Remembering Bill Hall

Remembering Bill Hall

The first time I remember hearing Bill Halls voice was early 1974. There was a Tornado warning for the Donelson area and Mr. Hall specified the Opryland Area. We lived directly across the street from where the park use to stand. My step-mom had rallied us into the center of the house and raised all the windows.

The electricity kept going off and on, off and on. I was 10 years old and terrified of storms. The comfort of Mr. Halls voice brought my mom comfort which in turn help me remain calm.

For years each time a storm found its way to our area I would find myself turning to Mr Halls alert because of his calming voice. When I moved away from home I recall telling my mom I couldn't get use to the local news because Dan Miller and Bill Hall weren't in my region. It just never felt right.

Bill Hall, You have a mighty role to fill, up there in Heaven. You know He only calls the BEST home early! Rest well and enjoy those beautiful days of everlasting Sunshine!

one of those…Moments!

Today I had one of those…Moments.  One of those that happen in a split second but will stay with us forever!  It brought this MeMe to tears!

 
My 9 month old granddaughter Jersey was standing alone looking at the bright lights of the Christmas tree while shaking her little legs to Sounds of the Season music in the background.  I squatted down to take a break and suddenly the reflection of the lights on the tree where shinning in her big blue eyes.  No camera could have caught this moment more perfectly!  She took that precious hand and pulled me to her and gave me my first big MeMe kiss all by herself!    Ahhhhh......it took me back to my daughters first Christmas when she too was 9 months old and enjoyed our tree.  Moments like these make being a stay at home MeMe so powerful and reaffirming.  It's these days she won't remember but Meme will!

PEPPERMINT BARK DISK

 

  

This is so easy and fun to make!  Quick too!

Ingredients:

• Bag of Wilton White Candy Melts
• Bag of Wilton Dark Candy Melts
• Large Candy Cane crushed (sold at Walgreens 2/ $1.00)
• One Candy Mold (I am recycling the insert from my frozen quiche appetizers)
• toothpick

After washing the disposable Quiche tray that I saved from going into the garbage I placed two Candy Melts in each circle.  My favorite is using 2 white but the kids love them mixed. 

Microwave for 1 minute.  Swirl with toothpick and sprinkle the Crushed Candy Cane onto the top.  (If it hardens to fast you can rezap it in the microwave for 5 seconds. 

Place tray in freezer for no more than 3-4 minutes.

Remove from freezer, tap or turn upside down and voila…there you have your wonderful Peppermint Bark Disks! 

I told you it was to easy!  Experiment and play with other flavors too! 

Last year we melted 25 candy melts of either color in a large Wilton decorators icing bag and added ONE DROP of Cinnamon Oil.  Microwave for 1 minute and continue at 15 second intervals until melted.  (Each oven is different and you don’t want them to burn! 

Oh My Goodness…the scent that filled the air was overwhelming!!!  Then we simply pipe the candy into our molds and the flavor was delicious! 

Go ahead…borrow my idea!  Really!  

Let US sing!!

God is so good!

God is so good!

God is so good, 

He's so good to me!

He answers prayers!

He answers prayers!

He answers prayers

He's so good to me!

I love Him so!

I love Him so!

I love Him so

He is so good to me!!

This song has been in my heart all day today.  When I sing it I am taken back to my very young days of  being ages 8 /9.  Two Rivers Baptist Church always had something going on for us kids!  Always!!  We would go on weekend church retreats just an hour or two away from home and you'd think we were going cross-country!  The entire time we were in the bus we'd sing and sing and sing some more!  The retreats were usually brought to a close with an open invitation and lots of praise worship.  How I love my praise worship!  They could take an energetic group of kids and by "lights out" they would have us deep in thought about our own personal relationship with Jesus.

It's during these years that I learned to pray as a child and to look at my soul and reflect on my choices I made.  As I've grown older I've come to cherish the "praise and invitation" time for such deeper reflection and also found it to be a cleansing time...a time to really tell all that's on heart.

