Better Than We Expected

Imagine, your hubby returns home from a week long business trip. You are expecting a fun weekend because the kids are so thrilled to have Daddy, so any thing is more fun. (Daddy makes everything more fun!!) You think you will be able to re-energize for the new week ahead, it is Friday night.

You think it is hot inside but you just chalk it up to maybe it is due to the excessive heat outdoors. You awake to the smell of something burning. After much racing about the house, you realize it is your air conditioner. It is not blowing air, much less cold air. That was our experience last Saturday morning. The weather channel informed us our local temperature was 89, but felt like 94 and our thermostat read 89. We were without air conditioning all weekend long. It was miserable.

The fun part was the kids. Our kids are so resilient!! We were all with our own fan to blow on us directly and the kids were playing as much as if it were a cozy 75. The sweat was dripping off of their red faces and their hair was soaked. We practically had to hold them down so they could cool off. We (hubby and I) were so hot we tried to move as little as humanly possible. All I could think of was if we were in BR we had a personal friend who was a trustworthy A/C man. He came at a moments notice and because we were friends, he came with the normal rate no matter the day of the week. Being new to our community we only have the guys in the phone book to rely on. That is ok, except for their non-refundable weekend rates - whether they fix it or not.


So, when it is 89 outside AND inside (feeling like 94), you quickly realize there is much you cannot do. Doing laundry leads to the dryer - which heats up your home like a sauna!! Then there is the oven. Oh my!! That is like hell hot!! We were limited on personal energy and could not even accomplish several household chores. I was surprised at how little we could or would do. Anytime we've been without power before, it has been due to a Hurricane. Of course we couldn't do much at those times but there was an element of fun in the adventure of 'surviving'. The only fun element we found was our kids, they are fun and happy in situations that allow for misery. I am sure our time would have been much more miserable for us all if they were whining and moaning around our home. I have to be thankful for that!! I love how fun my kids are at all times! They really know how to enjoy the moment they are in, I pray that never changes! I guess it was a better weekend than we expected last Saturday morning.

My Two Shutter Bugs

My kids have become quite familiar with a camera since I became an avid blogger. Here is HC taking a picture of me. I LOVE how she is holding her eye closed. She told me, 'Look Mom, I am winking'! She actually looked through the little eye hole and saw the little pictures within her camera.

JB may be oblivious but he is still precious. Eventually he will get it, but for now I bet both of his eyes are closed. haha They love to tell us to say 'CHEEEEEESE'! My sweet photographers!

Wednesday Heroes

Lance Cpl. Cory Jamieson
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Personal Security Detachment, Headquarters and Support Company, Task Force 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, attached to Regimental Combat Team 2


Hippocrates once said, "Art is long, life is short".

Cpl. Jeremy David Allbaugh lived a short life. But, he was immortalized recently in acrylics by a Lance Cpl. Jamieson who painted a mural in his honor.
"I feel sad because it is for him, but it makes me happy because I can still do something for him," said Lance Cpl. Jamieson. "I thought about it during the ceremony in the chapel. I looked up at the stained glass windows and I thought 'I should do something like that'".

Along with help from family, a fellow Marine and a Morale, Wefare and Recreation manager, Jamieson had the paint and tools needed.

"I would paint eight or nine hours in the gym and time would fly by," Jamieson said.


Cpl. Jeremy David Allbaugh, 21 years old from Luther, Oklahoma, was killed by a roadside bomb on July 5, 2007 while conducting combat operations in Qaim, Iraq.

"He believed very strongly in what our country's doing," said his mother, Jenifer Allbaugh. "They were doing good things over there, and we don't see that in the news or media. There's a lot of progress being made. I wish more people would talk to our boys who are in it and not our politicians because they see it firsthand".

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

I Believe God! (week 2)

Week 2 of Believing God, with Beth Moore! I have to tell you that I have waited 5 years, or more, to do this study and it has been worth the wait. I missed it the last time I had the chance to take it. Anyway, this week was about 'Believing God Is Who He Says He Is'. This was a powerful lesson for me.

