Well, better late than never

I say it every couple of months, but here I go again...I am here! Really I am here. I check all my friend's blogs and try to keep up to date but life happens. I am trying to be more disciplined about taking the time and writing down what is going on with our lives.

Here are some updates on the family:

Mr. A is doing pretty good. We are in a holding pattern currently for his back. He meets with the surgeon again on Friday to see where we go from here. He had a procedure a couple of weeks ago that was pretty brutal called a discogram. You think that with the word disco in it, it would be fun! That couldn't be further from the truth. They literally insert needles in to the discs of his back from his hip and then begin to fill it with fluid until he couldn't handle it anymore. It was basically to see what the pain level was. Again..not fun!

KA is thriving in high school. We couldn't be more proud of how easily she has adapted to the new environment. At her six week progress report she is averaging a 96% in everyone of her
classes. Now here comes for the really bragging part...the list of my 9th grader's classes in which she is holding a 96% - Intro to physics, Intro to biotechnology, Honors world history and honors English. I don't even think I was taking some of those classes in college let alone my first semester of high school! I am so proud of her!

AJ is doing pretty good in middle school. She is still adjusting to the work load and trying to balance different teachers. She isn't doing bad but it has been fun trying to get all her projects completed. Literally the first night of school she had to do a project that was trying to identify the socioeconomics of the city we live in along with the cultural and religious diversity of our neighborhood. ARE YOU SERIOUS??!! Really for a brand new 6th grader on the first day...why don't you just send all the parents homework because we are the ones who have to explain all of those terms in layman's terms so our children could even do the homework! Other than that she is doing well. I think we will be in a better groove come second semester once we help her establish new study habits.

Other than that, we have already had the flu hit our house! The girls both got the flu a couple of weeks ago. AJ tested positive for the flu and KA was told that she had the symptoms even though her test came up negative. Once the girls got better then Mr A who took care of them got bronchitis. We are finally doing better. I had a head cold, but luckily I didn't get anything they had.

Well I guess that is a quick recap of what has happened with us recently. I am off to help AJ with her latest project - a 3-D structure of the moon due tomorrow.

My new reality - I am getting old

I had a new reality tonight - I AM GETTING OLD or should I say my kids are making me feel old!

Tonight was freshman orientation at KA's new high school. Yes you heard that right...high school. I can't believe I have a child who is entering high school. We made our way into the auditorium where they were handed a t-shirt and told to sit in the bleachers for further instructions. We watched as the cheerleaders tried to get new the students to participate in a school cheer while dazed and confused parents, much like myself, sat on the bleachers trying to figure out how in the world they got there. Wasn't it just a few years ago that I was sitting at some pep rally watching some cheerleaders do the same thing at my high school. How is it possible I have a child sitting next to me who is now venturing off to this same adventure called HIGH SCHOOL?!

We took the tour of the ancient school located in rural suburb. It is like a school that I have never seen. The schools in the San Diego area where I grew up were fairly new at least by comparison to this school. This high school was built in the early 1900's. It is three stories tall with all sorts of scroll work and marble floors. It is like all those schools you see in the movies. We walked up and down the stairs through these old hallways in an attempt to figure out where all of her classes will be. One of her classes looks like it is in the basement of the school. Like I said crazy!

I had to just stop at times and just look around. I am here with my child who is wearing a t-shirt that says "Class of 2013" on the back of it. I will only have her around with me for four more years. Time has flown by. You always hear people tell you that when you have a baby and you look at them lik they have lost their minds. How can that be when I am standing in pajamas that haven't been changed in two days, which was the last time you took a shower by the way, smelling like baby puke and poo as your child whom you carried for the last nine months is totally inconsolable in your arms. Time fly by...yeah right?!

But it does...time flies so fast that one day you are crying because you haven't slept in days and you can't make the child go to sleep and the next day you are standing at freshman orientation realizing you have four years left to "hang out" with them.

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy for KA to go to high school. She is going to learn so much and do so much. I don't want her to miss out on anything. But I don't want to miss out on anything either!

