Back in town

I am back. I had a wonderful trip home to visit family. It was cold and I worked helping my brother in the barn and hoisted up my muscle performance a little. (carrying heavy milk pails to the bulk tank) I made some meals for my parents and brothers and played lots of games and took lots of naps. I visited some friends and just enjoyed looking at the farm where I grew up. I walked in the snow and breathed the fresh air. I enjoyed the sunsets and sunrises. In the city you dont see them most often. I feel renewed and refreshed even though I am a bit tired. I feel that I have a new perspective. I have to find a job and I know I will. It's not a race and it's not the end of the world if I dont find one today. I am embracing the farm life attitude of slow down, take time to talk and play, enjoy some laughter, and eat yourself silly!

MINNESOTA

Guess What! I am in Minnesota and out in the country on my parents farm is not much chance to see what's happening in cyberspace. I went into town and thought after a week, that I need coffee. I went to the Coffee Company. (only coffee shop in town, that I can find) They have internet. I am sipping a white chocolate mocha, decaf and surfing the net. Life is good.

job hunt

Here I am today looking for a job. I have my first interview in 15 years. I dont really know how this works anymore, but I am doing a group interview. (Whatever the heck that is) I wonder if I have to wrestle all the other prospective job hunters. Maybe we do rock, paper, scissors. Who knows. I dont, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to brush up on my interviewing skills.

Last night our pastor talked about being patient. I think he may have been talking directly to me. He also said do not SETTLE. Be patient and wait on God. I know he was talking to me. I dont have a job, but God sees my future and I am sure it has a great job for me otherwise maybe I will inherit a big sum of money and wont have to work.

So here I go........

Life can change at any moment

I have had a little time to reflect on change. I am recently unemployed due to a lay off from my most recent job of 6 months. For 14 years before that I was at the same job. I felt like I needed a change and God seemed to open the door for my most recent job. Now 6 months later I am unemployed and it is a very strange feeling. I am free to do whatever I want with my time and yet I feel imprisoned in many ways. I probably wouldnt have to go to work, but our finances would be very tight until college is payed for. So I have to say" God what are you doing? Why do I find myself in this position. Did I make a mistake when I thought you were leading me to take this last job, or is this all part of a bigger plan to get me from point A to point C?" I dont know. For now I have to trust God. I know I always have to trust Him but it just becomes more evident when my life is certainly out of my control. I wish I could see down the road and know that this job thing has a good ending, but then in a way maybe it would scare me to see the end results. So the days that I thought my life was so routine are over. I have no idea what tomorrow will hold for me. I guess we never do. Life can change at any moment and then you think "WOW " how did I get here?

"O" my

Need I say more!
Calling Grammy

Auntie Alisha

Me and mom

Auntie Emily

Poem from my sister

As I said in my earlier blog people have always made my birthday special here is a poem my sister wrote for me to celebrate my birthday.

Poem for my treasured sister, SHARON BURGER, on her birthday

Sister of mine is kind and dear,
Heart for God each day of the year.
Always thoughtful and so sweet,
Ready hands and willing feet.
One in a million, she is treasured
Never could her worth be measured.

Born this day when I was ten
Unique and special she's been since then.
Really a dear sister and beautiful too,
Good-natured and fun, pretty through and through.
Each day I thank God for a sister so dear
Remembered especially this day of the year.

Love from Janette for me. I love her!

My birth

Today is my birthday. I have always loved my birthday. For some reason it has always been special because people I love have always seemed to make such a great effort to make is so. When I was young my mom did things to make me feel like I was the most special one to ever be born. My friends would always do neat things for me. Then when I married Tom I hit the jackpot, because gift giving is his love language so I have always reaped the benefits of that. He has planned trips, gotten me flowers, taken me on great dinners and given me amazing gifts. My girls now that they are grown make a great effort to remember me on my day. I am so blessed to be born and chosen of God. My parents didnt abort me just because they had already 6 children. I love my day, January 31st. Last day of the first month. In the dead of winter how fun to have a special day to look forward to. God thank you for giving me life, salvation and alot of other extra's that I appreciate and thank you for. Happy Birthday to me!

Friday

Today is friday and that means the beginning of the weekend. I cant wait for it to begin. My family will all be together and I look forward to that very much. As the girls have grown up and moved away and become adults, I treasure the time I have with them. We dont have to do anything special, just being together is special. Eating a meal. Laughing and telling stories and remembering funny things from the past and maybe if I get my way playing a game or two. Watching Olivia do the newest things that she has learned is always a good form of entertainment. We can sit for hours and enjoy that. What a blessing family is. God sure knew what He was doing when he made the family! I hope your weekend will be as special as mine.

Feelings

How is it that feelings change so radically in me lately? Sometimes I feel on top of the world and sometimes I feel at the bottom of the food chain! As a believer I know that I should have joy all the time and for the most part I do. I dont however have happiness all the time. I have come to find out that when I am feeling down and like everything is wrong, I need to encourage myself in the Lord just as David did when everyone in Israel was against him. How do I do that?.....I start to praise God for all that He has done for me. I start to name and thank God all the blessings that I have seen and experienced in my life. It doesnt take more than a minute before I am back on top again. Not that I stay there, but at least I have a better perspective. Oh that I could live in that thankfulness and happiness all the time. For anyone reading this, please pray for me a spirit of joy and thankfulness all the time.

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy!
Psalm 16:11

chicken soup

What is it about Chicken Soup that seems to make your worst day good. I made soup today for my sick Alisha. I know that it has been said that Chicken soup can heal your body. I think it can also heal your attitude and I like how it warms me up. So here's to chicken soup!

A mind at peace

A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh. Proverbs 14:30

Put your burdens in the Lord's hands and you will have a mind at peace and as a result your body will be healthy.

Anne of Green Gables

Over the last few days of Emily's break we broke out the old VHS movie of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. If you have never watched these wonderful films, you need to. They will make you laugh,cry, wonder and imagine. It is clean viewing and such and inspiration for anyone of any age. It inspires me every time I watch it. I wish there were more films made like these.

My youngest daughter

Just thought I would blog about my youngest daughter. She has been a little upset that there are no pictures of her in the house. The oldest has wedding and family pictures since she got married and had a baby. The middle girl was homecoming queen and we have pictures of her. Our granddaughter of course has many pictures throughout the house. I am really gonna work on getting her face up there, so I thought I would give her her own blog spot on my blog. This is her and her boyfriend the day before Christmas when we did presents with him. I think Emily is beautiful, creative, funny and very loving. She is my baby and will always be. I love her. Here's to Em!

