It's the happiest time of year...if you're 5 or 6 years old! Out shopping today, it was a frenzy. I was so glad I knew exactly what I needed and got in and out. I've been debating the whole 'reason for the season'...is it about presents or about giving. Is there something else we could give besides 'things'. I think this coming year I will strive to focus more on giving...my time, my ears, my love, my hugs, my whatever is needed...and less time focusing on 'stuff'. I really want my girls to fully understand that this is what Christ stands for. Loving and giving and being there when needed. Let the journey begin.
Merry CHRISTMAS!

It's been a while

So, it's been over two years since I've updated! How time flies! I now have a high schooler, a middle schooler, and two in elementary! Yes, my baby started school this year. She is loving it. I really don't know what to say at the moment, there's been a lot happen the last two years. I've changed jobs. Still work at the same place just a different unit. I love where I am now. Very exciting and I learn something new every shift I work. I'm still working night shift. Hopefully will be going to day shift soon. The girls are all very busy. Swimming, basketball, soccer, school work and church activities. They have grown so much. It amazes Mark and I how much they have grown and matured. He has allowed the two oldest to drive here and there. Of course this wins him a lot of 'cool parent' points. He has changed hours of his work and will again in January. Hopefully he'll like the new hours this time. He was working 10 hour shifts and it was changed to 12 hours on a rotation. He really didn't like it at all. Now they are going to 8hour shifts. We'll see how he likes this. I hope he will. Of course it's more days each week. But he'll be off at 2pm and I think he'll like that. We shall see. I've applied for a job closer to home with better hours. Not that I don't love where I am...it's just with the girls being busier and busier, we thought it might be better for me to change jobs for the better hours and days. Totally leaving this up to God. He knows what is best. Well, I guess this is all of my update for now. I am going to try to post more often. I think it will be good for me...even if no one reads it. =)

What is the deal with folks???

So here we are in an 'economic crisis'... this could be a long one but I'll keep it short and sweet... what does it take to get things to change??? I don't really have an answer. I just know that it starts at the family level. We have got to teach and expect our children to be responsible members of society! I see way too many people today that don't want to work but expect to be paid or for all of their bills to be taken care of by the government. Last night at work a co-worker had an e-mail about Urine Drug Screens. It basically stated that if the working members of society have to submit pre-employment and random drug screens then the members of society that are collecting our hard earned money via well-fair checks should also have to submit to drug screens to be able to get their checks... the stipulation being they must be drug free. I just say a resounding AMEN! If the greedy banks and other leading instituitions would not have approved thousands on thousands of loans for persons that obviously could not afford the amount they were borrowing...and if the greedy gas industry... and if... the list goes on and on... but mainly if we were responsible for own selfs and don't 'live outside our incomes' then we probably wouldn't be in the state of economic crisis we are in. We all need to wake up!

proud of my daughter

Yesterday I was working in the flowerbed...when my middle school daughter came home. My three year old was being the big girl that she keeps reminding me she is and helping put the weeds in the trash can. Azalee came outside with the cordless phone and said her teacher needed to speak to me... you know the scenerio... I was like, "What, are you in trouble?" She recognized the look and smiled and said, "I'm not in trouble mom!" I took the phone from her and the teacher was calling to let me know that Azalee had her first presentation and she did extremely well. The teacher went on to say Azalee "is a such a pleasure to have in class." I was so proud right then... I thanked the teacher for taking the time to call and let me know. I mean, now-a-days how often do you get a call to tell you what a pleasure your child is to teach???? I hung up and told my daughter how proud I was of her! She declined my hug since I was dirty and sweaty from working in the yard... but I know she realized how proud I was right then. I could see it in her facial expression. Of course, I used this opportunity to remind her that she needed to keep up the hard work. It will pay off for her one day! What a blessing our kids are... so many times we want and need to vent about our frustrations but I thought it would be could to blog about the good stuff too! Way to go Azalee! I love you and am proud of you!

Friends

Well, I just have to say a few things... 1st, I graduated from Lawrence County High School in Lawrenceburg, TN in 1993. I did not have any friends there. It was my sixth, yes you read right, sixth high shool in my four year high school career. Anyway, my father was in the military and we moved a lot. It was never difficult because everywhere we moved to everyone else moved in and out too. This was not the case in Lawrenceburg. There is no military near it. Everyone there was born and raised...and they didn't like 'outsiders.' I said all of that to say this...A women sent me a friend request on facebook. I didn't recognize this person's name or picture. So I sent a message asking how we know eachother...she replied that we went to LCHS and graduated together. She also stated, "I don't think we talked or anything but we graduated the same year." Okay, so here's where I'm like... you didn't talk to me in high school...but you want to be my friend on facebook? Say, what? I really don't get it. I replied that I only attended LCHS that one year and didn't have any friends from there seeing that no one was friendly. I also stated that I didn't even recognize her photo. So she then replies "it's never too late to be friends and that she's sorry people were rude to me and that she hopes she wasn't one of them." I'm still at a loss... do I want some one I don't know having access to my facebook profile? No. I don't think we can become friends now just by 'being friends' on facebook. I also don't even live in Lawrenceburg anymore so it's not like we're going to hang out sometime. I would love to hear from you all on this one! Let me her what your idea's are.