Oh my, how time does get by me now!!! If I thought my days went quickly before, getting this job has just magnified that!!!

Things are going good on the job. I'm quickly learning many things, and can even call many of our patients by name when they walk through the door now!! Thankfully, I'm blessed that I enjoy my co-workers and (most) of my patients....as in anything else, there are just times when personalities clash no matter how hard you try.

One thing I've learned for certain is to make sure that whenever I go to a doctor's office now, I'm incredibly patient and always talk with the person at the front desk in a pleasant manner. While I always tried to live by that rule anyway, it's become even more important now that I'm the one working the front desk.

Yes, things do "happen" that will suddenly put the doctor twenty minutes behind. Yes, people do just walk in expecting to be seen right away and even when they get worked in when there is a lull...it inevitably puts things behind. Yes, people are late and that puts everything behind...including the time I get to walk out the door for the night!! No, I can't devote 100% of my attention to the patient signing in, the patient checking out, the patient needing to go back to an exam room and the patient on the phone at the same time!! Someone will get the short end of the stick... I'm not complaining by no means, just sharing the things I've learned and realized in a very short amount of time!!

On the home front, we have settled into our routine..and it's a routine that is always adjusting!! It puts a new meaning to 'never a dull moment'!!

The biggest and newest news though came last Friday night. Last Friday night DD went on a date with her boyfriend and came home engaged!! Yes, we already knew about it because he came to us and asked our permission and our blessing a week earlier. It made for a long week for this mom since I could hardly look at my baby girl without tearing up!!

She is SO excited...actually that might be a bit of an understatement...the big day?? December 4 of this year!! Doesn't leave a lot of time for me to absorb my beautiful daughter to the uttermost before she moves into her own home. I have to admit mixed emotions. I'm thrilled for her and the fiance` is a wonderful, young, Christian man, but at the same time I will truly be writing "The End" to a chapter of our lives that has been going on for almost 20 years.

However, a wedding puts me much closer to being a grandma now doesn't it??!! :o)

So there we are.. another quick post catching you up on this beautiful, wonderful, ever changing life of mine. Thanks to all of you still trying to keep up with me. I do the best I can to visit all of you still from time to time.

Here is a of pic of the newly engaged!!..


And the engagement ring...


The wonderful thing about the ring is that is was my Mother-in-law's (over 42 years ago). They were passed to my husband and me when we married over 26 years ago and now my daughter is proudly wearing them. What a wonderful legacy!!

Graduation

On May 22, 2010, we graduated our baby. He is 17 years old and out of high school now. We have homeschooled his whole life...it's all he's ever known. He's a well rounded, intelligent, happy young man and we are so very proud of him.

He has so many things that he enjoys but one of his favorite things is to run sound boards for bands. We've lovingly dubbed him our 'A/V junkie' and while it's a passion for him, with graduation he announced what his plans for the future are....our son is going to enter college in the spring and take 2 years of criminal justice. When he turns 21, he will join the police academy and become a police officer with a goal of being on the SWAT team. (BIG sigh.......) How proud I am and how this Mama heart fills her throat. I'm sure God has big plans for his life. After all, saving him in the womb is proof of that....I trusted God with his life then, and I will continue to trust God for his life now.

Enjoy just a few pictures from his big night!!...



Even celebrating..he's not crazy about crowds!


The big moment...diploma in hand!!


Gift time!! Sure to bring a smile!!

Son...I'm so very proud of you!!! I pray God's blessings on your life...

And the Winner Is.................!

First, let me say that I really appreciate all of you who left comments this week and participated in the give-a-way. Thanks so much for your support!!!

Next, I truly love all of you, my bloggy buddies...you really encourage and strengthen me and I will be forever grateful for being allowed into your corner of the world.





And finally, thank you to DS, my awesome and handsome name-drawing assistant!!!









Now....The winner of the Fruit 2 O Essentials give-a-way is..................................................

Andrea over at Arise to Write!!!



