44 things that make me happy

Today is my 44th birthday. So , in celebration, I am listing 44 random things that make me happy. I'm not including names of people I love, of course they make me happy:)

1. snuggling
2. staying in my cozy blue robe all day
3. cake (which, in case you didn't know, is my favorite food group!)
4. reading a picture book to a child
5. giving a random gift to someone
6. the zoo (just about any zoo will do)
7. cabins in the mountains
8. thin mint girl scout cookies
9. The Sound of Music
10. Mama Mia onstage
11. dancing
12. the smell of cinnamon
13. great conversations with friends
14. making new friends
15. watching someone get baptized
16. seeing restoration of lives happen
17. vacation Bible school
18. monogrammed jewelry
19. monogrammed purses
20. okay, okay, anything monogrammed
21. Purex detergent sheets
22. flip-flops, especially yellow box ones
23. Hallmark stores (especially our local one)
24. a good book
25. roaring fire in the fireplace
26. new car smell
27. although, a new car would make me really happy right now!
28. going to the movies
29. tender white popcorn by Orville
30. a new pen
31. freshly sharpened pencils
32. freshly cut grass
33. tulips
34. gerbera daisies
35. bubble baths
36. watching the underdog (especially at the Olympics) win
37. the Olympics
38. pomp and circumstance
39. pedicures
40. Bath and Body Works lotion--in the tube, not the bottle
41. candles
42. pictures-I really like the ones taken by my s-i-l although, I don't think she likes photographing our family--we don't photograph well
43. losing weight---9.4 pounds so far, thank you very much!
44. a massage from my fav masseuse!

So, there you have it. I'm simple and easy to please..............What about you??

what's going on?

Just a quick update on life in this parsonage!

**Luke's 2nd quarter awards day was today. He received a Social Studies award and was once again has the highest number AR points in the school! He's ahead of the other kid close to him by like 30 points. He has 362!! Yeah, Luke We're so proud of you.

**Steve's diabetes is still not under control even though he has lost over 30 pounds since diagnosis, and is continuing to lose. The dr. upped his meds.....that's been making him sick this week. Hopefully, it will dissipate soon.

**I have been working diligently on my portfolio for graduation. It is so time-consuming, I swear I will be bald by the time I finish :) I am also spending a lot of time at the middle school. I start at the elementary school next week which I am so looking forward to......I'll be spending about 1/3 of my time there.

** Steve and I started weight watchers again. I know, you've heard this song and dance before. It's hard for me, I will not lie. However, it helps that we are actually having some success. This is week 3, and I've lost 9.4 and Steve has lost 14.6! Sickening, I know.

**Shea has to travel back to ATL for 3 more weeks and then she's done with that. Thank goodness!! She is really enjoying school.

** Stevie is still weighing her options. She is thinking of going on a mission trip....still praying about that! Hoping something will open up for her soon.

** The church is going well. Too well, I think for Satan's liking! He is really attacking the families in our church. I pray that they will stay strong and not give up.

**Luke is thinking of going out for football.......SCARY!! for the momma. He's finished wrestling, and is now weightlifting. He is a busy boy.

That's what's going on in this house. What's up with you??

the long way home by andrew klavan

The Long Way Home by Andrew Klavan is the second in the The Homelanders series. It tells the story of Charlie West who has been convicted of murdering his best friend. Charlie doesn't remember what has happened, only knows that someone is hunting him; and he and his friends want to know why! They attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about The Long Way Home by Andrew Klavan when it arrived in the mail. I love picture books, but don't always find young adult fiction to be that riveting. I found this book to be okay. I liked the storyline, and the way it peaked my interest; but wasn't so sure about the "language" because, while I did find it to be authentic, I didn't find it to very engaging. I think it is an excellent choice for young adults who like to read. I'm especially taken with the fact that it will appeal to the older set of teenage readers whose choices thus far have been far too juvenile. I do plan to order the first book so that I can read these in a series as intended, and then get the third on in November when it becomes available. They are worth a shot!

i totally stole this

Thanks, Lori, for this cute post on your blog! I needed an idea today.


You Know Your Church Is A Redneck Church if ...

--- The finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a
chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.

--- People ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish
were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch 'em.

--- When the pastor says, "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering,"
and fifteen guys and two women stand up.

--- Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.

--- A member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because
"It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of."

--- The choir is known as the "OK Chorale".

--- In a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the
church directory.

--- Baptism is referred to as "branding".

--- High notes on the organ set the dogs on the floor to howling.

--- People think "rapture" is what you get when you lift something too heavy.

