Blessings of 2011

so... this past year has been busy. My son is really growing up. Fast and furious. He is driving now. Has a girlfriend. We will be traveling to Savannah to hear him sing soon.

Our daughter just bought her first house. Loves her job. she is doing great.

And our other daughter is expecting her third son...

Life is great...

Thank you Lord for our blessings.

As My Garden Grows

Proverbs 13:10 “Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel…”

Many years ago, an elderly woman shared heart-felt and treasured words of wisdom with me. At the time, I did not appreciate these words. As with most young people I thought, "what did she know or I wished she would stop always lecturing telling me what to do. "

What I would do to have just one minute with this woman. She was my sweet grandmother and her words ring in my ear every day now. They are like gold nuggets precious and pure. She has really been on my mind lately. I must be going crazy; for recently I thought I smelled her perfume. She had the sweetest smell. She always smelled like flowers.

The circle of life—I have “tried” to pass on these golden nuggets to my own children. But I get the same eye roll and look as if I haven’t a clue (and that I gave to my own grandmother). But my insides smile because I know in due time, they will come to life-- Just as the words did for me.

Just the other day, my son shared with a friend something I told him as a little boy. It warmed my heart. I guess that is a mother’s job to pass things on to their children even when we know they are not quite ready. We are sewers of love, wisdom and knowledge. Those on our child's journey will harvest the rewards. We may or may not taste the fruits.

For now, I will watch and water my little garden.

As my garden grows.

What Would People Think?

Psalm 139:17 "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God."

I don't know where I got the impression I was supposed to be perfect. Maybe I heard it from a parent of a friend, "Look at her, she won't amount to much."

I don't know. Maybe it is what society expects.

Whatever the reason(s), somewhere during my years of growing up I made a vow-a stronghold. I decided I would always strive to do my very best from that day forward. Throughout my school years, I tried to make all A's. If I made a D on a paper say in chemistry (which I did) but ended up with an overall A for the class, I would still stress over the D.

What would people think?

Later on in my life, I became a mom. I was now conditioned to living the perfectionist life of living up to the expectations of others. Thus, I wanted the perfect little children in the perfect little home with the dog and cat and the white picket fence. My children would also need to have the best manners, "Please and thank you."

After all, what would people think?

I remember my own daughter when she was 4 years-old. I had taken her trick-o-treating. I had stressed how important it was to use her manners. That night, she ran her little legs as fast as she could to me yelling across the yard--her candy bag flying in the air, "Momma, Momma, I said my good manners." The homeowner laughing and quite proud of this supergenius child. Of course, I was proud-- Glowing or was I gloating? But why? Did it really make her a better person? Did she even understand? Or did it make me a better person?

What would people think?

She knew she made her momma happy. I was programming her to care what people think.

Don't get me wrong. I think kids should be taught right from wrong. I know plenty of kids these days that are not being taught any manners and are growing up without any type of boundaries.

But one day, something just clicked. I let my kids go. I was no longer worried about what others thought. I had guided them the best I could, the rest was in the hands of God. My job was to pray.

They are now on their own journey and if they fall, I will be right there to pray with them not to fix them.

If they fall?....What will people think?

It doesn't matter, it is between God and my children.

I am only a knot in the strand of their life....woven by love

Happy Mother's Day

Chyenne (now 22) & Hogan (now 14)
Whitney is married / 2 boys (4,1)

The day you were born, I too was born. I was born into motherhood. I did not take a class on how to be a mom. I did not receive a diploma. No one taught me. I had never even changed a diaper before you were born except in nursing school and that was a disaster. I vividly remember the day you came into the world all purple, red and screaming at the top of your little lungs. I know the first time you look at your newborn baby, you instantly fall in love with him/her and really-- I did. But …I thought, good Lord, what is this thing? I mean she had a smashed up face from her journey down the birth canal. I remember thinking she looked like a frog. Before you turn me into DFACS…I love her dearly.

I should have had a clue then by her grand entrance on how her life would turn out. She came into the world three weeks early –sideways-- not to mention the two hour long pushing causing the doctors quite difficulty in getting her out. And life has pretty much been like that since. When she was three, she told me she was headed to New York to live. I did ask her to wait a few years. And she did! Now that she is an adult, the dream of big city living has been fulfilled. She is very content.

How we become a mother is not always how we expect. I became a mother two more times. Twice in one year. After remarrying, I became the proud mother of my step-daughter some years older than my own daughter. As with any child, there were and still are many challenges. Blended families are just like that. You can polish them up but there will always be underlying emotions. It is the nature of the beast and consequences of the actions. Usually, the stepparent catches the ugliness of the pain. But I do occasionally get to experience joy and I am honored to be her mom.

