3 Friends and a Prayer

When I woke up on tuesday morning I had 3 HUGE Fever Blisters! I look like I have been in a bar room brawl LOL It is simply awful! My Lip is HUGE!!! I have taken sooo much L-lysine and also got some anbesol for fever blisters! These things couldn't go away quick enough!!

I get to have Rylee again today so her momma can work extra @ the Salon! Twice in one week is such a blessing!

I went to my Pre-Op visit on wednesday because I will be having rotator cuff repair surgery on my OTHER ARM in a couple of weeks. It was suppose to be this Friday but bc DH is out of town we rescheduled it. I am soooooo NOT looking forward to this. Your prayers would be coveted at this time! The pain and the recovery time are my biggest concerns! Thanks you guys!!

Always be on the look out for divine appointments!! Sometimes they come by the name of Fern. I shared with you guys about our breakfast on Monday with me, Angel & Steph. Here we all are :)





As we were leaving, we said good-bye to Steph, & Angel & I were talking and I happen to notice a very tiny older woman off in the distance, WALKING!! I told Angel to turn around and look at her. We both thought she was just adorable and continued to chat away. Within a few more minutes we noticed her standing about 2 rows of cars away from us so we headed over to see if she was ok. She explained she was there to ask people for some grocery money. She told us she was 89 years old and had taken the bus to this location. She can ride the bus for free she explained and was thankful for the transportation. Fern shared with us that she lives with her Son and Daughter in law who is very sick. Fern does the cleaning and cooking for them but like so many people these days money is tight. In this family it is more than just tight. I cannot imagine any 89 year old out asking complete strangers for money! Fern was a tiny thing! She was probably about 4'8" and she had no teeth to speak of and the wrinkles were plenty. She explained she waits and asks only the people who have already eaten(at whichever food establishment) for money because she doesn't want anyone to go without on her behalf.
You know I have seen plenty of people who hold their signs asking for money, standing on street corners begging and while I try hard not to judge whether they are sincere in the quest for whatever we can spare I can say I have never seen anyone over 50 or even 60 let alone 89! Fern didn't mince words nor did she beg. She asked once and if you don't give she thanks you anyway. She was straight forward with all the questions we asked and when we asked if we could pray with her she said that was the best thing she could receive at all!! She grabbed our hands in that parking lot and we lifted her and her family along with their situation up to the Throne Room!

We were all touched in this divine appointment! I will never forget her sweet face and I noticed when we were leaving 3 gentlemen walking by her and ALL of them had out their wallets blessing her with a few dollars from each one! I know the Lord will provide all she needs. I am just thankful for the opportunity to have met this sweet and strong woman. She blessed Angel & I far more than words can say! Please pray for Fern and her family today won't you!

Spreadin the JOY♥

While my husband has been gone this week and Rylee was here we went outside to play and enjoy this wonderful cool weather! Jantzen got out the sidewalk chalk and they went to town. After a little bit I noticed that instead of it going on the sidewalk, they started coloring EACH OTHER!! LOL It is so precious to me watching my children and Rylee together!



My friend Steph was selling Blue&Gold sausage (well, her daughter was) and We LOVE B&G sausage! This year they had quite a variety of new items! One thing my husband wanted was their sausage biscuits and they were sold out but Steph found some for us!! When she delivered them and we took them out of the box ~ this is what they look like! I don't know if it is just me but they just cracked me up!! Those sausage patties are HUGE!!! Just made me laugh!!!


We bought Rylee some cool tub toys and one cool item was colors that she can write on the tub or tile and it washes off. I had them in the shower for her as well. One morning I woke Up and my Sweet Husband had left me a message on the shower door saying I LOVE YOU! Isn't that soooo sweet! I just L♥VE that man!


I was sooo filled with JOY this week when I was able to have coffee/breakfast with Angel and Steph
I know this won't surprise you all AT ALL but as we were checking out the waiter came over and handed us the Lunch menu!! LOL We had been there sooooo long talking, laughing and fellowshipping he just knew we were going to order lunch too!!!

It brings me sooo much joy each week when Rylee and I sing our song.... (this is a song my Nana and my Mom sang to me as a child)

I love you a bushel & a peck, A bushel & a peck and a hug around the neck, A barrel & a heap and I'm talking in my sleep
about you ~ about you

Well, ever since I have sang this to Rylee she has always sang the second "about you" back to me and let me just tell you
It is P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S!!

