THE PARTY'S OVER :( !!!

The Party's Over...The Day is Done...The Lights have Gone Out...The Fat Lady has Sung!! But, oh my, WHAT a party it has been! Forty days full of fun, food, friends and family...I could not have asked for anything more!

Yesterday I had so many phone calls, texts and visits wishing me a Happy Birthday! The first voice I heard was from my oh so precious niece Macey...who was at work being a runner @ a law firm in Oxford.

For the day of culmination, my Mommy and Daddy came up and took me to Up the Creek for lunch. The food was great, but being with them was even greater! I always come away feeling encouraged and so loved!!!

And last night Lee took me to PF Changs and ...SURPRISE!!!...waiting for us was Robert and Beverly, John and Ginger, and Cherie (Woody was being the atheletic director and homework nazi!). Then we went back to John and Ginger's to here all about "What she said..."! (That one's for you, John!)

I can't tell you how much these past 40 days have meant to me...I will remember them forever...each and every one! I am surrounded by the most loving, giving people who encourage me and love me...no matter what! So many times, I just sit back and wonder why my sweet Lord would bless me so much? That truly is a mystery to me! You, my friend are a blessing and I do hope that you know that!

TODAY'S THE DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAMONA BABY!!


40's not such a bad age, especially when you turn 41.

We love you bunches

All your Rankin, Hinds, Madison & Lincoln County Friends

And a few others thrown in there for good measure

May your day today be just delightful

Brittany and Her Crew!

Saturday for lunch I had a very special treat! Brittany and her crew brought me Chick-fil-A for lunch! The water was a little too chilly to go swimming, so the girls just put their feet in:) And Aden and I "argued" whether it was MY birthday or ADEN'S birthday!!! He is soooo funny! I think he just wanted my presents!

Sunday I heard one of the most precious voices that I know! It was my Aunt Bob from Richmond, VA. She has to be one of the most positive, encouraging, uplifting people on this earth! While I was "growing up", Aunt Bob, Uncle Jerry, Lori and Russell were on the mission field...mostly in Indonesia and Thailand. They were there for 4 years and back in the States for one year. Even though my time with them was limited, I have always felt such a strong bond! And I believe it's true that when you are a strong believer in Christ, there is a bond that is so strong and can never be broken.

On that same note, in our small group last night Marty Mays said something that is oh, so true. He said that someone gave him the advise, "When you are searching for your wife, look for someone who loves the Lord MORE than she loves you, because she's not always going to like YOU!!!" So, to all of you singles, take heed to that advise:)!

Drawing to a Close!

Thursday morning I was greeted with a homemade breakfast from my dear friends Beverly & Laura...yuuuuummm! We sat on the back porch and chatted for a while, trying to solve the world's problems...If ONLY they would listen to us:)

Prep JV football played Hillcrest Thursday night and the highlight of the game for this family...Sam recovered a fumble!!!! He was so excited and we were too! We won 43-0. The varsity game vs Hillcrest was also going to be a blow-out, so I decided to go to Tri County to see the boys and girls that I taught Geometry last spring. It was so good to see them, Rod Delaney, Coach Goolsby and all the other Rebels! I got there in time to get pics with some of them before the game started.

Right before I left for my trek to Flora, I got a phone call from my cousin Melissa. She is SUCH a hoot! We grew up together and she turned 40 last month. I joke with her about being older then me:) Her mom says when we were little she would take my toys and bite me! I don't remember any of that!!! I remember us always wanting to spend the night with each other, playing football with our guy cousins and riding our 3-wheelers EVERYWHERE! (They hadn't come out with 4-wheelers, yet!) And now Melissa is planning her eldest child's wedding! How can that be?! It just seems crazy how fast time flies...makes me want to make more of my days!

Flowers, Coffee & Cookie Cake!!!

"It's Fall Plantin' Time!" And I'm ready! My husband's sweet sister came over Monday with pansies and ginger lilies...does she know me well, or what?! This cooler weather has motivated me to jump outside and get some things done. And Lee's present to me is to have Weston Blaha to work in the yard for as long as I want! What a guy!!!

Monday night I met my precious friend Susan Green for coffee @ Borders! We both got the Maple/White Chocolate Latte and shared a Chocolate Chunk cookie...um um good! We were the last to leave...we're such "party animals"!

Tuesday Karyn and Anthony brought me a Cookie Cake that Karyn had decorated herself!!! This might be her next vocation:) It was awesome! And I finally was able to get a pic of Karyn!

