Belated Holiday Greetings!

Okay, so I know everyone must be tired of seing the same old post so I am trying to give a new one today. It won't be anything exciting but at least you won't have to see the Zacheas song again.

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving as did I. We had a meal at my parents complete with Turkey, ham and all the trimmings. It would not have been complete without my mom's awesome cornbread dressing!! I think the only person's dressing to come close to hers is Kayla's! Yummo! I was sick but actually able to enjoy some great food. I wasn't able to help much with the cooking but we had a nice time. Hopefully I will be a little better in time for Chistmas so I can help more and enjoy it more.

My Doctor has tried me on two medications for nausea and while the one (Zofran) works decently, my insurance will not cooperate for me to actually be able to take it on a regular basis for it is so expensive!! I can't get started on insurance though, for I will get on my soap box and you will wish I would have never started! The second medication I haven't tried yet because it is currently being filled but is much cheaper.(Compazine) Hopefully I can take it regularly, get something accomplished, cook a meal, etc. We shall see.

Christmas is coming soon...YEAH!!!! I love this time of year. I managed to get our tree decorated with the help of my brother Jon. Ok so he and Katy did it pretty much on their own but I enjoyed watching and listening to Christmas music. I didn't put up as much this year and still need to put up stockings but it is enough to enjoy. Oh well....Happy Holidays to everyone and please keep my family and I in your prayers.

Zacheas Goes Fishing

Hello all...I have so enjoyed everyone's blogs lately and just wanted to share this tid bit of humor overheard from my 3 Year old today. This is the new and improved Zacheas song:

"Zacheas was a wee yittle man and a wee yittle man was he,
He kimbed up in a Sycamore tree for the "Yawd" he wanted
to see, and when the "Sailor" passed his way he yooked up in the tree.
and he said " Zacheas.. you come down...for I want to go fishing today"
Anyhoo....I thought it to be very humorous and thought I would share it with you all. Have a great evening.

Here and There

I have been keeping up with the new posts that everyone has been posting but not really able to do any of my own. I have been so sick that I have hardly been able to do anything. I run to the kitchen in the mornings to gobble a small handful of Cheerios(for if I had to do the saltine thing I would get sicker as I can't stand them) and then proceed to try to fix my daughter something for breakfast as well. I remember being sick while expecting her...very sick. I don't recall it being this bad though. I have "morning sickness" throughout the day at times. Going to church has been difficult as we are in full swing of practicing for our Christmas program. We have decided in the winter months to have a 2pm service after a small lunch(everyone provides their own) on Sundays. This means Sunday am service, lunch, 2pm service then practice. Yesterday we were about wiped out. I know it will be worth it when the program turns out nice though.
My dear husband has to be a saint to put up with my house keeping skills as of late. I will admit that I am not usually the greatest domestic being under normal circumstances but here lately I have been doing good to make myself presentable and feed my daughter. Going into the kitchen makes me sick....so....doing dishes or opening the fridge has been a challenge. My hubby has been great helping with Katy's bath, keeping his laundry up and all while working no less than 60 hours a week and most of the time 70 or more!!! I feel guilty but what am I to do? I do make myself do a few things, while holding my breath(ha), that absolutely have to be done. I applaud the ladies who are able to work full time and keep up with several kids while pregnant. There is another girl in our church( a friend of mine) who is expecting and is 16 weeks with 2 little boys and a M-Sat job and seems to do fine. She told me she has never really been sick while pregnant...only tired. I guess I will be one to be sick every time. To make matters worse, with house work , our laundry area is in our basement and it has been very hard for me to get down there with a large or small load for fear of falling and being so sick. Oh well hopefully it will all pass in a few weeks. With Katy it lasted until 19 weeks!!!! Until then I guess I won't be blogging a lot except to keep up with everyone else's. As long as everything turns out okay I can deal with it. Please keep me, my housekeeping woes, and my family in your prayers if you think about it. Thanks so much for your prayers thus far.

