New Venture

Ok, as I said in my Title, I am often a starter of things and not so often a finisher of them. Let's hope this time I can follow through. Here's my newest Venture- An Online Store. I enjoy arts and crafts, and sewing, and making things, and so I thought, why not try to sell them? My newest things are nightlights- white shades on which I put fabrics and trims. And my other idea is tote bags with fabrics and trims. I am also thinking about some childrens clothes- shorts and t-shirts with trims, etc. Anyway, I have discovered online stores and am looking into starting one. So any ideas for a name would be welcomed. I have two- "The Shabby Cat," and "Chic 'N Shabby." I already have some nightlights in a store here in Nocona to see how they sell (or not). So hopefully look for a link to my new store soon and I will also post pictures of my new products as soon as I figure out how!!

Easter

I know this is late, but my BIL reminded me with pics of his sweet ones that I had not posted my own Easter pictures yet! So here they are!

A New Favorite

In the past few months I have come to have a new favorite verse from the Bible.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Some of you know I have been going through a time of healing in the past couple of years and I praise God for that. He has brought me to a place in my life after many years of prayer and waiting, where I am truly learning to trust in Him. I always thought I did, but now that I have small children and am facing my worst fears, I am actually believing that His plan for me is Sovereign. And mine is not. I have endured a time of crisis these past two weeks and it may not be over, but through this time, as it sems to get worse before it gets better, my beautiful and best friend in the world, Christy, gave me these words... " God is not satisfied with a little dependence on Him, He wants ALL of our dependence on Him." WOW! How God has blessed me with this friend in my life and I can only hope everyone in the world can have one like her! (I have included a pic of her and her husband, Luke reading to my sweet Madeline.)

So continue to pray for me through this healing that God is working on. After so many years, it is hard to change and let go of control over my own life, thoughts and feelings. But God is faithful and His promises remain the same- plans to give me hope and a future.

Prayer for Debbie

Debbie Dennis is one of our most special friends. She is an in-town Mother to us and Grandmother to our kids. She takes care of us (my van ran out of gas last night and she and her son rescued me!) and babysits Charlie and Madeline frequently and loves them as her own. They love her just as much! Debbie was diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer about 5 years ago. Her doctors have continually told her the prognosis is not good, and she has beat it every time. She is still undergoing Chemo and will indefinitely. She is the most godly woman I know. Her faith in Christ has gotten her through many surgeries and treatments, and allowed her to share her story and testimony with many people who would otherwise have no hope. Please join our family in praying for her, that ultimately she would be healed, but that also she would continue to be able to share Christ through this experience.

Relay For Life

The Relay For Life is a walk for a cure for Cancer. Our entire community participates every year and raises money for the American Cancer Society. It is amazing to see all of the support. It begins with a Survivor's Lap in which any survivor of Cancer can walk a lap around the track together, followed by a lap with their Caregivers. Then begins the walk in which teams (for instance, we had a First Baptist Chuirch team) will each have one person assigned a time to walk for 30 minutes. This continues all through the night because "Cancer Never Sleeps." There are all kinds of activities that go on thru the night (like the chocolate buffet at Midnight) and the kids have a great time running free in the stadium, playing with other kids and walking around the track.

This year I was so excited and proud to have my mother, Barbara, participate in the Survivor's lap having beat breast cancer in 1982. She has been cancer-free for 25 years! It was an awesome way to celebrate Mother's Day with her as the walk was on Friday night!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was awesome for us- we had a lot of rest time. We spent the weekend with my mom and dad and had a wonderful steak dinner with them Saturday night. The kids gave me a beautiful cross, frame, and bracelet! They also gave me a flower in church.

A Good Start...

Here is an updated picture of Charlie and Madeline. We are looking forward to Summer and have just told the kids we are planning a trip to San Antonio and Sea World. They are very excited! I will post some of our most recent activities and pics as well.

My First Post!

I am new at this and don't know what I'm doing so bear with me. I want this to be a place where our wonderful Florida family and friends and all our family and friends can come to see what's going on in our lives, and see pictures of the kids. So it may be a while before I figure out how to work it.