I know, my boys don’t have their hats on. Ugh, they were such stinkers & wanted to prove to one of the teen boys they dig how cool they were!
Make sure you check out these other Wordless Wednesday participants: 5 Minutes for Mom, Beautiful Mess, and Two of a Kind.
My 2nd daughter and 2nd son have friends who are siblings in the same grades as them. We have known them since Doodle was a baby.
“MW” has always been this amazingly responsible girl. She’s 17 now, but watching her grow up was a treat. Smooch and MW played basketball for about 4 yrs together. MW never ceased to amaze me in her outlook on life and her sensibilities.
When Smooch went through an extremely emotional time last winter/spring, MW was the one to inform us of the depths Smooch was at.
“LW” has been in the same classes as Doodle for the last 3 yrs. It came in handy once or twice when LW’s mom needed someone to pick her up.
See, L & M’s mom had various forms of cancer over the last 4+ yrs. JW, even being in Stage 4 cancer, completely believed God could heal her and refused to acknowledge anyone who said anything towards the negative.
I hadn’t seen JW for a long time. Summer came and went and then school was back in session. Last Tues I passed her in the elementary school hall during conferences. She had a cough, but said she’s always coughing. I didn’t remember that, but who was I to say anything? She looked good, just didn’t sound so great.
Sunday I got a call telling me she’d been rushed to the hospital. The call had come while I was at church and I didn’t listen to it until around 2pm. An hour later I received the call saying JW had passed away. They couldn’t start her heart again.
I am completely heart broken for JW and her family. JW won’t get to see her daughter graduate this year. She won’t get to watch her youngest daughter grow up into womanhood. She won’t get to watch her grandchildren grow up.
She has 2 grown children as well. Her oldest has 2 little ones. Her son lives with them and is the one who called the ambulance. LW wasn’t home at the time, and I can’t tell if that was a blessing or something she’ll regret. She is only 7 so it’s not as though she had a choice.
As soon as we found out, the boys and I prayed for the family. I have been crying off and on thinking about how it could easily been any of us who is gone in the blink of an eye. None of us knows the day or the hour in which our Savior will call us home.
My hope is that today, you know where your salvation lies. If you died tomorrow and left your loved ones behind, would they have a hope in seeing you again in eternity. If you have an illness that could take you from this world do you know that one day your body will be healed and there will be no more pain?
If not, my prayer is that you will seek Jesus. That you will realize He died for you, on a cross, for such a time as this. He loved you enough to give his life for you. God did not spare even His own Child because of His great love for you.
Dear one, I hope this day you will accept the free gift of salvation that is offered to each one of us before it’s too late. And guaranteed, one day it will be too late. Do not leave this life without knowing where you will spend eternity.
As the saying goes, “Even if you don’t believe in God, He believes in you.”
I wasn’t sure if my girls were going to make it to Thanksgiving dinner this year. With both girls working we had no idea if they’d be making it.
I was ecstatic to find out both girls were heading down to spend the day and night with my Aunt. I’m so thankful we have a family member who makes it back to her MN home for the holidays so we can spend the day with her.
Smooch headed down separately because she was going to spend the night with Baby at her dorm room. Unfortunately, Baby hasn’t been feeling well lately and got there just in time for dinner.
Baby didn’t care for the movie (too much gore) and decided to head back to her dorm room. She had to work the next morning. I was sad she was leaving and not going shopping with us in the morning.
Smooch and I finished watch the movie with the boys and then we got some shut eye. Our plan was to wake up at 5:30am to get some shopping done. The two places I wanted to head were Staples and Kohl’s. I needed a new printer (which I still haven’t gotten installed completely) and a new pillow.
Because of how far we were in line I decided to forgo the chair because there was NO way I was going to the back of the line! LOL
From there we headed to Brueggers for some breakfast of yummy bagels. I haven’t had a Brueggers bagel in ages. Oh, it was so good!
Then we went to Kohl’s where I have been longing to get a memory foam pillow. I almost got one last year, but they still seemed so hard. Not this year. Smooch was very helpful in testing them out.
