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~

Hi, From Kitty Hawk NC

Finally, we get to relax at the hotel after a busy day. I didn't get to post anything about our trip yesterday because we didnt get to the hotel until after 1am. It was a stressful day yesterday. I didn't think we would get to come on our trip. We got the van packed and then it wouldnt start. So after we had it towed and looked at it caused us to have a 4 hour delay. But I am thankful that we are here now. Today, when we left the hotel in Moorseville, NC Big D had a few stops planned. One was to see Dale Jarrett's Motor Complex. Some of you may not know that I am a huge Dale Jarrett fan. I have been for over 6 years. Here are a couple pictures:



Pit crew working on one of D.J.'s cars




Just me ;-)

Then it was off to Jimmie Johnson's Motor Complex. He is Big D's favorite Nascar driver. Here are a couple of pictures:

Big D by Jimmie's car



Big D on the winner's circle.






Then we drove 6 hours to get here at Kitty Hawk NC. Our room has an ocean view. So awesome. Big D and I took a walk along the beach. Let me tell you nothing sounds as wonderful as the ocean! I took off my flip flops and let the water hit my feet. I got so involved in picking up seashells before I knew it I heard this roar and I knew I was in trouble. LOL! I got soaked! But I loved it! Here are some pictures:









Tomorrow is the big day. The day to visit the lighthouses!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

We're Outta Here!

We are leaving in a few minutes for our wonderful 20th Anniversary trip down the Outerbanks of NC to visit the lighthouses! I am so excited! Keep us in your prayers that God will give us traveling mercies. Also keep the boys in your prayers that they will be safe and secure while we are gone! I will try to update with pictures if I can!

**Big D, Thanks for always treating me like a Queen and doing everything you can to make my dreams come true! I love you and I can't wait to spend the week alone with you on the coast! xoxoxo**

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Senior Awards Ceremony

Today was Computer Geek's Senior Awards Ceremony. We are so proud of him! We knew of 3 scholarships that Computer Geek was getting today. But we got a very special surprise. He received the PTO Scholarship Award of his Elementary school. That scholarship means a lot to us because it was voted on by the Elementary Teachers where he attended. Here is the summary of scholarships he was awarded:

TTU Academic Scholarship ~ $12,000 ($3,000 reneweable each year)
Tennessee Hope Scholarship ~ $17,200 ($4,300 renewable each year)
M-tek Inc. Scholarship ~ $4,000 ($1,000 renewable each year)
Hillsboro Elementary PTO Scholarship $500 (1 time cash award)

Now you see why we are so excited and so very proud of Computer Geek!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Computer Geek,

We are so proud of you and your high school accomplishments! You are a great example for your little brother! Good luck at TTU! We love you!

Mom, Dad, Football Star, and Lacey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
From which country(s) are some (or all) your ancestors?

Wow this list could be long! My ancestors is what my Grandma used to call "Heinz 57".
But here is a few:
England
USA (American Indian)
Ireland
Germany (Pennsylvania Dutch)

Soup
How would you describe your sneeze?

Strange. It starts out LOUD and ends up a high pitch soft squeal.

Salad
What is the last thing you cleaned?

Started a load of Laundry.

Main Course
Who made the strongest first impression on you?

First person to come to mind would be my Mom. She made a lasting impression on me. I am sure it was my STRONGEST first impression.

Dessert
Name one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime.

I wanted to find someone to love me the way I am. (Did it!)
I wanted to have healthy wonderful kids. (Did it!)
I am satified with the things I have accomplished already in my life that I really don't have one specific thing. Everything else is just blessings from Heaven!

Until next time.....

God Bless~