A Question for All!

As I made my way through Bloggy Land during the Christmas holidays, I noticed how many of us share traditions and ways in which we observe and prepare our homes and hearts for remembering God's greatest gift-JESUS! There seems to be a common thread among Christians during the Advent season. My question is... How are we preparing our hearts for the Easter season?

I would love to know what traditions you have in your home, or use to teach your children about Jesus' sacrifice and love for us.
I have a few family members that are Catholic, and they have been kind enough to share with me the following links in order to understand Ash Wednesday and Lent a little better.I also like this calendar.

I have shared before that my parents were saved/born again back in the 80's-(in the Assembly's of God Church.) I spent most of my childhood there and in the Methodist and Baptist denominations. My home church (Christ United Methodist) has a beautiful tradition that I used to take part in every year. It's called The Walk of the Cross. At noon every year on Good Friday, we would meet at First Methodist to pray and remember the day by carrying a large cross across town to Christ United. The men would start us off by being the first to carry the cross. And it usually took four to five of them to carry it- the cross is so large. Everyone who wanted a turn- helped to carry the cross, while the rest of us would sing hymns and praise songs as we walked along. Once we reached Christ United, the men would place the cross in the ground, between two other crosses. The pastor would hold a short service there outside. Then we would quietly disperse. My family would also observe a fast to remember the day. Growing up, it really helped me to grasp a small insight into the meaning of the cross. It made it more real for me, and I miss being apart of it.
I would love for you to share with me your stories and traditions. Even if you've never left a comment before, please leave one now and feel free to share. Thank you and God Bless!

Blogging with a Purpose

Maria, a dear bloggy friend has given me another blessing. Maria has been so kind and generous to me and I am honored to have her as a friend! I am inspired daily by her writing, her love for the Lord, and her excitement and encouragement towards other women of faith. Her testimony is evident in the way that she passionately shares all that he Lord has blessed her with. This award was created by Eric Novak at Blogging with a Purpose. Here’s how it works:

Awarded parties must nominate five people who have not received the award.

The blogs that receive the award must serve some purpose.

In their post about the award they need to link back to this entry.

Awarded parties must post the award banner on their site. The banner must remain linked to the above linked site.

I’m forwarding this to blogs (and there are so many more than 5 of you!) that inspire and uplift me:



I am happy to finally have the opportunity to share something with Susan @ Penless Writer. She is truly an inspiration and a portrait of a Titus 2 woman. She is honest and forthcoming about her love for Jesus and her desire to know Him more. I admire her commitment to her marriage and her family and how she fervently prays for them without ceasing.

Connie @ Little Red Hearts From God is gentle, compassionate and has a blog devoted to her love for her family, her work as a Hospice Nurse, and her healing journey. I love how she shares with honesty and vulnerability the journey out of where the Lord has brought her and where He continues to lead her and her intimacy with the Lord- (her Abba.) It is amazing to me to see how she is allowing the Lord to use her grief to empathize and lovingly serve others.

Sharon @ Sharon's Quiet Reflections is a treasure. There are very few bloggers that I have come across that are not only heartfelt and passionate about their relationship with the Lord, but who also willingly bare their insecurities and vulnerability. It makes her real and identifiable and I respect that quality very much in her writing.

Marsha @ Marsha's Musings is such an encouragement in her comments as well as her writing. I enjoy the pearls of wisdom she share from God's word, her stories and updates on her family serving the Lord in Kenya and her desire to spread the good news! And, she does it all with a thankful heart.

Joy @ Joy in the Journey is a wife, mother of five, and a missionary in Kalimantan. I love reading about her family's adventures across the world as well as the insightfulness with which she shares what the Lord has revealed to her. I am quite in awe of her seemingly flawless superwoman-ness! No but seriously, it's hard enough to raise a family in this country with Godly purpose, I admire their commitment and willingness to go "wherever" the Lord calls them.

