There Is A Season - Intro

Santa Pic 2009

I'm testing out "mobile blogging" and trying to send our Santa pic from this year.



Every year we go to Christmas Village in Birmingham and have the girls picture made with this Santa. Lib has now had her picture made with him for 11years. BB wasn't so much scared of Santa as it was that she didn't want me to put her down. And Lu Lu looks so grown sitting there!



If this doesn't post right, just excuse it and I'll clean the mess up later!



Have a great day!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Real Life Lessons in Forgiveness (part 2)

Honestly speaking here, forgiveness has to be one of the biggest struggles I have outside of being a very insecure person.  Ironically, I think there's a direct relationship there in that giving that necessary forgiveness has often made me feel more vulnerable and open to the hurt again.  So, this week I've been doing some much needed reading on forgiveness, what is required of us as Christians to forgive and how we go on once we've forgiven.  I found this article by Lynette Hoy and hope it will help you as well.

Here are some insights: 

You may decide that a relationship may change because that person cannot treat you respectfully or keep confidences or may continue to abuse you. A change in relationship is not the same as forgiveness. You can let go of the blame and may decide to let go of any punishment and continuing to hold the wrong against a person - but, you may need to set boundaries and be cautious since: 
... they can no longer be trusted with confidences or 
... they are not empathic and tend to be harsh when you divulge a weakness about yourself or  
... they are not responsible in keeping their commitments or 
... he continues to abuse and disrespect you. 

Therefore, you forgive them, but, will no longer: 
... share your mistakes, 
... share your problems, 
... rely on or ask them to do a project with you, etc., 
... stay in relationship with him/her because he/she is disrespectful or abusive. 
You may decide to report an abuser to the police in order to protect yourself or your children but, you can still forgive them. Demonstrating tough love in abusive situations makes the person accountable to higher authorities for their behavior and you can still forgive. Pastor Rob Rienow said, "forgiveness does not mean freedom from consequences."

Forgiveness does not mandate: 
... that you trust all people on the same level or 
... that you expect all people to live up to certain standards or 
... that there will be no consequences for wrongful behavior. 

Jesus had discernment about people. He said "don't throw your pearls before swine"; and "treat them as a tax collector and a sinner" if your brother doesn't reconcile with you and be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves" in all our relationships.  He also challenged us to: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and "turn the other cheek". So, pray for the one who has injured you. Love them with God's unconditional love and grace. Show discernment and gentleness when you interact with everyone. Believe that God is in the business of changing people. You may even take a risk or need to trust that person again! 
Forgiveness doesn't mean you allow someone to continue abusing you. Forgiveness doesn't equal trust and doesn't mean there won't be consequences for the person or relationship and boundaries that need to change. Forgiveness will make you wiser and challenge you to be vulnerable!  From © copyright 2003 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC

The part that really jumped out at me and grabbed was where she quoted Pastor Rob Rienow and said "forgiveness does not mean freedom from consequences".  In recent weeks my husband and I have been faced with a difficult decision and we had to decide and agree together that indeed there are consequences for people's actions.  We've said that phrase a millions times, "there are consequences for your actions".  So, reading this article totally helped confirm that for me.  So while we forgive and move on, it doesn't mean there are no consequences.  

I believe God can change people just as he transformed all of us as sinners saved by Grace.  God is a God of miracles, the great Physician, he can heal the sick and even the broken in spirit. I'm so thankful God is never through doing his work in me or any of us as his Children.  

On that same  note, I'm so thankful for a Godly husband who has helped see me thru some tough times and for him being able to live his life scripturally as head of our household.  Holding him in up prayer today as his tournament begins and that he would find favor today as he fishes.

Unless something changes, I have one more segment to add to these posts on Real Life Lessons in Forgiveness.  Hopefully, I'll have that up by the end of the week.  I'll leave you with this verse and as always, I'm praying for you!

Isaiah 43

² When you pass through the waters, 
       I will be with you; 
       and when you pass through the rivers, 
       they will not sweep over you. 
       When you walk through the fire, 
       you will not be burned; 
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

 ³ For I am the LORD, your God,......

⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight, 
       and because I love you, 
       I will give men in exchange for you, 
       and people in exchange for your life.

 ⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;......

