November Already?

I know - technically, there are 2 more days until November is actually here. But (and I say this EVERY year) I can NOT believe it is almost Thanksgiving AGAIN! It seems like each year just rolls by faster than the one before. I haven't posted since September, because nothing has really happened. I know the point in having a blog is to keep a "journal" of your life or certain situations. But, other than day to day "life" nothing has really been happening. I guess that, in itself, is something to be thankful for. I read the blogs from other parents and families and see how they are dealing with a terminally ill child or parent, or extreme financial issues, or a spouse who has had an accident - and all of these has turned their worlds upside down.
I pray for every one of the families I read about on blogs - and it is funny how I go to the computer to check to see if there are any updates, as if I know them personally. I guess having 3 kids of my own, I can not imagine how it would feel to suddenly be faced with such a tragic situation. I can't imagine dealing with a situation as devastating as that - but I certainly can not imagine facing it without God. He has proven Himself faithful time and time again in big things and little things.
2 weeks ago, My parents were on a 12 day vacation to Niagara Falls, New Hampshire, New Jersey, etc - to see the leaves changing and see new parts of the country. My mom was SO excited! However, 2 days into their trip, my dad had to be rushed to the ER in Niagara Falls and within 6 hours, was in emergency surgery for a masive hernia he did not know he had. He spent 4 days in ICU, and had an extremely long trip home - but, by the grace of God, he is home & recovering well. He still has no energy and is having bouts of mild depression, but we are counting our blessings. So much for their vacation, though..... Mom says he still owes her that trip! :-)
Ryan made the basketball team at his middle school. Technically, he is listed as one of the managers, not an active player. But the coach told him that if he worked really hard at practice and improved a little, he could earn a spot to get some actual playing time. Ryan was thrilled with just making the team! However, now that he has been through 3 days of practice, he is starting to realize that he truly may not play any this season. Now, he is very frustrated. Ryan is used to being one of the key players on every team he has ever been on. This is a new experience for him - but it is not necessarily a bad one. I think it will be good for him to see that he can not always be "number one" and that things in life DO take effort and hard work. In his words, after the first day of try outs: "I realized that I'm not as good as I thought I was." I think we could ALL use a day like that every once in a while - even though it can be a blow to our ego..... It's a hard lesson to learn at 12 years old (and also at 39 years old).
Emily is still busy just trying to keep everyone in line. She is my sweet, helpful girl! She is always smiling! She has her moments - especially now that she is inching closer to the pre-teen times..... but she always wakes up in the morning with a smile on her face & is always ready to give me a hug and a kiss on my way out the door. The boys have already outgrown that - they are WAY too cool to be seen hugging on mom (unless, of course, when they want something)! Emily is going to be a GREAT mom - and she wants to be a teacher. That is ALL she ever wants to play when she has friends over. They line up her dolls & stuffed animals for their class and she has old workbooks and even a whiteboard in her room that she uses to teach. It's actually quite interesting to hear her explain the math & things she is learning in school. (and it's WAY more than what I learned at her age)
Forrest's team finished their Freshman football season with a record of 5-1: the best that school has had in several years! Maybe there is hope for the Hornets, yet! Now, a week from Monday, on November 9, he moves on to baseball tryouts! The World Series just started to END the professional season - and high school is having try outs to START theirs in January.... whatever! As long as he is busy with sports he is happy - and it helps to keep him out of trouble. He turns 15 on November 29 - the dreaded PERMIT! Of course, Forrest is MUCH happier about it than mom is......
I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Friday - we are off to the last football game of the season for varsity & then to the FAIR! This is the last weekend for it in our city & we have waited until now to go.... Hopefully it won't rain.
SMILE! God loves you!

Tired Tuesday

Well, it has been a while since I posted. Not much has happened, lately. I guess that is a good thing - nothing too "exciting" has taken place. Unless you count my oldest child going to his first ever high school dance! That was very emotional - I can't believe my baby is old enough to be going to a high school Homecoming dance. He looked VERY handsome, and his sweet girlfriend was beautiful as ever! They made a very sweet couple.

