Oh the Joy of a magical Day….

Saturday was a special day because 5 years ago on that day a little princess was born and my heart has never been the same. It was the day I became a MeMe and that‘s better than being a Queen! You can’t really tell someone how joyful it is to be a grandmother until they experience it. If you think being a Mother is a miracle –just multiply it and then multiply it some more and that will sort of tell you how special it is.

The invitations were sent- The special Tea Party would be at MeMe and Papa’s Castle and about twenty little ladies and a few special little men would arrive in their Sunday best.  The tea pots were ready and the Piñata was filled with candy. The party favors were prepared with help from two little angels. The princess had her hair done for the special occasion. Mommy made her Special cake.

Let the Party begin…

I felt so lucky to be a part of this sweet day.

Even Ryder boy was here for the big day~ he spent the night with me –oh the pictures I took- that’s another day. Probably tomorrow.

It was magical Emma and MeMe’s cup runneth over!

I love you Emma!

Be blessed!

Have you missed me people?

I can’t believe it’s been almost a week- I have been living, under the weather and more living. I have alot to share and it’s all good.

First of all, I have been friend finding (reading great blogs and I joined a little fun at a new blog to me~Georgie’s-

She had me at:

'Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So - if you give her any crap, you will receive a ton of poop.' Sorry Georgie, I changed one little word, but I promised God I’d only put good stuff on my blog and they have the same meaning, just one don’t actually sound as bad as the other!:o)

Go there and join, if’n you would like to spread a little Christmas  cheer to someone you don’t know yet!

Okay, the second news I wanted to share was earlier this week on the way to work I was listening to Rick and Bubba as  I always do and I heard something worth sharing-first of all if you don’t listen to Rick and Bubba and you get them where you are –you should -they are awesome! Back to my original thought though~ There were two sisters on who started a company that would benefit most ladies, Moms or grocery buyers – it’s called EZ Meals- check it out. They give the meal plans and the grocery list to serve 7 meals for 6 people for $75.00 a week. You can even pick the store you use and they get the weekly specials to give you correct costs. You can do low-carb, or you can even do it for two people-if your home is empty like mine.I dare you-check them out and tell me what you think!!!

One night this week I was went to watch my nephew  Nick play football with my Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister. He’s a great football player and I love him!

Saturday was special, magical and deserves it’s own post –so let me get my thoughts together and  my pictures and the memories!!! Be right back!

I missed you bloggy friends!!!

BE BLESSED!

The Window

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.

The next morning, while they are eating breakfast the young woman sees her neighbor hang the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean", she said, "she doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap". Her husband looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later,the young woman was surprised to see nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband "Look, she learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?"

The husband said "I got up early this morning and cleaned OUR windows."

And so it goes with life!

What we see when watching others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

Before we give criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good, rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge. Be blessed!

Laughter the best medicine

Laughter is an audible expression, or appearance of merriment or happiness, or an inward feeling of joy and pleasure (laughing on the inside). Oh, how I love to laugh! It’s one of my favorite things. I have laughed til I cried, til my sides hurt, and yes, even until I tinkled. I have laughed in the midst of pain and to triumph over stress. I can recommend it highly.

Today I went to what should have been another boring meeting with cardboard chicken and just more facts you already know. It was a pleasant surprise of a luncheon with beautiful fall tables, with centerpieces of some of my favorite flowers, sunflowers. We were served prime rib, twice baked potatoes, those yummy crunchy whole green beans and cheesecake for desert. The speaker further delighted me-the topic Laughter Therapy.

Well, for the first time in my life I feel like I deserve the title therapist. You see I love to help people laugh. I may explore this deeper and let it become part of my life’s purpose. At the least I will strive harder to spread laughter wherever I go. Now I not only enjoy the benefits of laughter, I have been given a list of its powers!

*Mental and physical stress reduced

*lowers blood pressure

*increases oxygen to the brain

*Diffuses conflict

*lowers blood sugar after a meal

*lowers the level of negative stress hormone “cortisol”

* stimulates the digestive system- Ok so maybe I don’t really need that benefit :o)

*reduces tension and irritablity

* promotes good sleep

* stimulates right brain activity -which is the function of inventions, art, imagination and creativity

* connects and bonds people! One of my favorites.

