By the by....

We are ever pressing on!!!! That's the best way to say it!! School is winding down - just 3 days left. I am so happy to see the school year come to a close and summer to begin. I'm looking forward to no alarm clocks and sleeping in. School does keep us on a schedule, but it's nice to get to relax from the hectic to the laid back slow times.

We are minus a car tonight. Tom sold his beautiful camaro.

Now I don't have a sharp cool car to cruise around in...lol. Tom loved that car but we just couldn't afford to keep it and make payments on his new bike too. I'll have to get some pictures of the bike to show all of you. I'm not happy with the bike at all but he likes it. I just have to pray everyday that God will watch over him and protect him.

The girls are so excited for we are going camping this weekend. They loved it the last time we went (in spite of mommies misery) rain and all. There is a 20% chance in the forecast for rain but hopefully this time we have a tent that won't leak. I am dreading this little trip.

Here are some Easter pictures of the girls. One of them was taken with my Mom. Buddy is doing well. That dog drives me crazy. He is shedding so bad I have to sweep daily to keep it all up. I guess with summer coming on he has to shed some of the heavy coat he is wearing. Just wish he would shed somewhere else...lol!! ***sigh***

I've been trying to do some letter writing. I heard from a postal employee/friend that they are proposing to only be open four days a week with no delivery on Saturdays. The amount of mail being sent is so much less than in years gone by because of texting, emailing, etc. So I have been trying to write more letters the old fashioned way. You would not believe the response I get from people who never receive letters in the mail. It's almost outdated. And yet the recipient is so thankful to get a letter that they almost cherish it. I know when we receive cards during the holidays or on our birthdays, I am so excited to see them. Who would have thought technology would wipe out the post office???

It's been really warm the last few days. I let the girls play in the sprinklers today. They had fun. I was too tired to go to the beach. It's a lot of work getting everything gathered up to go when you have little kids who can't do a whole lot. Still, we will probably go before the weeks out. At least you don't sweat while you're at the beach...lol!!

Well, enough said. We are pressing on!!! God is still in control and He is taking care of us!!! Keep on loving Jesus and smiling!!! :):)

Some pictures from the Mother Daughter Banquet

These were taken at the Mother Daughter Banquet tonight. I don't know what happened but I didn't take any pictures with the girls. Crazy I know!!

Busy Days!!

Today has been one of those days when time just would not stand still!! We started out the morning moving my mom to her new place. She was in a two bedroom house and she moved to a one bedroom trailer. We didn't have any help but a dolly and we were thankful for that. It sure helped with the lifting of the heavy appliances. Anyway, she is moved all but some small stuff and plans to spend her first night there tonight. Hope she sleeps well.

Tonight was our annual Mother/Daughter Banquet with our church. I was privileged to sit with my baby sister Brenda, Mom and my two girls. We really enjoyed our meal and the program that our very capable leader Mrs. Vernon provided. It was a fantastic evening and I for one came away stuffed both physically and spiritually.

Tom was supposed to go to town with a friend and eat and get me a gift for Mother's Day but when we came home he was still here. I guess his friend got tied up and couldn't go so Tom left and took Tricia with him. Moral support I reckon...lol!! She was eager to shop with him. I'll see them about midnight...lol!! Like father like daughter...something like that!!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I want to wish everyone a blessed Mother's Day!! We are the caretaker of the children God has so graciously given to us. We are responsible as mother's to raise and train them to be vessels of honor for God. What an awesome responsibility it is to be a Mother. Not only to train them spiritually, but to train them socially, economically and how to be proper young men and women. It's with honor that I train and raise my girls for God. Sometimes I fail and I am not a perfect mother, but I strive daily to be the best example that I can be. That is what God expects from us and if we do our best, all the other aspects of being a mother will fall into place.

Well, I still have floors to mop so I had better close this sermon...lol!! I'm wishing all of you Mother's a wonderful day tomorrow and the days to follow!! Enjoy your day and for heavens sake let someone pamper you!!!!

Happenings and such...

WOW!! Time surely does fly when you are busy!! The school year is about to wind down. We have three more weeks to go and then it's relaxing time. I'm looking forward to it and so is Tricia. I'll be glad to turn off the alarm and sleep in for a while. Once school is out we are going to be house sitting for a lady I clean for. They are taking a trip to Italy and we are going to stay in their home and take care of the cat and dog. The girls are all excited about doing this. They love to play with Nelson who is a two yr. old Golden Retriever. He is a lot of fun and the cat is hilarious. We enjoy taking care of them and just relaxing in the air conditioning.

Tricia has been on the A honor roll for the last two quarters. I am so proud of her. She is doing so good with her school work. She is now about 4' 3" tall and weighs about 80 pounds. She is going to be really tall!! She takes this after her dad who is 6'2". I'm just a shorty...lol!! Tricia is the tallest child in her class by far. She gets to do a lot of errands and such for her teacher. She really enjoys the trust and attention Mrs. Brown shows her. Mrs. Brown is a great teacher!! I can now ask her to do some things in the house and can trust her to do them. She is a big help to mommy!!

Katie is getting so big!! I look at her and wonder where my little baby girl went too. She wants to go to school with Tricia and is waiting (if a little impatiently) for her turn to go too. I keep telling her that she has to stay with mommy for another year but she is ready to go now. She is forever singing and talking. She carries on conversations with herself all the time. Drives you crazy...lol!! She is my computer child. She is always asking to play games on the computer and many times I've found her at the keyboard just pushing the keys. I may have a genius on my hands and just don't know it...lol!!!

Tom and I are doing well. We just celebrated 9 years of marriage. We went to dinner and to Wal-Mart to celebrate the day...lol!! Exciting right??? Tom has moved to a different department at work. He is only working about 50 hours a week now instead of 60-70 and so we get to spend more time with him than before. He just recently bought a yellow motorcycle. He bragged to me today about filling up the gas tank for $11.00. HA!!! He has a really cool helmet and I'm always on to him to wear it. He obeys me pretty well...lol!!

I have been house cleaning on the island and for a couple people here in town. It's hard work but the pay is great. I'm only gone for about 4-5 hours in the morning so I'm home to spend the afternoon and evening with the girls. I don't mind the work so much but my house does get neglected somewhat. We don't mind though. We aren't too picky. I have made some new friends lately. One of my friends, Cheryl, has been bike riding with me in the evenings. I love to visit with her. She is such a sweet lady.

God has been good to us and we are so grateful for His many blessings and all the provisions He has made for us. We have seen some beautiful people pass away in the past few months and go to be with Jesus. It has just made us want to live all the closer to God so that we can see them again. That is one blessed assurance that will never change. If we will humble ourselves before the Lord and love and serve Him we have the hope of heaven one day!! Exciting!!!

Here is a couple pictures from Easter of the girls. Take care and God bless til next time!!!