Congratulations Andrea and if you would be so kind as to e-mail me your full name and address, I'll get that to the sponsors of this give-a-way so you can start enjoying this delicious water!!

How Am I Doing??

As many of you already know, and for those of you who don't, I am one of the writers over At the Well. This opportunity has blessed me with a sisterhood of Christian women like none I've ever known. These women are strong, encouraging and faithful and I've come to love each one in their own way.

In January I did a post for At the Well (click here to link to that post) and the idea was to tell what was our goal, resolutions, directions that God was sending us for the new year.

I decided that month by month I would do a recap--a catch up of sorts--to share how I'm doing. Am I doing this to brag?? Uh...no. I'm actually doing this to keep me accountable an, as I've mentioned here and in that post, to make myself real to so many people who may read our blogs and think we've got it all together and there are no problems or struggles going on in our lives. I know that sometimes I read other's blogs and find myself thinking, "If only I......."

One thing I believe I've clearly heard from God was that this blog must be real.

So, here goes...

**I made a decision to be real with God. I'd like to tell you that I was faultless in January in my time spent with God. While I have done better, I have not been consistent with my daily quiet time. It has been hit and miss at best. Now, I could lay out every excuse in the book, but I'm not going there. Being real is being real, right?

So I press along, putting my fingers in my ears and telling satan to buzz off each and every time he tries to convince me that God doesn't love me as much as He does His other children because I don't spend enough time with Him.

**I also made a decision to get on the same page with DH concerning my spending and I'm pleased to say that I did really good last month. Making the decision to spend strictly cash was a very good step for me. Watching that actual cash dwindle away really puts spending in perspective!!!

**I committed, as well, to weed my time on this computer and even though I've added Facebook to my list of things to occupy my computer time, I have done a bit better at walking by and resisting the urge to see what's going on in cyber-land. I still thing I'm spending too much time on here and I still believe that I'm not spending the time I am on here wisely, but hey, progress is progress, right??

Well, there you have it. One month into the new year and I've made a couple steps forward and I'm still standing stagnant in others, but I am working with God now instead of against Him so I'm excited to see what He's got in store for me in February!!

And by the way--that 50 pounds I need to lose????--Only 2 this month. Haven't really tried, cuz you see, there was that leftover Christmas candy, and the trip to Gatlinburg and the fudge shops there and the...... :o)

Happy Anniversary!!!!

Today finds me in Gatlinburg, Tennessee celebrating my 26th wedding anniversary.

26 years ago today I said "I do" to my best friend and I've never regretted it.

Oh, there have been times over the years that have been really tough. There have been times when both have us wondered how we got ourselves in 'this mess'

There was a time when the "d" word was spoken and sought after and only by the grace and mercy of a great God, did in never come to pass.

We've known times of lean and times of plenty. We've known sadness and happiness and total and complete surprise.

We know what it's like to want a baby so badly and not be able to get pregnant easily and we know what it's like to get pregnant with only 1 try.

In 26 years, we've lived a lot....and there were a few times when it wasn't living, but shear survival....but..

I've walked through it all with God on one side and Philip on the other and there is one thing I know for certain....

I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Anniversary to my husband, my lover, my best friend....

Worship Him

"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a Baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the Baby, lying in the manger. After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this Child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."
Luke 2:1-20, NLT

Blogoversary Give-a-Way!!

Well today's the day!! I finally have it all together to do my Blogoversary give-a-way!! :o)

I thought and prayed about what I wanted to do and here's where I ended up:

I love the seasons and try to decorate my house according to the seasons. I found an adorable little platter that looks like a large autumn leaf. It's actually for a cheese ball and comes with a knife for spreading. I also have 4 books that I would like to give away that have spoken to and encouraged my heart over the last year or so. Here are the titles and authors:

Certain Peace in Uncertain Times; Shirley Dobson
You're Late Again, Lord; Karon Phillips Goodman
God is in the Small Stuff and it all matters; Bruce & Stan
Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart (Daily devotional from praise & worship songs)



My hope is that whoever wins this little gift basket will enjoy these books and the new autumn season as much as I did and do.