Trick O' Treat

Typically we don't go all out or even half way out for Halloween, but we do allow Katy to dress up in something " not scary" and go to several nice neighborhoods nearby for candy. She dressed up like a leopard from "The Childrens Place" and was very adorable. I went to take a picture and my 35 mm batteries were dead and the video camera wasn't charged. Very typical of me these days! I have been so sick this past week with this pregnancy that I have barely been able to function. I can't cook, clean or any of the above. Everything sounds horrible to eat and usually doesn't stay with me long anyway. I definitely feel for our friend Heather and sympathize completely! Now enough about my horrible food intolerance. I just thought I would share these cute pictures! I have read several blogs that are totally against Halloween and anything to do with it and we are for the most part also. I just think that it is harmless to allow her to dress up like in something cute and go get candy at approved and safe places that are close to our home. We actually went to one of the oldest neighborhoods in our area. It is very upper class and the homes are old garden homes that remind me very much of the "Garden District" in New Orleans. A great time was had by all and I was exhausted as was my hubby and little leopard!!! On this note I will close. Until next time........

Update

This will be short. I went to the doctor today and had another U/S and saw the baby and heartbeat!!!! The doctor moved my due date back again to June 27th. That makes me only 5 weeks and 6 days instead of 6 weeks 3 days. I guess they can get better measurements once the baby starts to grow. ANyhooo...just wanted to let everyone know. I will post about something different next time I promise! Thanks for your continued prayers. My doctor seems to think everything is looking good and on track. Tootles.....

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!

I got the call from the Doctor this morning and all of the labs came back good for this stage of my pregnancy! He is still going to monitor the baby's development to make sure everything is coming along on time and correctly. I will have ultrasounds until I am at least 12 weeks. I have one scheduled for next Thursday to make sure of a few things. He is also going to be monitoring these "cysts" to make sure they don't pose a threat.(although he doesn't seem to think they will) I will need to get weekly or so checks of my HcG levels also. I am going to take one day and one ultrasound at a time! I trusting that God will see me through and that His will be done. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers! They really made a difference and I could tell you were praying. Please continue to pray that everything goes well for this pregnancy.

Update

I still haven't heard anything after 3 calls to the office and talking to several people. I feel like I am basically getting the run around. Apparently the results are in the back but since the office closes at 5p they were not willing to go a minute over to put my mind at ease. So.....I have to endure yet another night of wondering and stressing. Between the unfair insurance policies and office "procedures" I am wondering if anyone (meaning doctors and nurses) in the medical field actually ever try to put a face, feelings or patients peace of mind before being able to walk out of the office at 5 on the dot. Sorry about the venting but I am very frustrated.............hopefully I will know something "first thing in the morning". This is what the nurse just told me at least. Sounds vaguely familiar.....................................

Prayer Request

I was not planning on announcing this news until later but since I would greatly appreciate much prayer on the matter I have decided to tell it.

I found out 1 1/2 weeks ago that I was pregnant. I have been very excited and nervous as I just had a miscarriage 5 months ago at 13 weeks of pregnancy. This is where I come to my special prayer request. I had my second OB visit today and also an ultrasound. The ultrasound dated my pregnancy at 5 weeks instead of the original thought time of 9 weeks. I was quite surprised, the Doctor said this went along with a hormone imbalance I have that causes me to have abnormal ovulation times. I was very nervous though....thinking the worst. I went into Dr. Goodlett's office and he explained to me that I have 2 small "cysts" growing on the placenta that are mysterious for a molar pregnancy. ( for info on this go to: http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pcomplications/0,,midwife_8g60,00.html ) He explained this to me and did some lab work to check the hormone levels that go along with this condition. Apparently this is not a viable type of pregnancy in most cases and statistics for having this are like 1/1000. Go figure! He is trying to make sure of this but thinks there is a possibility that this may not be not what I have. It also could be what he called a "venous clot" on the placenta in which case would not present a danger for me or the baby and then I would have a normal and successful pregnancy. I will know for sure when the second quantitative hcg labs come in tomorrow. In order for me to have a normal pregnancy and it not to be "molar" my lab values need to be 1200 or so. If it is a molar pregnancy then they will be sky high somewhere around 20,000 or more. Also on a positive note..he told me that most women with molar pregnancies have extreme nausea and vomiting from the extremely high hormone levels. The sickness is much more extreme than in normal pregnancy. I haven't had any nausea or vomiting as of yet. I ask for your prayers now as I have to wait until tomorrow afternoon for the results of these labs. I am obviously hoping for a normal and healthy pregnancy...but I just want God's will in this situation. I know it will be a difficult thing to endure if it is a molar pregnancy because I will have to have a D&C to remove it. Apparently if not taken care of immediately upon discovery and in the proper way it can lead to uterine cancer. I am trying not to dwell on these things and just hope and pray for the best. I was very excited about being pregnant as because of losing a baby 5 mos ago, but I know God knows best and knows what my future holds and I am just trusting in him. Please pray for me tonight and for my nerves especially!! I appreciate having my blogging friends to depend on! I will give an update tomorrow when I find out.

