Fried Green Tomatoes & Sweet Tea

A Day to Remember

2012-01-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

I still cant believe my oldest child is a married man It was the sweetest wedding Ive ever been to.

It wasn't planned to be "showy" it was a wedding where you could see and feel the love.

She was beautiful (and is always beautiful)

I loved helping with the planning of my son's wedding.

I wanted them to have a day (and a wedding) they will always remember and that held meaning

They have the world at their fingertips.

I am so proud of them both as he continues with the Marines and she continues working towards her college degree

They are now Mr. & Mrs Smith :)

Wordless Wednesday Photo

2012-01-25T18:21:00.002-05:00

So Im not sure what was going on here but I think she noticed cake all over her rings and my son's sparkling grape juice appears to be glowing!

Peace

2012-01-25T09:06:00.000-05:00

(1) Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

(2) What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

(3) I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

(4) And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

(5) Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

Rambling Thoughts

2012-01-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

Tonight as I write this I have so much rushing through my brain. Ive been pretty sick the past few days and ended up visiting the Urgent Care and put on antibiotics. I am tired, and achey and just plain exhausted.

Our life has been a rollar coaster the past few years. Im so proud of my son & daughter-in-law and am so glad to see them so happy as they begin their life together.

I am staring at a pile of laundary with no energy to fold it and Im seriously considering ripping up the carpet in the livingroom because its been there for ten years and looks aweful and steam cleaning does no good anymore. There are cold venison burgers on the stove for when my husband arrives home along with homemade french fries.

I feel like it should be Friday night but its Tuesday as I write this!

I signed up for more classes and I have no idea why because my motivation is nonexistant these days. I just need a break, time at home to relax and gather myself together and get the house in order again. I miss being home to get things done during the day, now Im so tired when I get home I have no energy to keep the house up! I find myself envious of the Christmas gift I gave Gary that he has yet to use..... a gift certificate for a massage!

Even still, I am thinking of ways to fix the things that are not working smoothly in this house.
Life us just swollowed me and Im trying so hard to climb back out find myself again, find my family again, and find my peace & happiness again.

As I chose "peace" as my word this year I can hear my old Pastor singing.....

"Peace Peace wonderful peace coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love"

What We Did this Weekend

2012-01-23T08:20:00.001-05:00

I am now the mother-in-law of this beautiful blushing bride. All week we have been planning this small wedding. It was beautiful and meaningful with just immediate family and the bride and groom invited their one best friend (each)

Below is my son and his new wife, my three daughters
and my nephew.

The song that posted yesterday was the song they played at their wedding

as the bride walked in.

The Avett Brothers - January Wedding

2012-01-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

COFFEE!!!!

2012-01-21T10:56:00.004-05:00

If you love coffee like I do, please click the link above this post to read more about Pangeo Coffee. Buying coffee from them, sends money right to their village! Not to mention, the coffee is roasted upon ordering! That's right, place your order and they will roast it the following Monday and ship it out on Tuesday! Cant get any better than that! Oh wait, don't forget to use the promo code "Sweet Tea" upon checkout for $1 off each bag!

Please comment back on my blog if you do order, Id love to know how you like it!

There is nothing better than a cup of hot coffee on a cool RAINY day like today.

In the Classroom

2012-01-20T08:02:00.001-05:00

We are still dreaming of a snow day.............

while Im dreaming of snow..... I hope it doesnt snow (or rain) this weekend.

You wont believe what we are doing this weekend around the house!

Ill post about it Monday.

Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill How Great thou Art - 720P HD - Standing...

2012-01-18T19:33:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite hymn and a great version of it. Im feeling sad tonight and this comforts my soul. Whats your favorite hymn?

Im Pretending its Snowing!

2012-01-15T09:56:00.002-05:00

Today I'm pretending its snowing!

I'm going to stay in my pajamas and drink coffee.

I'm going to eat apple waffles made in my waffle maker.

I'm going to sit on the couch covered with my quilt and surf the Internet.

Today I'm going to do things that I like to do.

(even though I have the worst headache Ive had in a long time and a strained muscle in my neck/back) today I'm going to enjoy my day and not stress over housework, school work or bills.

