"And What Is It You May Ask That I Feel....??"

Although we have been here before......I can say both girls have moved out of our home now and we are down to just Levi!!! And what as, a mother, do I feel?? R E L I E F.

No more the task of raising a child from start to finish! No more the demands and expectations I place on myself to be the "right mother"! No more the constant questioning of WHAT are we supposed to be allowing and WHAT are we not supposed to be allowing!! No more the imaginings and questioning of where they are and what they are doing...and if they are telling the truth!! No more the wondering of how am I supposed to tell them this without sounding like a lecturer and then being met with "I'm NOT listening to you and it's going in one ear and out the other!" No more waking up to wonder will I see their car sitting outside....or not!! No more HOPING and expecting them to be in church....only to be met with an empty seat beside us!! No more messes in rooms and bathroom, dishes being undone, and eating in rooms! No more Tv's being left on unwatched and only on for noise! No more teenage drama that girls bring into your life!!

And why do I say all this??

Because I'm D O N E!!!
I can undoubtedly, completely and with full assurance say ...... these girls are in GOD'S HANDS and no longer mine!!! Yes, they ALWAYS have been in HIS hands.....but none moreso in my mind than they are as of now. And what does that bring>>>>> relief. Relief to know....God is bigger. God is in full control. God is the authority in their life. God has a will, and a plan.....and it WILL be done. Regardless of their actions or lack of....HIS will will be carried out. NOTHING will stop it!! And I wouldn't want it any other way.

One day, my friend, you too will have to let go and let God. Maybe it will be so with your own child(ren), or maybe it will be with fears, doubts and worries concerning your own life OR those you love. Regardless the circumstances, we all come to a place in our lives where we just need to stop.....let go.....and know God is on your side and will carry you through this.

You may say - Wow that was some really negative thoughts up there about your daughters! You may think that....you have that choice. But, on the flip side of the coin, it's really just a Mother bearing her honest heart with you to give you HOPE. Hope in realizing all that a Mother feels and goes through in raising a child and realizing in the end......God is all that matters.......God and God alone. He will take care of them. He will do His work in them. And regardless if I have been the role model Mother....or not.....His master plan will unfold in the time that is needed. And all will be right.

What my two daughters DO have is: my constant love, my constant prayers and my constant encouragement (all of these accepted or not).

The other day, in complete sadness, I questioned the very reason of WHY did God make me a Mother and was it not only but to hurt me. In thinking more clearly, I realize, that yes children DO hurt you, they discourage you, they anger you, they disappoint you. But, they also bring you a greater blessing that you would have never known had not God given you the gift of their life. Sometimes....you just have to look a little HARDER, and search a little LONGER.....but it's there!

Thank you God for my two daughters. It's been fun, it's been sad, it's been HARD, it's been crazy, it's been silly, it's been sweet, it's been heartbreaking, it's been emotional....it's been a journey. Have fun raising them the rest of the way.....you're definitely in for an ADVENTURE!! : )



Heather Marie and Savannah Ann





"If You Had the Chance.....Would You??"

Often I wonder. . . why do people choose to wait until someone has passed from this life to the next before they will bring about all the good things they wanted to say regarding them? Why not, while still given the opportunity, tell them what they mean to you, how their life has impacted yours? Wouldn't it be something really great if we could attend our own funerals and HEAR all the wonderful words people share about us that they never told us while we were still living?! Maybe that sounds weird....or prideful. Weird is fine....prideful, I do not wish to convey.

One thing I do know and it is this. . . each of our days here on this earth are numbered by our God who knows them. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow! So why not take the opportunity, while you still can, and share with your loved ones and friends just what they have meant to you??

As many of you know, I have an Aunt who has just recently been diagnosed with Cancer. I have had the blessing to visit with her and talk about this one on one with her. She is truly at peace with the outcome. She knows that God will heal her here on earth or he will heal her in Heaven. She is a true example of God's grace being given .....not too soon and not too late.....but just at the right time.

So with her on my mind and in my prayers, I feel God has led me to write this Blog in honor of her and what she means to me. . . .

Aunt Sandra, I will start this off by telling you what you already know - - I love you.

From the earliest memories you were the other half of my Mother. Even as a small child I can vaguely remember sometimes being confused at first glance which of you was my real Mother! You told me recently that you are and have been my second Mother and rightly so you have. My Mother and you share a bond closer than just sisters and that is to be treasured. It is something I've never had, but someday will maybe get to have when I meet my sister in Heaven! (By the way, Dan, you KNOW I love you if you're reading this!)

