Karri's Blog

New Beginnings!

2010-03-18T03:25:00.003-05:00

My blog has moved to http://karriscakes.blogspot.com . Please bookmark it and follow me there!
Thanks

My sweet baby boy is turning 6! Through the years with Cohen

2010-01-09T14:50:00.003-06:00

Dear Cohen,
Wow....I can't believe you are turning 6! It seems like just yesterday you were born. I don't know what dad and I ever did before you were born. You are everything I have ever dreamed of and more than I could ever deserve. The years and the milestones seem to go by faster and faster every year. This year alone you have lost your first tooth, started school, and learned to read, just to name a few.
As I started looking through pictures today I found myself crying because my little boy is not a baby anymore.

I remember when you were first born, dad and I were so careful with you. We thought you would break if we didn't hold you every second of every day, or if you so much as whimpered, we had to pick you up.

As you turned 2, your favorite thing was your paci or "papi" as you called it, but you gave it up quickly after Taegan was born. You didn't want to be a baby after she was born and you shined as a big brother.

Your terrible two's ran into the 3's and 4's but we wouldn't have it any other way because your curiousness and independance is what makes you you.

At five you were already goin on 15 to hear you talk. You were so excited to start kindergarten so you could be a big boy. You love hanging out with dad at school.

Now, turning 6, you are still curious and ask a million questions. You are so smart that it gets you in trouble sometimes, you love to be tickled, and you love to play with the "big boys" at church. You are protective of your sister and won't let anyone hurt her (except you), you like to play macho, but you still like to sleep with me and dad. You tell me you love me at least 5 times a day and tell me you hate me at least once a day. You make your sister cry several times a day, but you like to give hugs and kisses as much as you like to fight. You love to play wii, and your favorite thing at night is for me to read you bible stories and for me to sleep in your bed.

My sweet boy, I love you more than the oceans are deep and the universe is vast. I am so proud of the little man you are becoming. You are the son dad and I waited so long for and we are so blessed that God gave you to us. Everday is an adventure with you and I can't wait to see what the next year holds for you.

When you read this when your grown up I want to remember several things...All things are possible through God; always treat others how you want to be treated; you can't change some bad situations but you can always change how you react to them; being angry never changes the person you are mad at, it only consumes you; love with all your heart because you never know what tomorrow brings; and last but not least, when in doubt always pray, and call your mother everyday!

With love forever,
Your Mommy

Complete Randomness!

2009-12-14T22:49:00.003-06:00

I really wanted to post something deep and profound, or maybe something with a Christmasy feel, but my last night's activities were too good to not to share!

And just let me start by saying I am sorry Luke, Lisa, and Tammy! Do I have your attention now, wink..wink? Just kidding, it's nothing torrid or anything like that. Do you know what you get when you mix a lovely church dinner, late nite leftover mexican food, and a late night viewing of "Dirty Dancing" and "Twilight"? Well... I'll tell you what you get....one reeeaaaaalllly strange dream! Here's how it went:

Its the 60's and me (except I look like Bella Swan from Twilight) and my sister "Baby" aka Lisa Mckay go with our parents (the movie parents)to the summer holiday camp. We are getting ready to go to the opening ceremony for the camp. Baby is getting on my nerves complaining that her white Ked tennis shoes look dingy compared to her stark white pedal pusher jeans and that her perfect curls are making her look too cutesy. All I'm worried about is if my mint green cardigan matches the colassal green headband I have in my hair. We go to this dance and I find my man, who is actually Edward from Twilight. And then, Baby spots her man! Picture Luke Mckay with a mullet, but on Patrick Swayze's body. Me, Edward, Baby, and Luke/Patrick are inseparable. Luke/Patrick teaches us all how to dance but is torn away from Baby to go help his sister, aka Tammy Pike, who is pregnant, and needs her brother to come beat up her boyfriend, who is Robbie from the movie. After Luke/Patrick brings the pain to Robbie and helps deliver a beautiful baby girl, Sally, for Tammy, Luke/Patrick and Baby want to get married. Everyone is sooo happy for them, but our parents hate Edward and don't want him to come to the wedding. Luke/Patrick shows Edward some of his best moves and devises a plan. Fast forward to the wedding reception....."Baby" looks beautiful in her beehive hairdo, poofy dress, and bright pink lipstick and Luke/Patrick looks so handsome with his curly mullet and blue tuxedo. But, I am so sad since I haven't seen Edward in weeks until....Edward burst through the double doors with 4 large men in all black behind him. He nods to the DJ who promptly plays "Boom Boom Pow" from the Black Eyed Peas. Me, Edward, Baby, and Luke/Patrick shake what our mommas gave us and we rock the house! Our parents automatically love Edward and the 4 large men who came in with Edward are actually talent scouts who immediately ask us to go on tour with Dancing with the Stars, and then I woke up laughing. What??? There are SOME similarities, come on!

