The REAL Football!

Football?  No not the game with the funny shaped ball.  The real Futbal!  The one with the round ball that is kicked ONLY with the feet.  Now that is Football!  :)
How did I get into this soccer life?  Well, when Lindsay was 9 she wanted to play this sport that I had never really heard of.  So we signed her up.  I went to practice and thought, WHAT a stupid game. But she enjoyed it.  Why couldn't she like a sport I knew something about?  Guess I was stuck!  And stuck I have been for the past 11 years.  Stuck in something I have grown to love and am passionate about!  Something that consumes my dreams and my waking moments. :)  Lindsay played till she aged out at 19.  CJ started when he was 4, dropped out a couple of years ago but was back again this spring.  Lindsay played in high school, CJ had no desire to follow that route.
The first year of soccer, I watched and I learned.  That next spring, I was elected as Registrar.  HUH!  ME?  Yes me!  And I have been there ever since.  I enjoy it to the fullest!  I love the kids!  Yes all of them! :)  Even the ones that try everyones patience.  ;)  It keeps me busy and makes me smile.  When will I hang it up?  Ummm never!  ;)  I will go till I can't anymore.
This year I am coaching again.  Yes I do that too.  I have coached a team for the past 9 years.  Sometimes I coached 2 teams.  Yeah I am nuts!  But it is a good nuts.  
Eat, sleep, breathe, and live it!  :)  The REAL Football!

Public School? Home School?

It doesn't seem so long ago that I was just starting to home school Lindsay.  But that has been 14 years ago that we started that trip.  She went to kindergarten and had Cheryl Miller as a teacher. A wonderful teacher at that.  We just loved her. She was kind and caring and so good to the kids.  And the spring of that year, Columbine happened and our world was forever changed.  There were issues at the schools in the few weeks that followed. Threats, hit lists and on and on.  This just shook my soul to the bone!  So, we decided to home school that fall.  1st grade through 7th grade for Lindsay.  Preschool - 6th with CJ.  Then they both entered the public school system. No things weren't perfect, but are they ever?!  Things actually adjusted very well.
Lindsay went on through school graduated and is now in college.  CJ just finished up his freshmen year.  She was happy as happy as you can be in school. ;)  CJ has not been.  She is very social and never meets a stranger, CJ is more like me (well what I used to be) quiet and more to himself.  BUT there is NOT a thing wrong with that.  Look at me today.  LOL  I sure am not quiet and I HAVE to have others to survive.  Not all the time, but once in a while is good.  
After much discussion and mauling it over, we will be back to the home school adventure this fall with CJ.  Am I happy?  VERY!  Is he happy?  I would say VERY.  :)  Do I shirk this responsibility and let him do whatever and never do his work, never test, never this or never that.  Umm no!  We school!  I will not fail my children by not having them do their work.
Why home school?  It is a choice we have made, because we feel it will be better for him.
Can he graduate from high school?  Not from the public school but he can get a GED, we can have our own graduation, he can go into college with the GED (they gladly welcome home school students), and after researching he can still get the PROMISE Scholarship. :)
Home schooling doesn't give a child a good rounded education?  Not sure where that came from, although I have heard it many times.  Both of my kids have never suffered socially. We have kept them active in Soccer and 4-H.  Both have always tested high on their year end testing.  Both going into the public school system have done great.  Lindsay carried a 4.0+ through out her high school years.  She graduated 6th in her class and went into college and has made the Dean's List every semester with a 4.0.  CJ did the same is first two years having a 4.0, this last year as a freshmen he had a 3.75.  Well rounded?  I think so!  Smart?  Yes smarter than I ever hope to be!  ;)
All kids are different.  What is good for one, may not be for the other one.  I have two and they are as different as day and night.  I'm glad for that. What fun would it be to have 2 exactly alike.  Their interests are different.  As a parent, you get to enjoy so many different things with each child.  I call that blessings.
So this fall, we will be home schooling for the next 3 years, the last 3 years of CJ's high school years.  I know this is the right decision for him and know he will do well in all areas as he always has.
And me, yes I am excited!  And so blessed to be able to do what I feel called to do.  God is SO good!

