Updates from Howellville

Trinton & Amberly (Two of my past fosters)
Just wanted to stop in and say hello!!!! It's been a really good weekend.

On Friday, for girl's night out we went to the Olive Tree and shopping. We had sooooooo much fun!!!!! I looooove that place.

On Saturday, I went and got three of our past foster kids and kept them all day. We met up with my MIL and took seven of the kids to Runin Wild Ranch to see all the animals. Then two of the fosters stayed the night Saturday with us. They had so much fun:) I loved having them:)

We spent the weekend working on the pool and we put together a new trampoline for the kids ,because the old one got a hole in it. It served us well for over 15 years. But once it got the hole punched in it, it kept getting bigger. Bailey would want to jump so bad but she was so scared of the hole. She kept saying, "Bent, fix it, hole, peeeease". (Brent, fix the hole, please). She is trying so hard to talk and make sentences. She is precious.

On Sunday, we went to church and then Corey & Anna came over and spent the night with us. I loved having ALL my kids home for the night:) We ate and sat up late talking and laughing.

Today, we pretty much took it easy all day. Hubby cooked steaks on the grill and we pretty much laid around all day which is VERY rare. I seldom have days like this. It's been an amazing weekend.

I wish I could share everything about this past weekend, because God is doing some amazing things in our family right now. At some point I hope I will be able to share it with you,but at this time I have some blog visitors (not on my friends list) that only use my blog to keep up with us and because of that, I have to limit what I add here. I'm sure you have those kind of people too.

Anyhow, I hope you've all had a wonderful extended weekend.
God bless you all:)

Sandy

~~~~~
I added a few more pics over at my other blog:) However none of them are edited.

What Makes Me Happy?

What makes me Happy?
I got this post idea from Meghan .If you get a chance, stop by and say hello to Meghan.


What Makes Me Happy?
1.Kids. I love kids!!!!!! I spend my day surrounded by kids:) I use to dream of growing up and having a house full of kids(which I did) and now that mine are getting older, I really enjoy my friend's kids/babies. I just think they are the closest thing to perfect here on earth:) I'll admit it, I am kinda like the little old lady who lived in a shoe:)
~~~~~
"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:1-6)
~~~~~
2.My family. I love my family dearly. My family is so precious to me. I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful family. We can do everything or nothing at all together and still have a great time. I love being with them. They bring me so much joy.
~~~~~
3.My Hobbies...gardening, photography, blogging,and reading...just to name a few:)
~~~~~
4.My friends. I really love spending time with friends. Two of my friends came over yesterday and we had some of the best laughs just watching their kids and mine:) They are like family...we can do things together or not do anything at all ,but set and rock on the front porch and still have a great time:) I love that quote,"Friends are the family you choose for yourself"...Sometimes it seems your friends are there for you ,when your family's not.~~~~~
5. My church. I can go to church and regardless of how I feel when I enter, I come out feeling so blessed and loved!!! God is really working in our church and blessingso many lives:) I feel so blessed to be a part of the church that I'm a member of. I truly believe I'm just where God wants me to be. My church IS MY SECOND FAMILY. I love them and they love me...I'm blessed:)
~~~~~
6.Eating out. I love trying new foods:) I love when Hubby takes me on dates and we try new things together...it's fun!!! Fun=Happiness!!!
~~~~~
7.Being active. I love doing things and going places. I love being busy. I get bored easily and I consider it a waste of life to just set around and do nothing. I still have so much I want to see and do before my time is done, but when I do leave this world, all will be able to say, "Sandy lived every minute of her life ". Another of my favorite quotes-Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -Mark Twain
~~~~~
8. I saved the very best for last. My relationship with God is the one thing(above the others) that truly brings me the greatest joy of all. He loves me and knows me more than anyone else and the more I've learned about Him, has made me want to walk as closely as possible with Him and to live my life for Him. The happiness He brings to me can't be put in words or compared to anything else.. It's like that song "Drinking from my Saucer"...because my cup has overflowed:) If you've heard it then you know what I'm talking about. I just pray that everyone will have this relationship with Him at some point in their life...it truly is an amazing love.
~~~~~ Picture credit ...goes to Ashley & to Christy for blessing us with Jake.
The picture above is of Jake. He is my friend Christy's lil boy:) I chose his "Happy" face as my theme picture for this post. This is a picture Ashley took of him yesterday. He brings alot of joy to our lives and I thank Christy for sharing him with us:) He's my baby boy. Christy says I'm his second mommy and sometimes I feel like I am:) He is just a piece of Heaven to me:)
~~~~~
Tag you're it! Now it's your turn:)What makes you Happy?

