Making Progress

I really think I am! I am happy to say that I finished my first Bible Study (Beth Moore Series) and actually read the entire study. I wasn't very good at writing down the answers, but did read the whole thing. I had a good friend tell me about a 30 minute program that comes on in the morning featuring Joyce Meyer. Oh what a great motivational speaker! I hope to someday see her in person at one of her conferences. I am trying really hard to stay disciplined on reading my Bible and praying more.

I have changed gears (once again) and started back into scrapbooking the girls' pictures. I have "squeezed" (shhh), in some really cute Boy pages for my new Grandbaby that will be here before we know it. With all that said, I think I am MAKING PROGRESS!!!

May is always a busy month. Graduations , Wedding Showers, Weddings, Birthdays, and our Anniversary. Another year (29), I still can't believe Terry puts up with me.

Summer is always Terry's favorite time of the year. Golf, Golf, Golf. The nicer the weather gets, the less I see of my husband. Terry would golf everyday if our Oklahoma weather would allow it. He always seems to come up with a few "I never have gotten to golf on ...............this day or that course! He has become a "Pro" at it.

Shelby is feeling great and looking so cute with her Tummy! Jared and her, with the help of her Dad, remodeled their home and are now waiting on the Baby's furniture to arrive. It will be exciting to see the nursery when she gets it set up. I am having mixed emotions about my "Baby" having one of her own. I can still remember that life changing experience. I can't wait to see the emotions that will come over us all!

Sadie is doing really good in school and at her clinicals. She has always taken great pride in what she does. I know she will be an asset to the profession. One more year and she will have her degree. Yea! Sadie has been seeing a young man for a couple of months now. We have really taken a liking to Stephen. It's neat to see Sadie happy and silly again! They really make a cute couple.

Izzy has been making a few adjustments, herself. I am sorry to say that my dog's behavior has been somewhat out of control or should I say "she has been in control too long. We have started a new training program and she has been wearing a "pout face" for a couple of days. I am trying to stay strong and be patient. Discipline is good???

Dizzy~~~

I'm sure some of you are dizzy trying to keep up with my decision making ability. If you recall, at the beginning of my Blogsite, I mentioned that I was going to venture into a side business of scrapbooking for others. Well, I did complete a couple of albums for some friends. By doing so, I realized that I was not completing any of my own! I love the "creative" part of scrapbooking but have struggled with the "time" part. I'm sure most of you have heard the saying "Opportunity Knocks". I recently put together a Collage of pictures, of Loved Ones no longer with us, for others to cherish. At first I was a little nervous taking on the responsibility of putting together something so important. Once I relaxed, I realized God was giving me an opportunity of Giving. I enjoyed every minute of it! I am hoping to continue with this new alternative style of scrapbooking and reaping the enjoyment that it gives to others. I have been very Blessed in my life. I hope to never take any of my Blessings for granted.

It's A Boy!!

I'm not sure, but I really think that this is the "Best" picture that I have posted so far! If some of you haven't heard (and I'm sorry if I haven't had a chance to tell you) I am going to be the proud Grandmother of a beautiful baby boy! Yea! Shelby is due August 20th. How great is that? I can't believe it has taken me so long to get this on my blog. Momma and baby are doing great.
Sadie is doing really good in school and at her clinical. She seems to be enjoying Radiology. We keep getting Great remarks from the staff at the hospital and school. She will finish up in May of 2011. I am sure she is asready as her Father and Mother! Terry has been busy helping Shelby paint and redecorate the house. She wants to get things in order while she still feels good.I have been staying busy, taxes are done! I have also been tinkering with making gift bags with tags. "Bags & Tags" on Facebook if you would like to check it out. My Fibromyalgia has been a challenge to say the least. I have a hard time telling myself that I can't do as much as I once could. I have also started a Bible Study with Beth Moore, "Breaking Free". So far it has been a real insight for me. I hope I am up for the challenge of completing the 10 week series. My scrap booking is getting the best of me! I am having a tough time keeping my quota each week.As for Izzy, I have been talking to her daily about the arrival of "Baby Bates". I am afraid this event will be a tremendous "shock" to her life as we all know it! She still amazes me with her IQ! She had been being lazy about ringing her bells on the back door to let me know that she needed to go out. I took a moment on the way out the door to remind her that she needed to use her bells to get my attention. As I have said before (probably several times), she is way too smart for me. Later that day, I was in the bedroom when I hear the clang of the bells. I waited and listened, giving Terry an opportunity to respond. To my surprise! He didn't! At this time Izzy repeated her request on the bells again! As you can imagine, I was really surprised when I came out of the bedroom to find Terry STILL sitting down, watching TV. I then took the time, as Izzy and I were going out the back door, to "refresh" Terry on the "Rules of Engagement" also. If only our spouses and children could be taught as easy as our companions.

