Wow! What a weekend!

What A weekend this has been!!! From 4:45 am on Friday morning until last night at 10pm we Have worked like dogs!! What did we do you ask???? Well I will show you

Friday was the SURPRISE bedroom makeover for Jen that took 17 hours (Ha 17 hours for the 17 yr old...should have done this years ago huh?) ;) My husband was SUPPOSE to be home by 11a.m. and something went wrong with his plane so he was rescheduled to arrive at 3. My mom got here around 10 and my oldest daughter saved the day and came around 1. She was our runner in the early part of the day going to get more paint, picking up her daddy at the airport, brother at school etc. But there was a point early in the morning when I was about to cry thinking there was no way to pull this off. I asked the LORD to please help and make this possible and EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER. Mom and I spent most of the day putting on the primer and then around 3 Jennas friends and BRIAN showed up! They began adding the color and it went so quick! Well then they all left and now it was time for the tedious trimming the edges and corners and the ceiling too. Krista was amazing with the ceiling pole ~ we called her 'THE BEAST" and Brian, Mom and I did all the trimming. Finally after 17 long hours and many trips up and down the stairs we were finished. Where was Jen you say?? Well school during the day and her friends detained her afterschool, then she had to work a football game and then took her to eat afterwards until they received the "official ~ come home" text from us. We all sat patiently waiting to see her response......SHE LOVED IT! Here are some pics

Krista "the beast" painting the ceiling


Tyler and Angelea painting away


Some of us waiting on her to walk in to her SURPRISE!


Surprise!!


Jennas room was HOT PINK before...I am so sorry I didn't take any before pics but here are some of the final outcome


This also leads into her bathroom which we also had to paint




This is my favorite! This is Rylee ~ I think she might be saying "GOOD GRIEF PEOPLE, it's 11pm and I have been such a good girl ALL DAY LONG.....ARE WE DONE YET??"



Then Saturday ~ Jenna had her first date. Ty asked her Daddy if he could take her out to dinner for her birthday. He gave them permission and he took her to an Italian restaraunt and then to Braums for ice cream.


Here they are all dressed up for their date.


On Sunday Brian cooked 6 racks of ribs, his famous and oh so delicious salsa, and coleslaw. I made 2 huge pans of potato casserole, corn on the cob, baked beans and brownies. We had a house full of family and friends. The kids had a good time and played a silly game called haha and then they played "twister"

This is the haha game. One says Ha. next one says ha and adds a ha to it and so on.....soooo silly and funny to watch


Here are some of the twister pics




We also rearranged our bedroom and the game room and put a recliner in my bedroom for my upcoming surgery this Friday so that I can sleep in it.

This morning Jen woke up and is sick. I am praying it is NOT the flu! She complained yesterday of her head hurting but bc of her party, I think she really downplayed how she truly felt.

It was a wonderful weekend and as my mom said "ALOT OF FAMILY BONDING" and we were all super sore :) but Jenna loves her room and I am soooo grateful for my family and Jenna has amazing friends and without any of them NONE of this would have been possible!

I missed visiting you all and have alot of catching up to do!
Love and blessings to you all!

We interrupt Our regularly scheduled Friday Funnies

September 11, 1992

I awoke my husband (somewhat early) and said "Honey, I think my my water JUST broke" He didn't pay me much attention and rolled over and went back to sleep. I thought hmmm, well I guess I will get in the shower and had ALOT of pain in my back. I had never had a baby before so I didn't know that this would prove to be "having contractions" Woke my husband up again and told him what was going on so he started timing the contractions, got ready to go, stopped and got gas and him something to eat. Arriving at the hospital they were able to prepare everything in time and at 6:45 pm that day I was blessed with my baby girl....Jenna Marie. We were surrounded with family....My mom, my stepdad, Krista, my brother, all of my husbands family and soon after she was born my Nana and Aunt and Uncle arrived. It was a glorious day!!! She was the most beautiful thing we had ever seen.....so sweet. NO ONE COULD TAKE THEIR EYES OFF OF HER! We were all head over heels in LOVE




Nine years go by, It is now September 11, 2001, and we wake up with plans of celebrating Jennas birthday at the ice skating rink later that evening. We were living in a town with the hopes of moving and had purchased land to build a home in a town about 25 min. away and had gone ahead and enrolled Jen in school there. They started school much earlier there so I was on the road much earlier then the owasso moms and stopped by my best friends as I was heading home because I had gotten a call from my husband about the first tower being hit. She is alot like me ....we just don't watch tv so I knew she would have no clue. She was on her way to school as well and said she would call me later. Well of course like everyone~ we can all recall exactly what we did that day, all of the emotions, the fear, the rage, the unbelief! I went to get Jenna and just remember the looks in peoples eyes ~ parents somewhat shielding this from their young ones but looking deep within the hearts of each other and so many hugs, tears and just a coming together. There was such a unity on that day and for many days after. The sky became quiet yet the roads and yards became a sea of RED WHITE AND BLUE.