I love to get together with my friends, loved ones even co-workers and experience laughter.

I much resemble the Mary Poppins song~

I love to laugh
Loud and long and clear
I love to laugh
It's getting worse ev'ry year
The more I laugh
The more I fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more I'm a merrier me
It's embarrassing!
The more I'm a merrier me!

Abraham Lincoln once said~With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.

Does anybody out there have strain on their lives?

Job 8:21~ He will fill you with laughter and joy…

Yep, that’s my new prayer-Fill me up Lord, with joy and laughter and may it be contagious!!!!!

Be blessed!

I Hope YOU Dance...

'I Hope You Dance... '
This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.
The last line says it all.
Dear Bertha,
I'm reading more and dusting less.
I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure.
I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary.
If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it nowI'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted.
I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles.
I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days.
Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.
And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
Be Blessed!

It’s a Great day when I get to see this

How can a day with a moment with  this be bad~

Especially when it began with this~

and this~

Thank you Lord that I get to see, smell,  hold and love my grandbabies.

Baby love is comparable to God’s love –it is sweet, unconditional, transforming and always there!

Remember this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Be blessed,

Another Old Favorite

I think that these are some of my favorite quotes and I shared back when one or two were reading –now that there’s a few more than that I’m sharing again~

I thought I would open my book of snippets I've saved over time and share a few today.

I think that you can never read God's word to much or say a motivational word to lift someone up too much. So see if you enjoy these...

The Power of Attitude
Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst... a spark that creates extraordinary results.
The Essence of Character
Your true character is revealed by the clarity of your convictions, the choices you make, and the promises you keep. Hold strongly to your principles and refuse to follow the currents of convenience. What you say and do defines who you are, and who you are... you are forever.
The Light of Optimism
Sometimes we learn the hard way that it doesnt pay to get discouraged. Positive thinking is an intellectual choice, and by keeping our eyes focused on the light of optimism, we can restore faith in ourselves, and stay clear of the shadows.
The Essence of Success
Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much, who has gained the respect of children, who leaves the world better than they found it, who has never lacked appreciation for the earths beauty, who never fails to look for the best in others or give the best of themselves.
The Essence of Destiny
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.
Destiny is not by chance, it is a choice.

Be blessed!

9/11- The day that changed us

(Note: This post was written on 9/11 in my world-it was started before midnight anyway~ My day was full and long. It ended how I love it-with family. I went with my Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister to see my wonderful nephew Nicholas play football.)

I started today like I started that day and most other days-driving to work listening to Rick and Bubba. I heard them say a plane has hit the world Trade Center- My first thought was -what a horrible accident. As I got to school where I worked, I walked to the office and said turn on the TV there’s been an accident. Right when we turned it on we watched the second plane fly into the WTC.  I could not work- I wanted to be with my loved ones. I went to my church to pray for the families and it felt like it was closer than it was. Their pain was my pain. I still become emotional when I see, hear or think about it. Going to Ground Zero and feeling the quiet Reverence there now is an experience I remember strongly. I for one am proud of Our President and the strength and Faith He showed during and since in this situation. In a speech to the USA on September 11th, President Bush said, "Today, our nation saw evil." He may have been literally correct. Later in that same speech he also said, "Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me."

I remember the Sunday after 9/11- our church was packed. People felt the need to draw near to God and each other. How I wish that feeling would stay and not just in times of trouble.

I will always Remember ! It is a part of us still.

Be blessed!

Oh the JOY of Blogging…

Each night I sit here on my comfy couch and I can’t hardly wait to open the laptop and read my favorite blogs and find new ones.

   I truly feel so glad some of the people I love in real life are on here and I have grown attached to people I have never met also. I have laughed out loud reading some blogs. I have cried often.

I have read of prayer needs and passed them on.  I asked you to Pay it Forward to Randi and Reva.  Every time I go there I see a bunch of my buddies have already commented and are keeping up with these special ladies and their lives.

I love reading about your lives~the good, the bad and especially the funny! I love pictures and I thank you for allowing me a MeMe’s prerogative to show off my precious grandbabies.  