Oh well, enough sadness for tonight. The sun will come up tomorrow.

Never mind...tomorrow is middle school orientation with AJ. This year is going to be one roller coaster of a year!

Jehovah Jireh - Our provider

We really do serve a miraculous heavenly father! We were singing today in church, "How great is our God," and I found my self just thinking how that statement is so true. Our God is so great there are really no words that I know of to truly describe how great my/our God is.

Our family had and is currently having some miraculous things happen that can only be described as a God thing. There is just simply no way to have these things happen other than with God's hand leading and moving through the process. I can't go into full detail yet as we are still awaiting true confirmation, but what has happened so far and what we think will happen next is truly an answer to prayer! There is no logical reason for it to be happening. We were hoping and believing for it to come true but realistically the world's answer would have been a resounding "NO!"

But we serve a BIG GOD who holds us in the palm of His hand. He is Jehovah Jireh - Our Provider.

Let me just say this as encouragement to those who are going through financial trouble right now...God is faithful. God will provide. It may not always be in the way we think it will be, but He is faithful. Trust God to open doors that seem to be closed and to close doors that need to be forgotten. Trust, believe and have faith that what He says He will do.

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Happy Birthday, Babe!

Today is Mr. A's birthday!

Just a small shout out to the man I love. Today was a quiet day with church, lunch out and our little family playing cards and watching movies.

I know you probably long for the days when you went out splunking in caverns, hiking up mountains or riding your bike up and down the coast. I know this injury has not made it easy for you as you are such a go-getter, but I really do appreciate the times where we can just hang out and relax.

I love you lots and treasure the day you were born, even if you don't like to make it a big deal! You being born is a big deal!!

May God bless you this day and the rest of the days of your life. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays by your side.

Our So. Cal Trip

We were able to go out and visit family for the first time in over 3 years in the middle of June. We were so thankful to Mr. A's father who helped finance the trip. We couldn't wait to meet our nephews who were born in the last year and see the rest of the family whom we miss like crazy.

We left after work on June 16th and arrived in San Diego late that night. You gotta love the time change leaving from the east coast to the west coast. After a good night sleep and a lazy day catching up on a few zzz's, we hit the ground running.

The first major stop was the Del Mar fair, which is now called the San Diego County fair. Most locals still call it the Del Mar fair. You really can't change tradition. While we were there we met up with both sides of the family. Mr. A's family met us along with my parents. I felt like a cruise director or a travel guide with a huge crowd following us. Literally there were 11 of us in total trying to stay together as a group. We had a ball...fried food, games, rides and beautiful weather. We finished the day with a bite to eat with Mr. A's immediate family where we were able to catch up with each other and discuss plans for later in the week.

The next big event was my sister and her family coming down for the weekend. We were able to hang out with my nephews and take family pictures. This was a production with 2 small children under the age of 5 around lunch time. They were both well behaved just a little antsy. We got some great shots even with fidgety kidlets.

On Sunday, we were able to celebrate KA's birthday and Father's day as a huge family. KA only birthday wish was for everyone to be together at the beach. We went down to the bay and did a bbq and bonfire...a great San Diego tradition. We had a blast roasting marshmallows and hot dogs. KA was able to have both sides of the family with her on her 14th birthday. That was the best gift she could have ever asked for.

The last week as more of just running around trying to hit up the restaurants we love and seeing familiar spots that we love. We did a small trek up to the local mountains for apple pie and bread and a day at the beach. All in all we just hung out with family and enjoyed just seeing people face to face vs. phone calls.

At the end of the week we headed home on the red eye. We ended up with a layover in Newark, NJ and were able to watch the sunrise over NY city. That was awesome! We had a fabulous time with family unfortunately there wasn't any time to hang out with friends. I suppose we could have made a bit more time in our schedules, but it was so nice not having to run around like crazy people all day every day.

To our friends...we sincerely apologize. We love you all very much and appreciate you allowing us to take the time with family that we needed. It was a great time to just love on the people who love us unconditionally.

