The MOPS, (Mothers of Preschoolers), group at our church, has invited several older women to host a panel for the younger moms to ask questions about parenting, marriage and the spiritual life of their family.
Paula has been attending MOPS for several year, Andrea and Amanda started this year since they are home with preschoolers. And I have helped with the preschoolers for a couple of years also. The Moms have a meeting, the preschoolers have a Bible class and playtime.
I feel honored to be asked to be on this panel. Not that I am wise, but I have experienced many of the same situations that concern these Moms.
The Moms submitted a list of questions and concerns for the panel. I am so excited to be able to share some things that helped me when I was home with preschoolers.
This has inspired me to examine my own spiritual life, and do some intense Bible study.
Also to remember the woman I consider to be my mentor in my walk with Christ. Patsy Jackson was my children's first Sunday School teacher. Patsy taught the 2 year olds at Woodhaven. I still remember her teaching Brad "God Made The Birds That Fly In The Sky". I now have the honor of teaching my children's children and more children that song.
One of the first scriptures that I went to in my Bible study was Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman. She works from the rising sun to the setting sun, grows her own food, makes her own clothes, is kind to others, her family praises her. How can we even begin to be a virtuous woman?
Thankfully, Jesus loves us even when we are not that virtuous woman. The love that Jesus gave, unconditional love, eternal love, we need only to accept it to receive the peace that passeth understanding.
Somehow I want to share with those Moms what Jesus has given me. The gift of salvation, the love of Jesus has helped me grow and find happiness. I have been poor, I have been sad, I have yelled at my children, and husband, I have been despondent, embrassed, ashamed, I have sinned. But I know that Christ has forgiven my past, present and future sins.
Please pray for me as I prepare with prayer and Bible study for this panel, that I will be able to share and help these young Moms as they strive to be Godly women.
Also, please share with me your favorite scriptures that help you and guide you.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
March 5, 1977
(Istanbul Turkey 2008)
Happy Anniversary Kay and Jim!
Ron and I along with Kay and Jim, will celebrate our 32nd anniversary Thursday, March 5.
What a great adventure this has been! The years have gone by so fast.
Three children, three homes, three weddings, 5 1/2 grandchildren! So many blessings! So many experiences, happy and sad, that we have shared.
I don't feel like a 53 year old woman that has been married over 30 years, my mind tells me that I am still young. But then I remember how much more I know now. I have experience and knowledge that only comes with living for 53 years and being married to the same man for 32 years. I have so much knowledge to share. I know it all, just ask me! Just joking! People just tell me I am a know it all. The older I get the more I realize what all I don't know.
But I will be happy to share a little of what I have learned about being married for so long.
Have God in your marriage. God will direct your path in marriage as in other parts of your life.
Marry your best friend. You will be spending a lot of time together, you should really like each other.
Be quick to forgive, back to having God in your marriage, he tells us to forgive. You have to even if you don't want to, and you may be the one needing to be forgiven next.
Laugh a lot, at yourself and with your loved one. I fell in love with Ron because he made me laugh! He still does.
Don't take yourself to seriously, think, 30 years from now, will this matter.
Treasure each day, we never know how long we have together.
One last bit of advice, marry a good person!
I wrote on my profile that Ron is a good man, I have called him a lot of things, not always nice, but he is a good man. I think that is a nice thing to say about him. Ron is one of the few people that I know that has read the Bible front front to back, every word.
Ron obviously loves his family. His favorite vacation is to take the kids and grandkids anywhere. It doesn't matter where, he just enjoys being with them all.
Ron has built a business that even he never could have imagined. He works hard, works smart and attributes any and all success to the grace of God.
Ron is patient, kind, compassionate, funny and I think he is still pretty cute.
And for some reason, he still loves me, even though he knows all of my many faults.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Arkansas Flower and Garden Show
Once a year Little Rock hosts the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. I can't interest anyone in attending with me, but I go anyway and have a great time. I visit with the vendors and other gardeners, buy some unsual plants and generally get excited about spring!
I bought another Japanese Maple, some ferns, Hellebore(Lenten Rose), Hostas, gardening gloves, succulents, a bird feeder and a bird house. I placed some bids on the silent auction for several interesting items. Then left and went shopping for bird seed, potting soil and the necessities of life. While at WalMart I started receiving phone calls about the aution items I had WON! WOW, I WON something!
Well, I won them, but I had to pay for them. I "WON" a weeping Japanese Maple, a bromeliad, and a cute pot full of goodies.
I felt like a kid at Christmas, so much to see and learn and smell; lilies, worms, little goats, fairy gardens, landscapes, iron statues, mulch, yard trash, and more.
It was a really great day, a great way to spend a cold rainy Saturday. When I left, snow had started falling. I came home, Ron had built a fire in the fireplace. I am ready for Spring, but really enjoying the end of Winter!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Happy Place Happy Children
All the kids were so happy while on the trip! They were up late, out and about all day, and they were still happy. They all such good travelers!