Here's where your part comes in:
The give-a-way begins today and runs through Friday the 18th with the winner being announced next Monday the 21st.

To be entered, just leave a comment. Now, if you leave a comment each day, Monday thru Friday, you can have up to five chances to win!! It's that simple.

Thanks for being here with me and for me over the last year. Thank you those that follow my blog, get my post through feeds and e-mails, e-mail me privately and just pop in now and then to say hi!!!

I Just Want to Celebrate!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOO HOOO!!!!!!! Today brings reason to celebrate!!!

One Single Minute is a year old today!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard for me to believe that it's been a year since I sat down at this computer and said, "Okay Lord, what do you want me to do with this?"

I've traveled a few roads, but for now, I am just still trying to allow God to direct what gets written here.

So many have give-a-ways to celebrate and I am no different. I want to share a few items that have blessed me over the last year, with others.

Most people usually have this taken care of by their blogoversary and have the actual give-a-way on that day....but if you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm not most people!! The ups and downs of the last few weeks combined with our vacation has kept me very busy...and my family is my priority!!

So....with that being said, Monday will bring all the information you'll need about my give-a-way!!

Thanks for celebrating with me and just 'cause....

Share something with me you'd like to see me cover in the next few months, ask some questions, tell me (nicely please) of a direction you'd like to see OSM go. I would love to read your ideas and run them before my Father to get His input as well!!

THANKS, HUGS AND MANY, MANY BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only a Little While Ago.......

Today is a very special day in our family.

Today our oldest is graduating high school.

I absolutely can't believe it...!!! These 18 years have gone by quicker than I could have ever imagined!!!

It seems only a short time ago we were trying fertility drugs to even get pregnant in the first place and now....graduation....

Only a short time ago I was in labor for 37½ hours. Only a few days ago, I gave birth to a beautiful 6lb 3oz, 19½ inch long bundle of perfect, sheer joy.

Only a little while ago she was taking her first steps and saying her first words.

Only a little while ago she was begging me to put "percoy" (makeup) on her beautiful little face.

Only a little while ago she was living on "dubby dubbies" (pickles).

Only a little ago she would fall asleep in my lap while we read stories.

Only a little while ago she would put my face in her hands and say, "I love you so much Mommy".

Only a little while ago she was starting kindergarten.

Only a little while ago we brought her home and decided homeschooling was the route God wanted us to take.

Only a little while ago she was jumping in the mud, running in the rain and tracking it all through the house.

Only a little while ago she lost her first tooth, got her first pair of high heels, her first pimple.

Only a little while ago she squealed every time a fish sucked on her leg while she was in the Gulf.....well, actually...she still does that!

Only a little while ago she went on her first date, got her drivers license, a job and a car.

Only a little while ago she walked out of her bedroom in her first formal gown and went to her first prom.

And now today...another first.

She's so excited...and deep down, I am too. But this mom is going to have a very emotional afternoon. I don't know how I will ever get through the speech I have to give...only by the grace of God I'm sure.

I do have a request of my bloggy friends......

We live in the Central time zone. At 4:30 pm, we are going to be gathering around Beth and laying hands on her and lifting her and her future up in prayer. I ask that whatever time zone you are in, that you would line up with 4:30 pm Central, and pray for Beth and her future. Whatever God lays on your heart, just join us in prayer.

There is tremendous power in prayer and united prayer is incredibly powerful.

I will try to post some pictures next week.

Doin' the Happy Dance Cause...I WON!!!

Look real close at your monitor screen....get just a little bit closer...a little closer...what do you see?? Anything? Well, if you can't see anything, I'll tell you what you should be seeing....a 44 year old woman, with dark brown hair dye covering her gray, who's slightly overweight, still sitting in her green robe and black house shoes doing a happy dance!! (Lovely thought..huh???)