This morning I was talking to my sis Rhonda when I got a beep...I didn't recognize the number, so I told Rhonda I would call her back. I answered and it was my long, lost roomie and great friend Lisa Hodgson from BrookHAVEN!!! What a surprise to hear that sweet voice! I loved catching up with her and hearing about her family. Lisa has always been someone that I admire. She has a true and strong faith. She has been tested many times and seems to always come through stronger. She has goals and she keeps her priorities straight...she has 5 kids AND she homeschools! What a woman!

Today marks one week until "The BIG Day"!

What a weekend! Friday was my friend Denise Thommason's birthday & when I went to her house to wish her a "Happy Birthday", she told me it was her day to wish ME a "Happy Birthday"! She had asked Lee if she & her crew could come over, wake me up & bring me breakfast...the only thing was, it would be @ 6:15AM!!!, so, we're going to get together maybe for lunch one day this week!

Friday night was Homecoming at Prep. I knew the football game wasn't going to be very interesting, so I went to Mike & Karyn Thornhill's instead. It's such a relaxed atmosphere & we always have so much fun with them!

Saturday Sam was in a soccer tournament at the Rez. We won one & tied one. Then, the highlight of my weekend...we went to Mark & Linda Stucky's Saturday night! You see, Mark came home Friday after a 3 month stint in Iraq. I'm so glad he's home!!! And I am so proud of him for going! He's one of my heros:) And, Linda, the blurriness of the picture is b/c my battery was low...it was not the photographer! While I was at the Stucky's, I got a text from my sweet friend Angie Campbell saying she had a "happy" for me & she was going to leave it in my mailbox! I came home to find a gift certificate to BOPs!!! My favorite...what a treat! I can't wait to go get me some of that Amazing Grace! (Grace-a favor that I did not earn, nor do I derserve!!!)

Sunday Chip was "firing on all cylinders"! We are in a series called "Me and My Big Mouth". The main scripture reference is from James. I love James! I guess after going throught the Marriage & Family Therapy program @ RTS, I've seen how crutial words are...what we say, how we say it, to whom we say them, & on and on! Someone told me a long time ago that when you are about to talk about someone, you need to ask yourself, "If the person you are talking about were standing there, would you say what you are about to say?" I really try to keep that in mind. And, before you say something, is that going to put someone in a brighter light or are you tearing down their character? As Christians, we really do need to be different! We need to lift each other up & not pick each other apart...that's what enemys are for:)

After lunch, my boys & I settled in to watch the Saints...WOW they looked so good! I did get my Sunday nap in & woke up to see my handsome nephew Rich Man. He & Rhonda were coming in from a soccer tourney in Birmingham & stopped in for Richard to bring me some goodies! That Lava cake was AWESOME! Sorry, Bev, it was an individual size...NOT for sharing!

Sunday night Lee & I went to Keys and Tara's for small group. We started a study on Fireproofing Your Marriage...based on the movie that's out. Kim & Eric were our leaders and since Kim studies the brain and Eric is an ER doc, they really had some interesting points and slides for us on the actual physical differences in the male/female brains! Now Lee thinks he's going to be able to get by with not listening to me...NOT! JK...Lee ALWAYS gives me his undivided attention:)

Basketball, CHAR, Football

I started this week off "right" ! Christy Henderson took me to breakfast @ Primos...we had some yummy grits & bacon. It was sooo good just to sit & chat with her...our lives are so busy that it rarely gets to happen. I always leave her feeling encouraged...she just has that gift:)

Wednesday was "60s Day" at Prep (Betsy in my mom's vintage orange & white jumpsuit!). I went thinking I was eating lunch with my CoCo, but when I turned the corner, all of my basketball coaching buddies were waiting for me with balloons, a banner & smiles. How's that for feeling pretty special?! We all visited, ate lunch...& cake! Even the spouses came! It's almost time for "round ball" to start up...it's gonna be fun!!!

Thursday I got up EARLY, b/c Beverly said so:) Laura, Ginger, Beverly & I met and went to the Canton Flea Market. MY was there a crowd. We kept saying, "Don't these people know we're in an economic crisis?!" Not that day...I think there was a record number of people! It was really fun & we saw lots of cool stuff...only purchasing a "few" things:) Ginger & I left Bev and Laura around lunch time, so we really don't know what all they ended up with!

Then it was off to CHAR to have lunch with my sweet sister Robyn & her awesome husband Shannon. They came up from BrookHAVEN to take me out & visit. The food was great and it was so good to have some one on one time with them! I really do have an unbelievably wonderful family:)

Then, we just couldn't end the day without some football!!! Lee & I went to East Rankin to see the JV play. We won 20-0, picked up Golden China for dinner & rushed home to do some homework!

