I love her.

My Jordan.

Beach Week!

We are having an amazing time at the beach this week! Just a couple of beach pictures to share.......

Warfare

This Sunday - June 22 at Brownsville Assembly of God- we are taping a LIVE Warfare CD during the morning service. So much has been going on in the church- we are in warfare right now- and our services have been POWERFUL the past 6 months. We are in warfare for our country right now- against sickness and disease- and for souls. If you are in the Pensacola area- come on out ready to worship on Sunday morning!

Check this out.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

Funny......

That's just funny.

$5,400.00

We have entered the next phase of life with a budding teenager......... Braces!!



My beautiful blonde Jordan has started the process of spacers and expanders - and in about 3 months we will get the full set of braces that she will wear for 24 months.... all for the whopping cost of $5,400.00! She was so excited about it because her BFF Kelly just got them too..... well- she was excited until they put the spacers in.... that hurt.... and then she said (not kidding- she said this) "Mom- 5000.00 is too much for this. I tell you what- just get me a cell phone and forget the braces!!!" Ummm- I don't think so kid.
So- we are off for a new adventure as "brace face".

(Kelly- with her new braces-- and my Jordan at Pensacola Beach)

Positive Post Tuesday

Today I want to tell you about one of my dearest friends in the world- Susan. I have known Susan for about 20 years. Our weddings were a day apart - 18 years ago this month-. Susan became the Assistant Principal at her school this year- so we are very proud of her! Susan is one of the most positive people I know- and because of some health issues she has- she really could complain alot- but she dosen't. She has a disorder in that her kidneys produce stones continually. Some people know the pain you have when you are passing a kidney stone..... Susan passes stones everyday. EVERYDAY. The lining of her kidneys are incrusted with stones. She has had 12 surgeries to help get some of them out. The doctors can not explain why she continues to make stones. I joke with her that I wish these stones she is making were diamonds or rubys or emeralds - then she would be rich!! She has flown out to California for tests- and the doctors are studing her- because they can't understand what is going on. This past February we spent a weekend at the beach- and she had passed 48 stones the four weeks before- and she stopped counting after that. Susan is amazing- you would never know what she is going through- because she keeps a beautiful smile- and a great attitude. Thanks for being so amazing Susan. I love you! (used with her permission)

Home!

My girls come home from Mimi and grandaddy's tomorrow- and I am soo happy! I know they have had a great week- but I sure miss them when they are gone. That is part of my struggle - should I work my full time job.... or should I stay home- because I can.? At one time- we needed me to work to make it. I had been a stay home mom for 8 years- from the birth of my Jordan - then Josie- and home until Josie started kindergarten. By that time I was ready for adult interaction. I started working with our church- and it was a great blessing. I was able to have the girls at work with me if I needed and they were very flexable with my time. My job has increased at the office and I do have more time away from my girls than I want. With greater responsibility comes- sometimes- greater sacrifice. I am honored to be in the position I am in- I really am.... so I think that is part of why I feel bad sometimes that I do want to give it up. And during the school year- it's fine... but summertime is hard for me. I really would rather be with the girls. Instead- I have to find places for them to be all summer. They do some camps- but only those I know well- they aren't going anywhere I don't know well. They spend time at Mimi's- but that is 45 minutes away from me- so I don't get to have them home every night. By July I will be complaining alot- so please forgive me. And pray for me. I don't know what to do. I don't really feel released from my job... I feel that Pastor does need me and respects me greatly... and I appreciate that. But at the end of the day- all I really want to be is the best mom I can be for Jordan and Josie. They are the very breath I breathe. I want them to never wonder or question whether they are important to me and their dad. I want to do the right thing. It's great to have extra money- but I would rather have them.
That's on my mind right now.

We are addicted......

ok- this was taken out of the car window and that is dead bug matter there on the right!!


You already know it- but I will again admit that we are very addicted to Disney World. We no sooner get home from a trip then we are planning the next one. I always say- Ok THIS is our last trip for awhile...... and never fails- we are soon planning the next trip.
We were at Disney just one month ago for Josie's 11th birthday. We have already made our reservations for our next trip. We will be there in December- I can't wait!!
We are hopelessly in love with Mickey Mouse.

Poppy

for "Positive Post Tuesday" I want to tell you about one of my dad's........ yes I have two. Marty (he prefers Poppy- my girls call him that) is my step dad- he's been married to my mother for 20 years. We hated each other-I completely and totally hated- dispised- this man when he came into our lives. I was 17 years old- my parents had just divorced after 23 years of marraige- and I was on my path of distruction. He came in as a true knight in shinning armor for my mother.... and I set out to destroy it because it wasn't what I wanted. He pretty much ignored me and convinced my mother to marry him. I turned 18 one month after they got married- and 2 weeks later he kicked me out of the house. Because I was disresptful. It nearly crushed my mother. It could have destroyed our relationship- but the Lord is good- and it didn't. To make a long story short- he gave his life to the Lord, I met my soon to be husband and started living right, I moved back in one month before my wedding, Poppy and I had a heart to heart talk where we both asked for forgiveness- and we started a new relationship. 18 years later- he loves me and is so proud of my family. I love him and I am so proud of he and my mother. He is a great man- and I am glad my mom has him.
This picture is of me, my baby brother, my dad and Poppy. We make sure to always involve both of them in every part of our lives- because Poppy deserves it as much as my dad.
God is good- He is so good.