 

I am so glad to have a forum to document things that happen- my online journal to look back through. I think I’ll share a few of my favorite early posts from when I had two people reading – Valerie who got me started in this  and possibly my best friend Barbie – who has never started one herself , but reads me everyday. I’ll start with this one.

If I were...

If I were a direction I'd be ......when things are looking down-look up
If I were furniture, I'd be..........the rocking chair that has rocked three kids and three grandkids so far....
If I were a liquid I'd be............warm caramel colored vanilla flavored coffee
If I were a sin I'd be...............forgiven.
If I were a gem stone, I'd be........a diamond of course
If I were a metal, I'd be............steel
If I were a tree, I'd be ...........a Magnolia
If I were a fruit, I'd be............blueberries-good for you
If I were a flower, I'd be..........a big pretty Sunflower
If I were weather, I'd be............a perfect spring day like today
If I were a musical instrument I'd be....an old acoustic guitar.
If I were an element, I'd be........ O Oxygen everyone would need me
If I were a colour, I'd be...........red, my favorite
If I were an animal, I'd be..........Lady of Lady and the Tramp
If I were a sound, I'd be........children laughing.
If I were a lyric, I'd be..........."a locket that says to thine own self be true"
If I were a song, I'd be............Why Me Lord
If I were a music type, I'd be.....Christian
If I were a perfume/cologne, I'd be....Happy by Clinique
If I were a feeling, I'd be........joy (as opposed to happiness from circumstance)
If I were a book, I'd be...........The Gift of the Blessing by Gary Smalley
If I were a food, I'd would be......turkey and dressing
If I were a city, I'd be...........Mayberry
If I were a taste, I'd be..........Salty
If I were a scent, I'd be..........Warm Vanilla Sugar.
If I were a word, I'd be...........Mercy.
If I were a verb, I'd be...........Love.
If I were an object, I'd be........Sun Glasses.
If I were a piece of clothing, I'd be......a wonderful cotton gown.
If I were a body part, I'd be......Lips-curving upward:o).
If I were a facial expression, I'd be.....a delighted smile.
If I were a cartoon character, I'd be......Nemo
If I were a movie, I'd be............Pay it Forward.
If I were a geometrical shape, I'd be........A Circle.
If I were one of the Seasons, I'd be ........Springtime!!!!!
If I were a sentence, I'd be..........."I love you."

I just wanted to say Blogging is a blessing to me.

You are a Blessing to me!

Be blessed!

Heart Matters

This weekend passed by in a flash. On Friday night my Son in love Donny began having some heart problems and spent Friday night and Saturday in the hospital. I kept my baby girls and tried to have some fun like going to the apple orchard and out to lunch instead of sitting at home and worrying. He had some tests today at the Heart Center and we are praying for good results.

It just got me to thinking about the heart and how important it is to have a healthy one. I think it would be comforting to have tests and get an all good from doctors that you have a healthy heart.

At the same time, I think it would be more comforting to spend time with our Heavenly Father and get an all good that your heart is pleasing in His sight.

It caused me to ponder some of my favorite heart verses…

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I pray this verse every single time I sing for Him and many Sundays when I feel unprepared to teach my sisters in Sunday school.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I believe this verse and I have it hidden in my heart as well as hung on my wall. I also believe that the desires of our heart will be honorable when we delight in HIM.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I love this song (Amy Grant) - I enjoy singing it and I pray this often when I feel like I am letting things fester in my heart that should not be there.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

What do I need to say about this verse- I have remembered it many times when I am forgetting who my refuge is and the only true one to put my trust in.

Psalm 119:10-11
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

I remember this one from VBS as a little girl or at least from the Pledge to the Bible then finding it in my love of the Psalms.

Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Remember this is from my favorite chapter of the Bible-believe me I have anxious thoughts and I know who alone knows my whole heart. Like it says in this chapter he has searched me and  He knows me-when I sit and be a couch potato and when I rise.:o)

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

This is very important and explains faith really- turn what you can’t understand over to him and leave it there. Period. End of sentence.

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Just like Donny needs medical help for his heart and tests to find the problems –its imperative to living well and healthy; we need to guard our hearts against things that should not be there like bitterness, anger and all the things that harden our hearts.

I’ll stop there for today. I’ll just leave you with God’s phone number if you need it for a heart check.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Pray for Donny and my sweet, pregnant Ashley who loves her husband so much.

