It was purposed for this TIME....

This year was the quietest Christmas we have ever had! Our kids spent Christmas with their other families. Parents of married children must share these great holidays....Next year we will all be together in a special place already reserved for us. (it's a surprise) Steve and I watched movies all day and munched on Shrimp cocktail, crabmeat cheeseball and for dessert....the ever popular BUCKEYES! We opened up 2 small presents to each other and thanked God for all He has done in 2007.

This year the Christmas story brought a new (well, maybe not new) concept into my life.....TIME! Luke 2:1-7 starts the story of Jesus' birth and well...
V1 says that "there came about a decree" (a decree to be counted) For the first time ever, the King wanted a census to be taken, so off everyone goes back to their own towns to be counted. It was purposed for this TIME.
V4 states that Joseph and Mary had to go back to Bethlehem b/c he was of the lineage of David (it was fortold that the King of Glory would be from the line of David) It was purposed for this TIME.
V6 says that the days were completed for her to delivery her son. Imagine having to travel at such an important time as this. (my doctor would not allow me to travel long distance right before the birth of my daughters) It was purposed, proving once again that God is still in control, for this TIME.
V7 tells us that there was no room for them in the inn. Such a busy town, everyone was pre-occupied, to busy to notice this humble birth. It was purposed for this TIME.

This story this year reminds me of TIME...a precious valued commodity. I pray that you take TIME in 2008 to walk the walk, reach out of your comfort zone to someone that makes you uncomfortable. Do not just "go to church"....BE the church." I am building bridges w/the lady upstairs. I am uncomfortable w/the language barrier most of all...but prayfully thru crafts, quilting and with TIME I can earn the right to share Jesus with her.

Merry Christmas to All

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It just gets better w/age....

As I try to sleep, a reflux problem hit my throat, so I am up at 11pm drinking 7-up to try and get the last of a great dinner to stay down so I can sleep.

Today, we celebrated 31 years of marriage! I thought last year was a big one but as I ponder on 31, I find myself thinking that "IT JUST GETS BETTER WITH AGE."

I wrote a life letter to my husband as a gift. It took me the better part of 2 wks to get it right. I am known to give every detail, so I shortened 31 yrs down to 3 pages (single space of course) We were so young then, and now after just celebrating 54 yrs of age and 31 yrs w/my best friend, life tends to make you stop and absorb it all. When you are in the midst of raising children, broken cars, finances, jobs, building homes, higher education, sicknesses in family...you do not take the time to 'drink it all in.' So I did that for a couple weeks. And here is my 2 cents on life.......IT'S GREAT, every bad day, every crying baby, every finance problem, every work solution, every troubled teen, everything! It's great because of ONE person-Jesus Christ!!!

I asked the young waitress at the steak house tonight to take our picture for our 31st anniversary, she obliged. She came back later and asked how we did it? She is a mother of 3. (7,4 & 4mos) Steve told her that our secret is keeping God in the middle of our relationship. I am so glad he gave her that piece of advise. He is so right!

I ended my letter to my husband with this: May we continue to climb this life together, getting stronger with each passing year. May we continue to lift each other up for God to use as a vessel for His honor, and may our children continue to grow in His grace and goodness. May our legacy to others be our love for each other and our love for our Savior.

Kenny Chesney's new song titled "Don't Blink" .....Don’t blink, just like that your 6 yrs old and you take a nap, wake up at 25 and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife, don’t blink you just might miss your babies growing up, mine did. Turning into mom’s and dad’s next thing you know your better have of 50 yrs is there in bed, you’re praying God takes you instead. Trust me friend a 100 yrs goes faster than you think…so don’t blink.

Well I am not at 100 yet but 31 years have gone faster than I ever thought.
For those of you in 'blogger-land' who are younger than 20 yrs of marriage, raising babies, etc....please don't blink. Try to absorb every detail of your life together. And if I may advise.....31 yrs down that road you do not remember the fancy cars, homes, clothes or all the high school accolades....you remember faces, smiles, sweet thoughts, actions of love toward yourself and others. You remember God, and verses that held you together when it seemed like nothing else would. You remember scarifices made out of love and the smallest of surprises that warmed you heart. You remember finger smudges on your glass coffee table of those grandchildren who just visited...and all the hugs and kisses you gave your kids. Believe me, it is not about status, it's about giving!
Joy!

A trip worth taking...PART 3 FINALE!

