This and That and This

Bruce and I ate at Showmar's Friday night. We love their gyro dinners. While we were out, there were little babies everywhere. I mean brand new babies. It made us wish we had another one. Then we went to Wal Mart and saw a bunch of screaming toddlers and whiners and were glad we didn't. LOL OK, THAT WAS A JOKE!!!!!!!

Truth is, we were thinking how nice it would be if there was another little bundle to cuddle and kiss. We decided that even though it was late we would stop and pick up Celine and Carissa if they wanted to come, since Celine is always begging to spend the night. But she was acting all weird about it, wanting to stay with her mama. I think she was afraid her daddy wouldn't pick her up the next morn to take her to grandma's house. Carissa said she wanted to go, which shocked all of us. She ran and got her shoes, grabbed her little bag that her mommy packed for her, kissed her daddy, and then walked to her mother, grabbed her hand and said, "I bwing my mama wif me." We just died laughing. Needless to say, we had no little ones in the house that night. But Hannah and Harrison were glad to stay up and eat ice cream we brought back home while waiting up for their brother to get home from the Melting Pot. He had a great time. Thank you, Mike, Kim, and Taylor. He had a blast with y'all and Madison, Jonathan and Jenn.

This is an old picture of Bruce's mandolin in progress. I haven't taken another picture of it since he finished it Saturday. Honestly, we were both expecting it to have a box sound, seeing it's the first one he's ever made. But it was loud and beautiful! I am so proud of him!! I'll have a picture with a video of him playing it soon.

Celine and Carissa did come over Monday afternoon. It's always fun to have them here. And of course when Bruce came to sit down in the living room, Carissa found her spot on the couch next to him and there she stayed until he got up. I don't know how many pictures I have of Bruce and Carissa in this same spot. Except for different clothes, they're all the same picture.


Justin helped his dad change the bearings on my car the other day. I'm not sure how he got those grease marks on his face, but it cracked me up. I guess Bruce neglected the lesson on never touching your face when your hands are covered in grease.

Justin worked yesterday. I dropped him off and really hated to leave him knowing there was no cool place to rest during his lunch break. But he assured me he would all right. Isn't that just like a mother?



Hannah is dog sitting for her piano teacher this week. Well, she's our church pianist also. Anyway, her name is Trixie. She's a minature Datsun and spoiled rotten. But isn't she cute?

Harley is less impressed with Trixie than the rest of us and has let her know it under no uncertain terms.

As you can see, Yogi is about as big as Trixie. Yogi isn't as long as Trixie, but they weigh about the same, if Yogi doesn't weigh more! They seem to get along all right. Just curious of each other.

Father's Day

I fixed a meal consisting of some of Bruce's favorite dishes for his Father's Day meal. Fried chicken, green beans, deviled eggs, hand squashed biscuits, cheesy rice and broccoli casserole, and potato salad with chocolate cream pie for dessert. He enjoyed it so much!

Bruce is a terrific dad whose personality and discipline show in his children. I'll admit that when our children were younger I felt he was too hard on them, but I see how I was wrong and how it has paid off these past 16 years. He's a very strong disciplinarian, but he is also respected and loved by all three of his kids.

He's never been worried about being the children's friend at this time in their lives, but has stayed focused on being their dad first. He knows there will be plenty of time to be friends later, although friendships are developing between him and the children with each passing day.

He has given them sound, godly advice, and has taught them at least three things in life:

*Knowledge is power

*If you want to be trusted, tell the truth

*The choices we make dictate the life we lead.

He has demonstrated faithfulness to his children by being faithful to the Lord through devotions, his prayer life, and being committed to the house of God.

He has shown them the importance of hard work by being a hard worker himself and that any job you do should be done to the best of your ability.

He stands for the right, no matter the cost or whose feathers it ruffles.

He has shown his sons how to treat a lady by being loving to his wife and has shown his daughter how she should expect to be treated by a true gentleman.

He is a practical joker with his children. When they were very small they weren't sure how to take their daddy, but as they have grown older, his wit and silliness has grown on them and I can honestly say to each of them, "You are just like your daddy!"