When I think back in time I can remember things like these:

- Waffles!!
I LOVED your waffles and there has NEVER been anyone anywhere that can even can compare to your waffles!! Saturday mornings were such a treat when we got to go to your house for breakfast! And an even bigger treat was when you would cook them for dinners too!! :)

- Spending the night at your house.
I'm sure I probably have spent many nights at your house throughout my growing up years. I can remember one such night when I was sleeping with you (Uncle Bob worked nights) and all of the sudden we heard a noise! You got up cautiously and I ducked right under the covers! As it turns out, Uncle had come home during the night unexpectedly. Whew that was scary!

- Taking walks around the neighborhood and adjoining ones.
I have always loved to walk and we had some really great walks! It was a time to share and a time of just enjoying each other. I don't remember the topics of conversation, but I'm sure we talked about everything!

- Swimming.
I can go waaaay back and remember when you and my Mother took upon yourselves to conquer my fear of water! It was at Burger Lake in Ft Worth. I had to be pretty SMALL. You both took me way out to the middle of the lake and would both say "Now...SWIM. C'mon I'm right here." I would swim from my Mother to you and back again. Only thing is - I caught on to yall's game! You kept backing up further and further apart!! Thanks for not letting me drown, Auntie! (I think.)
I remember going to your neighborhood pool, behind your house, on hot Summer days, and what FUN that was too!

- Movies and Six Flags!
As I write those two words, I have to laugh out loud! If there ever was going to be something that totally un-nerved me as a child it would be the fear of the UNKNOWN! I was and still am a person who likes to be prepared for whatever I'm about to do! And the movies and Six Flags were two places that could un-nerve me as odd as that sounds! Back in the day, we didn't have the computer to go read every detail about the movie we were about to go and see. Therefore, as a very sheltered child, I WANTED to know what was about to enter my world through the world of entertainment. I still laugh at the memory of going to see the movie "When Savannah Smiles" and repeatedly asking you "What is going to be in this movie? What's it about? What are they going to say? Will I like it?"  Haha! I can hear you now saying "DEBORAH, would you just sit back and relax?! you are going to be just fine!" ........ and I was. :)
Six Flags was the other thing that terrified me immensely!! I can remember you and Uncle Bob taking me there to have a FUN time and all I could think about was ....what is this ride? what does it do? am I going to like it? If I couldn't see a full ride it was most likely a NO-GO! I do think you two may have "coaxed' me onto some though. :)

- Going to meet you at the mall with my Mother.
I can remember Saturday mornings when my Mother would wake me up and say I'm leaving in 10 mins to meet Sandra. Get up and get dressed if you want to go. Umm....THANKS Mother for giving me so much time to get ready!! : ) We would either go to your house or meet you at the mall it seems. I can remember how it ALWAYS amazed you that I was never a person who would eat snacks...such as a cookie....nor would I drink drinks .... such as sodas....if it was in between meals. I can hear you say "Don't ya want just ONE cookie? How about a coke?" And I stuck to my guns too! :)

- O here's a good one - - DUSTING YOUR HOUSE!!
Does ANYONE really like to dust?? I think you thought I did! I can remember you sitting on the couch, while not being able to clean and saying "Hey! would you like to do something really neat?! How would you like to dust my house for me?!?!" And this dusting would include removing an entire unit of collectible golf balls on display as well as MULTIPLE knick knacks throughout to do this very job!! O the pure JOY.
(wink wink) Did you give me money for that?

- Visiting you in the hospital.
I can remember one such time when I was sitting with you. It was just me and you....don't know where the others were. You wanted to look at your cards you had received from various friends and family, so you asked me to bring them to you. As I gave them to you you began attempting to read them. Did I mention . . .you were still "slightly" drugged?! I'm laughing now as I write this!! As you began reading them out loud, your eyes would shut. You would open them and pathetically tell me "I can't see the words. I don't know what it says." You tried this a few times and always unsuccessful you would be. I found this to be very FUNNY! Oooops sorry Auntie! It made me laugh and I would tell you "You can't see the words because you keep shutting your eyes!!" Haha!  I then would lovingly take them and read them out loud to you. :)

These are just a few of the many memories I have made along the way sharing a lifetime with you!