A Day Well Spent....

Okay ...so today I neglected doing the normal Saturday routine of cleaning the house and spent it only entertaining and indulging in the wants and wishes of my daughter. I know that sounds like I spoiled her but no...I didn't. We started the day with breakfast and moved on to reading some books. We then decided to bake some homemade cupcakes. I found a recipe for Vanilla cupcakes with butter cream frosting online and we went to building them. This and any other cooking activity is right up Katy's alley of course. I too love to cook so she must get it from me. Who knows? While the cupcakes were baking we went and started on a craft that I also found on the internet. Speaking of finding crafts on the net...for you moms who home school, there is a wealth of resources for homeschooling online. I found them by simply searching for coloring pages, crafts and so on. There are activities for every grade and age group: Math, reading, phonics and scripture verse activities also. Just thought I would give that little tidbit although most of you probably were already aware of that. I found a craft that was a little difficult for a 3 year old but she enjoyed helping all she could. It was called leaf wreath. It is made from a paper plate, multi-colored construction paper, glue and some leaf templates that I printed(unless you are artistic enough to draw your own) Katy enjoyed helping me glue on the leafs. I busied her with a coloring activity while I did the hard parts and she watched. She really enjoyed it and it turned out very nice. We work on some activity everyday from letter tracing and matching shapes to greater than and less than. It takes time for her to grasp some things but hey...we have lots of it, and I am in no means trying to rush her. I am just trying to give her days some structure beyond playing with toys and watching the occasional video. She enjoys it and it tires her out. After we did our craft and got the cupcakes out to cool, we built a leaning tower of "POP-ONs". These are some building toys that pop together at the ends that she really enjoys playing with. We then went and made the icing and decorated the cupcakes with icing and sprinkles! Katy loves to do this although it does tend to get messy! I didn't even take any pictures of the cupcake making. It was so cute. We then went and sat out on our porch and played with dolls and doll clothes. We played until dark and then I slaved in the kitchen for 2 minutes by making a call to Papa John's and ordering pizza for our supper. I know it isn't very domestic but we enjoy getting pizza delivered every once and a while! We enjoyed it and a cupcake, took a bath and read more books...Whew! I am ready to relax a have an adult conversation. Anyone out there know how I feel? ha! I am sure someone does. Anyway...I know it wasn't a terribly exciting post but tis a day in the life of me! Thanks for tuning in! Tootles.....
Oh..I also included a couple fall decoration pictures in this post because....well it just seemed like the thing to do!

