Kids and Ice Storms

As you have probably heard, an ice storm hit Fayetteville, AR this week. I realize this week how hard it is for me to be here without my children when there is crisis going on. They are fine, a little irritable maybe, but ok. They have all seem to handle themselves fine. Zach's house is without electricity, Kristyn's fiance's apt is without elec., Kristyn's dorm has elec. but she has no food there. So, they have been floating around. Of course, I wish they were home with me but neither of them want to come home.

Reality check. They are growing up and even though there is unpleasant times they are sticking it out and handling the moment. That is what I raised them to be, right? UGH!

They were both home last weekend and didn't want to make the trip back home. I have discovered Zach feels like he has to please to much when he is here. He feels torn about where to spend his time, between me and his dad. I know where that pressure is coming from and its not his moma. I just want them to want to come home, thats all. And feel comfortable being home and not feel pressure to have to be with or do anything with anyone.

Krsityn has been sick this entire time with soar throat, cold, headache. Her and Mitchell went to WalMart last night after he got off work at 11:00 to get her some drugs. WalMart had closed at 10:00 p.m. due to the weather!

I've noticed I have had a really hard time sleeping this week. I think because I'm thinking about them sleeping in the cold or not and wondering where they are.

All of this to say...my kids are growing up and handling themselves pretty well and I'm back here wanting to still be a mom and finding I'm not needed so much. Another reality check. I know this is the way its supposed to be but that doesn't mean its easy.

Way to go kids and the way you've managed this week and I just know I'll be better the next time something happens, won't I?

MeMe

Rules: Post the list on your blog replacing my answers with yours. Tag 25 people to do the same. Don't forget to Tag me back. I tag everyone that reads my blog.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My Granny's name was Elizabeth but was called Bessie hence Elizabeth aka Beth for me.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Today, I cry just about every day.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Zach 21 and Kristyn 19 and a birth son Daniel 23

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Some but not a lot

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No I'm afraid it would hurt my neck or back

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Frosted Flakes

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Probably home made vanilla, the old fashioned home made kind.

13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I look them up and down, checking them out as my friends would say. I try to see their soul!

14. RED OR PINK? RED

15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My size

16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Dad who died in 1985, my Granny who died in 1981 and my kids when they aren't home.

17. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?? Absolutely, I love knowing more about people

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Red plaid pj bottoms and beige house shoes

19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Some commercial on the tv.

20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red

21. FAVORITE SMELLS? Wood Wick Carmel candle, my kids hair, rain and coffee :)


22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Kristyn, my baby girl

23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO POSTED THIS NOTE? I've never met her personally but I like her thru blogging.

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Whatever my kids are playing which isn't much anymore!

25. HAIR COLOR? I was born red headed - turned white - turned blond - turned dirty dishwater blond - turned I now get it colored to remain my blond.

26. EYE COLOR? Hazel

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.

28. FAVORITE FOOD? I really cannot answer that...I love food...I enjoy salty more than sweet and I love soups.

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings, I'm a die hard romantic

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Loving Leah, the Hallmark movie on last night (Sunday)

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Red tshirt from my sons fraternity and a plaid robe he got me for Christmas.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs, I think I've forgotten how to kiss!

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Home made Cream Cheese Pound Cake or homemade banana nut bread with a little butter on it and a cup of coffee.

35. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

36. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I'm reading a book about doing some healing from my past and memorizing scripture. I haven't been in a big reading mood lately, it comes in phases.

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have a mouse pad.

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Loving Leah, 18 and counting - the Dugger wedding

40. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? Conversation with my kids and their laughter when we are together. Rain. When my phone rings and one of my friends is calling me.

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither.

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? China

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I'm a great listener and I can touch my nose with my tongue :)

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Miami, Florida

45. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? EVEYBODY!!

46. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Church...but we are separated at the present time and heading towards divorce.

OK...I'm going to tag people, but if I haven't listed you and you stop by my blog, come on and play. Just let me know so I can come by and check out your answers!!

I tag: Everyone that read my blog!


So come on and tell us about yourself!!

Happy 21st Birthday Zachary!!!!

All About Zach:

• I had a great pregnancy with you. I craved Dr. Pepper and M&M's.
• Your room was done in Koala bears. I had collected them for years. We even put a pole in your room from floor to ceiling and hung all my stuffed koala's on it. Very cute but I wouldn't do that now.
  