Auntie, you have always been such a source of strength. Your life, as long as I can remember, has held alot of obstacles of health that you have patiently had to endure. Maybe there have been times of questioning God Himself as to why. Sometimes we may never know the answers to our whys, but yet we trust that EVERYTHING in this life God has allowed or given has been to mold us and make us into the very creation He desired us to be. He knows best how to use us. I'm sure your very life has touched MANY many souls throughout time! We thank God for allowing us to be a vessel for Him to use! I thank God that His grace, His love, His forgiveness, His strength has been made evident through YOU. :)

As I started this Blog out in the beginning. . . NONE of us is assured of tomorrow. We are all here for a very short time. So it is with that knowledge that I choose to tell you my dear, sweet Auntie. . . I love YOU dearly. I thank God for giving you to me as my second Mother and my own funny Auntie  - who has loved me in return with all the love in the world.

Maybe one day, should your time come before mine, I will look out my window and see a beautiful white bird soaring high and strong - knowing that it's a memory of you and the time I shared with you on this earth. :)

To all those who may be reading along - - why not take the time to reach out to someone you love and let them know what they mean to you today? I'm betting you will be glad you did! :)



"Sharing My Heart and Passion With YOU!"

As I sit here and try my very best to come up with something to share with others through writing . . . I come up blank. Maybe most would say O well today is not the day to write and be off to do something else with theirselves. Me - my passion is to write and encourage and share. . . so I wait.

In my waiting, I think back over the past days to see if there is something I could relate back to and share with you that would be encouraging and inspiring. Again. . . I come up blank.

So instead I share the passion of my heart.

And it is this.
God IS the Redeemer of our lives. The very Redeemer of our lost souls through his salvation. And. . .  the true Redeemer of his own children, through grace and forgiveness.

My friend, if you don't know the salvation he gives for you, it is free to ALL who call upon him as Lord and Savior. He will do it - just ask. But, also please know that if you are a child of God - failure, mistakes, weaknesses are NOT something you are immune to. Christians DO fall. And when they fall, God picks them up again. . . not leaving them to their own strength that fails.

God's grace is REAL. God's forgiveness is REAL. God's healing is REAL. God's rescuing is REAL. And God's resoration is REAL. I'm living proof to each of these in my life as a child of God - who has experienced failure, mistakes and weaknesses. But evenso, knowing that it is God Himself who has made beauty from the ashes, promise from despair, hope from hopelessness - - - and a light to you to give you hope. Hope to know that you may fall, but God will never leave you nor forsake you. His loving hand will lift you up, set you on a better path, cleanse you from your sins, and through him and him alone be the Healer that will set you free.

Sometimes God asks that we be patient and wait on him as he is doing all of this. It is in those times that we trust no matter what our emotions, thoughts or doubts tell us. God IS in control and he WILL see us through. I read in a devotion these words: "When we walk in difficult places, God sends the strength and nourishment to face what comes our way, not all at once, but day by day." Also, God tells us in Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

I know I have talked about this subject, probably alot, through statuses and blogs too, but it is the very heartbeat God has given me through my own personal trials and errors to share HIS deliverance with you child of God or lost sinner.

And so it is I leave with you these words: "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man (or woman) whose sin the Lord does not count against him (or her) and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalms 32: 1-2. And one more: "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." Psalm 3:8.

My friend, let God be the One who brings deliverance into your life. Trust him for it!! :)

"All Because of One Special Boy. . . ."

David and I have made a decision to start working out at the gym, on a continous basis....once again. We previously were committed and for one reason or another decided to not continue. Let me say here. . . I am SO very PROUD of my David and his accomplishments!! He is working hard and his efforts are coming with results! Please pray for continued determination and motivation if he crosses your mind. :)

As for me - I am self diagnosing myself to now know it's official.....I'm allergic to exercise!! I start sneezing whenever vigorously working out on treadmill! Craziest thing ever!! So if you happen to see me wiping my nose, and my eyes, all the while sneezing....I'm not sick.....I just have a case of allergictoexercise is all. :)

Yesterday, we were at the gym working out as usual. I absolutely love the fact that they now have a row of treadmills facing AWAY from all those crazy Tv monitors! BESSST thing they ever did for that place! We were treading along when I noticed a teenage boy catch my eye. I noticed that he had physical limitations that didn't allow for him to be "normal" as if everyone else was. He appeared to have Cerebal Palsy or maybe even results from a stroke. . .one side was considerably weaker than the other. I continued to watch him throughout his workout with a trainer. He became true inspiration for me in many ways.

