cheese!

 Just look at these baby boys!!!   I love them so much!

I received a text message today letting me know that my new phone has been shipped!  WOO HOO ( I think...). 

Nothing too exciting to report today.  I actually did not have too bad of  a day at work, which is good.  And unusual...ha!  Tomorrow is Friday and I am super excited about that.  I will be without my child, so I am VERY TEMPTED to take a long drive to the mountains.  I sure could use some time to clear my head.  If anyone wants to join me, shoot me an email!!! LOL  The more the merrier!

I am about to head on to bed, I suppose.  Although I will probably remain wide awake listening to my Ipod.  Oh well.  Before I go, allow me to offer a word of advice to my movie lovers...

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT watch this movie!!  I was so excited about it for two reasons.  1)  Michelle Williams (AKA Jenn from Dawson's Creek) was the main character.  2)  It was suppose to be a romantic comedy/drama.  In my opinion, it was BY FAR the strangest movie I have ever seen!!  Basically, I lost two whole hours of my life that I can never get back!  :(

And speaking of Jenn and Dawson's Creek, I believe it is that time again.  All the DC seasons are on Netflix.  I'm beginning to feel an overwhelming desire to begin them again.  And I think I will! 

Have a GREAT Friday everyone!  TGIF

3 things

1)  Blogger is not allowing me to upload pictures right now.  I'm not sure why, but it does this periodically.  I have a really cute one of the boys that I wanted to post.  I'll try again later and hopefully it will work, so check back! 

2)  I have a new phone on order.  I had a picture of that too.  Boo!  Anyway, I am FINALLY getting rid of my slider phone.  It's old, outdated and doesn't have a media plan.  I do not care a THING about any of those, but according to my friends and family, I need one.  So, my dad was kind enough (because he loves me so much) to order a smart phone for me.  I got a text the other day telling me that it was on back order.  When it comes in, I will let you know.  Mainly because those of you who call or text me regularly will have to be patient with me.  I will be seriously out of my comfort zone with this thing.  I've seen one like what I ordered and it is super nice, but I'm thinking it will take me a while to get accustomed to it.  We'll see.  I'm sure JP can show me how to use it...he's my little tech-nerd!

3)  I wanted to apologize to those of you who had the misfortune of reading last night's post.  I re-read it and MAN, it was negative!!  While I am apologizing, I did remind myself that I use this blog as a journal.  Obviously, I cannot (or will not) post my most intimate thoughts and feelings for privacy reasons, but I began this blog to chronicle my life and happenings around me.  For five years I have done that and I am not going to stop now.  So, unfortunately, that means that those who follow me get the GOOD, the BAD and sometimes the UGLY!  That's just the way it is.  I hope I do not scare anyone away!  The good news is that often times it is through the BAD and the UGLY that God speaks to me the most.  And trust me, we've had LOTS of conversations lately!  There is a lot going on in my world right now that I do not understand.  Nothing makes sense.  Thankfully, my God tells me that He, " 'knows the plans I have for you,'  declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "  Jeremiah 29:11. 

God doesn't harm you.  We do that to one another.  We are sinful people living in a sinful world and there are going to be times when we hurt and experience pain.  Times when things around us will not make sense.  It is during this time that the Holy Spirit whispers a reminder to me that I am a "foreigner in this world..."   ( 2 Peter 2:11 )  I have found that if I keep that fact in the forefront of my mind, (which is difficult to do), it makes the valleys seem a little less deep.  Temporary.  Because this is not our home.


WOW.  Number three got a little deeper than I had planned!  Oh well, maybe someone needed to hear that.  Other than me.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday....and then comes FRIDAY!! 

sleepy

If you've come here tonight seeking encouragement, feel free to leave now.  I do not feel encouraging.  I tried.  I literally sat here for thirty minutes and typed out a really long and UNBELIEVABLY boring post, full of Bible references and spiritual analogies.  It probably would have made you feel good.

It made me GAG! 

The truth is, I cannot sleep.  My brain will NOT shut off.  I've tried everything from reading, listening to music, to praying.  Yet, here I am still wide awake.  And I am mad about it.  I have been drowning under waves of stress and anxiety these past few months.  Just when I feel like I am successfully rising above the water, I begin to sink again. The last thing I need is to lose more sleep.  I am so tired.  Mentally and physically.  I'm not sure why I am writing this, other than for you to pray.  I need to experience God's peace.  I need to let go of the things I cannot control and the actions of those around me.  I need to be reminded that I am not alone in my trials.  No matter how hard Satan tries to convince me that I am.  I'm not. 

