A Moment in the Life of a Hill

Oh Happy Day..When Jesus Washed Her Sins Away!

2012-01-08T21:11:00.002-06:00

I am one happy Momma tonight..My baby girl asked Jesus in her heart. She had been asking questions for a few months and I kept putting her off to make sure she knew what she was doing. Her little conscience has been working and she has been distinguishing between right and wrong for sometime now and kept asking when she could do what she needed to do to get saved and baptized. After a Sunday School lesson this morning from her wonderful God-sent teachers, her heart and mind were working hard. She realized in Kindergarten that she had broken a commandment and that she had sinned against God. This made her very sad. We talked about how Jesus loves us and died for all the sins we would commit. The conversation ended..or so I thought. I wanted to make sure SHE was the one that asked to pray the prayer and SHE initiated it. I had went in the bedroom and her she came..tears in her eyes and said..”Momma I want to do the prayer and get saved today.” I said alright God, I hear you..I bent to my knees in the bedroom floor with her. Her little heart was so tender, so pure, so childlike just as the scripture says we all should be. She prayed the sinner’s prayer and asked the Lord to save her. We were both hot messes crying and I asked her where she would go if she were to die and she said HEAVEN! After wards, we went to her Sunday School teachers Mr. Jason and Mrs. Joy and she shared her news with them. They were elated and shared in the tears. It gave her the opportunity to ask more questions and I was glad they were there to help a little. Brylee thought it was really cool that her name was NOT in the Book of Life this morning, but it was this evening! She was very concerned and hoping that Jesus spelled it correctly..Mr. Jason told her, “Baby, He knew who you were before you were ever born..I think He’s got this!” After calling grandparents, great-grandparents, great uncles and cousins, she is just so happy. She said, “Momma, I can’t quit smiling, I am so happy!”

I am thrilled to know that she will spend her eternity with the One who created her. When we dedicated her when she was 6 months old, I knew that we were giving her back to the Lord, for Him to lead her, guide her and let her choose to follow Him in her own time. Many prayers have been prayed and the Lord’s hand has been over her life from the very beginning. I know He will continue to guide her and I can only pray that she will always seek and follow Him..never be ashamed of the gospel and never sway from that faith she has at this moment.

I am thrilled to know that one day she will see my Mawmaw..my Grannie Guinn, Kenny's grandmothers, and others I have longed for her to meet. I am thrilled that when they talk about mansions and streets of gold that she will have one of those and walk on those as she meets all the people she has learned about Sunday after Sunday.

We will meet with the preacher this week and hopefully schedule her baptism soon..she is one eager beaver about it..

Shouldn't we all be that excited to share what the Lord has done for us?! I think so..lesson learned from a 6 year old..

And finally..a verse I came across today for Brylee..my sweet baby girl..I pray this for you..and for you to realize just how special, loved and adored you are, not only by your Daddy and I, but by the King of King..Lord of Lords!!

"The King is enthralled by your beauty, Honor Him, for He is your Lord" ~Psalm 45:11

Happy Saturday

2011-10-15T20:01:00.003-05:00

This has been a sad week in Scottsboro..a dear precious family lost their two month old baby this week. It was sudden, tragic and unforseen. However, our Father knew this would occur and knew that Sara Grace would spend some time here being loved by her wonderful parents and then join Him in Heaven. I simply can't imagine what they are going through or how they are feeling..but I pray that they feel God's unending grace heaped upon them now and in the days to come!

We have spent the day doing pretty much nothing..a few loads of clothes..playing with the kids and now watching ballgames. LSU dominated Tennessee.."Good old What???" HE HE..and Alabama is dominating Ole Miss..that means my hubby and my Daddy are two happy dudes..it is left to be said about Auburn..they are still playing as I type.

Kajae starts a new daycare Monday..and we are pretty darn excited. It is an in home daycare and he will literally be across the street from me! His babysitter is also Brylee's SS teacher and Brylee used to attend her daycare center, so she is pretty familiar with us. That always helps!

I am in total love with both my babies. We stay so busy these days..Monday, Tuesday and Thursday..Brylee is playing either soccer or softball..church on Wednesdays and ballgames on Friday..our week is just packed! Wanted to include some pictures of my kiddos since Kajae has yet to make the blog. One day I will do a post about his birth..just for documentation of course! About to head to the bed..Sunday morning comes early and their will be some very excited 3 year olds waiting on me in the morning!

Yes, I still know my password to this site! :)

2011-10-12T19:39:00.003-05:00

Wowzers..I have so neglected this blog and I hate that! So much has happened since November..We moved to a new house while 5 months pregnant. (That wasn't fun, but we had some wonderful friends come and help us! I had a second child..Kenyatta Jabbar Hill II (Kajae), and Brylee graduated kindergarten. She is now in first grade and Kajae is 5 months old..time flies!!! She is so smart..got her first report card today and had all A's..and a 100 in math?! I know she doesn't get that from me at all!! Kajae..laughs, makes sounds, blows bubbles and is rolling over. He begins a new daycare next week..it will be an in home daycare and we are very excited about that! He is such a pleasant baby, sleeps in the bed by himself and pretty much all night. He lights up the room with his radiant smile and contagious laughter!

I am teaching a preschool class at church for Sunday School..and they are so much fun! I remember Brylee at 3 and I can't wait to see Kajae at that age! Brylee is in a class on Sunday morning and Sunday night where she is learning scriptures and doing Bible drill. We are thrilled about that! I can't wait to see what God has planned for her and her life! As long as she glorifies Him in all she does, I will be one proud mommy!

Kenyatta, numero uno, is the new head boys' basketball coach at EHS. I am so proud of him! This is something he has desired for a long time and put in his time as an assistant coach. People have asked me if I am ready to be a head coach's wife..and all I can say, is bring it on! I learned a long time ago, that a coach can't make everyone happy at the same time..there will be someone unhappy no matter what. All I can say is I know this man, and I know that he will have every player's best interest at heart at all times..So..yes, I can't wait for basketball to begin!

Okay..that is a rough catchup, and I promise to do better..there is sooo much I want to record and keep up with through the blog..so remind me to come back!

Shutterfly

2010-11-23T12:02:00.004-06:00

I am so excited to tell you about a sweet deal I have come across. Shutterfly is offering a deal where you blog about them and receive 50 free Christmas cards..how sweet is that????
We had the best Christmas cards last year! We used Shutterfly and received so many compliments on our cards. I simply set the camera to shoot and then shipped them to Shutterfly..in a few days they were back and ready to mail! It was so easy and they were sooooo nice. Here are a few things you can do on their site:

I am so excited to show you this site and hopefully introduce you to a new place to order your cards. Their work in the past has been extremely wonderful to me and to a lot of people I know who have used them. Last year, I had waited until the week of Christmas and I received my cards in time to mail out the day before Christmas. We made ours "New Year Cards". It was different, but worked just as well!

The possibilites are endless, and you don't have to just use them during the holidays. You can do birthday invitations, cards, thank you cards etc. Please go on over to Shutterfly and check out what you can create! Have fun and I hope you enjoy!

I almost forgot to mention, this year, I received a wonderful catalog with all that they offer. It was great to have the catalog in front of me, so I could circle exactly what I wanted for this season!I can't wait to order my cards and I love that they are offering this sweet deal!!! Merry Christmas Shutterfly!!!!

Baby Hill #2

2010-10-02T20:56:00.002-05:00

Today I am 8 weeks and 3 days pregnant..we have officially announced it on Facebook..but I wanted to do a blog to commemorate this special time. We have wanted to have another baby for a while now, but things just kept coming up..mainly (not coming out)..as in my snot! LOL..I started having issues with my sinuses and was just miserable most of the time..I stayed on antibiotics and could not get well. That resulted in sinus surgery in August 2009. I got a little better, but was still sick and had to have it again in March..this time it healed and everything seemed better. So, we decided to gquit taking birth control..and let God's timing happen. It worked and in September, we had a positive pregnancy test. I thought I might be, just because I started feeling super tired. I tested positive two days after my first missed period.

We feel extrememly blessed and do not take this blessing for granted. I fully understand this is a gift from God and we are super excited He is allowing us the opportunity to raise another child. Brylee and Baby #2 will be 6 years apart. Some may think that is a little crazy to have them so far apart, but once again, I believe God's timing is perfect and I know it will be just fine. I feel like we have had the opportunity to give Brylee our undivided attention in all her "firsts". She is excited and will be a great helper with this baby.

Please join us as we continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby!

Our baby's first picture....

A Recipe for a FUN Night!!!

2010-07-30T20:24:00.004-05:00

So, Brylee LOVES playing in the water..any water..including the waterhose. Tonight she decided to spray Mom and Dad's car. I thought..let's make this worth it..and so..what is the recipe for a FUN night???

First you need a

Second you need a

Third you need

and THEN you have one HAPPY little girl!!!!

Parties and a Prayer

2010-06-27T16:15:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a day of parties..Brylee had two birthday parties to go to and we had a ball at both. The first one was a sweet, sweet little girl..Victoria..her daddy and Kenny coach together and it was her first birthday. She had a ball. Many family and friends were there and they had an awesome spread of food. The kids played and she opened presents..it is amazing she is a year old and next week she will be welcoming her baby brother into the world..I know they are so excited..Babies are such a blessing and the thought that God trusts us to raise, nurture and teach them about Him is amazing. The miracle of life is so wonderful and it never gets old!

The second party was for our long time..(well, 4 years) friend Jake..Brylee LOVES Jake. They have been at the same daycare together since Brylee was about 14 months old and is probably her longest friend that she still talks with almost daily. Just yesterday I watched as they both were helping eachother and taking care of each other at the party. I have a feeling it will be one of those friendships that doesn't come along often. He is the sweetest boy and we enjoyed his party so much! Great water slide, pizza and cake..it doesn't get much better than that!

I have been following Haley Castille on Facebook since she was tagged in some pictures that a mutual friend was tagged..this girl is awesome. She is married to former Alabama football player Simeon Castille. She has a heart for God that is contagious. If you were not a believer before you met her, I bet you would be after. She just listens to Him and says what He would have her to say. One thing she has posted really spoke to my heart...

You can't fix people. You can't force them to trust God, have faith or live right. All you can do is PRAY. That's your most POWERFUL weapon! God wants ALL the credit for moving in their lives, so usually He won't move on them until you start PRAYING. Try it. It works every single time.

This is so true..often times I have tried to fix people or try and make them do what I think they should do. Have I prayed for them? Absolutely..have I prayed my heart out for them..and just allowed God to work without me interfering? Nope..haven't done that..I always try and do something to help the situation or make it better. Thank you Lord for using something so simple as a Facebook status to remind me that you are in control..NOT me..maybe not my timing, but YOUR timing..Lord, you know my heart, you know my desire and I pray that you will continually remind me that YOU got this..you don't need my help!!!

Brylee "The Fish" Hill

2010-06-24T22:22:00.003-05:00

Happy June 24, 2010 to you all..the day that Brylee learned to swim! We are beyond thrilled..she has been swimming in the shallow end forever but was terrified of the deep water..well, today she did it..she even jumped off the diving board and swam to the opposite end of the pool! Just call her a fish! I know this is something she has been wanting to do for a while..and I am glad she learned! All the swimming we have been doing lately..I knew she would catch on quick..She has swim lessons next week and we will still go so that she can "perfect" her new trick! Just wanted to share our good news!

LOL..Love Out Loud

2010-06-22T10:03:00.008-05:00

Brylee and I started last year trying to think of good deeds to do for people that we normally wouldn't do. I have heard of people paying for total stranger's meals and baking cookies for the mailman. It was so hot last summer, we thought about our trash men..in fact, I do believe I blogged about it then as well. We have wanted to do it this year too, but the first two weeks, we were not here, so we finally got to do it this week. It is so fun to sit inside and watch them get out, read it and "think" it is trash, but then realize it is for them when they read the sign. My Uncle Chris had read the post on Facebook..and this is what he said about it..kind of fitting..I thought!

LOL...Love Out Loud! I John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Actions speaks louder than words...Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven

So..what neat ideas do you have that you do to show Christ's Love?

Since it has been so hot, we swim somewhere almost everyday..it is the only way to stay cool..today we went to one of Brylee's favorite places..Ryan's house..she adores her..so much..I think it gets on Ryan's nerves sometimes, but she is so great with her..and we just love spending time with them!

I hope you are finding ways to stay cool on these hot days..we are also renting movies almost everyday from Redbox, watching Free Willy 2 right now..very good movie..at the beach..since we cannot be right now!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T19:24:00.015-05:00

I love Father's Day..for a couple of reasons..it is always in the summer..it honors the men I love most and it is just so special b/c of the men I have around me. I have been blessed to have been brought up in a Christian home..my family is a Christian family..(not perfect)..but saved by grace.

My Grandfather is a preacher and has always strived to be what God would have him to be..He is definitely older now, but I still love going to his house and seeing what new animals he has inherited or bought..Brylee calls it the "chicken house"..or "goat house"..whatever the Trade Day was selling for the week. He has got a little more laid back in his older years..I love hearing stories about how Daddy and his siblings didn't have tv until they were grown and couldn't go to movies..still don't know if Papaw has ever been to a movie or not..but he loves his satellite tv!

It is obvious he is loved not only by me..but by his great-granddaughter!
He wrote a poem many years ago..I am blessed to have a copy of it and I wanted to share it with you all..it's very appropriate since he was remembering his daddy in it..

Lord, It's Me Again

I guess it's only natural as the years pass away to think about our childhood and the things of yesterday; to think about our homestead, the place where we were born, it may have been a palace, or a humble little farm. Our roof could be leaking or the floors rough and bare, but it didn't seem to matter long as Dad and Mom were there. I know that you remember many things that make you glad. And I especially like to think about my boyhood with my Dad. I remember how he'd wake me every morning before the day, and sometimes I'd be so sleepy, I'd wish he'd go away. But then he'd sit down by me and put his hand upon my head and say, You'd better get up son, that team's got to be fed. And then as he was leaving, I'd always hear him say; "Put your hand upon us Lord, and keep us through this day." And somehow those words would stir me and sleep from me would fade. So I'd grab my ragged britches and the shirt my Mom had made, and we'd head out toward the barn. I can almost see us now, and Pa would feed the horses while I would milk the cow. And then when we would finish, he'd quietly skip away to a spot down on the hillside where he seemed to like to pray. Sometimes he'd sit down on a log or lean against a tree, but usually as I recall, he'd get down on one knee. And how I still remember the tingle on my skin as Dad would always start his prayer with, "Lord, it's me again." Twelve years have passed and gone since Daddy went away. I still miss the things he used to do and say. But I guess he's mighty happy in that new home he's found, with all the angels singing and saints close around. And someday I'm gonna meet him in a place taht's free from sin. And it's all because my Daddy prayed, "Lord it's me again."

The next man important in my life is my Daddy..wow..can't even begin to describe him, but if you know him..you know why..he is so special to me and so many other people..he is the rock of our family..the one thing that is always constant..you KNOW you can count him. He loves all of us so much and is the epitome of what I think God was talking about in the Bible as he described fathers and how they should be the head of the household. It takes a great person to sacrifice everything that he has to help and provide for his family..that is what my daddy does and has always done! I thank God that He chose Mickey to be my father and to raise me in a loving, caring environment where I knew God came first in our home! You are an amazing Dad and an amazing Poppa!!! We love you and thank you for everything!

Brylee has another grandaddy she cares for deeply. She lights up when she sees him..and they love to mess with each other. He is always joking with her and she loves to try and trick him too! I remember when Brylee was a baby, he wouldn't hold her because he said she is "too small"..it used to crack me up! He has always been a hard worker and provided for Kenny growing up..I thank him for raising such a wonderful son!

That brings me to the next man in my life..Kenny Hill..what a wonderful husband. He is a provider, a comforter and an amazing dad to Brylee. They sure share many loves including animals, bugs, sports and games. She loves her daddy..he encourages her in all she does and loves to play with her. If he says something..she believes it with no doubt. Kenny is a wonderful father, he always goes above and beyond to help with Brylee. I often hear others complaining about having to do "everything" at home..well, that is simply not the case at my house. Kenny helps me out so much..we have a true team going on. Sometimes I think back to how much I loved my daddy growing up and I can see the same love between Bry and her daddy. She knows he is her protector and provider..I pray she loves him and through that love she learns the love of her Heavenly Father!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL MY FATHERS AND TO THE MANY OUT THERE IN YOUR LIVES!!!

Say YYYYES to VVVBS...

2010-06-18T16:43:00.005-05:00

I was missed! Thanks Laura for noticing and missing me! ;)

Day 5 of V-V-V-BS is over..it was a great week with 45 professions of faith (last I heard). Tomorrow will wrap it up with our Special Education VBS..it is a great way to end it all..and I receive a blessing each time..those adults love some Jesus! Probably the way we all should! I loved all week..at first very few children prayed..and then by the end of the week in our prayer time..they just prayed their hearts out and the wonderful requests..and God even answered a few during this week..they were super excited to see He listened and He cared! My own child, this week, has ventured out of the "scripted prayer"..and begin asking for things that are really important to her..I just love how God works in little ones hearts and opens them so that they can learn true trust of Him!

We had a great family night..and even saw a few people ride the mechanical bull..like the world's best children's director..

and I don't say that lightly..I have never seen a children's department so organized and eventful as ours. She loves what she does..loves Jesus and loves children..it is obvious..and I am so glad God chose HBC for us to be apart of and raise Brylee to know Him better!

Not only did some of the kiddos ride, but Dr. Mynatt, our pastor, stole the show with his riding skills. It was a great night and wonderful way to wrap up the week.

I took Brylee on post last week and she got to see Elmo and friends up close. She has really outgrown Elmo and Sesame Street..but she still smiles when she sees or hears him!

Brylee had her last day of preschool/daycare today and is now a summer bum until August 23rd..when "big" school begins..THAT will be a post in itself I am sure! Until tomorrow..or something interesting happens..have a good night!

What a Break

2010-06-17T21:38:00.005-05:00

Wow..call me a slacker if you will..I just haven't had the "want to" to blog..no reason..just unmotivated. I know I have missed so much I could have blogged since December..but I do realize what a wonderful way it is to remember things and I love my blog book...so, I will start now and catch you up a little at a time...

We had a wonderful Christmas..God was just as good as He always is to us..we were totally blessed. My grandmother had been in the nursing home and got to come home..it was definitely a blessing as well just for her to be there..she had been through so much.

Soon after..we had a very UNEXPECTED surprise..SNOW!!! Yes, it snowed here..it never snows here! That, however, was our last time to see our precious..Meeko..he soon passed away and is now living in Heaven. He spent a many years with our family..and is missed everyday.

Spring Break and testing all came and went very soon and we were out of school in early June..it seemed like forever but thank goodness..it did come!

We have hit the waterparks and swimming pools, had basketball camp, VBS and Brylee's 5th birthday recently..here are a few pics..and I promise to update you all much better from now on! If any of you are still there! LOL

Uncle Petey

2009-12-09T06:01:00.001-06:00

Heaven is a little sweeter this morning..Uncle Petey went to be with the Lord about 4am..it was quick and no suffering..Praise the Lord. We have lost a great member..one that will not be replaced but simply more on the other side..I can imagine my sweet Mawmaw's face when she saw him. What a blessed reunion! Remember our family in the coming days! Thank you for following this journey and praying for him and us! My blog friends and facebook friends have all prayed from the beginning..and I thank yo for that! Thanks for the cards you sent..may God bless you all!

