiseworthy - He certainly is!

Michelle

Nontweeter and my face is NOT in the book

2011-04-07T21:37:00.001-05:00

I am not on twitter nor facebook but if I were this would be my status update:
Sitting on the couch on my iPad, listening to pandora, playing words with friends, eating a homemade Humphrey and lamenting the fact america got it all wrong sending pia home. Yes I am an English teacher who just wrote a lot of words that should be capitalized but it is hard to do with my index finger! Much to say but will have to wait till I have the energy to use all fingers.
Friday is almost here! Whoo hoo!!

PS - upon rereading my very random non-sensical post, I felt compelled to say my face may not be in the book, but my name is in the book that matters!

Gifts

2011-03-31T10:21:00.003-05:00

Well, Spring Break is here!! Many of my friends are gone on mini-vacations to the beach, the mountains, Las Vegas and so forth. Sweet man needed my help at our farm for a couple of days as he has been working himself to death and just needed another set of hands for a few days. He and my mama also decided that they want to try their hand at gardening so he plowed us up a spot. A HUGE SPOT! Mama keeps saying we just want an eating garden and I look at the size of it and think she must be planning on the entire parish eating from it. But.......a gardener I am becoming. I was not too thrilled about it at first but I have had the most fun the last couple of days. I love being at the farm with sweet man. No phones, no interruptions. And seeing as how my spring break started out with temps in the 40's I didn't mind at all not being somewhere else.

I am reading the most amazing book. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. She is a blogger I follow and am in awe of her writing style and her photographs. She is a delight to read. Anyway, her book is about gratitude. She shares about some personal tragedies in her life that led to a crisis of faith for her and then how she came to view Christ. She shares how the first sin committed was really a sin of ingratitude. Adam and Eve had everything they could want, yet they desired what they could not have. Can't we relate? Instead of contentment in our circumstances we seek what we have not. Ann goes on to discuss how she began to study gratitude and thankfulness in the Bible and how even Christ gave thanks before going to the Cross. I could write on and on about what she says, but I will rather encourage you to read it for yourself. You will not be disappointed. One thousand gifts is the name of the list she created for things she was grateful for.

As I spent my days at the farm I began to think of the things I am thankful for. Not the big things like family, health and so on, but the little gifts God has placed in my life that are just as worthy of giving Him thanks for.

So thankful for the land He has allowed us to have and to garden on and all the other things we have planned.

Thankful for children who will come and share in this with us. Even one who doesn't care for vegetables that much! :-)

A baby girl who hopefully will see some satisfaction from the fruit of our efforts. And for some special time she and her daddy got to have together.

Grateful for the opportunity to watch things grow. I couldn't help but think about my grandparents and sweet man's grandparents whose lives were dependent on their crops. I am jealous for the kind of faith that created in them. All of our grandparents were fine, devoted, CONTENT people in Christ. Theirs is the kind of faith I desire for myself and my children.

So many times I fail to thank God for His creation. I was struck over and over by the greenness and freshness of everything this week. Beautiful. Verdant.

Thankful for the gifts in the most unassuming places. My mama went crazy when we saw these wild azaleas growing by the creek bed.

Equally as excited when we saw this dogwood. Easter is coming!

How beautiful the colors against the green. What an artist our Lord is.

The sound in the woods of the wind whispering through the trees is beautiful and comforting all at the same time. I could sit out there for hours just listening.

This tree made me think of what our lives must be like. Bent by the harshness of the world but still standing and producing fruit.

I am having a wonderful break. Filled with simplicity and reassessing. Funny how the older I get the more joy is found in the simple things in life. Hope you are having a blessed week and I challenge you to seek out the areas in your life that you can give thanks to our Gracious Savior.

Blessings,

Michelle

Birthday Fun

2011-03-26T19:35:00.001-05:00

Around our house we think birthday celebrations should be milked for all you can get! So we have been celebrating baby girl's birthday for two days. She had several of her best girlies over last night and did what all 15 year olds do. Eat, giggle, and stay up late. They had so much fun making memories. Then we all got up this morning and headed to the bowling alley for some more partying. It has been awhile since that many girls have been at the house all getting ready at the same time. Sweet man just went outside. Bless his heart. We also believe in a lot of sugar on our birthdays, seeing as how calories don't count when it's your birthday!

Christine is so cute and she is always making these sugar cookies that are out of this world. She made these special for Savannah.

Daughter in-love came over yesterday and helped me make these cupcakes for today. Aren't they so cute! I piped the icing on them this morning and had more fun than I could stand, I just wanted to keep piping on anything I could get my hands on.

Savannah and her two big brothers. Check out Josh's shirt. He is the fashionista of the family. :) He is also the best bowler in the family.

Jon and Christine. She looks innocent and sweet but she is a shark at the bowling alley. She and Josh made us all look lame.

This next picture cracks me up. I try so hard to get Graham to look at me and smile and I finally get him to and snap the picture and look at Connor! He is a mess!

Connor loves his Aunt Sabanna.

The bowling extraordinaires!

Jodi and Connor. His grin still looks mischievous.

The two grandpeeps got to bowl too. I think even they bowled better than GiGi did!

A great morning with family and then home for a nap!!! Spring Break next week. So excited to have some time to do what I want and get caught up on some things while we have some great weather. Have a great weekend everyone!

The Day has Come

2011-03-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

Dear Baby Girl,

Well the day has finally arrived! All we have heard for the last THREE months is the countdown to your birthday (you are SO my daughter!). Now it will be,"365 more days till I get my license." Yuck. That makes me want to be sick. So I won't think about that until I have to. But if the upcoming year goes by as swiftly as the last fifteen have, my head will be spinning and once again I will depend on the Lord to protect you when Daddy and I cannot. I guess it has been awhile since your brothers and sister were this age and I had forgotten how helpless you feel as a parent sometimes when you have a teenager!

This picture was taken on your actual first birthday. I still have this birthday cake outfit! I was so afraid you wouldn't ever grow any hair. Funny how the things you worry about change as you get older.

Hair! Yeah! And BIG hair bows!!!! You were the absolute sweetest thing. Your heart has always been so tender and loving. I pray that never changes.

One thing that hasn't changed is your willingness to cheese it up any time a camera is around! Again, you are my daughter and Jodi's sister!

As I looked at this picture I was reminded how pleasant life was when you let me dress you. Not so much anymore. Darling. Hard to see it though through watery eyes.

This is your kindergarten picture. I love this picture so much. You were terrified on that first day of school. Cried and cried. I can remember dropping you off at pre-school and you would stand at the window and cry like crazy while I drove away. My mama told me that before I knew it those positions would be reversed. I would be the one at the window watching you go. I wish I had understood that better. Time is flying and I can't make it stop. I am not sure I want to because I have some angst about the next few years we have ahead of us. You have some growing up to do. I don't mean that to sound like Momma is saying you are immature. Quite the opposite. You have some growing up you HAVE to do. It is time. You are growing into adulthood and becoming a young woman. That is the phase we are at in our lives.

This is you now. No hair bows, no letting me dress you and no crying when your momma has to leave you. Oh, but there has been shedding of tears. Tears over hurt feelings, tears over friends changing, tears over boys (don't worry we have their address!:) ) and tears over things I know nothing about. To me this is the most painful part of being a momma. To know you have to suffer through some trials in order to mature and grow up is painful for us even though we know it is necessary. So what do I do? I pray like crazy for you Savannah. The things I desire for you are so different than what I desired for myself at your age (thank you Lord I had a mama praying for me). It is no secret to you the worries and concerns I have about your generation. I want so desperately for the Lord to grant you discernment and wisdom and for you to desire and seek that for yourself. Psalm 119:9 says "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."

I pray that you will seek Him with all your heart and not stray from His commands. That you will hide His word in your heart that you might not sin against Him. But..... you will make mistakes and shed many more tears. And Daddy and I will love you through it, but more importantly, you have a Savior that loves you so much He gave His life for you. He desperately wants to have a relationship with you and He is always there for you. He is more patient than I. Thank goodness, right?

You are a blessing of the most precious kind to Daddy and me. We are so proud of your accomplishments and the young lady that you already are. We thank Him profusely for the joy of being granted the gift, ever how short, of raising you and loving you and being able to call ourselves your parents.

Happy, Happy Birthday our precious Savannah. We love you with all our hearts and hope that your day is as special as you are. And just remember, in the altered words of your muse Taylor Swift,

"Cause when you're fifteen,

Somebody tells you they love you,

You're gonna believe them (but nobody loves you like Momma, Daddy and Jesus)!!!!"

Girly Stuff

2011-03-21T17:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I feel like spring break is never going to get here!!!! Ours is next week and I have a feeling this week will go by slowly. My seniors have totally lost their drive to accomplish anything and the battle is on. ARGH! Happens every year at this time. This past weekend was so pretty, however it was beauty pageant time and I was called upon to emcee again. Baby girl did not participate as a contestant (thank goodness - I am so NOT up for that) but she was called upon to sing. The theme of the pageant was "Enchanted" and she was asked to sing the Taylor Swift song by the same name. It is about a girl who meets a boy and goes home and remembers it all giddy like- Much like how my baby girl is on a regular basis - Giddy! She looked adorable and had a blast

I thought she looked like Cinderella. She will be FIFTEEN this week. I am ill over it. We will lament that after while. Here she is making ga-ga eyes at the boy she sang to. She was in her element.

It was fun to have my oldest daughter in town for the event. She did her baby sister's hair and makeup - they argued the whole time and older girl wanted to know was she as obnoxious as baby girl when she was that age - Are you kidding?