This was a very hard post for me. It really took me a while to figure out and pray about who to pass this on to. There are so many wonderful women out there in bloggy land who deserve this blessing. I am inspired daily by so many of you. God Bless you all! Love in our Lord Jesus Christ!

Big Birthday Splash!

My little man turned 2 last weekend- and what a weekend we had! For his first birthday, we did the birthday party thing here at home. He had a handful of little friends come over and it was fun. My cousin David, his wife Dawn and their son Brandon even flew in from Denver for his special day. This year we decided to do something different. Since it is bitter cold here, with a foot of snow on the ground, we headed south with our friends and neighbors, the Semrau's. Mikayla and Trey share the same birthday, so it worked out perfectly. We took the kids away for a family weekend at Splash Harbor. Having a birthday in February doesn't provide the options for the outdoor fun that a summer birthday has to offer, but watching the kids last weekend- you'd never know the difference. Anna Grace and I enjoyed time in the kiddie pool. Owen spent the majority of our stay in the hot tub. And Ben, Mikayla, Maddie and Trey ran around between the big pool, slide and spray ground area with shooting geysers and dumping buckets. I think Trey is part fish. He loved every minute of it. By the end of our stay, he was swimming back and forth between Hugh and myself, and he was going down the slide all by himself (with one of us catching him at the bottom of course.) We also made sure he wore a little life jacket floatie at all times. We also took a day trip to Richland Carrousel Park. It is the first hand- carved carrousel built and operated in the U.S. since the 1930s. The carrousel offered a choice between 30 horses and 22 menagerie figures. It also had beatifully restored antique rounding boards, mirrors, mural frames and music by a Stinson Band Organ. It was so much fun. Datha brought chocolote cupcakes and candles for our offical celebration in the room that night. We had a little pizza party and the kids played with their gifts, watched movies, played gameboy-(Ben and Maddie) and enjoyed visiting, snacking and jumpng on the bed. They had a blast! Trey has been trying to swim in the bath tub ever since. He also insists on wearing his arm floaties to play around the house. Yesterday, he wouldn't even take them off for nap time. He is just precious. I'm so glad he had such a wonderful time. And I'm glad Hugh was able to switch his schedule to have the whole weekend off to be with him/us. They got alot of quality father-son time together. We can't believe he is already two! It doesn't seem that long ago....but our baby boy is growing up.

Something to add...on A Love worth Living For

I love it when the Lord reveals new things to you, or confirms a work He has stirring within you. If you would like a blessing today, I recommend a visit to Joy's blog- Joy in the Journey. She did a post yesterday on Blessing our Husbands. Let me just say- it blessed the socks off of me! It is a perfect companion to my last post. Read it! You'll love it!

A Love worth Living for

Falling In Love

In Six Acts

A Passion Play

(Or what happens when you fall down that long well of passion over a person, a place, a sport, a game, a belief, and your heart goes boom and your mind leaves town.)

Act I Lust/Infatuation

(I think I love you. Who are you anyway?)

HERE IT IS, THE BIG "WOW," THE BIG "GEE," THE BIG "YES,YES,YES"

YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. THIS IS WHERE YOU FIND SOMETHING OR SOMEONE AND BELIEVE THEY ARE BETTER, GREATER, CUTER, WISER, MORE WONDERFUL THAN ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER KNOWN. INFATUATION IS A NECESSITY, FOR WITH IT WE IMAGINE OUR BODIES MOVING THE WAY OUR BODIES WERE MEANT TO MOVE: WE CAN DO MARATHONS WITH OUR FEET, LIFT POUNDS WITH OUR ARMS, HAVE STARS IN OUR EYES AND DO A NIFTY TANGO. AND YOU THINK:

I have no need for food, I have no need for sleep, I have no needs other than occasionally chewing a breath mint. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, probably because you haven't happened to me yet. Now I can pass into the next Act, so poetically called:

Act II Euphoria

(Or: Oh yippee, you're mine.)