The smiles make us so happy!
Look, Dodi Look!
Tucker was so excited about the parade! He kept telling me to look, but I kept watching him watch the parade.
Disney Fun
Don't be confused, that is Violet riding with Amanda, Evie was taking a nap, and that is just Veronika dressed as Aurora, and that big green chair that Jackson is sitting in is in Toontown, not our hotel.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Home from Disney
We came home Monday evening and went straight to work. At least Ron and I did, I worked for a while then started nodding off at my desk. The rest of the week has been just as busy trying to catch up.
But it is all worth it. I couldn't load my pictures, but I wanted to share some of my favorite memories. The first morning, we had breakfast with Chip and Dale. Evie loved them, she grabbed his nose and tried to bite it. Violet became a shy girl and wouldn't get close to the characters. Veronika got to meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends in Pixie Hollow. Jackson and Tucker wanted to see "It's a Small World" again. Ron and I were pushing them in the stroller, they were singing the song over and over.
Sunday we watched the Pixar Parade. Tucker was on Brad's shoulders, he kept saying "Look Dodi Look!" but I wanted to look at him to see his face so excited. Late Sunday night we watched the fireworks, after a long day, Evie was sound asleep in her stroller, Violet was still going strong.
We all loved seeing "Aladdin" live and PlayHouse Disney.
All those things were great, but what made it special was being with my family.
But it is all worth it. I couldn't load my pictures, but I wanted to share some of my favorite memories. The first morning, we had breakfast with Chip and Dale. Evie loved them, she grabbed his nose and tried to bite it. Violet became a shy girl and wouldn't get close to the characters. Veronika got to meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends in Pixie Hollow. Jackson and Tucker wanted to see "It's a Small World" again. Ron and I were pushing them in the stroller, they were singing the song over and over.
Sunday we watched the Pixar Parade. Tucker was on Brad's shoulders, he kept saying "Look Dodi Look!" but I wanted to look at him to see his face so excited. Late Sunday night we watched the fireworks, after a long day, Evie was sound asleep in her stroller, Violet was still going strong.
We all loved seeing "Aladdin" live and PlayHouse Disney.
All those things were great, but what made it special was being with my family.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Disney Update
Wow, we have had a busy couple of days.
The kids arrived Friday morning. We picked them up at the airport, ate breakfast and went straight to Disneyland. The rain started soon after. It rained most of the day, but we still stayed at the park and rode rides.
One of my favorites was "It's a Small World", the ride has been updated and is really cute. Veronika has gotten to visit with all of the princesses. Jackson and Tucker have seen Woody.
It has been so much fun to watch the grandkids have fun. Even the Violet and Evie have watched shows and enjoyed the characters, those babies can just keep on going and still be happy.
This has been such fun even though we are all exhauted.
The kids arrived Friday morning. We picked them up at the airport, ate breakfast and went straight to Disneyland. The rain started soon after. It rained most of the day, but we still stayed at the park and rode rides.
One of my favorites was "It's a Small World", the ride has been updated and is really cute. Veronika has gotten to visit with all of the princesses. Jackson and Tucker have seen Woody.
It has been so much fun to watch the grandkids have fun. Even the Violet and Evie have watched shows and enjoyed the characters, those babies can just keep on going and still be happy.
This has been such fun even though we are all exhauted.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Vacation Delay
The kids were to arrive in Los Angeles tonight. The plane leaving Little Rock was delayed so they would miss the connecting flight in Dallas. So there was a lot of panic, lots of calls, lots of details to reschedule the trip.
Everything worked out and the will fly in Friday morning and still have time for a full day at Disneyland.
All in all this was just a minor situation in the big picture.
I feel so blessed to be able to have this time with our kids and grandkids. Ron has built this business that has allowed us to travel to so many locations on business. And we are able to have some really great experiences along the way.
Everything worked out and the will fly in Friday morning and still have time for a full day at Disneyland.
All in all this was just a minor situation in the big picture.
I feel so blessed to be able to have this time with our kids and grandkids. Ron has built this business that has allowed us to travel to so many locations on business. And we are able to have some really great experiences along the way.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Disney Dairy Day 2
Today we visited the trade show. It was not our usual group of vendors. This was an automation expo along with packaging and several other industries. Like medical technology! I don't know the connection with all these vendors, but it was interesting.
The most interesting booth was a university in China that is testing a self scanning breast monitor/examiner, or looking for industry to test it. I tried to buy it, but they said it was a prototype and in development.
I am very excited that in the future our daughters may be able to self check their breast regularly, with something like a home mammogram. Maybe preventing/detecting breast cancers early.
We met one of our vendors, Sophia, from China, that we buy fittings from. She gave us green tea from her home. I am very excited about that gift.
Ron didn't make me stay all day, we came back to the hotel, he slept, I went for a swim in the heated pool, and soaked in the hot tub. What a nice day! To start the day we enjoyed the breakfast buffet with Chip and Dale, I got a hug from one of them and a kiss to I think?