Off to camp

OK...I have to laugh at this graphic for this post. KA hates the Jonas Brothers and Camp Rock, but it is the only thing that came to my mind when I was typing this post. It's not like it's her blog! ;)

This afternoon I put KA and Mr. A on the church bus to head off to camp for a week. They aren't going to far, about 1 1/2 away, but far enough to have an adventure. This is KA's first youth camp. She went to Kid's camp back in the 3rd grade and I about lost it. She had never been away from home for more than an overnight with friends or family. Today was much better. One she is older and two Mr. A is going to be on the campus. Trust me he will give her more than enough room to spread her wings. He would practically ignore her if that is what he needed to do to make sure she had a great time.

I know KA will have a great time once she gets there. She is my cautious child. She has to analyze everything. She is not one who likes change or disorder and unfortunately that is all camp is. Luckily we had a schedule of events by day and walked her through what would be happening so she could at least have an idea and won't be caught too off guard. Hopefully it helped and did not scare her more. I just want to make sure she makes friends how will stick by her and not cause drama. She really needs some good girlfriends. Some of the best friends I have were established in the youth group and I want the same for her. I hope she can break free of some of her fears and withdrawn side long enough to meet some really great people whom she can have a great time both now at camp and when they return.

Poor AJ is stuck at home with me. She is not eligible to attend youth camp until next year. I thought we could have a girl week watching HS Musicals, Jonas Bros, etc, but so far she has no interest in that. We will see how the week will progress.

Since they can't have cell phones (or any other electronic devices) I wil have to let you know what happens when they return on Thursday. Keep Mr A in you prayers. He is going to be extra cautious but I am praying that his back will cooperate and not cause any problems this week for him. He is not doing any of the activities but is going more as an extra hand to help the youth pastor.

I hope camp rocks for both KA and Mr. A. They both could use this time!

Just call me the real life scarecrow...oh, what the neighbors must think!

I would love to say I have a green thumb but I have a feeling it is more olive green/brown than true green.

I just knew when I purchased my first house after living in apartments for most of my married life, I would plant every plant imaginable around my house and make it my oasis. I was going to have a house like one of the magazine covers with gorgeous colors, lush leaves, green grass and the perfect gazebo/sitting area to gaze upon my wonders. Fast forward 5 years and we have patchy grass with large bare spots, a couple of trees that look like a 3 year-old's family tree craft project with a few leaves here and there, and some bushes that are about 2 inches larger than they were when we first planted them almost 4 1/2 years ago.

Now that we have decided to stay in our home after a year of having it on the market, we are trying to finally get started on our ambitious plans to make the yard of our dreams become a glimmer of reality.

For instance, tonight I went outside and decided to plant one of the 4 Crepe Myrtle trees we bought late in the fall. We bought them when they were just twig looking things with no leaves on them and were a buck at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. By the way, if you have one of those near you, check it out. That is one of my favorite home decorating places now. They have been sitting in the original pots we picked them up in back in November and I felt like it was about time they were planted in a more permanent setting.

Anyway, the trees really aren't that big now so it shouldn't have been a problem except for our soil which is rock hard clay. I mean rock hard! Literally as you dig into the ground, it breaks up into larger rock like mounds of clay. My parents had this type of soil growing up and I dreamed of owning a house that had lush fertile soil. I moved across the US and what do I get...red clay!

This shouldn't be a big deal...just dig a hole, plant the tree and water. However in the last few years you can say I have relaxed a little on my physical fitness so I am not in great shape to be digging large holes in rock hard earth to plant a group of twigs with some leaves on them.

Some of you are saying, "Where's Mr. A?" Besides at a men's bible study tonight which I definitely feel is more important that planting twigs into the soil, his back is extremely bad right now (a protruding disc with a tear in it) and has been out on medical leave since January so the thought of him even picking up a shovel is out of the question.