Believe it or not, I am going to stop here.  I'm telling you, my mind is so slammed right now I can't seem to sort out my thoughts.  So, again, I'll just ask you to pray for me.  I covet your prayers and thank you, in advance, for them.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday.  Check back later, maybe my mood will swing in a different direction (it tends to do that) and you'll actually be able to enjoy what you read! 

GOODNIGHT. 

more pictures from the archives

 My chubby little Gamecock

 1st pair of cowboy boots

 KG, if you are reading this, this one's for you!  I still love you girl!  (miss my Meyer Center days!)

 Me and Mary E

 Me, Mary E and Shannon

 KG and me again

1st trip to Guatemala

moving right along

 JP and Preston's  "suite," as we call it, is moving right along. 

 We are going to switch all of their pictures to black and white and put them in black frames. 

 We are going to either add rugs to the hardwood floors, or carpet them.  We haven't decided yet... First, we'll work on finding matching comforters for the beds.

 I still have a LOT of stuff from JP's old room that I have to bring over.  It's gonna take a while.  But, for now, he is very excited to have his own space!  And so far there has not been any fighting...knock on wood! 

JP's first night in his new room.  The Spongebob movie and popcorn before bed...don't you just LOVE the popcorn smile?! 

 

 

 

What a week.  There is so much I have on my heart that I would love to share.  God is most definitely showing His face in our circumstances right now.  Even in church this morning my fingers ached as I took down notes throughout the sermon.  At some point I will share with you a little about what God is teaching me at this moment in my life.  It's good stuff.  However, it has come with a price.  I guess that is true of most things in life. 

 

I have FINALLY completed 40 devotions.  Although I missed my self-made deadline, it feels good to have them written.  Now, all I have to do is proofread (that's my mom's job) and add a few prayers/verses to some of them and I will begin looking for an agent to get them (hopefully) published.  Fingers crossed.

 

I guess that's all for now.  I am pretty tired.  Again, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday.   Oh yeah, one more thing.....

 

 

 

GO COCKS!!!!!!



pre-game preston lovin'

 He's comin' in for the kiss!!!

Preston and I were messing around waiting on the GAMECOCKS to come on the television...


GO COCKS!

thanksgiving break

 Preston's FAVORITE thing to do is color!

 JP playing with his bat cave

 JP and Preston's new room that they are going to share for a while

 Papa setting up the HD TV and DVR for his spoiled boys

JP and I eating broccoli salad and wheat noodles in the bed while watching Toy Story 3.

 

 

 

Well, we made it through Thanksgiving.  It wasn't too bad.  My uncle (dad's brother) reserved the social hall at his church for the family.  We brought in TONS AND TONS of delicious food and everyone gorged themselves with dressing and dessert.  It was great! :)  My cousin, Allyson, was in town from Arizona, which was fun.  She came over and talked  laughed with Laurie and I until almost one in the morning.  GOOD TIMES!! 

 

 

I hope that everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.  I guess it's time to begin thinking about Christmas...



At some point tomorrow, slow down long enough to thank God for the blessings He has given you.  I know that in my own life, there are MANY.

Happy Thanksgiving!

rewind

I was reading through the archives of my blog to see if there were any other posts that I wanted to include in the book I am writing.  I found one that I probably will not include in the manuscript, but it was very passionate and my emotions were very raw at the time that I wrote it.

It was written during The Great Depression (our adoption process).  And while I am referring to that time in the post, the words can easily be applied to any circumstance.  In fact, it applies to the trials I am currently facing.  

The moral is, be sensitive to others around you and the storms they are weathering.  Pray BEFORE you speak and keep in mind that sometimes it's okay just NOT to speak at all.

 Just listen. 

Click HERE to read the post.

I found this picture today and thought that I would re post it.  First of all, and most importantly, look at the little bundle of sweetness sleeping on my chest.  This picture was taken during our first trip to Guatemala at Christmas time.  Next, take a gander at how young I look....man, have I aged!  It actually makes me a little sad to see this!  LOL  I guess children (and life) will do that to you.