I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day, honey. I love you.

Men's Fishing Trip

Gone Fishin'

He's gone fishing

with the men from church

He'll catch some sting ray

and maybe some Perch

He has been gone

two hours, only

but I miss him already

and feeling quite lonely

He'll have a good time

fellowshiping with friends

while I get together with

my fellow hens

We'll scrapbook and work

and we'll meet for lunch

I'll think of my Brucey

the whole time I munch

I hope he has fun

on this fishing trip

and while catching big fish

he keeps his grip

Brother Johnny will stay

on the pier all day

while some of the men

nap and play

They'll go somewhere nice

for steak and ribs

For the biggest steak,

they'll all call dibs

Have fun, honey

You know I'll miss you

If you go deep sea fishing,

don't use the outrigger canoe!

Bless Our Hearts

My babies are so sick, bless their hearts. All of them are suffering with this virus going around. Stuffy head and congestion. They're so miserable!

Justin is actually doing much better than he was this time last week. Although his throat is still very sore. He's been spraying it with Chloraseptic, but it hasn't helped. Bless his heart.

Hannah never cries about anything and she never complains. But yesterday she had all she could take and told me her ears were hurting and really needed to see a doctor. Sure 'nuff, she has an ear infection. The doctor said it was a pretty nasty one too. Bless her heart.

I came through the house this morning and Harrison was sitting on the couch with rosy cheeks and glassy eyes. He was running a fever and crying with his ear. I made sure he had his bath and helped him get ready and we went back to the doctor. He was able to see his favorite doctor (Silkstone) and you guessed it...ear infection! He just got over one a couple of weeks ago, but I kinda figured he would get another one since he had all that sinus stuff going on. It was just a matter of time. *sigh* Bless his heart.

I think Bruce's back is getting a little better. He hasn't said much about it the last couple of days. Of course, we've both been worried about the children. So maybe that's why. I'll have to ask him about that when he gests home tonight. Bless his heart.

When Bruce and I got back from taking Harry to the doctor, we ate lunch and laid down for a short nap before he had to leave for work. When I woke up my own throat was sore. Oh great, I thought. Now it's my turn. So when I went to pick up Harrison's prescription I picked me up some over the counter stuff that I hope will work along with my Vitamin C and Echinacea. Bless my heart.

So we're all sick here, and it doesn't look like we'll be running any marathons this week. But things could be worse than what they are and I'm thankful that they're not.

Missin' My Church!

It's not often I miss church, but today I'm home with two very sick children. They were both troopers this morning, getting up when they were supposed to, but I sent them both back to bed. Hannah, because she was hacking and coughing and snorting and snotting over the trash can. Isn't that a lovely picture? And Harrison because he was running a low grade fever with cough and congestion.

My children have been fighting with this cold virus or their allergies for a couple of weeks now. Justin missed last Sunday morning because of pink eye brought on by his allergies. When we came home from church, Bruce took him to the doctor. The last several times they've needed to go to a doctor, it's been on a Saturday or Sunday. I'm thankful our Pediatrician's office is open on weekends. I always get the feeling the office staff is judging me, though, seeing that I AM a homeschool mother and can bring my children at any time during the week. You know how that goes. But to be perfectly honest, peeps, I don't take my kids to the doctor at the first sign of sniffles. I'll treat them at home first and then if it persists or worsens, we'll go. Anywho, we're home today with no plans of going to the doctor.

Where was I going with all of this? Oh yeah, just to say I'm home with them today and missin' my church!! Bruce will most likely be home with them tonight if they're not feeling any better.

Speaking of Bruce, he's been suffering with back issues going on two weeks now. He's pulled a muscle or something in his very lower back. Bless his heart, he stiffens up and finds it difficult to move after resting for any period of time. But he doesn't complain....much....and he's like the Energizer bunny, he just keeps going and going and going....

