DOWN ON NICHOLS CREEK

LOOK WHO'S TWO

2009-06-30T14:11:00.005-05:00

I can't believe our little Hope is two years old! Here are some pics from her party. We just had a small family gathering and she had a minnie mouse cake.

Proud to Be An American

2009-05-24T04:42:00.005-05:00

I sat at the computer tonight because I was unable to sleep. I knew I wanted to post something about Memorial Day but I wasn't quite sure what. As many of you know I am very black and white when it comes to politics and to be honest the way things are going turns my stomach. Normally on Memorial Day Jonathan and I reflect on the great things of our nation and how wonderful it is that people would give their life so that we may know the freedom we know today, the fabric of America. But lately when I think about our nation I get teary eyed and that's no exaggeration. I don't know that the same freedoms afforded to us that were paid for in blood will be there for my children. I am not even sure that the America we knew as children will be the same for them. Will they be persecuted for their belief in God as so many are today. Will there be a ban on saying the pledge because of God? Will they be permanently bound by the debt that is being created for them now? Will they even know what ideas that founded this nation and why it is so great or will they constantly feel like they have to apologize for it like our current president? Let me just say,this Memorial Day while thinking about all those lives lost for our many freedoms, I will not be ashamed of it! I am proud to be an American. I am so by the grace of God and nothing else and while the current administration wants to do almost everything to take God out of America it will not happen because people like me won't forget who has blessed this nation from birth to today; and we will pass that on to our children so that they remember that we are to be a "city on a hill." for His glory's sake. And to the men and women that have ever put on a uniform and served this great nation let me say "THANK YOU. YOU ARE OUR HERO'S AND THE HERO'S OF SO MANY OTHER NATIONS. THERE ARE SO MANY FEARS I DON'T EVEN KNOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE DEFENDED ME AND I JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH."

Put Me In Coach!!

2009-04-26T20:32:00.008-05:00

Joshua has been "in the circle.." for the last few games and I must say he has been pretty good. I know I am a bragging mom but so what it won't be the last time. He has done very well, but to me what is so funny is how much fun he is having. The good thing about T-ball is the fun the kids have. They just run around here and there trying to get the ball and it doesn't matter if it's their ball or not. As a matter of fact one kids that was running from 1st to 2nd for the other team stopped the ball and handed it to Joshua. Here are some of my favorite pictures of his last game from Nonna's camera.

A little advise from Dad the Coach

"Now I'm ready. Now I'm ready. Show me whatcha got kid."

Staring down the hitter.

Hope enjoying the game with Pop.

Watching through open fingers

2009-03-26T14:35:00.004-05:00

When I was a kid I would love to watch suspense movies but most of time I would find myself watching the movie with my hands over my face and fingers spread just wide enough for me to still see if I wanted too. This was something that was not just tied to movies it was anything I thought scary, like roller coasters. But now that feeling is coming back only in a different way instead of it being a ride or a movie it's real life and it's our country. I feel like I am watching our country unravel through open fingers and I must admit sometimes I choose to keep my eyes shut. Anyone else out there brave enough to admit that? Sometimes although I know I am not helpless or hopeless I feel overwhelmed for the people that need hope. I can hear that little boy's voice from "The Sixth Sense" creeping in but instead of it saying "I see dead people" it's "I see lost people". Not just necessarily lost in the terms of Christian or not but in the terms of they may be Christians but they have lost their focus. We know them don't pretend you don't, it's the people that go to church or know they should, know who God is and that He exist and go through all the motions but still are confused on the most basic issues of right and wrong. They are lost, they haven't any direction and the one that is available for them for some reason seems more difficult to take. They have sold out to this world and what it has to offer and truth be told that isn't much in comparison. Do you see these people? Do you know them? Maybe they are neighbors, family or maybe it's you. Whomever they are to you they need love, grace and hope. I know this is a depressing subject but I just can't sit back and ignore the deafening cry for help that I am hearing any longer. I am really getting the verse that says "the workers are few." and I feel totally overwhelmed with responsibility not to cram Jesus down people's throats but just to offer some hope to family's not knowing what to do. And let's be honest here people there are a lot of Christian's feeling defeated and the truth is you are not. God has not called us here to leave us. I don't have the money to help poor families, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, but I will give what I have. I feel like Peter when he said to the lame beggar "Silver and gold I have not but what I have I will give to you, rise get up and walk." I can't give you silver and gold but I can tell you that you have hope in the Lord Jesus. There is so much pain that not dealing with the pain has become a way of life for people. More like pain management instead of real healing and somehow we have blinded ourselves into saying that we are not to hold our brother accountable. So we watch the filth that floods our tv screens, and then gasp in horror when someone is brutally murdered as a copy cat from a tv show. And we as a society are so sin soaked that we don't even realize how bad it is. When foul language has become common place and even on kids shows and we find ourselves monitoring cartoons we have let ourselves slip down this slope of complete crudeness that we have become like a frog boiling in water. We just smile and keep going and I just don't think I can keep that because I was never good at that anyway. Ok just needing some venting.

WE'RE BACK!!!!!!!

2009-03-10T13:19:00.012-05:00

I have been dying to get a post on the blog but I refused to do it without some pictures and we just found the cable to download the pics. Yea!!! Ok so here we go.

Here's a picture of the outside of the house. Sorry it's covered in snow it's the only one I have so far.

This is Joshua's new room. We painted it green and he has a bed I used at my mom's house. The bedding and the room is done in a camping theme, however when we took this picture the room was not all the way complete, so I will get you one of the whole room. I think we were just trying to catch Joshua in his bed because he calls this bed a "huge bed" even though it's only a twin. He is so happy with his green room and "huge bed".

The rest of the house I just realized I need to take some more pictures. The living room looks completely different. I'll have some before and after pictures for you. The kitchen needs help still, but the dinning room is done.

Here are some snow pictures from our snow a week ago.

This is our backyard.

Also the backyard.

Us being crazy!!!

A view off the front porch.

Shiloh absolutely loved the snow. He is such a pretty dog.

Some people name their snowmen Frosty but ours was named Frank by Joshua.

We are loving our front porch!!!

Well that's it for now. I'll post more later.

Almost Done

2009-02-03T10:10:00.004-06:00

We are almost all moved in. We have a few lamps and what not at Chad and Amy's left but other than that we are all moved in. Thank you to the many, many, many friends that helped us!!! We still don't have our dish network yet but we should get it Thursday. I have the kitchen almost unpacked and the dinning room, in fact every room in the house is at "almost" status. The floors still have to be redone and painting still has to happen. But at least when we wake up we know where to go for our clothes, towels, soap, toothbrush, and breakfast. Joshua is loving his new house and Hope seems to be happily toddling from room to room. Joshua has already met a new friend that lives up the street and we are registering him for T-Ball tomorrow. The neighborhood is very nice people have come over and brought all kinds of goodies for us and have offered to help in any way possible. There's also two little girls that live in the houses next to us that are Hope's age. I am very happy about the fact that both of our kids have kids in the neighborhood their age. Shiloh is adjusting to the back yard. He and the lab next door have barking contest to see which one can drive us crazy first. Jonathan and I have been sick back and forth so that hasn't helped us move very fast but we are almost over it. This weekend the plan is to buy the flooring and paint. Every room in the house has to be painted except the dinning and the bonus room will have to wait a few months. The bedrooms will be first then the living room and kitchen. I am not looking forward to painting the kitchen, but it has to be done. Joshua said he wants a green room and so he will get it. Hope is getting a neutral color and we are getting a blue room. The rest I haven't figured out yet. So here we sit at the "almost" state and when we get finished I will have some pictures that I can post.

