On a more positive note...

Hey Peeps

2005-12-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

Sunday...got up this morning and cleaned the house. Took Jason to lunch....his birthday is today....and washed some clothes. Rueben bought a truck for $300. It's okay...reminds me of a Sanford & Sons truck, as most of his "purchases" do. But, it will be good for pulling the boat. I have been frustrated this weekend. Seems like everytime I turn around Rueben and I are arguing about some nonsense!!! Christmas and money are so stressful!!! It is a bad season anyway between him missing his dad and me missing my mom, we try to focus on Ryan and Caitlyn and Santa---but there are times.... Anyway...peeps holla...take care.

HOLY BAT FLAPS GRANDMA......

2005-12-09T16:57:00.000-05:00

it's cynthia!! YEP ladies and gentlemen...I am back. I don't think anyone stops by anymore. Things have been fruit basket turn over. Still at Intercall, living in Alabama, trying to buy a house and kids and family doing great. Ryan lost his first tooth today....................cry-cry-cry-cry...I am upset that my baby is growing up. Rueben, being the big bully that he is, was too afraid to pull ryan's tooth.....he doesn't like to do that!!! So after rueben messing around for an hour with string after string after string. I had to be that bad guy and just give it the ol' mommy yank!!! Yea...it was tradgic...but we have passed the milestone of tooth pulling!!! Well, peeps headed to newnan to meet his psycho!! mother and drop him off....take guys!!holla

Grandma Moses has left the building!

2005-03-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

Hello peeps...sorry about the long time no blog. Rueben had surgery on the 8th and had a few minor complications that resulted in a couple of day's stay at the horse-pistol. My computer was deathly ill as well, so why Rueben was getting repaired, I sent my pooter off to restore bootcamp. Drill Sargent Dan has since whipped the ol' pc back into shape---therefore---Grandma Moses has left the building. It is fast as far as desk top thingy mabobs go, the internet is still slow...but that's dialup for you! Rueben is doing well now, the fam is great and I am so happy to have my computer back...thanks Drill Sargent Dan!

Tragedy on the homefront

2005-02-23T21:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I have been a little behind in the blogging dept....I apologize. Some smartie pants had make a comment about me not posting and then wasn't nice enough to leave their name---oh well, guess you aren't important enough to leave your name. So what is the deal with the Gnome? I suppose the InterHell bitch team needed a cheerleader so he filled the opening. Gnome----what a boring life you lead if all you have to do is link to our blogs and keep track. How ridiculous is that, to snoop on InterHell bloggers? At any rate, if you are reading my blog, make yourself known so that we will stop wasting our time trying to figure out your connection to InterHell. There is no way you just pulled our blogs out of the air and linked.

On a different note....Rueben is out of work until further notice. He now has 1 confirmed injury and another possible injury that he will have test on tomorrow to confirm. He will have to have surgery and the doctor said that he is out of work until further notice pending the outcome of the test, surgery, outcome of surgery and recovery. Sounds like "myfundsarelow" times are here! And, Catie gave herself her first haircut. I was really expecting it before now, so I was proud that she waited this long. She trimmed (hacked-whatever) her bangs. I was braiding her hair for school tomorrow and when I told her to bring me the brush and hairband she started squalling at the top of her lungs. When I pulled her hair back I noticed all of these sprigs sticking up everywhere. When I asked her if she had cut her hair---the damn broke. The tears poured from her eyes like the bottom fell out. I just hugged her and told her that I wasn't mad and told her that I couldn't believe she had waiting this long.....she finally calmed down then we had to show Rueben...he laughed and she started boo-hooing again...she just knew he was mad at her....all's well now...she is in the bed and the tradgey of her haircut is just another page in her "crap catie did as a baby" book! Holla Girls and Boys....Peace

Why I hate teenagers!!!!

