I've been tagged

Tagged!!!
Okay, I've just been tagged by Jessie for the longest meme ever invented. It's self explanatory, so I'll just dive right in. Oh, and if you don't make it all the way to the end, I tag Darlene, Tricia, and Alison. 'K here goes.

(By the way... I had to look on google to see what a "meme" was! lol!)

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Dial and some kind of body wash :)

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? Uh, no.

3. What would you change about your living room? The twelve year old carpet and the couch too.

4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Clean (and have been since yesterday. They just refuse to put themselves away!)

5. What is in your fridge? still leftovers from Thanksgiving

6. White or wheat bread? both... but I love the whole grain from panera.

7. What is on top of your refrigerator? uummmmm... tray with nice stainless in it .. and a pretty soup bowl and some leftover bread

8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? have a door


9. How many plants are in your home? 5 real ones... not sure how many fake ones


10. Is your bed made right now? not yet... been on the computer with Jon this morning... but will be before I shower :)


11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Soft Scrub


12. Is your closet organized? Sure. but only I understand the organization.. lol

13. Can you describe your flashlight? what? mine is just a small black flashlight. Nothing fancy.

14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic more at home? plastic.

15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? does milos count?

16. If you have garage, is it cluttered? well... compared to a few months ago... no... I COULD get the car in it if the door opener was fixed..

17. Curtains or blinds? Blinds. old little ones... that needs to be replaced

18. How many pillows do you sleep with? One.

19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? nope...Hal likes it DARK. I would if I could..,.. just a night light in the bathroom.

20. How often do you vacuum? ummmmmmm not enough

21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard.

22. What color is your toothbrush? blue and white this time but really just whatever color I get from my dentist.

23. Do you have welcome mat on your front porch? yes... Faith, Family, Friends

24. What is in your oven right now? my Pampered shelf round stone. Where else can you keep it?


25. Is there anything under your bed? no...thanks to FLYLADY... I have it completely cleaned out

26. Chore you hate the most? ummm depends on the day. Sometimes I just hate unloading the dishwasher...how lazy is that???

27. What retro items are in your home? ?????

28. Do you have a separate room you use an an office? yes.. Julia's old bedroom and I LOVE IT!!!!!

29. How many mirrors are in your home? six

30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? don't think so...

31. What color are your walls? beige for most of the house. Still the old (twelve year old - do you see a pattern here?) blue and fruit wallpaper in the kitchen. My office - dark blue - DARK blue - Julia style :), The "grand-baby" room - yellow - Jenifer Style, the guest bathroom light green. Oh, yeah.. the dining room . - DARK burgundy (12 year old style)

32. What does your home smell like right now? Christmas tart :)

33. Favorite candle scent? what ever the newest tart is

34. What kind of pickles are in your refrigerator right now? Dill chips

35. Ever been on your roof? The porch roof... will go there again today - to put up Christmas Decorations.

36. Do you own a stereo? not any more...

37. How many TVs do you have? two

Two. One in the den, and one in my bedroom.


38. How many phones? Uh...three. Plus our two cells.

39. Do you have a housekeeper? Ha! Yeah, her name's DeeDee. Lately I've been thinking of letting her go... (that was Jessie's answer... but I agree lol)

40. What style do you decorate in? not sure - never finished - always changing...

41. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Not a floral person- but have stripes now... Want some solid (leather)

42. Is there a smoke detector in your home? yes... three - one on each floor.

Night Vision

Our Soldier Son has told us about using night vision glasses on his recent mission. This led to a discussion with my husband for him to help me understand it a little more, since I know absolutely NOTHING about military equipment - how it works - and/or the reason to use it.

But this particular piece of equipment has intrigued me. I have gone to several web-sites to read more about it. (Thanks to the Google search engine). So, at least I understand it a little bit more.

So, this is the direction of my thought process.

Night vision: being able to see clearly in the dark. A good thing for our soldiers. Not a good thing for the enemy. They may think that they are hidden in the darkness of the night - but in reality - they are not. Night Vision reveals all.

