Slumber Party Photo Shoot

My darling Nana had a slumber party for her birthday, so we did a slumber party photo shoot. Having a photographer for a mom has to have some perks... lol Here are some pics. The first two are my Nana. You may not recognise her without a critter in her hands... lol
























Whew I am tired now, I need some rest. This is a slumber party after all.

Happy 21st birthday Daddy. A little early. Or rather late?

Last year Shannon and I started a tradition. For Daddy's Birthday we take him out to eat. Yes a lot of families do that so we had to put a twist on it. It is just Shannon, Mom and I with Daddy. Just like years ago in a small kitchen around a round dinner table. Shannon has 5 kids, and I have 4, so getting the entire family together is a zoo. So, we decided to just go by ourselves, for some quality time. We really enjoy it. Last night we went to the Texas Roadhouse in Pelham. We were not aware that for birthdays they make you sit on a saddle... Daddy was a good sport. Here are some pics. Oh the reason it says Happy 21st birthday Daddy is because the waitress came over and announced "Danny is here with us celebrating his 21st birthday" lol

Happy birthday Nana...

12 years ago today, a very important thing happened. It was probably the 2nd most important thing in my life. No wait, 3rd, getting married was important, no, 4th, getting saved was paramount. Oops, no, 5th, being born was pretty important... So, the 5th most important day in my life. In order they were,
1. Being born
2. getting saved
3. getting married
4. Matt's birth
5. Nana was born!!!
Yep you guessed it, 12 years ago today I gave birth to a purple baby girl. Yes she was purple, that isn't a typo, the cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times, so by the time she came out she was purple. Que told her once that the lack of oxygen must have killed all of the mean cells, because she doesn't have a mean bone in her body.
lol it is pretty true. Here is a Microburst about her and In her honor.
(it's a new one, will be in Microbursts! 2 )

Whatever state you are in…
This year I have accused Christeonnah (11) of trying to get a medical degree vicariously. Why? She has had too many ailments! Ok here is the list;
• Tonsillectomy
• Tibial tubercle fracture (broken tibia)
• Broken tooth (baby tooth thankfully)
• Had to have her eyes checked
• Had to be tested for glaucoma
• The worst case of lice I have ever seen (another med had itching as a side effect so they hid)
• Very bad Poison Ivy
• Was diagnosed with migraines
• Sty’s in her eye
• Trip to emergency room with a very sprained knee.
The thing about it is through it all, with all that has gone on, she is still always, always, almost without exception, in a good mood. She is the epitome of Philippians 4:12

I have learned to be content, no matter what the situation.

Let's just have a little moral debate here shall we?

Sure. Why not. Sooo suppose you were employed by a large company to clean their offices. Lets also suppose they have garbage cans clearly marked "recycle only." Would it be ok for you to go through those garbage cans, and take out all of the aluminum cans and take them home with you? Or is it stealing. Please let me know what you think.

No... I haven't been raiding garbage cans... I saw something that made me think of it...

What would you do? Is it ok to do in the first place? Should I/you, confront the person?

More Baptismal Pics

Here are some more pics, Clint just coming up.

Sam being talked to...

Tym

Anny fully submerged... You should have seen the look on her face when he told her he was gonna hold her under untill she bubbled... No he didn't, it was a joke. But Tym looks like he is looking for bubbles...

Baptismal Service Today!

Really cool, Clint, Sam, Tym and Anny got baptised... Maybe more pics later but this is my absolute fave!!! She looks soooooo sincere. Daddy just asked her if she had asked Jesus into her heart and she was saying yes.

I love her.
P.S. I have added a new feature to my blog... over on the left top, under my title it says followers of my blog... Anyone brave enough to admit you read what I say? Hmmm? lol

Ladies Retreat

We had an awesome time at the ladies retreat. The speaker was Sister Martha Tennison (click on that link to see a small video of her speaking... but it does not do her justice... she is much more awesome than that) The church her husband pastored survived a tragedy with their church bus in 1988 when it was hit head on by a drunk driver. Here is Sister Tennison's Testimony.

It was a blessing! Speaking of blessings... Sister Barbara Smith went with me... She is such a blessing to have in my church!

My Kids Meme

(the little guy isn't mine)

Deanna tagged me with a meme about one of my favorite topics, MY KIDS!

First: Post a picture of your kids

Second: Answer the questions.

