Meet Russell Lee!

Friday the 25th was a day we have been anticipating for weeks.... 20 to be exact!  It was the day that we were finally able to know....girl... or boy?!   IT'S A BOY!!!  I was hoping for a good shot of his lil' peepe, but to be honest, unless you knew where to look, it would not matter LOL. 

<-----Here he is with is little right arm next to his cheek. 

The ultrasound appointment resulted in Lindsay looking like she had an entourage!   In the room was Lindsay and Snoopy, of course, Buddy , me, my mom, and Jerry (Linz' dad).  Blair showed up towards the end.  We were really glad she was able to be a part of this.  There was some concern about them letting us all in that small room, therefore Blair opted out.  But they did make room for her and she was able to see her little nephew, Rusty.  Hmmm I wonder if he will have Linz' strawberry blonde hair?  Then that name will be most appropriate!...

I had been a little concerned that she was not really feeling his kicking.  We found out that the placenta was positioned towards the front and it was actually cushioning the blows.  WHEW... I never let her know I was worried, but I am SO relieved to know there was a good reason for it. 

The creation of a child is truly a miracle...  Take your time, Russell.  We'll be here when you are ready!

She Who Owns My Heart.....

My Sweet Pea owns my heart.  That's the pure simple truth.  I was entering a contest about love and relationships the other.  My entry was about my Sweet Pea.  Not to say that my husband does not also own a piece of my heart, because he does.  He shows his love for me constantly.  He is a romantic at heart and very in touch with me both emotionally, physically, and mentally.  He knows the desires of my heart and will do his very best to fullfil them.  But this is not about my relationship with my wonderful husband.  What I wrote about was a very touching moment that I had with my little granddaughter, aka Sweet Pea.

Long story short, she moved in with us permanently a little over a year ago.  She will be turning two in two months.  When she was about 18 months old, she and I went to bed.  Due to some issues she will not go to bed alone.  We choose our battles and this is one we do not fight.  As I was laying down with her one night, she snuggled up to me.  She looked up with her sleepy little eyes and quietly said.. " I lovlu Gigi".  I hugged her and told her I love her, too.  She sighed, gave me a sleepy smile, closed her eyes and promptly went to sleep.   Let me tell you... I will cherish that moment in my heart forever... 

Careful what you ask for....

I've learned a very vaulable lesson..... be careful what you ask for because it may not be the best thing for you.   I found that out lately with the addition of Jenny to our family.  She is a sweet little doggy that I got to keep Mickey company.  .... Yah, not a lot of thought went into that... 

Besides the fact that they teach each other bad habits.... 
Besides the fact that they both seek your undivided attention....
Besides the fact that two really are more trouble than one when it comes to caring for them...  I did fall in love with her BUT
She was afraid of Sweet Pea (rocks had been thrown at her in the past so she was fearful of children) and would sporatically nip at her.  It just was not safe for the baby, nor was it fair for Jenny to have to stay separated from the rest of the family.

THANKFULLY, Blair and Stephen were willing to take her in..... She seems to be adjusting fine ... Now we have to deal with Mickey missing his little buddy.   See how sad he looks?

I said all that to say this.... I said I wanted another dog, but I didn't really realize what I was asking for....

Sometimes we think we know what we want, but when we actually get it, it's not really what we thought it would be... Some ask for a better job, only to find out once they get it, that it really isn't all it seemed to be... Some ask that their significant other be more attentive, or less attentive, or just different, but when it happens, it's not quite what they perceived it to be...

I guess in the long run, had I taken the time to think thru getting another dog, I would have not grabbed the first one I saw....  Had I stopped and prayed about it, I'm sure the answer would have been, "not now".   My husband still wants another little fellow to play with Mickey... me, I'm not so sure Mickey being an only "child" is a bad thing.  Time will tell.....

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths

My handicap....

I realize that I have a calling on my life.... I realize that I have the choice to follow that calling, or not.  I realize that while I may want to follow that calling, I am fearful of messing it up because, well.. that's so easy to do.  I lack confidence that I am hearing correctly with my spiritual ears.  I got slammed a few years ago when I thought I was hearing a warning for someone, warned her, and subsequently lost her as a friend.  She married they guy, they seem happy... I guess I was wrong.  I heard the wrong voice. Since that time, I've doubted anything I've seen or heard to be a message.   So... I guess it's not that I don't trust God, I don't trust me and my ability to hear clearly.  I guess that is my handicap. 