2005-02-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

Okay....so apparently mr. smarty-pants has decided to grade our blogs based on how often we post, I made a d-. And so...here's the latest. I have decided that I hate teenagers---this revelation due to Joshua and his first SERIOUS girlfriend and Justin's very disturbing confession. When the icestorm hit last week, Rueben and I had "the talk" with Joshua and Justin. And--to prevent from re-living the nightmare--I decided that I hate teenagers. You know kids think that "the talk" is uncomfortable for them, it is 1000000000000000000000% worse for the parents. If it was that bad for the boys, what will it be like for Caitlyn? So, I prayed...Dear God in heaven.....may I sit a brick on her head so she will never grow up? He said no. I wasn't happy with his answer, but I guess Rueben and I weren't happy with the boys answers either. So, now, I can only imagine how God feels knowing the truth all of the time. Ignorance is bliss....yea that's it....I want to remain ignorant about Joshua and Justin and the talk, maybe I can forget it never happened. Maybe, just maybe I could be like Drew Berrymore's character in 50 First Dates and not remember what happened the day before. Or more appropriately for me...not remember the talk, but hope what we told the boys acutally sunk in. Okay.....pointless rambling....my Joshua isn't a baby anymore.....until that day I still pictured him around Ryan's age I suppose. I pictured him as this little mischevious boy that would never grow up. I see him in a much different light now...he's one of us---a potential grown-up. Joshua is in love with a really awesome girl that Rueben and I love. She is such a strong woman for her age. She and I talked for an hour and a half over the weekend and I have so much respect for her. To protect her, I will only skim the surface of her background. She is one of five, she was raised in a motel room, this was her birth mother's office (sadly enough). Because of what she was subjected to as a young child-she has made a vow to herself to not have sex until she is married. A vow that she demands herself to keep, she is her own conviction. Her grandfather was her support system. When she was 8 her grandfather passed away. She said shortly before passing away he was speaking to her and her older brother. She said that the most encourging words were told to her that day....her grandfather told her "Pookie (not really--substitute for her real name), you will never be good enough if YOU know you can be better". She said that she lives by those words still at 15 and will carry them throughout life with her. She was adopted by her current parents when she was 9. She went to the Day Camp at the rec dept. That is where she met Joshua and Justin for the first time. She said that she had a sorta crush on Justin until she got to know Joshua. They hung out for the next few summers until they were to old to go to Day Camp. They didn't keep in touch much. Joshua moved in with us and started school that next year. The first morning he stepped on the bus there sat Pookie. She said that her heart fell to her feet. She said that it has always been that way with him, but she didn't think that he would ever like her for a girlfriend. They hung out over the past two years and grew closer. Shortly after Christmas this past year, Joshua popped the little question and Pookie accepted his hand as her boyfriend. She said her heart still drops everyday she sees him. She told me the other night that she loves Joshua, and according to Joshua--the feeling is mutual. So...that is why I hate teenagers...one day they are working your last nerve because they won't pick their toys up and the next you are having to discuss why not to have sex before marriage. Joshua did make me proud, he admitted that he hasn't attempted to have sex-but thinks pookie could be a canadate. He told the truth and not what he thought we "wanted to hear". We commended him on being honest and encouraged him to always be honest with us and we would bite our tounges and help him work through anything as long as he was honest. He respects Pookie for her decision to wait and understands why...much because he can relate on a very personal level. This instilled a whole new level of respect for the both of them for me--pookie for being strong enough to be her own conviction and Joshua for be convicted enough to respect her. So, God does work in wonderful ways. I always wondered if positive could come out of what Joshua saw while he lived with his mother...I suppose so. God has put someone in his path that mutually agrees why sex is great with the right person...but not so great with many wrong people. All of you pray with me that they will keep their minds and hearts in the right direction and stay on the 'marriage' train.

Oh yea....I didn't mention the results of "the talk" with Justin....it was very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very upsetting to say the least and I will leave it at that. Just pray for him period--seriously!

Thank You!

2005-01-19T18:13:00.000-05:00

Thank You to all of my friends and family for making today a special day for me!!!

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing!

2005-01-17T19:01:00.000-05:00

Let me begin by saying hello and welcome to any new readers in blogger land!

Each year our Pastor assigns us a mission for the year. This year it is "Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing." I thought for a brief moment he had lost his mind and we needed to take him to the altar and pray for him! But as he begin to explain, it all made since. For those of you that are Christians this will make perfect sense for you. It is very important for us to put Christ first above all. This year's mission is to make Jesus the main thing and keep him there. Sometimes it is very hard to remember this....I shall not cast stones unless I cast the first at myself! Sometimes it doesn't take much to push me to the edge---mostly just a liar. And this I am guilty of. But, after the smoke cleared and I had a few moments to analyze to big picture--she really wasn't worth it. I let her consume too much of my time.

Ryan has a memory verse every month for his church class. This month his memory verse is:

"There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace." Proverbs 12:20

Oh, my goodness! Did this ever ring my bell when I saw it Sunday. It reminded me of the old wives tale "oh, what a tangled web we weave when yet we try to deceive"! As I thought about this in deep thought it occured to me that people have lost their first love. Instead of helping one another and standing up for what's right--we spend incrediable amounts of time ripping each other's heads off and stabbing other's in the back in spite of ourselves! So, with that said, here is tonight's sermon!

I want to start by saying kudos to two of the wonderful people that I am so blessed to work around. These two ladies have really been put through the ringer. The both of them are in messy broken marriages because the husbands strayed for what was greener on the other side only to find it was a field of moldy filth! K&M (just their first initals--so the innocent can be protected) you both are making great strides and I have seen such a wonderful work in your lives. You both have had to swollow the unthinkable--but have taken an absolute negative and made the sun shine on a cloudy day. Before any of you men get the wrong impression---women are just as guilty--my husband's ex for one! She is very friendly with everyone-herself he was scorned by her not once but twice and both times he caught her red-handed and there was no denying it! It took him several years to overcome the heart-wrenching pain of a cheating spouse, but he did! and K&M you are well on your way. Trust in God and he will take you to places that you could only imagine. Be faithful to him and Honor him and he will reward you more than you can hold!

More than just a cheating spouse can send you into an emotional whirlwind. We as people spend more time trying to kill each other's moral's, well-being, spirit, emotions, etc. than we do being a friend to someone. You have heard me say in the past and I will say it again. Arguments and disagreements will happen--step back--catch your breath and go on. If we spent as much time finding something nice to say about someone as we did complaining about them, we would have so much peace in our lives that there would never be a bad day to have.

