Dear friend, gone home...

It seems time is slipping by ever so fast these days. One week ago today a dear friend, Linda unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord at the young age of 55. She was such a unique person, always wearing a smile and could make you laugh at the simplest of things. She was a carefree spirit. I met her in December of 1996 (when we lived in Owasso, Ok.) at McDonald's during their 101 Dalmation Toy Campaign. The girls and I were determined to get all 101,(without eating that many Happy Meals) and we did, with Linda's help! We got a rough start because she wouldn't trade a dog with me, little did I know this trading thing was a big deal! You made sure you got the better end of the trade, boy did I learn fast. She was my partner in crime when it came to collecting Happy Meal Toys. Just ask my girls. That was the beginning of my nearly 8 years of toy collecting. At one time I had over 2500 toys. We even did toy shows together, some of the funnest times in my life. I still have most of my toys, they are in bins in the garage (along with beanie babies, yes I know). I hope someday to be able to display them. I didn't collect from just McDonald's, no, I got them from everywhere, I even have all the Taco Bell talking chiwhaha dogs. I am still just a big kid at heart and I aint never gonna grow up!

Linda was the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back, and never ask for anything in return. She loved animals and fishing. Loved being outdoors and could do trim work on building a house as good as her husband, Larry. You hand her a nail gun and she was ready to go. I am ashamed to admit it has been years since I've seen her. Many times when I would go to Tulsa, I would think of calling her, but she had moved and lived an hour away and seldom did I have enough time to go visit, maybe I should say (sadly) that I didn't make time. I talked to her some, but one of those friendships, too long taken for granted.

Even though I didn't keep in touch very well over recent years, I am blessed to be able to say that I was able to lead her to the Lord about 11 years ago when we lived in Owasso, OK. She started coming to Rejoice FWB and Larry would come with her sometimes. I was there for her when her brother was murdered. She wasn't the smartest cookie in the jar, but I will tell you this, she never stopped investigating his murder until SHE found the weapon and who did it! Sad thing was, the town where it happened had a big drug ring and the local authories were involved, so they shut her down real quick. It was hard trying to get her to trust God and wait for Him to pass judgement. Her life had been threatened and yet she never wavered. So strong, and yet some stupid infection got the best of her. Life just doesn't seem fair sometimes. I drove to Oklahoma Monday, then on to the funeral home to see her. As I stood there, regret flooded over me for not calling her two weeks ago while I was dogsitting for Libby and Wyatt. I had time then, before the wedding I had thought about trying to connect with her, but for some reason she never came to mind. Jim said I probably wouldn't have been able to go see her anyway, since my immune system is so low. But right now, in my heart that doesn't help any! This has been such a year of grief and loss, but I keep telling myself I WILL see them all heaven again one day. That's the hope I have for now, and I can only imagine what close family members are going through. My prayers have been going up for 11 families so far this year. That's just the people I know, and Praise God everyone of them were Christians!!!

I'm sorry to end so gloomy, but I guess the one thing that I have been reminded of too many times lately is never take things-time and people for granted. You may never see them alive again. Love like you never have loved and don't be too stubborn to say you are sorry. Grudges and anger have no time or place here, or at least they shouldn't. Take care my precious friends, and know that even if you don't hear from me often you are in my thought and prayers.

Explanation of pictures below...I'm still learnin'

Please be patient with me, I'm still trying to figure this whole blogging thing out.
Below are a few pictures from the wedding. I am having a hard time controlling myself because I have so many I want to post, but I am trying to be a good momma and let the bride display them. Although she doesn't have a blog, she may have to get with the program.

List of pictures: All the granddaughters and great granddaughters on my side-Sophia, Brianna, Libby, Lauren (Brianna's little sister), Calloway, and Cari. My side of the family. The three of us. Poppy and Calloway (you see who has her!). Me and my lovely girls. Cari and Libby, what a blessing they are. And last but not least (even if she is sideways)-our precious Calloway, isn't she cute...(I made her dress).

Some wedding pictures

Memories-from salon to studio...

These pictures are from when Libby and I were rearended two weeks before the wedding. The first one is the nice gentleman who couldn't stop and the second one is the police officer who came. My pastor is always telling us to find something positive about whatever happens. So we got proof for this memory! lol!

Finally, time for a break, the wedding is over!

