He Wanted To Go To Lowe's....

....and I wanted to go....

Ladies, let me just say, if you're man wants to go to Lowe's on a Saturday night just to hang out and spend some quality time...DO IT!!

That was our scenario last night and I really just wanted to go home...catch up on laundry...read in my book...veg out...you know, Lowe's just isn't my idea of a grand date!

I won...sort of.

We went home and I started laundry and a little blogging. Hubby tried to find something on the tube and began (aimlessly) sharpening his knife (out of boredom, I later learned).

That one decision. To not go to Lowe's. Sent us to the emergency room for stitches! Yes, in his aimless knife sharpening, he slipped. And you know what? The knife was sharp!! Off to the E.R. we go for 2-1/2 hours and four stitches...woo hoo! Are we having fun now or what?!

So, next time hubs wants to go to Lowe's and kill some time...we're going!!

Here's The Video

Sorry, I'm learning and didn't know how to do this...hope it works!!

East To West

I thought I'd participate in this meme since music and singing are such a huge part of who I am. This song by Casting Crowns..."East to West"...is one of my new favorites. I love that God takes my sin and failures and cast them out of his sight. I mess up every day, but thankfully God doesn't leave me in that pit. I realize every day that I'm this close to messing up again...just yesterday, I struggled with my thoughts and had to just give it to God. I called a friend and she prayed for me and with God's help, I rose above those thoughts. Read these words. Know they're true. See if they resonate somewhere deep inside of you!
Here I am Lord and I'm drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where you found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight

I know you've cast my sins as far
As the East is from the West
And I stand before you now
As though I've never sinned but today
I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Chorus:
Jesus can you show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again
Your truth Is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

[Chorus]

I know you've washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel
But by the truth your word reveals
I'm not holding on to you
But your holding on to me
Your holding on to me

Jesus, you know just how far
The East is from the West
I don't have to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
(The arms of your mercy I find rest)
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other (times 2)

Check out this website for more Sings My Soul.

Wedding Album

This is what I've been doing the past few days....a friend of mine hired me to make a wedding scrapbook for her to give at a wedding shower this weekend. She called me Tuesday and asked if I could have it done by Saturday! Whew!! My first "for profit" scrapbook..and a super tight deadline!! Here's the finished product...

I Blinked

I blinked.

Suddenly, my little girl has become a teenager (the way I remember teenagers).

She used to giggle when I'd sing her silly songs. Now she giggles because that guy is "hot."

She used to hide behind my leg when I'd try to introduce her to someone new. Now, I want to hide as I watch her flirt, trying to gain the attention of someone new.

We used to cuddle on the couch and dip our Oreo's in the same milk. Tonight she's in her bedroom with a girlfriend and half the contents of my kitchen cabinets.

She used to whisper secrets in my ear. Tonight I listen to laughter coming from her room and can only wonder at what is so hilarious.

I knew it would happen. That she'd grow up. Be interested in boys. Have a ton of friends. Have her own life that didn't revolve around me.

Today I blinked. And it happened.

Our Easter In Pictures

Because of this (extensive flooding)....

We had to cross this...

To get to this....(Mom & Jack's place; fondly referred to as "Cock Hollow")

Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits...all can be found here on the farm...

The baby chicks were a huge hit with the little ones...

Caleb, my nephew, loving the hunt of the egg...

My older nephew, Daniel, showing off his "hunting" skills...

The grandkids (Mom & Jack's..not mine..lol)...notice my son doesn't have an Easter basket...much to kewl to actually use a basket...

Blake & Mallorye enjoying the country life...

My Aunt Donna after being "egged"....


So, we finally made it to our kids who were staying with my mom for a few days. The flood waters are horrible and the river is still rising. We ended up going about 30 miles out of our way just to find a way into town.

To spite the rising Black River, the kids had a blast at my mom's...they gathered eggs, helped feed chickens, and even witnessed how we get the chicken to the table...Yes, we had Elvis & Priscilla for dinner. It's nice to get these citified kids out to the country every now and again. Mom & Jack have 32 baby chicks right now and some baby rabbits...not to mention all the other critters...ducks, geese, chickens, roosters, dogs...the list goes on.

The also enjoyed an egg hunt complete with 2 prize goose eggs (had to explain to my sister what a goose egg was...hilarious). The winner received 2 gold coins. The kids loved it. Well, mom & Jack had a surprise for us big kids...and sent us on a Treasure Hunt complete with riddles to find the next clue (5 clues in all) for 15 gold pieces! I admit, I wasn't very good at this, but I tried.

We had lots of food and FOUR birthday cakes!! My Aunt Donna & Kenny celebrated their birthday on March 22, Angie's was March 23, and mine is tomorrow...March 25. The kids also had made confetti eggs and egged each of the birthday bunch. Too funny!

It was a great day spent with family...the flood couldn't dampen this families spirits!

Spring Cleaning (bathroom)

Wow! This room, as the smallest room in the house, took a LONG time!

This is my medicine closet, which at one time was quite organized, but now...it's just a mess of cluttered boxes and bottles.

5 hours later....yes, really...it took me that long!!

