HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, TYLER!

Happy 16th Birthday, Tyler! I love you more than words can ever express...we are so proud of you and love you very, very much!

Take a journey through Tyler's life and see what we have seen for 16 wonderful years!

**Scroll down and pause my music because slideshow has its own.**

This picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Awwww...Still Basking In Yesterday

Yesterday was the best birthday that I've ever had. The day started out by getting to sleep in, which I did until 10 AM! I got up, ate bacon and eggs for breakfast, got on the computer for a little bit, my mom called, Roger came home...all before I could take my bubble bath.

I got my long, hot bubble bath, did my manicure and pedicure...then, hit the couch in my pjs to watch The Notebook. Now, I didn't take into account talking to family and friends on my birthday when I planned to watch chick flicks all afternoon...I only got one watched but it was so worth it.

My sweet friend, Simone came by and brought me a card with a pedicure gift certificate in it. Oh, yeah!!! I love her!

My other sweet and precious friends, Dorinda and Jackie wanted to take me to lunch but I was enjoying my bubble bath...so, hopefully, I will get a rain check on that. :-)

I finally got in the shower at 5 PM to get ready to go out to eat last night. Roger went and picked up the football boys for me and we left shortly thereafter.

We went to the Butcher Shop where that have amazing steaks! Yum, yum! I got the 16 oz. New York Strip, twice baked potato, salad and diet coke. Oh, my!!! Now, the other 1/2 of my steak is in the refrigerator for today's lunch.

Since I am not a big sweet eater...birthday cakes go to waste around here...so, I ordered a piece of New York cheesecake.

Needless to say...I came home stuff but completely satisfied and loving this birthday. Here are a few pictures that we took last night.

Plus, Roger and I are going camping this weekend while Tyler is at their Youth Discipleship Retreat at the same campground. Some time alone with my hubby is always nice and we are supposed to have gorgeous fall weather.

Thank you for all your wonderful birthday wishes yesterday! You guys are the greatest!













Have a wonderfully blessed day!

It's My Birthday!!!

Oh, yeah...I'm hitting the big 47 today (20th)!!!

I am writing this at nearly midnight because I am going to sleep in on my birthday!!! Whoo hoo!

After 47 years, I have decided that I deserve a day of pampering for myself. Birthdays and Mother's Day are usually just like any other day for me...I still do the things that needs to be done and go on. But, this year...I've decided that I don't want to do that and I have earned a day for myself. So, here is what my plans are for my birthday.

Sleep in as late as I want to...Roger is getting Ty up for school and my friend, Simone is taking him to school for me. (She's the greatest!)

Get up (whenever that might be) and eat breakfast...whatever I want to eat (no diets or maintenance on your birthday)

Take a long, hot bubble bath and look at my magazines that I never have time to look at

Give myself a manicure and pedicure

Get back into my pajamas

Watch chic flicks...my sweet friend, Mindy brought me 4 good ones.

Eat whatever for lunch (Sorry, Roger...not cooking you lunch either)

Watch more movies and play many games of Farkle on Facebook

Take a shower, put on make-up and clothes that I haven't been able to wear in 2 years (yeah!)

Pick up football boys after practice

Go wherever my family takes me to eat dinner

Come home and relax until bedtime.

Ahhhhh....sounds like a heavenly day to me.

I am boycotting all housework, cooking, dishes, laundry and my job for the day of October 20th in honor of Jennifer's 47th birthday! Life is good!

I will be thinking about each of you and especially, those who are working tomorrow...well, no...I really want but maybe you will think about me while I'm lounging at home, pampering myself. LOL!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

Good Morning! What a beautiful day it is in Northeast Arkansas...sun is shining brightly, skies are blue and the temperature is a perfect 73 with a high of 83! God is good!

This week is going to be completely crazy for me as I have to get two week's worth of work done in 3 days, clean house, do laundry, pack, get everything set up and prepared for our 9 day vacation...leaving on Thursday.

I am feeling the pressure and a tad bit of stress this morning to get it all done and with a good attitude :-) I know when I am feeling the stress because my right eye starts to twitch and my heart will skip a beat every couple of minutes. I am praying that I will do all things to the glory of God, with the right attitude, with God speed and efficiency...making this preparation a complete God-filled success.

Now, being that I will be nearly crazy this week....I am going to post a couple of "This and That" posts...meaning, I have many things to say, cleaning out my draft box, picture folder on my computer and have fun doing it. So...bear with me, ok?