Is it different raising her? Yes, I wished I could say no…and I have worked very hard to make it the same but children sometimes will not allow you into their world where they feel obligated to protect their parents. They do not want to feel as if they are being disloyal to their mom. I have been in her shoes as a child. I know the emotions. I have learned to take the back seat and be fine with it. One day she will realize that I love her.

A year after I became a step-mom, my daughters became sisters to a baby brother. He has been a tremendous joy and gift in my life. I just look at him and I’m amazed at God’s grace and mercy. He has always been by our side. Only until the past year has he ever been away from us. We saw how fast the girls grew. He is a strong and secure young man. He comes to me occasional for an emotional recharge but most of the time now; he’s got it figured out now.

I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to be a mom. I look around this world today and so many mother's take being a mom for granted, maybe because I had such a hard time conceiving my daughter, I will never forget the heartache. I cringe today when young moms are too busy for their own children, always looking for someone else to “watch” them or consider their child a burden. I see more and more grandparents, aunts and uncles raising children instead of the child’s parents. If only the mother knew how fast their young child grew and how little time they have, maybe they would cherish each moment.

Just ask a mother that never was.

Or a mother that no longer is.

A mother that has a child with tremendous needs.

And we take for granted the simple pleasures of raising our babies?

This is by far one of the most special day's God has ever granted me.

And to my mother's (you see I have blessed to have a mother and step-mom who love me dearly)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Whitney --March 16

Chyenne--born August 4

Hogan-- born August 28

Happy Birthday Brad

And yes, he has been known to wear other things on his head... but I try to keep my blog clean so I won't go there....

This is my husband. Brad... I love him with all my heart.. Today is his birthday...

Today, I want to thank God for him...

I want to thank God that He thought enough of me to send Brad to me...

I want to thank God for sending me a man that would love me with an unconditional love

I want to thank God for sending me a man that would love me in sickness and in health and really mean it.

I thank God that when the tough gets tougher, Brad stinks around...

I thank God for a husband that loves me enough that he gave me a son and two daughters but I thank God even more as I watch my husband pour out his love to our children.

I thank Brad that he follows God's calling (most of the time)

I thank God for his financial support and picking up the slack well.... let's say --when I put us in the red....

God... thank you.... for this man....I call my husband.... my beloved journey partner...

Brad, Happy Birthday... I love you

Meet My Grandson, Ira

Was this not a great way to spend a day with my sweet grandson, Ira

and ain't technology grand....



love it!!

Love you God....

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to my family... as you can tell the easter egg hunt is a huge event.

This year the winner of the prize egg goes to...... Chyenne...

and it was ugly..

see what I mean?

Sibling Rilvary- The Story of an Older Sister

("...pray for one another...") James 5:16

Growing up as the oldest child with only one other sister, we was bound to have the occasional fights and disagreements known as "Sibling rivalry." Even the well known family Leave It To Beaver had their share of the Walley and the Bev fights.

My dad loved to tell the stories on me where he looked in the rear view mirror of his car and saw me with a balled up fist threatening the dear life of my so-called poor innocent baby sister.

Whatever! I'm sure I thought poor baby as I pinched her hard on the leg.

"I'm telling dad on you," she would cry out.

Then the plea bargaining began. Never mind she started the whole thing by drawing an imaginary line on the back seat of the car telling me not to cross it. And somehow the line was always way over on my side. Man could my sister push my buttons. How dare her set boundaries with me.

She just didn't understand the unspoken hierarchy of the oldest child. We are not to be challenged. Period. End of discussion.

Looking back, I guess this was all in preparation for the day we faced true villains and those that were not vested in love for us. At least with my sister, we always made up and I always loved (love)her.

Now let us fast forward a few decades. OK, maybe a few more than a few. The Bully from school keeps popping up year after year. They just have a different name and a different face but they continue to wreck havoc on our life. They smile to your face but the minute you turn away, they work hard to draw the line on the back seat and forget to tell you.

Can I get a hallelujah?

The good news is that we are all brought together for a purpose. We are all one. God made us this way. For His ultimate purpose. We complete each other, corny as it sounds. Where I having missing spots needing love, you fill them. And vice versa. So why not take care of every part of your body?

Instead of yelling, "I'm going to tell Papa."

Yes, it's painful... whoever said sticks and stones may break my bones but words may never hurt me... was nuts... I'd choose a broken bone over hurtful words any day of the week.. Hurtful words leave scars that never go away. But these words will only define us if we let them.

Remember each one of us is a star in the Heavens. Sometimes we shine with the rest, some times we twinkle alone and sometimes, when we least expect it, we make someone else's dream come true.

We always want to pray for our hurt part (the other person) until we get better or the pain is gone.

And when all else fails.....Smile -- it scares people!!!

She's Home

Celeste went Home today... to her Heavenly Father... She is finally healed...

Not in the way I would have liked.. or her husband Dale.. but I'm sure by now...she is so happy and wouldn't come back...