Update on My To-Do List

To-Do list for this week...
1.Finish up all required school work
2.Build rabbit cage
3.Take Jacob to his apt
4.Get flowers planted
5.Shampoo carpet
6.Find out more info on jellystone park, pine mountain safari, and the water park...all are planned for summer fun/field trips:)
7. Clean van
8. Call phone company about extra phone charge...grrrrr
9. Go make picture disks/copies of florida pics for the ones who've asked
10. Weed flower bed
11.Have a great week!!!!! ...still having one:)Things are coming along well this week:)

Follow me into the garden

I finally got these planted! It was a job...but so much fun!!! I love these!!! I just added them to my garden this year:)
These are my all time favorites!
"Petunias"
and much to some's surprise they do come back if you
have a mild winter. Mine came back two years in a row here in GA.



These are so pretty mixed with purples

My Word Wall

Just being Jacob

My conversation with Jacob

Our conversation in the bathroom yesterday.

He was in the bath with the curtains closed and I was fixing my hair.

Jacob- "Mom, why do you always dress like a preacher?"
Me-"What do you mean?"

Jacob-"You know, how you always dress like the preacher."

Me-"I don't."

Jacob-"Yes you do."

Me-"Jacob how do I dress like a preacher?"

Jacob-"Like now, look at you. You look like a preacher."

Jacob-"Why can't you just dress like a country girl and not like a preacher?"

Me-"How do you dress like a country girl?"

Jacob-"You know you look cool and *purty*

*smile*

So I guess I'm not that cool or that Purty(as he puts it so kindly)...lol

And I have no idea why he thinks I look like a preacher. Our pastor is male and he wears suits with ties every service .

Have a Wonderful Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Sandy

Prayer Request *Updates*

1. My nanny went back on Wednesday and she found out that she will be able to get the implant for dialysis. They will have a cardiologist in the room during the surgery, just in case she goes into heart failure. This is a very risky surgery for her ,because she was never suppose to be put to sleep again because her heart is so weak. However, she can't live without having the dialysis so it was have the surgery and take the chance that she may not make it through or she could do fine and live another few years or not take it and for sure she will pass and her time will be very short and painful. I just can't imagine my life without my Nanny. We've always had a close relationship. However, It's tough seeing her so sick and she has been for so long. She is in heart & kidney failure and she is not a candidate for a double organ transplant. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. I'll keep you updated.

2.My great-aunt (which is my nanny's younger sister) went through surgery on Tuesday for her cervical cancer and she came through the surgery fine. They will know in about a week if she is free from it. Continue to keep her in your prayers. Also,her husband has cancer, so please keep him in your prayers. They are going through some tough times right now and it's really hard on them and on their kids & grandkids.

3. The little 8 year old boy that I've asked prayer for that has cancer now has hospice coming in. It has spread from his brain and is now in his back. They can't really do anything else for him ,but keep him comfortable. Brent has been going over and helping the family do some things around their house this past week and he has come back in tears. I can only imagine the pain they are going through.
When I look at my little boy, I think that could be me. That could be my little boy. It makes me want to hold mine a little closer and not take one second for granted.
But let me tell you what this family done for me. Brent came in with a truck bed full of flowers and hostas that they had grew and wanted me to have some of . I think it was close to 20 plants they sent me... It really touched me. I thought here they are at their lowest point and they send flowers to me.
Please continue to help me pray for these. They each have some tough days ahead and each really stand in need of prayers.
It makes me think of something my pastor says often. He says if you think you've got it bad, all you've got to do is look around and you'll see someone going through alot worse than you.

Our Vacation Pictures

I just added new pictures from our family vacation.

If you would like to see them, click on over to my other blog
"One Moment At A Time"
Also, if you want to be updated when I add new pictures, please add yourself to my friend's list...thanks and enjoy!