Now, if that sight is just too gruesome to bear, look away from the monitor (no, wait!!!..get the next set of instructions THEN look away from the monitor), put your fingers in your ears, or turn down your speakers, or go outside for a moment cause I'm about to.... SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!

I just won a blog makeover from my dear, sweet sister and friend Beth over at I AM WORKING TOWARDS MY DESTINY!

Woohoo!! Oh yeah!! Just sitting here spinnin' in ma chair!! Uh huh!! Doin' the happy dance! Hair standin' up cause it ain't been brushed!!

Beth got a great blog makeover from Tara at Blog Makeovers by Tara ..so she decided to have a give-a-way for a free blog makeover and I won along with 3 other super bloggin' buddies!! Because true to her nature, Beth is just super sweet and caring and just couldn't bear to only give away one makeover...so, she gave away 4!!

But here's the best thing...Tara has agreed to do bloggy makeovers for only $10!! All you have to do is head over to Beth's site to find out how!!

Now...I'm going to get busy and get my chores done so I can have time to connect with Tara and start purtyin' up this blog!!

Blessings............

"Yes!!" Moments

As parents, we live for those "Yes!!" moments. You know, for years you've been praying and lecturing, praying and pleading, praying and yelling...well not me..I don't yell...much..., :o, praying and bribing..I don't do that either..much..anymore.., and one day your child..teenager...makes a decision, takes a stand and you're standing in the next room doing the Yes Dance. Come on.. if you have kids, you know what dance I'm talking about...

Yesterday afternoon, DD and her boyfriend rented a movie for the family to watch last night. The selection they picked had a PG13 rating...which we all tend to walk on egg shells with... but the rating was for violence.

Now, when my kids were tiny tots, violent movies were not watched. Forget it. With them being less than 2 years apart in age, they made their own violence, they didn't need any help from tv and movies. But now with them being 16 and 18, things are somewhat different. I'm not worried about them shooting anyone or blowing up a building or getting into a physical fight or anything such as that. They're just not wired that way...and...the Holy Spirit lives within them.

Every other Thursday night can find DH and I at the table going over the bills and paying the ones that are due, so we told the kids to go ahead and start the movie and we'd catch up in just a bit.

So, they did.

Mind you the ages of the kids are..DD-18, DD's BF-almost 19, DS-16. The movie begins and quite honestly DH and I have tuned it out. We are focused on these bills and how to make the dollars stretch farther and how to spend them more wisely..so we're not paying any attention to this movie.

...Let me insert here, that both of my kids have always known a Christian home. DD was saved at the age of 9 and DS just got saved on New Years Eve. (He made a profession at the age of 4, but, in his words.."I've been playing church for a lot of years. It was time to get real.") DD's BF got saved about a year ago. So, these kids know what is and isn't acceptable. Like most kids (and adults) though, they, at times, push the envelope just as far as they can....

DS had been wanting to see this movie for quite some time. From the previews, DH and I thought it would be good as well. DD's BF is still very much in the learning stages because he didn't even go to church until he and DD met. He doesn't know very much of what the Bible says and what is and isn't acceptable.

So...

The movie begins and about 20 minutes later, I realize that they are watching tv instead of the movie. We stop doing the bills and ask, "Why aren't you watching the movie?"

DD: "Because in the first 4 minutes they said like 6 bad words AND took God's name in vain."

Me: "Oh. Good call. I'm real proud of you."

DD: "I'm not watching that garbage and neither are the guys if I'm around."

Me--(smiling inwardly): "You're right. We get enough filth when we're out and about. No need to invite it in."

DH and I look at each other, smile and go back to the task at hand.

This is such a huge deal because DD has been struggling with the flesh for quite some time and so DH and I have been going into overtime in our prayer closets that God would manifest Himself real to our children and the people they are in relationships with. We can love them and be an example to them all day long, but only the Holy Spirit can convict them.