For My ways are not your ways...

she didn't make it to her 40th birthday, which is tomorrow, but I'm sure the celebration she will have will be far grander than anything we could dream up...



God Bless the life you lived...and for touching mine.

Celeste Jenks

When You Are Down... Looking Up

Today my sister and I went to visit Celeste at a Hospice facility. As usual for the typical Celeste style, she lifted us up and made us smile and laugh.

She made fun of her drainage tubes, her IV's and her frailties. Then she tried to gross us out by showing us that the food she just sucked down was now traveling into the tubes but she forgot I am a nurse so it takes a lot. And I never heard my sister fall out and hit the floor so she must have hung in there.

Then the conversation turned more serious and she talked of the inevitable. "Please take care of Dale."

I couldn't help but share with her what she had meant to me and what a wonderful example of God's love I saw shine through her. I felt blessed to even have been a part of her life.

She looked up and around the room. She smiled. "All this love. I have been so blessed. God is beautiful."

On our way out, Dale said, "Her life was not in vain, for I have come to know our God intimately. I wouldn't trade that."

Saying "Good-bye" when you know the next visit together will be in the eternal...leaves us with emotions of bittersweetness.

God Bless you Celeste and your life... We love you...

Update on Celeste 2

"'My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Life is a journey... Not a destination...

Please continue to lift Celeste and Dale up in prayers...

Celeste was put on Hospice today... Her cancer has advanced and now their wishes are to keep her comfortable...in her remaining days.

She desires to live to see her 40th birthday which is in just a few weeks...

I look back at how much Celeste has changed Dale's life... she is a true God-send to him. I can see her purpose there although God may see it in so many other things. I see her as a beautiful child of God that has been faithful to Him in many ways. Now she continues to hold on.... onto HIS endearing love.

I ask you to please pray for Dale... and for Celeste that she may experience a supernatural peace and comfort... that surpasses all understanding... but we know....where it comes from...not the medicine... not the disease... but from GOD Himself.

I thank you God -- for Celeste and her life.... her legacy!

Reaching for God

My son, Hogan.... reaches for the ball....

May we all reach for God in the same way...

blessings to you all my friends...

We're Home

We are home from our 2nd honeymoon....

It was incredible.... we had the most awesome time...

I can't wait to share more pictures and stories with you...


Blessings to all of you,

The Big One

This past year has been a good one... I have been so blessed...

God just shows me over and over His unfailing love....

in a few weeks... I turn the BIG "50".. Yep.. I said it.. ouch...

My hubby is planning a cruise on this ship.... we leave next weekend.. for one week...

Our son will be with a friend.. we have someone staying at our home...

and we are taking our dancing shoes...

May God Bless you all and I will bring back lots of pictures...and try to catch up with you all...

Love to you all...

God Tucks His Little Ones Into Bed

"When I think my bed will comfort me" (Job 7:13)

I was lying in bed praying for my family as I do every night. I was thinking about my daughter that is away at school and I couldn’t get her off my mind. I remembered back when she was little and the special moments when I would tuck her into bed.

I tossed and turned for a long time that evening but the Holy Spirit kept tugging at my heart. I finally decided to get out of bed and just call my daughter. It was almost 11:00p.m., but I was sure she would still be awake. Good ol’ college life, this had to be early, right?!

She answered on the first ring, “Are you alright, mom?” She knows that 99% of the time I am long asleep at this point. Yes darling’, I am just fine but I was just thinking about you.

“Uh huh.” Mumbles my daughter.

“I really wanted to tell you how much I love you and I want you to consider this your bedtime tucking in like I used to do when you were a little girl.” And I kind of snickered.

(Silence.) I thought maybe she hung up on me.

“Sweet heart, are you there?” I asked.

“Yes, mom but you will never believe this. I was lying in the bed, praying and wishing you were here to tuck me in the bed like you used to when I was a little girl.

“WOW”, we both said at the same time.(God is so good, ALL THE TIME.)

That night, I tucked in my baby girl as she prayed for her momma via airspace…

God’s Angels heard the call of a tender spirit that has not outgrown the love of her mom.

In the same sense, do we ever outgrow the need for the love of our Heavenly Father?

Trick or Treat Little Froggie

We had a wonderful time with our grandson, Jack Jack (aka Jackson) trick or treating... He loved that bag of candy that his sweet Nonnie (me) fixed for him... ALL chocolate goodies...

Don't frogs love chocolate??

Now....jump in and eat up....

PS... You guys are so awesome to leave comments and I PROMISE to catch up on my blogging this week... thank you for your patiences with me.. I have worked every day (like you guys don't) and I am going to take some time to sit down and see what everyone is up to...

I love you all very much.. thank you for your love and prayers...

