I came into work this morning not expecting to hear the news I did. One of my co-worker's nephews was killed in an accident sometime this past weekend. I am not sure of the exact age, but I think he was around my boys ages. Just breaks my heart. Last week, my daughter's classmate was killed. Another friend who had friends lose an 8 or 9 year old son a few weeks ago in a sledding accident.A month ago, two babies died in Albany, from accidents.

No one really expects children to pass away so soon. I know I don't. I just always think there is time for them to grow and learn and experience life. But like I have said before and you all know, we are not promised to live until we are 75 or 80 and watch our kids have kids. If we actually make it that far, we are truly blessed. I celebrated my middle son's birthday this past weekend. He had some friends over and just had a really good time and not once did I stop to think that this may be his last birthday with me. And it's not to be morbid, but just honest.

Then I got an e-mail this morning again, reminding me to just stop TELLING people I love them and show them by my actions. (John 3:18) And then God tells us to bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the the Lord.

And through all of this I am reminded that it is our job, MY job to teach my children what God expects of them too. From day one actually, we are to let them know that not only do we love them, but God does too. We can't hold back on teaching about Jesus to our kids because we think they may not be ready or mature enough. They may not fully understand some of the difficult concepts, but kids know truth when they hear and SEE it. And it's up to us to show them.

We spend alot of our time making sure our retirement is in order for when we get old, that our kids make straight A's so they will get into a good college and make lots of money (I am guilty of this.....), that they have the best of friends, play all the sports they can ( again, me....) and just get as much of life there is to offer. And not that any of those things are bad, because they aren't, but I wonder do we make just as big a deal about the spiritual lives.... we may not have as much time as we think...

My heart really breaks for all these families. It really does because I cannot imagine losing my kids now. BUT and I know alot of you hate to hear it, God works in everything.. good and bad and we have to just keep praying.

With so much sadness in the world, it's hard to find positive sometimes but I really do pray you can. The weather is beautiful, God is good and has given us another day to do His works... lets not waste it.... until next time , Lord willing....

"The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." - Psalm 37:23-24


Remember those who are hurting right now, those who may not have jobs or homes to go to, those who have no food to eat, those who just need a friend. Be blessed and always be a blessing!! Until next time, Lord willing....

Yesterday, my daughter lost a classmate. He was a Senior at AHS, going into the military after high school so I heard. He had just bought a car and was at a car wash when someone pulled a gun on him, robbed him, took his keys and then shot him. As I looked on Facebook, and listened to Bri on the phone talking with some of her friends, needless to say, they were all in shock and very upset. As was everyone else that knew about it. It's one thing to steal from someone, but to take their life...well, it's senseless.

So I talked to Brianna about it, trying to see if she was okay and maybe if she had any questions. She really didn't, but her FB status said it all: " RIP Robert, this shows you that you can never take life for granted. Make sure you tell your loved ones you love them."

I don't think that any of those kids thought up until that point that they would not make it to see their high school graduation. I don't even think as adults, as much as we say it, really believe that this may very well be our last hour. We live like we have all the time in the world to make things right and honestly, we really don't. The time is now to make sure that we have done everything that God wants us to do. This life we have, it's not ours, it's God so lets not waste it. Let's seek to really fulfill the purpose God set for each one of us to have.

As I dropped Bri off at school this morning, I saw the kids walking in, most dressed in black as a remembrance for Robert Purvis. My prayer is that they all remember this day and from this point on, start really showing kindness and concern for each of their classmates. My prayers are with the Purvis family today.


Until next time, Lord willing...

: ))

I am a basketball mom. Some days I love it, some I could really do without. The coaching on our team has not been the best and I have had my issues with the coach. But through all of that, through the girls always telling us how they really don't want to play with her anymore, the parents have tried to tell them that no matter what anyone says, you all are a team and you have to stick together... then things will change. And with it being a girl's team.. well, you know how it is when a bunch of attitudes get together... chaos all the time! So the whole season, the scuffed through, only winning 2 games in the region the whole season but even with that every teams STILL gets a chance to play for a spot in the region. So... last night we are up against a team who has won WAY more games than we have, but our girls are pumped! They told us before the game that even if they lost, they were gonna play hard, together since it might be the last game of the season.

Last 10 seconds of the game, the other team has the ball and our girls literally did something they have not done ALL season... they played defense and stole the ball. Lisa grabbed it, took off down the court and made a perfect layup. WE WIN by one point sealing our spot in the Semi finals this week AND State Playoffs next week! I had one of those head rushes that you get when you drink something cold really fast! They talked to each other throughout the game, if someone made a mistake, you could see them saying to each other " its okay, lets get back in it", and not letting the other people phase them or make them take their eyes off the prize. Just a little encouragement....

