How Great Thou Art...

Presenting, "Frog Ensemble."

Doesn't God have a sense of humor. Hubby wanted us to come out and listen to the noise. Who needs an ipod when you've got this in your backyard? It's free and it's God's handiwork at it's finest! Boys had those looks you know...the kind that mean....OMG...my parents are weird:)

I hope it was frogs and not catydids....I'll never hear the end of this if it is...I'll blame it on Hubby.....like my Dad and S & M caught a few weeks ago. First time I've ever laid eyes on one of those. Well, come to think of it, maybe I've saw them....just didn't know it. Entomologist I'm not.

So much for the science lesson today......let's just take it for what it is. Free entertainment from above!

Have a Happy Labor Day weekend!

Carrie

P.S. Can you see the hormones at play here.....one day certifiable, next rejoicing with the frogs:) ROFL!!!! At myself:) Go figure:) Really laughing is the best RX!!!!

Life Happens, How do I deal......

Not too good apparently. Considering the breakdown I had last night. Where did it come from...out of the blue.....surprised me. I thought I had everything under control. Did you catch the "I" part? I'm thinking that's where it all went wrong. Instead of leaving it at Jesus' feet, I swallow it and swallow it until, boom, I've exploded. Why? Why do I do that? I say I'm not going to do that...and yet...here I go and do it again.

Don't read things into this....no life threatening illnesses....just everyday stuff, for lack of a better word. It's just stuff. I'm a type A personality...at least the tests say so...anyway....I worry. Reckon that has anything to do with my warts? Just asking. I'm a worrier! Why? The Bible tells me not to. It's a sin. Yet, I lay awake at night trying to fix everything. Why? I'm human. Not good enough excuse. Come on I can do better than that. I'm not leaving it at Jesus feet. I'm not trusting Him enough. I'm not accepting His sufficient grace, that says, "Carrie, why worry, I've got it all under control." Okay, so I know these things...yet I still worry.

Do my husband and boys deserve these meltdowns?....no. Did I need to have one?...yes...or bust. Could this have been prevented...yes/no. Yes God can. No I did not let Him.

Life Happens.

I don't want to tell you what set it off....it's no biggy really.....just typical of raising boys. Sometimes it's just the little things that get to you. They just creep up from out of the blue and get ya.

Am I alone here? Does anybody beside me, have these episodes:)

Is it just women? Hubby thinks so:) lol!!!!!!!!!!! No, really, I can remember my Mom having these. But geeze louise...she had four kids....I'm thinking they were justifiable! With two kids...it should be a breeze for me. Right? Maybe not...because every body's situation is unique no matter if you have none or 20. Little extreme on the comparison, but you catch my drift.

I summarize as this: Life Happens....Deal With It! Preferably with God being the One we cast our cares upon!

For those of you who are still with me...thanks...and may I ask you to pray for these things:

1) Mom and my aunt are faced with Hospice for my MawMaw.

2) Unspoken.

I love you all and I thank you for your prayers and support.

Carrie

Heavenbound......

In a world where sin abounds, isn't it refreshing to know that those who are saved will live in a city where there will be no sin! My thoughts this morning seemed to be that of being heaven bound! With heartaches and disappointments, at times it seems to much to bear. But I know that He is able to heal hearts, homes, sickness and troubles.

Satan's job is to attack. My job is to fight back, keep my eye on Him, the author and perfecter of my faith. And those times when I slip, I have to run to Him and ask forgiveness. Then He welcomes me back into His arms with His unfailing love and forgiveness. He can do the same for you.

I covet your prayers today. Join me in praying for our country, our homes, our churches, and our children. Let's tell Satan to get thee behind! This narrow road we are walking will lead to streets of gold! Now that's what I'm talking about!

I have a special prayer request that God knows. He knows the why and the outcome! And we know who will win in the end! Ain't it won't be Satan! Hallelujah!

God bless,
Carrie

18 years ago today we were two kids who got married. As Hubby said this morning, "we've been married half of our lives." Yes, we were 18 then! Scares me to death now to think we married at such a young age. But, as longtime friends and dating through most of high school.....we knew we were ready to take the next step. I thank God for Hubby and the boys everyday and look forward to spending the rest of my life with the man I love!

Enough mushy gushy.....the wedding however was another story. Mom like to have killed herself planning for it....btw...we married on Mom's b-day:) I was nervous to say the least. Let's just say the camera man had smelling salts ready to bring me to, once I passed out on the stage:) Hubby held me tight and I somehow made it through. Cried like a baby! Which I was! Of course Hubby was steady as a rock. Which he still is!

On Monday of that week, I totaled my car in a head-on collision:) Thank God for concealer! Sore wasn't the word! And the week after the honey-moon, hubby totaled our borrowed car upside down in a creek. To which he came out with just a broke nose.....he fell asleep. Needless to say we started out with a BANG! Thank you Jesus!