• Born January 22, 1988, Friday, 1:58 a.m., Baptist Memorial Hospital
• Blond hair on the prettiest shaped 15.5 inch head ( you were in the birth canal such a short time that you looked like a c-section baby!)
• 8 lbs. 12 oz., 22.5 inches and now 6'3" and around 200 lbs.
  
• Blue eyes
• You took to nursing like nobodies business and have always enjoyed a good meal!
• Your love for sports started as a toddler, especially baseball. I guess we should have known you would want to be a baseball coach and here you are fulfilling your dream.
• You love music. As a toddler we would be home and you could be in your walker anywhere in the house and the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" would come on the TV and you would run in that walker to the television and just stare at the TV and "dance". I know I should have given you piano lessons!
• You didn't like baby food but real food. Your dad started giving you iced tea at about 6 months out of his glass and you have been drinking it since.
• Your dad and you had a special bond from birth.
  
• You never would take a bottle, you went straight from nursing to a sippy cup.
  
• I nursed you for 14.5 months, until I found out I was pregnant with your baby sister!
• Jacob and Tyler have been your friends since you hung out together while still in the wombs of your moms. They have spent every birthday with you and you them.
• Even though your love language isn't gifts, you love celebrating your birthday and always want it to be special.
• You never used your baby bed. I guess you didn't like it :), instead you chose to sleep in a big ol water bed with your mom and dad.
  
• You have always been the snuggliest baby and person. Even as a baby when you would go to sleep you didn't move. You are like that to this day.
• You give GREAT hugs.
• You came to know Jesus at church camp and baptized at Gravel Ridge First Baptist Church.
  
• You are now 21 and have had a great life so far, I think. You have been blessed to grow up in the same place and with a great group of friends. You've gone to school together, played sports together, gone to church and church camps together. You have a baby sister that loves you and you love her and when push comes to shove, you are there for each other.
  
• You have mourned the loss of some good friends and have attended more funerals than you should have at this age. I have been proud of the way you have been in this area of your life. You and your friends were always there for each other during these times and always wanted to be together.
  
• Your friends parents have loved you. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I believe you were blessed to be raised by a village of people that have loved you.
  
• You have been loved with passion and unconditionally by your parents.
• You have been such a blessing to my life and I am so humbled and honored to have had the privilege of being the woman who gave birth to you and raised you, the Moma in your life. What a gift God gave to me when He gave you to me.
• I love you so very much and pray the next 21 years will be filled with great blessings. You will have tough times and I pray you go to your heavenly Father for wisdom in these times. You will have great joy like you have yet to experience and I pray you go to your Abba Father and thank Him for these times. You will be a mentor to people you don't even realize you are mentoring.
  
• Love God passionately, without reservation, give everything to Him and you cannot fail. Doesn't mean life will be perfect but it means you will be where you need to be and have the strength of a god that is perfect and Holy and Good and loves you so much!

Well, I really didn't mean to go into all of that but since I have, I think I will leave it. Here's to you Zach, Zachy, Zachary, Zachary David, Zachariah, Happy Birthday with love from your Ma!

The Bridal Weekend

Well we had a really nice weekend.

Saturday night, a total of 8 of us went to Cupcakes on Kavanaugh and then to Macaroni Grill for dinner. We saved our cupcakes for after dinner. Then on to the movie. It was a really funny movie but I still managed to cry! After the movie we took everyone home and then Kristyn and I went to WalMart to buy some school supplies and stuff to make chili.We got home and sat and talked until around 2 a.m. I cherish those talks with that child!

Sunday, we went to church and heard a great testimony from a man on forgiveness. After church we went to lunch and then Sharon, Kristyn's future mother-in-law, Kristyn, me and Becky went to the bridal fair. It was packed with vendors. All brides wore a sticker that was pink and white and shaped like a diamond ring. They filled out slips to win things at every table. We didn't win anything though :( It was really fun just being able to see all the different types of wedding ideas. There was a fashion show at the end that was so fun. Kristyn really enjoyed going. We came home and as soon as we got here, she had to put her stuff in the car and head back to school. We have two huge bags full of stuff she got at the bridal fair waiting for her to go thru when she comes back home.

A good time was had by all. I always am sad to see her go but excited to know she'll be coming home again.

Next weekend - Zach and his girlfriend are coming home for his 21st birthday. His birthday is Thursday the 22nd and they will be home on Friday. This will be the first birthday of his that I have not been with him. Makes me so sad! But, I am trying to refrain from getting in my car and heading to Fayetteville!!!!! It will be fine I know. So, the next post will be all about Zach!!!!!!!