Remind me...

It seems just yesterday I was longing to have a child.  Then they were here, small and in my arms.  ALL for me to have and take care of.  And here we are today, one will turn 20 this month and the other will turn 16 in a few months.  Where has time gone?  Why has it went so fast?  Why do I blink and another week is gone, another month, another season, and then another year.  I remember when I was a teen at home and I would wish for this day or that.  My mom always said, don't wish your life away.  I always thought that is crazy, till I got older and found out what she meant.  For she was in that stage where I am now.  Babies growing up, turning into teens, and then into young adults.  

Today I dropped this little fella off at church camp.  I remember when he was this little.  His moms temper, snapping brown eyes, red hair. Yes he is a spitting image of me.  Poor kid. ;)  But he is a sweet heart.  Caring and kind.  Ornery too.  16?  16?!  That just doesn't seem possible.  I remember when I was carrying him under my heart.  We would go to the dr and she would listen to his heart beat. She would also call him a she.  His sister would say no it is a HE!  LOL  She prayed for a little brother and we know God listens to those little ones.  

Today, this little girl finished a 12 hour shift at the hospital.  Blue eyes like her daddy, strawberry blonde hair like her daddy, and a mild temper like her daddy.  Here she is on her great grandma's lap.  Her name sake.  Naming her after my grandma brought so much joy to my grandma.  

I remember carrying her under my heart.  We never thought we would ever have a child (God blessed us with 2).  

Funny how children are SO different.  Of course I wouldn't want them the same.  God knew just when we needed them.  In his time, not ours.  

When both my children were born, we dedicated them back to the Lord. For you see, they aren't mine, they are just borrowed.  They are God's, not ours.  I am so very blessed, please, Lord remind me...

Moving Mountains...

Sometimes it takes moving a mountain to let God work his plan.  I believe God moves those mountains in ways we don't expect.  The last few weeks has been rough.  I have went through things that no one has even known about.  Someone who has been so close to me for a very long time, just up and turns a whole new direction with lies and shutting me out.  BUT God had a plan.  It got worse before it got better.  But I do know that God takes the things our of our lives that hinder us.  Those things that we do not need in our life to bring us down, or destroy us completely.  Living a Christian life can be rough at times the way it is, and we do not need people or things in our life that could destroy that if they got the chance.  I believe that God loves us and will do what he needs to to shake our inner beings at times.  He has did that to me many times.  I also am a firm believer that you just don't play church or go to God like a spare tire, when you need him.  Going to church doesn't make you a christian or make you saved anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.  You must be born again, washed in the blood to go live with the Lord.  Good deeds get you no where.  My parents work in the Lord gets me no where.  It has to be ME.  So in all this rambling, I know that God was cleaning my house.  Making things better and yes even easier for me too.
In the midst of all the turmoil and agony I was going through, there was a huge blessing in there too.  While we were at the beach, I got a text from someone I didn't even know.  The beach house we were renting belonged to her aunt.  They had been down that way the week before with her family.  She has a little girl and boy.  The little girl is autistic and while they were there, she wanted to see the live Mermaids at the Ripley Aquarium.  And while they were there, she got her picture taken with one.  But they never made it home with the picture. So the reason for the text, was for me to call her.  I did and she asked if I could go to the house and see if the people staying there could look and see if it had fell behind the dresser in her bedroom she had used.  So this put me on a mission.  :)  It kept my mind busy and my heart light, in the midst of a storm.  The next day I went to the house, knocked on the door a couple times and a young man came to the door.  I told him what I was there for, then an older man showed up asking what was needed.  I told him the story again and he said you wait right here, I will go look.  And he came right back with the picture in his hand.  I was SO excited I could have shouted right there.  :)  I let the mom know I had the picture and she was thrilled!  This made it even more worthwhile.  So I made arrangements to meet her when I got home.  When she pulled up, she was all smiles which gave my heart that happy beat.  We got out of our vehicles and she said someone wants a hug from you. :)  I walked around the side of her vehicle and she got her little girl out.  She thanked me and then hugged me.  Yes!  Just seeing that smile and hearing her tell me about it made everything so much better.  What a blessing it was for me to get that picture for this sweet child.  To see her eyes sparkle and the smile on her face.  I will carry that with me always.  And as good as that was, the best part was getting to talk to her mom.  Her mom encouraged me and talked with me like we had been friends forever!
So you see, that picture got left behind for a reason. God KNEW I was gonna need that talk, that childs hug and smile, the encouragement and uplifting words from the mom.  He always knows what we need before we need it.  How blessed I am.  How thankful I am!  God loves me, loves me so much!!!!!