Happy end of 2007

I am just getting to the day that I think about the past year and get ready to say goodbye to 2007. I always feel a little nastalgic when it comes to the end of the year. I like the opportunity to start over with the new year. I usually mess up my good intentions by 3 o'clock on New Years Day, but at least it is a clean slate for a few hours. As I look at this past year I will remember it with fondness as I became a grandmother! It has been one of the best feelings I have ever had. I got to take a trip with Emily to visit my parents. Tom and I got to take Sheila, Andrew and Olivia to see my parents.(very cool) I quit my job of 14 years and took a chance to try something new.(Big change for me who sometimes does not like change) I experienced having Alisha, our college grad come home and live with us after a year of empty nest. This is a really big challenge sometimes. I still havent figured my role in this yet. I have spent a lot of the past months not feeling 100%. I dont know what the problem is. Some of it is hormonal for sure. Ya ya.... I am hitting that menapausel erra and not liking it too well. (enough of that) As I reflect on the year 2007 I once again must confess that I am so wonderfully blessed and can never thank God enough for all He has done for me. I dont know what 2008 will bring but I know that God is faithful in everything.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Romans 15.13

And a merry Christmas it was

I had a wonderful Christmas with all those I love in Charlotte!

Holiday Hoopla

I've been tagged for Holiday Hoopla whatever that is so I have to name 12 random things about Christmas. If you are reading this you have to do it too and tag someone else. Here goes.......
1. I love Christmas.....I hate Christmas....
2. I will clarify #1 I love what Christmas means(Jesus coming as a baby to earth) I love the family time, the songs and the wonder of the time. I hate the commercialism, the greediness, the crowds, the stress of getting everything done.
3. As a child I was deathly afraid of Santa. If I saw him coming I would freeze, hide or whatever to get away from him.
4. I make a ton of christmas cookies and many people like them very much.
5. I very much enjoy the scent of a fresh pine tree in the house.
6. I would rather give a gift and enjoy the person opening it rather than get a gift. Although I do love to get gifts too.
7. My favorite gift ever was a 2 liter of soda and a pint of sherbet. I come from a large family and gifts from parents were not huge. I just remember the year we each got a gift and our own bottle of POP (as we call it up north) and pint of sherbet. It was such a neat gift when I was around 8 years old.
8. My most embarrasing moment for christmas was when my gift from my parents was a scratchy ugly orange sweater and a pair of mittens. I was thinking to myself "what are my parents thinking giving me this as my gift for the year". I had a real attitude. I think I was about 12. My mom knew because my face betrayed my disappointment and she told me to put my hands in the mittens. I did it and behold there was $20.00 in the gloves! A lot of money back then. I felt sooooo ashamed! I have tried since to have a better attitude about what I get. Maybe that's why I like to give better.(I dont want my reaction to a gift to hurt anyone)see #6
9. I am married to a man that I used to call Mr. Christmas. He loved everything about it with the girls when they were little. He still loves it but I think sometimes he still wishes our girls were little and he could do the whole santa thing and all the trimmings and get excited about it.
10. My favorite Christmas hymn is O come all ye faithful. I love the part about O come let us adore Him.
11. I love sappy christmas movies and love to see new ones every year no matter how cheesy they are.
12. Tom and I started a christmas tradition our first year together for Christmas and I would have never thought it would be such a big deal but it is. We have pizza for our Christmas eve dinner. It has expanded over the years but it started out with Tom and I having french bread pizza, and to this year 28 years later we have had pizza and something every Chrismas eve.

Cookies for Christmas

Cookies......How is that there is such a thing as Christmas cookies? I dont know, but I do know that 26 years ago my friend Cathy and I started this grand idea that we would make all these different recipes of cookies and candy. Then we would give them as gifts to family and friends. This worked great for the first few years as we were both stay at home moms and it was fun to do it together. People LOVED getting the home baked goods. It felt as if we were giving a wonderful gift of ourselves. As the years have passed I have still kept the tradition alive. I still make a lot of cookies but not quite as many as I used to. Cathy and I do not do them together anymore. We both started working after our kids got older. It got harder and harder to fit making the cookies in before Christmas. Every year I think "I am not doing it this year" and then I buy the ingredients. My family looks forward to eating the cookies around the tree during the season and of course on Christmas. It has become a tradition that Tom complains that I make these cookies and give them to everyone and he gets none. I think I may just make them now so that we can play that game. He does get cookies!! We had a plate the other night while we watched a Christmas movie. Something about it is so tasty and wonderful. I guess there is something to Christmas cookies that make them special.

I also had the joy of sending a plate with Alisha to take to Roxboro for all my girls and Andrew to eat as they had a weekend together. The thought that they were continuing the tradition of being together and eating my cookies around the Christmas tree gives me great joy. Maybe someday my grandchildren will talk about grandma's wonderful Christmas cookies. I guess I will have to keep making them for now. They do bring me joy in so many ways.

Merry Christmas

Is there anything more exciting than Christmas! Everything about it gives me an excitment that isnt there the rest of the year. I know that we do alot of unnecessary things to celebrate Jesus birth, but all of it is to worship the King of kings. Who else deserves a party like we throw on Christmas? No one here, but certainly Jesus does deserve all that we can give.

O come let us adore Him

I have finally gotten into the Christmas spirit and started listening to all the songs regarding the celebration. One song that strikes me as a wonderful worship song is "O come let us adore Him". Do we adore Him? I do at moments when I really wrap my brain around who God is and what he has done for me, but those moments are short and few. Even in a worship service at church I am distracted and give God less than my best. I consider myself a strong christian with godly morals and values. I pray to God everyday and regard Him as Lord of my life. I read my Bible ....but I am not sure that I adore Him as I should. When I analyze my life(as I am sure that everyone does) I have to say I can see God's hand in it all. In my childhood, my young adult life, my move to North Carolina, my marriage to Tom, my children, my church, my friends, my job. There is nothing in which I do not see that God has moved for His glory and my good. He deserves my praise!

Do I adore Him? YES Do I adore Him as often as I should? NO Do you? For this season of Christmas I for one am going to try to Adore Him as I ought.

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Happy after Thanksgiving

I just want to say that I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. I was with those I love, we ate well, we talked of what we are thankful to the Lord for. We played games, ate pie and had coffee. Then we ate some more and played with Olivia and on and on and on. What a wonderful weekend.

Holidays

OK........I finally feel like the holidays are upon us and I for one and getting excited about Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite days of the year. It is layed back and I love sleeping in and smelling the food that Tom is preparing for our Thanksgiving meal. This year we have a little granddaughter to add to the fun of the day and another huge reason for being thankful. I love our family being together and the friends that come over. I also love the sale ads. It is exciting and I love the thought of being thankful. THANKS GOD!