Ryan had to have an MRI yesterday on his knee. It has been hurting for about 4-5 weeks now. Being the "wise" mom that I am, I kept brushing it off to growing pains - FINALLY! The poor guy is 12 years old, just now broke 60 lbs, and is only 54" tall (that's only 4 feet 6 inches). All of his friends are - literally - heads & shoulders above him. He doesn't let it bother him too much, but it does on occasion. We have asked the doctors repeatedly if we needed to worry about his growth. They have assured us that he IS growing, just not very quickly. His growth curve is steady & has not plateaued at all, but he is consistently at the bottom of the chart. However, his personality & determination make up for his lack of physical stature! Sometimes, he amazes me in his ability to understand, or accept, things that I can't get a handle on, yet. Anyway - back to the MRI - the orthopedic doctor seems to think that the meniscus on that knee is too thick & causing "friction" on his knee joint. If this is the case, we will have to have arthroscopic surgery to scrape it down & thin it out some. I know that is minor surgery - and there are parents facing MUCH more serious issues with their children than outpatient knee surgery! However, this time it is MY child and this would be the first procedure he has ever had to go through. At least it isn't anything life-threatening. I shoudl definitely count my blessings!

Emily is doing well - still the "assistant mom" of the house. She is SUCH the caretaker! She loves to make sure that everyone has what they need and everyone is aware of the "schedule" for the day - especially if it alters from the norm in any way. (norm? What's that?)

Forrest has another football game coming up on Monday. So far, his freshman team is 2-0! They are so excited - and ready for another game. He almost can't contain himself from week to week. The boy LOVES his sports!

I had to have a tooth pulled yesterday - my dentist did a great job! It is still very sore, but not painful at all! Much better than I anticipated - especially since I am a complete chicken when it comes to ANYthing dealing with the dentist. Don't get me wrong - my dentist is WONDERFUL and a great Christian man. But I HATE going to the dentist - makes me almost physically sick. (am I the only one?)

Mobile has had 12 STRAIGHT days of rain as of today! I know God gives us the rain for a reason - and I know that if we had gone this long WITHOUT rain, we would be complaining for a different reason. So I will try not to complain - however, I would VERY much prefer a sunnier day! I am ready for some good old fashioned sunshine! Which reminds me: PLEASE join me in praying for the communities in Birmingham, AL and in teh Atlanta, GA areas that have even more rain recently than we have. Reports are showing several flood-related deaths in those areas. Please remember those families. I DEFINITELY have alot to be thankful for.

If anyone is reading, please be in prayer for Ryan tomorrow. We go back to the doctor to get the results of his MRI. Please join us in praying that it is nothing more serious than what they expect to find. I can handle an outpatient procedure. I just pray that it is nothing more.

I hope you all have a wonderful TUESDAY - and hug someone close to you today! You never know when they may be needing that more than anything. Keep Smiling!

Beautiful Morning!

Today is a beautiful day in southern Alabama! Typically, this time of year, we wake up to a balmy 78 degrees. However, THIS morning was a clear, slightly breezy 66 degrees! Definitely NOT your normal Mobile weather for August - but we will take it! It amazes me how God can create such beauty in the middle of all of the chaos in the world.

Just a little about me - since this is my very first time ever to blog (I always read everyone else's blogs)! ;-)

I have 3 children - Forrest is 14, Ryan is 12, & Emily is 10 (going on 25). Forrest is the starting quarterback for his high school freshman football team, plays baseball, and LOVES the Atlanta Braves. Ryan plays baseball, basketball, sings, dances, & is in the National Jr Honor Society at his middle school. Emily is in gymnastics - but doesn't want to compete. We just do that for fun. She gets drug around to all of the games and events for her brothers, and likes to think she is the one in charge. (like most little sisters)

I am married to a wonderful Christian man - who shares my love of music! We both play the piano, sing, and he even writes music for himself (he usually won't let anyone hear it, though). however, I feel he does an AMAZING job at it! He also likes to build things - and does an incredible job! We recently gutted a bathroom & completely redid everything. He built the cabinets, cabinet doors, tiled the floor, tiled the shower, put glass tile on the countertop, and installed the sinks - all by himself! He is SO talented!

We have an adorable pet - Einstein - who is a Bichon Frise. (He & Emily are tied for who thinks they rule the house the most)

The purpose of this is just to put some thoughts "on paper" and keep a record of how God blesses us and sustains us through everything in life. It's more for my benefit than anything else - but if I happen to make a few new friends along the way, that would be great too!

have a WONDERFUL day in Jesus!