Hip Hip Horray for Christmas Vacation!

This past weekend we went to Branson for our Kerr Family Christmas. Last year we rented a house in Branson and it was so fun we decided to do it again. However this year our house was even nicer and I believe we all had a great time.

After we got up there I realized I had forgotten my camera. So I have not evidence that we even had a Kerr Family Christmas. Well I do have some evidence - a 6'5" 15-year-old teenager on my couch the last two nights. You see I used to babysit this precious little blond boy...who has in the past 15 years become my nephew and is head and shoulders taller than me. BUT he is the sweetest teenage boy you will meet. Since our lives are going different directions we don't get to visit with our nieces and nephews very much and Zak wanted to come stay with us a few days on his Christmas break. So, he is getting to enjoy our much quieter slower pace than his house that is full of an older sister, a younger sister, a foster sister and a 2-year-old brother. I believe he has enjoyed himself.

He is going home this evening since we are fast approaching Christmas! If my niece's get the pictures they took out on Facebook, I'll pull some of them over to this post. But for now...just know we had a great time with our Kerr family (as always)!

Monday Morning Update

Monday afternoon/evening update:

Mimmie has been moved from CVICU to a room!!!! She is doing much better tonight. She has had some ensure and the Phyicial Therapist was to have her walking down the hallway again tonight.

Update from Momma (which she got from her sister):

The news is better this morning on Mother. Praise the Lord! She has been up in her chair, eaten some Insure chocolate pudding and a saltine cracker and has walked all the way down the hall pushing a wheel chair! This is great since yesterday she could hardly get from the bed to the chair without getting dizzy. They are to take the catheter out today also. Her heart is still in A Fib, but she is sounding more perky and is not nauseated! Yeah!!!! Thanks for your prayers on her behalf! They are working!

Weekend Update

Here are the e-mail updates from Momma. As you can tell there are lots of ups and downs with recovery from this surgery. I ask that you pray that today they will see great improvements!


Saturday:
Well, if there is one thing I have learned today it is that nothing is definite when it comes to patients in CVICU and a patient's status can change in a matter of minutes. Mother did not get to move to the step down unit as we had thought she would. She began to have fluid build up around her lung which made her breathing difficult. They put her back on the lasix and canceled the move to the third floor. She did well all day while I was there. She ate pretty good until the evening meal. In her words it was YUCK! I ended up going to get her some chicken nuggets and a Jr. Frosty from Wendy's so she would eat a little. Around 7 PM her nurse came in to say he was going to put her back on the Ameoderone drip...her heart had gotten out of sinus rhythm again. So, I am not sure what tomorrow will hold. I am just asking that you pray for her to get a good night's rest. She didn't rest much at all last night since she was unable to breathe well. Also, please pray that the fluid build up around her lungs will subside and that her heart will get back in sinus rhythm. I will send out another note tomorrow as I know anything further. I was sure hoping to get to send out good news from the step down unit, but I guess that will come later.









Sunday:
Well, today has not been a very good day for Mother. To me this has been the worst day thus far as far. She looks very weak eyed and lethargic. She has been nauseated most of the day which keeps her from eating. They are giving her meds for the nausea but she is still experiencing that feeling from time to time. They gave her a concentrated protein drink to try to keep her strength up. She was able to hold it down but has just not felt good at all today. She has napped most of the day. Her kidney output is still doing good. They continue to give her lasix for the fluid and ameoderone to try to get her heart to convert to sinus rhythm. It is still in A Fib. I am about to go back up to sit with her for a while. I have to leave for home around 5 PM. Please be in prayer that the nausea will go away and that she will begin to eat. She has to have nurishment to gain her strength so she can get out of CVICU.
Thanks for your prayers. We are really needing them today!

PRAISE THE LORD!!

Friday Morning update from Momma:

Good morning to all of you and Praise the Lord!
I just called to check on Mother from Sherwood (I am back at work) and she is doing very well this morning. They said she was alert, talking, her vital signs are good, her kidneys are working and she is back in sinus rhythm! What an answer to prayer! I think she has turned the corner and will soon be moved to step-down and then home. Thanks so much for all your prayers and notes!