More blessed today...

It's been a crazy few weeks for sure!  But I feel even more blessed today than I did yesterday or the day before that.  My sister is finally home from the hospital after 3 weeks of one thing or another.  We had my dad's surprise 70th birthday party and he actually didn't know a thing till he walked in the door and everyone started singing. :)  Bless his heart, I know no other like him.  Strong willed and bull headed, but so caring and gentle.  The one person I know is always praying for me, always there for me, and always loving me no matter what I do or don't do.  He has been a rock for us since my mom passed away. She was always the strong one, the one that pulled us through kicking and screaming. ;)  But when mom left us, my dad stepped right up to the plate.  He has been there for us all, through so many things.  I couldn't ask for a better father or grandfather!  So surprising him was wonderful. I did of course, have to tell a couple lies, and in church of all places!  First we had to get him there without him asking questions. So we told him it was a Mother's Day dinner.  Ok that worked, but then he needed to know what to fix and bring.  I told him the moms had it all under control and that he had enough going on with my sister.  ;)  That took care of that.  Then there was the time thing.  I knew he would be early, because that is how he always is.  He is always at the church an hour - hour and a half before time.  So with this being at 6 I told him 6:30.  He bought it.  And I asked forgiveness! :)  God is a merciful God, thank goodness!    So the evening went great.  There were around 75 people there.  Mostly family and a few friends.  Food was great, thanks to my sister's Bob Evans.  The cake was fatastic, thanks to my Aunt Bev who got it from Mr. Canterbury.  The music was great, thanks to the Humphreys.  The fellowship was wonderful too.
Mother's Day was yesterday.  The 4th spent without my momma.  I know she is in heaven rejoicing and singing with the angels, but it sure does get lonely here without her.  As I watched others with their moms, it made my heart happy for them, but sad for us.  It is those times that I just miss her so much it sucks the air from my lungs.  4 years, seems like an eternity!  But memories seem just like yesterday.  No momma I know, gave what she did.  Took care of what she did, prayed and witnessed like she did.  She was just an astounding person.  I feel very blessed to have had her as long as I did.  That my kids got to be with her as long as they did.  We all would have loved to have kept her with us, but that wasn't in God's plan.  But I know that I am a better person because of her.  I still talk to her.  I still cry for her.  I still need her, every single day!  And she is here.  In the air I breathe.  In the wind that blows, the rain that refreshes.  In my children's eyes, in their laughter, their smile, their knowledge and on and on.  Yes I am blessed.
My sweet babies got me the perfect gift for Mother's Day.  I got a candle, they know how I love them.  Then a folded frame, that my daughter wrote on.  It will hold pictures that was taken yesterday of me and them.  Precious and priceless.  And letters from each of them.  Telling me how they love me and appreciate me.  Yes I know that, but it always touches my heart for them to write things to me.  As my daughter said, there is no card that can say what I want it to.  So they say it all in their own words which means so much more than a card ever could.  
So today, I am more blessed than yesterday but not as blessed as tomorrow.  God is good, all the time.  And I know who holds tomorrow...

My baby sis...