Scripture: "You can be sure your sins will find you out." A good thing for righteous living. Not a good thing for the enemy of our souls. Satan loves darkness. He wants you to have secrets and shame. Little thoughts to convince you that if others do not know - then it is not a problem (whatever your IT is ) He wants you to stay in darkness. But Jesus is the light of the World - He reveals in the light what goes on in the darkness. (Night Vision huh?) He loves us so much that He will not let us continue or prosper in our sin. He sees and knows all. You cannot hide even the smallest secret sin from Him. And in due time, if needed, He will reveal it. He definately will pinpoint it to us in our spirit/conscience. He will convict. He wants you to confess and be clean. - Righteous living. A life that is free of guilt and shame. A restored life. A freedom that can only be obtained by the cleansing work of the Blood of the Lamb.

So, think about your life.... Do you have a secret sin? One that you have allowed the enemy to convince you that it is ok as long as no one knows? Well, your Savior knows. He has night vision. He sees all. Even what is hidden.

How do we avoid being trapped into secret sin? Accountability. Everyone needs to be accountable to someone. Does anyone have your email password? Access to your accounts? All of them. Do you have anything that you would be deleting quickly if you knew that someone else would be looking tomorrow? That is a sure sign that it is a secret sin. Not to say that we have to reveal all to everyone. Just someone. Someone who will hold us accountable in all areas. Someone who loves us and who desires the best for us. Think about your life/situation. Certainly this is not the only area that could be addressed - just one. What area and/or areas do you need to open to an accountability partner? A spouse? A godly friend?

Now, you may say...DeeDee, where did this all come from? To be honest -I'm not really sure - except after talking to Jon and Hal (and google search engine) about the technology of night vision.... these thoughts kept coming.


So.... I thought I would share....


Have a blessed day!

(I actually wrote this on Nov 20th - but since that was Thanksgiving week - I just saved it in draft form... to post this week)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Since it is Thanksgiving morning .... and I have not finished cooking for the day.... this will have to be short and sweet :)

But I did not want to miss this opportunity to say "We have so much to be thankful for." And especially this year... I am thankful for our freedoms. Because I have the proof that it is not free. Many have given their lives.... many have given their service... many have and are missing this day with their families - so we can continue to be free. So... with that in mind - I want to say THANK YOU. Thank you to Jonathan. Thank you to Co Company, 1-167 INF, 4th Alabama National Guard. Thank you to all of the many others who are celebrating this Thanksgiving Day away from your family in service to our country.

Jonathan, You are missed greatly - every day - but especially on this holiday. You are loved. You are prayed for - constantly. You have made us all so proud. We can hardly wait for you to come home - but today - We just are hoping for some time on SKYPE :) - to see your smiling face.

And for the list of what else I am thankful for... My Savior. My husband. The rest of my precious family-all of them. My Church family. My home. My friends. And I could go on with many more ....

but......My kitchen is calling me - I really have to go cook lunch.

Much to do...
Have a blessed day!
(oh... and I am soooooo thankful for my BLACKBERRY phone that keeps me in contact with Jonathan!!!) - seriously!

My Big Brother

Happy Birthday Danny!

Just some thoughts for today...

We don't get to see each other very often. But that does not mean that I do not think of you. I have many special memories.... that come to my heart and mind.


I think today I may just list a few...

I remember :

• sitting on the steps in Oldfield and both of us having the hiccups and trying to sing. Then laughing our heads off.

• falling on my bike (the really large scar on my knee) and you helping me to clean it up and putting bactine on it.

• going to Wind Creek every AEA (that is what we used to call Spring Break) and going swimming no matter how cold it was!

• watching you play baseball.

• you pitching a perfect game! I was so proud!

• cheering for you on the PACKERS - and going to Panama City for a "bowl" game -(or for some reason - lol!) Regardless... I was cheering you on!!!!!

• us both going to Birmingham to spend a week with Damon and Johnny in the summer (swimming in the pool in the park behind their house)

• and then going back to Larry's/Cindy's for you and Martha's/Buddy's for me (swimming at the pool at the apartment complex down the road)

• Larry spending the entire summer "watching" us when we lived on the Old Rockhouse Road.

