My thoughts this evening.....

As we were driving home a little while ago, Paul had the group Yellow Card on the stereo. They were singing a song that contained the words, “Do You Remember When?” My mind started reliving all my years with this man that God gave to me as a husband. It went back to all the firsts. I was lost in thought and overwhelmed with my emotions and was saddened about how quickly our life together is flying by. We have had sorrow and heartache more than I ever thought that I would have to endure; yet, by God’s grace, we have endured. We have also experienced great joy and laughter. I remember the day each of our children were born and the day I picked up Paul. What amazing joy!

Tears swelled up in my eyes, as I realized that since we have already been married twenty-eight years, and we may not live to see another twenty-eight. Silently, I thanked God for this man. I adore my husband. He has always been my friend as well as my lover. God has blessed me beyond measure.

Young wives love your husbands and treasure each moment that God gives you with them. Don’t get caught up on the temporal things in this life. Life moves by all too quickly. Take time everyday to build your relationship with your husband. Enjoy each other.

Blessings,
Debbie


Our Wedding Day, December, 1979


Our Vacation this Summer, June, 2007

My new Christmas quilt and other ramblings.

My friend, Linda, from Florida surprised me by FedExing me a Christmas quilt. I just love it. I thought that I would share a photo of it.



I got my official scores on the GACE exams. That was such a wonderful feeling. I passed my last objective test with WGU for my degree program on Wednesday morning. I have gotten one of my six assignments completed and submitted yesterday. It only took me five hours. LOL

I am hoping to finish another one today. That will leave me with four to get done. My adviser told me not to kill myself trying to finish them all by tomorrow. So, I will work on them over the week-end and the beginning of next week.

Merry Christmas! Tomorrow is December 1. Sunday is the first week of advent. Mark bought a new Christ candle a week ago but I have to go and buy the tapers for the advent wreath. Our tree is up and I am so glad. We have a busy schedule over the next three weeks. I have lots of my Nativities out. I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday.

Blessings,
Debbie

I passed my GACE exams!!

I got my unofficial test scores in an email yesterday. That feels like a huge weight lifted off of me.

Tomorrow, I take my last proctored test for this degree. Now, I need to study for it. I also have to complete 6 more assignments by Friday night.

The GACE exams were two sets of the area content for Elementary education.

Blessings,
Debbie

Thanksgiving..... thanks!

Today was Thanksgiving! It seems like yesterday when we were celebrating the last Thanksgiving. I am so blessed because God is so good to me. Today, has been sweet. The weather has been lovely with the fall colors proclaiming the artistry of God. This first photo is one of Paul earlier today in the backyard.



This photo is of Paul cooking the green beans. He loves fresh stir fried beans. And, he's a pretty good cook.


This photo is of the boys and me. Not the greatest photo, but I thought that I would post it anyway.


I spent all day yesterday cooking our feast. It was just our family this year. Today has been pleasant. I made quiche and grapefruit compote in rosemary syrup last night for our brunch today. After our brunch, Mark and I put the turkey in the roaster and while it was baking, we all played Pictionary. Mark and I beat the boys! The turkey got done quicker than I was expecting, so we all got busy and finished the last minute dinner items (mashed potatoes, gravy, fresh green beans) while the cornbread dressing and sweet potatoes baked in the oven.

Later, Mark and I watched the movie, "Amazing Grace." I highly recommend it.

Today has been a day of gratefulness. I am so thankful.

Love,
Debbie

Today........ has been fun!

I got to meet Miss Jean from my ChristianMoms board. Our families met for lunch.

And, Paul decided to get his hair cut short! I couldn't believe it! Here are some photos from the day!

Me and Miss Jean


Our families.


Paul getting his hair cut.


Paul and Missy after his cut.


After the hair cut, Mark and I went grocery shopping and finished picking up the last things that I needed to make our Thanksgiving dinner.

Then, we came home and this evening watched "Hairspray".

Blessings,
Debbie

Bobby

Tomorrow my oldest son will turn 26 years old. I remember the day that precious child was born. He was a doll. I couldn’t get over all of his dark hair and huge blue eye. I remember crying when they told me he was a boy because my first thought was what would I do if he ever got drafted? ? Just the thought of the possibility of not knowing where he was or if he was safe caused me pain. Yet, I have had to live with unknowing since 1989.

Bobby was always happy. He never met a stranger. He would walk up to people and introduce himself and ask them if they had gone to church that morning!

He was my climber. I remember after the children got their swing set, I ran into the house for a minute to do something in the kitchen. I looked out the kitchen window and Bobby was sitting on top of the swing set. I went running out the back door totally afraid my precious child was going to fall off it.

I never go a day without thinking of my Christi and Bobby. I pray that God grants me my deepest desire, to see my children again in this life and for our family to be whole and reunited.

Tomorrow, I will weep. I will remember and I will pray. I will pray that God has blessed my son with joy and happiness. I pray that Bobby has found a lovely wife and that he has a child that he loves as much as I have always loved him. I pray that his life is filled with joy and that someday, he remembers his mom and dad and our life together before my parents stole him.

Moving Along with school...........

Because I know y'all are dying to know... NOT!! LOL

I know for sure where I will be Demonstration Teaching in January - just not the teacher or grade yet. I requested 3rd grade. We shall see what they give me.

My FBI background clearance finally got completed and I have mailed a copy to my school (along with my NEA membership) and taken a copy to the School Board. I had to join the NEA in order to get their liability coverage.

I am waiting for my last task in Teaching Math and Science to be graded.

I have only completed one task in Teaching Reading and Spelling.

I had a headache yesterday which put me further behind than I intended. For some reason these reading and writing tasks look horrible to me. Now, everyone (my mentor and the other students) says that the Math and Science tasks are the worse.

Well, I kind of liked doing those. LOL And, my grades were all really good on those tasks, too.

I will not find out my Content area GACE exams (state ones) until Nov. 27.

I take my LAST objective test with WGU on Nov. 28. I have taken and passed the pre-assessment with a high score, so I am not as worried about that test as I was.

Today, I have to clean my house and TRY to get serious about these tasks.

Then, I pick up Paul from school and take him to tutoring. Hopefully, Michael will stay at Brewton Parker and drive him home for me because Mark and I have a meeting (at our house) this evening.

Blessings,
Debbie

This Blog is having some contests!

Go take a look!!!

http://www.5minutesformom.com/1343/dyson/

Blessings,
Debbie

Saturday, November 3.... update.

Somebody tell me why at probably one of the most stressful and busy times in my life, do I decide to make a Martha Stewart sausage stew recipe that is served in little baked pumpkins? I must be insane. Or, my mind has turned to mush and I no longer possess the ability to think logically.

Anyway, I did do part of this recipe on Thursday. I soaked the beans and cooked them and then put those in the refrigerator. The presentation was lovely. But, the stew was so hot that all three of us were screaming. Anyway, I took pictures to show off my hard work. I hope y'all enjoy the pictures. Michael has been at the college all day. I guess he ate there. He's helping to make a movie.




I have managed to complete 8 papers this week! I have to complete the equivalent of 12 semester hours this month in order to Demonstration Teach in January. The school changed the time requirements on me after accepting me into the January DT cohort. I am treating college like a full-time job with horrible pay.

I hope that everyone else is having a lovely Saturday. I just may call it quits and not do another assignment since it's now 10:00 PM.

Blessings,
Debbie

My boys.........

Michael wore this to college today. Paul stayed home from school because the kid is sick but then he went to youth at church tonight dressed as a skateboarder.

Just look at my sons. I am so proud. Not! hehehe I know that it is the dream of every mother to have a pirate and a punker. (snicker)