We never know what another day will bring for us.  Saturday morning I was woke up to my phone ringing.  I am thinking soccer, but it was my dad.  So I knew something wasn't right.  When I answered he proceeded to tell me my sister was in the hospital and having trouble with blockage in her bowel.  They were sure it was cancerous and was doing surgery later that morning.  What should have taken an hour turned into three.  The tumor was attached to her old scar tissue and her bladder.  They also took some lymph nodes.  We here the results from pathology tomorrow. 
She was fine.  No problems, until three days before when she started having pain.  And it led to this.  No we don't know what a new day will bring for us.  What road we will travel.  
Thinking about my sister, brings back a flood of memories.  When she was younger, we picked on her horribly.  She was as touch as a pine knot. :)  She didn't hold back doing things because of fear, she just tried it.  And of course we always encouraged her to do things first.  ;)  I remember teaching her to ride a bike.  The only small one we had, didn't have a seat on it.  But that is what she learned to ride one on.  I can still see her going on it.  Then there was the time we decided to put the saddle on the horse that was not saddle broke.  She got on the saddle and the horse wasn't happy.  She fell off and it stepped on her right above her heart on the shoulder area.  She was the athlete in the family.  She started playing basketball at Gilmore in 6th grade.  She continued playing it right through high school.  Along with softball and volleyball.  IF she would have had time, she would have played other things.  It was a year round busyness for her.  We loved watching her play.  It gives your heart a thrill to see a loved one doing a sport.  And since I had nothing athletic about me, I was always in awe of her.  From high school she did some college and then came back home and worked here locally.  When my daughter was born, she lived with  us.  The bond between them was inseparable.  When she came home from work, my daughter met her at the door with arms in the air.  Then my son, yes she loved him just as much.  
Then came the day we lost our mom.  My sister was by her bedside when she passed away.  I guess it is selfish of me, but I have always been thankful it wasn't me that was there when she took her last breath. But I do remember her calling me that night.  It forever changed our lives.  And now, my sister is starting this battle with this nasty disease herself.  And like my mom, she is a fighter.  She is strong and doesn't give up.  It isn't in her blood to do that.  With us behind her, encouraging her and being there for her every step of the way, I know she will beat this disease.  I hate cancer!  It takes so many from us way before their time, as it did our sweet momma.  
I love you Michelle!  We all do!  We are here fighting with you and for you. Praying for God to take care of you and heal your body.  You just have to trust in him.  For we know not what tomorrow brings...

Fear...

Fear is something that will grip my heart at times and torture me into a panic attack!  It has been that way since I was a younger child.  I always worried (yes the same as fear) the my grandma would die.  She was never well and every time we would go to visit I hated to leave.  I just knew I would never see her again. But I did, over and over again.  Fear is something that will destroy you, if you let it.  It can be a daily battle unless you stay on top of it.  

When I had my daughter, I worried over every little thing.  Were my hands clean?  Was she hungry?  Was she hurting?  What had I done, bringing this precious life into this cruel nasty world!?  And on and on. Then came my son, and it was the same all over again.  They both have survived my worries and fears.  Then my mom found out she had cancer.  I remember praying and begging God not to take her so many times.  Every little thing she endured, I worried.  I feared what could be.  But the days turned into months and a few years.  We were blessed with almost another 10 years of her in our lives.  The one thing my mom always said was, worry and fear borrows from tomorrow.  And you don't know what tomorrow may bring. So why worry.  

So now here we are in this day and age, where we hear of all the horrible things going on in our country today.  Once again, it brings the fear into my heart.  Fear of what tomorrow will bring. Fear of what may happen to us.  Fear!  I hate fear!  And I have learned down through the years, that when fear raises its ugly head, I have to remind it who is in control and that IT will not control me.  And just that, brings peace to my heart.  Knowing, that God is in control.  Nothing will happen unless he lets it.  And I've read the last chapter so I know how this all works out.  I know where I am going!  I know where my future is.  

I want to share this from Joel Osteen.  I love Joel.  He always lifts me up with his teachings.  Not taking anything away from my pastors, but just an added touch into my life.  :)  

I am blessed beyond measure.  I have no reason to fear, for God is in control...