YOU FEEL FUNNY INSIDE. YOU FEEL FUNNY OUTSIDE. YOU FEEL YOU COULD DO ANYTHING AND NO ONE WOULD DARE LAUGH AT YOU. THIS LOVE, YOU WILL TREASURE. YOU WILL NOT PUT IT IN THE BASEMENT NEXT TO YOU ROWING MACHINE, TREADMILL, AND THERMAL BODY SWEAT WRAP. AND YOU WILL NOT TAKE THIS LOVE FOR GRANTED, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF ALL. AND YOU SAY:

I feel so good, I feel so strong, I feel actually attractive and I could learn to live with this feeling. Oh let us sing and dance and eat brown mushy foods low in fat! Oh joy! Oh rapture!

Oh but what if I'm no good at this? Oh I am no good at this. I am a dingy speck on the wall of humanity and look how badly painted that wall is! I am becoming very, very afraid. This must be because I'm passing into thr Third Act, called:

Act III Fear

(Also known as: Uh-oh.)

THIS IS WHERE THE DOUBT BEGINS, WHERE THE MIND COMES BACK FROM SHOPPING, YELLS AT THE HEART, BINDS AND GAGS IT TO A NICE LOUNGE CHAIR AND ALLOWS GUILT, FAILURE, AND REMEBERENCES OF THINGS PAST TO SIT IN FOR A NICE GAME OF BRIDGE. THIS IS WHERE YOU FEAR WHAT YOU NEED MOST. IF IT'S A PERSON YOU LOVE, YOU FEAR APPEARING FOOLISH IN FRONT OF THEM. IF IT'S A SPORT, YOU FEAR BEING FOOLISH IN FRONT OF MANY, MANY PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME. AND YOU BEGIN TO THINK:

Oh no. What if I'm wrong? What if this stinks? What if my heart has blinders on, it's had blinders on before, in fact it had dark heavy patches taped all over it. How can anyone love me if I don't love myself? I mean, I love myself, there are just parts between the top of my head and the bottom of my feet that could use some improvement. I'm not demeaning myself, I have relatives who do that.

Act IV Disgust

(And the strange desire to eat everything in sight, hind in your room and watch old Gidget movies with friends from highschool.)

NOW COMES THAT UNAVOIDABLE TIME WHEN YOU SAY TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN: WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING, ANYWAY? IF IT'S A PERSON YOU LOVE, FIRST YOU HATE ONLY THEIR FOULEST INADEQUACIES, THEN YOU START HATING THEIR GOOD POINTS AS WELL. IF IT'S RUNNING YOU LOVE, YOU START TO HATE HILLS, SIDEWALKS, AND BAD WEATHER, AND SOON ANYTHING THAT SLIGHTLY RESEMBLES A BUMP, CONCRETE, OR A SMALL BREEZE.

I can't believe I ever said I felt this way, I must have been dreaming! Wait, THIS IS NO DREAM, THIS IS A FILM NOIR MOVIE, and one of those really dark ones, too. I mean, is this love? This is what they tell you about when you're 11 and naive? Or 32 and more naive?

Act V The Truth

( Love is hard work. And, sometimes, hard work can really hurt.)

LOVE IS A GAME. IF THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU BEFORE, WE WILL TELL YOU NOW. LOVE IS A GAME AND IF YOU PLAY YOU EITHER WIN, LOSE OR GET EJECTED BEFORE THE GAME IS OVER. THERE ARE NO TIES. MAYBE YOU'LL LOSE AND LEARN SOME GREAT MEANINGFUL ANSWER FROM IT ALL (LIKE IF IT LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS). IT'S EASY TO LOVE SOMETHING WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORK AT IT. IT'S HARDER WHEN IT ASKS SOMETHING OF YOU, YOU MIGHT BE AFRAID TO GIVE.

GIVE IT ANYWAY.

The heart is the most resilient muscle. It is also the stupidest. So if this love you've found is good to you, hold it, keep it, shout about it. If it isn't, then maybe you should just become very good friends.

