Picture Challenge #30

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

I miss her.  

My cousin/best friend/soul sister Rebecca.   

We were 5 months apart in age. 

We lived 100 miles away from each other.

We wrote each other letters weekly, before the age of email and texting.

We spent most holidays together.

We went to the beach together.

We played dress up, made mud pies, and tormented her sister.

We played in the pasture and rode her horse.

We made college plans together when we were high school freshmen.

But God had other plans.

She left us way too soon.

It has been over 19 years since I last saw her face.

Over 19 years since I heard her LOUD laugh.

This picture is the last time I saw her.

Our last Christmas.

Our last sleepover.

Our last hug goodbye.

I know she's waiting on me up there, and I can't wait to see her again.

Until then, I miss her.

Every day.

Picture Challenge #29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

My husband and me...just a normal day... HA HA HA HA HA!

A Difficult Two Weeks...

Exhausted. 

That is the only word to describe me at this moment.

The past two weeks have been hard.

School is wrapping up for my little buddy so there are a lot of events.  Field Day, end of year parties, yearbook parties, PTA wrap ups, Teacher Appreciations...so I've been busy at the school.

Baseball end of season tournament kicked off.  Also means end of season parties and emotions high from having a very tough season and it ending with our very first win of the season and then being put out of the tournament right away. 

But the hardest of them all, my Poppy went through aortic valve replacement surgery at 84 years old.  The surgery actually went well.  His heart recovered extremely well.  Recovery however, not so good for a while.  Driving downtown to the hospital every day for almost a week and seeing my grandfather who, when I was little seemed so larger than life and indestructible, completely out of it and struggling to figure out where he was or what he was doing really took a toll on me.  He is doing so much better now and back to his old self and should be headed to a rehabilitation center sometime this week!  I am emotionally and physically tired.

I will be picking back up my 31 Days To Clean challenge either today or tomorrow.  I've fell behind on many things that I plan on catching up on this week.

But I'm exhausted. 

Stay tuned...

31 Days to Clean Day 1...

"It's not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy.  The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted."  - Mary O'Connor

If you didn't see my earlier post, Sarah Mae has written the book 31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way.  I have joined the challenge to blog about each of the days the book highlights.  The book is available for download for only $4.99 here!

Sarah Mae has some challenges in the book that are Mary challenges that will challenge your heart and then there are Martha challenges that will make you just get in there and get it done. I am SO excited to dive into this book since Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World made me realize I'm such a Mary! 

So Day 1 posed the question "Why Clean?"
Good question.  Sarah wants us to look inside ourselves and ask why do we want a clean home.  My answer to this question is to have my home feel inviting to my own family.  I want my family to WANT to stay at home and to freely invite people over.  I want it to be a place of rest and refuge for anyone who came to the door.  I want my home to be a happy place.  My home's "mission statement" will be this: Our home will be an environment of love, rest and refuge without dirt and clutter.

So HOW am I going to do this?  I really hope Sarah Mae can help guide me on this journey!  She says in her intro to the book that cleaning doesn't come easy for her and that her "DNA is allergic to it."  Um...HELLO...that would be me! 

Won't you join me on this journey?  Go purchase her ebook or follow along with me on my blog.

*Editor's note* I just realized I started a day early, so check back Tuesday for Day 2!

Picture Challenge #28

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

 

Prayers and Donations Needed

As the death toll climbs in the South from what is now called the second deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. history, donations are desperately needed.  If you can help, please consider clicking the Red Cross logo on the right side of the blog and donate. You can also donate from your cell phone by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. After your confirm your donation, you will receive a text and will be offered the option to specify your gift to support Disaster Relief.  Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. 

If you can't donate funds at this time, the easiest thing you can do is pray.  Pray for the over 300 lives lost and thousands that have been injured, lost their homes, businesses and everything they own.  Pray for the towns that will take years to recover if they can recover at all.  Pray for the families that have forever been changed.

Picture Challenge #27

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

 Me and my daddy at an Auburn game. WAR EAGLE!

Picture Challenge # 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Stephanie means a lot to me.  She is one of my best friends and she now lives in Chicago.  And just FYI...our kids already have an arranged marriage. :)

Picture Challenge #25

Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day.

 The day my little man was born!  This picture was taken at 3 days old.  He was a fighter!  Those little lungs weren't quite finished growing so he had to have help for several days.  You wouldn't know it now!!

Could it be a Dream?

I am waiting to wake up like Dorothy did, surrounded by family saying you just bumped your head and the twister wasn't that bad.

But it wasn't a dream.

This is real.

My Southeast.  Ripped apart by swirling winds.  Reports of over 150 tornadoes.

My little area is safe and intact.

Others, not so lucky.

194 confirmed dead in 5 states.

Photo credit: Jason Clark

 These images are from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Home of the University of Alabama.  The hardest hit area.  Total devastation.

Photo credit: Jason Clark

Photo credit: Jason Clark

Photo credit: Jason Clark

 Here is video of the monster storm. You can hear the sirens, watch the tornado grow, see transformers blown, debris swirled around the massive twister, and hear the prayers of the photographer.

