Tonight we celebrated the miracle of the season in a very special way. Ted's mom, sister, Ted, and I went to visit Charlie at the Rehab center where he was moved on Monday. He had a great day! He was telling us all about how the nurses get him up to exercise several times a day, but then they try to wake him up all night to get his stats. Charlie told the nurse last night that he was having none of that poking and prodding at 2 am; she would have to come back in the morning after 6 am when he was awake. In an unrelated tell, he also told a strange story about delivering baby pigs and therefore being able to deliver a real human baby on the side of the road on the way home from his farm. He added that we should not be so stupid to wait until the last minute to go to the hospital. It was good to see him cracking jokes and enjoying life again. What an amazing way to end the year with a reminder of how powerful, how merciful, how amazing our Savior really is. Just over a month ago the doctors told us Charlie had thirty minutes to live. Weeks later we're celebrating life with him. We are filled with hope. Hope that maybe one day he can go home to live out the rest of his days. Hope that maybe the Lord will grant Him more time on this Earth to love the people around him and to make them smile as he so often does. We thank you for your continued prayers over the last few weeks. As difficult as it has been at times, it makes it easier knowing that so many people are lifting up our family. We know that Charlie would not be here if it weren't for the thousands of prayers lifted up on his behalf. God does answer prayers in ways we can't even imagine! December 31, 2008
The Miracle of the Season
Tonight we celebrated the miracle of the season in a very special way. Ted's mom, sister, Ted, and I went to visit Charlie at the Rehab center where he was moved on Monday. He had a great day! He was telling us all about how the nurses get him up to exercise several times a day, but then they try to wake him up all night to get his stats. Charlie told the nurse last night that he was having none of that poking and prodding at 2 am; she would have to come back in the morning after 6 am when he was awake. In an unrelated tell, he also told a strange story about delivering baby pigs and therefore being able to deliver a real human baby on the side of the road on the way home from his farm. He added that we should not be so stupid to wait until the last minute to go to the hospital. It was good to see him cracking jokes and enjoying life again. What an amazing way to end the year with a reminder of how powerful, how merciful, how amazing our Savior really is. Just over a month ago the doctors told us Charlie had thirty minutes to live. Weeks later we're celebrating life with him. We are filled with hope. Hope that maybe one day he can go home to live out the rest of his days. Hope that maybe the Lord will grant Him more time on this Earth to love the people around him and to make them smile as he so often does. We thank you for your continued prayers over the last few weeks. As difficult as it has been at times, it makes it easier knowing that so many people are lifting up our family. We know that Charlie would not be here if it weren't for the thousands of prayers lifted up on his behalf. God does answer prayers in ways we can't even imagine! December 30, 2008
Jeff Foxwrthy's Take on Teachers
Ok so I am not usually a Foxworthy fan but this was too funny and too true not to share!
You might be a school employee if...
...you believe the playground should be equipped with Ritalin salt lick
...you want to slap the next person who says, "Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off
...it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered
...you can tell it's a full moon or if it going to rain, snow, hail
...anything!!! Without ever looking outside...you believe, "shallow gene pool" should have its own box on a report card
...you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
...when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior
...you have no social life between August and June
...you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce
...you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce
...you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the "lounge."
...you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the UHAUL boxes should they decided to move out of district
...you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form
...you can't imaging how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public
...meeting a child's parent instantly answers the question, "Why is this kid like this?"
...you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference
...you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!!!
...the words "I have college debt for this?" has ever come out of your mouth
You might be a school employee if...
...you believe the playground should be equipped with Ritalin salt lick
...you want to slap the next person who says, "Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off
...it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered
...you can tell it's a full moon or if it going to rain, snow, hail
...anything!!! Without ever looking outside...you believe, "shallow gene pool" should have its own box on a report card
...you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
...when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior
...you have no social life between August and June
...you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce
...you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce
...you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the "lounge."
...you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the UHAUL boxes should they decided to move out of district
...you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form
...you can't imaging how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public
...meeting a child's parent instantly answers the question, "Why is this kid like this?"
...you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference
...you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!!!
...the words "I have college debt for this?" has ever come out of your mouth
December 27, 2008
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?