1. How many children do you have? 4.5

2. What are their ages? Sam 20, Matt 13, Nana 12, Tym 8, and Anny 7

3. What time of day do you start your day? 6:20 A.M.

4. What do you eat for breakfast? whatever I can find...

5. Do they watch TV? yes. But not too much. We don't have cable, mostly netflix...

6. What are their favorite activities? Sam... movies, music, drama... Matt video games... Nana animals... Tym solving world problems... Anny being adorable and anything princess related.

7. Do you get a break during the day from them? Yeah... some days. The oldest Sam works, Matt and Nana are homeschooled, and Tym and Anny are in public school. So I get a break from Matt and Nana when I am in my classes. lol

8. How do you end your day? Watching the news and listening to Q snore.

9. What is your best parenting advice or tip? Love your children, and listen to them.

Third: Tag 5 people. I am gonna cheat. I challenge anyone who has kids and loves them to do this meme... lol

Love ya guys...

My first book signing...

I had my first book signing today!!! Too cool I had a sales rate of 25%. The only problem is there were only 4 customers. lol Oh well it was fun.

THANK YOU!

My friend emailed me and said;

I'm praising God for the break. Just wanted to share that and thank you (and your bloggers) for the prayers

Thanks for your help guys. I have promised her Her she will make it through this, and I will stand by her side until she does.

Love ya!

I have, well Microbursts! has been highlighted as book of the month!

What is a Microburst? If you read my review of September's Book of the Month, Microbursts! by DaNella Auten, you know, but if not, come find out this Saturday!

And if you did read my review, I hope you'll want to come meet the author, DaNella Auten, this Saturday, September 13, at Come To The Waters, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. DaNella, who lives in Calera, wrote this delightful book of scriptures and short devotions based on her experiences of seeing God in everyday life, sometimes in humorous situations.

So come meet DaNella this Saturday!

Come To The Waters Christian Books and Music

Across Highway 119 from Alabaster Post Office

(205) 663-1074

open M-F 9:00-7:30, Sat. 9:00-6:00

Here is the review.
Book of the Month for September.

Review of

Microbursts!

by DaNella Auten

What is a Microburst? Well, here's an example:

"'Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).' That's not entirely true. Ok, so it is entirely true because God doesn't lie. However, what God doesn't point out here is that the closer you get to God, the more you want to please Him. So, if you delight yourself in Him that would imply a ver close, intimate relationship. I delight in my children. I tell silly 'proud momma' stories like the time that Tymothie told our neighbors that Florida has a hurricane magnet in it (2004 hurricane season). He said, 'Yeah, the magnet is my brother.' I delight in getting my little 3 year old Juliannah to tell people 'I'm gorgeous.' Then I ask her how she got to be so gorgeous and she'll say, 'I look like my mommy.' I digress; my point is I delight in my children. If we delight in the Lord, not only will He give us the desires of our heart, He will change the desires of our heart."

That's just one of the many delightful reflections on God in everyday life that author DaNella Auten calls Microbursts, which she has written and compiled into a little book by that name. They are short, and they make you smile. Read at least one a day, maybe 2, 3, 4, 5. All of these reflections come from DaNella's own life, and they tell how she found God in the little things--in her children, in her husband, in mistakes, in her trials. They are all accompanied with scripture. DaNella writes, "These are stories from my life and how God has helped me handle different things. Through ordinary experiences, God has revealed Himself in extraordinary ways."

You will receive a blessing from this book! And, we are really blessed to have DaNella come to Come To The Waters for a book signing on Saturday, September 13, from 12:30 until 2:30. Come meet this local author from Calera!

Microbursts by DaNella Auten (Lion and Lamb Publications, 2008). Available now at Come To The Waters for $14.99.

Come To The Waters Christian Books and Music

Across Highway 119 from Alabaster Post Office

(205) 663-1074

open M-F 9:00-7:30, Sat. 9:00-6:00

S O S

I have a friend in a battle and she needs prayer... Just stop what you are doing for a minute and pray for DaNella's friend. God knows. Then, please drop me a comment so I can tell her how many are praying for her... She is gonna make it.

Bloggy Love...

Jan from the surrendered scribe honored me with this award. This is what she wrote:

DaNella at Beyond Microbursts. DaNella is another gem of a find I got off the A/G blogring. I chose DaNella because I sense we have a lot in common, except she is way better. Her nature photography is inspiring and that is a passion of mine. Check her out!

So I wanted to pass it on.

Gail, I enjoy reading about your antics... Good to see a fellow christian enjoying the journey.

Amy I have so enjoyed getting to see your boys and how they are growing.