Let me encourage you this year. Find your first love- not your puppy love or your first boyfriend or girlfriend--find the love of Christ within you. Reach out to him and grab hold of what he has to offer in this life. Make him your main thing and keep him there and you will not worry anymore. Ride on his coat tails and it will be smooth sailing! Your heart will be peaceful. Make your wrong's right. Apologize and really mean it. If you want to see someone else change-start with yourself. Don't expect out of someone what you are not willing to give of yourself.

Have a great year!

Love all of you!

Just stopped to say hello!

2005-01-12T22:00:00.000-05:00

Just returned home from church about 30 mintues ago...visited a few blogs and posted a comment or two. I have a long ministry post that I am getting together...stay tuned. It should arrive in the next day or two. Tired and ready to go to sleep so---night night--sweet dreams--
c ya peeps

Tattletale, Tattletale, Hang Your Britches on a nail

2005-01-10T19:34:00.000-05:00

Okay beloved readers, stepping on the soap box...let me clear my throat....okay here I go. There is a snitch among us at InterHell. A particular 6:30 shift employee has really been a thorn in my side today.

Okay...long story short. I do not care how many disagreements you have with someone or how much you like someone, when you are forced to work in the same building with that person or in this case hundreds why in God's name would you intentionally-spitefully-coldheartly try to drag them down with you when you get your behind in a bind? Okay I have no possible logical answer to this question....but here's my theory.

This person has been called to the carpet several times for being late to work and calling out. So what does she do when she gets in trouble this last time...she pulls out her tattletale book and proceeds to brandish her whole list of names of people whom she notes have been tardy or absent. BLINDLY, I might add. She has no knowledge of what actually goes on in peoples lives behind closed doors. She has noted when she actually sees us in the mornings, not when we acutally get there. She doesn't know the days that we request off, she just assumes that we are absent for no purpose whatsoever. She doesn't know that one of us has cancer and has doctors appoints that are extremely important. She doesn't know that some of us are single moms that have to weigh the choice of our children or work and most time, children win. She has NO CLUE at all of the circumstances that surround everyones circumstances. But, she decides since she has her own ass in a sling why not try to take someone else down with her.

Here's the truth. Know the facts before you take them to management. First, do not throw rocks at a glass house--especially when it is your house. When you got written up for being late, I seriously doubt your supervisor said...hey look, I am going to write you up, but if you nark everyone else out...I'll let it slide this time. BS! It didn't happen that way. Take responsiblity for your own actions and short comings and don't try to slit others throat to make yourself feel better. You thought that your word would be concrete enough to get everyone else in trouble, you are mistaken. Next time, which I really hope there isn't, know your facts-get them together-before you plead your case. I am going to step out on a limb here and be bold and speak for everyone (hope yall don't mind) LEAVE US OUT OF YOUR PROBLEMS, WE DIDN'T CREATE THEM FOR YOU SO DON'T INCLUDE US IN THEM!

Okay Folks....holla!

Merry Christmas!

2004-12-25T18:06:00.000-05:00

Wishing Each of you a well and wonderful Christmas Day... I know Santa was good to all of you, all of my friends deserve a visit from ol' St. Nick himself, even if it was to deliver a lump of coal or something!! HA!!! Love all of you, Merry Christmas. See you at work Tuesday....I am off on Monday. I will post more later!!!

It's Almost Christmas

2004-12-21T18:11:00.000-05:00

For starters, welcome Dr. Carne to the "blogosphere!" Yes, devoted InterCall Bloggers, we have now sucked yet another manager into the world of blogging. Congratulations!

Now, for the serious post. This will be another "minister" post, so sit back and enjoy.

It has been amazing for me to see how the employees of InterCall react to Christmas. I was here last year at Christmas, but was still a "newbee". The true spirit of Christmas should be focused around the beginning. I hope that all of you are aware that the first Christmas was the day Jesus Christ was born. This day is observed in honor of our Savior. This was the greatest gift to mankind. The greatest sacrifice was the day he was put on the Cross and the greatest victory was the day he rose again. The spirit of Christmas is about letting people know that you appreciate them, honoring them with a gift. For some this may be an actual present that you unwrap. For others, a meal. And yet for others, a simple, thank you and I love you. The point is that we should take this time in honor of our savior by honoring each other. In our own special way, we should all honor each other. It may be your spouse by giving them a back rub or cooking dinner. It may be your best friend by bringing them a small gift to say Thanks. Or it could be your enemy by saying let's bury the hatchet and start over. There is an old saying "love your enemy-It'll drive them crazy." My point is this: Christmas is about honoring each other and reflecting the gift that Christ has given us. If someone gives you a gift, accept it with a willing heart. If you can't afford to give gifts to everyone you would like to honor, color a picture, give them a hug, get the a card or simple say thank you. It's isn't about the money or the gift, it is truly about the honor. Honor your friends or family in your own way. It means much more to know that the gift was from the heart than rushing out to buy a gift "just because". I know we all think that our children are the greatest, but mine really are ;). Caitlyn reminded me the other night saying her night-night prayers, She said "Thank You Jesus for your birthday because we get to eat cake". You all know that she is only 3, but this was a great gift for me. She actually listens! She understands that Christmas is about Christ-not the presents under the tree. (although she has already torn into one!) And Ryan, boy he hits me broad side most days. The other day, Rueben and I had been arguing, and Ryan gently interrupted and said "God doesn't like it when we fuss with each other. You should be grown ups about this and talk about it" Yea, we shut up! But this was a wonderful gift to me, maybe conviction, but a great gift. It is very important to me for my children to have God and Christ first in their lives. Although they are young, children are very impressionable. If Ryan or Caitlyn have to remind me to be a good Christian, that's okay, atleast I know they have been listening after all!!