I know most of you connected to my blog know that I have been very busy with getting things ready for the wedding. Life has really been a roller coaster lately. Today has been the first day I've had a blank spot on my calendar in months! The wedding turned out great and the bride was beautiful, if I do say so myself. Of course many folks say she gets her good looks from her mother! lol! The bridesmaids looked very stunning in their dresses and the groomsmen looked very sharp in their tuxes with hot pink vests and ties-I know they all loved that color! And Julie and Austin the flower girl and ring bearer were adorable. The wedding was very nice and formal, then the reception was fun and different. As far as I know it was all Libby wanted it to be, except some people weren't able to make the drive, or schedule conflicts, and she missed them not being there. There should be some more wedding pictures available after I get home on Saturday. I will try to upload some to facebook on Sunday. Hopefully the official photographer will have his online by the end of next week.

Even with all the pain caused from the accident 2 weeks before the wedding, I had so much fun sewing on Julie and Calloway's dresses and making all the airplane stuff for the wedding. This is like me in my element. Who knows what I would have come up with if I would have had a little more time and felt better. With getting to stay in the area this week I have gotten to see people at church and then with some visiting, that came to the wedding and it is fun to hear their thoughts on all the fun extras we did. Like the ice airplane floating in the punch. My mom and I made the mints in shapes of shoes, airplanes and polka dots, and the "Thank you" favors of chocolate and peanut butter airplanes for everyone to enjoy. Then as Libby and Wyatt were leaving they were bombarded with an array of small foam jet airplanes flying from all directions and altitudes!!! One even landed in her hair, thanks to pilot-Cari Burnett. Even the adults were getting into the airplane throwing... It was so much fun seeing everyone enjoy themselves and being kids again. Truly a time to remember. I will try to get some pictures of these things uploaded when I get home.

Libby and I have some great friends (and family) who helped with decorating and stayed to help clean up. We were out of the church by 9:30. Weddings are a lot of work (and money$$$), but when I get all done, I'm really a little sad because its over! Sounds crazy doesn't it? No more weddings for me, but that's okay. I am very happy for both my girls, I believe they have found their soul-mates and I trust God to richly bless their lives. I pray their love grows deeper and stronger with each passing day and that God is always the center of all they plan to do.

Oh, Oh, detail, can't forget this one-I ALWAYS cry at weddings, well normally-----anyway, don't ask me why, I have no clue. I made it through Cari's without crying, but honestly didn't know if I would with Libby's, cause she's my baby, the last one you know, some of you know, well no you probably don't because most all you bloggers out there have small children and the only thing you cry over is spilt milk....not really, oh, where was I, sorry, sidetracked, anyway, I almost teared up when she started down the aisle, then I said self, you can't do that and I made it without crying!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of myself. Now that doesn't mean that at the next one I won't shed a tear, because I probably will. But my goal was to not cry and I made it.

If you are reading this, thanks for sharing your hearts with us and for all the encouragement you bring to me. I may not have time to always make a post, but sometimes I do take a few minutes to read yours to lift my spirits or brighten my day, so for that I say thank you blogging friends.

A long month, but still here...

The last month has been so crazy, I have been sick two of those weeks, gone to Tulsa to work on wedding stuff one week and gone to Ft. Worth to see Calloway (Cari and Mark too)! There have been days when I have felt like reading your blogs, but not posting. I thank God for blogging friends who love posting. You have been such an encouragement to me these past few weeks. Some of your words made me laugh and some made me cry, either way they have been medicine to my soul. The spiritual thoughts you share are truly an inspiration to me. I know some of you are going through very hard times and to see you smile through your words, gives me hope and joy to keep prodding forward when I don't feel strong enough on my own. These past few months my health and weight loss (28 lbs. in all) have been such a struggle for me. I know God is in control and He knows all things, but at times that still doesn't keep me from wondering what on earth is He doing? I am trusting God for X # of pounds before the wedding, and the first week I gained 2 and the next week lost one... but it IS coming!!! I know you are probably thinking who in their right mind asks God to help them gain weight, well this little skinny woman in the boonies of Northwest Arkansas does. When I gain it all back there will be a testimony and I am already excited when thinking about sharing it. God is such a miracle working God! So many times we ask for something and then miss it because we are either too busy, or we watch with "our" vision and don't see it. God promises us that he wants to pour out blessings from heaven. How many have we missed? It makes me sad to think of all I could have had if only I would have done.....whatever..... I am so thankful for His mercy and grace! I am blessed to be His child and to know he loves me unconditionally. And to think that those of you that I know who are reading this are my sisters in the Lord just thrills my soul. I was an only child until I was almost 14, and I remember being so lonely and wanting someone to play with, or talk to sometimes. And now God has blessed me with email friends, facebook friends, and blogger friends, WOW! I know we may never speak face to face, or on the phone, but being able to connect with you through this wonder called cyberspace is so great! Reading about you, seeing pictures of events in your life, sending and getting prayer requests-what an honor to be able to pray for someone, these are things I feel that are truly gifts. You never know how your life affects someone. Just remember that you are so appreciated and loved. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for being there. God bless you!

