New Phase

A monumental event took place in my immediate family this week.  My oldest son moved out this past week.

It was a bittersweet moment.  I have to say he and I had some special moments over the week shopping for his duplex and packing his stuff and decorating his place. He loves my decorating skills and his place is so cute. I am proud for him.

I told him he had to cook for me and his brother soon. It's been just the three of us for so long since the divorce over 14 years ago. I think he and his brother are going to miss each other. The cool part is that he lives 5 minutes away. :)

So, the nest is a little more emptier now but since mom lives with us now, it equals out. Dad is still hanging on. He and mom will celebrate 51 years of marriage this week. We all take one day at a time right now. Only God knows when dad will pass from here to heaven but we have all been so thankful for the sweet moments God has given us.

A picture to share of my sons when they were babies. :)

David and Jason

David now. 

They really do grow up so quickly.

Have a blessed day!

When It Rains

The saying, "When It Rains it Pours" comes to mind today and actually over the last month.

You have heard that your day can be going along in a normal way and  then the phone can ring and your life changes in a moment. That is what happened to our family on Easter. We went to church and came home and ate lunch and we were taking our usual Sunday nap when the phone rang and we were told our father has lung cancer.

Dad was in the hospital that my sister works at as an RN. He was on her floor for several days until they transferred him to another floor before he was sent home with Hospice.

He is now at my sister's home where she and her husband and son are caring for our father and my family have moved our mother in with us. She requires 24/7 care. We are all exhausted at our "new normal" right now but God has been so good to us. My sister and brother and myself have watched the sweet moments between mom and dad. Private moments that God so graciously gave us. We have several moments on video.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" .Isaiah 40:29

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:28

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Cor. 12:9-10

From personal experience, I can tell you that God does provide strength even when you think you can't go another step.

I praise God because He deserves ALL praise and thanksgiving, HE alone is worthy to receive praise and honor. God is faithful and trustworthy ALL the time. No matter what you are facing right now, God wants to be your Strength, Provider, Healer, ...... You can trust Him.

Our family is trusting Him one day at a time. Even if God's healing for dad is that He takes him to Heaven. God gives us His very best for our lives, even if things don't turn out the way we hope they would. Life is so hard, what our family is going through is hard. Thank God for being with us every step of the way!

Have a blessed Sunday.

Suddenly...

Welcome Spring!!!

I am so glad winter is over and spring is here!  Of course, we are expecting snow flurries some time this week but that is just about typical around the South. ;-)

"Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn,

    play music on your instruments to God,

Who fills the sky with clouds,

    preparing rain for the earth,

Then turning the mountains green with grass,

    feeding both cattle and crows.

He’s not impressed with horsepower;

    the size of our muscles means little to him.

Those who fear God get God’s attention;

    they can depend on his strength." Psalm147-7-11

"Jerusalem, worship God!

    Zion, praise your God!

He made your city secure,

    he blessed your children among you.

He keeps the peace at your borders,

    he puts the best bread on your tables.

He launches his promises earthward—

    how swift and sure they come!

He spreads snow like a white fleece,

    he scatters frost like ashes,

He broadcasts hail like birdseed—

    who can survive his winter?

Then he gives the command and it all melts;

    he breathes on winter—suddenly it’s spring!" Psalm 147:12-18

Happy 1st Day of Spring!!!

Perfect on a Cold Winter's Day

I was visiting Pioneer Woman's blog and I saw this picture,

It's a recipe for her Perfect Potato Soup.

I found a recipe on Pinterest a few weeks ago for potato soup and tried it in the slow cooker and it was very good and flavorful BUT her recipe sounds so much better! The Pinterest recipe did not call for heavy cream (like Pioneer Woman's recipe)and in my opinion, the heavy cream sends any potato soup over the edge! :)

We have snow in the forecast this week and I think this would be perfect to make on a cold, snowy day. If you want the recipe click HERE.

Enjoy your day!

New Bible Study

I have been wanting to start a new Bible study for awhile now and I just couldn't make up my mind on which one I should do, I prayed about it and a few days later as I was reading a daily devotion, I came across this study and I knew this was the one God was leading me to.

