When The Circumstances and Elements Don't Cooperate

This has not started out as the typical Jennifer Christmas holiday decorating time. I have (in the past) had it down to an art...

• get the tubs down from the attic (all labels according to the rooms and/or contents)
• bring them in one at a time
• unpack the contents
• pack away everyday items that are being replaced with Christmas decorations
• take the empty tubs or re-filled tubs back to the garage
• neaty stack to be taken back to the attic until the day after New Years

Now...that is just the inside decorations...this is the outside ones. These containers are also brought down when the indoor items are and placed in a different area of the garage to keep everything separate.

• I begin with the icicle lights that hang around 3 sides of our home (don't do the back...even though, we are on a corner and you can see it...too tired and too many lights)
• I have to run 2 extension cords up by the gutter down spout so you can't see it
• attach it to the downspout with wire ties
• each year when I take the lights down...I have them on "spool"s labeled...right or left...now what that means is...I don't take the gutter clips off the lights and because I have to run them off of 2 different extension cords....one set goes to the left around the house and the other goes to the right around the other side of the house...otherwise, they blow fuses :-(
• get the ladder out and get busy
• usually, I have to trim the crape myrtles back to get the lights hung...but this is all part of it
• set up my reindeer, trees and Christmas presents in the yard
• hang Santa off the gutter by the porch
• hang the ladder with Santa, Frosty, Rudolph and an Elf climbing it from another gutter
• set up my countdown to Christmas "clock"
• get it all hooked up to extension cords and on timers (everything is on timers...hate to turn on and off)

This is normally a 2 to 2 1/2 day project...from beginning to end. There have been many years when I have been up on the ladder in the freezing cold until well after dark. Last year, it was unseasonably warm and it was so nice to get it all finished with out turning into an icicle myself.

Well...this year...it has not been a easy task. Roger and Tyler got everything down from the attic on Thanksgiving evening so that I could begin on Friday.

Friday was a beautiful day and I debated over and over whether to do the inside or the outside first. Well, I had been Christmas shopping on Wednesday, found a ton of great sales on all Christmas decorations...plus, I was so excited to get the inside finished...I started there first.

Friday went very smoothly and things were taking shape as the day went along. But, by 11:30 PM...I was dead on my feet. Everything on my body and in my body hurt by that time....and...I wasn't finished yet. My plans were to get up early Saturday morning to complete the inside before heading outside.

Saturday morning arrives and I get up, shower and get ready because I had to meet the lady who makes curtains for me to give her my material to make 3 panels for my living room. (I will post some pictures later when I get them back and hung...before Christmas...she promised.) I met with her and then ran to the bank...somewhere along the way...I got another wild hair to run to M****** to get more of those fabulous decoration sales.

I have been so excited about Christmas this year and I have always loved to decorate but this year...I've gone beyond anything that I've ever done. I have even decorated my bathroom and bought garland to go around my tub! Ok...I know you all think that I am totally off my rocker now, but I love to have Christmas in every room of the house...including the bathrooms. When everything is completed...I will post pictures. Shhhh...don't tell anyone but my house is mostly decorated, well, 99% with Santa Clauses (I've collected them for 28 years)...not very spiritual, I guess but I know the reason for the season and we teach our children it as well.

I didn't get home until after 7 PM last night and decided to start on the lights outside while it was dark. It makes it easier to see what I'm doing when the icicle lights are on and it is dark outside. Yes, my husband thinks that I am nuts too. Well, no sooner than I got the extension cords put up and ready to go...got 1/2 of the string hung and it started raining. I stayed out there as long as I could and finally called it a night. I left the other half of the lights hanging in a bush till I returned today to finish them.

Fast forward to today...we get home from church, change clothes and I head outside to get the lights hung. Roger doesn't get into doing all the decorations but he loves what I do when it is all finished. I love doing it and I would rather do it myself than it be crooked, sagging or look terrible...I'm very anal when it comes to things being straight! So, he stayed inside to cook lunch for our family and I gladly went outside.

I got up on the ladder to complete what I started last night and realized that I wanted to wash down the porch, siding and columns before I hung the lights. We bought one of those "fancy gutter washer outers" a couple of weeks ago to clean them out when I hung the lights. I forgot until today that I was planning on doing it.

