Like a grandfather....

The unexpected and sudden passing of Brother Grady this past week has been a challenge for most members of our church. Grady was the one that everyone always counted on to fix the toilet if it overflowed, replace a lock, or just appear and beg for something to do! He always transported other elderly people around to their doctor's appointments and such....it is a very sad loss for not only his family, but our church and our community. Grady was 81....and was always very complimentary of me about my work with the children's choir and never failed to tell me how much I have turned them around (I always told him the truth though and stated that it was God turning them around through me and he always agreed with a smile). Every Sunday, no matter how awful we thought we sounded, he told each member of our Praise Team how much he enjoyed our music and that we did a good job bringing Glory to Our Lord. He use to always accompany our Praise & Worship Team on the 5th Sunday of each month when we would sing at Staunton Memorial Church as well.

Many aspects of his funeral today brought back memories of my own grandfather and how much I had missed him. The songs that were sung, the military ceremony, etc. There was only one Grady....and we will surely miss him...but we all know that he has received that Crown of Righteousness that he worked so hard to earn. For those of you who didn't know Grady, you can only imagine the type of devoted man he was. I know that I will miss him and that my children will also feel a void in their lives as well.

Grady Lee Lanning, 81 of 259 Hillsboro St. died Thursday, December 27, 2007 in Fayetteville. He was a native of Gaston County and a member of Pittsboro Baptist Church. Grady was a member of Masonic Lodge 202 in Blacksburg, SC, a member of the Eastern Star of Georgia, The American Legion and Fleet Reserve Association. He was retired from the US Navy after 22 years of service. Following retirement, he worked with IBM for 25 years in maintenance and was presently a medical health driver with the Council on Aging in Chatham County.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2007 at Pittsboro Baptist Church and conducted by the Rev. Tripp Harmon and the Rev. John Robinson. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military and Masonic rites.

Surviving are his wife Betty Jean Boyd Lanning; two daughters Karen Whitman of Green Level and Sonja Holt of Gaffney, SC; one son, Barry Lanning of Holly Springs; three sisters, Berti Dover, Betty Floyd, and Sondra Anderson all of Blacksburg, SC; two brothers Doyle Lanning and Earl Lanning both of Blacksburg, SC and five grandchildren.

Family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Sunday December 30, 2007 at Griffin Funeral Service and Cremation. Memorials may be made to the Pittsboro Baptist Church Building Fund.

Completed Layouts

This is a two page layout. I tried to post them side by side, but it's not the same effect as in the album. Sorry.

Here are some pictures of the LO's that I completed over the last two days. It's hard to captured all the embellishments with the camera and a 12x12 page is too large to scan. I'm hoping to scrap the New Year in. Last year, my mom was down here so that made it a lot more fun........this year, I started my day off with a funeral, have to find time to celebrate our wedding anniversary and I want to scrap! LOL I'm still feeling icky so I'm just playing it by ear.

It's hard to see the stickles that I used in this LO. I guess I need to find a better place with lighting to get the pictures.

Here are pics of a LO detailing Britt and her pacifier days. It's hard to do a lot of hers b/c of the journaling so I'm just trying to get a few in there that I have great memories of. This is definitely one!!

Sick and tired of being sick and tired!!!

Well, since about two days after my Christmas break began, I have been sick with either a cold, sore throat, cough, extreme sinus pressure...YOU NAME IT!!! I ended up chugging some Nyquil last night so that I could just get some sleep! Of course, that made me even more groggy this morning when I woke up for church.......in fact, I turned over and said "FORGET IT!" I was so out of it I couldn't remember the phone number to the church to call and get a substitute to teach my Sunday School class! Now that is bad!

So after I stayed in bed until around 9:30 or so........I got up, had my extra strong coffee and got moving for the day. I have sat in my office for the majority of the day scrapbooking layouts. I have gotten 3 pages done. It's been forever since I have been able to complete just one!!! I have to admit after making almost 75 Christmas cards, I am BURNT OUT on cardmaking! So now maybe I will get the kids books in order. I'll try to take some pictures in the next few days and post a few of them. Well, I'm off to fix some Turkey Pot Pie via the request of my dh!