My Sweet Shumaker Boys!!!

I love my Shumaker boys. What a surprise when I opened my door yesterday...it was Jordan, home from Starkville (Go Dawgs!), bearing gifts of flowers and candy! And to even top that, he came in for a visit! Josh came over last night to study for a math test and brought the most beautiful Faberge candle holder, which I know he picked out himself! I have seen Jordan and Josh grow from cute little 7th graders into very handsome young men! I've enjoyed following their successes from drama plays to plays on the football field...and did I say that I just love these two guys?!

This past weekend when I was getting a taste of the Grove, I got "busted" by my Bulldog family! While sitting in the Grove, my phone rang and it was my sweet sis-n-law Linda who was shocked to hear where she had found me! She and Charles had a "happy" for me and wanted to come by to see me. I am so glad she didn't hold being in Rebel Country against me b/c my "happy" was my favorite cake...Caramel from Newks! They came by Sunday night and visited. It's been so hard sharin' that cake:)

Also on Sunday another sweet Bulldog sis-n-law called me. Gloria and Steve wanted to take me to lunch...she said, "Of ALL places...!" Again, being so forgiving, they didn't hold it against me and when I got home, I had another "happy" waiting for me! Isn't my family great?!!!!!

My Inauguration to "The Grove"!

Casting off firm objections from my son and husband, I left Saturday morning for a day in The Grove! I just couldn't pass up this opportunity to see my May May (Macey)! Rhonda drove us and we had a car full... Betsy, Annie Leech, Cameron Burgess & Rachel Crim joined us. After we heard all about what went on the night before (JA Homecoming, Prep game... which we won handedly. And that's my friend Coco & daughter TayTay @ the game in the above pic), the conversations faded as the girls all fell asleep!

As we entered Oxford, you could tell it was Game Day...and not only that, it was Homecoming!!! Rhonda & I walked around a little and then ended up @ their tent. It still boggles my mind the number of tents... THOUSANDS!!!

The Grove was very interesting! My initial response, which I texted to my bro-n-laws who were not in attendance was, "OH my Gosh! This is like the Canton Flea Market, just add alcohol and lots of cleavage!" I'll have to say, there's nothing quite like it! It was almost like "Jackson moves to Oxford" for the day! There were so many Jacksonians there and everyone was so so nice to me...I didn't know that my sister had sent a "memo" earlier in the week telling everyone it would be my first time to visit and to be kind!

Rhonda and I did venture to the game...we wanted to see our precious friend Paige Noble who was in the Homecoming Court. As we walked in the stadium, waiting to walk down to the field were the maids! So we got to see and talk with Paige...that's her in the turquiose dress above. She's so sweet!!!

Then it was back to the Grove. After the game everyone came back to their tents to eat and digest the game. It was amazing to me the number of people there! And it was so good to get to see & meet some of Macey's friends. I took a few pics!

We then went back to Macey's apartment, made a Wal-mart trip with her & waited for BB to come in. Nobody told the neighbors it was time to go to bed! The last group to come in was a "tad" vocal! And it was 4:11...we know because it woke us up...again:)

Sunday morning we all got up and went to church @ Christ Pres., ordered Newk's salads for lunch & then it was off to the Chi-O house to watch a skit they have been working on for Rush. It was great, but did you see what they've done to my sweet-sweet Macey? She's a "Jackson 5"! All that hair! But boy can she dance!!!

We said our "good-byes" & headed home. Sunday night I curled up on the couch when I got home & Sam said, "The Grove wore you out, Mama. I TOLD you not to go!"

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb..."

These past few days have been full of kind words...too kind!...from precious friends & family.
Monday I got to spend a couple of hours with my sis Rhonda...that was great! Then my sweet bro-n-law Mark took time out of his very busy day to reminisce about when he was first introduced to our family...I think I was 12! My has he seen some changes...for the good, I hope!

Tuesday I heard from Michelle Lofton Mangold who I grew up with and have always considered my sister! She is such a precious friend...you know the ones that, no matter how long it is between seeing or talking with them, you just pick right back up...a bond that is never broken:)

Wednesday, Michelle's mom "Miss Martha" called and started my day off with a smile! Mr. Fleet, Mrs. Martha, Michelle and Mike have always, and will always have a big chunk and special place in my heart! They have loved me through every season of my life...no matter what! Now, that is the true meaning of friendship.

Thursday on my way to see Sam and the Prep JV football team play at Parklane, I got a message for my "brother" Mike. Just to hear his voice makes me smile! He says we're going to get together soon...I sure hope so!

