Happy New Year’s

Well, today is the last day of 2009 and the new year is upon us.  As I approach this year and look back over my life the last couple of years, I have realized that I have not been the most pleasant person to be around.  I want to thank all of my friends who have listened to me and tolerated me through these times in my life.  I have realized over the past few weeks from my Sunday School lessons (based on “Finding Fullness Again” by Ralph Douglas West) that like Ruth I have been stuck in Moab.  Like Ruth, I felt like God had forgotten me.  I have this terrible tendency to love God based on my circumstances and feeling like everyone else is getting the blessings.  Anyone else out there every feel that way?  I realize this is wrong, but I feel like there are many people out there who feel the same way.  We get into our own pity party and we just stay there b/c it is easier to do that than to actually do the work (spend time with God when we don’t feel like it, trust Him when He seems so far away, etc) to get out. 

God has really been working in my life the last couple of days.  Last Sunday while I was home, Bro. David preached on prayer and how we really need to be a praying people.  One statement that stood out to me was “May our FAITH be bigger than our DOUBT”.  It really hit me that I truly need to be praying that EVERY day.  I have a tendency to doubt my God, (again I hope that I am not the only one) which goes back to feeling like everyone else is getting the blessings.  This morning I decided to read my prayer journal from the past year and half.  I realized that my God was there all the time.  I felt like that He wasn’t listening to me and that my prayers weren’t getting past the ceiling, but He was listening and talking to me.  There are numerous times that are documented on things He said to me.  The problem was not that He wasn’t listening, it was that I wasn’t listening.  It was easier to stay mad and bitter, than to let everything go.

I say all of this to say that my prayer is that this year will be different.  I am tired of the bitterness, anger, jealousy, etc that is eating away at me.  I hope to be more committed to Jesus and that my attitude will be changed.  Right now, I feel good about it, but I know that as I get back into the real world (actually going to work and facing different issues) that it will be difficult.  I ask that each of you who reads this blog will pray for me and I deal with these struggles.  I hope that none of you have these problems, but if you do, I hope that something I said will help you to know that you are not alone and that other people deal with these same issues. 

I hate to call these my New Year’s Resolutions, but this is what I want for this year:

• My faith to be bigger than my doubt
• to spend more time in God’s Word (not just a daily devotion in the morning, but truly spending TIME in His Word)
• to memorize Scriptures (one per week)
• to journal more (last year’s journal truly helped me to see how much God was there through everything)
• to take care of my physical temple (eat better, exercise more)

I look forward to see what God has in store for me and all of you.  I love you all!!!

“But in my distress, I called out to the Lord; yes, I called to MY God for help.  He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry reached His ear.”  - 2 Samuel 22:7

“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. “ – 2 Samuel 22: 17

Eaves Christmas 09

The Saturday after Christmas we got together with my mom’s side of the family.  It was wonderful to see everyone there.  We got to meet the newest additions to our family – Makala (Tyler’s daughter) and Levi (Tayler’s son).  I really can’t believe that MY babies actually have babies now.  They are both really good daddies and I am so proud of them.  Hiram and his family and Lisa and her family got to come too.  We don’t get to see them very often so it was great to see them. 

The big ones are MY babies and the little one is Levi

Tayler, Levi, and Jessica (Sweet Family)

Me and Austin

Me and Katie

 

Amy, Lisa, Makala, Katie, and Levi

The Whole Gang

CHRISTMAS WITH EVAN AND MICHELLE

Yesterday, I headed to Amory to spend the day with Michelle and Evan.  I have not seen them in about 3 months and I really was having withdrawals from seeing them.  The closer I got the more excited I got.  I know I am so corny, but I was just so ready to see them.  We had such a great time together.  He is just such a blessing.  Kelly actually got to visit with us to.  She was on her way with her family to Columbus, so Scott dropped her off about lunch time and then I took her to home after our visit. 

Sporting his new Ole Miss jersey that I gave him

Cool Dude

Me and Evan

Kelley Christmas 09

This year for Christmas for my dad’s side of the family, I decided to have it at my house.  It is the first time in many years, probably since my mom passed away, that we didn’t have it at Aunt Diane’s house in Philadelphia.  It was really great having all of my family here at my house.  No one, except for my cousin, Doug had ever seen my house.  Everyone was able to come except for Brandie, Kevin, Kemper Cole, and Cody were able to come.  Hopefully they can come next time. 

Here are a few pictures from the day

Yes, that is my dad, Uncle Paul and Uncle David with bows on their head

(My dad started it and the rest followed)

Uncle Joe wouldn’t do, but Josh tried to sneak up behind him.

Aunt Diane and Doug

Jodie, Daphne, and me

  Me and Doug

 

Aunt Diane and me

 

Granny and her boys

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

This past Tuesday, my Sunday School class had our monthly Girls Night Out at my house.  We had such a great time.  We had a cookie swap and OH MY GOODNESS at the cookies and the appetizers.  We had enough food to feed a small army.  We also played Dirty Santa and let’s just say, some people (GWEN) were a little more dirtier than others.  And let’s just also say that some people reverted back to their childhood (aka Susan and Brandi).  Who knew that people our age, or a little younger, would actually slide down my stairs on a sheet?  Yes, they came to me asking for a sheet, like they were 10.  Anyway, a good time was had by all!!