Feeling ready for the challenge, I grabbed the wheel barrow, a couple of shovels, my work gloves and my mp3 player and attempted to look like I knew what I was doing. I strapped the mp3 player to my left arm and began to dig. Clank! The shovel didn't even break the soil. This was not looking good! I moved over a couple of inches and stood on top of the shovel. Break through. It actually cracked through the soil. I began to dig some more. This was going pretty well and I began to figure out why. I was digging a hole where there was a hole previously. See I attempted this gardening thing once before with dwarf crepe myrtles called 'Razzle Dazzles.' They were suppose to be like the crepe myrtle trees but in a bush. Unfortunately the 'Razzle Dazzle's' fizzled but the soil from where the plant use to be was loose and had mulch/planting soil mixed into it. Yeah God! I might actually get two holes dug up instead of just one.

I finished digging all of the good, rich soil that had been in there previously out and into the wheel barrow and started trying to make the hole a little wider since this tree was bigger than the previously dazzle-less bush had been. Here is where I started running into my issue. The shovel wasn't even making a dent in the ground. I was literally standing on top of my shovel bouncing up and down and all I was doing was just stayed there. Cars were driving by and I must have looked like a real life scarecrow with my whole body perched up on this shovel trying to make the earth move from under my feet!

At this point I surveyed my hole and deemed it ready! If this tree couldn't make it in this hole, I don't know what else to do. I got the tree ready to go and place it in the hole. Now all I had to do was fill it in, water and I would be done. I moved the wheel barrow closer to the hole so I could get the soil into the hole and began shoveling. This was taking way to long so I decided to be efficient and up end the wheel barrow into the hole. This is when I noticed my twig of a tree start to disappear. I dropped my wheel barrow and made a dash for the poor defenseless sapling of a tree. This lightening quick ninja-like reflex, which if were caught on camera would be more like a slow motion crawl, caused the wheel barrow to topple over on its side dumping what was left of its gold like quality soil all over the grass.

It was upon this last event that I took my rightful place of defeat on the grass next to the twig like tree shoveling in what little soil I could into the hole with my hands and the large shovel that I once bounced on. The earth had won this battle and I hung my head in defeat!

As I slowly gathered my wheel barrow, gloves and shovels, I stood back and looked at the tree that now leans a little to the right. I put my hands on my hips and decided that despite this little lean, I didn't do a half bad job. I was just about to beam with pride when I looked to my left and noticed the 3 areas still awaiting their new trees.

I decided right then and there that those trees might be the most expensive $1 trees ever bought as I hire some youth to come dig holes in my yard and plant them! :)

Happy Mother's Day 2009

First of all...

As I am sitting here typing currently, my two girls are making themselves breakfast. When did they get old enough to make their own breakfast! The time has flown by extremely fast.

It doesn't seem like almost 14 years ago when I became a mom for the first time. A couple of young kids having a kid is what it truly was. She was, and still is, a precious gift that two young kids didn't quite know what to do with. Two years later, I became a mom for the second and last time to another precious bundle blessed by God. I am truly blessed by both of my girls.

On Mother's Day, I am also thankful for my own mother who is across the country this morning probably still asleep in her bed. She is a great mom. We have had our ups and downs as most mother-daughter relationships go, but we still love each other. I don't take my relationship with my mom lightly. Having the possibility of losing her twice to cancer makes me treasure every day I have the ability to talk with her. We talk at least once a week on the phone just to catch up. Not much changes in a week, but it is nice to hear from her.

The other mom I would like to honor is my mother-in-law. She is a great lady. She welcomed me with open arms into her family. I never had to question whether she liked me or if I would fit into their family. I want to thank you for raising a great son. He is a pain in the neck at times but I love him dearly. He is the guy that everyone likes to be around. He is a great leader, great friend, handy man, thinker and dad. You did a great job with him and you should be proud! He is a great man! I wish we lived closer so he could spend more time with you, but know that he loves you.

To my sister, sister-in-law and friends, treasure those precious babies you all have. They grow up too fast. There are times I wish I could go back and spend some more quality time when my girls were younger. I let some of those days fly by too quickly without taking time to really enjoy them. Now with my girls enter high school and middle school my time with them is short and I am realizing that more and more.