Its Friday!

I woke up this morning with such a headache that I decided I would just keep laying in bed. I slept a lot this morning and I just have to say, it was wonderful. The best part, I have no guilt!!!!!

Kristyn, my baby girl of 19, is on her way home from school for the weekend. I love love love when my kids are home. We have a pretty busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow we have to go to WalMart and get school supplies for Kristyn and stuff to make chili for her to take back to her brother. He hasn't felt real good this week and wants his Ma to send him some chili. Tomorrow night we go to see Bridal Wars or whatever that new movie is called. Of course, that also means going out to eat.

Sunday, church, a guy is giving his testimony about forgiveness. I think the way the story goes is his family was killed but he lived and later found out his son was the one behind the killing. He has written a book and its supposed to be an amazing testimony. I'll let you know Monday!

After church, eat again, then off to the Bridal Fair for the afternoon. Krisytn, as I've already posted is getting married in December and so we are going to look at all the vendors and the fashion shows. I hope this will be fun and I hope she wins something wonderful!!!!! You know like a free wedding :) wouldn't that be the greatest. I'm sure they don't even have that option but I think its a great idea.

Its also nice meeting all of you who have come over to my blog about the scripture memorization. Its just so fun meeting all of you and to think that women all over the country are memorizing scripture together. Wow, doesn't that just give you the coolest feeling inside! I'm looking forward to knowing all of you better!
b

January 15th

Good Morning,

I was a little late getting on my blog this morning because I had to wait until I got to work to do so. BUT, I'm so excited to see everyone with their new scriptures. That is so fantastic!!!!

I'm curious about how your first verse went, did you get it memorized, did you look at beth moore's tutorial on memorizing and did that help. Do you have a great way that you memorize? I'd love to hear comments about this.

I got my first verse done and the one below it. There are 4 verses in a row that I wanted to memorize and God just allowed me to get the first two already. Psalm 18:16-17.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.


My next verse(s) is Psalm 18:18-19.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me.

As you can probably tell by my scripture, my life has been in turmoil this last year. I'm just trusting God to fix me and my circumstances and in the mean time to trust Him to draw me out of deep waters and rescue me because He does delight in me. Isn't that just amazing, He delights in each one of us, individually and personally. I love that and depend upon Him doing so.

So, you go girls...on to the next verse(s). Just remember to keep saying and praying the first one because by the end of the year we want to be able to have all 24 verses in our hearts, minds and souls and be able to say them easily.
In Him!
ps- i don't know if you know about this or not but there is a web site that you can go to and have the bible right there to look up scripture. Someone sent it to my email address and I just keep it there and when I need to look up a verse and don't have my bible handy, I go there. It is www.biblegateway.com

Scripture memorization Update

Hello friends,
Well, how is everyone doing with their first memory verse? I'm getting it, but its slow. I'm praying God will help me to retain the Word. I hope you are having so much fun doing this, I am so enjoying getting the Word in my heart and mind.

I wanted to share with you Beth Moore's blog. It is www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com
She posted a mini-turorial about how to memorize scripture. It is really good. You can also sign up on their blog to be part of their group to do scripture memorization this year.

I'm sure all of you know who she is but in case you don't...She is a bible teacher. She has written many bible studies and speaks all over the world. She loves the Lord. In fact, when her first bible study came out I was meeting with a lady and we decided to do a bible study and she picked Beth's first one. God used that study and the time I spent in my quiet time to change my life completely. I highly recommend participating in one of her studies if you have not.

On another note, Zach and Kristyn are leaving Saturday to go back to school. Where has the time gone? It seems like they just got here for Christmas and now they are heading back to school for the next semester. My house will become quiet and I'm guessing I will be doing a lot more crocheting! I miss them so much when they are gone.

This is a big year for us. Zach turns 21 this month! He's really excited. He is bringing his girlfriend home the weekend of his birthday and we will go out to eat at Shogun and have birthday cake from Rick's in Fayetteville. He just can't think of anything he wants for his birthday.

Kristyn is getting married December 19th and so we are now planning her wedding. She will turn 20 in November before getting married. We already have the chapel booked, the reception booked, the bridesmaid dresses bought. No, we haven't even looked at a wedding dress yet. She wanted to make sure she got these two places taken care of before someone else booked them.

Me, well I have the rest of my weight to lose. I've kind of gotten off track while the kids have been home but I've only gained 1 pound back. So, Monday I'm back on it hard. Weight Watchers is just easy for me to do. I'm praying hard for this house to sell and I have pictures to go thru and scarves and aphgans to make!