(Please start at Part 1 & read in sequence, I promise I am almost done)
.....Tuesday morning, it's raining it's pouring, the old man is snooring! All day it poured! We saw 3 accidents and was held up for one hour for just one accident alone. Again the 3 little girls 5,4,2 were great! We were planning a stop in TN again, this time at Stephanie & John's house...Thanks Steph for putting up some worn weary travelers! We finally pulled into the driveway at 6pm, w/warm pancakes to fill our bellies! The girls were a little frazzled by then and had to vent some frustrations out. I am sure Josh (age 4) has decided that he doesn't want to be around girls anytime soon. (sorry bud or I mean Spot!)....
.....Wednesday is D-day, Victory day, holi-day...whatever you want to call it! Shana & I were frazzled by then and could not wait to get home, she to her own bed and me to the couch for at least one more night! ah! We both missed our husbands alot and maybe our beds a little more!!!! (hahaha)

In retrospect, I am so glad God blessed us w/travel mercies, kept anyone from getting sick, gave us time w/our parents and grandparents, helped us to appreciate this world He created for us to enjoy, experienced a wedding and holding your nephew for the 1st time. In the age we live in, we are all so scattered across this beautiful country. What a privlege to move around it so freely! What a responsibility too! I noticed how I was allowed to see things I don't ever want to take for granted...autumn colors, my granddaughters eyes, my mother. I realize that I got to expound on things that I value most w/my granddaughters i.e. my God and my family. I got to laugh with my daughter so hard one time that both of us were crying...thanks Shana! I realized once again just how much I love my husband!! I got to love on my inlaws (you too Gene, thanks for all you do to help Grandma Poka Dot )appeciating who they are and what they stand for.

I am so blessed not with material things or a notable name. I am not highly intellegient nor stupid. But I do know who's I am and what He has given me. I never want to take any of it for granted. A trip worth taking-YOU BETCHA....a trip worth taking again....well, not anytime soon!!! (I'm not old I'm not old)

Joy

A trip worth taking...PART 2

.....Sunday afternoon we drove from the park to great grandparents #3. It was so good to see Ho and Annie again. The first time I met Ho, he was 50 yrs old, the age of my husband now. 32 yrs and some health issues later has taken a toll on him but I love him more now than 32 yrs ago. It was wonderful seeing his eyes smile at these great grandchildren. My niece was also there to see us w/her 14 month old son! (who is a doll may I add) I was delighted to hold my great nephew in my arms. Of course anytime you are at Grandma Ogle's house she never lets you leave w/o a surprise and she had one for each of the girls. When KK opened up her gift (a Ohio State Cheerleading uniform) and then saw the candy and coloring book in the bottom of the sack she immediately hugs her and says "I think you are spoiling us!" (say that sentence out loud w/a gleeful vocal reflection b/c that what KK sounds like) Many pictures were taken w/Ho and his greats and less I forget his 2 oldest grandaughters! The mac and cheese was a hit for the girls and we left there full and happy! After this trip I think the girls can spot anything 'Buckeye' from 75 yds away!!! (they are use to Georgia Bulldogs Red)......
.....Sunday night was a real surprise for KK. See Great Aunt Beth managed to have one of their friends daughters come down for a visit w/KK. Becca (who has performed in The Nutcracker since she was 5) will be Claira in The Nutcracker this year. This 13 yr old took time out to inspire a 5 yr old who is just starting ballet. The Nutcracker is KK's favorite story so Becca brought her point shoes and her tutu. She also gave KK a poster of a ballerina on point walking 3 dogs in the park. KK was speechless!!! (and KK is never at a loss for words, like mother and grandmother before her) Finally she agreed to try on her tutu, looking into the large bay window, she saw her reflection and spun around! Taking one look at her great aunt, she fell into her arms, hugging her! I was standing at the right place to see her eyes, I am so grateful that I got to see those eyes. I will never forget them! She was welled up in tears, as if to say "Aunt Beth, you just gave me a million dollar and I will never be able to say thank you enough." It was if she was transposed into that ballerina/princess world that most little girls live in. I will never forget those eyes! WOW~ BUT THAT'S NOT ALL, Becca continued to pour out an offering. Would KK like to watch her practice the next night? The head started nodding hard and fast!...
.......Monday morning we got ready for the Pumpkin Farm. Grandma Poka Dot came w/us and we had a ball. I about twisted my back out of shape trying to get into position to take AA down a huge slide, but we made it down! (I'm not getting old, I'm not getting old) All 3 girls loved the Corn Box (instead of sand there was corn) AA loved feeding the goats and was not the least bit scared of them. Then there was the camels. AA liked then until one of them sneezed so loud her and I jumped....that did it, not interested anymore! We picked out our pumpkins, bought some pumpkin honey and left for lunch and a nap. After all, KK and LB had an appointment with Claira and The Nutcracker later in the evening. I went back into town to take my mom to lunch one more time and got more hugs! That evening I stayed home and put AA down for bed and when they all returned home, Becca's mom took them to the costume room to see all the outfits for the ballet. WOW times 2!! Thanks so much Becca!....Tomorrow we start our trip back to Georgia.....

