God's amazing GRACE

The past few weeks have been a blur.  So much has went on, that I feel that I can finally sit down and relax a bit.  ----Well, relax as much as possible---  I took Logan out of public school and I am homeschooling him once again.  Too many issues going on and not enough time to explain.  (Honestly, I don't want to talk about it)  I have not got all my books just yet, so I have been doing a lot of worksheets from the internet.  School is going great!  He is doing really well and I am thankful for that. 

Isaiah started preschool on Tuesday.  He is also being homeschooled.  He is loving it, but today he was being a little turkey.  We are doing the color red this week and he quit coloring and said, "He was sick of RED."  So we did a cut and paste sheet and he was able to use other colors for that.  LOL 

Zack is still in public school and hates it.  He wants to come back home, but I just don't think I can handle him and Logan together.  Also I am afraid Zack would want to just sit and do nothing.  He is a brainiac ... too smart for his own good, but is also VERY lazy!!

Through out the time that caused me to take Logan out of school, God's grace has been sufficient.  I thank him for being there for me and helping through the hard times.  God is GOOD!

They say it's my birthday

I guess I am another year older.  Time sure does fly by and the gray hairs just keep piling high!!  On Monday, Brian took me out to dinner and then spoiled me!!  He knows I love bath and body works.  So he bought me a bag full of lotions.  I am going to SMELL good!!!  Then we went to Wal-mart and he got me some much needed bra's and some new undies.  My grandmother always said don't leave the house unless you have clean undies on.  Well MawMaw, I have some nice stylish ones!!!  Last night my mother in law cooked us dinner and they got me a beautiful cake.  Pretty and pink. Margaret and Mark bought me some really nice shirts from CATO's, love that store!!!  This morning my sis woke me up just as my alarm was about to go off and wished me a happy birthday.  Then my mother called.  Yep, I have had a really nice birthday.... so what if I am 39.....and next year I plan to be 39 once again!  LOL

The biggest birthday gift I got was that school started today!  Here are some delightful pictures of my boy's just rearing to get on the bus!

Trash, junk, garbage...another man's treasure

Never knew one could accumulate so much junk!  I decided to clean out my linen closet today and threw away 2 big garbage bags of junk away.  Why in the world I had some of the stuff, I will never know.  A few weeks ago I cleaned out my walk in closet and threw out 3 big garbage bags.  My trash collector loves me!!  Hey I keep them in business!

Yes I have enough garbage that I need to say no to anyone giving away stuff.  On the other hand throwing away stuff does make room for more stuff!  Ha!  The stuff I threw out was not that good really.  Sure there were a few things I could probably have sold at a yard sale, but I am not one to sit out and wait. I would rather take it to Goodwill!  Of course Goodwill's prices have went up.  I guess inflation is causing them to raise prices on donated items!  Geesh....I won't even start on the prices of stuff.  I had better get off my soap box now.

I guess you could say I am "Fall" cleaning early.  I try to clean really good in the Spring and then again in the Fall.  When I do this, I sure can make a mess of the house.  My kitchen floor right now looks like a garbage bin.  All the bags are there. I need to take them to the garage.

Right now all I want to do is vegetate, but alas the chores are calling my name.  Should I answer?

Isaiah's first dentist appointment

First?  Yes you read that correctly.  I realize he is 4 and should have went sooner, but he is funny with stuff.  He does not like certain textures.  I would litterally have to bribe him to let me brush his teeth.  He hated the feel of a toothbrush.  It made him gag.  Anyway, he went on Wednesday and did wonderful.  He does have a small cavity and he chipped his back tooth on a piece of hard candy (which I do not let him have, but someone gave him a piece.)  I am always scared when they are little they will choke.  Back to the chipped tooth, I knew when it happened.  He bit down on the candy and he said "Ow".  Never mentioned anything about it again.  That night I was brushing his teeth and saw it.  It isn't that bad, but they said he needed a crown.  So, now he has to go to a pediatric dentist for this.  I wish the dentist he saw had the laughing gas to do this.  *sigh*  A word to the wise, if you have a really young child... take them to a pediatric dentist to begin with.  A regular dentist, may not have the  laughing gas and  will send your child onto a pediatric dentist.

Isaiah will go for his "preview" appointment on Monday the15th  ( correction Wednesday the 18th).  Zack goes to get a filling on the 15th. Even if Dr. O'dell had already said what needed to be done.  Such a mess and waste of my time.  I think since Dr. O'dell already saw and cleaned Isaiah's teeth, then they should just be able to take it from there and do what is needed. *grr*  It is all a money racket!  Thank God for good insurance! :-)

Here are some pictures of the day.....



So now we have to go and see Dr. Bailey that is in with Dr. Martin.  My other boy's were a patient of Dr. Martin's but it was always so hard to get them an appointment.  So, I thought taking the kids to a regular dentist would solve the appointment problem.  Now, it seems there might be other problems.  Maybe since the boy's are older they can have their stuff done.  We shall see.