Now, anyone out there want to decipher that one????

Love, Peace, and Happy Dreams To All!!!
Karri

Halloween, Ladies Banquet, Sports, and Injuries

2009-11-08T19:59:00.007-06:00

As usual, it's been crazy busy around our house. Halloween was so fun at the church..here are a few pics

Onto the Ladies Banquet. First, let me say a special thank you to Lisa for coordinating this. I look forward to this all year! This year came with the usual excitement, but was a little sad too. Why sad? Because one of my best friends, Deedra, couldn't be there. She's usually the "brains" behind the decorating. I usually just do what she tells me to do because she always has a beautiful vision in mind. Without her it fell to me and Holly this year. Decorating turned out good, but I'm sure it would've been even better if Deedra had been involved. The food was great, and it was made even better since we were served by the men of the church! The singing was out of this world! Jenny, Tonya, and Victoria...you girls rocked it! And Mary Snyder was our speaker. She was so funny and her message of grace and was so timely. Here are a just a few pics..

Now..I can't say how excited I was Friday night when the Hornets laid the hammer down on Lanette! I am so proud of the boys! And as I have told many people, I am more proud of Coach Tinker for being a good Christian role model not just teaching the boys football, but teaching them morales and life lessons. WAY TO GO HORNETS!!! Even though football is not over yet, we are in full basketball mode at our house. We had two basketball games and the football game this week. Between games, work, kids, and decorating for the ladies banquet I feel like I'm running on fumes!

Which leads me to injuries. Cohen and I have both had a bad week! Earlier in the week I was folding clothes and Cohen came running in the house holding his eye and crying. I ask him what was wrong and he said a piece of glass flew in it. I checked him out and saw a small cut under his eye, but I didn't see anything IN his eye. So, I did what all good mothers do and told him he'd be alright in a minute (in other words, leave me alone so I can get this laundry done). When I ask him where he got glass from he said he found a bottle in the yard. Thank you whoever threw your beer bottle in our yard!!! ARGGGHHHH! Anyway, he said he "dropped" it on the concrete, but if you know my Cohen, you know he probably threw it down as if he were spiking a football. The next day I had to leave for work before the kids were up so I didn't see them until that evening. When he came in I just about cried. His eye was so swollen and red he could barely see out of it. We loaded him up immediately and took him to the eye dr. He told us Cohen had a corneal cut all the way across his pupil that would most likely leave a scar and impair his vision! But it's healing well now and we'll just have to see how his vision does as he grows. Should I get the mom of the year award or what??? Well, I got payback on Sunday morning. Jason and the kids went on to Sunday School and I was running late as usual. As I was running out the door, I couldn't remember if I had unplugged the iron or not. I was about to jet down the stairs to check and somehow missed the first step, then proceeded to fall down four more steps! You win this time devil, you win! With a huge pump knot and a black and blue sprained ankle, I sat myself on the couch for the rest of the day!

And that my friends, wraps up one crazy week! Now, I've gotta get ready for this week! Love you all! Have a great week!