Also, on Sunday night when we all went down to be with Mimmie, Momma got this picture of Andrea, Mimmie, Camryn and me. I had to share!

Updates on Grandmothers

As referenced here, my Mimmie had heart valve replacement surgery on Monday. Everything went great with the surgery. Recovery is going slow. This is the latest information I have from Momma:
Subject: Wednesday evening update on Mother
Well, today has been somewhat of an out of it day for Mother. They did get her heart back in sinus rhythm, but she was given morphine for the pain she was experiencing and it has built up in her body causing her to be knocked out most of the day. She is also talking out of her head and hasn't really known us when we go in to see her. They have given her a drug to counteract the morphine so once that takes affect maybe she will be more alert. We have not gone in to see her too many times today so she can rest and hopefully sleep this medicine off. It seems that when we do go in it gets her all riled up and then it takes a while to get her calmed down. When we left around 5:30 she was resting peacefully. She is on 40% oxygen still, vital signs are all good and her heart is doing as it should. They are thinking if she progresses well tomorrow that she may get to move to the step-down unit by Friday and maybe go home by Sunday or Monday. Please pray with us that she will be able to come out of the affects of the morphine and be more at herself tomorrow so she can move to the next phase of the recovery process.
Again, we can't thank you enough for the calls, notes and prayers for her.
Hugs!
Alicia

Update on my Daddy's mother (my Memaw):
I talked to Daddy on Tuesday and he had called his parents to let them know that Mimmie's surgery went well and to check on his mother. She is doing much better. They have continued to adjust her medication and it is really working well. She even went with Pawpaw to visit with folks at Southeastern Bible College (where Pawpaw worked for most of his life). They visited for about 3 hours and Memaw was very clear. Daddy said he talked to her for 10 minutes or so and she seemed really clear to him as well and Pawpaw sounded less tense. So thank you for your prayers for her as well.

All of my grandparents have always told me "getting old is for the birds"...I tend to agree!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

I couldn't hold out any longer. I was thinking of waiting for BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes to post the Christmas decorations that have been up for a while, but I just couldn't do it, Captain! I'll just make sure to link back to this post on December 15th!

So welcome to our home! If you were here in person I'd offer you some Spiced Tea...and I'd probably make some No Bake cookies. So grab a mug of spiced tea...a couple of cookies and join the next tour, beginning in 5...4...3...2...1

Welcome!

Here are our windows decorated with Snowflake lights and my cute decoration of snowmen!





Once you are inside the living room/Kitchen/Office/Laundry Room combo (it is a one bedroom apartment people...work with me), you will find our nativity scene and some angels on our entertainment center which is to your left after you come in the front door.


Directly to your right in front of the window is our Christmas Tree...Thank goodness I purchased a skinny tree in 2006 on the day after Thanksgiving shopping trip. A fat one (I mean "full" one) would have never fit. There are pictures of our 2008 Ornaments as well...Christmas Beagle for Gus, glittery penguin for me and Hoopin' in up Santa for John.




The stockings are hung on the wall behind the couch and under the wreath with care!



Right next to the entertainment center is this DVD holder (deguised as a bookcase)...it has our collections of Santas and snowmen.Moving forward into the Kitchen...look up above the cabinets...

Now moving to the bedroom...on the armoire...

Snowman village on the chest of drawers...

This cute little sign was purchased with the 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago.

I think that about sums up the tour...please leave your mugs in the sink on your way out! Merry Christmas to all! I hope that this year, everyone takes time to enjoy old family traditions and make new ones. Also, remember the reason we celebrate this time of year...our Savior!

Holiday Recap

This year was different than any other Thanksgiving. John and I spent Thanksgiving day with our CR family. It was a nice relaxing day visiting with our friends and their families. We played Guitar Hero and their Wii. We had a plethera of food: Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, BBQ pork, slaw, Alfredo pasta, rolls, cranberry sauce, sweet potato pie, apple pie and no bake cookies. Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving:

So on Thanksgiving day, we are grateful for each of our families and our CR family as well!