A True Scattered Blog

2009-11-07T21:44:00.003-06:00

SEAUX...(SO)...we are still LSU fans and will always be even with that loss tonight. I will be the first to say congrats to the "other" fans, but would seriously love to see the outcome of a game where we had different refs. It was all in fun and we had a blast! We went to Hank and Kelly's for a LSU/Bama party..LSU was outnumbered, but we represented in the house quite well..all that obnoxious talk from Kenny C. and Lee was a bit much though! (just kidding)

Kenny H. on his 32nd bday enjoyed himself in T-town..even if his beloved tigers lost.It's just a game..right?

Here is what Brylee and her friends did during the game...

We had some great food and fellowship!

So I am now at home..and listening to the Lynda Randle special on Gaithers..not a huge fan of southern gospel..it definitely holds a place in my heart..and brings back so many memories..and like to listen from time to time. She just got done singing "One Day at a Time"..that was my Uncle Tommy's favorite song..it put him on my mind tonight..he's in such a better place for sure, but definitley missed here!

I don't think I have shared Brylee's soccer pics yet..don't laugh..I took a picture of them..didn't feel like scanning..so you see flash..but at least they are on here now..right!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T17:32:00.008-06:00

And for this year..Brylee was Hannah Montanna!!!

She bought this costume a couple of months ago, and was in love with it..even until Halloween, but for some reason the wig was bothering her..so for the most part of the day, she just wore the outfit. We had a great Halloween. Her preschool party was that morning..it was a lot of fun..with games, food and a hayride. It was scheduled for a field, but due to rain and pretty cold temperatures, it was relocated in the gym of the methodist church. It turned out great..here are a few pics...

After that, we were supposed to go to our church festival, but Brylee started not feeling so well, sneezing, coughing, runny nose..even her eyes looked weak, so, she took a much needed nap, and slept right through it. By nightfall, we prepared for our trick or treaters, and she enjoyed opening the door and passing out candy. After about 5 times, she decided she wanted to go herself..it was freezing outside..but she really wanted to go. Kenny bundled up and took her up and down the streets of our neighborhood..since it was so cold, she wore her LSU cheer dress (which she already had on as we were cheering the tigers on), black pants, LSU jacket, hoodie and gloves and headed out as a cheerleader, I guess. She had a blast!

I, on the other hand, enjoyed greeting the goblins, angels, super heros and ladybugs of the night. I have always liked giving out the candy and once again was a hit this year..A couple of kids ran away saying.."Wow, she gives out so much candy!". Our first year in Daphne, I ran out of candy and had to give out the next best thing..freezer pops..kids were yelling.."That is a cool house..they give out freezer pops!"...I love it..hope you all had a great Halloween!

Halloween Memories

2009-10-27T15:10:00.002-05:00

Halloween Memories

While I don't have alot of memories, I do have a few..I remember times where I was dressed up as a pumpkin, a Barbie bride, farm girl with pig tails, in pajamas as Pippy Longstocking, camo girl, and this....

I have NO clue what I was supposed to be..I think we just created some kind of character with what we had..This was probably by far the worst costume I ever had. I remember having "Halloween Parties" at church..I know now they are called Fall Festivals..and I do think that is more appropriate, but back then, no one seemed to mind that it was the Halloween party that we did load up on a hayride and tour the local cemetary! LOL...we also did fun carnival games with apple bobbing, fishing for prizes, chili meals and all the fun involved in carnival games! It was always fun and I enjoyed trick or treating with the local children in the neighborhood!

Now, Brylee has about 3 or 4 carnivals with church and school and we usually trunk or treat at one of them. A very neat concept where the kids walk around to different cars and get candy instead of going to houses on Halloween night. We still, out of tradition, hit the neighbors up that we know around here. It is so much fun. I am sure that one day when Brylee writes her own blog, she will decide that her Momma choosing for her to be a corncob was the worst costume ever! Pretty cute if you ask me..b/c her Poppa was a farmer and she was his "crop"..get it! LOL

She has also been a dragonfly...

a set of grapes....

a pirate and a butterfly..she was going through an indescive stage...

AND THIS YEAR WE WILL BE ________________________________. I will post pictures after Halloween! Be Safe!

Brylee is in Preschool

2009-10-25T13:42:00.000-05:00

I am finally getting around to writing a blog post about Brylee's first day of preschool. We have a great little preschool here in town ran by a couple of ladies. The actual preschool has been around since the 1930's if I am not mistaken. It is called Miss Eloise's and is ran by her daughter now I think. We have a few preschools here and were told as soon as we got here to get Brylee on a list. Ya'll when I say this, I am not kidding..babies are put on these lists as soon as they are conceived. When mommy is making the phone calls to the relatives to tell them she is pregnant, she also calls one of the preschools that are so good around here. I waited until last October to call and put Brylee on the lists. We actually have a half and half program as well..which is half children with disabilities and half general ed population. Actually before all was said and done Brylee was in all of the programs but due to scheduling and the fact we were in this one..we decided to stick with Miss Eloise. After being with Ms. Gwen for a year, Brylee is well developed in the areas of colors, shapes, letters, numbers etc. So I feel like she started preschool with a little advantage..we are so grateful for that! Maybe just maybe she will continue to learn and be more advanced for kindergarten than usual. She loves coming home and telling us all she does..one night we listened to her play school and she was the teacher..they open the day with "This is the Day", pledge, weather, calendar etc. She got her first report card and had earned 10 stars. In her category of things to work on was "listening to teacher"..and "taking responsibility of her own actions"..not surprised at all! Brylee loves it and gets picked up by Ms. Becky or Ms. Ashley and heads to see her other friends at Freckles and Curls. She gets the best of both worlds! I wanted to share a few pics from her first day!

Our Miss Kim

2009-10-16T16:43:00.004-05:00

I wouldn't even know where to begin telling you all about Miss Kim..she came into our lives when we first moved here and has played a major part of it since then. She works at Brylee's daycare and Brylee has adored her since the beginning. When you move to a new place and know no one..it is hard. If you haven't ever did that..trust me, it is hard. I have often talked about how with each move we have made, God has always provided. In every are of our life. He truly knows our fears, our wants, our worries and our desires. Not once, have I ever worried about childcare. It has always seem to fall in place and I have no doubt that Brylee has received amazing childcare in our moves. She continues to receive it and loves all her teachers, but we are saying goodbye to one of them. Miss Kim has decided to move to California. Today was her last day and Brylee's BFF Jake's mom and I gave her a little going away party. It was so cute, b/c most of the kids really didn't realize it was a going away party and sang Happy Birthday the whole time! Brylee and Jake (who have been with her the longest) understood she was leaving..especially Jake..he didn't take it well at all..he wouldn't have anything to do with her..and Brylee just loved on her. It's amazing how children are so resilient and I am sure they will both be just fine in the long run..but you can tell they both just love her!

Kim has been a vital asset in our family since moving here. She has been our babysitter, house cleaner, transportation and just there when you needed her for whatever reason! She probably knows Brylee just about as well as we do if not better sometimes! I remember one morning that we all woke up late, and were of course panicing..Called her and she got up, came and got Brylee ready and took her to school for us. She has been called spur of the moment many times and is always willing to help. When we put Brylee at Miss Eloise's for preschool, we knew we needed someone to be able to pick her up and take her to daycare for the afternoon..she so graciously agreed to do that everyday. Brylee loved having her to run out to and tell all about her day. She is a very special person and I know she will do great things in her life. We are behind her 100% and hope she knows that if it doesn't work out..we will be here if she comes back..and we do hope that we will get to see her again real soon! (so plan a visit Miss Kim) I know that wherever she goes or whatever she does, she will be a bright spot in some other child's life..I just hope she doesn't forget us because I know we will never forget her!

"How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to."

What a Weekend

2009-10-12T10:02:00.011-05:00

What a weekend we have had..didn't do a whole lot, but sure did enjoy having my parents around for a great weekend of football and relaxing. They arrived Friday night and Brylee was truly excited! She just loves when they come because she knows it will be a great weekend and she can "almost" get away with anything. ...and she knows her Poppa is sooooo silly! We got up and got ready for her commercial at church. Our church is doing a Christmas commercial and Brylee was one of 20 children picked to audition..she did exactly what we expected she would do..clam up...and act shy. She usually does that at first, but once she is warmed up, you can't hush her! Oh well, if she makes it she makes it, if she doesn't she doesn't, no biggie! After that, we all had breakfast at Waffle House and then a trip to the pet store. Poppa was attacked by the bunny rabbits, and Brylee hated to leave..all enjoyed it! The rest of the day consisted of football..although our tigers didn't win..they played better than I had expected against Florida. Of course, at church, Bro. Dewayne got in his "Go Gators" and looked right at us..that was a low punch from a pastor! LOL It is all fun and we enjoyed the game either way! We got up on Sunday and had a great service and lunch! Here is a picture of my wonderful parents and Brylee...I think she loves them as much as I do! On Friday, Brylee's preschool went to the park to see the firetruck and get a lesson on fire safety..I was amazed at what all Brylee told me..she told me about the fire detectors, if a door is hot, go another way..don't go back in for your sisters or brothers, call a fireman, crawl out if there is smoke..etc..I am surprised at how much she paid attention to them! Here she is the morning of the trip. I do want to leave with a video of our precious baby girl singing!

2009-09-25T12:52:00.000-05:00

Our niece Adria is the new Homecoming Queen for Scottsboro High School. We are so proud of her and honestly, I knew from the jump she would get it. She just has the best personality and is beautiful at that. I hate we didn't get to go in, but Kenny went for the ballgame and to see her. I know he was really upset we were at home when we found out she won, but I am glad he got to go on. So CONGRATULATIONS ADRIA!!!! You really deserve this honor!

My Mawmaw

2009-09-23T13:58:00.001-05:00

Here is a picture from our recent trip home..I can't even begin to describe how sad this picture makes me at first. This was one of the last times my Mawmaw was super healthy when we were at home. She was admitted to the hospital on Friday of last week and by Saturday evening the doctor told the family she wouldn't make it very long and that if I wanted to see her, I needed to come up then. I went into immediate panic mode. Kenny was in Troy working concessions for the basketball team and I didn't know when he would be back, so I called him and told him the situation. He was transferring money and would call me right back. He called and we talked about the best situation for us and Brylee. I had since then talked to mom and they had placed Mawmaw on a ventilator and she was stable. We decided it would be best if I just went on up and seen her and if something happened, they would come later. While I waited on him so I could leave, I called our good friend Karen to come wait with Brylee until he could get here, b/c I was just wasting precious time..She was so gracious...dropped everything and came..we are so blessed to have friends as this! I left about 6 and was there in a few short hours. I walked into the hospital and tons of people were there..which made me think of how bad she must be. The nurses let me go back even though it was past visiting hours since I had just got there. She was asleep ventilator breathing, tons of cords and swollen pretty bad. Went home to mom and dad's for the night..couldn't sleep at all..woke up on the hour every hour..so much on my mind...how a pretty much healthy lady last time I saw her could get to that state so fast. Sunday was pretty much the same, but on Sunday evening when my cousin went in and came out crying really got me...he saw her awake..and it was a bit much. I, too saw her awake and told her she would be fine, and she just shook her head no and tears were just falling. I left the hospital that day knowing I would probably never see her again alive and well. That ride home was so long and I just cried, screamed, prayed and begged God to just not let her suffer. I know without a shadow of a doubt that her next step beyond this earth would be Heaven..She is a saint of God...and the ones that would hurt would be us left behind...but I didn't dare beg God to keep her in the state she was in..I gave it to Him..it was all in His hands! When I hit Troy turning on 167, Daddy called and wanted to tell me good news.."Mawmaw pulled her ventilator out"...and I am thinking what kind of good news is that??? She was talking, vital signs good and doctors said she was just one step ahead of him. Ya'll, her hands were tied down!!! It is still unknown to us how she even grasped to pull it, but she did..my uncle's status stated there are angels among us..and I truly believe there are! That is all it could of been...she spent a couple of days in ICU after that and has moved to a regular room and will hopefully go home in a few. She is back to her funny self..she is funny I tell you! I am just truly in awe of Gods' Amazing Grace that He once again has shown in a miracle in my life. He wasn't ready for my Grandma..and He healed her!!! NO DOUBT about it! So many people were praying and prayers were being answered one by one..literally..I can think of several specific prayers and they were answered just like that! So, here is a picture of my sweet Mawmaw and Brylee last time we were out there picking tomatoes! Can't wait for Christmas..Mawmaw's favorite time of the year!

Praise Be to Our Great God..All the Great Things He has Done!!!

2009-09-21T07:51:00.000-05:00

Hey..I want to update more tonight..when I have time..but want to THANK YOU all for praying this weekend! They were definitely heard and answered..I will fill you all in later..just know my Mawmaw is a strong little lady and God wasn't finished with her yet!

Prayers for my Grandmother

2009-09-19T10:07:00.004-05:00

This is a picture I snapped the last time we were home. This is my sweet grandparents. Papaw was blessing the food at a reunion dinner..and I thought this was such a sweet shot. They are the epitome of love! They have been married over 50 years..I believe last January was 60 years. They are so sweet to each other and their love for each other is a total complimentary relationship! When he is down, she is up, when she is down he is up. As they get older, it is hard to be up with health problems and certain setbacks, but they are always so concerned with each other. Right now, my Mawmaw is down. She has been very sick for a few days and was admitted to the hospital last night. She has a bacteria that attacks your intestines after being on antibiotics. It is a very scary situation especially for an older adult. Right now, I pray that you will bombard Heaven with prayers for her and for those taking care of her. Pray for her body to completely heal and for her to feel better soon! Pray for my Pawpaw as he worries about her and pray that he gets the rest he needs to take care of her and not wear himself down. Pray for my Daddy and all the aunts and uncles that will be staying with her. Thank you all in advance! What would I do without my prayer warriors?

2009-09-16T12:40:00.000-05:00

So..thanks to Kelly at www.kellyskornerblog.com I found this neat site called Picasa..look what I did to this picture..it is awesome..kinda like a generic PhotoShop! LOL..I just adore the two people in this picture!!!!

Geaux Tigers..all the way to Seattle!

2009-09-12T20:54:00.018-05:00

When Kenny surprised me with a trip to the first LSU game..I was very excited. It wasn't until a few days later I realized the trip would require us getting on a plane to travel there. This is something I have never done before..not that I wouldn't, just never needed to. I was a little skeptical, nervous and even had tears as I talked to my dad before it took off, but totally agreed to do it especially since people do it all the time...right? Kenny and I decided to head out to Atlanta on a Thursday at midnight. Our plane was leaving at 8:30 Georgia time. We got there about 2 hours early as I had heard of the many horror stories about people in an airport. We went straight to the parking lot..straight to get boarding passes, straight through security and had a good 2 hours to wait for loading. That was a breeze..what were these people talking about? Once we were on the runway, I took my dramamine..just in case. The plane was small to me..3 seats and aisle and 3 seats. When I went to the bathroom, I saw first class and wondered how I could score a seat up there? Humm..it looked much more comfortable to me. We really enjoyed our flight and the fact that the head rest in front of me had a tv that included a channel that was a moving map. It showed where we were, how high we were, ground speed, tail wind, how long until we got to our destination which in our case was Seattle Washington...

Taking off, landing and turbalence, was by far the worst part. I had took us plenty of snacks and we were served 2 times on that flight. When we arrived in Seattle, we went to get our luggage. We saw some very beautiful scenery on the way. It still amazes me how our God..my God made it all and to fathom the beauty of it just settles the fact that He is in control of it all. My Daddy has always said his two favorite places to see the work of our Creator is the beach and from the air...I couldn't agree more!

Their airport was not near as nice as Atlanta's. We were pretty impressed with it. Very clean and very quick. We waited a good 20 minutes on our luggage in Seattle. Once we finally got it, we headed to find our rental car. We were supposed to get just a small car, but were upgraded to a Ford Escape and when given the option of a GPS or not, we took it. I have used one with a friend before, but pretty much knew where we were in Dothan. That thing was the best thing to have in Seattle..a city unknown to us! We typed in addresses, points of locations, and were immediately led to our destinations. It was amazing! When we got our vehicle..we headed to the Burgermaster..a restaurant recommended by our friends Hank and Kelly..it is a version of Sonic...but MUCH better..great burgers and great shakes! Total recommendation if you ever come across one.

Our hotel which was in Bellevue was really close and we headed that way. We always try to stay where the Tigers are staying and so we were ready to get there and join in the festivities. On Friday night, we wen to downtown Seattle and walked around the campus. Very bizarre..if that would have been any campus in the SEC, there is no way we could have parked and just walked around..NO WAY..there were absolutely no campers, no security and no fans anywhere. In fact, until the game, I was beginning to wonder if there were any Washington fans in Washington. I can't tell you how many times, we were asked "What does L..S..U mean?".."Are you here for a game?"..."Did you win...(remember the game was not until Saturday)".."What are all you LSU fans doing here"...it was crazy how football is not that big of a deal there. When we got back to the hotel, we sat around in the lobby/restaurant area and had a good time with fellow tiger fans. One of the things I love about LSU football is that whenever you go places, you may not know anyone, but if you have the purple and gold on, you are welcome and you feel like you have known eachother forever.

On Saturday, we headed to downtown to get the feel of Seattle. Our first stop was the Space Needle..you go up 500 ft and you see ALL of Seattle and the surrounding areas. It is beautiful!

The campus was beautiful and had a lot of older buildings that were just majestic! The stadium sits right on Lake Washington and many boats were pulling up for people to get off and enjoy the game..

Once we were in the stadium, it was pretty amazing. The people were so friendly and were just amazed at how many fans we brought. They said we brought more than Oregon does when they play them! AMAZING ya'll...I guess it is true when they say.."Ain't nothing like the SEC baby!"

We ended up winning and all was good. We got back to the hotel really late and we were really tired, knowing we had to get up in about 3 hours to head to the airport. We had to be on the airplane at 6 am. Once we got there and got the car checked in and made it through all the security, boarding etc..we were cutting it close, but made it! We flew home on a much larger plane and were seated close to the back. Still didn't become a fan of flying..but it was okay..just okay! Thank the Lord for watching over us and and once again letting me know He was the Pilot and in control!

Uncle Petey Address

2009-09-11T09:13:00.002-05:00

New Address:

Uncle Petey has a new address and I wanted to share it with you all...he still smiles when he receives a card from people. He has been on a long, tough journey, but our family has confidience that God is in control and will see him through it all! Thanks friends!

Kindred Hospital
c/o David Whitehead
709 Walnut St.
Chattanooga TN 37402

We'll Just call this FESS

2009-08-18T20:39:00.002-05:00

While I would love to blog about the first day of Preschool for Brylee..I won't b/c my picture thing is still not working! It is so aggravating..my computer is blocking it for some reason..so when it gets fixed..expect me back full force.

In the meantime..I will blog about my sinus surgery..Fun Huh?

Oh yea...FESS stands for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery..here we go....