Tonight as I celebrated Christmas  with my Dad, my sister, my kids and my grandchildren I found myself praising privately inside.  Rejoicing in my family.  Reflecting on how good, how very, very good God has been to me!!  Also how very good God has been to my family.  All of them.
So in closing this day
look back and realize what you DO have...not what you want or hope to get.  Relish in what's here, what's now and what you hold dear.
sweetest of dreams...

-bri

What is YOUR gift?  

Creating, Creating, Creating.  I'm was told I had to relax as my blood pressure has spiked twice tonight well over  202/ 112.  On the last check it was 158/104 so hopefully it's dropping.  ughhhh.  If the ears would stop ringing and the headache would stop then I'd be in tip-top shape!! anyhow...

As you know with me there is always a GOOD SIDE to everything...and the good side here is I get to sit in front of my computer and create with ALL these digital elements! This is my relaxation!  YIPPEE!  I miss having a group over at Cafe-mom and creating tags for the ladies there.  We use to share so much in testimony and fellowship.  After 3 years of planning, organizing and meeting new friends, the time had come where I needed to pass that opportunity on to someone else.   Honestly I couldn't dedicate myself to 6 hours a day online and that's what running an active group takes.  One day maybe I'll have the time to do that again.  Meanwhile I will continue to indulge myself for fun!!

Over the years I've seen more and more decorations that celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas.  I'm often convicted to use some of the elements I find online and some of those I create to honor our Lord Jesus.  Convicted sounds harsh but it's true.  If I can take the time to create and spend the money to purchase items to celebrate special events and holidays - then why on earth would I not celebrate the one who made this day possible?  Santa's, snowmen, trees, elves, gifts and the list goes on and on...it's only right to rejoice and spread His love as well even on something so simple as a digital image.  Maybe this is my way of sharing His love with someone that doesn't know of Him personally.  Maybe this is a calling in a way to reach out to those that don't know or have never heard the name Jesus.  Maybe??  Nope...it's not maybe...I'm certain it is. All one has to do is follow the flags on my homepage to see the many places my blog is already being seen and this is the new blog!  Use your gift...no matter how small or silly you may think it is!  He can and will use you!!

So here's just a few I managed to make over the last little bit. You are more than welcome to share these on your own personal blog but please do not use these in any commercial way as I do not own the rights to all of these.  A few I made the actual image, others I just managed to drag, drop and created text to add with them.  Enjoy my friends ~  

     Goodnight my friends.  Have a great nights sleep and remember HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

It's 3:10 am and I should be in bed.  
There is so much on this brain
I've caught up on two weeks worth of blogging and cant seem to find where they just posted....hummm

*see how Lenora did in Gastonia, NC in the Teacher of the Year finals
*check on Joye, Joye
*make several more batches of Peppermint Bark
*check BP
*design a digital Christmas card and email as I've not mailed the two stacks in front of me
*mail box to West Palm Beach
*go by cemetery
*take bread to Tanisha at Dr. Swauncys
*journal........
*pack
*gift for dirty Santa party
*church on Friday/Saturday nights
*check email!!
*call Gracie
*call Megan
*recheck BP .. lol
*nap

GO TO BED NOW to be up by 7 and get this list completed
sweet dreams...

Is that TINKER-BELL?  

It's Riley all dressed up by herself for her 3rd birthday!

Looks like they have the same beautiful blue eyes!

It's amazing to think that Miss Riley is 3! She is such a ham and so much fun to be around! Her energy is always at high speed and she is guaranteed to make you laugh!  Honestly she speaks with the most keen sense of imagination I've ever seen in a child her age and then, out of nowhere, she'll make some random extremely educated remark and you catch yourself having to close your mouth!  Riley is refreshing.  She makes you remember to have a good time!  