On Friday, we slept in and then watch the Razorbacks. When it looked dismal we went to Little Rock to our favorite movie theater to see a movie. Here is a picture of Gus watching the Hogs with John.

Because we have had our Christmas decorations up for 2 weeks (be watching for the pictures) we have really gotten to relax and enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday!

Heart Surgery

After running tests on Monday, the doctors believe that all the problems Mimmie is having are confined to the heart and that surgery is the best way to fix it. So they have talked with the surgeon and they are doing the surgery on Monday, December 8th. Mimmie will be going home today and taking it easy until the surgery. Pray for strength during this time. Also, be covering the surgeon, doctors and nurses in prayer as well.

I've been Tagged

I've been photo tagged by Billie. Here are the rules:

Players look into their photo files, choose the sixth folder and then the sixth photo in that folder. Post that picture, and tell the story behind it.

Here is Mine:

This picture is of Gus and Sissy playing tug of war with one of Sissy's toys. And that precious little foot is Belle's. She was probably laughing at the dogs or getting on to them for fighting!

This is an easy one to do and fun to see what picture ends up as your sixth picture in your sixth folder.

I tag:

Momma

Andrea

Mary

Anna

Joanna

Sunday afternoon update on Mimmie

My mom will return to El Dorado this morning to be there for the CT scan of Mimmie's chest/heart area. If that test does not reveal enough information for Dr. Bhott, he will also do an echogram. After he gets the results from the tests he will conference with the surgeon as to what would be the best plan of action for Mimmie. He said he is still leaning toward surgery but wanted to get these other test done and allow for the medication to work before making a definite decision. Mimmie is doing well. She is in good spirits and at peace with whatever they decide. She got to take a shower yesterday and wash her hair so she feels like a new woman! She is sleeping well at night but not in the bed...she sleeps in the recliner. When she lays flat down on the bed it causes her to not be able to breathe.
We are certainly thankful for all your prayers and notes. Having all that prayer support is making this much easier. Dr. Bhott is a strong believer and appreciates your prayers for him as well. He is seeking the Lord's guidance as to what would be the best treatment for Mimmie. God was truly good to give us a doctor who is a strong Christian.

Further updates on my Grandmothers

THRUSDAY MORNING UPDATE:

The doctor has decided not to jump to having a major surgery. Mimmie will be treated with medication for now and see how she does and use surgery as a last resort.

This is the e-mail I received from Momma on Wednesday night:

Thank you so much for your encouraging calls and notes. You don't know how much it means to all of us to know you are holding us up in prayer. We have found out that they do have Mother down for surgery on Friday, but they have not given us a definite time. We will find that out tomorrow. Mother is very much at peace about having it done. She said she was a little anxious but that is normal when you are going in for such a major surgery. However, she is ready to have it and get on to the recovery process. I hope to find out early tomorrow what time they will take her in so those of you that have expressed a desire to be here can make your plans.
Again, thanks to all of you for your prayer support on her behalf.

On another note, please be in prayer for Norman's mom too. He called to tell me that her periods of being unaware of who his dad is are lengthening. She was agitated with him for about an hour and a half today, would not take her medicine and kept asking for Mr. G to find Leon (Norman's dad) and bring him back. They do have an appointment with their family doctor tomorrow. Please pray that he will be able to give Dad some insight as to what they need to do regarding her care. Also, Norman may have to go out to meet with his dad, brother and sister to make some plans about care and possibly moving her to a care facility. That will be so hard on all of them. Please pray for wisdom and strength to do what is best for Mrs. Gillaspie.

