End of Year Meme

This End of Year Meme asks for the title from the first entry of each month of 2006. I think it does a good job highlighting the major events in my life from 2006:

January: Happy New Year!

February: Time to Catch Up!

March: 20 Years!

April: Weekend Stuff

May: Senior Prom Pics

June: International Teen Talent Competition

July: Look Who's Back

August: CAN

September: What an HONOR!

October: (No Entries for the Month of October)

November: OK! OK!

December: Wordless Wednesday - AMAZING!


Have a safe and wonderful New Years Eve!!!

Until next YEAR.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve?

We usually celebrate New Year's Eve at home with the boys and have a safe fun night at home. I fix all their favorite appetizers (pizza rolls, mozzarellas sticks, hot wings, etc...) We play games all night. There have been times that we attend a watch night service at church.

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.

Big D took me on a trip down the North Carolina coast to see Lighthouses!


Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?

Cape Hatteras! It has always been my favorite lighthouse. It was AMAZING seeing it in person!

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?

My resolution every year is to lose weight and eat healthier!

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006.

Stressful, Exciting, Eventful

Warning!!

Today, Big D and I took Football Star for his road test to get his drivers license. I was nervous when Computer Geek took his, but I think I was twice as nervous today with Football Star. Not sure why? Could be because he is my baby? (yeah he HATES when I say that) While we waited for his turn, I did the nervous mom things, like "don't forget to come to a complete stop" "don't forget to check your mirrors", etc.... I know I was driving Football Star crazy, but I knew how important it was for him not to forget those things. Then it was his turn, and when he left, I got so nervous that my stomach was flipping! When he came back, it seemed a lifetime until Football Star and the lady tester (she is the one that is the toughest on the kids) got out of the car. She was showing him his score. Finally he steps out of the car and shakes his head as in he didn't pass, I look at him like "oh no!" Then he smiled, and I knew he had passed!!!! Football Star will be sporting around town in this little beauty...



..................................... '97 Ford Thunderbird!!!



So if you live in Tennessee or plan to visit, beware Football Star is out on the roads as a legal DRIVER!!! LOL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
****Congratulations Football Star!!! I am so very proud of you!****
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Until next time.....

God Bless~

Under Construction

Please be patient while I under go a new layout design.

Thanks!


Until next time.....

God Bless~

Christmas

I have been very busy with everyone home for the holidays that I have not taken time to blog. We had a great Christmas! The boys got airsoft guns for Christmas. They are somewhat like paintball guns except without the mess. Today we set up a shooting area in the back of our property. Looks like a paintball shooting range. It was fun watching the boys maneuver to each station shooting each other.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Within the next few days, I will be setting up my annual changes of my blog for the New Year!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Tuesday's Tidbits

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.



Until next time.....

God Bless~

Monday Memory

Since I have been wrapping presents for the boys today, I thought I might share with you a Christmas memory. If you know me well, you know I NEVER peek at my Christmas presents. Even growing up, I wasn't into sneaking around finding out what my Christmas presents were. EXCEPT.........
This one year when I was about 14-15 years old. Atari just came out and I wanted it so bad. My mom and dad kept telling me that it was way too much money to spend on a game. Now it wasn't like they wouldn't spend that much money on me anyway. I told them it was the ONLY thing I wanted for Christmas. They had me so convinced I wasn't gonna get it. So one day when they weren't around, I went into the entry room next to our living room and dug through the packages. I carefully opened what I would be the size of box an Atari came in and to my surprise there it was!! But instead of being so excited about getting what I wanted, I had such guilt that it ruined it for me. Of course, when I opened it on Christmas, I acted surprised and I was truly thrilled, but it ruined the anticipation and excitement of Christmas for me! I swore to myself that day I would NEVER do that again! And to this day, nearly 25 years later, I have NEVER peeked at a Christmas present!! LOL!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Shop til I drop!

