Weekend in Columbus

I took last Friday (Jan. 27th) off from work and drove to Columbus to spend the day, night and Saturday with Jawan and family. Friday was Stuart's 30th birthday, so he drove over from Atlanta, we all went out to dinner together, and he spent the night and played golf on Saturday with Mitch and Mitch's dad. It was a wonderful weekend of togetherness and loving on those grandkids. Luke is 6 weeks old and growing so fast; Andrew is 21 months and gets more precious every time I see him. I have tried and tried to post a picture made while there but have been unsuccessful. Another thing Jawan will have to walk me through. ha.

Yesterday was a great day at church. We got six new members!!!! We had 18 new members in 2005 and already have six for 2006. WOW! The men of our church had a chili cook-off after service last night with 12 entries. In addition to a Grand Champion, we had 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners as well as honorable mentions and good sport ribbons. ha. The chili ranged from very mild to "on fire" and even had a white chili concoction, which I really liked. In addition to the chili, we had hot dogs, cole slaw, fruit salad, corn bread, crackers, chips, and a table full of wonderful desserts. Needless to say, I went home "stuffed." I am so excited about all the good things that are happening at our church - God is blessing abundantly.

I had a call from Angela this morning asking if I could take Emily to school as she and Meredith were both sick. They both had a night of throwing up, etc. - just hope the other three don't get the bug and that the two of them will be ok soon. Today was to have been Angela's first day as a full-time para-pro at school, but she had to find a sub. What a way to start a job. ha.

I still won't know what my assignment at work will be until next week. My younger boss and our paralegal left and went to another firm, and he was the one who generated most of my work. My older boss' wife is having surgery in Jacksonville, so he will be out all week. Since he is the managing partner of the firm, we will have to wait until he gets back into the office to make decisions. Until then, I'm just floating around helping wherever needed.

As for me personally, first, I ordered new glasses and prescription sunglasses week before last from the Walmart Vision Center. When I went to pick them up, the regular glasses were not right. They adjusted and adjusted but never got them right. However, I took them and promised to try to wear them to see if maybe they just took some getting used to. NOT!!! They are going back when I get home this afternoon. The sunglasses were fine, but a lens fell out. They're going back also. Secondly, I had Lowe's come out and measure my house for new carpet and flooring in kitchen. I have to go by there to pick out carpet and kitchen flooring and get an estimate. Marcus told me at church last night to let him know what the quote was before I gave them the go-ahead as he has a friend who can probably do it cheaper. Third, Wayne told me at church last night to bring my car to him this Friday afternoon and he would fix the rest of it on Saturday. Whooppee!!!!! Fourth, I'm on the Valentine banquet committee and am in the process of working with the other two ladies planning decorations and activities. Hopefully, we can get it together by Feb. 11th.

That's it for now. Until next time, I love you Steve, Angela, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart!!!! Mom.

Following orders

I've been directed by Child #2 that I need to update my blog, so here 'tis. I've had a good week at work - kinda slow as younger boss is tying up lose ends getting ready to go to another firm at the end of next week. So, he hasn't generated much work. Older boss doesn't have much of a case load and doesn't generate much either, which left me at times with nothing. Anyway, it was a good week and ended on a wonderful note.

Angela and I attended the Gaither Concert at the Civic Center on Friday night and got home around midnight. It was wonderful - artists included Bill and Gloria Gaither, The Isaacs, Booth Brothers, Signature Sound, Jesse Dixon, Linda Randal, Russ Taff, Ben Speer, Anthony Berger, Ivan Parker and The Easters. I think that's all. It started at 7:00 p.m. and was over at 11:00.

Since I didn't get to keep Emily overnight, I went out and picked her up after lunch today and kept her until about 6:30. Naturally, she didn't want to go home. ha. She and I went to Lowe's, and I'm getting new flooring of some sort. They are to call me tomorrow or Monday to set up a time to come by and measure. It will depend on their measurements and what they quote me on wood flooring vs. carpet as to what I'll decide to get. I'm leaning toward new carpet but will let you know about that later. I've decided it's time to do a few things inside my house, and this is one that is really needed.