Unfortunately, while at Kohl’s I ran into a VERY RUDE employee and she ticked me off so much I nearly left my full cart right at her feet. I did go talk to one of the ladies managing the lines to tell her the situation I had run into.
They had boys clothing on 3 different rows on one rack. The sign on the far right bar didn’t match up with the brand OR price in front of it. I asked the gal if I was reading it wrong. She said, “No, that’s for the middle brand. The other two brands are different.” I told her that it might confuse people because the sign is above a different brand and that maybe the sign should be over the right pants.
She “informed” me that, “The signs can ONLY go on the outside NOT in the middle.” She was such a snot when she told me I stared at her totally shocked and told her she didn’t need to be rude, and that I was just asking her a question because I was confused. She said she wasn’t being rude and, “Have a nice day, goodbye.”
To say I was stunned is BEYOND how I was feeling. I was all about attitude and said, “Are you kidding me? I have a question and this is how you’re going to treat people?” I then walked away before I said anything else.
For the record, even though the sign was with the wrong brand, the price didn’t match the “correct” brand either. It was for $32 Urban Pipeline Jeans and the ones on the MIDDLE row were $36!
Well, with that out of my system, we headed over to Target. The only thing that kept me from walking away from my Kohl’s purchase and spending my money somewhere else was the nice line lady.
My Smooch totally scored with movies at Target. I was happy to have picked out my Christmas present from her: P.S. I Love You for $4! Now I can stop begging Baby to bring her copy home from college.
It was a pretty good day altogether. I had much to be thankful for! How about you? How was your Thanksgiving? Did you go shopping in the wee hours of the morning? Any amazing deals you’re proud of? Run into any crabby people like I did?
Are you looking for a gift for a child that’s personalized and not like the gifts all the other kids are receiving? Check out the National Geographic Kids Atlas of My World!
There you can upload your child's/children's photos, see & choose from several different personalization options (ranging from where the child/children go to school, information about their pet, things they love/enjoy & more), write your dedication and then see what the final product would look like!
Last year when I was visiting our local Hallmark for Christmas gifts, I saw the Recordable Storybooks for the first time. I thought they were such a spectacular idea. Having all of my family out-of-state having my parents record a Storybook for my kids is simply priceless.
Simba N Sammy
Please visit these other awesome Wordless Wednesday Participants: 5 Minutes for Mom, Beautiful Mess, and Look What Mom Found…
Hey there gang! I just wanted to remind you that Flipped comes out on DVD tomorrow! If you’re getting together with family for Thanksgiving and have a movie night, this would be great for the whole family.
We live in the boonies, but the theater they were going to was in a pretty popular town, but waaay outside of the cities which I’m sure was a zoo.
Back in ‘89-‘90 when Michael Jackson was touring the States I was a late teen/ early 20’s and waited overnight to get some sweet 4th row tickets to his concert. I bought like 4 of them. A month or so later he cancelled. Not sure if it was the entire tour, but he wasn’t visiting Seattle. I was so ticked. I mean, I waited overnight for these tickets and getting so close? Oh well, that’s how it goes sometimes. At least I got my money back!
Have you ever done something like this?
“Flipped is a movie that everyone can relate to as it explores the innocence and simplicity of first love. Flipped is a PG movie brought to life by the director of such uplifting films as Stand by Me and The Princess Bride, features a fun-loving story adapted from Wendelin Van Draanen’s bestselling novel Flipped, and stars the up and coming young actress Madeline Carroll (Swing Vote).”
Not only did I see a commercial about this movie last week, when I was helping out at my son’s Scholastic Book Fair last week, there was the book Flipped on one of the shelves!
The movie looks like it would be really good to watch with my girls. I have tried to make sure my girls know that dating is for a reason and that it should be a special thing to share with another young man.
So far, they have taken this to heart and have reserved their emotions and bodies for one man. I think Flipped will be a sweet movie about falling in love at a young age and how precious that can be.
This really isn’t his smile, but part of it. Can you see in the small upper right photo that his nose always goes to HIS right when he starts to smile? This makes me giggle all the time.