For years after this Jenna did not want her birthday to be September 11th, and people really didnt help. When she would tell people her birthday was September 11th they would gasp, or say "OH!" or would have some sort of response that was not positive or somewhat freakish. Then one year her daddy had a car wreck and broke his arm and that just about did it.....She was really not liking her bday. But ~ I have reminded her over & over again......Honey it was on this day that more hearts than ever were turned back to the LORD. It was on this day that America united in a way like never before. It was on this day that peoples hearts towards one another became softened, forgiveness went forth....relationships were saved.....Yes, Life as we knew it changed on that day and I pray for our leaders and our nation and as I take my quiet time and remember, praying for those who lost loved ones. Praying for those who are rebuidling their lives even still today ~ my heart goes out to them!

Today is September 11. My daughter is turning 17. She is now a beautiful young woman. She has a heart for the LORD and for HIS people. She is at times a silly little girl and at others an independent woman trying to find her way. She is funny and kind, loyal like no other and as happy as can be. She teaches me everyday so many things ~ she has an inner strength that shines forth in all she does. She loves all people of all kinds and knows that if they are in her path the LORD has sent them and prays she is a light for HIM. Today and everyday it is I that receives the gift....the gift of being Her momma.




Happy Birthday Jenna Marie.....I love you a Bushel and a Peck and hug around the Neck. You are my precious Babygirl.

xxxxxooooo

Mom

Thankful Thursday

Today I am sooooo grateful to share my thanks!

First I am so thankful hope.
The Word tell us in Proverbs 13 ~ Hope deferred makes a heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. I also like the
Message version ~ Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick but a sudden good break can turn life around.

I have been asking you all to pray for Dad and when I left him, I have to say my hope was heart sick....for many reasons but God has heard the cry of our hearts and Dad has seen such improvement. One very important thing we discovered was that the new meds they put him on were altogether WRONG! So, after stopping those he has had much improvement in his mental state and has started eating and gaining strength everday. But I also have to share a story here. My friend Beth has a prayer blog and for quite some time now she has prayed for her friend JD and my Dad together hand in hand. Now I know she is friends with JD ~ very close to him in fact. But I also know how her heart was for my Dad whom she has never met. Anyway, we lost JD this past weekend and it crushed me. I was broken for his wife Lois and my friend Beth and her husband Jimbo who was JD's best friend and pastor. JD was able to bring a man to salvation who delivered his hospital bed to his house....can you imagine??? Days from death and he brings someone to Christ!! Can I get an AMEN! Well, JD's funeral was this week and Jimbo preached his funeral ....JD had asked for an evangelical service and got one.......2 PEOPLE gave their hearts to the Lord at his funeral! I just cried and cried when I read this and it filled my heart FULL with hope......Hope that my Dad will receive Christ and no matter what happens on this side of heaven I will be able to spend time with him in heaven! JD was someone I never knew but have prayed fervently for....he is a precious man of God that served his Father until he was able to meet HIM face to face and as I told Beth.....we know he is hearing those words we all want to hear....."well done" Thankyou Beth. Thankyou Jimbo. and Thankyou JD for sharing your lives and in that testimony allowing my heart to well up with HOPE again!

I am thankful that my daughter is truly seeking the Lord and hearing not only what HE says but putting those things into to play at school. She has really humbled herself this year and is reaping the benefits. She will be the first to tell you that Math is not her best subject but we have always tried to teach her that sometimes just because you and a teacher don't get along doesn't mean you just change....Sometimes the Lord has placed that person there to teach you something and to look within, seeking the Lord and allowing HIM to show you what that might be. She has done that this year and has been very honest with herself and with us and I couldn't be prouder......Thankyou LORD

I am thankful for the time I had with my brother in Florida. We live in the same small town but don't spend much one on one time together and I hope that changes.....We really had a great time together and need to make time for one another. He has a heart of gold (when he wants to ;).....) Thanks Tony for doing all you did for Dad and for me in Florida....I love you