I worked in bus ministry yesterday. I haven't been down there in a while and it was fun. I worked in the kitchen and ran an errand with Kelly T for Mrs. Janet. We bought several things for the bus ministry and then Kelly had gone back into the store for more spaghetti sauce to make some meals for people in our church who have had surgery recently. Somehow we both ended up losing our receipts that Mrs. Janet needs for keeping the books. I don't know how. At least four of the regular bus workers were out for different reasons, and our blue and white bus broke down. But praise the Lord, several children were saved. The devil likes to throw in chaos when he thinks he might lose a soul to Christ. Let's see, I believe the score at bus ministry yesterday was

I really hate missing church. It just doesn't feel right knowing it's Sunday and I'm not in my place to serve and worship. Do you feel that way? I've never understood how people can let other things get in the way of going to the Lord's house. They use their children as an excuse, or family get-togethers, or work, or whatever. It's always something. I mean I know there are rare instances when things happen beyond our control, but when you're out of church as much as you're in church, or even out more than you're in, it's time to examine and figure out what it is in your life that is keeping you from desiring to be in God's house. Trust me, I know it's hard. What worries me are the Christians out there who know where they should be and want to be where they should be, but allow little things to get in the way. And you know, as long as the devil knows what will keep them out, he will continue to throw those things at them. You just have to get up and go! Don't worry about the kids having sniffles, or if your mama's gonna be mad that you're late for dinner because your church services let out later than other's. Don't worry about that over time because the car payment is due. God will take care of it! He is always faithful to us, but He is even more faithful when we put our trust in Him to take care of the little things. They seem big to us, but they're very small to Him. I couldn't help but think of this old song I heard YEARS ago:

"Excuses"

By the Kingsmen Quartet

Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day.

And the Devil he'll supply them, if the church you stay away.

When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses

So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

In the summer it's too hot. And, in the winter, it's too cold.

In the spring time when the weather's just right, you find some place else to go.

Well, it's up to the mountains or down to the beach or to visit some old friend.

Or, to just stay home and kinda relax and hope that some of the kin folks will start dropping in.

Well, the church benches are too hard. And, that choir sings way too loud. Boy, you know how nervous you get when you're sitting in a great big crowd.

The doctor told you, "Now, you better watch them crowds. They'll set you back."

But, you go to that old ball game because you say "it helps you to relax."

Well, a headache Sunday morning and a backache Sunday night.

But by worktime Monday morning, you're feeling quite alright.

While one of the children has a cold, "Pneumonia, do you suppose?"

Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid's nose.

Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day.

And the Devil he'll supply them if the church you stay away.

When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses

So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

Well, the preacher he's too young. And, maybe he's too old.

The sermons they're not hard enough. And, maybe they're too bold.

His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud.

He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he's way too proud.

Well, the sermons they're too long. And, maybe they're too short.

He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of "stomp and snort."

Well, that preacher we've got must be "the world's most stuck up man."

Well, one of the lady's told me the other day, "Well, he didn't even shake my hand."

Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day.

And the Devil he'll supply them if the church you stay away.

When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses

So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

When I was driving Justin to work this morning, there were a bunch of calves in a field and they were so cute. I mean, I've seen calves on numerous occasion, but never just calves only. So I just had to get a picture of them. There were a lot more, but I was driving when I took this picture.

Brother Cohen is doing a Veteran's Memorial Wall at our church so Bruce and I were trying to find some pictures to give him for that. We found one of his dad and uncle. They were in the Navy and had a portrait done together in their uniforms. It is a really good picture. We found one of my brother John, one of Bruce's brother Mitch, and one of Bruce too. There were a couple of pictures of Bruce, one in particular, that we thought about turning in. It was one of Bruce on deployment somewhere with his arctic wear on holding his rifle. It's kind of a comical picture, really, with the fuzzy hat and all. But we opted to go with the traditional portrait instead.

Jeremy is on his way over here right now to show Justin his new license and then I need to get ready for church. I'm glad I cooked that turkey yesterday. Supper was a breeze tonight and microwaves are a blessing!