Update on Mimmie

Wednesday afternoon update:
Hello Family and Friends,
Just wanted to let you all know where we stand with Mother. The cardiologist came in this morning to talk with us. He had talked extensively with the surgeon (after the surgeon had talked with Mother last night) and they both agree the only way for her to get better is to have the aortic valve replaced. She has an irregular heart beat and her heart is weakening so t"he treating this with medicine" option is out. He said her quality of life would only digress which would basically mean she would be confined to a bed or chair. Previous to her going to the doctor on Monday it was it wore her out to unload the dryer or tie her shoes. So, she told Dr. Bhott, that she was ready to have the surgery. She is at peace with this decision and feels whatever happens is the Lord's will. Right now I am waiting to talk with the surgeon, Dr. Wilson, to get the final details, but Dr. Bhott said that he told him he was planning to do the surgery this Friday. She will remain in the hospital until they do the surgery so they can keep her stable. When I get the chance to talk with Dr. Wilson and get further info, I will pass it on to all of you.
We all appreciate the calls, visits, and notes from you. I know that is the reason we have such a peace and calm about all of this...your prayers are giving us strength from the Lord.
Thanks to all of you at school for taking up the slack for me. I appreciate you.
Love and hugs!
Alicia

Here is the update from my mom regarding Mimmie's condition:

We finally got to meet with the Cardiologist regarding the next step for Mother. He confirmed that the aorta valve is not functioning properly and is basically wearing out. He said they are not going to make a hasty decision about what to do next. He is consulting with other well known cardiologist in state and out of state to get their opinions on what they would do. He did say he was going to treat her as if she were his own mom which I appreciated. What would he prescribe for her if she were in that state. He wants to have a concensus of opinions before they decide what they should do. They will consider her age and other health issues in making a decision. He did say the good news is that she does not have any other problems with blockage in the coronary arteries. If she did, it would not be a hard decision. They would go in and fix the arteries and the valve at the same time. However, since that is not an issue, it creates a more difficult decision, because this is not an easy surgery to recover from. He said it would take maybe a year for her to gain full recovery. Mother did ask what he would do if they did not do the surgery and he told her they would treat it with medicine. But that it is like a faucett that is clogged up...it will still work but it will not work properly or at full capacity until the clog is removed. She does have some calcium build up in the mitral valve but nothing to worry about. So, she will be in the hospital over night and then I am assuming she will come home tomorrow. Then she will wait to hear from Dr. Bhott who will call her in after he has gathered all the other opinions.
I appreciate your prayers. Mother feels good about what he has told her and is willing to do what he feels is best for her. Dr. Bhott was very open and honest with her and said before he left that he would be seeking the Lord's help in this decision as well. That made me feel very good!

We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for all involved (Patient, family, and doctors) and that the decisions that are made will be in Mimmie's best interest!

Asking for Prayer for my Grandmothers

I am asking for prayer for my Memaw (Genevieve Gillaspie). She had a lung infection and was very confused and agitated. I got word yesterday that the infection is clearing up but that they had diagnosed her with Dementia. Then I heard from my Daddy last night that for about 30 minutes she did not know who Pawpaw was, she told him to call her when Leon gets home. It just breaks my heart and can’t imagine being married to someone for 60 years and then that person not know who I am. Please continue to lift up Leon and Genevieve Gillaspie through this time. Also their kids (Norman, Tricia, and Paul) grandchildren (Alison, Andrea, Christiana, Anthony Benjamin, Joseph, Ashely, Josh, Nick and Jake) and great-grandchild (Camryn).

Also, my mom got a call yesterday that they were taking my Mimmie (Thalia Curtis) to the hospital because she had a heaviness on her chest and was short of breath. They did an EKG and it showed a narrowing of the Aorta, so they are going to do a heart cath in the morning early to determine exactly what the problem is. Her primary care doctor said that the EKG tests showed that the aorta valve is not functioning as it should which is therefore causing the blood to build up in her lungs thus causing the shortness of breath. Hopefully it will something they can stint. If so, they will do it while they are in there. If not, we are talking bypass surgery. Please remember Joe and Thalia Curtis and my mom and her sister (Alicia and Shelia).

What Season Are You In?

One of the first things that I found to be important for me to is to know that we go through different seasons in life. This is just like in the vineyards.

There is a season of newness where the vines are being planted and sprouting all kinds of new buds for grapes and leaves. There is pruing to be done in this season.

There is a season of growth where there are leaves in full bloom and where the grapes are growing and the fruit is multiplying.

There is the season of harvest when the fruit has come to fullness and it is time to take that fruit and use it for it's purpose.