Friends, let me close with this. Remember, I love all you as my brother or sister in Christ. If we ever have differences, I still love you. I will always step back and give you your space and time, but when the time is right you will know that I will always care.

Merry Christmas everyone and remember honor someone this holiday season in rememberance of Christ. If you don't know Christ, let me know, I would be glad to introduce you!

Merry CHRISTmas!

IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE....NO, NO, NO...IT'S

2004-12-13T20:14:00.000-05:00

Cynthia.....SHE LIVES!! How is everyone. Sorry so long no blog. Things have been very busy. Tempations to torture my sister, you know why if you know me....details aren't appropriate for my Blog...I might get deleted!! LMAO!!! Ryan made his 1st stage debut, he was the lead in his class play. He was SANTA!! his class did their rendition of "Twas the night before christmas" He was awesome!!! Tonight I baked over 60 cup cakes!!! I am so tired of cakes and frosting. Joshua has all of the sudden received some 3rd party knowledge that leads him to believe that he is grown. He is under the impression that he does what he wants when he chooses. I threw the classifieds at him the other night and told him to get a job. He does his chores now without hesitation, now he seems to think that his homework is the least important thing that he has on his "full" plate. I mean, schoolwork is way behind talking on the phone and watching t.v., what the hell was I thinking? At any rate, I finally had enough of his smart ellic mouth tonight and put my foot down. Rueben thought that I had lost my mind, I think. Of course, when I threw the classifieds at Joshua, Rueben looked at me like I was a crazy person. Caitlyn has got a terrible case of the "whiney's". She has been gripping about everything!!! If she wasn't 3, I would swear it was PMS! Ryan went through a 2 week period of acting out in school, and we had a come to Jesus meeting last weekend and he has improved his behavior drastically! Okay ladies....it's off to give the little one's a bath! Holla!!!

It's been a minute

2004-11-16T20:46:00.000-05:00

One of those new minutes! Hello, fellow bloggers....sorry that it took me so long to write and catch up with all of you. I had forgotten my user name ( I know.....go ahead with the blond jokes) and I all of the sudden remembered it the other day and wrote it down. So here's what been going on in my world. After a much dreadful chain of events, my mom's estate is finally closed out. This is a good thing. We can now move forward and prepare to build our new house. Second, we got a note home yesterday to call Joshua's teacher for a conference. After a brief conversation today, Joshua seems to have some behavior issues in class??? I mean, what? He has a 97 average, but has behavior issues....I don't understand....but we will find out tomorrow. Hummm...Ryan and Caitlyn are doing well and Rueben has started Smoke Away. He traded smoking for dipping around the time my mom got sick last year, and now the doctors are really on his case about the dipping. His cholestrol is still extremely high. For those of you that didn't know, Rueben has a history of heart "kinda" problems. Not life threatning yet, but noticeable enough that he goes to the heart doctor every three months for labs and every six months for heart checks. Well, all will work out for sure. I am going to read some other blogs....peace out...holla friends....see ya!

It;'s Like Riding a Bicycle...

2004-10-24T18:31:00.000-05:00

Many apologizes to my faithful blog readers....I have spent some much needed time putting my life under a microscope this past week. I have spent some heavy duty time examining my spiritual life mostly. I have made some difficult changes this week in my ministry leadership. I have been heavly involved in the children's ministry at my church for a year now. Children's ministry is very challenging some days. I spoke with my pastor a week or so ago and told him that I needed to take a break from children's ministry. Some of you may relate to how I was feeling. I felt that I was "slipping" or complascient, or not growing spiritually. Over the past year or more, I have been so acustomed to growing that my life felt empty all of the sudden. So as I talked with my Pastor, I found that even he has times where he has to step back and let God do a little "pruning" in his life. Apparently this sparked an idea and he has decided to spend the entire month of October on God Pruning our lives. So as I have taken a HUGE step back and tried to take the approach of "outsider" looking in and see my life for what it is, here is what I have learned for the scripture that our Pastor has had us study.

This is from my study bible, so it may be worded differently from what you may have:

John 15:12-20
"Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I'm commanding you to do. The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends. You are my friends if you obey my commandments. I don't call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I've called you friends because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Father. You didn't choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. Love each other. This is what I'm commanding you to do. If the world hates you realize that it hated me before it hated you. If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don't have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that's why the world hates you. Remember what I told you, A servant isn't greather than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they did what I said, they will also do you what you say."