Be sure to check out these other Wordless Wednesday participants: A Beautiful Mess, Mom Spotted, and 5 Minutes for Mom
As many of you know, back in March I decided to separate out my product reviews from this site as much as possible. That’s when Marvelous Mom Reviews was started.
This year is my first Christmas Gathering & Gift Guide. I would love to have you check out the giveaways I’m having and enter if you’d like.
I also have 3 giveaways that had started before these holiday giveaways. So check ‘em all out!
MMR ~ RandomLine Squggle Doodle Pad 11/18
MMR ~ Dropps Laundry Pacs 11/20
MMR ~ ...Featuring CD by Norah Jones 11/22
Christmas is a time for traditions, food, merriment, family, and...horrific seasonal sweaters. It's the only time of year where you can sport apparel with a Rudolph nose that blinks red lights without being teased (too much).
Share with us a photo of your sorely Christmas sweater and win!
Email or post on our Facebook page a photo of your tackiest holiday getup.
One winner will receive a Harry & Davids Christmas basket (ARV$50) and a copy of the new book Everything Christmas.
What are you waiting for? Spread some holiday cheer today!
Click here for a complete list of rules.
Contest ends December 10, 2010.
OverviewEli the Stable Boy tells the story of a young man who longed to be a shepherd like his father, but was given the task of getting the stable ready for the sheep to come down from the hills. Little did he know, all his hard work was actually preparing the place where the Promised Messiah would be born.
About the AuthorKeith Ogorek is the marketing director for Author Solutions and a huge fan of self-published books. This book was inspired by a story he would tell his daughters at bedtime when they were children. It was their encouragement that prompted him to publish this story.
Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her husband's life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her traumatized son without outside help. But will that mean leaving the place etched on her heart?
Andy Tyler has had to struggle for everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller's Creek, Texas is no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he's not prepared for falling in love--especially with yet another woman who will probably abandon him for her career.
Will Andy and Trish be able to see past their limited human understanding to take . . . A Path Less Traveled?
To read the first chapter: http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/2010/10/enjoy-first-chapter-of-path-less.html
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
"This book was totally and completely enjoyable to read. I received the book on Friday and finished reading it on Sunday. I could hardly put it down. The storyline is very well written and grabbed my attention in the first chapter and never let me go....One of my favorite lines in the book is this: 'God doesn't waste any hurt you endure, Trish. What he allows into your life--even something as painful as Doc's death--He'll use for the days ahead...' I believe this is so true and have seen it played out in my life. I love it when I can read a really good fiction book and learn more about my relationship with Christ. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good story to read. I can't wait until Book 3 in the series comes out next year." ~Cathy at Tales of the TCKK Family
"...Cathy Bryant weaves an amazing story. She has a maturity in her writing skill that astounds me for only having two published novels. A Path Less Traveled is a must read. Cathy realistically captures the struggle of the heart." ~ Linnette at Linnette's Writing Corner
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cathy Bryant is a former public school teacher who handed in her chalk for a private music studio and writing career. Her passion is to write heart-stirring stories that show God’s life-changing grace. Cathy is the owner of the popular blog, WordVessel, and has written devotions for The Upper Room magazine, two devotional books, and online devotional sites. She’s the wife of a music minister, the mother of two grown sons and a beautiful daughter-in-love, and the Nana of Harrisen. A Texas gal since birth, she lives in a century-old Texas farmhouse with her husband and a phobia-ridden cat.
Texas Roads (her debut novel and a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist) released in March 2010. The second Miller’s Creek novel, A Path Less Traveled, was launched in November 2010. The Way of Grace will be available in 2011.
Visit her website at www.CatBryant.com
PURCHASE LINKS:
Print Edition
Print Edition ~ Amazon
Kindle Edition ~ Amazon
Other eBook Editions (including online reading, iPad, Nook, Sony reader, & PDF)
CHECK OUT THE SPECIAL "TWO-FER" CHRISTMAS PRICE FOR BOTH MILLER'S CREEK NOVELS (only through November 30, 2010)
CHECK OUT THE SPECIAL BOOK GIVEAWAY DRAWINGS OF A PATH LESS TRAVELED (a Miller's Creek novel) AT WordVessel (only through November 30, 2010)
These drawings are for US/Canada only, and will last until November 30, 2010. She will announce the winners here at WordVessel on Friday, December 3, 2010.
