Update

Just to let you all know.. We found out about 5:30 this evening that she had a 'diabetic coma' spell and she is home now. She is an insulin dependent diabetic, but very out of control. If her sugar gets below 100 ('normal' is 60-120), she's bonkers.. and it was 60..hers has been SO out of control and so high for so long, a 'normal' reading on her is BAD!

It's a relief for all of us,but especially for Mama--she was very upset and worried.. and since we work together, I HAVE to be strong for her.. So, I turned to my blogging buddies for strength.. Thanks to you all..

We are all there for each other when this world takes a turn on us!! I'm so thankful for that!! Merry Christmas and Binches of Love to all of you!!!!!

I'm gonna be 'off-line' now for a few days to enjoy the kids...

Needing a Lift

My family needs some prayer.. My grandma,who is 79(but has the health of at least an 89 yr. old) had a 'spell' last night that was VERY similiar to a stroke. Couldn't move her legs or talk.I spare ALL the details. Anyway, she was better first thing this morning--talking & moving around. Then just before lunch, my aunt called to say 'something still wasn't right' and she was taking her to the ER. We haven't heard anything yet from her. We ALWAYS do Christmas Eve with that side of the family and do have plans to do so tomorrow at 3..

Please pray with me that things check out fine and she'll come on home and be able to spend Christmas Eve with her 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

It's NEVER a good time for folks to be sick or pass away, but Jamie's grandfather (who raised him) was VERY sick and died at Christmas time 13 yrs. ago, and Christmas has never been the same.

The Vann Family News

Charlie said yesterday that everybody is doing well.. The plan now is to have Mason's circumcism done this morning and they'll all come home this afternoon.. So, be on the lookout for blogging mania form the Vann's..

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!!

Christmas Cards

I wanted to thank all of you for the cards we've gotten in the mail this year.. I think I got more than in years past. Some of the kids I've never seen, and the others that I do see regularly--i just LOVE the poses. Even those without kids.. Great pictures by far and so much appreciated. They are covering my pantry door in the kitchen so that we can see them everyday! And yes, I do cherish the cards without pictures at all.. The warm thoughts that everyone takes much time, money and energy in doing these types of things this time of year--

my, my, wouldn't it be GRAND if we all put that effort forth all year long?!?!?

Birthday Wishes...

I also wanted to break from this busy few days to wish my friend, and our fellow blogger, Keri and VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! Let me guess, 33?

have a good one!

Latest on Mason

WE did go for a short visit Saturday afternoon. WE had to tow both kids, of course they weren't allowed in the Women's Suite, so we had a short stay. We were half way to Franklin when I realized that ONCE again, I had forgotten the camera.. I'm getting awful about that. Never fear, daddy Charlie has plenty of photos.

Mason is a handsome little fella. He seemed so small whne I held him and they it hit me, my Karley 2.5 ounces smaller than he. And, NO it does NOT make me want another Mrs. Pinky!! lol...He's adorable and the Vann's seem so natural at this baby stuff. Mandy was looking forward to getting up at 2 am to shower and stir around a bit. Hopefully that went well.. I have been SO crazy busy today with church, visting other family, and Christmas program tonight that I haven't picked up the phone to check in with them.. Mandy and I DO share to love (or LACK thereof) of phone conversations!!

Anyway, I'm assuming all was well through last night and today. There were planning his circumcism for Monday and released to home on Tuesday. So, hopefully, that's still the plan and they will continue to do well!!

Oh, and FYI-- as SOON as Mandy gets internet service, ya'll better be ready!! I Know they will have have lots of photos and stories to share! Can't wait..

Mason Daniel Vann

Little Mason made his grand entrance via C-Section earlier this morning at 3:26. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 12.5 ounces and is 19 1/4 inches long.. All the Vann's are doing well. Just spoke with Charlie. She dialted to 4cm and stopped. Mandy isn't allowed to get out of bed until 5 this afternoon. She was just sitting in the bed feeding that little bundle of joy!! Like I told Charlie, mom and baby are fine, there are worse things than a c-section.. The end result is the same. Please continue to pray for this family, and a speedy recovery for Mandy.