The background of the scripture is this : Jesus is at the table with all of the disciples or the last supper and he was explaining that he knew one of them would betray him and was giving them insight as to the fact that he would be killed, but would return for a moment, but they were to be lead by the holy spirit that his father would send to guide them. As we approach chapter 15 in the book of John, he continues to tell them that he is the vine and that the father will remove each vine that doesn't produce fruit.
Jesus chooses us. He offers us an invitation as some point in our lives. We have the choice to choose him. In this scripture, he is telling us that he chose us from the world. We no longer belong to the things and passions of the world, our passion belongs with him. We are his friends not his servants. He would not share his heart with his servants. We must love unconditionally. This is the hardest struggle for me. I have people from the past that it is so hard for me to forgive the wrong and love them because Jesus commands us to. But, I know that I have to atleast give it a honest effort. I have learned that Jesus doesn't expect us to be perfect, but to honestly and wholeheartly try to always do what is right. He is telling us that being a Christian is not an easy walk. The world can be so cruel and sometimes it like you are always riding a bicycle up a long steep hill. But just as Moses climb them steps of the mountain to eat at the table with God and receive the commandments and sat in the Glory of the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, I know that sometimes the hill looks longer and longer, but eventually me and my bicycle (the holy spirit) will make it to the top of the hill and succeed!

Fruits of the Spirit!

2004-10-14T18:09:00.000-05:00

As I cruise though life, I sometimes wonder if I truly live upto the christian values that I expect out of my children. I try to think back on each day and see where I could improve and what I should have handeled differently. There was a situation (if you could really even call it that) wednesday morning that for a moment disturbed me. To stay along the story lines, I was trying to explain something and I believe that I hurt someone's feelings. Before I knew it, that person had jumped in and told me of one of my many flaws....and it hurt my feelings. You know, NO ONE likes have the obvious being pointed out. I really don't even remembered how I acted because my feelings were hurt, but I later asked my best friend how I came across. I expected honesty, that's why I ask her. She told me that I was making sound as if the person I was talking to was pathetic and so forth. I realized that this is why she jumped back because she thought I was belittling her. I must apologize, and if you are reading this post, please accept my apology. It was never my intention to hurt your feelings or make you feel any less than a person that I consider to be a friend. I was attempting to make the point that when Brandy, Angela and I were hired it was as if no one wanted us there we were like intruders. I suppose it was because we were one of the first group of new hires that InterCall had seen in some yearas! Now, that people have see past the "new" in us, we are welcomed with opened arms and people can see the friendship that the three of us share.
It was never my intention to hurt your feelings, and please overlook me. I know that tact is a flaw of mine that I need to work on and it is improving as time passes. Please don't be quick to think that I am insulting you, I am "brutally honest" as Brandy says and sometimes you have to remind me. So please help me with that, let me know that I have hurt your feelings.

To the point, as I was thinking over this situation last night, I thought back to the 9 fruits of the spirit. My goal is to acccomplish the 9 fruits of the spirit everyday. This morning, this person did something very nice! Thank you, you were an inspiration to me! Thank you for teaching me to be a better person!!!

Imaginary Monitor

2004-10-12T17:57:00.000-05:00

I had a good day at work today. Brandy and I both were monitors on bridge 175. Br175 is not longer a working bridge in newnan, so basically we were "free" spirits today. We took our breaks and lunch when we decided and let a supervisor know and off we went. It was good for Brandy though, she needed some excitement in her day today. She has been in such a rotten mood with dealing with the hand she was dealt this past week, that she needed some "silly-ness". We talked about Blue's Clue's and so forth.
Joshua had Academic Bowl practice after school today so I took Brandy home and hung with her for a minute and then went to pick Joshua up from school. When we got home, I sat at the table and began thumbing through the mail. Joshua came in a few minutes later and said that one of the little one's had spilled the whole pitcher of grape juice in the fridge, and boy the whole pitcher was the truth. I had just made a new 1/2 gallon last night and it was wasted in the fridge. So, I stopped what I was doing and had to disect the refridgerator and clean it and the proceed with cooking supper and so forth. Needless to say, I have had a busy afternoon. So, now I have spent about 20 minutes on line and it is time to give the children a bath and prepare for bed in about an hour or so......peace out!!! See you folks tomorrow!!!

"Minny" time!

2004-10-11T19:18:00.000-05:00

Today I stayed at home with the children. Ryan has been having a hard time with his allergies this past weekend and he has been very congested and ill, so I thought that I would stay at home with him today. I spent the day cleaning and washing clothes. I always wash on saturday's and somehow managed to have four loads by this morning. Well, I did do the bed clothes today too, so that was two load there. The children were bored stiff. I didn't want Ryan to go outside because it will aggravate his allergies therefore I could not let Caitlyn go out either. They played inside all day and we spent some "minny" time together. "Minny" is that special mommy time that I spend with my children just lying together watching their favorite cartoon or coloring and cuddle with them and just focus on them. I always called it ninny growing up, but Ryan adpoted "minny" because of his speech problem and it just stuck.