Moving On Up

2009-01-14T03:13:00.004-06:00

Guess what?? We found a house!!! Praise the Lord in Heaven!!! It's a nice house, but needs the floors redone. So some of you will be getting a call, hhhmmm sorry Jennifer but I am sure your husband will be called either to help move or the floors or both. I just want everyone to know that what type of friend Jennifer is, every time we move her husband gives of his time to help us and Jennifer selflessly lends him to us. So thanks to both of them!! Anyway, we are going to have some more help this time though as many of our friends have given their much needed services to us. I am so thankful for the wonderful friends God has placed in my life. Anyway, back to the house, it's in a nice neighborhood and it has a room for the kids to play along with a back yard!!!! We are so excited. We did a lease purchase option and with the Lord's help if it is His will we are going to buy it out after a year or 18 months. There are so many things that run through my mind like, paint colors because it will need to be repainted as the master is a mauve color to which Jonathan says "It's gotta go". Then the floors and finally I need some new slip covers for our furniture that is really old. I refuse to buy anymore until Hope is potty trained. Which leads me to this news, the dr called and said "I am not worried about Hope, but if you want to call Early Childhood Intervention then go ahead, but I think she's fine." So we (Jonathan, myself and the Dr) chose to wait until after her next Dr appt in Feb to decide what to do. Who knew another word for parenting is endurance? I will update again when we get to the new house.

I am Weak

2009-01-08T12:43:00.003-06:00

It's hard having a child that is right on the line for needing more help than what you can give them. While Hope does occasionly walk she does not use it for her main mode of transportation. I called the Doctor to see if I should go ahead and call Early Childhood Intervention and of the Dr isn't in until Monday. However, the nurse said that she would call me as soon as she talks to him. It's hard for me because part of me wants to go ahead and sign her up for it to help her, but then another part of me just wants to wait to see if she does it on her own. All of her little life she has been a month behind the norm and she ends up doing everything just fine. So part of me wants this to be that way too, but if it's not going to turn out that way, I pray the Lord gives us strength to help her the way that she needs. I pray that we can understand her strengths and weaknesses better. It's hard when your child doesn't develop as others do and you don't have a diagnoses for why or you don't even know if there is a diagnoses at all. I am just standing here praying, waiting, waiting, and standing on the fact that God promised me that His power would be made perfect in my weakness. So I admit I am weak, but with God I am strong.

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

2008-12-23T09:29:00.004-06:00

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise...
Psalm 8:2.

Stepping It Up!!

2008-12-22T19:01:00.003-06:00

OK right after my last post, Hope walked half way across the room!! Praise the Lord in Heaven, who laughs at me constantly, probably.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Boy, obiviously my character needs a lot of help!!!

My Wonderful Children

2008-12-22T14:08:00.004-06:00

My sweet baby girl. She is so beautiful, at least I think so. Since I have praised the Lord for her steps she took she hasn't taken much more. Please pray for her that she will walk soon or for me that I will not go crazy!

Here's some pictures of Joshua's Thanksgiving party at his school. He is so cute!!!

Boring...What's that like?

2008-12-19T16:44:00.002-06:00

Can someone tell me what a boring life is like? I would just like for you to describe it to me. As long as Jonathan and I have been married life for us has never been boring. We just moved into this townhouse that a friend of ours was renting to us because they couldn't sell it and they had moved away. It was a good deal because the rent was cheaper than what we were paying by a significant number. We thought we would move from here into a home we bought but with the qualifications going up on buying a house right now it's out of the question because we don't have 15 thousand to put down on a house. If we did we would have already done it. Anyway, guess what? The people that own the house called and they are moving back here and need us out of the house. We have asked for 30 days so in 30 days we have to find 1st months rent, a deposit, and a house within our rent range which isn't high like 900 dollars all within 30 days!! OK and my dad (Paw Paw) has pneumonia again and Grammy is still in her battle with cancer!

So I say to God "OK this is why my financial aid was not approved in time for this semester's registration." I would not be able to go to school with all of this going on. So I am taking off this semester and going back in the summer.

Anyway, back to the house, what are we going to do? Pray, wait, look for a house and hope that we can find one. Where do we want to live? Where ever God takes us. How will we know if it's the house God wants us to have at that time? I will let you know when I have that answer. In the meantime I dream of a boring life of doing a crossword puzzle by a fire place and drinking coffee. Please pray for us and I hope we will have a testimony for you later.

He Will Be Faithful

2008-12-15T17:19:00.004-06:00

The other day at a baby shower I shared the story of how the Lord gave us Hope's name with a friend and she impressed on me that it was a great testimony. She went on to say I should share it so here it goes.

Jonathan and I were at the house suffering from the loss of our first child through an early miscarriage. I was in complete sorrow and pain not only emotionally but also physically as I was recovering from a surgery. I have always loved children. When I was a child I would beg my mother endlessly for a sister, until I got one at age eight. Even then, I took care of my sisters and loved them completely. In my pre-teen and early teenage years I took care of the kids in the church nursery some and babysat to make Christmas money. Long story short, it had been a dream of mine to have a child of my own ever since I can remember and I remember a long way back. And as I sat in my house surrounded by my own pain and heartache the words of my uncle Joe that just had passed away not to long before that kept ringing in my head "Michelle, you were made to have children. The Lord will bless you." He went on speaking and actually spoke some words about twins that ended up being almost prophetic. The reason this was so heartbreaking beside the obvious is that upon discovering that our child's heart had stopped beating they also found a mass and at that time I was scheduled for a CAT-Scan. Thank God it turned out to be benign, but we didn't know it at the time nor did we know how likely our chances to ever have children were. So again as all these thoughts were swarming in my head I needed to find my grabbing point, an anchor, if you will. So I got up, went into our bedroom opened my bible and my heart and cried out to God. I can't tell you how long I was there but what I can tell you is after I prayed and cried out to God, I began to read the Bible. The Holy Spirit lead me to Romans 5. And then as if the words took a life of their own I read Romans 5: 3-5 which states:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

I knew right then the Lord was telling me we would have a girl and she was to be named Hope. I went right in dried my face from my tears and asked Jonathan about the name Hope and he said "I love that name." I told him what I felt the Lord was speaking to me and we began to pray. As we were praying I could really sense the presense of the Holy Spirit and we entered into a covenant with the Lord that we would not reveal the names of either child he given us (He had already given us Joshua's name and would later give us Caleb's) until they were born so that we could not be swayed from what God wanted us to do. We liked the idea of keeping something a secrete anyway when I was pregnant so we just told everyone we were just trying to surprise people when in reality we were keeping our end of the bargain.