Update on Mandy

I just talked to Mandy. She was given Cervadil (to thin her cervix)at about 6 pm last night.. Rested fairly well last night. Waiting on MD to come exam her this morning. Her cervix has thinnned a bit but NO dialation to note. After the MD's exam, they will begin more aggressive measures to get things going.

Mandy said to tell everybody that she's doing fine and "I'm still happy, so I'm not hurting!"

I will keep everybody posted throughout the day as I have more info.. It seems like it's gonna be a long day yet..

Lift them all up today for a healthy delivery of Mason.

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT

Please keep Mandy in your prayers today and tonight..She will be induced around 5 (which more than likely means 6, lol!) I plan to go up there in the morning, unless she really gets going tonight.. I will keep you all posted as I get info. I KNOW Charlie will burn Jamie's phone up!! And say a prayer for Charlie too. He really is a very attentive and loving husband. But he too will be 'tried' through all of this and will need love & support!

What wonderful parents the two of them will be!!! GOOD LUCK AND MUCH PRAYER AND LOVE TO YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time's Up!!

GET OFF IT SHIRLEY, AND BLOG!! TO BE SURE, YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU NEED TO SAY!! WE MISS YOU IN BLOG LAND! HECK, YOU'RE THE REASON 3/4 OF US STARTED THIS ADDICTING CRAP!!!

Oh, BABY..

Babies, babies, everywhere!!

First there's Mandy, Charlie and Mason-- hopefully, she'll hang in there until Thursday-Friday..Yipee!! can't wait.. But, I know they're WAY more pumped than I am.

Then there's Wendy--on total bed rest b/c of VERY high levels of Uric Acid. NOt a BP issue at all.. went to the MD yesterday, and things checked out 'okay'..Praise the Lord!! She and Baby Payton are healthy thus far! She is 36 wks. along and her stomach has SO much fluid in it, it's spongy! Not firm at all!! But, they have decided to keep her on total bed rest and re-evaluate, possibly to induce AFTER Christmas.

Next up is Erin, Joe and Baby Reagan--she is like a sister to Jamie and myself.. She's due Jan. 6th, and I never thought she'd hold of til then. She is bound to be the BEST pregnant girl I've ever come across. Literally, no complaints AT ALL!! She had the morning sickness and fatigue to start with, but I had to drag it out of her for her to say "I feel bad!" She's has helped her hubby raise coon pups, feed about 15 dogs EVERY day (which isn't an easy task! they ALL get clean water and food bowls EVERY feeding!), she is on her feet all day every day as a Dental Asst. About a month and a half ago, she lost her mother in law. The girl just doesn't EVER ask for help or complain. UNTIL last night-- she doesn't want to eat, having alot of aches and pains, VERY tired, etc.. and is 2cm.. Goes back to the MD end of the week to check again.

My Jewelry Mama is having her 2nd child (Raelyn) by scheduled C-section Jan. 15th. In the middle of 'finishing' 2 rooms in her house, mixed with raising a 4 year old, hubby that works Nucor's shift work.. Those guys work ALOT!

Then lastly, there's Michele, Kevin and Lil Peanut! Not due until July, but already facing their first issue as parents.

Please let's rally in prayer for these pregnant ladies. For safe pregnancies and deliveries! Strength and endurance for the families!!
But, as the bearer of bad news for the pregnant ones: All in all, the pregnancy, regardless of how bad it is (I know from experience!),are the easier days of those to come!! LOL!! As most of us already know, raising children is the MOST challenging yet rewarding task in life!! Can't wait to meet, hold, and kiss all these little ones! Children ARE such blessings and tiny miracles!

My Premier Gift to YOU

I DON'T HAVE EVERYBODY'S EMAIL ADDRESS, SO FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH THIS MESSAGE, HERE YOU GO....

Merry Christmas ladies!!!

I'm in the giving spirit, and have a gift for YOU!!

Our January promotion is in full swing-- 50% in free jewelry that Premier Designs is offering!!

But I personally want to add a bonus to sweeten the deal quite a bit!!!

I haven't done many shows in December, so I could soak in the Christmas season with my family,but 2009 is on it's way, and a WHOLE new year!!

Let's call it "Tina is Ringing in the New Year!!"

Book and hold a Home Show in January and I'll give you a ring for the price of the date of your show..

For example, have a show on the 10th and get a ring of your choice for $10!! Or, have a show on the 5th and get a ring for $5!!
on and on..

