Lightning, anyone?

Well, when I came home from my fun-filled crop yesterday afternoon.......the boys immediately approached him with the "Can we keep him?" phrase? Baffled, I had to calm them down to find out what they were talking about. Evidently, a stray dog appeared on our door step.....now, I do believe we've been here before!!! This poor guy is an older dog. At first, I thought it was a female that was going to have pups because he has such a fat stomach!! After much pushing and pulling, we got him to stand up and found out it was a HE. He didn't seem to pay attention when I clapped my hands or called for him so I thought he may be deaf. After some very much needed water and some rest, he came out from under the back porch and was fine. He is old though. I can tell by his muzzle and teeth. But he seems friendly and loves following me around in the yard. Pugsley and him got to meet up and they seemed to be okay around one another, although not playful like Pugs is with Vader and Solo.

I did leave some food out for him last night (after I SWORE I wouldn't) and he ate very little. He seemed fine though just lounging under the porch. I will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for Caswell, so now I will not only worry about the Pugsinator being looked after, but Lightning as well. If he's here on Saturday, you know he's not going anywhere. I'm posting it on our local chatlist and have emailed friends with his picture. I just don't know what breed he is. He looks like he has Basset Hound in him. He whines when I leave him too.....poor guy.

I tried to consult Roxy yesterday as to what this meant and what I should do. I called Animal Rescue yesterday afternoon before I saw Lightning show any signs of life but then later last night, I called back and told them not to bother checking it out. I know that even if it means 5 days with Eric here, he'll have better care than the shelter. And that way I will know he is safe.

Well, I'm off to finish my packing and I have to make enough egg salad to feed 50 people! Pray for me this week!! And for all the puppers I have to leave behind. Pugs will be lost without his mama......

Prayers will be needed!!

Well, PreK Summer Camp ended up nicely. The kids wore their swimsuits for the day and they got to run and play in the sprinklers and little swimming pools. They were pretty brave!

VBS has also wrapped up. I had a total of 17-19 kids per night and I didn't have an assistant the last 2 nights so I was pretty overwhelmed. I had the biggest class out of them all. But I must have done something right because 5 little girls decided that they wanted Jesus to come into their hearts and get baptized. I was so teary-eyed!! I've never experienced that before. I am very proud of the entire class because they did pay attention and for that many 1st and 2nd graders in one room and only one teacher, they impressed me.

I am off to crop today!! Yippee!!!! Tomorrow I will finish up all the loose ends of packing up for the Youth Caswell trip. We leave bright and early Monday morning. I need lots of prayers!! I can handle preK aged kids, but teens are a different ball game. Well, I am off to crop!!

Happy Birthday Brady!

Well, I now have TWO teen-agers in the house. I need all the prayer I can get!! Today, Brady turned 13. Trust me, he knows it too! Happy Birthday Brady!!

I have been so busy this past week with preschool wrapping up this week and VBS that I haven't had time to be on the computer at all. I haven't even checked my recent ACM ad! LOL Next week, I will be at Caswell with the church youth group for camp. So, I'll try to update the blog before I leave on Monday morning.

VBS has been going pretty well. I seem to have the largest class with 19 1st and 2nd graders. Last night, it got a little intense because they were asking some pretty serious questions about asking Jesus into their heart so seeds are definitely being planted and they seem to be remembering all their lessons for the week. Tonight, Pastor Tripp will come in and help answer some of their questions because there are quite a few I cannot answer myself. I have a set of triplets AND twins in my class. Whew! Talk about challenging!

Eric is almost finished putting up our fence. I cannot wait to be able to let the dogs run wild!

What If??

WHAT IF?

What if GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the Rain?

What if GOD took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?

What if GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?

What if GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.

What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?

What if GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?

What if GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

Nine months gone by....

It hit me like a rock about an hour ago that it's been nine months today that we lost Roxy. I went outside and sat for a while and it still does not seem real to me. Even with Meadow and Pugs running around like crazy siblings.......it doesn't seem like she has been gone more than a week let alone nine months. I still wish I could bring her back....I wish I had a picture of something of her that I could scrap right now......but her album is finished and there is no way for me to focus all of these thoughts and energy elsewhere. I think that one of the hardest things for me too is that I don't even have a picture of Roxy and I together. That breaks my heart. Here is a poem that I found a while back that I was going to use on one of Roxy's scrap pages but never got to because I ran out of room! It says everything I feel.

I miss you so much my four-legged friend, I ask myself each day if the pain will ever end.
Your loss is so hard for one person to bear
Because we were a team; an inseparable pair.