Later, DD confided in me that the boys weren't too thrilled with her insisting that the movie be turned off... "But, Mom, I stood my ground. We just can't watch that filth anymore."

A double blessing...a right decision made and a stand taken for what she believes in. Oh yeah.. a BIG Yes Dance going on with this Mom.

Let me encourage you, there are going to be times (go back to an earlier post of mine) that you wonder if you're doing anything right with your kids at all. There are going to be times that you are convinced you have failed and that your kids are destined for a carnal life. Don't lose faith. Go to those prayer closets and lift those kids up in prayer. Go to their bedrooms and pray Scripture over those rooms and every object in them and the people that live in them. Remember that you and God are the majority and the power no matter what the enemy tries to tell you.

Stay strong, hold on to Jesus and His promises; then you too will be able to fully appreciate those "Yes!!" moments.

Blessings.......

We Celebrate!!!!...again!

So..today is a day of celebration, yet again, in our household.

Today, my baby, my 16 year old son, my last born..became the proud owner of an Alabama state driver's license!!

I'm happy for him. I really, really am. He is a good, confident-without being cocky-driver. He most definitely earned that license. He is so thrilled and has already taken his solo run to Jack's to get a milkshake..and a job application! Oh my...where has the time gone?

Only yesterday he was a tiny baby, completely helpless, needing Mom and Dad for everything. Today, he can drive by himself and while he still needs us, it is becoming less and less.

When Beth got her license and job, it was hard...very hard....but I guess with this one being my baby it is a complete reality check.

I find myself wanting to run up to every mom with kids under the age of 10 and tell them to hold tight! enjoy! don't take anything for granted! this will all be a memory too fast! Would they listen? Probably not. I didn't and I'm pretty sure most of you didn't either.

I'm so thankful that I was blessed to be a stay at home mom. I'm so thankful that I was blessed to be able to homeschool my kids and to be able to spend every single day watching them and having continuous opportunities to join in on everything they were doing. My heart breaks for those Moms who have to sacrifice that time. I pray that they will make the most of the time they are blessed with.

Anyway...celebrate with us!! Our son is legal and our insurance premiums just skyrocketed!!!!

Blessings.....

I...Just Want to Celebrate!!!!!

Something great is happening next Tuesday!! Something so great, that I want to share it with everybody! I want everybody to help me celebrate next Tuesday (even though I will be out of pocket)! Want to know what is so great about next Tuesday?? Okay..here it is..

It is my 25th wedding anniversary!!!

That's right. Me and the love of my life will be celebrating 25 years of marital bliss together..next Tuesday..the 16th.

Wow!! 25 years! It truly seems like just a few days ago I was a giggly, silly 18 year old, just enjoying dating and working and learning (?) to be an adult. I was footloose and fancy free and enjoying it. Then one night at work (I worked on an assembly line at a furniture plant) I'm just doing my job, laughing with my fellow co-workers and then out of the corner of my eye..I see him..a new guy. Now, being 18 years old, I noticed all the new guys, but there was something different about this one. Hmmmm.....might have to check him out during break.

Sure enough when break time came, I went upstairs to get my nightly fix of cheese crackers and Coke. I went to sit down and who should be sitting at my break table?? You betcha!..this new guy. (See, I didn't realize it, but when he saw me, he decided he needed to check me out at break too!)

We begin with the small talk. You know that flirty, giggly stuff that our teenagers now are doing that causes us to roll our eyes....We exchange names and continue talking. All of a sudden he asks me a question:

"If I were to ask you to go out with me, would you go?"

Now, inside myself I'm snickering because this dude doesn't know me very well....at all honestly...and I'm fixing to take a jab at this new guy....

"Depends." says me.

"On what?"

Here we go....."On whether you ask me or not!"

I mean, hey, I had a date for Friday night and if this guy couldn't play along, I had a backup..right??

He sits there for a minute, processing what I just said and I'm sure contemplating in his mind if he even wants to give a smart-aleck the time of day, but he follows up with..