The most interesting booth was a university in China that is testing a self scanning breast monitor/examiner, or looking for industry to test it. I tried to buy it, but they said it was a prototype and in development.
I am very excited that in the future our daughters may be able to self check their breast regularly, with something like a home mammogram. Maybe preventing/detecting breast cancers early.
We met one of our vendors, Sophia, from China, that we buy fittings from. She gave us green tea from her home. I am very excited about that gift.
Ron didn't make me stay all day, we came back to the hotel, he slept, I went for a swim in the heated pool, and soaked in the hot tub. What a nice day! To start the day we enjoyed the breakfast buffet with Chip and Dale, I got a hug from one of them and a kiss to I think?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Disney Diary
After a long flight to Los Angeles, a long drive to Disneyland Grand Californian, we are at Disneyland. The traffic is just like what everyone said it would be, 28 miles took a full hour to drive. But after that drive, you turn into Disneyland and enter a different world.
What a happy place, everyone is so nice! It is a fantasy land! I think that is why we have always liked visiting DisneyWorld.
Everyone is so happy. You can escape from work for a few days and feel like a princess, even if your Prince Charming is your 58 year old husband.
I don't even mind going to the trade show for two days. Ron can walk those exhibits! He will walk for hours examining all the different products. I don't understand why he will walk for miles when he is shopping for work related products. He will not shop for clothes, furniture, anything.
I, on the other hand, can walk those malls and the garden centers!
Speaking of garden centers, this place is so beautiful, the plants are blooming, lantana, hibiscus, it was too dark to see all of it, but such beautiful gardens. And that includes Los Angeles. We haven't even see the blooming gardens of Disneyland yet!
What a happy place, everyone is so nice! It is a fantasy land! I think that is why we have always liked visiting DisneyWorld.
Everyone is so happy. You can escape from work for a few days and feel like a princess, even if your Prince Charming is your 58 year old husband.
I don't even mind going to the trade show for two days. Ron can walk those exhibits! He will walk for hours examining all the different products. I don't understand why he will walk for miles when he is shopping for work related products. He will not shop for clothes, furniture, anything.
I, on the other hand, can walk those malls and the garden centers!
Speaking of garden centers, this place is so beautiful, the plants are blooming, lantana, hibiscus, it was too dark to see all of it, but such beautiful gardens. And that includes Los Angeles. We haven't even see the blooming gardens of Disneyland yet!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
"Read to Me"
Brad's first sentence was "Read to Me"! He would bring us a pile of books, more than he could carry and expect us to read them all, everynight. And we usually did. Same for Andrea and Amanda.
By the time Brad and Andrea were a little older, I was reading novels to them. (Amanda ran wild around the house then). I loved reading to my kids, and I attribute their intelligence to the reading we did. And I say that because Ron and I did not consider ourselves to be the "best students" while in school. I will say that Ron is actually very intelligent, he just wasn't the best student, but has amazing intelligence.
I love to read. I read before bed, while eating, while watching TV.
Now I have the blessing to get to read to my grandkids.
I take great pleasure in reading the newspaper everyday. I save the "Style" section for last, and save the comics for the last of that section.
Today's "ZITS" was about the mother finding her teenage sons childhood books in a box. She pulls the books out one by one, starts telling him about the books, and gets to "Harold and the Purple Crayon". Mother and son tell the story together, by the last frame, the teenage boy is sitting in his Mom's lap saying "Start from the beginning".
That just brings back so many memories. Parenting has been such a great adventure. I love trips down memory lane. And I love sharing moments with my grandkids that bring back those memories.
I attached the link here, but it may only show the current days comic. Anyway, read to the children in your life, you will both be blessed.
http://www.arcamax.com/zits
By the time Brad and Andrea were a little older, I was reading novels to them. (Amanda ran wild around the house then). I loved reading to my kids, and I attribute their intelligence to the reading we did. And I say that because Ron and I did not consider ourselves to be the "best students" while in school. I will say that Ron is actually very intelligent, he just wasn't the best student, but has amazing intelligence.
I love to read. I read before bed, while eating, while watching TV.
Now I have the blessing to get to read to my grandkids.
I take great pleasure in reading the newspaper everyday. I save the "Style" section for last, and save the comics for the last of that section.
Today's "ZITS" was about the mother finding her teenage sons childhood books in a box. She pulls the books out one by one, starts telling him about the books, and gets to "Harold and the Purple Crayon". Mother and son tell the story together, by the last frame, the teenage boy is sitting in his Mom's lap saying "Start from the beginning".
That just brings back so many memories. Parenting has been such a great adventure. I love trips down memory lane. And I love sharing moments with my grandkids that bring back those memories.
I attached the link here, but it may only show the current days comic. Anyway, read to the children in your life, you will both be blessed.
http://www.arcamax.com/zits
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