Family and Time

This weekend our girls all came home for a family picture we wanted to have done to send out in Christmas cards. It took alot of planning just to get a date that we could all come together and smile for the camera. Finally with some finageling(I dont know if that is spelled right) we came up with November 10th. Tom and I planned our meals and arranged times for friends who haven't seen Olivia to come and see her. It was a glorious time. The pictures went well and pretty quick and painless. They turned out good and we enjoyed our time together as a family. More and more I realize how much that time means to us as only Alisha lives at home, and we basically need an appointment with her as she stays so busy. It is so sweet to have our girls hang out and talk and tease each other and encourage each other. They tease Andrew as though he has been a part of the family forever. He truly is the other half of Sheila. We are entertained now by just watching and playing with Olivia. We don't even need TV! When talking about Christmas and what we want, the only thing Tom and I could ask for and truly mean it, was that we just be able to all be together. I love being with my kids and with our sweet,adorable Olivia. Time truly is a gift. And putting that in a spiritual perspective.... are we giving our Lord the gift of our time. He wants to spend time with us. There is nothing else He would rather have.

Fall

Today was one of those fun times with my husband. You would think we took a cool trip or went somewhere fancy to eat or went to a movie. No ...... none of those are true. We took a walk and then blew leaves from our lawn into piles and put them in bags for the recycle truck next week. It was a sunny cool day and I just loved it. It brought back lots of memories about when the girls were little and would help us and then we would push them in the piles or we would bury them up to their necks. Today it was just Tom and I and I did not push him in the leaves and he did not push me. I jumped in one myself but we are getting older and the thought of hitting something hard with our bodies isnt fun. So I guess the saying really is true....."the best things in life are free"!

MANY GOOD THINGS

I read in my devotions this morning about how God has put boundaries on the sea. Using the sand to do this. Jeremiah 5:22-25. (Look it up it's awesome) I was intrieged by verse 25 as it says your sins have kept you from many good things. The whole passage is interesting. God has boundaries for everything. Evil coming against us has limits as God instructs. Storms that we go through are only going to last for as long as God allows. He is in control of all things and He has a reason for us to be going through hard times or trials. But we can be assured that they cannot exceed God's boundaries just as the sea which is massive cannot go beyond the sand unless God gives it permission. God has blessed us with so many good things in our lives. Do we honor and respect Him? Are we living within the boundaries God has given us? If not, then God will notice and withhold blessings. If we do, God will give us many good things. ( I want good things from God, Don't you?)

Happy Halloween

BOO!!!!!

Fear

So I was driving back to work from my lunch yesterday and I saw and accident right in front of me. A girl was turning left out of a shopping center and a few cars in front of me they stopped to let her go to turn left, as she was turning she forgot to look at the second lane and a guy had no idea she was turning and kept driving and she t-boned him. It was so emotional for me. As Alisha was just in a collision last week and it has been such a hard thing for me to feel like she's safe. After I saw this accident so closely and was so emotional about it, I realized that I have no control over anything! I KNOW that God is in control but I am still trying to control so many things in my life. (It was an epiphany for me.) I have given my life to Christ. He is in control and I can trust Him. It doesnt mean things will always be easy and good, but He has my best interest at heart. I immediately had peace that passes my understanding. No more letting fear control me. God is in control and He loves me.

Life changing moments

Alisha was in a car accident this weekend. The whole situation makes me think about life and how each moment can change the next forever. How interesting that this is true but we dont really think about it as we travel along our life's road until we come to some kind of set back or tragedy. Yes, her car was demolished and it has created issues and financial setbacks for her and us.....but when you look at it compared to her life, it just isnt such a big deal. You hear of accidents everyday, some not so bad ,some fatal. It is just not a life changing moment until it happens to someone you know. Alisha could have been killed. She could have broken bones. She could have had internal damage to her body and been hospitalized for weeks. She could have hurt someone in the other car. The list goes on and on. I know that God protected her and all this is for a purpose that we dont understand. God orchestrates our lives that everything may bring Him glory. That is a pretty amazing thought.

A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Joy

The Joy on Alisha's face is so evident. I think that all born again believers should look and feel like this all the time. Oh that we would, huh?!!

A day of sunshine

A day of sunshine and I am not talking about the sun in the sky but the sunshine in my granddaughters smile and eyes. Tom and I took a day trip to see her yesterday. We were having Olivia withdrawls as we had not seen her in almost a month. A 3 month old changes a lot in a month. We just had to see her. ( We also were excited to see Sheila too of course.) We went for a walk, to lunch, hung out and had dinner together. It was a wonderful day. Being a grandparent changes your actions just a bit, whereas we used to take a Burger skip day to go to the mountains and see the leaves and have lunch, now our choice is the little town of Roxboro to see a beautiful smile just for us. Of the two choices that smile wins every time.

coffee

What makes coffee so special to some people every day. There was a time when I wasnt a coffee drinker, but I always appreciated the smell of it. When I was a young girl my mom would drink coffee pretty regularly but hers was usually instant and not quite as wonderful as when we would have a party at our house and she would make real coffee with a perculator. The smell was amazing. I also remember dipping toast or cookies in her coffee. (She let me) It was soooo good to me. Some times I would dip it too long and the cookie would fall off into her coffee. It didnt matter she never got mad at me. As an adult I never had coffee until, as a stay-at- home mom I would get together with girlfriends and their kids every two weeks and we would hang out and eat. One particular day it was kinds rainy and chilly and we had cookies that were homemade and we made coffee and it just warmed me to the core and I loved it. I was hooked from that day on. Not everyday but at parties in the evening, I would love coffee with my dessert. Or with my Tom sitting around in the evening we would have decaf coffee with creamer. I have to have cream and sugar and particularly flavored creamer.
As I began to work more outside the home we started making coffee at work. I started looking forward to going to work in the morning just so I could have my special little cup of coffee with creamer. I would reheat it many times because I dont like cold or lukewarm coffee, but just holding it in my hands and feeling the warmth of it gives me a WARM FUZZY!
With the coffee craze in the world today, I fit right in. Gloria Jeans was Tom and my favorite, but since they are no longer in this area we have given our loyalty to Caribou Coffee. White chocolate mocha decaf is my favorite. My girls even managed to get me hooked on the coffee coolers in the summer. I do always seem to get a brain freeze with the coolers though.....they are very addicting. I guess I am a bit addicted to coffee, but I guess there worse things I could be doing!

Get aways

We went to Boone for homecoming at App state this weekend. We had a good time. The weather was actually very warm and beautiful. We had great seats at the game thanks to Richard Campbell's parents. "Thanks Emily and Richard for making that happen"! Alisha was this past years homecoming queen so she was in the parade and out on the field at halftime. It's always fun to see your daughter being applauded. We swam at the pool the night before at the hotel and hung out with Emily and Alisha and Richard. We got to eat dinner after the game with them too. It was a fun get away and the only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Andrew, Sheila and Olivia with us. I love weekend get aways.

Proud

I am a proud mom. I think about my girls alot. To me they are the best, most beautiful, creative, funniest, loving, caring, compassionate girls I know. I may be a bit bias, but I could not have picked greater girls myself if I'd gone to a store,and chose. God has been so good to Tom and I in giving us three of the best. They have made their mom and dad proud and continue to do so by their choices and paths they are choosing. They made parenting easy and make us look good when we have not done very much in making them who they are. It is all God.