7 Random Facts................

Okay so I finally got tagged! And here goes with the randoms facts and such. I am not sure how many people to tag but beings that almost everyone whose blog I read has been tagged I am only tagging my Cindy(my sis in law), and Esther.
1. I was diagnosed with a "freakishly" bad case of Viral Spinal Meningitis and was hospitalized at Martin Memorial South when we moved to Florida 6 years ago. We had just moved there 2 weeks prior and were not even settled. I had all of the horrid symptoms: High fever, rash, and neck and head pain! This of course was only diagnosed after seven attempts at a spinal tap! Needless to say I was in tears and misery and if it weren't for my dear cuz Nellerena and my wonderful friend Ruthie Vernon to aide me with everyday things afterwards I am not sure how I would have gotten through!
2. My husband and I dated for seven years prior to marriage! He was mercilessly picked upon for not asking me to marry sooner but I think it all worked out according to God's will and that it was the perfect timing for our marriage!
3. I once passed out in the girls dorm one year at Hobe Sound at Country Fun Day! I had been grilling hamburgers all day in the Florida heat and was dehydrated apparently. I tried to make it to the dorm restrooms to get water and cool off but woke up instead with Mrs. Addison standing over me with water! I was very embarrassed!
4. I love sushi! It is one of my favorite foods and I eat it whenever I can although it isn't often being that it is so expensive.
5. I was first saved at Pell City youth camp in Pell City Alabama at the age of 13. Brother Grimillion was the evangelist and the theme that year was " I'll say Yes Lord Yes!"
6. I am terribly, horribly PHOBIC of mice! I can't stand to even watch a movie with them in it! My husband feeds them to the snake that he owns and I don' t even like to ride in the car when he buys them!YUCK!
7. I am proud to say that I was the only one out of a class of 30 nurses at an orientation for Christ Hospital in Cincy to score a 100% on a Pharmacology/ math for nurses exam when i worked there at one time. I was also the only LPN ..the rest were RNs. Not bragging or anything! Ha!

My Grandparents: Carl and Ruby

This will be a very sentimental post on a subject that is very dear and close to my heart. I wasn't able to do anything on grandparents day because ....well.....I forgot. I have several sets of grandparents that are all deceased except for one....my grandmother Ruby V. I am going to share some pictures of Carl and Ruby now and maybe later when I can get some more together I will share some of my grandparents Roy and Lucille E. on my father's side.
Kayla and Kimberly always tell me " Liz you have the best memory". I do and treasure the memories I have of my childhood with my grandparents very much. My grandfather is what you would call a very simple man. Not simple in mind...no..no but in the way he lived his life. He was by far the most Godly and prayerful man I ever knew. I depended on his prayers very much and I am sure even when I didn't know he was praying, his prayers carried me through many a tough situation. He was a very humorous man. ( this post will not interest those of you who didn't know my family but oh well.....) His funny antics are one of the first things that people think of when they think of him. He was a very tender man. Although he could be very animated and boistrous he was very kind and gentle. Some of the things I remember about him....5 am devotions every morning, singing hymns in our church -- you could usually hear him above everyone else Ha!, his great knack and talent for gardening- he could get anything to grow, his tender heart-he would get emotional and cry at the drop of a hat, his helpfulness to my grandmother around the house-he would start cleaning the table before we were done eating a meal. I remember crying behind his shed one day. I was sobbing uncontrollably. He very quickly came to my side and started crying also(anxious as to why I was sobbing I assume) and asked what was wrong. I responded " Fluffy (our poodle) is sick and momma says we have to put her to sleep. He responded " oh pooh wee, I thought something was really wrong!" I will never forget that, for although he was a tenderhearted man, he thought this was something foolish to be sobbing over! ha! I've always thought this to be a funny memory of him. This only skims the surface of my great wealth of memories about him. In 1999, we were all devastated when he was diagnosed with lung cancer that came as a result of working in plants that had asbestos in them for many years of his life. He made a trip to see us in South Carolina in May of 2000. By the end of the month he was very ill and back at home. I was working at Doctor's office at the time and felt very helpless. I made a split decision to quit and go and help my grandmother to take care of him in June. Many people tell me how wonderful I was for doing so, but I tend to think I learned a lot from this experience and do not think I was wonderful at all. I don't deserve credit for doing this, because I am the one who was priveleged to have those last precious moments and days spent with him. It was a very hard and emotional time in my life, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I learned so much about life and faith from him during this trying time. We took care of him around the clock. After he died in July....I felt a huge void. I still miss him but I know he is in heaven...where he always wanted to go...REJOICING! I can almost hear him singing the hymn " When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder". I can honestly say that he was and still is one of the greatest influences in my life and without him and his earnest, consistent prayers...I don't know where I would be.My grandmother Ruby has also been a huge influence in my life. I did a memory book for her several years ago in which I asked many family members to give me a special memory they had of her and then I attached it with a picture of them in the book. I learned so much more than I had ever known before about her. When I think of her several things come to mind. Prayerful, frugal, faithful, devoted,and trustworthy. I am constantly asking her and talking to her about our rich family history. She has a wealth of knowledge and memories about our family that I love to listen to. She is the last of the "elders" of our family and I would like to know everything possible while I can. I am extremely interested and fascinated with the Vining family and how the brothers and sisters of my grandfather became christians and so forth. I have a very rich Christian heritage that I love to sit and discuss with her. I think that Kayla shares this fascination with me as well, and we often discuss it with each other. I also think of her great love for her husband. She was very devoted and in love with him until the end and even after his death 7 years later, she still is. My grandmothers prayers have followed me all the days of my life and I have always been able to count on them. My wish and prayer is that I am half the mother and prayer warrior that she has been.