What does Christmas look like? Well, I've been wrestling with the holidays this year because they've not looked/been like I would have wished. The situations are extreme & no fault of anyone, but I've missed having my family in a "normal" Thanksgiving/Christmas situation. I love my in-laws & truly feel part of the family, but I miss being with my mom & sister. I guess we've not really had normal since dad died, but this year has seemed more abnormal than most! With all the changes going on...all our house issues...a baby on the way...I guess I long for stability/normal. As abnormal as my family is....you all probably understand what I mean. There is something about having the faces you've known for a life time around you during special times. So anyways?!?!?! The pictures are of my neighbor's yard. I think the palm tree & Christmas flamingo are a perfect illustration for all that I've been going through. Christmas/Holidays don't always look the same...and some may seem pretty crazy, but it's about the heart behind it.
December 16, 2008
Our 2nd Anniversary
I met Shana in the summer of 2005, but it's hard for me to remember my life without her. Marriage has been one of the greatest gifts God has given me, and He continues to bless me through this amazing woman. She has taught me how to love & how to be loved. She accepts me as I am, but pushes me to be the best I can be. She forgives & forgets(mostly forgets). She believes in me & the gifts God has given me. For this and so much more...I love her. She is a beauty that can not be matched....inside & out. I am so excited that in a very short time we will have our Margaret here with us. I have 
loved the past two years of just Shana & I, but I can not wait to see my beauty with her baby! I know that she is going to be the most amazing mother, and our daughter is blessed to have her. I am blessed to have her as my wife & my friend.....and as the mother of my child.
loved the past two years of just Shana & I, but I can not wait to see my beauty with her baby! I know that she is going to be the most amazing mother, and our daughter is blessed to have her. I am blessed to have her as my wife & my friend.....and as the mother of my child.December 10, 2008
Don't Anger the Baby..Well..Maybe a Little!
So, our daughter is something else. Seems that even as an interior baby...she has a sense of humor and likes to mess with her daddy! Shana has been feeling her move around a lot over the past month or so, and when I'm near I try to experience our little one's movements as well. I place my hands on Shana's belly & wait patiently. That's when the game begins. Margaret will kick/punch/bump right beside where my hand is. A little to the left, up a little bit, now down some.....but never where my hand is. I usually give up....just happy to know our daughter is growing , getting stronger, & moving around. Last night I placed my hand on Shana's belly hoping to catch Margaret's night time dance. Well, it wasn't happening. Shana took my hand and placed it under her belly as she laid on her side. You see..Margaret doesn't seem to enjoy pressure. If Shana rests her arm on her belly...Margaret will start kicking her. So...my hand was pressing into her belly....and sure enough I felt Margaret moving around. I took my hand away pretty quickly...and told Shana I did not want to anger the baby! She assured me that Margaret wouldn't remember it later (if she has her mommy's memory). I don't know though...not sure I'm willing to take a chance.
December 2, 2008
...a voicemail from Mandisa...
It's no secret that I'm an American Idol junkie. I've watched it since day one! Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler...amazing singers & I own all their CD's...BUT...no one can hold a candle to Mandisa!! From the first time I saw her on the audition shows, I knew she was going to be my favorite American Idol contestant!! I loved everything about Mandisa.....her voice(amazing)...her attitude(positive)....and her heart(totally God's). I felt like she was such a wonderful ambassador for Christ while on AI, and was so sad when she got voted off. However, I knew God was going to use her, and use her He has!! From her music(Dove & Grammy nominated!!), her book, and her role with Women of Faith....she has used her gifts, talents, time, and life to bring Glory to God! If you have not heard her music or read her book...go to http://mandisaofficial.com/ and get to know this amazing Christian artist.
So...you might be wondering about the title of this blog, a voicemail from Mandisa. Well, on my way to work this morning I heard our local Christian radio station doing an interview with Mandisa. One of the DJ's is a friend of mine...so I called her & told her how jealous I was that she was getting to interview Mandisa. I didn't think she'd listen to the voicemail till after work....and was expecting NOTHING. As I went to lunch, I looked at my cell phone to check the time & saw I had a voicemail. As I checked it....my mouth dropped & I was not believing my ears. My friend told Mandisa about me & asked if she'd mind leaving me a message. She doesn't usually do this...as not to impose on the guests of the radio station, but knew Mandisa loved doing such things. OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW SWEET IS THAT!!! It truly was the pick-me-up I needed after the rough couple weeks we've been having.
GO TO MANDISA'S WEB SITE NOW...GO BUY HER CD'S & BOOK!!! :) She's got a new Christmas CD that is WONDERFUL...and would make a good gift for the host/hostess of any Christmas party!! Her CD True Beauty is a wonderful stocking stuffer!!! Be looking for her new CD in the new year!!!
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