I have NEVER had problems with sinus until this February and I got an infection that just wouldn't quit. My "sinus history" in these 5 short months consisted of multiple round of strong antibiotics, steroids, steroid shots, breathing treatments, inhalers and constant headaches. I stayed sick! So..late summer, while at the beach, I was awful and decided to make an appointment with an ENT in Dothan. He put me on 28 days of antibiotics straight to see if it cleared me up. It did! The CT he performed showed no infection, but a crazy growing nose. He explained he could put me on some decongestants and nose spray to keep the flow moving and everything unswelled..that seemed like a plan, but my next question through his plan in the toilet. I asked him if I could still take all that and be pregnant? WHY NO..he said..why are you? I told him no, but our plan was to have another one soon. He then explained my only option was surgery then..b/c this problem wasn't going to fix itself..we were just going to deal with it which is something we couldn't do if I was pregnant. So surgery was discussed and planned. I met that day with the hospital staff and ended up registering for a LONG 3 hours..the wait was hideous, but as always I found a little old couple who were just great! They talked and talked..made the hours fly by! Something about doctor's appointments, hospital waiting rooms and old people just go together..I made sure the surgery date would be a date Daddy would be off. It was and he agreed to come help with me and Brylee..Not that Kenny isn't completely capable..but we would have had to made so many arrangements for her that day and stuff. It just worked out and was great. On the morning of, we headed to the Medical Center and I was a nervous wreck. My heart was racing, my stomach was hurting and I was in complete fear! I knew God was in control..I trusted my doctors, I was just plain terrified. After we got there, we quickly were called up to the 2nd floor and were in the "outpatient waiting room". Our names were called then and we were escorted to a room with a bed, tv and chairs..it seemed like a kid room because it had sunshines and houses painted around the top. We waited and we waited..in hospital gown ready..just waiting...I heard a little boy crying so hard.."Take it out Momma..Take it out!" assuming he meant his IV..Daddy explained to me that they normally take the children and older folks first..well..I am a child! So we got to wait some more. A funny knock came on the door which I thought was probably the doctor, but was pleasantly surprised it was Bro. Dwayne from church. I know that is his job, and I know he probably does it for everyone that is in the hospital..but he will NEVER know how much that meant to me to see his face..at 6:30 in the morning..he cared enough to come say he was praying and checking on me..it made me cry. I lose it. I cried when Nikki brought food, I cried when Kelly brought brownies. I cried when Daddy had to leave..I cried when Kenny asked me what I wanted to eat..I was just emotional over this..people are truly good..they care and they care about you..It means so much in times like this.

After he left, we waited some more. They did bring me some phenagren and loratab. I was hoping for a bit more of the "don't care" meds..but that never happened. Finally when they came to get me, they separated me from my Diddy for another "holding" period. Geesh..I really wish he could have come with me, but he couldn't. They took me to a room that seemed to me like a meat market where they hang the meat..It wasn't cold, just a lot of patients lined up. Side by side and head to head..thank goodness there was a sheet separating us. I could hear the conversation of one older lady..and she considered herself a "redneck". I remember her saying, I bet you don't get many of us in here do ya?..the nurse said, many of you?? Yeah..rednecks she said. I mean real rednecks. Grew up in the country and don't have much. The nurse just laughed. I was definitely in and out, but remember the sweet lady who started my IV. I never felt a thing..she put some great numbing stuff on and then put the IV needle in..it was great! She informed me I was only getting fluids though..still no happy medicine! The anesthesiologist came and talked to me a couple of times and informed me I was next at one time, but he was wrong. He apologized and said "this case" may take a little longer..so just rest. I did..until each time the nurses came and asked me the same questions over and over again..my name.my birth date..my surgery..my doctor..who's with me..every time a new one came, they asked me the same questions..security I guess..but definitely annoying!

As the anetheseologist nurse came over to finally tell me she was about to give me something to make me relax, I decided I needed to pee..I had been watching patients walk with a nurse and their IV's to the bathroom..so I knew it was possible. She said I need to go before I get the "don't care" medicine..I went..the sweet lady who took me was so worried about me showing my backside..I wore a huge blanket to the potty with me..she was very southern and ladylike..I really didn't care to be honest with you. Most of the people who would have looked wouldn't have remembered..and the others have probably seen worst. I got back to the bed..and no nurse to give me meds. I waited..again..and finally she said it's time. What? No meds? So we rolled back and I remember seeing about 6 tvs posted on the wall and all of them had different surgeries going on at that time..that again was a little freaky, kind of like that meat market thing I talked about where they just rolled you in and we all just kind of hung there. Again, great for security purposes I guess..but kinda weird. They put me on a table that was half my size..and the lady made the comment this was a very small table..so hang on..yeah right! Wrapped me in warm blankets and had my arms pretty much tied down with them. A very sweet lady was talking to me and saying how they were going to take such good care of me and she would be with me every step of the way..that made me smile..the anesthesiologist told her to hold the mask tighter on my face..and that was it..I don't remember anything else until I woke up in recovery. I don't remember much about recovery..seemed like the same holding place I began in..but don't know if it was or not. No pain..just my nose burning. She asked if I was ready to go to my room and keep waking up, I said sure..I was then rolled (man, they roll you fast) to my new recovery room. Alot like the very beginning room where we waited..and then my Godsend nurse Lusinder came in. She took care of me like I was her baby..she gently washed my face and cleaned me up. She said if I was her family, she wouldn't want to see me like that..so she gave me water to rinse my mouth out in the (basin)..I hate that word..it is like throwup or vomit..gross gross gross!! What came out was NASTY!!! I apologized to her for having to see it..and she just laughed and told me I was fine..(this lady will be receiving a sweet gift from me next week)..she went and got my Daddy. He came in and talked about how well I looked and was doing. Short of the recovery..it lasted about an hour..a few saltine crackers, sprite and a diet coke for Daddy..I wanted to stay longer just because I was comfortable..but the nurse told me I could possibly get sick the longer I stayed and had to drive home..so IV was out and we were gone. Again, a fast ride in the wheelchair which burnt my nose and down the elevator we went. The lady was wearing money which means it was her birthday..so since I was feeling pretty good..I had daddy tip her..she was excited. We headed back and made it just fine to Enterprise. THANK GOD!!! Recovery hasn't been awful, but it hasn't been a piece of cake..I finally realized that the pain meds is what was making me feel so lousy..once they were over, I began to feel a little more human..Tuesday was the first day I drove..(I didn't tell Kenny I was..he was not happy when he got home and discovered it)..I only went to Wendy's and back..and it was very overwhelming..today was better. Kenny has been WONDERFUL throughout all this..I can't lift anything over like a phonebook..so he is pretty much on duty around here at all times..not one complaint..I just love him!

Daddy stayed a few days and was a big help..Kenny and Brylee brought me flowers and a balloon, Holly Hill sent flowers, Nikki T brought the best roast I have ever eaten in my life, Kelly M. brought brownies and I was just amazed by the many prayers I saw on Facebook for me! God's grace and promises truly shown through this week..

Tonight is Tuesday..and I am headed to work tomorrow for the first time..I kidded that I STILL get butterflies/jitters on the first day of school, so instead of doing that, I just had surgery! Nah, I hated it worked out that day, but I am so glad I will hopefully not be dealing with as many sinus infections this year!

Happy 1st day for me tomorrow!!!

Hold your Loved Ones a Little Tighter

2009-08-01T20:34:00.003-05:00

I am very sorry I have been missing..I haven't felt like blogging due to a crazy gliche in the computer that is not allowing me to upload pictures..and I feel a blog is just not complete without pictures. I love taking pictures..and I love when I can share them. I was hoping to share some great pictures by Stephanie Jordan..but due to the crazy rain situation that didn't happen..it was supposed to rain the whole week and I don't think we hardly got any rain! I so hated to cancel, but we will be rescheduling maybe for some fall pictures. She is so talented and I can't wait to use her. We have been in Scottsboro for the whole week and have loved every minute of it..we have got to spend some great quality time just loving on family..something I think everyone in Scottsboro has done this week..it has been a tough tough week for our small town.

We headed home on Sunday and all was well..until I recieved a text from my dear friend Misty asking me to pray for her cousin Ian who was in the hospital..and not doing good. In fact, he was on life support and it was not looking good. I was pure devastated as I knew him and love his family. His brother Justin graduated with me and used to be my "boyfriend"..as Misty reminded me at the funeral..LOL...we were like 10 or 11..so I don't think that counted! Nontheless..great family and so sad to hear this. I immediately went into prayer mode and asked many of the prayer warriors I know to pray. Whatever the situation, it didn't matter..this was a great guy who has a pretty awesome little boy and my friend was hurting over her cousin..so prayers were going up!!! Unfortuanately, he did not make it and passed into Glory with our dear Father on Tuesday night...the funeral and visitation was on Friday and I went with Kerry..it was a very sad time and an unexpected time, but was so happy to see so many "young" people there to pay respects and support the family. It truly showed how much he was loved. I haven't seen or heard from him in a while other than on facebook or myspace..but have fond memories of his smiling face..and I can't help but smile when I see pictures of Ethan, his son, smiling..b/c Ian's smile is always going to live on in him..during the funeral, Heath Tate sang and did a wonderful job on Amazing Grace and I Can Only Imagine...such fitting and beautiful songs and for that day...with the assurance of Ian's salvation..it was even better...I cried..but I smiled too..I was just wondering if he was bowing, standing, falling or kneeling before his precious Savior? It is always hard to lose a loved one and I have said before, if I could bring my grandma back, I would in a heartbeat..but I know I can't and I know that she is in the place we long to be someday with our Savior and King and that makes me happy and I know it does Ian's family too!

I want to ask you to continue to pray for Ethan and his mom Lauren..she is such a special person to me and I just love her spirit..she is such a strong lady and she has been given the blessed responsibility of raising Ethan..and I along with so many others..know she is doing and will continue to do a fantastic job! He is blessed to have her as Mommy!

On Wednesday, a local man was hit by a car as he was training for an Ironman Triathalon...such a sad and tragic thing to happen..again this week. The dear lady that hit him..her life is changed forever as well..but I hope we all stop and realize it could have been us..it was an accident..a tragic accident!

It is so sad that things like this happen and sometimes are the only things that make us stop and realize just how precious life is and how important our family truly is..I guarantee we all loved a little closer and hugged a little tighter in our small hometown..it definitely makes you realize just how short life can be and in a rare moment how lives can change...Hold your loved ones a little tighter tonight and tell them you love them..you never know when your last chance might be...

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2009-07-20T15:17:00.003-05:00

Brylee called my daddy on the phone the other day..he was the last number..so she hits send twice and it calls whoever I talked to last..I wish I could say..she looked it up herself..but she isn't that gifted yet..give her time :)

Anyways, she called him and started talking to him..He asked where we were..by this time she was on her way to the bedroom..and she told him that we were in the shower playing! Ya'll I have never taken a shower with Kenny in front of her! Not even since she has been born..where does she get these things..When I was little, I did the same thing..the insurance guy called and I was by myself..and my parents had taught me to never say I was home alone..so when he asked for my dad..I said he was in the shower...he then asked for my mom..and I said she was in the shower too..and he said together? We had one shower..so I thought I had to say yes..he got the biggest laugh out of it..as he was a family friend and figured I was probably by myself..but Brylee was just flat out lying! How embarrassing!

Today..she was pooping on the potty..I asked if she was done so I could wipe her and she replyed.."NO, not yet..there is still poop in my butt!"

Last night..she was whining in her sleep..I asked her what was wrong..and she said "My stomach hurts"..I asked her to show me where it hurts..and she said "My stomach hurts on my elbow!" Lordy!

I hope you continue to read my blog..just remember I write this for memories! All of them! ;)

Happy 6 Years to Us

2009-07-17T15:37:00.023-05:00

Our actual anniversary is June 18th..but b/c I had started this post on the 17th..it dated it that way...just a clarification! :)

Who would have thunk it? As my grandma would say...that this little boy...

and this little girl...

would one day grow up and live happily ever after????

Well..today marks 6 years since I married my wonderful husband..I love him so much and so much more than the day we met..we have both grown as individuals and as the family we are today. I will never forget the first time we talked on the phone which was in 1995..who knew I was talking to my future husband..oh wait..I did! And he did too..since he gave his last piece of gum to "his future wife"..in the SHS lunchroom. Baaahaaaa! How silly we were..how in love we were! Who knew we would end up where we are now, at this time more 13 years later..as a family in this small town living our day to day lives..plain and simple, nothing extravagant, just making it on love and our love for the Lord Jesus Christ? I bet if you were to poll our closest friends and family several years back..they would say "Nah, they won't make it".."They have to much going against them". And if you were to poll them now, I bet they would say "I didn't think they would make it, but they have and they show what love is all about". I say this to you now and to you Brylee whenever you may read this...Love is not about all the frilly, good time, no trouble perfect world..Love is about the good, the bad, and the ugly! You love each other through trials and tribulations..you love each other when you think the other one is not lovable, you love when you're on the mountain and you love when you are in the deepest of the valleys. You love when you think the other has lost his/her mind and you love when they hold you tight and never let you go...Love is a choice..it is a choice to not be taken lightly, but it is a love like no other when you truly make the choice to love unconditionally. I will say..if God is not at the center and you are not trying your best to do His Will and His work in your life..it won't work..it might for a little while, but if you shut Him out, it is destined to fail. He is the 3rd part of the marriage..and without his love, grace and mercy, it won't make it.

Here is a picture of my senior prom..
Kenny and I have been through a lot and we have been a lot of places in these 6 short years..but I know each and everything we have faced and people who have been in our lives..have been there for a purpose..a season..a reason. As the old saying goes.."What hasn't killed us, Has made us stronger". Each time the door of opportunity has opened, God has already laid the foundation for our move and destination. Not once have we worried where we would live or work..each one has opened up. And I firmly believe that we were sent here for whatever reason...if it is only for the wonderful friends we have made and the church we love so much.

On that day we got married..it couldn't have been more perfect...so many people put in hard work and dedication to make it perfect for me..props/chairs being hauled from Scottsboro..men/young boys putting the columns/ferns up for me..the weather which was oh so beautiful and the distance so many of you drove just to come support us! Wow..looking back..I am surprised even 10 people were there..but not really, b/c that is just the type of friends God has blessed us with! I remember from that day so many memories..the night before..Kenny and the groomsmen were late to rehearsal..I wanted to cry, Kenny's mom wanted to pop his head off, Clifford showing up highly intoxicated..not even part of the wedding party..but he made his debut, it was rainy and hot, barely got to practice due to the sun going down. We had a great rehearsal dinner and an even more exciting night! Sitting on the beach until the wee hours of the morning with all of our closest friends. On the next day when the limo picked us girls up..I knew it was time..and I was about to become the Mrs. Kenyatta Hill..wow..I never dreamed we would be so happy! To have all my family there, well the ones who cared were there..and poor Kristi couldn't make it..but for a wonderful reason..Campton had just been born..To have our parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins/dear friends with us..was just amazing in itself. I have always loved the beach and I loved it particularly more on this day..b/c it stood for a gentle reminder of how great our God is..and that what He was bringing together was so special!

After the wedding, the reception was just as perfect. I think everyone enjoyed themselves..and if they don't remember, we have video to prove it! We all danced the night away and then Kenny and I retired to our condo until we left for our honeymoon the next morning...it was such a magical time and I will never forget that day or the joy that surrounded it!

Kenny, I love you so much and am so proud to call you my husband. Your father and mother did an amazing job raising you and instilling the importance of family in you! You put mine and Brylee's needs first and you are such a wonderful provider for our family! The kiddo loves you so much and I do too! The way you take care of her reminds me so much of how my daddy did with me..and you know how our bond is..and I can't wait to see how yours and Brys develops as well. Thanks for being the husband you are to me and the father you are to her. I love you on this day so much more than I ever have! Here's to many more anniversaries!!!

Pray

2009-07-15T21:47:00.002-05:00

Ya'll..I am not liking having to post more requests because of cancer! I am tired of this disease and I know you are too! I was devastated to hear of 2 more cases today!

This came from Stephanie Mason Johnson. Her daddy and my daddy are really good friends..and we used to run around ball fields with her cousin..here is what she wrote...Keep my little cousin in your prayers. Her name is Karissa Grider. A few years ago she lost her father. She has been under the care of my aunt for the past year because her mother is struggling with a personal battle. Karissa has been diagnosed with cancer. She is 17 years old. People take others for granted, but when it hits home it affects your whole family. Keep her and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Also, Kenny and I went to high school with Wayne Edwards. Just heard today his 2 year old son Christopher has been diagnosed with cancer. Please keep all of these families in your prayers!!!

Hill Hotel

2009-07-11T01:07:00.003-05:00

Just call us the "Hill Hotel and Bed and Breakfast"...He He! We have Kenny's cousin, Eugene spending the night with us tonight and my dear friends Tiffany and Rowan coming tomorrow. That means bed sheets will be washed for the next customer..kinda like a B&B. I will probably not post this weekend since we will be enjoying some quality time together, unless something crazy funny happens..which is very possible! LOL Have a great weekend..till we meet again!

Hope you are still praying for our friends..The Reeds, Kate McRae, Uncle Petey and my friend Kerry's Daddy "Doc" as we call him..he is having some lesions from his bladder removed next week. So many things to pray for!

Jackson

2009-07-07T00:09:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: There have been several updates posted on the caringbridge site. I encourage you all to go and read in Amanda's words..Some positive change and definite proof that God is working!

Praying for the Reed's tonight and I hope you will join me..they are going to Memphis tomorrow to St. Jude's. Pray for the doctors there already working on Jackson's case..pray for their guidance and directions..Pray for Bradley and Amanda that they will get the answers they are looking for and for strength to be the best Mommy and Daddy they can be for Jackson..pray for Jackson to have a calm presence when so much will be going on. Someone wrote on her page that the doctor's and nurses will be wearing cowboy boots before it is over! I love it! I remember last summer we were home and saw Amanda and the boys in McDonald's..with swim trunks, plain white t-shirts and cowboy boots! St. Jude will never be the same!

Seriously, as I have said before we think a lot of this family and can't imagaine what is going on in their minds..so please just lift them up to our sweet Lord tonight and tomorrow!!!

What did You Do for the 4th?

2009-07-06T00:11:00.008-05:00

While my posts lately have been for prayer requests..I feel a need for a little laughter! Don't get me wrong these prayer requests have been from the heart and have been heavy on my mind..I woke up at 5:30 this morning and just spent a few moments in prayer for Jackson, Uncle Petey, Aunt Mary Jane, Riley and Kate..such special people and here lately they are not getting dealt a fair hand..but we all know WHO is in control and they are all going to be used in a mighty way for His kingdom..continue to pray for movement in Kate's right side and for complete healing of the brain tumor, Pray for Jackson as they head to St. Jude's Tuesday..I pray that the Lord is already working those tests over and that he will be completely healed...and for Uncle Petey who is in the hospital..pray for wisdom from the doctors and for wisdom in which direction to go, I pray for Mary Jane who goes to an orthopedic surgeon to see what her plan of action is on her arm..she had a rough day yesterday..trying to do too much (Imagine that)..pray for her to be able to rest, slow down and let her body heal! Please remember Riley as well..I have requested prayer for her before. She is the 3 year old from our church with cancer..and her mom shows her inspiration and love throughout this whole journey on www.caringbridge.org/visit/rileystewart These people amaze me and the strength they show in such hard times!