Yesterday it was in the upper 50's and today...it is in the lower 40's with winds 20 mph...making it feel like it is 36 degrees. What was I thinking about "playing" in the water! I got the porch and siding washed down and it looks great...then I headed for the gutters with my new gadget.

I didn't realize that it also telescopes so when I turned the water on...full force...I had the hooked part already inside the gutter...I'm standing on the ladder...it (gadget) shoots up...telescoping itself....spraying me right smack dab in the face. Well, now I am drenched! I look like a wet dog in a coat and gloves. What a sight to see! I didn't let it deter me, I kept washing and digging the leaves out with my hands. Needless to say, they were froze and I was soaking wet...my hair, jacket, pants and tennis shoes.

Thank goodness, lunch was ready. I came inside, threw my clothes in the dryer and had a wonderful dinner.

Back outside, up on the ladder and now 1/3 of the 2nd string doesn't work. I've learned from many years of experience that usually means a missing or broken bulb...but there wasn't one. Sometimes, if too many bulbs are blown...then they won't work. No such luck either. Down the ladder, come inside to get my "bulb tester gadget" but I couldn't find it anywhere. I stopped and told my hubby that I was running to the store to buy another one rather than spend an hour looking for it and still not find it....I had work to do. He fully agreed!

Back home with new bulb tester gadget and up on the ladder again. Finally, I got them to work and I still have no clue what was wrong with them. I had to stop and cut the crape myrtle to round the corner of the house...back down the ladder, in the garage, get clippers, back around the house, up the ladder and cut the limb. Wheeeee....I'm getting my exercise today.

Then guess what???? It starts raining again! I was determined to finish that 1/2 the house or die trying. My hubby had to go to the police department to work and when I said that I was doing to finish or die trying...he said...well, you got all the elements in line to do that...please, no injuries today. But the time, I finished that 1/2 the house....I was soaking wet again and freezing. I couldn't feel my fingers, toes or legs at that point.

What you don't realize is that the old me...2 years ago...would have been throwing a "stinking" fit because everything was going wrong today. I would have been throwing things, stomping and saying things that wouldn't be very nice (not real bad, but not happy words) and the pity party would have been on....for the rest of the day.

Today, when I was fighting to get those lights to work...I stopped and prayed...Lord, please help me to figure out what is wrong with these lights and get them to work. I don't want to let this put me in a bad mood, stress me out or cause me to lose the holiday spirit that is flowing so strongly through me. There were several times that I had to pray a similar prayer to keep from losing it but I didn't lose it...not one single time. Now, that is a major victory! Whooo Hoooo!

Since it is raining outside, I just pray that I can finish the inside or at least, 80% before I have to go back to work tomorrow. Even if I don't get all the things accomplished that I want to today...I still have an amazing victory over my mouth, emotions and reactions to things not cooperating with me today.

Psalm 37:8
Don't give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble. (GN)

Ephesians 4:26
If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.(GN)

Isaiah 41:10
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. (Message)

Proverbs 15:13
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday~O Holy Night

SCROLL DOWN AND PAUSE MY MUSIC FIRST...PLEASE!

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs...it tells the beautiful story of Jesus birth and oh, what a story.

As a child, I thought these songs were for "old folks"...well, I guess, I was right because now as an "old folk"...I love this song and so many more like these.

If it weren't for that wonderful night over 2000 years ago...I would not be able to come to my Savior~Jesus Christ and repent of my sins, ask Him to come into my heart and immediately become royalty.

No other man or god can do that for me...He is the way, the truth and the life. Oh, how I love my Lord and Savior!

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJ)

Matthew 1:20,21
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (KJ)

Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (KJ)

O Holy Night by Celion Dion...I love her angelic voice in this song along with pictures that represent the birth of Jesus Christ.

Decorating Time

Good Morning!

Now that an enjoyable Thanksgiving is over...it is time to get busy decorating my home for Christmas...my favorite time of the year.

I can't bring myself to decorate before Thanksgiving because I remember my mom always saying "Thanksgiving has become the forgotten holiday...lost between Halloween and Christmas". I feel like I am taking away from the "special atmosphere" of giving thanks during Thanksgiving, if I get into the "commercial" decorating with Santas along with my nativity scenes, both inside and out of my home before the day after Thanksgiving.

So...today starts my big day of decorating my home. Believe me...it gets emotional because it is a big ordeal, time consuming and exhausting...but, I keep doing it every year. I love the look of our home when it is all decorated and smelling like Christmas. Plus, I want to enjoy everyday that I can, for as long as I can because either Christmas night or the next day...it is all coming down, getting packed back in it's boxes and stored away in the attic again for another year.