After a horrible and tragic pregnancy with Joshua and Caleb, the Lord impressed on my heart the verse in the Bible that says "I will restore what the locust have eaten." When we found out I was pregnant with our second child I had a scare at first but again I felt the Lord's presence and I just knew that the Lord would bless me with an easy pregnancy and he did. I remember being shocked when the Dr. said "OK, everything looks good, I'll see you in four weeks." I thought "Four weeks! Wow! That's a long time." Through out the pregnancy it went like clock work and everywhere we would go at our church or out we would see the word "Hope". I knew in my heart that this baby would be a girl but my head was still trying to rationalize it out. I kept saying "I need a boy name just in case." But Jonathan and I could not agree on a boy's name. So it came the day to find out what the sex of our child was going to be and I got up on the table and they could not get the baby to turn around so that we could see. If I had only known how prophetic this would be of her personality. Anyway, finally the lady said "It's a girl." I cried. I knew that the promise the Lord had made to me in my bedroom three years prior to that was coming true and I began to praise the Lord for His faithfulness. To know that the Lord had plans for my children long before they were ever here amazes me but even more, the fact that he wanted us to know he had those plans in mind even down to the name humbles me. I pray this inspires you to realize that if the Lord has given you a promise He will be faithful to complete it! He will!

Step in the Right Direction

2008-12-11T08:13:00.002-06:00

HOPE TOOK FOUR STEPS IN A ROW!!! I am so excited, I think that I need to go tell the neighbors too. You should have seen the celebration that went on in this house, even Joshua was jumping on the bed and I didn't care. Hope is 17 months old and until she took those steps Monday I really thought she might crawl to receive her diploma from high school. It's not as though she picked up her foot and brought it back down on the floor but she sort of shuffled and I'll take it. Yesterday she didn't take any steps but I am trying not to get discouraged because some people have told me that's normal and then she will try to take more steps in a few days. But for now I am going to celebrate the four she took Monday at least it's a step in the right direction.

War Eagle Anyway!!!!!

2008-12-03T18:52:00.005-06:00

I have really been busy studying for my final and writing this seemingly endless research paper, so I haven't been able to blog much. However, I must let this out before I explode. First let me start with congrats to the Alabama fans and their team's blow out win this past Saturday. Now let me address a different caliber of people entirely, "fair weather fans." not just Auburn but also the ones for Alabama. "Alabama?" you question. Yes Alabama too. I know that Alabama has lots of fans and this year they (being the media) were talking about all the numbers of people flocking to the stadium in "record numbers". Well here's a little ice for your tea, all those fans, guess what? When Alabama loses again where are they going to be? The same place all the "fair weather" Auburn fans are going now....THE OTHER SIDE. One year at the License Office this man brought in his Alabama tag and traded it for an Auburn tag. That same man is probably back at the License Office for a new tag. I think when you know if you are a fan or not is when your team is still losing and you are still cheering for them. That's a fan. When your team does something stupid like fire your head coach when he only had one bad season and you are still cheering for your team, then call yourself a fan. When your team doesn't want a HOF QB to come back and makes one of the dumbest calls in history and you still cheer for your team, then you are a fan. Although we have let in some Jets love we still cheer for the Packers. I was a little reluctant at first claiming that I only said I was a Brett Favre fan but I support my husband's team like a good wife. :) But when you are flip flopping every time your team loses you need to understand that you have a sore losing problem more specific a pride problem. So I end with this, even though my Auburn Tigers got beat by Alabama to a pulp, even though our offense looked like a high school team, our defense, like water, even though Auburn just fired Tommy (for the record I think that is a mistake, but I hope I am wrong), I say "WAR EAGLE ANYWAY"!!!!!

And let me just give this piece of advise for all (Auburn and Alabama alike)fans wanting to boast and brag about a win, in the words of my father "Be careful what you say because a loss is just around the corner."

Look Who's Number One!

2008-11-14T10:32:00.002-06:00

All of you Alabama fans thought I was talking about you, but no some other team, the Jets. Yup, the Jets are number one in the AFC East. By the way congrats to the Alabama team for earning your way to the number one position. Now back to the Jets, how about Brett going 26 of 33 for 2 TD's and no INTs!!! Let's see that's about 79% in passing average. I think his passer rating was 119.4!! The Jets beat the Patriots in one of the best games I have ever seen! Absolutely THE BEST GAME OF THE YEAR so far! It was awesome and it had everything that made up a good game on both sides of the ball. It had great running, passing, defense and special teams. You know what I like about this game? It gives hope. I mean that's what I like about Brett Favre. He came from no where. His mom a special Ed. teacher and his dad a coach. You think with four kids they had a lot of money? No! But you know what he had? He had a God given talent! His dad had to do his recruiting and he got a scholarship because someone dropped out at Southern Miss. drafted by the Falcons and they didn't even know how to say his name. Traded to GB as a back up. But when he came out on to that field it's like God said "You haven't seen nothing, yet. I have called you to go places no one has seen. Called you to do things no one does and when you think you are finished I am going to raise you up because you are going to bring glory to me and my kingdom. Just wait and see what you are going to do not because of who you are because of who I am." God knew that Brett a scraggly kid from no where Ms was going to bring Him glory by honoring the Lord and being humble so God gave Brett the ability to play football to higher level than has been seen so that Brett and his family would have the platform to bring honor to the Lord. That's what I love about Brett Favre it gives you the sense of "It doesn't matter what the world says about me it's what God says about me that matters." When everyone was saying Brett wasn't going to be able to have a winning season in NY he said "Oh yeah, we'll just see." I really do mean this we should pray for those that are Christians with that high level of influence because the world is watching them, but you know the Lord will be faithful to complete the good work He has started.

Joshua Butkus

2008-10-28T09:48:00.003-05:00

Can you believe this is Joshua? Jonathan and him had some dad and son time at our Nephew, Mikey's game. Jonathan said he wanted to put on Mikey's helmet and here he is. Joshua must have asked forty times over when they were going to the game and when they got there he asked forty times over when they were leaving, but trying on the helmet was well worth the wait for Joshua. He came home stumbling over his words with excitement about this helmet. You would have thought he was going out for the team himself. Jonathan said he got on the field after the game and must have played at least an hour just throwing the ball with his dad. As cheesy as it sounds if my camera was working I would have taken some pictures of them two just throwing the ball. Jonathan said every time Joshua ran Mikey's helmet bounced around on his shoulders because it was so big for him. I guess so Mikey is five years older than Joshua but you couldn't tell Joshua that. He didn't even care he would have taken the field during the game if his dad would have let him.

A "My Jar" Moment

2008-10-20T15:33:00.003-05:00

I said I was going to post one of these a week a long time ago and I haven't followed through, but today I am. Today, after the kids and I got home from picking up J-man(Joshua), I had to put Hope to bed for a nap because she was so tired, but I promised Joshua I would get him a cup cake and turn on the Peanuts "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (a favorite of mine as are all the Holiday Peanut movies). Well Hope was rubbing her eyes and I said "Joshua, I have got to put Hope to bed. Here's your cup cake and I will start the movie when I come down stairs." His response was so funny to me. He said "Oh go ahead mom, I will be fine. Go on what are you waiting for?" When I turned to take Hope upstairs I could hear his little voice saying the "God Our Father" blessing over his cup cake. Right then I said a little prayer myself for the blessings God has given me in my son. It was a moment to go in my jar locked away for safe keeping or a day I think about hanging Joshua up by his toe nails.