 

Real Life Lessons in Forgiveness (part 1)

In my brief 36 years on this earth, I've experienced some things that some people will never experience.  These things run the gamut from physical abuse at the hands of a "man", abuse of friendships, shattered trust, affair of a spouse, death of a spouse, job loss, etc.  And thru all of that, I can PROMISE you my Faith is the one and only thing that has sustained me. For someone to question my faith or my status as a Christian is just truly insane.  And for in that same breath to have someone quote selective scripture to me is just further confirmation of the extremeness of the situation.  The only selective scripture I'd like to use in return is this:

Matthew 7:3-5 (New International Version) ³"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

The scripture quoted to me was:

Mark 11:25-26 (New International Version)  ²⁵And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Believe me when I say I know the depths that harboring unforgiveness will take you and I also know the liberation, release and freedom from reaching a point of forgiveness too.  

First, I'd like to offer some wisdom I read regarding the scripture in Mark. It's an excerpt From Nancy Missler, King's High Way  

    Unconditionally Forgiving Others 

    "It goes without saying, however, that we must continue to be wise and always seek God's will. One woman I know went to a friend who had hurt her and told her that she forgave her for what she had done. Well, the accused lady was horrified because she was not even aware that there was a problem. Thus, the woman's verbal forgiveness did more harm than good and drove a wedge even deeper into their relationship. The general rule is: If you are at fault in a situation, always seek God's will as to whether or not He wants you to go and ask forgiveness of the other person. If the other person is at fault, unconditionally forgive them and lay it down at the cross. Don't go and tell them that you forgive them. It only makes matters worse, especially if the person involved wasn't even aware there was a problem to begin with (as in the above incident). Just take care of the matter between you and the Lord and then, go on and love them wisely with God's Love."

I've experienced that similar situation on the receiving end of the forgiveness and maybe you have too.  In my case, no words had even been exchanged yet this person was harboring anger towards me over their perception of events.  It's important to remember that people's perception becomes their reality!   I was truly appalled by the forgiveness being offered to me and it only made the situation worse.

I plan to continue this later this week and hopefully this will help just one person who may be dealing with a difficult situation.  I'd like to leave you with one last bit of wisdom I read by Nancy Pina 

"You can forgive others and maintain personal integrity. Forgiveness does not mean relationships must be completely restored or that you won’t feel angry about an offense directed at you.  The important issue is to forgive the person for their action; the action itself is what offended you. Forgiveness is a difficult road to undertake and takes dedication and focus.  To rid your life of negative emotions and unproductive anger ask God to help you and surrender your anger to Him. By clinging to anger it is unwittingly projected onto people who have not hurt you, defeating your relationship quest from the onset.  Forgiveness provides freedom to live in peace and the ability to positively change." I pray as you have read this it has helped in even a small way towards making steps towards forgiveness and living a victorious life, free of BOB (Bondage Of Bitterness)! John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

 

Falling Back

So, on this day of daylight savings I have decided to try and get back to blogging....at LEAST once a week.  It's something I enjoy and frankly I need some outlets for myself.  Don't get me wrong, my kids are my biggest joy and my accomplishments of which I am most proud but I do need some things for myself.

I've been able to judge a few pageants and thoroughly loved it.  I am looking forward to judging a few more in the upcoming months as well.  I have not ridden a horse in forever but my back is so tenuous that I'm not sure that is in my future.  I became a Mary Kay consultant and have been LOVING that too.  My girls are loving the makeup that comes in the house and enjoy seeing the products.  I've started that on a slow basis and am just getting my feet wet. But, I also enjoy the discount on such a great line of cosmetics.  If you'd like to purchase Mary Kay or if you'd like information on becoming a consultant, send me an email or leave a comment.

Ok, so enough about me.  Here's the update on the family, because I know you're all dying to know - just amuse me!.....

    The girls are knee deep in their various activities.  Both are taking voice and piano and LOVING it.  Lu Lu told me that the "Miss Alabama girls really inspired her to take piano and play like them".  It was so precious when she told me that.  Lu is also taking gymnastics.  I think her softball days may be over.  Lib is taking Cheernastics as well as still barrel racing.  BB is in to everything and is a mess.  She has learned to say "I got it" and it is the CUTEST thing ever. Lib has also wanted to start a program for diabetes awareness since they lost their dad due to diabetes.  So, we are working to help her get that off the ground too.  

