Christmas Cards

What do you do with your Christmas cards once the holidays are over? I know that I have a box full of cards that are several years old. It's always fun to look back and see who sent you cards through the years. I also like to compare each year and see who didn't send us one from the previous year. (I have to admit that I didn't do a very good job this year of sending them out.) Anyway, back to the reason for this post. Here is a neat idea for those Christmas cards...

http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

The children at the ranch use the cards to learn entrepreneurial skills. The children keep the front of the card and make a new back.

I'm sending my donation off this weekend!

Is it really over?

It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone! Where has the year gone? The saying is so true...The older you get, the faster the years seem to go.

We had a wonderful Christmas! It was so much fun to be with family and make memories that hopefully will live on in our minds and hearts.

I'm looking forward to the New Year and all that God has planned for us!

Christmas Movies

Here are a few snippets of some of my favorites! Enjoy!

New Camera

I'm so excited about my new camera. I found a really good deal on Black Friday and my mother-in-law was so gracious in giving us the money to purchase it. It was an early Christmas and birthday present for me! I just love it!

I was able to catch this beautiful sky the other morning and couldn't believe how beautiful the picture was!

I'm hoping to take a photography class after the holidays. I want someone to explain to me what all the little buttons mean on my camera. Perhaps one day I could have a second job doing photography! The possibilities are endless!

Truly Thankful

For the past month I've been posting what I'm thankful for each day on Facebook. Some days it's been easy but some days have been harder. I suppose it could fall back on the kind of day I was having because it's on those hard days when it was more difficult to post. But I've been thinking about my last post regarding what could have been for Chad and me. And the more I think about it the more I find myself thanking God for that unanswered prayer. I can honestly say that I'm thankful that that part of MY plan remains unanswered. Because when it comes down to it, it was my plan all along. Yes God allowed circumstances to come together for it to happen but as I look back on it, I never really invited God to be a part of it. I never hit my knees and asked Him to join me and Chad on that part of our infertility journey.

And now looking at the bigger picture, I can see why! There are numerous things both personally and with family that never would have been able to take place had we gotten pregnant. And the thought of where we'd be financially is scary to think about. Not that we'd be in serious debt but things would be alot tighter for us. While the desire to have a child will always be with me, God continues to give me contentment and joy in my life and the path I'm on right now.

I feel Him leading me to do some type of mission work. Whether that is done locally or going to another part of the world, I feel the nudging and I'm praying for guidance and direction every day!

So as I join family tomorrow and give thanks for the abundant blessings God has blessed me with, I can truly be thankful for unanswered prayers!

A God thing

I've been dreading this week for a while now. I knew it would come but I just didn't realize how soon it would get here. Why you ask? If our embryo transfer had been successful in February sometime this week would have been our due date. Perhaps even sooner if both embryos had implanted. I told myself that I didn't need to dwell on what didn't happen but it just creeps up on me.

Also God has been doing a good job of keeping my mind on other things. He's placed people, situations, and activities in my daily schedule to help alleviate some of the pain I'm feeling. While I may never understand this side of eternity the why's of why it didn't work for us, I do know that He's got something greater in store for me!

He even sent some good news my way today. My sister and brother-in-law are expecting a little boy! I sure hope his big sister is understanding when her momma tells her she's not getting the baby sister she's been asking for!

God is good all the time...All the time God is good!

Gift Ideas

I've been racking my brain and searching the internet for gift ideas this week. I've found a few things that I'd like to get but still have a few on my list that I just can't think of anything. I've asked others in my family to help me by listening out and sending me some info on some gift ideas. I try to do that throughout the year and make a mental note but my brain is getting older and I'm getting forgetful. Hopefully the more I search the better gifts I can find!

Christmas Shopping

I can't believe that Christmas is less than 7 weeks away and I've not bought the first present. I have some ideas floating around in my head but I'm just not sure what to give those whose names I've chosen. Of course between Chad's and my family we also have 7 birthdays that fall in December. I have been working on trying to get those bought first and then hopefully I can concentrate on Christmas gifts.

If my hubby had his wish we'd just buy everyone a gift card and be done. While I like to give and receive gift cards, I really want to buy something personal that fits their personality. It does make it more difficult but it also makes it more special. I've even googled 'gifts for the person who has everything' just to see what kind of ideas I could come up with.

I'm hoping to find some good deals in the Black Friday ads!

Voting

It's election day! I'm sure I'm not like everyone else but I love to vote. I can remember telling people on my 18th birthday how excited I was that I had reached the legal age to vote. I can't remember any of my friends being excited about that!

We are such a blessed nation! We have the freedom to say pretty much anything we want to, we can practice the religion we choose, we can defend our homes with weapons and we can choose who we want to represent us on a local level, a state level and a national level. Many countries are not as fortunate as us!