By sharing this information, I will be entered into a blogger giveaway at Cathy’s site for a $25 gift card.
by Anthony DeStefano
Illustrated by Mark Elliott
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
ISBN-13: 9780307458056
About the book:
Little Star is ignored by his fellow luminaries in the sky, but he knows a secret...the child of a lowly carpenter is really the Son of God. As his heart blazes forth with light and love, he gives himself to the newborn king. A delightful story about the star of Bethlehem!
My Review:
This is a precious story about the star that has a special job to do even though he doesn’t realize it for a very long time. It will be a great way for kids and families to use the star they place on the top of the Christmas tree as a reminder of Jesus’ birth.
I also think it will be a good read for those kids who might be smaller than some of the other kids their age. Sometimes, like my oldest son, they feel like they can’t keep up or that they’re looked down on by the bigger kids. It also reminds us that we’re significant in the plans God has for us.
The story is charming and the illustrations are beautiful. I think this would make a wonderful addition to your children’s Christmas library.
About the Author:
ANTHONY DESTEFANO is the best-selling author of A Travel Guide to Heaven, Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, and This Little Prayer of Mine. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.
About the Illustrator:
Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in many picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.
Now is your chance to win this beautiful book.
Required: Leave me a comment letting me know if there is a special book you read at Christmas.
Giveaway open to US Residents 18 yrs or older. Please leave your email in the required entry or have it available in your profile. No email/contact = No entry. Giveaway ends 11/30 midnight PDT. Winner has 48 hours to respond.
Have you been “Marked?” The Mend Mark is a mission, a movement, an entire revolution. It is a bracelet meant to remind its wearers of Christ’s love and sacrifice, and its message is the passion of its creator, Hunter Harrison.
But wearers should be prepared to be seen. Unique in its design, the Mend Mark is sure to be noticed and gives wearers an opportunity to share the story of the profound love of Jesus for each and every person. “It was important to me that the design was simple and generic enough that the observer had to ask about it to know what it meant. But I also wanted it to appear distinctive enough that it sparked curiosity,” reveals creator Hunter Harrison. “I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them.”
When I received the bracelets I took one out of the box. Ok, let’s stop there for a moment. I had quite the time trying to open the box. If you win or purchase one, realize that the ends slide in different directions at the same time to reveal the bracelet!
A reminder of my sin, but mostly of my Savior.
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out these other Wordless Wednesday participants: A Beautiful Mess, Two of A Kind Working On A Full House, and 5 Minutes for Mom.
It’s the weekend. You know, the days where you don’t have to go to school. Rugby, it’s the days we’re all home ALL DAY together.
Guess what I like to do on these two glorious day boys (and yes, this includes you Rugby)? I like to sleep in.
Unlike Monday-Friday where I’m calling out your name at 7 am. I know you 3 like to wake up at the crack of dawn. All by yourselves. Regardless of my continuing efforts to keep you up late so that maybe, just maybe you’ll sleep in, too.
So far, no such luck.
Let’s get a few things straight since I’ve been working on this since, well, forever it seems:
Yes, I know that sleeping in is a luxury and some people think sleeping in would be moseying out of bed at 7 am. Well, if you stay up until 1-2am that’s only 5-6 hours of sleep.
I’m not a morning person. Never have been, never will be. You and I will probably get the same amount of sleep. It’s just a matter of when we get that sleep. Just sayin’.
Ok boys (the three of yous) Sunday is here. Yes, we’re going to church. Yes, you need to take a shower. Yes, you can and can’t do all of the above. What I’d most like for you to do is let me sleep in. No interruptions. Just some glorious deep REM sleep.
Love,
Your Half Conscious Mom
Today is my first time participating in PYHO. Came at an inopportune time, but a heart breaking one. Let me start off by apologizing for the length of it. I’m kind of an emotional wreck.
2 years ago my estranged husband gave me a puppy who was supposed to become our “protection”. If anyone would’ve seen this puppy, they would’ve known he wasn’t going to be very good at protecting anything or anyone. He was a bundle of nerves and afraid of his own shadow.