Okay..my funny..we are trying so hard to teach Brylee about tact..she is really learning to speak her mind and sometimes it is just not appropriate..funny in a way, but if she wasn't a darling 4 year old..she might get the beatdown by someone! For instance her big thing is.."She's fat"...ya'll I know it is terrible and I really don't know where she got the "fat" word..b/c it is a word I don't like to use and have never really talked about anyone being fat..she doesn't want to eat certain things (even if it is healthy) and her excuse is "It will make me fat"..even if it is vegetables! Okay..so we were in Milky Moo's today eating ice cream and this lady came in and she knocked over a chair on accident..Brylee quickly says "She needs to watch where she is going"..to which I reply.."Brylee, hush up..that's not nice"..and she quickly says "WHAT MOM??? I didn't call her fat!" Will I ever make it? At least it wasn't as embarrassing as the time a lady came in Walmart with a scarf covering her face and Brylee said.."Hey look..it's Mary, Jesus' mom!"

Truly out of the mouth of babes! Hopefully someone tell me that this will pass!

I wanted to show some quick photos from 4th of July. We usually go home for this occasion to my Aunt Carolyn's and Uncle Jerry's..but due to a week long vacation to the beach right before it..Kenny practicing and a paper due from the both of us..we just couldn't make it this time..such a disappointment but we loved going to Ft. Rucker to check out the fireworks..we went 2 years ago when we were here for whatever reason and they always do a magnificent job. I love these pics of Brylee because she is in complete amazement..you can see the flicker in her eyes! And I got a couple of shots of the fireworks..there is just something about being on an army base on the 4th of July that feels right. I love it when the band does all the songs for the different areas..and people go wild if it is their department..we do on the marines because Kenny's daddy was a marine and the navy for his brother. Of course everyone yells on the army song..go figure! It is just amazing the things they people have done for our freedom and we enjoyed celebrating them this weekend.

On the actual 4th, we headed to friends to swim..they were out of town and graciously opened their home for us to "borrow"..we all had a blast! In case you can't tell, she loves her Daddy and so do I! I received the greatest compliment from a friend when she said You can tell she loves her Daddy and her Daddy loves her too".."Your family loves each other and it shows!"

Not only on this weekend do I thank God for my freedom, my salvation, and for living in America, but I thank him for my wonderful family..where He has seen us through..where He knows we are going and for a love that is so evident to those around us! We are truly blessed and thank HIM for it all!!!

Uncle Petey Update

2009-07-05T21:17:00.002-05:00

Update: Petey is in hville hospital w/severe infection...test tomorrow, brain echo, bone marrow, TEE.... the infection seems to be all over his body, but he has overcome more than this... continue PRAYERS

This was my dad's update earlier. Please pray for Uncle Petey..pray for all the tests that are being done, the infection to heal and for him to understand what is going on and get better! I can't imagine being in the hospital/care centers for that long..since early Feb. That in itself has got to be frustrating. As well for caretakers alike! I know we serve a God who is capable of all things and nothing touches us unless it goes by Him! I pray that He will do a mighty work in his life and perform a modern day miracle that surprises doctors and all who have been on this journey! Thanks for continued prayers!!! They are what keeps us all going!!

Please Pray

2009-07-04T10:06:00.001-05:00

Please lift Kate Mcrae up in your prayers RIGHT now!! This family stands in need of a God Miracle!!!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Jackson

2009-07-03T18:52:00.001-05:00

Jackson's mother has began a caring bridge page for the updates and treatments of Jackson. Please go and give advice, loving words and encouragement. Just let her know you are praying for this sweet, sweet family whom Kenny and I love so much! Thanks in advance!!

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonreed

Officially the Longest Post EVER!!!

2009-07-02T12:43:00.013-05:00

Please pray for Kenny's Aunt Mary Jane..she is in her 90's..and fell and broke her arm in 2 places tonight! Prayers would be welcome!

I guess this will be a catch up blog. Kenny, my parents, Brylee and I took a week vacation to the beach last week, and we had a ball! My friend Tiffany was supposed to come spend some time at the beginning of the week, but some communication errors occurred. When I say PCB, what do you think of? I hope you answered Panama City Beach…but my dear, lovely, wonderful friend Tiffany thought I meant Pensacola Beach! So when she let me know she was “coming for the day”, I thought wow, she is driving almost 3 hours for the day? Before she got too far, we fixed the problem. So sad she and Rowan didn’t get to come! Towards the end of the week, my parent’s longtime friends George and Ann came. We had a great time! Lots of food and quality time. I have several stories..one of when my biologist natured husband made a discovery..well, actually when we woke up one morning, my parents had been on the balcony watching something floating in the water resembling a fish/shark. When we woke up we looked at it. Daddy showed us “it’s” tail and Kenny had to go down to get a closer look. By the time we got down several bystanders were looking too. Kenny and 2 other fools..I mean guys decided to “check it out”. They all went into the water. There were some boys walking by and Kenny borrowed their goggles to get an underwater look. About 10 minutes later, the 3 Stooges (ring leader Kenny) decided it was definitely something with spots and probably a stingray or skate. During the discovery they ran out of the water and one guy about lost it when Kenny’s foot hit his leg! It was the funniest scene..but not as funny as the afternoon. Everyone was taking a nap and I decided to look from the balcony and the crazy thing was still there. And get this a man was picking up “it’s” tail and pulling on it!!! Wow..brave man! I put my flops on and headed down to check it out for myself. When I got there a young boy was standing right beside it so I asked him if he knew what it was and he said yea..(kinda in a smart tone)..it’s a boat anchor he replied. What, Excuse me a boat anchor???? He said yea again..(smartly). So I went out and looked..and ya’ll I almost fell out laughing! It was a boat anchor with a long rope hanging from it which is what everyone thought was the tail!

My laughter was short lived as the next morning I go beebopping down to the beach by myself and slip and fall down the wooden steps! I quickly did that graceful stand up and look around and I don’t “think” anyone saw me. It resulted in me spending the remainder of the day with foot propped up and ice applied. Kenny took advantage of that and had a little Daddy/Daughter time at GulfWorld which was fine by me! I like to look at an exhibit and move on..Kenny wants to stay and read all the words on the plaque describing it and telling me what he knows about each thing..I guess it’s that biologist coming out! After they returned, Kenny, Daddy and Brylee went go cart riding and had a blast! On the other hand we went back the other night..and Brylee and I almost died..I am serious! We were coming around the curve and this maniac driver hit us and sent us spinning which in return I lost control and then like 10 cars hit us! That guy caused a massive traffic jam and Brylee’s poor little head just kept a banging! She was not impressed with my driving and demanded we stop. So we stopped early! We went inside to the game rooms and Brylee (I guess she gets it from her Nanna) put in one token in a machine and hit the jackpot and won 300 tickets! I swear she is so lucky!

I had a midterm exam due Wed..so had to put in a little effort to complete it and it paid off! Big 100 for me! I was so stinkin excited to get that grade back..b/c admit it, it’s pretty hard to focus on words of any sort must less writing a paper when you are at the beach!

We had over 600 students staying in our condos. A youth group from Atlanta was having summer camp and they were everywhere! Before we knew who they were, Kenny and I had decided they were church kids b/c of the massive amount of one piece bathing suits..something about it just told us! Having this many people in a mass amount sure did have some inconveniences for us! The elevator being one..it stayed hung up the whole time..and you had to wait for almost an hour at some points just to get on, but the last night we were there was so worth waiting on an elevator. We were headed out and we heard singing. They had the conference area and it was jam packed with kids singing praises to our Lord! “Sing with me how great is our God” has a wonderful meaning to it all the time, but something about those kids singing it, hands raised all over the room and knowing we are at the beach where His power and mighty hand is so evident was amazing! Kenny and I just stood there and sung with them!

Brylee had a blast with her Poppa and Nenne and she slept right between them all 7 nights! It was Heaven for me! Not so sure about them! She is a wild sleeper! She made several friends while at the beach including Chloe, Brooklyn and get this Brylee! Yes, another Brylee with the same spelling!

I was so relaxed on the beach at one point that I fell straight asleep in the chair. It was hilarious for anyone watching I am sure, b/c as I was sinking into that deep sleep in the chair, my mouth was falling open wider and wider. I woke myself up and just decided to heck with it and laid on a towel and got a great afternoon nap. Buying a large canopy was the best investment my parents made..except when the vandals came along 4th night and tore a lot of tents up. Why? What was the purpose? So, Ann and George went and bought another one for our last 2 days.

Kenny and I parasailed. Sorry no pictures..I didn’t realize you had to tell the guys to take it before you did it. I just assumed they take them and let you buy them. Oh well! We did eat at a new place “Billy’s” which was great seafood! The best Kenny said he has eaten. We went to the Treasure Ship and to Angelo’s for steak!

We all went crab hunting and didn't find any the first night..but Brylee and Poppa found one the next night while they were babysitting and Kenny and I were at a movie..We went to see the Taking of Pelham 123..very good movie!

I stayed sick most of the time with this crazy sinus mess I have fought with since Feb. I had called a doctor by the end of the week to call me something. I suffered all week because I wanted to be in the sun and with antibiotics I would burn. So my mom figured I wasn’t too bad, but ya’ll I was and I was not feeling well. I kept going under the ocean water thinking it would clear me out, but even with a combination of all the wonderful over the counter meds I was taking, I was still clogged up! So Friday I began some more antibiotics and decided to get a second opinion on my sinuses. I went to an awesome guy in Dothan and he said I was pretty blocked up which was an effect of me not being on an antibiotic long enough to knock all this mess out. Before we go the route of surgery, he wants me on antibiotic for 28 days with steroids, Flonase and Mucinex. Yay for me..no surgery yet!

Kenny and Daddy decided to do a "drag strip" race..here are the results! I was worried about whiplash and them running into the brick wall ahead, but they did fine and I think secretly lived out a personal dream! Ha! And Brylee sailed through the air on a trampoline.

We did try and get some family pictures without a professional photographer! I think they turned out pretty good..glad to have them for memories! By then end, Brylee made her way to the pool shower and drenched herself, dress and bow in water! Mommy was not a happy camper, but we quickly dried off in the heat!

This one is of her when she had been caught!

Okay..I guess this has been a very random post, but it catches you up somewhat of our life lately. I have a friend going through a nasty divorce and it along with Jackson Reed, Lauren Beddingfield (13 year old in diabetic coma), Uncle Petey, Ashley Stinson and many others make me question sometimes…I know I am not supposed to, and I know that God is in control..and I pray that He makes himself real to all of these and His healing hand works!

Prayers

2009-07-01T12:34:00.002-05:00

I hate/despise the word Cancer! I almost don't want to even write it to give it attention. I wish it would just disappear..but unfortunately, it hasn't and it continues to effect those that we love and care for so much! Wanted to share a recent post from a family friend:

Amanda and Bradley Reed's son Jackson who is 3 was just diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that attacks the soft organs such as the tongue, esophagus, liver etc. He hadn't complained of anything, but fell at his daycare and bit his tongue. This is when his mother discovered the "spot". It was biopsied and the words that no parent wants to hear were uttered. From what I understand they will be traveling to St. Jude's to have some scans done to see the severity and if it has spread. I will try and keep you all updated and really desire the prayers from everyone reading this. Kenny and I went to school with both of them and to Athens State with Bradley. We think a lot of them and I think I speak for both of us that our hearts are broken! Please pray for strength, guidance, wisdom and God's grace throughout this whole process..Our God is still in the healing business and NOTHING is too big for Him!!! Thanks for the prayers!

Happy 4th Brylee

2009-06-27T23:49:00.003-05:00

I have been away..and been busy! Mom and dad came down and we got to have Brylee's Birthday party the day before we left for the beach. We have always had her parties in our hometown..but decided it was time to invite her friends here to her party. When we asked her she was all about it! So to the Fun Factory we went. She had a great turnout of ten children..and an awesome cake! She loved it all! So, here are a few pics..it is so hard to believe my baby is 4! My My where has the time went? Next school year, she starts school! Preschool this year! The Lord truly blessed us with her!!!

Awww!!!

2009-06-17T10:15:00.001-05:00

Isn't this the sweetest pic ever??? I loved this group!!!

EHS in the Making

2009-06-15T12:24:00.005-05:00

UPDATE: Someone questioned if this was at the same location and the answer is no. Due to new building codes and the school having a large number of students the previous land was not big enough. They had to purchase land across town to build on. However, on the same sight is the elementary school that was destroyed and a very nice memorial to the 8 who were lost. That school will open in August. The high school will open August 2010.

I have had several people ask me about the progress our new high school is making. I received these pictures in my email and wanted to share them with you. These are some shots from the sky of the beautiful new high school in the making..enjoy!

(I do not know who took these, and do not know when they were taken, but I think they are pretty recent from what I have seen. Awesome shots for sure!)

A Couple of Laughs!

2009-06-14T22:51:00.004-05:00

Okay..this is a quickie..but wanted to tell you all about it! Maybe it will give you a smile!

Here is how the conversation went:

Brylee: Hey Daddy..where did you get that 'tainer again? (retainer in his mouth)

Kenny: I got it at the dentist.

Brylee: The dentist I went to down the road?

Kenny: No, the dentist in Scottsboro.

Brylee: Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!! Daddy went to Scottsboro without us!!!!

This was the funniest thing..here is funny #2 for today..

We were riding down the road and Brylee said we need to get a car_ for Poppa on his birthday..I didn't hear the ending..so I said a card? And she quickly replied NO, we need to get him a CAR..like that black one...and it was a black sports convertible! Ya'll..she is too much!

VBS 2009 ~HBC

2009-06-13T19:46:00.015-05:00

As I sit here and type this I am in complete awe of God's Amazing Grace! We have had an magnificent week at VBS this week. Growing up in a small church, this week was a very exciting time in our church's life..and let me tell you..it is no different in a church the size of Hillcrest. The numbers were large..the numbers won to the kingdom were large..but like I told someone else..if only one had been saved..it would have all been worth it! God showed up and He showed out! VBS and Day Camp were wonderful!

We had over 700 enrolled this week with students and teachers..about 25 at Special Ed VBS, over 200 in Crossing Over (which is for the older students) and a great number in senior adults. So people..last count I heard was almost 1000! 36 saved and several touched! Praise the Lord! We are so fortunate to be a part of HBC..and are continually amazed at how God blesses it and uses it to touch our community! I did 4th grade missions this year and had a blast! The kids were at a great age and were so attentive. We won the best behavior in music class at the end of the week! So exciting! On Friday we had Family night and were so pleased to see as many come out that did! Topped it off with water balloons to the men administration since the girls brought in the most pennies for the Alabama Baptist Childrens Home, water slides, inflatables and Dippin Dots. I think a fun time was had by all!!

Now on to Saturday..some of us were not finished on Friday. We got up as usual on Saturday and headed back to the church for Special Ed. VBS. Several of the group homes and individuals came to our morning session. We had about 30 show up and we did as we have done all week. They rotated from missions to rec to crafts to Bible study. It was the most phenomenal experience. It made my whole week. I guess b/c I have such a heart for these children/adults that it melts me to get that big squeeze, high five and such genuine thank you's! I told Kenny I had several new boyfriends b/c I had to kiss one particular one on the cheek about 22 times! But so did every other woman! We danced with them, prayed with them, loved on them and taught them! I have no doubt the prayers that were uttered by their heart were heard by our Great God who loves us all so much! I taught Bible study and mainly about Peter being in jail and how his friends prayed for him. They all prayed for their friends, for their family and for even an earache! And I know that God will take care of it all! They loved and appreciated it all..and as they were going around the room praying, ya'll there wasn't a dry eye in the room! I was balling! And to walk in during music and my baby girl was up helping lead music..with Jesus Loves Me..all the Boomerang songs and This is the Day was just priceless!!! They truly blessed my heart! God has been so good and so real this week..and I just want to thank HIM..for all He does!

Are you VBSing it this Week?

2009-06-10T22:28:00.003-05:00

We are..and having a blast! We have been aboard the Boomerang Express since Monday and sadly only have 2 more days..however, on Saturday I will be working with the Special Needs VBS..the Coffe County Training Center will bring adults over in the morning and the children will be in the afternoon..so I am super excited for one more day to impact lives! I have done 4th Grade Missions this week..and LOVED it! Such a great age..they are starting to get it and are really excited about learning about Jesus! On Monday we had a little over 700 and I heard an unoffical number of 30 decisions today! Praise the Lord! I can't wait to see the outcome of Jesus showing up!

Swimming and Some Basketball

2009-06-09T14:18:00.000-05:00

Summer around our house means a lot of basketball..with individual camps, team camps and more team camps. Summer for Kenny never really happens until later on..the first week is the Annual Weeden Individual Basketball Camp. This is the week Brylee and I usually just rest b/c Kenny is gone from sun up to sun down. This year was a lot different. We began swimming lessons with Ms. Ashley..her husband is also Brylee's pediatrician and they are just great people with big hearts! We had those in the afternoon and Brylee got to join her Daddy at camp as a camp participant. She had so much fun. In swim lessons..she learned to hang on the side and kick...

Float on her back.....

Dive under and pick up things on the bottom....

Kick and Swim...

And of course..have fun!!!!

Before swim lessons each day..Brylee did basketball camp..here are a few pics of her enjoying her time there!

WHEN we slow down..I will blog again! LOL

2009-06-05T22:19:00.003-05:00

Wow..I feel like I have been away forever!!! It is the 5th of June and I haven't slowed down yet! Brylee did basketball camp, swimming lessons, and I have been decorating for VBS. Our lives are crazy consumed..oh yeah..throw in 2 nights of graduate class/work and 2 nights of t-ball! Whew! I do want to post a few pictures from our weekend home..our main purpose for going was our nephew, Cameron's graduation..We had a great weekend visiting with family..Brylee loves her cousin D'aron if you can't tell..they are just alike..and she bugs the mess out of him! Here are a few random pics...so enjoy!

UPW UPDATE..Prayers Needed

2009-05-31T21:15:00.002-05:00

Please pray for my Uncle Petey tonight..this weekend..on Friday we got a call that they had taken him to the ER b/c he had pulled his trach out..but when Dad and I got there..he assured us he did not..he coughed and it came out..which with as hard as he was coughing..I could see that happening! He was so tired and pitiful! My heart just aches for him in that condition. He mouthed several things to use..several we understood and several we did not. He would get very frustrated and tell us "NEVERMIND"..and we got that! LOL..I was his main air adjuster. They had the air on 80 degrees..now..how crazy is that..in an ER? When I am sick, I want to be cool..and 80 is just crazy. For a trach patient the recommended temp is 65 degrees..so before we left, it was down to 70..he sure appreciated that! They ended up admitting him due to an UTI infection, and a lowgrade fever. After admitting him they discovered a staph infection, dehydrated, and a low white blood count. He had been doing better and even ate a few chips of ice this week..it is so frustrating to do well and then have a setback. So, he is still in the hospital tonight and needs prayers like never before! I enjoyed seeing him even in those circumstances and getting to tell him so much about Brylee and how she prays for him all the time! He just grinned..it done my heart good! Pray for mom and dad as well as they are staying with him at night now...The Lord is good and all is done according to His will!

2009-05-31T18:10:00.006-05:00

On Wednesday, May 27, 2009, Brylee went to the dentist for the first time. She absolutely loved it! I am so happy! Let me give you a little background...