Well I am off to go see just how much of Big D's Christmas bonus I can spend!! For the last 13 years, we usually go shopping the weekend he gets his bonus. So we are leaving in a little while to do our Christmas shopping!! I can't share my shopping list just in case the boys decide to see if Mom blogs about it! LOL! Maybe the crowds wont be too bad this weekend. But it is sure gonna be cold!! Do you have a certain time of the season to shop? Are you one of those that shop all year round?? Or are you a mad dasher???

Hope all of you have a nice weekend!!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Wordless Wednesday - AMAZING!

jerome murat
Uploaded by segalier

Tuesday's Tid-Bits

Christmas is a race to see which gives out first - your money or your feet.




Until next time.....

God Bless~

Wordless Wednesday - My Suprise Yesterday

Tuesday Tid-Bits

A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.





Until next time.....

God Bless~

Monday Memory

Since this week is Thanksgiving week, I thought I would talk about one of my most memorable Thanksgiving. Being raised as the baby of the family, most of my Thanksgiving with my family revolved around being seated at the dreaded "kids" table. I know alot of kids go through sitting at the "kids" table syndrome, but what I couldn't understand was here I was having to sit with nieces and nephews (no offense guys! you know I love ya!) when in my mind, I had the BIRTH right to sit at the table with my parents like my adult siblings. See being raised with brothers 19 and 18 years older than me and a sister 12 years older than me has A LOT of advantages, but it also had A LOT of disadvantages when it came to a 12 year old at Thanksgiving! LOL! Anyway, I will never forget the first time I was allowed to sit at the "Big" table. It was my first Thanksgiving with Big D and I was 18 years old! How sad it that?? LOL! I mean I love my family, but give a little sis some respect!! LOL!

But in all truth, I would NEVER give up my wonderful memorizes spent at the "kids" table with my nieces and nephews!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Congrats Emmitt!

Wow! What a Dancing with the Stars season it has been! The men STOLE the show this year! I have watched previous years but this year I was addicted. I believe it had to do with the GREAT lineup of celebrity dancers they had this year! The best line up yet, in my opinion. From the first show, Mario Lopez, from "Saved by the Bell" was a strong contender.



Joey Lawrence, well he was just as great if not at times better than Mario!




And it was evident that Jerry Springer was hanging on by his fan base only! LOL! I throughly enjoyed the humor Jerry brought to the show. But his 3rd show dance, he danced to "Tennessee Waltz". As soon as I heard the song start, I knew I would be unable to keep from crying. That song has a very special meaning to my family. It was the first dance my parents danced too. I held strong and didn't cry UNTIL the end when Jerry hugged his daughter. He came to the show just to learn the Waltz so he could dance with her at her wedding. I just bawled! It made me miss my daddy so much!



But in the end, there can only be one winner. That winner this year is Emmitt Smith, a Dallas Cowboy Football player. Let me tell you, I never dreamed that a bulky football player would be so light on his feet! Emmitt had such charm and charisma on the dance floor!! Congratulations Emmitt!!



Dancing with the Stars is touring this year. It is possible it is coming to your town! Big Daddy bought tickets for us to go in January. It is held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville Tennessee. I can't wait!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Wordless Wednesday - Raider Pride!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Tuesdays Tid-bits

A friend is someone who thinks you're a good egg even though you're slightly cracked.




Until next time.....

God Bless~

Ok Ok!!

Ok Ok...I surrender! I have had 4 people in the last week ask me if I quit blogging. It's not that I have completely quit, but my life is just too crazy to even find the time to blog. From September 24th through October 30th, I didn't have a computer. My laptop crashed and the motherboard was fried. It was the third time this year that has happened to my laptop. But Dell gave me a system exchange. So I went from using an Inspirion 9000 to Inspirion E1705. Since getting my new computer, I have been very busy with work and family life. I will try to do better. I will try to get into a blogging routine.