Coming soon!

My Babies

I'll be working on adding my vacation pictures today:) So stop in later this evening over at my other blog, One Moment At A Time if you would like to see the pictures I took in Florida:)

Some are not as good as others because I used a quick shot camera for most of the beach pics and during the trip my best "close up" lens broke on my good camera,so I couldn't zoom in well or do close ups. However, we are already planning a trip back to the beach at the end of summer and I'll try again then. I ordered a new lens and it should be in this week.

A Little Motivation

Enough Already
If you always wish for more, you will never know the peace and satisfaction of having enough. Realizing that you already have enough is one of the most profoundly empowering thoughts you can think.
Fully enjoying the first piece of cake does not prevent you from having a second. Yet obsessing over whether or not you'll get another piece will always prevent you from enjoying what you have.
It's great to be ambitious and to create new value. Yet that is best done from the position of power that comes with having enough.
Being satisfied does not mean you must be complacent. Being satisfied enables you to draw strength from your desires instead of letting them enslave you.
Discipline, integrity, commitment and effectiveness flow naturally from a strong sense of having enough. When you're truly accepting of where you are, your eyes are fully open to the best possibilities.
Understand that you already have enough. And you'll tap into the power of peaceful purpose.
-- R.Marston

Just catching up:)

Just wanted to stop by for a second and say hello! We are home now and today will probably be mostly for catching up. I told Brent last night that I needed a vacation just to rest from vacation:) ...I'm tired. However, It was one of the best vacations we've ever had as a family. The only thing that would have made it better would have been having all of my kids there ,but the older kids had to work and couldn't.
Thank you to all who have been helping me to try to come up with a new blog name...I really appreciate all the ideas:)
I'm sorry that I have been so slack on responding to my emails, messages, and comments...I'll try to catch up and write you all back soon...I promise:)
I also hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! Mine was spent coming home from vacation, but we had a blast doing that too. With four teen girls you can imagine how they kept us going and laughing:) Then Jacob and Bailey added to it. It made the trip not seem so long.
Well, I guess that is it for the moment. I've got to get Jon to his appointment today.
I'll try to get some of our vacation pics uploaded today for you all to enjoy!
Have a great Monday!!!!!!

Got a question:)

I am wanting to create a photo blog for my photography and I'm trying to come up with a neat title for this blog. The new blog will just be an extension of this blog ( no, I'm not deleting this one). However the new blog will hold mostly pictures and tons of them, but very little writing...other than titles and labels on the pictures. Since I've been down here, I've taken tons of pictures and I'd love to share them all, but I don't want to put that many pictures on this blog. So I thought it might be time to create a new blog just for pictures.
So can you help me? Can you give me some ideas ? Do you know any great titles?
Here are some titles I've thought about...
1.Priceless Moments
2.One Moment At A Time (similar to the title of this one)
3. A Passion For Photography
If you have a moment and you think of one(or more) that you think I might like, leave it in a comment. It will be greatly appreciated.
Hugs, Sandy

Updates from the beach:)

Just wanted to stop in and say hello! We made it down here safely. The weather has been beautiful and my feet love the sand:) I think I could just stay here forever:)

Yesterday, Brent spent half the day fishing and the other half of of the day playing with Jacob & Bailey on the beach:)

The girls (Katie, Ashley, Mechelle, and Tiffany) have been swimming, tanning, taking pictures, and of course they've been keeping me laughing:)
I miss Anna, Samantha, and Jon...they aren't with us:( This is my first family vacation without having all my kids with me...it's not the same.

I have spent most of my time playing with the kids and working on getting my lighting just right on my camera. I used my quick shot for most of the pics yesterday (while we played on the beach)because I was so scared the heat might damage my new camera, but I'm hoping today I can use it more.

Jacob's favorite place down here is the hot tub. He has always loved the hot tub best. He likes the ocean and pool too, but he would be content if we just set in the hot tub all day:)

This is Bailey's 1st time to see the ocean/beach .She didn't like it at first. She didn't understand the ocean coming in splashing on her feet and she hated the sand on her hands...she kept saying. "Dirty". However half way through the day she started liking it:) By last night she loved it!
Well that's it for now. It's 7:00 am and I'm ready to get busy:) I hope you all have a wonderful day! I'll be adding new pictures from our trip soon!