My hubby thinks that I am crazy for putting myself through this every year but, it is something that I "have" to do. It wouldn't be Christmas around here if it were any other way.

Each year...I add more and more to the decorations that I already have. Tyler and I went shopping for him some clothes for Christmas...I let him pick out most of them, wrap them and he acts so surprised on Christmas morning :-0 But, for some reason...I spent about 4-5 hours shopping in Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx and Garden Ridge...for Christmas decorations. I had no intentions of doing this but every store already had all their decorations 50% off ticketed price. How could I pass that up???

Ayway...I'm off to get busy decorating and turning my home into a Christmas wonderland (well, the best that I can do anyway)!

I might post some pictures when I can completely finished if they look good.

See you all in a couple of days :-)

~HAPPY THANKSGIVING~

From our home to yours~we want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

While we enjoy spending time with our precious families, creating memories and eating a wonderful feast~let us always remember to give our Heavenly Father thanks and praise for the many, many blessings He bestows on each one of us...everyday of our lives, not just on Thanksgiving.

Blessings,
Jennifer, Roger and Tyler

~Cookbook Giveaway~

Connie over at Connie's Turning 50 and she is giving away a cookbook in celebration of her birthday. It is a family published cookbook and it sounds wonderful.

You can enter by going to her blog, leaving a comment and posting it to you site. But, if you want to give me a great chance to win...I never win...DON'T go. No, just kidding...run on over and register to win.

~Sometimes CHRISTmas Makes Me Cry~

I saw this video for the first time over at Samantha's blog...Mama's aMusings and I was so "blown away" that I had to share it here on my blog. This is by Mandisa and Matthew West.

I love CHRISTmas time of the year with all the laughter, decorations, holiday cheer, reflecting on CHRISTmas past, the true meaning of CHRISTmas and wonderful childhood memories.

My daddy died 19 years ago this past August 4th and CHRISTmas was his favorite time of the year. He loved to surprise my mom with wonderful gifts and he did the same thing for his children. He played Santa, shook jingle bells outside our bedroom window so we would hurry up go to sleep and made reindeer tracks in the snow once when we were lucky enough to have a white Christmas. Oh, I have such wonderful CHRISTmas memories with my family!

Every year at the beginning of the CHRISTmas holiday season, when I start playing the CHRISTmas music, burning the scented candles, the house is all decorated and I begin to wrap the presents...I have a hard, long, sobbing cry because I miss my daddy so much. I miss him as much now as I did 19 years ago. This has become a "tradition" for me but it is therapeutic.


I'm dedicating this song to my daddy...Billy Wood. I know you are in the arms of Jesus right now, healed and very happy but...Daddy, I miss you so much and can't wait to see you again. I love you, Daddy!

I am blessed to still have my wonderful, loving and beautiful mother...inside and out...alive and living close by. Mom...you mean the world to me and I love you more than words can ever express. You are truly the picture of a godly mother. Thank you for loving me and my family (in spite of our faults), raising me in a strong Christian home and always being there for us. I love you, Mom. (yes, she reads my blog:)

Enjoy! Be sure to scroll down and pause my music first. If you have YouTube blocked on your computer (some have told me they do)...you might find it on GodTube (I haven't looked).

Tagged

I've been tagged by Beth at The Power of Your Love.

Here are the rules of the tag:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.

2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).

3) Write 6 random things about yourself.

4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.

5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

So, here are the six random things about myself:

1. I've moved to here in 1991 when my wonderful hubby and I got married and started our blended family...we have moved 4 times in 5 years and never left town. My next move (I pray) is 6 foot under :)

2. All the can goods in my pantry have to be grouped together according to their contents, front facing and turned right side up....only thing I don't do is alphabetize.

3. I was married 3 weeks after graduation to my "high school sweetheart" and it soon turned into a nightmare, was married for 6 1/2 years, divorced him, was a single parent for 4 years before marrying my best friend, my wonderful husband...my God sent knight in shining armour.

