Happy 13th!

Well, I was going to play catch up on a bunch of pictures tonight while my 'puter is working, but it's still being kind of slow, so I'll settle for doing a few at a time. Michael celebrated his 13th birthday on July 24.....and as most of you know he got a Pomeranian puppy for his birthday! He said this was THE BEST birthday gift ever!!Michael & Rocky
After church on the 25th, we went over to maw's for a BD cook-out. Here's Michael with his BD cupcake. He had a chocolate layer cake at home. ;-)

Rocky posing for me in the front yard.

Now isn't that just the cutest little tush you've ever seen?!All tuckered out & ready for bed.

I ran across these awesome little card packs in the dollar bin at AC Moore the other day. 10 blank cards with envies for $1! I got a pack of circle shaped ones, square ones & these with the little peek-a-boo window in them.

I made this card for a couple at church who just celebrated their anniversary. I really like how it turned out.

Be Anxious for Nothing!

I experienced what I call another 'Pastor Steve Moment' yesterday........let me back up & explain. Back in June, Pastor Steve preached on faith & how our first reaction shouldn't be to worry or fret, but to go to God.....'Be anxious for nothing, but let your requests be made known to God.' He also encouraged us to journal about our needs & how God has answered our prayers, provided for us, given us miracles. etc. He said we forget so easily & it's good to be able to look back & see how God's provided in the past & to KNOW the He will provide for our needs NOW. So......I'm journaling this now, so I can look back & see how God provided. Chris noticed Sunday night when he got home from work that there was a discrepancy on his LU account saying he owed ALOT more than he should have. When he went out of here yesterday to go straighten it out I just prayed that God would go before him & take care of everything. He's been there for us in the past & I KNEW He hadn't brought Chris this far--to his senior year--to let him down. Believe it or not I didn't feel terribly stressed out like I sometimes can......I just kept praying & praising......I put the praise music on & sang along....because the joy of the Lord is our strength! Needless to say I was doing 'the Happy Dance' when Chris got home & told me everything was taken care of. It had been something to do with summer school, but would correct itself on his school account & for him not to worry. How awesome is that?! God is so faithful!!!

I Am Free!

Please forgive me for sharing yet more song lyrics......I'm on a roll.....LOL! I was reading a new blog last night.....check it out over to the left there....Joy N Jesus.......& was reading where she was celebrating the 4th & all our freedoms & I got this song by the Newsboys stuck in my head. We sing this at church alot & I love it!





Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You all hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams, I am free!


I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)


Chorus:
I am free
I am free
I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)
Yes I am free

Better Than a Hallelujah

God loves a lullaby
In a mothers tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves a drunkards cry,
The soldiers plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.



We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah



The woman holding on for life,
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what's been done,
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.



~Amy Grant

the Tin Man

It's times like these
I wish I were a tin man
You could hurt me all you wanted
And I'd never even know
I'd give anything just to be the tin man
And I wouldn't have a heart and I wouldn't need a soul


~Kenny Chesney

Barn Quilts

Where the broad sides of country barns once provided canvases for tobacco advertisements & notices that the circus was coming to town, today those barns are likely to sport colorful reproductions of quilt squares. Painted in bold color, these geometric designs that mimic time-honored quilt squares were the brainchild of Donna Sue Groves of the Ohio Arts Council. In 2001 she started the idea with a barn quilt trail in Adams County, Ohio. Now many communities are getting together to adorn groups of barns with quilt panels & promoting them as public art.

I had never heard of this before.....but my friend, Patti posted these pics on my scrapping board....she & her friend went around looking for Barn Quilts yesterday & these are some of the treasures they found. I'm totally in love with the idea & think I need to do one of these for our buildings out here. I can just see one on the back of Uncle Richard's building so it can be seen from the road. And Sandee.......YOU definitely need one of these!

Some Favorite Quotes

Just thought I'd share some of my favorite quotes from some recent books that I've read.



A Slender Thread ~by Tracie Peterson
'Mattie laughed....."Child, I always expect miracles. It's the only way to get through life!" '



A Quilter's Holiday ~by Jennifer Chiaverini
' The Lord provides...but He's also mighty keen on self-reliance.'

'We're all very busy, but we should never become too preoccupied with our own concerns to help those in need.'


Take Four ~by Karen Kingsbury
' Her parents had often said money & fame would never bring them joy. She could hear her dad telling them true joy could only come from having a passion for the work they'd do when they grew up, from living within their means, and ~~even more~~ from the people they surrounded themselves with.'