--- The baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized washtub.

--- The choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from) Billy
Bob's Barbecue.

--- The collection plates are really hub caps from a '56 Chevy.

--- Instead of a bell, you are called to service by a duck call.

--- The minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.

--- The communion wine is Boone's Farm "Tickled Pink".

--- "Thou shalt not covet" applies to hunting dogs, too.

--- The final words of the Benediction are, "Y'all come back now!! Ya Hear"

proud mama

Sometimes, as moms, our kids do something that makes us go, "Way to go!" like pinning an opponent at a wrestling match or winning a part in a school play.

Sometimes, they do something that makes us smile that proud mama smile like taking up the offering without being asked or volunteering to help with a project.

But sometimes, and only sometimes, do they do something so amazing...so jaw-dropping, that we can't think of words to express our pride. These are the moments that don't happen often, and that we rarely think about experiencing. These are the times when you can honestly say to yourself, "I done gooooooooooooooood!" knowing that truly it was the grace of God that allowed your kid to be so awesome.

I had this experience last week.

I had to go to Augusta to stay with our friend who has been so sick. (He's better now---thanks for asking!) Of course, while I was there, I was able to see Shea quite a bit. On Wednesday night she told me that she wanted to give me her tithe before I left so that I could bring it to the church. I didn't really think anything about it, figuring it was probably thirty bucks or so and no big deal.

What I should tell you before I go on is that Shea has moved part-time to Augusta, but is still traveling to Atlanta on the weekends to work until her transfer comes through. Luckily, one of the stores in Augusta is chomping at the bit for her to come there (actually, every store she spoke to wanted her) and they are pushing for the transfer to come through quickly (let's pray that happens). While all of this is going on, of course she isn't getting that many hours in Atlanta and her financial aid was held up due to a little snafu so she has to wait another two weeks before it comes through. So, money is extremely tight for her right now, and since her dad is a preacher (and not one of those mega-church preachers) with preacher pay; and I am not working, we haven't really been able to help her out financially so she's had to make it on her own.

With all of that being said, I hope you get the picture before I tell you the amazing, jaw-dropping thing she did.

When she went to get the money, she handed me a HUGE wad of cash. A HEAVY wad of cash. I couldn't believe it. Here was a girl, who last weekend lived in ATL with $12 to her name, handing me a wad of cash to give to the church for GOD's ministry. All-in-all, it was $752. Wow!

I cannot begin to tell you how proud of her I was. Of course, I also thought boy did I do good.....look at what I taught her.....we are such good parents! LOL

God quickly set me straight. In my gloating, he gently and quietly said, "But for MY grace, she wouldn't be doing this." Stopped my selfish, boastful, pride right in it's shoes. He did a good job. He taught her well. He is the best parent. If not for Him, where would any of us be? Dreadful human beings, that's where!

I gave my children to God a long time ago. I don't worry like a lot of people that I know that something is going to happen. I know who is in control, and boy did he show me.

I am so proud of all three of my children...........and in that quiet moment after God spoke, I thanked Him for them......all three of them, but especially that night, for the lessons He has taught Shea and how she has endured with amazing grace and clarity of God's purpose, I thanked God for her.

eclectic wendy designs

You know I love silver handmade jewelry, so this particular giveaway was very interesting to me! Check out eclectic wendy designs and you will see why I am such a fan. After checking it out, go to frugal mommy's blog to enter the contest. If you win and don't want it just send it over to me!!

questions for pastor's wives

So, I came across a little blog today and she posed a couple of questions for pastor's wives, but they are really relevant to any conversation.

1.Do you have or have you had a mentor and/or do you plan to do any mentoring?

I have never had a ministry mentor....goodness knows I could have used one! I do try to be a mentor when the situation arises, and would certainly hope that one day I can do this on a more active basis. I have certainly had mentors in my life that shaped me into the person that I am today. The one I remember the most was, of course, a teacher. Mrs. Lynn Lewis whom I adored! I still love her for all that she did for me waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the 6th grade. She was also our neighbor, and she became my friend.

2. Did you know you were marrying a preacher/pastor?

For me, the question is really did HE know that he was going to be a pastor. The answer is NO, but I did know that I would marry a pastor. Did I understand what that meant? haha....refer to question/answer #1. It wasn't until a lot of soul searching that he found his true calling, and even though he tried to run, and has even once run since......we always come back to the vocation of God's choice. It ain't easy, but it's the only way for true happiness for us.

So, what about you? If you aren't a pw, have you ever had a mentor?