"He's got the whole world in His hands.."

2008-10-14T19:06:00.003-05:00

Well we are back. I have something funny to tell you all. While we were gone my mom told me that they took the kids to their church. They go to a Catholic church and they happened to sit up front this past Sunday. Well while they were in church this is the conversation:
Joshua- "Nonna, Nonna, why is that man stuck up there?"
Mom- "What?"
"Why is that man stuck up there on that wall?"
"That's Jesus and He is watching over you." says Nonna laughing.
"No He's not His eyes are closed." Joshua says matter of factly.
"He is praying." Nonna replies laughing.
"Why does he have His feet funny?" Joshua ask
"Because He has nails in His feet." says Nonna
"Yeah that's so He won't get down." says Joshua
By this time it's time for communion and it's dead silent. If you have ever been to a Catholic church you know that they ring bells during the communion prayer. Well they ring the bells and Joshua hops off the pew and yells "That's it. It's time to go!" Nonna said everyone was laughing.

Ok now on to the other story. The surgery went well and grammy is back home. But while we were in the waiting room there was this one little girl and she struck me as brave because she couldn't have been more than six. She was in her PJ's and I knew the surgery she was there for was her own. Now some adults have fears of surgery and have no problems voicing their own insecurities and here was this little girl sitting there waiting for surgery in purple PJ's and french braid pig tails. She humored and inspired me all at the same time because as her mother was trying to hold her in her lap and the girl would have no part of it. Nope she was going to sit on her own seat thank you very much and be just fine doing it. She sat there patiently until her name was called. When it was, she jumped up and made her own way leading her parents into the prep room for her own operation. As if she was saying "This way folks. I will be just fine." It tickled me because her grandmother couldn't go in with the little girl and I could tell that the grandmother was breaking up with emotion about it. As the door shut the little girl ran back out into the waiting room not out of her fear but to calm her grandmother's fear with a blown kiss and a hand wave. Then she flashed a smile and told the nurse holding the door she was ready. It tickled me so because here were these adults some scared to death and here was this little one showing them how it was done. I silently prayed for her father along with my prayer for Grammy because I could tell he was struggling. About maybe an hour after the tiny hand wave the waiting room was paged and her father was called to the phone. When he hung up he seemed to exhaled for the very first time the whole day. And then something happened, a smiled creeped on his face as I asked him how she was and he gave me a thumbs up sign. I told him I was glad, he laughed and said "Me too." and he sat back in the chair and breathed out for the second time. The mother and I talked for a moment and I could tell who was more worried in this family, it was the parents. They had a strong little one on their hands. As we waited and waited for Grammy the day went on and little by little people were coming out of surgery and everyone began to breathe again. I began to think about what was happening in that room while the back ground noise of the news was playing. Bad news here and bad news there was being played on t.v., but there in that waiting room I was reminded of a song we all used to sing "He's got the whole world in His hands. He's got the whole wide world in His in hands. He's got you and me sister in His hands. He's got the whole world in His hands..." The Lord always has us in His hands no matter how scary it might look. Who knows He might even send a little girl in purple pj's and french braid pigtails to tell us we are going to be ok with a toss of a kiss.

Memphis Bound

2008-10-09T14:07:00.002-05:00

Hey guys we are going to Memphis this weekend. We leave out Saturday evening as I have a class Saturday morning and some lose ends to tie up with the Kids Market. Nonna (Mom) is watching the kids over the weekend and then a dear friend is watching them on Monday. I am going to miss them terribly especially Hope's little smiling face and Joshua's hilarious comments. As a matter of fact I am going to miss them so much I don't even like thinking about leaving them and refuse to do any for them until Saturday morning. What can I say, I love my kids! But Jonathan and I do love to travel together so that part will be fun. Plus I can probably get in some study time on the road. I want to cook some meals up for Grammy and Grampy but all my cook books are in the attic!! So I am trying to think of some. I know I want to fix some stuffed peppers and poppy seed chicken. I could also do a roast. Anyone who has any ideas email me, please. I never know what freezes well because ummm it never last long enough to find out around here. And I am almost as bad as Jonathan, honestly. I will write more later I have got a ton of laundry to do. Also there's a little girl named, syndey, on my heart. Her and her family just got some very bad news as they were told she just has a little bit longer here on this earth. But praise God the place where she is going God says "There will be no more tears." Please pray for this family that peace will find them and grace sustain them. They are believers so they do have God as their strong tower. Ok the dryer stopped gotta go!

Are you Thirsty?

2008-10-07T15:06:00.015-05:00

I went to meet Jonathan today for lunch and on the way the song "Hear us from Heaven" by Ross Parsley came on. This is my favorite song as of this date Oct 7 2008. I was meeting Jonathan at Vestavia Bowl and as I was waiting I began to worship the Lord with this song. I could see people driving all around me on 31 and I began thinking of some conversations that I had with some people over the past few days. I thought of some friends who's one year old has brain tumor and how planted they are in their faith. They are truly an inspiration. I thought of some people in Kmart in Trussville that I had talked with. One elderly lady was telling me she couldn't afford her medicine any more so her church was helping her with it. Another told me of how they were coping with all the economical problems they were facing. This was all in line at Kmart. (if you truly know me you would not find it odd that I would talk to people in line.) I thought of a lady I read about who's child is on Hospice and who is praying to the Lord for the Peace only He can give. Then I thought of a man my dad was helping who has turned completely a way from God and has become a very angry, bitter, hurtful man. To be honest it saddens me to be around someone who's darkness completely over takes them. Anyway I began to think of all these people and I am thinking now "How many others have a darkness that is over taking them?" How many people can't see or hear because the darkness has closed our eyes and our ears? Look around the earth. There are hurting angry people everywhere! What kind of a place would we be in if those people were to be healed from their pain? We are a generation "crying out in desperation." We need God in so so many ways but not just to come and fix everything. We need Him in the hearts of people. Some people say that "if there was a God then why doesn't He fix this earth?" because God isn't going to make us love Him. That's the point of free will. He wants us to choose Him and there are so many on this earth that don't realize they would not be hurting so badly for so long if they would allow God to heal their wounds. I don't know why bad things happen to good people but I can tell you who the healer of your pain is. I can tell you that you can be like Peter when the sea started rocking and the wind started swirling He took his eyes off God and began to sink, but when he raised his hands and cried out God reached down and picked him up. If you accept the Lord as your savior it does not mean life will be kind to you but it does mean that when life starts to swirl around you just keep your eyes on God and you will not sink! And if you do take your eyes off God, put them back on Him and cry out to Him and He will lift you up! That's what people who don't have God in their heart can't figure out. You will always be hurting, searching, seeking to find what you can not find in the world but what you can only find in God. So I am asking if you are reading this and you don't know or accept God as your savior "Are you thirsty?" because God says that "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14 A pastor said something that echoed a statement from my father and it has always stuck with me. "In a time of real tragedy a person's true character is revealed." It's the truth and that statement has proven to be true over and over again. It doesn't really matter where I go or what I do but the Lord always seems to place me in the path of a mother hurting over a dying child or one that has passed and I can tell you that there has not been a single time that I did not know rather or not that mother had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You know me not a time passes if that comes up that I don't share how the Lord helped us through and without fail the mother I am talking to will either say something about the Lord helping them or that they don't believe in God. And every time they have said they don't believe in God it has never been a shock to me because they are the ones that seem to be having the hardest time not because the pain is different necessarily but because the hope, the grace, the spirit is all different. It's not tangible but neither is emotional pain and they are both just as real. So I ask again "Are you thirsty?" My heart's prayer is this song. Lord "Open the blind eyes unlock the deaf ears come to your people as we draw near. Hear us from Heaven and touch our generation. We are your people crying out in despiration."