You were by my side when I got up each day
Waiting so patiently to go out and play.
You were there each night when I got home
Waiting to go to on our walk, so we could roam.

You always knew if I was having a bad day
So you'd snuggle up close and try to get me to play.
If that didn't work you'd put your head in my lap

Then make yourself comfortable and take a nap.

One way or another you would brighten my day,
Like only you could; you had a special way.
You gave me a lifetime of memories to hold,
Through all the years ahead, till I'm gray and old.

I promise I'll see you again one day,

When we'll be together again to go run and play.

Your loss is a cross I will just have to bear,
Because you and I know we're an inseparable pair.

I can hardly believe it!!

Wow! It's Friday the 13th, and you'd think I'd get struck by lightning or something. But I have actually got to SCRAP for the past hour or so!! I'm awestruck! LOL Of course, those of you that aren't addicted to the world of scrapbooking will be clueless as to what I'm talking about probably. The only bad thing about scrapping is that once you set your mind on a LO (layout), it's hard to pull away from it. I started working on a LO of Brittany's prom. It's a little more formal than I'm use to tackling, but that's what's great about scrapbooking. You can be as creative as you want to be. I was watching QVC last night for about 10 minutes and they were advertising some of their new scrapbooking projects. Well, I'm sorry, but it was too boring for me! They had it so that you could just peel and stick everything out on your LO and be done in 5 minutes. Now that's great for some people, but I like what I come out with once I sit and take my time and really think about what I'm working on and what that focal point (picture) means to me. It just seems to be more meaningful to me. Oh well, call me crazy because I enjoy extra hours of work.

It's been a very nice cool day here. A little bit of sprinkling, but hey, no thunder and lightning. Brittany has been pet sitting the neighbors dog and she was concerned that little Stella didn't want to eat her breakfast and it was already 5:30 pm then. When I went to check it out, I just sat with her and talked to her, refreshed her water and lo and behold she ate her breakfast AND her dinner all in one sitting!! Good girl Stella. I guess I just have more patience and knowledge with dogs. Poor Britt. I told her I'd feed the dog for the rest of the w/e and she can take her out to do her business and keep the money she gets paid. She was fine with that. Hey, it's a dog.......I'd keep them all for free if I could afford it. Speaking of, Meadow, Pugsley and I are going to venture over to Ms. Trish's house for a play date on Wednesday. I am soooo excited to see her beautiful farm and Vader and Solo again. Even meet a few new puppers. Well, I'm off to try and find a stopping point in my LO for tonight.

Posing for grandma!!

Hey there grandma! I just thought I'd pose for ya. You can print this off and scrap it! Use that new Mickey Font for my title page okay?? The one with the bone.

It sure would be nice if you'd come back and see me soon. That way we could take a car ride. Maybe I'll just have mom bring me to see you.

Love,

Meadow

Thoughts of Roxy

I guess after the events that transpired here last night with the storm and my butt getting tossed to the ground by it all, I have had Roxy on my mind more than usual. I think of her each and every day, but now I really feel her fear. It started storming again last night around nine or so and the power went out. The lightning was so strong coming through the windows that I jumped immediately every time it flashed......not because I felt scared, but because it seemed to happen. And the thunder was enormous......poor Roxy was terrified of the thunder and every time it starts to rain or I hear there may be thunderstorms, I go to her grave and assure her that everything is okay and there is nothing to be afraid of anymore. And I that I will be thinking of her the entire time it storms. It's hard not too.........I probably need to be locked up in a straight jacket for all the grieving I do over her. And it's not even been 9 months yet. What a horrible feeling it is not to have her here with me. Even with Mia, Meadow and the Pugsinator, they cannot compare to Roxy. I had been searching for a headstone for her since her passing and I just couldn't find the look I wanted. So, the other day, I made her one myself. It's nothing fancy, but it has the love in it that I had for her and I just felt like she was right there with me while I was doing all the work on the side of the garage. She was always at my side when I worked outside. She still is too. No matter what anyone says. Anyhow, here is a picture of her stone. I just photographed it today so the storm got it a bit dirty last night. Sad thing is, looks like it may start to rain again here shortly. Just don't send the lightning Lord! My right arm is so tight today........I've rubbed it with BioFreeze but it's pretty tight and sore. Oh well, could have been worse I guess.......

Lightining strikes........

