Urgent prayer for our friends....

Update from their daughter.....Update on my Dad: Please be praying for an upcoming surgery on either Monday or Tuesday. They will be doing a skin graft on his face, and reconstructive surgery on his eye lids and tear ducts. They have to wait for the swelling to go down, but the ultra sounds revealed that the eye ball is intact and okay. They will know more once they can open it.
Thank you for all the prayers♥



I have just received a message on Facebook. One of our friends was badly burned from a low voltage wire this afternoon. Please join us in praying for Scott and his family. Here is the FB message...

Dear Friends, I am posting for Teresa...Please pray for Scott as he had a accident while working today with a low-voltage wire. Scott's face is badly burned and they don't yet know the extent of damage to one of his eyes. He will require surgery most likely this weekend at Grady. Teresa is asking for urgent prayer. They are SO thankful that Lord protected him and spared his life. Thanks for praying.

Weekend with the girls...Friends

I don't remember the last time I abandon my family for a weekend of time for just me. Juggling a household with 9 kids and a traveling husband...time is of the essence.One thing I struggle with is making time for my own friendships. I really don't have an over abundance of time.  However....I truly believe we make time for things we want to do. It has taken me a while but I'm learning some things can just wait. The kids will do fine without me!

This past weekend I took that step and made the time. Planning a Ladies weekend away from my husband and children. A weekend of quietness and time before the Lord with new and old friendships. A time to just be me. Most of us are friends because of our children...5 of us have daughters who are close friends. Some times we as women get so busy being everything for everyone else we forget to take the time to nurture our own selves. Forgetting who we are. So after I got past the "mommy" quilt for abandoning my family for the weekend, I was really blessed! Blessed to know I have a group of friends who love and support through prayer. Friends who are willing to give of themselves. Blessed to know in spite of our past...we can find encouragement and love.

As my children get older I realize how important it is for me to have friendships. If I don't take care of me how can I take care of them? I pray I learn how to better manage my time as I step out of my comfort zone and learn to be a friend to others. Balancing my time between all those that I love.  Taking time to refresh and renew my energy so I can do a better job at serving my family.

I just want to thank our husbands for all they did to help us get away for the weekend. You guys have really blessed us. Your encouragement is what got us out the door. I know my husband had been out of town all week . He came home to me running out the door, leaving him to shuffle the girls to birthday parties and youth events. I came home to dinner on the stove, the kids all survived without me and the house was still standing! I love that man!

If you're a husband....make a way for your wife to get away. Even if it's just for a few hours. You will bless her more than you know. If you are a wife who needs time away...let your husband know! He doesn't read your mind. It has taken me 26 years to figure this out.

Now onto my next adventure.... planning a weekend away with my man! It's been a while...I can't remember the last time we had a weekend away without a kid or two or three or......


This is for our girls....a common picture pose they do! I must say....we did have fun!

Mom...Why do we have storms?

Driving back home from a few errands this afternoon I was asked by our 4 year old....Mom why do we have storms? Just as quickly as she asked, I responded...So things will grow! OK Lord. Out of the mouths of babes. He speaks so loudly! I have had my share of storms and no matter how large or small... they are never fun! But if that is what it takes to grow....Bring on the storms!

Today I promised her we would try and go to the park after our errands. As we made our way back towards the park the thunder rolled in and I had to cancel our plans. Her little heart had been set on playing at the park! My heart broke as I had to mess up her plans...it was for her own safety. Next time the sun will shine and that sweet baby girl will swing on the swings.

Sometimes our heart's desires are canceled or delayed by the storms. It's those storms that give us what we need to grow. Don't you just love to be squeezed?! Maybe even those storms are for our own good?! One day the storm will pass and the sun Son will shine!

 Below is a link to a beautiful song written by an artist who knows the storm so well.

Laura Story...Blessings

Rain Rain Go Away...NO STAY!

Today in Georgia....We have rain!

After several days of HOT HUMID weather this cool rain has been a welcome relief.

This morning I even felt a fall chill in the air....I love fall weather! Don't worry...Georgia weather will be HOT and Humid tomorrow.

I love the change in seasons...weather and in life!