In the Karen Kingsbury books the kids participate in CKT (Christian Kid's theater) & their 'theme song' through out the books is Great is Thy Faithfulness.

'The Lord's...compassions...are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.' ~Lamentations 3:22-23

Great is thy faithfulness
O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be.


Pardon for sin & a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence to cheer & to guide
Strength for today & bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside!


Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness
Lord unto me!

Amazing......

Let's see.....first of all I have another TEEN-AGER in the house now. Michael celebrated his 13th birthday on Saturday. We started our celebrating Friday evening by getting Vitos pizza for supper. Saturday morning we had our usual celebratory cinnamon buns & coffee for breakfast & Michael opened his gifts. He got some new shirts, a word find puzzle book, a big ole bottle of Green Tea & some dive rings for the pool. He also got money because he really couldn't decide if he wanted a new bike or a dog! Yep.....all the kids (& Clay too) have been wanting a little indoor doggy for some time now. They are always perusing the Buck Saver & Thrifty Nickel papers....so we decided we'd give him money & then we could go from there...whether it was bike shopping or dog shopping. LOL Saturday, after lunch we all played in the pool for awhile......had to try out those new dive rings, ya know. ;-) Then when Clay got home from work he took the boys to go look at a little Pomeranian puppy he had found. I told them NOT to do anything on a whim.....because for one thing I was super tired that night & just did NOT feel like dealing with a new puppy along with trying to get everything together for our party at maw's on Sunday....not to mention the fact that we would be gone all day Sunday. BUT....anyone who knows Clay knows he is the King of 'Spur-of-the Moment' & as you can guess......they came home with the cutest little Pom puppy you have ever seen!! They said they couldn't help it.....when the guy found out it was Michael's 13th birthday & this was going to be his present, he came down on the price & as they say, the rest is history. Michael says it's THE BEST birthday gift he's ever gotten so I guess that makes it all worthwhile! ;-)


Yesterday, the whole service at church was dedicated to the teens sharing about their recent trip to Kentucky. It was an amazing time! Every single one of the kids & adults that had gone got up & shared. I was so proud of my kids...they did an amazing job of sharing their hearts! All of the kids did......we really have a super group of young people at our church! I am so blessed that my kids are able to be a part of a group like this!! After church, we all headed over to Maw's house for a cook-out birthday celebration for Michael. Ella & kids were there & Sarah & kids came down to have cake & icecream with us! We still have a little bit of celebrating to do for Michael's birthday.....we like to KEEP celebrating......he asked for BBQ ribs for his BD dinner, but since Clay was working over the weekend, we planned to do that on a night when he would be home....so we'll probably do that tomorrow night. **** will add pics as soon as I can get back on MY computer again.****

Home again, Home again.....

The kids rolled into the church parking lot about 7:30pm Sunday evening & I tell ya what......they talked NON-STOP all the rest of the evening. They were so pumped about their trip! We spent the rest of night looking at all of Ashley's 300 pics that she took & also watching the video footage that Jon taped.


They went claiming these two verses as kind of the theme for their trip. The first one....Matt. 20:28- the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister (or serve). The second one....Eph. 3:20- Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think....And according to Pastor Steve, that last verse turned out to be SO true......that God moved & worked during their days there in ways beyond what they ever could have imagined!


They were able to work with the SWAP program & build two decks & a porch during the two days that they worked on this project. They also handed out flyers inviting the community kids out to Bible School next week at Harvest Mountain Baptist Church (the church where they stayed). They delivered gift bags to community folks & handed out $500 worth of Walmart gift cards. They were able to tear down an old shed type building behind the church & also plant flowers out front just to help bring some color & spruce things up a bit. Friday night, they had a youth rally & Our Last Oath played (a band made up of guys from our church) & Pastor Steve spoke. The Holy Spirit really moved that night.....folks got saved & no one wanted to leave. On Saturday, they hiked about a mile up to Bad Branch Falls & once they were up there they had a time of sharing...in particular about how to keep the fire burning in their hearts that had started the night before at the youth rally & they also pulled out the guitar & sang some praise songs.......they even drew a small crowd up there of others that were just out hiking & stopped to see what was going on. Sunday morning was church there at Harvest Mountain & then they loaded up & headed home.


This coming Sunday Pastor Steve is basically giving over the service for them all (grown-ups & teens alike) to share about their experiences in KY. They will be putting together a video this week of everyone's photos to share also. I'm sure that will be an awesome service.

Prayers for our Hubbies

Dear Lord,
I pray for my husband from head to toe.......