    The girls had a great time making the rounds for candy last night.  I had a Dallas Cowgirl cheerleader, a Pink Lady and a Lamb.  Last weekend, we went to a neighbors party and the Lamb was Princess Laia and her Daddy was Luke Skywalker.  But since he couldn't be here this weekend then we dressed her warmer and in Lib's lambie costume from 11 years ago.  It was precious.  First stop was at their Nanny's church for Trunk or Treat.  BB was totally in to all the candy and I did what any good mom of 3 kids does and I let her dig in! LOL!  Then, we went by my BFF's house who lives close to the church.  Then we made one final stop at some friends houses in our community. One of the friends had their yard and house totally done up like you can't imagine.  Even the inside of the house was decorated and they had goodies spread out for everyone to enjoy.  We visited for a while and then headed home.

    Hubs is currently gone to fish the tournament of his life.  He qualified for the BASS Weekeend Series National Championship on Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas.  He left yesterday and met up with a few others along the way so they could travel the interstates together. Grand prize for him would be $225,000 and a spot to fish the BASSMaster Classic in 2010 right here in Alabama on Lay Lake.  Keep he and his friends in your thoughts and prayers this week.

That's all I know and I'm sure more than you wanted to know.  Thanks for amusing me by stopping by and if you're so inclined, leave a comment and let me know you were here!

Lastly, I'll leave you with this devotion from Christianbook.com:

No Secrets

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. - Luke 8:17

One of Satan's subtle deceptions is that you can do things in secret that will never be revealed. This is simply not so. The Bible stresses that everything done in darkness will one day be brought to light. So before you commit yourself to do anything questionable, seriously ask yourself, "Am I willing for those around me to know what I am about to do? Am I willing for God to watch me participate in this activity?”

The knowledge that God sees what we do, the certainty that we are accountable for every word and action, ought to dissuade us from sin (2 Cor. 5:10). But we can become so alienated from God that even this knowledge does not deter us. God promises that He will publicly expose our sin so that we must give an account to others for our actions. Ultimately, everything we do will be exposed on judgment day.

Still, some people believe they can sin against God, their families, their employers, or their friends and never be discovered. God has provided a safeguard against sin: the certainty of disclosure. Scripture commands us to expose the deeds of darkness is we become aware of them (Eph.5:11). As Christians we are to be the light that dispels darkness in our world. Sin cannot continue in the Christian's experience, for light cannot dwell with darkness. The only insurance against having your sins exposed is living a blameless tile.

    

 

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- ice cream sundae kinda week (without most of the ice cream)

After the brick wall of last Thursday, I was ready for the weekend and our plans of Lib having a barrel race on Friday and Saturday.  The race on Friday night was close to home so that was a plus.  C. had a fishing tournament on Saturday and he and his partner were going to spend the night on Friday night.  Before he left, C. hooked up the horse trailer for us and loaded up BB's wagon.  Yes, we took her wagon in lieu of the all-terrain jogging stroller that we should be using for ball park and horse shows because it got ran over by a truck pulling a Triton boat a few weeks ago.  I was a tad upset over it, I loved it, it was cool...even if I didn't jog behind it.

Friday night we got to the barrel race and met family there.  They had set up "camp" already and had a spread of food and snacks going.  Lib's night went downhill quickly as her horse started giving her trouble.  We have come to the stark realization he is not a "kids' horse" and will test her with everything he has.  He doesn't do this with adults and its becoming very frustrating for her.  I decided we would not be going to the barrel race on Saturday to have to deal with this another day and in the heat, along with the distance we were going to have to drive.  My spirits were sinking quickly.

Lib had one more run to make on him and she did it great.  She even won some cash on that run.  I am so proud of her for sticking with it and pushing thru on him to the best of her abilities while being limited by her size.

We began unsaddling to go home and I was trying to help her so we could leave.  BB had fallen asleep and we were ready to get home.  In the middle of it, I dropped my Blackberry and it hit the sharpest object around it could find....Lib's spurs on her boots.  My screen on my Blackberry did not survive the fall.  At that moment, I was d-o-n-e and just wanted to get home.

Lu was invited to spend the night with a friend for Saturday night so I dropped her off. Lib, BB and I did some shopping on Saturday which all centered around a trip to the repair center.  The repair tech replaced my Crackberry for $50.00 - and that, my friends, was truly the cherry on top of the sundae.  At least there was one high point to the past few days!

 

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- like a brick wall

Vacation came and went and we had a great time.  I'll post some pics under the password section later on.  Took the girls to lunch at the local Japanese steakhouse on Tuesday and for a little shopping.  We went to Kohl's where Lu got some leggings (BOGO sale - yay) and got Lib an awesome pair of jeans.  Lib thought the Bongo jeans she was getting from the JUNIORS department totally rocked until she heard me say I used to wear Bongo in school (twenty something years ago, LOL).  After some prodding, she was convinced they still rocked and she was still excited about having her jeans from the JUNIORS dept.