I hold it to be honor and a privilege to cast my vote in every election that is held! Many men and women have given their very lives for me to have this right and I just feel like it's my American duty to carry it out! Many men and women continue to fight for this right every day!

So even if you don't agree with some of the candidates, you should still exercise this right and let your voice be heard!

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

A new camera

I enjoy taking pictures. I love the camera I currently have which is just a point and shoot. I really want a DSL! My sister let me borrow hers for our pumpkin patch visit and I just fell in love with it. I wanted to practice before I used it so I decided to take some pictures of my animals. I got a picture of each one except Max. Every time I put the camera up to my face to take a picture of him he would get up and move to the other room. I'm not sure if it was the flash or the camera itself but I just couldn't get a good picture of him. Here are the ones I took of my other furbabies.

Bama

 

Bear

Elvis

Gotta love them all!

Home Sweet Home

We made it home! I enjoy visiting our family but when you go such a long distance for a short period of time, it can be exhausting. The ride was much better on the way home.

It's good to be home! Like my sister said, there's no place like home! Especially my own bed! Our furbabies did well and were excited to see us. Clothes are washing and luggage is put away. Now to get my mind ready for Monday!

Birthday Party

Whew! We made it here! We endured some traffic backups which caused us to arrive about an hour later than we normally do. I was so ready to get out of that car. Typically the ride isn't that bad but when you're sitting still for a while it makes it so much longer.

Today is Megan's birthday party. The weather is beautiful which is a good thing because the party is outside. There is carnival games, a hayride, cake and ice cream, popcorn and cotton candy and pumpkin decorating.
Megan was very blessed by the gifts that she opened! I couldn't believe all that she got.

We hope to get home soon and rest for a while so we can watch some college football! Go Bama!

Traveling

Chad and I are headed out to Arkansas. For the past 5 years we've always gone at this time of the year to be there for our niece,Megan's birthday party. We don't get to see them very often but we try our best to make it for her birthday party. She is very excited to see us and we can't wait to see them. Even though this will be a short trip we plan to make it a fun one. I'll post more tomorrow and hopefully have some pictures too! Hope it's a uneventful travel day

Pumpkin Patch

 Chad and I took our youngest niece, Kenzie to the Pumpkin Patch. I asked her cousins Haleigh and Hollie if they'd like to join us and we were happy that the did! We had a fun time! Kenzie loved walking through all the rows and rows of pumpkins to find that one special pumpkin.

Once she found the perfect one for her we headed back home to carve. This isn't the actual pumpkin she chose but we had fun!

And here is the finished pumpkin...Not the best carving but pretty good for our first time!

We'll light him up tonight!

Wordless Wednesday

My Elvis enjoying the fruit bowl on the dining room table! He doesn't know that he's too big for the bowl!

It's Friday

And who says that Fridays can't come with a little excitement! This was the scene at work earlier today.

We have construction going on and the fire alarm went off today. Guess what happens when you can't call and tell them that it's the construction personnel that set off the alarm. Yep the fire department comes. And not just one truck but 3!
I'm happy to say that it was a false alarm but it's scary when it goes off and you've got to get about 95 children safely out of the building. It can be difficult especially when about 20 of those children were already asleep for nap time.
The fireman responded quickly and we were able to get back in and put everyone down for nap.
It never hurts to have a little excitement added to the daily grind!

Thoughtless Thursday

Ever have a day when your brain feels like mush? Today is one of those days. I just can't get my thoughts together. It may have something to do with being sick last night but I just can't seem to get going today. I guess it's a good thing that the work day is almost over! I can say that I'm ready for the weekend. We usually get together with friends to watch our favorite team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, play but one of my friends will be out of town plus it's a late game (8:00). After last week's game I really hope they show up and win this week!
Roll Tide!

Happy Birthday

Today is my nephew, Ben's 19th birthday! It's hard to believe it's been 19 years since God blessed us with him! I'm so proud of him! He always has a smile on his face and I rarely ever see him get upset! (Unless Alabama is losing or the referees made a bad call, then watch out!)

I hope today is extra special for you, Ben! Aunt Stacy loves you very much! Roll Tide!

Did you know...

About 1 in 8 women in the United States (between 12 and 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.

In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 54,010 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.

About 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2010. Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases occur in men.

From 1999 to 2006, breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S. decreased by about 2% per year. One theory is that this decrease was partially due to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by women after the results of a large study called the Women’s Health Initiative were published in 2002. These results suggested a connection between HRT and increased breast cancer risk.

About 39,840 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2010 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1991. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.

For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.

Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women. More than 1 in 4 cancers in women (about 28%) are breast cancer.

Compared to African American women, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but less likely to die of it. One possible reason is that African American women tend to have more aggressive tumors, although why this is the case is not known. Women of other ethnic backgrounds — Asian, Hispanic, and Native American — have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer than white women and African American women.

