Almost Time for Santa

Remembering 9/11

Today started out as a normal day for everyone. I was back at work after being on maternity leave after Red was born. I had stopped for gas on the way to work and as I was getting back in the car, the morning show was reporting that the plane had crashed into the first building. I was in shock. My first thought was that something had happen to the pilot because who would have ever imagined what was actually happening. By the time I got to work, my boss had been on the phone with his friend in New York when the planes hit. His friend's building was near the towers and my boss said there was a bang and they were disconnected. Of course the news sites were so busy we couldn't get on them so I called my Daddy to find out what was going on. My heart sank. I cried. I just wanted to go home and hold my children.

Today, 11 years later, my heart is heavy on this day. I think of all those who were lost that day and how they started out their day as they would any other day. They kissed loved ones goodbye not knowing that this would be the last time they would do that. The kids who lose moms and dads now would grow up with no parent to see you graduate from high school and college. To see the news footage even today it's still unreal that this actually happen. To see the firefighters heading into the building while people are running out leaves me speechless.

People are posting things all over the place saying "Remember". But my question is do we really remember? Churches were over flowing that night and weeks after this day 11 years ago. Now where are all those people?  Have we become too comfortable again and forgotten how evil this world is? Have we gone back to taking those that we love for granted again? I am speaking to myself too. It is so easy to remember on this day each year, but what about the other days of the year? Shouldn't we remember the lessons and sacrifices made on this day every day of the year? I believe we should. And it's time for us Christians to remember not only this day, but the One that we live for everyday.

I Heart Faces - Enjoying Life

Cooling off during the summer heat!

Eight Years Ago, I Met the One

Eight years ago yesterday was just like any other day in my life - work, kids - but that Friday night was the dress rehearsal for my best friend's wedding. No this wasn't like the movie My Best Friend's Wedding in case you were thinking that. This day held something in store for me that would forever change my life. It was at this rehearsal that I met the man would would become my best friend and husband. He was the best man and I was the matron of honor. His best friend was marrying my best friend. The kids had already met him and were crazy about him and he was crazy about them. He and Red already had a little thing between them - they would take their fists and hit them on their foreheads and say "Knucklehead". The only one he hadn't met yet was me. It was at that introduction that my life was forever changed.

At the rehearsal dinner, he ended up sitting with Red and me. We were already sitting down and as soon as Red saw him he yelled for "Knucklehead" to come sit with us. Again, what are the chances.

The wedding went on the next day. The two of us talking some and kidding around with each other. At the reception, he and I missed the wedding party dance since we were standing in line for the food with Lil' Mama just talking. He was so easy to talk to. After the reception we all went back to the church to help clean up. The groom's mom made sure that we were always working together to clean up in the same area. After getting home that night, I remember thinking "Wow, he was really nice." The next weekend, I had to run to Lowe's and decided to run to the one that he worked at. Two hours later I left and by the end of the month, we were going out on our first date. The rest is history.

God's timing is always perfect. In the last 8 years we have faced many trails together - the loss of my grandmother, the stress of becoming a blended family, the death of both of our dads and the birth of twins. But through it all, our love and commitment to each other have never wavered. It has only gotten stronger.
Life is busy with 4 kids, full time jobs and everything that life throws at us, but one thing that hasn't changed - he loves me and I love him.

A Day of Rememberence

April 27, 2011 - to many across the country it was just another day. But to my home state it was a day that none of us will ever forget. As massive tornados ripped thru our state killing and destroying lives in their path - 62 tornadoes, 253 lives lost. I like many others watched  the weather reports and worried for friends and loved ones in the paths.

That day we as a state didn't wait for someone to come rescue us or to bail us out. We took care of ourselves that day and the days to follow. Ordinary everyday people became heroes. Our state was no longer concerned about a game played in November. Our only concern was each other. The phrases "Roll Tide" and "War Eagle" were replaced with "We Are Alabama".

So today, we remember the lives affected by these storms. We remember those who lost their lives and the loved ones left behind. We as a state continue to rebuild what was lost. We have risen to the challenge. May we also today be thankful for what we have and be thankful for God's mercy, love and blessings.

We Are Alabama!

iHeartFaces- Happiness Entry

This is the face I get with I ask her what a pirate says.

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Thirteen

This morning 13 years ago I was preparing to meet the beautiful little one that would forever change my life. It was the day I became a Mom. A day that forever changed my life for the better.

Today 13 years ago I had to put my own wants aside and put this little baby first. I had to protect and take care of someone so helpless who was fully dependent on me. She was walking before one and would sit in my lap for hours while I read books to her. She became a big sister at 2 and again at 10. She's a mama's girl to the bone.

But today, she is turning into the beautiful young lady that I envisioned on the day she was born. The years have flown by and no longer does she want to hold my hand when we walk somewhere but walks next to me so grown up. I wish I could slow down time for I know if the first 13 years went by this fast, the next 5 before she starts college will be here in a blink of an eye. Now instead of playing Barbies, we shoot basketball together, go run together and become even closer as she goes older. My wish is that one day I will not only be her mom but her best friend as well.

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl who will always be my baby girl. I love you

Lent

Lil' Mama has some friends that are Catholic and have told her what they are giving up for Lent. Last night she said that she was giving up something for Lent - sweet tea. At first it was coke which wouldn't be a huge sacrifice but sweet tea is another story.