I remember when I tried taking photos of him when we first brought him home. He would slink away. He was afraid of the camera, or maybe the flash.
Oh, I forgot to mention, Rugby is a Border Collie mix. He was bought from a farm on my oldest daughter’s bday.
Anyhow, he did what all puppies do: eating library books, eating shoes, chewing up the stair carpet, etc.
But we knew he was cool. He was so gentle when he took his treats. Attentive to where I was. Rugby became my shadow. He slept on my side of the bed every night. He gives me hugs. He smiles like nobody’s business whenever I come home.
In May, a week before he turned 2, Rugby had his first seizure. I hoped it was some fluke and wouldn’t happen again. As it is with my luck, it wasn’t to be the case. By the end of May he was having one every couple weeks. The vet decided he needed to get on meds.
They’d help for a month and then th
A couple weeks ago he woke me up at 5:30am with a double seizure. His first that I knew of. I ran to get him his valium. Before it set into his system he had another double seizure. It was terrible.
Well, Saturday was THE WORST! He had 6 seizures in one hour. SIX! It was so traumatic to watch. Of course my boys were here. I gave Rugby his valium after his 2nd seizure.
Usually it works right away, but not this time. The poor dog just couldn’t get out of the seizures. I truly thought he was going to die. I had to tell my boys. I also had to tell them it was possible they’d come home one day from school and he might be dead if he’d had seizures.
Living in the country, our local vet is closed by noon. The seizures started around 12:30pm!
I thought he was dying because all of a sudden I saw blood. He must’ve bitten his tongue, which of course mouths are big bleeders.
Talked to the vet on Monday and she suggested adding potassium bromide. I was happy to do whatever to help my puppy. Then on Tuesday I went and picked up the meds. The new meds are $28. That’s on top of his 2 other meds which are about $18/month. I can’t afford $46 a month for meds. I’m a single mom.
In fact, yesterday when I went to get my 11yo’s Concerta for the first time, it was $50! We have crappy insurance. I told them I couldn’t get it and would have to call his doctor. Tuesday I went back with a Ritalin prescription.
How can I spend $50/mo on my dog when I can’t do it for my son? My paycheck only adds up to about $800/month.
And for heaven’s sake, seizures aren’t common in Border Collies.
It has to be me.
I had a horse 6 years ago. My mom finally helped my life long dream come true of owning my own horse. Winston was beautiful. We had a friend to board him at and my daughters wanted to ride, too. But it was too hard to go out there with a 1 yr old baby.
My now 17 year old daughter ended up enjoying him the most. THEN a year after we had him I noticed some lumps on him. He had tumors. TUMORS? For real? And they were right where his bridle would lay and where the saddle would rub.
I swear, only me.
Yesterday I came home from work and there was my baby. Waiting for me to call him to me. Then he comes a waggin’ and smilin’ at me, so happy I’m home. And I have to look into his beautiful brown eyes and know I will have to kill my own dog.
My boys are in the living room playing with a neighbor boy and I’m burying my face in my dog’s fur, wondering how I’m supposed to walk this road.
Want a dog that loves to play fetch and not run away? Rugby is your dog. He brings the ball back every time. It’s just the way he is!
How about a “Lassie” moment? When I’m home, I let Rugby out to go meet the bus. He knows the sound of the bus and runs to the window. It’s so precious.
When I give him his meds, all I have to do is call him upstairs and he comes running to me, sits down and lets me pop them right in. No struggle. No rubbing the throat while clamping his mouth shut.
Ever tried clipping a dogs nails? Usually a nightmare, right? Not with Rugby. I call him to me and he comes over and lays down between my legs and rolls on his side.
How cool is my dog? And I’m supposed to kill him because of these
STUPID FREAKING SEIZURES!!
It’s not fair.
It’s not fair to him. Those seizures take a lot out of him while he’s in the midst of them. When he’s not having a seizure you’d NEVER in a million years know he had them. He’s as normal as any other dog you’d run into.
I just want them to stop. Is that too much to ask? I just want my puppy to be healthy. I just want my Rugby to live to the ripe age of 10 or so. He was supposed to be our family dog. Grow up with my boys.