We've had some really sporadic weather lately, but the cooler weather is settling in. I noticed these white stripes on the road today and kept wondering what they were from. Then on the way home from picking Justin up, we ended up behind the vehicle that blows the road with ice and I wondered no longer. Apparently the city of K---- M------- is gearing up for a snow storm that is supposed to hit us tomorrow. We'll see. We're usually disappointed in that area but this is the time of year that we get snow....IF we get snow, that is. So the kids are eager to see what happens. Me too.

Well......gotta go. Jeremy should be here any minute. Have a great night!

Sick and Silly

Today we did school and, as usual, cooked lunch. Nothing spectacular. Just chicken tenders with garlic and cheddar mashed potatoes. I had never fixed that kind of mashed potatoes. But everybody seemed to like 'em ok.


Bruce has been sick off and on for several weeks now. He was dressed and ready for work when he decided to call in. Which is something he never does. Hannah made Hershey Kiss Brownies and that seemed to make him feel a little better.



Right now the kids are outside playing with sparklers and firecrackers that their Paw Paw Birt gave them the other day. Harrison wants to light some, but knows he's not allowed. So, it's up to his big brother.


And snap, crackle, pop, there they go!


OK, now for a joke.....What do you call a fish with no eyes?
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A fsh!
:)

December 10, Happy Birthday, Darlin'!

My sweetie pie's 38th birthday was today. I'm so blessed to have him in my life and I love him so much!

Today we had Pizza Hut buffet....which by the way Brother Ted, you need to tell them to add stuffed crust to the buffet....and then came home to watch the cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This is, and probably will be, on the top five list of Bruce's favorite Christmas flicks. He's like a little kid when he watches it, knowing every word and giggling hysterically through it all. He's more fun to watch than the movie. ;)

OK, so I've thought of 38 things about Bruce. Here goes:

1. He loves his Lord

2. He loves his family

3. He is faithful in his personal devotions and prayer life

4. He is an excellent guitar player

5. He is hard working

6. He roots for the Tar Heels

7. He loves his church

8. He supports and trusts his Pastor

9. He is a kid at heart

10. He used to collect comic books, but hasn't bought one in a long while. However, he still has his old ones and likes to look at them once in a blue moon.

11. He likes to play with anything that is run with a remote. His new Havoc heli inlcuded!

12. His favorite color is blue

13. His favorite side dish is mashed potatoes or rice

14. He was in the Air Force

15. He's in the honor guard at our church

16. He plays guitar in three bluegrass groups in our church

17. He loves a hot breakfast any time of the day or night.

18. He enjoys being at home just being a family.

19. He drives a little red Toyota truck with over 300,000 miles on it, and in his own words, "I love my little truck."

20. He's a machinist on his job

21. He's awesome when it comes to woodworking and building things without a pattern

22. He has completed his mandolin, all but putting on the keys and strings

23. He looks great in fitted baseball hats

24. He knows how to think outside the box and make things happen

25. He's sweet

26. He's kind

27. He's loving

28. He's fun

29. He has a great sense of humor

30. He likes to be around his friends

31. He loves chocolate (MILK chocolate, that is! In his words, "Dark chocolate is a waste of chocolate")

32. He likes to play with the cat by making him chase a laser light until the cat pants like a dog

33. He likes his special spot on the couch

34. He loves his Scofield Bible

35. He is determined to finish any job he starts

36. He's loves little babies

37. He likes to visit pawn shops, especially the one where Donnie works (childhood friend and deal buster lol)

38. He's the best husband a girl could ever have!

Happy Birthday Darlin'! I love you bunches!

December 8

Today was another big day for our family as we celebrated Bruce turning another year older. Truthfully his birthday is not until Monday, but we celebrated today. As we gathered around the table and everyone bowed their heads to pray, I couldn't help but feel blessed.

On the menu today was lasagna and garlic bread. A favorite of my dear hubby. He LOVES my lasagna.


Dessert was "death by chocolate." Triple chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream.

Blowing out his candles.

Mmmm, good cake!

Enjoying the food and fellowship.

