Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A Nice Surprise

Finally, Mother's Day was complete! I thoroughly enjoyed Mother's Day with Beth, Luke and Taylor, but it just was missing something...and that something was Aaron. I understood he couldn't be with us because he had to work, but I still missed seeing him on Mother's Day.

Well, a week ago today I was sitting at my computer at school when who should appear at my door but Beth.

"Mom, I thought I would bring you home today, so you wouldn't have to wait until Dad got off work to bring you home." (Bill had my car because his car was in the shop.)

I insisted that I stay at school because I had plenty of work to do in my classroom. I tried to assure Beth that I would be fine staying at school until Bill came home.

She refused to let me stay.

"Mom, you've been putting in too many hours. Just let me bring you home."

After a lot of persuasion (Beth even got my friend Chris in on the action), I finally gave in, thinking, "But I have so much work to do!"

Wow!!! Am I ever so glad I went home.................

We arrived at our house to find Aaron's car in the driveway!!! My heart jumped for joy!!! I couldn't wait to get in the house to hug my Aaron!!!

Aaron told me that he wanted to come visit because he wasn't able to be with me on Mother's Day. He treated me to dinner and spent a couple nights with us. We also enjoyed watching Aaron play his guitar and sing.

Just having him home was the best!

A fun visit at the restaurant!

Music to my ears!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Weekly Wisdom

Just a Thought...
" Wealth is not measured by possessions or money... but by the relationships you build, the bonds you strengthen, the people you bring together and by the legacy you leave behind... that... is TRUE wealth."
A Life Lesson...
One thing I have learned in my 50 years of life is that NOTHING is more important than the relationships I have with others.
Scripture to Ponder...
Building Godly Relationships
A person who is a loner is not wise:
Proverbs 18:1 “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” Good relationships are a major part of happiness, sometimes they are difficult to achieve. Godly relationships can be a good source of strength. We are constantly relating to people everywhere we go. So it’s important to know how to cultivate these relationships.
It is important to believe in God and each other.
Some Skills to Building Godly Relationships:

1. Be an assertive person, so you can be fair to yourself and others. In other words, love others like you love yourself. Do to others, as you will have them do to you.
2. Real friends love the other person when they are not very lovable.
Prov. 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity."That means that we must sometimes love the unlovely.
3. Be flexible, so you can negotiate and come to a compromise, it’s about being open to someone else’s idea. Not always having things your own way all the time.
4. Taking an earnest look at your past relationships, and seeing what you did right that worked, and most especially what did not work. What do most people close to you, complain about you the most. Could some of them be right? Listen to Godly counsel.
5. Look for people that are going where you want to go, in your walk with God. Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
6. Look for the good in the relationship, not always what is wrong. Proverbs 19:11 “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.”
7. Know who to put your confidence in: Proverbs 25:19 “ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.” Only God is completely dependable, no man is created to carry all your emotional weight.
8. Stop making a big deal out of things that really weren’t a big deal at all. Don’t blow out a candle with a fire truck.
9. Look for the good in people Philippians 4:8 “Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.”
10. Be a good listener to know the heart of other people. James said, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20)

Monday, May 10, 2010

An Amazing Mother's Day

Mother's Day was great! Beth and Luke invited everyone over to their place. We enjoyed the nicest brunch. We ordered omelets the way we like them. Hats off to Chef Beth! We also enjoyed hashbrown casserole, sausage gravy, Luke's homemade biscuits, the best fruit salad ever and a delicious pastry casserole. Everything was absolutely delicious! Beth & Luke are quite the cooks (& host/hostess)!

I count my blessings for my wonderful children. Although we enjoyed visiting with Beth, Luke and Taylor, we sure missed Aaron. It's hard when we don't all live close to each other. Hopefully we will get to visit with Aaron soon!


Luke's Homemade Biscuits



Sausage Gravy


Hashbrown Casserole


Fruit Salad

And now........the guests, host & hostess...








Saturday, May 8, 2010

Our Precious Moms




Bill and I were very fortunate to grow up in Christian homes. With this being Mother's Day weekend, I want to reflect on the impact our mother's had on our lives. We are so thankful for the positive role models they were for both of us. The most important thing they taught us was to love our God with all our hearts. They did this by being what Proverbs 31 describes as the virtuous woman. I love the book of Proverbs! It was written primarily by none other than King Solomon, the wisest ruler of Israel. It is a great resource for our daily living. Thanks to our moms for being such Godly women. We miss them dearly, but we can't wait to see them again when it's our turn to enter those pearly gates of heaven.
Proverbs 31:10-31

10 [a] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

My Home Sweet Home







Although I no longer live in Kentucky, this is my home and forever will be. I love my southern roots!

Today is the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby. Since I hail from the state of Kentucky, I would like to share some special thoughts and treats about my home.

My Old Kentucky Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI_dBarT6UY&feature=related

Run for the Roses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o73AuvnxGDs

A Few Derby Recipes:

Kentucky Hot Brown ~
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Kentucky-Hot-Brown/Detail.aspx

Run for the Roses Pie ~
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Run-For-The-Roses-Pie-III/Detail.aspx

Mint Julep ~

There is only one proper drink to have at a Kentucky Derby party, and that's a mint julep. A traditional mint julep is made with bourbon, muddled mint leaves and sugar, finely crushed ice and a generous sprig of mint for garnish. Almost every state in the South claims to have invented it. The time-honored way to serve a julep is in a frosty silver goblet, but you can use whatever festive cups you like. An extra-nice touch is to trim straws so they just slightly stick out of the cup. When guests sip from the short straws, their noses will be close to the refreshing mint garnish.

Making a Mint Julep Video
http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Making-a-Mint-Julep-Video/Detail.aspx