I called and checked on Brandy this afternoon and she said that she stayed at home with the children too. She needed some peace and I believe she got that today, or maybe just peace-of-mind. She seemed to be in much better spirits today than in the past several days. In yesterday's post I talked about how God protects those that have him in their heart. This is a testimony of faith. Brandy will soon be able to stand and say that she was protected even when the enemy tried to attack. I am a firm believer in "things happen for a specific reason and for a specific purpose". And I will say this, no man will ever break what God has placed. Even when the enemy attacks, God always has a plan to make the believer stronger and be victorious in the end. I will never be perfect in this lifetime and I do make mistakes, but I know that that great intercessor will be there when I fail. And that, folks, is why I am glad to be a christian.

Today's Sermon

2004-10-10T21:12:00.000-05:00

The whole family went to church today. Rueben has not been with me in several months. I enjoyed him coming to church today. We made a few pitstops on the way home and took Justin and Jacob home early. Today was Pastor Appreciation Sunday. We took up a love offering for the Pastor and his family today, members brought a covered dish and honored him with a powerpoint slide show. His sermon today was out of 2 Kings chapter 6 versus 1-7. Pastor explained how Elisha and his disciples had out grown their "meeting" ground and decided to move to the Jordan River. They worked together to build a new meeting place. Pastor explained that Elisha was the symbol of God and it took Preparation, Organization, Direction and Vision to lead the members to a new place. Just as life throws us curve balls sometimes, we have to hold to our Direction and Vision and keep on keeping on and when we want to take our lives to a new level, we have to prepare and organize wait for Direction and have the vision to see it through. I really like my church, our Pastor seems to always keep it simple. I am a simple minded person and it is difficult for me to "read" between the lines. I often tell people that sometimes you have to get the crayons and coloring book and spell it out for me. I think back to the sermon today and think that life is often that way.
Critical times calls for critical measures somedays. In the books of Psalms (chapter 61 I think), it says that when our hearts grow weary we should turn to God for direction. It is hard for me to let go sometimes and trust that God will strengthen my weary heart. Not just weary because of an obstacle, finances, children or work, but weary because of conflcit or not understanding how people work. I like to be honest and open. If you ask my opinion, I will give you an answer based on what I believe is right. I was recently told by my best friend that I am brutally honest. My mama always told me that I lacked tactfulness. I have a hard time sugar coating my thoughts. I have a hard time biting my tounge when people try to destroy others over envy. I have a hard time understanding how some trust in you and confide in you and you use it as a sword to put in that person's back. I have a hard time understanding why people have malicious intentions "just because". I have a hard time why just plain mean people can rest peacfully at night. I have a hard time understanding why cruel people wonder why they have no "true" friends.
I do understand why God has mercy and grace over those of us who honestly love and care for others. Those of us that try to find good in people, even if the good is them walking away. I do understand why God protects those of us who have pure hearts after his own. I do understand why God provides for those of us that reflect his image even when it isn't the popular vote in town. I do understand why God keeps me and my family each day and why God keeps my true friends covered with his veil of mercy and greatness. I understand that God works in miracles in lives each and every day. I understand that God's presence in me will influence other, even if they don't want it to. I understand that my sisters and my brothers in Christ will always been covered and protected at all cost. I would much rather my husband or my children or my friends be my brother or sister in christ than to be my husband or my children or my friend. I can't promise them anything in this life, every aspect of my life is on borrowed time. It all belongs to Christ and I rejoice each day that he allows me to experience the wonderful things in life that he has lent to me.

Thats it Readers...Good Night, Sweet Dreams, and may God bless each and everyone of you that read this. This is another one of those, I dont know where it came from, but someone out there needed to hear this or read this. I love all of you!!

This Blog's for You!

2004-10-08T17:43:00.000-05:00

Did you miss me? I have caught so much crap because I haven't posted since sunday. So, to my faithful readers, This Blog's for You! What a crazy week! I tell you someone has really had their hands full doing their best to piss Brandy off! Jokes on you hacker! You may be smart and whitty but your day will come, as I have posted in the past, You will reap what you have sewn.
Okay...on to the not so important stuff! Monday and Tuesday I was sucked into the realm of Fizzle and Pop, if you haven't visited us, please come join us. We love to have visitors. Wednesday is church night and thursday night I was sick. I really don't have much to say, i have to chat with the girls.

Sunday Dinner...

2004-10-03T15:05:00.000-05:00

I was unable to post yesterday because I loaded the Windows Service Pack 2 for XP and it did not agree with my computer. So after a couple of hours trying to undo what SP2 did, we are back today.
Went to church this morning. I had to teach today. October is our Pastor Appreciation Month. It is busy around church. We do several things to honor our Pastor and his family. Today we took up a love offering and tomorrow we will send cards to the Pastor's house. Next sunday we will have a special dinner and so forth.
I came home and cooked a "for real" sunday dinner. I cooked a ham, large limas, fried okra, mac-n-cheese and cornbread. I usually do not cook a big dinner on sunday's, but I guess I just had it in me today. I inivited my dad and my 2 nieces and 2 nephew over for dinner. We have had a nice afternoon together.
Today's blog will be short. I have to check on FNP town.... meet us there if you haven't ever visited.