I want to thank my 4 fans that have asked me about my blog. I didn't even think ANYONE read it! LOL!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Wordless Wednesday - Messy Princess

Tuesday's Tid-bits

I am not sure if there is a Meme called Tuesday's Tid-bits. So if there is a Tuesday's Tid-bits, I had NO idea! I came up with this Monday when I read a little local newspaper called Southern Humor. They had a list of Inspiring Thoughts. I really liked all of them, so I came up with Tuesday's Tid-bits! On Tuesdays, I will be leaving little one thought provoking sentence! Here is my first Tuesday's Tid-bit:




You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future!




Until next time.....

God Bless~

Monday Memory

This is my first Monday Memory! Saturday all I did was think about special memorizes of my Mom. Saturday would have been her 74th birthday. So today my first Monday Memory will be about her! I have so many great memorizes about my mom and I have no idea which one to choose! So I guess I will tell you about the time my mom bought her very first car on her own! Now you might think she was in her 20s or 30s when she bought her first car...but NO! She was 65 years old!!!! She always had my Dad to go with her to buy cars. When she bought this car, she was living with us in Tennessee. She had went to Indiana to visit family members. When she would take these trips, we drove her half way meeting a family member in Kentucky somewhere. Well this time when she came home, she said she had a surprise and I didn't need to pick her up in Kentucky! She comes rolling in this!!



A White Buick Regal! She was so proud of herself! Boy was I surprised! She was able to enjoy this car a little over 1 year before she went to her Heavenly Home!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Measured in minutes or hours, how much exercise have you had in the last week?
Sorry to say zero! As much as I wished I was a health freak, I am not! =(

Soup
If you had to change your blog title to something else, what would it be?

Footprints of my Life

Salad
Name one television show you watched when you were 9-12 years old.

Charlie's Angels

Main Course
If someone gave you $50 to spend with the one condition that it had to be educational, what would you purchase?

Since Computer Geek is now in college, I would give it to him for him to use at TTU!

Dessert
Do you tend to prefer dark colors, neutral shades, or lighter/pastel hues?

I like alot of different colors for different reasons. I like certains colors for my house, certain colors for my wardrobe, etc.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Wordless Wednesday - Missing Him!

Proud Moment!

I wanted to take time to share with you a very proud moment. Back in April of this year, Football Star entered this photo:




into the Tennessee Teen Talent. This is something our church denomination sponsors for our Teenagers. Football Star won the Tennessee level of the competition and was invited to enter into the International Teen Talent during the General Assembly held in Nashville, Tennessee this year. We entered his picture. August 26th we took Football Star to the Gaylord Entertainment Center for the Awards Ceremony.




We were so surprised when they announced his name as the winner of the Photography competition!! What an honor! During our teenage years, Big D and I never entered in the Teen Talent competitions growing up, so we were absolutely THRILLED with Football Star's success!!!

Congrats Football Star!! We are so very proud of you!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Remembering!

Today marks the 5th anniversary of 911. I wanted to take this time out of my blog to honor all those that lost their lives on that horrible tragic day. I can't believe it has been 5 years! It seems as if it just happened a few months ago. Now after 5 years when American tries to move on, we are reminded again because all those wonderful people who volunteered their time to help clean up Ground Zero are getting sick and dying from respiratory problems. The families of those lost on 911 and all the sick Ground Zero heroes you are in my prayers!

I ask any blogger that happens to read my blog to take this time for a Moment of Silence to honor our 911 victims.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Cell Phone vs Bible

Most of us have cell phones these days so I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?



What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go...hmmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!




Until next time.....

God Bless~

What an HONOR!

I had the EXTREME pleasure of meeting YellowRose a couple weeks ago. Our church was having its International General Assembly. We have been friends for awhile, so we took this opportunity to meet in person! The Assembly was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Let me tell you, she is as wonderful and fun in person as she is on the internet. Meeting her confirmed our Sisterhood! Big Daddy and Football Player was with me when we met. Football Player told me later that day, "Mom, I know why you like YellowRose so much. She is so fun!" Now when you impress a teenager that is saying something!! I just so wished that Computer Geek had the opportunity to meet her as well. Even tho the miles are between us, I am sure we will meet again! Georgia isnt that far from Tennessee! I definitely love this lady with all my heart!! She is the reason I started blogging! She is definitely a gift from God!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Why I have been MIA

Hey guys, You might bee wondering why I have been Missing in Action. Several things are the reason!