~His Head- That he will look to you as Lord of his life. (I Cor. 11:13)

~His Mind- That he will have the mind of Christ & think as the Holy Spirit would lead him & not the flesh. (I Cor. 2:16)

~His Eyes-That you will keep his eyes from temptation & that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matt. 6:13, Mark 9:47)

~His Ears- That he will hear your still small voice instructing him. (I Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8)

~His Mouth- That his words will be pleasing to you. (Prov. 10:14)

~His Neck- That he will humble himself before you & be strong, courageous, & careful to do everything written in your word so that he will be prosperous & successful. (James 4:10, Joshua 1:8-9)

~His Heart- That he will love & trust you with his whole heart. (Deut. 6:5, Prov. 3:5)

~His Arms- That you will be his strength (Psalm 73:26)

~His Hands- That he will enjoy the work of his hands & see it as a gift from you. (Ecc. 3:13, 5:19)

~His Feet- That you will order his steps & that he will walk in your truth. (Prov. 4:25, Psalm 26:3)

Prayers for our Children

I ran across this in a devotional somewhere.....Girlfriends in God, most likely.....but anyway, I thought I'd share it here.



'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ' ~~III John 1:4 (NIV)



Pray that your children will:

~Know Christ as savior early in life. (Psalm 63:1, II Tim. 3:15)

~Have a hatred for sin. (Psalm 97:10)

~Be caught when guilty. (Psalm 119:71)

~Be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional & physical. (John 17: 5)

~Have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships. (Daniel 6:3)

~Desire the right kinds of friends & be protected from the wrong friends. (Prov. 1:10-11)

~Be kept from the wrong mate & saved for the right one! (II Cor. 6: 14-17)

~Be kept pure until marriage (as well as the one they marry). (I Cor. 6:18-20)

~Learn to totally submit to God & actively resist Satan in ALL things! (James 4:7)

~Be single-hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ. (Rom. 12:1-2)

~Be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places & that the wrong people can't find their way to them!!! (Hosea 2:6)




I have another one that I'll post soon about how to pray for our husbands! There is awesome power in prayer!!

A Quiet House

The house was unusually quiet yesterday evening. Chris had left Tuesday morning going to NC to visit Ashley.....just for an overnight stay. Then yesterday afternoon, I dropped Ashley & Jon off at church for their mission's trip to KY. Maw met us there to send them off.....we had an awesome prayer time for the group before they headed out. Came home & fixed supper for just the 4 of us....again, kinda weird & quieter than normal. Really makes me miss all the hullabaloo that's usually the norm around here. Will REALLY be weird on Sat. & Sun......when Clay & Chris are at work & it's just me, Michael & Alli.

KY Mission's Trip

I keep waiting hoping our dang computer will be working again soon.....I want to post all my latest pictures....4th of July and all. But while I wait to post pictures I figured I might as well post an update & then I can go back & add pics when I can. These past days have been soooo HOT....like upper 90s & even 100 a couple of days. So thankful for our pool because it sure does provide some nice relief on HOT days. Needless to say we've been spending just about every afternoon playing in the pool. Ashley & I also do ALOT of reading during the lazy summer afternoons. I'm almost done with Karen Kingsbury's latest Take Four. And I'm also reading her Sunrise series.....I'm getting ready to start Someday. Ashley has several books about Audrey Hepburn right now......we've been on a roll here recently watching all her movies. Ashley has enjoyed reading all the classic literature & now I'm making a classic movie buff out of her too. We've watched Roman Holiday, Sabrina (the old one), Breakfast at Tiffany's, Funny Face & My Fair Lady. We had a nice quiet 4th here at home. Clay & Chris both had to work, so after church we came home & played in the pool all afternoon. Then grilled some burgers & dogs for supper & ate outside. After awhile, Jon built a little campfire so they could roast marshmallows & make s'mores. They had the absolute BEST time that evening.......they lifted the hatchback on clay's little Geo & cranked up the tunes.....they were out there by the campfire serenading everyone with Toby Mac & DC Talk........singing 'Jesus Freak' & 'Jesus is Still Alright'. When Clay got home we all did sparklers & fireworks & then Ashley & Jon pulled the quilt over by the fire & said they were gonna sit out & wait for Chris to get home from work. When I went to bed, they were out there by the fire with their music & cups of coffee. Aaaaahhhhh sweet memories! Then this past Wed.....they decided they were gonna pull an all-nighter. They did it once last summer & knew they MUST do it once this summer too. Again, they built a campfire & all raosted marshmallows & made s'mores. Then after us OLD folks went to bed they played video games, watched a movie & some old TV shows like CatDog, Gullah, Gullah Island, etc. They have some pretty goofy pics to document their night. Can't wait to share them with y'all. This coming week will be busy & different for sure. Chris is going to NC on Tues (just for a short overnight visit) to see his girlfriend. This is a first....but what can we say......to me it's dejavu...taking me back 20-some years to the days when Clay & I were his age & it was Clay making that trip between VA & NC. Again.....sweet memories! As he is on his way home on Wed....I will be taking Ashley & Jon to church as they head out with the teens from Calvary Chapel to go on a mission's trip to eastern KY. They will be working with a group there called SWAP. Click the link to check it out. They will leave on Wed. & get home sometime Sun. afternoon. So, please...if you think about it.....keep them & their team members in your prayers this coming up week. For safety as they travel & as they minister to these folks in KY. Not much else going on right now......just thoroughly enjoying these lazzy, hazy days of summer!

