Long Time, No Blog!

Hi everyone! I know you thought I must have been kidnapped. I assure you everytime something happens in my life I think, "that would blog", but I live in the land of "dial-up" and my computer has been on the fritz. Anyway, glad to be back girls!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Christmas is always a time when I sit back and marvel at the blessings that God has bestowed upon me with family and friends. Don't get me wrong, it was as frantic as always, but in those brief moments of sanity we are reminded of the "TRUE" reason for the season. As I wrapped the gifts so frantically preparing for that special day I was reminded of that dear and precious gift that was wrapped up for me and you on that special day so very long ago. Only that present wasn't wrapped in beautiful paper and sparkling bows, but in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. It is truly a humbling thought!
December was busy as usual, but I accomplished alot. I got to go on a shopping trip with my best friend Jill (we never get to do that), I lived through dropping my first born off at the band hall and watching her march in her first parade, I made fingerfoods by the multitude, I hosted a wedding shower, I made both of Baleigh's programs and managed to get both either videoed or pictured, I traveled to MSU with my GNO girls and supported our friend Marina in marrying off her daughter and the list goes on....
What is it about December and January that makes you think you can conquer the world. Do any of you experience this? I always begin these months determined to conquer the feats that I didn't in the years before. I have already begun the ritual of cleaning out and up! Of course I am thinking of how I am going to get those "many" extra pounds off! Ha! Ha!Etc. Etc. I just wish I could keep the determination throughout the year that I have when each year begins!
Okay, I am rambling and it is getting late! Another resolution, blog shorter, but more often! Ha! Ha! God's Blessings, Beth

Happy Birthday Sheila D!

Today is the big 40! for someone that I love. Today is my good friend Sheila's 40th birthday. Many get depressed on this day and simply don't want to talk about it. Many mope around at the very thought of growing older. Well I guess you could see it that way and then you could see it Sheila's way and be "grateful" and thankful for everyday, everything and everybody. There isn't hardly a time that you don't see her that she doesn't bring a smile to your face. This is a special gift, but what makes it even more special is that Sheila was diagnosed with cancer in this very month two years ago. God allowed me to be with her when she heard the news of the big"C". I have never seen a person with so much courage. Yes, she has had her down times, but is almost always "optimistic". She has been given "so" many reasons to gripe and complain (much like her friend Beth), but not her, she takes life in stride and tends to put self aside and do for others. She is an inspiration and helps me to keep life in perspective.

Happy Birthday Sheila D!

"Sisters" not by blood, but by "Heart"

The Lord blessed me many years ago with a brother that the world would later take away. I never intended being that "only child", but through circumstance ended up there. It would be circumstance later on that would help to fill this void when my path crossed with Jill and Christy. I call the both of them my friends, but in heart they are truly my sisters.

These two women mean the world to me and I love them dearly. We have cried together, laughed together, celebrated together, fussed together, raised children together, been wives together, been stressed together, went to church together, been through illness together, become Pampered Chef junkies together and the list just goes on and on and on....

It amazes me the plan that God lays before us that we aren't aware of. Just when we think that our puzzle is incomplete and none of the pieces left will fit in the empty spot, he provides us with that perfect piece that fits so divinely snug.

I attended a women's conference this weekend called "Extraordinary Women". It talked about seeing the beauty in ourselves and in others. These two people are both beautiful and "Extraordinary Women" to me. I don't have to look hard at all the see the beauty in either one of them. No matter what the circumstance, "I know their heart" and I love them for it.

Thank you Lord for the "blessings" that you have given me through these two women.

