The Blame Game!

Where do I start? And before I start, I want to make one thing clear, these are my thoughts, insights, feelings, passions, etc., and you may or may not agree. The best part of this life is....that it's okay...if we differ in opinion, because my friend, it's just that, an opinion. Let's make a pact, right here and right now......let's agree that it's okay to disagree......no hard feelings....okay? Good, now that we've have that behind us, fast forward to "the blame game."

By that, I mean, blaming others for any and everything that goes wrong in our lives. The current season is baseball, and with that is unlimited opportunities to blame the umpire, coach, fellow player, parent, etc. for whatever wronged us. Hubby and I try and not let the boys by with that. Now don't get me wrong, I've been guilty at hollering at umps and coaches, but I had to swallow my foot afterwards, seeing the boys radars are tuned in to that and remind me of such. Plus, if we put ourselves in their shoes....ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch....I myself could do no better....we are human....we make mistakes. Life is hard and you are going to get blamed for things at work, home, church, or whatever you are involved in. I see so much correlation between sports and life. I guess I've been drilled all my life on, work as a team, don't blame others, accept responsibility, learn from your mistakes, don't give up, yata, yata, yata. I just want my boys to see now, that if you try your darnedest and life still slaps you in the face, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try, try again. If you win as a team, you lose as a team. No pointing fingers! As Hubby says, "suck it up."

I'm a sore loser at best. To some extent this is a good thing. I try and tell the guys that wanting to win and having the drive to work hard at it, is a good quality. It's when you can't accept defeat, the sportsmanship way, is when it's not good. I have to pray daily to keep balance. I keep referring to devotions I read, but they seem to be just going hand in hand with my thoughts. So here's another one, "The harder you work, the harder it becomes to surrender to things like fatigue, complacency, discouragement, criticism, and all the other stuff that tries to break your stride." And we can accomplish this winning spirit, if we practice, practice, practice.

Now to wrap it all up, 'cause I could go on and on, and I'm sure you don't want that......

My prayer for our children is that of desire and discipline it takes to be a true winner. If we teach our children values through sports, win or lose, look at what we've gained.......good, hard working and honest adults. To me that's worth all the time, money, and troubles we go through. For most kids, sports are a breeding ground for life lessons, to which they can carry with them the rest of their lives. Kinda puts a different spin on things, when the kid with the broken heart over losing a tough game, comes home and begins to name the reasons why.................

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life.....closely. Persevere"" 1 Timothy 4:15-16 NIV

Keep praying......and run as to get the prize!

Carrie

Jaundice!

Before I begin explaining the title of this post....I've just got to say, whew! When I agreed, in my sick state the other night, to son #1 writing a blog, I'll admit I held my breath. The deal was, I had to proof it before we posted. And yes it passed, so if you didn't read it, please scroll down....you just might get a kick out of it:) Thanks Son #1, you did a good job!

Now back to the subject at hand.........

If you see me and think, wow, she looks so orange/yellow, it's not from a bad self-tanner.....nope, it's because I've foundered myself on my friend KT's carrots and sweet potatoes! She and BT invited us over for a Memorial Day cookout. She mentioned she was fixing some veggies to go with our burgers, but little did I know how GOOD those suckers were going to be. I'm still eating them! I had another plate full last night with my wraps:) Talking about slapping your Grandma! Not only do they turn you funny colors, I've had to resort to Tums to take care of the other side effects:) lol!!!!!!!!

So if you want to try them, this is how it's done:

KT's Jaunders

1) Peel and cut up some sweet potatoes and carrots;

2) Coat with olive oil and salt/pepper

3) Place in baking dish

4) Bake until tender

You can thank her later!

Happy Eating!

Carrie

P.S. Tune in later for a topic on, "The Blame Game."

NSM CHEATERS CHEATERS !!!!!