I'm going to read all the blogs I like to read.

I'm going to find ideas for decorating and crafting.

Later this evening I will work on some jewelry making.

Today I will also be planning decorations for a very soon upcoming wedding (hint)

and for a special birthday party for a special girl (hint)

Today I'm pretending its snowing outside and I'm stuck at home with no worries.

I will do some baking, napping, and a long hot bath.

I need a snow day, and I'm taking it!

No time like the present.

Im Not Who I Once Was

2012-01-14T09:15:00.001-05:00

I don't know who I am anymore. I used to smile and be happy all the time. Not much could get me down. I was strong. I could not be knocked down. I was confident and sure myself.

I have given so much of myself to everyone around me that I feel empty as of late.I have nothing else to give. My smile is gone and if it shows a brief appearance most of the time its fake. The slightest thing can make me cry, make me sad or down. I am weak. I don't want people to know my struggles because I worry about what they will think of me. I feel like no one understands but there has to be someone out there who understands.

Sometimes people have every reason to feel this way, but sometimes there is no reason at all we just feel this way.

I have always felt that I have to be perfect. Even though we all know that no one is perfect I still have felt that I had to be as close to perfect as possible. The bad thing is that once I fail I feel lower than dirt. Somewhere over the past few years I have given up. I think Ive turned into the opposite of who I used to be. I just don't try anymore and its all I can do to get through the day. Sometimes I get home from work at 5:30 and I'm in bed by 7:30.

We all have struggles (probably more than one) some struggle with alcohol or drugs, others struggle with lust/adultery, while others struggle with greed, depression or gluttony. No one struggle is worse than the other. We tend to list them according to what we think is more acceptable but God sees them all the same. We are all human and struggle with thoughts and desires of the flesh. Yet, we look at others and judge their weaknesses when we have our own that are no better than theirs.

Failing and giving in to our desires/struggles can be humbling. It makes us see that we are not any better than the other person and we should all learn from our own feelings. We should remember the lowness we felt when we fell all too short and offer a loving and supportive hand to those who are struggling. Yet we give each other nasty looks in the grocery store, we call them evil, we write them off as worthless but Christ sees our hearts.

Jesus sees our struggles and if we continue to fight the fight and ask forgiveness when we fall all too short and march on we will be rewarded in heaven. If Christ can do this for us, why don't we do this for others? Why cant we look at the homeless alcoholic and realize that we are not any better than him when we back stab our neighbor or covet the neighbors car, house or wife?

I have had my own struggles in this life like everyone else. Some are known while others are not. Just like everyone else. I try to look at others without judgment because I know how it feels to be judged. I know how it feels to be talked about behind my back. I know how it feels to be given dirty looks in the grocery store.

Recently I heard a sad story about someone who committed suicide. I heard several people say, "that is such a selfish act" while I understand what they mean by that, I cannot judge the person who lost his/her battle with depression. I have been in that place where all I wanted was peace, where I wanted the pain to end and that seemed like the only answer.

I'm probably rambling right now, but I'm sure someone out there "Gets" what I'm saying and how I feel.

I am not who I once was. In some ways that is good and in others that is bad.

I am glad that Ive learned something from my failures/struggles.

I pray that I conquer my current battles. Sometimes I have my doubts but in Romans 8 God's Word tells me "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Listen to the words of this song.

Its the Process Not the Product

2012-01-13T19:55:00.000-05:00

I am a Pre Kindergarten teacher. I love all the activities you can do with this age group. I love how their little minds are like sponges. I love how Ican show them a concept and they learn so quickly and each and every one of them enjoy doing it! December is one of my favorite times of the year to work with children. I have so many ideas, so many crafts/art projects and concepts to teach! Recently they learned the new year is here and they used dyed pasta to make the year 2012.

They loved cutting out Christmas shapes with cookie cutters in home made peppermint scented play doh.

In December we started our project with these items. You can let the children trace stocking shapes and then cut them out or cut them out yourself as I did. Then take the hole puncher and punch holes all the way around two pieces.

The children then use the yarn to lace (sew) the two pieces of construction paper together and then tie or tape the yarn to the back.