I have no idea what the rest of the day holds but I wanted to make sure I took the time to acknowledge all the mom's in my life and the one's who made me a mom!

Happy Mother's Day 2009

TSMS - Speaking Louder than Before - Jeremy Camp

This song has become my anthem this month. Not only is it where my heart is on a personal level, but we are really challenging our youth to make this their personal declaration too.

In fact, we are working on a human video to this song for the end of this month at church. I am really hoping this song will be a starting point to speak louder in their christian faith than they have before.

Crazy 8's

I haven't been blogging that much, so when a long time friend (practically my little sister) tagged me in this game, I couldn't say no.

8 Things I Look Forward To

1. Possibly going to San Diego to visit family and friends (still trying to work out the details.)
2. Watching my oldest graduate from middle school in June
3. Watching my youngest graduate from elementary school in June
4. Meeting my nephews for the first time face to face (they were born in May 08 and Aug 08)
5. Vacation - regardless if it is in San Diego or not in June
6. My husband's back being healed
7.
8.

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Made sure the girls were ready to go to school
2. Dropped AJ off at the bus stop
3. Went to work
4. Met the family for dinner
5. Headed to church to get ready for youth group
6. Popped air popcorn and put them into bags for the movie night with the youth group
7. Watched Princess Bride with the youth group
8. Came home for the first time since 7 am and crashed

8 Things I Wish I Could Do

1. Sew
2. Work from home
3. Visit my family more
4. Actually make myself exercise
5. Clean my house more often (really clean, not just pick up)
6. Be one of those cooks who can make something without a recipe
7. Travel the world
8. Spend more time with friends

8 "Grown Up" Shows I Watch

1. Greys Anatomy
2. The Biggest Loser
3. Amazing Race
4. Chuck
5. Heros
6. The Unusuals
7. Castle
8. Dancing with The Stars

I am suppose to tag some people, but I really don't have a bunch of blogging buddies due to the fact I am really not on here as much as I use to be. If anyone would like to do this and let me know, that would be awesome!

Hello there!

I am here. Just bear with me. Things have been so busy around this house that I haven't just had the time to sit down and blog. The other reason is our laptop is dying. I use to blog a lot while watching tv at night. Without that laptop, I am having to make an effort to slow down and say "HI!"

TSMS - The Wrecking - You Remain

It has been awhile since I posted a TSMS post. I have really missed doing this since music is so much a part of my life. Anyway, this song has been playing on the Gospel Music Channel and on Air 1 which is what I have been listening to in the morning. It is an awesome song and has stuck with me all week. Hopefully you enjoy it too!

I'm here...really, I am!

Hey guys! I really do have a blog and I really do like to post. Things have just been a little crazy around here. I know it has been awhile but I am really going to try and be better at posting.


Let me get you caught up on what has been happening with us:


Mr. A finally found out what has been going on with his back. His has a disc that is protruding into his spinal column and nerve bundles. This explains a lot of what is going on with his symptoms - nerve pain in both hips and legs, light headness, dizzy spells, etc. He is still out on medical leave until the middle of April. The will re-evaluate and decide if he can go back to work full time or if adjustments will have to be made. We are praying that if God wants him to stay where he is, He will make a way.


Mr. A had his first of 2 spinal injections to fix the protruding disc. Unfortunately his blood pressure bottomed out and we had to stay at the hospital for an extra bit of time until he could stabilze. Next injection is April 13th.


I celebrated my 34th birthday on the 25th. We didn't do anything big, but the girls wrote their own cards that I am saving. They were so special and really made my day. They made me wait until I got to work before opening the cards. Note to self...go in the bathroom or another room to open the cards prior to going to work. Don't open at work unless you are prepared to explain to your fellow co-workers about the tears and blood shot eyes. They were really special and I will truly cherish them.

Mr. A & I joined the youth staff at our church. We are really loving the youth group. We are hoping to do human videos, drama and outreach with the students. Our youth pastor is really open to the ideas which is really exciting. Hopefully the students are as equally excited.