Karri

In Honor of Coach Wade Daniel and What the Bible Say About Death

2009-10-28T21:44:00.003-05:00

In the aftermath of Coach Wade Daniel's death, Jason felt like the youth might have questions about what happens after death. A lot of our youth group had Coach D. as a teacher and are devastated by his passing. Jason and I both thought, what better way to honor Coach D. than to use his passing as a way to minister to the youth and for them to minister to their peers. I also wanted to post this here in the blog world in case any of you out there have questions.Portions of this were taken from http://pastorseansblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-do-baptists-believe-about.html
What happens to a person when he dies?
Some believe that nothing happens; people die, their bodies decompose, and the end is the end. But this is not what Baptists believe to be true. Baptists believe what Orthodox Christians have believed to be true for two thousand years.
Christians believe there is more to life than just living and dying. Christians believe the universe, the earth, humans, and all that is contained within it were created by God—an infinitely powerful being Who exists outside of time with no beginning and no end. It is this God Who gives life purpose and grants to His children eternal life.
Christians believe God has revealed Himself to mankind in the Bible. The Bible is a special Book because its authors were guided by God’s Spirit to pen only truth (2 Tim. 3:16). This same Sovereign God has preserved His Word so that Christians are not ignorant concerning what happens to people after they die.
According to the Bible, followers of Christ will spend eternity in an amazingly glorious place of indescribable splendor, beauty and joy in the presence of the Light of the Universe—the Son of God—Jesus Christ (Rev. 21). Christians die; their bodies are buried but their spirits (or souls) are immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord in heaven (2 Cor. 5:8).
When Jesus Christ returns to this earth, Christians’ bodies will be raised from the dead, be made perfect, and be reunited with their spirits to live forever with Jesus (1 Thess. 4:16).
The Son of God eliminated the sting of death for all who will turn to the One True God and place their faith and trust in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross (1 Cor. 15, 1 Jn. 2). Don’t pay for your own sins. God’s Son bought you with a price (1 Pet. 1:18,19); therefore, begin glorifying God today in both your body and spirit (1 Cor. 6:19,20
Recognize that you (like every human being) are a liar, a sinner, and you have been an unbeliever—change that today (Acts 3:19)
Turn to God, and declare yourself a sinner, guilty of violating His commandments, who now believes in the Truth and wants to be a child of God and a follower of His Son—Jesus Christ(Jn. 9:35-38).

Like we told the youth tonight, we are not promised a tomorrow. Don't think you have time to get your life right later. Do it NOW! Christ is never tired, you can call his name anytime of the day or night and he will listen. And last, but not least, Jason played this video as a tribute to Coach D.

Can't wait til we all rise!
Sending you all love, faith, and prayers!
Karri

RED 4 RANDALL!

2009-10-26T23:58:00.004-05:00

Hello All! It's been a while, but I come to you to for several important reasons today. My friends need your prayers. Please remember Deedra and Jennifer, they both have precious lives growing inside them but their blood pressures are endangering their health. Also, the ladies involved in the Believing God bible study at Ider Baptist want to ask you all to wear a red ribbon on your right wrist for Randall Black. Everytime you look at it, remember to say a prayer for him and his family. Why Red? Because in the bible, red symbolizes protection, deliverance, faith, and redemption. Gen. 38:20-28; Leviticus 14:4-6; 49-52; The book of Joshua; Hebrews 9:11-26.
I know that God has a plan for the Black family and that HE is all powerful. We must all believe God, not just believe in him. We must have faith without proof. We must trust Him whether we are on the mountain or in the valley.

Love you all!
Karri

Firsts and Funnies

2009-08-31T19:50:00.008-05:00

My baby lost his first tooth tonight! I can't believe he is old enough to start losing teeth. I can remember when he got that little baby tooth when he was 5 months old, he bit through more pacifiers than I could count. His little tooth has been loose for about a week now and he said it got looser today at snack when he was eating beef jerky (who knew they gave kindergarteners beef jerky for snack???). Anyway, when he got home today he wanted me to pull it, but he wouldn't let me. After dinner, I turned around and he just yanked it out by himself! He was so proud. He had to call aunt Freda and aunt Deanie to brag about it. He thinks he's such a big boy now. He just asked me and Jason if we wanted him to go to bed without huggin and lovin and stuff like that now that he's growin up. Seriously? Does it start this early? I was hoping for at least a few more years of "huggin, and lovin, and stuff". On to little miss drama queen....

I had to carry her out of Micasita kicking and screaming Sunday she was throwing such a fit. Don't you just love the looks people give you when your child is actin a fool in public. She makes me wanna pull my hair out sometimes and then other times I want to squeeze her to pieces she's so sweet and sooo funny! She told me yesterday she wanted me to put up one of those shocky fence things across her bedroom door so her brother couldn't get in. And she kept asking for "hoodin". I kept asking what's hoodin? She finally said you know...chocolate hoodin, banilla hoodin..oooooo you mean pudding? Yeah mom, that's what I said, gaaahh! Yes, she already has a teenager attitude! Then today she said she wanted to watch the hooligans??? What? The hooollliiiggaaannss mom, with dorofy and the scarecrow. She meant the munchkins on Wizard of OZ, but she still calls them hooligans.