It was a good night for them. I pray that you all are having a really good week. It's not Valentine's Day anymore but I hope you are still showing encouragement and telling the people in your life how much they mean to you. Until next time, Lord willing be blessed...

OHHH and just in case you missed the clip on the news, our boys and girls are featured in it from last night.. It's Albany High, we are at the end of the clip and you will even catch a few glimpses of my baby, # 40 : ))

http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=14029623

I think at any given time, a person can be pushed to their breaking point. And what you may think is yours, may not be mine and vice versa. I also don't think that God wants us to stand around and let people run all over us. I just don't. I mean doing good and what is right is what we are commanded to do, but letting people use is going a bit far right? Last night was it for me. I told you before, I don't handle stress well. I make no bones about it. When I am mad, I am mad. Case closed and I pretty much don't want to hear anything else. I get from Tony and a few people who have been around me when this happens how I need to "calm down" and all that jazz, but it's funny, cause when it's them, they are not listening to "calm down" from me. And then from my anger, cause that's what it is, things just start to flow out of my mouth. Not things I would normally say, but they do. Not good.I just don't like people trying to or even thinking that they are getting over on me nor do I like the feeling of being used so why bother.

and THEN I got on Facebook this morning and a friend from church posted this verse:

Proverbs 15:1-3 - "A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. God doesn't miss a thing— he's alert to good and evil alike."

UGHHHHHH .........as much as I don't like to do it (cause I like defending myself if I have too) sometimes, it's just better to say " ok" and move on and not let it fester. God expects us to show Christlike attitudes all the time, not just when things are working in our favor, but even when people tick us off. I still honestly don't think God wants us to be doormats, but He probably does want us to handle every situation like Christ would. I gotta work on that, cause truthfully, that's a hard one for me. So, I am glad David posted that this morning, I sure needed it as a reminder that it is STILL not about me and to let God handle His business.

Relax, release...... it's going to be a good day. Our Region basketball tournament starts today... GO INDIANS AND SQUAWS!!! I love you all, and until next time, be blessed!

Valentine's Day... ughhhhhh

I don't like Valentine's Day, never have to be honest. I cannot tell you how ill I get at Christmas time when on one aisle, you have Christmas decorations and on the other, Valentine's candy. I mean really??? It doesn't get more commercial than that to me. One day that folks run out, to buy candy and cards to tell that person "I love you". I would personally like my significant other and friends to be telling and showing me that everyday and not just that day. I like flowers, cards and texts for no reason and not just cause other people are getting them. I liked to know that I am loved, even when I may not be so lovable....

So instead of being negative this morning (cause I felt it coming) I got on the computer, read some devotions and came across a verse in Isaiah 43 where God was talking to the people of Israel. Even though they had done things that were not pleasing, God said to them:

"Don't be afraid. I made you and I will take care of you. You are mine."

Just like those candies that the kids are passing out today with all the little messages on them, God says " You Are Mine". Just like the people of Israel, we are disciplined when we do not do what God wants us to do, but even through that, He loves us unconditionally. Not because we happen to be good on one day, but just because. There really is no greater love (or Valentine) than that.

Make sure you are showing Christ's love everyday, to everyone. I really do love you all (and not just cause it's Valentine's Day). I hope you all have a wonderful week... it's going to be a real busy one for me.. Until next time, Lord willing....

So of my many pet peeves, the one that is really close to the top of my list is getting advice from people who think they have all the answers but have no clue because, well frankly, they haven't been through anything. Like kids.... I love my non-parent friends dearly, God bless 'em, but please don't give me any advice on how to raise my kids until you have your own, been through some of the issues I have and have the scars to prove it. I don't need or want really to know how you would discipline (cause all kids don't respond to the same discipline the same way) or what you would say because you never know until you get in that situation. TRUST ME. And that's just one example, I have many many MANY more, but that one just recently happened so it was stuck in my head.

Not that people who have not dealt with the same issues cannot be there to listen to you when you need it, because they can and actually should be. I think that many of us just find it easier to talk to people about our issues who have actually traveled down that same road before.It just tends to ease our burdens to know that someone else went through the same thing and came out on the other end okay.

James 1:2-4 (from the Message) says "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

And then once you face those trials, God says in 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

See, those hard times we face, even though it doesn't seem like it at the time we are dealing with them, have a purpose. When we get to the other side of our problems, we can be there for others who are going through the same thing. That doesn't mean that you have all the answers and that their situation will come out like yours did or didn't, it just means that you can be there for them the same way God was for you. You know, like Pam says "be blessed and be a blessing".. that's what God wants us to do.

I love you all and until next time, Lord willing....