New Beginnings

I am so thankful for new beginnings. Everyday is a new day to start again. The Bible says that His mercy is new every morning. What a cool thing to think about. If we mess up and do stupid things, God makes it possible to begin again. I love that. No one is perfect and we really do make bad choices on a pretty regular basis. We get lured into things because of our emotions and because we just don't think. Been there way too many times. I have learned that sometimes God allows this to teach us how to depend on Him and and how to not be led away by everything that comes along. I think back on so many times in my life that I could have made better choices and most of the time I can see that I was not walking close to God at the time. It does make a difference and if we are not listening to God's voice then we are very quick to listen to other voices that draw us away. Some of those detours are pretty hard lessons. We learn and grow from them. I have also learned not to judge others that make bad choices as quickly. We are ALL just a breath away from making the same mistakes. Jesus shows this lesson so clearly with the woman caught in the act of adultry. Everyone was saying that she should be stoned. Jesus just sat on the ground and simply said "Let those of you who have not sinned throw the first stone" One by one they left. then Jesus asked the woman, "Where are your accusers" "They have all left" she replied. "Neither do I accuse you, go and sin no more" was Jesus reply.
How amazing is that. What a lesson for us when we see others caught in these type of situations. Wow, we think we are above that? Hmmmm I think not. Be careful how you judge others. Our own actions may not be much different.
I just was thinking about this today and thought I should share it.
I am so thankful for God's amazing grace.

Thankful for God's Healing Power for Nicole

So thankful for God's amazing touch on my friend Nicole Godsey. To see her laying there with the ventilator and so week was really heart breaking. I know that I was directed my God to go that day and pray for her. Not that I am anything special, but I believe in the power of laying hands on people and praying for God's healing. I am so thankful to see her improving. God is so good!! You really see who is your friends when you are down and out. People are there for you! Nicole, we are praying for a complete recovery.

Happy 2010

Wow, that is so weird to say! I remember when it was 1999 and it was hard to get used to saying 2000, here we are 10 years later and now it's weird to say 2010! Crazy!

I am really looking forward to a better year this year. Been through a lot of things the past 6 or so years and I am ready for a great year.

My newest grandson was born September 10th. Spent 2 1/2 weeks in Florida with Jason and family and then a almost a week in Illinois with Jeremy. Was a great time with kids and grandkids! I miss them so much. Wish they lived closer.

Time with daughter and grandkids

Spend a great day at our daughter Angela and Tory's house in Rochester. It was good to see all of them. We all played Yatzee and went shopping with Angela and the boys. I always spend way too much money when we shop together!!! We both love to shop! At the house before we left, Blake said, "So, when are you two women going to go shopping" It was just so funny to hear him say women to us!!!
Love to spend time with Blake and Riley and hug them and hear them say how they love me! They are two very special boys. They are getting so big. Blake is in 4th grade and Riley in Kindergarden. Where does the time go?
I have now been with all three of my kids and most of my grandkids (all but one) in the last 3 weeks. Nice! I love them all so much!

Street Fare in Illinois

Jeremy on a photo shoot for the paper. This skunk was so soft and so sweet. No stink of course!!!

Jeremy in his face!!!

He had fun talking to the people

The pig was not into getting his photo taken!

This bull frog was big, squishy.

I did hold him, but I did NOT like

it at all.

Angela with the kids at the street fair.

Rutger and Lily getting their

face painted.

Connor is one of the twins of Angela's. He is 20 and has just joined the Air Force. Was very glad that I got to see him before he leaves.

Rutger with his little kitty.

Was not in Illinois very long, but it was good to see Jeremy, Angela and the kids. Went on three photo shoots with Jeremy. One was a high school football game in Sandwich, Il..... weird name for a town! That was really a lot of fun being on the field with the players and laughing with Jeremy as he did some funny stuff.

Another shoot was a street fair in Ottawa. Angela went with us, which is rare, but she seemed to have fun being out with the kids. There was a farmers market that took us all of 5 minutes to go through. Nothing like our Farmers Market!!!

Another shoot was at a retirement home and care facility for elderly. They had tons of food, a petting zoo, kids games and entertainment. It was so fun to watch Jeremy take pictures.

The song, "I'm crazy..." was sang by a worker at the home and Jeremy and I started laughing because for years I would break into this song whenever anyone said "crazy". We danced to the song together in the middle of this crowd of people!!!!