Hi, my name is JAL or some of you may know me as son #1 or the boy who calls home at 3:00 a.m. I am going to blog for mom today cuz she doesn't feel good and I think it would be pretty fun and she would probably want me to type rather than to play the electric guitar on volume 10.

Well lets get to the topic. I am attending a team basketball camp a NSM. Its suppose to be a fun camp and not very competitive, not for NSM. Today we played NSM. The game started off great. We lead 10 to 2 about 3 minutes into the game. We were on fire, LJBG threw the ball to me, I had no shot, so I passed it back to him, he shot a 3 pointer and nailed it. As I ran down the court I noticed the scorekeepers(NSM 10th graders) gave us one point instead of three. "Cheaters", I said to LJBG.

Later on in the game I had the ball on the post and shot, I made the shot and was fouled. The score was 25 to 19 our way before I even got the ball. I made the free -throw. After I made it I looked at the scoreboard and the score was 25 to 20. We didn't even get a point and NSM got a point for some reason, maybe the reason was cheating. I went up to the ref and said," Didn't we just earn three points" "yes you did" said the ref. "Well, are they going to add three?" I asked. "Yes, I'll go tell them to". The ref never told them and they didn't add three points.

We went on to lose the game 35 to 33. NSM got their way once again. If they would have added the points they didn't , we would have won. But it will come back and haunt them during the real season. :)

Sin box, rowdy boys and a dog!

Why is it that the box in the living room/bedroom/kitchens is 90% Satan? After finding out that Grey's Anatomy has gone to pot, I've resorted to swearing off T.V. altogether. And I didn't watch much of anyway. I'm praying the writers will go on strike again.....PERMANENTLY! Who needs it?

Thankfully, if the boys aren't watching sports on the sin box, they are now hammering out a few chords on the electric guitar. I say thankfully very lightly. The few chords they do know, have permanently resonated in my brain. It's one of those catchy tunes that you can't quit singing...day or night. My dream last night had something to do with that tune and Athena looking something like this. Looks are deceiving!

Help!

So what to do in place of the sin box? I'm all ears. If you have any great fun ideas, besides family game night....ours just don't measure up to the commercials you see on the sin box of the happy family gathered around the table:).......please send the ideas my way. As long as it doesn't involve winning, electric guitars or a dog.... I'm all ears:)

I do love them! I weep in my heart every time I see how fast they are changing. After graduation last week, the fact that I will miss them so bad when they spread their wings and fly, makes me savour all the strange noises I hear from their bedrooms. Not to mention the week old, dirty/smelly clothes I find piled in closets:) My love for them is forever!

As for Athena....I guess we'll have to learn to get along, maybe even "love" each other:) But that heifer is going to have to give a little too....this barking in the wee hours of the morning is coming to a "shocking halt!"

I'll leave you with a line I read in my devotion today that summed me up good...."Face it, if you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week."

Romans 12:2 GNT "Let God transform you."

Have a Happy Rainy Day:)

Carrie

Family

There is nothing better than family time and good food! Thanks to my FIL and MIL for making this possible! We love you!

Carrie

Boys!

There is nothing like getting a phone call in the wee hours of the morning....especially from your 13 year old:)

Our conversation went something like this:

• Me-What's wrong!
• Son-Giggling....
• Me-This better be good!
• Son-Can we walk to the house and play some pool? And I need a key to get in.
• Me-At 3 a.m.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Why are you calling me at 3 a.m. and asking such a thing as that?
• Son-Well we're not sleepy and want something to do. I thought Dad was going to work early.
• Me-Not 3 a.m. early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You know where the key is....and DO NOT DISTURB ME AGAIN UNLESS IT'S SOMETHING REAL BAD!

What was a graduation celebration at my friend S's house for her son C, turned into a spend the night camp out in "her" yard/roam the neighborhood on foot expedition:) lol!!!!!! See what I mean about "boys."

The old saying is true...."boys will be boys!"

