~~Happy Mother's Day~~

Wishing a very HAPPY Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.

But, especially to my mom-my friend, my hero, my role model, my strength and most of all constant support.

Sorry that I won't be with you on Mother's Day this year but even through the miles that seperate us...I will always love you and hope you have a GREAT day!

I also want to thank three precious people that make me enjoy being a mother (because you know, in our home we do not distinguish between mother and stepmother) and 1 special little guy that loves his nana Chelle!RIP peace Billy....we miss you and love you!

Bethany

Brandon

Alex

Sorry It's Been So Long...

actually......I'm not really sorry...I have been gone for a month and half from the blogging world but I have had a lot of things on my mind that I needed to deal with. i hope that my faithful readers (all 2 or 3 of you) will bear with me as myself and my family are having some issues that we are dealing with. Due to those few people who invade our privacy in secret rather than having the balls to come forth with their questions, i can't go into details of all that has taken place over the past two months.
i will say that over this time i have cried to my Lord daily, which I should have been doing all along. Things have happened that I wish on no one, but at the same time...it has brought my family closer together as well as bringing us into the lives of another wonderful family. Sometimes it amazes me that something tragic can result in personal and relationship growth without you even realizing it is taking place.
Although I haven't posted a blog in quite some time, I have continued to read other blogs and keep up with dear friends. If you have felt neglected by my lack of comments, please know that I truly value each and every one of you, it has just been hard to put anything into words for quite some time.
Hopefully, I will gather the strength to continue blogging, as I really do know that it is an outlet and that I have lots of supporters who are ready and willing, at the drop of a hat, to offer comfort to me an my family. Thanks to all of you. Keep us in your prayers!

me...described by George Strait

I fully expect this to get the attention of Laura.

You Must pick one singer/artist and use only one song title to answer each question!!!

Pick a band/artist: George Strait

1. Are you a male or female: GONE AS A GIRL CAN GET

2. Describe yourself: SO MUCH LIKE MY DAD

3. How do you feel about yourself: UNWOUND

4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: FOOL HEARTED MEMORY

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: IT AIN'T COOL TO BE CRAZY ABOUT YOU

6. Describe your current location: WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

7. Describe where you want to be: OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY

8. Your best friend is: A FIRE I CAN'T PUT OUT

9. Your favorite color is: BABY BLUE

10. You know that: IF YOU AIN'T LOVIN' YOU AIN'T LIVIN

11. What’s the weather like: BLUE CLEAR SKY

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? HEARTLAND

13. What is life to you: EASY COME, EASY GO

14. What is the best advice you have to give: YOU CAN'T MAKE A HEART LOVE SOMEBODY

15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: LOVER IN DISGUISE

25 Things you Might Have Done

Copy and paste the list below into your own post, and then make bold (and/or italicize) all the things you have done. Tag 25 people plus the one who sent it.


Here we go:
Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train
Had a pillow fight
Hitchhiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Been to a Broadway show in NY
Ran a Marathon
Been in three states at once
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a Cruise
Seen Niagra Falls in Person
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in theater
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout cookies
Gone whale watching - dolphin watching
Gotten flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared my own meat
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee

FRIDAY FLASH 55

winter is still here
this makes my mind blank
me...thoughtful and restless

if spring is the season
of new life
does this mean
winter is the season
of death

a new life, rebirth or
as a favorite 'sister'
once said...
revirgination!

I am ready for the
snow to melt
and the butterflies
to fly!!!


Every Friday, compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less.If you want to join in the fun and games and give it a try...post your story and report to the boss.G-Man!

It's Gwyneth's First Birthday!

Disclaimer: The photos on this post all belong to her daddy and are not being used without that understanding!!! I borrowed them from his blog to show you what a miracle she is....do not abuse them! Her daddy is one mean rascal and would come get you if you do!! lol....Seriously, these are his photos and should be respected!

For any of you that have followed my blog for any length of time (specifically about a year now...lol) you may recall my mentioning of Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth Lawrenson. They truly are miracles and such a blessed work of God. Long story made short...Nate and Tricia are the mom and dad and Gwyneth is the cute babe. Tricia has cystic fibrosis and was on the list for a lung transplant when she found out she was pregnant. Postponed the transplant, chose not to terminate the pregnancy (against some medical opinions with both Tricia and the baby having less than a 50% survival rate). Baby G was born on Jan 8, 2008 at just less than 24 weeks gestation and looked like this...

That's Gwyneth with her dad's wedding ring on her arm!!!

Tricia and Baby Gwyneth remained in the hospital for several months, with Tricia eventually getting her transplant. Both are back home now (with daddy of course, they decided he had spent enough time sleeping on the hospital cot and thought he deserved a nice cozy bed at home too) on the OBX (Outer Banks)and doing well. So well in fact, that baby G will celebrate her FIRST BIRTHDAY on Thursday and now she looks like this....


Go on over to her dad's blog http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/ and check it out...periodically Nate does what he deems a 'fast track' post that will give you the compact version of their story...be prepared and have a tissue handy 'cause it will definitely make you cry (and definitely laugh..her daddy is a hoot and has some really FUNNY videos on there), give you inspiration and prove to you that miracles do happen with God's grace.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY GWYNETH ROSE!!!!

Friday's Flash 55

For you Suz:

Friday's Flash 55

the old, tired me

is ready to wipe

it all away..

Look at the sunrise

over the horizon

get out the calendar

and my pretty colored pens...

ahhh...the freshness

of starting over

learning, planning for

the new day

how refreshing, quiet time

in the morning

hot coffee...

dreams for the future...

ahh, carpe diem!

Flash Fiction FridayEvery Friday, compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less.If you want to join in the fun and games and give it a try...post your story and report to the boss.G-Man!