I think it's great she is giving up something this year, but this got me to thinking "why wasn't I giving up anything?" At first I thought about giving up sweet tea with her but since I started this diet with The Hubs I have cut by on having sweet tea. I felt this had to be something that would be a sacrifice - something I would definitely miss. So after giving it some thought this afternoon, I have decided to give up coffee. This should be interesting since I have 2-3 cups a day. If my Lord can sacrifice for me, I can give up coffee for a little bit.

Two Years Ago

Today two years ago as I sat in the waiting room outside the ICU unit at the hospital I knew my worst nightmare was about to begin. I knew that I would be saying goodbye or see you later alligator to my hero. There would be no more phone calls when the weather was bad, no more finding candy wrappers laying where ever he decided to put them, no more hugs, no more kisses, no more hearing him tell me that he loved me, no more holding that hand of his that had held me when I needed him. I had just prayed a few days before that day that if God was ready for him to come home that I trusted Him with His plan for our lives. See learning to trust God was something that he had shown me through his life and taught me that life was much easier when you trust God. I didn't like the plan but I knew that with everything God has a purpose. It was a rainy day just like it is today. We had spent the night in the waiting room because he was just not doing well. His best friend had stayed with us too. Life was passing before my eyes and I was numb.

At 5 that afternoon, he went to be with the Lord. When he did, the sun finally came out at that very moment. I won't ever forget looking out the window to see the sunshine. It was God saying "He's' home. He doesn't hurt anymore. Don't worry I have this and I will take care of you." I still miss him but I am so thankful I have the hope and the promise I will see him again one day. When it is my time to go home to be with God, he will be there waiting on me and will once again wrap his loving arms around me. What a glorious day that will be when I can see my Lord face to face and be with my Daddy again. If it were not for the peace and assurance that only God can give to His children, I don't know how my family and I would have ever made it that day and the days to follow.

It is my prayer that if you are reading this and you don't have that peace and relationship that I have with God that you will seek Him while He can be found. It says in the Bible "For God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." Without Him, life is so much harder and has no hope. I pray that today you will believe in Him just like my Daddy and I did and that you will have a new life in Him that only God can give.

I love you Daddy.

A Good Valentine's Day

Today I am thankful. Thankful for a day that was uneventful. For you see the last two Valentine's Day haven't been the best. Two years ago we were losing Daddy and our hearts were breaking. Last year the Hubs and I spent the night in the ER with Sweet Pea. She ended up spending two days in there. She and I walked out of the hospital at the exact time just a year before when my Daddy had died.

But today, well today was very uneventful. The older ones had basketball practice and the little ones had a party at daycare. While others got baby sitters and spent the night kid free, we were content and happy staying at home with ours.

I pray the rest of the month is an uneventful as today was. Still hard to believe in two days it will be two years since I lost my first Valentine. But that is another post for another day,

Hope in Dark Times

As I sit here tonight my heart is heavy. My thoughts go to many that are hurting. This world is a fallen world - full of temptations and things. We are all human and at anytime can succumb to these temptations. The choices we makes are like a small stone being dropped into the water. At first there is no big splash and therefore we think the effect will not be great. Yet we see the waves spread out over the water and are amazed at the amount of space that is affected. So is it with life. 

To those affected by the waves of life and those who have or will drop the small stone into the water, we feel at times there is no hope. All around is judgement and hatred being spewed onto you and many others. Often the ones affected the most are the innocent. But there is a hope. We have a God that is greater than anything that can come our way. It's the same God that created the earth, parted the Red Sea, performed countless miracles - that God is the same God that cares for each of us. No matter what you have done or what you are going thru, He will always be there.

It's my prayer tonight that through this tragic event that has come to my small town God will receive all the glory. That He will be made known to those who do not know Him and those who do know Him will be brought closer to Him. May we not judge for we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. But praise be to God that we can find hope and answers in Him. For He holds all the answers in time of trouble.

The Simple Things in Life

The simple things in life are sometimes right in front of us and we don't even see them. We get so focused on the worldly things and forget to see the blessings from God right in front of us. I know with me that I get focused on schedules, work, trying to sell a house - basically all the things that one day won't matter. Now that I have challenged myself to take a picture everyday, it has forced me to see the little things. To pay attention to those things that I take for granted everyday - like a game of toss between brothers. I believe this photo challenge is going to be a blssed thing.

A Little Girl and Her Puzzle

When Little Mama was a toddler, she got a Winnie-the-Pooh puzzle that she and I would do for hours. While in the attic one day, she and I found it. It was a precious memory for me and I wanted to keep it. I brought it downstairs and the little ones loved it. Sweet Pea loves to do puzzles and can do it all by herself now.

As I watch her I can see her sister at the same age doing the puzzle and then I wonder where all the years have gone. I wish I had pictures of her doing this when she was little. But at least I have a way to remember these little hands doing exactly what her big sister many years ago.

A New Year, A New Project

This year I have challenged myself to take a picture everyday and document it. Some days will be easy while other days will be very difficult. I am excited about this challenge and hope to learn more about photography along the way. Here are the first three days:

Another challenge is to write a post on my blog about the picture and get back to blogging. I have missed it. It will be a challenge too but one I know that I can beat.