The day we played hookie from school & work....

Today, the kids and I took off for an overnighter in Orlando. Kenadee has a cheer competition in the morning and her team was staying overnight in the area. It makes it a little easier to be there on time and ready for the competition without the drive in the morning.

We checked in this afternoon to the hotel. We were greeted by our personal towel elephant. He was adorable.

e had lunch at Friendly's. We ate at a Friendly's for the first time a few years ago and it has become one of our favorite stops in Orlando since then.

Later, we got a chance to let the kids play in the hotel's waterpark. They had a really good time on the tubing slides and just hanging out in the pool.

Sometimes, life becomes all about work or commitments. It is nice to take a day and play hookie. Let's face it - these smiles are the reason for everything. The only thing that could have made this day better was if Kaleb was with us. We missed him.

Now, off to bed...

Challenge One - Question 21

"What one thing do you regret from last year, and what will you do about it this year?"

I guess the main thing that I can think of is that when my dad had surgery, I did not make it there. I mean I tried, but for some reason I just was not able to make it there before he had surgery.

My Daddy is the most amazing man and I love him so much. The thought of not being there when I so wanted to be was so painful and broke my heart.

Obviously, between Kenadee's trip to the ER for her broken arm that day, the airlines refusing to let me on the plane b/c I did not make it to the airport in enough time and all else that happened on that day there was not much I could do. Yet, when I walked out of that airport I felt defeated and disappointed in myself.

How could I be in a place where getting home to my parents was out of my reach? I felt guilt, I felt regret and I felt anger.

This year, I can't do anything about that situation but I do plan on making some better plans for "emergency situations". I want to research my options, have a game plan and be able to get there if I ever need to again. I am just praying that this 40 years down the line.

I will know the plane schedules, possible routes for a faster trip home and the best place to rent a car. If I ever need to be there, I will - God willing :0)

Challenge One - Question 20

"What book, in addition to the bible, do you want to read this year?"

I love to read and I read such a variety of books that it is hard to pick just one book. So, I will list a few that I hope to get to read this year. Here is just a start to my list :-)

Essentials for Life for Women by Marcia Ford
Find Your Strongest Life by Robert Whitlow
Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
Between a Rock and a Grace Place: Divine Surprises in the Tight Spots of Life by Carol Kent
Decision Points by George W. Bush
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

Challenge ONE- Question 19

"What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?"

I hope that my children learn by example the things that I do RIGHT (not the things that I do wrong). I hope that they will look at my life and see how desperately I want God to be in control and how much I want God's will to be done in my life. For that, I pray for God's grace to allow me years of walking with Him and showing HIMSELF faithful even when I am not. To that, I hope any success, any joy or any happiness is credited to HIM so that my children know that all good things in my life were the result of God's love.

In my own personal way, I am keeping journals for my kids that show the numerous prayer requests that God has answered in my life and for those that I have prayed for. I hope that by seeing my account of God's faithfulness to my prayer life they will leave their burdens/their hopes and dreams in God's hands.

I also hope that my legacy leaves not only my footprints but that we have surrounded our kids with others whose faith is an encouragement to their spiritual future.

I also saw a really cute idea about how to incorporate survival scriptures for kids as they grow up and I am working on this one. I heard a really cute idea from somewhere (I think a book I read or at Women of Faith this past year) about how one mother would weekly place a "scripture note" on their child’s pillow with a little love note. I am working on beginning this tradition for the upcoming teen years because I want my kids to know just how much I adore them and love them.

Challenge ONE - Question 18

"What is the one new way that you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?"

I want to be a blessing by showing my commitment to their work. To thank them more often and to show my appreciation for their hard work. I know that they (and their families) work hard to be available to our church body and I want them to know they are appreciated.

I also will continue to pray for them and their ministry. I believe God has placed them each at NBCC for this season and I want to pray for God's blessings on them as they minister to our church family.

Challenge One - Question 17

"What is the single most important thing you can do to improve the quality of your work life this year?"

I know that the thing that I need to do most to improve the quality of my work life is to make sure that I am organized! I love having a regular routine that I follow because I love the feeling of a completed task!

Nothing in my job is more gratifying to me then knowing that I did a good job. I do tons of different things at work and at times am all over the board with what my responsiblities are. I take pride in accomplishing the task that my boss gives me and even more pride in accomplishing task before he asks me!

So, this year I will continue my quest to organize myself & my work flow so that I am able to mark off my "to do's"! This will improve not only the quality of my work life but the quality of my work output.

Sibling Bonds

Sibling relationships—and 80 percent of Americans have at least one— outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust.
Erica E. Goode

I am one lucky girl to have began my life with siblings. They are all OLDER than I am (grin) and each have impacted my life in ways that I am uncertain that they have ever imagined. They each were entirely different and yet still all the same. They are family.

So, here is my little tribute to those whom I hold dear in my heart and who I will always love.

My Big Sister - Kimberly "Aka Kim"

The best way to describe my sister is "Mama Bear"! She would take in anyone to her home and make them family. To Kim, a stranger is family who just has not had a chance to make memories with. As a child, she was always considered by me to be "cool". When she moved out, she always remained "connected" to home.

Kim and I are a lot a like in many ways; but there are some ways where aspire to be more like her than I am.. She has always been a great example of giving of herself and is a wonderful example of how to pick up and go on. (She even gives and gives when you are screaming - No, no, no! - Ha ha ha)

I am extremely proud of her. She has raised 2 absolutely amazing young women and is still raising her step-son. She is head over heels in love with her grandson. In the past few years she went back to college to get her RN degree and is a gifted nurse. I am certain her patients feel her love as much as her medical care.

No matter what life brings, we will always remember our favorite saying " Weeeee lllloooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeee each other"!

Dennis - AKA "Bubba" or as I call him "B".

Bubba was always my hero. My mom says that from when I was born he always gave me extra attention and was always so sweet to me. From as early as I can remember, B took me every where he went. He spoiled me with gifts. He was the best big brother a girl could ask for.

Bubba married his high school sweet heart and they have 8 children. He was born to be dad! From pulling magic quarters from ears to taking the time to just talk, he was always there for me. As he grew older, he was definately a favored uncle with his "big kid" attitude.

I regret that years have passed and I get to see him very rarely because of distance. I miss him very much.

I admire his attitude for success. Kim says he was born under a lucky star, but I know he just makes things happen! His love for God is the most admirable thing about him. He lives his life for Christ and has raised his family to do the same. He has a passion for life that I admire! I love him now and always.

Shane -

Shane can be described easily - He is HEART! I don't mean he has a heart, I mean Shane is defined as heart. Shane would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

Shane has gone thru tons. He has survived being in war, survived tragedy, dealt with pain and yet there is not one human in the world that I know that always seems content. Every time I talk to Shane, he makes me remember the simple things in life are the most treasured.

I don't get to see him that often either but I know in my heart that there will be future times when he and I will sit and visit together. Shane, an old soul, will always be loved by me for being my big brother! He will always be admired by me for being content with where God places him and willing to wait for the blessings to come.

I love each of your dearly - Kim, Bubba & Shane!