Growing up, I went to a wonderful dentist with a great hygienist...I loved going..once I was there, hated it leading up to the visit. I do not know why! I hated the smell, the sounds, the feeling of the grainy toothpaste, spitting in the little bowl and getting x-rays in the "dungeon". But, I loved Ms. Cindy and I loved Dr. Holland..they always made it better and not so bad. You see there was something special about Dr. Holland..he gave fillings without shots! I am serious! As far as I was concerned, I never got a shot..that is until I got 16. I had a new lady who didn't know about the magic he preformed on me! She broke out this gigantic shot that was so scary! I immediately closed my mouth and told her I didn't receive shots and never have! She was a little confused and called him in..he sat down and broke it down to me..and since then..I cry the first time I go to a new dentist and ashamedly have went for 2 years without a cleaning. I am getting better and thanks to this dentist and how I got to watch everything they did to Brylee..am not going to have a nervous breakdown when I go..which is in July!

Back to Brylee's visit..she and her daddy had appointments at 7:30 in the morning..Brylee got to watch everything they were doing with him..so she could get accustomed to it all. She asked so many questions..and Ms. Amelia was so gracious to answer them.

After the initiation process..it was her time..she had a wonderful hygienist and I would recommend her to anyone for the first time and every time..Ms. Ellen..she had a tv with cartoons, sang and danced to entertain, laughed and had the most positive attitude..Brylee LOVED her and still talks about going back! Since going, we have had no problem brushing her teeth..in fact, Brylee begs to go back and wants to brush all the time! They took x-rays..and it looks as though she will be an ortho patient..SURPRISE SURPRISE..both Kenny and I had braces. We scheduled her 6 months appointment and we were on our way..but not before she got her diamond ring..yes..they gave her a 'fake' ring! She loved it and was super excited..here are a few pics.

Once Again..a Great Weekend

2009-05-24T21:25:00.008-05:00

So, my parents came down for the weekend..they were coming to see Brylee play t-ball and of course it rained it out! Boo! But, we were all so thankful they were just here! Friday, Brylee was waiting on them to pick her up from daycare..she woke up at 6 am, wanting to know if today was the day they were coming..here she is before daycare. Can you tell how excited she was???

..and her hopes were full filled as they made it in time..we all headed to none other than Santa Fe..

We enjoyed our meal and headed to the house..where we all just sat around and talked. We watched the movie Taken again since Mom and Dad hadn't seen it..and it was just as good as it was the first time! On Saturday we all got up and headed to Dothan to shop! Brylee got her toes painted...

rode a horse....

and became a princess all in one day!

We had a great day..and while mom, dad and Brylee went to Red Lobster and then home, Kenny and I enjoyed a couple of hours at Barnes and Noble and then on to a movie..we had a date night! It sure was nice and when we arrived home..the wrath of Brylee with meds had came out..she was all over the place..and finally my parents could see my "high" child! They were just laughing at that point! Brylee's words were, my Nenne tried to spank me with the fly flapper and I laughed! Ya'll, she is a hoot when she is like that! She is our little angel!!!!
Of course there were many tears as they left..Brylee was just heartbroken..but she quickly recovered..had a good nap and played all afternoon..she is on the countdown to the visit there next weekend since Cameron is graduating from high school! That is a blog in itself! Our oldest nephew graduating!

I hope you all have a good Memorial Day tomorrow and remember the ones who fought and died for our freedom! What a blessing to be an American!

...cause there ain't no doubt..I love this land..God Bless the U.S.A.

"Forced into the Lyme-Light"

2009-05-22T22:30:00.005-05:00

Good evening! I have a special and informative treat for you all tonight! I have a guest blogger who is an amazing testimony of God's divine intervention! I have the utmost respect for this family. They have been through so much in the past few weeks and recently while chatting with her, I asked her if she would be willing to write an entry for awareness and for the pure testimony of God's grace. She said she would and I was so excited to get it in my inbox tonight! I hope you enjoy the entry, learn something to help others who might be searching for a diagnosis and take a moment to thank God for all He has done for this family!

~This week a senior from EHS was diagnosed with Lyme Disease as well..please keep him in your prayers!

Let me introduce you to Liz and Hampton.....

FORCED INTO THE LYME-LIGHT

It was Friday night March 6, 2009….my husband and I, along with our 11 year old son Hampton, were playing rock band, laughing and having a good time. Suddenly, my son turned around, grabbed his throat, and said his throat hurt and he couldn’t swallow; he began crying and saying I feel so bad mom, so bad…..he went straight to bed. Little did I know he would be in the bed for 5 weeks solid; only to move to the recliner for 3 more weeks. It was as if someone had flipped a switch.

The next day, he had a lowgrade temp, and was so weak and fatigued, that he stayed in bed all weekend, and on Monday we went to the doctor assuming that he must have strep. Strep was ruled out, and the doctor thought it must be flu. We made repeated trips to the doctor over the next 11 days, ruling out all the norms, flu, mono, strep, cytomegalovirus, RSV, adenovirus, as well as checking all routine labs such as sed rate, CMP (complete metabolic panel) CBC, etc. Every lab was normal. We were sent home to let whatever strange “virus” we had to run its course.

Throughout this period, Hampton’s symptoms were increasing and more were presenting to include excruciating headaches, stabbing muscular pains, abdominal pain, rigorous chills, sweats, red flushed face, dizziness, anxiety & panic, paranoia, wobbly legs, tingling, numbness, increased sensitivities to sound & smell, skin tenderness, cognitive issues(foggy concentration/comprehension), withdrawal & lack of engagement in conversation, emotional outburst, chest pain, faint feelings, queasiness, shakes and tremors, involuntary jerks, testicular & urethral pain, and hearing auditory sounds that did not exist. He was literally worsening day by day, rising only to eat, use the restroom, and go to the doctor.

Increasingly worried, and concerned, we were praying and begging God for wisdom to know what was wrong in order to get proper treatment. On the morning of March 20th, while I was getting dressed, Lyme disease literally came to me from thin air…..I knew it had to be from God, as I didn’t even know a symptom of Lyme at that point. This prompted me to search the internet and learn about it to see if it sounded like what we were experiencing….It absolutely did…….

I was told of a local who had gone through this ordeal a few years back, and I immediately contacted her to get a first- hand account of her experience, and it was a carbon copy match with Hampton…….She had mentioned a knowledgeable doctor being in the Florida area. I notified him, and he ordered the test to be drawn on March 23, and on March 25th he called and told me it was positive for Lyme.

Hampton was put on Doxycycline and Omnicef immediately, and after initiation of antibiotics, he went down hill rapidly. This happens with Lyme because the mutants of the bacteria, called spirochete, actually go rampant and start dying. When they die, they emit toxins into your body which cause an increase in symptoms and make you sicker. This was very evident because Hampton began profuse vomiting, which he had not done the entire time. This would continue over the next 7 days off and on, all the while all other symptoms were increasing in intensity as well.

We also had labs drawn to test for co-infections for Lyme; seldom does one who is infected have Lyme alone. The tick usually always carries secondary infections as well. This result came back positive for Bartonella. At that point, a third antibiotic of Azithromycin was added. We will continue this protocol until the end of June, at which time we will go back for a check with the doctor.

At no time did we have a rash or any sign of having been bitten; infact, we find that most Lyme patients seldom remember a bite, see a tick, or have the rash. The deer tick that carries Lyme is minute; about the size of a poppy seed.

Hampton is improving and making great progress now; he actually had a huge improvement over Mother’s Day weekend, and did exceptionally well through May 17th. This week, however, we are experiencing some more “die off”, which is to be expected. He is very tired, low fever, and just feels bad; these times will come and go until it is eradicated fully. There is not a “quick fix”.

We are so thankful for the many prayers and support of so many, some of whom we don’t even know. We are thankful for God’s Wisdom and guidance throughout this ordeal; where would we have been had “HE” not intervened?

I hope that by writing this, someone may read it, and find it the “answer” to their prayer………..we know there have to be more people going from doctor to doctor searching for answers and they, too, have undiagnosed Lyme Disease. May this be their day of hope.

God’s Blessings to you all…….

Liz

Trike-A-Thon was a SUCCESS!!!

2009-05-20T23:37:00.004-05:00

A few posts back..Brylee got on my computer and typed a letter about helping with a fundraiser for sick children at St. Jude's. I am totally aware she really didn't do it..but wasn't it a cute idea! And..it worked! She raised $133 to be donated to the hospital. A moment to thank those who helped: Poppa and Nenne, Nana, Erica Smith, Amy Thomas, Linda Uithoven, Kathey Chambers,Ida Pouncy, and Emma and Kelli. These are some amazing family members, co-workers and friends...Brylee even received a note handwritten from Emma with the donation! We were so excited to get it and read it! I usually hate having people buy things or just fund raise..but didn't mind at all asking for this since the donations don't really help Brylee out on anything..they are certainly used for some pretty sweet children! I remember when Brylee was a small baby..and she had some blood work come back kinda sketchy..the doctor who noticed it didn't have a lot of experience with pediatrics..so he had us come back in..in a few weeks when her "cold" was gone to check it again..Those weeks were the longest weeks ever of my life!!! Seriously..everything played through my head! I was already on the St. Jude's site looking up the hospital, where she could possibly be, getting information..worrying my tail off! (That's one of my biggest sins..WORRY..I got plenty, but that is a major one..LOL) That is when my dear ISI friend Lisa really showed me who she was and shared some amazing stories with me and prayed with me and quoted scripture that I placed on my refrigerator, so I could be hit in the face with truth and God's love instead of that nasty worrying! When I turned that over to God, I could never explain the peace I felt that day! It was amazing! In the meantime, the doctor had called a pediatric oncologist friend of his and he said the numbers were more than likely nothing to be concerned with due to the infection she had..so in the few weeks..we went back and sure enough, she was fine! What an answered prayer of mine! I still get chill bumps when I remember Nurse Jackie coming back with a HUGE smile on her face! Now our friend Riley is going through that awful nightmare, and fighting like a big girl! I know many answered prayers have happened for that family..and I know many more, including healing, will come their way!

Not only did she get to collect money, she and her friends had a blast riding their bicycles on Friday..here are a few pics for you to enjoy!

Our Little Ball Player

2009-05-19T20:35:00.002-05:00

Well, our little girl made us proud on her first t-ball game performance! In the words of Savannah, "It doesn't matter who catches the ball, it's all about having fun!"...and she is so right! The children and the parents have a ball at t-ball games! I love to watch them hit, run and field the ball. Brylee really opened up tonight..could it have been her cold medicine that has made her psycho/crazy? Possibly, but either way, we were proud! She is a fast runner..ran right out of her hat one time and ran all around the field from a guy trying to tag her out! She meant he wasn't getting her even if she didn't follow the proper running sequence! Brylee isn't 4 yet and this is a 4-5 ball league, so we expect to see anything out of her! Here are a few pics from her game..

Happy Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T13:33:00.003-05:00

It's Mother's Day..and boy..have I enjoyed it so far! I am so thankful for my lovely family! God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband and a wonderful daughter. This morning Bro. Billy preached his first Mother's Day sermon without his mother. The whole day was a sting to him since she is not here on Earth..but Praise God she is in Heaven today celebrating with the angels and her heavenly Father! I had tears of joy today as I thought about my grandmother who is there as well! He talked about the things his momma portrayed to him..and everyone brought a memory back to me!

Unconditional Love~ My momma has always loved me..even when I was down right ugly and mean to her and was so disrespectful..yes..I admit it..am not proud of it, but there was a time I did not show the respect I should to her! She never quit loving me..and I am so thankful for that!!!!

Uncontrollable Laughter~ I think about all the memories my mother and I have...I remember the roll in the floor laughter we have had and still have...sometimes things just crack us up..I hear Brylee say all the time.."You crack me up Mom"...I think about the time my Mawmaw Miss popped my gigantic bubble with her toe..gross I know..but that was the funniest thing.. I miss her laugh!

Unending Labor~ I talked about this in my Mom's birthday post..she can make ends meet like no other..Bro. Billy called it "figuring"..I have too seen my mother break out the bills in the middle of the floor and "figure"...I have never known my mother not to work and still manage to be at every important event in my life..a mother's work is never done..Aunt Angela did a question of "What's your hardest job ever"..mine was of course the Marble Slab Creamery..(we will save that for another day)...but my most rewarding by far is raising Brylee..I come from a long line of successful, kind, caring and loving mothers who have taught me well..and Kenny too, has a wonderful mother, grandmothers and aunts who have showed him the love of a mother and we in return pass it on to Brylee.

Undeniable Lordship~ All of our mothers,grandmothers and aunts are Christians and have lived lives of surrendering to our Lord..they have taught us how to go to church..how to live a life for Christ and how to depend on Him! My grandmother Guinn is still alive and she exemplifies the love of the Lord in so many ways..she encourages me and strengthens me more than she knows! The song that was sang at my grandmother's funeral..
"O look what I've traded for a mansion
O look what I'm leaving behind
O look who will be there to greet me
When I step into God's sweet paradise
I'm leaving behind all my sorrows
I'm leaving behind all my cares
For I've traded it all for a mansion
That Jesus has gone to prepare"

Those words are words I sing from time to time and am reminded that while she nor Kenny's grandmother's nor his Aunt Barbara are here with us..they are there with no sorrows, no cares, and are happily awaiting for us all to gather with them for eternity!

Unappreciated Life~ I hope and pray that our mother's always know how much we love them and appreciate everything they have ever done! Kenny and I would not be the people we are today without our mothers..they have taught us everything we know and we owe so much to them! They are not only wonderful mothers, but wonderful grandmothers and friends! There is not a thing we can't call them and talk about at anytime and get their advice when needed..We love our mother's and wish them the best day ever!!!!

NEW ADDRESS

2009-05-07T18:46:00.002-05:00

Praise be to our Great God!

Uncle Petey just arrived by ambulance in Huntsville..only 30 minutes from home! Once he was able to talk and become more aware, he had mom get on his "case" and see what could be done about moving him closer to home..so within a week of making contacts, he is there! I know everyone is so excited! We want to continue the "Campaign for Petey" and keep the cards coming..He loves them and laughs when they are read..I have to share a story with you..my co-worker/friend Amy follows my blog..so does her daughter and they have sent cards to him..well, the other night her daughter was saying her prayers and went into a few moments of prayer for "Uncle Petey"..afterwards, her daddy (who doesn't read my blog..shame shame..Ha) came and asked Amy..Do we have an Uncle Petey I don't know about? Kelsey was just praying for Uncle Petey..and I didn't want to ask her who it was if it is someone I should know!

Aren't you glad that you have people pray for you who don't even know you sometimes! Aren't you glad that the little ones say their prayers and mean them wholeheartedly? Aren't you glad that the Lord hears even the smallest prayer?
Aren't you glad He answers ALL prayers?

I found it very heartwarming to know a 2nd grader would pray for my Uncle Petey! I have been overwhelmed at the cards that have been sent..You would be surprised at just how good they make him feel..and how many nieces and nephews he has inherited..my kids and friends at school will say.."How's Uncle Petey"..he loves them all, he just says.."I wish people wouldn't waste their money on them"..of course..always thinking of others! Okay..I have a new address..so from now on, start sending them to this address:

Big Springs Specialty Care Center
c/o David Whitehead Room #417
500 St. Clair Ave. SW
Huntsville, AL 35801

Happy Birthday Momma/Nenne!!!!!

2009-05-07T05:05:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST MOTHER AROUND!!!

My mother's birthday is today May 7th and I only wish I was there to spend it with her..growing up..she will be the first to admit that we didn't always see eye to eye..but as I have grown..I will go ahead and admit it on the public blog on the public Internet, we are more alike than we will admit! I have seen things I have done that make me go, wow..I remember Momma doing that! My mother is the type of person who is ALWAYS there no matter what! I can't recall a time I have called her or asked her for something I needed and she hasn't made a way to come through! I just wish I had inherited the "money saving" gene she has! Even at times when my Daddy was hurt and not much income was coming in, she always managed to have it..I used to think there was a magical fund somewhere, and the cash was never ending..Not so much..it was all my mother..and those skills I wish I had! She is a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend..but I have NEVER been more proud of her as I have been since Feb. 5, 2009.

My mother has truly stepped to the plate for her brother! She has had his best interest from the beginning and spent many sleepless nights in hospitals and hotels just to be close to him and to take care of him. True love has been shown and it's a love I will never understand since I do not have a brother...but if I did, I hope that through thick and thin, speaking and non speaking and independence and need, that I would show the same love she has! This same love I witnessed with from her when her mother was sick and my father when he was hurt. It is that true "do unto others" and "let your life reflect Jesus" love...It is an endless love and just part of her! She has always been a Christian mother, a wonderful example (except the cast iron skillet threat..some of you know what that is..Ha Ha) and I have the utmost respect for her! If I become half of the woman she is, I will be doing good. She loves us all and we love her!

I would love for you to welcome me in telling her a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! We all LOVE you so much and thank God you are in our lives!!!!

And when I asked her about how she felt being another year older..this is what she thought about it!!!

Please Pray

2009-05-06T21:23:00.003-05:00

My friends..and prayer warriors...I was given this request from a sweet friend. She desires prayers from her friends..and I asked her if I could post this because I know there are people who read this..that pray and believe in results..so I will just post what she posted..This girl Katie's parents are Steve and Marcia Rutland from Enterprise and they are in need of massive prayer!!!

My Bestfriend Katie had twins this past week Abigal (now 3lbs) was moved Sunday to NICU at USA. She may possibly havean infection of the bowels that has a 1 in 4 mortality rate. Adien (now 4lbs 6ozs) started to have episodes of not breathing along w/drops in heart rate. They are now running test on him now to see causations. Katie had a spinal leak from her c-Section and had to go back to the hospital for blood injections in her spine. Please pray for this family The Nelson Family

Thanks, Kim

St. Jude Trike-a-Thon

2009-05-03T21:34:00.006-05:00

Hello to all my Mommy's friends!

I have been waiting to get on her "puter" and write to you all! She has told me how great all of you are and how you have become a community of friends! That's neat! I have a lot of friends too! We are going to hold a Trike-a-Thon at my school later this month. What is that you might ask?
Well, let me tell you..all week we will learn about bike safety from my preschool teacher. At the end, we will get to practice those rules riding and earning money for laps that you donate. You can either do a flat donation, or you can donate a certain amount for each lap I ride..let me warn you..I am a good rider! :) But most importantly, we raise the money for children with cancer and for research at St. Judes..cancer is such an ugly disease..so many are affected..Mommy helped me think of some we know..Mr. David (Molly's Daddy), Jake's grandmother..(he's my BFF), Riley, Abby, Abbey, and friend's who have been healed..like Sadye and Emma. I am so happy to know that any money I raise will go to help people with this TERRIBLE disease. If you want to help me..please let my mommy know! Of course, don't feel you have to, but I wanted to give you the opportunity..(really I wanted to get on my Mommy's laptop)..shhhh...don't tell her!

Love,
Brylee

1st Swim of 2009

2009-05-02T21:41:00.002-05:00

We spent the evening at Mrs. Karen and Mr. Chris' grilling steaks and letting the kids swim. They are such great people and we just love spending time with them and their grandson Logan..he and Brylee have a blast! Chris and Christina were there as well with the kids and they had a blast, although I think the water was a little too cold! In one of the pictures they were shaking so bad..and eating Ice Cream sandwiches! Go figure!

This means one thing...BRING ON SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't KNOW, but am pretty sure....

2009-05-01T17:15:00.002-05:00

that this is a sure fire way to get Swine Flu!