Here are a few highlights that really got me thinking.
1. All attempts to define God cannot help but minimize Him. As Christians, we MUST be willing to say 'I don't know'. Our attempts at explaining Him strip away His mystery. He is not limited to our understanding and we cannot try to explain Him. He created the heavens and the earth, and as far as I can tell - that means He can handle things fine on His own. Sure, we can be useful to His purposes but He does NOT need our help in defending Him. His ways ARE higher than our ways for a reason. We do not know all there is to know, just like any relationship - mystery is great!

2. We will never have faith stronger than the God we perceive. Our life experiences affect our belief in God. We cannot help this fact, but we can become aware of our handicaps so that we can let Him remove the scales from our eyes. Psalm 135:15-18 explains that we indeed reflect the God we perceive.

3. Faith unchallenged is faith stifled. Such truth! We need challenges to come our way, from time to time, so that we can strengthen our faith walk. If we are not being challenged we are not on a faith walk but a faith stand! I am one who wants the faith walk. The controlling side of me wants to know all things, but I know that isn't a fruitful way to live. I love adventure but at times I want predictible. I love surprises, but hate being caught off guard. I love answers to prayer, but I hate waiting. I must keep my will in balance and let my faith soar!

I am being challenged and I see growth! Once again, I invite you to join me in this study! There is an online version available. I tell you that you will not regret this time stretching and growing your faith in Him.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary at NotBefore7 is hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday. Please head over to her great blog to see more TTT participants! My tiny talkers are HC - our 4 year old daughter and JB - our 2.5 year old son!
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During our lesson on the letter Ii, HC had an important question for me -
HC: Mom, why does the little i have a polka dot on it?
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My daughter is quite the little encourager! When someone does something well, no matter how small the deed, we hear this:
HC: You are such a geniust Mom (Dad, JB)!
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JB: (While rocking him before bed.) "Mom, you are big and daddy is big and HC is big and I am big. (Long pause) And Nana is big and.. and.. PopPop is the. biggest., and. the. highest. I ever see." My dad is over 6 feet tall and JB loves for PopPop to hold him! I guess now we know why, he likes to see everything he can from up high!

The Year of JB's Hair

In the beginning there were locks of curls, and it was good!

Did I ever tell you about the time I took my kids for a hair cut? JB has had a few BAD hair experiences. The first one was not any one's fault, he was just a bit overwhelmed by all that comes with a hair cut. He was freaked out by the cape and did not trust the man with the scissors in his hands. I had to hold him in my lap, without the protective cape, and JB was very stressed. Oh, I forgot to say that HC was thrilled to be free, since I was tied down in the chair with JB. She was 3 at the time and was not as aware of our rules. She was climbing in and out of a vacant chair and spinning while giggling. Can anyone else feel my pain? It is funny NOW.

JB had a few additional bad hair experiences over the year and it became such a traumatic event that I began cutting his hair. This was not the best idea we've had as parents. But it did lessen the fear of the cape, scissors and razor for JB. The sight of these tools were no longer too much for him. So maybe some good DID come of my hair cuts. Since I cut JB's hair, HC HAD to have her hair cut too. It just wasn't right for JB to be pampered without HC getting in on the action.
(Excuse the condition of the kitchen, this was taken during the pre-blogging days and I didn't intend on sharing this photo. I didn't stage it properly! haha)
JB's June hair cut was so bad that JB knew it. I was left with the task of 'fixing' the mess. The lady CHOPPED scalped my son and JB felt awful. He kept touching his head and trying to pull at his hair. We were keeping his hair a little long and this lady would NOT listen to our instructions. We told her to stop and we left, mid-cut.
Yes! A "professional" did THIS to my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can STILL feel the RAGE I felt when this happened. Grrrrr...!!! I have never wanted to hurt someone more than I did this day!
First of all, if you cut hair and do not listen to the people paying you - I hope you get fired! Second, if you are NOT patient with children, say you are incapable so we do not waste our time! Third, if the parents want the hair a wee bit longer than you like - do what the parents want. Our JB has a slight curl to his hair and short hair only reveals a few little unpleasant twists at the wrong spots. He needs a little length. (I would love to have his hair!)