He was a very GOOD looking teenage boy and he dressed the part of someone his age. He would joke around with the trainer, smile often, and wave at occassional people passing by. He was happy. He was determined. And. . . he didn't let his limitations stop him. As I said earlier, there appeared to be two sides to his body - a stronger side + a weaker side - and both were worked out during his time there. The stronger side was exercised with weights, while the weaker side was simply held, pulled, and stretched by the trainer. Both sides took genuine effort by this boy himself, but the weaker side made it visibly clear . . . this was tough. His face let you see the pain and focus of his determination. All the while, the trainer continued to gently lead him through his exercises. To me this boy was the true athelete, stronger than anyone in that entire gym. The simple stretching, lifting, and following through took a physical strength that not many of us probably have. His determination even brought tears to my eyes! Not only did this boy have to deal with his physical limitations, but as he sat there and rested, a group of teenage boys casually walked by him. I had to wonder "Does he wish his life was different? Does he long to be like others without viewable limitations?" I can't really answer that question for him, but my hope is that he sees himself as someone who is greatly BLESSED and that he doesn't have to look, act, think, walk, talk like others to be who God created him to be. The boys didn't appear to have any negative effects on his countenance and he continued steadily on. As time went on, I happened to look away for what only seemed moments only to return my focus on what was now an empty workout table. It seemed as if this boy who appeared from nowhere....suddenly was gone just as quickly! It was as if he was an angel of inspiration sent right in front of me!

As I was intently watching this courageous boy with his workout, I begin to see God and our own lifes, and the similarities. To me the strong side of this boy's body represented our strengths in our life > talents, abilities and such. We usually feel pretty good about working those areas out. We have reachable confidence to get us through the "workout". But when we come to the other side of our bodies known better as the weak side, it can be a different story! Maybe the weak side could be considered of failures, temptations, worry, mistakes, fears, doubts and the list goes on. BUT! in and of all those weaknesses none are too great for our Mighty God Himself to overcome and lead us through!! Just as I saw through the powerful example of this beautiful boy in front of me! The strong side, the trainer was there if he needed him, and at times he did, but he was more confident in doing it. The weak side, the trainer was there to assist and encourage. He gently held and supported him taking the boy's arm and leading him through it. Never did the trainer just step back and say do it, with his arms folded idlely, standing by, and the boy not being able to do it. He was there to see him through it....to completion and nothing less. How wonderfully the SAME as we see God in our lives!! God knows we are perfectly imperfect....He knows we have weaknesses that seem unbearable sometimes, He knows the limitations of our humaness. And yet He never once just stands back and says "Figure it out yourself. You got yourself here, get yourself out. You wanna be strong - then do this on your own and you will be." NO!! what He does do is holds us up when we can't stand, carries us when we can't walk, listens to us when we are afraid, and . . . He leads us through it. What he does say is "I'm here for you child. Lean on me. Trust me. I know it may hurt, but I'm making you stronger because of it. I will never give up on you."

So, my friend, whenever you may feel despair because of the weaknesses that you see in your life.....KNOW that God is there with you.....holding you, supporting you, encouraging you, bringing you to a better place and seeing you through to completion. He never asks you to do it alone. Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ."

Thank you Jesus for sharing hope with me. . . through one inspiring, beautiful boy! :)

"A Funny Look at a First Experience. . .That Soon Won't be Forgotten!!"

Sooo I had my first Spa Swedish Massage the other day and O what an experience it was too!! Actually, David and I were given gift certificates at Christmas from our sweet daughter, Heather. So we went together. I was the intimidated one. . . David on the other hand was not. David had even told me he would use his this week and come back next week and use mine if I wanted him to. O no. . . not passing up on this one!

We were taken back to a couch in a semi dark room where 4 different people must have asked us if we wanted something to drink. As we sat on the couch, we were handed 3 sheets of paper to fill out. This would be a questionairre as if you were going to the doctor! GEEZ people, we're only here to cash a couple of gift cards and get a massage!! David and I were both laughing at the silliness of all these questions when he said "I think we are supposed to be whispering in here." Um....ok. So we laugh whispered.....well sorta. : P