Sue, you are so creative! I enjoy all of your ideas... Love the chalkboard pots...

Trisha, nice to meet you (sorta) and know you share my love for Columbiana.


Happy blogging!!!

I don't usually do ghost stories... but well...

KENTUCKY GHOST STORY

This happened about a month ago just outside of
Owensboro , Kentucky , a small town on the banks of the
Ohio River , and while it sounds like an Alfred
Hitchcock tale, it's indeed real.


An out of state traveler was walking along the side of
the road hitchhiking on a dark night in the middle of a
thunderstorm.
Time passed slowly and no cars went by It
was raining so hard he could barley see his hand in
front of his face.


Suddenly he saw a car approaching, moving slowly and
appearing ghostlike in the rain.
It slowly and silently
crept toward him and stopped.


Wanting a ride very badly, the guy jumped into the car
and closed the door; only then did he realiz e that there
was nobody behind the wheel, and no sound of the engine
to be heard over the rain.


Again the car crept slowly forward and guy was
terrified, too scared to think of jumping out and
running.
The guy saw that the car was approaching a
sharp curve and, still too scared to jump out, he
started to pray and beg for his life.
He was certain the
ghost car would go off the road and into the river, and
he would surely drown! But just before the curve, a
shadowy figure appeared at the driver's window and a
hand reached in and turned the steering wheel, guiding
the car safely around the bend.
Then, just as silently,
the hand disappeared through the window and the
hitchhiker was alone again.


Paralyzed with fear, the guy watched the hand reappear
every time they reached a curve.
Finally the guy,
frightened nearly to de ath, had all he could take and
jumped out of the car and ran through the storm to the
nearby town.


Wet and in shock, he went into a lighted tavern and with
voice quavering, ordered two shots of whiskey, and then,
shaken, he told everybody about his supernatural
experience.


A silence came over those listening and everybody got
goose bumps.
They realized the guy was sober and was telling the
truth. And the sounds of the storm continued outside.


About half an hour later, two guys walked into the bar
and one says to the other, 'Look Billy Bob, there's that
idiot that rode in our car while we was pushin' it in
the rain.' .............................

Who hooo the angels are rejoicing!

Remember this old song "That's when the angels rejoice!"

VS 1
At the completion of the Golden Gate, no the angels did not celebrate
And when the Wright boys flew their bird, no angelic shouts were heard.

CHORUS
There's only one thing that we're sure about that will make those angels jump and shout
It's when a sinner makes the Lord his choice -- that's when the angels rejoice.

VS2
Now when the light bulb first lit up the town, no the angels did not dance around
And when the man stepped on the moon they didn’t sing a victory tune.
CHORUS
There's only one thing that we're sure about that will make those angels jump and shout
It's when a sinner makes the Lord his choice -- that's when the angels rejoice.

BRIDGE
Now heaven doesn't strike up a band for any old occasion at hand.
It's gotta be a special thing to make those angels sing.
VS 3
Now when the Model T first hit the street, it didn’t bring all heaven to it's feet
And when the first computer was born, they didn't blow Gabriel's horn.

CHORUS
There's only one thing that we're sure about that will make those angels jump and shout
It's when a sinner makes the Lord His choice -- that's when the angels rejoice.
BRIDGE 2
When the United States became a nation, there was no angelic celebration
But when one lost sinner comes back home, they jump for joy around the throne.
CHORUS
There's only one thing that we're sure about that will make those angels jump and shout
It's when a sinner makes the Lord his choice -- that's when the angels rejoice.
TAG
That’s when the angels rejoice.
Rejoice.

The angels are rejoicing! We have had 2 salivations at our church this week, people calling up asking Q to come over, and lead their friends to the Lord!!!!

Shiver Me Timbers!!!

WOW! This is soooo cool, a little baby preaching. Kanon Tipton. You can't understand hardly a word, sounds like a hallelujah now and then, but it gave me shivers... Awesome. Below it his brother writes "Kinda reminds me of the verse about 'Train up a child'..."

So I guess the "Best Man" for the job is a woman huh? Go Sarah Palin

DUDE! Did you see that speech? Sarah nailed Obama's derriere (bottom...I know I have some younger readers who might not know that word...Suz, Reb, Nana, Matt...) to the wall... LOL Ok, here is a link to an awesome article about Sarah, by Ann Coulter


Keep me in your prayers, a quiz today on inverse, converse and contra positive... I am supposed to know the difference. Any math whiz's out there?