4F's-Family, Fourth, Freedom, & Fireworks!

Family-As I think back to the memories of so many years of celebrating this holiday, I am reminded of how time flies. The first 15 years or so of the girls lives we lived out of town and would normally come home to see family on the 4th. Now that the girls are grown, live out of state, and we live by the family, things just don't seem "normal". It was a big adjustment on holidays and vacation times after we moved back home. It seemed at Thanksgiving and Christmas especially that something was missing. The girls and I decided it was the getting ready-planning, packing, and traveling that always went into making those holidays what they were for us. We weren't use to being able to sleep in our beds, in our house on Christmas Eve, and waking up to see what special things we might find. We truly didn't know what it was like to NOT be at Grandma's house during the main holidays. Our families never seemed to understand how hard it was at times with the girls growing up that we wanted to have those special times at OUR house. In some ways I feel like I have let my girls down by not having our own little family traditions at our house for the holidays. No legacy of those memories to leave behind. But in all of that I knew then that we needed to visit our family as much as possible so the girls would know their grandparents and vise versa. So I guess in some way maybe there is a legacy, one of making family a priority. So many don't seem to do that today! I believe Romans 8:28 with all my being-"I know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes." As I stated in an earlier post it made our family who we are today. It taught my girls what it was to travel (plan ahead for bathroom stops!), how to pack, how important family is, and what it really means to miss someone. My sisters are 14 and 15 1/2 years younger than I am, and after I married and moved away I missed them terribly. They were like my first children (God allowed them in my life to prepare me to be a mother in a strange town with no family) and missing seeing them grow up was hard. I wanted to be there for them like a big sister is suppose to be. I am so thankful that we all live close to each other now and can share our lives as often as we want. It still isn't the same without the girls home, but I am thankful and glad for them that they are doing what they want and are happy. As I get older and in recent months have lost so many loved ones, it reaffirms how important it is to spend as much time with those you love as you can. I love my family so much and am so blessed to have them.

Fourth-It always reminds me of red, white, and blue, (Blue use to be my favorite color, now it's pink, and red comes in second.) the flag-and what it represents to our country. How thankful I am that I live in the United States of America. In our world today I wonder where we are headed, but I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Freedom-WOW! So much I could say here. Do we even come close to understanding the value of that word? Probably not, unless we have actually fought for it and risked our lives. I believe that next to salvation through Jesus Christ, the next greatest thing is freedom. And we take it so for granted. What do you think of when you hear that word? Free from jail, free to do as you please, free to worship anytime, anywhere we want, or do we just blow it off? I think America is fastly becoming a non-freedom country. If we Christians don't start taking a stand, praying more earnestly, growing in Christ, etc., we will not be free much longer. I think of all the aborted babies-where was their freedom, what about those murdered-their's was taken away,and if we don't prepare ours will be too. I don't mean to bring gloom on this holiday, I just think we need to be more appreciative of what we have and also plan better for the future.

Fireworks-I think of bright, colored, bursting balls of something erupting in the nighttime sky. Some so noisy it makes me plug my ears and they are still too loud (maybe that's a sign of getting older). I remember as a child my favorite thing was a sparkler, of course that's the only thing I was allowed to even get close to. We lived on a little country road, my grand parents lived right across from us and their front yard was edged with this green hedge. I remember my dad, uncle, and cousins having bottle rocket wars across the road and hiding behind the hedge. Everyone would bring their fireworks, sort them out for show and then the fire would fly! It was so much fun! We would end the night with homemade ice cream-my favorite! Oh, how at times I wish we could go back to those times, but I know it just wouldn't be the same. So now I may sit on my front deck and see what I can see of the neighbors show. But I still don't miss the noise!

I hope you all have had a wonderful day whatever it is that you've done. And may each of your coming days be filled with family, fun, and "fireworks"!