Then there is the season of dormancy. This comes after harvest and the vines are dorment for a time due to the winter. There is not growth that can be seen on the outside. This is also the time where there is heavy duty pruning that is done by the farmers. They really get in there and cut off vines that are dead and cut back the fruitful vines so that they can produce even more fruit the next season.

I know in my life...I have been through this process many times just like the seasons come each year. I think it is important not to get discouraged if you do not feel like you are growing and producing fruit like you want. God's timing is perfect and His ways are higher than ours. Just like the seasons, you will see much growth at some points in your life and then there are the times of dormancy (after harvest) where there is a lot of work to do in your life. This is a painful process, but a very necessary process. I have learned I have to let go the control I try to have and let God be in complete control.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
A Time for Everything

1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. 15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.

Abide In Him

Just last week, I added the sitemeter to my blog. I like to look at it see how someone got onto my blog. There have been several people just in the last few days that have at least clicked on the blog because when you google the words "abide in him" my blog will come up in the results. This really got me thinking about the fact the there are people out there searching this subject and that I could use my blog to show what I learned through Bible study, life experiences and other books on this subject.
Over the next few posts I am going to try to communicate all of this to you. I am praying that the Lord will use this as a tool to help minister to others.

To start off this "series" I'll begin with John 15:1-11 (English Standard Version)

1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full".

"God IS In Control"

Sorry for all the music references lately...however, the words of these songs speak to me; music is one of my big passions. I have sung this song for many years, but the words are a good reminder to us today:

This is no time for fear
This is a time for faith and determination
Don't lose the vision here
Carried away by emotion
Hold on to all that you hide in your heart
There is one thing that has always been true
It holds the world together

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on
There is a bottom line drawn across the ages
Culture can make its plan
Oh, but the line never changes
No matter how the deception may fly
There is one thing that has always been true
It will be true forever

He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me

watching over you...watching over me..
watching over every things..
watching over you..watching over me..
every little sparrow..every little things...

Colors of Fall

Are the trees changing where you live? This is one of my most favorite times of the year to just look around on God's creation. There are no crayons in the world that can compare to the colors God uses in creation. The splashes of orange, firey reds, vibrant yellows, rusty browns...just beautiful!
I hope that you will begin to truly enjoy the beauty of the fall!

This video is of Nicole Nordemen's song called "Every Season".

Celebrate Recovery

I was reminded again last night why I love Celebrate Recovery (CR). The group we go to on Monday nights is a diverse group of people who are are recovering from their own hurts, habits or hang-ups. That is the reason why CR is for anyone. A lot of people think that it is only for people with addictions...that is not so, and when a person thinks like that, it only shows that maybe they should try it out. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered program which uses the 12-steps of AA, Al-Anon, NA, etc. and meshes them into 8 Biblical principles. It is a freeing experience to be able to discuss with others who are going through exactly where you are. It is also freeing for a "control freak" like me to be part of a group that helps me focus on myself - MY hurts, MY habits and MY hang-ups. As a person who likes to control the environment around me...I need to be reminded that only I can surrender myself to God's will for me. So today, my recovery is all about me and God. If you are interested in finding a Celebrate Recovery group in your area, click here.

In line with the changes that can be made in Celebrate Recovery, here are the words to a song that rings true for me and can for you as well. No matter if you feel like you are slipping away, as the song, by Julian Drive, says "Thank you God for saving Grace, You are only one step away". All we have to do is turn and HE is right there that one step it takes to turn...

A thousand steps from you saying what's the use
No matter how I try, I slip and fall and don't know why
Time and time again, I run from you tryin' to live
I do it on my own, in a crowd I feel so alone

I turn around, I see your face
Open arms for my embrace
You are only one step away
There is no yesterday
I look ahead without the pain
You are only one step away

I think of all I've done
I turn again to run
How could you still love me?
I'm someone I don't want to be
A whisper in my ear say release all my fear
Grace is here for you
The choice is yours, what will you do?