Jacob's trip to Zoo Atlanta

Quotes about Mothers

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Quotes About Mothers

"The greatest thing a dad can do for his children is to love their mother."

"All I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." Abe Lincoln

"The Mother's heart is the child's classroom." Henry Beecher

"A man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done."

"All mothers are working mothers."

"Children are a sum of what their Mother contributes to their lives."

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life." Abe Lincoln

"Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother." Oprah Winfrey

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever."

"Making a decision to have a child--it's momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

"There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it." Chinese Proverb

"Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life."

"A mother understands what a child does not say."

"I regard no man poor who had a godly mother."

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."

"A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,

it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking."

Wash Day

~Wash Day~

Monday -Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all of my selfishness and
Vanity, so that I may serve you with perfect humility
Through the week ahead.

Tuesday- Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
Of prejudice I have collected through the years
So that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday -Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
Set a bad example for others.

Thursday- Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults
I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday- Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may
purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others
In need of love.

Saturday- Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly
Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday -The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please
Come into my heart so I may spend the day and the
Rest of my life in your presence.

Thanks for sharing this Amanda!

New Survey

I had to add a new survey because I deleted my other while working on my site. Sorry to all the ones who answered my last one :(
If you have a second would you please take a moment and answer again.
Thank you so much!

Things My Mother Taught Me

Things My Mother Taught Me....

My mother taught me LOGIC...

"If you fall off the swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."

My mother taught me MEDICINE...

"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me to THINK AHEAD ...
"If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"

My mother taught me ESP ...
"Put your sweater on. Don't you think that I know when you're cold?"

My mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE ...
"What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! ... Don't talk back to me!"

My mother taught me HUMOR ...
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes,don't come running to me."

My mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT ...
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

My mother taught me about SEX ...
"How do you think you got here?"

My mother taught me about GENETICS ...
"You are just like your father!"

My mother taught me about my ROOTS ...
"Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My mother taught me about the WISDOM OF AGE ...
"When you get to be my age,you will understand."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION ...
"Just wait until your father gets home."

My mother taught me about RECEIVING ...
"You are going to get it when we get home."

My mother taught me JUSTICE ...
"One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

Then you'll see what it's like."
~ Author Unknown ~

My Family Yearbook Post #17

~A Mother's Love~

A mother's love is something
that no one can explain..
It is made of deep devotion,
and of sacrifice and pain.

It is endless and unselfish,
enduring come what may,
For nothing can destroy it
or take the love away.

It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters.
even though the heart is breaking.

It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
it glows with all the beauty of the rarest,
brightest gems.

It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation.

A many-splendored miracle
man cannot understand,
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender, building hand.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

Thank God For Kids

(Some of my favorite kids)

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
Or look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids

And we'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or a Mickey Mouse
Or Kool-aid on the couch
Thank God for kids

Thank God for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child

Daddy, how does this thing fly
And a hundred other where's and why's
I really don't know but I try
Thank God for kids

When I look down in those trusting eyes
That look to me I realize
There's love that I can't buy
Thank God for kids

Thank God for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child.

When you get down on your knees tonight
And thank the Lord for His guiding light
Pray they turn out right,
Thank God for kids.

Thank God for kids.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power, And more about the power of love.
By Diane Loomans

What's your personality type? from Blogthings

Scroll down and take this fun quiz. You might be suprised at what you learn about yourself:)
From www.blogthings.com

You Are An ESFJ

The Caregiver You are sympathetic and caring, putting friends and family first. A creature of habit, you prefer routines and have trouble with change. You love being in groups - whether you're helping people or working on a project. You are good at listening, laughing, and bringing out the best in people. In love, you value harmony and mutual understanding. You will apologize or give someone the benefit of the doubt, if it means getting over a fight sooner. At work, you are good at building relationships and connecting with people. You would make a great nurse, social worker, or teacher. How you see yourself: Organized, dependable, co-operative When other people don't get you, they see you as: Opinionated, critical, and at times a know-it-all

What's Your Personality Type?