"Fear always presents itself much bigger than it really is. It’s always the worst-case scenario. It always tries to get you worried, anxious, uptight and panicked. Fear’s goal is to separate you from God by trying to get you to doubt His Word. But when the spirit of fear comes, recognize that it has no power unless you give it power. Don’t give it power by speaking what fear speaks. Don’t give it power by meditating on it. Instead, let the power of the Word of God rise up within you. Declare what God says; declare that God has given you all authority in heaven and earth. Declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.  Remember, no matter how big fear presents itself, it’s no match for the power of Almighty God. When you yield yourself to Him, you tap into His power. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. God is bigger than your problems and bigger than fear. Let faith rise up in your heart because faith is the victory that overcomes the world."

Days gone by...

Where does the weekend go?!  The days just fly right on by.  I remember when I was in high school and would wish for the weekends.  My mom would always say, don't wish your life away.  Then it didn't matter. Now I know what she meant.  And I wish I could go back in time and to the days when things were easier.  Where life wasn't as crazy as it is now.  Where safety wasn't such an issue.  Where the hills, valleys, and creeks were our play ground.  What fun we had.  My cousins lived right up the road from us.  Our summers were full of so much fun.  No, we didn't travel here or there.  All our fun was right there on our own land.  We had ponies, bikes, barns with hay, hills to roam, creeks to explore, and so many other things to keep us busy.  We would get up in the morning, eat and leave the house.  Our parents didn't have to worry about us. We were gone till dark without a care.  Yes we had work that we did, but all of us working together got it done quick.  Then the day was ours.  All those things are now just a sweet memory that is stored in my heart.  All those small things that were really big things, that I never thought to appreciate at the time.  Days didn't go so fast (unless it was weekends or summer). ;)  The things that excited us were small compared to now.  We had to use the phone with the party lines to call people and talk.  There were no game systems, computers, internet or cable.  Just our imagination and where it would take us.  Each day was a new adventure.
I would love to go back just for a day. But I also love my life now.  I love my family and all that God has blessed me with.  God is so good - all the time...

One blessed woman...

Today I awoke from a good nights sleep.  Took my son to school and then the day was mine till it was time to pick him up.  I cam back home and laid down for a bit, got up and got ready and went out with my bff to eat and to run errands.  The whole day was mine. to do as I wanted.  That is nothing new.  It is always this way and has been for 20+ years.  From the time my dear sweet husband and I got married we decided that once we had children, I was a stay at home mom.  And I have been, still am.  The job I always wanted with the best pay in the world. Hard?  Yes at times it has been.  Rewarding?  Yes always!  This afternoon I read a blog at http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/04/how-to-make-a-home/ .  And it really made me stop once again and thank God for all my blessings.  For a hard working husband who has never ever been lazy.  Who has always went to work and worked horrible hours.  Long, hot, cold and tireless hours.
I met this amazing man 25 years ago is May.  In September, we started dating.  Engaged on my birthday in November. Married in December.  All in the same year.  Everyone had doubts that we would ever make it.
We have climbed mountains.  We have crawled through the valleys.  We have struggled.  But through all of this we did it together, with God.  We were blessed with children 5 and 9 years after our marriage.  I stayed home to raise these babies.  I was there with them day and night.  Morning and evening, sickness and health. Fussy and laughing.  Through it all. The greatest joy of my life has been being a momma and wife.  My life long dream, that really my Cary has made happen for me.  I can't ask for more.
When we met, he was young and spry!  The years have taken a tole on his body.  His knees and back aren't what they used to be.  Driving those big mixer trucks are rough on a person.  Does he complain?  No!  I've tried to get him to take days off.  Does he?  No!  They depend on him, his customers depend on him.  And he has a family to take care of.  Those are his replies.
So each day as I rise, I thank God for giving me the precious life I have.  For my sweet children that I never thought I would have.  And especially for this man who walked into my life at its lowest point and swept me off my feet.  For him loving me through all the ups and downs.  The good, the bad.  And when I lay down at night and he is laying asleep I look over at his peaceful face and know God was watching out for me all those years ago, when he sent him into my life.  I am one blessed woman...

Everyone is not alike...