Act VI The Finale

(Also known as the big whopperdoodle, or, the most important part of this whole darn thing.)

SO THIS IS LOVE, AS DEMANDING AND NOURISHING AND DIFFICULT AS IT CAN BE, AND AS STRONG AND AS WISE AS IT MAKES YOU BECOME. THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE GAINED FROM COMMITMENT. THERE ARE REWARDS FOR STAYING WHEN YOU WOULD RATHER LEAVE. AND THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR RUNNING UP THAT HILL WHEN YOU WOULD RATHER SLIDE DOWN IT. AND SO YOU LET LOVE COME AND PERCH UPON YOUR SHOULDER. AND YOU DO NOT TURN IT AWAY. YOU DO THE TANGO.

Just do it.

(Yes, this is a advertisement for NIKE.)

Or it was back in the early 90's.

I've had this magazine article since high school. It made me laugh- probably because I've found parts of it to be so true, at least for myself. I've been swept up in the whirl wind of love. I've been on top of the world and in the depths of despair. I've felt like I was caught up in a game I didn't know the rules to, and at times the brunt of a very cruel joke. But that is not love. Love is not a feeling. It is a gift, a giving of one's self in order to serve another. And it is a commitment. It is not wishy-washy. Love is there through the good times and the bad, sometimes the very, very bad. There are feelings involved, a connection. Sometimes there are very intense feelings initially, sometimes it starts very small and blossoms, grows and develops. But we can not rely solely on our feelings because our feelings will deceive us. (A perfect example of this is how the devil uses our feelings to deceive us into believing we are unworthy and incapable of being loved by God. The cross was not for me; God could never love someone like me. What about the mistakes I've made? The shame, the guilt the pure wretchedness of it all is far too great for God to love me.) LIE! Jesus didn't feel like going to the cross. He gave up of himself- in agony, in order to love us! When he washed the disciples' feet, He asked them to love one another in the same way. To humble them selves and serve one another, in a way that puts the other person above them selves. Should we not do the same in our own house holds and in our own marriages? Feelings say it's all about me, me, me. My needs, my wants are what are important and when my needs are met then I can and will meet the needs of others. LIE! Is this the example Jesus gave us to live by? No! But it certainly is what the world will tell you love is all about. That is why this monthly marriage challenge is so important to me. The devil is trying as hard as he can to tear apart every sacred covenant that God has established (the church, marriage, I could go on and on.) It's up to us to protect it and to love and serve and encourage one another. I hope you will join me. Blessings to you all!


Beautiful Words from God on love-



I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:1


The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Commitment to Loveliness!

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness -hosted by Emma @ Charming the Birds from the Trees! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!



Here is my list for this week:

1. I'm going to work on my posture, (sitting and standing.)

2. I'm going to meditate, pray and journal on cultivating a meek and humble spirit.

3. I'm going to bake a Mississippi Mud Cake for Wednesday night's Bible study.

4. This week I'm starting My Great Big God preschool curriculum at home with Trey. We will concentrate on 1 Peter 5:7 from God's Word- God Cares for you, and talk about how God shows His care for me by giving me people who love me. We are also working on steady beat using the song This is the Day!

5. As I look toward the up coming celebration of Easter, and for my own enjoyment I am reading Beth Moore's Jesus The One and Only.

A Book Tag!

I've been tagged again, by my lovely friend Maria. It's called the Book Me-Me
Here are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the next 3 sentences.
5. Tag 5 people

I love this book. Yet, I fully understand that many may not be ready for this book. I know the Lord prepared my heart for quite a while, before I came across this little treasure. If I had approached this at an earlier time in my life, I surely would have thrown it in the trash with an Ok, a bit too radical for me! It still amazes me how the Lord breaks down our barriers and softens our resistance to change. This book has helped me have more of a servant's heart in my own marriage, through the biblical design of our divine calling as our husbands' "help meet." Here's an excerpt from the book.
(page:123)

Traits of a Good Help Meet
* She fears God.
* She believes God's Word as it is written.
* She considers her position as a help meet a privileged command.