How has your week been? I pray you have some JOY to share and spread with others! You can go link up here @ my BFF"S Angels blog ! She would love for you to join in!


He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy
JOB 8:21

Give me a "J" Give me a "O" Give me a "Y" ~ What's that spell ......JOY!!

I have had so much JOY in my life and it just continues ~

I am filled with JOY because it is my BFF Angel who shares this meme with us each week and she loves to see the JOY in all things! Having Joy-filled friends is such a gift from the LORD!

I am filled with JOY because all the work that we put into the last couple of weeks celebrating birthdays and working on Homecoming finally caught up with me and I fell asleep Monday evening before 10pm and didn't wake up until 10am Tues. morning!! (Nor did I blog) I am so thankful and filled with JOY that my husband was sooo sweet to let me rest!!

I am filled with JOY because I found a recipe on a new blog that I was dying to try out but my DH beat me to it and OH MY GOODNESS you guys.....these are to die for!!! They are called "Muffins that taste like donuts"

I am filled with JOY when Rylee walks up and grabs my leg, squeezes it sooo tight and says "Awww Noni" Such sweet sweet JOY

I am filled with JOY because now that school has started my sweet boy loves to read and asks me to go read with him just before bed time!

Psalms 66:1-3
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power

I love you Angel Thank you for sharing JOY with us each and every week!

Weekend Wrap up

Our weekend kind of started on Thursday. We spent the evening surprising one of our friends on her big 5-0 birthday! Her husband invited quite a few to a local restaruant and I was soo happy to see such a big turn out! Some friends even came from Ohio! The biggest highlight though, was that their Son came! She wasn't expecting to see him until September. So when she saw him and screamed ~ running into his arms, I think the whole room was in tears! It was quite emotional!! Happy Birthday Connie!

We decided to go to church on Saturday night so we could have a day at home. A true day of rest on Sunday. I will be sharing on the message tomorrow! Toxic words! It was a goodin :) After church we had dinner with Angel and her family! We just about closed the place down LOL

Angel and I had a really good time :) We talked, laughed and talked some more!




Our husbands did too!! They are two peas in a pod and we are so blessed to be married to them!


How about you? What did you do this weekend? I pray it was a blessed one and that you have a blessed week to come!


Thought for the day ~
The tongue has the power of life and death Prov 18:21 Are your words speaking Life?

Joy Unspeakable

Join in with Angel and spread the JOY

I am filled with JOY because I have the sweetest husband ever! While we were in Florida a big group of guys and some wives played golf. My sweet husband was asked countless times why he wasn't playing ~ He said, "I can play golf any ol' time, but I'm not here alone in Florida with my wife every day!" Awww ~ Sooo sweet and pure joy to my heart!

I am filled with JOY because Angel is coming home SOON and I miss her so much! I can't wait to catch up with her!!

I am filled with JOY because even though I left the arms of my honey I came home to the arms of all 3 of my kids and the sweet loving arms of my grandbaby! Plus, I was also met at the airport by the most wonderful loving arms of my Momma! I am sooo very very blessed!

I am filled with JOY because I came home to such a clean house AND all the laundry was done! can I get an AMEN on that one!!! PURE JOY :) Thanks Krista!! :)

I am filled with JOY ~ even though my daughter is going to be a Senior this year, she asked me to go with her to her enrollment! Yes, I shed a few tears and can't believe it is her Final year of school but her wanting and still needing me gives me such JOY!!


I am filled with JOY because I hope to be catching up with all of you real soon!!! I have missed everyone so much and look forward to spending time reading what is going on in your lives!!


I am filled with JOY because I have some new and OH SO COMFY pajamas that my Mom got me & since I write my posts at night and schedule them for the next day.....I am off to catch some zzzzzzzzz's


Joyful Thought for the day :) Prov 15:30


A cheerful look brings JOY to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones

Weekend Recap ~ bragging on my friend Angel and my kiddos

I pray everyone had a blessed weekend! We sure did!! My kids and I had the honor and privelege of helping Angel prepare and setup for the wedding she was catering!
We had an ABSOLUTE WONDERFUL time and we worked our fannies off too! Both my kids and I were up early and on the road headed to Angels where the work had already started and everywhere you looked was Food, Food and more Food!