People come and go in your life.  It isn't always an easy thing to deal with, but you learn from these experiences.  Everyone comes into your life for a reason.  What you get from it, is your own reasoning of life.
Some stay a while and some pass right through.  It can be a  hard lesson to learn, knowing that so called friends are users.  That they think because they are friends they can take advantage of situations.  When they don't get what they want, they turn nasty.  They talk about you and say bad things about you.  But all of these things is what makes us stronger.  It makes us wiser and more careful.  BUT on the flip side, we should not let these kind of people keep us from meeting new friends.  Everyone is not alike.  Give people a chance.  Be good to them, see what they bring into your life.
Being a good friend doesn't mean you agree on everything.  It means you agree not to agree on things at times and just leave it alone.  Those friends that stick by you no matter what the reason is, are the true friends. The ones that weather the storms with you, laugh in the rain, cry through the rough spots, dance when no one is watching or when everyone is watching, talking and talking and talking, or sitting in complete silence and being comfortable with all of that.  I have some of those.  As always, I am blessed.
 

Friends...

Whew!  It has sure been a crazy few days.  Life will hand you some rough rows to hoe sometimes. But sticking to it and moving forward, you always come out on top.  I do think what makes things so much better is good and caring friends. Those that are there for you when times are tough.  When things go wrong, they are there to lift you up.  Make you smile and laugh.  I have some good and true friends. God has blessed my life so much with friendship.  Friends that I have had for years, a few years, and new ones too.  It lifts my heart to know that some just linger waiting till you need them and then there they are.  I am amazed at their loyalty and commitment in all things.
Make sure you let your friends know what they mean to you and how much you love and care for them. That you are there for them, just as they are for you.
Life is good...

Who moved...

The sun is shining and it feels a little warmer. That helps with so many things.  :)  

Not many know I have been working hard at getting my diabetes under control.  My Dr (God love her heart)  told me I needed to go on insulin.  I have fought that for at least 3 years.  I just keep telling her let me try again. She did.  I didn't.  Then this past December my daughter sent me a text begging me to take care of myself.  She as well as my son, had lost their grandma, my mom and it has been really rough on them.  IT was then that I knew I had to do something.  My weight was out of control. My blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes all way out of control.  I was a time bomb waiting to explode!  Last summer I dealt with chest pain and ended up in the hospital having a heart cath done to check my heart.  PTL everything was ok.  I felt that was a good sign.  So January 1st, was my starting point.  I could have 150 carbs a day.  So that was my biggest concern, not calories or fat, but carbs.  I knew I needed to exercise too.  Here it is in the middle of winter and I need to walk.  Walmart is a wonderful place to walk when you need to stay out of the weather.  For once, I was thrilled the place was so long.  ;)  I slowly figured out what foods I could and couldn't have.  What was the best and the worst.  I tried going off the diet soda but that lasted a month.  Yes I felt better without it, but it was one of the things I really liked and so I backslid on it.  I visited my Dr. 2 months ago and she seen I had lost weight and I showed her my readings from my finger sticks.  She was very pleased and said she still wanted me to try the insulin because I was really way off on that. So she put in the order for it.  

I never did get it, it never has came in.  God knew I wouldn't need it. ;)  So today I went back for a check up.  I was down more weight, 22 lbs to be exact and my bp was 124/70.  She was even more pleased.  I was thrilled.  But what thrilled me most was that she said we were going to hold off on the insulin for now.  :))))))))))  YES!!!  So I am very happy with myself.  I know how hard it is.  I know what a daily struggle it is to make sure you eat the right things and not to much of this or that.  I haven't went without anything I like.  Ice cream?  Yes I have had that a couple of times.  Pizza, yes that too.  Beans and cornbread, yes.  All this carb filled things, yes.  I have it but I also log it into Myfitnesspal (www.myfitnesspal.com) before I eat.  When I go out to eat (Cozumels) I don't get the chips and salsa.  I order veggies and chicken breast.  It is that way everywhere I go.  BUT I log it!  I look things up on this and see what it is, is it worth that splurge?  Is it worth the carbs I will be getting out of it?   If not, then I don't have it.  Or I have 1/2 of a serving.  