4. I am a "Granny" at 46 years old..."bonus" Granny.

5. I was mischievious my senior year in high school. I, with 2 more girls and 3 guys, climbed the water tower at the end of the football field the week before graduation and spray painted as many classmates initials on there as we could. We couldn't keep a straight face during graduation because it was staring right at us. Lord, help me...you reap what you sow...I have a teenager still at home :(

6. I love a man in uniform...well, my man anyway. Scroll down and see him in his police uniform in the right sidebar :)

Now, I'm supposed to tag 6 more people...hmmmmm...let's see.

Amy at The Kings Table

Shannon at Bless Our Nest

Sharon at He Is My Prince of Peace

Naomi at Loving My Life as Mommy & Wife

Kim at Nothing Can Separate Me From His Love

Michele at Michele's Morsels Beelieve

I hope you all play along :)~

At The Well~Having A Thankful Heart

Welcome to "At The Well" where Laurie is discussing having a Thankful Heart. Please stop by Laurie's page to read her story and the other ladies' thankful hearts.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

This is my first time...At The Well but I was so inspired and my heart full of thankfulness that I decided to join in today.

Giving Thanks During The Difficult Times...There have been several times that immediately come to mind and I want to share two of those times with you. Each time, we learned something different in our lives, our family and grew because of adversity. I have to admit that we (hubby and I) would not be where we are now spiritually if it had not been for these difficult times.

The most recent one was two years ago when my husband had the feeling that something was about to happen at his job. There had been some strange things happen and certain things said that we felt like his job might be in jeopardy. It wasn't immediate but it was something that happened over a couple of weeks.

Roger is not one who sits around and waits for things to happen but he takes action and prepares for what might lie ahead. He began to start searching for other possible jobs and located one with a company that he had worked along side for several years. They told him that he had a job waiting for him if and when the termination came.

The termination was really ugly and their ex-boss was acting down right mean when he terminated several employees at once...including my husbands. There was lies being told and threats being made...it was so ugly. The harrassment lingered for about 8 months with this guy but God was faithful. It was the only time that I saw my husband nearly break but this was just after the other story below had been resolved...so we were still emotionally spent.

He has always been the strong one and I fly all over the place but when he went down...I came up fighting...it was spiritual warfare and I was angry. I got on my knees, got out all my scripture books including "The Power of a Praying Wife" and got busy. My husband felt so encouraged throughout those ugly months and God provided and showed His greatness onced again. My husband grew so much more in his faith as he watched once again God provide.

The other time was July 4th, 2003 at straight up noon...we were served with a lawsuit. Happy 4th of July, huh? We were being sued by friends...or we thought they were our friends...we sold them a house in 1999, ended up moving back next door to our old house and became good friends.

This lawsuit lasted 3 years and 5 days and lots of money later. During the trial, the judge was against us and the realtors from the beginning. She did everything she could to gift wrap the case and award them everything they were asking. We felt like it was because we had 3 male attorneys at our table against one female attorney at their table...plus, one female judge.

There were so many ups and downs and numerous delays...with each delay...we couldn't understand what was going on and how it would turn out. We remained faithful and believing that God would come through it this situation. It took 3 years and 5 days, but the verdict came in the mail...we weren't liable for any damages and the case was dismissed.

The amazing thing to me was that if it wasn't for each of the delays...the end result wouldn't have been the same because each one was just another piece of the puzzle...not guilty!

We grew so much in our faith and in the Word of God during these difficult times. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but at the same time, I am thankful for this adversity because without it...my faith wouldn't be where it is today. Roger and I grew together during this time and relied on each other to get through. It was an emotional roller coaster....but we continued to thank God daily for His faithfulness regardless of the outcome.

The Blessings Keep On Coming!

I'm having a Thankful Thursday on Monday...if that's ok?

I found out this weekend that we(work) are off 1/2 day on Wednesday, Thursday and all day on Friday! Whooo Hoooo!

But it keeps getting better...we are closed the entire week of Christmas!!!! Can you hear me screaming with excitement? Well, I am...believe me!

My hubby is so jealous!!!! Hehehehehehe!

I really do have the best job in the world and I have the best of both worlds...great job and stay at home mom too.

Dr. R and JR...you guys are the best! Thanks for being such wonderful, Christian bosses...you make serving you easy!

How many blessings can you count this week? We should count them daily, not just during Thanksgiving but I am making it my focus this week...
Count Your Blessings...Name Them One By One!

Have a wonderfully, blessed and thankful week.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday~I Am Not Forgotten

Do you know that God knows you by name? You are NEVER forgotten...you are NEVER out of his sight and He loves you that much.