I turn around, I see your face
Open arms for my embrace
You are only one step away
There is no yesterday
I look ahead without the pain
You are only one step away

Even though I slipped away
Thank you God for saving Grace
You were only one step away

"The Reason"

I have heard this song on the Christian Radio station when sung by Julian Drive. Well this past Tuesday, they came to our church for a concert. The lead singer mentioned that this song is from the secular realm of music but when he listened to the words, he wondered why a Christian artist had not recorded it. So they did, and after hearing the words in the context of singing as worship to God...I see why.

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why I need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

SLUMBER PARTY

WOW! I haven't had a slumber party in a long time. Saturday was my "niece's", Belle, 6th birthday party. Every friend that came to her Fashionista party were from a different area of her life (school, church, daycare, family friends). It was a blast! Check out Following Footsteps blog post...You don't want to miss it.

My niece, Camryn, is one of Belle's long time friends and she came to the party and then I had Camryn and Belle spend the night with us. The girls played all day and then when I picked them up we went to McDonalds and ate outside and then headed to Playworld. Oh...they had so much fun in the maze the on the arcade games. Those girls played for over 2 hours. Then we came back to the house for a slumber party. We blew up the big air mattress and they had matching PJ's that said "Best Friends Forever". Uncle John did not understand the necessity of me going over to Belle's house to get those PJ's when they were not packed in her overnight bag. I said he had never been a 6 year old girl...so I made sure we had the right PJ's.





















Camryn on left...Belle on Right


After the girls were laying down they said, "Will you sleep out here with us?"...so, what is an aunt to do? Notice the couch is made out for me to sleep on! Boys in the bedroom and girls in the living room. However, until John went to bed, Gus had to lay down with the girls.


















I hope we have many more slumber parties as they grow up!

She would have been 67...

Today would have been my mother-in-law's birthday. She was a special person who impacted all those that she was around...this was very apparent at her funeral when so many people came to celebrate her life. Earlier this month I was blessed to have been able to give a small donation to the StandUp2Cancer event in her memory and in honor of a best friend from high school who is a cancer patient.

September Update

WOW! I just realized it has been a while since I posted an update...so here is a run-down of what we have been up to:

1. I had my Premier Jewelry Training Show on the 4th. It went well and I have about got all my paperwork organized for my business. I have a list of potential hostess to call, so you may be getting a phone call from me in the near future.

2. John and I went to the Hogs game played in Little Rock on the 6th. The last quarter was REALLY exciting. We won just barely, but it is a whole new team and new coach...my expectations are not high for the piggies this year.

3. We had Family Night with the Overstreets on the 11th and the 18th

4. One of our dear friends at church turned 50...we a little party for her - Click here for details!

5. 6th Birthday Party - my "niece", Belle, is turning 6 years old on the 30th...and we are having a Fashion Show party for her and her girlfriends on Saturday. We are covered in makeup, hairspray, boas, jewels...it will be great!

6. Friday, Billie and I are off work to go have lunch with Belle and take some special birthday treats for her class. She is PUMPED about us coming...and we are excited as well.

7. Some of our favorite reality TV is back on the air..."House, M.D.", "Dancing with the Stars" and our fav "The Biggest Loser". I decided that between me and John we will have a Biggest Loser contest to see who can loose the most % of Body weight in 12 weeks. Our 12-weeks will be up on December 2nd....Not sure what we will do but I'm sure we will have some sort of prize/celebration in December.

8. Apparently, my secret dream of becoming a cosmotologist is coming true. I have colored one friend's hair (and not the box of color, but the actually mixing of color and developer) and I have two more "clients" tonight (if I can fit them in!!!!). Oh their trust in my abilities makes me nervous!

9. Tomorrow for lunch I am going to visit with my grandmother that is in from ElDorado. I haven't seen her since Memorial Day and she is up this week staying with my parents.

10. Well I can't leave a list with just 9 things...I'm weird like that!

I'm ready for the fall weather!

I'm Your Jewelry Lady Again!

I wanted to let friends and family know that I am back in the Premier Jewelry business!!! The Lord always works things out in His time. He knew I was going to need time off from Premier earlier this year. However, I just signed the paperwork to get back in and I'm really excited about it. I am looking forward to see how the Lord is going to use me to touch lives through Premier.

