Too young to go to the pokey!

As a teacher, missing work is not something I do often. Here is the reason......

Since I knew I was going to be out today I decided to "run by" school at 10:30 last night to drop off lesson plans and my faithful husband decided to go with me. So we trotted down the hill at school to my back door, spent about 30 minutes in my classroom and when we came out saw the blue lights. The police officer had already ran Michael's tags and was questioning why he had Bradley County tags. We must be pretty honest looking because he let us go without too much trouble. Does anyone else have this sort of trouble when missing work?

Nanny's Funeral

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

--Psalm 116:15

It's been such a hard week. I don't know of a time that I've ever been more physically and emotionally tired. Nanny's funeral was last night. For those of you who attended I think you'd agree that it really honored the Lord. It was such a blessing. It was what nanny would have wanted. The burial will be this morning.

Thanks for all the prayers on behave of my family and my mom. I'm praying that God will do great things during this trying time in our lives.

Theres No Place Like Home

I'm so glad to be at my lil house with my precious lil husband. There's no place in this world that I'd rather be.

The last week has been exhausting!!!!! I'm so so tired. I made it home Friday evening. Michael and I made a quick trip over to pappaw Tom's for a few minutes, then came home and crashed. Today we made a quick run to his parents and met the newest family member Mckenzie (remember the 11lb 7oz baby). After that we ran to Knoxville to pick up a few needed items. Tomorrow and Monday are gonna be crazy days also.

Keep praying for mom. We're worried. She's not getting much nutrition!

Things not to Separate

I miss my best friend so bad! He really is teriffic. I haven't seen him since Tuesday night.....Stinky!!!!!!!

One Day At A Time

Well surgery is over. Dr. Netterville talked very positive and told us that mom has a "bright future". The tumor was some-what bigger than what they expected. But it had defined edges(this is a good sign). Of course nothing is for certain until her biopsy comes back sometime next week. When I left the hospital tonight, she was in a lot of pain. The doctors were assuring us that this would be even better by morning.

My darling husband (the really cute one on the header of my blog) drove Kiah and me to Vanderbilt this morning. He rode home with Karen tonight so that he can work tomorrow. During surgery he left and found me an easily accessible hotel (he's the best). And it even has high speed Internet. I won't complain about it being the slowest hi-speed in the universe because I'm just thankful to check my email and catch up on some blog time!

Lisa had her baby this afternoon.....ready for this....hold your breath....11lbs and 7oz. I can't wait to see her real soon.

Well now I'm off (very slow like) to update mom's blog. Hopefully I'll get it finished tonight.

P.S. If you haven't got a personal phone call through all this....let me assure you that we still love you. We are tired, grieving, healing, and just carrying on. We may have forgotten a few along the way but never intentionally.

Our God is so good.

My Nanny

Nanny (mom's mom) went home to be with the Lord this evening. It was an unexpected shock. She will be greatly missed. If you were not acquainted with her, you really missed out. Mom has decided to keep her surgery appointment. If she canceled she would have to wait another month before they could get her in. We have had a very hard day at the hospital. Mom and Wendell are currently driving to Nashville. Please keep mom in your prayers. She's a trooper and I know God will give her grace for what she's facing. I'll update her blog tomorrow night post surgery.

Sunday's Scriptures

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:8-10

Yet more Randomness

• It's finally Friday and next week is.....SPRING BREAK!!!!!
• I think everyone should be a teacher!
• Driving home I saw a bumper sticker with the bible verse "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." It really got me thinking...about my life....this year....this week...this day.
• Mom's Surgery is Tuesday.
• Lisa (Michael's sister) is having a baby on Tuesday.
• Rachel (my fav cuz) is having a baby on Thursday.
• Michael and I are looking at a house in O.S. on Monday.
• I'm probably heading to Nashville on Monday (wanna be my roomie, Teresa?)
• Michael is rushing me out the door to go to Jec and Billys.....more later.

Its what we do....

Our Tuesday night? I've been working on these tote bags....

They go with this book.....

Michael has been doing less important things like this.....

And just so you don't worry all night...it has a slipped lifter! (I think)

Sunday's Scriptures

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

---Romans 8:28

Randomness

Has it really been since Sunday that I blogged? I feel like such a slacker. There really hasn't been much to blog about. I went with Mom to Vanderbilt yesterday. We had a good trip and once again she really enjoyed my company (if she'll admit it or not). Other than that the only thing that's happened is I ruined supper tonight....I mean totally bombed out. Since it turned cold I've really been craving homemade chicken and dumplings. It was a big inedible mess! There went an hour of my life I'll never get back! I really need someone to take pity on me and give me a good chicken and dumplings recipe! Actually let me rephrase that....Michael really needs someone to take pity on him and give me a good chicken and dumplings recipe!!!