I am also thankful to receive 2 awards from Audrey and from Kat



You are the BEST blogging buddies!!! Thankyou both soo much



For this award we answer these questions with only one word!
1. Where is your cell phone? here
2. Your hair? short
3. Your mother? Beautiful
4. Your father? Precious
5. Your favorite food? chips/salsa
6. Your dream last night? funny
7. Your favorite drink? Water
8. Your dream/goal? Lifecoach
9. What room are you in? living
10. Your hobby? Bloggin

Thankyou to my friends who pass these awards on to me and please if you follow me receive these and know they come from one thankful heart to yours! I am so thankful for blogging and the many wonderful and precious friendships I have been given!


For other thankful posts please go to Laurie's blog and sign up to share your thanks!

Love to you all!

What I won!

While I was away last week I received some prizes that I had won! I had entered a few book giveaways.....(Let me just add this was BEFORE I became a book reviewer ) :) anyhoo ~ Clif at Musings of a Minister
is one of my favorite bloggers and he is an independent book reviewer and is able to review ALOT of books. He has many giveaways so if you like to read you will want to check out his blog and enter his giveaways for sure! I won 2 books
"God will do the Rest" by Catherine Galasso-Vigorito. This book really spoke to me and I can't wait to dig in and read it. I also won
"The Woman who named God" by Charlotte Gordon. Clif told us that this book will get you out of your box.....well I live that way :) He said it was one of the most challenging, provocative and informative books. He also shared that there are some things that will scare some Christians with the verbage so he clearly warned us. I assured him that it would not scare me and I also can't wait to dig into this one as well! So Thankyou Clif for allowing us the opportunities and doing such an amazing job of reviewing books for us :) I am blessed to be your follower

I also one the (IN)courage TSHIRT! I was so thrilled to receive this and hope this picture does it justice. It is a very nice tshirt and I twisted it so you could see the scripture on the back of the shirt! I know some will say I should have modeled it but everyone is away so it just didn't work out. If you all are not followers of the (In)courage website I really recommend it.....I am (in)couraged daily!

When I went to my mailbox I got yet another card today from my friend and (sister, because we are sooo much alike) It just made my day! I took my honey to the airport this morning and it was raining like CRAZY and you know my son said last night....Mom, do you realize in the past 4 months we haven't all been together for more than a week and a half, and now dad is going away tomorrow.....Made me sad. My son wasn't complaining but he is just sweet that way so I was just sad to say goodbye yet again, so coming home and getting that card was a bright spot in my day :) Thanks Kat, I love you dearly




I also won this award today from Kat at Heart2Heart



Anytime you win an award particularly one that is about friendship it is humbling! This Blog world has been such a blessing and to say that I have found friendships that are so special is truly not even the half of it! We are a circle of friends ~ a family, a body of believers, a group of prayers warriors, brothers and sisters who love support and encourage one another with our stories, our comments or posts that particular day! Thankyou Kat and to all of my followers please know that I want you to have this award because each one of you completes this circle!

love and blessings to you all

September 8, 2009

For Today...

Outside my window... sunny, humid but in the 80's

I am thinking... how thankful I am that my Dad had a better day yesterday eating 3 meals and walking around which was a TOTAL switch from how I left him! How much there is to do in these next couple of weeks....my daughter is turning 17 on Friday :( my husband is traveling 3 days each week for these next couple of weeks and my surgery is scheduled next Friday. Lord teach me to make the most of my time!!! :) thanks KAT

I am thankful for... the Lord and His presence and speaking to powerfully to me, my family and friendships!

From the kitchen... roast, potato, carrots and then simple since hubby is away, then birthday celebration but don't know what that is yet ......ah teenagers ;)

I am wearing... comfy clothes to work around the house today

I am reading... oh mY!!! When I got home I had received 2 books I won :) thanks Clif and one that I got from SarahMae's like a warm cup of coffee called Grace of for Sinners ~ wow! amazing read so far and then still Nancy Guthries Hearing JEsus speak into your sorrow....continue to go back to it

I am hoping... to get a plan for this birthday party and some organization for while I am down.....meals, cleaning done etc.

I am praying... for my Dad, my friend Beth and Jimbo & family,who just lost their friend JD and for his family and wife Lois, for Alle and Ron, Mary and her daughter, my friend Nicole and a friend here Tonya who had just found out she had colon cancer but she had surgery 2 weeks ago today and I saw her at walmart yesterday praising the Lord and looking awesome! and for my husband in his job and all my LOAM girls.....love them! Kats mom, Rosel and the young boy Andrew!