In 2010, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.

About 5-10% of breast cancers can be linked to gene mutations (abnormal changes) inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common. Women with these mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (before menopause). An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with these genetic mutations. In men, about 1 in 10 breast cancers are believed to be due to BRCA2 mutations and even fewer cases to BRCA1 mutations.

About 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).

Statistics courtesy of www.breastcancer.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Have you done your monthly self exam?

Fall is in the air!

It was beautiful here this weekend. The cooler temperatures have been wonderful! I so hope it stays like this. I just don't want the warmer temps to return. I'm ready to pull out the long pants and sweaters. Of course at my job I've needed those all summer long because it's been like a meat locker in the office. I can't quite figure out who the culprit is that feels the need to lower the thermostat each day but I wish they'd quit!

The only thing I do hate about this time of year is that it gets darker sooner. I hate having to drive home in the dark. At least we have until the 7th of November before it gets really dark.

I'm ready to make chili, curl up under a blanket, and read a good book! This weather makes it all the more appealing!

I Choose

I don't know what you're going through but God does! This is the song our choir will be singing Sunday. It's a powerful song with some wonderful lyrics. I hope it blesses you today!

I Choose

Master, may I be so honest?
Could I admit the way I feel?
I'm hurting. It seems that You've forsaken
I wonder. Is Your love for me still real?
Though my friends think I am happy
Unaffected by this trial
They can't see the pain I'm hiding
Just underneath my smile
Master, I can't live this way anymore
So, today I make a choice

I choose to believe that You are faithful
And my heart is in Your hands
And this mystery that I face today
Is part of a greater plan?
I choose not to be discouraged
When the sun will not break through
I have the choice of trusting You
So Lord this is what I Choose

I know this road will not be easy
I know I'll have my weaker days
And Satan will tell me I don't mean it
When I say "I'll trust God all the way"
But that really doesn't matter
I refuse to hear him out
With my faith I'll find the power
That will overcome all doubt
Lord I've never felt so strong
As when I'm resting in Your arms

I Believe that You are faithful
This is what I choose
I choose not to be discouraged
Gonna trust you Lord
This is what I choose

Girl's Night

My mom, my sisters and me had a blast Friday night. We ventured to the Alley downtown and decided to eat at SaZa's. It wasn't the best night to try it because there was a big concert going on but we made the best of it. We had to wait a while but enjoyed sharing with each other. Once we were seated we needed to order. We decided that we'd have pizza. We ordered garlic bread, a house salad, and the roasted pepper appetizer and split it all. I have to say that I'm not a big fan of Italian food but this was really good! It was a little difficult to talk and share because of the noise level (many were waiting for the concert to start) but we had a nice dinner. And it was all just only $40.00! We couldn't believe it. I would recommend it as a great place to eat. Here's a picture.

Making it public

A while back I decided to make my blog private but I've decided to make it public again. I want to be able to share with those who follow me and making it public again does that. I have learned that there are some things that I don't need to share on here and I'll be more cautious to that.

Sister/Mom Night

Tonight is sister/mom night. My mom and my four sisters are going to get together to eat and visit. My oldest sister Kelly suggested that it would be a good idea for us to get together once a month and visit. Our first one was last month at Peach park. We got dessert and just shared a little bit of what is going on in each of our lives!

Can't wait to see what tonight holds!

So begins...

the bible study. Kay is so different from what I've done in the past but it's good. We even get to use colored pencils during the study. She is totally into marking the scriptures and really seeing what the text is saying.

Day one was on Genesis 6 where God used the word covenant for the first time. I had to stop and thank God that Noah was such a man of God. Just think if Noah hadn't walked with God we might not be here on the earth right now. I'm thankful we don't have to find out either!

One question asked in Day one was list some things that you can do to please God. I wrote down several hoping and praying that I carry them out all day. I know that many times my thoughts and actions are not pleasing to God and it's one of my biggest desires to live more like Christ and please Him on a daily basis.

A verse I've found and pray daily is:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

New Bible Study

Tonight begins a new series of bible study that our Women's Ministry offers. Most of the ones that I have participated in have been Beth Moore, who is amazing when it comes to bible studies. But tonight I'm doing Kay Arthur's Covenant bible study. I've never done one by her and I'm excited to see how it goes.

I love the facilitator that's leading the study too! She does a wonderful job and I can't wait to see what she's got planned for this study too!

It's my desire to dig deeper into God's word and really see what He's called me to do as His child. I'm praying to see a change in my life and that others will see it as well!

One Month to Live

Yesterday our church started this discipleship series. My pastor preached on it and we attended a group time with other members of the church yesterday afternoon.

What would you do if you had one month to live? Most of us are not in this type of situation but the concept of this study is to change our lives as though we had one month to live. What would you do differently?