We survived our first lock-in with the youth group. Mr. A stayed all night with KA and the others. I had to come home to stay with AJ. We got home a little after 12 am and got up at 4:45 am to start making breakfast casseroles for the group. We don't have an oven in the room at church so I had to bring them in hot in the morning. Everyone had fun...Mr. A survived and the kids had a great time! That is what it is all about.

2009 has been hard on everyone. I am definitely not complaining. God has been faithful! It may not be what we are use to, but who says what we were use to is what we were suppose to do. We have enough. I am thankful that even though the circumstances haven't been ideal, God has made a way.

2008 and 2009 have definitely been about learning faith and trust. God is in control and I do not have to worry.

I promise that these updates will be more frequent. I really do miss my small community of friends.

Update on Betty - She is home in heaven

For those who have check this blog and have been praying for Betty, here is the latest: Betty is now home in heaven as of Tuesday, March 10th. Below is the email from my friend Melissa, who is Betty's daughter:

It is with a heavy heart - I never really got that saying until now - my heart truly feels heavy like it could fall from chest at any moment - anyway - that I tell you all that Mom has gone to be with Jesus! Larry and i came home last night because there was just no way of knowing how long it would be. It was incredibly difficult to leave her yesterday knowing that the next time I saw her would be her funeral. But the gift was that there was nothing left unsaid between my mom and her loved ones. We are an incredibly close and open family and always say things to each other when we need to so there were no last minute apologies or anything like that and there is a peace. I had prayed that she would go in her sleep and that God will allow me to feel when she was gone. I actually took a sleeping pill last night because I had not slept in about 4 nights but maybe a couple hours and it was taking its toll on me. SO I expected to sleep until about noon today :) (like that could happen with the kids lol). Anyway, I sat right up in bed at 4:19 and knew with my whole heart that mom was gone. Then dad called me exactly 20 minutes later to tell me that they woke him up. He was upset that he was not right there holding her hand in that last breath and I wish I could have been there, too, but she went in her sleep. The nurses said it was right around 4:30, but after telling the doctor (her doctor is a wonderful amazing Christian man who loved her and loves my dad!) what I had told my dad the doctor said he was sure it was 4:19. My mother will be missed every second of everyday and I have been told that it does get easier! I know that my mom is dancing and praising God today! Her doctor said that Heaven has a new member of the choir and we said not a member a leader!! She will be teaching everyone their parts! :) Yesterday, before we left, I was singing to my mom and she tried to raise her hand and I know that today she is praising Jesus! I miss her already, but I am so happy for her! thank you all for your prayers and we ask that you continue to keep dad and all of us in your prayers! If you are interested in when the funeral is and location and all of that then just email me and i will send that information to you when I know it. we will be leaving to head back to Virginia either tonight or very early in the morning!
My love and thanks to all of you,
Melissa and Family

My kid is going into High School - how is that possible?

OK...reality hit me between the eyes last night.

We went to the intro to high school meeting at her middle school. As I sat in that auditorium listening to them talk about high school credits and colleges I began to find myself wondering how I got there. How is it possible that my child is old enough to be going into high school?!

She has a few more months before she actually starts but it just doesn't seem possible. Wasn't it just yesterday I was sending her off to kindergarten! I can't believe how fast time flies.

And now as she is making breakfast she is telling me that she wants to become a doctor. I have known that but to hear that after everything from last night is just crazy. She wants to know what college I think she should go to. How crazy is this?!

I don't know if I am totally ready for all of this yet.

God knows better

I know this is true, but it was made true this last week in our lives.

Mr. A works for a little know coffee store who is going through some serious cuts. Mr. A has always had people ask how he is doing but none of the cuts have affected this area...until now. Unfortunately we didn't know how bad things had really gotten until Saturday due Mr. A has been out on medical leave.