A trip worth taking..PART 1

I love blogging so much but it has taken me awhile to finally sit down to add to this book called "My Life." So please allow me to pen some things that have been happening lately.

It seems like I have been traveling alot and really need to journal it to some extent. After the move to Georgia, just days after, I picked up our oldest daughter and her 3 girls for a trip to Ohio. We were excited and KK was noted saying that 'this is a girl trip, yeah, no boys." We laughed alot, sang alot and stopped the first night in Tn. Choosing to stay with Beth-n-Dennis....Thanks so much Beth for putting us up! Next morning we were on the road by 8:30 am and finally made it to our destination by 6pm that evening. (what usually takes 7 hrs to accomplish took us 10 b/c we were traveling w/children. Every few hours we would get out of the van , have a snack and 'get the wiggles out.' (starting w/our fingers and ending w/our toes) We took in the paintings of God while moving thru KY and Ohio. Autumn is a wonderful design! I am so glad God allowed us to see in COLOR! I noticed on the road that I had really good traveling grandchildren, just like our daughters. (of course a movie helped out a time or two)
We made it to Uncle Gene's and Aunt Beth's ...the girls were wired and the adults were tired but we managed to get them to bed and relax alittle. That was Thursday....
.....Friday came and we decided to take it easy for at least 12 hrs. So after lunch and a race between KK and LB to the 'back 40", we sat on the porch enjoying the fall view. Then KK got to experience driving for the first time, driving a lawn mower that is!! She loved the open spaces the back yard afforded and w/Uncle Gene sitting behind her, she was king of the road. (or yard)
Friday night both older girls wanted to sleep w/me at Great-Grandma's house, so off we go in our pj's and our flashlights, cross the 'back 40' again to grandma's. As we were sitting w/grandma, LB wanted to know what her name was. My MIL has a long last name so, I told her that they could call her Grandma Dorothy. My MIL spoke up and said "some people call me Dot!" LB looks into my eyes and said "like a poka dot?" I said "yes," and that was how Grandma Poka Dot got her name! I absolutely love it and so does Grandma Poka Dot!.....
........Saturday morning was spent getting ready for my neice's wedding. The girls behaved beautifully. My brothers oldest daughter was walking down the isle. I can remember changing her diapers! (I'm not getting old, I'm not getting old) The grands really loved the real live gold fish on the reception tables and the chocolate fountain for strawberries. Getting to see my sister and her family was great. (I'm not getting old, I'm not getting old) After the wedding mom took us to visit her close friend...Bob. Bob has a full grown, feathers fanned out stuffed turkey....the girls thought that was great stuff!.....
.....Sunday, mom had arranged us to meet at the park in town for lunch. We had a blast watching my brothers kids and my grandchildren playing together. Shana took some great pictures of them all in this natural setting and as I think back, the only person really missing was Dad. There use to be 5 in our family pictures but now there are only 4 and every time I see us together, I miss our dad!! He would of enjoyed watching those children play in the park, actually he would of been right out there in the midst of them playing too. We had told the girls that they were meeting their great grandparents that weekend...so KK was counting Grandma Poka Dot and Grandma Presley....then we told her that we were going to visit her other great grandparents (The Ogle's) well that confused her. "I have 3 great grandparents?" "Yes," said Shana, "you are blessed to have 3 who love you." It's been a long day already but dinner at Grandpa & Grandma Ogle's was next on our list of things to do that day.

Our Grands are growing up....

Above....JK , Center....AA ,On the bottom.....LB

Only 7 more days till we land in southern Georgia....only 10 more days till we see The Grands! Only 15 more days till I see my momma! And only 25 more days till my sister and her family move to Alabama! My cup really is running over with happiness!! Thank you Jesus! Now make me trustworthy of what You are about to give me.