Surprise Visitors from Home!

My mother got a call today from our cousin Nellie that they were about 20 minutes away from her house and were planning to stop by for a few minutes to visit. We were able to visit with them for a very short time as they didn't want to be getting to their hotel after dark. It was a great surprise for us to see Nellie, Cleo, Willard and Rachel. We enjoyed our time together and wish them safe and fun travels ahead! I wasn't able to get great photos with my camera phone, but was able to get a few! These pictures also include my mother Joy and brother Jon and myself!

Family Time

Phillip was off today and we do try to do some fun things with Katy when he is off. He works so much that he doesn't get to see her alot. We decided that we would go to Caeser's Head State park for a picnic and to walk on some nature trails. On the way up it started raining and we decided to go somewhere else. We went to Hendersonville, NC instead. It is a little closer and wasn't raining in that direction. We found a nice state park with nature trails and a picnic area with a playground. Katy was very excited! We had our picnic and then we went walking on the trails. Katy had a great time picking wildflowers and exploring. She and I decided we would do a flower pressing project with the ones that she picked. She was worn out by the time we all walked awhile. It was actually a big park with many trails. I know it wasn't a big, planned out exciting day for most but we had a nice time. Sometimes the simple things are the most fun and relaxing to do. After getting back to the car we went into the town of Hendersonville . We figured since we burned off so many calories while hiking that we would go to Krispy Kreme doughnuts! HA! Katy enjoyed watching the doughnuts being made through the window. We all enjoyed eating them! After leaving there...we went to a few stores and then home for a late supper of soup and hot sandwiches! A great time was had by all and our little one is worn completely out! (which means an uninterrupted night of sleep for me!) I guess this post is not that exciting...but we had a great day! I will try to post later about Grandparents day which was last Sunday and I forgot. I have and had awesome grandparents and I would like to at least post some neat pics I have of them. Bye for now............

Pell City Memories

Okay girls...don't hate me but I thought these pics were priceless! Excuse my sloppy scanning. I am still learning to use our scanner. Most of these pics were taken at or on our way to Pell City or in surrounding areas. This is at McDonald's on the way to Youth Camp. I took this. L to R: Kayla M, Heather D, Kimberly NI am not really sure what we were thinking in this one. Does anyone remember these toys that were on the McD's playgrounds. I love my out fit! Not! Guess it must have been cool to hang off a hamburger at that time. L to R : Heather D, Kimberly N, Liz B (me), Kayla M

Again...sorry about the sloppy scanning. This is in the Pell City Bible Methodist Campground Dining Hall. L to R: Top-Cheryl V,Liz B(me), Esther R, Guy?, Martha S, bottom-Jane R, David V, Sonja V . I think the year was around '89 or '90, but not sure.