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FIRST OF ALL:

I want to wish a very, very special person a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY! He is my #1 fan of my blog and has been such an encouragement to me whether he realizes it or not.

He is a wonderful, godly example of what God has called a man to be...a godly husband, father, grandfather, pillar of the church, servant, encourager, mentor and friend. He is my friend and I admire him greatly...and I've never told him that.

Bro. Charles, I am going to work on getting my "Love Story" printed in a book while I am gone on vacation in a few days...you can upload and order your blog printed into a book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRO. CHARLES!

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TWO MORE BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS

To Beth in NC...Happy Birthday yesterday, my sweet bloggy sister and Kim at Homesteader's Heart, my other sweet bloggy sister....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADIES!!!

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Tyler's 9th grade Award Program back in May for A and B Honor Roll all year. We were so proud of him but he was frustrated because he missed having All A's for the year by .1 in Pre AP English during the 2nd 9 weeks...he had a 89.4...you have to have a 89.5 or higher before they will round it up to an A.

We are still extremely proud of Tyler. He pushes himself to make all A's and he took all Pre AP (Advanced Placement) courses in English, Science, History and Math.

Great job, Tyler! Sorry, I forgot to post this at the time :-(

More tomorrow!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

It's His Birthday~Where Has Time Gone?

HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY, TYLER!!!

Tyler...you bring so much joy and laughter to my life. Over 16 years ago when God placed a desire in my heart to have another child...He knew exactly what type of child you would be and the fine young man that you would grown up to be. I could not have asked for anything more than what God has blessed us with.

I love our little "chit chat" times that we spend together and they will be missed so much when you move away in just 3 short years.

You opened another chapter in mine and your dad's lives 15 years ago today when you became our son. It was a chapter of our lives that completed our union together...husband, wife and child of our own. We are one...a whole unit.

15 years ago today, I was laying in a hospital bed at Baptist Memorial - Desoto in Southaven, MS finally relaxing after receiving an epidural. There was so much excitement and anticipation in the air just waiting for your arrival. You were loved so much and by so many before you ever entered into this world and into our family.

When things started going wrong for me and you during labor, I have never felt such fear in all my life. I was trying so hard to not lose control of my emotions because I knew that if I were to get upset then it would affect you even more. You heart rate dropped to 32 beats per minute, but Dr. Westbrook got you back to where you needed to be and we progressed onward.

An hour later, your heart rate shot up to 192 beat per minute and I was so scared but still tried not to show it.

It wasn't until my sweet friend called to check on me and your daddy was on the phone. I called his name to ask him a question and when he turned around to answer me...he was crying. He was as scared as I was that we would lose you but neither one of us wanted the other one to know.

Upon seeing your daddy crying...I completely lost all control and was nearly hysterical. My blood pressure shot straight up and at that time...Dr. Westbrook told me that we need to do another C-Section to get you out.

As much as I had longed to deliver you naturally, I didn't care anymore about that...I just want you in my arms, alive, healthy and safe.

I looked at Dr. Westbrook with tears streaming down my face and said "please don't let my baby die" and Roger looked at him with tears streaming down his face and he said "don't let my wife die". It was a very intense period of time but it was short lived.

You were born to Roger and Jennifer on July 14th, 1994, at 9:34 PM, at Baptist Memorial - Desoto, weighing 8 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. You had a head full of black hair and was absolutely gorgeous.

You were born into a family that loved you before they saw you. You had 2 big sisters...Sommer and Ryan and a big brother, Brandon. Your Nanny was there to hold you right after you were born and many other friends and family were sending their love to all of us. And...as you already know...the rest is history.




This is one of my favorite pictures of my precious boys...and now, here you are today with your cousin, Carson.

I hope you enjoy your slideshow...this is from birth to your 15th birthday. There is a picture of each birthday that we have been honored to celebrate with you.

We love you so much and are extremely proud of you. You are a fine young, godly, caring, loving and geniune man.

Love,

Mom and Dad

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Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Hope you have a wonderful birthday and it is one to remember...cause you are definitely loved, my precious son!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Happy Birthday to Roger and Brandon~

This post is dedicated to two very special men in my life...my husband and my son. Today is Roger and Brandon's birthday.



It was 23 years ago today that I gave birth to a 8 lb. 10 oz, 21 inch baby boy who was born at 3:34 PM on a Sunday afternoon in West Memphis, Arkansas.

It was 54 years ago that Lee W. gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at 4:15 AM in Wickenburg, Arizona.