Wednesday brought the first day of school for both girls and I was still on vacation so I could take them to school.  Lib was bouncing off the walls with excitement over being in "middle school" and Lu Lu was excited to be in the class of the teacher she really, really wanted.  Lib was in la - la land when I dropped her off as evidenced by the fact that she left the car door standing wide open.  First day of school was a success for both girls and Lib was really pumped that she has ALL Pre-AP classes.  Not sure a lot of kids would be pumped about that but she is, so yay!  LOL  She's a smart girl and she will do great.

Then today took me to first my day back to work.  I hated, hated leaving the girls still getting ready for school, worrying their hair would be a mess and that they would forget something.  But I headed on in to work.  An hour and a half later I finally arrived at work after hitting a wall of traffic which is really unusual for 6:35 in the morning.  So, a five car pile-up was my welcome mat back to work today.  The carpet continued to be rolled out with some added stress and pretty soon I hit a brick wall.  

Never, have I ever been so glad to be home to my hubs and kids as I was today.  After all, what's here in this house...my family....is all that truly matters.

 

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Vacation 2009

We interrupt this blog to bring you vacation 2009.  We’ve arrived on the gulf coast and posting will be sporadic.  More updates can be found on Facebook or Twitter for those that “really know us” – LOL.

Meanwhile, I leave you with this – if there are three stores named “Surf Style” within a one block radius, it’s safe bet that they all have the same “stuff” – trust me on this one.  LOL!

 

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-wednesday’s woman

Back when I first started blogging & was an “ambitious blogger” I started trying to do “Wednesday’s Woman”.  Not that I’m being ambitious now, but seeing as it’s Wednesday and I’m already mentally at the beach I just thought I’d repost this for some humor. (originally posted December 20, 2006)

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Wednesday's Woman

I decided to start a category called Wednesday's Woman and when I get to write under Wednesday's Woman I'm going to write about a woman that has been a part of my life in some form or fashion and share that experience with you.

I decided to keep this first Wednesday's Woman "light".  I know I could and probably should write about my Mom and how she is key to my very being but I need some "lighthearted" writing right now.  So, I'll pay homage to my Mom in another Wednesday's Woman.

Last week, at my office Christmas party, we were discussing former co-workers and some of the antics we shared.  For myself and several of my co-workers at the bank, we have experienced our share of change over the past couple of years with various mergers that have taken place.  We found ourselves humorously reflecting on some people we have worked with.

Let me share one of those with you.  I will call her Pookie for purposes of this story.  Pookie and I were good friends during the time we worked together.  She told me once that she "sized all of us up" when she interviewed and had me pegged for a van driving, soccer mom, that should be at home baking cookies with my three kids.....(I only had two...) and I am NOOOO Martha Stewart.  Anyway, the rest of the story goes that Pookie's grandmother aka Madear lived in New Orleans and was not doing well.  Pookie felt like she needed to go see her but with so much going on at home with two kids and hubby, she couldn't see where she had the time to go see her.

Fast forward, about a week and Pookie takes a call from her mother to hear her Mother say "she's gone!  Madear is gone"   Pookie went to sobbing and literally wailing and was sitting in a cubicle!  We rushed out to check on her and found out the news.  People were starting to gather around and she was pretty hysterical.  Another co-worker, I'll call Cyndi, alerted our bosses that we had an "issue".  So, Cyndi and I offered to drive Pookie to her Mom's.  We left to drive Pookie and I drove Pookie's car while Cyndi followed behind.  Pookie called her husband while we drove.  She kept saying - she knew she should have gone to see Madear and now she's gone!  I tried to console her but really didn't know what to say.  It was a short drive and we parted in her yard with Cyndi taking me back to the office.

Cyndi decided to go thru a drive-thru on the way back to the office.  We were to have a "pizza party" back at the office and Cyndi had an aversion to pizza.  So, we made our trip thru the drive thru and back to the office.  Upon entering the office, we could hear voices in the conference room where the pizza social was to be held.  One of the voices was Pookie's!

Cyndi and I both looked at each other, almost simultaneously, and rushed in to the conference room to see why Pookie was back!!!!  When we walked in, everyone looked at us with these big eyes and I almost felt like we were on Candid Camera.  Pookie looked up from the table and eeked out - "It was the DOG"!  What???  The dog???  YES.....the dog!