So, what are your thoughts on this "Pandemic" that all are freaking out over? Someone said that you can't find germx anywhere in the stores!?! Well, I knew my germophobia disease would come in handy, because I stockpile that stuff when I am at the stores! He He!

I do know that my Bible tells me that...

"No weapon that is formed against you will prosper"..Isaiah 54:17

And that if this is the end of times (which we know it is, Praise God I am ready to go). All keep safe and remember who is in control of it all!

The Hawks

2009-04-27T12:14:00.002-05:00

Update
The Hawk's made safely to Tennessee after driving really slowly due to the trailer attached...but discovered Jonathan's grandmother passed away today. What a sad thing to come home to, but I know they are glad to be with family. Please remember his whole family in prayer!

I am writing this post, not wanting to..because it means our dear friends Jamie and Jonathan are leaving E-town. This is the last weekend for them to be here..and I am not excited about it! She was reading my blog one day and I mentioned something she had done and she said, "Well, you could have mentioned my name, at least then I would be famous"! LOL..

Well, Jamie..you get a full post dedicated to you! Jamie started working at our school February of last year. She was an aide for special ed..and continued this year, even though she has her special ed degree..just in Tennessee and it is an act of Congress to get it transferred over. So how lucky were we to get a special education teacher to be an aide?!? I don't think we truly knew until we put her in place this year. There have been 3 special education teachers and two aides..one a certified elementary teacher..and the other Jamie..so we decided to take grades and it has been awesome..Jamie has done EVERYTHING for the 5th grade. She has worked so well with the teachers and they have spoke phenomenal things of her. I too have so enjoyed all her input and her dedication! I can only say I wish we had gotten closer sooner! This year, our families became close..and let me tell you, Brylee just loves them! She calls the Hawks, her "families"..secretly, I think Jonathan wants her to come live with them..ha ha..those two aggravate the mess out of eachother..and I KNOW Sophie, their puppy really wants Brylee to come. She is scared to death at times of Brylee..all though they have mentioned she is the only kid that she has ever really got close to. Jamie has helped me get through what could have been a tough school year..by telling me to remember to smile! And that is what I have done..we go to church together, eat together (She usually cooks, or we go to Santa Fe...he he). I can't even begin to tell you the funny stories we have, or the things she knows..I don't open up personally to a lot of people until you have completely won me over..and she is one of those people..one of those you find only a couple of times in life. She loves my child like she is her own and they are those good friends you hate to see go. But welcome to my new world of the military living...that is just part of it..and you hope that some day you all make a circle and come back to here..example..Jamie was living in E-town, born in Dothan and then her family moved to Saudi..she lived there for a very long time..went to school in Chattanooga and then got married and her mom moved to Murfreesboro..that's where they were and came here, back where she started..(hopefully, I got that all right)..and if all goes as planned..in 3 years they will be back here. Will we be here? Who knows...but I sure hope that if we are, we will pick up just where we left off! We are definitely going to miss them..and miss her calling to get peroxide or borrow our mixer..and I will definitely miss just popping over to approve a dress or borrow a key to get in the classroom..because I don't know where one of my 15 keys is! But I know that the same God who watches over me here, will be there with her and Jonathan and taking care of them just the same..and I know that He will answer ALL of their prayers..(IN HIS TIME)! We love you 2 so much, and thanks for being a part of our lives!

2009-04-26T22:48:00.006-05:00

From time to time we straighten Brylee's hair to see how long it has grown..well, a lot since last time! Here it is April 26, 2009. Excuse the nakedness..she just got out of the bath and excuse the mattress..she took the covers off to jump better! She really loves her hair straight..she loves how it hangs down her back and how can move it so freely..too bad Mommy is not a professional! I am sure that SOME day when she is old enough to really want it, we will eventually wear it straight some..just don't want the curls to go away permanently!!!

We also got to play outside in the sun this weekend..it was warm enough to get in the sprinkler too! Here are a few pics from Saturday! Again...I love the curls!!!

"Campaign for Petey"..Will You Help?

2009-04-25T13:35:00.001-05:00

Good afternoon Friends!

I am starting something that I hope you will join me in. My Uncle Petey is still in the hospital. He has been in the hospital since Feb. 5th..May 5th will be 3 months of him lying in a hospital bed with a ventilator, trach and at times completely out of it. He is improving, but is not well enough to come home. I can't even imagine what he is feeling or is going through. Until this week, he was only able to communicate with his eyes and the nodding of his head. He is such a trooper and is really fighting the fight of his life and we are so proud of all he has done so far..and totally confident that with prayers, his strength and determination, and with God's miracle business, he will make a turn around. When he first got to Birmingham, I sent him 3 balloons..(they are still floating) and he loves them..especially the one that sings "Don't Worry, Be Happy"...when mom and dad are there, he will point to it and want it to play and start smiling. He is becoming more aware of his surroundings and has been pushed around the hall today in his mobile bed. God is so good and the progress he is making is amazing.

So, here is what I wanted to start.."Campaign for Petey"..since he is becoming more aware, I really want him to see and know how many people are thinking of him and praying for him. I know they are there, because they are working...and I just want him to feel the love through cards or letters. I would be so happy if you as my friend would take a moment and find a card for him..(if it sings, it would be great)...and for him to start receiving mail and letters to encourage him. My family is rotating visitation days and I know that they would be more than happy to read them to him..and it will make him smile. It doesn't matter if you don't know him...just let him know prayers are going up! I will really appreciate it if you take a moment out of your day to do this...in fact, if you are a card person, a card a week would be even better. I know I am about to go stock up and keep them coming to him!

After all..laughter is so good for the healing of the body! Thanks in advance!!! And I can't wait to see his room filled with the love from you my friends!!!

Trinity Medical Center
c/o David Whitehead Room 910
800 Montclair Road
Birmingham, AL 35213

I will Rise

2009-04-22T21:16:00.002-05:00

I know..2 posts in one day..but I so wanted to share our Easter choir special..this song truly touches my heart and I tear everytime I hear it! That's our awesome choir director Bro. Darin!

"An anchor for my soul...I can say it is well..Jesus has overcome and the grave is overwhelmed"...whoo..that's shouting ground!

Sing With Me....

2009-04-22T21:07:00.003-05:00

Just had a song on my heart tonight..and wanted to share the lyrics..sure most of you know it..so read it and let the song get into your head..you know where you just can't quit singing it!!!

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 NASB

The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God

2009-04-19T18:53:00.006-05:00

We have had a blast! We left out Friday and headed to Baton Rouge..Yes, we are LSU fans..if you didn’t know! We love some purple and gold…T-I-G-E-R-S…I have honestly never really cared for football growing up..although my Daddy and the majority of my family have always been Alabama fans..I remember always going against him..which is crazy..b/c I adore him..but it always made things fun. When Kenny and I married..I decided pull for LSU..they just happened to win a National Championship in 2007, which is why I have been accused of “jumping on a bandwagon”. Yes..I did..the bandwagon of love! Because if they don’t win, then I don’t have a very happy husband. I love the team. We got to meet most of the players, and I just love the Cajun Spirit..on game day and their attitudes after. So, to end up our spring break, we decided to make a quick trip down and go to a few LSU sporting events. We had a pass that if you went to 4 of 6 sporting events this weekend, you got a free t-shirt. Wow, what we will do to get a free t-shirt!

We went to a baseball game on Friday night, Softball on Saturday, grand opening of the Tiger Shop, and the LSU spring game on Saturday evening. It was jam packed, but we had a blast!!! LSU’s baseball team is currently #1 in the nation and we enjoyed watching them play Tennessee..Those balls were flying and out of the park. The score was 18-3! On Saturday morning, we headed up to the stadium to hit the store..We all bought a few items and got to see Mike the Tiger in his $5 million habitat! He was massive huge..and he is just a cub! Brylee got a mermaid balloon and a sweet lady drew her picture.

After that, we headed to the softball game to watch LSU girls take on #1 ranked Florida. Unfortunately LSU lost both of those games..couldn’t touch Florida’s picture. According to my cousin, Jessica, the first string picture is an all American and the second string has never lost a game in college! It was very fun to watch and brought back a lot of memories..(Definitely not that I was college material, but sure did enjoy playing softball). Since we weren’t dressed for the spring game, we had to go back to our hotel, which was downtown by the mighty Mississippi River, and get dressed. I love a good hotel! Let me tell you..dinner delivered to the room, valet parking, comfy beds and pillows, clean up while we are gone..and free internet! I could go and just stay in the room sometimes! Spring game here we come..traffic was NOTHING like we have experienced on game day before, but definitely packed, so Kenny let us out with my cop friend to wait while he parked.

I say my “cop friend” because we first met in Atlanta. He was an official cop with the team to “protect” them from crazies like me! He He! I would follow him around with my camera and he would give me insight on which way the team would come or go..and all their secrets! Yeah RIGHT!!! I begged but he wouldn’t dare let it slip…he just laughed at me and never made me leave him alone. When we saw him, I just knew he would remember me! And he did! He just busted out laughing and told me I had just missed Les Miles! Spring game was much fun and Brylee was in “Tiger Heaven”. She got her picture made with a couple of cheerleaders, so she was very happy!

Notice Brylee is prepared for the rain that did NOT come..had I not been prepared, it would have rained like it had never rained before! LOL

After we got our free t-shirts, we met up with a guy Kenny is friends through some LSU tiger site. He works there and Kenny has given him a few insights on some players. He was very nice and they were glad to meet up in person. After we headed back to the hotel and ordered in for a picnic as Brylee called it. Called it a night around 11..ha or so we thought! At about 1:30, they announcement came on that an alarm had been set in the building to evacuate not using elevators!!!! My first thought was “TORNADO”..don’t ask why..I guess because of so many lately, and because it was storming outside..but then I remembered, why would we go outside for a tornado? So, we get up, throw shoes on, grab a sleeping Brylee and head down 7 flight of stairs along with a lot of other frazzled hair, bad breath, occupants! Did I mention it was raining? Well, it was and it was a cold rain coming off the river! Kenny says, “Remind me to tell you something when we get back up”..the announcement is made that it was a false alarm..which could be a good thing..we get to go back to our room..but why was it a malfunction? Did someone pull it, or is it not working? We head back up and Kenny just bursts out laughing! He tells me the story which is a proof of “WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND”!!! Apparently, when Kenny was at Mercer University, he and his roommate thought it would be “funny” to pull the fire alarm of another dorm..and it too was raining outside! He and his roommate watched from their dry and warm dorm as hundreds of boys went running outside! Can you believe this??? I know if Ms. Reba is reading, she is not shocked! So, in all actuality, I was getting Kenny’s payback! LOL

We had a pretty uneventful night after that..and got some much needed rest before the long journey home on Sunday. Brylee has had car sickness issues since she was about 1…a gene she inherited from her daddy’s side of the family. So we finally got the go ahead from the doctor to give Benadryl while young and then eventually go to Dramamine. Brylee gets her half pill of Dramamine about 30-45 minutes from when we are about to leave. Apparently, it didn’t get in her soon enough as we were leaving Baton Rouge..within about 15 minutes, she was throwing up. Yuck! What a way to begin a 6 hour journey home. Once she was done, she was done and wanting to eat! So, we stopped and got some food and then headed on to Enterprise. Traffic was really not bad and we had a great ride with no rain..which was surprising, because we just knew we would hit all the storms that were coming.

Made it home to CLEAN carpet I might add! We had Joe from “Abracadabra” come clean on Thursday before we left..and he does a fantastic job! If you ever need your carpet cleaned, we TOTALLY recommend him!

Back to work tomorrow…but only a few more weeks and it is SUMMER!!!

2009-04-15T15:06:00.008-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DIDDY!!!! Tomorrow will be my Daddy's birthday! If you know me, you know I love my Diddy! And you know that he is a big part of my world..we often talk about 2-3 times a day! I have always been a diddy's girl and have the utmost respect for the man. I won't blow him up too much on here, b/c he will say..don't say all of that..he is such a modest man and takes no self credit. He always pretends to be fine and always does for others never putting himself first. That is just fact! I think if you ask anyone who knows him would say the same..for his 50th birthday, we had a fake funeral. It was a pretty neat idea..kinda weird now that I look back on it..but it was a very neat way to see what it might be like someday..and very funny! Daddy didn't know what was coming. Slideshow, preacher, singers, hearse..you name it..I only wish I had a few pics to put on here..(it was before my digital days)...Every since my daddy's accident back in 2005..I have always had the fear of losing him..and so with every birthday, I totally thank God that he is still here with me, mom, Brylee and Kenny..Brylee loves her Poppa..he is the Poppa that gets down in the floor playing and never tells her no! She loves when Poppa and Nenne are coming to visit! She knows it will be a very special time! So, on this day, I hope he has a HAPPY BIRTHDAY..and knows how much he is loved, appreciated and cared for! Here are a few pics I wanted to share of him! We just love him!

Please Pray

2009-04-12T20:14:00.006-05:00

A prayer request:
UPDATE David is in ICU..and is talking and knows everyone..God is so good..I was so happy to hear he came through great! Thanks for praying!

UPDATE: Just found out David is having his surgery today (Tuesday)..so please say extra prayers for him!

David Burnett: He is the father of a dear, dear friend of mine and Kenny's. Molly graduated with Kenny and she has always been a wonderful friend. Her father found out last week that he has a rare, but aggressive brain tumor and it is devloping fast. He is in Birmingham and is scheduled for surgery sometime next week. Please keep this whole family in your prayers..her mother and I worked together too while I was at Collins..and I just think a lot of this whole family..and I know they would appreciate you lifting their family up!

Easter 2009

2009-04-12T13:42:00.006-05:00

Happy Resurrection Day! Well, our Easter has been quite different than any other Easter we have had..first thing..we had no Easter outfits..not because we couldn't afford it, not because we didn't want any..just because we haven't had time to get anything and because when I decided to go look yesterday at the 2 shops we have in Enterprise, there wasn't anything..and nothing I wanted to stand in line for along with all the other last minute Easter dress shoppers. So, we decided we would make due with what we had and it was just fine! This Easter holiday started out with Brylee getting a package from Nanna..it was the biggest doll I had ever seen and a pink bunny who dances and sings..So funny..what was more funny was the reaction I gave when I came in and saw it laying on my bed..and I thought it was a person! Brylee loved it and Kenny was fortunate enough to catch it on video. She was so excited. .
Next my parents popped in. They brought Brylee a few goodies as well. She always loves to have visitors in the house..and if it is Poppa and Nenne, she is super happy! We spent the weekend at the park for Saturday morning..she participated in the city egg hunt and found a few eggs. We went to the Waffle House for breakfast..mom and I got our toes done, Dad and Mom took Brylee to the Fun Factory..came home and everyone napped. We then all took naps. When Poppa woke up, he had a surprise waiting on him in the kitchen..we had ice cream and birthday cake, because his birthday is next week. Then we took a trip back to the park for Brylee to ride her bike..supper at Santa Fe..that was so much fun! Today has been a great Sunday..we woke up to Brylee's fun surprises left by the Easter Bunny. We had a great time..Poppa and Brylee played with Barbie and her dog..and the puzzle..then unfortunately they had to leave. They were headed back to Bham to check on Uncle Petey..Brylee kept saying she wanted to go check on "Little Petey".. It was tear jerking to say the least..and Brylee was not happy to see them leave, but she calmed down a few minutes later. On a side note..he seems to be doing somewhat better..he loves the balloon we sent him..and had dad and mom play it over and over today..it sings "Don't Worry..Be Happy"..he wants to tell them things so badly but can't..I can't wait until he can talk again! We all began to get ready for church..and I started feeling super bad..I still have this cold mess and a little worse than before..going to the doctor tomorrow..I have got to shake this stuff! I was completely ready and decided not to go and let Brylee and Kenny go without me..after they left, I started thinking geesh..it's Easter..resurrection day..I am not staying home..so I put my clothes back on and got to church just in time to walk in with Kenny..so glad I went..songs were awesome, message was awesome and the spirit was there..and I only coughed once or twice..that was God Himself..trust me! Again..glad I went and didn't let the devil stop me from going! Here are a few pics from the weekend..and today..I hope everyone had a great day!

What's the Easter Bunny Bringing to Your House?

2009-04-06T19:40:00.006-05:00

I wrapped up Brylee's Easter basket contents this week. I am super excited because she has some really neat things. I wanted to share them if you are looking for any last minute items and also since this blog will eventually go in a book for Miss Brylee! The first item is the "Resurrection Eggs". I almost got these last year, but figured Brylee was a little too young. Honestly, she probably is too young this year, but I plan on introducing them to her. Next year, we will start 12 days early and cover an egg each day..with the "Empty Tomb" egg being opened on Sunday. If you haven't seen these things, they are pretty cool..and are a great way to teach the resurrection story. The next pictures are of Brylee's new rainboots and Barbie and Dog...We have needed some rain boots these days..and now that we have them, it probably won't rain anymore! The Barbie and Dog has a shower and bath. Everytime it comes on tv, Brylee says "I want that Mommy"..and we have yet to find it, but I, er, the Easter Bunny found it!

Next, we have several books about Moses, Easter Story, Bible Prayers, Wooly Lamb movies, Curious George, Hannah Montana stuff and a doggie puzzle.

What Easter basket wouldn't be complete without a stuffed lamb and some CHOCOLATE???? We also bought her the Bolt movie..I hope she loves it as much as her friend Rowan! I am ready so we can watch it!

So, I hope it helps you out if you need some ideas..enjoy and have a blessed night!

P.S. Uncle Petey had another great day..taking baby steps, but he is headed in the right direction..
P.S.S. Pray for Riley Stewart as she journeys to Birmingham in the morning..more on specifics to pray for are at www.caringbridge.org/visit/rileystewart

Urgent Prayers

2009-04-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

Please visit the sweet baby on my left sidebar Abbey Colbert and leave her family a few words of encouragement. She is at the worst part of her treatment so far and is in the hospital in need of some serious prayers! I know they will be forever grateful for your prayers!!!

Uncle Petey Update

2009-04-05T16:39:00.002-05:00

PRAISE THE LORD..FOR HE IS GOOD..AND IS IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS STILL!!!! Dad called and Uncle Petey is on a trach collar only! He stayed on it for about 4 hours today..that means nothing is breathing for him..just him! They put him back on the vent so his body can rest tonight, but will take it back off tomorrow..ya'll the significance of this that he hasn't been able to come off of the vent yet! And he did today! Praise God! I know that tomorrow will be just as great!

Easter Walk

2009-04-04T13:33:00.011-05:00

We have had a beautiful Saturday morning at the Hill Household..we awoke very early..6:15 early..thanks to Brylee. I swear she has an internal clock, but the funny thing is, it only works on Saturday..humm..go figure! We had an Easter Walk at church today for the children. Don't get me wrong, I do love to hunt eggs and we will do that next weekend at the YMCA..but at church, I am thrilled the focus, (as it should be) is on Jesus' crucifixction, all the things surrounding it and the RISEN SAVIOR! I love that part about our church..everything is focused on what it should be! So, I have a few pictures to share with you...we started out with a nice breakfast of fruit, muffins and juices..here's Brylee waiting in line and munching on a muffin.

When it was our turn, we went to the first station. The station was set up like a cirus and the lady read the whole Easter story. She explained how the people laid their coats down along the path out of respect, we then got to write on the palm leaves things that we celebrate. Here's some pics from station #1.