Once back in our perspective rooms, it was explained to me what I needed to do to prepare for her. Namely undress. First she tells me to take my shirt and bra off....so i repeat it back to her.....then she looks at me to say "Well, take your jeans and shoes off too." As if I was supposed to know that already. She leaves....I undress.....quickly so she won't come back in to find me NAKED. I crawl under the covers all the while looking at the big mirror in front of me wondering what kind of hidden camera they have in it. :) Now you need to know I'm a bit NERVOUS with this whole idea already....ok! As I lay down, I realize these covers are really WARM.....I could get hot even under them....wonder what they do when people are too warm, throw back the covers to see your bare nakedness?!? As I'm laying there I notice the table looked slanted as in head down, toes up, situation. I don't normally ever lay down on my back on a flat surface (especially tilted down) because it makes me dizzy of some sort....like my legs are gonna flip over my head feeling! I sit up examing the table myself trying to figure it out, but quickly laying back down so lady wouldn't come in and see me doing so!  I'm dealing with trying to figure out if I should tell the lady  to either give me a pillow or tilt the table back up even. Telling myself.....you can handle this! Convincing myself ..... somewhat that I'm gonna be alright.....I start realizing how SMALL, DARK, and enclosed this tiny room is....as if I'm on an elevator (which I do NOT do). Now I'm also debating the thought of telling the lady to please leave the door OPEN when she comes back in assuring her that I don't care who looks in!!

As I'm retelling this story later to laughing Heather, Levi and David....Heather speaks up and says "MOM, you are supposed to be laying there relaxing before she comes in, NOT stressing out over all this!!" Sorry daughter....didn't happen!

FINALLY, she comes back. I'm retelling myself at this point that I don't need to relay any of the information to this poor woman who is here to make me feel my very best. Hmmmm......
She begins to do her thing and soon my eyes are being covered with something that has weights in it, causing the room to be totally darkened!! She had placed some kinda eye pillow weights on them....for relaxation. SURE. Now I'm not only thinking more about the claustrophobic sense, but the unsettling feeling of WHAT'S NEXT?!? I'm a person who from childhood has needed to pretty much know......what's next?! :) I kept my mouth shut, kept my eyes weighted shut, and laid there under the submission of her every move.

This whole exprience could have added a few knots to my knots she felt and told me about. She described me as being "crunchy".....not everyday you get to be that description now do ya! She is now telling me that as she holds the sheet, I'm to turn over onto stomach. As I'm turning over as QUICKLY as I could to not expose myself....I now am wondering if I will be dizzy from going to my back - tilted down - to my stomach. I do get lightheaded at times. Secondly, I've got to put my face through this donut hole. The donut hole is tilted WAY down for me. Lady says she can adjust it for me just let her know when. She went up....more up....and more up. I said stop and she asked are you alright? I agreed. I'm guessing I could have looked rather peculiar with how far I asked her to tilt it. Ha! As she is doing my backside, I began to feel like the donut hole was a littttle too high. Did I tell her?? Nope. So I laid there and thought about that for awhile. Other funny thoughts were going through my head as well though.....like when she came up to my head and I'm looking at her legs and feet, through the donut....I wondered what she would do if I suddenly pinched her! Hahaha! Yes....I'm that weird. But, no I didn't.

NOW....as I'm laying there, starting to de-stress....somewhat.....my phones starts going off. I was later told by dear daughter that you are to silence your phone upon entering. Well....sorry daughter.....again. The first 2 calls I kinda blew off thinking it's our son, Levi but hopefully he will figure out what he needs to know. The following FOUR calls as well as TEXTS and notification for my turn to play a game made for a little bit of a STRESSFUL situation!!!! I couldn't get to my phone.....the lady obviously wasn't going to ask me if I needed to stop and answer it.....nor was she going to bring it to me. If I did answer it, I would have to prop myself up exposing pretty much my entire front side. . . . so I let it ring. . . .  and she let it ring. This really un-nerved me being as though I didn't know if Levi knew we were. He was told to go to the gym after school and we would pick him up for golf from there. I didn't know if the poor kid had any clue at all to know what to do....being as though we weren't answering and he probably saw Dad's car in the parking lot.

Meanwhile. . . as I'm dealing with the phone incesantly going off. . .  an alarm starts going off throughout the entire building with flashing lights!! A lady is stating that EVERYONE throughout the building now needs to evacuate! NICE. . . .I'm told by my lady now that she is going to go out of the room and ask if it is really real and necessary for us to leave. Sooo....I'm just left to myself.....in a dark room....lying NAKED under some really WARM covers......to wonder WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON??!! I even laid there and wondered if it was my poor son who was in the emergency of some sort that was cleaing the building!! Lady comes back to now say "You need to get up, get dressed. We need to evacuate the building. I will bring you some fresh water." Fresh water?? Is that what people do under evacuation settings??!! Hey at least I had fresh water when I died!! Haha! She grabs her purse from under cabinet and leaves.