What time is it?

2008-09-26T18:18:00.004-05:00

Ok I know that I haven't blogged in forever, but seriously how did it get to be the end of Sept? I had to update everyone regarding Grammy. We are requesting everyone to continue to pray for her and the family that her surgery went well and that cancer no longer has a place in her body. Jonathan is still handling it well and we are all lifting her up in prayer several times a day. Again, please join us. We have barely even started this journey and I would like to be standing on the other side of it already. Sounds childish, huh? Well at least I am honest. There are going to be times of rejoicing in this trial and there are going to be times of heartache. And many times Jonathan and I will turn to God and our Godly friends to lift us up. It's why God made us a community no matter where we go to church or what denomination we are. We are all Christians let us not forget it.

Ok on to something else. School has been fun so far, but I had a test this past week and I am praying that I do well on it. Between Jonathan officiating almost every week night, church, school, and not to mention the kids schedules life has me constantly asking "What time is it?" I mean I am going crazy! Jonathan and I had a date the other night and it was the first time in a while. We had the best time together. We also had Joshua's birthday party (pictures at the store and will be posted before next year. lol). It was a safari party and it was a blast. My camera broke before the party and we had to buy a fun saver, but my friend Amy got some great pictures. We had a swamp walk, a pinata, a feed the monkeys bean bag toss, we hid some tiny plastic animals around my mom's yard and that was the safari, and last but not least a tin the tail on the tiger game. We also had a leap frog game, but we never got to it. The kids had fun and it was cheaper than having to pay to have it somewhere. The cake was beautiful! It was a two tiered cake that looked like a jungle and it had "Little People" animals on it. So as you can see I also spent a lot of time planning and doing Joshua's fourth birthday. That's right he is four!! Can you believe it? I can't... I mean what time is it, again?

Sadly we haven't talked much about football with Jonathan's dad and it's kind of a reminder of what we are going through at this moment, but it's not to say we haven't watched the games. The best thing about Jonathan and I is that we have fun watching the games rather or not we win or lose. Last week we had plenty of chances to figure that out with every team we were cheering for lost, but we still had fun. One of the things about going through these type of times is that it puts things into perspective. Don't get me wrong it's more fun to win but it's also fun just being able to watch the game for the love of the game.

Next week Joshua goes on his first field trip and I get to go with him. I am much more excited about this than he is, I am sure. I will update more next week and let you all know how the field trip went and upload the pictures for everyone to see.

New Options

2008-08-27T07:51:00.004-05:00

My class is going well so far. I am taking Us History and I love history anyway so I am enjoying it. But let me tell you of my Adventures to this point. The first day of class the doors were locked and we had to go to another class were the lights wouldn't come on all the way. At this point I began thinking "Is this why tuition was so much cheaper than everywhere else." and then the professor found out that the light switch was super sensitive to touch so if you tapped it too much then the lights went back off. After the magic light switch was figured out we went to work on finding out about everyone in our class because our class is very small only like 12 people total. Guess what, I am not the only person in that room with children!!! As a matter of fact there is only one girl in that room without children everyone else including the men all have children and are married. I was shocked!! I was totally prepared for all these teeny bopers to come in there and nope it was mostly older adults, like me. Then the professor said words I loved to hear "Discussion will count for 30% of your grade." Wow!!! OK so it's safe to say that part is in the bag for me. So after that we were assigned our work and then told which book to buy. The book was called "The American Promise Fourth Edition." I went to the book store and guess what? It's brand new copy right date... Aug 6 2008. Yeah. It was 121.00 dollars and I thought I was going to pass out right there at the counter. The lady behind the counter said that this book is going to be used for History 202 also. That made me feel a little bit better because I am taking that class as well and I will already have the book. While I was in the book store having a come apart over the prices of the books, the lady behind me told me of a program called New Options. She told me that they help non-traditional female students with their books and they also give some scholarships. So I called and I was accepted into the program!! I was so excited, but the lady told me they didn't have any of the History books yet and that I would have had to buy that book anyway. I was ok with it by then anyway, plus it was just exciting to me that they are going to help me in the future. I was so excited. Now let's pray that I will get accepted for the grants that the advisor was sure I would be getting. It was pretty cool walking down the hall of a college and sitting in the classroom with all these people either trying to advance their career or completely change it all after the age of 28, I would say. It's like the question was posed to me "Why would you do that at your age?" and I said "Why not?" and I wasn't alone. There are tons of people walking the halls of this college changing their lives because they said "Why not?" I hope somewhere down the road I can meet up with some of the girls and see where God has taken them because now they have their own new options.

Please pray for Jonathan's Mom as she is going to have cancer surgery. We will update with any news.