These conversations have caused me to reflect on scripture and how important kind words and actions can be to someone...always holding to truth, never wavering on that...but truth and love...always kind. These are the two scriptures that I want to share with you...

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

Can you say "GOURMET"?!

This weekend was full of incredible food & outstanding fellowship! Saturday, after working in the yard... oh it was so good to be out there... Rhonda amd Macey came for dinner. Lee marinated & grilled steaks. They were sooo yummy!

Sunday was another extrodinary sermon by Chip on the purpose & plan God has for each and every one of us. We were so glad to have Macey & Betsy join us down-by-the-water!

After church we went to the Bond's for lunch & who would join us but Robert & Beverly, and Chip & Christy... now that's bein' in some good company! And let me tell you, that Cherie Bond is a Gourmet cook! We had Shrimp pasta salad, marinated chicken & pork tenderloin on the grill, caesar salad & UNBELIEVABLE petit caramel tarts...oh, my, they were good!

And, if that wasn't enough good eatin' for the weekend, Sunday night Kim prepared authentic Chinese dishes for our small group. One of her dear friends is Asian & he helped her prepare it for us! I'm thinking more & more that Lee is right...40 lbs in 40 days...but I will enjoy EVERY single bite!

Lovin' that Football!!!

Thursday morning I told myself that IF I would clean up, THEN I could reward myself by going out and catching a few "rays"! So, I did just that and just as I had settled in outside, the phone rang. On the other end was a voice I am always so excited to hear! It was Ron Lambert from BrookHAVEN. You see, Ron knows everything going on in the big "B" town! It was "his day" & I'm so glad he took time out to spend with me. He really tries to keep us all connected & I just love him for that!

Then it was off to Parklane Academy in McComb for a Prep JV Football game...Sam is #27 (stretching). We won 49-6...much like last night's game. Prep Varsity played Parklane & won 49-0. I've posted some pics of some of my "favs"! The cheerleader is Tay Tay Caton!!!

Friday I got to spend with my friend Brittany's youngest...her son Aden who is 2. Aden has a virus & was unable to go to daycare, so we spent the day...mostly on the couch "cuddling". My dear friend Ginger came over to visit & brought me a "happy"...a basket of "goodies"...one for each day until my big 40! YUM!!!

This morning I received a package in the mail from my precious nieces from BrookHAVEN! It is a collage of my life through the years! My it has brought back so many memories-most with smiles! I can tell they really worked hard on it & I just LOVE it!

Today is so BEAUTIFUL! I'm planning to work in the yard a bit, go to the softball tourney & come home for some grillin'. Sam says that because Josh (#56 for varsity football-crazy pic above) said he needs to start eating steak, that he will have his first steak with us tonight! Oh the influence these older guys have on the younger ones! I do hope they realize it & consider their actions in light of that!

Crazy Cats!!!

Have YOU been to Crazy Cat's Bakery in Highland Village? It was my first time and it was fabulous! Or maybe it was who I was with that made it so good:) I had the privilege of eating and visiting with Melissa Abraham and Janet House.

Then it was off to Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland to watch my dear friend CoCo (Coach Caton) and the Lady Patriot fast-pitch softball team play. They advanced to Saturday's semi-finals...YAAAAAY! CoCo's parent's are here from Canada, so I got to hang out with them and TayTay during the games.

Tonight's Prep JV football at Parklane Academy in McComb...I'm hoping I'll get to take a little detour to BrookHAVEN!!!

Yaaaay, Fall Is Here!

Don't you just love this weather!! At night it's just awesome

This week started with a Bang...I received a phone call from one of my very favorite people on this planet... Donna Nations Clayton from Tupelo. I enjoyed catching up with her, she always knows the best "scoop"! Also on Monday I had lunch with Betsy @ Aladdin... as you can see, Aladdin has become my favorite "hang-out"!

Yesterday was John Mark Darden Baird's birthday! We celebrated by going to the Prep vs JA 8th Grade football game. It was a "nail biter"-HA! The final score was a tie...0-0! No braggin' rights for 8th grade this year! What made it GREAT was that my parents came...it always makes my day to get to see them! Just before we left for the game I had a surprise...my sweet niece Jamie came by to see me with a delicious-looking Creme Cake in hand & balloons. Lee said with all the cakes, he and I are going to GAIN 40 lbs before my birthday:) It will be a delicious 40 lbs, though!

What a Weekend!