Out on the pavilion at the campground(Snack Shop now). L to R: Esther M, Kayla M, Kim N, Heather D, Martha S, Susan S, The last 2 girls I am not sure I think their names were Holly and Crystal. Martha may know. Crystal and I were actually friends but I lost track of her and I don't remember her last name. Martha do you know her? I think she was from Crandall.



Later years at the Pell City D.Q. during main camp. We got alot out of going to campmeeting as you can see. Nellie S, Kim N, Cleo S, Liz B
Kayla and I in Hobe Sound. Year? Maybe '97 or so?
Kimberly and I at main camp in Pell City. Love my BIG Bangs and what's up with the black crochet vest and pink blouse? I was stylin.......Hope you enjoy these pictures. I love old pictures. I actually love pictures period. My house is full of my favorite framed pictures(probably too many) and I enjoy them immensely. Tootles for now. Let me know what you think.
In our room at youth camp. Esther M, Kim N, Martha S, Heather D, Kayla M, and a little Christa S


Kayla in a hamburger. That is enough said about that. Ha!

Prayers from the mouths of babes

I just thought I would share this quick bit of humor with everyone. I just did the normal getting ready for bed ritual with Katy which included praying. I asked her if she would like to pray and surprisingly she said yes. Usually she wants me to. So...she started out." Dear Jesus, thank you for this day, thank you for helping Daddy to go to work all by himself so he can get us peas and carrots, help me Lord, and Lord..... just help somebody. Amen." I was of course about to die laughing but didn't. I know these posts about my child's humorous antics may get old, but alas....tis is ma life! Thanks for tuning in and come back next week!

Summer Tidbits

These are a few pics of Phillips mother's family at a the family reunion we were able to attend this summer in Sumter, Sc. Phillip's family including :Allen &Kay and Family, Bruce and Cindy& Family, Carlos& Karen and family were all able to come. We had a blast. The others are miscellaneous pis of my birthday dinner and such. I had these posted on another post but didn't like the layout. I am very much family oriented and enjoyed myself thoroughly at the reunion. Most of you know that Phillip's mom died about 8 yrs ago...so I was never really able to get to know her family past meeting them a few times while we were dating. I got to sit and talk to several of her sisters(pictured) while there. We had a great time with Phillip's brother and sisters and their families also. Most of them stayed at our house, so we were able to spend some quality time. Phillip's father is very ill as you all may know with non- hodgkins lymphoma...a form of cancer. He is not able to really travel now but seems to be stable. I spoke with him about trying to come to our reunion but he wasn't able. Keep him in your prayers. Hopefully you enjoy the pics!

Dad's 54th Birthday!

Dad and Mom at restaurant!

Today is my dad's 54th birthday! Of course to celebrate we went out to his favorite Chinese restaurant. Why is it when we celebrate something we automatically think we need to eat somewhere or something really bad and fattening? I am asking my self this question more than anyone else. We had a nice lunch and I think a good time was had by all. Happy Birthday Dad!


Grandmother and Katy
And last but not least .......my daughter enjoying her icecream.....Bye for now!

Katy-isms

Acting silly!



My daughter often says things that first need some discipline sent her way and second.....that CRACK ME UP! Yesterday on my exit from the restroom she applauded and said " Woohoo! Great job pottying mommy!" We are in the midst of potty training and that is usually my reaction to her doing her "duty".

-My mom, Katy , and I were riding in the car yesterday and Katy told my mom " Maw Maw, my mommy didn't feed me lunch and I am hungry" ( all while looking as pitiful as she possibly could) My mom told her she was sure that mommy had fed her. Katy replied...."Only a little bit of soup in a little bowl." We have also been working on telling things that are not true, which leads to the next thing she said last Sunday to her Sunday School teacher. She told her teacher that her she was getting a new baby sister and her name was going to be Heidi! Now nothing against the name Heidi but first of all I am not expecting and second I've never even mentioned naming a baby Heidi ever! Where she gets these things Heaven only knows.