The Pursuit of Happiness

2008-08-15T10:46:00.004-05:00

Ok our house has been CRAZY, lately!!! We have had some ups and downs like most everyone does, but this summer I found myself inspired by a friend actually now that I think of it, two friends. They don't know it but just some small interaction with them has inspired me. I have always loved children, always. I have always been good with children and even passed around the notion to be a teacher. When I first started out in life I thought I wanted to be a nurse because it was something I liked and it required less school. I have always hated school. It wasn't until I got older that I realized that school wasn't the problem. There were many things as a child that factored into me not liking school that I never realized. But none that need to be revisited. So I went on with my pursuit to be a nurse but being young I allowed outside elements to aid in my choice to quit. I often times thought about going back to school to be a teacher but have always talked myself out of it because "who wants a teacher like me?". I would often times think to myself that I would never really be good at it. I am not as organized as most and I am not as patient as most. By God's grace I was allowed the opportunity to teach on Wednesday nights by myself with curriculum. At first I thought "What if I fail?" "what if I don't do it right?" Some of you are thinking "Ok it's just Wednesday night..." But it wasn't for me, it was an opportunity to make a difference in a child's life about the most important being ever, God. I took this role seriously and almost became overwhelmed into not teaching. I called my friend, Jennifer, and she said "I think you would be a great teacher!" I was shocked because I didn't think I would be but she did. So it gave me encouragement to try it. And I did and I don't exactly know how I did, but I know I loved it and I brought God's word to those kids. I connected with them and loved them. I had a great time with them and I thought, even then, "Man, I really wish I had gone to school to teach. Oh well too late now." As the year went on I had another friend that just had her third child and she told me she was going back to school to be a nurse. The thought of going back to be a nurse did not spur me in the least, but the thought of going to school did. I will be honest I thought "She must be crazy. There's no way that's going to work." But then as the time went on I thought more and more about it. I prayed about it over and over. I would find myself losing patience with my own children and think "Nope obviously teaching is not for me." Then one day I was praying and reflecting on some things in my childhood and the things that happened and why God had allowed for those things to happen. I began praying to the Lord for the opportunity to be able to bless some children the way I was blessed by a variety of people. I always thought it would be through my kids friends and it still might be, but I felt something that day that I hadn't felt in a long long time. It was a deep sense of courage, determination, and direction. I have been praying for the Lord to show me "just where to put my foot down." I would often cry out in prayer. That day the Lord met me and He showed me that He had placed those desires in my heart to love children and to teach children. He showed me that I would know more than most what it would take to reach the child that could fall in the cracks. He has orchestrated the things in my life for such a time as this. That I would have a better understanding now after I have been healed from the hurts that He has healed me from as only the Father can do. Then I began thinking "Can I do this?" and I went back and thought of my friend that I thought was crazy and she didn't seem so crazy anymore. She seemed inspiring. I really thought "If Bethany can do it. I can do it." Jonathan and I talked about it and prayed about it. He said that deep down the Lord had been dealing with him for about 3 or 4 yrs to teach and coach, but he never told anyone because we didn't think it was possible. We talked about how nice it would be but we never really thought it possible. Well it is possible. I called Jeff State and talked with an advisor and we mapped out a plan. Jonathan called a couple of universities and they told him he only would have to go for 18 months. So our current plan is for me to go to school full time in the Spring and finish in five yrs with a masters in elem. education. Jonathan is going to take one course at a time at night or on the internet while I am at school and he will only have 6 months left after I graduate. I have already enrolled for the fall, but I am just taking one course. I just wanted to get my feet wet. So I say thank you to Bethany and Jennifer for your inspiration. And thank you to God for His healing, His love and His patience. He has given me so much and so often I overlook it.

J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS!

2008-08-08T13:58:00.003-05:00

Well it's official Brett is a Jet. I know a lot of people think "What was he thinking?". Let me make this simple, HE PLAYS BETTER IN COLDER WEATHER. Crazy yes I agree being he is from the South, but it's true. Not only that but the Jets have completely gutted their rosters almost and they have an above average line so he can have a winning season this year and then we will see next year. This is what I know: 1. Green bay's current management has some splaining to do (from I Love Lucy). 2. Rodgers has got quite the shoes to fill. 3. Favre gets to ride in and be the hero in NY if they just have a winning season. 4. Ted Thompson lies. 5. The train has left the station and it's in NY. I love how NFL Network put it last night, "Well there's four things GB said couldn't happen. One, Brett coming back. He did. Two, Brett couldn't come to training camp. He did. Three, Brett getting traded. He did. Four, is Aaron couldn't get hurt. So it's not looking so good for GB. I have loaded Already Gone by the Eagles for Brett in reference to Mike McCarthy's (called Mike Moron at our house) statement of "the train has left the station". Not only that but I just want to say about all the "Communication problems" that you are hearing GB apparently had. Ummm I am so glad they cleared that up because I thought for sure they said they were going to make the Hall of Fame QB be the back-up. But now since I know it was just all a "communication problem" I can rest easier. Also they said that they weren't convinced that Brett really wanted to play. That's funny because the rest of the Nation knew. And apparently Mark Murphy knew when he boarded a plane and flew to MS to bribe Brett not to play. I think it would be funny if the Jets did go to the Super Bowl and played the Packers. And just as the game winning touchdown is scored by the Jets receiver Brett points to Ted Thompson and just smiles and waives. How perfect of course it's not the Godly way or is it probably possible this year. But it would be perfect. Oh and the media, can we hear the jokes and the tapes of Ted Thompson saying "This was the best decision for the team." being played back. I think I might would sit on the sofa and watch the game over and over. Jonathan even though still a GB fan, although I am not sure how, is on my side and would love to see Brett win the Super Bowl. He is even wanting to buy a Jets jersey. I am just wondering how many Aaron Rodgers jerseys have sold. Not that it's A-Rod's fault just that it just doesn't compare right now and that's what you get when you mention Favre being his back-up, comparisons. Now I am done venting and I will post another post tonight about some turn of events that are happening in our own lives.

Teach Your Children Well...

2008-07-30T21:43:00.002-05:00

I know that when Graham Nash wrote this song he wasn't just saying "your children". I think we all have opportunities to teach and to learn and that's why I used this title. This past week has been so busy, we went to Memphis to see Mckaylee Borklund and Grammy and Grampy too. So in preparation for the trip up we had a lot of things to do that go along with going out of town. Not to mention the fact that I was supposed to go up with Misty to deliver teddy bears to all the children at St. Judes but Dish Network called and said they were several teddy bears short. So we had to postpone that trip for three more weeks. But since we had already made arrangements plus I wanted to see little Mckaylee we went anyway. We had a good time seeing the Borklund's and mostly Mckaylee. Although please keep sweet little Mckaylee in your prayers as she is not doing well at this moment because she is having trouble swallowing and they are talking about a feeding tube. This is very stressful and nerve racking for Stephen and Jessica so please pray for healing, grace, peace and wisdom through this moment in their lives. A lot of people measure life by different things. I measure it by moments because life is made up of moments, some good and some bad, but that's what life is is moments and what we choose to do with them. Anyway, after we left the Borklund's we headed to downtown Memphis to a place called the Rendevous. They had the best ribs I have ever tasted and I love ribs! Yup even better than Dreamland. Now mind you it looks like you are walking into an old run down building that the people of Memphis forgot to condemn but when you go inside it's so cool! There's all kinds of sports legend pictures there. It was a nice time away for us. Grammy and Grampy kept the kids and we were there by ourselves. Perfect.

Now for the teachable moments in life. At the walk-a-thon for Mckaylee we told Joshua what we were doing and we explained that Mckaylee was sick and we were going to help raise money for her and her parents. We told him that we are praying for Mckaylee and asked if he wanted to pray too. He said "Sure, but Dad can you help me?" Which melted Jonathan and after he gained composure he helped Joshua "go to Jesus" for Mckaylee. Side note: when Joshua prays he calls it "going to Jesus." cute huh? Anyway, we asked him if he wanted to help give some of his money to help Mckaylee and he did. He went up and got his piggy bank and got out the two biggest coins he could get to at the time, which were nickels, and he said "I want to give these to her." He was so pleased that he was helping. So ALL THE WAY to the walk-a-thon from our house in Alabaster he constantly asked "Is it time to give my money yet? Is it time to give my money?" and we would say "Not yet" to which was followed by "I want to give it myself." When we arrived at the walk-a-thon and Joshua's feet hit the ground he ran and found the nearest adult standing beside the Walk-a-thon table. Without any hesitation he flung his coins at this lady standing there and said "Here you go, this is for Mckaylee." It just so happened that the women standing there was Norma, Stephen Borklund's mother. She was very touched by what he was doing and even played along. She acted as though he had given the entire world to her. And Joshua being Joshua just said "Ok you're welcome." with a shrug and ran over to the nearest ant bed to torment the ants. After we came home from the visit with the Borklund's we told Joshua where we had been and that we needed to still pray for her. Joshua said "It's ok Mom, Jesus can help her." I said "you're right buddy, He can." To which Joshua replied "I'll go get my money for her." and he brought in his whole piggy bank. I wish we all had the heart of a child. Don't you?

