Wednesday, October 19, 2011

She Said YES!


Excitement...Happy...Joyous....Thankful....
OH how Momma and Daddy are so all of the above! 


Haley Elizabeth is engaged!! 

I'm getting a 2nd son in law! We are so happy for Cody and Haley!


Cody came and talked to Daddy late one night a few weeks ago unbeknownst to Haley and Momma! We were upstairs cuddling in Momma's bed talking and giggling. Daddy gave his blessing and the best was yet to come! We patiently waited to hear the news!
October 10th, Haley was working and desperately trying to get out of the restaurant by 9:00 to meet Cody and his family for a pizza night. Everyone kept her there to stall by visiting, discussing something, etcetc....finally she was told to come to the patio before she left and there was Cody with roses and ring in hand. Haley in work clothes! With anxious coworkers watching from the windows and cameras clicking....he knelt and asked my little girl to be his wife. We are so excited for them! They are a wonderful couple who love each other. But most of all they put God first and love the Lord. I'm so thankful God has answered our prayers to provide a Godly man for her. We have been praying for this since she was our tiny baby. God is good!  Daddy knew someday he would have to share her and give her away. But she will always always be "Daddy's girl".  Her first words to Cody were, "Is it okay with my Dad?"
Cody makes her complete, he brings out the best in her, and he is deeply respectful of her. What more could a Momma want....of course as a Mommy I would love to keep her little and here with me....but this is God's plan and his plan is PERFECT!! 
Congratulations Cody and Haley! We love you very much and we are so very happy for you!


A friend of Haley's that she works with captured this special event moment by moment... and I'm so grateful to get to see the joy in my daughter's face on such a memorable occasion. Cody, I'm so proud of you for pulling this off!








Yes....I cried!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

I have had to come to a realization this past week. I think it came on Thursday actually. I knew all this, I believed it, I've read it, and I've been told it.....but I have to "walk the walk".  Lately, my walk has been weary and heavy laden and I have not considered my personal walk with my God and Jesus Christ. I have been wayyyyy to wrapped up in "pleasing"   and "pacifying"  and it has affected my physical, mental, and spiritual life.  My family and I are getting back to the priorities.  Without boring you with my issues, my family is heavily burdened with pressures and accusations from my sibling as I care for my Mom with Alzheimers. As my parent's Power of Attorney, I put my Mom's needs first and foremost at all times. I will continue to and I will not be distracted anymore in the care of my mom. And I will be Leaning on the Everlasting Arms to do so. Sometimes we (well I !) get so consumed with pleasing others that I lose sight of my priorities. Serving God is number one! 


Matthew 22:37-40

King James Version (KJV)

 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
 38This is the first and great commandment.
 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Lately (the past year!) I have felt I have lost sight of my focus. Circumstances beyond my control have really shook things up. Losing my Dad and my Dad in Law in one year, tending to my Mom and Mom in Law has really changed things for our family. I visualize it as sinking in water and trying to keep my head above the water surface to just survive. Thursday God spoke to me after a long hard couple of weeks of many tears and heartache, and I had a peace come over me. The Holy Spirit comforted me. Jesus left the Holy Spirit for us while he is gone. We are never alone.

John 14 >>
King James Version

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

I feel lighter, I feel happier, I feel more joy. Rodney and I are on a quest to appreciate every day and get every thing in perspective again. My hubby is a "program" man....so we are getting focused with Spiritual as the main one. When that is first, everything else falls into place. Now I don't mean to sound like I've gone off the deep end or anything....I'm way to boring and conservative for that!!....I just have been feeling so pulled and torn and pushed in way too many directions. And sometimes saying NO to things is a good thing. And it is my responsibility to take the bull by the horns so to speak.
Have you been there? Have you felt torn and worn? Your words of encouragement inspire me.....I welcome them.


And a happier note...
Darbey Rhea was nominated as a Homecoming candidate. Festivities were Friday. She was not the Queen but she's our little Queenie every day! We were very proud of her. 

Cody and Darb are great friends!




 They are having way too much fun!

 Daddy coaching....not a good night for a win!

Dance team performed before the game. Darb choreographed this night's dance! 




Wednesday, September 28, 2011

47 Questions!

 

 

47 questions about me

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My mom liked the name "Tanya" (Tawnya is how it's pronounced but I've been Tan-ya a lot!) She said she saw a Hawaiian girl on TV back in 1959 by that name.


2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? In August when my Father in Law passed away


3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes


4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Bologna


5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yes


6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I  hope so


7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not a lot but some!


8.. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS yes


9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No No NO!


10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Kashi Go Lean


11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes...my husband says I'm a "creature of habit!"


