David's birthday

My baby boy is a teenager today! I can't believe it. I so don't want him to grow up. I want to keep him forever as my little boy. What am I to do? I'm already beginning to feel the "empty-nest syndrome" kicking in. *sigh* He's such a good boy. Thank you to my brethren that was aware to pray for him concerning his "bully" at school. We contacted the school and the counselor observed the boys,witnessed it happening. Then reported it to the Dean. The dean talked to the boy and DJ says that the boy is trying to be his friend now. I told him that I had asked Grandma to ask for prayer and he was glad. Praises to God for taking care of this for him. <3 Love you all.

I'm Still Here

Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still here. Catching up on everyones blogs. Got lots of reading to do!! Love you all.

Timmy is coming to FL today! I love Christmas time!

Hey all. I'm still fighting off this cold, but I'm getting better. I'm super excited today because Timmy, our oldest, is flying in to stay for a couple weeks! He was recently laid off from his job, and since Eddie (our cousin that was down here helping Tim work) has recently returned home to be back with his family, Timmy is coming to help his dad out. YAY! David is super excited to be with his big brother. It will be nice having him in the house again. I know that kiddo's grow up and move out, but sometimes...JUST SOMETIMES...it's nice to have them back for a minute. Lots of Love! Gotta go clean and prepare! YAY!

I love Christmas time! It'll be even that much better with more family around. This is my tree. I couldn't fit my pretty angel topper in the pic, but you can kinda see my carousel under the tree. And I love the fireplace with the stockings. When I was young, my mom always put the best presents in my stocking. It was the best to me anyway. She would hide a small gift in a bunch of candy that would be sentimental just between her and me. Sometimes it would be a ring from her jewelry box that I admired, or a bottle of perfume that I loved or my diamond necklace that broke and I lost :( The stocking was my favorite part of the holiday. I try to do the same for my kids with stockings. A little something extra...just from mom.

I'm sick *cough cough*

I have been sick since we got back from Indy. My throat started itching on the way back and I've been blah ever since...coughing, sneezing, drippy nose..ugh. I'm glad it happened after the family gatherings and not before. I would have felt that I needed to stay away as to not get everyone sick. So I am thankful for the timing...but not thankful for the sickness. I did spread it to my poor husband, though. And he went to work everyday this week with it. Poor guy.

It was good to be up with the family and in meeting again. I did handle it better this time when it was time to come back. Thank you for the prayers about that. It was torture last time. I didn't know how I was going to re-live that feeling over and over everytime I wanted to visit and had to leave again. My heart is still there, but I was okay with coming home to FL. It was actually nice to get back to the warmth. It is super weird running the air conditioner in December though! I hadn't really been out all week with being sick and all, so when I had to do some errands the other day, I put on my jeans, my favorite sweater (I LOVE SWEATERS!) and went out the door...turned around and came right back in and threw on a t-shirt! It was hot outside! My seasonal insticts are completely thrown! lol

Love you all. Hope to spend more time with you blogging when I'm feeling better. Thank you again for your prayers. <3

OK! 1st of all...Inspired by Sis Jackies discussion of oldies music...I was reminded of how much I loved The Monkees as a kid. Not the animals..although cute, they can be disgusting..the group/band/performers is what I'm speaking of. I use to watch the show with my brother and laughed when I came across this track. SO, with the change of music, you have entered into a part of my childhood that brought me much laughter!!

I was glad to be back home in IN. It was much needed for myself and my son. We arrived Saturday night, Gleefully went to church Sunday morning, had a WONDERFUL lunch and visit at the Chinese place, and received love and joy from all that I have so badly missed. David did not want to leave. He is at home with the church. I melt when I witness how he glows when in the presence of the brethren and the other children.

After lunch, David and I headed north to sit with Grama. Although I had heard she was doing great, when I arrived it seemed the opposite. She was in and out thru stomache pain and nausea. She would hold my hand and when I would think she was sleeping and pulled away, she eagerly sought me out again. It was very sad. I prayed before I left her and had to pull myself away. It was very hard for me not to just set up camp right there by her side. It was good to see my brother and my mother there. And on my way back to town I was happy that we were able to stop and have a late supper with my dad and step-mother. The following day I spent with my children and grand-children. They sure were happy to see their Uncle David, too! Tears flowed heavy as I again had to pull myself away from my family. Then Tuesday morning I got the news while sitting at the airport that my grama was worse. I was torn between staying and going and cried very openly at the gate. My husband was very supportive as to whatever I chose. And for the sake of my sanity and knowing the longer I stayed the harder it would be to leave, I came home. I assured Grama that I would come again during Thanksgiving. Honestly I would not have been able to leave without that factor. Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away.

It was a very emotional trip. From extreme happiness to overwhelming sadness. I will have to pray very hard that it gets easier as I visit more. I am glad to be back "here", but I miss "there" so much. I almost didn't post about the trip at all...because I didn't want to feel like a downer...but I know that I am loved here and that it will get better. I thank God that we were safe and even able to have made the trip. I thank God for the brethren, that we have a church to attend and be strengthened and loved in. And I thank God for this blog, that I know we can pray for one another and bring joy and strength and love thru it. I have pictures of the grand-babies that I will try to post soon. They are SO CUTE!

COMING HOME

Hey all! I'll be heading to Indy this Saturday! I've been planning on getting up there anyways, but my grama is real sick so I'll be there to see her too. David and I will fly in Saturday night, so I'll see you at church on Sunday! *Chinese anyone?* ;) Then I'll go to see my family up north. I can't wait to see everyone! Love you! Pray for my grama, please.

JAX Air Show

HI ALL! So last weekend, Sis Tina came down for her son's fall break to be with her husband, who is working with my husband. It was so nice to have someone familiar here. We went to dinner a couple times and spent time together here at the house. And then Sunday, the Jacksonville Navy base had a huge air show! So we all went there. *Just a bit of personally info...my husband was stationed at this Navy base years ago so it was significant to him, and my 12 year old wants to be a pilot someday-LOVES planes-so it was super cool to him, and I LOVE opportunities to pull out the camera-so it was GREAT for me too! ;) *'




There was some pretty cool things happening, like this lady, she's a "wing walker"--crazy if you as me..lol..Can you see her on top there? she unhooked herself and moved around the wings and stuff!





And these parachuters hooked together! I was so afraid they would get all tangled!







And then the touching tributes and fly-by's in honor of our service men through the years and still currently...i cried a couple times.. I'm a bit of a softy...






And it closed with a very long demonstration by the blue angels. A family favorite. We try to go to air shows every year. Love visits from the Blue Angels.

So..it was a great day and a great weekend! I needed it more than I even realized. I'm thankful to God for the beautiful weather we had and the safe trip for a sister and her son.