Well, I can tell you this will be short and sweet tonight! We had a terrible storm here around 5:30 or so. I was taking the dogs out before the storm came over us because I could hear distant thunder. Well, not long after being out there with my loving Meadow.......who takes FOREVER to do her business by the way......I saw ligtning in the distance, still quite a way's away. Well, within 5 minutes, it was on top of me because all I know is there was this big crack of thunder and I was knocked down. Of course, Meadow took off from me and when I tried to get up to grab her leash, I couldn't move. My tail had been hit by lightning!!! Talk about scary! I hit hard too because my knees were immediately scraped and bruising. My hands felt like they were on fire. So, after I get up, I have to try to catch Meadow running about the backyard like a child on the playground. I feel fine now, just a little tired and dry mouthed maybe. Legs a tinge tingly. But I think I'll live. I was praying while I was out there too which I do a great deal when I'm walking the dogs.......and had asked God for some sort of sign to help me with my decision or to confirm something I've been debating on taking a direction toward. Well, I meant a sign like a rainbow.....not being knocked over by a bolt of lightning!!! Oh pray have I don't have any mental defects from it any more than I already have!!!! LOL

A bad day being Mia Sue

Here is poor little Mia Sue hiding underneath our bed from Pugsley and Meadow. They have been running around the house just acting like wild coyotes all day!! She wants NO PART of that game.

And they are STILL going at it.........look at those teeth!!! They scare Eric away! You'd think they'd make Meadow back off as well..........she's not chicken!

Little Mia Sue is still under the bed.....bless her heart. I bet she needs to T.T!!!

"Okay sis, here's the plan.....we'll just lay here and wait for her to come out."

"Great idea Pugs! I'll distract her by dancing around while you get her from behind!"

Just thought I'd share my daily devotional with everyone. Remember to exercise your spiritual muscles on a daily basis. The more we dig into His Word, the stronger we get when the enemy comes around to challenge us. Hope everyone has a terrific day!

Muscles
By Melissa Taylor

“I love you Lord; you are my strength.” Psalm 18:1 (NLT)

Devotion:
I just finished reading an article telling me that once you hit the age of 40, you start to lose muscle. Well, recently I hit 40, so this piqued my interest. After further reading, this same article stated, “Muscle loss slows down our metabolic rate, makes it harder for us to control our weight, weakens our bones, and leaves us more susceptible to diabetes” (“Saving Muscle”, Nutrition Action Newsletter, April, 2007).

Wow, I thought. The same is true of our spiritual muscles. With the exception of the age-40 part, the same thing happens to us when we don’t exercise our spiritual muscles. You know what spiritual muscles are, don’t you?

Our spiritual muscles are our heart and mind. In order to keep our heart and mind spiritually fit, we must exercise them by reading God’s Word, praying, and keeping a godly perspective in everyday life. If we stop doing these things, our spirit grows weak because we don’t have the fuel we need to handle life free of fear, worry, insecurity, and uncertainty. I’ve learned the hard way that when I don’t exercise my spiritual muscles daily, these weaknesses creep back into my life and I forget the awesome power I once had.

As I continued to read on in this article about saving our muscles, there was some good news. It said that even if we haven’t exercised in years, our bodies will give us a second chance. “Just two months of strength-building exercises can reverse two decades of a typical person’s muscle loss.” That’s encouraging!

Guess what ladies? There is even better news for our spiritual muscles. If you make a decision to spend time filling yourself with God’s Word, drawing strength from Him, pursuing an ongoing and personal relationship with Him, you can reverse a lifetime of hopelessness, weakness, fear, or any other kind of bondage. Our spiritual muscles can be built or rebuilt. It begins as soon as your first workout!

So, if you find that busyness, work, family, or just life in general has kept you from your spiritual workout, decide to make a change today. It’s never too late! God is all about second chances. Plus, when you tackle life with strong spiritual muscles, the rest just seems to fall into place.

Well, let me just say that a picture doesn't do little Isaac justice! He is soooo precious and so tiny. I went to see Amy after lunch this afternoon and spent a few hours with her. I got to hold little Isaac for an entire hour! Oh, he is so sweet. That little lower lip tucked underneath his upper one. Amy herself looks extremely well! I cannot wait to spoil little Isaac rotten!!

I decided to take the rest of this afternoon and SCRAP! That's right......SCRAP! I haven't operated my cricut in weeks!! I'll have to read the owner's manual just to remember how to turn it on!!!!! And then of course, Army Wives is on tonight......can't miss that. Well, I hope everyone had a great Sunday! Work starts for me again on Tuesday.......Lord please, no nursing toddlers! haha

Well, it's been an exciting 24 hours!!! We have had a new addition in our church family.....someone very special. My very good friend Amy, (and of course, our Pastor's wife) delivered a healthy baby boy last night at 10:37 PM weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches long. In fact, she called me around 9:45 on the way TO the hospital!! God is so good to give her that quick delivery and I know they are now thrilled to have little John Issac Harmon in their family. I can't wait to get my hands on this precious little guy. His mama is very special and he has a great sister and brother waiting for him at home. Congrats Tripp and Amy!!!