Aren't they adorable? I think so. We also got to have Christine share the day with us. She is Josh's girlfriend and she is so very precious to me. She is so sweet and helpful. She is a lady in every sense of the word. She is always calling me and asking what can she do for me and she just cut 12 inches of her hair and donated to Locks of Love. She is gorgeous. I love you Christine!

We missed Laura in a huge way but she was busy with bridesmaid duties for a friend's wedding. We had a good time being all girly together. We will be busy with baby girl birthday festivities this weekend. I hope I can get it together to blog on her birthday. Somewhat in disbelief that she is fifteen years old.My heart aches if I think about it too much - so I won't! Hope everyone has a great week!

Springtime Blessings,

Michelle

SSMT #6!

2011-03-15T06:42:00.003-05:00

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I am one of those people who really do not get all crazy about things. Don’t really “freak out” about stuff and basically keep a level head. Most of the time. However, there are occasions that THE word – you know the one I am talking about – WORRY - creeps in when I least expect it and it takes me by surprise. Even when I know that I know that I know – HE is in control and worry does me not one bit of good. This is not just in relation to one particular thing in my life right now but a few areas I am experiencing concern. A little angst if you will. I do not like how that makes me feel. Not my basic nature so it feels unnatural. Yesterday afternoon I was feeling a pretty healthy dose of worry and I was at my computer and started to look at more of those videos of the devastation in Japan. WOW. My mind cannot fathom all of that. It is truly like watching a movie with wild special effects, except this is real. Talk about feeling convicted about what I feel is problematic right now. Then a whole new set of feelings swept over me – Guilt. How can I be so petty when I have just seen families literally running for their lives. Makes me ill thinking about it.

Today is the day for memory verse #6 and I began praying a couple of days ago for the Lord to direct me to the scripture He feels I most need right now. All night long, ALL NIGHT LONG – I dreamed about oxen in a yoke. Heard an illustration once about how our yokes keep us in bondage. Like the oxen who were shackled to a yoke. Some yokes are for one oxen and others were for two. When I try to worry and control things I am like that oxen in one yoke and that yoke is bondage. Bondage to my fears, concerns, and worries. However when I accept the yoke that Christ has offered me to share with Him, I am released from all that fear, concern and worry for He gives me rest from it and He carries it – His burden is light. Then that yoke of bondage becomes a yoke of liberty. More than anything this morning I am reminded that even through my guilt about worry and my worry (how is that for a double whammy of self-absorption!) the God who is concerned for the people of Japan is also reminding me He still wants me to cast all my cares upon Him and He cares for me in the midst of all that goes in the world.
Oh, what a Savior!

One Hour

2011-03-13T07:55:00.000-05:00

One would not think that an hour makes such a difference! I don't really like this whole "spring forward" thing. I am an early morning riser so it shouldn't be that hard for me, but I can surely tell you I will be wiped out tonight. We had a great day yesterday. First with a family reunion where there was much good fellowship and food and then on to a sweet little boys fourth birthday party where there was much cake to be eaten, presents to be opened and much running around like wild indians. :) Fun for all. Hoping to get a lot of papers graded today and just relax.
Off to worship - Hope everyone has a blessed Lord's day. He is so worthy of our worship!
Michelle

Happy Birthday Connor!!!!

2011-03-10T00:01:00.004-06:00

We are in the middle of birthday celebrations around here! Today is our first grandpeep' s fourth birthday! We are going to celebrate like crazy at his party this weekend.

Connor,

It does not seem possible that you can be a four year old now. Oh my goodness how PawPaw and I love you. You hold the distinct honor of making us PawPaw and GiGi!! Nothing makes us smile like you coming to stay with us. You are such a sweet, sweet boy. I know you won't really like that label your whole life but right now I can tell you that.

I love this picture of you cause it represents how you approach everything right now - with great abandon and no inhibitions. You can do that when you are four!

This face is so precious to me. Like you are up to something. And you usually are! You love to be at the farm and do "farm stuff". Mostly just ride stuff with wheels and hang out with PawPaw and Old Paw. We love you being there.

I just like this picture of you. You are so handsome.

And this picture is just you. Busy with something and just being all boy. And are you ever! We cannot get over how smart you are. You say the funniest things. Like telling me PawPaw and I are now the Prince and the Princess! And the other day when you said,"PawPaw, when you die and go to heaven you get to be with Jesus."

"That's right Connor."

"I went to heaven one time PawPaw."

Laughter from us and then "I don't think so Connor."

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, well what did you see if you went to heaven?"

"Hearts, hearts, hearts everywhere."

HMMM. Maybe he is on to something. We pray for you every day that you will grow to be just who God wants you to be. He has a great and perfect plan for your life. We love you with all our hearts and cannot wait to see you on Saturday! Hope your day is just as special as you are and we will see you before you know it!

Love to the sky and back!

PawPaw, GiGi and Aunt Savannah

The Grandboy Peeps

2011-03-05T07:24:00.001-06:00

This past weekend was filled with what I love more than anything - my grand boys. We celebrated Graham's second birthday on Saturday with a big ole John Deere tractor themed party. If you know anything about this precious one it is this - HE LOVES HIM SOME TRACTORS!!!! He ate cupcakes and jumped in the jumpy thing (I am sure there is a more technical name) and played in the dirt. Ahhhhh - it is good to be a boy. We were so thrilled to get to take Connor home with us after the party. We had not seen him since Christmas and we were about to burst to get our hands on him. Then on Sunday our whole family congregated to our parents house to celebrate my niece's birthday with of all things - pony rides. My two boys were euphoric all weekend.

"Bring on the cupcakes!"

"Man, I love icing."

"This jumpy thing even has a slide - My parents rock!!!"

"A lot of people say I look like my dad and that we make the same faces. I don't know - what do you think?"

"GiGi, when is it MY turn to ride the pony? I am ready. Make them hurry."

"I feel as though I am channeling Roy Rogers. Don't have a clue who that is but I feel it! I bet if they would let me out of this pen my pony and I would fly like the wind!!!"

"PawPaw look at Connor. Hey Connor. I want on that pony real bad."

"See, I am just as big as everybody else. Dude, don't hold on to me - I got this."

"Well, okay maybe PawPaw can stand close - just in case. It will make my Momma happy. Look at me though - I AM THE MAN."

"I don't really understand why the grownups won't let me drive this by myself. I will just hang off of it like a monkey until someone notices and decides to give me a ride."

"I think me and my cousin Nonnor are the stuff. Look at us.We are some cool dudes sitting on top of this hay bale. I can tell by looking at my GiGi that she is saying - 'They are darling'. She loves us."

"I need wheels man. Why won't this key turn this bad boy on? I could sit here for hours if they would let me. But they won't."

"Aunt Bana, Graham is sitting on a 4-wheeler please let me sit on yours. Please, Please Please."

"Uncle Josh has wheels. Score!"

"PawPaw, I am through playing all this little stuff. Let's get the big boy toy out. You know you want to. Look I even dressed for it. If we're gonna do it, let's DO IT!"

"Bye GiGi! We are leaving with PawPaw. Look at us! We are the coolest ever!"

And there you have the end to the perfect weekend. Two boys riding off into the sunset with their PawPaw on their tractor. Life just doesn't get any better!

SSMT #5

2011-03-01T05:22:00.001-06:00

Who can believe it is March 1st already? But that means new memory verse. Here is mine:

2 Corinthians 10:5(NIV)
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

I pray for discernment on a regular basis. This verse reminds me that I have two choices in how I live my day - To accept a worldview that goes against what God's word tells us or I can choose to take captive those thoughts and make them obedient to Christ. To know that His truth is the ultimate truth and not what the world spews as truth. To choose to believe what God says and pray my world view becomes a biblical one.

Blessings,
Michelle

SSMT #17

2011-03-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

Isaiah 40:28

" Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom"

What a reminder that no matter the weariness we feel at times, the loneliness in our situations, the inability to convey our feelings to those closest to us, that we can trust in a Holy and Providential God whose love we cannot fathom either.
This verse makes me:

It makes me wanna shout

Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus

Lord You're worthy

Of all the Glory, and all the Honor

And all the praise

I love that song!

Blessings!
Michelle

God Paints It

2011-02-27T20:52:00.000-06:00

What a great weekend we had! Graham's birthday party was yesterday and today my niece's birthday party where the kids rode ponies. They had such a blast and I will post pics hopefully tomorrow. Too tired to sort through them tonight.
One of my favorite things about going to our family farm is the sky. It never fails to leave me speechless at some point. I don't know what it is about the sky there, maybe the fact that everything is so open, but it always is dazzling. We were up at the barn and it was so pretty and I called my grandpeep Connor over to show him the sky and I told him," Connor sometimes God sends us the most wonderful presents. He paints us a picture in the sky to remind us how creative and wonderful He is." Connor said, "Uh-huh" and ran off. Baby girl said, "That really made an impression." Oh well.
Then as we were leaving this evening this is what we saw:

Gorgeous isn't it? I told my husband to look and this precious voice from the back seat says,"Look PawPaw, God paints it!!!" Indeed he does sweet boy and may none of us ever forget it.

Blessings,

Michelle

Happy Birthday Graham!!

2011-02-25T00:01:00.003-06:00

Proverbs 17:6 "Children’s children are a crown to the aged"

Sweet Baby Boy Graham,

GiGi can hardly believe you are two whole years old today!!! It just seems like yesterday you were making your grand arrival. As a matter of fact, the past two years have seemed to go by faster than the two days we waited on you to get here! Oh that was a proud and exciting day for all of us. You were so tiny and precious.