They can then glue cotton to the top and write their names and there you have stockings that they make and you can stick a candy cane in!

(you can also do this with a mitten shape)

One thing Ive learned in all these years is "Its the process not the product" While the final product is cute, the children are learning so many skills and concepts just in the process of making these cute little projects.

Now, its time to work on my January themes of Matching Mittens, How gloves and mittens are the same and how they are different, What do we where in winter and why? Snowmen! Polar animals etc...

Snow Day

2012-01-11T06:22:00.000-05:00

This cute little strawberry blond, freckled faced young lady and I would really love a snow day about now. One that keeps us indoors and at home for at least two days. So we can sleep late, watch movies, make homemade Hot Cocoa, make snow cream, play in the snow and take long walks through the ever so quiet woods.

Please send us snow!

A Time to Step Back & Rest

2012-01-08T16:47:00.003-05:00

I have a lot that I'm dealing with these days. So I'm gonna step back from posting about whats going on and how I feel. I might not post as much but what I do post will be smaller and maybe things like what I'm doing at work these days or a recipe or something.

I have a lot of things I want to do but cant find the energy to do it. I am resting a lot these days when I'm at home. In some ways I think all the anxiety over having a son who was deployed has finally disappeared and I'm emotionally exhausted.

Ive been having a lot of bad dreams lately involving my children. Maybe that shows my worry & concern over them and recent events. I don't like nightmares and neither does Gary because I wake him up in the middle of the night yelling!

This week I hope to do a few things......

move our turtles to their newer larger home.

clean out and organize our play room (former daycare room) now that the military gear has found its way back to Camp LeJeune.

cook a few recipes with Caylee.

Try a different hot cocoa recipe every night with the girls and see which we like the best.

Ideas on Pinterest

2012-01-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

Source: rik-seephotography.com via Kim on Pinterest

Looking Back & Looking Forward "What is your one word for the year?"

2012-01-04T19:10:00.001-05:00

I looked back to my thoughts and goals about the beginning of 2011 and this is what I said:

As I enter 2011 I am thinking about :

Change (wow did I have change!)

Who am I? (I am more than a mom and a wife but that is all I have been for a very long time) (Im still working on this one)

Finally graduating with my degree (I did graduate)

What job do I want? (I have a job Ive always wanted)

Beginning a Bible study ( I did an at home Bible study for awhile)
and much more.

Now, as I enter 2012 here are things Im looking towards:

My "word" for this year is PEACE (Peace of mind) I need a calmness in my life. I need the anxiety to leave and I need Peace.

We will begin searching for a church. Im ashamed to say we have not been going to church for awhile now. Our beliefs have not changed, its just hard to find a church that is more than a social club and that is not too far away. I want a church that has a strong youth group that my children can get connected in and that they already know people in.

I want to gain better control over our finances.

I want to work harder at keeping up on the housekeeping and laundry.

I want to lose weight, feel better and be healthier.

What is your one WORD for 2012??

What goals have you set?
Dont forget to link up on this post about

what you learned in 2011

Our New Years Day

2012-01-01T23:39:00.003-05:00

On New Years Day we slept late since we were up late playing Just Dance on the Wii. (Gary had to work so he didn't get to sleep late)

Then Caylee and I spent three hours at the Urgent Care as she had been sick for several weeks and it just kept getting worse. Then, we had to go to the Pharmacy. Since we spent a good part of the day doing this, we missed New Years Lunch at my mother-in-law's house but they saved us a plate.

Thankfully Caylee is on antibiotics now. The girls intend to go hunting with their daddy on the last day of hunting season (tomorrow) I'm hoping they get a deer as Sarah is determined to gut her first deer.

I will be cleaning, packing up the Christmas decorations and organizing. This is always sad to me. But I will try to make a list of goals for the year and get my mind on things to work towards. I'm a goal oriented person and when I'm not working towards something, I'm miserable.

There have been alot going on these days which has my emotions all out of sorts. I just pray for Gods will in all of it.