One ~ Football Star started school 3 weeks ago and I can't seem to get myself into the routine with getting up early and all the after school practices. Ugh!

Second ~ My computer crashed again. Not sure if that is the correct terminology for a motherboard to go out. This is the 3rd motherboard to be placed on this computer. The 2nd one to be replaced in 3 months! Dell sends out a Tech last week, it took this guy 4 hours to switch out the motherboards. In the process, he broke the corner of my computer, never completely replaced the keyboard correctly so it is warped, and he couldn't get the last piece on. Also I have one of recalled batteries that explode. The tech calls the office and sets up DHL to send a box so I can ship my computer to them So here I sit waiting for Dell. Come to find out after Big D calls them yesterday that they don't even use DHL anymore and WE have to call Airbourne Express and have them come get the computer. Double Ugh!

Third ~ Tomorrow is the BIG day for Computer Geek! He leaves for Tennessee Tech. He is so extremely happy. We have been very busy this week with errands. Monday, we went grocery shopping and packed about 1/2 of his stuff. Yesterday, we got the oil changed in his car and bought a few things we realized he didn't have for college. We also packed several things in his car. Things that wouldn't melt or get damaged in this heat. Today, Computer Geek wants to get his car washed and he has to get his hair cut. Tonight we will completely pack his car and the van. We leave early in the morning. Triple Ugh!

Please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. This is more difficult than ever imagined!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Name an actor or actress you think is totally underappreciated.

Kirk Cameron for all this work in the Left Behind movies!

Soup
Impress us by using a big word in a sentence.

The biggest word I know is SUPERCALIFRAGLISTIC EXPIALADOCIOUS!

Salad
What is something inanimate that you've given a name to (such as a pet rock)?

I named my puppets at church. Does that count??

Main Course
What color would best represent your personality and why?

Purple. Not only is it my favorite color, it represents me because its a very unique color like my personality.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: Big D is so amazing .


Until next time.....

God Bless~

Back to School

Today was the first day of school for Football Star! He had such a difficult time wanting to go this year. It could have been because Computer Geek didn't have to go this year. That adjustment is difficult. Or it could have been Computer Geek spoiled him last year by taking him to school and this year he has to ride the bus. He was NOT too happy about that. But with gas prices so high and we live 15-20 mins from the high school, he has to ride at least in the mornings. I pick him up in the evenings because of football practice. My prayer is he has a safe and wonderful Sophmore year.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Happy Birthday Kevin!

I want to take this time to wish my nephew Kevin a HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY!! He always teases me about being 10 years older than him. He better enjoy this year because next year he will be OVER the HILL next year!!!!

It doesn't seem possible that he is 29. I was only 10 when he was born. To me he was like a live baby doll. He was my first experience with taking care of a baby. And now he is the proud Daddy of our miracle baby, Ashley. Where did time go??

Until next time.....

God bless~

CAN

***WARNING***

Beware when you watch this video. You will need some kleenex! My niece sent this to me via email today. As soon as I watched this video, I knew I HAD to blog about it. At times in this life, we think we have it tough. This video makes me appreciate all the blessings God has given me. Yeah, I am not perfect. I am not some beautiful model. I have a bad knee that gives me trouble time to time. BUT... I am BLESSED! There are times I think "I can't" because I don't have confidence in who I am. This video reminds me that "I CAN do all things in Christ that strengthen me"!