Now.....I'm QUICKLY getting up and getting dressed and all the while my phone is STILL ringing! I'm standing there trying to decide "Do I ignore the phone and get dressed BEFORE she gets back in here and sees me standing like a naked monkey.....OR.....do I fish phone out of purse and answer?? I went with "B". I missed the call .......phone rings again......I make contact! It's Levi and all i can say is "Hello....can I talk with you in a few mins....I'm trying to get dressed and get out of a massage room?!?!" he sounds hesitant and agrees. I dress so quickly that I stuff my socks in my purse by now and I'm stomping out the door in my big boots that are even bigger now without the socks! I look around thinking WHERE is this lady with the fresh water who's supposed to be telling me what to do?!?!?? I see one lady seated on couch who is obviously not worried about evacuating as she is discussing on phone with someone regarding "No, what would you do if we went on a cruise? I don't know....what would you recommend? I don't know......" Wow lady....did you not get the memo....we are evacuating here?!!! As I'm standing around unsure what to do what to think and where is my husband at?? Another lady (employee) asks me if everything is alright. I said "Well, i was with Ginger and now I don't know where she is at." Other lady opens main door and what do I see?? Ginger standing at front desk laughing it up with other employers.....obviously forgetting poor pathetic client in room AND evacuating!!! I walk on out to the front desk all the while Ginger's back is to me. As I'm standing there I begin to see HOARDS of people now coming back in through the front doors!!! WELL.....I GUESS I MISSED THE DAD GUM EVACUATION AFTERALL!!" LOL!! The cashier begins to ask me how was everything when the only motion and response I could make at this particular time was to hold out my hand and point to Ginger. I didn't know what to think or what to say....so I just pointed at her. Ginger then turns around and sees me standing there .....most likely more stressed than when I went in! She says very casually "Heeeey....so let me get you some fresh water and you can go back in where you came from and relax!" Suuuuure.....Ginger......you bring me that water and I'll just go right back in here and do me some "relaxing" that you say! Mind you I still hadn't gotten a hold of my poor son yet! So I went back in and waited like a nice good girl. I still hadn't even seen the likes of David yet as well.....wasn't he told to evacuate too???!!!! As I'm sipping my "fresh water" I tried to get Levi with no such deal. I texted him then. I did receive word back and he was alright. Later, I would find out that he had tried to call to let us know he wasn't going golfing with us and to not wait on him at gym. He got on the bus and then it was that he saw Dad's Camaro in the parking lot. He thought "O no....there waiting on me and I'm rididng the bus home!!" Soooo then it was he began to call us a grand total of at LEAST TEN times during our de-stressing, relaxing, calming moments.....the massage.

David DID finally walk out of his room with the most casualist of walks and looking rather CALM. He smiled and asked me how it was? O BOY......... did I have a story for him?!!?!!! Come to find out his lady told him that no evacuation was necessary and she continued to finish up with his massage! My lady however probably went and had a really good LAUGH at her client's position!! Ha ha ha.

I resumed my once again serence composure once we left our "relaxing" massage......YEAH RIGHT! I had a story to tell and tell I was gonna! I told David all the way to the country club where we were going to play golf for the day! I had so much to say that we had to stay in the car once we arrived so that I could finish even!! David listened.....David LAUGHED......and David shook his head. Later, I would get to retell my story once again with the audience of Heather, Levi and David (again). We had SO MANY laughs over that story and I truly believe God let it ALL happen for a purpose (just like He has with everything in life we face) ......to share a beautiful laughing and sharing moment with our children......at Mom's expense. :)

So a lesson can be learned here as well. You probably could see a LOT of what if moments going on in this story! But truly what happened were the what IS moments in fact. I didn't get dizzy, I didn't get claustrophobic, I didn't pinch the lady (heehee), Ginger never saw me standing in the room naked, no one saw me through a hidden camera (that I know of and if they did....they laughed), I didn't get too hot, I lived through the "what's next" moments, my son wasn't in an emergency, my son didn't die because he couldn't get us, and no evacuation of emergency situations were real. All my what ifs were non-existant....thank the good Lord!! Too many times we can get caught up in living in a what if world.....but you know what?? God IS IN CONTROL and will see you through any and ALL situations. Your what if's are no match for Him! Anyways.....What if's DON'T exist.....What is DOES!! Trust Him!! :)

Guess what?
I'm going back again and I know I will enjoy it so much more this time!! Please God, could you keep the alarms and my purse from going off though??!! Thanks!! :)



I'm thinking I looked about as relaxed as this big guy!! :)





"Letting Go. . ."