Ahh kids, what did I do with all my love, time, and energy before them?

Love Yall
Karri

BTW...do you know of anybody who needs a house? If you do, have them look at ours at www.dekalbcountyrealtors.com and go to PLS# 19312 and give Debbie at Summerville Realty a call!

A timely message

2009-08-27T09:47:00.005-05:00

I received an email about Rick Warren's, the author of Purpose Driven Life, life views and it was such a blessing, I wanted to pass it on. Here's what he says:

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

Whew! Doesn't that make you wanna shout? I mean this message couldn't have come to me at a better time. And I must say that when he says the easiest way to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others is so true and I pray that Jason and I can ingrain that kind of character into our kids.

Wishing you all love, peace, and CHARACTER!

Karri

Happy Days...And Not So Happy Days

2009-08-18T23:05:00.005-05:00

Well, it's been a week of firsts. Cohen started kindergarten on Monday and now he has his first loose tooth, and just before bed tonight, he read his first two words all by himself! Sigh....my baby is growing up. He's totally suprised me, he hasn't got in one sigle bit of trouble for two whole days at school! For those of you who know Cohen, you know this is a monumental accomplishment. So happy days for him that he is becoming a big boy and a mixture of happy/not so happy for me.

I am playing betty homemaker right now since I am outta work so me and Taegan have been having just girl days since the boys are back in school. She has blossomed over two days like no other child I have ever seen. Who knew a little mommy attention could go so far? She is loving ever minute of it, and so am I. I never thought I would be a stay at home mom and homemaker, but I think I can do it! I must say it's much harder than any paying job I've ever had! I am a little sad that I am not a nurse anymore, but with the way this whole healthcare thing is going, it might be a good thing I'm getting out now. However, I must say it is really disheartening to know that a 15 sec. mistake can erase almost 10 years of excellent, untarnished nursing service. So once again, happy days for Taegan, and a mixture of feelings for me.

As I mentioned before, I am out of work and have been for some months now and since the job market is not looking so good for me right now we have decided to sell our house (before we lose it) and move into something more affordable (don't know where yet). So, if you guys know anyone who is in the market for a house tell em to give me a call. I am working on painting and yard work this week and then I'll post some pics. This part is all not so happy days. Jason has been so supportive and would never say anything negative, but I know its going to kill him to leave the house he grew up in. Please pray for him!

Lastly, we hear there is possibly some bad stuff coming down the pike, legally for me. So please pray for my future, and more importanly my childrens' futures also. I can't go into details, but more than anything, I just want everyone to know that whatever happens, whatever is said, I know the truth, I've told the truth, and I wish the authorities would focus on finding the truth instead of listening to lies from unreliable sources. Definitely, definitely unhappy days for me and jason, we are trying to keep our kids sheltered from all of this.

Somedays are better than others, but even in the darkest of days I find comfort in knowing that God has a plan for me. It may not be the plan I had in mind for my life, but His reign is sovereign and I trust in Him because I know no matter what happens on this earth, God will one day say to me as he said to the woman in the Pharisees house, "Your faith has saved you, go in peace" (Luke 7:50). As Job " I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil" (Job 3:26), I may lose all my worldly possessions, I may suffer, I may even lose my freedom, but I will never lose my faith, the Lord's love, and the love of my husband and children. So, I will be as Job, I will stand through the pain, pray for those who have accused me of wrongdoing, and I will be restored (if not in this life, then the next)!

Love and Peace to You All!
Karri

Half Fairy Princess/Half Army Man, Besties, & Are Whoppers Sleep Aids?

2009-08-04T22:51:00.008-05:00

Weird title, I know. Check out the pics below and you'll see where it came from.

This just cracked me up! Cohen and Taegan were playing dress up the other day and Cohen said he was going to create his own costume. This is what he came up with. He is a fairy princess up top and army man below who is apparently sweeping the floors and then goin swimmin???? Pretty creative, huh? I think he should be on that fashion design show on tv! (Jason is gonna kill me for putting this picture of his son dressed up as a fairy out there for the world to see).

I can't believe our little man is starting to kindergarten in a few days. We found out a bunch of his friends are going to be in his class (Mrs. Meadows, yeah!), and he is so excited. He's now officially graduated from pre-school.

