This picture represents my blessing for today. I am blessed enough to live in the greatest country on earth. Not only that, but I am privileged to live near a base that is home to many of the heroes who protect that country every single day!! When we first moved out here, the sounds of the planes was a major annoyance. Now, we have gotten used to it and the days they aren't flying seem overly quiet. It may be crazy but I have come to find a certain comfort and security in the noise of those planes flying overhead. I also feel fortunate to count among my friends many who either have served or are currently serving in our military forces. I would like to take a moment to express my personal thanks and gratitude for all that you sacrifice to protect my freedom. As i have often heard, "Freedom isn't free." I know that our lives would be so different if it weren't for you. You are my heroes!!


This picture is also representative of a common sight around our home. As summer begins to approach sunflowers will pop up all over the place. They are one of my favorite flowers. Somehow they always seem to remind me of God's wonderful creativity when He made this earth and all that is in it. Isn't our God good?

Today we are moving pretty slow around here. Last night was a late, long night. My mother-in-law, Ellen, has taken a decline. She is not eating or drinking right now. Hospice is doing all that they can to keep her comfortable. Roscoe was over there until very late (or rather very early this morning) trying to do what he could for both his mother and his sister. His sister has taken very good care of their mother, but is having a hard time accepting that she just is not really going to get better. If you would, please remember our family in prayer throughout the coming days/weeks.

I will spend much of the day getting ready to go back to work. I start my new job tomorrow. I am looking forward to it!! After our "trial run" in January I can be confident that the world will not come to an end because I am working again. Actually, I think it proved to be good for us in many ways. Today, however, it means there is a small mountain of laundry that must have some attention. Also, a few errands to run and some phone calls to make. I suppose that all means I must get up and get busy! I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!

HI Ho Hi Ho... It's back to work I go...

Today it is official!! I am now the new Teller II at MSU. I am so excited!! This job is truly a blessing and an answered prayer. There are so many things that are good about this. I have to thank the Lord. I mean in a time where so many are struggling to find work, this job has all but fallen in my lap. God is good.
I start on Thursday morning. If you happen to think about it, you may send up a few prayers that all goes smooth for us. My working means we have to find a routine schedule. Otherwise life becomes mass chaos!!

Introducing Frankie Jo

We would like to introduce you all to the newest member of our family.... Frankie Jo!
She is a three year old chocolate lab. She is just as sweet as you could want. We are all totally in love with her!!!

Sad news

We have some sad news today. Max, our beloved and loyal Heeler/Husky Mix, passed away last night. We are not sure exactly why or how. When we returned home from church last night we were not greeted by his familiar bark and Roscoe knew something was wrong. He went to check and found him. We are sad to lose such a sweet family companion. Max was a beautiful creature with an equally beautiful personality. We could not have asked for a better dog for the kids. He never bit or tried to hurt any of us. He never realized he "grew up" and left puppyhood. He had an abundant amount of energy and affection for everyone. Max was special to us for many many reasons. He leaves us with a heart full of memories.

We have had a fun week!! Friday night/Saturday we cooked another pig. My Grandpa thoroughly enjoyed himself!! The kids had a great time playing together and the adults all seemed to enjoy visiting with one another. At the end of the day we were all tired, but it was a good tired!!

Last night was our church's SweetHeart Dinner. The food was good, and the company was even better! I have to just say again how blessed we are to have such a wonderfully loving and supportive church family!! The kiddos had a good time as well! Noah got to spend "quality time with his best bud -J.R. Rachel had a good dose of "Blond time" with Abby, so she thought it was all good!! At the end of the evening they gave out door prizes and Roscoe and I each won a box of chocolate covered cherries....Yummmmmm!!!
Speaking of the church, now I have to finish getting Valentine's ready for our children's party on Saturday. We will be delivering valentines to one of the local nursing homes. Then we will return to the church to have a pizza lunch. Since the boys won the food drive challenge, the girls will be serving them their lunch. Needless to say, Noah and J.R. are excited about that!

Here is a picture of my sweet mother-in-law:

Doesn't she look good? She is at home with Hospice Support Care. So far, she seems to be doing pretty good. We would definitely like to say thank you to everyone for all the prayers you have all offered on her behalf. God has definitely made her more comfortable and is making the time we have left with her much better. Thank you to all of the prayer warriors we have in our camp!!!
The cell phone drama is our story for the week. I have the same phone I received when we opened our cell phone account waaaayyy back in September of '05!! Well, there isn't really anything wrong with it, but I just want a new one... So, I call and the company says you were eligible a long time ago for an upgrade. I go in and get a new phone. They didn't explain and I didn't realize that it would extend our contract for 2 more years. Since I don't pay the bill, that isn't my call to make - besides, we are thinking about going with a different company when our contract is up in a few months. So, I take the new phone back and they "un-renew" the contract. In the meantime, Princess Rachel has taken possession of the "old" phone. She decided it needed to be cleaned up a bit and drops it into a sink full of water. Fortunately, we carry the insurance on it, so we filed a claim yesterday afternoon. The replacement phone will be here today... note to self: NEVER let Princess R "take care" of things such the computer, cameras, phones, etc.. They may end up cleaner, but.....

Fortunately, I had already emailed some pictures that I did not want to lose to myself. Here are a couple of old, but treasured pics:
My sweet Sam...


Sam, Rachel, and Noah outside Chili's - October 2005

January is already gone?

It seems like I was just starting to count my blessings at the beginning of the month and now the month is gone!! Life has been as crazy and hectic as ever - maybe even more so - but it is good!! January brought several changes for us. I went back to work - at least temporarily. i was offered a temp job in the business office at the college. I am really enjoying it and am praying it will turn into a permanent position. It has really been a good thing for all of us. The kids have adjusted very well to the the change. Rachel loves her babysitter. Noah really enjoys her as well. She was a true God send. She has two boys that go to Noah's school, so I am able to just meet her there in the mornings and drop both kids at one time. She stays at the school with Rachel on Tues and Thurs for speech. Like I said, the kids both like her and I can feel good that they are content and well cared for while I am working.
Working 40+ hours a week has made us change our routine a bit, but it has helped us implement a stricter schedule and routine which is good for us all.

One thing I would ask everyone to pray for is Ellen, Roscoe's mom. She had an episode a couple of weeks ago with seizures. The ER visit revealed another recurrence of cancer, this time in her hipbone. She was transferred to the Hospice Center. There, they were able to get her pain under control. She is doing some better and will be going home tomorrow. She will still be under hospice care, but she is happy to be returning to her house. She is still very ill and very much in need of prayer. Also, pray for Roscoe as he tries to help care for his mom and family during this time..

One of the fun changes that came in January was a new hair cut! I went a couple of weeks ago to get a hair cut and told the girl to do "whatever" - I just wanted something different and updated. This is what I got:

I love it!!

Well, I have ot go!! Tomorrow is Monday and the beginning of another work week!! I hope everyone had a great week!!!

Today's bleesing:
God's generous provision
I am so blessed to know that God always provides what I need and what my family needs. Although I may whine and complain about hamburger instead of Rib eye steak, I still have more than enough satisfy my hunger and nourish my body. I have a warm bed, a roof over my head and clothes to wear. God is good!!