It makes me sad that we’ve only been able to have him for 2 yrs. I’m going to call the vet today and ask her if there are any other options to keep the costs down. If we could do that, this post would be nul and void and my tears would be for naught.
I want my puppy for years to come, but truly love him enough not to keep him here for selfish reasons.
I just love my Rugby!
PS I can’t stop crying. I’m glad my boys are gone for the day.
PPS Talked to the vet this afternoon and she said we’d know by the end of the month what direction to take.
A couple of photos for you today:
Me before our women’s dinner at church (you won’t see me like this again for a LONG time! Give me my Levi’s! I’ve been going to my church for 10 years. I had people looking at me saying, “You’re wearing MAKE-UP!” Yah, I know and it’s killing me! LOL
Do you see the ladybug design in her pumpkin on the right?
Check out these other awesome WW participants: Look What Mom Found, A Beautiful Mess, 5 Minutes for Mom, and Two of a Kind
TIME: 6:00-9:00 p.m. (Central time)
LOCATION: Cathy's Facebook Author Page
Under the Notes Tab
(I'll be adding updates to this Note on Facebook, so check back often for more details)
PRIZES: ~1 Grand Prize - a Kindle!
~Autographed copies of "A Path Less Traveled"
(Number of prizes depends on number of entries)
~eBook copies of "A Path Less Traveled"
(Number depends on number of entries)
~bundles of both books in the Miller's Creek novels
(Texas Roads & A Path Less Traveled)
~eBook bundles of both books
~Box of Books giveaway
(for "Heart For Home" newsletter subscribers and WordVessel e-mail subscribers)
FUN: Online Scavenger Hunt, Miller's Creek Trivia Contest, Q&A Chat, The Story Behind the Story, and much more!
I have to be honest with you. I had no desire to do anything yesterday. I was so amazingly lazy! I should’ve taken one of my Adderall’s. It was really tempting to ask the boys if they’d rather hang out at home.
Ugh, at 5:30pm I rolled out of bed, I had been reading my bible study info, not sleeping. I did put jeans on. I figured if I ran into anyone I knew I should be out of my jammies. Then again, I could’ve just said I was in costume. Darn, if I’d have had bon bons I could’ve gone as a misconceived SAHM.
It took about 2 hours to go through the whole neighborhood and then we did a quick jog over to my friend, LP’s house to take what we could of her candy stash. I always bring my boys over. Doodle ran up and since he was dressed as Black Spiderman and his face was covered we knew they wouldn’t recognize him right off.
Always the instigator, I told him to say, “Give me all your candy!” which he was more than happy to do. The next thing I knew he’s running towards our van with LP on his heels. He jumps in and she jumps in and starts going through their candy searching for her beloved blue Tootsie Rolls. Buddy found 2 after we left her house. Her daughter snagged one of my Butterfingers, the stinker!
I have 2 very attentive boys. They know the candy I Iove and as soon as they come back from a house, if they’ve gotten one of my favorite candies they hand it over to me. And to think they could’ve asked for something different, but don’t. I never would’ve considered my parents when I was a kid.
Have I mentioned how much I love my boys?
I taught them when they were little that it was important to consider the people who own the yard. Maybe they put a lot of work into their yard and don’t want lots of people running through it on one night. Some houses have really nice landscaping and for us to be disrespectful of their time and work would not be okay for us or for the owners.
My boys have taken it to heart and been good stewards of their trick or treating time. Oh, and I had to make sure they were saying, “Thank you,” and not just running off the moment the candy hit the bag. I didn’t really need to ask because they both confirmed they were giving their thanks!
Oh, and how could I forget? Right after we left LP’s house and ran to the grocery store to grab Lunchables, Buddy’s eyes were hurting for some odd reason. As soon as we got home he said he felt like he was going to puke. Sure enough, he gave up whatever he’d had in his belly. He’d only had 1 piece of candy in the two hours they were out trick or treating. So, I have no idea what happened.
When he woke up this morning, he was just fine. Can an 11 year old have a migraine? I think I had my one and only when I was 13 or 14. Yikes!