I am having my Training Show tomorrow (September 4th). If you have ever wanted to have a show (Home Show or Catalog Show) and get FREE and 1/2 price jewelry now is the time to let me know. I'll be working getting my calender filled. This is the jumping off point of my business. I am working on the Quick Start Program which lets me add more samples of the new jewelry to my showcase. I need to have 9 shows in the first 90 days (September and October).

I'm very excited about starting Premier again. I know it is the right time and the Lord will bless!

Why I'm excited to work for Premier:

Premier Designs Jewelers market quality high fashion jewelry to small groups through Home Shows. We are members of the Direct Selling Association, but our emphasis is on serving rather than selling.
Our Philosophy - We believe God created every person with value. We believe life's priorities should be God, family, and then career. We believe in America and the free enterprise system. We believe people are our most important asset.
Our Purpose - To enrich every life we touch; To provide people a way to find identity, achievement and success; To meet the personal and financial needs of all who become a part of our Premier Designs family.
Our Objectives - God demands fairness in every business deal. He sets the standard and we desire to honor Him. To grow wisely and profitably. To enrich every life we touch. To provide excellent service.

Arkansan of the Week

I must say I am VERY proud to say that our niece is Arkansan of the Week. She spent most of her summer in Africa on a mission trip. Our local ABC affiliate allows people to be nominated for "Arkansan of the Week" and as you listen to her story you will see why she is very deserving!

Click Here to see see the video. You will have to hit the little arrow on the bottom left corner of video box to start it. There is a very short commercial at the beginning.

Twins????

Well...I would love to have her body...not so much the lips. However, she has the GREATEST hair. She has worn it for years like this a different lengths. AND since I am a member of the "Pouffy Hair Club" this is the cut and style for me.

My Inspiration:

The Result (granted this was taken this afternoon...about 12 hours old...I fix my hair once each day)

Me Oh My...

...and I don't even have any biological children going to school today, but I have cried tears this morning!

My neice, Camryn, told her mother this morning that her stomach felt a little bit funny about 1st grade. The child is a worrier...she gets it honest, from her mother. She has been asking Andrea if 1st grade would be hard...getting real grades, etc. She is very smart and it wasn't until about the 2nd semester of kindergarten that she even encountered things she didn't already know. Andrea told her that 1st grade would be like kindergarten, in that you learn as you go. Stop worrying! (I'm sure she will post with pictures of her 1st day in 1st grade soon.

My best friend's daughter (and my adopted neice) started kindergarten today. There will most likely be 3 posts regarding this milestone, by this afternoon. One from last night, one from this morning with pictures of the momentous occasion and I'm sure one this evening after they get the scoop from Belle.

My little ones are growing up!

3 years have passed...

3 years ago today, we made the funeral arrangements for my mother-in-law. She had battled with pancreatic cancer and it was time for her to go to her eternal home. According to my father-in-law who was with her in the late night hours (on August 5th) as she was stuggling...she looked at him and then looked away and a peace came over her and she left this world with a little smile. I'm sure as she looked away from Bobby, her "rock" on this earth, that she looked into the face of Jesus, her Savior. Although I miss her terribly, I know she was suffering and it was time for her to go be with her Savior.
Until we meet again...
Love you!

Ann on Mother's Day in 2005

"I've Got to Get Out There and Do This Thing"

Yes, Lord! That is what about all I can say at this point. Last night and this morning I attended the Beth Moore Simulcast. I have really been looking forward to this for about a month. Thanks to my grandparents who sent me birthday money and it was exactly the amount of the ticket! Memaw and Pawpaw...that $30 was well spent and will continue on for a 1,000 generations.

Of course, if you have ever heard Beth speak, you know that you take notes like crazy and it is so much "meat" that takes a while to digest. As I go back through my notes and let the Lord continue to work through what I have heard, I'll make some posts to the blog so that you can be blessed by the message God gave Beth. The most amazing part is that I was just one of 70,000 women who attended this conference. There were 715 locations in 49 states and 4 countries that all heard this WORD this weekend. If each of us steps into living in our 100-fold harvest...WOW...what an impact we can have.