Apparently Madear had a Dr. who shared the same name as the family veterinarian.  The family dog had taken ill and was at the vet.  When the call came in from the Dr., Pookie's mother said her mind went immediately to Madear and never thought it could be the DOG!  By the time, Pookie got to her Mom's the story had been straightened out and Pookie walked in to her Mom's house to find out the hysteria was for naught!  She refrained from blessing her Mom out and returned immediately to work where the story was retold before we could even get back to the office due to our drive thru detour.

We have retold this story a hundred times!  Madear did pass away some time later and Pookie did go see Madear before she passed away.  Sadly, Pookie's Mom would also pass away unexpectedly.  But, it all comes back to just ONE of the great moments we had with Pookie and the times we shared in our old office.  Things change, people move on....companies merge and jobs go away.....Pookie moved on before a lot of that changed but we still keep in touch.

Pookie e-mailed me the other day and told me her boys had all been sick and that their middle names should have been "co-payment".  I almost fell out of my chair laughing!  That's the sense of humor Pookie has!  Pookie is a very strong woman!  We would laugh together and pray together and even cried together.  I miss a lot of things from my old office and Pookie is high on the list.

So here's to Pookie on this first post under Wednesday's Woman!  Thanks for the things you taught me, the time we shared together and the laughter that stays in my heart.

Merry Christmas to you and the "co-payments"!

- worthwhile

These are the things that make me laugh,

make me smile

and make my time on the ‘net so worthwhile…..

• from Connie:  Why do we always pack as if we are going to Yemen?? There is ALWAYS a Walmart nearby!!!
• from her equally talented sister, Angie:  “the captain would say, press hard boys, you’re making six copies”
• from Kristen to my oh so cute and oh so pregnant sister-in-law “Let me know if you need any help (shaving, you know etc..) You know I shaved Holly’s arm pits when her collar bone was broken! Anyways, I know I could have used some help in that dept. when I was pregnant”
• from Becky Jo, a Southern Belle trapped in Michigan-ian state of mind, “Oh, well ... if we get a t-shirt!!!!! I am totally in!”
• and what Becky Jo said just before she got all excited over the free t-shirt “Think I just cut my followers in half ... some pretty scary stuff out there. BTW - if you are nekked you are OUT! Thanks!”

and probably the best of them all-

• Lisa to Heather, cancer survivor: “Ya know, it feels weird looking at your avatar with the wig. I think you should take it off ;) You're beautiful! “

And in other small matters of randomness, I thought you should all know that I am currently hoarding pens in the flavor of Blue Pentel needle tip 0.5mm ball in black ink.  They are like candy to me!

Meanwhile, beach countdown has begun, bags are being packed and just a few more days until my toes are in the sand!

 

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-bewildered, befuddled, bejeweled

A teensy, weensy obsession has struck our home compliments of the Facebook app- “Bejeweled Blitz”.  Weekly tournaments take place and then reset on Tuesdays.  Meanwhile, we run our own tournament at home to beat each other’s scores.  One unnamed member (hint, she’s blonde) of our house has spent mucho computer time scouring the internet for tips, tricks, cheats and even watched You Tube clips of Bejeweled “masters”.  Another unnamed member admitted “he” used to think it was crazy to sit around playing this game AND then he was soon sucked in to the madness. 

Each of us have varying Facebook friends who play, so in some cases we have different people ahead of us in their scores.   One of my Facebook friends recently scored 493,800 which is just off the charts in my group of FB friends.  Most of the time I’ve been chasing friends with scores in the 100’s and some as high in the 170’s.  I may have even told Lianne and Becky that I could only hope to be them when I grow up, LOL.

I had to place some self-imposed restrictions on myself once I started dreaming about those blasted cubes and, oh so, coincidentally, once my score topped 100k!  Then the blasted tournament had to go and reset and we had to start all over.  Then, today, a calm settled over my “Bejeweledness” and I hit over 100k again.  The stars are aligned, the moon is full and all is right in the world, LOL.  I, for one, will sleep better tonight however I know a few others in the house who might not.

I know we’ve killed a lot of time doing it but we have had fun ribbing each other and checking each others scores.  If you haven’t taken the plunge, just keep it that way.  If you’ve just started, you may want to turn and run while you’re still ahead.  Or just do like Lib is doing and try to find another app that no one is playing so you can be tops on it before anyone else is, ha ha ha.  On the other hand, if you have nothing to do and need something to kill an hour or 23, then go as fast as you can to Facebook and type in Bejeweled in the search box.  You can thank me for it later.

 

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