Such a Mix of Feelings

Yes, these are my precious folk taken on Christmas Day. I love them so much and yet get so frustrated. They are young adults...those are two key words: "young" and "adults". So how far can I go in advising, etc? My son has brought me much joy in the past and some questions lately. I pray for him the right friends who will keep him accountable and close to the Lord. I pray for his future wife...that the Lord will bring her soon and that she'll be a wonderful, strong Christian. I pray for him the job he needs to find himself and what he wants to do.
Whew! For my daughter and son-in-law I pray patience and love for each other, especially as Madison makes her appearance very soon. I pray for good health for Madison and Erin and a safe delivery. Then I pray for sensitivity on Brad's part as he helps her daily and that he will be a godly father to my granddaughter. I am so blessed. So here we go, 2009!

FUN!

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Madison in 3-D

Erin and Brad had a 3D ultrasound done a week ago. So cute. You can really see her nose, mouth, facial features even though she wouldn't move that little arm down from her face. It was fun and things seem good and she IS a girl. Waiting to see if the decision is Madison Elise, or Madison Nicole, or Madison Faith.
Meanwhile, things have been crazy busy with Christmas parties nightly and trying to do 3 weeks of work in one. Looking forward to Christmas with the family and I hope we'll get some good talking time with Stephen and that he'll be very open with us.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today we celebrate 29 years of marriage! Seems like quite an accomplishment. Ha. Next year we plan to do something really special, Lord willing. Tonight we went to The Cheesecake Factory. That was it although John did bring me some roses. So sweet.
In other news, Stephen now lives in Gainesville at Jake Webster's house (basement apartment). He is looking for a job. I pray for him pretty constantly.
Erin had her 3rd glucose screening today. She managed to hold it down. We should find out soon if she has gestational diabetes. We pray not. Meanwhile she's in her 26th week now!

Stephen

I love my son and I pray for him in this latest change. He's been in graduate school for physical therapy for 18 months. He has now withdrawn from school saying "I don't know what I want to do but I know what I don't want to do" and that's this career. So he has started the ball rolling on all this and has plans to move to Gainesville to live with some friends from UGA and see what happens from there. I pray for God's direction and that he'll seek it seriously and listen carefully. I'm sad but yet I am also proud of him...that he had the courage to stop and turn around. It would have been easier for him to stay with it I think. So, here we go again. We're having a lot of changes lately. Thank You, Lord, for being the constant in my life.

Madison Evans

Such a cute little profile! What a wonderful 10 minutes today as we watched the ultrasound and found out that a granddaughter is coming in March! Ginger came also and we crowded in the room and watched. As soon as Erin saw that little face she started crying. Brad was very quiet...very unusual for him :) Ha. We feel so blessed. All is well with the baby so far. The measurements of the femur, head, and abdomen show that she is due anywhere from March 16-20. Erin gained 4 pounds in 3 weeks and is feeling wonderful. We pray, Lord, for continued good health for mom and baby Madison.

Peace for a while

Ha Ha...what a picture. But, seriously, we had such a nice time with Stephen this weekend. He turned 24 last Thursday so we went Saturday to visit him. Gave him a GPS but I bet he puts that up for sale...didn't seem all that interested in it. We visited Tybee with him..that was beautiful. Got back last night and I have to admit it was a nice break from work and church. We went to church with him but it was nice to be anonymous.
I'm feeling well except a TB cough. John's having some of his usual problems. Erin is 15 weeks pregnant now and feeling okay. They got a 2005 Honda Pilot today...I'm proud for them! Mom and Dad are in Charleston on a little break.
All seems to be calm at least personally. Out and about there are gas shortages, long lines, panic-buying, financial crisis in the country, and the possibility of getting someone named Obama as our president. Ugh.
Fall is here and it's beautiful...leaves are beginning to turn. So I'll just concentrate on God's beauty during all this hoo-ra. I love You, Lord. Thanks for the mountains and the valleys.

Relief!

Today I feel almost normal. Amazing because it's been so long since I've felt well. Thank You, Lord! I am still experiencing nerve pain throughout my face and sore gums but it comes and goes. Poco a poco.
Evan has his GED now. Another big praise and a relief to his folks!
Erin has gained one pound and is 13 weeks pregnant. Heartrate of Jake or Maddy is 150bpm. That's good.
Mom turned 71 yesterday...we will celebrate tomorrow at Longhorn and also maybe celebrate Evan's accomplishment.
John's not been too well this week but hopefully that will be resolved soon.
Life is never dull and I do NOT take for granted feeling well and having little and big blessings both! Again, thank You, Lord! I love YOU.

Hopefully Moving On

Ended up going to the endodontist and finished up root canal "therapy" today. Ow! Ow! Ow! The procedure itself is not painful after the 6 shots I got...just the aftermath. My whole face hurt, headache, gums, etc. Horrible. I'm feeling a little more human tonight after taking 9 Advil since 10:30 this morning.
Better news...Dad did great in the heart cath situation. No problems whatsoever. All is well, thank the Lord.
Stephen got the Applebee's job...waiting to talk to him.
Erin is now 12 weeks. Going to the doc next week.
I pray next week is a normal productive week for me with no leaving to go to a dentist or doctor.
Lord, I know you work all things together for my good.

Time is Passing Slowly in Pain...ouch!