Our first discussion was "Living the dash" The dash is the life you live from your birthday to your death. What does your dash say about you? In the first week we are asked to list 5 things that you want to do differently, as though you had one month to live. I've been thinking about this and I have to say it's been hard to list just 5 things. Here's my list:

1. Pray better- not just the "Lord forgive me...help so and so with their problems... thank you for the day...etc. Really communicate with my heavenly Father.
2. Study God's word more- really dive in and see what God is telling me through his scripture. I also want to do a better job of memorizing scripture. Atleast one new verse a month.
3. Show love more-not just in my actions but through my words too.
4. Encourge others-sending notes, building others up, just letting others know that I'm praying for them.
5. Less technology- Cut down on the tv, cell phone, and internet times through out the day. Use that time to focus on the blessings God has showered me with and really appreciate all that I do have.

I'm excited to see what God is going to do through this series!

52 years

Today my parents celebrate 52 years of marriage. In today's society that's a big accomplishment. And while I would love to say that it's all be fun and roses, they've had their share of trials and troubles. But through it all they continue to be there for each other and love one another every day!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you both!

A Better Day

Today is the first day that I haven't cried while I've been at work! I've actually laughed more today than I have all week.

God blessed me with 2 blessings yesterday. I had to tell another teacher that I needed to cut back on her hours. I was very nervous about this because I knew that she just moved out on her own and knew it would affect her. But God worked it all out! She was very understanding and did let me know that she was looking for something to give her more hours! That's understandable!

The second blessing came from God by sending a new child to fill one of the many spaces we have open!

I'm trusting God to see us through this difficult time! Like my dear sister told me, God will take care of the details! I've just got to continue to trust Him!

Looking forward to a restful weekend!

I'm Learning!

I knew that I needed to go back to having my daily quiet time each morning. But I just wasn't sure what to do. In the past I've had a monthly devotional that I would read and it would have a scripture reference to go along with it. I somehow let my subscription lapse and I stopped getting it. I could always grab an Open Window devotional book from church but thought it was geared to older people.

I discovered on Itunes one day that you can subscribe to podcasts. I was looking through and found several pastors that I like to listen to and downloaded them. I've been playing one each day for my quiet time and it's been really nice. The first one I listened to was James MacDonald. He did a series on Psalm 25. He called it "A Primer on Trust" Just like the primers we had in 1st or 2nd grade when we were learning how to read. It's been such a good series and the notes in my bible are going to remind me every time I see them just what I need to do....trust God.

I have to admit that it's been hard to really trust the Lord with all that has been going on in my life. My biggest stress right now is my job. We are low in numbers and it's been showing in our monthly reports. But through this series I've come to the realization that I can place my trust in God and he's going to see me through. I know that some of the answers may not be what I want to hear but I'm trusting Him in it all!

Got an email this week with this thought from Max Lucado:

"Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love and the hope of salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (The Message)

Don't put your hope into things that change-relationships, money, talents, beauty, even health. Set your sights on the one thing that can never change: trust in your heavenly Father.

I'm trusting you, Lord!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my nephew Daniel's 16th birthday! Watch out on the road! Hope you passed your test today!

Wordless Wednesday

God shared this with me Saturday and I just couldn't help but take a picture!

God Knows

God knows exactly WHAT we need WHEN we need it! Last night was the first choir practice we've had since our big 4th of July production. I was hesitant to go because I was tired and just didn't feel like it. (See yesterday's post) But oh how God works! The songs Keith (our music Minister) had for us to sing spoke to me so much. One in particular helped me to realize that it doesn't matter if I'll ever be a mother. There is one person who can satisfy my soul....My Jesus!!

Who Can Satisfy My Soul

Heavy Heart

I finally got the nerve up to approach the subject of foster care with Chad last night. I asked if he's go with me to an informational meeting just see what all that foster care entails. He never answered me but did ask "can you really give a child back after having them for a while?" He also mentioned that he thought we were done with all aspects of having a child. I had a feeling this is where his heart was at but I just felt I needed to try this last approach. Maybe deep inside myself I knew that we wouldn't be doing anymore to try to have children but I felt like this was truly our last option.

I have to say that it hurt! The realization that we'll more than likely never be parents is just too hard to accept right now. It's even harder to see it in print! So begins my prayer to God to take the desire from me and begin to heal my hurt!

You'd think that after hearing that biological children weren't possible, we weren't chosen again after having our profile shown, and the embryo transfer didn't work that I'd be ok with hearing that foster care is not the road for us. But to be totally honest I'm not!

My heart is hurting and yet I know that there's only one person who can heal that hurt! Lord Jesus you know my heart and all that it's dealing with right now! Come comfort me and help me to know that through it all, you're there right beside me!