If you were able to attend the simulcast this weekend, I pray you were as blessed as well!

10 years Ago

Ten years ago today I was all giddy with excitement getting dressed for my wedding. The only thing that could damper this day was the air conditioning not working (because my friends 1998 was a SUPER HOT SUMMER). Well the air conditioning on one side of the church did not work. I remember my momma coming to me when I got to the church and that was the first thing she told me. It is a funny memory because if you know me I like it COLD! Oh well...everyone else was probably comfortable inside because I think it was about 99 degrees outside.

I digress. So today 10 years later, am I where that 19 year old girl thought she would be 10 years down the road, no...if that was the case we would have a 6 year old and at least one more child. Am I closer to God? yes! It is only because the roads we have been down in our 10 years of marriage have been HARD. I can specifically think of 2 times, when it could have ended. By God's grace and provision we are still here and have made it to a big milestone. Several years ago in the midst of the worst time in our marriage I was going through the Beth Moore study "Believing God". That study will always be close to my heart as it changed the way I believed about God. Everyone, even the demons, believe in God, but the question is do I believe Him and believe that He will do what He says He will do. I can say that when I get the right perspective about this, it is a peaceful feeling to Believe God! Knowing that on my own, my life is unmanageable and I have to turn my will over to Him and trust in Him because HE is in control.

So today, I am happy that John and I can spend today celebrating the 10 years we have been married. learn from the past and look forward to the future. We are taking one day at a time as we move forward!

Praise God as He is our Provider!

A few Photos through the years (I notice I like to change my hair a lot...that has not changed)

May 1994 (We started dating in December of 1993 - Just babies!

We were 17 and 14 in this picture)

January - I think it had to be about 1996

July 25, 1998

(I have more pictures of us but they are not digital, hence the gap in time!)

December 2004

May 2006

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Not sure if my Father-in-law reads my blog (he has the link, but he usually just uses his computer for banking), but I thought I would wish he (Bobby) and his wife Melba a "Happy Anniversary". They met at the recreation center and both went to the same church. They dated for a short time and got married 2 years ago today.

Here is a picture of them at their wedding reception:

Happy 2nd Anniversary Bobby and Melba!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Daddy's birthday! He is spending his birthday in Branson with Momma, Andrea and Camryn for Cam's national dance competition. There is a slight possibility that he would rather be doing something else for his birthday (something more "manly" in the world's eyes) but I know my Daddy and he wouldn't be anywhere else. That is just the kind of Daddy/Papaw he is. He is the daddy of two girls and the Papaw to a granddaughter. All our lives we always had girl dogs so he has always been outnumbered! However, I've never heard him complain about this ever in my life. He is a protector. He loves us girls with all his heart and has always done what is best for all of us. One example is that he worked in Sheridan, AR for many years. The first 5 years we lived in Sheridan about 5 minutes from where he worked. When we made the decision to go to Abundant Life in Sherwood, we moved to the South side of Little Rock. That meant that he had to drive about 30 minutes to work every day. After Andrea and I became involved in sports at school and Momma was teaching there, he decided it would be best to move somewhere close to the school. So we moved to Gravel Ridge and that put him driving at least an hour to work each day. That is just one example that shows the kinds of sacrifices he makes for the good of his family.
One other thing, I'll never forget is on my wedding day. The look on his face when he saw me all dressed and ready for pictures. His mouth dropped and he said "Oh...WOW! You look beautiful!". That still melts my heart today!
So, Daddy, I hope you have a great day in Branson. I hate that I can't be there with you but you know I love you dearly!

Weight Loss Lane

Take a little trip down "Weight Loss Lane" with me. I need the motivation to continue on this journey to reach my goal weight by my 30th birthday (next July 7th). The pictures begin in May 2006 and go until the picture of me yesterday!

Ok...that is about all I can handle of myself. I thank you all for the complements on my weight loss. I'll wait until I finish spending my birthday to post more pictures of me.