We happen to stop by a store on Saturday and Mr. A struck up a conversation with the manager. We found out that there had been a major layoff and many of Mr. A's friends and co-workers were let go. We were shocked. We were prepared to have some loss but the amount of loss was just more than we could have imagined. The kicker as little as six weeks ago, Mr. A held the same position that all of these layoffs held.

We had been praying for Mr. A to move to a location that was closer to home. He had been driving about 1 hour each way for the last 9 months and the commute and cost of the commute was getting old. Not to mention things at the store had gone from bad to worse. We really just needed a miracle to happen...either promotion, demote or leave the company.

Well, a promotion was offered at a store that was closer. Mr. A liked the idea of being closer but he had never wanted to be in a management position. He liked working with people, not numbers. This was really what he wanted to avoid. More hours needed at the store, more time away from family and having to fill in whenever someone couldn't make it in. He would be the one that everyone called.

Everything was pointing to the management position. Even though it would be tough, the economics of today just didn't allow us to have much of another choice. I was feeling peace however Mr. A was just frustrated. It was him in the position. It was him that was having to put in the time and effort. He reluctantly agreed to the position.

Fast forward to Saturday and finding out that the former position that Mr. A held was now eliminated, Mr. A and I looked at each other and had to smile. God knew better than us. All the times we fought over what to do, all we had to do was trust. God was is in control and knew the situation so much better than we did. We left the store thankful to escape the first of what is probably many cuts to come. We left encouraged that we are in the palm of God's hand and He is holding us during this time of craziness.

25 Random Things about ME!

This has been going around on Facebook and I decided to post my response here on my blog so you could get to know a little more about me.

1. I was originally suppose to be named Heather.
2. My parents came up with my middle name after seeing it on the mud flap of a big rig while traveling while my mom was pregnant with me. I really do love it. I love it so much I gave it to my youngest daughter as her middle name too! :O
3. I was the first girl born in my family in over 40 years.
4. I have some of the greatest friends in the world even though every one lives so far away.
5. Mr. A & I went to the same high school but never at the same time.
6. My favorite food is Mexican - I could probably eat a form of it everyday. Especially chips, salsa and gucamole.
7. I never ditched school ever - even on Senior ditch day.
8. My hero is my mom. Having gone through so much with cancer and still have a positive attitude is amazing.
9. I HATE, HATE, HATE meatloaf but like hamburgers. I know...it doesn't make sense, but there is something different about meatloaf. ***GAG***
10. I haven't thrown up since I was 14.
11. Mr. A & I got into a disagreement just before he proposed.
12. I love the smell of the ocean...it is calming to me
13. I want to go back to school and get a degree...in what I am not sure. I just want a degree!
14. I love baby belly laughs and toothless gummy baby smiles!
15. I have always wanted to go to Australia
16. I can't imagine my life without God!
17. I love taking photographs and at one point in HS thought I would be a professional photographer
18. Even though I have a house there are times I miss living in an apartment.
19. I would love to start a non-profit for troubled youth
20. I drink way to much soda, but it is so good!
21. I love most anything from the WWII era - the clothes, music, history,
22. I would love to quit my job, homeschool my kids and travel the world taking photographs
23. I would love to adopt
24. I wish I could go back to the early years with my girls and not wish they would grow up. I miss those days now.
25. I want my whole family to live at least two hours away from each other again for the rest of our lives so I can watch my nephews grow up.

So where have I been?

It has been awhile since I last blogged.

OK...it's been a long time since I last blogged. I just really haven't taken the time to sit down and write like I use to. I have been just relaxing which I haven't done in quite a while. I have also been doing something I haven't done in a really long time...READING.

I am not what you would classify as a reader. I like a good story, but I rather see the movie most times. I know...lazy! One of my favorite authors is Nicholas Sparks. I got hooked on his books after watching the movie "Walk to Remember." I began reading his books and absolutely love every one of them. I can pick up one of his books and usually finish it within 1-2 days. After that book is complete I usually am at a lost for what to read next.

