As 2008 ends

Looking back over this year has not been easy for me. 2008 has come and gone almost at a blur but not without leaving its mark. Most of it has been used up by simply bracing myself for the next storm coming into my life. However, I say that with respect to the Lord for His grace through everything. It has not only been a difficult year but it has also been one of great moments and rays of sunshine behind every cloud. I guess sort of bittersweet is a way of wording it. I didn't expect all the storm clouds but they seemed to roll in so quickly following one another and bracing myself seemed like the only way to handle things at times.

I experienced the highlight of my year just within the past few days. As you know I have been posting about my friend next door that was diagnosed with cancer. I remember the day we met. I was out clearing some overgrown hedges between our houses when she walked over. Her words were "girl, you sure know how to clear out some weeds."(The fact that I was using so much energy with all the wrong tools was funny. I think I lost about 5 lbs. that day just from sweating.) She introduced herself and from that day on we became friends. I didn't realize at the time how different our views were but soon learned how adamant she was about her beliefs. Needless to say we didn't talk much about Christianity for awhile. During this battle with cancer we have grown to be close and have shared much of our personal journeys with one another. Some of those times have been filled with both of us crying while other times were full of laughter but all of it worth getting to know each other without pretense. We all meet too many superficial people in life so its nice to meet someone you know is real. You know that feeling of clarity when you are getting to know the real person inside and that means more to me than words can express. Well Anne-Marie is the real thing. At some point during this crisis she got interested in learning about faith. Having faith in someone that you felt had let you down through the years can prove to be very difficult for a person.

I have watched a transformation in Anne-Marie's life like none other. Just a few days ago I went over to check on her and wish her a Merry Christmas. We talked for a little while and after a few moments with tears swelling in her eyes she simply stated, "I believe". That was the moment of moments! I knew the change had already taken place deep in her heart. We talked a few more minutes, she prayed the sinner's prayer with me and then finished with prayers of her own. It was that moment of overwhelming joy I had been longing to feel all year. I feel so privileged to have been there to witness the occasion. And she has the peace she so desperately needs during this time in her life. After all of the doubts about moving to Pensacola and the questions of "Lord, what are we doing here?!", my husband could not have said it better...His words were "It was worth it. If we came here for that one person and that one purpose, it was all worth it". And I say Amen to that.
What a day! What a year!

A Holly Jolly Christmas...

Christmas was wonderful. I trust it was great for your family as well. This entire Holiday Season has been great for me. I have enjoyed the closeness of our family and being able to share extra time with them. We scoped out several local areas to take the kids to enjoy the Christmas lights and we were not disappointed. From the smallest of displays to the largest, they all offered something new at every stop and it turned out to be a source of great fun for all of us. I think we found a different display every night of the week leading into Christmas Day. I found one online called Pensacola Lights that I thought would be nice so off we went. It wasn't very large but the lights were synchronized with some great Christmas music so every beat of the music brought a different light to view. When there was a crescendo, all the lights were in full view. It turned out to be pretty cool and I think it was the kids favorite. And I did get the shopping done but not without Johnny's assistance. He was a huge help even with the gift ideas. Joshua proved to be the hardest to shop for this year. He had one thing on his list so we had to come up with some ideas for him and it wasn't easy. It didn't take us very long to realize he already had too much stuff. OH, somehow we managed to stick to our budget! That in itself was amazing.

Living in the city in Pensacola has its down side when it comes to large open area for the kids to enjoy all their stuff. So the excitement was running pretty high by the time we loaded the van to set out for the farm in Alabama. There are acres and acres for them to run around at the farm and its so peaceful and quiet. I love to be there. Once there, the boys were free to roam and play as much as their imagination would let them. David spent most of his time riding his little motorcycle or jeep. When the batteries died on one vehicle he would get out his plastic tool set and try to fix it until bored with that. Then he would hop on the other vehicle until PaPa could recharge the batteries. Joshua used most of his time finding new targets for his BB gun. Thankfully we left the farm with no injured cows or donkeys, no dead chickens, no mad dogs, and few scared cats. There may be several traumatized fish but we'll never know unless they float to the top! I'd say that was pretty good considering it was his first time. Amber was having a great time until her cell phone and IPod died. I told her to pack everything she would need but...well, you would have thought her world had come to a screeching halt. She was ready to pack up and come home...just for a charger! Teenagers! We did enjoy getting to do something with just the two of us. Amber and I went to the movies to see Seven Pounds. She and I both cried and cried. I think she was still sniffling when we got back in the van. And Michael got two bottom teeth! They broke through the skin like a bright ray of sunshine after a rainy morning. He also started eating table food. I found that he likes eggs, french fries, sucked the juice right out of a pickle, tolerates grits (he makes awful faces), had his first tootsie roll sucker (kept saying umm, ummm), and he would eat fresh peas if he could feed them to himself. Of all the foods he tried I think the grits were the most challenging to clean up. We won't be doing those much until he gets a little older! Oh and paper! He likes to eat paper too. We'll have to watch him about that one.

Johnny and I managed to get in some quality time together as well. We even made it to our old stomping ground (Dothan) to check out the new shops there. Traffic hasn't changed. Its still awful. We had lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant and also took in a movie, Valkyrie. The entire trip was great. Its nice to be home though and back to my own bed.

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All I Want For Christmas Is...