Here's looking forward to a great '09!

Ps:18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He brought me out of deep waters.

b

My Cup Runneth Over

Good morning dear friends,
My heart was so full when I saw fellow bloggers having a desire to grow in their knowledge of God's word. How exciting. Thank you betty for posting as well, you reach a lot more people than I do and for that I'm grateful.

A couple of you asked how we are going to meet or do this. Well, here it is:
1) Get your notecards.
2) On the 1st and 15th of each month we will all pick a new scripture. Everyone's may be different and some of us may pick the same one. Doesn't matter, just whatever you feel led to memorize and meditate on. By the way, if you haven't started and still want to, jump on the wagon. Its only Jan 3rd, you have plenty of time to learn a verse by Jan.15th.
3)Post on my blog the scripture you are going to memorize.
4) On the 15th we can post our new scripture and tell how we did with our first one. During the month if you are having problems or you are so excited because of what you are learning, post about it.
5) I find it really good to pray the scripture back to the Lord as well. It is His word and so if we pray His word to Him, He is delighted.
6) I have a friend that lives in another state and she and one of her friends have been meeting on a regular basis since around 2000 to do scripture memorization. They help each other. So, if you have someone close or someone to talk to on the phone that would like to join you, that would be a great way to learn as well.
7)This is simply an avenue of accountability for each of us.

May God bless each of us for being faithful to be in His word!

Good Morning January 2nd.

I'm so excited to hear from those of you that have a desire to know scripture which will deepen our walk with God. I hope you have chosen a scripture and have it written on your index card (or whatever you choose)!

Thanks Betty for yours, I love it!!!

If anyone out there has a great way of memorizing, I'd love for you to share. I can always use help in that area!
I'm praying we all will have 24 new verses or passages of scripture filled in our minds and hearts by this time next year. Won't that be fantastic!

My 2009 Goals:
1. Memorize Scripture and read the Word daily, I have a desire to go deeper.
2. Join a bible study when a new one begins and really dig in and get the most I can get out of it.
3. Find a beginners Yoga class and GO.
4. Continue WW, I've lost 30 lbs so far and have a lot more to go.
5. Be kind to others and myself.
6. Help Kristyn plan her wedding and be the best mom of the bride I can be! (Please pray for me)
7. Sell this house, oh how I want to sell this house!!!!!!
8.Learn how to add pictures to my blog, help anyone??????


On anoter note, my daughter and I met a friend at Dillards yesterday. I had NO IDEA they were having such a sale. It was CRAZY! The shoe dept. and the purse dept. look like war zones. Esp. the shoe dept., you know the paper stuffed in the shoes, it was laying everywhere, boxes thrown everywhere. I felt so sorry for the people working. Kristyn found one pair of boots but there was only one of them, it took us about 10 minutes to find the match. Everything that was on sale was an additional 50% off. Kristyn got a 180.00 pair of boots for 50.00. My friend got a 310.00 purse for 75.00. The people were everywhere, it was really pretty funny. Of course, I love watching people, cracks me up! There were people carrying luggage around everywhere I looked. We finally made it up there and their luggage dept. was almost completely cleaned out! It was fun though. We decided next year on New Years day we are going to be there at 10 a.m. when the doors open!!!!!

Scripture memorization

I don't know how many of you read the LPM blog, Beth Moore. But I was looking at it yesterday and they are starting today, January 1st with scripture memorization for the year. On the 1st and the 15 of each month you choose a new scripture to memorize, meditate on. You buy a spiral index card holder and carry it with you to memorize. By the end of 2009 we will have memorized 24 scriptures. Isn't that cool. So, I'm challenging you to either sign up on their blog or if you want a smaller, more intimate group, please join me. You can choose whatever scripture you want and then on the 1st and 15th we can all post our scriptures here and see what we are memorizing and hold each other accountable. Its ok, if we memorize the same scriptures or not, it will be interesting to see what scriptures come up!

If you are interested, just comment on my blog.

This is something I know I need desperately.

Here is my scripture, I opened my bible to look and it opened to the Psalms and this verse was hi-lited and just seemed to fit my life right now.

Psalm18:16
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
vs 17-19 go onto to say, He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He delighted in me.

I'd like to say I could memorize all of the above, I'll try but I dont' know if I can this first time. But, isn't that great scripture. Its exactly what I need at this place in my life.

I hope you will join me!