He Is

I love this song by Mark Schultz! Heard it on the way home this evening & just thought I'd share.



Father, let the world just fade away
Let me feel your presence in this place
Lord, I’ve never been so weary
How I need to know you’re near me
Father, let the world just fade away
Till I’m on my knees
Till my heart can sing

He is
He was
He always will be
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
He is

Father, let your Holy Spirit sing
Let it calm the storm inside of me
As I stand amazed
Lift my hands and say

He is
He was
He always will be
He lives
He loves
He’s always with me
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Through every fear
And every doubt
And every tear I shed
Down every road
I’m not alone
No matter where I am

He is
He was
And He always will be
He lives
He loves
He’s always with me
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
He is

Creek

The kids spent the afternoon yesterday over at the creek building this dam so it would be deep enough when they come to get the water for our pool.See....this is how us 'rednecks' fill our swimming pools! LOL
They took me over there last night after supper to show me what they had done.

This one of Skippy's cows was thinking that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence.....she kept sticking her head W-A-Y over & then reaching her tongue out even farther. It was so funny to watch her.

Haven't posted any layouts in a while.......

These are just a handful of my most recent layouts.
Memorial Day cook-out at Maw's

Easter egg hunt in maw's backyard.

Ashley's willow tree that she named 'Willoughby'

Love these pics of Clay talking to Chris when he was about 8 weeks old.

Chris & Jon on the last day of school.

Jon & Taylor at our Memorial Day cook-out....so sweet!

Two of my crazy boys playing 'Chubby Bunny' at our Memorial Day cookout.

Idoleyes

Just finished reading another awesome book the other day. Idoleyes by Mandisa. The book is terrific but one part in particular I wanted to share here:




'Since graduating from college, I had been living in a quiet & protected goldfish bowl. I worked for a christian company, associated with Christian friends, sang with a Christian group....



I am thankful for my "goldfish bowl" experience, but I also recognize that God as called me to carry His name into the unpredictable roaring sea as well....



Shortly after my first audition aired, I received an email from an aquaintance. She wrote, "I was not happy with your American Idol experience. You do not have to compromise your values & sing secular music to make money & a name for yourself. I just hate that we as the Christian community cannot pay you the same money as the secular, but the rewards are much greater."



......After reading her message, I stared at the computer screen in shock. How could she possibly feel this way? If Christians associated only with other Christians, how would unbelievers come to know Jesus?



Many Christians believe we should remain separate from those who do not share our views & beliefs. They quote 2 Corinthians 6:17 as their rationale: "Come out from among unbelievers & separate yourselves from them." But Paul meant that we should separate ourselves from the sinful practices of those who don't know God. We're not to participate in ungodly activities. Furthermore, Jesus himself endured criticism for talking to fallen women, eating with tax collectors & visiting sinners. He regularly told us that we should let our lights shine out to the world, not hide them under a bushel basket.'

Smith Mt. Lake

Yesterday we spent an awesome day at the lake. It had been 5 years since we had all gone & spent the day there as a family. Too long. We commented to each other yesterday evening, as we sat at the picnic table finishing our supper while the kids were playing, about how much easier everything seemed about the day now that the kids were older. No pushing strollers down to the picnic tables, we have three strapping you men who were able to carry the cooler, charcoal, etc. down to the picnic area & there wasn't all that whining & complaining when it was time to leave the beach or the palyground, etc. Granted, I know that means my kids are growing up......but I'm enjoying them so much right where we are right now!! Whoever talks about the 'Terrible Teens' really makes me mad cuz we are totally enjoying all these (more or less) teen-agers that we have now!Alli, Jon & Ashley

Clay with the girls in the boat.....coming in for his next group of riders.

Alli's sandy flip-flops.....don't they just scream SUMMER TIME?!

