Are you a Real Mother?

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years
or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.


The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Philbrook Museum

Donny and I went to Tulsa this weekend to get away and spend some time together. We visited the Philbrook Museum. It is an art museum housed in a beautiful mansion. The mansion also has a 27 acre garden. Here are a few pics.

Donny being silly. He wanted me to take a picture of him in this huge fireplace.

There were several pictures of Jesus. I loved them all!

Could you image lounging in this every evening? The ceilings were gorgeous.

Stained glass window

There were tons of butterflies in the garden.

Donny sliding down the rail.

Me soaking my feet in the water garden.

I passed!!

I just found out I passed my first part of math! WOOHOO! I give God all the glory! that's one lemon made into lemonade...:0

Busy Painting

I know I haven't posted in a while. I found this t-shirt online today and thought it explained what I've been up to lately! I've been pretty busy managing life due to a huge harvest of lemons!Gotta run to buy some gold paint!! :)

refiner's fire

Okay guys are you ready for this? ..................
I HAVE AN "A" in math!!!!! It is a miracle. I can't tell you what an awesome feeling it is to understand math. Math is the course that has kept me out of college until now. I love my teacher, Mr. Utz. He is a great teacher and I pray I have him all the way through.

I've been in school 3 weeks now and I can say it has been a roller coaster for me. I've had fun, I've cried, (a lot!), I've celebrated, I've screamed, and I've met lots of new people. Most of all I've learned a lot about myself. I think God has put me in this place to grow my character. I've had a history of quitting when life got hard. You know, guitar lessons, gymnastics, high school, marriage, diets, etc. I'm learning about a quitter mentality and how I've struggled with it all my life. Every time I have the thought of quitting or asking myself what the heck I'm going to school for, I hear this:
" Quitting is NOT an option!" Sometimes we don't have to know the "why" we just have to trust God has a plan and it's to prosper us and bring us hope! I have no idea where this will lead me in the way of a career, but I do know that God is using college to refine my heart!

Eye Level to a Mini Horse

Angie invited us to take Autumn to meet her mom's new mini horse. Autumn didn't warm up easily. I'm sure it was wierd for Autumn to have a horse look at her eye level. We tried evey trick we knew to get her to touch the horse. Finally she reached out and quickly touched her. We all had a good time. Thanks Angie for inviting us!

All Comfort Zones Are Gone!

TGIF! I'm so glad this week is over. It has been a good week, but a long tiring one too. I never thought I'd be so tired sitting in classes. I didn't take into consideration lots of stairs, a heavy backpack, getting up early, and then doing homework. My brain is soooo tired.

Okay, I'll quit whining.

This week has stretched me beyond my comfort zone that is for sure. I've been humbled by the things I don't know. One humbling experience was not knowing how to read a ruler. Sure I know 1/4, 3/4, 1/2, but that's it. Who would've thought I would need a ruler for graphic design?....j/k

My teacher saw me getting frustrated with myself and reminded me we learn from our mistakes. I responded with, "Well then, I've learned a lot today!"

I've learned a lot about myself too. Like how I can be impatient with myself, how much I like to be "in the knowing", and battle feeling guilty when I take time for myself.

All in all though, it's been a great week. Enjoy your Friday! I've gotta get busy studying.

Algebra Update

Well it only took two days to figure out I was in way over my head in beginning algebra. After class yesterday I went to the Math Dean and she moved me to developmental math. At first I was sad and started beating myself up, but then I realized I have got to give myself a break on this one. I've never had Algebra a day in my life, so how would I know all those operations. So I start my new math class today. And I have to say, I'm relieved. Life is hard enough without putting unnessersary stress on yourself. I've got nothing but time to get this right!

My first day!

Well I made it through my first day of college and it was.....

AWESOME!!!!

I am so relieved. I love all my teachers and I am learning algebra like never before. Even though I spent 6 hours last night learning what most in my class are reviewing, I am getting it! God is so good! It was overwhelming for my first day to have to learn so much on my own, but Amber has been a huge help! She is so patient with me.

Donny has been great too! He got up and fixed breakfast for us and sent us off with lots of hugs and encouragement! (I love that man) He truly is a Godly man!

I'm so excited about all the things I'm going to be learning! Especially my art and graphic design classes. And guess what? I'm not the oldest in my classes!!!

Brooke Cagle and I have drawing together. The teacher is fun. We all sat around and visited and listened to him tell stories. The coolest thing happened! I sat between two girls named Whitley and Alley. They heard Brooke and I mentioning something about church and they both jumped in almost at the same time and ask "Where do you go to church? We just moved here and we have no clue where to go." Well you know me, I jumped on that one! Whitley is from Fayetteville and Alley is from Mountain Home! They've never been away from home and they are a bit scared as you can imagine.

Can you see where I'm going with this??

Luke 10:2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

God has placed me in a field full of young people seeking the truth!

Another confirmation is the fact that Campus Crusade for Christ called our church and asked if we would be the sponsoring church for the local chapter on campus. Kevin asked them how they came to pick us and she told him that she looked in the phonebook and our name "jumped" out! Okay people! Can you see God at work here? Kevin agreed to be in charge of the Thursday night meetings until they can get student leaders in place! I'm so excited about the door God has opened for our church. He is calling us to go!

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements! Keep'em coming!

Ready to Go!!

1 1/2 days left and I officially become a college student! I'm so excited! I feel like I did when I was a kid. I've got my backpack loaded and all my clothes ironed. I'm trying to start good habits that will help get me to school before 8. Some would say at 45 there may not be much hope for changing my bad habit, but I have to if I want to succeed. So, I decided to pick out my outfits for the week and I ironed everything and hung them together. (I'm laughing at myself) ;O
I'm going to attempt showering the night before to cut down on preparation time. Not sure it will work though because I have oily hair. Amber and Donny said they will help me get going so that will be a great help. I need a marine motivating me. So keep your fingers crossed I can learn to be on time.

