In Memory of My Dad

Wise Words that my father loved and that represented the way he lived...it was his favorite song.

If I have wounded any soul today,

If I have caused one foot to go astray,

If I have walked in my own willful way,

Dear Lord, Forgive.

If I have uttered idle words or vain,

If I have turned aside from want or pain,

If I myself shall suffer thru the strain,

Dear Lord, Forgive

If I have been perverse or hard, or cold,

If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,

When Thou hast given me some fort to hold,

Dear Lord, Forgive.

Forgive the sins I have confess to Thee;

Forgive the secret sins I do not see;

Oh guide me, love me and my keep be...

Amen

Happy Father's Day! I miss you!

The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. Proverbs 20:7

Un-foreign Exchange Student

Today is the five week anniversary with our Un-foreign exchange student, Sarah. She has been living with us in Tennessee and will continue to do so, at least, for the rest of the summer.

Who knows, maybe, she will be here longer.

She came from the state of North Carolina, the city of Burlington, and the home of Bill and Donna Johnson.

First about the connection...

We're family...

We're cousins...

Her Dad is my first cousin. We used to say kissing-cousins when we were itty-bitty things, but that grosses the un-foreign exchange student out. So, I'll just say cousins.

It was all very "God", how Sarah got to us. She just "happened" to write on Facebook that she would like to get out of NC for the summer. I "jokingly" said - COME TO TENNESSEE AND LIVE WITH ME. Through a few more exchanges, we found out that we were both serious and, viola', the rest is history.

Hence, the dedication of this blog to our five week occupant...

Sarah Courtney Johnson

First of all, I will just say - WE LOVE HER DEARLY! She is soooo much fun and just goes along with whatever craziness is happening in the Volunteer State.

There have been a lot of firsts for her since her time in Tennessee...

...opening an internet book business
...watching a 3-d movie in the comfort of home
...changing a diaper
...SNAPPED
...eating Captain D's fish
...frog gigging
...watching my sister scream fericiously "THAT'S PATHETIC" at an umpire at a 9-year old's ballgame
...eating black eyed peas, kraut, and kielbasa
...watching Star Trek (I think she still wishes that was on her "haven't done" list)
...going to Best Buy with Ge
...closing an internet book business

There are still so many things on our "to do" list...

...peeing in the yard
...spinning around in circles until we fall down from dizziness
...going to the drive-in
...going to Universal
...eating at Red Lobster

We, at least, have seven more weeks before we say good-bye to her. That's something we aren't thinking about and won't be looking forward too. So for now, we'll just live in the present and enjoy her...

...and continue to add things to our list.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Niece II

Niece II asked me to dedicate a whole blogging post to her...so I thought, hmmm....what would I say. Then, I realized it would be more like "what wouldn't I say".

This is such an exciting time in her life, so I'll start with the "now" and go backwards. Niece II is getting married, so that means there is a lot of "flurry" going on in all our lives regarding a wedding. To be exact, Niece II is getting married in 50 days from today, hence, we are hosting a "50 miles in 50 days" treadmill-a-thon. She and I have committed that in the next 50 days, we WILL spend 50 miles on the treadmill. She wants to look beautiful in her dress and I want to "not look like a Golden Girl in mine." We've spent tons of time shopping, planning, walking, talking, showering, laughing, crying...it's a lot of emotional energy to plan a wedding :) I'm SOOOO grateful that she wants me involved in such a BIG way.

Oh, and did I mention that we'll be going on a cruise with the Newlyweds in the Mediterranean next summer....

Also, Niece II and I have a new, BIG thing in common...my hubby and her hubby-to-be. How alike are they? Let me count the ways....ahhh, let's see, in all ways!

They are both hilarious with a dry sense of humor. They both LOVE Star Trek. They both like to hear themselves talk about details of things that no one else cares about (ssshhh...don't tell them, but we really like it because it makes us think they are so smart). But, most importantly...

THEY ARE LOVING, LOVING MEN.

My hubby said to me once: "Niece II's hubby-to-be is just like me. He likes to do a lot of things, but he wants her to be right there with him, just like I want you to be right there with me."

What more can I say about that...I think that says it all.

Niece II and I have had a budding relationship over the last year. In the past, I was always closer to O and Niece III (her sisters), not because of any particular reason, maybe, I was more like O and Niece III, maybe, Niece II was just a little more introverted, maybe, it's the middle child thing.

Whatever the reason, I ALWAYS loved her equally and was hopeful that if I just waited for her, we would have the relationship that we have now.

It was worth the wait!!!!!!!!!

To everything there is a season,and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecc 3

Good Days, Great Days

Yesterday was a great day. It was one of those days that doesn't come often...a lazy river, cotton candy, hope it never ends, kind of day. AND it almost didn't :)

The fun started around 7:15 when Evan got here. He is soooo precious and has such his own personality. We played and played until Amber showed up with the other grandkids. Then it was off to the pool. All of them LOVE the water and do so well in it. They don't complain about having to put on sunscreen or having to wear floaties. They jump right in - even when it is C O L D , and it was C O L D yesterday.

People continued to wander in...my sister, my nieces, my cousin, friends, my nephew and the most amazing...my hubby. He, actually, came home from work at noon and sat outside with us all day. That in itself would be a "cotton candy" day, but that's for another post.

The night ended at 11:41 p.m....sitting by the fire, telling funny stories, and helping wipe away a few tears....tears that help us appreciate the great days and let us to know that there can be great, even in the bad days.

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24