Here is a little snippet of what the study is about:

From the author Margaret Feinberg:  "You were created and designed to experience wonder. Woven into the fabric of our humanity is an innate ability and desire for the wonder of God. It’s felt in the moments when you watch the sun melt behind the horizon, when you reach out to cradle a baby and smell the sweet scent of new life, when you can’t help but smile as you witness two wrinkled souls renew their vows to each other. Such moments remind us we were made for something more than deadlines and debt, carpools and coffee breaks.

Yet despite such wondrous moments, we can still find ourselves going through the motions of faith. Whether you’re:

A long time follower of Jesus or still figuring Him out
Unemployed, overly-employed, or an entrepreneur
A creator, innovator, or conformist
Grumpy, ebullient, grey-haired or bed-head
An average Joe or have-a-gym-membership-but-never-go
A superhero (of any era), supermom, superdad, super grand, super great grand, or don’t feel particularly super at all
No matter who you are or where you’ve been—if you’ve lived a life where you’ve seen it all, done it all, or feel like you’re past it all—God still longs to take your breath away."

If you feel like you need a jump start to your faith, if you are struggling to hear from God, this study is for you. I need a fresh awakening to my faith. I am looking forward to working in this study but more than anything, finding a revival of my faith and growth in my realationship with God!

Have a great day!

Coming Soon....

Seeing as how its been weeks since I have written a post, I guess I will do so now.

Not much has happened over the last few weeks. We celebrated Valentines Day and both my sons gave me red roses. :)

I cooked the family a nice dinner and I bought a strawberry torte for dessert. The strawberries are so delicious right now. I am looking forward to spring and going back to the farmer's market. I want fresh veggies and grilled anything. I am more than ready for summer, for warm weather, enjoying the evening outside.Ahhhh. The simple things in life.

My friend and her two best friends started a ministry called, More Than a Mission Trip. They make the cutest things to sell so they can go on mission trips and also give to other people toward their favorite ministries or missions. I am so excited to watch all the things God is going to do through them!! You can find them on FB or HERE.

Here is the painting I ordered from them.

It has Ephesians 3:20 under the cross and then God is Able. I love it!! Go find them on FB and browse through their merchandise. They will be adding new Spring merchandise soon!

There are many more things I want to write about but I am tired and lazy tonight. Look for a giveaway coming soon, it's been way to long. This will be a fun giveaway!!

Until then, have a wonderful weekend!!

Simple Pleasure, Simple Things

We enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday and I am happy the Ravens won! So happy for Michael Oher and the Tuohy family.

Welcome February! Spring is getting closer and I am ready to say goodbye to winter. I just hope that winter is ready to say goodbye. ;)

I am going to try and write about one simple pleasure that I like each month, maybe pertaining to that month.

 February is called the love month because of Valentine's Day. My simple pleasure this month, buying and or making special things for my family for Valentine's Day.

I remember being in school and we all had to make a paper bag to hold our Valentine cards. I don't know what they make now or if they still do this.

The vintage Valentine's Day cards were so corny but cute...

I remember being in high school and our Spanish teacher made us partner up and we had to make a valentine card etc.. for the other person. The guy who had my name made me a heart shaped cake. I couldn't believe it. I felt bad, he just got a card. lol

Being a single mom, I started doing things for my sons for Valentine's Day. I might cook them a special meal or buy them candy. Nothing big or expensive and they still get candy from me. :)

I read all over social media from single women, they hate Valentine's Day and they call it, Single Awareness Day. I'm sorry but I roll my eyes at that. Having been married, having gone through a divorce and many other things, there is one thing I have learned:  God always loves us, unconditionally. He never leaves us and He never forsakes us. He is always with us and when people walk in and out of our lives for whatever reason, remember that God is with you and loves you.  God is LOVE. (1 John 4:16)

His love is perfect. There is no greater love. 

God loves YOU. Sometimes we all need a reminder.

Happy Valentine's Day!!