I love you both! A friend loves you all the time. Proverbs 17:17

"Fros" and "Banditos" a Trick or Treat Treasure

This Halloween was another one of those fleeting "Momma Moments" that you realize are just passing you by. It makes you want to put life in slow motion to take in every minute of it. As if I had been hit by a ton of bricks, the reality that this was my Baleigh's last time to go trick or treating was upon me. Next year she will be with the youth, my baby, youth! An even worse reality is that it is very likely that it will also be Thomas' last year because his "sissy" won't be doing it next year. Nevertheless, we had a "great" time! Baleigh has always lived for dressing up for Halloween. I mean we start planning on November 1st what our costume will be the next year. She went out with a bang this year. She was a 70's GoGo dancer. It was soooo Baleigh, fro and all. Thomas was a bandito this year, mustache, poncho, sideguns included. They were so cute! We went to a few houses that are our regulars and then went to the nursing home. That is my children's favorite stop! I think they know the joy it brings to the older residents and in return it brings joy to them, LOTS of candy too. We were then off to the church for games, hayrides and trunk or treating. It was a really good night with my babies! Another one of those "little things" that mean so much. :)

My "Baleigh Bug" is growing up!

Today is my Baleigh Bug's birthday! My baby girl is now 11 years old, where does the time go to? The day is gone for party hats and birthday horns, it is now all about "outings" and planned events! Baleigh wanted to go to Jackson for her birthday this year, so Friday I took her and two friends to Jackson. One of her friend's mom is also a friend and coworker of mine and she was brave enough to ride with me. I took them to the Bonsai steakhouse and then to see Beverly Hills Chiqu....(how do you spell that? Ha! Ha!) They had a blast! Baleigh had never been to Bonsai, I didn't realize it, her eyes were as big as saucers. After Sunday dinner she had a cake with the family and of all things recieved a pair of roller blades from her grandmother. Those that know my Baleigh Bug know that this means "medical procedure"! So far so good though!

I remember the day that she was laid in my husbands arms and he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Look what we did baby!" And now, as I type I hear her in her room singing to her iPod getting ready for a soccer game. I used to be able to sit in a room and listen to her sing to Veggie Tales. It is truly bitter sweet, she has been nothing but a blessing to me, she marches to her own drum, she makes wise decisions, she is kind, she is talented, she is a Christian and she is my daughter and whether I like it or not, she is growing up!!

I love you my sweet baby girl!

"Joy" in the little things!

Well it has been Monday all day even though it's Tuesday. I teach and being off is nice, but it always throws a kink in things. I've once again spent the day with my mind racing and dwelling on things that I can't change. I even had several people come up to me and say, "What's up, your not your normal self." What is up with you Beth. I muttered through the rest of the day and headed home.

All the way home my babies were asking to carve their pumpkins. This great task began as soon as we hit the door. I started supper and stepped outside with my camera and there they were. My babies enjoying the age old tradition of pumpkin carving that I loved so well as a child. I couldn't help but smile and of course comment on how beautiful they were.

What a little thing, but what "Joy" it gave me today.

I'm go into the laundry room to start the wonderful task of washing clothes. While folding a load my husband appears in the doorway with a beautifully wrapped present that he bought for me today, just because. No way, I hear you Lord!

What a little thing, but what "Joy" it gave me today.

Back in the kitchen I go to finish supper and I hear a noise outside. My husband, without any nagging from me is trimming the bushes in the front of my house. Are you serious!

What a little thing, but what "Joy" it gave me today.

Thank you Lord for showing me all of the little things that bring me so much Joy and reminding me of my blessings!

"Life!"

Today started good, I got to take my "little man" to Brookhaven to get him some new tennis shoes and run a couple of errands. I don't get to spend much time just me and him, so it was nice.

The rest of the day was just melancholy! It was overcast and it was one of those days where you didn't just sit around, but you didn't get alot done either. Somehow nowdays it seems like if I don't get things accomplished I have wasted a day. I think God wants us to take time sometimes and simply be still. Maybe I will learn that one day.

Though my body hasn't been as busy as it should, my mind has raced all day. I catch myself and my thoughts running 90 miles an hour thinking about everything, trying to figure things out and why things happen, what I need to do and what I should have done. The truth is, sometimes there isn't an answer for how things are and why things happen.

There is a prayer that I love dearly that helps me to keep my life in perspective.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

Just one of those days I guess, thankful for it! Hope your week is "blessed"!