Unfortunately at this years party her bestest little friend that she's had since birth, Miss Karsyn was unable to attend.  Karsyn has recently been diagnosed with a very rare form of leukemia and is presently living about 3 of 4 weeks in Vanderbilts Childrens Hospital here in Nashville.  As difficult as I can only imagine it was on Julie and Larry to celebrate Rileys big day I know that Karsyn was on everyone's mind and hearts!   In fact they were selling armbands for TEAM KARSYN to help go towards the proceeds of her already astronomical medical bills.  Fortunately they are able to visit weekly and let the girls enjoy each others company which is to me just so precious!  

Well, as the party was underway, rollerskates, cake, gifts and arcade games were going in full swing by everyone that attended.  Big Sister Jaylen even got in on her age groups skating contest and made 3rd out of 4!  This was her first time to skate in the 9-10 year old division.  The party was an incredible success and Riley was showered with more TinkerBell costumes and dress-up items than imaginable!  I tell you that girl plays dress-up and enjoys her toys more than anyone I know!!  When you purchase a gift for Riley it's a guarantee that it will be well played with!  

Riley...you are a bright ray of delight.  You have just the perfect mix of your Mom and Dad thats created the most creative, fun-loving and exciting granddaughter this MeMe could be blessed with!  I look forward to watching you blossom and grow in the coming years and share with you the meaning of being a "Middle Sister!"  

Happy Birthday Riley Claire!  

Bashful?

 Riley?  

Never!!  

Hey...even fairy's and princesses have to pick ever once in a while!   lol 

My Baby Boy is a MAN! 

It's mind boggling when I think of my kids being grown! Especially my youngest son, Bret!  Today being his 24th birthday has brought me to tears.  Happy Tears!  : )   He has graduated high school, joined the USMC, served 3 tours in what we call "Afghan-land" and is now a working member of society.  

Funny thing is the other day we were chatting and he made mention of how old something was...from back in the 90's.  It was like a light turned on and his eyebrows did a sort of puzzled, quandary look and at that moment he had his first "AH HA MOMENT" from childhood.  It was cute to witness such a moment in my child's face! Then he realized all 4 nieces were born in the "two-thousands era".  He openly admitted he was getting old and didn't know where the time had gone.  

Bret is a quiet man.  In fact, as a child, he did not speak until he was 2!  Yes, that's right, 2!  He would mutter baby-like sounds and address his dad and I as "Mama" and "Dada" but as for speaking...he just had no part in it!  We had him tested for hearing loss, speech problems and even had a brain MRI.  Nothing ever showed a medical reason for his not being more vocal.  Our pediatrician suggested that we make him at least make a sound and not a grunt when he wanted something.  That instead of his older brother and sister catering to him that they also work in helping him talk.  Now trust me, at home we were already engaging our own techniques and tricks to get this child to speak but without success.  On his second birthday while changing his outfit, I found myself being mom and nibbling on those adorable little toes when to my wonder he clearly says, "NO BITE MY TOE MOMMY!"   The most perfect pronunciation of each word still lingers in my head!  I remember picking him up shouting and calling to his dad, HE SPOKE... HALLELUJAH, HE SPOKE!!! 

Some  say it was just a matter of time before Bret would have talked.  I was told we all spoke for him so he had no need to speak.  Well, whatever the reason I know his Dad and I prayed and prayed!  My step-mom prayed earnestly as well!  He was again living proof that the Lord indeed answers prayers!  

We pick and kid around with him about those years.   How the other kids have written in the family Bible their first word and he has a whole sentence!!  

So as the infamous old TV commercial use to say, "When E.F. Hutton speaks ~ People Listen. "  

The same goes for our birthday boy!  He had obviously had enough of Mom nibbling on his little toes!