12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes


13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Coffee....it's a weakness!


14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their mouth/teeth


15. RED OR PINK? pink


16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I ask a lot of questions!


17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? That's a hard one....I think family members gone...Dad, Dad in Law, Grandparents


18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? yes


19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I'm barefooted!


20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Brown rice and sauteed onions and green peppers


21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My husband is channel surfing


22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Robin's Egg Blue


23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Cilantro, Estee Lauder perfumes, Fall candles, freshly mowed grass, my house with the windows open, Bath and Body Aromatherapy LavenderVanilla, Coppertone Suntan Lotion


24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my youngest daughter Darbey


25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes....Carrie is a sweetheart! She inspires me to be a better person!


26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football and Volleyball right now


27. Hair Color? strawberry blond


28. EYE COLOR? Blue


29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No


30. FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican


31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy


32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?  Enchanted with Darbey!


33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? yellow pajamas

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer summer summer!


35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hard one....

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate brownie with pecans and chocolate chips on top

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I can't wait to be surprised!


38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? OOOHHHH....not sure!


39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Looking at Fall magazines


40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't use one


41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? 10 best beaches in Caribbean


42. FAVORITE SOUND? Hearing my family all in the house.....it's noisy but I love it!


43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? neither


44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN= FROM HOME??? Barbados


45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? NO


46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Kansas


47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everyone's so I can learn more about them and don't have to ask too many questions! :0)






Let me know if you do this so I can come over and read about YOU!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

September Birthdays

 My Mom's 75th was on the 3rd and we had a party with her at the nursing home that day.

This weekend we got to celebrate the other September birthdays. My son in law, Blake, had his birthday on the 8th. My 2nd daughter's boyfriend, Cody, had a birthday on the 24th and mine was on the 25th. So Saturday, some of us went out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, The Cheesecake Factory. What a fun time we had! 6 of us went (the others had conflicts) and we ate way tooooooo  much! The appetizer, the meal and then the unbelievable CHEESECAKES! I'm getting back on track MONDAY!





Friday, September 23, 2011

Fall is Here....the Candles are Lit!

I'm not ready to give up on Summer...I never am! But if I have to...then at least it's nice to roll into Fall/Autumn and not jump right into Winter. I'm not a COLD weather person. I actually love the Fall....the mild temps are refreshing, the smells are fabulous, the decorations and colors are stunning. 
Here are some of my likes....






So I first start out the season with digging out all my Fall candles and getting them lit, 

(this is my new favorite this season)


and making sure my plug ins are going strong. My fav...(I actually keep it going most of the year) is the seasonal one 

That gets me in the mood to drag out the boxes of Fall decor and turn on the music. And then I start...ooohhhh I do love those colors! And since the house is smelling so great, now I'm on the hunt for some ARTIFICIAL bittersweet. Any ideas where to get some? A wreath, some garland, picks of bittersweet????
I have a sweet friend at church who always brings me a bag of REAL bittersweet that she picks on her farm. I just love it!
I have not bought my pumpkins, or hay bales, or mums, but it's on my list of "To Do". 
So in the meantime, I'll just~~~~~~~~~
make a cup of hot coffee and pour in some yummy creamer....
have a hot piece of pumpkin bread or a muffin with butter dripping off,
curl up in a chair with my October issue of Better Homes and Garden

and I'm a happy camper!

Are you in the mood for Fall?
What do you love about it?



Monday, September 5, 2011

A Fun Night!

My #2 daughter, Haley, works at a restaurant called Yia Yia's. (Ya Ya's). It is a very nice, upscale restaurant. They host many high dollar parties and she got to work one a couple of weekends ago. It just so happened John Walsh of America's Most Wanted was guest of honor.  Haley got to serve and said he was the kindest man. He was very willing to sign autographs, take pictures and visit with everyone.

 (Haley is on the far right)

John Walsh is known internationally as a crime fighter, victims’ advocate and the host of America's Most Wanted -- the groundbreaking reality program that's helped law enforcement capture more than 1,100 dangerous fugitives and brought home more than 50 missing children since its debut in 1988. He never sought the role, but this has been his life since July 27, 1981 -- the day his only child, Adam, was abducted from a mall near his home in Hollywood, Fla. Adam was found murdered two weeks later.

Just a fun little night with a big tip! HA!  

My computer crashed and with it has caused me to lose all my blog addresses! YIKES! Please send them to me in a comment Please Please! I can't get back to some of you!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

The Lord's Day



This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

May your day of serving the Lord be happy and fulfilling. Today is HIS day....remember the sacrifice....think on it....meditate on it....
You have 6 other days of the week to worry, stress, and take care of business. Make today JOYOUS!