Sheila is a wife, teacher, and recently, stay at home mom. She is adjusting to one income and learning how to pour her life into the precious gift God has given her and Andrew, Olivia Grace. It has been a pleasure to see how wonderful of a mom she is becoming. She is so patient and willing to give up so much to stay home. She loves Olivia passionately and wants her to grow up to be a woman of God. She is trying to figure out how to save money and make money without giving up too much of her time with Olivia. She is so talented that I know God will show her what she needs to do and will bless her abundantly.

Alisha is a recent college graduate and new second grade teacher. She had a tough summer wondering if she would ever get a job and trying to remind herself that God is in control and He will provide for her. Well He did and in a big way. She landed a second grade job at a wonderful school, with very supportive staff. She loves it. When she shares with me about teaching and her class, I can see the passion in her eyes. Not only that, she has incorporated her faith in her teaching and I am so amazed at the way God has gifted her in ministering to these kids in a public school. The kids in Ms. Burger's class are so blessed. They hit the jackpot! She is living at home with Tom and I right now and we love it. She is so respectful of us and fun to hang out with. We will miss her when she gets her own place. Some day there is a man who will sweep her off her feet and boy is he going to be blessed.

Emily is our baby and she is so special to us. She is in her second year of college and is doing very well. She is a good student and such a wonderfully refreshing personality. She is growing up to be a beautiful woman of God who has not even begun to discover her leadership qualities that will cause many to look to her for wisdom and direction. She has strong convictions but is such a caring,loving girl. She is my cutie. She is a RA in her dorm this year and I know the girls on her floor are loving having her as their leader. I am quite certain that God has a marvelous future in store for her......who knows which direction God will lead but it is going to be marvelous to watch it unfold.

So that is my blog today. I am a blessed woman with three now grown girls that I call my friends.

can't sleep

do you ever have those times when you know it's time for bed but don't feel sleepy. You go to bed and toss and turn, your mind is on a million different things. You just can't shut it down. The more you try the less it works. I am having one of those nights. No, I didn't have caffeine of any kind. It's just one of those times so this is where I get up and blog in hopes that in 10 minutes my eyelids will drift shut and the next thing I know the alarm goes off and YEP it's morning and now I don't want to get up. I hope so cause there is nothing good on TV!

Minnesota my home

No matter how many years it's been since I moved to North Carolina from Minnesota, when I go back to Minnesota, it feels like home. Time changes few things there, the only thing changing is we are all getting older. Tom and I took Andrew, Sheila and Olivia to see her great grandparents and Uncles and Aunts. They all loved her so dearly, it was just such a special time. The weather was cool and sunny and the company next to none. I will share a couple pictures from our trip.

How you live

I have recently heard a new song on the radio by Point of Grace, called How you live. It is just one of those songs that makes you think about what is important in life and whether you are doing the important things and letting some of the rest of it go. How fitting today on the anniversary of 9/11 to rethink what's important. Check out the music video on the Point of Grace website @ www.pointofgrace.net/index.html

Changes

Changes are a part of life. I like them and I am fearful of them. I start out fearful and then as I adapt, I usually end up liking the change. Well changes are rampant in my life the past few months and weeks. I became a grandmother in June. Alisha graduated college and is now back in my empty nest as a full fledge adult. Hmmmmm very difficult at times.( I still see her as my high schooler under my care) My sunday school teacher quit so I have to choose another path on sunday mornings. My wednesday night 2nd grade class got changed and now I am going to be teaching with 3 other teachers sharing 2nd and 3rd grade. I quit my current job of 13 years and now am moving on to something totally different. Wow! It makes my head swim just thinking about it. Some changes I have no control over. Some changes I made. I am in a state of flux right now (whatever that is). I have been really tired and am getting over some sickness that has clamped onto me and wont let go. Sometimes I just want my old life back, but sometimes I am so excited about what the future holds that I feel euphoric. Today I am neither. I am enjoying a three day weekend with the man I fell in love with 27 years ago. We have finished our kitchen makeover and are enjoying the beauty of that change. I got my hair cut and that always feels good. I am complete in Christ. Knowing, that no matter what changes come, He never changes.

Sick in August

Being sick is no fun for the most part,(unless your not really sick but just feel like you might need a day to rest and watch movies or read and blow your nose a little). Well unfortunately I am sick, the real one where you dont appreciate being home. I started feeling daggers in my throat a few days ago and then the whole stomach isnt just right feeling yesterday and then the hot and cold feelings and today I just have the whole head thing and throat closing up and drainage in my throat that makes me cough. I hate being sick but when it is nearly 100 degrees out it is all the worse. I dont know why but it makes you feel sicker. I would rather be sick when it is 32 out and I can put a blanket around me and not feel foolish. Or lay by the fire. What should I do now, lay by a pool? I dont think so. I hope tomorrow I will feel better.

My mom makes me smile

I spoke with my mom today and just had to smile. She is 85 years old and as sweet as can be. She laughs about things and talks about how her and my dad go on dates. They went to take things to the fair. My dad likes to enter his farm crops to be judged for prizes and money. My mom said that" dad took me out for lunch,I had a hotdog and dad had a hamburger and then we each had a piece of pie. And not a small little sliver of pie, it was a big piece with ice-cream. We sat outside in the shade and there was a little breeze and we just rested and had the best time." She also said that her and my dad play cribbage pretty much every day. My mom proceeded to say that "our grandchildren are just all so special and our great grandchildren too. They are just the best". What a wonderfully beautiful woman my mom is. It made me smile talking to her. She is so positive and loving. Oh that I can be that way at 85.

Fun things

Tom and I went on a really nice date. We are a couple that tries to keep up the dating in our relationship. Now we have been married for 26 years and I sure do love to think back on all the nice dates that we have had. Memories are something that noone can take away. We just made one of those special memories by going to a very classy restaurant, Mortons. Now I am talking very nice. When I came back from the restroom they had refolded my napkin on the table. The menu was basically brought out on a cart. And the service was incredible. They very much catered to our every need. I dont know if I would want to live like that all the time but for a couple hours it was fun. We then went to the Disney play Lion King at the Blumenthal. It was a very interesting play and very well done. The music was incredible and the artsy displays of creativity were amazing. I really had a wonderful night.

Then because Charlotte has had a heat wave going through our area and there are not alot of options to stay cool, we went to the matinee movie NO RESERVATIONS. It was so cute and a very enjoyable couple hours escape. I highly recommend the movie. I highly recommend dating your spouse and doing some spontaneous things. Good memories can get you through some really hard times.

When Emily leaves for college

Today we took Emily back to college for her sophomore year. I am still hardly believing that it can be. We took her and fixed up her room, It is incredibly cute in spite of what she had to start with. She is such an organized woman. She had everything in a place and didnt have too much fluff to carry up. She made some really cute art for her room to match her bedding and it was amazingly incredible how cute it was in a matter of an hour. She does not have air conditioning but with a great window breeze from the mountains and a nice fan it was quite comfortable.