I hope the video lifted your spirits today, like it has mine!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Boring Sunday night

What a boring Sunday night it has been! The den is way too quiet. Computer Geek is working the grave yard shift tonight, Football star is playing Matrix in his room, and Big D left this morning for Mississippi. Ugh! I have to say I miss my guys when they aren't around. Since there is nothing good on tv, I think I will get an afghan, turn off the lights, and watch The Notebook. Then when the movie is over, I think I will slide in my comfy bed and read a Love Inspired Novel. Yeah that sounds like a fun filled night! LOL!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Look who's back!

I'm backkkkkkk!!*In my best poltergist voice* (That was for you Bub!) Yeah, I know I have been gone a month today! Where have I been? Well right after VBS, I had to have the week to get things prepared for our trip to Indiana for a Family Reunion. We left on Thursday night, June 29th, drove as far as we could, stopped at a hotel got about 4 hours sleep and drove the rest of the way to Indiana on June 30th, my 39th birthday!(YIKES, only 1 good year left!). We stopped in Indianapolis (my FAVORITE city in Indiana) to visit my brother and his wife at their place of business, Indy Discount Boxes. After having lunch with them, we drove another 3 hours north to Hobart where my sister lives. Saturday was my Family Reunion and Computer Geek's graduation party for those in my family that were unable to attend his graduation As always, it was great to see everyone. I got to spend some quality time with my great neices and nephews which I LOVED! Then after the family reunion, my best friend in Indiana invited us to her daughter's graduation party. So I was able to see SOOOOOO many people from my past that I have not seen in years. That was an awesome experience!!! Monday, while we were in Indiana, Big D took me to see 2 lighthouses in Michigan City. That was just what I asked for my birthday!! I was sooo excited! We were able to enjoy the 4th of July with my nephew, Kevin which is always so nice not only for me but for the boys as well. I got to spend some quality time with Ashley (our miracle baby)! She always brings a smile to Aunt Char's face! When I look into her sweet little eyes, I know my God is REAL!!!
After we came home from Indiana, it seems like I could not get back in the blogging world. Not that I didn't want to, but that it seemed I could not make the time in my day. Football star started football camp last week. School for Football Star starts August 4th! Computer Geek is trying to get ready for college. He leaves a month from today (August 24th) UGH! My mind can NOT comprehend him leaving and not being at home! Can you say Empty Nest?? (Yeah I know I still have Football Star, but my boys have been the core of my life for almost 19 years and one is leaving!)

So that is a little summary of where I have been for the past month! It's good to be back!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

I'm on God's Team!

Well I made it thru another year as director of VBS! The week before and during I always tell myself I am NOT putting myself through this again. Then even before the week of VBS is up, God starts speaking to my heart the theme for next year. Even if I beg and plead for Him to use someone else, things for that theme will seem to pop out like a neon sign and I know that is my answer. It's not that I don't LOVE VBS with all my heart. It's just that it takes a toll on my body at times. But somehow God gives me the extra strength I need! It is such a pleasure to see the smile on the kids as they enjoy VBS and then see them bring a friend with them because they enjoyed it so much! We had 22 kids enroll this year. To some churches that is not an impressive number for VBS, BUT to our church, it is more than double of the kids enrolled in Children Church! We had a cheering contest on Thursday. Each team was suppose to come up with the best cheer. All 3 teams had GREAT cheers, but Team 1 (Kindergarten and under) won. I know they got the cute vote! They were so adorable. Tomorrow morning the kids will sing a few songs from VBS and do their cheers for those who didn't come. I know the church people will love it!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Vacation Bible School

It's VBS time! Tonight starts our first night of VBS. Our theme this year is "I'm on God's Team!" I had fun decorating the church yesterday, even if it did take me over 4 hours! But that is one of the wonderful part of being the VBS director. I have been preparing for this years VBS since the end of last year. God seems to speak to me about the next year while I am in the process of the present year. I don't know if anyone else has ever directed a VBS, but its ALOT of work. Rewarding work, but work still the same! Please keep me in your prayers. Each year it gets harder and harder with my bad knee, but I just can't seem to quit. I love VBS! Kids need to know that church is about alot of love and fun times. Its not always about having to sit still and be quiet!