So, back to our story. The next cut, after the scalping, was from a super nice lady. She was a dream!! Then it was HC's turn. She sat in the chair, proud and thrilled to be pampered. HC was giggling with glee. The lady began to cut and stopped. She looked at me and said, 'Your daughter's hair is crooked, it wasn't cut straight when it was cut before.' Well, everyone in the shop heard us when I shared the JB hair story nightmare and I could see the wonder in their eyes. 'Did this Mother have ANOTHER bad experience?' I then said, "I know, that was due to a free hair cut I gave her. I am the crooked hair stylist.' Everyone in the room burst into laughter. It was one of those moments you never forget. We've since had 2 great hair cuts and I think/hope JB is over his hair crisis. We are still trying to grow his hair out from his scalping, but we are on our way to cool hair now. I feel it!
After the scalping JB STILL has no hair!! We are on our way to a full head of hair again, it just takes time! Don't they both look pleased though?? My HC is such a girly girl. Sparkles, a hair cut and sitting in THE chair. She was in love with it all!

Field Trips and Fun and Daddy, OH MY!

We had our first Field Trip with our Home School group. We went to see Tiempo Libro, a Latin Jazz Band. It was fun. The kids loved it, especially seeing all the other kids being taught by their Mommy's. We also saw a LOT of kids who were in school. They were fun too!!

JB wasn't in the mood for being photographed. I am rarely in any of our pictures so I love this one (whether he is cooperating or not)! HC really enjoyed the Jazz Band! She danced around and was excited to see all of the instruments. She is such a trooper, she is always up for a new 'adventure'.
The band!
JB is not a fan of anything new or loud, he likes to take things in before letting loose. If it involves noise and it is new to him, he always holds his ears (no matter how un-loud it is). He held this pose for about 20 minutes. The band really got a kick out of him. They kept motioning to him. It was fun!
I had to see that sweet face. He was often smiling while holding his ears. I love my little man! (My arms are what you see around his arms.)
After lunch, we headed to the library. I was only going to drop off our books, but once we go IN the library they must have computer time. They both LOVE computer time.

HC is great at most of the games. It reinforces our learning at home. Fun Fun Fun!

So, Daddy left Tuesday afternoon and has been gone ALL week long. The kids really LOVE Daddy time, so they were thrilled to stay up late and wait for his arrival. He was due home any minute, they decided to hide in the kitchen. When he opened the door, they jumped up and yelled 'SURPRISE'.

The surprise was two fold. First - they were awake. Second - we were having an ice cream party and Daddy brought the ice cream. YIPPEEEE!! Stay up late AND ice cream!

My HC is an Ice Cream fanatic. She could eat an entire bucket of the stuff, if allowed to do so. She wanted purple ice cream and she got it!! Daddy is the MAN!!
JB, not a fan. He enjoys his sprinkles with ice cream on the side. And, can someone else eat the ice cream please. Oh, well what do you know. We have a taker - HC! :)

By the way - this is my 200th post! YAHOO! I just thought I would share that with you.

Sister, Brother, Friend!

I love my babies!! I am addicted to them. They can be exhausting but at the end of the day - I want to see them one more time!
Posing - saying "Hmm, let me think" I love this little guy!
My sweet HC is sooooo fun!! She always finds something fun to do, like try on dad's jeans while wearing a crown.
What a great line of cars! Cool dude! JB was quite proud of this line up, and yes there was a race after the paparazzi left.
The simple things can really make you smile. Towel wrap anyone??Tada!!!! Look out Edward Scissor hands!
Even with yogurt on her nose, she is amazing!
But the absolute best is that these two have become such GOOD friends!! They giggle and play together so well. I think our trip to the beach really led to their friendship blossoming. Sure, they are brother and sister but I am most thankful that these two, my 2 favorite people, are friends!!! May this friendship last a lifetime!