My Friday started with Bon Ami...my sis-in-laws Cheryl and Gloria were taking our cousin Em (from Austin, TX) to lunch. Since I had plans to have a picnic with my precious neice Betsy at Prep, I just popped in and enjoyed a glass of delicious raspberry tea!

Then it was off to Prep where I had the best picnic ever with Betsy and a crew of her friends. It was so fun to be with all of them. Friday was "Super Hero" day, so they were all dressed up...I asked BB why she didn't dress up like me?! HA!

Friday night I had the pleasure of being with my boys! Lee, Sam & I had dinner at Aladdin...I love their yummy Gyros and Hummus!

Saturday Lee & I had planned to work in the yard, but, due to the rain, we opted to go to a couple of nurseries & pick out trees for our yard. My sweet niece Macey called me several times & sent me an e-card. I'm sooo excited that she's coming home this weekend! It seems like forever since I've gotten to see her!

Saturday night the Ozier clan met @ Charles & Linda's for dinner to celebrated our beloved Aunt Sarah's 90th Birthday! She came to visit this weekend from Austin. We had 26 family members there! It was so good to be with her. She has always been so fun! We also found out that our precious niece Stephanie is engaged!!!

Sunday was another great sermon @ Pinelake. Chip talked about how God is "looking to & fro" for His children to obey Him so that He can bless them...just like we earthy parents do for our children. It's so easy to go through day after day not thinking about our responsibilities as Christians. We are to be "in this world but not of it"...we are supposed to be different!

Sunday night we had our small group @ Tara & Keys's. That "Sugar Sweet" Joyce Miskelly baked an incredible chocolate chip cake that I got to bring home half!! You comin' Bev...it sho was good for breakfast this mornin'!

Let's Get Ready for Some Football!

Last night was a perfect football night! Prep JV played Lamar and won 35-7...wooooohooooo!!! And the weather was so nice. It was just the thing I needed to lift my spirits...you see, developers have been cutting down all of the trees behind our house to prepare for building:( So sad! So, yesterday I spent much of the day watching the trees fall and invisioning what I can do to create a barrier...any ideas are welcomed! I did call Lee and warn him before he came home.

Sweet Mary Daniels was another bright spot in my day:) along with the humming birds and butterflies that visited me!

The Days are Flyin'

The Chocolate cake is officially gone...and I can tell you that it was definitely good to the last crumb! Now I know when I want my friends to come see me, all I need to do is bake a cake!

This week has already been full of phone calls. Monday was from "My Best Friend" in BrookHAVEN!

I picked up the phone yesterday to her my sweet 96 year old grandmother's voice!!! Now that just made my day! It was my daddy's birthday, so she reminisced about how she delivered him in the home where she still lives! "I remember that day...right there in that bedroom." She tells how she cried the day she found out she was pregnant with him because she already had 4 children, but goes on to say, "but he has been such a blessing from the moment he was born!" AMEN SISTA!

Finally, my precious niece Betsy called and invited me to have a "picnic" with her at Prep on Friday...awwww!

Days 37 and 36

Yesterday, day 37 was a really good day. Sunday is absolutely my favorite day of the week! This Sunday was even more special because Caleb Miskelly was baptized! I am so proud of him and excited for him. Please join me in praying for all of our kids, and especially for Caleb this week. Those teenage years almost did me in, so I really feel for our kids today and what they are facing.
Chip preached about being discouraged and how to continue to press on. As usual, he got so much out of the OLD testament! I feel so blessed to be under his leadership right now. God has truly anointed him for this time.

Sunday afternoons are usually "nap time" for me. I dozed in and out while watching the football games with my "boys". And woke up just in time to get ready to go to small group at Marty and Shannon Mays. Since our group is made up of mostly "Dawgs", you can imagine what some of our conversations were about! We did, however, discuss the chaplain of our beloved bulldogs and things that he is doing to reach our guys for Christ. He is a very positive influence and seems to also be very effective. So, we find comfort in knowing that victories are great, but the real victory is the "end game"!
After we got home, Lee gave me an envelope that my sister Robyn had given him. So sweet! She found 40 promises of God and printed them out for me.

Today, my sister Rhonda's mother-in-love, Mama Jane came over and gave me a sweet book about sisters and a beautiful chocolate cake! She said that it freezes well and I said, "I don't think we're going to have to worry about it being frozen!" You coming over Bev?!
My precious friend Brittany and her family are giving each other a "bug"... YUCK. Please pray for them to be healed quickly!!!
Oh, and I talked to my sweet niece Jamie and we are going to get together Wednesday morning...I'm so excited...we hardly ever get to spend time together.

I'm thinking I may go into withdrawals after these 40 days:)

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