I love this song! The words, the meaning and the TRUTH behind this song, still amazes me each time I heard it. The first time or the hundreth time...It still blesses me and excites me.

Israel and New Breed...Live Out of Africa...I Am Not Forgotten

DON'T FORGET TO PAUSE MY MUSIC FIRST!



For more TSMSS....click here. You will be blessed!

Getting To Know Me ~ Christmas Edition

Welcome to the Christmas/Holiday edition of getting to know me.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both with handmade bows...no store bought ones :)
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial...Pre-lite Artificial...no less! I also have 3 smaller trees in other rooms of my house. I forgot to list yesterday when I made this list, the mini one that I put in the middle of my kitchen table as the centerpiece. It was the one that I made my grandmother (Big Nanny) when she was in the nursing home. After she passed away, my mom gave it back to me. It has been there every Christmas since as a reminder of what a wonderful, loving, inspiration of a woman that I called Nanny.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas!
5. Do you like egg nog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Huge, lime green teddy bear that I saw in the store window, wrote to Santa and then when we went back...it was gone. I was brokenhearted...but "Santa" had it there for me Christmas morning...My favorite Christmas memory!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, 3. 1in dining room, 1 in Tyler's room and 1 in living room.
8. Hardest person to buy for? Really...no one! The older kids want money, Tyler and Mason make their own list and that’s just leaves my mom and mother-in-law...they always like clothes to wear.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Tyler ... makes me a list every year.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail cards, usually at least 60 and have been doing this since I was 18 years old.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Don’t remember one...I’ll have to really think about that.
12. Favorite Christmas movie(s)? Bells of St. Mary, It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I get the money!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chicken and Dressing (my mom doesn’t like turkey so she always uses chicken) and Lemon Meringue pie.
16. Clear or colored Christmas lights? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Silent night, Away In The Manager and The Redneck Days of Christmas (Jeff Foxworthy) is hysterical...my kids love it!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I’ve always been home on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, but we go to my mom’s for lunch, then back home that afternoon and travel to South Carolina to see Roger’s mom the day after...or Roger and Tyler go if I have to work.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and Rudolph!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel...Always!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The hustle, bustle and demanding...rude shoppers...used to get sick of Christmas commercials but...Thank goodness for DVR...haven’t watched a commercial in 3 years!!! People seem to have forgotten what Christmas is all about and what we are really celebrating..
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? My tree is a tree of memories...hodge podge of old and new...both of my boys have a side of the tree that is decorated with their handmade, school ornaments, keepsake ornaments since birth and then I fill in the rest of the tree with tons of ornaments, balls and glass crosses and icicles.
24. Favorite dinner for Christmas? Chicken and Dressing with all the vegatables that my mom cooks...No one can cook like my mom!!! Plus...her yummy desserts.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? My family to be together
26. Do you bake lots of goodies during the holidays? If yes, what? Almond bark dipped pretzel rods with sprinkles, pralines, cheese ball made with cream cheese, dried beef and green onions...not the orange kind (uck), mini-pecan pies and chocolate Christmas shaped candies.
27. Do you decorate different room of your home? Yes...little bit of Christmas in every room throughout the entire house...including the bathrooms.
28. What decorations do you put outside? Hang icicles lights all the way around, place green wreaths on all the windows with large red bows on them, large grapevine Christmas wreath on the front door (I made), 3 trees with clear lights in my side yard with 2 large clear light deer, Santa falling off the roof with a bag of presents, a ladder with a reindeer, snowman, Santa and an elf climbing it up to the roof, my Santa flag and my lit countdown to Christmas...last year...I wrapped 6 column poles on my porch with the wide red velvet ribbon...looked like a barber pole with huge red bows tied around the top...don’t know that I’ll do that again...took me forever. I am so "anal" that I measured each wrap around the pole and it had to be spaced out exactly the same. Can you say .... Nightmare! Every year when I have to take it all down and pack it away...I swear I'm not doing all this next year...but I do.
29. How do you spend Christmas Eve? We spend it together as a family...visiting, talking watching tv or a Christmas movie but just before bedtime...we sit around the Christmas tree and read the Christmas story out of the Bible...not Tis The Night Before Christmas.
30. Is Christmas your favorite holiday? Yes, absolutely!