Our oldest daughter dropped by today wearing her rain boots. Anyone who knows Emily knows she loves it when she has an opportunity to wear those boots. All it took was one look at those boots and someone ran to transform into her big sister. I am in BIG trouble! But she sure is cute!

Abandoned 32 years ago....Father's Day

     Thirty-two years ago a thirty-three year old father of three made a choice. He chose to abandon his family and step out of his marriage, for what he thought was just one night of lies. That one night turned into an eternity of heartache...leaving his wife and daughters abandoned to pull the pieces of what he left behind back together.
     The last thirty-two years have been a challenge for my sisters and I. When left in the wake of a parent's choices, trying to figure out what a true...in my case...Father really looks like, can be a difficult road. Please understand, I loved my daddy dearly. Before his accident I knew nothing of his life out side of our family. I thought I had a normal family. My mom did an excellent job at keeping all the junk from tearing apart what was left of our little family. As I have gotten older I see now what a mess it really was.
    I still have a lot of questions that fill my mind. I know sin can be a strong hold if you let it. I just don't understand why my father...and the other woman didn't think about the 3 little girls sitting at home with their mother. One who was waiting for her daddy to bring home canned icing for the cake she had baked. No pleasure is ever worth destroying your family over!
   My dad lost his life that night. Just a few short days after Father's day. The other woman...she survived. I have no idea how her life has been since the accident. I really don't care. Because of her choices...I lost my dad. He missed watching my sisters and I grow up. He never got to walk us down the aisle. He never got to meet his 15 grandchildren. He lost a life with a wonderful woman who loved him dearly.
   We all make choices. As a parent, those choices can affect our children for a very long time. I remember as a teenager watching other girls with their dads. Often thinking, if that was me...I wouldn't care what kind of person he was if he could just be alive. I wish he had gotten a second chance. Maybe you too have a dad who hasn't quite stepped up to the plate so to speak. Love him anyway! Forgive him.You may not have tomorrow! If you have lost your dad...love him anyway. Forgive, I have!  It's taken me a long time to find forgiveness for the two people who made very selfish choices . At times I still struggle...but I now have a real Father who helps me! He has shown me what a perfect Father looks like and every day with Him is Father's day!

Psalm 68:5...The perfect Father who never leaves us abandoned!

Dear future daughter in-laws...

Where are you?!

No hurry...Your future husband's mother and 7 sisters are waiting patiently. You see, we are sister friendly around here!

Ever since the day our boys were born I have prayed for you. Telling our boys that God had one special young lady...gift....just for them. You are a gift that was created special for your prince charming...blessing from the Lord. You are loved and we anticipate your arrival into our great big family. I pray that God will guard your heart. May your ears be tuned to His voice.That you will know the love of your maker who adores you more than anyone can. I pray that your eyes are fixed on your Saviour...knowing His peace in every moment of your day. As you prepare to take this journey in the next chapter of your life...may you be filled with joy in knowing that your blessing is just around the corner. That God had you in mind when your blessing was created.When you meet him and you become the love of his life... may you know how very special you are.

My dear daughters in-law I will embrace you as my own. I will love you no different than my own daughters. I look forward to meeting you and anticipate all the good things God has for our family as it continues to grow. So open your eyes, ears and heart....Let God speak, Let God lead, Let God's plan for your life become your ultimate focus. In His time we will meet!

Praying for you sweet daughter!
Your future Mother in-law

Au revoir Orange walls....Bonjour Sweet William Pink

I originally posted this last week. Blogger had technical issues and many post were lost...including this one.

I am proud to say all the walls are finished  and now the fun begins....decorating!

The pink is up and our girls are loving the clean feeling of their newly painted room! We still have a lot to do to turn this HUGE room into our own little piece of Paris. But the hardest part is done thanks to our oldest daughter who came over today to say goodbye to her old orange walls help paint!

    

 Yes I bit the bullet and let her help!

I think I may have a painting crew....anyone need a room painted?!

Two days of step stools and speckled skin. Spotted carpet and pink hair. All these were worth each painful clean up just to make memories with our girls!

 I may need a Paris vacation when I finally complete this venture!