Happy Anniversary Baby! Sing it with me now........Got you on my mind.......

Now on to the Birthday girl......

Happy Birthday Mom! Thanks for all your love and support. If only I could be half the Mom to my boys as you are to us. Always giving, never asking back. Even now with what you face everyday as you wait for a heart, I see the spirit within you to keep on giving. I love you more than words can say! I thank God for you!

Carrie

Shake a Snake!

As if I needed more excitement.....

I heard the boss say, "hey, somebody get me a broom." That somebody was me and the broom was for a snake:) Yeah me!

I just swept a baby black snake into a garbage can......just so the boss could let the thing go:) Yeah, it was making it's way up the hall in our office.

Now we're on the lookout for the momma:)

TGIF!!!

Carrie

Current state.....fog!

I'm trying out a new allergy Rx..XYZAL:) The maker of Zyrtec has a new drug without all those side affects.....NOT! At least for me anyway.

With school back in session, comes all the lovely bugs right along with it. Strep throat is rampant! Also, the season for allergies and sinus. Thus, my current induced coma state! I hate these drugs, but cannot for the life of me, find any other remedy that really works. Believe me I've tried them all.....homeopathic, conventional, wives tales, etc. Nothing works!

Thankfully the boys are doing well, and I say this all drawed up, 'cause sure as I brag about them being well....well you know.....they'll be sick when I get home.

All that to say this......today I have a few prayer requests:

1) Mom is not sick:) Repeat, Mom is not sick....she just has a few of the same symptoms as the rest of the family:) But, with her issues....we don't take colds lightly for her.

2) Mawmaw is getting weaker each passing day. Mom spoke with the nurse this week and she explained a few things that is happening with Mawmaw. First, she has Congestive Heart Failure and secondly, possible indication of kidney problems.

3) Unspoken request.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Carrie

Praise the Lord!

No, It's not another You Tube.....

Guess you could tell I was on an Isaac's kick:) I just love their harmony! I have several CD's from which I listen to on the way to/from work. For weeks it may be Selah, then the Isaac's, then CD's with just a mixture of artists, etc. Sometimes I just randomly pick one asking God to lead. Oh and he does. I know some passersby think, "should I call the police on that crazy lady:)"

Needless to say the Isaac's have been the choice for me the past week or so!

There is just something about a good 'ole song that reaches way down into your soul and gives it a good stir.

And I was going to try and post something of substance here:)

Got a little side tracked with thoughts on my favorite songs!

What I had on my mind was, what do you do when you think you can't go one step further? When the world seems crashing down around you....keep on. Unexpected news comes that catches you off guard....keep on. Disappointment comes.....keep on.

Here is a quote I read the other day that sums it up, "If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, stand up. If you're lying down, sit up. If you can't sit up, wiggle your toes, but let the Devil know you're still in the game. By the grace of God, keep producing!"

Even though we don't all produce at the same level...we all must produce at some level. Remember you are only accountable for what God gives you! With God's spirit as your guide, there is no limit to what you can do!

With that said, our pastor presented something to a couple of our Sunday School Classes this past Sunday, that was an answered prayer for me and another teacher. I had asked her to be thinking of a project for the kids to somehow give back. She had been thinking along the same lines. A few weeks passed by and he just came up Sunday with something that had been on his heart for sometime now and wanted to know if we might be interested. Yes, Lord, Yes!

This something is Compassion. With the Lord's help and the willingness of the kids, teachers and parents, we are going to sponsor X # of children. What a way to give back. With God blessing us with so much, how can we not, share His love. I've added the Compassion widget at the top of the page, if you want to check it out for yourself.

My prayer is that God will use this to teach us about giving, and through His gift, these children and their families will come to know Him as their personal Saviour. Please pray for us as we start this new ministry.

Thank you Lord for your many blessings! And as the Psalmist said, "I shall be anointed with fresh oil!" Let this be my prayer too! Thank you for the refreshing Holy Spirit!

Carrie

What a wonderful weekend! To see my BIL and nephew, (father & son) being baptized today was such a blessing. I'll post pics for you Bud. Hopefully tomorrow!

This song is my testimony!

Enjoy!

Why Women Need Catalogs

Need a lift today? This should do it! Walk on Sisters!

Carrie

This video depicts my current state of mind:)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIOxIhb9Nhk



Except....not towards Hubby....I'm sure he is glad to know that:) Really just frustrated for no apparent reason. That is allowable for women.....right? :)

Ms. Love Well had this on her post today. I needed a good 'ole laugh, you know the kind that your sides hurt:) Well, I laughed so hard, I'm hurting from head to toe! Good exercise without having to actually move!