Teays Pediatric Denistry  is where we are headed on Monday!  Wish us luck!!!

Tired yet not tired enough

I got up this morning to a kitten bellowing.  I think I actually (in my sleep) said, "Will someone please go and see what is wrong with that cat!!!"  Then jolted awake to find, they were fighting over momma Sami.  So, here I sit typing not truly awake, but not sleepy enough to go back to bed.  I had to get up early anyway.  Isaiah has his first dentist appointment this morning.  I think he chipped his back tooth a few weeks ago eating hard candy.  At least that is what it looks like to me.  And I think I saw one little tiny speck... which could be a cavity.

The other boys' went for there dentist appointment on Monday.  Logan was cavity free and Zack had one cavity.  What is funny, is that Zack is my clean freak when it comes to hygiene and all.  Logan may brush his teeth and go a few days.  I have to ask him if he brushed his teeth.

Brian's grandmother passed away on Monday night.  She really got sick toward the end.  Her grave side funeral is on Friday.  Brian was really close to her when he was younger.  They would go camping together, yard saleing, and stuff like that.  Mary loved a good yard sale.  She took me a few times and let me tell you, she wore me out.  It was FUN though. Mary was a lot like that nursery rhyme... "Mary Mary quite contrary..., but she she was a hoot too. Mary did not put up with nothing.  She was a feisty woman.  Even as she grew older she was still a wild cat. Mary was a one of a kind jewel.  I don't think there will ever or was ever a person like her.

Life in the FAST lane....

Whew, time for a breather!  Last week I seemed to be running around with out my head attached.  I did not know if I was coming or going.  Why you ask?  We had VBS and between getting it all decorated and getting my lesson done, then cleaning up after everything... I am TIRED!  I went to church Sunday morning, but fell asleep and could not get back up for the night's service.

Now today I am trying to clean this dirty house!!  I straightened it up last week, but well it still was not really clean.  Lots to do, to say the least!  Then I have to take the older boys to the dentist at 3:00.  Hope they have no cavities.  We shall see.  Isaiah will go to his very first appointment on Friday.

On Wednesday I have to go to Huntington's Kmart to pick up Zack's clothes.  I got everything for school.  At least I hope so.  Of course I figure the teachers will probably have something else on the list to add.  That is the norm!  My father in law bought Logan's clothes which was nice.  I need to get Isaiah some clothes next.  He is growing like a weed.  Stick straight and skinny legged!!!

All is QUIET

As I sit in front of this computer everyone including the cat is sleeping.  I am in awe at how pure, sweet quietness can be such a bliss!  After a long day of "Mom this" and "Mom that"... one can truly cherish some peace and quite.

I got my Sunday School lesson done.  I am going to attempt to teach them a lesson on "How we are all different.  No two people are alike."  I am going to use the book   "Ayana the Tall" as a part of my lesson.

It is a really cute book describing how Ayana felt because she was taller than all the other giraffes.  She felt out of place and clumsy.  She had to deal with feeling unwanted as well.  I want to bring in the fact that God makes us all unique.  He does not make one person alike.  Even identical twins are not alike.  They may look alike, but they have differences as well.  God makes everyone special.  

Anyway I am hoping that this will help the children learn that they are special to God even if someone at school gives them a hard time.  That God loves them no matter what!

Happy Birthday!!!

I did not make a post on the 9th of April, but Brian had his 36th birthday.  On Youth night the kids celebrated his birthday with cupcakes and ice cream.  They also got him a BIG bag of goodies.  I was not able to take pictures because I (thought) I forgot my camera, but later realized it was in my purse after all.  I sent him a snack basket to work.  I like that better than flowers.  At least a person can enjoy it longer.


Now yesterday the 29th was Logan's 11th birthday.  We are celebrating it tonight.  He wanted a BIG party, but I no longer do the party thing so to speak.  We normally have the grandparents up and one close friend.  Logan chose his friend Chance.  We are having a cook out with hot dogs, hamburgers, deviled eggs, baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad, cole slaw, hot dog sauce, trimmings for the hamburger, cake, and ice cream.  This is what Logan chose, so it makes it easy on me.  Not much cooking involved.  Just the deviled eggs and baked beans and then grill the meat.


I do believe the birthday boy will be satisfied and thrilled with his BIG bag of goodies we bought him.

Today is your day Logan!  Happy Birthday!!

I NEED a Spring Break

My boys' are on their Spring Break this week, which has brought me to the conclusion that I too need a Spring Break!  What gives?  I think we, mothers work hard and deserve a break.  Who is with me on taking a Spring Break?

I can see myself sitting in a lounge chair, drinking some cold ice tea, while my boys have big palm leaves fanning me. On this Spring Break, I would not hear any whining!  No "I'm bored"!  Or the loud words coming from the demonic voices.... "Mom he won't let me play on the computer!!"  No there would not be any of that!  My boy's would share and take turns like good children ought too!  One can dream right?!