Today..Katy was doing something that she wasn't suppose to and I had told her several times to stop. When she kept doing it I headed towards her "on a mission" and she innocently looked up and said " Mommy I love Jesus and you too". Obviously this totally sidetracked me from carrying through with my original plans of punishment ( which was what was probably intended on her part) and I ended up laughing and discussing with her what she had been doing wrong instead. I am really amazed at the things she says and is able to sense when you don't think she knows anything. I try to be careful about what is discussed in front of her because the next thing you know she is telling her Sunday school teacher. For some reason Katy feels compelled to walk in to Sunday school and ask her teacher first of all if she likes her dress(vanity, vanity ) then she proceeds to tell her whatever comes to her mind first. Any hooo....just a few little tidbits. It's raining again! Woohoo! Bye for now all..............

Two years since Katrina and My 30th!

I always will remember Katrina because it was my 28th Bday! Horrible way to spend your birthday let me tell ya! I'll never forget the feeling of complete desperation and sadness at seeing the images on TV of my home place undergoing such ruin and devastation. It was my birthday (as is today) but that was the last thing on my mind. I think I watched the headline news 24/7 for those several days before the storm hit and after. It seems that Louisiana and the rest of the Gulf Coast is getting back on it's feet somewhat, but unless you know the lay of the land and what was actually lost, you have no clue. I was able to see just a fraction of the devastation in the ninth ward of New Orleans last summer. I can't even imagine! Anyway....just thought it appropriate to say a few words about that terrible ordeal. Of course I prayed for all of the places affected during the storm and after...and we will still pray for their continued rebuilding and well being.

On another note(as previously stated) I am 30 today! Seems so strange to me. I told my niece Tiffany several days ago that we were both in our 20's for the first and last time. HA! She turned 20 on Aug 18th. Age is truly a number to me. It is what I've done with the past year or 30 years that matters most. I can't say I have done anything truly special this year except the day to day things. I've enjoyed just living day by day, being with my husband and watching my daughter grow. I pray each night for the Lord to help me be an example to her and others so she not only feels it necessary to serve Him, but DESIRES to do so. I don't have any pics yet but ...for my birthday my family and I(Jon, my grandmaw, mom, dad, Phillip, and Katy) went out to eat at Thai Taste...one of my favorite places to eat. I love Thai food. I also love sushi, Indian, etc. but that is for another post! ha! Oh well.....have a great day everyone and God Bless.

Pictures...Pictures..Pictures!!!!

Trevor Carl - ( Nicks son)
looks like the fam doesn't he?!



My grandmother Ruby and her sister-in-law Margarethe


Paul N, Kayla M, Cleo S, Nellrena L,
Naomi N, Ruby V (in Louisiana)









Katy and Jocilyn Irene (Nicks daughter)

Katy's 3rd Bday party cake! I made it- "Hello Kitty"


Katy's Birthday party guests- Bryce & Conner
Gavin & Jayden
Maw Maw Joy

Wonderful Worship!

Making pies! Last fall, watching daddy carve
a pumpkin.

Hello fellow bloggers! It has been a great Sunday thus far. Great service, songs, and message. The Lord's presence was really felt in our service this morning. Hopefully you all had a good time of worship
also. I have finally gotten some of my pics. developed and uploaded. I need to just get a digital camera. These are a few pics of Katy helping cook, Phillip carving a pumpkin last fall etc... Now that I know how to post pics...I will try to do it more often. I am so excited about this new blogging venture! I have been able to communicate with some friends and family that I haven't heard from in years. It has been great to catch up.

Earlier in the spring we were able to take a trip to Charleston, South Carolina. It is about three hours south of us on the coast. It is one of the oldest and most historical cities in the US. It reminded me alot of home(Louisiana). There are lots of french and creole influences in architecture, food, customs and of course "accent'. There's nothing in the world better to hear than an authentic "N'awlins" accent, but this was close. We had a great time with Katy going to the local aquarium , visiting Edisto Island and eating some really fresh, and awesome seafood! Any way..I am going to try to include some more pics...if I can figure out how to do it without creating another post. Some are of our Charleston trip, Katy's 3rd bday, Our trip to Florida(although I don't have all developed) and in Louisiana!

Edisto Island