Have a good weekend! And if you don't have anything spectacular planned, join us for the Cow Plop! That would be some good free family fun:) Where else can you go to watch a cow "plop" for $1,000 bucks?

Carrie

Thought you might want a face to the ticket.....



Cow Plop ticket that is! This is Ms. Lucy and she just may be your lucky number:) You wouldn't understand this post, unless you live in our little town. So, if you know what "Cow Plop" means around here, here's your sign:)

Plenty of $20/tickets are swarming around town. If you don't have one, call me....I've got some or can get you in touch with someone who has a ticket for sale. It's a chance to win $1,000 if Lucy "Plops" on your number. Can't get any better than that! Plus, your donation will go towards the Football Program at our school.

We are hoping Ms. Lucy will be on her best behavior. Last year's heifer was a little feisty. Ms. Lucy is always the last one to make it to the barn. Needless to say, she normally doesn't get in any hurry for anything:) Hope her "Plop" isn't as slow as she moves:) if so, we'll be there all night:) lol!!! But.....there is always a but......we sold her calf yesterday...so she may be in Mooood. I know you Moms out there can relate:) Please forgive if she acts all mooooody:)

This "Cow Plop" will get underway this Sat., August 16th @ 5:00 cst, @ the Football Stadium. Come on out with your ticket and see if Ms. Lucy "Plops" on your number! Let's get behind our team, show them how much we appreciate their hard work and cheer them on to VICTORY!

Carrie

Part II of Pinching Myself.......

The sores are getting bigger, from pinching myself that is! My cup runneth over! Yesterday was another answered prayer. My nephew, that I mentioned last week, that was saved after church and will be baptized this Sunday.....well, his Dad joined our church yesterday and will be baptized with him!! Big pinch!!

I'm at a loss for words!

Not really:)

But if my tears were words, they will fill a book!

I thought my Mom was going to physically pass out from the Holy Spirit being so real to her. I just held on. With her heart being so weak, I wasn't sure if she could stand much more. Oh, but, God knows her condition and He knows what she needs. He will take care of her. Pinch!

As I dropped the kids off for the first day of school this morning, I saw all the faces of the kids. Some excited, some just blank, some talking with friends, some alone, some scared, some holding hands with their parents and some lost. I pray that all the students will have a safe and successful year. I pray for the teachers, counselors, support personnel, and administration as they try and lead our school and teach our children. I pray for the bus drivers as they carry them safely to and from school. I pray for the coaches, as they try and teach our children what being part of a team is and the discipline that goes with it. I pray for the players that they will have no injuries and a winning year, all the while showing good sportsmanship.

Let's join hands and lifting them up to God. That somehow, some way, this little country school can make a difference in some one's life!

Carrie

I'm pinching myself.....

For several reasons.

1) I woke up (5 am) to the sound of a concrete truck outside the window. Phase 3, I think?, lost count.....should be completed when I get home from work today. I'll update this post when I get some pics this afternoon. Big pat on the back to Hubby for all his hard work! On to phase 4:)

Updated to show you the Before

After

Can you see me "not" hitting the wall backing out:)? Next phase should be laying rock on the wall.

2) It's Friday:)

3) School starts Monday:/

4) Football games are fast approaching. Mixed emotions here. Lots of running. But, I love this time of year. Fall is on it's way, and with that comes Tuesday games, Friday night lights and Saturday hot games. This makes for use of all clothing.....sweats, shorts, blankets, t-shirts, pants, AC, hot chocolate, vegetable soup, pecan pies....oops, that turned into menus somehow:).....get my drift:) I need more confusion:)...what to wear and eat:)

5) Son #1 is now 14:(

6) Son #2 is almost 10:(

7) 18th Anniversary this month!

8) Mom's on a heart transplant list. Big pinch!

9) Boys were saved and baptized. This is turning into a thankful list...still pinching myself!

10) Niece and Nephew saved, 1 baptized and 1 scheduled this month!

I'll have bruises for sure after all those pinches! Sometimes I just have to stop and take inventory. Isn't it amazing just how much God loves us.....every little detail.....He designs them all!

Have a nice weekend!