Be blessed!

Ponderings of a MeMe’s heart

Last night I watched the Republican National Convention and I appreciated the speech by Sarah Palin- I thought she was articulate and gave an eloquent speech with great points. I already was a McCain-Palin supporter as I shared before. My favorite part, a part I found so tender and a picture of the love that Sarah has shown her children came from Piper. This in no way has bearing on her ability to run a country, but is a picture of her as a loving mother who’s taught her daughter love and caring.

Now my ponderings of a more personal nature-

I have always thought that one of the most important things I could do in this life is raise my children to be responsible Christian  good adults. It has not always been easy and they are still works in progress as I am. One constant throughout my ordeal as a Mother has been the relationship I have with my  heavenly Father- I can remember dedicating my children to Him.  I remember believing and having Faith that God is the only one who loves my children more than me and when I turn them over to his safekeeping hand they are held much better and safer than with me.

It is a wonderful thing to see the joys of accomplishments come as a parent, like seeing your child with children of their own and seeing them mature and make wiser decisions. I am thankful for my children. I am proud of them. Each one special in their own way.

My oldest-Mommy Girl- is pregnant with girl #3 and I love seeing her with her girls. She is the best Mom.  She always had a mothers heart. It’s a beautiful thing to see her with them. She is doing a far better job than she even realizes.

My son-Bubby- I have always called him that. He was a remarkable son and now he is a wonderful Father. He loves his son so much and is very much a hands-on Daddy. He’s already teaching Ryder to love music.

Last, but never least to me is LULU-My Bama Princess.

She is  working toward one dream and goal –to complete a good education. She’s funny- over sensitive, big-hearted and a survivor like her Mother. That which doesn’t break us makes us stronger. I can’t wait to see what wonderful things God has in store for her. I can’t wait for her to realize He is her first and best love.

Today I read a sweet birthday wish and I cried. I also began my ponderings- have I done enough, do my children know how much I love them, if I were gone would I have shared joy with them? Deep stuff for this Thursday. I pray I’ve shown them God and His love. I pray I’ve shown them mine unconditionally.  Today like all the other days before, I leave them in the wonderful capable hands of the one who loves them with a Mighty love- Our Awesome God.

Children love your parents- parents love your children.

Be blessed!

Just some thoughts for Today

I usually don’t politically share my opinions. I believe that people get so ornery about it sometimes, especially people who are politically passionate I guess you could say -which I am not.

I am passionate about being thankful to be an American. I am thankful that we have had a good Christian man in the White House. I have been a member of his prayer team and I believe He has been a good president. I am sure he has made a few mistakes , but who among us has never made mistakes. I believe he has always done what he felt was right at the time and I feel sure he has prayed about his decisions and not taken them lightly. Yes, I stand by George W. I pray God bless him and his family.

I am a John McCain supporter and I watched with interest as he chose his Vice President. Today as I watched the news as I was concerned for New Orleans and coastal area. It was very distressing to me to hear the media and some Democratic coverage who are bringing out the personal matter of Sarah Palin’s 17 year old daughter who is pregnant. I say God bless the Palins and if you judge them- I pray for you because there but for the grace of God-it could be you or your child. I am a grandmother of a little boy who was born before marriage and it was not the order that I would have chosen, but I love my son and I absolutely could not love my little man anymore than I do. We are a good family and more importantly we are loved by God.  So are Sarah Palin and her daughter.It does not have anything to do with her abilities to be the right candidate and shame on those who are dragging her personal family issues into the public eye. I found it interesting and comforting  that James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, commended the Palins for "not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances."

People, we need to be praying for our country- how distressing to see the violence at the Republican convention. How distressing to see the media start attacking a woman who is trying to raise a family and serve her country in a political arena.  We need to be praying always for the leaders of our nation.  I for one do not like all the negative media coverage that goes along with voting coverage.

I am concerned about this election and I believe Christians should really be praying about the election and our country.

I am proud to be an American and I want to keep it that way. We are fortunate to live here and have the freedoms we have and we have abused them.

Okay, thanks for letting me express myself- although it was not as well written as it could have been. Just my swirling thoughts at the end of a news heavy day.

God bless our country we need it and of course…

Be blessed!!