Our picnic supper.....we grilled chicken & hotdogs. Yum! I should've brought some marshmallows for roasting. Will have to remember that for next time.

My Monkey-Boy, Jon

Looking at the beach across the way from the picnic area.

Jon & Michael......need I say more?

Alli, Jon & Michael playing on the swings.

Jon & Ashley......never grow too 'Old' to play! ;-)

My Clay-Baby!!

Yet Another Girly Day.....

Sandee, I tell ya........as I see it, there's just no other choice but for you to move to VA. LOL! Sunday was Sarah's BD & so yesterday we all got together to celebrate. Danielle & her kids, me, the girls & Maw got together for a fun afternoon. We scrapped & chatted & the kids played......you know how it goes. We had a blast! Then, about 5pm Clay came by when he got off work & picked Alli up (she wanted to go for the day & party, but she really didn't care to do the sleepover part). After they left & Ella left, Maw stayed & we fixed pizza & salad for supper. After which Anna & Daniel were just about to bust a gut to go get an ice cream cone for dessert. So, they took us up the road to this fun little ice cream place where we sat outside at little umbrella-ed tables & enjoyed our ice cream.
After ice cream, Sarah drove us out & showed us the new piece of property they recently purchased. Then it was home & into jammies so we could watch movies. We watched 'Kate & Leopold' because Sarah had never seen it before. The fun continued on today as we hit 3 different Good Will stores & enjoyed lunch at Wendy's.

Ashley had to have me take a picutre of her tater skin......see the cute little smiley face that God placed on her baked potato. How cute is that?!

We came home with several bags full of treasures from Good Will. Ashley found 4 cute tops, I got a pair of jean shorts for Jon, 2 cds- DC Talk & Michael W Smith & 6 books. All for right about $20. I LOVE shopping like that!!

Trying to stay cool now, doing laundry while the kids are watching 'The Two Towers'. Taking the whole family to Smith Mt. Lake tomorrow for some boating, swimming, etc. Should be a fun day....if we survive the heat!

The Last Song

Monday was another summer fun girly day. We met Ella & Cori & went to go see The Last Song at the dollar theater. Ashley & I had both read the book & were waiting ever so patiently for it to come to the dollar theater. Notice the Clash of the Titans poster right beside The Last Song. ;-) It's an inside joke.......Ashley & I keep saying that we're going to go see that on one of our Girly Days out. LOL After the movie, we met up with Sarah & Chris Bell, Sarah B & her kiddos at Starbucks for a yummy coffee treat.
Sarah, Ashley & Anna sporting their new 'I Love NY' Ts that Sarah brought back after their trip to NYC last week.

Chris & Sarah Bell

Ashely was tickled....she FINALLY got her permit today. We've been meaning to for ages, but something always seemed to come up. Now, lots of driving practice in our future. And before I can turn around it will be time for Jon to get his. YIKES! All these kids are growing up so fast!!

Jon is the proud owner of a new Fender electric guitar. He has been wanting one & has shopped around for a while now & finally bought this one at Best Buy the other day. Our up & coming new musician. ;-)

Goodness Gracious......

Are these boys crazy or what? I tell ya, they always keep me laughing & I guess that's a good thing, right?! Michael was the 'Star' of all these pics & Jon was the wonderful photographer egging him on. They went Striper fishing this past Thursday night......a relaxing treat for Clay after working so many straight days in a row....but they did get a tiny bit tired & loopy in the end......as you can see. ;-)outside the restrooms at the boat landing at SML
INSIDE the restrooms at SML

Michael's catfish that he caught

So happy to have my oldest 'baby' home for the summer...for real now! Chris finished up his summer school classes on Thurs & then finished up his training for the warehouse at Frito Lay on Friday. He now has a week 'off' to rest & relax before he starts work 'for real' on Friday afternoon. To celebrate, Clay took us out to supper at Pizza Hut. What a nice treat!! After supper, the guys wanted to run by Best Buy....'just real quick.' Yeah, right! Anyways, while the guys went to Best Buy, the girls & I poked around in Pier 1 & Barnes & Noble. As we walked back to meet the guys I snapped this pic. It was so nice outside as we strolled along....Ashley said it felt like being on vacation at the beach.

Chris & Jon playing UFC

Michael checking out some cool gadgets.

I know I'm a ding-a-ling to have my camera out in Best Buy snapping pics....but hey, it was fun!!

Alli had been begging Ashley to make these 'Inside Out' chocolate chip cookies for awhile now, so Ashlehy finally decided to do them last night for a yummy bedtime snack. Will have to post the recipe later on because they REALLY were good!