It is all about taking time, being aware and never giving up.  IF I stumble, I get up and keep going.  I pray that I will be able to continue this road I am on.  I know without God guiding me, I wouldn't be able to do it. He knows I want to see my kids grown and enjoy my grand babies (one of these days!)  God is good, he is faithful and he never ever leaves us.  At my hardest and darkest times, he carries me.  I feel him around me all the time.  IF I don't, then who has moved.  It sure hasn't been him.  What would I ever do without Him there for me at all times.  Always!  I am blessed!

Days...

There are days, and then there . are . days!  This is one of the latter.  I have a hard time dealing with stupidity.  No I just don't deal with it at all.  Along with that goes know it all, pushy, and belligerent.  I have my fair share of all the above.  I guess it is just the way of some people that seemed to get on that last nerve that is dangling by a thread anyway.
There is so many things going on in this world that is much more important than others. People are heart broken, sad, grieving, saying good bye to their loved ones for the last time.  And on and on.  So many things matter and so many things don't.
I've just had a rough day.  Not that I am anything, but my heart aches for people.  For their losses, their hurts.  For all the things that life seems to dump on them.  Things that make me say HEY I am very blessed!  Very VERY blessed!  Life is to short to worry bout these minor things.
So this evening is mine.  Mine to spend with my son and let him know that he is really top priority along with his sister.  Sometimes I feel they get pushed out due to all the other work I do.  I need to start making some changes.  No one prepares us for things that happen.  But we can make the best out of things that are there while we have them.  Hug those you love tighter and closer tonight. We never know what the next day will bring us.

Sunday is almost here...

As I think about what tomorrow means to me, so many things run through my mind.  One of the biggest things, is my own two children.  The love that I have for them, what I wouldn't do for them, and what I wouldn't give for them.  Until you have a child of your own, you can't know this love.  It is different.  It is SO different than any kind of love I have ever gave or felt.  And so this has me thinking bout Mary.  I can't imagine what she went through as she watched her son go through all he went through.  The beatings on his back so that we may be healed.  This was done with shards of glass.  Can you imagine that pain.  The crown of thorns pushed down on his head.  These were thorns that were 2+ inches long.  Not these little tiny things.  This crown wasn't just sit on top of his head, but pushed into his bone and flesh.  Imagine the blood running down his back and his face.  Imagine the sweat burning into these wounds.  And then having to carry your own cross up a hill knowing that you were going to be nailed to it.  Your clothes stripped off and being nailed to the cross.  The long spikes put into each hand and feet.  And the tearing of muscle and flesh as the cross is raised and then dropped into the ground.  Being thirsty and being given a sponge with vinegar on it to quench that thirst.  The piercing of his side.  The pain and agony that he went through, as his sweet momma looked on.  Knowing she couldn't do anything to help him or save him.  Knowing he had to do this to save mankind.  It had to be done.  But I think of her watching this and although I don't know her agony, I know what it is for my own children to be hurt or have an injury.  You wish it was you dealing with the pain.  You would take their place in a second!  I am sure the felt this way too.  Wishing she could take his pain away, to hold him and tell him everything was alright.  But it was not to be.  Why?  Because He knew I needed for this to happen. I needed for this to come about so that I could have eternal life.
Just today, I said a few things in anger that I shouldn't have said.  I apologized.  I asked God for forgiveness.  And I thought, I can do that, because he gave his life for me.  Tomorrow is Easter, new life, new beginnings, old things are passed away and all things are new again.  If you don't know my Lord as I do, you have time to make that change.  All you have to do is just ask Him.  Just ask...

This and that...