Now it was hard to leave this time because I am leaving my baby for the first time at college alone without one of her sisters. When we left Sheila alone it was hard but she was a first-born and they are just prepared to be on their own. Alisha only was alone after a couple years with an older sister and then had Emily coming to be with her in her senior year. But now after only one year with her sister she has three left with no one in the family to help her or keep tabs on her. I feel so sad!

I love the fact that my kids are incredibly good and independent, but at the same time it hurts my heart that they dont really need me anymore and things just arent ever going to be the same again. Like this summer we couldnt work out a family vacation because of everyones individual schedules. It hurts but is also a part of life. I know it will make the times we are together more memorable and special. So tonight the house seems emptier without Emily's beautiful smiling face. But I know that she is in good hands. Thanks God!

some summer fun

Tom,me, Andrew, Sheila and Olivia went to the beach last week. We had a relaxing time at Garden City.

My cute little Olivia

can i love anymore?

Can I love anymore than I do this cute little grandchild of mine? I dont think so, but I bet as she grows and does more fun stuff I will love her more and more than I do now. I miss Olivia Stover. I havent seen her for a week now. It is like I am reaching out and there is nothing there. I go through my daily routine and try to forget how much I miss Olivia, but it doesnt work most of the time. I MISS HER! Tom does too. The other day he was walking around the house looking like he lost his best friend. He came back to me as I was reading and handed me a note. It said...I wish we were going to Roxboro. I miss my Olivia! (Or something like that) It was so cute. We are both new at this grandparenting thing. I would say we are smitten with the grandparent bug. Or is it the love bug, cause we sure love that little bug Olivia.

Grammy

I am pretty amazed at how having a grandchild can so change your life in a moment. I experienced so many emotions while Sheila was in labor. She and Andrew so graciously allowed me in the labor and delivery room to witness Olivia's birth. I teared up during hard times for Sheila when she had no more strength to push and prayed for her when she was hurting. When the doctor said "I think a c-section is our best option" I had a moment of doubt of God's presence but just one moment because I know God is in everything. I was disappointed because it looked like I was not going to be able to witness her birth, but after about 30 minutes they asked for me in the waiting area and told me the surgeon said that I could also come in for the birth. I was really surprised and realized God's favor and goodness to me. I was able to see Olivia be pulled into this world and hear her sweet loud cry. I got to be with Andrew and see his eyes tear up with joy through my teared up eyes. And get a hug from him while he said"I cant believe this is real".
Olivia was pink and had dark hair and cried and cried and then whimpered as she realized her daddy was touching her and was saying sweet things to her. She grabbed onto my finger before they took her to be weighed and she was a surprising 9 pounds even and 22 inches long. I am overjoyed at this child being here and I see in Sheila already a love for this little girl that I had for her. Life is amazing.

Olivia is here

waiting, waiting

Well here I am with Olivia's due date only 2 days away. She is still not here and her mom is getting a little anxious. We were so hoping that she would come early in June but it looks like she has her own ideas. We are now thinking that fathers day would be nice. But I know that God has a plan and that it is perfect. It is just so hard to be patient when we want to hold her and kiss her and hug her so badly. I have loved this child since the moment that I knew she was coming. I will certainly post after she comes and let you know how beautiful she is and how wonderful being a grandparent really is.

minnesota and lots of stuff

Well I finally have a moment and thought I would try to get into my account as I havent been able to get into it. I know it's been a long time since i blogged but I didnt even know if anyone noticed but I had a few references to the fact that I dont update very often. I dont know what keeps me so busy, but day after day slips by and before I know it it has been a month since I last made an entry.

A lot has been going on. Sheila had her 24th birthday. Emily had her 19th birthday. Sheila had 2 showers for the baby and one was at my house. Today actually! Alisha graduated from college. Tom and I have made 2 trips to Roxboro for Sheila's birthday and shower given by her church. Tom made 2 trips to Boone, one to get Emily home from her first year of college and one to spend a weekend at the mountain house for Alisha's graduation. So I guess I do see why I dont have time to Blog.

Emily and I just got back from a week in Minnesota and other than a miserable delay in Charlotte on our way to MN, we had a wonderful week visiting family over mother's day. The weather was just so great for Minnesota. It was warm during the day and cool in the evening. No mosquito's!!! that is a great plus. We had a wiener roast and lots of fun game time and rest time and eating time. thanks all you Minnesotan's. Now we had a shower for Sheila today and this is the last time we will see her before she has her baby. It was kinda strange to think about that. Andrew and Sheila will not just be a couple anymore. They will be a family. I know it will change everything for them. We are so looking forward to holding our grandchild and loving her. Now we just have to wait. Only God knows the day of her birth. It is and exciting time for our family.

PS Tom's Buffalo Sabers Lost. They are out of the playoffs for the Stanley cup. He is devastated. They were so close. Maybe next year, or maybe the Buffalo Bills will win the Superbowl.

being a grandmother

I will be a grandmother in 9 weeks. I am getting pretty excited to see my little granddaughter. She is already such a special part of my heart. I am so amazed to watch Sheila await Olivia's birth. She is becoming more and more motherly. From not really wanting to be a mom, to maybe she would adopt to finding out she was pregnant has been such an incredible change. I can see that she already loves this child and will be a wonderful mom. It is so wonderful how God prepares us for the jobs He gives us to do. I know that Sheila and Andrew will be wonderful parents. I know that Alisha and Emily will be awesome auntie's. And I know that Tom and I will love this little girl more than we can imagine. Love is such an amazing thing. The more you have to give it to, the more it comes back to you.

Spring

Spring

I love this time of year. For as long as I remember I have loved spring. I guess growing up in Minnesota where winter seems so long made me appreciate spring more than any season. The trees are budding and all the flowers are blooming and the temperatures are just right. I love cleaning out closets, opening windows, laying in the sun, smelling fresh cut grass, and getting time to eat out on the patio. It's just the best. It feels like a new beginning, kinda like New Years again. I fall in love every spring with my husband, my kids and my life. Everything seems OK. I love Spring.

rainy days

I love rainy days and a good book. That's all I got to say about that.

Knowing who I am

Do you ever wonder who you are? Maybe it is because I am now 46 but as I get older, I question who I am. I know I am getting older. My body has made a few changes in the past few years but I still feel that inside I am the 16 year old I was back in the 70's. Maybe a lot wiser and less tolerant. I cant explain it. I keep trying to figure out if I am happy with what I am doing or if I should make some changes to my life. I suppose I should leave well enough alone as many changes have been made for me whether I like it or not.( I am going to be a grandmother. Tom and I have an empty nest as all our girls are in college or married and working.) I am older in what a lot referr to as midlife. But who knows if this is midlife for me. I may be gone next week from this world. Then my midlife would have been 23. Or I could live as long as my parents who are 85, in which case their midlife is so far 421/2. Who knows but God. I just know that some days I really love my life and some days I wonder if I should be doing something else with my life. Mainly my job. I have spent the last 13 years working at a chiropractic office. I have learned everything there and I have a lot of flexibility. But some days I am tired of it and wish for something a little more exciting or just different. I dont know if anyone else has felt like this. What should I do? Mainly I pray and ask God for direction. I only want to please Him, and so far He hasnt shown me anywhere else to go. So for now. I know that I am Sharon and I am an office manager for the chiropractors. And I am loved by my family. I think that is enough for me. At least today.