Until next time....

God Bless~

Happy Father's Day!

I want to wish all the Father's a Happy Father's day. I hope your day is filled with alot of love and joy with those you love!

To my Dear Loving Husband: I want to thank you for being a wonderful father to our children! You are a GREAT example of what a father should be! You have showed them how to be a loving provider! Thank you! Now one day they will be great dads too! I love you!

To my Father: Although you will never read this, I still want to let the world know how thankful I am to have had a father like you! I can't believe it has been 13 years since you've been gone. I love and miss you! I can't wait until the day we are reunited in Heaven!

To my Father-in-Law: Thank you for teaching my husband how to be a wonderful husband so he could teach the boys how to be a great fathers one day! Thank you for being the only father I have had in the past 13 years! Love ya!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

I'm Back! Miss me?

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks, but it has been a very scary 2 weeks. Since my last post, Big D has had MAJOR back problems. You can read the details on his blog, Mister D. It has been a very scary emotional ride. To watch someone you love deeply in that much pain and there is nothing you can do is pray. The doctor said if he didn't get better in a week, it was time for an MRI and a trip to a Nerve specialist. The news he got last Saturday was devastating. Desperate times call for desperate measures. We had prayed and prayed, but it was time to go to the saints and have them lay hands on him. I knew if he could just make it to church for pray, God would touch him. And praise the Lord, He did. After a week out of work, he was able to return to work this week. It wasn't easy for him and I cried all day Monday begging God to be with him and keep His hands on him. God answered my prayer. He is moving very slow and still gets very weak, but he is on the mends.

Thank you Heavenly Father for coming to the rescue of your children!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

A Time to Reflect

Several days before graduation Computer Geek express his wishes to go to the graveyard to visit my parent's grave. With a major thing happening in his life (graduation)he was missing them greatly. Computer Geek was VERY close to my parents, especially my mom. We went today after church this morning. It might not seem to be a big deal, but to me it was a HUGE deal. See since my Mom as passed away, I haven't been able to visit her grave. I have tried a couple of times, but when I would drive into the lot, I would get so sick to my stomach I would drive away. But because this was so important to Computer Geek, I told him I would do my best to stay. The things we will do for our kids! Computer Geek wanted to honor my parents with placing something on their grave that represented something they shared. So he bought a Payday candy bar and a lottery ticket. This may sound very strange to you, but to Computer Geek it meant a world of memories. The Payday candy bar was for my Mom. She and Computer Geek shared many special times sitting around talking and sharing Payday candy bars. The lottery ticket was for my Dad. When Computer Geek was about 4, my Dad bought lottery tickets and let Computer Geek scratch them for him. Computer Geek being only 4 started calling them "Scratch 'ems". This was a special time between Computer Geek and my Dad. Not long after they started this little game, my Dad died. Even tho, I had my reservations it ended up being a great day and a wonderful time to reflect.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

International Teen Talent Competition

Several months ago I blogged about Football Star entering a photo (the photo above)in the Tennessee State Teen Talent Competition. Yesterday, we got a call that he had scored high enough on his photo to be entered into the International Teen Talent Competition in August. The International Teen Talent Competition is held this year in Nashville, Tennessee at the General Assembly. Also we found out last night that the other teen from our church scored high enough on her Interpretive Dance to go to the International Teen Talent Competition too!


**Congratulations to Football Star and Lacy! We are so proud of you for representing our church at the International Teen Talent Competition!**

Until next time.....