Well, those toes aren't so little now.  He's a size 13 shoe! Bret is still a man of few words but says so much with his actions.  A kind, gentle and loving man he is and is still becoming!  He's a believer in our great country.  Our freedom.  A lover of elderly people and an incredible Uncle to four nieces who stand in amazement watching him.  He's a keeper of secrets.  A die-hard fisherman and sweet Godfather to Maddox and Payton.  Standing taller than any of us he's the spitting image of his dad and has more characteristics of his than I can count.  A former "Mr. Rock Springs" superlative as-well-as "Most Friendliest."  Which is really cool because we cherish his friendships as well!   He's been a "Best man" and "Groomsman" more times than I can remember which tells me he understands the importance of  those titles.  When he enlisted in the USMC it was nothing for him to graduate one of the top in his unit and to earn the highest marks in marksmanship given.  When asked for volunteers it was no surprise to know his hand was the first one up.  When on the football field or golf course it's great to see his good sportsmanship.  

Son...you may not speak a lot of words but your deeds speak for you!  I am oh so very proud of you!  You may keep growing up but as the saying goes, "You will always be my baby!"  

Happy Birthday Kiddo!!

I Thank God for you everyday!  

I love you!! 

Now CELEBRATE being 24!  

    

Who Sat With You This Thanksgiving Day?

   

Who were you able to share your Thanksgiving meal with this season? 

 Did Christ sit at the head of your table?  

Was a place set for Him had His knock tapped upon your door? 

 Why would I ask this?

  Let me share a memory.

  I was around 8 when my Sunday School teacher specifically asked us how we would help those that had no place to eat on Thanksgiving Day.  If someone needed food would we feed them?  If a stranger knocked at your door would we help?  It's been over 30+ years and I can still hear Mrs Whitehead asking this.

 Well, as fate would have in the coming weeks I would be put to the test.  A young boy from the local Boys Club knocked on our front door late one afternoon. It was just getting dark and neither of my parents had made it home from work. 

 This boy, about 13, was selling candies, candles and coffee cups from an old ragged milk crate.  He also showed me a brochure with additional items and explained the money was for underprivileged kids.  I recall looking at a couple of the items rather quickly before he spoke up again.  

"Is your Mom home"?  "Can I come in to get warm?"   I have never forgotten his words or mine that followed.   I had to tell a lie and the words flowed as though they were rehearsed.   Well, in reality the lie was rehearsed.  It was the "safe white lie" we were allowed to say if our parents were not home.  "My mom can't come to the door right now" as I slightly pulled the screen-door back towards me.  For just a moment I was scared.  He looked hurt.  I felt horrible.  He was shaking from the cold.  I said goodbye and pulled the door close.  

 To this very moment I can remember how I felt sick to my stomach for lying but more so, for not letting him inside to get warm.  Would it really have hurt to just let him step inside? This feeling of dread began building in my chest.  It would not go away.  In my childish mind I just knew at that moment I had "Denied thy Father."  He had knocked but I did not let him in.  Yet, I had obeyed my parents.  This mix of emotions was overwhelming to me.  

The door was closed and locked.  I turned to walk away but something pulled me back to sneak a last peek at this poor weary soul.  Just as he was out of my sight I heard the rumbling sound of my step-moms Volkswagen.  Within a few seconds my mind wondered.  Do I tell her I opened the door?  Do I tell her I used the lie we had practiced?  Was I going to get in trouble?  

I chose not to say anything.  Dinner began with casual conversation then I heard Daddy ask if anyone had come over during the day?  I lied, again!  Ughhh!  There was that feeling of dread all over.  This aching was really gnawing at me and it was uncomfortable.  Dinner was over and we were doing the dishes when I finally just spurted out I needed to talk.  My eyes were filled with tears.  My heart was feeling very heavy.  I recall being so confused but knowing I had to tell the truth and make some sense of all this.  

My stepmom and I sat down on my bed and I unloaded the events of the afternoon.  While telling her how my heart hurt for that boy I began to feel my heart hurting for myself.  I wasn't going to heaven.  I had denied Jesus right there at my front door.  I had lied to my parents and covered it up with another lie. Confusing myself the more I talked.   

It was during that moment on my bed that I first learned about Gods love for me personally.  His never-ending love.  The fact that I had opened the door after dark and told "the lie" was quickly forgiven when the facts were discussed.  She explained how I honored them by repeating what they had said and by not allowing him indoors.  That by honoring them I was honoring God.  That He DID knock at my door and I turned Him away but with good cause. (repeat that last line out-loud) it seems I only heard the first part..

