Not Me Monday - Gonna be in trouble when my son sees this

Is it Monday again?


I've got a complete Not Me Monday list all prepared... NOT!


I am sitting at my computer eating breakfast right now. (Eggs, in case you were wondering.) And I did not cook them in the microwave again. I know it's quick, but they always end up exploding and leaving me with a big mess to clean up, thus not making it so "quick."


Since I have a horrible time remembering some of the details of each week, when Monday rolls around I have to refer to my digital photo albums to jog my memory.


Oh here's one....

I would never take an embarrassing picture of one of my kids and then use Picnik to doodle on it and then post it on the Internet!! What a horrible mom!!

MckMama makes me do horrible things!

Ok people, yet again I am inviting you to play along tomorrow with the FABULOUS
Toot Your Horn Tuesday blog carnival.
I have one faithful participant, but would be happy if I had a few hundred more.
Whether you've won the Nobel Peace Prize or potty trained your daughter. This is where you can share your accomplishments. You won't receive a prize,
but you will receive some well deserved recognition.
If you're a mommy, you know this is hard to come by.

~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30
Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.Her sons rise up and call her blessed.He husband also praises her:Many women are capable, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

Flashback Photostory Friday - Halloween when they were little

Hosted by Cecily and Angie

Here's a couple pictures from Halloween pasts.

Here's another cool site!
Post your old photos and play along.

I also want to invite everyone to participate in the upcoming

Toot Your Horn Tuesday

It's a fun way to share our accomplishments, no matter how small. Sometimes, we just need some encouragement, so write a post about something you'd like to brag about and then come back here on Tuesday to link up with others.

Wordless Wednesday - The Middle Child

With all that was going on last month I wasn't able to post a tribute to Carson for his birthday, so here it is finally! He turned 15 on Sept. 29th. He's my quiet one with the sharp wit.
I love you Carson!!

This picture is courtesy of Tim, who was surprisingly able to catch Carson's smile on film.
He hates having his picture taken!

Click here to join Wordless Wednesday.

Toot Your Horn Tuesday - The Barefoot Gardener

Anyone care to play along this week? It's Toot Your Horn Tuesday and I'm quite excited to declare that my landscaping project is well underway!

Let me start by explaining that the flower beds in front of my house were over 50 years old. The old plants and bushes had seen better days! So with some help, I've removed bushes, pulled weeds, laid landscaping timbers and tomorrow the top soil is being delivered! I'm almost giddy! I'm hoping that by next week I can share pictures of my newly planted beds! :)

For today, here's a few pictures of one of my helpers, The Barefoot Gardener

And one more of my helpers... Mr. Stump Grinder. What a magnificent machine. He ate up the dangerous holly bush that I have loathed for over 10 years!

If you've gotten a big (or small) project started or completed then now's your chance to brag a little. Write a post for your blog or just leave a comment and tell us all about it!

Blog Frog Promo

I've had less time to devote to the bloggy world the last few months because of my Dad's cancer, but I have had some time to check into this awesome community of bloggers called Blog Frog.

You've seen it in my side bar for quite some time now and I have yet to take full advantage of all it has to offer, but what I see thrills me!!

You really need to check it out for yourself and JOIN UP!

Click here for the link to get you started.

It's the new MUST HAVE for your blog.

Not Me Monday - Socks

I thought today would be an appropriate day to join back in with the Not Me Monday Blog Carnival along with MckMama. She's such a hoot, isn't she? And I've definitely got some good stuff this week. Here I go....

I did not take a fidgety, sleepy toddler into Walmart in the middle of the day on the 1st of the month. Do you know how horrendous the lines are at that time? I should mention also, that I did not forget to bring a list too! You've seen those poor women before, the one standing in line with a loaded down shopping cart, child screaming, onlookers rolling their eyes with disgust. Yeah, it was that kind of day! I've been in this same predicament before. You'd think I'd learn my lesson. Maybe I should get it tattooed to my hand so I'll remember. NO SHOPPING WITH TIRED TODDLER!

How about those toddlers? The second year can be very trying, don't you know? My daughter got 2 little scratches on her face over a month ago. Well, they just won't heal because she can't keep her cute little fingers away from them! What's a mom to do? I've tried everything!No way, I did not tape socks onto her arms! And of course I did not take her out in public like that. And by the way, this picture was taken several weeks ago. And her face is still not healed! Any suggestions?

Enough of these Not Me's. Even after 4 children, I still haven't perfected this mothering thing!

Have you come by my blog on a Tuesday?! Well, if you haven't, then you are missing a great opportunity! I host a super follow up to MckMama's Not Me Monday. It's called Toot Your Horn Tuesday. After serving up all of our embarrassing moments, we finally get to brag about what we actually got right! I hope you'll play along! Same as MckMama, just grab the button from my sidebar, write your post and then link back to me tomorrow. I promise you'll have fun. We all need a pat on the back now and then.

Beware the germs

Are you sick too? Everyone I know is sick! I've had sinus issues this week (very minor.) My son has too. But I've been hearing about the flu from soooo many people. Maybe I should just stay home this weekend and avoid the public altogether!
Why don't we have a poll. Check out the side bar on the right...