MY JAR

2008-07-20T15:05:00.004-05:00

Today is a short post because it's Sunday and we have a lot to do. I just wanted to say if I had a jar to put some of the best moments and comments in, I would love it. So this blog will have to be my jar. This morning we gave both kids a bath and while we got them out of the tub they were laughing and playing. Hope just loves her brother and she was smiling up at him with those huge brown eyes. All of a sudden Joshua looks at his dad and says "Dad thank you for giving me my baby sister, Hope." It took us so aback that we had to ask him to repeat it! When he did I just about melted onto the floor. I grabbed him up and hugged him so tight until Hope said "Mama." as if she was saying "What about me." Jonathan then looked at Joshua and said "That's it, buddy, if you want anything today I am sure your mother will give it to you." and laughter again filled the room. It was just one of those moments you wish you could put in a jar and live over and over again. I think that from now on I will post one of those moments a week, just to have on here to read over and over again.

NUMBER 4

2008-07-17T07:57:00.017-05:00

Fall is our favorite time of year for many reasons. We like the colors of the fall, all the weather changes and all the activities in the fall. But those of you who know us best know that the fall is the most loved around our house for two reasons. Auburn football and the Greenbay Packers!! The normal chant at our house is "War Eagle." or "Go Pack Go." and as kickoff for the game nears the chant becomes more of a roar. The snacks are done by me and the game is recorded to be watched when the kids go down for a nap or go to bed for the evening so there aren't any interruptions and we fast forward through all the commercials. And Jonathan's favorite "slow motion", yes he likes to go back and watch a difficult play or call just so he can see if the official got the call right or wrong. Which doesn't surprise me because he is a high school football official. Although I will say this, Jonathan holds himself to a very high standard almost too high. He knows all the rules of probably every game, but especially to football. There is absolutely nothing like watching football with his family either they are so funny. Although Grammy finds herself doing other things, Grampy is right there with us glued to every move and we have a good time. I wish we could do it more often, but they are with us in spirit as with every game won or lost by AU or GB there is always a phone call from Grampy. Lately, however, there has been silence as we all watch in complete horror as our beloved team the GB Packers seem to be unraveling at the seams. And what used to be an annual count down until the first kickoff has turned into more of a ticking time bomb. We have extremely strong passions for GB and for Brett Farve. Who knew that you would have to state them separately? And lately we have witnessed a "divorce" of sort between the two NFL legends. I remember saying over the last year that it would be difficult to watch GB playing without #4. Well I guess, Brett wanted to save us all the trouble. But what I can't figure out is why you wouldn't want a 3x MVP, hall of famer back. I can't figure it out. I know that Brett retired and waited until late to reconsider, but still, he's BRETT FARVE! Arguably the best QB to have played the game in my lifetime. I can almost hear the voice of John Madden saying "Here's a guy who has led the Packers to 10 postseason appearances, six division crowns, three NFC Championships, two Superbowls with one victory which until then it had been 29yrs since the Packers had a victory in a superbowl. He has broken almost every record in football such as: started 244 consecutive games, the most career passing attempts, the most career passing yards(more than Elway and Marino), the most wins, the most touchdowns, the most completions, also the most interceptions (I have to tell the truth). He is an eight time pro bowler and he was voted the Nation's most favorite player in '06. Not only that but he also holds the longest pass completion for 99 yards and I am pretty sure that won't be broken. And Greenbay wants to say ' Nah, Brett, we're going to go with the rookie this year because we've moved on." I can't understand it." Well neither can we, Madden. If you want to do what's best for the team let the best players play. No knock against Aaron Rodgers, but he's only been sitting out for 3 years give me a break. I think Ted Thompson has always pushed Brett to retire considering the fact he didn't even mention it until Ted got there. But that's just my opinion and it's not really a fact. No doubt about it, it will not be the same watching the Packers play this year. I am not even sure I will be a Packer fan this year. I know Jonathan will be if they play Brett or if they trade him, but I haven't decided. I think I will be for what ever team Brett plays for just because I want to see him finish on top and ride off into the sunset like he was meant too. There' s no doubt about it the Lord really blessed him with talent in great numbers. I remember what a guy once told me. He said that you can tell when a player steps out onto the field if he is a winner or if God has called him to be a champion. You can't put your finger on it because it's not necessarily the way they play but it's how they play and the heart in which they play.

As I type out this post I think to myself that I bet that's what God is telling us too. It's not the life you live but it's how you live it and where the heart is that matters. Well I have turned this into Espn Nichols Style so I will quit and write more next time.

Today, Right Now

2008-07-11T15:42:00.008-05:00

This is Hope the day she was born. I remember thinking (after the drugs wore off) how she was so pretty. I spent so much time just looking at her the first few days and thanking God that he gave me this wonderful blessing. I sometimes wonder how the year goes so fast. Then I remind myself it's because I spend it planning for the next day, week, month. Waiting and waiting for my kids to do this or that or whatever milestone is just ahead. I think I would like to take today and celebrate just today right where they are.

This is a picture of her in March. Isn't she beautiful? She is so gorgeous.

This is Joshua at 7 months. He was the Gerber baby for sure.

This is the J-man (Joshua) at his three year birthday. What a great boy he is.

Here they are now. Two joys of my life. Right here and as I sigh and think life doesn't get any better than this. I can hear one crying in the background because nap is over and duty calls. Thank you God for the awesome and joyous responsibility of being a mom.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME LAUGH

2008-07-08T12:27:00.004-05:00

I have not felt well this morning (no it's not what you are thinking) at all and I have noticed in the past that my son normally picks up on other's emotions. Well today was no different. Joshua is the family's funniest character by far. He also thinks he is the brightest and won't mind letting us know when and exactly what moment he is thinking that very thing. Well today he was eating his favorite cereal "Cookie Crisp" and he took a drink of his milk. After which he gave a me a dirty look and said "There's no chocolate in here." and points to his cup. I said "I know that and I don't think you need that much chocolate in the morning." He said in a very teenage fashion "Mom, there's chocolate in my cereal..." I could almost hear the inside of his brain saying "Duhhh." Because I didn't feel good and didn't want to fix him a healthy breakfast like most June Cleaver mom's do, I simply used an old southern term. "I think you are getting a little too big for your britches, son. Now eat your breakfast." To which he promptly looked down at his shorts and replied "No I am not! These fit, see!" Showing me how well they fit him by pulling on the waist. I burst out laughing to which he replied "You are so silly, mom." We both were in fits of laughter, at this. He always knows what to say to make me smile.

Humble Pie

2008-07-05T15:55:00.003-05:00

Okay everyone, it's time for the man of this house to come out from under the rock and add a blog of his own. Unfortunately for the guys, it's going to be directed at them so list'n up.