He DID knock and I turned Him away.  

Those words hurt so deeply.  They cut like a knife.  All the while mom continued to explain how a person changes when they ask Jesus into their heart. What you must do to ask Him to come inside.  How you chose to live by His commandments.   That those  feelings of dread would not be there unless I was ashamed of my actions.  It was then that I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart and to live.  To change me from the inside out.  To teach me to live for Him.  To learn at 8 years old how to obey The Ten Commandments.  It seemed like a simple task and well, I was certain  I could obey all the Commandments. 

So why would this stick with me for so many years?  Was that God teaching me a life lesson at this young age?   Was this my first moment experiencing the feeling of real conviction?  Yes!!  Yes, it was God teaching me!  Sometimes a child can learn much easier than an adult. Children hear the simple truth without complicating it.  I know that that feeling of dread was really a longing to serve Him.  To admit my sins, to ask forgiveness and to invite Him into my heart to live as my Heavenly Father forever.    

With the memory of that moment forever etched in my heart I believe that's why at times I know that I have been given the gift of service. To help others.  To live each day doing unto others as I would have them do to me. To open that door, To warm them. To give them a drink when what they are really longing for is a taste of living water. This too is why I believe God put me in the middle of our homeless community in Nashville, TN a few years back.  Oh now, don't get me wrong...He put me there to TEACH ME but to also share His love.  A place I would have never, ever thought I would end up. A place I learned to love where most everyone has nothing.  A place where some are so low and so down that eternity seems only a magical dream. A place where unlikely friendships brought me to my knees again at the age of 46. A place where I was THANKFUL for life, love, forgiveness and joy.  A true sense of peace, hope and joy! 

Each time I put my coat on at the onset of winter.  My mind thinks back to that young boy.  

How THANKFUL I am that he came to our door on a cold winters day. 

How THANKFUL I am to have felt the power of conviction.

How THANKFUL I am that others have welcomed me in.

How THANKFUL I am to have a warm home.

How THANKFUL I am to be THANKFUL! 

So yes, Christ is sitting at my table.  He is my welcomed guest at every meal, not just Thanksgiving. 

In His Love,

Tuesday, November 22

Good-morning.
Well I should have stayed up last night and continued to create because going to bed didn't provide any sleep! Don't you just hate it when your dragging physically but your brain is still going full-throttle!  I guess I should be glad the ole' brains a-working but even the greatest of minds need rest from time to time!  teehee~

I made it to my Doctors appointment and I have to say I'm somewhat discouraged.  Seems that I get less than five minutes for my visit and I just don't think this is right!  My "care-giver" is actually a Nurse Practitioner and I really like him but I'm aggravated that they continuously load him up with so many appointments.  Today he even apologized and said, "With the holiday they have triple and even quadruple booked us all today hon and it'll be 8pm before we get out, I apologize for rushing".  Well, shoot, not again!!  Now don't get me wrong I understand about people trying to get in before a holiday but seriously as a patient I'm entitled to my time. Right! (nodding my head in a confident manner)

Here's what today's visit consisted of.

I arrived at 7:40 for an 8:15 appointment.
About fifteen minutes later they ask for a urinalysis (this I wasn't prepared for but because it's pain management and people abuse it, I understand)  no big deal except I cannot pee on command.  ~ never have been able to.   My bladder and I have totally different opinions of when, how and where it is acceptable to tinkle.  Sure, get me to laughing and I'm guaranteed to feel a slight warm dribble if not more beginning to puddle on my "I THOUGHT I WAS OVER PADS" pad.