Then before we knew it, you had your first birthday. You were the sweetest little cowboy. We were so excited that you were on the move. Walking and learning your way around. I remember thinking, "I can't wait to hear him say 'GiGi' and every now and then in between hearing 'PawPaw' I get to hear you say GiGi and it is sweeter than I imagined. Just like you.

Now you are two!!! And boy are you ever on the move!!! You are a wild man. With the biggest sweetest grin that melts my heart. I am crazy about you. You make PawPaw and me tickled with delight when you are around. You are funny and charming and so loving.

I have never seen anyone as obsessed with tractors as you are. It is hilarious. Uncle Josh seems to think you are going to think that is your name. You are the smartest little ole thing. You can remember every one's name and there are a lot of names to remember! You are so good and well behaved. We love you so very much Graham. We pray for you daily, for your safety, and for you to grow to love the Lord with all your heart. We are so thankful for the blessing that you are to this family. We hope your day is full of smiles and giggles and fun and we cannot wait to party with you and all your tractors tomorrow! Remember what GiGi taught you to tell momma and daddy you want for your birthday - "Baby Sister!!!!"

We love you to the sky and back sweet Grahambo!~

PawPaw,GiGi and Aunt Bana

Grandpeeps and "Outside"

2011-02-20T22:03:00.000-06:00

What beautiful weather we have had the past several days!! We had the great joy of having our sweet grandpeep while his momma and daddy had some grown-up time. So important for all of them to do. We derived the most pleasure as we got to have Graham all to ourselves. He is the sweetest, best baby. He NEVER cried or whined the entire time he was here. Whatever you told him to do - he just did it. My oh my is he darling. I have never seen a child enjoy "outside" (he says this about 100 times a day!) as much as he does. When he would be ready to eat he would grab my hand, take me to the kitchen and say, "cook". Precious. He and his PawPaw had some good male bonding watching tractor videos every morning. This boy loves tractors. We will be celebrating his two year birthday in a few days with a big ole tractor party.

He loves his Aunt Bana!

Getting ready for pancakes at the Cross Country fund raiser. Our time went too quickly and then he had to go home. He was happy to see his parents, but oh we missed him when he left. Today we went to see my parents and do some work at the farm. What a gorgeous day it was. We got a lot of work done and enjoyed hanging out with Mama and Daddy.

I love this tree. When it blooms it will be a sight.

The road heading into the woods. The lighting is pretty in this picture.

Then as our day was coming to an end, God gave us this beautiful dusky pink sky to admire. I love His handiwork. Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoys their week coming up. Several of my school peeps and I are about to start the Couch to 5K again. Can't wait to get back in the habit of running every week.

Have a blessed week!

Michelle

Happy Birthday Little!!!!

2011-02-16T05:20:00.000-06:00

Today is my sweet daughter-in-love's birthday!!!! Throwing confetti her way today. My laptop has gone crazy so I am having to post from baby girls computer and all my pics are on the other one. Technology - argh!
Laura,
You are loved so very much. I admire you and your comittment to stay home and raise Graham for these young years. It is a hard job and you do it so wonderfully. You NEVER complain or grumble. You are the epitome of grace. I am so proud of you. I admire your desire to be the woman God plans for you to be. We are nothing and He is everything. Not only are you a great momma but you are a wonderful wife to our boy. He too is a handful (I can say that :). I am excited for you to get some R & R with him and for us to get some with baby boy. Well there won't be any R&R but there will be LOTS of fun and giggles. I just hope PawPaw lets me play with him some :). I hope your day is just as special as you are and I love you!
M

SSMT #4 Isaiah 26:3

2011-02-15T00:00:00.001-06:00

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
"You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you. "

As I have stated earlier, I am in a study that has me camping out in Isaiah. These scriptures are such a comfort to me. Especially this one. God's word tells us that our battle is fought against the prince of this world- Satan. We are victorious in Christ however and the real battlefield is in our mind to claim that victory that those of us who are in Christ have been granted. It is a daily decision to keep our mind steadfast on the things of God - not the things that the world shows us. Satan is cunning and deceitful- if we do not daily surrender to God we leave ourselves open to attack. I can attest that I have allowed that to happen too many times. I want more than anything to be a steadfast believer who puts her trust and faith in God and His word when rough times come, and they certainly will this side of heaven.

I am claiming this one loudly!
Michelle

God's Valentine

2011-02-12T09:22:00.001-06:00

Saw this and loved it. We must always remember why we are able to love in the first place:

For God so loVed the world,
     that He gAve
          His onLy
          begottEn
                soN
                   That whosoever
      believeth In Him
         should Not perish,
      but have Everlasting life.
John 3:16

1 John 4:19 - "We love because He first loved us."

Love,
Michelle

Superbowl Sunday

2011-02-06T16:50:00.001-06:00

Well it is the day football fans around the world dream of, wait for and celebrate with all manner of football traditions. Me, well I don't so much care for football. I know, I know what a terrible day to make that confession. But I don't. I love to watch my high school football team because I teach them. I like for LSU to win and last years Superbowl was a proud moment for us Louisianians. But overall - I could care less. There I said it. Say about me what you dare. There are many other things I would rather do with my Sunday afternoons. Like take a nap or read a book. However one thing does get me excited about Superbowl Sunday - it is a chance to have a party at my house and as much as I don't like football - I do like having a P-A-R-T-Y!!!!!! Why you ask - the food - duh! I love any reason to cook for my gathering of peeps. Last year I got entirely out of hand. Because it was our home state team I felt it necessary to cook all manner of things Cajun. I cooked so much food I was too tired when it was time to eat! Sweet man asked me to tone it down this year (he hardly ever does that - more is better is his motto usually!) so I could enjoy the game with him. Oh, okay.
He started asking me who my pick was for the game. Who was I going to root for? Well I said, Who is playing? Are you for real he asked. He told me and I told him I would study up on the stats and give him my very professional opinion. I have looked at the stats, examined each teams colors to see which I like better, studied their quarterbacks and made the following decision - I choose Green Bay. Great choice he said. Did you pick them because they are favored to win? No. I picked them cause Mandy, our niece is in Wisconsin and I want her to know her family supports her!!!! Therefore, I am officially a "cheesehead" for the next several hours.
Here is a sampling of our pregame fare:

Sweet man saw these on TV and thought they would be good. Tostito shells with taco meat and cheese. You can dress up with guacamole, sour cream.....endless possibilities.

Baby girl requested these. Kelly over at Kelly's Korner makes them and we love them. Here is a link to the recipe :

http://kellyskornerrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/06/bunco-buns.html

Can't have a party without spinach dip and pita chips!!!! I usually make my spinach dip but I remembered Sweet Man said take it easy - Sam's. Doesn't get any easier than that.

Wings, Wings, Wings!

And more wings.

Okay. I cannot tell you how delicious this cinnamon-chocolate fudge is. Yes that is salt on top but oh it is sooooooo yummmmmyyyyyy!. Giada made it the other night. I thought if I could eat fudge and look like Giada it was worth a shot. Here is this super easy recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/cinnamon-chocolate-fudge-recipe/index.html

And this is the meal!!! My gumbo. Easy, simple and delicious. So I think I may enjoy rooting on my team of Packers this evening. I will have lots to eat, lots of fun fellowship and Mandy - Aunt Michelle supports you!!!!

Hope everyone enjoys their day and football game. Have a great weekend.

Cheesehead Blessings!
Michelle

Snow Southern Style

2011-02-04T18:27:00.003-06:00

Well it finally happened!!! We got a snow day that actually brought snow! YIPPEE!!! We have gotten out for icy weather but I have seen no snow until this morning! My sweet grandpeep Connor called me this morning hollering in the phone."GiGi, is it snowing at your house? It's snowing at mine!!" That is the one bad thing about the snow- he was supposed to come to GiGi and PawPaw's this weekend but couldn't because of the roads. I hope he had a blast playing in it. I think they got more coverage than us but we were still happy to see it. Here are some pics. I want my northern friends to see snow southern style. I know they are laughing. My computer is messed up so these were uploaded straight from the camera and not edited.

My tropical oasis looks anything but!! Just looking at the water makes my skin draw up!

We here in the South aren't very skilled drivers when icy conditions abound. My husband grew up in Michigan so he thinks it is crazy everything shuts down when there is a little ice and snow. As I heard the announcement last night that school was out for today I told him to hush his mouth!!!! My students and I worked really hard perfecting our snow dance yesterday and I would not have him make me feel one bit guilty for it. He loves when we get snow days too!

Somehow baby girls trail along the river where she runs wasn't so easy today. :) This picture is for her coach to see how dedicated she is. The river looked beautiful.

A picture of one of the public boat launches. Looks icy.

This bench looks so sad. No one to keep it company. My niece just went through a blizzard that brought about 16 inches of snow and I wanted her to see ours. Look Mance!

We have enjoyed our day and are about to snuggle in with some homemade chili and a movie. Hope everyone had a great day off and is gearing up for Superbowl Sunday. What will you do and what kind of snacks will you make? I will share some recipes tomorrow.

Blessings from Snowville!,

Michelle

SSMT #3!

2011-02-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Time for memory verse #3. I am doing a bible study in Isaiah right now and this verse is so touching to me. The world I live in is crazy. Every day things I counted on are removed and other things are shaken and many things certainly fail. Each day holds its own crazy mess. Anybody know what I'm talkimg about? This verse reminds me that no matter what - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Nothing can shake or remove His promises for my life. His love and promises never fail. And some days...... well lets just say I need this verse to cling to.