Please understand, at the risk of sounding wack... Let me say.... I know that I have heard the voice of God.  It scared the poo out of me and I covered my head with my blankets.  I had been singing a song in my head as I was getting ready for bed.  "This is the day that the Lord has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it"...over and over I sang that in my head.as I crawled into bed.... Then suddenly, I heard... "No, Cindy, this is YOUR day".  It was as if someone was in the room speaking directly to me.  But nobody was there but me. 

I've felt the arms of God's comfort before.... I was really upset and in dispair over something... to the point that I crawled into a closet to get away from everyone.  Huddled down on the floor, I  broke down and sobbed.   I swear to you, I felt arms wrap around me as if to say, it will be ok. 

All that being said was to say this....  I realize I am called to write (among other things, but we won't go there today).... but my handicap is holding me back.  I guess that is a good thing so that I can stay humble and seeking Him and His direction.....








2 Corinthians 12:9 (The Message)


7-10 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

Picture says it all...

My friend, Kettle, (aka Jennifer) snapped this photo as she was on the interstate on her way to the Va Tech game last Saturday...

It cracks me up!  Here is a big burly Harley riding biker with his red shirt wearing Yorkie companion!!  He was riding in one of those car carrier things and Jen said that occasionaly the pup would walk up to the man and rest his paws on the chest of the biker.... I wish I could have seen it!!!  That little pup trusts his daddy with his very life....

Ah snap.... here it comes....

Do we trust God??   As I ride on this crazy ride called life ....  I have to be honest and say that I sometimes do not trust Him.  My faith does waver like the ebb and flow of the tides.  It's easy to trust when things are going well.  It's when life gets tough that we have to ask ourselves... are we walking the walk that shows our faith?   Yup... I know I need to work on that....   I don't want to be like the "her" in Zephaniah 3:1-3... I'd rather be Zephanaiah 3:14.... 

Isaiah 50:10
“ Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God.

Watch out.... creative juices are running!

On my way to work this morning, I had a major thought pop in my brain!  As I said earlier this month, I'm working on a baby shower for my Linz.  I've been trying to decide what type of postage stamp I could get because I always try to make them special....  Here is my brain storm! ... are you ready?!?

I'm going to take a hula hoop..... wrap it with foil...  go to the hardware store and get some PVC pipe and a big ole' funnel...wrap that in foil as well... (or spray paint the whole shabang silver!)  Go to the dollar store and get a shower curtain and hook....  Get some clear plastic straps (from somewhere!!!) to attach to the hula hoop surrounded by a shower curtain...  Attach the funnel and pipe .... oh... and a baby or two to hang from the funnel..... do you see where I am going with this?? LOL  

Yup, gonna get Linz to put it on and snap her picture and send it off to Zazzle for postage !   hee hee... may even make her throw on a shower cap.... Ha Ha....I can't wait!!!  This weekend I'm going to see if I can throw this together!!!  Can't wait wait to post the picture...

Hee Hee... My Sweet Pea takes advantage of tax benefits!

She told me...
"I took advantage of the $8000.00 tax credit to buy my new house and the cash for clunkers program to get my cherry red convertible.

With the money I saved I was able to up grade my cell phone to unlimited minutes (I love to talk) and buy me a 4 wheeler for recreation.

(You know when I'm not enjoying my swing and slide  and playing with my pets or napping. Then when after all of my playing I can relax in my new chair and listen to Pit Bull and Black Eyed Peas or watch Nemo, Backyardagins or what ever button I push on my touch ipod (Gigi thinks it’s her’s) Shhhhh….

My shirt says it all and I wanted to do all I could to help stimulate our economy.  Thank you President Obama!"

Signed,
Sweet Pea xoxoxox

Best Laid Plans....

Ah yes, the best laid plans often go astray..... as did my plans for this past weekend.  Ask me what I got accomplished off my list, and I can say "nuttin'" ... absolutely, positively nuttin' !  My closet still has clothes in it that need to be donated.... my bible study is now 15 days behind.... and my kitchen is still not finished.... but you know what?.... it's ok.  That is the beauty of plans... they can be changed!

We did, however, enjoy a family gathering with my mom, our children and their husbands.  We had an impromtu cookout.  Life is good. 

...

I was wanting another little yorkie.... Out of the blue, I see where someone needed to rehome a sweet little girl named Jenny.  We got her this weekend.  Everything was going great... until we see that she (Jenny) is afraid of my sweet pea and keeps nipping at her.   As it turned out, Jenny is afraid of kids because they threw rocks at her in her other home.  Ah, the best laid plans... now it appears that Blair is going to be Jenny's mommy now.  But, it's ok.  We still have Mickey who takes Sweet Pea in stride, and Blair is thrilled to have Jenny who took to her like velcro!