God Bless~

D.J. Qualls at Graduation

This morning I remembered I forgot to post another exciting thing that happened over the graduation weekend. We had a celebrity attend graduation! D.J. Qualls is best known for a role he played in "Roadtrip" in 2000. He has also been in these movies: The New Guy(2001), Chasing Holden(2001), Lone Star State of Mind(2002), Comic Book Villians (2002), Big Trouble(2002), The Core(2003), Hustle & Flow(2005). Now if you live in Los Angeles or New York, that might not be a big deal, but to live in a small rural area in Tennessee, it is a HUGE deal! D.J. is a half brother to one of Computer Geek's best friends! Not only is D.J. related to one of Computer Geeks friends, he also attend Coffee County High School and was a member of the Red Raider Marching Band (like Computer Geek)! Right before the procession of graduates, Computer Geek met D.J. Then Saturday evening, Computer Geek and Football Star went to a LAN party at Computer Geek's friends house (the one related to D.J. Qualls). So Computer Geek and Football Star got to meet D.J. He showed them a $21,000 watch that Ludacris gave him after they made the movie "Hustle & Flow". I think that having celebrity at your graduation is kind of a big deal!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Proud Moment!

Well he did it! Computer Geek graduated Friday! I was extremely proud of him. After graduation, we had a little "Graduation Celebration". Computer Geek received tons of cards. Big D and I surprised Computer Geek with a laptop. He had put one in lay-away in hopes to receive enough graduation money to pay for it. But of course, we got it out of lay-away! I believe he was in shock! Then after the Graduation Celebration, we went to the High School for the Project Graduation party. They had all kinds of fun things for the kids to do and enough food to feed an army or two. Football Star ended up with a bloody nose and a black eye. He was playing in the blow-up boxing ring with one of Computer Geeks buddies and they bumped heads. Ouch! But it didn't bleed long and it wasn't broken. PTL! From 1am to about 3am, I didn't think I was going to be able to make it all night. But I pressed on. Then about 4am, they had all the kids line up and they received their envelope with money ($60) and 2006 t-shirt. Then we all went into the Auditorium for the prize drawings. Now let me tell you that was so fun. They had 3 doors. When they called your name you had to chose what door you wanted. It was so fun to hear the kids yell, "door 1, no door 3" etc.
Computer Geek won a microwave (which he needed badly!) and he won one of the grand prizes a laptop. Yep, I said a laptop! Ugh! If we had NOT bought him one for graduation, he probably would have never won one! LOL! But one of his friends, is going to buy it.

Sunday we went shopping with some of his money. He bought a printer, ink, printer paper, wireless mouse, and a laptop lap table. So he is on his way to getting ready for college.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Busy Week

THE NEVER ENDING TO-DO LIST!
This week has been and will continue to be extremely busy. So I have not had a lot of time to blog. We are trying to get last minute things done before graduation on Friday. Tho I am not expecting a house full of family, I like to be prepared in case a few might show up at the last moment. So that means getting the house ready, so far I have cleaned carpets, did some rearranging of furniture, and did a little deep cleaning. I hope to get it all done, but I am running out of time. With Computer Geek working a full time job and Big D working a lot of overtime lately, I have came to depend on Football Star for help. I am so thankful for his help! After graduation, we are having a little Graduation Celebration at the Community Center for the family and friends. Kind of like a Graduation Open House. Here in Tennessee they don't call it "Graduation Open House". That has been the hardest thing for me to get used to because being raised in Indiana and graduating in Indiana, EVERYONE had an "Open House" after graduation. So I instead of calling it an "Open House" for those here in Tennessee, I just started calling it a "Graduation Celebration". So I have been busy getting things ready for that. Then after the "Graduation Celebration", the school has a "Project Graduation" party. For those of you that have not heard of "Project Graduation", it is sponsored by local business, parents, and several fund raisers throughout the year, it is an all NIGHT Lock in for the graduates. Everyone that attends receives a t-shirt, an envelope of money($50-$100), 1 small prize ($25 worth), and 1 large prize ($75-$100 worth). Then they also draw names for laptops and desktop computers. This was started by parents trying to keep kids in a safe DRUG and ALCOHOL free night after graduation. Such a great thing. Full of fun, free food and prizes!! Big D and I have been very involved in it. Helping raise the money with fund raisers and helping run booths. We are chaperoning that night too!! So if I don't post until Monday, you will know why!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Goodbye High School