Baby Girl

I havent posted in awhile but it just seems like there is not too much to write. I am in the winter blahs.Except for the one bright spot in the past few weeks. I do have news about my grandchild. It is a GIRL! I am in shock. I was so sure that it was going to be a boy you could have blown me over with a feather. I am very excited and anxiously awaiting to hold the sweet little girl. Her name is Olivia Grace. We are really having fun looking at baby things now and little cute dresses and outfits. I pulled all my baby things out of the attic and washed them up for Sheila. Some are outdated but some will be very useful and cute on Olivia. This sure is a new season of our lives and we are excited!

Photo's galore and memory's too

Part of my empty nest syndrome projects include redoing my photo albums. I have thought about it now for months. I didnt want to get into the project until I really knew what I was going to do and how. I finally bought the albums I want and then decided to pull everything out of my previous albums and seperate them by years. Then I will pick out the best pictures to put in my new albums to be on a shelf so that I can easily look at them and share them with friends and family in order. This is a very difficult job and I spend so much time reminissing about all the wonderful times our family has had. It is really a trip down memory lane. I have just started going through the pictures and already I am overwhelmed. It will be wonderful when the project is done and all organized as I dreamed. I want it to be a project I enjoy doing. But being the crazy woman that I am once I start a project I cant wait to finish it and I drive myself nutty. I hope I can enjoy the process. It is actually a very nice winter project. When spring comes I am cleaning out the attic. Sheila and Andrew moved into a larger house and have plenty of storage now, so since half the attic is Sheila's stuff I will pull it down and take it to her in Roxboro to put wherever she wants. Then my attic will be organized. Mostly! I know, I know. I am a little over the top with cleaning and organizing. But it is just who I am. I dont know if I would be happy if everything was clean and organized. So here's to my photo project.

New Year 2007

It's the new year. I dont know how it got here but it has arrived. I like the start of a new year. It seems like a chance to start over. I dont appreciate when I mess things up right away. But I usually do. With a harsh word or the same old mistakes of saying things that dont need to be said. I guess that is all part of being human. Thankfully God gives us new beginnings all of the time. With a new minute,hour,day,season, or year. We certainly need them. I do anyway. I appreciate all that God has done for me in the past and I really appreciate all that he will do for me in the future, including 2007. Happy New Year.

almost christmas

While i have a moment and I thought that I would just post a small article. I have enjoyed this holiday season and I am very excited for Christmas to come. I love everything about it. The anticipation is almost as fun as the real thing. Our tree is beautiful this year and I enjoyed the shopping, baking and sharing all the events. We had a lovely christmas party for my workplace and our church musical was tremendously beautiful. The prison christmas party went so flawlessly and God did some amazing things this year through willing people who helped out and were used by Him. The youth choir did a fantastic job at the prison service and touched many inmates. I have enjoyed walking around the mall with Tom for a evening and just looking at stuff and people and the kids getting their picture taken with santa. We went to the movie The Nativity and I highly recommend it for anyone. It was touching to say the least and really brings you back to the true meaning of Christmas. I LOVE spending time with my girls and their boyfriends. I cant wait to see Sheila and Andrew and Max on Christmas. I love the christmas movies on tv and eating all the christmas treats. As you can see I just love it. God has been so good to me and all I can say is Thanks God for this wonderful time of year and for the amazing gift of Your Son Jesus. Without it there would be no Christmas.

No Time

I would love to post but no time. I have to wrap presents after I buy them. Make cookies and get them ready to send off. Mail packages. Do our christmas cards and clean our messy house. Decorate our tree and then who knows what. Isnt it wonderful. Celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ?!

Thanksgiving is still my favorite

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love that there is really no commercialism about it. You get together with family and friends and are thankful. This year for some reason was better than ever. Maybe it's the fact that just getting my girls together for something is special to me. Sheila and Andrew came on Wednesday and that night we went to Tom's thanksgiving service at the prison. Nothing flashy but a time for all our family to be together and hear the Word of the Lord from Tom. We shared communion and worshipped God. ( kinda hard to commercialize that) Then we all piled into my car and the kids all yelled Krispy Kreme! Well what was I to do. We drove over to the donut place and made a memory. When we got home we sat on the floor with the box of donuts just like we used to and had donuts and milk and played a game. It was sooo fun. Now keep in mind we had a room full as Andrew and Matt, Alisha's boyfriend were there. I cant wait until all my girls are married and have wonderful husbands and we share precious laughs and joys together. We went to bed and then the next morning I woke up to the great smell of the house from Tom getting up early to cook the turkey. There is no greater thing to me than that day. I then get up and hang out with Tom and read the sale add for the day after. The kids eventually get up and we all look at the sale adds together and talk about what we will maybe like to get. Andrew kind of messes up the sale adds and we have to give him a hard time about that,but once again it is all part of the memories. Then we get the dinner together, our guests arrive and we have a meal of beauty. Then we talk about things that we are thankful for. We clean up and lay around go for a walk and eat pie and play games and rest. In the evening our family does different things like watch Survivor or sleep. This year Emily had to go to work at 12am. Friday morning some of us brave the stores early. Usually just me and Alisha. Andrew and his dad. But we have the best time together. We dont fight for things. We just enjoy the whole thing of being together and maybe getting a few gifts. Then we come home and rest and have left overs. Isnt that the best time to think about? How is your Thanksgiving? I hope it is as special as mine and I hope you can think of something to be thankful for.

My blog is not working

I am technically challenged. My blog hasnt been posting my new entries. I dont know what to do. Someone help me. I want to share my new stories but it stays in October. What should I do?