Feel free to copy this and post it over on your blog. Share the Christmas fun with your readers too! We love getting to know you too :)

Thankful Thursday~Best Of Both Worlds

I am thankful today because God has blessed me with the best of both worlds. What I mean by that is...I have a wonderful job that I love and I am a stay at home mom also.

I have been in this field for nearly 25 years and I don't like to start a new job, learn a new trade or meet new people...I am very comfortable in this field that I've been in for so long.

I worked for the same doctor for 18 years...7 years straight and then I filled in for him over the next 11 years. I was back working for him on a regular basis when he retired. My former boss turned his charts and patients over to Dr. R because he was a Christian OB/GYN also.

I sent in my resume' to Dr. R and his wife, J.R. (her initials) about coming to work for them and at that time, they didn't respond to my inquiry for employment.

I returned to being a full-time stay at home mom which was in September 2002. I had settled back in and was satisfied with that.

Then, my phone rings one afternoon and it was J.R. She wanted to talk to me about coming to work for them. Hmmmm...but, I'm happy being back at home! I explained to her my situation of taking my son to school in the mornings and picking him up in the afternoons. The new job location was 45 minute drive from my house...across the corner of two states. That would have only left me with 5 hours to work and it wouldn't be worth the money or the time.

She immediately said "oh, no...I don't have room in our office for you. We want to set you up to work from home." Wow! What an opportunity. I could work, earn a paycheck and still be at home and available for my son. I began working for them on January 20, 2003.

Fast forward 6 years (as of January 20th)...I am so blessed with my job and wonderful bosses. They are Christians with big hearts. I have not asked for anything that I have not been given. They have been very generous and compassionate.

When my son had his wreck in Atlanta back in March 2008, J. R. told me to go, don't worry about work, they would still pay me and to take all the time that I needed. I was an hourly employee at that time.

When my husband lost his job and had to take a lesser paying job, I ask could I work 40 hours a week to earn more money, when 32 hours a week was considered a full-time job...I was told yes, absolutely.

Back in April 2008, I picked up my paycheck and my work for the next two weeks on a Thursday afternoon and while driving back home...I opened my paycheck to see what I had brought home for this pay period. In the envelope was my paycheck and another check with "a little extra" and a note telling me that I was now a salary employee. I was also told that I no longer had to "worry" about working exactly 40 hours for my pay. I know everyone in my home town heard me screaming and shouting...I was still 45 minutes away. God is so good.

Recently, I have been struggling working 4 - 10 hour days and trying to keep up with everything else that I feel I need to be doing. I talked to J. R. and told her that I was looking to cut my hours if I could afford it because I was tired of trying to be a super mom, wife, mom and employee. I have been very stressed and overwhelmed.

God has known the desires of my heart for some time now and where I feel He has been leading me. The problem has been time. When I spoke with J. R. about this stressful feeling that is not only work related but overwhelmed in all areas of my life. She never paused, took time to think about it...nothing...she immediately came back with a blessed, workable solution.

I have a few details left to work out with someone that will be helping me with my job, but this week I began cutting back on my hours. I have felt less stressed this week than I have in a very long time.

God is good and He continues to meet all of our needs. He never fails to "WOW" me. I pray daily that God would continue to pour out His blessings on Dr. R and his family because they have been such a blessing to me. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I have so many blessings to count this Thanksgiving season and everyday that I live.

For more Thankful Thursdays...click here.

~Holiday Candy Recipes~

CANDY

This is remarkable. Just click on the name of the CANDY and bam the recipe appears!
Copy and Paste it to your document file for future reference or post it to your blog so
you can share it with your followers.

2 Minute Microwave Fudge

5 Minute Fudge

7 Layer Bars

Aaron's Buttery Cashew Brittle

Almond Bark

Amanda's Peppermint Creams

Ann's Cream Nut Candy

Bavarian Inn Peanut Bars

Beth's Delicious Fudge

Brownie Fudge Dessert

Buckeyes

Buckeyes

Butter Toffee

Candied Yams

Candy Bar Brownies

Candy Cane Brittle

Candy Cane Fudge

Caramel Krispie Treats

Caramels

Carmel Corn

Carol's Christmas Treats

Chocolate Almond Bars

Chocolate Balls

Chocolate Billionaires

Chocolate Chow Mein Candy

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Chocolate Covered Nuts

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate Nut Caramels

Chocolate Popcorn

Chocolate Silk Bon Bons

Chocolate Truffels

Christmas Candied Walnuts

Christmas Crackle Candy

Christmas Mice

Chunky Mallow Candy

Cinnamon Hard Candy

Cinnamon Popcorn

Cranberry Nut Fudge

Cream Cheese Candy

Creamy Chocolate Truffles

Creamy Microwave Pralines (Texas Stye)