As hubby and I tossed and turned the rest of the morning.....I couldn't help but grin:) I recall what it was like being a kid and all the mischievousness that went with it. BTW...scares me to death. The only thing different in my case was.....I KNEW BETTER THAN TO CALL MY MOM AT 3 A.M. AND ASK SUCH A THING!! Now that my friend is the difference between boys and girls!!

All Hubby and I could say this morning was, "we have a lot to look forward to!"

Please shout out a prayer for us! Raising these two is going to be fun:)

The bright side of this.....at least he does call me and tell me what's going on! For that I am glad....just not 3 a.m. glad!

As for punishment......any ideas?

I need a nap already!

L8R,

Carrie

P.S. I thought I might should clarify a few things, just in case you think my kids are always left unsupervised. My friend lives next door and who would have thunk it? Lesson learned.....if your kids are sleeping in a tent in the yard....set up booby traps to catch them if they try and sneak off:)

Wow...another week has flown by. I have so much to be thankful for. I'm still praising God for saving my two sons. Sometimes I just catch myself grinning and thinking back to Tuesday night when Jesus passed our way. God is so good!

I've been thinking a lot about my passion......or lack thereof. I believe that our passion is an offspring of our character. And my character gets weak sometimes and the fire gets snuffed out. I pray for God to allow me to somehow, someway show His love daily. I want to replace my "I can'ts" to "I can."

Philippians 4:13 (New International Version)
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

And I make it so hard!?


Thank you Jesus for eternal life and unconditional love!

I want to leave with you a prayer that was in my devotional yesterday. It is a prayer that Dale Evans (wife of Roy Rogers) prayed. This may not be fitting for a Thankful Thursday post, but it caught my attention and I just wanted to share.

"Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself, that I'm growing older, and will someday be old. Keep me from getting too talkative; particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Deliver me from the need to try and straighten out everybody's affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. I ask for grace to listen to the tales of others' pains; but seal my lips when it comes to my own aches and pains, for they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them gets sweeter as the years go by. I ask not for improved memory, but for a growing humility and less cocksureness, especially when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I don't necessarily want to be a saint -some of them are so hard to live with. But a sour old woman ( or man) is one of the crowning works of the devil. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it; but Thou knowest Lord, I want a few friends at the end. So give me, I pray, the ability to see blessings in unexpected trials and goodness in less-than-perfect people. And give me the grace to tell them so, in Christ's name, amen."

Let this be my prayer too dear Lord.

Thanks to Iris for hosting Thankful Thursdays! Visit her when you can...she'll bless your heart!

Love,

Carrie

Full Moon over......

The ball field Monday night. As this beautiful full moon began to ascend in the sky over the field that night, all of us spectators were amazed at just how beautiful it was! This picture doesn't do it justice. What got my attention was the different observations each one had about the moon.

These were just some of them;

"Do you see the man in the moon?"

"Hey honey (me being asked this ?), how does that song go about the Blue Moon over Texas?"

"You mean Blue Moon of Kentucky."

"No, it's Texas."

"Someone is going to have a baby."

"Dogs are howling."

"This is the 4th full moon......ya know that means the brim are on bed."

Okay, the last one was something I just knew you girls would want to know. I can just see all of you now, getting your fishing poles and crickets and heading to the pond:) lol!!!!!!!! Hey, you would win a high five from your kids! I can hear them telling their friends, "my Mom knows when the brim on bed!"

If any of you happen to know the song about a Moon and Texas, will you please let me know? Hubby and L are convinced there is such a song, and need to know the title and artist. Plus, he could say, "I told you so to me!" :) lol!!!! The only Moon song I could think of was, "Blue Moon of Kentucky."


What we do for entertainment!

Have a good day!

Carrie

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Update on Mom:

She had a good check-up on Monday. Her transplant coordinator encouraged her to not give up, but it could take as much as a year to find her a match. Her antibodies are going to be hard to match.....but not impossible! They will change her port out in the near future...from her arm to her chest. She will have to do the IV the entire time she is waiting.