Wheelwright Kentucky

This past weekend Tom and I went as leaders for our youth mission trip with Operation Warm up. We had 10 youth and 5 leaders. We drove to Wheelwright Kentucky and had a wonderfully blessed time. We worked with other churches in the Charlotte area to help in several different areas in Kentucky with the local churches there. We handed out a lot of blankets, coats, warm clothes, socks and bibles. The youth worked one on one helping with each family to get what they needed and then they prayed or talked with them about the Lord. It was so awesome to see all the youth be so compassionate with the people in need. There are very many people in need in our country. Most of these families are coal miners and make a very small wage. About $15,000 a year. Not too many people can live on that very well. It was very eye opening to me and I sure do appreciate that our youth learned alot about need on this trip too. I also loved getting to know some of our youth better. God is so good. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to go on these trips. Thanks Lord for allowing me the chance to do these things for You!

falling leaves

Have you tried to keep the leaves off of your newly planted lawn in the fall before?
Well we are trying and it is almost impossible. Today I was blowing the leaves and Tom was mowing and bagging and we got almost done and I watched as the wind blew tons down on us and it barely looked like we did anything. I had to laugh there was nothing else to do. We have been doing this for the past 6 weeks, it seems. I love having trees but my love leaves me in the fall. No pun intended. I think we only have a few days off falling terror left and then they should be all gone. Then what will I do on my weekends and day off?

what happened to trick or treat

It is halloween and Tom and I sat on our porch. Had all the leaves swept up. Lit candles had our candy ready and waited and waited. Finally we ate some of the candy called our moms and waited. No trick or treators. How sad. We reminised about when our girls were little and we took them out to get candy. There were so many kids out you couldnt get down the street. Now there are hardly any kids. What has happened? Did everyone grow up? We ended up having 8 kids come to our house. And they didnt even say trick or treat! I had to ask them, "what do you say?" then they said trick or treat. What are the parents teaching the kids these days. I mean come on. I feel sad. I think some things just dont seem as fun anymore. Our world is changing. I miss my trick or treators. I like looking at all the cute little costumes and seeing the excitment of candy on the kids faces. Hey...... I just had 3 more kids come to the door. It is 8:39 but that is ok. I am encouraged. yeahhhhhhhh

I really like having friends

Today my friend Wanda and I went to Boone for a day off. Our original goal was to hike but we actually never got to do that. We had lunch with Alisha and Emily and then we shopped at the shops in Blowing Rock and The big christian book store which you better have lots of time if you go in there. Wanda bought a beautiful picture with a neat scripture on it. The kind of picture you look at and it takes your breath away and then you read the scripture and want to cry because your spirit is blessed. She bought all the clothes she was looking for and a christmas decoration for work. I bought a great pair of pants and a sweater. I look goooooooood in them. We talked and laughed and just had a really nice day. The mountains were gorgeous with color and it ended up being a sunny beautiful day. Especially on the way home. I love having a good friend. She doesnt care if I talk too much and I dont care if she does. We share what's in our hearts and mind. I feel refreshed. Thanks God for a great day off and for a wonderful time with my friend.

my poor Titus

I dont know how many of you have cats, but I have two. One of them is a male named Titus. He is very loving and if I cry he will come and sit by me. If I am sick, he will lay on me and purr. He also is a very curious kitten and climbs on our roof to get a better view of birds and things. He has been getting in fights with another male cat that comes on our property. I had to take him to the vet a couple weeks ago because he got so beat up he had infection on his chest that was draining. It was terrible. But it cleared up and he was doing much better. While we were in Minnesota he must have gotten in another fight and this time his face is swollen like a down syndrome child. He looks really sad. He started smelling bad too, so I know he has an infection, but Tom wont let me spend anymore money taking him to the doctor. I started doing hot compresses on his face and started trying to squeeze out the infection. He is not tolerating this very well. I am sure it hurts him pretty bad. But the smell is the worst!! It did start opening up tonight and I feel pretty good about that. It is not a pretty sight and I think that I would prefer that he not get in anymore fights. Please pray for him. I love my cat.

To Minnesota

Hi, I have had a few busy weeks. I went to Minnesota last week for 5 days as my parents are celebrating 60 years of marriage. That is so amazing dont you think so? We had a good visit. Tom and I went together. No kids this time. They have to be in college or teach school. Although Emily really wanted to come. We had a layover in Chicago but didnt get off the plane. We just needed to get more passengers and then head to Minnesota. So while we were there it started snowing harder and harder. pretty soon we were attemping to leave and they said we had to be deiced. This is on the 12th of October mind you. After an hour of waiting we finally got deiced only to fly into Minneapolis and still have snow. It is amazing to leave Charlotte one day and have 75 degrees and then fly to Minnesota the next day and have 28 degrees. My body doesnt know what to think. I guess it thinks it is a hormonal thing. Anyhow we had a great visit. It was actually nice 2 days there. We helped to celebrate. I got to see all my family and visit for a little while. We played some cards and games and ate lots of junk. I love Minnesota. I love my family. I really miss them sometimes, but it's always nice to come home.

Grandmother?

Well I have some interesting news. I was informed by my eldest daughter that I am to be a grandmother. Well I was shocked to say the least. I had been told for a year or more that I would not be a grandmother unless it was a chinese baby or from another country. I am afraid that I did not react correctly and if I could do it over I would have screamed like Liz(andrew's mom) did. I yelled at Sheila and said are you tricking me? Well after she said no and I could see she meant it. I was overwhelmed. (Im sorry I didnt scream, Sheila).

I have loved the thought of my own grandchild for a little while but was certainly willing to wait. However, I dont have to anymore! I am quite certain it is a cute little blond boy. He will be the best and the most fun of all children. Tom and I are going to be the best and most fun grandparents ever. And we will certainly love the kid like noone else could. I only wish that I would not have to drive 3 hours to see him. But I am thankful that it is not more. I have 8 months to prepare for being a grandma. I dont know if they have classes for this or not. I never heard of any. Maybe someone should start that,"Grandparents Class". I would take it.
Andrew and Sheila are gonna be the best parents. I cant wait to see them holding their first child. It is a blessing like no other. Giving your life to the Lord. Saying "I do" to the one you love. And holding your first child or second or third child are the three most wonderful events in life. Wow,God is good.

My life has been so unbelievably blessed in the past few weeks. I know the favor of God is upon me. Thanks Jesus!

Alisha ASU"s homecoming queen

I am very pleased to say that yesterday Alisha was voted ASU's homecoming queen. It was a really fun day we had in Boone. We got to watch Alisha in a parade and then during halftime, Tom escorted her on the field along with the other candidates and they named the King and then they said "And this years homecoming queen from Whitehall, Alisha Burger!!!!" It was just like a movie. I dont think I will ever forget the feeling I had at watching her come and get a crown. She was so pretty and I watched on the big screen and she was so happy and beautiful. I watched her friends and boyfriend jump up for joy at her winning. I watched Sheila and Andrew scream and jump up with their friends and I watched Emily and cousin Molly run down with enthusiasm to congratulate her. It was very much a family time rooting on one of our own. I thought about it this morning. I wonder if that is how it will be when we get our crown in heaven. Will all those who are closest to us jump up and down and cheer? Will the crowd of people around us cheer us on? If it's anything like I saw yesterday it will be awesome. And I am sure this will be much more than a homecoming crown although it really is a homecoming crown if you think about it. We will be home forever!
After we left the game we went to Daniel Boone Inn with a few of Alisha's closest friends and our family. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and food. It was a day to remember. It was very special and I am never going to forget it. I know Alisha wont either.

Christmas in September??!!