Around the house...

One of my favorite things... the hint of fall is in the air.....football has started and I am sooo ready to start making soups and break out the hoodies and have a campfire

A few plans for the rest of the week... being all the God wants me to be, doing all He has for me to do, hearing HIS voice and obeying the call!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you..



My daughter, our athletic trainer (on the right) and her best bud LIZ

Love and blessings to you all

Spiritual Sundays

This week has proven to be one of the most precious yet hard weeks I have experienced. To say I have been crying out to Jesus is an understatement. My emotions have been on a rollercoaster and getting on that plane tomorrow will be one of the hardest things I have done EVER. Today Dad has had a really rough day. He is weak. He is feeble. It is so hard to watch my strong Daddy who has fought this so valiantly just not have the strength to do so right now. I soo appreciate Nancy Guthrie who takes Gods Word and speaks to us in a way that is so comforting in her book called "hearing Jesus speak into your Sorrow." These words are taken from Mark 15:33-34, Matthew 28:20, Mark 6:50, John 16:13-15, John 14:16-26 and John 1:14. This is titled
Hear Jesus Speak to you as HE reminds you He is with you! I praise HIM that HE has been with me this week, with my Brother and Stepmom and especially with my Dad even though they may be unaware....HE IS! Thankyou Jesus.

I know this situation you're going through can cause you to wonder if God, our Father, has abandoned you, if he has left you alone. But you can be confident that he will never turn away from you or leave you on your own. Anything and everything that could come between you and the Father was placed on me when I hung on the cross. It was then that he turned away from me ~ but only so he would never have to turn away from you. He abandoned me that day so he could open his arms to you forever. And he will never let you go.

Even though you may sometimes feel like you are on your own, your feelings don't tell the whole story. You are not on your own. I am with you always ~ in every situation and in every moment. In your darkest, lowest experience. I am right beside you. When everyone else falls away, I will still be here. So you don't have to be afraid.

My HOLY SPIRIT is with you and within you. HE is the one who helps you hear my voice and understand it. He is the Counselor, showing you what is true and what is false so that you can embrace the truth of who I am and what I'm holding out to you. HE is the Advocate who turns the words on the pages of your Bible into something powerful and personal that can penetrate your soul and change your heart. He is the Comforter who soothes your troubled thoughts with whispers of my love for you.

Whenver you feel alone, remember that I came to make my home with you. I'm here with you even now, and I will never leave you.

Don't you just love how Nancy puts Gods words into these personal beautiful words .....I pray if anyone is having a rough week that these words will wash over you with Gods promises and HIS love will comfort you.

For other Spiritual Sundays posts please visit Charlotte and Ginger here
Love and blessings to you all!

thankful Thursday

Laurie is hosting Thankful Thursday for the month of September. (WOW, is it really September....I had to think about that before I typed it :)...)
Her theme is in regards to us slowing down.

Today I have MUCH to praise the LORD for and to be oh so thankful for!

My Heavenly Father , that has over and over pointed me to HIS Word....on peace and rest. To Jesus, who, as I cried out surrendering this day & interceding on my Dads behalf and crying out for Salvation ~ that He was too and reminding me this is our Fathers Will and to the Holy Spirit that literally held me, arms around me with a love and peace that truly passed all understanding and I knew no matter the outcome of the day HE was with me!

My friends here and at home who have reached out to me, via text messages, emails, phone calls or even messaging me on Facebook letting me know they are praying, they love me, and are intereceding on my dads behalf. to know and experience this is so humbling....some have never even met me or my dad yet they carry us to the foot of the Cross and ask the LORD to heal, to save, to cover. It is just overwhelming and to say I am thankful is not nearly enough!

My family ~ My husband who amazes me because he has a beautiful perspective on my Dad that just is seriously like a kiss from God. My husband and Dad are so much alike in ways so when I am having a difficult moment my husband will share a perspective that totally and completely turns all of my thoughts to complete compassion for my dad. He has done this time and time again and I just thank the Lord for my husband. and my kids. Oh my ~ they miss me but they tell me how glad and thankful they are that I am here and able to spend this time with Daddy. they are precious and their prayers this week have just amazed me along with the wisdom they share when they know I need to lay some of this stuff down. :) Thanks guys, I love you all so very deeply much

and to the results of todays tests!!!! HOLY MOLY! I Praise you Lord. I told you all about the nausea my dad has been experiencing and the Dr. feared that possibly the cancer had spread. Well, we got a clear brain scan !!! HALLELUAH!!
There is no swelling and no growth to the existing spots on the brain, in fact one spot has altogether disappeared!
After this news Dad met with another Dr. and he prescribed a stronger nausea medicine and will do this for a week or so and see how this works. All of this I am sooo thankful for and I have to say my Dad is as well! He knows how many were praying and I know God is sooo at work! I am resting in that!