It was said in part of today's sermon that God wipes away ALL guilt, shame, regret - once you are forgiven. I agree - - but through experience I also know it can take T I M E as well. God can do it all at once OR He can do it through a healing process. . . . and HIS timetable doesn't always look like ours!

And I know that as humans, we ourselves can add to those things as well.

My friend, whatever you may be hanging on to - trust God to do what you may feel is too difficult for you - Let it go. Or if it requires time to bring about your healing - trust Him to see you through. Whatever the situation. . . it's in God's hands. . . and not yours.

"For the faith to move ahead and to let go of the past and to see me as you do - - I turn to you."





Letting go and letting God!



"Take a Look at Our Celebrated Weekend We Shared!"

This past weekend we celebrated the man I love most's birthday!! Rather than just tell you about it - I wanted to share with you, through pictures as well, of all that we enjoyed.

David planned our trip, in honor of his birthday, for us to share. He did an excellent job too....as always! Friday morning, we hit the road for Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was a beautiful drive. David loves to drive and I love to ride. . . so we make a really good team! Once there, we found the LauBerge Du Lac Casino and went in to see the sights as well as find some lunch. The "sights" were nice, but the people inside the Casino itself were quite a different story. Everyone looked so pathetically HOPELESS and LIFELESS! No happiness anywhere really. If gambling is supposed to be some happy thing (like the billboards portray) well these people didn't show it!! What a sad world. Anyways...we found a nice buffet lunch to try. I ate alligator for the very first time as well as key lime pie and ONE prune. In order of like I would rate the pie first, prune next and alligator LAST...it was disgusting!! : P

Afterwards, we went to the golf course to tee off at our posted 2:oo time. We did find Tee 1....finally! It was a very nice golf course. I compared much of it to Walden (back home) and found I preferred this one even if it did have alligators on it. : ) Yes there were two as a matter of fact! I found them exciting and adventerous as I made way, little by little, to get the best picture of one almost on the greens!



Come here gator, gator, gator. . .



Here are some shots of the Casino as we are on the golf course looking back.

The wind was something else!! I was hair beaten from all the wind, so trying to just see the ball was a task for me. We were able to take our time and go slowly which made it nice. Two holes past our usual game of 9 - - I was tired and getting cold. I became solely the golf cart driver as well as ball retriever/finder while David played the rest of the 18. He did well and had a great time, which made it all the more worth any discomforts I felt. :)

After our game, I was in dire need of a pitstop. David drove us back to the Casino part. As he did I questioned his action to which he said "You need a bathroom." Umm...yes dear I need a bathroom, but have you taken a look now at your wife who resembles something out of tornado herself?? I didn't feel "suitable" enough the first time we went through there to eat lunch....there was no way I could enter now looking the way I did! I quickly told him no and that I would prefer something down the road. So he lovingly consented all the while he half heartedly wanted to go back and try a hand at the gambling. . . as I would learn on down the road. He just couldn't convince himself though as we had earlier seen such despair in these people's faces. So not worth it.

Sooo...we traveled up the road to a town called Jennings. We found a very NICE Hampton hotel there. Checked in and I got a hot shower....YAY!! Then we set off to find some real Cajun food. I on the other hand would be happy with just a simple and much loved Subway sandwich! Poor David traveled up the street and down the street in search of something good to try. I say street, as in singular, because the other side of the highway was pretty much pitch BLACK! The closest thing he could find was ..... Popeye's Chicken. . . which had a super bonus because right next door was ...... a Subway!!! Yup, I got my Subway and took it inside our "Cajun" restaraunt. Hey the cup did say "Louisiana Kitchen" right on it....that counts right?! Afterwards, we went back tot he hotel and had some super YUMMY cookies complments of Hampton. We also played our new game, that we had bought just for the trip in case got bored. It was very nicely titled "Smart Ass". Fun game too!! Haha! :)

Next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel and set off for the Plantation Homes tours. These were a good 2 hours up the road, so we had another nice drive. We arrived at Oak Alley Plantation and let me just say here - - WOW WHAT A PLACE!!! Words don't do it enough justice! We ate lunch in a nice little house on the plantation grounds. It was absolutely PERFECT! They sat us in a little room with windows all around that looked out to the home and ground itself. It was as if we were literally sitting outside underneath one of the beautiful oak trees! And the meal?? Like nothing I have ever tasted so amazing before! I ate all kinds of animals. . . alligators (fried this time and it was so GOOD!), duck!!, catfish, and chicken! The gator, duck, and catfish each had it's own dipping sauce too.....so wonderfully good!! Finally....David had got his REAL Cajun meal....and I was SO happy for him!