Just keep me in your prayers about my back - it still hurts unless I take Ibuprofen (for which I am so thankful). I'll probably make an appointment with my doctor this next week to see if she can tell me for sure why it still hurts, i.e. did the jolt when the chair flipped out from under me activate the arthritis that showed up on the x-ray, or is it something else. Just need to know for my own sake.

As I've said before, tomorrow (Sunday) is my favorite date of the week. I look forward to being in God's house with my Christian family. I know ALL of my children plan to be in their respective churches as well, and that makes me feel so blessed. I love you Steve, Angela, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart!!! Mom.

Mid-January update

Gee, time flies when you are having fun! We had our missions conference at church this week (Sunday morning through Wednesday night), and it was wonderful. We had national missionaries from Chili, Bahamas, Korea and Mexico. The one from Chili couldn't speak any English and had to use an interpreter, but boy did he have energy. I was truly blessed and inspired to do more for my Lord than before. I grew up Southern Baptist and will be one of those for the rest of my life. ha. However, since accepting the pianist position as Trinity, I'm having to conform to some of their ways (Independent Baptist), i.e. not participating in the Cooperative Program but rather supporting missionaries direct. Hopefully, the same result will be achieved - many coming to know Jesus as their Savior.

I am on Cloud 9 for another reason this week as well. I can see God answering my prayers for my son!!!!! He took a big leap this past Sunday and went to Sunday School for the first time and stayed for church service - all at First Baptist Jonesboro. He has called me twice this week and we've had wonderful conversations about victories and defeats. Thankfully, he's had more victories than defeats. I am so thankful that he has determined to change some things in his life in 2006. That can only be done with God's help, which he knows, so I'm excited to imagine what else God has planned. He's not where he needs to be just yet, so I must keep praying.

Angela was offered a full-time para-pro position this week at the new Hand in Hand preschool where Emily attends. She has not made a decision yet whether to take it or not, which is another prayer concern. Meredith, Ethan and Emily are all in public school now, so maybe this is what God has planned. I'm sure she and Steve are praying about it and will make the right decision.

Jawan had to have another root canal this week, bless her heart. She's been in pain with that tooth for at least two months, but they couldn't do anything about it until Luke was born. Hopefully, it's fixed for good and she won't have anymore problems with it. Those things are expensive!!! I feel an urge to make another trip up her way to hug and love on those two precious baby boys. I'll work on that.

My youngest boss gave notice this week that he is leaving our firm at the end of the month. I know that doesn't make any difference to any of you, but it will affect me. I still have my original attorney that I love working for, but his work load is very light as he is one of the owners of the firm and delegates. ha. So, I'm sure I'll be assigned another attorney as well, which will mean changes for a lot of us. I'm just praying it will all work out smoothly.

Guess I'll keep Emily (and maybe Meredith and Ethan) overnight again tonight. That is our usual Friday night routine - spending the night eating, watching movies, playing on the computer, playing games, playing the piano, singing, etc. I have a list of "to dos" for tomorrow that will keep me busy most of the day if I follow through. I'm looking forward to a great weekend!! Hope all of you have one, too! I love you Angela, Steve, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Jawan, Mitch, Andrew, Luke and Stuart!!!! Mom.

January Marches On

Here it is the end of the second week in January. Wow! It will be Christmas again before we know it. Must start my shopping. ha. Guess that can wait a bit as I am busy with other things right now. This has been a wonderful weekend. I kept Meredith, Ethan and Emily overnight Friday. We went to Arby's and ate and then to Blockbuster where I purchased two used Play Station 2 games for Ethan's birthday (which was Saturday), bought three movies (buy 2 get 1 free), and rented two movies to bring home and watch - March of the Penguines and oops I've just had a senior moment and can't remember the other one (it was a cartoon movie that Emily chose). Anyway, we had a good night watching the movies, chatting, eating, etc. Then, on Saturday, I took Ethan home (did I mention it was his birthday!) and Meredith, Emily, Grannie and I went to see Nikki's baby. Got home about 5:00 p.m. Grannie went home, and Meredith, Emily and I met Steve, Angela and Ethan at Pizza Hut for Ethan's birthday outing. So, it was a busy day but a good one. Today, of course (my favorite day of the week), was wonderful as well. Our missions conference started at church, and we had two missionaries this morning (both nationals; one from the Bahamas and one from South Korea). Tonight, we had three: one from Seoul, Korea, one from Chili (that could speak NO English and used an interpreter), and the other from Mexico. We will have services Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights with more missionaries from other places. I am on schedule to help prepare the meal for Tuesday night, so it looks like it will be another busy week.

