Update On JC's Daddy

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we spent most of the time over at his parents house. His daddy is resting good and seems to be in very good spirits. He continues to get a little weaker each day, but he is sharp as a tack and is completely aware to what is going on. His comments are still just as funny as ever. And as he sat there this weekend, he still made me smile and laugh.
JC's sister and her family were up and it was nice to spend some time with them. I hate that it takes times like this for you to get to know someone, but it was nice for me to get to know them even more. We pray for a miracle but know that healing will be in heaven and not here. As we know when the time comes that the pain will be hard to bear, we know that he will be in Glory!

Prayer

I received an email from JC this morning and they are calling Alacare, which is Hospice, and they will be taking his daddy home today. Jesse has put up a big fight but it seems that there is nothing else that the doctors can do. They have tried for two days to straighten out his levels but have been unable to.
I am so thankful for the outpouring of love and support we have had so far in all of this from our friends and family. It is my prayer that Jesse will not suffer and that God will bring JC, his sister, his mom, and the extended family comfort and peace during this time. Jesse is a wonderful person who I am glad that I have had the pleasure of knowing the past few years since JC and I have been together. His comments on various things would crack me up all the time. This will be a difficult Thanksgiving for them as they makes him as comfortable as possible and deal with all that is going on. May we take comfort knowing that when the time comes that Jesse is called home, that he will be made well again and that we will no longer suffer.

The right words at the right time

It just amazes me how God can send the right words at the right time. Yesterday morning, we had to take JC's daddy to the emergency room. As we sat there waiting for a few minutes before they took him back, a sermon by Charles Stanley was on the tv. He was talking about a having a thankful heart. Here is the link to the sermon outline: http://www.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.3876111/.
The words that he was saying were so fitting for the situation that we were in. Here we were, just a few days before Thanksgiving, sitting in the emergency room with JC's dad knowing that the cancer was winning the battle here on earth. He spoke of the impact of a thankful heart:

1. Godliness, because we are aware of His presence
2. Motivation to look for His purpose in our circumstances
3. Submission to His will, even when we don’t understand
4. A reminder of our dependence on Him
5. A stronger witness
6. Attractiveness to others
7. Joy and contentment instead of fear and anxiety
8. Focus on God in difficult times
9. Transformation of our attitude toward others
10. Supernatural energy

Look at point #8 : "Focus on God in difficult times" - as we sat there, we all listened and I realized that God had a message for us. We are to look to him with thanksgiving this year - not only at what He had given us but thankful for who He is and that He will never leave us. We never want to go through what JC and the family are going through, but I can't imagine going through it without depending on God. For we only see right now, but He sees the entire picture - the entire plan.

Will & Cody's Game

Those of you who read my blog may not know but I have twin nephews that played basketball game tonight. It was only the second game of the year so far, the first one that I attended. Let me say that watching my nephews play was a lot different than just watching a simple ballgame. I was fine until they would come into the ballgame and then I would get nervous for them. They are 6'6" and 6'5" seniors who are playing basketball for the first year for the high school. They did pretty good - Cody got his first two points of the season. The whole family was out there and I got some pretty good shots which I will post on my Flickr account. It was the first of many games that we will be attending this year.

Kids will be kids

This afternoon at 3:30 I received a phone call from the school. Josh was still there and they were wondering if someone was suppose to come and pick him up. I said that he was supposed to go on to daycare. But Josh told them that his Poppy was coming to pick him up so he just didn't get on the daycare bus. She asked him if he had a note and he told her no but that his Poppy was coming to get him. So I had to quickly call my daddy to get him to go and get Josh. Thank goodness he was home so that he could get him. I guess next time I need to be sure to ask him where he is going after school and who is picking him up. Guess he was bound to go to his Poppy's and not go to daycare. He loves to go see his Poppy because it is do whatever you want and eat whatever you want.

Parenting

Sometimes I believe that the hardest job in the world is being a parent. It's not something that you can do for a while and then one day just decide that you don't want to do it anymore. There are times when the kids don't want to mind and have a smart mouth, that I just want to throw my hands up and throw in the towel. But I have to remember that being a parent is something that you have to remove diligent. There is too much riding on me getting this parenting thing. I just have to pray and ask God for wisdom in this area, which at times I feel like I am a complete failure in. But it is in times like this, that I grow closer to God by seeking Him daily and trusting Him to show me the way.

Bass Pro Shop

Sunday night we headed to Bass Pro Shop for family night since JC has a part time job there. He is working there mainly for the big discount which will help fund his fishing habit. The amount of people there was incredible - we had to make our own parking space. The kids immediately headed to Santa's Workshop which is the department that JC is working right now. JC is wearing an very interesting hat - an elf hat. It's the so lovely. He on the other hand could do without wearing it. I took some pictures which are posted on my facebook page, but I think that he would kill me if I posted them here too.
We stayed in the store for over 2 hours. We met some friends there and had a great time. This is the 3rd Bass Pro Shop that I have been in, but I was very impressed with the store. I loved the Nascar items around the store and of course all the outdoor stuff. But I believe that the most impressive thing was the grounds around the store. From what I could see in the dark, it looked cool. There is a small lake (pond if you ask me), stone bridges, walking trails, etc around the store. I can't wait to take the kids out there during the day to see everything. Josh just wants to go back to Santa's Wonderland and was rather upset when he found out that after Christmas, it would not be there anymore. They had two shooting stations set up and a place to play with a remote control truck. Let's just say that I found a chair in that department and had a seat while I wanted on the kids. Maggie and her friend Morgan played on the boats.
So the next time you are at Bass Pro Shop, stop by Santa's Wonderland and say hello to my elf.

