Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Going to try something new.....

I really do enjoy my blog although it probably seems I don't since I don't update it very often.  I have said before that writing things down is somewhat therapeutic for me.  And, have you noticed that I like to have my words centered on the page?  :)  There must be more OCD to my brain than I care to admit to. 
 
I have seen several blogs that do something like a "Simple Daybook".  I believe I shall try that and plan to do one once a week.  And, I will start today.
 
Outside: The sun is shining but it is oh so cold.  I can handle the cold and even snow as long as
the sun is shining.  I am not one for the dreary days.
 
What I am reading: Nothing.  Sad but true.  However, one of my resolutions for the new year is to
change that.  But, to carefully consider what I read.  I can speed right through a fiction book
in no time at all but I don't want to just fill my brain with fluff. 
 
At work: I have to say that for the most part I love my job.  I really do!  I am a firm believer in making myself an employee that has job security simply because my
employer can't make it without me.  Weird I know but fact.  So, this next year I may be taking
some classes and extra training.  That should mean some busy, interesting days.
 
The family: is currently enjoying all being together except for David.  His job and training in Florida did not make it feasible for him to come home.  Stinks being an adult at times.  However, my little house has been overran with tiny little creatures who obviously love
their Nana.  Want to know how I know this?  One or two of them has graciously
decided to share their germs with me and now I have a monstrous cold.  Fun times. 
But, David is doing well with his new job, Christa is way busy with two busy children.  Addison is improving by leaps and bounds with the help of speech therapy and occupational therapy. 
She looks so much like her dad it is scary!  :)  David the III??  Now he is one active little
fella!  And, looks like his Momma and acts like his Daddy.  He is very vocal when he doesn't want to do something which is cute at times and not so cute at others.  However, watching him pray for a meal is quite precious! 
Josh and Carrie are doing their best to adapt at living in the
North Frozen Tundra of Indiana.  :)  They are enjoying their new house and letting Molly have actual floor space to play!  Molly has developed quite the attachment to her Papaw let me tell you!  It is actually quite comical.  If Papaw has one baby in his arms and it isn't her, there is trouble!  She has the funniest "side" walk to be seen! 
Andrew and Ashley are currently residing in a small trailer.  You know that statement Dave Ramsey makes "Live like no one else so you can live like no one else later"?  Well, that is what they are doing!  :)  Estaley is developing a personality of her own that at times makes me laugh out loud and at others I laugh quietly to myself while she is receiving a form of correction from
her ever vigil parents. 
Being a grandparent is not for the weak at heart let me tell you!  But - I wouldn't trade a one of them for anything! 
 
Dave: I will just say that I am one blessed wife.  He never ceases to amaze with me with his talents, his work ethic, his patience, his relationship with God - I just am blessed.  You should see what he made the girls for Christmas!!He built these "table troughs" and custom painted them for each one's kitchen or dining room decor.  Awesome!  And, I get one too!  :)  Want to know what true love is??  He puts gas in my car so I don't have to get out in the cold!  Yep - he's a keeper! 
He stays busy between working for a guy in our church, being superintendent of the CYM and his revivals.  Oh yes, plus all the little side jobs he does here and there!  :) 
 
At the house: Nothing new and there won't be until all the little and big "extras" are gone.  :)  I desperately need to get my tree down and put away.  I can only handle it for so long.  Plus, redirecting little fingers gets tiring!  :)  However, come spring or summer we are hoping for new carpet in the living room and trim replaced so that our living room remodel will be complete.
 
What I am eating: Anything and everything at the moment with company and the holidays but that is about to change!  :)  I shall leave it at that! 
 
So - here is my first (kind of) Daybook and I am ready to take on the New Year.  Well......after I get the elephant to move off my face anyway! 
 
 
 

Monday, December 15, 2014

Technology Blessings


This coming April will be 20 years ago that my dad passed away.  It just does not seem possible some days.  There are moments when it feels like it happened yesterday and then there are those times when it feels like it has been every bit of those 20 years. 
 
One of the things that has bothered me the most about losing my dad is knowing that my kids have grown up not really knowing him or remembering him.  And, that my grandkids will never know him until we all get to heaven.  There are times when that knowledge really, really bothers me. 
 
As for me, there are times when all I have wanted was to just hear his voice again.  Then, thanks to technology - it happened! 
 
A couple weeks ago, my husband and I made a quick trip to Arkansas to visit a CYM church.  On our way, my mom sent me a text and said that someone had posted a video of my dad.  And wouldn't you know it???  I was in a place with NO reception or access to the internet on my phone.  Because, when you are in the middle of NO WHERE in Arkansas, cell phones don't really work! 
 
That evening when we got settled in at the hotel, I pulled up the video on YouTube.  And, there he was - preaching the message at the funeral of a pastor in Georgia.  My heart literally skipped a beat as I sat there and watched my Daddy preach.  Several things stuck out to me while I listened.  One is that all three of my brothers sound just like my dad!  Two, my husband has many of his mannerisms while preaching.  Now THAT was uncanny!  I mean - they are not even related but yet act so much alike. 
 
Then, I just sat back and closed my eyes and listened to what he was actually saying.  I think one of my Dad's favorite topics to preach about was the verse that says "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land" found in Ezekiel 22.  He firmly believe and preached often that God was looking for men, women, boys and girls to stand up for Him. 
 
So - I am so thankful for the following:
1) technology used to be a blessing
2) that I could hear my Dad's voice again
3) KNOWING without ONE doubt that my husband is carrying on the tradition of preaching and living like Christ for our kids and grandkids
4) being reminded that even I can stand up for God right where I am.