This was a picture taken of our view, as we ate, at the lunch place.

We still had some time before the next tour started, so we walked around taking in all of this majestic place. The trees themselves were what made this place so gorgeous and full of history as well!! These next few pictures were what they called the "Baby Oaks" which were no babies to us, but in comparison to the ones planted in the front.... they were! These were planted in the back of the house and where many of the slave houses originally were.





These are the BABY oaks!!



Now it was time for the Big House tour!! Once inside we learned all about the timeless history that this once thriving home had. I so love History and am beyond blessed to have a best friend who allows me not only to enjoy every moment of it.....but also enjoys it himself!!



Oak Alley Plantation. Built 1837-39.

If you look closely you can still see the ghost of the lady who once long ago lived here! I'm kidding....she was a tour guide. :)



This was Mamie and she did a very fine job of sharing her knowledge of days gone by.



The parlor where we learned many interesting facts of  how parents handled courtship of their sons and daughters. I think we should still practice them today!! Ha! 





The Dining Room and more interesting facts!



I didn't continue taking pictures throughout house because I wanted to absorb all the history she was sharing with us. There was many interesting stories throughout the home though.



These next pictures are of the front and the most majestic of the oak trees planted! They were planted some 300 years ago, by an unknown settler, who planted 28 evenly spaced trees (each 80ft apart) leading out to the mighty Mississippi River. Planting these trees would assure him to bring in the cool air right off the Mississippi to cool his home which was a quarter mile back. These mighty oaks have a life span of 600 years old so these are just considered middle age at 300!! 

If pictures could only do justice!! This is looking towards the  front of the home.

This is a view from the balcony looking towards the Mississippi River. In warmer seasons it is beautiful and green.

Me standing in front of one of the mighty oaks!

I told you it was B I G!!

We later returned for a night shot of the place.

Next, we traveled up the road to the next Plantation we would visit. This one was not as majestic and was really of a different lifestyle all it's own. It was a Creole Plantation. But what it lacked in majestic scenery was made up for in more history about a family and the life they led so many years ago. Very interesting indeed!! What they did have in common with their more majestic neighbors would be both were sugar cane plantations harvesting crops by slavery.

This was called the Laura Plantation. Built in 1805 by slaves.

And this was our tour guide, Bryan, who was a real Cajun and his 8th great grandfather owned this property.

This was an original slave house on the property! Two families would be given this house to live in! It was basically a 16ft X 32ft house with a wall down the middle. If it was cold you ALL slept in the attic. If it was warm you all slept outside. If it was too hot you ALL slept inside the one room. And I thought our home was too SMALL sometimes for 5 people living in it at 2,500ft!!

I absolutely LOVE this picture!! It just seems so perfect in it's rare form of history. Once again another slave house. If truth be said, I see this house just as majestic as the Oak Alley Plantation one....for it held a family inside it's walls just as the Oak Alley once did. A family of no lesser value in the eyes of God Himself. Both families faced hardships, victories, sadness, happiness, lonliness, and acceptance. There was no difference.

We would leave our enchantment with the days of old to return to the present.

Once again on the road. We traveled back, towards home, for two hours for our dinner. David had been wanting pizza and remembered a nice little place in Lafayette. We had a delicious meal! Then it was time to decide where we would stay for the night. There was a toss up between the Holiday Inn Express right across the street which would give us a better breakfast in the morning than at previos Hampton. But then the Hampton, in Jennings 30 mins down the road, had mouth watering cookies and a really NICE room to stay in as well. We decided on the Holiday Inn Express.....bought a room.....walked up stairs to check out the room.....found hair in the bathroom across the tub......walked back down the stairs....said No thanks! .....and set off down the road once more. I thought that meant we would stay at the Hampton now, but Mr Moore was missing his o so comfy bed and decided he could be home by 12:30am. Soooo....the car didn't even slow down going through Jennings.....and we did in fact make it at 12:30am......on the dot!

All in all it was an absolutely wonderful time to share with this most beautiful man I know. . . .

I am most blessed to call him my own.

I am so thankful that we share the same interests in life and can enjoy our time together in sooo many ways as well! :)

And that is the story of how we celebrated my best friend's 49th birthday!!