Toot Your Horn Tuesday - Getting use to change

It's Tuesday! Time to Toot Our Horns. Give ourselves a pat on the back.
Take some credit.
And we don't have to feel guilty about it!
Here I go...

This week, if you've read my previous posts, has been a hard one. My Step-Dad passed away last Tuesday. Saturday was his memorial service. As hard as it was to say goodbye, I'm thankful that we'll have some normalacy again. Normalacy, meaning that I won't be running back and forth to my parents' home every day, spending nights away from my family, and riding the roller coaster that cancer produces. On the other hand, our family now faces a big change. Life without him will be much different.

I'll keep this short, the main accomplishment that I'm grateful for this week is just the fact that I held it together!! I got through it and was able to help my family through it as well. We kept close to God and let Him guide us through each hard hour.
I have confidence that our family will be able to handle the changes before us. And we'll see to it that my Mom is cared for and loved while she makes this conversion to widowhood.

Now, if you written a post about your Toots, please share them by linking your post below. The Toot Your Horn Tuesday button is on the left sidebar. Just copy the code into your post. Or at least leave a comment and tell me something wonderful about yourself.
Blessings,

I Heart Faces - Blue

This week's theme is blue. I think this picture qualifies!!

It's a new day and a new way of life since my Step-Dad's passing. The service for my Dad was Saturday and it was beautiful! I'm not going to linger in sadness, but I'm going to greet this change with a positive attitude. I know that God has a special plan for all of us!

Come back to my blog tomorrow and play along with Toot Your Horn Tuesday. Click here for instructions. I hope you'll join me!

Fly to heaven

At 2:35am on Tuesday Sept. 22, the first day of Autumn, my step-father peacefully flew to heaven to spend his first day with our Lord Savior God. My mother and I were at this side and watched him draw his last breath in this world. He was an amazing man.

Last week, I spent lots of time talking with him and he even allowed me to video tape some stories. I plan to speak about those stories at his memorial service. I am a horrible public speaker, but I am prepared. It will be a wonderful release and also a feeling of honor. Here's an excerpt.

By this time, Tom’s voice was starting to get a little hoarse, but he insisted he tell me one more story…He sat up on the couch and moved a little closer to the camera and he told me how he fell in love with my Mom and how he had promised her that he would never ever make her regret marrying him. He used the word mystical when he described their relationship. They were loving towards each other all the time! No bickering, no harsh words were ever spoken between them. Their marriage is a testimony to me. It makes me want to love my husband better.

Tom’s had more than his share of heart break and trials. Even to the end of his life being stricken with this monstrous disease. It doesn’t seem fair. Any of us might wonder how did he endure all of that? We might ask Why Me? But he did not. Tom knew, without a doubt, that God was in control and had a special purpose beyond our comprehension. He told me he was not afraid to die. He told me that he knew he would soon touch the hem of Jesus our savior. So, it was not Tom that endured those hardships, but it was God through Tom. Tom never stopped giving God the glory. That is Tom’s greatest legacy to us.

I Heart Faces - Candid

I haven't played along with this is such a long time! This week's theme is

CANDID
I flipped through my picture library and found this one taken at my parent's house while we celebrated Glynis' 2nd birthday in July. From a photography standpoint, there is nothing significent about this photo, but these are faces of people that I love. My Mom hugging my daughter and my dear Dad smiling at them. My Dad will be gone to heaven any day now.

You can imagine the significence of his smile.

Toot Your Horn Tuesday - God through me

(posting this a bit early, time is sparse this week)
As some of you know, my family has been on a journey with my stepfather. He was diagnosed with lung cancer this past July. And now we have come to the end of the battle. We've had a vigil by his bedside for the past 5 days. He is in between this world and the next. And although this seems like an odd time to toot my horn, I'd like to share what God's power has done through me. Our family has had a strength and calmness that can only be explained as a miracle.

My Dad was discharged from the hospital just over 2 weeks ago. And in this short time, he has experienced all the wrath of this monsterous disease. Symptoms include, pain, weakness, breathing problems, confusion and aggitation. My mother, my aunt and I have become his nurses and spiritual advisors. Cancer attacks not only your body, but also your soul. When he was still speaking clearly, he told us many many times that he is not afraid to die and that he knows he will be with Jesus. That is the most comforting part!!

Other relatives have gathered by his side these past days. We have been in constant prayer. We sing hymns, read verses and best of all, we love on each other! So, today I toot my horn for being God's vessel of love in my Dad's last days.

Now don't be afraid to share your "toot." We will all face these trials in our lifetimes. It's my time now, but life does go on. I love to hear about your blessings or accomplishments no matter how small they might seem. I lift you up in whatever you face today!

Sign the linky below if you've written a "Toot Your Horn Tuesday" post. Don't forget, you can leave comments below too. :)

Toot Your Horn Tuesday - Time

Here's a great opportunity to share a little bit about yourself.

Go ahead and brag a little! We all need a pat on the back now and then.