I knew Angel had a successful career as the Sweet Lady and even though she has made the decision to release that position so that she can enjoy her family she had this last job to do and I have to say ....She did an amazing job! I know the Lord has to be smiling down on her and so proud of the way she did everything! That girl was organized to a "T", Full of JOY and Praise, and Wow ...the food was awesome and the tables were ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! We all laughed and laughed and then laughed some more! For me, watching our kids together is just so amazing as Angel and I were their age (or younger) when we were first met one another and became best friends !! So without further ado....here are a few pics from our day!


The Master Mind ~Angel, Hard at work!!



The Gang! minus Dan who was taking the pic! Yep, that's my goofy girl with the "green" eyes ;) Isn't she silly!


Friends who work together, laugh together and Love the Lord together! How blessed are we!!


Drew and Jen ....can't believe we got a pic with no funny faces!! Aren't they adorable!



One of her tables with the Famous and "First time attempt" Fruit Tower


Rest of the table with more of the delicious goodies!



I am so thankful to have been able to share in this day and was sooo very proud of my kids! They worked so hard ! Everyone did! It was such a blessing to be a part of!


Colossians 3:23 instructs us

"Whatever work you are doing, do your best as if you are doing it for the Lord...not men!

I love how the Message version goes:

Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work

This is how each and everyone worked for this Bride and Groom! What a blessing!

I'm Sorry

We had a wonderful, fun, family filled weekend. Rylee was here until late Saturday when Brian and I went on a Date night w/ our friends Dan & Angel! When we met our daughter with Rylee to give her to her momma & she did not want to leave her Papas arms. Brian said "Oh my goodness, Papas' head is going to explode!!" LOL

Oh the Love of a grandchild!!

We had so much fun on our date night and had a FABULOUS dinner! Thanks Mom for suggesting such a delicious place :)

Well, I have alluded to you all recently about myself not being so nice or being somewhat cranky! YES I HAVE BEEN AWFUL! Last Monday my friend Angel posted on "our responses" and while @ dinner, I shared with Angel about how that post is STILL continuing to speak to me!

I have shared about my health issues in the past, and about a month ago I began experiencing some inflamation issues again. Grrr! I had NOT been to the doctor for at least a year and a half and because the pain was so bad I had to go in and he did some blood tests and the auto immune stuff showed up positive AGAIN. This means a number of things, but to me and my body, it meant that the Doctor would put me back on Prednisone. I H.A.T.E. PREDNISONE! why??

It makes me Hungry ..... all.the.time!
It makes me SOOOO IRRITABLE
It makes me soooo (MUCH MORE) HIGH STRUNG!

Seriously, my mind is doing things before my body is able to catch up and my family is just about to go nuts! What I MUST do is this:

Seek the Lord
Rely on the Holy Spirit
Renew my mind and not conform (to the meds)
Allow HIS Word to work in me...be a doer of what I am hearing and reading

I am also frustrated because I have worked so hard on doing My Shred w/Jillian Michales and I feel the inches piling on and certainly see the bloat in my face! The thing the nurse told me about Prednisone is: You will gain weight and it won't be easy to take off! Well, it's true but I did lose weight (not all just yet but hey! any loss is awesome!) and am still working out so I won't gain all I have lost!


James 1 speaks to each and every thing I have described!

v 2 ~ Count it Pure Joy when we face a trial or challenge says the Message~ this is an opportunity for God to do something in me
v 5 ~ If I lack wisdom, God will pour it out for me (generously) without finding fault! Halleluah! without Fault!
v 12 ~ I will be blessed if I persevere during this trial and stand the test!
v 13-14 ~ God is not tempting me with Food, Frustration, or anything evil! Thank you Lord
v 17 ~ Allow this to be a good and perfect gift from the Lord
v 19 ~ Be slow to anger! ......nuff said there huh!


I will be seeing a Rhuematologist next Monday and finding out more so until then would you all mind whispering a prayer for me and for my sweet family!

Have a blessed Monday my friends

Counting It All Joy

Joy and Angel just go together I think! :) She hosts this Wonderful meme "Counting It All Joy" so join us won't you!

I am filled w/JOY because Me and my kids were able to spend the day w/Angel and her precious kids and grandaughter Ella ~ swimming, sunshine, friends, & family! Pure JOY

I am filled w/JOY because Ella had previously called me an Old Lady before she met me and today after seeing me ~ she said I wasn't old ;) GOOD ANSWER ELLA ~ LOL

I am filled w/Joy because when we lost my Daddy my Son Jantzen inherited his Telescope and while we live "out of town" the stars are just so Vast! To watch my Son and my DH google the planets checking to see how far it would be to travel to the Sun or look @ all the dips in the Moon brings me sooo much JOY! Thank you Daddy!
I miss you so much!