Busy weekend

It was a weekend that was packed with stuff. Saturday morning, we picked up Josh from his friend's house after the spend the night party. Then off to Maggie's meet we went. She did a great job. Her lowest score was 9.0. She got 3rd on floor with a 9.3 and was 5th All Around out of 14 girls in her age group. Our team came in 2nd place - missing 1st place by 5/10 of a point. I was so proud of her. i will post pictures when I get a chance to download them. I just hope they come out since the lighting was terrible.
After her meet and some lunch, we headed to Tuscaloosa for the game. The kids were so excited. We had packed enough clothes that you would have thought we were going away for the weekend. Once we got to town and found a place to park, we headed off the the quad. JC and Josh started playing football and Maggie started doing cartwheels all over. I on the other hand was standing around taking pictures and shivering in the cold. All I could think of was how cold it was going to be at the game. I took Maggie to the pep rally at the library and JC had Josh right behind us.
We got to our seats and things were going good until it started raining during the 2nd quarter. The kids did great considering how cold it was. We stayed until about 8 minutes left in the game right after Alabama scored for the last time. The kids were so tired and were asleep before we were out of Tuscaloosa.

My Little Girl is Growing Up

Tonight I had to realized that my little girl is growing up. I had to buy my little girl her first bra tonight. We got her a sports bra and she was so thrilled. I on the other hand was a little sad because it's just means that she isn't my little girl anymore. It just seems like yesterday that she was my baby girl and I was holding her in my arms for the first time and now she is growing up. Where did all the time go. Times like tonight remind me to make the most of every moment that I have with my kids because before I know it they will be grown.

Josh's Field Trip

Today Josh and his class went on a field trip to Desoto Caverns. Since I had to work, JC went with him. It was his first trip to take with either kid, so I have to give props out to JC. He rode the bus and said that Josh fell asleep on the way to the caverns. By the time I got home, JC was a little tired. Josh said that they had a blast. So thanks JC for stepping in and going with him when I couldn't go.

Remembering Those Who Serve

Today is Veteran's Day - a day to remember the men and women who have fought and died and are fighting for our country. As I was driving in to work today, I was listening to the Opening Drive on JOX - yes I have become addicted to listening to a bunch of people who have never played a day of football in their lives call in and give their wisdom on what the coach needs to do. This morning they played the speech from the movie Patton where he talks to the troops while standing in front of the American flag. If you have seen the movie you know what part I was talking about. As I listened to the speech, it reminded me of something that I already knew - we are a blessed nation. It made me think of the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make everyday - whether here at home or over seas - so that I may live in a free country. So many times we go about our lives thanking for granted the freedoms that we have in this country of ours. I pray that we never lose this freedom and never take one day for granted that we have to exercise that freedom.

We also need to remind our children of the sacrifice of our troops and what it took to make this country free - not only today but everyday. So many children today do not even have a clue about the history and foundations of this great nation of ours - and that is a shame.

So not just today but anytime you see a veteran or a man or woman in uniform, take a moment to stop and thank them for their service. I would like to say thank you to all of you that have served and the families of those who have served. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

What we can rely on

Every night the kids and I read a short devotion to help them grow spiritually. Last week we started on a section titled "Relying on God". When I started this with the kids, I wasn't expecting the lesson that I would get. Last night the verses talked about God holding our right hand and to not be afraid. Tonight the passage was from Psalm 146: 3, 5-6, 10

Don't trust the leaders of the land to save you.
They are only people...
But good things come to people
who let God be their helper..
He always keeps his promises...
God is King forever.
Cheer for God!

When I read this tonight to the kids I was blown away. What a fitting passage for today with the election going on. As I read the devotional it talked of how we rely on things and people, but we need to remember that these things and people will let us down at times. But no matter what happens, He always loves us. And sooner or later, everything will turn out all right. As I listen tonight to all the talk and see the results, it is comforting to know that even though we don't know what will come tomorrow, God does. So tomorrow morning when my kids wake and are worried that McCain didn't win, I will simply remind them and myself of the lesson that we learned tonight.

Today as I stood in line with my kids to vote, I felt a sense of pride. So many people, some first time voters, turned out in record numbers to let their voice be heard.

Election Day

Tonight as I read the kids' their nightly devotional, I was reminded that God is the only One who will never let us down or leave us. While others around you and the government may let you down, God is and will always be reliable. The verse we read was found in Isaiah 41:13 "For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!" Before I read the devotional to the kids tonight I was scared of what the results of tomorrow's election may bring, but now I know that no matter what God is still in control and that He will be there no matter what. This country is the greatest country in the world. I am thankful to be living in a country where I can worship my God without fear. It is my prayer that God will continue to show mercy to this country and that He will not remove His protection on this country.