A few more Christmas memories....

This is one of the gifts that Robin, the gal I teach with, picked me up for Christmas. It is a candle votive lamp. Needless to say, it'll be out all year round!!!

This is the big dog she got me....I named him Freckles, in memory of Deborah Keck's beagle that she loved so much.

And this is the BIG BAG OF DOG BONES that one of my preschool students wrapped up for me as a Christmas gift!!! This would ONLY happen TO ME!!! I have given a few to the pups, but I have also informed my Pastor that his dog would be getting the majority of them since he laughed so hard!!

More Christmas Photo's.....

Sharing our Christmas...

Well, it seemed to be an alright time here yesterday morning. I ended up with what I thought was strept throat on Monday when I awoke, but I think it is more like tonsilitis or something b/c penicillin wasn't helping any. I did what I could and ended up taking a 3 hour nap yesterday in the middle of Christmas day!!! You want to know how bad I really felt?? My Cricut Expression is STILL IN THE BOX!!! Now, that says it all!!!

Here are a few photo's of yesterday morning. I will try to post them throughout the week b/c I can only put so many on here at once. Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas!!

Cookin' Up Christmas

Wednesday night my children's choir at church performed their annual Christmas program. We have around 23 children between the ages of 3-13. This years play featured all the Food Network chefs as our main characters explaining what the "real main ingredient" of Christmas is.....Jesus. Here are just a few pictures from the rehearsal. I never can get pictures during the play because I'm so busy directing and praying that the preschoolers keep their shirts down! haha They all wore aprons and chef hats during the performance. As you can see, Brandon, Mr. Emeril Lasagna, is dressed and ready to go.

The Parade Pooper

It's been a while since I've uploaded photo's onto my computer so here are some pics of Miss Meadow in the Pittsboro Parade. She did pretty well, other than barking at just about every man that walked by and lashing out toward the one's that were dressed up in costumes!! LOL

I was so tired after walking her (actually, she walked ME!) and my arm was so tense from when she would pull me trying to get to another dog. We made it 3/4 of the way through the parade and she decided she had to have a BM!! I was sooooo embarrassed and didn't know what to do!!! Thank goodness the horses came after her!!

Passing of a saint.....

Yesterday was another sad day here in Pittsboro. My friend Debra, whom I have asked you to pray for on numerous occasions, went home to be with the Lord. Please remember to pray for her small boys though. We all will truly miss her but know that she is now free from pain and rejoicing with Our Lord and Savior.

Deborah Anne West Keck
Born in Rutherford Co., NC on Nov. 15, 1961Died Dec. 14, 2007 and resided in Bear Creek, NC.

Deborah Anne West Keck, 46, of Union Grove Church Rd, Bear Creek, died December 14, 2007 at her home following a five year battle against cancer. She was born in Rutherford County on November 15, 1961 to Robert P. and Anita F. West. Deborah was a 1980 graduate of R-S Central High School, a 1983 graduate of Eastern Kentucky Unviersity with a degree in Police Administration, and an October, 1984 graduate of the NC Highway Patrol Academy. She was the third woman to become a NC State Highway Patrol Trooper and was stationed in Statesville. After leaving the patrol, Deborah worked with the NC Department of Revenue, the ATF, and last worked with the NC Department of Labor until becoming ill in 2002. Deborah was a member of Pittsboro Baptist Church.She is survived by her sons, Benjamin Taylor Keck and Samuel Adam Keck, both of Bear Creek; her mother, Anita Fite of Forest City; her father, Robert West of Bostic; her sister Sherry West McNeilly and husband, Tim, of Forest City; her grandmother, Alice Ross Fite of Forest City; and the father of her sons, Randy Earle Keck.Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Pittsboro Baptist Church. The service to celebrate her life will be conducted by Rev. Tripp Harmon at 2:00 pm, Monday, December 17, 2007 at Pittsboro Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be given to Pittsboro Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 696, Pittsboro, NC 27312.Online condolences: www.griffinfuneral.com, Select Obituaries. Arrangements are under the care of Griffin Funeral Service, Pittsboro, NC.