This is what I looked like this morning as I said goodbye to Computer Geek as he left for school. Today is Computer Geek's last day of High School. Of course, he was already up and dressed sitting in the den talking to his dad (which is a rarity because Big D is always gone before we get up). Well, I went to wake up Football Star and flipped on his light and said, "Waaaake uuuup! Its the last day of school for the year!" Then as reality hit me before I made it to the den the tears began to flow and I looked at Computer Geek and said, "Good Morning! Today is your last day of High School!" He and Big D exchanged looks and smiled. Then I heard them say as I turned to fix breakfast, "I knew she would start crying." As I fixed his breakfast for the last time, my mind went back to his first day of kindergarten when I fixed his breakfast the first time. I had so many fears and worries that day. Worries that he would feel confused and scared and I wouldn't be right there to help him. And as he starts this new chapter in his life, funny how those same worries are still the ones I had when he was in kindergarten! I am thankful even tho I worry that I have a Heavenly Father that eases those burdens when they become too much to bear. God has always kept His hand on him and I know He will continue to keep him throughout the rest of his journey.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is the last thing you had to have repaired?

My computer! I thought it had finally died yesterday, but I fixed it!

Soup
If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?

I would spend the $1,000 on a trip to see lighthouses. (yeah, I know I just went, but there are sooo many lighthouses to see and so little time! LOL!)
I would give the other $1,000 to my church to help get the parking lot paved!

Salad
What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?

"Footloose" or "Girls just wanna have fun"

Main Course
You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?

Well if Lacey is with me (and most the time she is when we go to the pet store), she takes me straight to the bones isle! LOL! They have them low to the floor and she knows it! LOL! If not, the birds and hamsters are right in front as you walk in, so I always take a peek at them first.

Dessert
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?

Sad to say probably a 2. I wished I was more athletic, but I'm not. I should probably say 0, but because of all the walking I do when I visit lighthouses, I said 2. =)

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Summer Job

Sometimes we don't understand why things happen, but if we will obey the Lord, He always works things out. I am saying this because back in October after Big D's family sold the family store. The new owners treated Computer Geek dirty. I won't go into the long details, but in the end they let him go. Knowing it was no fault of his own it still effected Computer Geek greatly. Well several days after this happen, the mother hen in me wanted to go confront these people and let them know how dirty they treated him. "No one messes with MY BOY" was the horrible attitude I had. They also have 2 little boys and I wanted to make them understand how things could come around to their little ones one day. But God told me "NO!" Every time I thought of what I would say or things I wanted to do, He would say, "Revenge is mine. I have everything under control." Even as difficult it was at times, I am so glad I obeyed. Computer Geek was just hired at our local "Kangaroo" Gas Station for the summer. He is making $2 more an hour than he was before. We are so proud of him. It was a very stressful time for him because he is very independent when it comes to his financial situation. He applied everywhere and was really getting concerned he wouldn't find a summer job. But God came thru 2 weeks before graduation. ~~He's an on time God! OH YES He is!~~ It's is great to see the stress lifted and see him so excited when he came home from work today!

**Thank you Heavenly Father for caring about even the little things!**

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all the mothers a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! My prayer for you is that you have a wonderful relaxing day with those you love! Even tho, my mom has been gone now almost 7 years, I can't help but think of her on this day and want to honor her for being a wonderful mom! Here is a poem I found and read it this morning at church in honor of my mom:

CLICK HERE!

I was very blessed to have a mom that loved the Lord with all her heart and raised me to love Him too! If you are blessed to still have your mother today, let her know how much you love and appreciate her because one day she will be gone and you will wish you had 1 more opportunity to tell her!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Lighthouse Trip

Here are a few pictures of our Lighthouse trip:


CURRITUCK LIGHTHOUSE











BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE








CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSE











I have tons more pictures that I will post later. We want to get on the road so that we can get home at a decent hour.

Until next time....

God Bless~