"Will you go out with me Friday night?"

Now, remember I said I already had a date for Friday night, but this guy really intrigued me. He was willing to play along with my smart-aleck attitude. Couldn't be all bad, right? So I said sure. Friday night sounded good. (We were off on Friday nights)

Now, I didn't meet my Savior until I was 27 so don't throw me to the lions just yet. I must confess that I didn't cancel my plans with date #1. I mean, what if this dude didn't show up? I had no intentions of sitting at home on Friday night! So we made plans for him to pick me up at 6. If he didn't show, date #1 would be there at 7. No harm right?? By the way... sorry, date #1.

But, lo and behold, he pulled up in my driveway and off we went with my mom fussing in the background about how she was going to have to explain things to date #1.

We had a great time! Went out to eat at KFC, which still happens to be one of our favorite places to eat! The conversation was great and he was SO cute!!

On our way home I made it very clear that this was not going to be a serious relationship. (go ahead and snicker!) I was having too much fun as a single gal and I just wasn't interested in anything serious. Kapiche???

4½ months later, on December 16, 1983, I married my best friend. The love of my life. My safe place. My strength.

Over our 25 years we've had our share of ups and downs, good and bad. We've laughed and cried, been on the mountain and in the lowest valley, but through it all, we've come through it together. Never quitting at the same time. One was always ready for the fight, which would encourage the other to get back up and keep striving for the goal.

I want to share little snippets of our 25 years in the week to come. Maybe it will encourage you, make you laugh or give you hope. For me though, it will be fun just to spend some time remembering.

Blessings....

Let's Talk Shopping

How do you shop?

Do you use a list? Do you use coupons? Do you price match?

How about a budget? Do you allot so much for groceries and household items and then that's it?

When I began blogging, I really had a lot of things I wanted to talk about and share...like being the Biblical wife and mother God has called me to be. I want to share recipes and ideas. I want to share about our homeschooling life. I want to share how to save money and live a simpler life....and to me, a simpler life doesn't mean living by lantern and washing clothes on a scrub board...although I do swear by using a clothesline!!

I don't have it all figured out..by no means...but I've been around a while and I have picked up a few things here and there. I've learned lessons the hard way simply because I'm an extremely stubborn, thick-headed woman, who God has to repeatedly discipline because I want to do things my way...(hey!! didn't Elvis sing about that??)

So....I'm asking. What do you want to talk about? What would you like to see on here?

For me, with the holidays coming up....I'd like to address the subject of saving money when you shop. I was singing and dancing all the way home Friday after buying groceries because in coupons alone, I saved $45.32!!! That amount didn't include the price matching I did at Wal Mart and the groceries I bought at our little trade market by the house. Overall, my savings for 2 weeks worth of groceries was over $65!! Now...I know that there are people saving way more than I did/am and believe me....they are my goal, but I've only been serious about this for a little over a year now and remember...I'm a slow learner (see above!)

In the next 75 days, our household will be celebrating: Thanksgiving (it can cost a lot to serve that meal), our 25th wedding anniversary, our son's 16th birthday, Christmas, my dad's birthday, our daughter's 18th birthday and a trip to a Scott Dawson conference at $100 each (x's 4)!! So you see, spending will be at the front of my mind for quite some time to come.

I'd love to share what I've learned with you and I'd love to hear what works for your family too!!

In the next day or two, I'd like to share how I saved the $65+ this week and where I know that I could have saved even more.

With you all holding me accountable, I think we can be successful together!!

Blessings....

Thanks So Much!!!

I am celebrating!!!

Ever since I started blogging (only about 6 weeks now) I've been looking at my site meter anticipating the day it clicked over the number 100 and it finally happened!!! I am really excited about that and just want to say thanks to everybody who's taken even a minute to check out my site. You cannot imagine what that means to me.

I'd also love to hear from you. Please leave comments so that I can get to know you as well.
Thanks for making my day!!

Blessings....