Even a neat and tidy medicine cabinet with all the meds in the appropriate bucket.

I even went through my surplus items and organized them.

Ok, so the low down on what all I did that took 5 hours!
*removed EVERYTHING from the bathroom...even out of all the drawers and cabinets
*wiped the walls, baseboards, and cabinets
*cleaned the sink, tub, toilet...thoroughly
*swept, mopped, windex windows and mirrors
*sort and purge medicine cabinet...organize by type of illness
*sort and purge hygiene and beauty products
*put everything back in an organized way!
Check out Monica's blog for more spring cleaning across the USA!

Spring Cleaning (living room)

Ok, I admit this room doesn't appear to be too bad (on the surface). It's the least used room in the house, so it stays relatively clean. However, there were a few stray items to put away and deep cleaning to be done.


This is Quentin's chair...his favorite place to be in the afternoon!

Lots of hugs & kisses take place right here...

As you can see, I love to have family photos everywhere!! They're the most important thing to me and I like to have their pictures displayed...not just studio portraits, but snapshots as well.


Here's what I did in this room;
*put away all the stray items
*dusted EVERYTHING!! Including plants
*sort & purge magazines
*straightened up DVD collection


*cleaned the basket of toys (I keep these on hand for my nephews and other little visitors we may have)

*cleaned inside windows, door, and all the glass
*wiped baseboards
*swept and mopped
*added a little fragrance to the room...Pottery Barn's Apple Cinnamon room freshener

Ta-da! Room complete! Hopefully, I'll be able to add a few more rooms today...the kids are at my moms and I'm trying to take advantage of the time by cleaning. (Rick, I know you think I clean too much...so just to let you know...hubby and I did relax last night and watched a couple of movies on DVD)

First Signs of Spring

I love Spring...it has to be my most favorite season. The daffodils have started blooming here and as I look at them and all of the flowering trees, I'm reminded of new life and new beginnings. Isn't it just like God to give us a visual reminder...a time for renewal? Spring is that time for me.

Spring is a time to enjoy creation bursting forth in vibrant color! A time to sit on the front porch and sip lemonade...to have long talks with your beloved and children. It's a time when leisurely walks around the neighborhood refresh the soul. It's a time to slow down...and actually smell the roses.

Spring is my time to slow down, be quiet and still, and just listen....listen for God to whisper in my ear. Are my priorities in line with His will? Or am I chasing leprechauns? What does Spring do for you? Have you stopped to consider what God would like to show you? What is he bringing to your recall?

Stormy Night

Arkansas weather is never dull....our warm weather turned to a stormy night. The tornado sirens went off twice and sent us scrambling to the basement, blankets and flashlights in hand. It seems that mostly we just had minor damage...signs blew out, some power lines down, and lots of trees and limbs. Our house is safe and sound, but our neighbor wasn't quite as fortunate. Below is some pix of their shop building they've been working on...they just finished framing it out and now...it's flattened!


We have had a ton of rain...and it's still coming....some of the nearby rivers already are out of their banks and forcing evacuations from certain areas. Crazy weather I tell ya...and tonight the temp is supposed to dip down into the 30's! Isn't tomorrow the first day of Spring??

Choose Life

Joshua was promoted to Heaven...leaving behind a legacy that far outreaches his brief life of over 2 months. He defied the odds.

Check out this video tribute...awesome!!

I can't imagine what would've happened had Matt & Susie chosen to end their pregnancy early. Think of all the lives that have been challenged and changed, that wouldn't have been. I know that I for one, have been forever changed!

In honor and memory of Joshua, I'll be participating in my first "Silent Siege" this Saturday in Little Rock as part of the Arkansas group of Bound4Life. We will be standing in the Gap for all the unborn babies that are never given a chance to have their voices heard. I can't think of a more fitting tribute.

Colby & Laura

My cousin, Colby, got married!!! I can't believe it...he was our ring bearer nearly 16 years ago and now he's a married man.

I'm not sure who was more nervous...Colby or his mom, Liz.

The blushing bride...Laura...with her bridesmaids...BEAUTIFUL!

Unity Sand Ceremony...signifying Christ in their marriage.

The new Mr. & Mrs. making a break for it...

Colby & Laura...I wish you both years of happiness, memories, & a lifetime of love. I love you guys!!

Spring Cleaning (Blake's Room)

Ok, so I'm a little off of my schedule, but hey people...we had snow this weekend! I played over the weekend and last night I vegged....so tonight we tackled Blake's room.

Here are the before pictures....



Blake & I worked together and had his room shining by the end of the night...
*dusted the desk, bookshelf, & dresser
*purged the desk and put everything back neatly
*cleaned under bed
*went through dresser drawers & bedside table...purging as necessary
*wiped baseboards
*made bed
*sweep & mop
*had fun to boot!!

Blake with BLUE HAIR!!

Mom trying the blue hair on for size!

And the after pictures....

I'm thinking he might actually be able to study at this desk now...

And get a good night's rest...

So much more inviting....

Two rooms down...not counting how many more to go. Check out Monica's Blog for other stories of Spring Cleaning. Who knows? Maybe it will inspire you to do some decluttering of your own!