Gift time! Bruce is thanking his mommy for the money she gave him.

New dress pants! Two pair.

And MORE money! Woo Hoo!

Thanking my mom.

Thanking my daddy.

I got Bruce the Air Hog Havoc Heli. It's a small helicopter that hovers and flies. It's really neat. Our cat was quite intrigued by it.

Bruce and his mother. Can't you tell?

When the celebration was over, Bruce took Harrison to the church for his Sunday School outing. His class went to McDonald's for supper and then off to Hollywild Zoo. He was so excited!!

Later on, Bruce, Hannah, and I headed back over to the church for our Sunday School party at the fellowship building. Hannah was helping in the nursery with the little ones.

Don't you just love that giant snowman?

And this beautiful tree. Isn't it lovely?

Hannah made those gingerbread cookies in the back and some pigs in a blanket for our party. I made spinach dip and crackers and was pleased that Brother Brian wanted to take a gob of it home with him tonight. I hope you enjoy it, Brother Brian!

Amy made the snowman cheese ball. The cheese ball is made of two blocks of cream cheese and one packet of dry ranch dressing. Mix it together and roll into shapes. She used chocolate chips for the eyes and buttons, a very small baby carrot for the nose, and a fruit roll up for the scarf. Cute, huh?

Brother Daniel giving the thumb's up. At what, I do not know. But, ok.

Amy and me. I know you love my hat! I even have earrings in the ears.

It was time to play Dirty Santa. Everyone was to bring a "white elephant" gift from home. Which is really just something around the house that you either don't use any longer or you've never used and probably never will use. Everyone draws a number and you go in order of those numbers until everyone has had a chance to open a gift. But when your number is called, if you want to take someone's gift they have already opened, you can do that. If you do that, the person you took the gift from, is given an opportunity to take another gift from under the tree. Any gift can only be taken three times.

Brother Chad got this nifty decorative something. He saw it came from Wal Mart and was hoping to return it, but later found out it was three years old and there was no receipt for it. LOL

Brother Josh got a very nice candle set.

Bruce got some sort of vanilla body stuff. LOL

Brother Ted got a UNC sweatshirt two......or three......sizes too small.

Brother Ken got these fishing things that are GUARATEED to catch fish. At least that's what the man on TV said. LOL

Brother Brian got this box of Pot of Gold chocolates. This was one of those gifts that was passed around.

Amanda got a Home Interior angel picture......with Spanish writing around it. I suppose she could hire a translator.

Brother Daniel got a ten pound candy cane. Ok, I may be slightly exagerating about the size, but it was really big!!

Mrs. Rebecca took the vanilla body wash and lotion from Bruce, so he picked out another gift which was a thermos. He liked that one better than the body wash. LOL

Betsy got this stadium seat which has made its way to our party the last couple of years.

Brother Chris was pleased with his very large universal remote. Might I add that this is just like the one I bought for daddy last year.

I got a stove top grill. Wasn't sure what it was at first, but Rebecca filled me in on it.

Tammy got a tapestry wall hanging.

Josh had his candles taken away from someone so the next gift he chose ended up being an Aunt Jemimah hand soap dispencer. Which, by the way, has also made its way to our Christmas party the last couple of years.

When someone took Brother Ted's shirt that was two sizes to small, he ended up with this dog set. I don't know exactly what it was..

Brother RJ got an empty wallet and the movie DUNE, which obviously had the reputation of being the most boring four hour movie ever made.

And Missy got this little.........tree..........thingy. Very interesting indeed! Her husband, Brother Chad said, "And now I gotta sit in my chair and look at that thing." LOL She also got a candle and candle wreath. But this wasn't her original gift. The gift she first got was a very pretty candle stand. So she was upset that she got this in place of that.

Although her little........tree.........thingy was upsetting for her, she was the last person's number drawn which entitled her the option of trading with someone else. So she did get her candle stand in the end.

This made her happy and as you can see, she continued to have a really good time.

We all had a really good time! It was a great party and we missed the couples that weren't able to show up tonight for whatever reason.