Speaking of the above statements,  I am embarrassed to say it is statements of TRUTH!  This is all I have heard while they have been on break. It is driving quite batty!!!  I know some would say I am an "OLD" bat, and thanks to those who think that, but honestly enough is enough!!

Don't get me wrong I love my boys' more than the world itself... ~enough to smack them to the next morning~... oops I said that out loud.  No, really I do love them and life would not be worth living without them.  I just think I need a BREAK!!!

Taming the Tongue

Quote of the day: 
"Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once.
Lillian Dickson"


Life is full of surprises.  You never know when something might come your way that will cause you to trip and fall.  You may even struggle a bit to retain your composer.  Praying and hoping no one saw as you brush the embarrassment off your face.  Of course some surprises can be a bit more embarrassing than others.


It is the game of life.  Another person can easily try to throw another off balance with harsh words, which can be like a slap in the face.  Thus causing much embarrassment for the one who got slapped.  I was that person.  The recipient of the lowly slap.  Not a slap of justice, but a slap of vindictiveness.


Being a minister's wife, I tried to tame my tongue so that I did not say something that would hurt my influence or my husbands.  It was very hard.  I could have said a lot of things, but what good would it have done?  Seriously?  So I took my slap with pride!  I fell back in astonishment and had some trouble regaining my composer.  The slap was done publicly through an online communication site.  I knew I had to watch my response as I typed, because everyone was watching.  Watching to see if I would make a mistake.  Watching to see if I would totally lose control. It was hard, not to lose it, but with the Lord's help I remained chaste.  No I am NOT perfect.  I do make mistakes, just like the next person.  I, however, try my best to be  like Christ in all things.  At times I have failed and have to go back to apologize.  I have to constantly remind myself to keep my BIG mouth shut.  Before I was saved, I spoke before thinking. Slicing the person to bits without a thought.  I don't want to be that person ever again!!


Some verses and/or quotes on taming the tongue:

Ephesians 4:29 ESV 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV 

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:26 ESV

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

"One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is his tail wags instead of his tongue"

Hello to my long lost LOVE

Wondering who my long lost love is?   This BLOG!  I was doing really good with writing here, but I guess my mind has digressed.  Why?   I have lazy brain syndrome.  It is very contagious.  It is when you mind takes a break and does not want to be bothered by any sort of thinking.  You just stare out and you look like a zombie.

I am sure you have seen the look.  Everyone is talking and there is one lone person just sitting and staring.  You come to realize that, that person has came in contact with someone who had lazy brain syndrome.  You want to go and speak with them, but know if you do, you just might contract that same dreaded disease.  Oh well, everyone's brain needs a break at some point!!!

Hopefully I am not CONTAGIOUS anymore, and my writing's will be more often!  Look out blogger world!!

Credit cards are your worst nightmare

I got my first credit card while in college.  I thought I was all grown up cause

trusted me with their card.  Little did I know this little card would cause me havoc!!  I thought I could buy whatever, then pay it off.  What ended up happening is I went over my limit of $1,500.  I would send in the minimum payment, but that was not getting me anywhere.  Well I ended up getting into a car wreck and the insurance gave me money for pain and suffering.  I used that money and paid off this nightmare and shredded up the card and sent it to DISCOVER in an envelope and told them to close my account.  Since I paid the card off in full and my credit was good, I began receiving more and more pre-approved cards.  I declined the offers which was a smart thing, but then I got married and my husband had no credit.  He did not have bad credit, just no credit.  He always paid everything in cash.  I called DISCOVER back up to see if I could re-open my account and add Brian to it.  They gladly did and up'ed my credit to $3,000.  This began the love/hate relationship with credit cards.  After this Brian began receiving pre-approved cards and he got a few of them.  One of which we put our addition to our house on.  Then the cards just kept coming in.  We would put tires for the cars on one just to keep it open, put a vacuum on another... and so on.  Well that began another nightmare.  I started getting department store credit cards and well I would shop and not really think.  Oh believe me, I am thinking now.  Okay can you say shocked?

I went overboard and knew better, but did it anyway.  I have been paying all our debts and we have been doing okay.  Our credit is good, but I want to pay off all our debts and be debt free.  So yesterday I called some consolidation companies and I think I found one that will help us out in the long run.  We will be debt free in 5 yrs, instead of 35!  Yes you read 35 right.  The main debt we have is the addition to our home.  We have went from $25,000 down to $6,500 on that card alone.  But the kicker is all these small cards which add up.  Have I learned my lesson?  Yes!!
The moral to my story is this, if you have children that are getting ready to go to college, be sure to prepare them by telling them to NOT get a credit card.  Credit cards are fine, but watch the APR.  My department stores APR are horrible at 29.9%.  I was never taught much about finances growing up, but as an adult I sure have learned the HARD way!!