Ahhh, childhood friends!

And, last but not least....I think they should market Whoppers as a sedative????

Love and Blessing to Everyone!
Karri

Happy Birthday Baby!

2009-07-26T20:44:00.002-05:00

Taegan's 4th birthday was great! We have the best family and friends in the world! She loved seeing everyone and really loved all her gifts. Thank you Smiths for letting us have it at your pool!!! I was gonna post a few pics from the party but apparently Taegan erased them all! Yep, she was looking at them and must have hit the "erase all pictures from this date" button, so I have no pictures of her 4th birthday! Oh well!

Like my friend Deedra, I write my kids a letter every year to put in their baby books. Here's my letter to Taegan this year:

Taegan, I can't believe you are 4 already! When did you get so big? I tell you everyday that I love you, but as I look at you today my heart swells and my eyes fill with tears because you are the daughter that I have always wanted. You look so much like your daddy with your big blue eyes, but you act like me with all your drama! When you sleep with your mouth open you look like Granny Willoughby and when your mad at Cohen you look like Mamaw Susie. You're such a mommy's girl and you give the best hugs and kisses. Cohen picks on you and makes you squeal all the time, but I'm just waiting on the moment when you finally lay into him! I tell you all the time that you have "princess syndrome" but you really are my sweetheart. I love it when you want to cuddle with me at nighttime and although I get onto you all the time for still sucking your thumb when you go to sleep, I am actually going to miss it. That will be the last "baby" thing that you do, and you will officially be a big girl then. And I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I know you have to grow up, but even when your 40, you'll still be my baby girl. I love you now and forever my sweet girl!

PS-Thank you for all your prayers for my job situation, I have a job offer! I figure if this nursing job doesn't work out I'm going to Lowe's or Walmart!

Another slap in the face!

2009-07-17T02:36:00.003-05:00

Does anyone ever feel like the universe is conspiring against them? I try not to complain about my life, I know I have it much better than some, but today...well today has been a doosey! My day started out pretty good, the kids slept in, I was getting some cleaning done, and preparing for Taegan's birthday party this weekend. Then, I got a phone call. Those of you who know me know how excited I have been to start my new job at Ft. Payne. Alas, it was not meant to be. The phone call was from human resources at the hospital. Apparently, the economy is hitting the hospitals too! Their admissions have been low and their new CEO is not letting them hire anyone else this month (they said maybe next month). Keep in mind this is the Thursday before the Monday I was supposed to start. I already went through all my background checks, my drug screening, my TB tests and everything! To say I was crushed is an understatement! I sobbed uncontrollably for a good 30 minutes. I had not even applied anywhere else because this was supposed to be a sealed deal. I thought, seriously..., after all my family has been through the past few months, can I just not catch a break??? But, after wallowing in self-pity for a while, I decided that feeling like this was the work of the devil, trying to kick me while I was down, and I would have no part of it! So, today I have sent about 50 applications out all over northeast alabama and chattanooga. For some reason working at the hospital in Ft. payne is not part of God's plan for me right now and I have to accept that and move on with where I need to be and what I should be doing (when i find out what/where that is, I'll let you know). I thought of Proverbs 3:5-6 today
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight

So, I am asking all of you, my dear sweet friends, to please remember me and my family once again in your prayers. I NEED a job ASAP or we are going to be living in a cardboard box! I leave you all with the prayer that has been replaying in my head all day today, the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Thank you all for your love and prayers!
Karri

Walmart Price Match Rocks!!!

2009-07-15T22:12:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone! I just got back from my weekly Wal-mart trip and I saved $41.75 using price matching and coupons! Yeah me! Price matching has helped our family finances tremendously over the past few months. Every week I make a list of what’s on sale where and integrate it with my grocery list. Since this helps me out so much I thought I would share it with all of you. I organize my lists according to the different sections of the grocery store. Let me know if this helps any of you out there! If it does, I’ll post it every week! Just copy, paste, and print the list and highlight what you want to purchase and taadaaa, instant savings! Your welcome!
Love ya all!
Karri

Prices good 07/14-07/20
Stores- L=Lucky’s, LSS=Lucky’s supersale-good only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, F=Foodland, W=Walgreens