• Fishing at the pond behind our house - or maybe I should say - you fishing - and me watching!

• Our pony

• the family camping at Wind Creek.

• going with our youth group from the church for a day at the lake. You and I were sitting on the cable that marked the swimming area.... and there was a storm coming and the lightening flashed in the distance and we both felt the shock on the cable and took off for the shore. You waited on me.

• The "Quarry Stompers" - Danny, DeeDee, Donnie, Peggy, Sam, Mikey, Mike, Gray - remind me - who else?

• the tree house - the double decker- and you guys trying to keep Peggy and me out...it didn't work. We enjoyed your hard work :)

• camping out in the front yard - Peggy and me in the camper - You, Donnie, Sam (and probably Gray and Mike too) in a tent. You guys could build a good camp fire. And then you tried to scare us. Boys will always be boys huh?

• you coming to pick me up from a JV ballgame - and some "bully" big guys had scared me.... and when I got in the car and told you about it... You took off around the block to go back and take care of them for me. I had to BEG you to just go home.

• you shaving your beard for my wedding (that was the last time huh?). Just because it did not look like my big brother to me - yet :) Then you paid for my pictures.

• you helping us move from Birmingham back to Sylacauga. We looked like the "Beverly Hillbillies" moving on that flatbed truck. And your Dodge truck loaded down too! ha!

• helping you do all of your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. (Julia has continued that tradition with Jonathan - or maybe I should say - Jonathan has continued that tradition with Julia)

• cutting your hair, especially those times when we would come home from Texas - and I would trap you in that little bathroom - and cut away - and talk your ears off.

• being there with you at the hospital when Stephanie had her wreck and then watching you take such good care of her as she recovered.

• coming to the Golf Course - for Creative Memories - and loving the time to visit with you.

• the family pictures at Christmas (along with yours and Dena's videos - I still think we could win some money for some of those!)

• "Can you hear me?" - just watching you guys have such fun with your presents!

• being at the hospital for Dad's last surgery and the week that followed with us all in the waiting room.

• me, you and Paul standing with Mother as we said our final good-byes to Daddy.

And there have been many many more - So - today - as I tell you Happy Birthday - I also tell you thank you. For many special memories. For always knowing that you were there and that you still are just a phone call away. I love you more than I think I can even express. And I am so thankful for the wonderful storehouse of memories that we share. We are so blessed!

I love you Danny!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

WW # 8 Happy Birthday Brantley

Brantley

Just a few thoughts sent your way....on your birthday.


Hope you have a wonderful day. You are not yet an "official" member of our family... and yet you are. You are the precious bride that we have prayed for - for all of Jonathan's life. Jonathan calls you his perfect little puzzle piece... and I understand why. You complete him.


You love him. That is one thing that this mom has always wanted for her son. I love the way you love his happy-go-lucky personality - I love the way that you care. I love the way that you push him to be the man that God has called him to be. I love the way that you encourage him. I love the way that you build him up. I love seeing him happy. I love seeing the two of you together (and look forward to that again). I love watching him watch you. I love the way that I see him ADORE you. And I could go on and on and on....from both sides - I love that too....


The old saying goes "a daughter is a daughter for all of her life, but a son is a son till he takes a wife." Now, I remember thinking while holding him as a newborn in the hospital, "Lord, please give him a precious bride who will join our family and not take our son away from us." Don't get me wrong - I also know that he is to "leave father and mother and cleave only to his wife" and we want him to to do that. And I know that you will always be closer to your mom and rightly so... but just know that we love you like a daughter and we are so glad to have you join our family.


Regardless of all of my rambling - Happy Birthday Brantley - You are a treasure! and we are so blessed and so happy that God has put you and Jonathan together. I hope you have a wonderful day!


I love you gal!

Watching

Several years ago...

while going through a very tough time in our lives and in Jonathan's life, I wrote this poem.

I share it today for several friends of mine who are struggling right now.

Watching...

God it is so hard just watching...
Watching him walk away from You.

Knowing You see all
You are watching also.
I know You see the end that I cannot see
So... there is no worry in Your watching.