Crispy peanutbutter balls

Dark Chocolate Fudge

Deborahe's Holiday Chocolates

Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies

Dish of Dirt

Divinty

Dorothy's Peanut Butter/Butterscotch Noodle Cookie

Dreamcicle Fudge

Easy Candy

Easy Divinity

Easy Divinity Easy Divinity Candy

Easy Fudge

Easy Granola Candy

Easy Microwave Carmel

Easy Microwave Fudge

Easy Pecan Logs

English Toffee

English Toffee

English Toffee Bars

Fabulous Fudge

Fake Brittle

Fantasy Fudge

Festive Chocolate Truffles

Five Minute Fudge

Fool-Proof Fudge

Frosted Pecans

Fudge

Brownies

Fudge for One

Fudge Puddles

Georgia Nuggets

Grandma Donna's Nummies

Grandma F's Delicious Fudge

Grandmother' s Holiday Fudge

Hard Candy

Hard Tack Candy

Hazelnut Fantasy Fudge

Ho-Ho Hash

Holly Confection

Honey Comb

J & D's Peanut Butter Balls

Jeanne's Tiger Butter

Jen's Chocolate Meringues

J's Cream Fudge

Kim's Famous Cashew Brittle

Magic Marshmallow Fudge

Mama's Fudge

Maple Rum Balls

Margie's Best Candy

Martha Washington Candy

Martha Washington Mounds

Marzipan

Melting Moments

Melting Moments

Memaw's Reese's

Meme's Best Ever Peanut Butter Fudge

Meringues

Micky's Mints

Microwave Peanutbutter fudge

Microwave Pralines

Milk Fudge

Milky Way Bars

Million Dollar Fudge

Mimi's Famous Fudge

Mocha Truffles

Mom's Mints

Mr. Monroe's Famous Fudge

Mrs. Eisenhower's Fudge

Never Fail Fudge

Never Fail Fudge

No Bake Rum Balls

No Cook Peanut Butter Fudge

No Fail Fudge

Novia Scotia Treats

Nut Mallow Goodies

Nutty North Pole Fudge

Orange Balls

Orange Glazed Pecans

Out Of This World Fudge

Oven Carmel Corn

Peanut Brittle

Peanut Brittle

Peanut Brittle

Peanut Brittle (Microwave)

Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter Bars-An Elve's Favorite Treat

Peanut Butter Candy

Peanut Butter Candy

Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut Butter Fruit Squares

Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Snowballs

Peanut Clusters (mircrowavable)

Peanut Krispies

Peanut Patties

Can't See The Forest...

Have you ever heard the old saying:

"Can't see the forest for the trees"

Meaning: If you say that someone can't see the forest for the trees, you mean that you are so involved in the details of something that you forget or do not realize the real purpose or importance of the thing as a whole.

I have come to realize this week that "all the trees" have been obstructing my overall view of what God wants me to see and believe.

My heart is burden for a very special loved one who is out of the will of God and refuses to believe that they are wrong in how they are living. My focus for the past couple of years has been on that person with intense praying and believing. But, I have been so consumed with that one person that my prayers have been lack in praying for certain other ones that I love.

I have noticed over the past few months that the ones that I haven't been diligently praying for have begun to get real close to the "slippery slope" of the world's thinking. It wasn't until just this week that I began to see the "error of my own ways" and how I have contributed to this person getting so close to the edge.

I thank God that He revealed this to me and there is of time to re-adjust and help get this person back on course...all the while...still diligently praying and believing that the other person will return to the will of God.

I dear friend of mine, Laurie, shared this with me this week:

There is power in prayer. Keep on believing. This morning I was reading in Colossians and this is the verse that I just read that keeps going off in my head...

2:7 "rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

"as you have been taught" -( ? ) and ( ? ) have been taught God's Word

"abounding in it with thanksgiving" - create an atmosphere where you give God praise for their salvation.

Don't just pray Jenn ... believe and abound in it.