My sister-in-law visited us from Alaska today (that's where they are stationed for the time being). Eric's brother's sons are both a year younger than each of ours so they play well together. I wish we all lived closer to one another. Maybe one day!! Anyhow, I had the best time just sitting and chatting with her. She is so funny and just a very nice person. And guess what??? She likes using Clorox to clean her house too. Yippee!!! (LONG STORY......) Well, I'm off to hit the hay. I sure will miss seeing Amy at church tomorrow though.....but I'm so thrilled for her and little baby Issac.

I think I've been hit by a semi-truck......

Or at least that is how I feel!! For two days now I have woken up feeling like I've been up drinking everything in sight! LOL I haven't even taken anything to help me sleep either. My back is just killing me......please pray that God is gracious to help me get through the next few days. What is suppose to be my vacation is just pure Hades! Look at poor Daizy Maie off to the side......that's my niece, my sister's dog. She looks better than I feel!!!!

Eric and the kids let off some fireworks last night and I stayed inside with the dogs to see how they would react. Roxy was always terrified of them, I guess it went along with her fear of thunder. I thought of her a great deal last night. Basically, I had a melt down because I missed her so much. But Pugs and Meadow watched out the bedroom window and they barked at them at first but they didn't seem to bother them at all. How strange that some dogs fear loud noises and others it doesn't phase them. Mia of course, was under the bed hiding. haha

Today, I plan on trying to finish cleaning up the bathroom area and reorganizing it after painting it last week. I need to scrap some birthday cards for some friends and do some other things. Eric's nephews are coming to see us on Saturday. They are in from Alaska and Nicole's parents also live in NC so that is a big treat for us.

Continue to pray for Cindy's mom, Gertrude. They now need 24/7 supervision for her at the hospital b/c she is pulling her IV's and such out and they can't leave her alone for a second. She doesn't understand why she is even there b/c she feels no pain. I know Cindy and Ken are wore out so there are a few of us planning on taking shifts to help them out. Maybe I can do some scrappin' then!!!

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone has a very happy and SAFE fourth of July today. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine if you can. It is so dry here that I think this is the first year we are not setting off fireworks (at least at the present time I haven't heard anything about it, but who knows what might be hiding in that garage!!) I found a set of brand new golf clubs in the garage the other day, still in the box and Eric once again, denies that they are there! Guess I need to take another picture and send it to my mom. LOL

I tried to finish painting all the baseboards and door frames in the bathroom last night but it's harder than doing all the walls! Geez! I'll never get completely finished. Then, this morning, I woke up with horrible allergies. I hope the latex in the paint isn't affecting me any like it did at the dentist!

I had my follow-up doctors appointment yesterday and the doctor could only laugh. Evidently, I have the healthiest ovaries that they've seen in a while.......there was not one spot other than follicles from ovulation present. 12 weeks ago I had TWO 2 cm cysts on my ovaries with a wall separating the two of them. Normally she said they reproduce into masses and can be very serious. Well, at the present time, I not only have no cysts, but no trace of anything ever being there. Isn't God great?? Prayers were answered again in a miraculous way. Maybe one day the doctors will just offer to pray with everyone about things BEFORE deciding what tests to run. Speaking of prayers, please pray for my best friend Cindy's mother......Gertrude. They had to take her to the ER yesterday morning and they have found an absess in her stomach. A pretty large one. They are hoping to put a drainage pump in to force it out and avoid surgery, along with IV antibotics. And poor Cindy is just drained from everything she's been through this past year.

Well, everyone.....stay safe and celebrate our freedoms today! Thank you to all the past and present soldiers who have helped give us the freedoms that we have.

Slow connections

I have tried for two days to post a new blog entry, but for some reason, my connection has been to slow to accept it. Nothing makes me more irritated than waiting on the stinking computer to load and not get anything out of it. Not much has been going on here any way. We are off this week for July 4th break from PreK. That means I get to do housework.......and do you know what Eric and I had the pleasure of doing last night? Going to Home Depot to pick out MORE PAINT!!! Lord, I don't know what this man expects of me! LOL

Here are a few pics of my youngest sister Molly. Yes, I did say SISTER. She is enjoying her daily dose of Starbucks. Sure hope I get mine soon!!!