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?