Okay, that was probably the most interesting thing about this post.  I do not have much to say.  I had a great morning at church.  When I feel like writing more, I'll tell you about the service.  It was awesome.  With everything that has taken place this week in our home, I had actually planned on sleeping in this morning and skipping church.  I should know better.  Every time I plan on NOT going,  God speaks DIRECTLY to me through the message.  He's amazing like that.  I am very thankful for a short work week this week!  I am not sure of our Thanksgiving plans at this point, but being off work is plenty for me to be thankful for! 

I will close with the words to a song we sang at the beginning of our service this morning.  You've most probably heard them.  I have listened to these lyrics a MILLION times, but I must say, when I sang them this morning, their meaning touched me on a new level...

"Lord prepare me

to be a sanctuary

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I'll be a living

Sanctuary for you."

 

 





finally friday updates

WOW.  What a long week!  I am so grateful for the weekend.  I do not have very long to write, so I thought I would give you a few updates from our crazy week...

• Laurie made it home from the hospital and is doing fairly well.  We are all so proud of her.  She is such a trooper!  Her expected recovery time is two to three weeks.  Praise God!!
• As you can see from the pictures, Preston got his 1st haircut before his mommy had surgery.  He looks like such a little man now.  He is the SWEETEST most rotten thing EVER!  (And sometimes mean! lol )
• Mom's school brought a meal over for our family last night.  I would like to send out a SHOUT OUT to those guys!  It was such a sweet gesture and my stomach THANKS YOU! 
• LOTS of you have sent text messages and emails expressing your support for us during this time, we are so blessed with good friends.
• Breaking Dawn Part Two is in my NEAR FUTURE!  I am dying to see it!!!!!!!!
• I have an overwhelming desire to drive to Charleston one Saturday and go on a walking Ghost Tour.  Random, I know.  I've never been on one and I think it would be fun.  Any takers?!  :)
• JP is doing well in school, in spite of our circumstances at the moment.  If he would STOP TALKING IN CLASS, it would be better for everyone!  He promises to begin following directions in December! Ha!

Well, that's all for now.  I will write again this weekend.  HAPPY FRIDAY, FRIENDS!

very quick and general update on laurie

It is safe to say that I am POOPED!  I am going to keep this update very vague due to the private nature of my sister's surgery.  Those of you who know us, have sent me text messages/emails throughout the day.  You understand how inappropriate it would be to offer too much info on the Internet.  Having said that, an update is in order for those of you who have prayed!  The surgery itself went really well.  The doctors were not able to do EVERYTHING they had hoped because of some infection they found in one of her organs.  Removing the organs and cleaning out the infection was very successful and she is recovering well at this point.

Her recovery time was split in half because they did less to her.  If there was "bad" news at all, it is that they will have to do one more surgery (not major) in six weeks to finish what they were unable to complete today.  All in all, we were VERY pleased.  She had two of the very best surgeons in Greenville working on her.   More than anything else, we are grateful to God for His provision in the operating room.  We give Him all the praise, honor and glory!

Thank you again for your prayers.  I will continue to update you on her progress.  As of now, she is going to be in the hospital for a couple of days. 

Now, I am off to catch some Zzzz's.......

how handsome....(preston's 1st haircut!)

tuesday is D-day

Well, Tuesday is the BIG day!  I ask EVERYONE who reads this blog to pray for my sister, Laurie, at 1:00 on Tuesday.  She is so precious and has been through SO MUCH over the past 19 months.  She will have a long surgery and a long recovery, but we all KNOW WHO IS IN CONTROL!

Thank you for your support.  It will be a busy week, but I will do my best to update you as often as I can.

3D TV w/ my buddy

Me and Preston watching Storm Surfers in 3D!

pre-thanksgiving, thanksgiving meal

 Our spread....YUM-E!

 Preston and Lindi playing chase.

 This was supposed to be a hug - awww!

 My uncle T, and Lindi's Papa!

 Lindi's mommy and daddy posing for a picture.  Cheese!

 Bubba and Natalea (aka, Jamie and Natalie)

 Me and bubba!  I should have taken my coat off to reveal my GAMECOCK attire!  This Clemson Tiger may not have been so quick to take his picture with me.

We got together with my mom's side of the family tonight for Thanksgiving.  Both of my cousins married nurses who work the night shift.  Couple that with my sister's upcoming surgery and we didn't have a choice but to get together early. 

I have to be honest.  I was not extremely excited at first...this Thanksgiving is difficult for me.  Having said that, I got over it within the first five minutes of being around these CRAZY people!  Lots of laughs and lots of good food.

I love my family.