A Message of Inspiration

2004-10-01T17:36:00.000-05:00

How many times have you ever wondered why you feel the way you feel or do the things you do? You have read my earlier post about why I decided to stop drinking. The following link should completely explain why I try to lead by example. Often, I think my children aren't listening to a single word that I say to them. Everytime, they remind me because they correct me the same ways I correct them. I think this is how God is in our lives. He knows we are not perfect and we will mess up nearly every chance we get. When we admit fault, he picks us up, brushes us off and starts all over agian it seems like. Much the same as we are with our children. We love our children and get angry because they do right the opposite of what we ask, we pick them up brush them off fuss and gripe a little and start from scratch (it seems) teaching them the values and morals we would like for the to use at least 1/2 of the time! As my husband and I were riding home from his Grandmother's funeral Tuesday, Caitlyn (my daughter that just turned three in the middle of September) pipes up with her daily prayer. Suddenly all of the tension and stress from the day were lifted away and you could just feel the peace of Christ as she mumbled her simple prayer. It made all things seem worthwhile. It's like I always say, children often remind you that they really do listen, often when you least expect it!
I emailed this to Angela and she worked her computer magic and turned this into a link so that you all could listen. I hope that you feel the same peace that my husband and I felt. It made the extra money we spend for Christian school worth while along with purpose why we drive 1 hour each way to church twice a week. No scripture verse tonight...just listen to the prayer.

Caitlyn's Prayer

You reap what you sow!

2004-09-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

What a rather eventful night. When I got off of work, I had to go by and get a check cashed and stopped by the grocery store and ran and errand or two. Joshua had called me in the midst of my errand-running and asked to go the Mandy's house because something was wrong with her dog and she could not pick him up and take him in the house. I told Joshua he could go help her. All of this was around 4:45 or so. I got home at 5:35 and Joshua was not at home. Just as I was walking in the door, the phone was ringing and it was Mandy asking for Joshua. I told her that Joshua was supposed to be at her house and she said that he had left her house about 20 minutes ago. It only takes Joshua 5 minutes to ride to Mandy's house on his bike. The kids and I hopped in the van and I proceeded to the neighbors house and there was Joshua playing football at the neighbors house. A place that he was not supposed to be. He did not call to ask if he could stop by, he just took it upon his own free "I am a grown-up" will to stop and play football. He rode home on his bike.....needless to say he is on restriction today, tomorrow, and then all next week. He was not very happy. He feels that it should not be a problem if he wants to go there for a minute. Rueben has already told Joshua that during the week he had to do his chores first; homework second, and maybe, just maybe, he could go hang out for a minute (the new minute..not the old one). Joshua has 14 year old brain lock most days now. He is doing great in school and his grades are all A's, therefore, we try to let him have a little lead way. He gets to run all weekend. He gets to go to the high school football games unsupervsied and went to the fair and he runs up and down the street all weekend. Rueben and I just can't get the point across that during the week is work and weekends is playtime. We were all kids. Rueben's parents let him go and go and go when he was 14. My parents, on the other hand, were very cautious about who and what I did, of course, it paid off in the long run!

Today, at work was a little busy. The three of us (me, Angela and Brandy) have began to get volunteered to be on "special" call teams. We nominate each other sometimes (ha!ha!ha!), but most of the time, the AS or other experts are putting our name in the hat. I suppose it could be a BIG vote of confidence and we should take it as a compliment that we can all do our jobs and do them correctly. But, boy it is aggravating. I think the three of us were promoted early because they ran out of "special" team members and could not use us unless we were experts. The others were probably due to IR season. At any rate, I am enjoying the pay raise---it's the crammed schedule that is annoying! All's well that end's well, I suppose.

So, for the scripture of the night....let's see....what can I come up with for tonight....? Let's try this one....as always, read it-study it-ignore it-your choice-it will be here for the taking.

Proverbs 14:30-33 NIV: A heart at peach gives life to the body,but envy rots the bones. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

The Hatfield's vs. The McKoy's

2004-09-28T18:00:00.000-05:00

Rueben's grandmother died this past saturday (9-25-04) and today was her funeral. His family is completely different from mine. My family (extended family) are the type that has about 6 reunions a year, hug one another, not agree on anything, but show love and compassion regardless. The aunts and uncles are just as close as your mom and dad and so forth. Rueben's family isn't that way, which for me was a complete shocker when we got together. Rueben is the baby of his family and his parents were in their early 40's when they had him. In 1970's being 40 and a new parent was nearly unheard of; however, Rueben was a suprise to them and still holds that characteristic today! He has 3 brothers and 1 sister. Rueben has a close bond with 2 of his brothers and his mother and now step dad. Rueben's father passed away December of 1997 from a heart attack. Hold on Joshua has a story to tell...YEA!!! Joshua made a 100 on his GA history test!!! He was struggling at the beginning of the year, so this is a HUGH deal for us!!!! GO JOSHUA!!! Okay, anyway, back to the story...Rueben's dad (Earl) kept people walking a fine line when it came to his family. He was a great provider and and even better protector. Once his dad passed away, one of his uncles began threatening his mother. I was very nervous about the funeral today because Rueben and his two brothers, that he associates with, are very much like his dad and were waiting the uncle to say something out of the way. Turns out, the uncle showed for the funeral, but didn't make it to the burial. God works in wonderful ways!
Rueben and I saw one of my nieces for the first time in about 2 years today. She had a son last December and this is the first time we have got to see him. I was a blessing. He is so wonderful, and of course, I got to see Adrianne and Abby (my niece and her daughter). Both have such a soft place in my heart, that I nearly melt when I get the chance to visit with them. I also had the opportunity to talk with their mother. Their half-sister Elizabeth is traveling down an ill-fated path. Her mother was complaining about her. I told Karen that when Elizabeth was with Rueben and I a year ago, she was in church and never gave Rueben and I a minutes worth of trouble. She was steering clear of the boyfriend that she had been smoking pot with and was really becoming a wonderful, powerful young lady. Her mother made her come back home and she went back to the boyfriend and the pot and is landing herself in more and more trouble everyday. Karen told me today that Rueben and I could come get her and keep her if she would come. I told her that I would gladly take her and I also told her that I wish she would have just left her with us when she was sober last time. Keep in mind that Elizabeth is only 16. She is such a powerful person and has such a passion, she just can't focus her attention in a positive direction. My heart goes out to Elizabeth. She came from a beaten path that so many young ladies do and unless they set themselves in a positive direction, it is easy to get sidetracked.

