the next chapter

Well, mom is moved in, sorta....

It's all in the garage. Actually, we emptied out about 6 boxes already. Every time I put an empty box in the trash pile, I say a little cheer!

This will all be done soon. For one, we are having a yard sale Saturday and it has to be all sorted out. And 2, I am the total opposite of my mom. She is a queen of pack-rats, clutter stresses me out. So I am trying NOT to get stressed out, but instead get motivated to sort through all this stuff.

This is definitely going to take some 'give and take'. And I trying to accept that it will be more 'give' on my and Fred's part. But that's ok, God is definitely teaching us something in 2009. It's has been a doozy of a year so far.

So, if anyone wants a really good deal on stuff, yard sale at my house Saturday!!!

25 years!

Happy Anniversary honey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's me and you!

Mom's new bathroom

Mom is finally moving in this Wednesday. We needed to fix her bathroom to accomodate her better, PLUS I have been dying to change it, so it's all good!

This is what it used to look like:

This is what was taken out. I hated that mirror!

This is what it looks like now.

I think it looks so much better! And now I can get one of those 'over the toilet' shelving thingys for mom to put her stuff on. I hope she likes it...

things that make me smile

Laci posted a blog with this theme, and I thought I would give it a try.... of course, I don't have an adorable baby like her, but God has blessed me with other 'smile' opportunities...

1- my little student pretending to be the teacher at the end of the school day and seeing me in all of his manerisms and sayings.

2-another one of the kids (one who has driven me crazy lately) telling his big brother he was going to live with me because I needed a little kid.

3- making pet rocks with the class

4-watching my husband and James banter back and forth. I am glad Fred has a friend he can do that with.

5- playing in the snow!

6- my daughter and her baby (puppy) loving each other

7- my 23 year old son sending a picture via phone just because he knows I miss him so.

8- going to church Sunday mornings


Well, this is a good start... I'll keep making the list in my head

Easter and flower pics

These are some pictures we took in Tenn. I think they are so pretty, I may blow them up and frame them....

Easter was, well, quiet... Stephany (favorite daughter) came from Orlando. She came to church with us. Saw Andy from afar. He sat with another family. Steph tried to get him to go out with us for lunch, but he declined. So, the 3 of us went to Longhorn. We had a nice time catching up with Stephany, so that was good. Then, came home and just relaxed. James showed up in the evening and the quiet was gone. (haha!)

I sat in church, watching Andy sit with a family not his own, and catching sight of another family that (in my own opinion) have had some influence in what has happened. And all kinds of bitter things start going through my head. Yeah, Ressurection Sunday and that's what I am doing in church. Great, huh?
Well, that's when God started breaking me down. It seemed every song had words for me. Yes, there are people that I believe have not helped the problem, but he has his own will and he is ultimately responsible for his actions.
I think I am progressing on this road of 'letting go'. It still hurts like crazy, but I am moving forward. Life goes on.

I tried to download the video but it wouldn't let me, so here is a link to the video of one of the songs played on Sunday. It's actually my church but from last year. It's funny though, the girl singing it is wearing the same dress that she wore on Sunday. he he!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgGKbk6en1o

Peace in the mountains

I have become quite lazy with my blog. :(

Our trip to Tennessee was amazing! We had a cabin in Sevierville, just a few miles from Pigeon Forge. It was a beautiful cabin with an incredible view! Ok, so far I have used: amazing, beautiful and incredible. Let me add 'awesome' and I think I may come close to say how our trip went.

We got to see the Stancos, the Councils, and friends from home, the Jones. God has blessed us beyond what we EVER imagined. Our friends are special to us, our marriage has grown and the trip was the 'icing on the cake'.
And to boot, I got to see snow for the first time! I made my first snowman, Fred and I hit each other with a snowball, and I got to just stand in the middle of trees and feel the snow fall! And then, after 30 mintues, I was ready to go in and warm up. he he!

Fred and I got to relax, didn't think too much about the things going on back home. We were reminded all around us about God's grace. The mountains, trees, the deer, racoons, the snow and the creekbeds. I had time to think and pray. It helped...

I took a ton of pics, if you go to my facebook page, you should be able to see them... let me know if the link doesn't work.



http://www.facebook.com/tos.php?api_key=423d17f114134aa521904f85f1146174&next=micro%2Ffive_things%3F%253Bperson_id%3D29525619%26entity_id%3D72616%26entity_type%3DBook%26five_thing_id%3D46105216%26ref2%3Dfeed-pick-your-five-image-2%26ref%3Dnf%26variant%3Dredacted-img-overlays&v=1.0#/album.php?aid=106014&id=508023988

THANK YOU JAMES

I am here to publicly give my deep thanks and gratitude to James Council. He helped me figure out why I could not post comments on my friends' blogs....

He is the master of technology, the guru of internet.... am I going too far???
yeah, I think so....

highways and byways, here we come!

In 9 hours, we will be Tenn. bound!!!!!!!!!! Fred said there is 20% chance of snow. How cool would that be? (no pun intended)

We are hoping to find some wi-fi in/around Pigeon Forge. Will post pics!