Met a friend of Angela's, Angie... I rented the movie "Momma Mia" as Angela had never seen it before. We laughed a lot through the movie and then we all sang with the sing-a-long with our felt pen microphones! Great fun!!

I was really getting homesick while here.

In Illiois

In Illinois with Jeremy and his family. Rutgar and Lily have sure grown since I have seen them. Rutgar is 8 and Lily is 6. It's good to see Jeremy again. Hope to spend some time with him before I leave for home on Sunday. He is very busy with work and second job taking pictures for a newspaper. Life is very different here in Illinois from Florida and the weather is cloudy and cool. I am looking forward to getting home. I have been gone for over 2 weeks now. I miss my sweet Sofie and LarBear!!

Forida sunshine and rain, 3year old, nudity and homesick

I am really enjoying the warm temps in Florida, but the rain just dumps. I love the lightning and thunder shows, they are amazing. Spent a great Sunday at Jason's church. The worship was awesome and the sermon was right to the point and spoke volumes to me. I love how they have activities for small groups that you can sign up for. There was about 100 different interesting things to sign up for, from regular Bible studies to softball, fishing, board games, comedy nights, crafts, singing, playing, swiming, diving, mommy group and tons of other stuff. What a great way to connect with people and get to know each other.
It has been hard for me to deal with the 3 year old's little attitude. I think a week is enough at a time. I love them to pieces, but I hate to see them talk back to mom and dad. I know that it is all part of the age and having a new little brother, but it is hard. I know it is hard for Jason and Christina too, but it is not for me to interfere. It's all part of growing up and it will pass. I just pray that God gives them the strength they need as He did when mine went through this phase.
LarBear made it home after his flight was cancelled last night and had to stay in a hotel. That must have been frustrating for him, but he survived!!
Will be going to see Jeremy and his family on Thursday, then home on Sunday. I am getting a bit homesick and I am missing my little Sofie girl. I miss my friend Sam and Shameka from work. Don't miss the getting up and going to work!!!
I have to say that I love swimming in the pool, but the beach wasn't as much fun this time.
First time I saw a topless lady laying out on the beach!!! That was awkward!!

New Grandson!

Me and my new grandson, Boston Antonio Bautista Reed. Born 9/10/09. Weighing in at 8 pounds and 21" long. He is a beautiful baby and very sweet.

It's Friday!!!!

I am sooooooooooooooooo glad it is Friday!!! This week has drug on and on and on and on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been so tired before. Two car shows in one weekend was a bit too much for the ol' body!! I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I was just going to a car show, but when you are helping put on the show, it is a lot tougher. It is so worth it, but it's hard to tell my screaming feet that.

The car show was so awesome. Broke all records in attendance as well as vehicles registering. Many left because there was no where else to park. That's a first!

See the link here to look at the blog site I have built to show off the show. Still many pictures to add, so come back and check it out. http://www.cruisinsunday.blogspot.com

Thankful Thursday

Wow, this week has gone by very fast. It's been a very busy week with the car show coming up this Sunday!! We are trying to get our T-Bird ready to take with the Teardrop Trailer. I am very excited about that.

I am thankful for my good friend, Mike Schoonover who is putting a hitch on the car. We didn't think we would have it done for the show but he was off this week and was willing to do that for us. He wants to make it nice for me and I am so thankful.

I am thankful for friends at work. I love the people I work with and how they appreciate me. I have never felt so loved and appreciated at a job before and it really makes me feel good. It really makes me love what I do and it makes me want to be there. (Well, for the most part) Some days I really don't, but it is good to have a good positive environment to work.

I am thankful for my children and that we have good relationships. I really miss seeing them on a regular basis, but it is good that we have cell phones, email and skype to keep connected.

I am thankful for grand kids and for the new one that is due any day! Can't wait to get there and hold that new baby. It is under 2 weeks now before we leave. Will be there for 20 days!!!

I am thankful for God's blessings in my life and I am thankful that God loves me unconditionally and that when I mess up He is not mad at me. I am thankful that God made it possible to be forgiven through His Son Jesus Christ in such a simple way. All I have to do is ask for forgiveness and through His GRACE He promises to give me a clean heart. I am glad that anyone can come to Him anywhere anytime and you don't have to get all cleaned up to come to Him!! God is amazing! I am glad that He shows us pictures of His love in sometimes the most simple things in life!!

As I love to say, Even at our very worst, we are truly blessed!!!!

PS anyone who is in the Port Orchard area..... Sunday is the Car Show at Christian Life Center. It is going to be an amazing day!