So many things have ran through my mind the last few days.  Yesterday I spent the day alone going back and forth to the dentist to get impressions made.  I actually enjoyed myself.  Shopping here and there and people watching.  ;)  Yes that is the best part.  I am amazed at people.  They are so unpredictable and you never know what they will do or say, act or wear.
One thing that really stands out in my mind is how rude people can be.  The receptionist at the dental office (it was in Parkersburg) was rude.  Very unfriendly and no personality.  I wonder how many people she drives away because of it.  But I was not gonna let her get me down.  I just went my own happy way.  :)  To make up for peoples rudeness I try to do good things for others.  I was coming out of the Dollar Tree (they have the best on there) and a lady was unloading the stuff out of her buggy.  I told her I would take it and put it up as it was on my way.  She thanked me and I am sure was shocked.  People don't do things for anyone anymore.  But it always makes my heart lighter to help someone out.  A couple weeks ago my daughter and I were at Kohl's.  I had a $10 coupon on my phone.  You could only use it if you spent $50 and we didn't have that much.  So I gave it to the lady in front of us.  She was shocked, the cashier stammered around trying to figure out what to do.  I wasn't gonna use it, it expired before I would get to use it, so why not give it to someone else and help them out.  No I am not perfect, I just think a little good goes a long way in this world.
And then there is the gay marriage posts all over my facebook.  Do I support gay marriage?  No, I don't.
Love gay/lesbian people?  You better believe it.  I have some awesome friends and precious family that are gay/lesbian.  I am not their judge, I am their friend and family. I'm not here to bash them or anyone else.  Just as everyone including myself, we will all answer to God.  None of us will get by without that.  How we live, what we do, the way we are.  We will answer to God for that.  I have worked hard at teaching my own two children that we love everyone. We are all God's children and he loves us.  Yes, he does!  We do not discriminate because of skin color, sexual preference, dress, hair styles, piercings, tattoos, and on and on.  I have my own work cut out keeping my own doorstep clean.  ;)  And besides, God will judge us as we judge others.  Wow!  I sure wouldn't want that on my record.
Today finishes up school for the Spring Break.  I am SO happy to have some days to sleep in.  :)  And I know CJ will love that too.  Tomorrow is Good Friday.  What is so good about it?  I know that my Lord died for me and rose again in 3 days.  That makes it good for me.  So glad to have the time off.  Maybe do some spring cleaning and just spending time at home with my young man.  :)
Yes life is full but it sure is good.

Momma said there'd be days like this...

And boy was she ever right.  It has been one of those days where I feel everything has consumed me.  I am just struggling to keep my head above water.  But I'm still swimming.  :)
There are things in life that always puts up a road block on the way we travel.  Then we have to figure out a way around them.  Sometimes we have to suck it up and squeeze around them.  Or maybe we chisel away at them, which takes a bit longer, but we manage to break through.  And then there are times we just have to climb over them.  Either way we go, it is a challenge.  A battle, nothing easy.  But these things make us stronger.  They make us a better person.  One that can help others that come upon these road blocks on their road of life.
So back to the song "Momma said there'd be days like this", my sweet girl used to sing that all the time when she was smaller.  Guess she heard my mom sing it and she picked that up.  So when I think of this song, I think of her and her laughing as she teased me with it.  So see, life isn't so bad...

Why not?

What am I thinking?  Starting something else to take care of.  Well, why not?  So here goes.  This may not be your "normal" blog.  I like to rant and rave about things.  And I do that quite often.  There are so many things that really boil my pot over.  No not cooking.  I don't do that.  I leave that to my husband. :)  I am not Betty Crocker like so many like to let on that they are.  I am not Susie home maker either.  Anyone that acts like all that is great in their life, umm NO!  Life is just not that perfect for anyone. And then there are the mothers of the year.  Ummm NO!  If anyone should earn that reward it would be me, and I am FAR from that.  I love my kids, they are good kids, but they are not perfect.  They are to much like their momma. :)
Perfect husband?  No not that either.  I love him dearly and am blessed to be his wife for the past 25 years.  But he is far from perfect too.  There are days I could throttle him and I have "flogged" him at times to the point he looks at me with the look of "what have I done!" ;)  But he is a good guy. A great dad and a wonderful provider.  But perfect, no.  So you see, this is just one of my HUGE pet peeves.  Yes I have many.  Stick around and you will see.  Feel free to comment any time.  Just be aware, that I comment back. LOL
But all in all, life is good. I am blessed.