Hold your breath as you read

Well, most of you ladies won't believe what you're about to read, but it's the TRUTH!!

I've been going to Open Arms Church for about 10 or so months now. I've been praying for the 'knee bending, back breaking experience' that I've heard SO much about. Well, unfortunately for me, I was beginning to doubt all that jive. Thinking it was just crazy folks that over exaggerated their personal experiences when called to answer God's plan.

Hang in there with me as I take you back to a week or so.. I had a little too much to drink two Fridays ago.. And suddenly, I didn't drink a drop all last week. That's REALLY uncommon for me!! Now, I'm not an alcoholic or anything, but I love to take a drink with the best of them!! Then, I talked to Donielle for 2 HOURS on Wednesday night--we spoke for a while about religion and being saved, sinning and always gonna be a sinner(something I've struggled with understanding).. I had a few beers Saturday afternoon, and then went on to the Halloween party Saturday night. Had a blast.. Drank all I wanted, even had a shot of something like 'fire in a bottle' with my girl, Shirley!! Drank more, danced even more, and then something unexplainable occured! Brace yourself. I took a sip of my beer, had at LEAST a half a beer left, and walked to the trash can and threw it away! Yes, Tina threw a perfectly good beer away, and no I wasn't drunk or sick! Then about 11:30, I approached Jamie and asked him if he was ready to go home... SHOCK-this never happens!

So, yesterday morning, like all the rest, I got up took the kids to Sunday School and while I was in the restroom (of all places!) I started humming a song that we havn't sung in a LONG time..But it was in my head STRONG! Yeah, yeah, whatever...On to Praise and Worship--what was the 2nd song, yep you guessed it--that song.. Shelley might be able to verify that we haven't had this song in a good little spell-"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High"..anyway, by about the 10th word, I broke out in a CRAZY hot sweat, and began to sob like a newborn baby!!! NO JOKE!! And no, all I have been smoking are my Salem Lights!!

This was like NOTHING I had ever imagined.. I really believed that this experience would be like so many other fantastic things in my life--shared with Shelley(after all, it was HER idea that I try this church).. Moving right along, I couldn't make it to the preacher, but I grabbed my friend Mrs.Joan (whom I have talked with at length numerous times about all this in Sunday School) out of the Praise and Worship team, and simply said, "I'm ready!" She cried, I cried more, we cried even more! Then I front of all my church family, minus my bestest friend (another Chapter), I committed my life to God!! WOO-HOO!

So, yes, I have officially and publically been saved! We have several others in church that are waiting to be Baptized also, so we will soon set a date for all that!! I LOVE this feeling and this NEW me that I have uncovered. I wanted to shout it from the roof top..and still do! I didn't have my cell with me, so I had to ride 35 minutes home without telling a single person, except the kids of course! I'm still teary about my transformation..

So, for the non-believers, you just keep thinking that God won't ever TAKE control of your life and work in mysterious ways through you. It does happen, and can happen to anyone that turns things over to him. And I'm living, breathing proof that God loves all of us and will accept you with ALL your faults--even partying, trouble making, rednecks like me!! Keep praying and believing in his power! It works! You need him in your life. Praise the Lord!!

I'm getting old when...

my BABY'S 3 years old..




Yes, today (Oct. 28), my "Little Man: is turning three. He's still not home, but will be tomorrow. Today he and Granny are at the Aquarium in Atlanta. He called me last night to tell me "I'm in Atlanta Mommy".. Can you believe how time flies.

So, this afternoon, at 2:35pm, join me in my tears in wishing my Bowen Edward a Happy 3rd Birthday!!

Bowen, you'll never get too old to be My Man!

I've Gone Creative

These are my Uppercase Living initials for my car.. they are lime green, and I love 'em!

Bowen's at Granny and Grandaddy's

This is what Bowen found at Granny & Grandaddy's when he arrive on Friday! He just got a Gator from them about a month ago..don't you feel so sorry for the little fella? I'm sure he's having a horrible time at Granny's! NOT!





And know he's having to work around the yard to earn his keep!

getting nervous, and sad!

Well, my man is off to Georgia tomorrow! No, not Jamie, BOWEN!! Jamie's mom has been after us for a while to take Bowen home with her.. Karley has been for two summers now for a couple weeks each visit. Well, Bowen will be 3 yrs. old in a few weeks, and you all know the 'second child syndrome'..So, Jamie and I left it up to Bowen. When we asked the little fella if he wanted to go to Granny's, he was SO excited!! (no brainer) Janna is a big child herself with tons of energy and the kids think she's awesome!!

So, Jamie will leave tomorrow morning to meet Janna half way to give my baby away until the 29th.. Yes, that's 12 WHOLE DAYS! I think I'll survive, but time will tell. In the mean time, I'm looking forward to a little R&R--yes, you can do that with one child!! And too, I am going to enjoy having Karley all to myself. Maybe she and I can go do 'girl stuff' as she refers to it!!

Happy Birthday Jamie

Well, tomorrow, the 14th is Jamie's 37th birthday.. Yes, I know, he's an oldie, but goodie!! I don't know what I'll do with him when he hits the BIG 4 0 !!! It'll be here before we know it..We'll surely have a party for that one..

Jamie, here's to you- my best friend, my husband, my 'Baby Daddy'! I love you more with each gray hair & wrinkle, oopps, I mean with each year!!

My busy weekend

Well, for starters, Big Mama & Pa have had their camper at our house since Wednesday for one reason or another-- and aren't planning to leave until tomorrow evening, IF then.. Which is great!! I LOVE having a house full of family and/or friends at all times!! I just love it! And that's what life should be all about.

Then, I finally got my Sample pack of jewelry for my Premier Designs business. It got to my house Friday evening, just before our annual trip to Judy's Pumpkin Farm. I didn't have alot of time to play with all of it then, but got chance that night. Big Mama, me, and the kids strolled out to go "pumpkin hunting"... That was FUN, FUN, FUN!! as always!

Then, we hosted a 79th Birthday Party for my Grandma Evelyn on Saturday. We fed 43 folks!! What a DAY! It was a great time. Grandma got chance to catch up with her family that she hadn't chatted with in a long time.. We had 13 kids aged 1 yr. to 7 yrs. old.. All of them played great together, surprisingly!! It was a long, but awesome day with family.

Sunday, whew!! Sunday school, church, luch, and NAP!! The best part of the day!! Then last night, Mama and I pulled out all of my jewelry AGAIN, and went through it oohhing and aahhing and were able to price it all and get my guest folders put together preparing for my Training Show this Saturday--which by the way, I hope to see you all there!!

Just a BUSY, fun-filled weekend. I'm tired as all get out today.. BUT I have class until 9:30 tonight.. So, I don't know when I'll catch up!!!