How real are you? Fun from blogthings

You Are 82% Real

There's hardly a person on this earth more real than you are. You have no problem showing people who you are, flaws and all. For you, there couldn't be any other way. Because it's way too stressful to live an inauthentic life. You're very comfortable with yourself. And because of this, you're able to live an exciting, interesting, and challenging life.

How Real Are You?

Date update:)

...still blushing:)
We had a GREAT date!!!! We ended up going out for seafood and karaoke.
It was sooooo much fun:) No we didn't sing but we sure enjoyed the ones that did. It amazes me how some people are so talented. Brent ate talapia(I guess that is how you spell it) and I ate shrimp. We had a great time together.
We even ran into some of our our old classmates and they shared with us that Brent's class reunion is coming up, so we are looking forward to that:) I knew most of Brent's classmates because my brother Robby was in the same grade as Brent. At their last reunion they done a special dedication in memory of my brother which meant a lot to our family.
Anyhow, have a great Sunday!

I'm going on a date!

Well, I'm going on a date:) Hubby called from work earlier and asked did I want to go out tonight "blushing" and I said, "sure I do". I love dates!!! Now I have no idea where we are going ,but that really doesn't matter much... I'm not picky:)
So I tried my best to dress up nice. I put on my dressiest capris and top, I splashed on my love spell perfume, put in my favorite earrings, I put on my favorite pumps, and even painted my nails red. Now, I'm sitting here waiting...waiting...waiting....waiting... on hubby.
Yes, you heard that right. I'm waiting on him to get ready.
Boy how things have changed...
I remember when we first dated, he would always be ready and at my house waiting on me...lol However, now it seems I'm always waiting on him. Am I the only one with this problem??? lol
I'll fill you in later:) Gotta run. He is finally ready!!!!!!

The "W" Quiz

The "W" Quiz
1.What do you wish you had right now? a diet coke
2.Where do you wish you could be? the beach
3.What are you thinking right now? how nice it is to have a calm day
4.Who is the last person you talked to? Ashley
5.What was the last thing you drank? mango green tea
6.What is the last thing you ate? a sub
7.Who do you miss the most? Bailey at the moment(this is the 1st weekend we haven't had her in a while)
8.Who was the last person that made you laugh? Jacob
9. Who was the last person that made you cry? Brent
10. What time did you go to bed last night? about 11 pm we had Josie & Abby over:)
11.What time did you wake up? about 8:30...I slept in
12.What makes you happy? my kids
13. What makes you mad? when someone messes with one of my kids
14.What is your mood at the moment? content
15.Where did you go last?shopping in Hiram with Samantha, Ashley, Josie, and Abby
16.Where do you plan to go next? probably on a date with hubby
17.What time is it? 3:50 pm The time on my blog is not set right and I don't know how to fix that.
18.Write three words that describe you. dependable, active, blessed
19. What are you looking forward to? vacation time
20. What is one word that does "not" describe you. selfish
21.What is your favorite type of animal?I guess a dog
22.What color is your favorite?red
23. What color is your house? smurf "ugly" blue...hubby chose it and won't change it...grrrrr
24. What color is your bedroom? mauve
25. What day is your least favorite? Thursday, because by then I'm worn out ,and ready for the weekend
26. Who texted you last? I don't text...maybe the phone company
27. What movie did you watch last?Life after people...it was weird
28.Who called you last? I think it was Joann
29.What is one thing you can't live without? oxygen
30.What do you hear right now? Katie's music

How do you know me?

I created my very first survey...Go me!!!! I'm just curious as to who is reading my blog. I see my dear friends on my friend's list(I love ya'll ) but according to my status I have over 80 followers+ plus a few drop-ins that don't have blogs. So that leaves me wondering who my private visitors are:) Obviously they want to remain private and they still can ,because the survey doesn't identify people.
So if you will, take a moment and take my survey or leave me a comment introducing yourself. If you have a blog, leave the link so I can return the visit. I love meeting new people!!!
Hugs to all, Sandy

Come join me

Hey my bloggy buddies!

I wanted to invite you all to join me over at the Blog Frog. It is a really neat little site with great gadgets. I would like to add you all, but for some reason it is giving me an error message this morning, so I haven't been able to add you or send you a request like I wanted.

I thought some of you might like this site,so I wanted to share it.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Hugs, Sandy

Adorable Video!!!

Watch this adorable video!