And you're guests WILL be pleased with a deal I offer them at your show.
Now, that's a deal you can't refuse.

I know everybody is VERY busy with Christmas, etc., but by acting now and getting an early date, you'll get your ring even cheaper!!! By hosting a show after Christmas, your friends can treat themselves to a gift they WANTED that they didn't get for Christmas!

CALL OR EMAIL ME TODAY TO GET ON MY CALENDER!!

Great Message!!

Today's Word with Joel & Victoria Osteen

Be Victory-Minded

Today's Scripture

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory” (Psalm 118:14, NLT).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Do you need more joy, victory, and confidence in your life today? You might need to evaluate what you are thinking about on a daily basis. If you go around thinking things like, “I’m just average,” “I’ve already reached my limits,” or, “I’ve missed so many good opportunities,” those thoughts are going to drag you down. Instead, every morning when you wake up, start your day with thoughts of hope and success. Determine to be victory-minded. The Bible tells us that what we think about we will become. When you think thoughts of success, victory, joy and peace, your life will be filled with success, victory, joy, and peace.

No matter what’s going on in the world around you, remember, as a believer in Jesus, greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world. The Greater One lives inside of you! If God is for you, who can be against you? You are an overcomer through Christ. So set your mind on victory and move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of another day! I choose to be victory-minded and think on good things today. Remind me, Holy Spirit, to stay focused on the blessings and favor that You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Just Because...

I'm guilty of this too..But it seems as if we join together and pray for one another when there's a specific issue. When do we pray for LIFE in general? When do we stop and just pray for 'whatever issues friends are facing"?

I have several friends facing lots of different issues, that I WON'T name, but I'm asking for a Prayer Rally 'just because'! To help people just cope and deal with life's curveballs. Some issues are self induced, some are just facts of life.. regardless, there isn't any problem God can't handle and fix. Through prayer, people CAN cope and get it right. He may not make things disappear, but he will help!

For those with financial burdens (tis the season!), maritial issues, substance abuse, death or missing a loved one, job stressors, raising children, or whatever the burden might be, HERE'S TO YOU.. THROUGH MY PRAYERS, MAY YOU BE LIFTED UP AND FIND A RESOLUTION TO WHATEVER YOU ISSUE MAY BE! HE CAN HELP YOU!! I DON'T HAVE TO KNOW. HE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU.

Join me in prayer for people in general!!

My Christmas Deco.

Here's my 10 year old tree.. We saw that this year, for some reason, the top is REALLY leaning. So, this might just be the year we go out after C'mas and get a new one.. But then again, we're kinda 'sideways' from time to time too!!!



Here's my wreath that I decided to make for the front door. I haven't ONE tiny creative bone in my body- and I refuse to pay the regular $50-60 for a wreath, and was tired of searching for a deal..and my regular 'decorator' has
been so tied up lately, I decided to try.. I have about $10-12 in this wreath. don't laugh, it's on the front door, we're pretty far away form the road and with everything lit up at night, you can't see it from the road at all.. So, I'm not sure what the point was in doing this anyway...hummm?!?!?!?

Facebook?!?!?!

I have just joined facebook. Our alumni gal said there was a Ridgecroft page on there, and I wanted to see it!! and to do that, I had to officially 'join'. Well, needless to say, I didn't see much there- but WOW have I received some friends!! I'm SO impressed.. Shelley, did you know that Leslee Medlin is in Murfreesboro?? Geepers, creepers!!

I'm not sure I like the layout of facebook, but then again, nothing is as awesome as blogging country!!!!

Thanksgiving

Well, like most of you, I had one heck of a busy Thanksgiving week. I MUST slow down and reflect on what I am very thankful for:

Black Friday shopping with my bestest bud, Shelley!
My awesome husband and silly kids!
My healthy, WILD & crazy family!
My less than perfect health! (yes, that does include this 2-3 week old 'junk' that has infested my home and family!)
My blogging buddies!
My faith to help me through the rough times!(that's surely been tested this past week!)
Internet, so I can keep in touch with you all!
My less than exciting job and my very exciting job (Premier Jewelry)
The opportunity to further my education to pursue a passion of mine and fix the above entry!!!
Good food, family, and friends!!!!