All Smiles Today!

My friend Ginger has surprised me with this award. She says that I make her smile! Well Ginger, you always make me smile! Whether it is after I read a comment you leave, or visit your blog! I always leave my Ginger 'visit' smiling! Thank you Ginger!

Here is what the person who created this award says: "The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell,and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with.I wanted to create something special for ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers:Please grab your badge and wear it(with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you." I couldn't have said it better myself!

I am usually an obedient blogger. I gladly pass the awards on one by one. Today, I will just say that if you are reading my blog, YOU make me smile. Granted, you all do not post a comment, but I know there are about 50 of you stopping in every day! THAT makes me smile. Not because 'Oooo I have 50 visitors' but because that means you enjoy your visit. If you keep coming back - you are having fun too! Or maybe there are 50 random people stopping in everyday! haha Whatever the case - I feel good and happy knowing that you have enjoyed your time with MorningSong! I love looking on my map and seeing ALL the different countries that I have touched with my blog. I am a girl that hasn't traveled much, although I would love to see the world.

I love that, via my blog, I can let our family and friends see how the kids are growing and changing. I love that I have met people I would never have met, if not for this blog. I now feel I have friends around the globe. I love that this blog is much more than I ever expected. This blog allows me to reach out to others and, hopefully, encourage you by sharing that we all have bad days. We all need a 'virtual' hug every once in a while. We ALL need each other!

YOU ALL make me smile, or as us 'Southern gals' say Y'all Make Me Smile Hun! Thank you for making this blog thing fun!!

I Believe God!

I started the Beth Moore study, Believing God, Monday and she made a point that I thought was worth sharing. She was talking about how God wants good things for us here and now. But at times we miss all God has for us. There are times we get distracted with a taste of what God sends us and we stay there thinking we have arrived.

She gave an example of walking her dog. Her dog found a rain puddle and was thrilled with this find. Her dog jumped and splashed and was not interested in moving on. She knew there was a pond just over the next hill and her dog was staying to play in a puddle. He could have splashed and played in a large pond but he settled for the puddle. That is what God sees with us at times. He has this great pond and we are stuck celebrating the puddle. It is great to be content and thankful but what are we believing?? Do we believe God has good things in store for us?? Do we really believe He still heals?? Do we really believe He is our provider or do we think it is our job to fight our way to the top? What do we believe, without doubt, about God and His Word?

We know God has heaven waiting for us, but what about here and now? Do we believe God has good things in store for us here?? Why don't we see more miracles?? Why are we not seeing God's power more evident in our daily lives??? Are we TRULY believing God?? Do we REALLY believe what God's Word says?? This is only week one and I am ready for many more revelations than this. I cannot wait to see what I am doing to limit God in my life, so I can learn and grow. I want my life to SHINE for him. Not in such a way as to draw attention to me, but so that others will see a difference in my life and be drawn to Him. I am ready to get Caught in the Act of Believing God for the promises He has given me, and my family!

These are the 5 Statements of Faith I am learning, I welcome you to join me!
1. God is who He says He is!
2. God can do what He says He can do!
3. I am who God says I am!
4. I can do all things through Christ!
5. God's Word is alive and active in me!

I am believing that my God is able and will do exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or think!! I Believe God!

Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him!!

Wednesday Hero

1st Lt. Forrest P. Ewens
26 years old from Tonasket, Washington
1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)
June 16, 2006


The love of Megan Ewens's life arrived at Arlington National Cemetery on July 7, 2006. His ashes inside a small wooden box, the box inside a coffin, the coffin draped with an American flag and carried on a caisson pulled by six black horses.