Beautiful!

That is so Beautiful!

Those were the words that I kept saying over and over again, two weeks ago, when we received a heavy frost from Mother Nature. The outdoors looked as if Mother Nature opened her mouth and "Sighed" a breath of air that instantly turned to crystal and blanketed everything it touched. I couldn't take enough pictures to capture the beautiful sight. I was able to get a few really nice pictures to show off some of the beauty. Enjoy. If possible, let me know what you think?

Joy.

I have been receiving an email called "Amanda Gore's Monthly Endorphin Injection" for over a year now. Most of the time I move them to file without taking the time to read them. For once, I read her newsletter which topic was "JOY" and all I can say is Wow! Once in a while things do actually hit home and this one did. She talked about the difference between Happiness and Joy. Happiness is about wanting. Joy is about giving. Imagine an iceberg, the teeny bit at the top which is visible would be called Happiness. The huge part that is below the water would be called Joy. Joy is giving, connecting and serving. It consists of gratitude, compassion, hope, generosity, reverence, laughter, love, listening, cheerful enthusiasm, equanimity, energy and vitality and forgiveness. She went on to say that when we practice any or all of these qualities in everyday living, we will find that Joy emerges from within us. I am challenging each one of you to live each day in a state of "JOY".

Mind Over Matter!

Two words, Fibro Myalgia. I never knew two words could control a body and mind to such a degree. For the past few months I have been learning about and dealing with Fibro Myalgia. I have decided to call it my "Mind over Matter"situation. Time will definitely tell whether the mind or the matter wins! I have however, with the help of Shelby, managed to start scrapbooking again. For some reason unknown to myself, I have prolonged doing any of the girls' pictures for the past few years. With some "pushing" I mean encouragement, Shelby and I finished five pages. I am challenging myself to do at least 3 pages a week. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it would be a huge accomplishment for me. Izzy tries to be as much help as possible. No matter where I put things to work on, she manages to lay right on top of it all! It's fun seeing how much things have changed since those pictures were taken.

Happy New Year!

2010 is going to be a great year! It is always a good feeling (sometimes scary) to get a "Do Over". I am trying hard not make any resolutions that I won't be able to accomplish. I can't handle failure or defeat! The first goal of the new year was to figure out how I could keep from taking down the Christmas tree and putting it back up in December again. I know, about now your thinking what's the big deal? It's nothing to fret about until December! The problem is that I have never enjoyed putting up the tree and ALWAYS enjoyed my girls doing it for me. This year I decided maybe if I bought a smaller tree that it wouldn't be such a "big" project. So I did, only to leave it in the box, in the living room, until the week of Christmas. How sad is that? Well, this year I have decided to not take the tree down! Instead, I talked Terry into helping me carry the tree (with everything still on it) to the basement storage room. Some of the ornaments will have to be adjusted but I am going to leave the tree standing (covered) in full decoration until the day after Thanksgiving. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Again, I have put some of my favorite pictures at the bottom of my blog to share.

Brrrr....

Oh, how Izzy loves to go riding in the car! We have to spell out "Bye-Bye" for fear you will get knocked down getting to the door first. If Izzy thinks there might be a shred of hope that she gets to go, she will run over to where her leash hangs by the back door. I think this was the last time we went out with the windows down. She isn't quite sure why we leave the windows half up. If she spots a rabbit or cat she would leap out without hesitating. It has been too cold to drive with even a crack in the windows. She still likes to go, it's just not as much fun.

Happy Everything

Happy Everything,

It has been a while and I actually miss blogging. I love the Fall season. The colors are so beautiful and the weather has been great. I had the pleasure of taking some pictures for the Ream families. Trig and Tyson are sooooo cute! I do think I might be just a little prejudice but, they are really cute! The day was so perfect, the sun was warm the trees were in full color and there was very little breeze. It was a blast getting the boys to smile, look at the camera, and play in the leaves. We were able to get some really nice pictures of everyone.

I have been able to take pictures for both families for a few years now, it's fun seeing the changes in the photographs. I truly believe you can NEVER have too many pictures! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

There are more of my favorite photos at the bottom of this blog - please scroll down to view them all. HAPPY LOOKING!

May 20, 1981

Remember those Days...

I have been scanning and saving pictures to a disc. I thought this one would give someone a chuckle! Who are those hippies and where did all that hair go? I can still recall how hot it was in the church! I can also remember Loved Ones that are no longer with us. It is so much fun to look at photos and think back to times long gone. Where did all that time go? You can never have too many pictures! Terry and I are blessed to have both our parents still living. We are also lucky to have our girls living so close to home. I can't imagine not seeing them as often as we do. I love the saying "Live each day as if it were your last".