Child of a steadfast God whose love for me is UNFAILING!
Michelle

Crazy Love

2011-01-30T12:13:00.000-06:00

I finished Crazy Love. Right now all I know to say is "Wow." I keep thinking over and over about all Francis Chan said and I am certain I will have to re-read. It was amazing and heart wrenching. And eye-opening and soul-searching. I would love to tell you what was my favorite part but I don't know. It is not a book that I can say,"Oh I loved it when Chan said......." Because rather than being a book that I read that I will tell everyone how much I loved it, I think maybe that I will tell others I read it and was reminded how much God loves me and how challenged I am to ask,"How do I show God I love Him?" Do I look at my life and say,"God is so good and has blessed me so much. Thank you God for all you do for me." Or will I look at it and say, "WHO am I Lord, that you love me so? WHO am I telling about You? WHO can see You in me? WHO am I loving in Your Son's name?"
It was a preaching book if you get what I am saying. Chan quotes Annie Dillard, "How you spend your days is how you are living your life." Preaching book. I will read it again.

On to the new book! Sometimes I teach some precious ones that love to read and discuss with me what they are reading long after they have left my classroom. I love when they make book recommendations and feel it only fair that since they read what I made them read, that in turn I follow their lead. I taught a brilliant young lady who is attending Stanford and she is always emailing me her papers, wanting my opinion on what her professors have shared, and passing on books she thinks I might like. So I am finally getting around to one of her recommendations - The Unforgiving Minute. It is a soldiers account of his time spent in defending our freedoms. So far I am riveted by it. The author writes in such a way as to draw you in immediately to his story. While school is going on I don't get through my books as quickly as normal, but I will let you know my final thoughts when I am done. Anyone else read this?

Have a great rest of the weekend!
Blessings,
Michelle

Mid-week Blahs

2011-01-26T20:54:00.000-06:00

I am embarrassed to write this but I am going to anyway - I am worn out as this is the first full week we have had of school since before Christmas! This past Monday was the first Monday we have had school since the Monday before Christmas. I know - all you readers are thinking "Teachers. They have no shame with what they complain about!" I am really not complaining. I wouldn't trade my job - well most days I wouldn't, but today I am TIRED! Those kids wore me out. Do you ever have those days, even as a momma, when you think,"If I hear one more person say my name I am going to lose it!!!" Today was that day. If it wasn't the kids it was my phone ringing in my classroom. It rings nonstop. I think people must get the idea I am sitting at my desk staring at the phone and waiting to answer one more call that has someone asking,"Hey, my child can't remember if we ordered a yearbook. Can you?" Really? Argh! I think people forget sometimes that when I get bored of waiting for the phone to ring I do occasionally teach some stuff.
Yesterday I gave my AP students this quote and told them to write a one-pager:
"Reality is something you rise above." They looked at me as though I had six heads. I thought it was a brilliant quote. A much better choice than what I wanted to put: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers." Of course I would not want them to think I was referring to them. I just want them to know that I too, like the French aristocrats, am always on the lookout for a coup to take place. For on the days when their brain cells seem to not be connecting I tell them in the words of Shakespeare to "Wind up their wit, for by and by it will strike!"
I am sure I am not making sense to many, but as I tell my little scholars, I amuse myself if no one else. Hence the reason they all snicker about their crazy old English teacher who blows a gasket every time her phone rings.
Thus this is my reality and I must rise above it!!!!
One more for thought: "Beauty fades; Dumb is forever."
Please feel free to share one of your favorite quotes!
Blessings,
A tired teacher who can't wait to go do it all over again tomorrow!

Worth a visit

2011-01-20T05:44:00.000-06:00

Today I want to invite you to hop over to Randy Alcorn's blog on EPM and read his post on how we spend our time. Here is the link: http://www.epm.org/blog/2011/Jan/18/living-life-or-documenting-insignificance
Really interesting. Let me know what you think. I enjoy his blog so much. He is a wonderful writer and very thought provoking.

Getting ready for another rainy day here in the South! Makes me want to stay in my pj's, drink coffee and read, write and be lazy! Not spending my time wisely is what it would boil down to. So.... since that is not an option for me today I will go and impart my knowledge to a room full of students that I pray will not figure out today that they are smarter than I!

Have a blessed day everyone and make your time matter!
Michelle

SSMT #2!!!

2011-01-15T07:05:00.000-06:00

2 Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Time for my second memory verse! Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about God's word. Some recent events have troubled me greatly. There are many Christians out there who don't believe the Bible! At least not parts of it they say. I don't really need to turn this post into something negative, I just am most concernced about the generations to come, including my own children having a FIRM understanding of what they believe and why. If all of the Bible is not true who are we to decide which parts we think are? I used to think the Bible contradicted itself but that is only because I never read it or studied it. That is a brilliant thing to make an authoritative statement about something of which one has no knowledge!Learned that lesson.

It is my prayer that God sees me as handling the Truth in His word correctly. I have to study and know what it says! I have to ask Him to help me discern and give me wisdom. I have to look for His truth, not the world's truth. His truth is bread and life to us.
Have a blessed weekend!
Michelle

What are you Reading?

2011-01-10T15:57:00.000-06:00

I love to read - which is probably part of why I am an English teacher! I was always the kid in class with a book under my desk. Which explains why I was unable to help any of my children with their math homework. But you need some verbs conjugated or some symbolism explained - I'm your girl! They don't like any of that though. None of my children love to read the way I do. It makes me sad. One of my daughters is in college right now and I am praying she gets a renewed interest in literature. I would rather read than do just about anything else. However, while school is going on I re-read a lot of what I am teaching and don't have time to read anything new. I am vowing to change that this year. So much to read and so little time!
I just got through with Jan Karon's In The Company of Others. Jan Karon wrote the Mitford series of which I am such a fan I have read the whole thing twice and the first four books three times. I think that qualifies me as a major geek. I adore them. When she announced that she was ending the series I cried. Seriously. My mother-in-love and sister-in-love are huge fans as well. We talk about the characters as though we know them and live in their town. We mourned the death of our series that we looked forward to continuing into eternity. But she then continued with our favorite characters and they are now called The Father Tim series. Not one of her books has been a disappointment. This latest one finds our favorite Reverend and his precious wife traveling to Ireland and once again sharing the message of Christ and forgiveness with a whole new cast of characters. So if you have been a fan of Mitford, pick up this book. You will be glad you did.

How about you? What are you reading? What do you want to read? Have you read the Mitford series and did you like it?

I am going to try to keep up my book review! Next up is Francis Chan's Crazy Love. I have had it for awhile but haven't gotten around to reading it. I am beginning today. Let me know if you have read it and what you thought. I am also anxious to hear any book suggestions!!

Happy Reading,
Michelle

Putting It Away or Keeping it Out?

2011-01-09T08:26:00.000-06:00

Well I finally got all my Christmas decorations down YESTERDAY. I am the last to get them up and the last to get them down. I still can't remember where I hid all my normal stuff that decorates my house the rest of the year and it looks so empty and plain. Baby girl said,"Momma the house looks sad." I think it is sad. It has been so full of lights and nativities and spirit. Now all that is put away until next season.

This morning I am looking around at all the empty spots and wondering, Is this how we are too after Christmas? So full of Christmas joy, and all the stuff that goes with it during the season but then we pack it up until next season? Christmas has a way of making us look at the needs of others like no other time of year does. You know, Peace on earth, goodwill to men. And we feel good about ourselves when we do it. Like we have checked something off our Christian to-do list and won't He be proud of us? Probably so except for the pride that accompanies it. Now don't get me wrong - I am not saying this is true of all people, I am speaking (or in this case- writing) rhetorically.

Somehow after the Christmas season has passed we tend to get all geared up for the New routines we have vowed to make for the New year and sooner rather than later for many of us, we slip back into the old. Old habits, old thought processes. We celebrate our Savior's birth at Christmas and celebrate with abandon. Do we live out the rest of the year in abandon to Him, or do we put Him away until the next season is upon us? God didn't send His son so we would have reason to celebrate at a certain time of year.

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 (KJV)

ALL YEAR LONG!!!! Not just at certain times of the year. So, how do we keep ourselves filled with that "CHRISTmas spirit" all year? For me it is to make a decision to get in His word and be filled daily with what is bread and life to us. To share His love with others DAILY not just at certain times of the year. That is the Spirit I want all year long.

What about you? How do you keep that joy from Christmas an everyday habit not just a once a year habit?

Michelle

Stretching it out

2011-01-04T16:16:00.001-06:00

I feel like this is somewhat like the day before I go back to school at the end of summer. Well, we actually go back in the middle of the summer here in the sweltering humid South, but who is paying attention to that other than people with bouffant hair like moi! The last day of Christmas break. I am trying so hard to extend it. I keep lounging in my pj's, eating, reading, eating, cooking, eating, thinking about taking down my Christmas decorations, eating, watching movies I have already seen a zillion times, eating, looking at my pics from Christmas and grinning from ear to ear. It has been a great break. Did I mention I have been eating a lot? I have rested and spent a lot of quality time with all my peeps that I love so much. Lots of quiet time by myself and lots of not so quiet time with my family. I am most thankful for the past two weeks.

During my devotion this morning I came across one of my favorite verses that I posted in my header. How appropriate at the beginning of a new year and a new decade. Who am I Lord and what is my family that you have brought me thus far? I am a long way from where I started with God and thank goodness not where I will be further down the road with Him. I know that before I can fully dive into what a new year holds I needed to look back at where all He and I have been the past year. How humbling it is to look back at prayer requests and trials I went through and see how He worked it all for good. Lots of blessings to behold this year. I have lived long enough to know that you can be up one minute and the wind knocked out of you the next. However I am so thankful that I am at the point in my life I trust He is in control. I may not like it at the time but I do know He is in control.