I was at Sams club today and I know stores start early with their Christmas sales, but September?! They had a display in the front of the store with a big tv and christmas songs playing for everyone in the checkout to hear. I cant take it!!! I want to put a stop to earlier and earlier Christmas sales. Dont get me wrong, I love Christmas but not until after Thanksgiving or maybe even a week or so before Thanksgiving. But September? Give me a break Sams club, you are on my bad list. If I didnt love your deals so much I would protest your store.

The Queen mother

I am starting to get the big head. My middle daughter, Alisha has been voted to be on homecoming court for Queen. This is a new area for me but I think that I could learn to like to be royalty. The other day Tom's prison band went to our church youth group to lead the service and we were enjoying a home cooked meal that one of our friends had prepared for them. All of the sudden one of the men called me the first lady. Everyone started calling me that. I guess that makes Tom the president, but only of the prison. So maybe that isnt an honor after all. Oh well, I kinda liked it. First Lady and now maybe Queen mother. I should get some new clothes and a few pieces of Jewelry. I am very proud of Alisha. If anyone deserves to be Queen of Appalachian State University it is her. She is definitely a faithful appalachian student. She is a trusting, loyal friend. A very beautiful girl inside and out. She loves Jesus! I think she will represent her school wonderfully. I really thank Jesus for giving her this opportunity. (And I really would like to be the Queen mother.)

help Tom is tearing out a wall for real

We are no longer just talking about tearing out a wall. It is gone! Tom started this week and now our house upstairs looks like a house being built that is not done. There are joists up but no wall. Next he is going to pull the wiring up to the attic so he can cut the joists out. He is going to put can lighting in the ceiling and then do some drywall to remove a door. Then fix the ceiling where he took out the wall, then replace the carpet where the wall was. I think it will be nice when it's done. I just think Tom isnt happy unless he's tearing something out or changing something in our house. I love that he likes these projects but he becomes a little obsessive about the project and that is all he wants to do. I think he will go slower this time. But then I dont want him to go too slow cause I cant wait until the room is done. It will be a loft at the top of our stairs. It is going to be very nice. I hope we will love it. It's almost like getting a new house. Without all the moving!

being a mom

Being a mom is one of the funnest things I can think of being. Does that make sense. I had all three girls come home this weekend and Andrew and Matt. I just love being around my kids and their husband and boyfriend. Maybe I'm boring but to me there is nothing better than sitting around the table together reminising about past fun times or talking about what's happening now or what our plans are for the future. We just have a really good time together. Sometimes I laugh so hard I almost pee my pants. ( pardon the expression) But it's true. Well if laughter is good medicine then we should be a pretty healthy family. I think laughing about silly things really is healthy for a person. We all have serious times enough, lets make light of things now and again.

I am so proud of my girls. Sheila, thanks for being who you are. You are so beautifully unique. ( and very chic with your new haircut),I am glad that you took a stand early in life about who you were in Christ. You are so much fun when you arent sleepy. Thanks for choosing Andrew. I love him just like he's my own. He is so fun and it just seems like he's always been a part of our family. Alisha, thanks for being so loving and for not having the" B "factor as your sisters call it. I think you are an amzing girl for God. I hope we can call you queen Alisha after this month. You certainly look like a beauty queen. I think that Matt is a very cute and nice boyfriend. He has been fun to be around and I think he is very talented. I want him to put on another concert for us with the real violin. I appreciate that you have high standards and stick to them. Emily, I think that you are such an amazing cute girl. You are very smart and also have an incredibly high standard. You know what you want and are very determined when you choose to be. I know God has great things in store for you, take time to listen to Him. I know I will love your future boyfriend too. I cant wait until I meet him.

So anyway. I had a great weekend. I had my yardsale and I think it went very well. I got rid of alot of stuff and made some money. We sold Emiy's car to Alisha and Emily's friend from college and she is so excited about it. I pray that car will bless her for many years by getting her from point A to point B without any problems. I just feel blessed. Tom's Bills won so he is really happy. We had a great service at church and I feel full of life. God is so good to me.

teaching

I teach 2nd grade on wednesday night at my church. I have done it for many years and we just started back up for the 2006-2007 year. It is always so interesting to see the character of the classes because each year is different. I teach with my best friend Wanda and we have got this down to a science. Kids are so fun to watch and evaluate. We had 25 students tonight and it was really a good class. We always start with the rules. No talking without raising your hand. 3 strikes and your out to Pastor Melvin! which means your parents are going to find out you have misbehaved. (not usually a good thing) Then we have a lesson and some games and craft or fun lesson thing to do. I usually have a hard time picking what I will do, because there is so much to choose from and we only have 60 minutes. I do love teaching. I have Colby Neimeyer in my class this year. She was the flower girl in Sheila's wedding. I gave each of the kids a chance to share 1 thing about themselves and she said, " I was the flower girl in your daughters wedding." Well after that every girl wanted to share that they were in someone's wedding. Arent kids great? I think that this will be an interesting class and hopefully they will love me and Ms. Wanda and they will learn more about the Lord.

a fun picture

hiking with my girls, andrew and matt

(Emily, you should be able to comment now!)

having a yard sale

I am planning for a yard sale in the next week. I have done many in the past but kinda got to the place where I thought and Tom thought that it was too much work to take all the things you dont want anymore and put a price on them and then let people come to your house and start looking through all your stuff and try to get you to take less for it. Plus they always want to buy what you are not selling in your garage. BUT we have been cleaning out and organizing our house since Emily went to college. (I guess you would call this our empty nester projects) We have some big ticket items that I think will do well in a yard sale. We have 2 desks, bed sets, lots of miscellaneous stuff that I took out of the attice, etc. It's amazing how this thing can snowball. We just bought a new desk so I have to sell 2 old ones. Does that make sense?? Now I want to sell our family room sofa and love seat and my dishes that I have had for years. All of the sudden I just want to change everything and get a bunch of new. That is dangerous because you never sell your old for what the new will cost. YIKES help me somebody! I was going to have this sale this saturday but Sheila (My firstborn) has invited us to come to her sweet little town's festival. She really wants us to come so I will prolong the agony of this yard sale to another day. Hopefully it wont be raining next week. I have to get this stuff out of my garage, cause that is one of our next projects!!! Clean and organize the garage. Isnt life fun?

getting a cold

I dont like it when I am getting a cold. I cant be like Tom who is just sick for maybe one day or two. When I get a cold it lasts for a good week(or should I say bad) week. First I start to feel a little tired then I get some congestion, then my throat feels tight and then I either need to blow or cant blow my nose because it is running like crazy or all stuffed up. Then my ears feel stopped up and then I have drainage down my throat and start to cough like crazy and feel like I am gagging. It is a miserable feeling. I wish I could see in my body to see what those little nasty germs are doing to me to cause that miserable stuff to happen. Anyhow, I hope it wont ruin a fun Labor day weekend. My Emily is home and Matt and Alisha are coming tomorrow. Sheila and Andrew have their own life this weekend. We will miss them. We are having steak and shrimp. I hope that I can taste it with my cold.