I'm proud of myself this week for starting a new project at my house. I am completely redoing a flower bed in the front yard. No, I haven't finished it yet, but it's coming along great. I had to tear out old bushes and pull about 5 milllion weeds. Now it's ready for some new landscaping timbers, top soil and new plants. I hope to have it completed within the next two weeks. The tough part is finding the time.

My time is totally consumed these days. I'm caring for a busy husband and 4 busy kids. No need to explain that to you. We're all in the same boat, aren't we? But throw a sick parent into the mix and time is precious! I've been spending hours over at my parents house, doing chores or just sitting with my Dad.

Because time is so short, I enrolled Glynis, the 2 year old, in preschool!! She starts this morning. I'm a stay at home mom, so I feel a little guilt for doing so, but when I came across this Mother's Day Out program at a local church, I figured it was a God send. She'll be going one morning a week. It's only 4 hours! 4 Amazing hours! 4 Glorious hours! I'll have 4 toddler-free hours a week to help my parents, schedule appointments or just take a nap.

I'm giddy! We went "school shopping" for her yesterday. She needed a lunch box, crayons and some glue. :)

Anyway, it's 6:30am. Time to get moving. Don't want to waste one second of my 4 Wonderful hours! I hope you'll use the comment section below to share something about yourself. And maybe next week you can write your own Toot Your Horn Tuesday post. I'll be sure to have a linky set up then.

Have a splendid Tuesday!

There's no avoiding it

About 5 or 6 months ago I started spending a little too much time obsessing about turning 40. I’m ashamed to say that I was worrying about things like wrinkles, and grey hair. I was worrying about gaining weight and not feeling young any longer. With all my other birthdays I got a little older, but on my 40th I figured I would just be OLD!

Well, what a dummy I was! 40 is fine! I didn’t wake up on my birthday to find that my hair was all grey. My skin didn’t shrivel up and my butt actually shrank a little this year. 40 is not old! I am still in control of a few things…my weight, my hair color, and mostly my attitude.

Just another life lesson I’ve learned the hard way. Life is short, dwelling on the negative is not going to help one bit!!

And by the way, the best medicine for facing a dreaded birthday is this…
Doing something fun with people you love!

These are two of my longest and dearest friends. We all turned 40 this year so who better to celebrate with?!

And stay tuned to find out what other special thing I did for my birthday. Pictures to follow!!

P.S. I'll be resuming
Toot Your Horn Tuesday tomorrow!!
So please come back and play along!

9-11

I was in church that morning with a bunch of other moms, many of them military wives. When the news broke, we were all frantic. Some gathered in circles to pray. Others headed towards their cars to gather their families. What a total feeling of helplessness and fear. Not a thing that we could do. Only sit and watch the news clips over and over and over.

Our country mourns together today. Let us all be in continuous prayer in remembrance of those families who lost a loved one.

Wondersand...Buy Some!!

This stuff has been around for years, but it's been years since I've experienced it. Let's give it a try again people!!

Don't worry about the special precautions, such as "ages 5 and up"

Your toddler can have a good solid hour of fun. She'll stay occupied and completely enthralled.

Just be aware that the clean up will require towels, a broom, the vacuum cleaner, your washing machine and a bathtub. Also be prepared to spend an hour using said equipment!

Number (nonsense)

These can't just be coincidences!
Today is 09/09/09. There are 9 letters in "Wednesday." There are 9 letters in "September." This is the 252nd day of the year...2+5+2=9.

Glynis said "Mommy" 9,999,999 times today between the hours of 9am and 9pm. Her middle name is Rae. There are 9 letters in Glynis Rae. My middle name is Renee. There are 9 letters in Leah Renee.

And I know what you're thinking right now..."I don't care!"

(Ah Ha, there are 9 letters in "I don't care!")

Day by Day

Well it's been ages since I've written and I'm not going to write much now either. I've been riding this dismal cancer carnival ride along with my step-dad and the rest of our exhausted family.

Here's the time line, thus far, of Tom's cancer story:

July 10 - Diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer, followed by ct of brain, and a bone scan, both came back clear

August 4 - 1st chemo treatment

August 9 - severe reaction to chemo and is taken by ambulance to hospital, spent 12 days there several of which he was in a coma-like state. kidneys failing, no food, infection etc.

August 20 - strong enough to go to rehab, still on oxygen, but eating normal and getting stronger

August 31 - looking forward to going home in 2 days, but severe breathing problems occur abruptly and he is taken again to the emergency room. ventilator is needed., new ct scan of chest reveals that cancer is worse and has now invaded his bones (note that there was no sign of bone cancer just a month earlier)

Today - Sept. 2 - ventilator is removed and he is breathing on his own with hopes of coming home in another day or two. hospice will be called to help

This is just a brief description of what we've endured in just a short time. I can't express right now, all the emotional turmoil that has gone along with each new crisis. It's a roller coaster that I hope I never ride again! Cancer is a vile thing!!

Yet, we continue to praise God and to rest assured that His plan has a purpose. Here's a picture from Sunday. Tom is joyful even through the storm. What a lesson he teaches us all!