Thanks for your continued prayers. God is hearing and answering!

We love you all so much!

Congratulations Class of 2008!

Looking for the future.....

We had a little reception/recognition for the graduates of our church yesterday. Oh how well I remember that feeling. Yes, I'm out of here....no more school...no more taking orders....no more..etc, etc. What little did I know that those were the best years of my life.....not.....I do not like to use the word "hate", but at that time it summed my feelings up pretty good towards school. But the part of having no worries, like getting a job, getting married, paying bills, children.....is the part where these kids have no clue how good they have/had it! This is a part of life and they too will make their transition to adulthood, hopefully, with ease. My prayer is that they will consult God on all decisions. He will lead them to the path He had planned for them. I love them all!

Another congratulations to our school's Lady Softball Team....they won the state championship!!!!! Hooray!!!! This is the 2nd time!!!! What an accomplishment! The girl pictured on the far right was a member of the team, and brought the trophy with her for all to see!!

Here is the bobsy twins! They were just toooo cute!! Notice the matching outfits! This is my sister P and my good friend S, who happens to be the Mom of the guy pictured above, 3rd from left. I cried as I watched him stand up there with the graduates. I was there the day he came into this world, and kept him on several occasions. My fondest memory of him was the day Mom and I decided it would be fun if we took him through the drive-in car wash thing. NOT!!! He screamed and cried! We scared that poor baby so bad! I love him to pieces!

Our pastor talked directly to them from Proverbs. Not only was it a good sermon for them, but a good reminder to us all. After the sermon, the invitation was given and son #2 tapped me on my shoulder and asked me to go with him. As I looked around I saw my older son heading towards the front too! They both joined the church and will be baptized the 2nd Sunday in June!! Oh how I look forward to that day!! My cup is still full and running over! I'm praying that more will be saved and baptized.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Carrie

An Octopus On Roller-Skates....

What a week this has been! Don't it feel good when you are on the mountaintop? Yes Lord Yes! Thanks be to Him! It has been such a quite, peaceful week with the family. I'm trying to bottle it! Because I know as time creeps on, things are going to get all hairy again:) lol!!! And when it does, I'm hoping to go back to this bottle and just breathe the sweet feeling back in. I better make sure I get a enormous bottle....cause I have a feeling I'm going to need it:) lol!!!!

We made a trek to SAM's and try and get stocked up on a few things last night. Surprisingly it went well...ya know with boys in tow. I managed to remember almost everything I went for! Yeah me! But the best part of the whole trip was a visit to Ankars Hoagies and Bakery on Brainerd Rd, Chatt. They have these onions rings that will make you slap your Grandma:) Needless to say I slapped Hubby instead....jk:) lol!!!!! We ate mega burgers and onion rings and then stopped at my other favorite place.....Krispy Kreme Doughnuts......and the sign was flashing "HOT!" Just when I thought my week couldn't get any better!

I believe I had a point to all this babbling....oh yeah.....as the week is coming to an end.....I have thought about my life and what my purpose is here on planet earth. Lately, I had began to let things just....go. No direction, no callings, no drive! I found the best description of my life in a devotion this week. This summed me up...."An octopus on roller skates: lots of movement but no real direction." I immediately thought...that's me! I'm flying through my days and not really getting anywhere! I want more out of my life. I want more time with God. I want more quality time with my hubby and children. Now my goal is to make the time. I see how much time I waste. And it made me sad. Tuesday night was a wake up call for me.

As the devotion read....which person am I going to be...."(1) One with low flame, or (2) one with no flame. If you're not careful you could end up like the man whose tombstone read, "Died at 30. Buried at 60."

Ouch! That one hurt! But, it made me realize that I needed to fan the flame for Jesus. And thanks be to Him.....Tuesday night lit the fire! Shame on me for not already being on the mountaintop! Forgive me Lord.

Have a great weekend!

Carrie