Who would have ever imagined that 4 1/2 years after Brandon's birth that I would meet the man of my dreams and we would finally become a complete family.

Who would have ever imagined that out of a disastrous first marriage, 4 years of single parenting that the love of my life, Roger, would share the same birthday as the little love of my life, Brandon, would.

Happy Birthday to two very special men in my life. Life wouldn't be the same without either one of you. Yes, there is never a dull moment in my life because of these two men but I wouldn't have it any other way

Happy Birthday, Roger...I love you with all my heart and soul. You make me complete, loved, secure, adored, appreciated and you treat me like a princess.

Happy Birthday, Brandon...I love you with all my heart and would give my life for you. You were my first born child, my son...you have brought me so much joy and yes, some tough times too. But, through it all...you always knew that when no one else loved you, when no one else was in your corner...your mama was always there for you and always loved you...no matter what

I love you both so very, very much! May you have a wonderful birthday and many, many more to come.

Each at birth:


As children:

Today:

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

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 :)

The Best Birthday Present

On Sunday, September 2, 1990, I went to church as usual but after church...I had a blind date. This date was arranged by some friends of mine who would tie my former life to my future life. God always has the perfect plan that we don't always see coming or understand even when it is unfolding before our very eyes. Let me explain how these friends of mine were a part of my former life and would be a vital part of my future. My ex-husband was a farmer who worked for a family that I had know nearly all my life and went to school with one of their sons. My ex-husband worked for this family and was very close to all the members of this family.

After, some hard times, the farmer got out of farming and his son had to find employment elsewhere. He found employment in Tennessee at a environmental company. During his employment there, he became good friends with the division manager. My friend/his employee told him that he had the perfect woman for him to meet when he felt that he was ready. However, the division manager had been married and had just gone through a very painful divorce himself. It took some time but he was finally ready to move on with his life and that was in late August of 1990. We were introduced on Sunday, September 2, 1990.

I was immediately attracted to this man and we connected right away. We were on a "double date" that day and I would have normally been nervous and shy but I was comfortable from the very beginning. We all laughed and talked for a couple of hours...but then it was time to say goodbye. I wasn't sure if I had made the same impression on him that he had made on me but I guess that I would just have to wait to see. We were walking out of the restaurant to my friend's car and he asked me if he could call me sometime to go to lunch. I told him that I would love that. Now after my previous track record in the dating world...I wasn't sure if he would call me or not...so I kept my fingers crossed and prayed he would.

On Tuesday, I received a phone call at work. I had already told the girls that I worked with about this good looking guy that I had met on Sunday, so when he actually called me at work....they were really giving me a hard time. He asked me if he could take me to lunch the next day, Wednesday and I told him that I would love to go. He picked me up at work and took me to Shoney's for lunch. We talked all through lunch and I don't think that I took two bites of my lunch but I was very smitten with this man. He told me that he knew on the Sunday that we met that if he didn't asked me for another date before I got in the car and drove off....he would not get the nerve up again. He was afraid that I would say "no", but he asked me out before I got in the car that Sunday and I never told him "no".

When he took me back to work after lunch, he asked me out for Friday night and I gladly accepted. He called me a couple of times at work between Wednesday and Friday and conversation was always so easy. We went to the movies and out to eat seafood on Friday night. I will never forget the movie that we saw together..."Ghost" with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. I cried a couple of times but he didn't seem to mind. He took me home and we talked until 3 AM. We had so much in common and I haven't ever been this comfortable with anyone before. We talked about what we believe family should be, church, being a Christian and what we wanted out of life. It was completely amazing to me that all that I had prayed for and told God that I wanted in a husband was sitting right in front of me now.

We continue to date...several times a week and every weekend. Some of those dates included my son and sometimes, he stayed with my mother. As things seemed to get alittle more serious...I insisted that my son's father/my ex-husband start taking more responsibility and keep his son. I had taken full responsibility for my son for the past four years and it was time for me to have somewhat of a social life while he took responsibiltiy for being father. By this time, I had met his two precious, beautiful girls and they had met my son.

My birthday was coming soon and the year that had been promised to me from God through our pastor as 'the best year of my life'....was certainly looking like it was going to be just that. By October 20th, 1990...I was on a trip to New Orleans with Roger. It was the best birthday ever, the best year of my life and without a doubt a blessing from God.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness neither shadow of turning.





Roger and Jennifer in New Orleans for Jennifer's 28th Birthday...Best Birthday!

Next Entry: The Courtship and Engagement