I just got off the phone a minute ago with Lora. She called just as I got home from church just to check in and chat and let me know that Brian is flying in on Wednesday to try to wrap up business details. She sounded good and is such a sweetheart. I pray that she and Brian will be able to take care of most if not all of the matters relating to their mom's and dad's deaths. I know it's not going to be easy but God is good and will see them through.

Oh, I got the most wonderful call from Stuart today. I knew from his voice that he was in a good mood, so I asked about his day. HE NOT ONLY WENT TO WORSHIP SERVICE BUT ALSO WENT TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!!!!! Praise the Lord. My prayers are being answered. Of course, he said the devil tried to talk him out of it but he was strong and went anyway. He says he plans to go again next Sunday. Oh, only another mother can know how happy that makes me. I just know God is going to answer my prayers and use Stu Bug in a wonderful way IN HIS TIME!

Today is Mitch's birthday and I failed to get him a card in the mail; therefore, I must call and see if he had a good day.

Nothing else to report just now. Will update again in a few days. Until then, I love you Angela, Steve, Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Mitch, Jawan, Andrew, Luke and Stuart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gami.

2006 Is Here!

Today is Sunday, January 1, 2006! Can you believe it!!! It's always exciting to me to start something new, so I am excited about the new year. It has been a wonderful day - I love it when the 1st day of the year falls on Sunday. I love being in God's house, and what better way to start the year off than worshiping our creator and redeemer. After all, every good gift comes from HIM, and I have been so blessed with good gifts. Three beautiful children, two godly sons-in-law, and five precious grandchildren. I have a home, food, clothing, job, friends, church, etc. etc. etc. - what more could I want?! I'm about to cry so better move on. I brought the new year in last night at home all by myself. I stayed up and watched the ball drop in New York and then went to bed. That doesn't sound exciting to most, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was safe, not out spending money, and enjoying a quiet time asking God's blessings on me and my family for the coming year.

Yesterday, Grannie, Marge and I all made a one-day trip to Columbus to see Baby Luke, as well as Andrew, Jawan and Mitch. We only stayed about three hours, but it was a wonderful visit. Luke slept the whole time we were there, and I got to rock Andrew to sleep for his nap time. Andrew had a new haircut that was absolutely precious, and Luke had gained a pound since birth. They are both so cute - just wish I could see them more often. Anyway, Grannie, Marge and I had a great time chatting in the car there and back, and we stopped at a roadside stand on the way back and bought boiled peanuts and tomatoes. I was the chauffeur. ha.

I talked to Lora Gale tonight and got caught up on what's going on with her. She has moved into a cottage apartment, and Brian and Heidi will be coming home in about a week to try to wind up some business matters. My heart goes out to them all with this being the first Christmas without either parent. Lora seems to be coping ok, but I will keep her in my prayers.

I have the day off tomorrow and plan to do some cleaning up in the house. Having been gone a week and a half when Luke was born and then having Christmas, the house went with no attention. It's raining tonight, and I don't know what the forecast is for tomorrow. Guess it doesn't matter since I'll be inside most of the day anyhow. My back still hurts but is much better than it was. This past Friday, I paid a visit to my brother-in-law, Tim, who is a chiropractor here in town and he adjusted my back and did an electric massage. It must have helped because I have not taken any pain medication today at all.

Happy New Year to all of you. I love you. Gami