So back to the daily grind tomorrow. I am thankful for that too. Thankful for my job that I needed a rest from, but I love it so much. Can't wait for the fresh faces of newbies as a new semester begins. I wonder at all the ways this group will change me. Cause each group does, in their own way make me different at the end of the semester than I was at the beginning. So I will enjoy these fleeting moments with my man tonight. I have something simmering on the stove that smells so delicious he will mourn me going back to work as well!

Seems only fitting to end my break with something good to eat - I haven't eaten much lately!

Blessings,
Michelle

SSMT #1

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

I am so excited for the SSMT to be starting up again. In case you want to join in check out these instructions: http://blog.lproof.org/2010/12/siesta-scripture-memory-instructions.html

This was such a blast to do two years ago and I am looking forward to doing it again this year. I have been thinking about what I wanted my first verse for the year to be. I wanted something that would set the tone for the year for me. I was perusing another blog I read and this verse was the topic she was writing on :

Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.

This verse speaks volumes to me. I did a bible study a few years ago and this chapter was the focus of the study. There are many things on my heart that I have been praying for and will continue to pray for in the upcoming year. Things I don't need to give up on praying about. This verse reminds me God has a plan and I must wait for it. There will be a perfect time for the revelation He has for me and I don't want to miss it - I want to wait for it - for it will certainly come!!! What a gracious God we have. His timing and not mine.

New Year Blessings,
Michelle

The PawPaw Chronicles

2010-12-27T07:59:00.000-06:00

What a glorious Christmas weekend we have had!!! Lots of family, fellowship, food, fun and thanking our Lord for our many blessings - most of all His Son. However, no matter where we were the past couple of days there was one repeated element.One thing I have heard over and over and over again. Not "present", not "mine", not anything of the like. I have had my two grandboys around the last few days and if I have heard this once I have heard it a thousand times. "PAWPAW" These two are eaten up with their PawPaw. They follow him everywhere and if one crawls in his lap you can bet the green-eyed other one is close behind. They adore him. And I am sick of it! Oh, they love me too especially when it is snack time or chocolate milk time but for all intents and purposes these two are PawPaw's boys. I think it's because he has the big boy toys. 4-wheeler, tractor, loud truck. Just boy stuff and these two are all boy.

This is where you will find them most of the time - right in PawPaw's lap.

Or building stuff with PawPaw.

Or singing "the PawPaw blues".

"Hey Look how cool we are- making music with PawPaw!"

"Play it again PawPaw!"

"Oh wait for me - I want in your lap too!"

"Is PawPaw coming back soon.? PawPaw? PawPaw where are you? You got out of our sight for 10 seconds and we don't like it! PawPaw"

"GiGi?"

"Yes sweet boys do you want to play with GiGi?"

"Um, no but can you go get PawPaw?"

A boy, his PawPaw and his tractor. Life is great!

But it just got better - I got my own tractor!!!

"Graham who drives the tractor?"

"PawPaw"

Who do you love?"

"PawPaw"

"Anyone else"

"No."

"I just want to be with PawPaw."

So as you can see I have a dilemma. And only Jeremy and Laura can fix it - I NEED A GRANDGIRL!!!!!!

ps - I love that these boys love their PawPaw and he is just as eaten up with them.

How blessed we are and thankful for our precious time with our family!

Blessings from PawPawville,

Michelle

Happy Birthday Jeremy!!!!

2010-12-25T00:00:00.004-06:00

Our oldest son's birthday is today! He is a special young man to have such a special birthday. He is 28 years old today - I can hardly believe it. The Lord brought this precious boy into my life when he was just 7 years old. Time flies.

Jeremy,
There aren't words to express how proud your dad and I are of the man that you have become. However, you aren't much different now than you were as a little boy. You have always had a very keen sense of right and wrong - which you were always happy to share with your siblings! You have always loved the Lord and shared that faith with others. Dad and I will never forget the pride we felt at your graduation when you used your time as Valedictorian to share the love of Christ with thousands of people in that arena. Proud! Or the time that one of your peers came to visit Dad and I to tell us that he knew many people who professed to be Christians but you were one of the only people he knew that lived like you were. Man, talk about proud. However, God is the one who gave you all the talents and wisdom that you possess. We are just so thankful we got to play a part in raising you. When you came to live with us it changed us forever. Especially me. I never could have dreamed how much I would love mothering you and taking care of you. That is why you are so rotten and I have to apologize to your precious wife regularly!
You are a son that can be depended on for anything and you have always been there for us. We love you and we love watching you be a daddy to our sweet baby boy. God has blessed you with much. Remember to whom much is given, much is required. Thank God profusely for all your blessings.

We hope you have a wonderful birthday and we love you so very very much!!!
Dad and M

Baby in a Manger

2010-12-23T06:49:00.001-06:00

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

This morning I am in my living room staring at my lights, gazing at my nativities, my decorations, all the presents wrapped under my tree and wondering about that first Christmas morning many years ago. There was nothing but a baby in a manger. No grand hoopla around Him. Just a bunch of animals and hay and dirt. And a baby in a manger. He was out of place in this building for housing animals. "Wrapped in dirty rags cause there was no room for Him in the world He came to save."(while you were sleeping lyric).
My house doesn't look like a stable. It is filled with my treasures and my "stuff". In a couple of days it will be filled with my kids and grandpeeps and I cannot wait! But it is my prayer that in all the hoopla of the day and the ripping open of presents and eating of food, we don't just cast a glance at the baby in a manger. It is my prayer He is the center of our day. Of all our days. Of our lives.
I love my nativity in the picture above because it is what the nativity represents- JESUS! JESUS! Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
May Jesus be the center of your Christmas celebration. Make room for Him and don't just let Him be the baby in a manger. He is the reason for the day and the source of all our blessings. Many are hurting this Christmas season- Christ came to save a hurting world. A baby in a manger who will return as the bridegroom to whisk His bride away!
Hallelujah and Merry Christmas!
Michelle

School's Out For Summer!!!

2010-12-21T15:49:00.000-06:00

Really? It is December 21 and we got out for CHRISTMAS vacation today. IT IS 82 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got home and felt like I should weed my flower beds. Of course I then remembered that my vacation just started so I did not do that. Feels like summer. Yuck! It's December. But hang around Christmas day the high will only be 43.
Only in Louisiana!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2010-12-19T06:43:00.001-06:00

I adore Christmas time!! I love all the twinkling lights all over my house. Early morning quiet time with my bible, coffee and staring at my lights makes me so content. Wish I could freeze those moments. Here are a few of my favorites this morning:

Our nativity tree nestled in the corner in the dining room. It makes me happy every time I pass it.

I love the theme trees that many people do, however I am a die hard traditionalist. Every ornament on my tree has some special meaning. It was made or given as a gift from someone. This one says, "Our First Christmas Together 1990". My husband and I were dating and he and his three little ones gave this to me. It is still one of my favorite gifts ever received. So thankful that it was the first of many Christmas' together.

We love to put out the things our kids made. Baby girl in all her toothless splendor! She has brought us much joy.

I can't help it - I think these homemade ornaments are the most beautiful because of the precious little hands that made them.

It is hard to see Jeremy in this picture but he will be 28 on Christmas day!

Sweet girla and her big pink bow. Here she is below with her sweet baby boy.

I take our Christmas cards and put them on the tree as I get them.

More sweet faces that I love with all my heart.

Our niece and nephew who are away at Missionary school and are expecting their first little one! I love how their happiness just radiates from them.

Two of my favorite people on earth - my in-loves. So much to be thankful for this year with them. I guess that is another reason I love my tree - it makes me take stock of not only the past year, but also just the past. All that there is to be thankful for. The good and the not so good. What a life of memories our tree holds. Have a blessed Lord's day!

Do you hear what I hear?

2010-12-12T22:19:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I did. My mama and I took a girls shopping trip to Jackson, MS, just the two of us! We had great fun finishing up our Christmas shopping. I have had myself holed up away from sweet man and baby girl trying to wrap presents for the last few hours! Whew that is a job!! Does anybody besides me shout for joy to the person that invented gift bags??? However, my husband likes everything wrapped as he loves to watch everyone open their gifts and he feels gift bags are anti-climactic. So.... I have to make sure there is a good mix. Compromise - it is what makes a marriage work. :)
While wrapping my gifts I did one of my favorite seasonal things - Listen to my Christmas music!!!! I thought it would be fun to hear what everyones all time favorites are. I love me some traditional Christmas carols - O Holy Night is probably my favorite - however, I do have a few tunes that get me in my core. You know what I mean - ones I have to play so loud it is rocking the windows and I play them over and over. Baby girl is embarrassed to pull into the parking lot at school with me every morning! Here is my list of must haves right now:

"Little Drummer Boy" - Josh Groban - my goodness the orchestration of this causes me to pretend I am a cymbal player, orchestra conductor and a drummer boy. All while I am supposed to be driving. No wonder I cause my children dismay.
" It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" - Again Josh Groban - the beauty of this song is amazing. Simple, beautiful, heavenly.
"While you Were Sleeping" - Casting Crowns - I don't even know what to say about this one - If you have never heard it - find it and play it until you are brought to tears over a God that came into a world that made no room for Him who came to save us all.
"Jesus Saves" - Travis Cottrell - Have you ever heard a song that made you want to get saved all over again? This one is it for me. Play it and play it loud till your insides are vibrating. That is how much I love this song.