~Jay (my NP) calls my name. I step up on those dreaded scales and a sense of accomplishment comes over me when I see the numbers flashing back! : )   We walk into the exam room.  He ask me how the shots helped last month and I basically beg him for five more.  (I received five trigger point injection around the T-9 area on my last visit)  I can handle the discomfort of a needle anytime when I know the long term affect is AMAZING!  Keep in mind that I give myself injections three times a week for my Multiple Sclerosis, not to mention my B12 injections.
To my surprise and dislike he engages in a short conversation about being overbooked and me having to reschedule another appointment for the injections. Ughhhhh!  Really?  Within the next four minutes he uses his stylus to click, click, click and voila a prescription for pain medication is magically printed in the next room.  We politely exchange holiday wishes and I return to the waiting room to digest ounces and ounces of water and do what you do in a waiting room. Wait!
Forty-five minutes of chatting with other patients, playing with my smart~phone and catching up on a few emails and I feel that twinge, that long awaited urge. YipPEE!  The pee-pee comes and my cup runneth over.  It was welcomed by giggles and cheers from outside the door as a line had formed. Unfortunately blushing gave way to my poor face as I  exited and they say blushing is a virtue?
Again, I understand this is pain management...but the reason I'm here is to gain relief and not necessarily just from taking narcotics!!  Am I wrong?  I mean, I did have this spinal cord simulator installed down my spine to gain relief and relief it has given to some degree.  It isn't however relieving any of the pain in my legs, my heels or the middle part of my spine.  Now the lower part of my back is so, so much more tolerable than it has been in years!  So the last 3 visits I've had have been hurried, seriously hurried.  (on one visit all the patients from one city were being seen in this office due to a truck running through their building, so, again they were overbooked.  Really.)

I think I'm beginning to get a complex...do they think I want just the pain pills?

  Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I need to accept that I'm going to be on these forever or have to go back to the other plan of a morphine pump which I do NOT want. 

I'm confused because I don't feel I'm being heard although I'm clearly stating my needs. 

I'm frustrated because of time given at these appointments and because I don't want to be in pain.

I'm begging for something far less addictive yet not being allowed to receive it.

I'm thankful I do have medications to help but, even then sometimes the only thing that helps is total isolation from the world and 4 showers a day.

I know if you're reading this you're thinking, "Woman, what do you want?"  

I just want to be heard I guess and confirmation that this is either what I need or to be told this is all we can do.

...I dunno.  

Well, so far, pain-wise, this morning as been about a seven on the ol' pain threshold chart...but then again, I am on pain medications!  I am forever grateful that my Multiple Sclerosis hasn't taken a lot of my motor skills away like it has done to friends of mine. I'm thankful, very thankful that optic neuritis hasn't reared it's ugly head in a few months therefore allowing me this time to be in front of the computer!

 MS I can

I can walk ~ just not mountains any longer

I can see ~ with the use of my new trifocals

I can hear ~ the giggles of my granddaughters

I can touch ~ the tingles are a new sensation 

I can smell ~ scents of the seasons

I'm Miss MS and with MS I still can, only differently!

                                                                        Bri~

Now a stab at the humorous side of My MS....

MS I can

I can walk ~ I take many-a trips before the fall!  

I can see ~ Come closer,,,closer.

I can hear ~ Eh? just a little louder hon!

I can touch ~ It's guaranteed, I'll drop it! 

I can smell ~ Really, that's rotten? 

I'm Miss MS and with MS I can laugh doing it all!   

Happy Tuesday my friends. 

 May your day be blessed beyond imagination, beautiful beyond belief and full of His love 

~ for He is the one who gave us this day!  

just me, bri~

Monday, November 21

My first digital sticker is complete...but I've got all this extra border. Hum.......welp, it's 2:17am and I have an early MS appointment in the morning.  My brain is tired but wanting to create more!!!  This is so addictive!
Night all, sweetest of dreams~ bri

Oh Where oh Where have the days gone?