Good thing for our tummies that the Good Ole Days Diner is 5 minutes away and they have great burgers. They saved the night!

Sisterhood Award

I'm so excited....Mrs. Lori at A Frugally Old-Fashioned Homemaker has passed along the Sisterhood Award to me. This award represents blogs that show great attitude and/or gratitude. I posted about Mrs. Lori's blog a few weeks ago. I read everything she posts and have tried several of her recipes. She's been a great help to this bride (Michael appreciates it also!) Lori is really great....check out her blog.

Now on to my award....I really feel like before I accept I should thank all the little people in my life who have made this possible *great big smile* (I have always wanted to say that). Now I get to pass it along to some of my favorite blogs....here's my choices:

1. There will be grace--this is my mom's blog. She is currently facing a night season in her life but has a great attitude. Keep her in your prayers.

2. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms--Stephanie is an amazing person. She has been an inspiration to me. She has the best attitude.

3. Raising Rascals--Let me just tell you...Amber is a hoot. Remember when I had this day? She is the only other person I know that has days equal to that. I enjoy reading her blog as much as anyones. She always makes me laugh!




If you recieved this award...here's what to do....
1. Display this award on your blog.
2. Leave a comment to those you gave it to, letting them know they have it.
3. Link back to the person who gave it to you.
4. Pass it on to 10 or fewer bloggers who you think demonstrate great attitude and/or gratitude.

Thanks again Lori!!!!

Sunday's Scriptures--My Strength

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
--Psalm 18:2


It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
--Psalm 18:32



Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
--Psalm 19:14


The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
--Psalm 27:1


The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
--Psalm 28:7

What's on my mind....

Here I sit blogging because I feel like that's what any good blogger would do with a moment of spare time while I wait on my curling iron to heat up. It has been a busy busy week and is going to be a busy busy weekend! We had revival this week with Bro. Wayne Sexton. Between that and running to Nashville on Monday, I've been worn out.

Revival was really good especially last night. He preached about what to do during the night seasons of our lives. He used the verse in Acts, where Paul and Silas where in Jail.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Acts 16:25

Some truths he shared:

• The night season is not a time of idleness.
• Too often in the night we lose our song.
• Paul and Silas stayed focused on the Lord's work.
• Paul and Silas focused on someone in a worse condition than them (the jailor who was ready to kill himself).
• Paul and Silas prayed and sang praise.

Simple lessons that I've known since I was a child, but it is still such a blessing to be reminded of these things and to refocus my attention to what's important.

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Psalm 86:7

Sweet Baby Face

Driving through McDonalds drive-thru on Saturday the cashier asked Michael if he was a new driver. New Driver? "Yes" the cashier said, "You look so young." Ha! She thought he was 10 years younger than he really is. Some women would die for a face like his!

I think he's super cute and I love his sweet baby face!!!!!

Now for the rest of the story....

So mom posted all about our trip to Vanderbilt, right? Wrong! She left out so many important details. This just goes to prove that she should have marked short-term memory loss on her patient health history form!

First off we made it to the parking garage. However, we could not park there because it was made for hotwheels cars and Wendell drove the Mammoth truck. So we had to drive around in the big city of Vanderbilt to find the second garage. It was a little better (made for tonka trucks) so we attempted it. It was quite humorous watching how close the top of the truck came to concrete beams above. The funniest part was when Wendell spotted the speed bump he had to go over. We laughed so hard.

Parking in the second garage made mom's directions to the doctors office void. Good thing we got there 2 hours early. After asking 10 different people where to go we were on our way. It was so sad to me, walking around. The whole time I was looking at people and wondering what was wrong with them. It's a depressing place. We finally did find the doctors office.

We had a forever wait in the doctors office. I decided I needed mom's notebook so I could document what the doctor told her. Here's what I got

3:00--Arrive in the doctors office
4:08--Still in the waiting room--crying baby
4:09--Hungry, no make that STARVING
4:12--Baby not crying anymore...wearing an uncomfortable looking snowsuit- -no snow in sight.
4:13--We are the last people in the waiting room
4:17--Wendell's on the Phone
4:21--Just asked mom to see the "lump"--realized she ate a RED jolly
rancher--so embarassing!!!!!
4:33--Still the only ones in the waiting room...Wendell texted me, "I think we
are next."
4:35--Mom's tongue is still red--wendell's is green.
4:36--Nurse took us back to wait in another room
4:40--Mom just informed me crying baby had a broke leg
4:41--Mom wondered aloud if her chair reclined--it does *big smile*
4:55--Wendell starts clicking on the computer that is in the room
4:57--Resident comes into room

After that I was too distracted to take notes. As you can see I went along for their enjoyment....a light in a dark spot. They are blessed with me.

**************************************************************
On a serious note...keep mom in your prayers. She's facing some hard times.

Sunday's Scriptures

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:28