Lt. Forrest P. Ewens had shipped out for Afghanistan in March of that same year. His wife, being the same rank in the Army, understood the risks, telling a colonel at Fort Drum, N.Y., that if anything happened to her husband, she didn't want to hear about it from a stranger.

On June 6, 2006 Lt. Ewens and Sgt. Ian T. Sanchez were killed when ATV struck an IED while on combat operation in Pech River Valley, Afghanistan.

A few weeks before his death, Lt. Ewens called his wife from an Afghan mountain to inform her that his unit had been subsisting on melted snow and rations and that he had been writing his impressions down in a notebook he carried.

"This was the love of her life," Megan Ewens's mother said. "They were so well-matched and made such a good team. We couldn't ask for a better son-in-law."

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary at NotBefore7 is hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday. Please head over to her great blog to see more TTT participants!

My tiny talkers are HC - our 4 year old daughter and JB - our 2.5 year old son!

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JB was wanting to play a little music and his 'tar', aka guitar, has an Elmo side and a Cookie Monster side. My little man prefers Cookie Monster, so this is a common conversation around our home -
JB: Mom, I don't like Elmo! I don't like Elmo. I want Monster, not Elmo. (guitar)
JB: I want joo (you) to play the tar. Joo play the tar Mom!
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I was rocking JB the other night and he pointed at the pictures of him on his wall and said-
JB: That's my JB brothers.
He calls his pictures of himself his brother pictures. Recently any other little boy who plays with him is his brother.
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Dad: Let's play punch! (Punch = wrestling each other)
JB & HC: I wanna play punch! (with MUCH enthusiasm)
HC: Don't mess up my make-up daddy. Cue dramatic scream - Oh Dad, you messed up my lips (running to the bathroom)
After re-applying her lipstick HC: I'm ready to play punch now!! But don't touch my lips Dad, ok?

Sleep, Spooky Woods, Church and Elephants

(In picture above, JB fell asleep on the hotel room floor, during our trip to Florida this summer. It was our last day and we were packing up. We delayed their nap so we could maximize our day at the beach. He fell asleep as we were getting ready to pack up and leave.)

We finally have had a week of 'sleeping in'. We've slept until at least 7 am every day this last week. We've found the kids awake in their rooms playing quietly or still sleeping. We've told HC to wait for us to get her out of her bed and she finally started obeying this new request. JB is still too young to know what we mean, but he is staying in his room too. Sunday morning we awoke in a bit of a rush. We woke at 7:45 am to find the kids were both in HC's room, together, playing sweetly.

(They both have a bed! This picture is of HC after not taking a nap and hiding during hide 'n seek. She fell asleep before we found her and she wasn't 'hiding' but minutes.)

YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a huge relief. A much awaited milestone!! I can't say how thrilled we are!! I really did NOT know if we would ever sleep past 6 am again in our whole life!! I guess we need to start setting our alarm now. We woke a little later than we wanted to yesterday. Ok, so back to Sunday AM....

I am not sure what your trip to church is like, but our drive goes a little something like this:

First we drive out of our subdivision, up and over 2 really large hills (some may even say 2 small Mountains), we travel over a small lake, into the SPOOKY snake woods and over a rattly bridge into ... the.... ELEPHANT woods. The kind of elephant woods that eat BIG kids, little kids, Mommies and Daddies. So this requires being VERY VERY VERY QUIET. Any unexpected noise could draw these dangerous elephants to our van. So this is a very tense moment until... we finally see the Church. Whew! We made it!! We can relax and enjoy our time at church until.. the ride home. Then it is back to the wilderness for us!