I thought this scripture was pretty cool as I read in Colossians this morning.

have an awesome day.
love ya Laurie

***There are so many scriptures that I could use today but I just selected a few special one and I love many different translations...today...The Amplified said it in a way that I loved***

I Peter 5:7
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (Amplified)

John 14:1
DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. (Amplified)

Isaiah 26:3
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Amplified)

Be Blessed Today, My Friends...I Certainly Am!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DORINDA

I want to wish my dear, sweet friend and pastor's wife a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today.

Dorinda is the kindest person that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is uplifting, encouraging, talented, smart, a wonderful writer, very insightful, godly and devoted wife, mother, daughter and friend.

Dorinda blogs at Treasures In Jars of Clay...if you would like to send her some birthday wishes :)

I love you, Dorinda!

Happy Birthday!!!!

P.S. She's a blast to go on a trip with :)

Be Careful Little Eyes...

We have heard and probably taught our children this little pre-school song. But...are we living a life that we would be proud to have our children imitate? Even, when we don't think they are watching us. It is not just the things that they see at school, at play or living in this world, it is just as important what they see at home...in us.

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.

There's a Father up above, looking down in tender love,

So be careful little eyes, what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear

Be careful little mouth what you say...

Be careful little hands, what you touch...

Be careful little feet, where you go...

This is a powerful video that is spoken from a child to his Dad (doubt I have many men readers) but it could just as easily be spoken to us moms.

Oh, the innocence of a child and path that they take in life can be determined by how we act as parents...when their looking and when you think they aren't.

Are you the type of role model that you want your son or daughter to grow up to be like?

PAUSE MY MUSIC FIRST BEFORE VIEWING!

~You Are My Everything~

As we sang this chorus tonight in church, the words of this song dug deep into my spirit. He is everything to me!

Until the world stops turning
Until the stars fade from the sky
Until the sun stops striving
I need you in My life and here's the reason why

Chorus:

You are the love of my life

You are the hope that I cling to

You mean, more than this world to me

I wouldn’t trade you for silver or gold

I wouldn’t trade you for riches untold.

You are, you are my everything

I began to ask myself the following questions and my spirit was troubled:

• If you are my everything, you are all I need, you are the love of my life ~ then why when I'm in need, do I not tap into your supply, Lord?
• Why don't I always act like you're my everything and totally depend on you with complete trust to take care of me, my family and the situation?
• Why do I put you on the back burner, on a shelf or in a box sometimes when things are going great in my life?
• But, yet when a crisis arises or a situation that is bigger than I am comes up~ I come running to you.
• Why can't I get beyond the my mental limitations of what I can imagine that you are able to do and get into the spiritual realm where nothing is impossible for God?

I know that He is my everything, He supplies all my needs according to His riches, He will not put on me more than I can handle~so what is my problem?

I honestly can't answer that tonight. I know that I'm not the only one who suffers from this mental handicap but I don't want to remain handicapped~I want to be mentally, emotionally and spiritually healed in these areas, not get discouraged, not lose my focus, not retreat from the front lines of the battle against the enemy~but, to step up my prayers for those that are heavy on my heart, step outside my box, be used my the Lord in the areas that He leads me and to be stretched by Him. That is my prayer today.

Job 42:2
"I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.(NKJ)

Philippians 4:19
And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. (GN)

I Corinthians 10:13
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. (Message)

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--(Amplified)

Awards Day

I was given this wonderful award by Heather at A Day In My Life. Thank you so much, Heather! This means so much to me because I try to be transparent in my struggles, pain and my victories "Through The Storms of Life" to help others know that they are not alone in their battles.


This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.

The rules are:

1. Accept the award and post it on your blog along with a link to the person who has awarded you.

2. Pass the award on to 10 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

They aren't in any particular order. I love so many more blogs and I've given awards to a couple of these blogs already in the past few weeks. I try to read all my favorites consistently, but sometimes it's hard and time isn't something that I have a lot of right now. Some of the ones that I award this to might not even know that I exist much less, know that I read their blogs. Thank you all for being great women of God and being an inspiration to me.

LauraLee's Lifesong

To Love, Honor and Vacuum - Sheila

He's My Prince of Peace - Sharon

Women Taking A Stand - Laurie

A Magnolia's Heart Beats - Laurie Ann

Becoming Me - Angela

Bogie's Wonderland - Bogie

Signs, Mircles and Wonders - Amy

Fill Me With Beauty - Patti

Shortybear's Place - Denise