Mrs. Pearl invites you to Discover how God can make your marriage glorious. I highly recommend this book and welcome your thoughts and comments, if anyone else has read it as well! Blessings to all! I would now like to tag Dawn, Alana, Melissa, Kimberly, and Denise.

Ok, I realize that Monday is coming to a close, and that I'm late getting this up today, but the following verses are a burden on my heart right now! I am still in the process of memorizing them. However, I felt strongly compelled to share them. Lately, the Lord has impressed upon me what it means to be "holy." I also have developed a strong desire for a "meek and quiet spirit!" I just feel like I'm in a gentle re-molding process. Which is a refreshing change from the refiner's fire. I'll have more to share on this later. I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the week! Blessings!

1Peter 3:3-5 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment....
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands.


Psalms 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.


James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,


Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.


Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting,with strife.


Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.


1Peter 5:5-10 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.


Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

What Kind of Mother Hen Are You?

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

....And The Winner Is!

The winner of our Taste of Gourmet All American Apple Cake is...Sharon @ Sit with me Awhile! Thank you ladies for those of you who participated. I will be giving away a new product next month, so come on back and invite some friends this time. For thoes of you following a healthy eating plan, or even trying to lose a few extra pounds- not to worry. Our products are "slimpossible!" We also offer the nutritional facts, list of ingredients and Weight Watcher points for each of our products. Hugh and I are still on Weight Watchers, so this has allowed us to enjoy our favorites and stay with in our points. Woohoo! In fact, Hugh enjoyed a piece of Southern Praline Pie last night after the party. Oh the party...I almost forgot. I had seven guests last night for my Valentine Open House. Five of my guests were ladies from my church, also my friend Datha and my friend Bridgette were able to attend. They braved the wind and weather just to be there. It snowed six inches last night, on top of the three to four inches we already had. But, we had a wonderful time. Good food, good fellowship! I hope ya'll are having a blessed day!

My First Bloggy Give Away!

As many of you may have read in one of my earlier posts, I am hosting a Taste of Gourmet Valentine Open House, Tuesday night. I am so excited! Taste of Gourmet was started in my home town of Indianola, Mississippi, by Mrs. Evelyn Roughton. Mrs. Evelyn is one of the finest southern ladies I know. She has a deeply rooted faith, a strong love for her family and a gift for good food and entertaining. Growing up in the Delta, Mrs. Evelyn offered us, as young ladies, an oasis in the desert, or rather in the middle of a cotton field. In the 1970's, she opened The Antique Mall, which brought antiques from England, right to the Mississippi Delta. It also offered the Crown Tea Room, serving lunch and afternoon tea. I have many a fond memory of having lunch there with girlfriends, or attending a bridal or graduation tea. I even hosted a special bridesmaids' luncheon at The Crown myself, when I got married. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Mrs. Evelyn earned quite a reputation for her food and The Crown, even winning several awards. So when she asked me personally back in 2003 to become apart of the family, which is her business, I felt very honored. I said yes!!! Although at the time, my schedule only allowed me to be a casual consultant. I was already teaching, working retail some nights and weekends, and teaching voice lessons. (At the time, Hugh was a full time medical student, with no source of income.) I was also serving as the president of the Student Associate Auxiliary for Hugh's medical school. So, to say I was stretching myself a little thin is putting it lightly. And life happened, as it does. My father passed, we were transferred here to Ohio for Hugh's internship- now residency, my mom passed, and I had two beautiful children. (Phew! It makes me tired just thinking about it!) Now that my life has somewhat settled down, I am excited to have the opportunity to venture into this business again. I adore Mrs. Evelyn and I am excited about being able to share a part of myself and where I come from with others. So, in honor of my own grand re-opening, I would like to offer Taste of Gourmet's All American Apple Cake (which is the product of the month!) as my first Bloggy give away! "What is the product of the month?" It is a fund raising project Taste of Gourmet started to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis, TN. The Hospital is devoted to research and treatment toward eliminating chronic childhood diseases like leukemia and is the only childhood cancer research center designated by the National Cancer Institute. So, not only will I be able to pamper someone special, but I will be helping with a cause that is dear to my heart!
If you'd like to participate, here are the rules....