I love to hear what my kids are thinking. I LOVE their imagination, especially when they play imagination together. This 'spooky' adventure ride started, on our way to church, when HC had a pair of binoculars. She was looking out of the window and hubby asked her a question. She responded with 'I can't talk now Dad, I'm watching for the spooky snakes in the woods!" Then later we were not allowed to talk at ALL because of the new infestation of Elephants. So, I am glad to tell you that we had a safe trip to and from church this Sunday. It is quite an adventure and being quiet, while watching for elephants and snakes, sure does take a lot out of us!

I'm so excited!!

I must say I am more than thrilled for Monday to come! Our church started up the small groups this semester and I am ready for the groups I chose to begin. My first stop will be this Beth Moore study, Believing God. This is the first Beth Moore study I have ever heard of. About 5 or more years ago, we were in BR and our ladies did this study. I had a schedule conflict and did not join in. So now, this is the first time I have had the chance to take it since then!! I love Beth Moore. I tell you, she just makes the Bible come alive. I have had the privilege to study many other studies she wrote, but now I can do the first one I knew about by her! Finally!!

The next thing I am studying is 'Created to be his Help Meet', by Debi Pearl. I have never heard of this study nor this author. So far, I am enjoying this book too!! It is a study on marriage. We had our first class this last week and there is a mix of single gals, married for 2 months up to many, many years of wedded bliss. I received my book in the mail today and I am ready to start reading!!
Another small group I love to take, and cannot wait for, is called 'Mom's Notes'. It is a parenting class. I tell you this small group is vital for me! I ALWAYS leave our meetings with some new fantastic idea to try. When I implement their idea, I am usually amazed at the simplicity of it. I can say, for us - this class works and is a God send.

There is another book I am reading, on my own, called 'What Every Child Should Know Along the Way'. If you want to hear more about it, visit me at Multi-Tasking Moms and get the scoop!! I also shared an interesting list I found, in this book, on Multi-Tasking Moms. Stop by and tell me what you think!!

Our week at a glance

First thing I will say is I am in desperate need of a hair cut, so excuse the messy do! :) Here are our pictures from last Saturday. We were feeling our LSU Tiger pride and sporting our Tiger gear!

JB and Me (above) HC and Daddy (below)

Here is JB NOT going to sleep. We found him in the hallway, near the bookshelf, with books surrounding him. I could not resist taking a picture. By the time I was able to take a good shot, he was posing. This is one of his all time favorite books, Clifford Lift-Flap book!! He loves books with the lift-flaps. His other favorite is Goodnight Moon (thanks Aunt Candace)!! HC is not a fan of either of these books, funny how different they are!
HC doing a little school work. She is practicing her tracing with this new find from Target. It is a wipe off tracing book! I have found several little teaching gems at Target!! Love that Target!
JB has to use 'markers' when HC does. I love that he loves to 'do school' too! He is learning to be still and listen too, shh... don't tell him that though!! :)
HC's most recent 'craft'!! She cut the two yellow circles, with black trim, all by her self this time!! I only helped her with one turn. She did a great job! She glued the cupcake papers to the page and then glued the circles in the cupcake paper. She loves this kind of thing! Too bad I am not more crafty! I need to find a good book to walk me through easy crafts, so that HC can enjoy this part of school time!! She totally loves it!!

A NEW day!

Thank you all so much for lifting me in prayer! I have been fighting this little battle for several weeks (maybe a month). I knew it was an attack, I just couldn't do anything about it. At first, it was subtle, the "I don't know what is up but I feel awful" thing. Then as I began to really look at things I could clearly see it was an attack. The problem was I would get several mini victories and find the little sneaky snake returning for another round.

I began isolating more and more, and as a result I felt (get ready for a HUGE revelation here) disconnected! Ahem... Anyway, I could see what was happening and began to force myself to get back into the game with humans again. So, last night I went to church and during prayer time - I went up for prayer. I felt a relief immediately. I was not doing this alone. I had someone pray for me 2 weeks ago and felt better but this was one of those things you need someone to do the 'warfare' kind of prayer over you.