Extreme Makeover

My sister and I did our own little extreme makeover this weekend... One of my mom's (I'm blessed to have two)... is moving back to Rome now.. so we fixed this little breakfast area...

what do ya think??

HGTV wanna be's?

Remembering Each Angel

Tonight is our memorial service at Heyman Hospice of Floyd....

Tonight my daddy's name will be read... An Angel gone on before us...

As I dressed, I thought, "would you be proud of my outfit?"

and I thought of how much I missed you...

Not a day has passed that I haven't thought of you...

My sister and I are forever talking about "What would dad think?"

The days will not pass soon enough for us all to be together again...

so tonight as your name is read and we light a candle in your rememberance... May Jesus hold you tight...

We love you,
Lynn, Mom and me...and all the grandkids and son in laws



And God bless all those I cared for along the way this past year or didn't care for but have gone on...

It's a Supernatural Night...

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 14th Anniversary... to my beloved. To my gift from our Abba.....I thank you.

I want to share a little of our journey ... our family...and then ten reasons why I love you him much... and some how, I managed to get my husband to share 10 reasons why he loves me. So ladies... you are in for a sweet treat!!

Ten Reasons Why I love My Husband After All These Years

1. Because he asked my dad if he could marry me before he asked me

2. I still remember the romantic tape cassette he made and left at my door step when we first started dating.

3. He is the father of our children… and is The Best.. maybe because he is one big teddy bear himself

4. He loved me when I was enormously fat and pregnant with our son.

5. He held my hair back while I threw up (over 200 times) when I was pregnant.

6. He fixes me tomato soup and cheese sandwiches when I am sick.

7. He is the best lover ever. (not that I have a history to compare to but I can only imagine)

8. He baptized our son and me on Mother’s day 8 years ago.

9. He cries with me in that big teddy bear way

10. Because God chose him for me.



(10 reasons from my husband so I am not responsible for what is said.. .OK GUYS?? )

Answers moderated for use on a Christian Blog and not in order of importance but as they came to mind. 10 Reasons:



1. She has the most beautiful eyes that seem to look all the way through me.

2. She has cute curly toes

3. She loves me as I am….not as I should be. (sound familiar)

4. She doesn’t try to change me, though I probably need it

5. She understands my overload limit and helps me put things in perspective

5.She has given me beautiful children and is a nurturing mother

6. She is a wonderful lover

7. She absolutely loves her Abba Father

8. She makes me want to come home every night after all these years

9. She trusts me with her life and well being

10. She makes the best homemade Vegetable soup in the whole world. (Kelli thinks so too) my hubbies sweet secretary...

Thank you for sharing in this special day... one of the most extraordinary moments of my life. I only wish there to many more anniversaries for us.... and we do have eternity....with our Jesus.

Thank you for chosing me. I am the lucky one.

And Remember we are

Fight Like Hell To Stay Out of Hell

(Matthew 7:1-2) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged…”

In my recent post, The Hourglass of Time, there was discussion by several people at work and those whom I told the story to, regarding this woman’s fate; “Well, she had a choice anyway, she was mean so maybe she deserved eternity in Hell.”

These words make me wince with sadness.

Do we not all know someone that fit this woman’s destiny?

First of all, I do not deserve God’s glory and mercy.

But that is not what I want to share in this post. Let me share a personal story which I can do at this point in my life. Why? Because of God’s forgiveness. And just maybe someone out there will read this and have a change of heart of a situation.

I didn’t grow up in the best of circumstances. My mom now admits that our lives could have been better and I’ll just leave it at that. It has taken my sister and me a long time to recover but we have and we do love our mom. We are survivors. But more importantly, we are Christians.

We have prayed for so long for our mom's salvation. We have prayed for her to know Jesus Christ.

And just what if?

What if someone that did not know our situation, came along and said, “Well, she deserves eternity in Hell?”

What if whoever comes in the path of my mom’s life decides not to fight like “Hell” to keep her out of the pits of Hell!

I think about my mom and how her life must have been as a child, her own pain, hurts and insecurities. And now, I see her through the eyes of my Jesus. The view is contrastingly different.

Who are we to judge? As I see it, Jesus is looking down on His children, praying, calling and asking all of us to fight for every last one of His children.

Our job is not to judge but too gather up every last child through love NOT through threats and empty promises.

How?

Oh, we can’t do it. But our Lord can. And all we have to do if allow Him to flow through us. We are His vessels.

To see our Redeemer in the flesh, to feel His breath, to know He lives ....yes...!!

As I live a forgiven life….. And love a mom given to me by God…. a new freedom.

It's there for all of us.


Mom, I am not giving up on you…I love you
(John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.... No other way....

And I would extend my prayers to all my prayers warriors for my mom....With God all things are possible....


Just a note to all my blogging friends...I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate everyone of you... your prayers and your encouragement... You are true friends and I love you all...