I'm open to any ideas you ladies have to help me be on time.

Mama Mia! Was it good!

http://www.mammamiamovie.com/main.html

If you haven't seen this movie yet, grab your best friends and go! OMG! It is a feel good movie. I laughed my butt off and sang along. Check out the trailer. I got a huge kick watching the older women sitting in front of us. They were dancing in their seats and singing along too. I need to buy the soundtrack.

Circles Everywhere

Angie, Danielle and Me

Yesterday at church Danielle noticed that the three of us had on shirts with circles. I happened to have my camera so we took a pic together. Bruce said we were honoring the olympics. It was a good reminder to laugh at the little things in life.

Ranting

Okay friends! Get ready because I'm unleashing some anger here. I'm so upset right now. I was checking my email on MySpace and saw that April had sent me an email 2 days ago. She emailed me to inform me she was coming back here because she is depressed and needs to be around friends and family. I had Amber text her to see where she was and she is already back in Van Buren! I'm so hurt because she got here yesterday and hasn't even bothered to call. This is not a good sign. She is staying with the friend she was staying with before when all the crap started. Honestly, I'm so sick of this. I can't handle any more drama. I'm tired of being hurt. I just want to detach myself from the whole situation. That doesn't sound good for a mom to say, but it's how I feel!!!!

ARGHHHHHHH!!!! Please pray for me. Pray for April too.

The Shack

I've never been much of a reader, but Angie gave me a book to read called "The Shack", by William Young. OMG! I read it in 3 days. I even found myself waking up in the middle of the night to read it. It's a great story and it will blow your mind. There are so many questions I have about some things i read in this book. I find myself asking God questions all the time. It's stirred up my hunger to know Him more. If you get a chance, pick it up and get your tissue ready. I'd love to discuss it with all my friends. Angie and i are driving to Broken Bow Sat. to p/u Amber and Autumn, so we plan to discuss the book. I'm sure it will take the whole trip.

Happy Birthday Donny!

Happy Birthday

Donny!

I love you!

Once Again, I'm Learning to Let Go!

My middle daughter Amber is in the hospital in Texas. She had a gallbladder attack and is facing surgery. I'm having such a hard time not jumping in my car and going there. I've prayed about going and then talked to Donny and decided to stay here and pray. Donny and I don't have the money to go and Amber said not to come, but I feel so guilty.
She has her dad and step-mom there who are helping her with Autumn. My mom is there also. But I still feel bad. Moms are supposed to be there to hold their daughters hand, even if they are 23!
But, one thing I've learned these last few years, God is with them everywhere they go and whatever they are facing. He is there and is a better parent than I could ever be. So once again, I'm letting go!

So I decided to let my guilt go and trust God to be there in my place. He is my peace and strength.
It did bless me this morning when my husband said he can see how strong I've become since we married 8 years ago. When i asked him what he meant, he said that when we first met, the situation with our change in finances and our girls would have kept me in depression everyday. But he said I've gotten a lot stronger and he is proud of me for it. He also said he has no doubt I will do great in college because of it too! I love that man!

great weekend

We had an amaazing weekend. My dad and step-mom called out of the blue and said they were in Clarksville. they decided on a whim to come up for Bargains Galore. This wouldn't be anything special except they live 6 hours away! So Donny and I jumped in the truck and headed off to meet them the next morning in Altus. We stopped at every garage sale from Altus to Mulberry. Then we ended our day in Alma at the Red Rooster! :Love that Rooster burger!

The next day ( Thursday) my mom and step-dad came for a visit. We had a great visit. Took my mom to A-Z and she loved it. It's pretty bad when your mom can out shop you! I'm so proud of her for losing 41 pounds! She looks great and seems so much more content with her body. She is my inspiration to get my eating under control!!!! Saturday night we went to Eric's b-day party. That was fun too. Pina coladas were yummo!

Today I'm home alone. Enjoying the quite and trying to make myself somewhat useful.

Cute joke

Two Little Boys
After a hardy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, a young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddle through her kitchen window. The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole. As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother runs to the yard in a panic. Why on earth did you do that to your little brother she asks as she shook the older boy in anger. We were just playing 'church' mommy he said, I was just baptizing him.....in the name of the Father, the Son and in..the hole-he-goes.'

Squirrel Condo

Yesterday Donny was looking out the window into our back yard and thought he saw something in our hanging pot. As he got a closer look he spotted a squirrel all curled up and obviously making himself at home. Donny had finally figured out why this plant wasn't thriving like the others he planted. He went back to look again later and saw two squirrels lounging in their new pad. Obviously, they might need to add on before winter. :P

Mammaw will you play with me?

It's been an adjustment having Autumn living with us. Not for the reason you might think though. You see, I want to be the grandma that Autumn will talk about to her grandkids, the same way I talk about my grandma to her. Well, this is a lot to live up too. :)

Since Autumn is here more, I hear "Mammaw, will you play with me" at least once an hour. At first I tried to play all the time, but as you moms well know, that is impossible. Autumn and I have always shared the love of crafts. Heck, she could cut paper before she could sit up....j/k

It's been a bit of a challange for me to say no to her. I feel guilty when I don't feel like playing. I have to tell myself its unrealistic to think I could play 24/7 and still function. Playing is tiring. I don't remember being this tired when my kids were 4. Of course, when Bridget was 4 I was 22! And a lot of pounds lighter. :)
So, I'm learning to cut myself some slack. So at least once a day I can say yes to the neverending question of "mammaw, can you play with me?"