I guess it all started around the end of December into January when I was presented with an opportunity to own my own company. One of the best parts about it was that my partner was a Christian man as well. To manage my own company has always been a dream of mine and I thought to myself, "Wow, God is going to bless me and my family with this new deal. We are finally going to be able to get ahead in this world. And, I have the honor of doing this with another Christian." Michelle and I have learned with all that has happened in our going on 6 years of marriage that such a time as this happens that we seek God first. Well, we did and we prayed. We fasted. I sought the advice of other business owners in our church on their opinion. I thought I had done everything I needed to do to make this decision. I mean it was so obvious what I needed to do and it was only a matter of logistics. We were finally going to be on our way to the top. The only thing was, yes there is one of those "only thing was" situations, that I wasn't listening closely to what the closest person on this earth is to me, my wife, was telling me. She was so supportive of me and unbelievably submissive to me to make this decision. So, she kept telling me about this passage in the Bible Jeremiah 42 : 9-12. The message of this passage is simple, although to me at the time, it was not. All I could think about was the almighty $$$. The passage says that the Lord has plans to build me up and not tear me down should I stay in the land he has put me. The Lord is going to restore those things which have been removed and torn down. He will have compassion on me. Alright, so I just told you the verses. Pretty clear, right? DON'T LEAVE YOUR JOB. Hello. Nope, all my mind was on was getting our family ahead financially and I will be such the big shot, owning my own company, while doing all this for Christ. Michelle supported me 100%, although I could tell she was not in total agreement with me.

Well, my helm at this latest, greatest, turn the world upside down company lasted 3 months. This Christian man who promised me a partnership, another long story for another blog, turned out to be probably the lowest scum I probably have crossed paths with in a long time. The money that was supposed to be there was there only our costs turned out to outweigh the drastic change in income. The Lord allowed us to get two jobs during that 3 months. I was terribly down in the dumper with this decision. The only thing I can say is that the Lord humbled me greatly throughout this whole ordeal. The greatest humility I received though was the new outlook I had on my beautiful bride. The Lord showed me that I had a wife who has far too much wisdom and forethought at her age. I was just too proud, yes, I said proud, men. Well, I have made a decision from now on that any decisions that come through our house go through extensive prayer, fasting, and definitely hear the opinion of Michelle. Being humbled is not the greatest thing for us guys. We like to be the decision makers and show who's boss. Just because it may be our wives that have the right call on something doesn't mean that takes the "pants" from us. It just means that we have the guts to use what our wives tell us in making those decisions. Since I have turned this blog into my first autobiography, I will close. But, I will be back and it won't be something down in the mouth like this. It will be about another passion of mine. That's right the almighty pigskin.

2008-07-04T15:39:00.003-05:00

WALK-A-THON FOR MCLAYLEE BORKLUND Saturday, July, 19 and 20 - 5 - 9 p.m. - U.A.B. Walking Track .

I am so pleased to annouce that I spoke with Misty, she is organizing the walk, yesturday and she told me this Walk-A-Thon for Mckaylee is turning out to be huge!!! She has gotten so many people to help including an exhuasting list of corporations. So many she couldn't even tell who all unless she read them to me. Doctor's offices, layer offices, hospitals, utilities, churches, dining places, Bufflo Rock, Coke A Cola, other retail stores, and a news station. I am so pleased. Dish network or Direct TV I can't remember which now, is going to make teddy bears for every child at St. Judes in Memphis. And guess what, I get to go help hand them out!!! I am so excited, I just can't wait. Jonathan's parents, loving called Grammy and Grampy, live in Memphis so this will be a great trip for everyone and it's only 3 weeks away.

Shiloh

2008-07-04T10:16:00.006-05:00

This is our dog, Shiloh. Jonathan and I always knew that we liked big dogs and we wanted a Golden Retriever. So a few weeks after being married I looked in the paper and there just happened to be a good deal on Golden puppies. That should have been our first clue. Anyway, we went out to Bessemer ( back when gas was $1.25 a gallon) and were shocked. They had two left, both boys, and they had chapped looking bald spots on them. One looked like he was playing ok, but then one was under the table, not playing at all, just looking around and he was tiny. I said instantly "That's the one I want. The one under the table." We paid the man and left. Jonathan and I chose Shiloh for his name because the first historical place we went was a battle field for the Cival War called "Shiloh". At this time the name wasn't used that often. The next day I made an appointment with the vet to get Shiloh checked out. He laid all night long almost lifeless and wouldn't eat either. At the vet's office he told us why. He said "Do you want to know why your dog is lifeless?" and then ran his hand up Shiloh's back and said "See all this? These are fleas! This is the worst infestation of a five week old puppy I have ever seen." Shiloh was so infested that I thought that black stuff was dirt and we had planned to bathe him after the vet's office. The vet then informed us that the bald patches were a fungus that was caused by poor hygiene on the breeders part and would go away with a few baths. Jonathan called and had our apartment flea bombed that day and they were able to do it before we got home. Then the vet took Shiloh and even though he was only five weeks, dipped him, put Advantage on him, and gave him a pill that if any flea was bitting him at the time or in the next 12 hours they would die. He said "By tomorrow you will have a whole new dog." and I am telling you the next day, he was right!! Shiloh has been hyper ever since. So I post this rare picture of him to show that he does sleep. He is great around the kids though. I mean he always stands in front of them when strange noises happen (like fireworks). He sleeps outside the kids doors during nap time and in our room on the floor at night time. It's hard for me to believe that he started out only five pounds and having life drawn from him. And now he is a robust 90 lbs and a happy, lovable, playful dog.

The funny thing is the name. We had a friend that said "Shiloh? That's a horrible name. Why that name?" Then all these books came out about a dog named Shiloh. Funny, Funny. Then Brad Pitt and Angelina named their child, Shiloh. Although, I don't think I would have went that far......

Kids Pictures

2008-07-03T22:05:00.002-05:00

Aren't they cute? This is Hope and Joshua on Memorial Day weekend. Joshua was not happy about being in a "baby pool." As you can see Hope was having a blast! After which Dad (Jonathan) splashed us all and we loved it! This was a great day!!

We will send more pictures soon as we just had some taken by Becky Abernathy. I am sure they will turn out good with these two cuties.

Singing It Out Loud

2008-07-03T14:08:00.002-05:00

Ok so here I am trying to figure this out step by step. I have figured out how to enter songs that was nice. I hope I can remember which site I used. So here I am singing and having a blast and then I came across a song that many of you may question. Let me just say that Bob Seagar's "Turn the Page." has been one of my husband's favorite songs for a long time. My husband actually has a great singing voice but keeps that under wraps. Well, I guess until now. Anyway, "Turn the Page" has provided us with many comical memories and everytime I hear it I laugh. Now who couldn't add a song like that? We have a lot of different variety of music that we like so I am sure you will hear something you like. Unless you are an Alabama Fan then let me asure you there is going to a song that you don't like. That's right ladies and gentlemen, I have loaded the Auburn fight song. It had to be done, it just had to be done.

2008-07-03T10:46:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine sent me her blog spot and I read it and loved it. Then I began to notice all these other people on her blog that had blogs and I thought to myself "humm, I have been living in the darkages." So I am trying this out to see how it goes. No promises, I am not the best computer literate person in the world. I will be loading some pictures soon so that you can put a name with a face. And I plan on figuring out how to load up some music. Any suggestions? I would love the help.