However during some time off at Christmas, I picked up a book series that most of my family finished years ago. In fact, the book series I have is my grandmother's copy. It is the Zion Covenant Series by Bodie Thoene. I had started book one at least twenty times through the years, but this time I forced myself to stick with it for the first few chapters. It took me a couple of days, but I finally found my self enjoying the characters and storyline. Once I did that, I finished the book in a matter of days. I picked up the second book and finished it in two days. The third in three days. I am slowing down with book four, but I am still really enjoying the story.

I didn't realize how much I really do love to read. Once I can connect with the characters, I am lost in their world. I found that I really do like that escape every once in a while. I curl up on the couch with my blanket wrapped around me and tune everything else out. I can't believe how fast the time goes by. I think it has been only 1/2 hour but it is 2-3 hours later. My poor family couldn't find me sometimes. I would just hunker (yes, I just said hunker) down in a corner of the couch and just would just lose myself in the book totally oblivious to what was going on around me.

I am making a promise that I will continue to read, but I promise to blog too! It was a nice break, but I really did miss the connection with those ladies I follow and talk with. Hopefully you missed me too!

TSMS - Revelation Song

For 2009, worship has become a priority for me. If anyone has seen my blog, you know that music is a huge part of my life. I really feel like music is a way for God to talk to me and for me to talk with Him. However, lately it has really been about making sure that I am turning my focus on Him more than I have ever before. I want to hold nothing back.

This song has just been on my heart. I really love this song when we sing it at church, but I have found myself just listening to it during the day at work and at home while on the computer. He is so worthy of praise!

I just hear this song and I think of heaven. I just know this is what heaven is going to sound like!

Urgent Prayer for Betty

Betty on left, Melissa on right

Just before Thanksgiving I began posting about Betty, my friend Melissa's mother. Melissa sent this email out requesting urgent prayer for Betty. Please be in prayer for both Betty and her family.


Here is the update below:

I am writing to you for more prayer! My mom got the results of the body scan today. The tumor in her lungs has grown significantly and the lymph nodes on both sides of her neck are cancerous and the cancer is going into the brain. She has to have a brain scan tomorrow to see how far it has gone into the brain. She has told the doctor that she does not want radiation because they told her the radiation on her neck would burn her esophagus and she would have a lot of pain eating, drinking and just in general. Then also with radiation on her brain can also cause memory loss so she does not want to do that. She was told with the "chemo pill" she could have up to 6 months but if it is not working - may not be working since the tumor has grown so much while taking it - that it could literally be anytime - she told me 3 to 4 weeks. I am not sure where that time frame came from - she is actually taking it better than I thought but she is still having a rough time. They have moved a hospital bed into her house because she is having a very hard time breathing and at night she has to be elevated so she can get some sleep. That is really hard on all of us. We know that God is the only answer right now. I keep saying that I can be strong in this, but when I get information like this - I wonder how in the world can I be strong? She is my mom, my best friend, my biggest supporter, the grandmother to my kids and the best ever, too and then the great grandmother to my precious little grandkids and they will not remember her! That is so hard to even think about! Please pray for her and for all of us. At a time when we need to be praying the hardest it is so hard to pray. I begin to ask HIm for healing and fall apart. I am trying to have faith but then feel like maybe I need to pray for strength to get through and be able to be there for my kids. Ok, I am rambling. I will update when we know about the brain scan - please just keep her in your prayers!

Here is a picture of Betty at Thanksgiving with her children and grandchildren and another with just her children (my friend Melissa is the one on the right side): ALL PHOTOS BELONG/HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO USE BY MELISSA REEVES

TSMS - When I speak your name

For the first TSMS post of 2009, I am posting a song that our church sang last Sunday. It really became our anthem for 2009, even though we hadn't officially started 2009 at that time.

2008 was suppose to be a "lucky" year, however it has been anything but lucky for many. Going into 2009, I believe God has something awesome in store. I just know that something big is about to happen. What...I have no idea, but I know someone who does.

This song states it all. Mountains are moved, chains are loosed, darkness flees in the name of JESUS! Miracles happen in the name of Jesus! Thank you God. We wait for great anticipation for what you are going to do in 2009.