I wasn't intending on going for prayer, my heart WASN'T pounding out of my chest, but I decided if this couple I knew became available BEFORE prayer time was over - then I would go. They came open and I about ran to them. I could hardly tell them about my battle and they began praying. Since being in Alabama, it has been A LONG TIME since I have had anyone pray for me that KNEW me. I know God can and DOES work through strangers but I was in need of the kind of prayer that someone who knows you prays - the tell that devilish attack to go away kind of praying.

I felt such a release and as though 1000 pounds fell off of my shoulders. I felt light, free and awake again. Like the fog was lifted. I could see clearly again. I am so thankful for all you ladies, in my blog world, who lifted me up via your prayers and your kind (and silly Ginger) words. It was just the boost I needed. It was the lift that kept me from staying home. So thanks to you and thanks especially to my Father God who knows what I have need of before I do!

Feeling Blue

Lately I haven't had much to say. I haven't visited your blogs and I haven't had anything to say on mine either. I feel empty. Like I've said it all. It doesn't help that I have felt a little blue lately. I am beginning to feel better but I still can't get back into the flow with my blog. I hope to be back soon, back to normal.

If you think about it, say a little prayer for me. I can't shake this feeling of being blue. I get a glimpse of reality - that I am fine, there isn't anything to be down about and then, before I know it - the feeling is back. I feel discouraged and sad. I feel like it is a spiritual attack and it just keeps coming. I get a bit of relief and then WHAM! Here it comes again. I cannot pin point the trigger, there are many little things that send me back down. I know it doesn't make sense but I just cannot knock it. It is a little cycle of being fine one minute and on the verge of tears the next. I didn't want to share this on my blog, for fear of making you all feel sorry for me or that my life is in turmoil. I didn't want to bring you down. My life is great, my spirit is just fighting to stay fine.

I find the energy to stir myself out of this dumpy spot and then it returns. I don't know what more to do. I am just drained and ready for it to be gone!

I find myself in a moment with the kids or such and think - this would make a great post. But then it passes and I find the blue cloud returns. I cannot think of anything cheery to say or share. I am desperately trying to climb out of this bad feeling, but I cannot find my way out. It isn't a helpless feeling, just down. Just blah, just nothing. Just sad.

Wednesday Hero

Staff Sgt. Richard P. Ramey
27 years old from Canton, Ohio
703rd Ordinance Compan, supporting the 82nd Airborne Division
February 8, 2004


Richard Ramey always knew what he was going to be. Once, while in the third grade, his teacher asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. His response? "I�ll go to war and fight" Concerned by his answer, his teacher called his mother, Julie Ramey. She told her "No, that's my son".

SSgt. Ramey was killed when insurgents attacked his and other convoys in Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

"Richard loved to do his job. No matter where it would take him," said his mother. "He really felt deeply that he wanted to protect people that couldn�t protect themselves"

In a statement released through Fort Knox, the Ramey family said, "He was adventurous and smart, combining both qualities in what he did for the Army. We knew his work was dangerous but also knew he wouldn�t have wanted to do anything else".

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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September 11th

Remembering those we lost six years ago! I can still remember the moment (I was at work)! I remember turning on the tv shocked that such a horrible thing could happen in our country. I remember feeling sick, amazed, scared, helpless, overwhelmed. I remember the chaos! I remember the awful scenes on the news. The pedestrians covered in soot! It felt like our country was forever changed in that moment! Today I remember!

I also remember the heroes. The brave souls running INTO the burning buildings, the brave souls fighting for their lives in Flight 93, the people applauding the firefighters during clean up. The feeling that New York was in my backyard. Then there were the crashes in Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. I remember feeling America was one!

My prayers are with you if you lost loved ones. My prayers are for America to never have such a horrific moment on our soil again! My prayers are for the soldiers, over seas, making sure we remain safe! My prayers are for another day of peace! My prayers are for the children, who are still trying to make sense of this!
photo by Reuters
God bless you all and God bless America!