Jersey is now 9 months old.  Oh my goodness...where has the time seriously gone?
I am so glad, no, no, no,  oh whats the word?   THRILLED! Yes thrilled  to have been with her these past 7 months since her Mommy went back to work.  Our days have been filled with flash cards, sign language, reading, videos, Bubble Guppies, Veggie Tales, music of all sorts and squeals of laughter!  What a joy it has been!!
She wants absolutely nothing to do with crawling...she wants to walk! She says "HI" on the phone in the cutest little raspy voice.  She has learned a few sign language signs and is beginning to use them.  She shakes that head from side to side so quickly to tell us "NO" and just today she started nodding, YES!  OMG, I just about fell over and wet my pants I laughed so hard!  I was able to get the video camera out and record for Mom and Dad.  She is something!!  She is Miss Independent already!  From the spoon to self-feeding, she wants to do it all! Today unfortunately was also the first accident! :(  Oh my~ I cried as much as she did!  In her attempting to be so independent she lost her grip and hit the coffee table.  As I picked her up I was expecting the worst.  However with a little cuddling and a cool cloth applied to her she quickly bounced back to her normal self.  I am in control yet freaking out that shes going to have a horrible bruise and wouldn't you know tomorrow is her 9month Dr's appointment!!  ugh!   Well, hours later and she's still not showing signs of a hematoma! (That just sounds more dramatic than bruise! lol)  
She is MeMes daily delight and I'm so honored that I've gotten to bond and share this one on one time with her these last 7 months!  More to come my Jersey~Girl!

She certainly is one cute little cupcake!

What is Spiritual Knowledge?

Spiritual knowledge comes from having and knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.  It is a deep yearning of His word and actions coming from what you learn.  I nor you can have spiritual knowledge based on someone else's spiritual journey.

      I personally believe that one must ask the Lord Jesus Christ into their heart.  To ask Him to forgive them of their past wrong-doings and to change themselves from the inside out by learning His Will for their life. From that point on ones Spiritual Journey begins and with daily studying you begin your library of Spiritual knowledge. 

     My daily walk is personal and often times challenging...but aren't the greatest things we work for usually the most rewarding?   I am so very THANKFUL to live where I can worship Jesus Christ in my heart publicly and willingly!!

I've become a Pintrest-holic!!

Weekends are becoming very sacred to me.  You see I have Jersey-girl usually M-F and I'm at the Y after she goes home, so, my weekends have become my time to sneak and create while the kids aren't around!  lol!  I've created 6 fleece blankets, two hair-bow holders, 3 crayon canvas letters and the list is growing!!  Oh, and lets not forget the baby food jar Christmas trees that Steph and I worked on two nights this last week and the 5 sets of corn-hole boards Daddy and I have made!!   Whew...when I see it typed out in front of me I can see the progress I'm making!!
Seems everyone is really trying to get into the Spirit of Christmas by making homemade gifts this year and that's just so up my alley!!  For years I've been making homemade gifts but I'd also purchase the latest and greatest from the local retailers.  It's exciting to know that this holiday we will honor the true meaning of the Holidays without a bunch of retail hoop-la!  This is why I've become a Pintrest-holic and a blog walker!  SO much to find online!  Welp,,,I'm off to pick up some more Modge-podge and fleece fabric at Joanne's!
Happy crafting my friends!

♫♫ Follow me to Tennessee... ♫♫
who remembers that song? 


I love this time of year and wanted to share some of the photographs I've taken the past few days around my home.  
Who knew that a foggy morning at 10am would turn out to be as beautiful as a pretty as it was?  The fog was literally sitting all around us!

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 TRUNK or TREAT

 Over 300 hot rods and classic cars showed up for the 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat!

It was such a beautiful night for the kids.  Just enough of a chill that hot chocolate was at the top of the menu!  

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How about this for a Pumpkin?







Her daddy has quite an imagination! Way to go Jamie, these are too fun!

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Fall is FANTASTIC!

What an amazing and beautiful week & weekend!