But through all of this, God is there.  With all of the devastation around it, the cross and linens still stand intact as a reminder of God's ever presence.  He will carry the South through this.

Photo credit: Jason Clark

My heart is broken for those who have lost everything.  Please, if nothing else, consider donating to the Red Cross here.

Pray for not just Tuscaloosa, but the entire Southeast. 

 

Picture Challenge #24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

 My beloved Toomer's Corner Oaks are dying.  There is nothing that can be done to change it. 
The actions of one crazy fan of a rival college have killed 130 year old trees.  I am so thankful I was able to take my child to roll the trees this past football season, for he will never be able to do it again.
To read the story, go here.

A NEW CLEANING BOOK!

This is SO exciting.  I loved the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.  Now there is the book coming out by Sarah Mae called 31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way.  I am going to dive into this book asap, but here is the good news....Sarah Mae is giving this ebook away for FREE!  What?!  I'm SO excited since I JUST received a Kindle for my birthday.  Here is how YOU can get your free copy.

From Sarah's blog:
"From RIGHT  NOW until midnight tonight (EST) you can get 31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way FREE just by using the hashtag #31daystoclean in a tweet and linking to 31daystoclean.com OR by blogging about the ebook!


Once you do one of these two things, email me (or DM me @sarahmaewrites) with your email address and I’ll send you a download link!"


So Sarah Mae...I'm spreading the word!!!!  I cannot WAIT to get my eyes on your wonderful ebook!!

Picture Challenge # 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.

Picture Challenge Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.

BLOGGING!
I'm slacking so bad!

My Quiet Time with God

On a vacation with family and friends, there is not much quiet time to be had.  But there were times God revealed Himself to me and it was hard not to notice.
It all started Monday when my sweet 5 year old boy and I had lunch together.  I asked him to say our blessing at lunch and expected our quick little prayer.  Instead, this is what he said: "Dear God, than you for our food and please be with us and protect us on our vacation.  Amen."
Whoa.  Did my little guy really just ask God to be with us?  It warmed my heart he thought to ask this.  But like most things, it didn't really stick with me too much.
Tuesday morning, everything went right.  We pulled out of town on time with our friends, had a safe journey and made it to Walt Disney World with no incidents and no major traffic.  When I finally hit my pillow, I made a little quiet time to thank Him for delivering us and like my son, asked Him to be with us as we went on our journey and help us have a good time.  Boy did He ever deliver!

We couldn't have planned a better day at the park and our kids had a great time with no fighting or crying!  Everything fell right into place and it was a beautiful day.  They even kept the park open one extra hour (but with three kids who were falling asleep before the parade, we had to get out of there).  The next morning we headed out to Port Canaveral for the cruise.  Weather was perfect and we had a safe and quick trip to the boat.  Once the boat pulled out we started the second part of our vacation and it was so much fun!
Just looking at the ocean flowing beneath us, I was reminded of God's love for us and the beauty he has created for us to enjoy.

As the trip went on, I was reminded on a daily basis that God has a plan for our little family.  Gathered with our friends, I know he has us with these friends for a reason.  Our kids are friends which is always a plus.  It was a quick and whirlwind trip with beautiful sights and beautiful memories.  The last night I finally sat on our veranda filling out our customs paperwork and cruise survey.  As I watched the ocean race by beneath me, I began thanking Him for the beauty He has created for us to enjoy.  It was so quiet, a clear sky, and only ocean as far as I could see.  We had a moment, right then and there, just me and my Savior.  I have SO much to be thankful for and without God's Grace I wouldn't be where I am today.  

So not only did I have a relaxing and fun vacation, I had quiet time with my God. 

Picture Challenge day # 21

Day 21 - A picture of your favorite night .

 Rolling Toomer's Corner after beating 'Bama with my family and friends.  PERFECT night.

BEWARE OF COW NINJAS!

Quick Dinner

If you are interested in a quick and cheap dinner idea, just follow this simple recipe for Cheesy Beef Stroganoff.

The ingredients you need are:

 1 lb. ground beef
3 c. uncooked medium egg noodles
1/2 lb (8 oz.) Velveeta Cheese, cubed
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 tsp. pepper

 Cube the cheese up pretty small to melt easier.
Cook your ground beef and drain the fat, keeping the ground beef in the skillit.  Stir in 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

 Stir in egg noodles, reduce to low medium heat and cover.  Let it simmer for 8 minutes until noodles are tender.

 Add the Velveeta cheese cubes, cream of mushroom soup and pepper.

 Oh, by the way...this is the best recipe book EVER.  This is where I got the recipe.

Stir until your cheese is melted and serve warm.  You now have Cheesy Beef Stroganoff that your family is guaranteed to LOVE! 

I have computer issues...

As soon as I get it fixed I'll be back!

Picture Challenge #20

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Since I've already covered Italy in picture challenge #15, I'll go with something different.

The Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora!  Look at this amazing place!  http://www.fourseasons.com/borabora/

It is BEAUTIFUL and looks so relaxing.

Honey....our 10 year anniversary isn't too far off to start planning..............