Thankyou, each one of you for being amazing vessels of Love and encouragement for the Lord. For being amazing prayer warriors and friends that have become just like family! I love you all and Praise the Lord for each one of you!

tests tomorrow

First let me share with you all that my post from yesterday was at the moment very accurate. Seeing my dad was wonderful and he was doing really good but very quickly things change when you are battling the things he is. Lung Cancer is enough I think but then you add pulmonary embrolysm to it and the lack of oxygen and extreme fatigue life can be a challenge to say the least.

I shared with you all that my dad has been experiencing nausea and apparently it is extreme and he has been throwing up as well. I didn't know the extent until later in the day yesterday and was very thankful for the appointment that I knew was coming today with his oncologist. Upon hearing the news of his nausea she has decided to run some tests first thing tomorrow because this is not normal or because of the treatments (chemo or radiation). I will let you all know when I can but I just really need your prayers. Again, if anyone is new to my blog my first prayer for my dad is accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. and second is his health. With JEsus all things are possible. With Jesus we are overcomers. With JEsus we are new creatures and forgiven and washed white as snow. With Jesus we have Eternity and I want my Dad to experience the LOVE and have that gift and know the sacrifice that was made for him!

Thankyou all sooo very much! It means so much and I know there is such a need for prayer right now! such a need.....my friend Beth has a page that had great needs for prayer warriors and we need to be praying for Andrew the young boy with the brain tumor! We must not be defeated by all this but dig deep and claim our Spiritual Authority knowing God has each one in the palm of HIS hand!

Bless you all!

I made it

Yesterday was a long day. Let's just say I had opposition everywhere I turned. In the physical and in the spiritual realm. At least, this time I wasn't "fearful" traveling by myself. As I sat in Dallas for the 3 hour layover I wasn't able to connect to the internet bc I don't have an air card but I do have my IPHONE :) I was able to read from my Kindle and check in on Facebook. Lisa Shaw I love you and appreciate your prayer that you were led to put up as your status. God really spoke to me and I knew that these trials that had come against me were no coincidence. For heavens sakes I stood in the shower yesterday morning crying out for God to "ANNOINT me in the ways HE wanted and said HERE I am LORD: send me, use me. I am yours; let me glorify YOU"


As I was on my final plane so I took a piece of paper and wrote out a prayer and laid down the offenses that came and what lied ahead and just asked the Lord to forgive me and to let me walk in the Spirit!

I didn't see my dad til this morning. What a beautiful wonderful joyful sight to see! My daddy sitting on the couch with his blanket working away on his computer :) To think last week at this time we didn't even know if he was going to make it! but I think He looks really good. He has lost alot of weight since I left a couple of weeks ago and has the oxygen but overall I just wanted to tackle him and hug him and never let go :) His biggest hurdle is his appetite. Food just doesn't even taste good but he is trying! His throat is feeling better every day which i such a gift and he is really doing good hydrating himself! We get to see his oncologist tomorrow which wasn't suppose to happen until Sept 11 so I am thrilled to get to do that!


For now I am cherishing each moment so please forgive me if I don't get around to alot of blogs this week ~ I will if he is sleeping but I just don't know what to expect just yet and I want to spend each moment with him

love and blessings to you all

spiritual Sundays

There is no place so desolate that you cannot find ME there. When Hagar fled from her mistress, Sarah, into the wilderness, she thought she was utterly alone and forsaken. But Hagar encountered ME in that desolate place. There she addressed ME as the Living ONE who sees me. Through that encounter with MY PRESENCE, she gained courage to return to her mistress.

No set of circumstances could ever isolate you from MY loving PRESENCE. Not only do I see you always; I see you as a redeemed saint, gloriously radiant in MY righteousness. That is why I take great delight in you and rejoice over you with singing!

Gen 16:7-14 (amp) Psalm 139:7-10; Zephaniah 3:17
Jesus Calling

Thankyou Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays


May each of you be blessed on this Sunday