The second station was a station where she read about the Last Supper and the children were given the opportunity to eat the "bread of life" and drink "the living water". She also explained how Jesus used to wash other's feet. The children had buckets and soap and water and they washed eachother's hands.

The third station was a garden station. She had the most lovely plants and "birds" singing! Very gardeny! She talked about the disciples when they were asleep and had the children pray for eachother..they then got to write someone's name on a prayer rock to pray for them. When asked who she wanted to pray for, Brylee said "Brylee"..she said, who else do you want to pray for..and Brylee responded, a little more adametly, BRYLEE! So, that's whose name made its way on the rock!
Next was a baseball scene..the lady explained what sin was and how we all do it. She asked if they sinned and Brylee said, NOT me..I don't sin! Baahaaa..I helped her think a little and we wrote a sin down on the green paper. They balled it up and threw it as far as they could, but guess what, they could still see it, which led to the next station where there was an angel and the kids were blindfolded. The sign was about Jesus being the light of the world and it was glowing. The kids got to take their "sins" and place them in the corner where Jesus throws them for no one to ever see again!

The last station was Brylee's SS teacher and her husband..Mrs. Georgia..she is the sweetest lady and Brylee adores her! She had a country breakfast scene and they talked about Jesus Love..a stirofoam cross was there and the kids got to put flowers in it! After all stations were complete, they got to jump outside, which resulted in a very skint toe for Brylee..but we got it cleaned up and headed home. After we got home, we decided to free out lizard and let him live with his family! Very hard for Brylee, but she did it in her own time and released him freely! VBS meeting after church tomorrow and expecting a great day in the Lord's house! Uncle Petey is doing great today and I am so happy for that! Keep praying..they are working!!!!

What a BEAUTIFUL day!!!

2009-03-29T17:08:00.003-05:00

So just as nasty as it was yesterday when we woke up, today was a complete and total turn around! It is and has been absoloutely gorgeous! The sun shining, a nice breeze and all our windows are up to let the cool breeze flow! We got up and headed to church and had a great service..Bro. Billy preached on the paralyzed man that 4 other men brought to Jesus..have I said how much I LOVE to hear him preach? He has a way of putting things that make you go.."Wow"! He compared the sick man to sin-sick sinners in need of the touch from Jesus and the four men who brought him is the church and how we should try and bring others to see HIM...hit home when he said, "Have you brought one to church?" Most of the time, the devil is on the prowl at my house on Sunday mornings..the morning we shouldn't be so rushed, we usually are...and getting us dressed and out the door on time is just about all I can take, must less taking someone with us! But again..an excuse..and I pray that God will give me an opportunity this week to invite someone to church!

On another note, Uncle Petey is having a great day! The best they've seen since he has been in Birmingham. He has been asked if everything was okay between him and God and he said he was saved at 10..that was reassuring..but ya'll today, my Uncle Chris asked him..and Daddy said, a huge grin came across his face and he shook his head up and down! Daddy wanted to shout! Me too..when I heard! It makes things so much easier knowing that my Uncle Petey is in God's hands and he is HIS child and that no matter what happens, he will be healed! Wether it is a miracle that we get to experience on this earth or the miracle of seeing him in Glory, either way it's going to be awesome!

We had a man and his 3 boys join the church today..and their testimony was they are the 4 Bro. Billy spoke about and they are going to bring their wife/mom to Christ! Wowzers!!! I taught one of the boys last year..and he is such a cool kid..I am so happy for their family and for the stand they are taking!

A lady at our church stands in need of your prayers..Allison Tatom..she is a young mother of 2 and is pregnant with her 3rd and went into early labor yesterday at 18 weeks..the baby was not born yet and is thriving in her mommy...awesome family of God and are putting it all in HIS hands..I pray for that sweet family and pray that you will too!

Another baby from Scottsboro is going through the same thing..she had the baby but she is very tiny and working extremely hard to live..the baby's daddy is Nick Lee..he graduated with me..I pray for that family as well!

The wreck that took 2 lives and injured others touches several families at home..and I pray for all of them!!!!

While there are tons of requests and praises, nothing takes God by surprise..and He is in control!! We praise Him today!

Good (rainy, tornado warnings, hail falling, windy) Saturday Morning!!!

2009-03-28T08:56:00.003-05:00

So I anticipated the rain, and darkness and anticipated a nice, long sleep in this morning...NOT..we awoke at about 5:45 and I thought the windows were going to burst! It was raining, hailing, thunder and lightening like crazy! Kenny already had the tv on and a friend had sent a text message stating "seek cover"..so what did I do, I grabbed Brylee and got in the extra bedroom closet which is our "safe place"..while inside, I noticed Kenny's shoes with an extra layer of pollen on them..grrrroooossss! One good thing is maybe this "flood" we are still experiencing will wash the pollen away..it is so bad here, car washes are offering "pollen washes"..

While in the closet, I kept hearing the mess going around us and I have heard people hear a "train noise"..and of course, I guess it was my imagination running wild..I heard about 3 of them! I was just holding Brylee and praying over and over, Please God protect us and keep us safe...Kenny lightly reminded me that I slept through the worst part of the storm...so again, Our God did keep us safe and He made me feel safe through the aftermath. I am sick of bad weather, and ready for it to move on out. I have always remembered the tornado in Huntsville, and now the one here and it is a lot more scary to me now, I guess because I am the momma..but thank the Lord Brylee still thinks it's cool to stay in the closet..and it doesn't bother her when the thunder rolls. We found her in this position the other night..I guess she was preparing for and practicing her safety plan!
She, out of the blue, wanted to go to bed, so she said nite nite..and got in the hall closet. A few minutes later, she was OUT! Welcome to our town..I guess the new "Tornado Alley"..where a kid gets used to sleeping in the closet!

~STAY DRY TODAY!!!

What would he say?

2009-03-26T20:03:00.002-05:00

I suspect that when my Uncle Petey is able to talk again, this is what he will describe this LONG journey as...a ROLLERCOASTER!!!! And I imagine he will say, "What a Long and Strange Trip It Has Been" He He...

I bet my parents will be singing it with him...they were eating at Barry's tonight when mom received a phone call that he had taken a turn for the worse, he was having different neurological activity, low blood pressure and non-responsive. So they immediately paid and headed to Birmingham, when they neared about Gadsden, the hospital called back to say he had made a complete and total turn around..just as fast as he went, he was back and responding. They decided to keep heading that way to see him for themselves. Just spoke with Daddy and he said he seems to be doing fine. They will probably head back home in a little while...what triggered it? We might not never know, but I sure hope it doesn't happen again!

Keep him in your prayers tonight!

Fun times!

2009-03-22T17:53:00.002-05:00

Not typing much today..need to keep resting..after 3 weekends in a row of company..I am tired..not complaining..just tired..and you know I have been sick since Feb.5th..went this week and had a cat scan at the local ENT..he described my sinuses the worst he had seen in 2 days..(which doesn't seem too bad..other than that is ALL he does all day)..my right sinus was COMPLETELY blocked..and the left was completely blocked except for a small part..so NO WONDER I can't get well..I am now on 14 days of Levaquin, Mucinex, and steroids again! Boo..but feeling so much better..hopefully at the end of the course of antibiotics, I will be 100%! A few pics of our weekend with Kenny's brother and Martina and Jaden..He is so sweet and so good! He just smiles and looks all the time. Brylee really enjoyed playing mommy the whole weekend! I had the priviledge of helping with the BBQ rally at church for Riley Stewart..and as Bro. Billy said, we won't post the money received, but you all would only believe it by knowing it was a GOD THANG!!! I was so proud to be apart of this great community when that rolled it! We had our Ladie's Banquet Friday night at church..so glad Martina got to go with me..beautiful tables almost 300 ladies...great music and great speaker..supposed to be Elizabeth Luter, but they had a death in the family, so we had Kyra Crowson from Crestview..awesome testimony and awesome ministry "Exodos"..check them out! Have a fantastic week!!!

Why Me?

2009-03-15T22:06:00.004-05:00

The week has been such a tease, b/c Dad let me know they "might" come down for the weekend depending on Uncle Petey's situation. So, not really knowing if they were coming or not, was kinda tearing at my curiosity. I didn't want to pressure them to come, but was really hoping they would! And luckily, they got to. They came to Bham on Friday morning and spent the day and talked to doctors, he was doing much better and they decided to come on down. I think Dad had to twist Mom's arm though..she was really torn about leaving, but the doctors assured her they would call should anything change. He did have an episode with his trach while they were gone which was no real biggie. Unfortunately when they left this morning and headed back, once they got there, he had a really rough night and the vent was back to breathing completely for him...so friends, we covet your prayers..I think most of us are to the realization that God is in control..has been even if sometimes we doubted it, He will continue to be in control and we are ready for Him to do His thang! If it is time for Uncle Petey to be healed, Praise God, if it is time for Uncle Petey to remain exactly like he is, Praise God, if it is time for Uncle Petey to meet our Lord and Savior, Praise God..whatever His will is Praise God..I was recently asked by someone, "But Why Me?"..and I was rather hasty and said, "Why Not You"..when I probably should've said something along these lines..I got this devotion about suffering and wanted to share it with you all..and hopefully that person is reading and will forgive me for being so rude and acting like I completely understand the situation, b/c I don't, but I do know that Jesus loves them and cares about their situation and I love them too!!!

Did Jesus suffer? Was Jesus sometimes lonely? Was he tempted to be discouraged? Was he misunderstood, maligned and criticized unjustly? The answer to all these questions is "Yes."

And none of us are exempted from suffering, or loneliness, or discouragement, or unjust criticism—because God is developing within us the character of Christ, and in order to do this, he must take us through all of the circumstances in life that he took Christ through.

This means God is more interested in your character than your comfort, and he's more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. So, the question is not if you'll go through dark times in life, but when you'll go through them.

Now, does this mean God causes tragedies? No. God is good, and he will not cause evil or do evil. But God can use dark and stressful times for good; he'll use them to build a Christ-like character within us.

So, what should you do when you go through difficult times?

Refuse to be discouraged. David said, "I will fear no evil" (Psalms 23:4 NIV). His use of the word will implies a choice, an act of decision. In the final 12 hours of Christ's life, we can clearly see he made a choice to follow God's will; He made a choice to face down fear; he made a choice to ignore despair.

Remember God is with you. David said, "For you are with me" (Psalms 23:4 NIV). God not only promises his power; he promises his presence. We will never go through a dark day alone. Jesus knew he wasn't alone as he walked out his Passion.

Rely on God's protection and guidance. David said in Psalm 23:4 that God's rod and staff comforted him. The rod and staff were basic tools a shepherd used to protect and guide the sheep. God will be with you, and he'll protect and guide you. Jesus could have called down 10,000 angels; he could have called his disciples to arms; instead he relied on God to protect and guide Him.

I pray that you all have a blessed week and oh yeah..almost forgot..Mercy is here and she is beautiful..can't wait for more pictures..her aunt is obviously forgetting some of us live 5 hours away and are relying on her pics..so get to posting ISI!!!

Church was awesome today..the message was Rev. 5..and wow is all I can say! What a day that will be!!! When my Jesus I shall see!!! Are you Heaven-Ready???? I truly hope if you are reading this, you are, and if you are not, please contact me and I would love to share the story of grace, mercy, and most of all forgiveness! We had lunch with our friends Jamie and Jonathan...just love them to pieces!

~A Weekend With Friends~

2009-03-08T19:33:00.009-05:00

I love friendships, where you can pick up the phone..send a text message and say, "Pack your bags..and come visit this weekend"..and the friend writes back.."Serious?..why not..we will be there Sat." Especially friendships that you haven't seen in a while or had the opportunity to just sit down face to face and have a good old chat! That is exactly what happened this weekend..my best friend from Daphne, Tiffany and her little girl Rowan came for a visit. Her little girl is a doll and a very smart, well spoken child for 3 years old. She had a wonderful conversation the whole time she was here, and I super hope some of her dialect rubbed off on my child! Kenny seems to think it's because Tiffany likes to talk and talks to her..(like I don't talk to my child, therefore her language suffers)..maybe so..who knows....

We began when they got here of just letting the girls play outside..they had a ball! They loved playing dress up, like it was raining, mommy and daughter and riding bikes. At one point, I asked Rowan what her name was..and she replied, "Rowan..R-O-W-A-N"...and very quickly, Brylee chimes in, "Brylee...B-R-Y-L-E-E"...it was much of a competition between the two most of the weekend. Brylee still struggles with the environment being "hers" and not wanting to share her things..which resulted in Rowan coming to tell, "Brylee won't share"..."Brylee hit me"..and so forth..my child the bully! She and Rowan did however have their share of "bullying" the poor 2nd grade boy on the McDonald's playground! Baaaahaaaa! He kept running back to his parents about "those girls"...neither Tiffany nor myself really saw the need to intervene in the situation since he WAS obviously in 2nd grade and they ARE 3! The way that they were bossing around with their hands on their hips and the way Brylee was shaking her head was pretty funny...we both agreed if they lived closer to each other, we might have trouble!

Brylee was a little emotional over the weekend..and I wasn't sure if it was just the fact of not wanting to share, or if she felt a tad bit bad. She pitched some major temper fall outs..which was not like her, but has been perfectly fine since they have been gone, so I am starting to think, it was just her being spoiled and selfish..oh well, she is 3 for now, and maybe in June when we turn 4, it will go away?

Today, we had every intention of going to church, but the time change got us all..so we just had breakfast, and went and bought blue sand for Brylee's sand/water table, and let the girls play all morning. Of course, the Walmart trip ended up with a toy for each and we bought them the same thing..to prevent any arguments. After they became bored with that, we packed up and headed to the Fun Factory..the girls skated, played, and had ice cream..after that to McDonald's for more play and lunch. Came home and unfortunately soon, they had to pack up and head home to get ready for work/school tomorrow..back to the real world!

Uncle Petey is doing well in Birmingham..they did have to turn the vent back up today, but he seems to be resting and mom and dad got a chuckle out of him when they told him..if he didn't get shaved soon, he could play Santa Claus in December!

I leave you with two things..no one who follows my blog told me that lizards can carry salmonella???? Did you know this??? We are not handling and I have told Brylee if she does, she will be punished to the 3rd degree..I am trying to convince Kenny he is now ready to go back into the wilderness..b/c of this new finding..YUCK!

Second, Brylee had Kenny's phone the other night...he went to get it and asked her why she had it..here is her response.."Because Daddy, I needed to do my TEST messaging!!" Just another, Moment in the Life of a Hill!!!!!

Lord, I Just Want to Thank You....

2009-03-07T09:37:00.002-06:00

Good Saturday Morning...I want to do something a little different this morning..I am always asking for prayer requests on here and seem to never just do a Thanks blog..so I want to share some pretty awesome things with you...

*Praise God for my health, family, and for our MANY blessings. Most of the time, I think we all take for granted what we have and sometimes "expect" things to be good, and my friends, ALL that we have is from HIM and all that we get is so undeserving! I thank God for my salvation, for my wonderful husband and daughter, my loving parents, who show me unselfish love and a true Christian attitude, my Godly grandparents still alive..for the joy I saw on their faces when we stopped by and spent some time with them, for all of my family on my side and Kenny's side..we are TRULY blessed with some lovely family memembers!!!

*I thank God that Laura is on a plane as I type headed to Ethiopia to pick up Sweet Mercy!!! She is coming home and once again, God has proven to be faithful over and over in their life and that situation!

* I thank God that Miss Riley is home in E-town..with her family!!! I pray that her battle with ALL will go quickly and smoothly and that God will receive all glory during it and that she will come out stronger and an awesome witness for His love, mercy and faithfulness!!!

* I thank God that my Uncle Petey was moved to Bham...he is in a hospital that is a step down trach hospital where they are specialized to wean patients off of the vents and trachs..and I know God is going to be faithful in this situation.

* I thank God for my friends..one of my bests and her daughter are coming in a few hours..and I thank God for the time we are about to spend together..isn't it awesome when He puts people in your path at the right time of your life..

*I thank God for my job, and for the children I work with..I believe every person is put in our lives for a reason, and although we may not understand it now, somehow, He is shaping and molding us to be more like Him.

*I thank God for the little things in life!

*I thank God for my church and the ministry of love and grace they have shown so many times to so many people! I am glad we were placed at HBC!!!!!

I could go on with my "thankfulness" post all day...when I stop and think of what I am thankful for, all I can do is bow my head and say "Thank You"!

So, what are you thankful for today? You can either leave me a comment with it, or you can leave a comment with a link to your blog where you have done a thankful post!

Have a super Saturday...it is a beautiful one here and I look forward to our friends arriving!!!!

McSleeznic, UPW, and "A Lizard Holder???"

2009-03-02T22:20:00.006-06:00

So be prepared this blog is about to be all over the place..

I was UPSET after tonight's show..and did a little artwork to relieve my stress! Enjoy!!!

Who watched Bachelor Finale??? OMGsh! I can't believe he broke that poor girls heart on national television! I mean, I am glad he finally made his mind up before ruining the REST of her life..but look what he has already done! Instead of Jason Meznic..I think he is Jason McSLEEZnic!!!! Poor Melissa...and Molly..well, won't say what I think about her..but they do involve the words..desperate, pathetic and crazy! What a sad twist and ABC ought to be ashamed!

Uncle Petey will be having a trach inserted tomorrow at about 5 pm..so please say a prayer for him as they remove the ventilator and insert the trach..I pray this will give him some relief where he can start getting better!

I went to a co-workers house down the street to finish ~~wasting~~
watching the Bachelor. So, Kenny calls about 5 min. after I left and says..you are not going to believe what just happened!!!! It was so bad, it made me spill my drink in the living room floor..I am thinking oh no! He was sitting on the couch and Brylee walks up behind him and says..Hey Daddy..did you want this? He turns around and our (NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING CHILD) is holding her lizard by the tail!!! He wiggles and his tail falls off! He starts running (for his life I am sure)..and Kenny spills his coke and tells Brylee to get the lizard..she calmly picks him up and puts him in his cage! Ya'll, I am cracking up! She hasn't offered to touch him at all since we have had him..and now she is getting him out on her own! Poor Slimy! He might not make it many more days in the Hill Household..but what can I say, It is just another Moment in the Life of a Hill!!!!

What blue eyes you have!