  Lets see, Miss Jersey cut her second tooth and she's now "clapping".  This is a big deal for MeMe as we've been learning this word since she was 3 months.  It's one of many on her video and flash cards. Funny thing is her mommy sat her on the potty and when she finished her business I did my normal jumping, clapping and silly MeMe praising.  She immediately began trying to clap and she kept missing her hands...it was just too cute!  Well, later in the week I was actually able to capture her at Jaylen's birthday party while Jamie held her.  She was clapping, wiggling (dancing) and acting so silly!  It's awesome to get to spend so much time with her and teach her one on one. 

 Oh how I'd love to homeschool all my grandbabies!

Jersey is like this 24/7

happy, singing, full of joy

I tell her she's filled with the Holy Spirit!

(these are taken at Jaylen's b'day swimming party at Sports Com)

The weekend was full of parties and festivities!

Bret took me birthday shopping for a phone cover for this fancy gadget and some additional items as well! This Nexus S4G is nice!  

It's no wonder why people never put them down! After some time in the mall we met up with the kids for dinner.  Jamie's dad and stepmom are in town from West Virginia and I wanted to spend some time with them. I hadn't seen them since our cruise.  So Chicago pizza, beer and chatting!! Yumm!

Saturday morning was mammogram time.  Time to check on my girls! :)  

Friends, get your girls checked! 

 My appointment took maybe 20 mins. total! 

It's painless and it's treatable when detected early!!

I finished in time to make it to the Pumpkin Patch by noon for Jaxon's party.  Amazing as I look at all these kids with their kids!!  

Stephanie and I created our first major two tier b'day cake for this occasion using fondant.  I'm sorry but fondant, homemade or not, just isn't good to me!  It does help create a prettier cake but personally I prefer my traditional buttercream!  Anyhow, the cake turned out like the picture we were given and we even made him his own Mickey Mouse cake. 

 As a surprise we were able to get a Mickey Mouse costume from R.J. (friend who owns PartyAnimals.org)  Jaxon loves Mickey on TV but forget him in person!

 To top it off, with the sun glaring on Mickey, Riley was able to see inside his costume and shouted out to everyone, "Awwww, it's Uncle David in there!"  

Of course the adults got a kick out of that and we just stole Riley's childhood as she learned that all the characters are just people on the inside!  lol!  :(  

The party finished up and we continued on to ride the tractor around the farm, visit the corn maze, string maze, huge pumpkin fields, petting farm, listen to live music and get the girls faces painted.  

 

Saturday evening Jaylen and I decided to go take pictures at the Sam Davis home in Smyrna and just have some girl time without the little ones.  When we got arrived the first thing she noticed was the "snow".  I explained that the snow field was actually cotton and we had a lengthy discussion on how cotton was harvested which led to chatting about the Civil War and slavery.  Jaylen is so inquisitive!  We made our way over the the cotton field and she was able to pick a few pieces.

 and was so excited to do some research when we returned home.  

The farm is so rich in history and the welcome of fall is all around!  

After a long day of playing and exploring we made our way to wal-E-world and gathered the ingredients to make her birthday cake for her party on Sunday evening! 

 I told you this weekend was full of parties!  

We baked and baked till 11pm.  6 cakes in all to create the horse head she wanted.  This was going to be her creation with MeMe's help.  We were able to get the first crumb coat on and mananged to fall into bed after 1!

 I don't know about Jay-bugg but MeMe was pooped!

Jaylen did an excellent job with her cake! 

Her party was a huge success!

Due to other children being in her pictures I will not be posting some party pics. 

Jaylen had a blast with her family and friends!

 Little sister Zoey

 Happy 9th Bugg!

 Her Dad having fun too!

 Dad and sister Riley!

 gifts...gifts and more gifts!

Dad climbing the rock wall!

Sister Riley 

Playing with Dad

 Dad and Riley

  Jaylen and Riley

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Those beautiful baby blues!  

I claim bragging rights for all four granddaughters having the most beautiful blue eyes!  Yes, they got those from me!
  Seriously, they all 4 have the most amazing, bluest of blue eyes I've seen! 

Jaylen 8

Riley 2

Jersey 4 months

Zoey 3 months