I have not bought one Christmas gift yet. Surprisingly, I'm not concerned. I normally get a bit out of shape when things are not done or at least well underway by this close to Christmas but I'm serious when I say that events of last year really changed my perspective. For those of you new to the blog you can better understand that statement by reading the post from December 2007. My neighbor is doing well and remains a close friend. Her daughter has struggled in such terrible ways this year its just too sad to post the details. We thought she was dying about a month ago and were called to the hospital in a hurry but it wasn't time because she bounced back within a few days and is now back home trying to regain strength. I know she doesn't understand all the things happening in her life and has said that on numerous occasions. I certainly wish I had the answers. I wish with all my heart she would be miraculously healed by the power of God and yet I also realize He knows so much more than I do. I really should be asking to see as He sees because I would probably then be able to grasp the things already done in her life that I've yet to see from the surface.

Its great to be alive! Its a miracle we are all still here and enjoying our lives as we know them to be. God help us to be grateful as we should be for the breath you have given us and continue to give day after day. Help us to pause right now and realize how great it is to be in Your Presence moment after moment, from one breath to the next. As Thomas said, "My Lord and My God!" Let's cherish every moment we have with one another this year and always. Let this Christmas be the one you decide will mark your moment of healing, your moment of hilarious giving, your moment of overwhelming joy, your life's legacy changed so it includes those you thought wouldn't matter. They do matter. And it does count. Let's answer Our Father's call to not only remember what has been done in our lives but answer His beckoning to step into the unknown where Faith alone will cause us to have Hope. (But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Romans 8:24) Now is the time for all of us!

8 is Great!

As I said to a few of you in emails...yes, we had 2 parties within 1 week of each other! Although I'm a little tired it was worth it. We have had so much fun. I couldn't let Joshua's birthday slip away without sharing it as well. He turned 8 this year and I honestly think I've bought him a pair of jeans every week for about a month now. He's growing sooo fast and getting tall like his dad. He said this was the best birthday ever and 8 was great. I remember a couple of birthdays that stood out from the others but not the age. I do remember that being a kid was alot of fun because the only thing that consumed my mind was having fun with whatever I had that day to play with. Of course the simple fact that it was considered only my day made it more special to me. My dad couldn't always buy me a gift and there were more than a few birthdays that I didn't receive anything material wise but I always remember having fun. He always made sure of that. I got to play in the dirt with my brother's special cars, play in the rain, go on longer bike rides, go fishing alone and take my dad's lures ( that was a big thing)(of course it didn't dawn on me that he could see me from the backyard!). But there was always something done that made the day extra special. And I hope through the years that I can do the same for my children. Its not about the amount of money spent or not spent. Its about showing them how special they really are and how important they are to making this family complete. Enjoy the pics!

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Sweet 16

Let's see...it all started and ended with a bang. First, we went back to the church in Ozark, AL to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. It was such an honor to be back and among those we care for so deeply. Upper Room, we had a wonderful time with you all!

Secondly, upon arriving back home, clutter gone, garage getting decorated and party prep well on its way, the fun kicked in for all of us anticipating Amber's 16th birthday. And right in the middle of all the chaos stood Thanksgiving. What a day! It was soooo nice to take a break from all the party preparations to enjoy a wonderful day with my family. We decided against the traditional turkey/ham meal and went outside to enjoy the grill. Amber and I tried to play badminton which proved to be slightly difficult with no net. Last year a storm took out our old net and we have not replaced it. However we made great efforts toward playing anyway and decided to add our own personal touches to the game including the traditional grunting you hear with professional tennis! Some of it was play, some of it was real! The boys took all the tennis balls and continuously bounced them off the trampoline which proved to be quite fun for them. Michael sat quietly in his Bouncy watching Dad grill and us girls grunt like crazies. He was so quiet I forgot to bring him in the house when all the food was ready. Needless to say, Johnny remembered and brought the little tyke inside. We all shared time with one another and it was a great Thanksgiving.

Among the many things going on were the few moments we captured as Amber practiced her lines for the History Fair (portraying Eleanor Roosevelt's granddaughter, which by the way is still alive at the age of 84). The boys had a great time playing with the different wigs we have on hand and I just had to include a few photos. With all the sewing done and decorations finished, I could finally take a deep breath. Sigh. Let the party begin....
Okay, it started storming about 45 minutes before the party. BUT the kids still kept coming. Joshua became quite the Host as he answered the door, greeted all the guests, and guided them to the garage. David became quite the dancer as he took charge in leading the way for twisting those hips. You'll notice in the photos he loved the blow up microphones. And no, he would not share. The teens had fun and went out on the back in spite of the weather to enjoy their pizza and Root Beer floats. After a couple of hours(Guitar Hero is the blame), I finally announced the driver to the mall was leaving if anyone still planned to go. We loaded up and took them all away. I now realize why women during the 50's era always spent so much time washing their hair. I thought it was just an excuse for more time to prepare but now I know differently. While they were away at the mall, I spent the time trying to wash out all the hairspray from my hair. And finally, after doing a conditioning treatment yesterday on the heels of many washings, just today my hair is feeling normal again. Overall, I have to say it was a BLAST! And while taking another breath I look back and think of how proud I am to be a Mom and wife of a wonderful man. My daughter is growing up so quickly and the opportunities for her to excel are boundless. I am thankful for her witt, her intelligence, her sincerity, and her love for life. She might be 16 but she will always be my baby girl.

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