Kidz Choir

Here are a few photo's from my Kidz choir. We went and sang some Christmas songs at an Assisted Living home here in Pittsboro yesterday. It was a lot of fun. A few of the kids were a bit nervous looking at first (mainly the younger ones) because the surroundings were a bit different for them. There were quite a few of the residence singing along and a gentleman even jumped up and starting dancing. It was great to see the children be such a blessing to someone else.

Just received some sad news...

OBI WAN

My very good friend, Trish, just emailed me to tell me that her dog Obi passed away this morning. Obi was one of her cherished rescue dogs. I didn't even realize that she was sick or anything. I am still not sure of what had happened but will post it once I do. It was just a month ago that she lost her precious Reilly.......and now Obi.

Trish rescued Obi when she was just a little pup. She told me that Obi had been returned to the shelter 3 different times before she was 4 months old! She is such a beautiful dog!!! Thanks to Trish for taking her in and giving her all the love in the world. Poor Jedi will miss her because Obi was his running mate just as Pugsley is Meadow's.

Another sad day here on earth with the passing of a loved pet......a family member and a dear friend. But Reilly, Luke and Roxy are all rejoicing in heaven running in the fields with Obi. And the rest of Trish's Star Fleet that has passed on as well.

Cards I've been working on last night and today.....

This one is my favorite one!

This is what I've been busy doing since around 10ish this morning. I did a few last night.....but I am running out of time to get them done!!! When am I going to have time for the baking??? Whew!

This one is a bit dark b/c the scanner wouldn't close completely due to the bow on the candy cane.

A few more.......

Here a few more cards that I made the past few days. It's so hard to keep up with getting everything done with finals next week and projects due for school. And let's not forget the incredible stressors in LIFE alone!!!

First round of cards...

Here are just a few of the Christmas cards that I have been able to make so far. I haven't had much time with my classes and all. This first one is a criss cross card:

I made this card at the Swarm:

This card is one that I saw on the MB last year and my mom and I took SIX hours to make just ONE of them. This year, I have made 14, one for each preschool student.

And finally, I made "For Unto Us A Child Is Born..."

Thought I'd Share A Few Cards With Ya!

Wow! That week-end went TOO FAST! Not only that, but once I got a breather from all the papers I had to write in school, they decided to assign me another one to research by the 10th of Dec. Add an essay on top of that and finals........where is my down time??? I did get about 24 Christmas Cards scrapped this week-end and my niece and nephew's birthday cards. I have half of my sisters done.......but for some reason it's harder to finish hers up. Lord knows what she's into!!!

It's been getting rather cold here lately.........we did get a little rain yesterday, but only enough to make the day drag and be dreary. Well, I guess I need to get back to the books........I'll post some Christmas Cards later on as I get them finished up.

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Family Thanksgiving Prayer
Dear precious Lord,We bow our heads in heartfelt, thankful prayer;For all the ways You've blessed our livesand for Your loving care.We thank You for the handsthat have prepared this special treatAnd pray that You will bless all those who have no food to eat.

We're thankful for Salvation's plan and for Your Holy Word;And pray we'll help to spread Your love to those who've never heard.We're thankful for our freedom and for churches that are near;Where we can meet to praise Your Name and worship without fear.

But still our hearts are saddened by our brothers who aren't free;Who suffer death and torture for their Christianity.We pray You'll give them strength and courage as their cross they bear;And let them know God's family remembers them in prayer.

We thank You for heroic troops who fight for liberty;And daily risk their lives and limbs to keep our country free.Forgive us of our many sins and keep us close today;And bless this food You've given us, In Jesus Name, we pray.

Amen

Love to you all,

Rhonda