1. Click on the following link, and visit our official Taste of Gourmet website.

2. Come back here and leave a comment about something that interests you, - (a product, recipe, maybe becoming a consultant yourself. If you are already acquainted with Taste of Gourmet, tell me about your experience and something new you learned by visiting the website!)

The feedback will be of a great help to me, and I hope will generate new interest in this special company. I will be choosing a winner Wednesday. If you do not have a blog and would still like to enter, that would be great! I am not knowledgeable about Mr. Linky yet, so you'll have to check back here on Wednesday. And if you're chosen, you can leave me your address at my e-mail. Let the FUN begin!!! Blessings on your day!

Seven Month Milestones

This month has by far been the most monumental yet, for Anna Grace, as far as her development is concerned. A week into her seventh month, she finally decided to sit up on her own. She previously had no interest in this area, preferring rather to fall to one side and roll onto her back or belly. In fact, she was all about rolling every where. During her sixth month, she practiced getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth. She would even crawl a few steps here and there. But this month, she took off! Then she decided to start pulling herself up onto her knees, and within a few days, her feet. This week she started taking a few steps, if we held her hands and walked behind her. She also started walking along the edge of our couch by herself. Tonight, she tried to climb the stairs at the indoor playground we were playing at in the mall. (Yes, I did say indoor playground, because it's about 20* here in Ohio.) She pulled herself up to a standing position, and could get one knee up onto the bottom step, but then she couldn't get enough momentum going to push herself up. It was sooo cute!!! I wanted to jump up and cheer. I love her determination! She is growing way too fast, ya"ll. I'm going to turn around and she won't be a baby anymore. But it's so exciting at the same time! To top it all off, Tuesday night- (2/5/08)- Her first offical tooth broke through! She has been working on it for a while now. And it is finally here! I just had to take a moment and record it all in her baby book and here in my bloggy journal. Hope your day is filled with joy as well. Blessings to All!

A Commitment to Loveliness

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness, hosted by Emma at Charming the Birds from the Trees! In her own words...It is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!








Here is my list for the week:

1. I'm going to hang my roses to dry, and then find a beautiful vase to display them in!

2. I'm going to tidy up the house, and prepare my menu for my holiday Taste of Gourmet open House, I'm hosting on February 12th.

3. I'm going to unpack two place settings of my fine china, give them a gentle wash, and use them for our Valentine's dinner.

4. I'm going to prepare a song to share in church this month! This is big for me, because I haven't been able to sing in public since my mom's funeral. So, please pray for me!

5. I'm slowly working on making a vintage sock monkey for both Trey and Anna Grace!

Have a great week and Blessings to all!