I am filled w/Joy because anyday you get to hear the words "I love you" from your grandchild it fills your heart with JOY!

I am filled w/Joy because my husband has this Friday and next Monday off !! WOOHOO!!

I am filled w/Joy because I am Redeemed!! Psalm 71:23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed Thank you Lord!

Why I Count it ALL JOY :)

I am soooo very excited to blog today! I am everyday ~ but when I see my friend be able to share with others and spur them on, well, that just makes me excited! Angel hosts this Meme and today is the First Count It ALL Joy for us to share in!! Come on and join us won't ya!


I am filled with JOY because I was able to spend most of Monday with Angel! We set out to have coffee and ended up having lunch and a snack (ok the snack was for Rylee but I took a bite or two). I told the people at Panera if I went to the register one more time I would have to order dinner ;) We had such a wonderful time talking, laughing, and letting God lead us ♥

I am filled with JOY because tonight was the opening night at the Fireworks stand and of course we were there! My son and DH are well, Pyromaniacs LOL and tonight began the first of many Fireworks shows in our driveway!

I am filled with JOY because when I took Rylee to meet her daddy she didn't want to leave ME and that just makes a NoNi feel sooo good and very loved ♥

I am filled with JOY because this Friday my Mom is going to take ME and all the grandkids to see Toy Story 3!!! We are Toy Story freaks! Woody, Buzz, Mr & Mrs Potatohead ....OH MY :) JOY JOY JOY

I am filled with Joy because Tomorrow I will announce the winner to my Chocolate giveaway! If you haven't entered go HERE because the deadline is 10p.m. tonight!

I am filled with JOY because Truly Gods Word is ALIVE and ACTIVE and has been speaking straight to my heart this week! I just L♥VE it when the LORD speaks to me ~ don't you!

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy ~ Job 8:21

Won't you join in and share your Joy with us! Go here to read other Joy-filled posts

Randomness on this Wednesday

** Well, I can FINALLY share with you all the really cool GIFT I was able to give my Momma and our Daughter, Krista on Mothers Day!

I have a MacBook Pro and one day I was taking a class at the Apple Store to learn more about using my Mac. Apple is just awesome at all they offer for their education on any of their products! Well, anyway the gentleman who was educating me showed me these books that you can make on our Macs. My oh so funny husband said immediately to the guy "Wait, don't say another word ~ I am afraid you are going to cost me alot of money!!" He knows me so well! LOL. You simply upload your pics and then you can preview the actual book and then place your order. Well, how easy is that??? I am soooo NOT a Scrapbooker but THIS! THIS ~ EVEN.I.CAN.DO!!! ;) If you have a Mac and are interested in finding out more Go here to check it out :) I did mess up my moms the first time I placed the order and just received it on Monday and was able to give it to her! She cried upon receiving and looking at it! That is HUGE!!!


** I sooo enjoyed swimming with My friend Angel from All the Mus last week! We have been in the upper 90's and will be staying there for awhile and that is just a bit tooo hot already! Thank you Angel for sharing the day with us :) We all loved it! My sweet Rylee took a little nap on me :) Angel and I said we should have taken a pic together BEFORE we got into the pool....next time we will! PROMISE!




** Ok, I know I have shared I have an IPHONE here before and I am eligible for an upgrade now :) So, I just found out they are coming out with a whole new one ....the IPHONE 4. If you want to see just how bomb-jiggety it is go here and watch this video!! They will be available on June 24th!! WOOHOO!!

** Found out my new grandbaby is due Jan 25, 2011. They will induce her sometime the week before :) Yippee! Krista has been experiencing alot of nausea but she is vacationing in florida this week so hopefully that will cause her not to think of it so much ;) I have missed my Rylee so much this week! Going through NONI withdrawals for sure!


** I have started adding Zumba to my workout with Jillians 30 Day Shred! Wow! Can you say FUN!!! I really LOVE doing these videos and time flies by and you have no idea you are working like you are!! Jillian kicks my butt and Jamba moves it LOL

Happy Wednesday ~ how is your week going?