Now that you all think I am weirder than you suspected, tell me what you replay this Christmas season.

Christmas Blessings,
Michelle

Things Pondered

2010-12-06T21:11:00.002-06:00

I finally got all my Christmas decorations up yesterday. I know, I know some people have had theirs up for a month. Still need to do a little more work to my trees, but that is not what this post is about. Those who have been to my house know that at Christmas time you will find a lot of Nativities. A LOT! The first Christmas of our married life my sweet man bought me my very first one. Does anyone remember Wicks and Sticks in the mall? That is where my first nativity came from. He spent what was a small fortune on it at the time. Funny, as I was dragging out box after box of decorations I remembered how we had hardly any decorations that first Christmas. I collected pine cones and shellacked them and hot glued bows to the end of them and hung on our tree. It was beautiful in its sparseness. I had no idea how much this nativity would affect me.

I was not saved that first Christmas of our marriage. I had walked the aisle way back in my pre-teen years at church camp. More out of fear of going to hell and being the only person left in the pew than by a conviction to receive Christ. I had grown up in church. Knew all the Bible stories one should know, all the hymns - loved the hymns -all the right "church" things a good church going girl should know. Did I believe in God - well of course I did. But, did I believe Him? Did I believe that:

Luke 2:11-12

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you (emphasis mine); He is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

I do now. So you see, now when I gaze around my house and see the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, I marvel and am humbled to my core that the Creator of the universe, the One who set the earth on its axis, who parted the waters from the firmament, CHOSE to come to earth wrapped in flesh to live just so He could die, just so I can live for eternity with Him. Oh what a Savior!

Sweet man has bought me one every year since. Some extravagant, some not so much. This is my new one for this year. It is hand painted and absolutely breathtaking. I can't quit staring at it.

Gorgeous, isn't it? I wonder if that is what the shepherds thought as the whole sky lit up and their ears were blessed with a heavenly chorus of angels announcing a departure from heaven but an entrance to earth. I have this crazy notion that when we get to heaven we will be able to check out DRM's. Bear with me here! Divinely Recorded Moments. As I read some stories in my bible my imagination runs rampant with the movie in my head of what it all was like. I so, so hope that God allows us to see on the biggest flat screen ever - the firmament - with special effects that we can't comprehend- the real thing as it happened. Some DRM's I think I can forego , but some - oh I can't wait to see what those shepherds saw and hear what they heard! More than I can bear to think about.

This year I have a nativity tree. I have many nativity ornaments and that is all that is on this particular tree. I am not done with it but I love it so much already. This nativity was my mother-in-loves for many years and she passed it on to me a few years back. It is at the base of the nativity tree. I treasure it so much.

This is my mantel. No nativity but isn't it pretty?!

Another of my favorites. Jim Shore is a talented craftsman.

I shouldn't have put this on here because it isn't done but I couldn't help myself.

My nativity's give me perspective on what this season is about. They calm me, soothe me, and remind me of what Luke 2:17 tells me - "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."

What about you? Have you met Jesus yet? If so, tell others. Tell them your experience with Him. Tell them what the Bible says about Him - He is the Savior, Christ the Lord. And He has been born to YOU!

O' Come Let Us adore Him!!!

Blessings,
Michelle

40 Years

2010-11-28T16:40:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving day was my mama's birthday and also her anniversary. The Lord blessed me with four wonderful parents, and this particular set celebrated 40 years of marriage. He didn't just marry her he married me too! I often say he got a package deal. Mama was the package and I was the deal!

Don't they look like babies! My mama is beautiful. Even more so now than she was then.

This was them on Friday night when all the "fruit" of their forty years got together to celebrate them. They are the most generous, kind people I know and we love spending time with them.

Here they are toasting each other.

This is a cake my sister ordered and it was so delicious. We have eaten so much over the last week I am going to have to go to food rehab. The bell topper on this cake is the one that was on their original cake and my sisters and I all three used it on our wedding cakes.

The house was full of people who love my parents. Here is my sweet daughter-in-love, my daddy's sister and my mama's sister-in-law. They are all a blast to be around.

My sweet sisters and myself. We truly are the joy of our parents lives! That, or the bane of their existence! Depends upon which day you ask them! We each gave our parents their share of grief. Them more than me! Not really, our parents disciplined us but loved us tremendously. They love our husbands like they are their own sons and tell them that often.

Brother and sister. I love that they enjoy being together.

Connor just got back from putting out deer corn. :)

Graham is just - well look at him - he is just darling!

My mama, me, my girls and my grandpeeps.

Mama is always ready to offer her advice and wisdom when asked. After dinner she shared with us what the last forty years have been to her. We were thankful she didn't say it was like wandering in the wilderness! However she did let us know that marriage is hard but if you stick with it you do reach the Promised Land and it is much better than any fairy tale you think about when you are a newlywed. She told us that marriage is not spelled "happy" but "commitment". True that. My parents have been the best kind of example when it comes to persevering through the tough times and marriage is tough. But so worth it.

Mama and Daddy,

We all love you both so much and are so thankful for the blessing you are to each of our lives. Happy Anniversary and we can't wait until your 50th, when Daddy takes us all to Hawaii!!Wink, Wink. We all know it will probably be to the deer stand but that is okay too!

Love,

Michelle

The Day After

2010-11-26T07:48:00.000-06:00

Seriously, I am still so full from yesterday I don't know when I will be able to eat another bite. Wait a minute, I saved MawMaw's cranberry salad for my breakfast today. Maybe I can eat that. Oh yeah, and I was going to eat some of my brother-in-law's ham in one of my HOMEMADE rolls. Guess the binge will continue through today!

We had a great time of fellowship yesterday with a house full. The best part was my sweet father-in-love being with us, healthy, happy, and OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. Thank you Lord. We all had much to give thanks about and just a great time being together. Here are some pics from our day:

Our silly sweet girla!

My nephew, brother-in-law, and Daddy discussing something about deer hunting I am sure.

Great Paw and sweet baby Graham.

One table full of happy eaters.

People think Savannah must not eat a lot because of her stature - Ha! Look at her plate! Connor wanted to be at the head of this table. Thought provoking question from him for the day - "Gigi, do turkeys have boogers?" Gigi-"Not the one I cooked sweetheart. I made sure it was a booger free turkey." Him -"Okay, good."

Christine in her glasses I got her for her Saints game trip last weekend. She is a doll. Kind of resembles Harry Carey though in these shades!

Savannah and her sweet Nannie. My sweet other mother.

Game time is a must at our house. We all love to play games, cards, dominos, just about anything and for the first time in many years no one got furious with anybody else.

Uncle Josh is so much fun for the nephews. They love him and he loves them.

Graham is all about loving his PawPaw and giving him kisses. Sweet.

Graham and his momma!

I hope you and yours had a blessed day and now it is time to deck the halls! Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra -(A Christmas Story - gotta love it!)

Blessings,

Michelle

Birthdays and Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T06:56:00.001-06:00

Today is my sweet Mama's birthday! It is also my parents 40th anniversary which we will celebrate tomorrow and I will talk about later. Today, since it is Thanksgiving I want to tell my mother why I am thankful God chose her to be my Mama. She is not "Mom" or "Mother" she has always been and always will be "MY MAMA" Must be a southern thing.

Mama,
You have been the best kind of mother to my sisters and me. You were our mother and not our friend growing up. I never realized how hard that must have been for you until I had a teenage daughter and now I have another one! I am sorry I lost my mind for those teenage years. Thank you for waiting patiently - well for waiting- that I would regain my sanity at some point in my life. Thank you for nilla wafers with peanut butter and laying on a blanket and making cloud shapes with me when you got to stay home with me when I was little. Thank you for all that stopping when Jennifer came along - I mean thank you for my baby sister. Thank you for teaching me what hard work is about and working hard at all you do. See, you knew making me dust the leaves on the plants would pay off. Hence the reason there are no potted plants in my house! hehe!
Thank you for inviting Granny to come live with us and allowing her the space to be our best friend growing up. My life would be so much different had she never come to our house for those 17 years. You used to say, "I wish I was sweet like Mother." Oh Mama, if you ever doubt that you aren't like Granny, just ask one of your grandchildren that adore you and think you hung the moon. They'll straighten you out.Thank you for teaching me that you were never stronger than when on your knees before the Lord. Your relationship with Jesus is a blessing to me and I thank Him that you love Him so much.
Thank you for not allowing me to be like so many other girls when I was growing up - even though I wanted to be like them so badly at the time. Thank you for instilling confidence in me and never letting me have a pity party about anything in your presence. It didn't mean we couldn't be sad about things, we just weren't going to whine about things that didn't matter. Thank you for loving your family the way you do. You are such a tower of strength to so many people.
Thank you for instilling in me the love of shopping! You are so fun and so cute. I love hanging out with you. I hope my girls will feel that way when they are older.
Thank you for making us leave our childhood home and our tree swing and all our memories! I am kidding. Home is where ever you and Daddy are. I mean that. You do that - you make places feel like home cause you're Mama!
Much more to tell you but I will tell you in person when I see you tomorrow. I hope you all have a great day today.
I love you more than you can know and I am thankful I am the one that got to make you a Mama.
Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving Mama.
Michelle

Family

2010-11-24T06:36:00.000-06:00

This morning I am sitting in my favorite cozy chair in the corner and am mentally preparing for the next couple of days. I mean that in a good way not a negative one. Right now things are very silent in my house and over the next two days it will fill up with my loved ones and I won't be able to hear myself think. I can't wait!