Carrie

Son #2 Live @ Triple J's Studio

Now I know why I am like I am:)

Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 42%

Visual : 57%

Left : 60%

Right : 40%

Carrie, you are somewhat left-hemisphere dominant and show a preference for visual learning, although not extreme in either characteristic. You probably tend to do most things in moderation, but not always.
Your left-hemisphere dominance implies that your learning style is organized and structured, detail oriented and logical. Your visual preference, though, has you seeking stimulation and multiple data. Such an outlook can overwhelm structure and logic and create an almost continuous state of uncertainty and agitation. You may well suffer a feeling of continually trying to "catch up" with yourself.
Your tendency to be organized and logical and attend to details is reasonably well-established which should afford you success regardless of your chosen field of endeavor. You can "size up" situations and take in information rapidly. However, you must then subject that data to being classified and organized which causes you to "lose touch" with the immediacy of the problem.
Your logical and methodical nature hamper you in this regard though in the long run it may work to your advantage since you "learn from experience" and can go through the process more rapidly on subsequent occasions.
You remain predominantly functional in your orientation and practical. Abstraction and theory are secondary to application. In keeping with this, you focus on details until they manifest themselves in a unique pattern and only then work with the "larger whole."
With regards to your career choices, you have a mentality that would be good as a scientist, coach, athlete, design consultant, or an engineering technician. You can "see where you want to go" and even be able to "tell yourself," but find that you are "fighting yourself" at the darndest times.



Toooooo scary! A test knows me that well:) All these years of not knowing what my career choice should have been! Where were you Mr. Mind Reader Test when I graduated high school? This test should be a requirement to graduate:) Seriously!

If you think you wanna know about yourself:)....go here.....http://mindmedia.com/braintest.html



Now what?



Looks like I'm going to have to make a career change:) Hubby will be so glad to hear the news:)



Carrie

14 years ago today.....

I was 22 years old and mooing (yes, that's the sound I got from brother everytime he saw me) into the hospital to have our first son. What a day that was. The lobby was full of family and friends anxiously awaiting the arrival. They just didn't know it would be a 20 hour wait. They hung in there with us and got to see this cute little...excuse me....big (9lb 8oz, 22 1/2 inches long, 4 week early) baby boy. Imagine if I would have carried him full term:) My brother weighed in at 11 lbs, so if Mom could do it, surely I could......not!

I was out cold and didn't even recognize him the next day they brought him to me, 'cause the brief moment I was awake....Hubby took him and ran. I'll save the postpartum blues details for another date....let's just say we didn't know about the PPB back then:) Hubby was considering drastic measures.....a safe place...that is:)

Which leads me to another funny. While trying to get into emergency surgery to have him, the nurses are trying to find Hubby to get him in his little scrubs:) To no avail. He was nowhere to be found. Can't wait, so we'll go without him. He steps in just in time. He was in the bathroom, puking I assumed and one more dip of skoal for the nerves. Okay now we have Dad, we can have this baby:)

As they say, the rest is history.

God blessed us with a healthy and happy baby boy. He loves to play sports, especially baseball. He loves to pitch....dreaming of the Braves one day. We're behind you all the way! The new love is the guitar. A competitor at heart and can argue with the best of them. We predict a future lawyer....he says no way. We'll see. Never a pretender, always a realist. Knows Jesus Christ as his personal Savior! And an appetite for good 'ole home cooking. I'm praying he meets a good Christian woman who can cook, say when he is about 30:) ..........sounds like a resume for a dating service:) lol!!!

So, son #1, we love you and wish you a lifetime of happiness. Always stay close to God and let Him direct your path.

Love you,

Mom and Dad

Ladies Night!

One More!

In reality God saved two more souls! My nephew Bud was saved "after" church yesterday, and his cousin DM was saved last Monday! They will both be baptized in a couple of weeks! I'm telling you God has really moved on this mountain.

We had a really good service yesterday and the spirit was moving with people in the altar praying. After DM and her mother joined the church we all dismissed. When out of the blue I hear my Dad asking everyone left in the church to come and pray with Bud. What a lovely site to behold. All God's children gathered around again and prayed for him. It was so sweet. To say Sister C was elated is a understatement! Like all parents, we wear the floors out praying for our kids salvation, and when it comes......lets just say....... you've got to Praise the Lord! We had another hand shaking and look forward to the baptizing. Joy comes in the morning!

Psalm 30:5 (King James Version)
5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning

This weekend has been filled with all kinds of activities to which has left me exhausted.....but a good exhausted!

Friday night we had us a girls night out and celebrated Sister C and friend LM's birthdays! There is nothing like getting together with the girls for some food and fun.....oh, and who can forget the school bus pics:) lol!!!!!!!! Son #1 has confiscated my camera, and when I fetch it back, you must see these pics. Hey WL, if you are reading this....send me some of yours if you don't mind.

Yesterday my BFF, KT, brought me the best gift a Mom could receive.....pictures......framed and all! Son #1's birthday is tomorrow and she even thought of me! I'm so not deserving of such a friend, but I'm glad God saw fit for two little boys to start pre-K together over 9 years ago!

Back to the subject at hand......

I just can't praise Him enough!

Blessings,

Carrie

Thought you might need a lift today. This should do it. Go to the this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqw22vf-Mbk&feature=related# and Walk On Sisters!



Blessings,



Carrie