***this picture was taken with my Droid outside the Urgent Care but Caylee and I think it looks like we were at the beach. The Urgent Care was so full there was no room inside to sit or stand! ***

What I learned in 2011

2012-01-01T01:00:00.004-05:00

In looking over the past year, all I can remember is sadness and heartache.

I am a firm believer that in every situation something can be learned, so I have thought this past year over even more.

I started the year with losing my job (caring for children at home) but found a new job very quickly. (a job Ive always wanted) Im thankful to have this job in the economy today.

Three months after I started work a sweet baby girl entered our life. We took her in, loved her and cared for her not knowing if it would be temporary or permanat. The longer we had her to more we loved her and wanted her to stay. All along I prayed for Gods will and God obviously had plans for us to care for her for three months until her Daddy was prepared to take her.

It was hard. I was devastated. I still have a hard time when I see a baby about her age. I still avoid friends who have young children or babies.

This was taken as he was about to deploy to Afghanistan in May 2011 During the months that Samuel was deploying we took Sweet Pea in and three months later we said goodbye to her. Dealing with losing Sweet Pea and the danger my son was in was crushing.

I cannot explain how amazing it was to set eyes on him again Christmas Day.

In thinking about the past year I can say Ive learned to value family and time spent with my children.

I cannot tell you enough not to take that time for granted because you never know when your time will be cut short.

May God be with your family and ours this year.
2012

Together Again

2011-12-31T01:34:00.002-05:00

I stood back and let his fiance grab him first and kiss him but I was the second to grab him and hug tight, tell him I love him and how happy I was to have him home and kiss his cheek.

(and of course cried)

Below is our family photo just minutes after we hugged him and welcomed him home.
Its been a tough year on many of us but it ended pretty amazing......
Happy New Year!
Blessings to your families, hug your children tight and never take your time with them for granted.

Rush of Fools - Undo (w/ lryics)

2011-12-30T19:01:00.000-05:00

Stationery card

2011-12-30T18:45:00.001-05:00

Happy New Memories New Year's Card

Browse Christmas invitations and holiday cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Tears, Smiles, Hugs & Kisses (Marine Style)

2011-12-30T04:30:00.000-05:00

LCPL Smith hugging his dad for the first time after returning from Afghanistan. After nearly 3 years together this was the first time they have been apart for this long.
Hugging Charlotte......

and Caylee just burst into tears when she saw her big brother!

Hugging Sarah

(these two are two peas in a pod, so much alike its amazing)

It was a Christmas Day Ill never forget, emotions Ill never forget.

Not just the emotions of seeing our son but being there when so many others saw their Marines for the first time in 7 months. It was amazing.

Busdriver... move that bus!!!

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived at the field house around 4am. There was a DJ with music and dancing, food and games for children and adults. Lots of emotions and below you will see me saying "Stop!" to Gary who always makes strange faces in our photos. At times we got teary eyed as the music was so sad. Then we got excited as they announced that the Marines had left Cherry Point and was on their way to Camp LeJeune!
I can thank my good friend Janet and her husband Gabe for driving us on base and sitting with us, laughing with us, taking pictures and welcoming our son home.

Finally as it neared 8 am we were told to go outside as the buses were on their way!!!!

We saw a police car with lights flashing leading the Marines and we all started cheering!

The buses lined up as the guys filed off the buses and got into formation. We couldn't see them all and one guy near us started yelling "bus driver, move that bus! "

Can you spot my son ???

I can!!!!!

Emotions

2011-12-28T18:28:00.002-05:00

Its been a crazy few days to say the least. All the rush of getting ready for Christmas, stress over what I can afford to buy, stress over when/if our son would make it home in time. For most things in life I'm a "planner" but in recent years Ive learned to be more impulsive and able to take things as they go.

All these emotions built up and by the time he returned home I was sobbing. With both happiness and relief. However, our two days with him went quickly and Christmas was over and I went back to work. Now, I'm feeling so down... and feeling the anxiety with my heart racing. There is so much going through my mind. While I'm thankful that my son made it home safe and sound and being around all four of my children made me happy. Now, life back to normal is depressing.

This empty nest syndrome sucks!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

2011-12-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

Soon I will post more about my sweet Sarah but for now I just want to say Happy Birthday!