February 2, 2008

This weekend I celebrated my 31st birthday! It was by far the best birthday I have ever had! I had fully intended to let it quietly pass by- no bells or whistles. My sweet husband, on the other hand, had a different idea in mind. He re-arranged his schedule, with another resident, to be off for the entire weekend. He took care of everything, and whisked me away for the weekend! My sweet friend, Datha took care of Trey and Anna Grace Friday evening, and most of Saturday, as her birthday present to me! We went to Canfield, where Hugh arranged a romantic evening in a beautiful suite, complete with a fireplace and jacuzzi spa! What a luxurious, relaxing surprise! I felt like a pampered princess! Oh, but wait, it gets better! He took me out to the most wonderful dinner at a new place called Harry & Jean's (Passionate American Food). Ya'll, this place is unbelievably, fabulous! They offer an eclectic, American menu with an upscale flair! -And live jazz! I felt transported back to that 1930's/ 1940's era of Crosby, Martin, and ole blue eyes (Sinatra!) There was mood lighting, music, champaign and lots of hand holding across the table. Hugh had the band play The Way You Look Tonight, just for me! And he toasted us to another 31 years, no make those 62 years of love and marriage together! He then asked me if I could imagine being 93 and still putting up with him! Well, absolutely!!! I told him I'll be a spry 93, and still madly in love with him! After dinner, we went back to our room, where we enjoyed a quiet evening together. I woke up around 6:00am, and Hugh started a fire for us in the fireplace. We snuggled back in, there in the dark quiet room and fell fast asleep until a little after 10:00! I haven't slept that well in over two years! When we got up, Hugh made me coffee, and even ironed my clothes while I enjoyed slowly getting ready! I'm telling you, it was so sweet and lovely- I could have stayed forever! (Aside from the fact, that I missed our two little ones- it was like a dream come true!) We went back to Harry & Jean's for lunch. Yes, it is that fabulous! And when I found out they served sweet tea, I mean "real" southern sweet tea, I all but teared up. What am I saying, I did tear up! Could it get any better?! -Needless to say, Harry& Jean's is our special place now! I love my husband! I am so blessed! It's been so difficult lately, and truth be told I almost didn't celebrate my birthday, because I felt guilty, about trying to be happy about a birthday so close in relation to the memory of my mom's passing. But, Hugh made me forget all about it! I was so touched by this romantic gesture, mostly due to the fact that we've never been anywhere alone, or away together in all our "almost" seven years of marriage. Hugh is very adamant on not living beyond our means, and not living on credit cards! We had no debt to speak of, when we married and started medical school. He is very conscious of budgeting and providing for us. Especially now that he is allowing me to stay at home with our babies! Another beautiful blessing! Aaaa, but I digress... I say all this to count my many blessings! I don't think I've ever had a sweeter birthday. -I know I haven't! (Smiles!) Blessings to all!

Memory Verse Monday...and Memories of Momma

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”


Song of Songs 8:6
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.


John 11:33-44
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
“Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
“Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”


The beautiful flowers above were a surprise from my sweet mother-in-law. She sent them in memory of my mom (who passed January 31,2006.) She wanted to send me something to lift my spirits. She anticipated without my even saying, that I would be struggling a bit, missing momma (& daddy!) It was very thoughtful of her. And the flowers remind me of some of my most treasured memories of momma. She had her own rose garden, and I would wake up to a fresh vase of flowers on my night stand, every so often. Throughout my life, my mom seemed to pamper me in little ways. When I was young, she would heat my robe in dryer before comming to wake me up in the morning, or she'd heat my towel before I got out of the bath. When I was sick, she would bring me soup, a sandwich, and a cool wash cloth for my head or neck. She'd sit there and stroke my hair, kiss me, and talk to me until I fell alseep. She always sat down to help me with my homework when I came home from school, wanting to know everything about my day. I think she loved me the way she wanted to be loved. And I think she taught me how to treat and love others! Momma had a hard life. I mean nothing in my life, (trials and hardship) could touch what her life was like, and I think that is why she struggled so with her own demons of insecurity and addiction. All my life, I wanted so badly to rescue her from that. If I could have just loved her enough, been good enough! Thoes are the lies the evil one whispers in our ears, ( especially when we are little!) Yes! Thoes are the lies that helped me create my own neroseases, insecurities, and self loathing/destructive behavior. I said helped! There are many other circumstances in life that have added to it and left their own ugly mark. But, I've learned there is no earthly love that can provide the healing needed. As instruments in our heavenly father's service, we can only hope to show but a glimpse of the true love, mercy, grace and compassion that is found only in Him! And I know for certain that that is the abundant love and ever lasting peace that she has now found. In the arms and heart of Jesus! Thank you God, for that comfort! I awoke this morning with a song on my heart... an old hymn that maybe some of you know.

There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord;

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us Filling us with Your love,
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise,
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.

There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us Filling us with Your love,
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise,
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.

Amen! Blessings to All!