So, my prayer today is that God will place a protective covering around Elizabeth and shelter her as she walks the daily life. I also pray that God will remove her addictions and put an unforgetting peace in her that only he can provide.

I think that I am going to start including a segment of scripture on my blogs. If you are interested-study it or read it or let it speak to you or ignore it, your choice but it will be here for the taking:

Scripture Verse: Psalms 27:1-3 NIV "The Lord is my light and my salvation whom-shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out agianst me, even then will I be confident."

Reality Check

2004-09-27T21:10:00.000-05:00

What a suprise it was to see that I had two comments on my first post!!!! Angela, I expected you to comment since you sucked me into blogging. Paige! What a suprise! A complete shock to see that you were the first to comment. Thank you, both, for the comments. And by the way Paige, I have read your blog already, and think that you have a wonderful perspective on life. I will be the first to tell you that I am not stranger to the "party" scene so to speak...in all aspects! I eventually came to a point in my life about 2 years ago and decided that my family was missing a BIG!! piece of the "family" puzzle. My husband and I partied every weekend with our friends. I would put the children to bed and the liquor bottles opened. I always thought we were be responsible parents because we took turns. You know, one of us sober just in case the children needed anything. As the story progresses, the alcohol seem to take a much more important stance in our lives and marriage. After an 'incidnet' (that's what I call it) one night, I had a reality check. What was I teaching my children? What type of woman was I teaching my daughter to be? I swore from that point forward that I would not drink again. You will most likely hear me speak often of my mother. She was such a driving force in my life. She was a single parent that worked three jobs and raised three children. She was mom and dad. She taught me the value of being a mother. She always told me that we chose our paths in life. As a child, she was physically abused by her mother. Details that I can't share at this point. She always said that when she grew up and had children she was going to be like Sally's mom (Sally was her best friend from childhood until the day she died). She was an excellent mother. She had hands of steel when we were wrong. (not beating us, but made it clear that we were wrong) And the kindest hands any other time. Back to the story, the words of my mother rang out to me just as I was waking from yet another drunken night. I had to chose the path for my life and for my children. The thing about a family is that the children will often follow the paths of their parents. I laid down alcohol that day. I began to pray & ask God to lift that from my spirit and my life and asked for conviction for myself. I prayed that if I ever took a drink again that it would make me so sick that it would bring me to my knees. And, well, I believe God always listens. He doesn't have an answering machine and you never have to leave messages...he always listens and will remind you when you least expect it!!! My husband and I went out for our anniversary dinner about 18 months ago. I got a drink from the bar...you know just one won't hurt! WHAT A LIE!!!!! I finished that drink and I was in the bathroom bowing to the porceline throne yet again. Old familar place that I didn't like to be. Since that day, I have not and will not drink agian.

Boy, where did that come from! I suppose someone needed to read that or hear it, whatever the case may be. As always, bless you! Comments are welcomed!

This one is short, but 7th Heaven is coming on-on the WB!

The Beginning....

2004-09-26T02:10:00.000-05:00

My friend Angela has managed to get me into this whole "blogging" idea. I am new to this, so please bear with me as I "educate" myself in the blogging industry. I will briefly explain the point of this so you can have a better understanding of what my purpose and direction will most likely be. By nature, I tend to be a very positive person. I try to always look at the big picture and see the brightest and most positive points about a situation. Occassionally, I do get frustrated and angry and let my emotions fog my mild nature. I am very devout christian; however, in touch with my own convictions. I have never claimed to be perfect, just to the best I can to reflect the image of christ. I do not mind questions regarding faith and will gladly give answers based on what I know or feel. Understand that I will never contradict what you may believe, but I will give you my opinions based on what I feel to be right. I do not claim to know everything when it comes to faith and chrisitanity, the more I study the more I realize how little I actually know. Most of my post will most likely be faith related and based on my own christian faith. Please feel free to comment. If you don't agree or like what I have to say, that is perfectly okay. I know that God has given each one of the freedom to choose him or not to choose him. I don't expect everyone to agree all of the time, but just respect my opinions as I will yours!! Good luck and Blessing always!!