A couple of days ago I began writing down all the scriptures I found about thanks, thankfulness and thanksgiving. Over and over I read how we are to give thanks in all circumstances, thank him in the morning and the evening. Be thankful. Overflow with thankfulness. Petition with thanksgiving. Remember and give thanks. Thanksgiving should not be a one time of the year occurence. It should be as natural to us as breathing. A constant state of thanksgiving and gratitude.

I started to think about where all my family members are this morning. Baby girl in her bed, one sweet grandpeep in my bed (which is somewhat like trying to sleep with a helicopter), another grandpeep on the other side of town sleeping in his bed- with his hands pushed up under the bumper pads. Two precious sons on their way to work. A daughter who is getting to sleep in this morning because I have the helicopter in my bed! A daughter-in-law preparing for all the things the day holds for her as a stay at home momma. A husband in his deer stand. A father-in-law who gets to go home today after a SEVENTY day hospital stay. A precious mother-in-law preparing for his homecoming. A mama who I am sure is sipping coffee on her back porch with one of my sisters and the rest of her house guests ( also people I love dearly). A sweet other momma who is hopefully sleeping in. Two wonderful men that are my daddys that are probably on the deer stand. ( We are a strange group of predators!) The sweet girlfriend of our baby boy getting ready for work and she will surely call me today and ask as she always does -"Do you need any help?" Another sister who just celebrated 14 years of marriage. A brother in the presence of the One who gives all these good and indescribable gifts. Thankful. Blessed. Speechless.
So much more I want to write that I am thankful for but right this minute I want to thank Him for my family. They are my heartbeat and I can't understand a God who lavishes His love on me so. Thank you Lord.
To be continued.......

THE RACE IS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-16T06:43:00.001-06:00

UPDATE: Girls did well. Not as good as we hoped but we were proud. Baby girl was great! But the highlight of the day is our boys TOOK STATE!!!! Yeah Panthers! So proud of all our runners. Can't wait until next year.

Here they are - the state runners and the race is today!!!! Parkway girls have a great chance to win the 4A state title if they can beat Benton! Go Panthers!!!!!!
Update to come!

What's the Rush?

2010-11-14T17:53:00.002-06:00

Everywhere I turn, the grocery store, the mall, Target, Wal-Mart- Christmas is EVERYWHERE!!!!! Thanksgiving isn't even here yet people!!! Don't get me wrong - I love to deck my halls and will start playing my Christmas CD's non-stop the day after Thanksgiving straight through New Year's. But can't we just enjoy this Thanksgiving season without hurrying past it to hurl ourselves into the frenzy that is December? I love to decorate for fall. I think it is because I am an autumn person. My house is already painted in all the lovely golds, reds and browns. So while everyone is racing to see who can show off their Christmas bedecked houses first, I am putting up some of my fall decoration pictures. I took these a minute ago and baby girl said, "Mama what are you taking pictures of?" Me - "My hutch." Her - "You are so weird."

I think this hutch is my favorite piece of furniture in my whole house. Sweet man let me buy it from a store that was going out of business that used it to showcase all their prettys. Now I showcase mine on it! It's so folksy!

My mantle is in my dining room which is painted red and it is my favorite room in my house. Especially when my dining room table is filled with my kiddos. :)

This is my sofa table and I just think all these pumpkins are so cute.

My son's darling girlfriend made me these candy corn trees. Precious!

And this - well nothing says autumn like some yummy cabbage! This one is for you Laura!

Slow down people and savor the moments of November and give thanks to our Lord for all things.

And then everyone come to my house on Friday the day after and help me get out all my Christmas decor!

Blessings,

Michelle

Sweet Saturday Morning

2010-11-13T09:32:00.000-06:00

Nothing important - nothing earth-shattering to write about. Just thinking how much the simple things in life bring me the sweetest joy. Sitting in my favorite chair on this cozy rainy day listening to baby girl play the piano and sing about Jesus in the other room. My prayer is that those words become Truth in her life and not just songs to sing but songs to live. Hoping she uses that gift to always glorify Him. She has been down with a major stomach bug but is bouncing back so she can run like the wind at the State cross country meet this next week.
Only thing wrong with my morning is my sweet man is out of town. Tending to some business but I miss him. Got to cozy up in my bed with a cup of coffee with my favorite pumpkin spice creamer and chat on the phone with my sweet mama. I am so thankful God let her be my mama. She is my dearest friend on earth next to Jon.
Like I said, nothing major just a sweet Saturday morning, resting in the comfort of all things that are good right now. Thank you Lord for all my blessings.
Blessings,
Michelle

Healed

2010-11-09T20:00:00.001-06:00

Today I had to do something I have had to do too many times in my teaching career - attend a funeral service for one of my former students. A precious twenty-two year old young man who has been valiantly battling leukemia for the last 15 months. This past Saturday the Lord delivered Nathan from his physical battle and healed him completely by bringing him Home. The church was filled with people coming to pay their respects to Nathan's family. The service began with a beautiful video of Nathan's life with his voice narrating. Nathan spoke to young people several times about his faith and about the urgency of a personal relationship with Jesus. One of the pastors even used one of his caring bridge journals in the service that Nathan wrote about spiritual urgency. You can read it here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nathangeorge/journal/2

I was so moved by all his classmates and friends that showed up today. However all I could think about were his parents. His momma, daddy and older brother (who read his baby brother's eulogy with so much love and tenderness) are all educators in our parish. They are a sweet, sweet family and fiercely devoted to each other. The pastor spoke about the grief Nathan's parents are experiencing. He said, "It is not natural for parents to bury their children. When we lose our parents, we lose a piece of our past. But when we lose our children, we lose a piece of our future." How true. After listening to Nathan's video and how he didn't see his illness as a burden but as a way to glorify God and hearing how many lives he has touched for such a young life I just wanted to tell his parents how remarkable I think they are that our providential God who knew before Nathan was formed how his life would play out, would choose each one of them special to be that precious boy's momma and daddy. What a road ahead of them, yet they are strong in their faith. They know who to share their grief with to find comfort.

I was challenged today at that service as I hope many others were. Am I sharing my Jesus with others as much as I should? Nathan was bold in his efforts to share the gospel. I am in awe of what a testimony he left. For us left here his life seems too short. God knows what He is doing. We don't always understand it, but that is why He is God and we are not. Oh that our lives would exalt and magnify Christ as Nathan's did. Healed and in the presence of Jesus.

Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

What have we been up to?

2010-11-02T16:30:00.002-05:00

Well, I had hoped this fall would be less hectic than last year, however that has not really proven to be the case. But, I am learning to give thanks in all circumstances and to thank my Lord for what each day brings. He can teach me some stuff on my bad days!!! Father-in-love is still in rehab recuperating and gaining his strength back from open heart surgery and my sweet man has been battling a kidney stone from Hades for the past few weeks. ARGH! But he is on the mend now.

So what have we been up to in the midst of all our issues:

Lots of cross country racing. Baby girl gets faster each and every week. Notice she sped past that girl and beat her! She set a personal best last weekend. Run child run! State Championship coming up in two weeks. Our girls have a great shot at winning.

Lots of Trick-or-Treating with a cute little lion!

He doesn't respond to "Cheese" but "Show me your smile" gets him all lit up! He loves suckers!

Lots of loving on my sweet family.

Lots of "scary" spook trails at Mimi and Old Paw's Halloween party. It is a lot less scary in the daylight!

Lots of hayriding without the hay - weather has been too dry for anyone to sell any! That is one darling Spiderman!

One minute my sweet grandpeep Connor was there and the next he vanished and here was SPIDERMAN!!!!

I am glad October is over. I am anxious for this month of November and all the feelings of thanksgiving that we have to experience. I really love Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year. I hope you will start preparing now to thank our Lord for everything He does but more importantly we need to remember to thank Him for Who He Is. A Great and Mighty Savior who is everything to me.

Blessings,
Michelle

Do You Have Peace?

2010-10-17T07:57:00.002-05:00

Phillipians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I don't know about you but some of my days seem more peaceful than others! As I get older I am growing to understand that it is not so much what my day holds, but more how I have prepared to receive what the day has in store for me. Isaiah told us that the Prince of Peace would come and of His peace there will be no end. What a thought and a comfort. Here are a few scriptures that blessed me this morning:

Isaiah 26:3
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
(How I have prepared to receive what the day has in store for me).

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
(This is the kind of confidence I desire, not this self-confidence that the world preaches. Good grief how many times do I disappoint myself? Why would I put confidence in myself?)

Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
(He paid a heavy price for my peace. Am I not going to trust in what He did for me and claim that peace every day of my life?)

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
(A covenant of peace. Forever and ever. For He never breaks His word. Can't. He is the Word. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us - Glory!!!!!)

Isaiah 57:2

Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
(Seek Him, Seek Him, Be obedient - not perfect but a spirit of submission to His commands for right daily living and I will enter into His peace.)

Isaiah 60:17

Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.
(Peace can govern my life and my day. If you are in Christ you have the fruit of the Spirit dwelling within and we can claim that peace that He came to give us!)

As I am typing this my sweet man is playing some music for our enjoyment from a new group he discovered and without knowing what I was writing about he said,"Tell me what you think about this one.":

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

I think I love it.

Blessings,
Michelle

To Glorify God

2010-10-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

I never ceased to be amazed at how my God works. At the very points of my need He reveals things to me I never could have come to on my own. He is the only explanation there is. I am deep in week two of a new Bible study with my peeps and today I learned something that just rocked me to my core. Isn't it also great that our God is so personal? The lesson I studied is just what my thirsty soul needed today. It might be something else for another believer, but one thing is certain - He will deliver what you need when you need it- whether you realize you need it or not!