Well, here it is 2 weeks later and I'm still on ibuprofen and tylenol. HA. I finally got the permanent crown on but am still hurting so much. Yesterday I was pretty much in tears after the procedure. I feel like every nerve in my face is screaming at me. I'm praying that all this will pass as things settle down. In other news, Stephen's car died on him and we'll pay 340 dollars to get it fixed. Thank You, Lord, that he was near the school when it conked out. He is also going to get his thumb looked at tomorrow and he actually has a job interview at Applebee's for a server position. I'm so glad about that...will help us out and him, too. Erin is still doing well...11 weeks pregnant now. She's very tired already of her job of nannying a 9 month old. She's going to have to stick with it until December. Dad is going to have a heart cath next Tuesday. I pray for protection for him, Lord. So, anyway, life is not exactly dull right now. Oh, for some good health and dullness. But, as always, thank You for Your many blessings, Lord. I'm thankful for all.

Pain and Aggravation

First of all, let me say that I know I am blessed. These little troubles in this world will pass and are nothing compared to what Christ went through. Plus my troubles are light compared to other folks I know who are looking at their last days because of cancer...not getting to see their kids grow up and get married, not getting to see their grandchildren. It's sad but we have that certainty that we will be reunited one day in heaven. Thank You, Lord, for that peaceful assurance.
I am going through lots of oral pain every day thanks to a broken wisdom tooth that I have a temporary crown on. It's causing my whole jaw to hurt thanks to my weird bite. I know this shall pass but I hate taking pain medicine around the clock. Well the Lord's teaching me endurance. I'm such a baby and I need to learn how to tolerate pain more than I have in the past. Wonder what the reason is for that?
Well, in the meantime we are enjoying watching our daughter grow and grow with that future grandchild. I think I want to be called "grandmommy". I like that! :)

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Lilies and Birds

I'm waiting on bills for the medical problems I've had in the last few months. Looks like insurance isn't going to take care of much. I made the mistake of not checking with them first...my thinking was so clouded during those days...I was not feeling well and wasn't thinking straight. The Lord will provide and take care of us as He said in Matthew 6:25-33...He takes care of the birds and the lilies...we are of so much more value to Him, He says. Don't worry. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. I will not sin by being fearful and worrying. Help me, Lord, to please you with my faith.

Life is Not So Daily!

I value every day more than I used to do. Since the health problems and now the pregnancy, life seems so fragile. Thank You, Lord, for the joy that I always have in You....I won't always have happiness in my circumstances but I will have JOY. So much is going on...life seems to be speeding by. John has to have knee surgery in a few weeks plus has another possible surgery ahead. I've had my own problems and now Stephen is going to the doc about his possibly broken thumb. Erin's got sick headaches...don't know if it's from the pregnancy or what but I feel for her. Anyway, life was boring a few months back. Not anymore!! I do not fear. To fear is to sin. I trust the Lord with my family. Help me to trust, Lord.

Celebrating!

We're still not allowed to tell anyone yet about the pregnancy. It's still so early and my girl wants to wait until she's seen the doctor. We're going to celebrate her 22nd birthday by telling the family and friends. In the meantime, I'm having great fun already buying a few things. I bought some baby lotion for her...the smell just brings back good memories. Today we went shopping and I bought her a maternity outfit....wait! It was on sale! I know she won't need it for several more months but this is just my way of celebrating this baby. We had a lot of fun and I just continue to pray daily for health and safety for her and the baby. We feel so blessed! A little nervous...but blessed. We don't deserve these favors!

Surprise!

I'm a grandmother. No, the baby's not born yet but my daughter and son-in-law just found out that they will be having a baby next March..Lord willing. That little raisin-sized creature has a soul and is already known by his or her heavenly Father. How blessed we are. Thank you, Lord!

Fourth of July family fun!

Perfect weather, a nice breeze,funnel cakes, cotton candy, listening to Chicago and Blues Brothers music, people-watching, beautiful fireworks. We stayed late and didn't have to get up to go to work!

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One Little Word

It's amazing how much the word "thanks" means when you work hard for your boss...especially when your boss is someone you admire greatly and try to please whenever possible. To be appreciated makes me want to work harder and think about each detail. Funny...the dynamics among co-workers. Out of all the stuff I did right, someone focused on the one thing I did wrong yesterday. It hurt and the words were repeated to me by someone who likes to cause rifts and trouble. Ruined my whole evening and that's sad because it should have been a meaningful evening for me with our presentation. Well, all is well now, as I did my duty and apologized for the mistake but I sure wish I could have last night back again. I need to always tell myself, "consider the source". Lord, help me to love my enemies... especially hard when I think they're my friends.

My Refuge and Strength

Just a symbol of my life. This is where I work and worship. I've been married here and my daughter has been married here. Of course, God is with me constantly whether I'm here or not. This is just precious to me.

First Blog

I've heard a lot about "blogging" and I love to keep a journal so I believe I'll enjoy this. I named this blog "50 in P-Town" because I've reached that magic age and it's been anything but!
50 is the new 30??? Please. All within the last year I've had both my kids graduate from college, one get married, one move on to graduate school...yes, we're still paying...ha. I've had two accidents of falling and hitting my head, health problems, a D&C, more health problems, a break-in at the house, an alarm system put in, a new car because the old one died, new challenges on the job, new challenges in the marriage and an empty nest. Wow. I think if I were to take one of those "stress" tests that psychologists give I'd be off the chart. It's been wild but I've grown so close to the Lord in all of it. I've felt His presence constantly and His sense of humor. I know He is in control and whatever hits me has to come through His hands first. So let's continue the adventure. I will "embrace the trials"....