I keep hoping in my watching
to see him return.
No more time wasted.
No more days lost.
No more grieving for his hurt
that self-inflicted hurt.

Watching...for it to be over
for freedom again.
Abundant life.
Life he was created to live.
Life testifying of You and Your glory.

Lord, I am watching
hurting (for him)
hoping
knowing...rejoicing will come.

Lord...keep watching!


And today we are rejoicing... we have our son back. Not literally - as he is currently in Kuwait/Iraq. But we have him back. And we rejoice to see how God is using him in so many ways. Even the hard times can be used to help others going through similar situations.

I share this to give hope - and to let you know that we understand from a parent's perspective. Jonathan is sharing with many from his perspective... and God is using it. With more people than he even knows...as I get reports from others who are reading his blogs and comments.

So, for my Jon....
We are so proud of you. Not only for the service that you are giving to us all as you defend our freedoms. But also, for your willingness to be transparent with your life.

The apostle Peter - had to be sifted as wheat - but Jesus said to him..."Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32)

You too, have been sifted... how precious to know that our Savior prayed for you (He kept watching). And now, that you have turned back.... you are to strengthen your brothers! And that is what you are doing....Keep on keeping on my son!

(And..... as I have heard Beth Moore share in her Bible studies.... remember that you do not have to ALWAYS go on the field trip to learn a lesson.... Sometimes, just learn from the Book!)

Love to you my Jonathan...

Love to you my friends...

Keep watching....
Knowing that our Savior is watching and praying!

Anniversary

Today is Jenifer and Andy's 4th Wedding Anniversary.

A day of remembering....

Jen is our youngest child....and yet the first to get married. (She always told Julia that she would get married first!) What a beautiful day. What a beautiful wedding. We were so exhausted when the day was over....but so pleased that it was just what Jen had always wanted. We were also so thankful for the Godly man that God had given to her. Just as we had prayed for all of her life.

They were engaged in March, 2003 ....and the race was on.

• She had to find the perfect dress.
• She picked out the flowers.
• Dresses for the bridesmaids (9 of them).
• We looked at pictures of cakes and talked to Andy's Aunt who was making them for us.
• Talked to the Caterer- and talked again - and talked again.
• Hunted for the right aisle cloth.
• Picked out music and talked to the soloists.
• Had Julia to find the String Quartet and the Trumpeter.
• Wanted special candelabras.
• Secured the hall for the reception.
• Bought centerpieces.
• We even had chair covers.
• Looked for candles for the tables at the reception.
• Talked to the florist a second and third time.
• Had the dress pressed.
• Took the Bridal pictures.
• Had the dress cleaned and pressed again.
• Had a practice run on the hair.
• Talked to the photographer.
• Last minute - added a videographer to capture it all for us.
• Had the nails done.
• Went to the tanning bed.
• Even exercised to make sure that the dress would still fit :)
• And all of the other details that I cannot remember right now.

Stress to the max some days. Jen had lists and she had lists for me. She would call me to check and see if I was on tract for the day.... with my assignments :) We enjoyed the journey (most of the time). And on the days that we did not- I would remind her that I intended to enjoy this - so we needed to re-adjust.

Our lives literally revolved around one central thing..... The Wedding Day. She wanted everything to be perfect for that moment when the doors would swing open and she would walk down that aisle to her groom. She wanted to be ready and beautiful for him....without spot or blemish. And ready she was! - What a beautiful Bride!

One of my favorite passages is Titus 2:11-14
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait (look) for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. "

What a picture..... One day the skies will open and our Savior is coming for His Bride. We too should be making preparations for that glorious day. Oh, that we would live our lives in such a way - saying no to ungodliness and worldly passions. That we would live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the here and now. Taking care of all of the details of daily life - with one thought in our mind- we are going to meet our groom. He is coming for us.

Just as our lives literally (and sometimes frantically) revolved around preparations for November 1, 2003....

What a difference it would make in our daily lives - if we really were "looking for the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Ponder those thoughts with me.....




Happy Anniversary Andy and Jen.
What treasures you are!
I Love you