2009-03-01T20:27:00.002-06:00

~This blog was from Friday night..Just now getting to post it~

As I type, I am now at home in the peace and quiet of the living room and all I hear is the television playing softly in the background. Today has been a pretty busy day and I have to say I am tired. I can only imagine how my parents are feeling b/c this is day 23 of Uncle Petey being in the hospital. When a loved one is in the NICU, you only get to visit them 4 times a day. And during the visits, you can only stay back about 20-25 minutes. All of this is totally understandable due to the severity of the patients, but it makes for a very long day when you try to be there for all visits. I have to say I am very impressed with Huntsville Hospital..they have a newer waiting room that has large comfy chairs, a sign-in desk, nice break area, lockers to store things, tvs, computers and wireless access. The atmosphere is so chaotic though and people are coming and going and visiting with families..You can see the pain, stress and sheer tiredness in most of their eyes. Some making difficult decisions for their families, some so sad because they just do not know what tomorrow holds. This morning started off kind of slow. Mom and Dad headed down because the doctor wanted to meet with them at 8:30. Aunt and Uncle were there as well. He basically told them they will have to make a decision that would require a few things from them. They did decide to go ahead and take the ventilator off sometime early this week..and put in him a tracheotomy. This will be a more permanent fixture to help him breath. My cousin asked him if he wanted that in and he shook his head yes..so it helps to know that we are doing what he wants.
I and my Uncle have not always had the best of relationships. We have not always seen eye to eye on situations and that is okay. That is what makes each of us different and special and makes the world a unique place to live. No matter how he has felt, or how I have felt, one thing is for sure, I have never stopped loving him! He is my uncle and will always be! I have held off coming due to being sick, and him staying about the same..and have prayed that the Lord would let me see him and talk to him before anything were to happen. I had the opportunity today and I thank HIM for that! When I first went in, he was pretty dazed and on some pain medication that seemed to make focusing hard. He would just barely look at us and that was pretty upsetting for me. To see him laying there in that condition was very discouraging, but on the upward bound, his vitals and everything seemed good. I looked into his eyes, got to tell him I love him and have been praying for him..and then I lost it, which couldn’t be good for him, so I excused myself. The second time I went back, I had gained composure and told him who I was, and he nodded. He knew me, he squinted his eyes and I saw a sweet, gentle spirit in his bright blue eyes! Ya’ll, I have never noticed how blue his eyes were. For some reason, I was always thinking they were green, but today, they had such a beautiful bright blue shade and no longer did the tubes, the beeping of machines or the agitation he seemed to be having even to be a factor. He was looking at me and knew that I love him and am praying daily and have all of you, my faithful blog friends, facebook and MySpace praying as well. And for that and for that moment, I am thankful! I pray that he will be alert tomorrow as well and I can tell him I love him all over again!

Tonight his night nurse was making rounds and I thought wow, she looks so familiar..and I told that to mom and dad. She came in the room and she said, “I know you”…we all laughed b/c I had just said the same thing. After we got to talking, she was one of dad’s nurses when he had his accident and as a matter of fact, she went and got Starbuck’s Coffee for us one night! It was such a joy to talk with her and for us to finally figure out how we knew each other. Such a small world, but I feel good about her taking care of him tonight..she gave him a little “cocktail” to make him sleep and rest tonight. He was resting last visit and for that ~We are thankful!~ Rest is what he needs right now…Goodnight!!!

Sweet Baby

2009-02-24T23:45:00.002-06:00

A sweet girl in Brylee's SS class was diagnosed with Leukemia today..Please uplift her family in prayers today!

Such a scary disease no parent wants to hear and I pray that He will show himself in a mighty way in every step that they take..Dear Jesus, bless her body, soul and mind and pour out grace and mercy that only You can provide! Give them what they need in this moment and for the many moments to come!

~Prayerful Tonight~

2009-02-22T22:43:00.007-06:00

Before I go to bed..I wanted to update my prayer list...I found some notes from a previous message..concerning Suffering..There are a few things we know for sure..1.) it is going to come...2.) It can come to purify us...3.) It can come to identify us...4.) It can come to glorify Christ in our lives. I pray that through anything I or my family goes through that HIS name is glorified and is shining through the suffering..I pray that we do not lose focus of WHO is in control and that Our Lord Jesus Knows what is going on even when the doctors do not, and He knows the outcome of every situation..that we don't forget He is the same God yesterday, today and forever more! Suffering comes to all people..not just good or bad..and suffering is sometimes derived because we belong to Him..so that we can be distinguished as His and commit our soul to Him continuing to do good and what is right.

I guess I got a little discouraged today with all that happened with Uncle Petey..I can only imagine how he is feeling and how my mother and her sister are..it has to be discouraging..but I know they have faith and serve the same God I do, and I hope they are quickly reminded as I was tonight of Who is holding his hand and right beside each breath that is being taken!!!!

Also, add to your list, my pastor's mother..they found out she has cancer in her liver and lungs, and fell and broke her rib. Pray for my friend Michelle's niece, Ella Kate Whitton, she was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, in UAB in the NICU and for the doctors that will be caring for her...I also have a friend from high school who has made some bad choices and her life needs prayer and God right now, my heart breaks for her and I hope she knows people care and are praying for her!!!! Pray for my friend's daddy who just had knee surgery..doing well last I heard..and for Sweet Mercy who will be making her journey home to her family from Ethiopia...VERY SOON!!! A miracle right before our eyes!!! I want to post her picture..as soon as I can..so let me know Lisa/Laura!!!

UPW

2009-02-22T09:17:00.003-06:00

UPDATE: They didn't begin until later, but when they tried to start weaning the ventilator off, his blood pressure and heart began to jump up, so they decided to wait a few more days. Please Pray!!!!

Just talked with Daddy and they started taking Uncle Petey off of the ventilator this morning at about 7 am...so please PRAY that all goes smooth, his body reacts well to it and takes to it..he is not agitated and not upset, and in no pain!

~...Whew, Will I Ever Get Better...~

2009-02-21T22:05:00.003-06:00

So I do hate to keep complaining about being sick, but dadgum ya'll, I can't get better. I slept pretty much most of the day. Taylor and Ryan were so generous in keeping Brylee while Kenny was watching basketball in Troy..she had a blast, jumped on the trampoline, played outside, painted fingernails and toenails, watched movies and painted. She loves those girls and their family is a huge blessing to us! Another provision made by God and more proof He is taking care of us! Here are a few pics from the last ballgame of the year. We got to see some old friends from Daphne and enjoyed it so much..so wish we could see them more often! Boo! My Hott Hubby coaching, Brylee with Mrs. Weeden, shouting "We're #1", Ryan and Brylee, Amber and Brylee and the Original 2 Coaches! Ced and Kenny! Hope you all have a great rest of the week..hopefully we will all wake up and be able to go to church. I hope you are still praying for Uncle Petey..he is starting to wake up a little and they are soon taking the ventilator off..so hopefully he will get to feeling better soon!

~Prayer Request~

2009-02-20T14:37:00.003-06:00

This is an email I received earlier, this dear lady subs at our school alot and is so kind and sweet..I hope you will join me in praying for her husband.

Earl Daniels was involved in a horrific motorcycle accident this morning (Thurs.) and may loose his leg. The hip is shattered as well.
He was hit by a woman who didn't see him. The fender of her car hit his leg.
Earl and his wife, Brandy, with their 3 young boys attend our church.
He is in Dothan at the medical center. One surgery has been performed and next are plans to have Earl transported to Tallahassee on Monday, if he is stable, to have more work done this time on his hip.
Brandy is numb and reality hasn't hit yet.

Please pray for an amazing and full recovery for EArl. Nothing is impossible for God and He can save anything, to include Earl's leg and hip.
- May his leg and hip be repaired to total restoration.
- May God protect Earl's spirit.
-May he have the ability to stay positive through this recovery.
-May he experience very little pain and courage to endure what he must.

-May God blanket Brandy and their children with the peace that passes all understanding.
-May He give them courage with stength to take each day moment by moment.
- Help for Brandy to make the decisions she must. To be the encourager her husband needs.

-That Earl is surrounded by a compassionate hospital staff that Love Jesus and will do God's will.
- Wisdom for the doctors and staff

ALL in Jesus' Powerful and Magnificent Name!

Thank you!!!! I am sure there is much to be prayed for that I have not covered.
Thank you for taking the time to pray.
His kingdom come, His will be done....

Luca

Brylee and the Boys

2009-02-19T18:43:00.002-06:00

How Old Do You Feel Tonight????

2009-02-18T20:43:00.005-06:00

How old do I feel tonight??? OLD..first of all, I have pulled a muscle and have inflammation in my side from coughing..(got a shot, steroids, and an inhaler tonight)..fell at the game today..yes, while holding Brylee, I stepped off the 1st step and hit a spot of water and down we went, but according to the witnesses, I fell very graceful, and held Brylee up and above me, so she didn't feel a thing. I just did what any other mother would do, the graceful part was just a Brooke Thing! But, I do have a lovely bruise and scrape to show just how graceful I was...also, after the Daphne game today, a guy came up to me and said, "You don't know me, do you?"...I said of course I do..and he asked me the million dollar question, "What is my name then?" Thank God, someone said, Hey Brandon..come here..I immediately recognized him..I taught him in 7th grade my 2nd year of teaching..and he was not this big then, and he did not have long hair..so, he, on top of the fall, lung/cough/muscle disease I have going on made me feel old..here is a pic we got together..I am SO proud of him and what he has become..he did an awesome job today and I am glad to say he was a former student. He was in a 7th grade science class where I collaborated with another teacher and still has the same sweet personality he always had!

I will add more pics from the game later..my battery is dead...We lost, but the boys played a great game and had nothing to be ashamed of..2 of our seniors were out, one with a broke wrist and one who had to have knee surgery. All of the guys were awesome..and Brylee got her pic on the front page of the sports section from the Sub-Regional Championship..I will also include that in the pics..All of our guys did great job..it was great to be an EHS cat today!!!! Back to the real world tomorrow!

My Uncle Petey

2009-02-15T13:40:00.003-06:00

Prayer Partners...My family and uncle really needs your prayers...I have called on several of you through phone calls, text messages and the Internet to pray for him. My uncle Petey Whitehead is sick. He started getting sick about 2 weeks ago and was rushed to the ER in Scottsboro. They did a few tests and discovered a spot on his brain and he was med-flighted to Huntsville. He apparantley had a stroke. After a few tests he was moved to ICU an stayed about a week. After all the meds, he seemed to be doing much better and came home this past Wednesday. At about 4 that evening, he had another stroke, this one was much worse than the first. Again he was taken to Huntsville and moved into ICU again. After doing a little better, they moved him out into a room. This morning at about 2, another stroke occured. He is back in ICU. This time he has lost pretty much all use of his throat, and is having a hard time swallowing.

I want to ask you all to join me in praying for him. He is a great man and our family cares so deeply for him. My parents and other aunt and uncle are staying with him..rotating nights and shifts. I know they are tired and am sure they need prayers for strength and wisdom as well. I pray that my Uncle Petey's body will heal and that the Lord will grant wisdom to the doctors, nurses and care staff, I pray that He will heal Uncle Petey's body and make him whole again, I pray for strength, wisdom and peace for all of those taking care of him. Please join me and add his name to your prayer list. Thanks for all the prayers so far...~Lisa, when I called you and you prayed, Girl, it was a wonder I didn't wreck with the tears flowing..I seriously needed wipers for my eyes! LOL..but prayer works and it creates miracles. I am thankful for all of you that I can call upon and you stop what you are doing and pray! I love you all!

Take your meds..and call me in the morning!

2009-02-14T09:09:00.003-06:00

Yall, if I think I am going to die before I get better! I can't get rid of this cough/cold mess! I am on day 3 of antibiotics, decongestant and nose spray. And all of that started AFTER 10 days of feeling yuck! I will think I am getting better and nope, it hits again. Some of my friends say they have had this and it lasted 2 months! Can you believe this?? On a higher note, Brylee got well fast and is feeling fine!

We played Opelika last night and won our rights to head to Troy to play for regionals. It was a buzzard beating game..and we won 52-50. The atmosphere and crowd was very encouraging! Everyone had on blue..it was called a "Blue Out". Here's a few pics! Enjoy and have a Great Valentine's Day!

It's been a week.....

2009-02-07T20:39:00.005-06:00

While it has been over a week since I last posted, I figured I better write a little something..Brylee and I ended up at home Friday night, all Saturday, all Sunday and all Monday...she ran a fever the whole time. Of course, when I got a doctor's appointment on Monday, she had quit, but I figured I would go ahead and let him listen to her..she had told us she had swallowed a quarter the other night..so he went ahead and did a "whole to whole" x-ray..her longs were A-okay and there was no money!
But, since he did hear some wheezing, he went ahead and prescribed a steroid and breathing treatments..she did these when she was about 6 months..so we had a machine at home..I had almost let a friend borrow it, but she had already bought one, so I am glad I didn't. She used to hate these and has her moments this week, but for the most part, her "Dragon Puff" has been beneficial!

Today being a beautiful day, we decided to go to Waffle House for a late breakfast, and then to the park. Our day changed when Kenny wanted to check out the Fun Factory. We have lived here for 3 years, but never went..Let's just say, we will not go back to Chuck E Cheeses over this place..for $5, Brylee got to skate, play in a park area, jump on enclosed trampolines, bowl, mini golf, play in an area with styrofoam balls and air blowing them everywhere! She had a blast! And Kenny did too! He busted out some skates and skated like it was 1987 at Parks or Jody's in the boro!! It was so much fun! I hate my camera batteries weren't charged and I only got a couple of pics on my phone.

And YES, she does have on a Christmas Tree shirt in Feb. Come on people, we thought we were going to play outside..not where anyone would really see us! Let's just call it a Mardi Gras/Valentine's shirt! Baaaahhhaaa!!!

On a serious note, my Uncle Petey is in the hospital, and in ICU. They don't really know what is going on, but he needs your prayers..also, Will Bellomy's family needs your prayers, Abby Riggs needs your prayers, Jeffery Burks who got orders to go to Iraq needs your prayers..so many prayer requests tonight!

Home Alone on a Friday Night

2009-01-30T20:39:00.002-06:00

We had a ballgame at home tonight, but Brylee and I didn't quite make it. She is not feeling well. She started coughing a couple of days ago which I knew was probably because of the crazy weather change. Cold one day, Hot the next! I sure wish it would get one way and stay, preferably 75 and sunny! Last night, she coughed a hacking nasty sounding cough most of the night. Today when I picked her up, she laid down in the back seat (with her seatbelt Mother and Father) for the trip home. I knew she wasn't feeling too good. I checked her temp and it was 100.6. So of course, we started with juice popsicles, G2 fluids and some tylenol. Her cough sounds gross, but not producing much, so we decided to stay home tonight. She is on a pallet in the living room watching tv. On the positive note, she has, for the most part, acted fine. She did tell me she had a headache a few minutes ago, so who knows..We have had several sweet people call and talk to her to make her feel better...one of Kenny's students, Katie who plays with her at ballgames, called to talk with her..Katie told Brylee to get better, and Brylee responded with "I not sick!", so Katie said, well, come to the ballgame then..and Brylee (with an attitude) said OK! LOL

I am back..she just was walking to the kitchen, had a coughing spell and threw up a little bit..so, she wanted a bath! If she is not better by the morning, we have a doctor friend that has agreed to take a look.

I tell you it has been a week in this place...several unfortunate things have happened at our school, but we will survive, and be better than ever. No doubt!Had BBSST meetings all day today. It makes your day go by fast, but is super busy! Kenny came in yesterday and went straight to bed, he wasn't feeling good. When I talked with him earlier, he was feeling better. On a sad note, a couple at our church experienced the death of their daughter by suicide...a guy from home committed suicide yesterday as well, our JV coach's father-in-law passed away from a long illness, and the poor poor girl in the fatal/firey crash yesterday. My heart breaks for all of these families! Losing loved ones especially like these leaves people with questions, emptiness and lonliness. I know that we serve a God that is the answer to all of those problems and He is bigger than anything we can imagine. I pray that they will keep their focus on Him and His name will be glorified through it all!

Got to thinking about my grandmother this morning..Kenny was laughing at me..I so hate that she never met Brylee..I know though that she would just adore her...and I can only imagine how many times she would have already told her that "she better be sweet, or the boogie man would get her"...or to "Get out of my light" (meaning she couldn't see the Price is Right! She was such a special lady and for some reason she has been on my mind..guess its about the time she passed away! I know she is in a better place, and I wouldn't wish her back for the world, but goodness I miss her!

Other than all of the above, (kind of a random post) we are just living the life. I pray that you all have a fantastic weekend..Hopefully Brylee will be better and we can enjoy it as well.

25 Random things About Me

2009-01-24T12:04:00.003-06:00

I was tagged by my cousin on Facebook to complete this...and wanted to tag ALL of you reading this..so here goes!

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I am an only child. Although I have been told that I am not a typical only child..(whatever that means) Growing up, I did not want siblings, but now it would be nice..I think.

2. I have dated my husband since I was 14 years old. Married when I was 22.

3. I am a special education teacher and LOVE everything about it! God has always blessed me with the most amazing, touching children! (Even in ATL..though they were CHALLENGING)

4. I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter. She is the spitting image of her daddy in looks but me in actions.

5. Giving birth was the EASIEST thing I have ever done! Running a mile took more out of me than birthing her 7lb self. It was so easy it scares me to have another one...although I will someday.

6. I love the Lord God with all my heart. Although saved at an early age, it took me many years of "running with the crowd" to realize what living for Him really meant. I thank Him for His grace, mercy and love throughout it all! He has never left and never failed..and for that I am truly thankful!

7. We attend a wonderful church, Hillcrest Baptist Church..and it has brought my relationship with Jesus to a whole new level! Again, a provision I truly believe was God sent!

8. I don't like drama and I don't like it if I think someone is upset with me. I always want to work it out!

9. One of my favorite smells is a chicken house. Not walking right through it, but driving by on a spring night with the widows down. Ha!

10. I am a self-proclaimed Irritable Bowel Syndrome patient. I truly believe I would be diagnosed if I would actually go to a doctor, but I don't think it is that bad to go.

11. I love watching my husband's basketball team! I always have a sense of pride of him when watching..whether winning or losing (although I can't stand to hear such critics if they are losing), I know the sacrifice, hard work and commitment that goes into it..and I am glad to call my husband a coach.

12. I have taught for 7 years but never been tenured yet...1st year..Castlen in Mobile, 2nd and 3rd year in Daphne Al, 4th year in Scottsboro for first semester, in Atlanta for second semester, 5th, 6th and 7th year in Etnerprise Al..God willing and proation doesn't get me, I will be tenured this year...again, an area in our life that God has always provided with jobs for us both..wonderful houses and great friends.

13. I almost lost my daddy 3 years ago. He was in a terrible accident where he fell at work in a 30ft hole while working. I will never forget the horror from that day! But again, he was protected by God!

14. My favorite meal would consist of chicken fingers, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and Sister Shubert's rolls.

15. I just celebrated my 10th reunion from high school..that made me feel very old.

16. I love LSU football. The excitement and joy that surrounds a college football game is a great feeling!

17. I have one tattoo. I got it out of sheer bordem. I had always thought I wanted one but was too big of a chicken to get it. One night my friend Tiffany and I were just sitting around and I said I want a tattoo. And the result is a small sun on my back.

18. I am not a meal planner. Wish I was, but everything we eat is a spur of the moment decision.

19. Hypocritical people who are always looking for the bad in every situation bother me. And are always judging their situation on what someone else did...we are all different, go through many different paths of life and thank goodness, we only answer to One!

20.I lost a very important person to me a few years back. His death has taught me that you never know what someone is going through..and outside appearances can be very decieving. That's why every moment we have with those we love is very important!

21. I rarely spent a night away from home growing up...my grandparents would always have to meet my parents during the middle of the night..which is so funny...b/c since I have been married..I have always lived pretty far away!

22. I am a HUGE Daddy's girl..I think he is pretty much as close to perfect as you can get! And I will argue with you on that one, if you were to say I am wrong! ;0)

23. I can't dance a lick!!!! My janitor at my school can't believe I am actually married to a black man, after watching me dance on stage in front of the school..(not by choice)..one of my student's pulled me up!

24. I used to think Kirk Cameron was the hottest man in the world..and I thought he owned "Kirk Cemetary" which is really close to my grandparents in Rainsville.

25. I cry everytime a St. Jude commerical comes on!