...

I still am working on plans for Linz' shower and am really getting stoked that we find out the true sex of the baby on the 25th.  My hubby is hoping for a grandson....  but my mom is hoping for a girl.  I'm betting my mom has been praying for that little girl.  I just hope my Linz does not get disappointed if we see a girl.  Again... those best laid plans....
. 

It appears that our plans should be written in pencil because things happen and suddenly, plans change! 
..

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Chaos... time to end

The weekend is just ahead and I am so ready for it!  There are things I need to do, and things I want to do, and they don't necessarily coincide with each other!  One thing for sure, I need to get myself in order.  I have a closet that needs cleaning out...  I have a house that needs to be sifted and things sent to charities or tossed in the trash...
...

But, most importantly, I need to pull out my bible and start working on a study that I meant to start almost 2 weeks ago.  Now I am already 11 days behind... ah well... The Word is still there and I guess it's meant for me at THIS time in my life.  I am looking forward to digging into that and gettng a refreshing outpour of revelation. 
...

My life has been in chaos long enough.  Time to dig out of the mirey clay I've allowed myself to be stuck in.  Yes, now is the time.  I'm going to print off all 11 days of that study I am behind on and start working on them tonight.  Even if it means locking myself in the closet (Lord, please don't let clothes fall on me,LOL) so that I can hide from all distractions.  (albeit, very loving distractions!)

Yes, it is time for a refreshing... I can feel it!  Let it rain down on me!

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."


Colossians 1:13-14

Sigh....

No words of wisdom, or thumps on the head... ( I don't think, anyway)!This has been a crazy week.... and it's not over yet!  I still have tomorrow to get through before the weekend!  I had so much stuff on my desk in various stages of non completion... it was down right scary!!  I could not complete one task without three more finding their way on top of what I had not even started!!  CRAZY is a major understatement!!

It did not help that I was dealing with inner ear issues and that my head was spinning as fast as the papers were piling on my desk.  Ah well, such is life and this too shall pass.  I was glad that Mickey could come in and help out with the mess!!! I will get things back in order soon...very soon, I hope! I do not like feeling out of control!!!

On a good note, however, a three day weekend is coming up!!!   Woo hoo!!!  oops... wait... my kitchen is still not all put together yet... and  I have to get my Santa Letters site ready to unlock on the 8th... awe man... that mean... yup... more work to do at home... BUT at least I will be there to get it done, right?!   It should not be that bad, really.  I'm confident it will be a piece of cake... oh I love cake... with icing... oh wait, I was talking about working... sorry for the lapse! 

Vacation will be coming up soon for me as well!!!  Can hardly wait.  We need to train someone how to do our home business while we are gone this time!  Last year we ok.my husband spent as much time on the phone taking orders as he did relaxing... We cannot have a repeat of that!!  This will be HIS vacation, too!

Ah well... so much to do, so little time... !

Sorry about the lack of thumps this time....I'll work on that, ok?! 
Hugs to you all!

"Public" apology...

So, it appears that I've really hurt my daugher by "calling her out" on the internet.  I'm sorry, sweetie, that I hurt your feelings.... So.. since I "called her out" in public, I guess I should apologize in public.  What was said was not meant to hurt... it was an "ahem" moment  that we ususally have when we are face to face... She could not see the smile on the face, and for that I'm sorry.... I do miss hearing from her  (other than when she needs something ) but that is something she is going to work on.... right??

 SEE ME SMILING HERE...!!   

I was told by someone else that the reason she does not communicate with me often is because I am always getting on her about stuff.  I thought that was what mothers do.... try to correct them and help them grow... My mistake, and honey, I will stop....after today. 
...

I've been really wondering where I did go wrong by my girls..... I guess my being a working mom and them being latchkey kids was necessary, but does not ease the guilt, non the less...  My not being there put the elder child in the "mom" role, which was very damaging to their relationship as sisters.  I cant help it...  I really feel like I've failed them as a mom....  I'm sorry girls.... I wish I could have a do-over, but alas, that is not possible.
...

So... all I can do is try and be a better mom now...

So, I will be here if you need me..... (but you will have to let me know that you do!)

All I ask in return is that you don't just call me when you need to borrow money, ok?
 ::: smiling again! :::