Aunt Glynda – this is for you!  I learned from the best.  Forks must be wrapped if you are having a party!  : )

And this is just some of the cookies.  We had to move the rest of cookies to another place!  Boy were they good though!

The dirtiest Santa and our Sunday School teacher!

The Whole Gang!!!

    

I know this is blurry, but I had to show you the before picture.

After!!

Solo Run!!

Brandi, Susan, and Heather

Caron B., Stephanie, and Caren W.

Robin and me

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

 

Football and Family

Today, Grant played his last regular season game for Winston Academy (my high school alma mater).  I absolutely can’t believe that Grant is a senior this year.  They were supposed to play last night, but thankfully it was cancelled due to the weather.  It was just a gorgeous day to play today.  Rinny, my cousin from Colorado, was in town so she got to come to the game.  Chris also came.  It was so great getting to visit with family who I don’t get to see enough.  It wasn’t a very pretty game, but we came away with the win!  Winston will start in the playoffs next week.  Good Luck Winston!  Go Patriots!!!

Rinny and Chris

All the 1st cousins!  Me, Rinny, Chris and Rhonda

Me, Rhonda, and Rinny

Me and Grant #72

Coin Flip

My Mom

Today marks the 11th year anniversary of my mom’s journey to be with Jesus.  My mom was one of the most incredible women I have ever known.  She was so full of life and laughter.  She was always there for anyone who needed help or who just needed a big kick in the tail.  : )  She would definitely tell you what she thought.  Sometimes you never know how much impact a person makes in this world, but today I posted a comment on my facebook page about her and so many people commented on my page.  It definitely made the day go much better today knowing that she made such an impact in her world.  I hope that I am just half the woman that she was. 

I love you, Momma and I miss you so much!!

Fun with Evan!

About a month ago, Michelle called and asked if I would come stay with Evan while she and William went to the Ole Miss game.  Of course, I said YES!!  We had the best time! He is walking everywhere and talking up a storm.  I love spending time with him.  I am so blessed to have so many friends who will share their children with me.  Thanks, Michelle, Debbie, and Jenni!!!  Love you guys!

MSU Football

Although this has not been the best year ever for MSU Bulldogs, we have had a great time going to the games.  We have loved watching Tyson Lee play.  We are so proud of what he does not only on the field, but also off the field.  A couple of weeks ago, a couple in our church invited all of the RAs to the game to tailgate before the game.  We really had a great time and enjoyed being with everyone. 

GULF SHORES 2009

Back before school started, I went to the beach with Debbie, Carey and John James, and Mike, Beth and Alyssa. We had the best time. It was very low-key and very relaxing. We laid at the beach, played putt-putt, rode go-carts, played video games, flew kites, and, of course, ate some great food – shrimp, fish, and FRIED CHEESECAKE!! Oh my gosh, if you have never had it then I highly recommend that you should try some. They had it at King Neptunes in Gulf Shores. It was probaby one of the best desserts I have ever had.

This is the first time I have tried using a photo slideshow. Enjoy the pictures!!!

BIRTHDAYS GALORE!!!!

All of my babies (Evan, Madi and Brady, and John James)have birthdays within a matter of a month.  So needless to say from August 23rd until September 15th I was a busy (and poor) NeNe (that is what they all call me).  I have told all of their mommas that they have to check with me before any parties can be officially scheduled.  I never want to have to choose which birthday party to go to.  Evan is pretty safe because his birthday fall about 2 weeks before the others, but John James and Madi/Brady’s birthday is exactly one week apart.

The first birthday bash began on August 23rd, Evan’s 1st birthday!!!  It was such a special day and I am so glad that I got to share the day with him and his family.

He is showing how old he is.

Evan with his NeNe before the party

Blowing out the candle (except he tried and almost succeeded at touching the candle)

Enjoying some birthday cake

 

Happy Birthday, Evan!!!

The next birthday party was for Madi and Brady. On September 8, they turned 5.  I can’t believe that they are that old.  It seems like yesterday that we were at the hospital waiting for them to be born.  They had their party the weekend after their birthday at the church and it was great!  It was very low key and it was wonderful being able to visit with family and friends.

 

Brady

Madi

Happy Birthday, Madi and

Brady!!!

The last celebration was John James’ party. On September 15, John James turned 7. It just doesn’t seem real. We had a family birthday party at his house and Carey grilled burgers.  Love me some Carey Butler hamburgers.  No one makes them as good as he does.  Anyway, we had a great time and John James had a great birthday.

He is just not a baby anymore!

Sporting his Tyson Lee jersey!

Happy Birthday, John

James!!

As you can see, I am so blessed to have so many special children in my life.  I love them all very much and I am so grateful that I have wonderful friends and families who will share their children with me.