I get so fired up when things connect for me between the Old and New Testament. If you will permit me the time and space I would like to share some of what I learned today. This week we are studying about some of the primary benefits we are free to enjoy as children of God. Today's benefit was that we are to glorify God. As I looked at passages in the OT that mentioned God's glory, it was shown that God's glory was present when He was making Himself known or showing His might. God's glory is how He shows us who He is.

Then it was time to look at some NT scripture references:
John 1:14
¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,^[a] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The light switch started to come on - Oh, JESUS is God's Glory. How He reveals Himself to us.

John 2:11
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

How He makes Himself recognizable to us so we will put our faith in Him. Our faith in Christ - His glory.
What a miracle! But wait...... the miracle doesn't stop there - it was almost more than I could stand as I kept reading.

Isaiah 43:7 tells us we were created for God's Glory. But Romans 3:23 also tells us we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. We fall short. In our pathetic sin-filled egocentric selves - we fall short.
But then the miracle:
Colossians 1:24-27
²⁴Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (emphasis mine).

The hope of glory is Christ in us. Our God loved us so much knowing we fall short that He sent His own glory, the glory of the One and Only, to dwell in us. To make Himself recognizable in us! Can you stand it????

We are told to do all things to the Glory of God. What does that mean for you, for me, for us? It means that just as Christ revealed His glory at Cana and the disciples put their faith in Him, we are to understand what it means to be created for God's glory. We were created so that His glory could be recognizable to others, or as the Bible study author states, "We were created for the purpose of giving God's invisible character a glimpse of visibility." WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What a destiny for us. What a reason to take my focus OFF myself and understand I have Christ in me and am being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. Doesn't mean that this is something I will suddenly attain. I have been praying for spiritual maturity. I don't want to be a baby in my relationship with my Savior. God revealed to me that part of this desire will only be fulfilled when He is recognizable to others in my life. My study also reminded me that this a process and a progression. I fail miserably on a regular basis, yet I am reminded that in Christ there is no condemnation, only conviction. Oh I love Him so. What a savior.
So now when I make the statement that I want a life that glorifies God - I have a different understanding of what that means.
He must love us. Won't we show we love Him too?

Good news and Bragging Rights

2010-10-02T21:54:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend we have had. Father-in-love is doing amazing!!!! Still in ICU but he is off the ventilator, feeding himself, talking, joking with all of us and even sat up in the chair for about six hours today. Oh what a great and good God we serve!!! The team of doctors and nurses that have been taking care of him are sent from heaven. They have been wonderful and as PawPaw said this evening, "They are ministers in their own right." Amen. He is doing so great. We are amazed.

On another note, baby girl was in her first high school debate tournament this weekend and she and her partner are both ninth graders and .......THEY WON!!!!!! They went 7-0. I am so proud I can hardly stand myself!

Hope everyone has a blessed remainder of the weekend.
Blessings,
Michelle

This is the day

2010-09-30T08:14:00.002-05:00

*****UPDATE******

About 9:15 last night the surgeon came in and told us things went well. They were only able to do three by-passes as his heart was in bad shape and they did the valve replacement. We all got to go and see him and then go home to get some much needed rest for evveryone. My sweet baby sister brought us some yummy food and I am so glad she speaks my love language - purple hull peas!!
Sweet man spent the night in the ICU waiting room as he didn't want anyone to not be there in case anything happened. He and his brother went in to see him at 5 am and he is still on the ventilator but could nod his head and squeeze their hands as they spoke to him. Thank you Lord. Long road to go but hurdle one down!

This is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!

My mother-in-love came in the hospital room this morning saying that. This is also the day father-in-love has his by-pass and valve replacement. We already claim victory and are anxious to jump this hurdle. Today I will gather with the rest of my in-love crew and I am sure we will spend the day laughing, being told we are too loud, answering many phone calls, drinking a lot of coffee, but mostly praying for our precious "pawpaw".
If you don't mind - your prayers would not be wasted on us one minute. Thank you in advance for them.
We serve a Great God and we will rejoice and be glad even on the hard days.
Blessings,
Michelle

Claiming the Word

2010-09-22T21:48:00.001-05:00

****UPDATE***
Thanks to all the prayers offered up, we turned a corner and are doing great! PawPaw is doing better every day and his body is getting stronger so that he will have his surgery this week. We are hoping Tuesday but just don't know yet. Long, long road ahead but he is ready to get this thing started he told me this morning. Keep up the prayers and we thank you so much for them.

My heart is heavy tonight. My sweet father-in-love is in the hospital and we want so desperately for him to get stronger. He is in need of a quintuple by-pass and heart valve replacement. Not small stuff. Huge stuff. Long recovery stuff. Right now the doctors are trying to get his body strong enough to go to surgery.
I don't understand some times how the Lord has blessed me so. My family of origin is so wonderful and to think that the Lord brought me to another wonderful family is almost more than I can stand at times. Blessed, Blessed, Blessed. Shamefully blessed. Praise you Lord. Times like this call for putting my faith into action. Does my theology match my reality? I am doing a study on the names of God and am learning more about Him every time I learn a new name.

My Elohim- God as Creator, created my father-in-love for a wonderful and special purpose. Devoting his life to sharing the gospel and ministering to the needs of others. Has he been accomplishing his purpose? Read this :One Faithful Couple

My El Elyon- God most High is the Sovereign ruler of the Universe!!!! He is great and He is good. His plan is perfect and we trust in His provision to sustain us.

My El Roi - God who sees knows the answers to all the questions we have. He knows and is in control. We can trust in Him and are reminded our faith is not by sight.

My El Shaddai - God who is All Sufficient reminds me His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is perfected in our weakness.

I am so proud to be a part of this family. My in-loves are precious, fun, and fiercely devoted to family and watching their legacy being lived out. My father-in-love enjoys nothing more than being the number one spectator in ALL his families lives. He is the greatest cheerleader his grandkids have ever had. His patience and ability to have an appropos story for any given moment is a true gift. And does he ever love to laugh. He and his three boys just like to laugh to see who can be the loudest! He wins every time. He tickles himself. Oh, how his sense of humor has lightened many a dark moment over the last week! He is a handful.

He and little Gra-hay share a lot of laughs.

MawMaw and PawPaw are crazy about their great-grandboys.

But these are the ones that started it all - the Bobies and Bobettes!!!

Rarely have any of the grand kids had any sporting event or awards assembly that these two aren't in the audience - beaming with pride.

This pic was in Tampa where these two youngest were born. Several years later of course!

Funny how life throws curve balls and you can't imagine how just a few days before things seemed so normal. Then life happens. This may sound strange, but struggles like this are a blessing. Think I am crazy? James 1:2 tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." My in-loves have shown incredible perseverance through many hardships in their lives. NEVER, have I seen or heard them doubt the goodness of our God. They claim the promises given us in Levitucus: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new EVERY morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him."

Yes, He is our portion. So... our family is Hurting, Struggling, Praying, Questioning. But more importantly, we are Waiting, Trusting, Persevering, and Claiming His truth.

"And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Work it for good, Lord, work it for good.

Petitioning your prayers,

Michelle

Birthday Wishes

2010-09-20T20:38:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 15:20
A wise son brings joy to his father

Josh,
Happy Birthday to you!!! Sorry I am late in posting this, but the day has been hectic. When all the busyness is over I promise you the biggest, deer and antelope steak, homemade mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans (straight from the can) and chocolate chip cake birthday dinner you can stand!!! Dad and I are so proud of you and the man you have become. You bring us so much joy and we love you more than you know. You are always there for us and we hope we let you know how much we appreciate you. To see how much love you have for your family is a gift for us beyond words. You are not just a great son, but a great uncle, brother and grandson. A lot of people love you very much. We are blessed. Here are some pics of you that make me happy:

You are so silly but that is how we like you! We wouldn't know what to do with you if you were any other way. Thank you for all the happiness you bring and never forget how much we love you. Hope your day was the best it could be and remember we will celebrate later and it will be a great time.

Happy Birthday Son!!!

Bye-Bye Baby

2010-09-18T18:17:00.000-05:00

Well, gone are the days of Barbie Dolls, big hair bows and smocked dresses. They have been replaced with homecoming dresses, mums and sparkly high-heeled shoes. Sniff, sniff! Baby girl is gone to her first homecoming dance. With a boy. He can't drive so that is a little bit of a load off my mind. And I don't even think he noticed the shotgun on top of the entertainment center behind his head during all the pictures! Baby girl did though and was quite mortified. She better get used to it. It was dress up for real tonight and I am torn between pride at how beautiful I think she looked to sadness as to how grown she looked.
I am however thankful she still hugged and kissed her dad bye in front of the 80 people there taking pictures (pandalerium!!!) and blew her mama a kiss from the trolley steps. I hope she didn't see me cry.

Homecoming Week

2010-09-18T13:00:00.001-05:00

What a wild week we have had! It is Homecoming week! Baby girls FIRST Homecoming week. Every day was dress up day - Jersey day, Nerd day, A day in LA -(she was Taylor Swift), Decades Day (her grade was the 50's) and Dress up day. Tonight is the big dance and she has a houseful of ladies coming to help gussie her up!!!! Momma is just not good enough by herself anymore. I will post plenty of pics of her from tonight and also from her First high school cross country meet she had this morning! She did fantastic. Busy day for us so I better get off of here, but here is a little collage of the week thus far:

Have a great weekend everyone!