Item Qty Price $ Store

Dairy
Mayfield Ice Cream 48oz 2 for $6 F
Store Brand Cheese (shredded/cubes/chunk) 8oz 2 for $3 F
Bright & Early Orange drink 64oz 1.00 F
Food Club OJ 64oz 2 for $5 F
Merico Biscuits 5ct pkg 2 for $1 F
Store Brand Butter 1lb pkg 2 for $4 F
Blue Bell Ice Cream ½ Gal. 3.89 L
Florida’s Natural OJ 2.19 2.19 L
Blue Bonnet Margarine Sticks/Box 0.69 L
Store Brand Biscuits 12 oz can 0.88 L
Sargento Deli Sliced Cheese 6-8oz 2 for $6 L
Coffee Mate Creamer 16oz 1.99 L
Swiss Miss Pudding 6ct pkg 2.29 L
Kraft Deli Deluxe Cheese Slices 8oz. 2.99 L
Prairie Farms Ice Cream 4qt pails 4.99 L

Drinks

Coca Cola Products 2liters 1.00 L
18pk/12 oz cans 5.99 L
Powerade 32 oz bottles 3 for $2 L
Aquarius Spring Water 24pk/.5liter bottles 2.88 LSS
Crystal Geyser Water Gallon or 6pk/.5lit 5 for $5 F
Store Brand Soda 12pk/12oz cans 1.99 LSS
Store Brand Apple Juice 64oz 0.99 LSS
Gatorade 32 oz 0.99 L
Welch’s Juice 52 oz. 2 for $5 F
Propel Fitness Water 10ct pwder or 6pk 16 oz 2 for $5 F

Paper Goods
Charmin or Bounty 24 rg roll pk 7.00 F
Charmin or bounty 8 rg roll pk 7.00 F
Hefty Foam Plates 50ct pkg 2 for $3 F
Store Brand Paper Towels Single Roll 0.89 L
Quilted Northern TP 12 double rolls 7.99 L
Kleenex Facial Tissue 8ct pks or 200ct box 1.89 L

Produce
Dole Bananas 2lbs 1.00 L
Idaho Potatoes 10lb bag 3.49 L
Iceberg Lettuce Head 1.29 L
Cabbage Head 0.39 L
Russet Potatoes 15lb bag 2.99 LSS
Russet Potatoes 5lb bag 2 for $3 F
Slicing Tomatoes 1lb 0.99 L
Peaches 1lb 1.19 L
Strawberries 1lb pk 2 for $3 F
Green/Black/Red Grapes 2lbs 3.00 L
Bing Cherries 1lb 2.00 F
Rainier Cherries 1lb 3.00 F
Dole Shredded Lettuce 8oz bag 1.00 L
White Onions 2lb bag 2 for $3 F
Dole Salad Mix Pkg. 2 for $4 F
Cantaloupes 2 for $4 F
Washington St. Apples 3lb bag 2 for $5 F
Broccoli or Cauliflower Head 2 for $4 F
Cherry Tomatoes Pkg 2 for $3 F
Limes 10 for $1 F
Mangoes 2 for $1 F
Packham Pears 1lb 1.00 F

Health-Beauty/Cleaners/Dog-Cat Food/Misc.
Purex 2x laundry detergent 24-32use bottle 3.99 L
Matchlight Charcoal 13.5lb bag 9.99 L
Alka-Seltzer Plus 6oz liq or 20ct tabs 5.49 L
GE Reveal Light Bulbs 4pk 4.99 L
Friskies Cat Food 16lb bag 12.99 L
Dawn Dish Liquid 10-24oz bottles 2 for $3 L
Bounce Fabric Softener 120 shts/60use btl 5.99 L
DowneyFabric Softener 120 shts/60use btl 5.99 L
Electrasol or Finish Dish Det. 15-20 gelpks or tabs 4.49 L
Gladware Containers 3-5ct pks 2.99 L
Tide 50oz liquid or 70 oz powder 7.00 F
Store brand detergent 50oz liquid 2 for $8 F
Alpo Dog food 13oz can 3 for $2 F
Friskies cat food 5 oz cans 5 for $2 F
Store brand charcoal 18lb bag 5.00 F
Store brand lighter fluid 32 oz 2 for $5 F

Meats
Ground Chuck 1lb 1.79 L
Frozen Split Fryer Breast 1lb.tray pk 0.99 LSS
Fresh Split Chicken Breast 1lb 1.00 F
Country Style Pork Ribs 1lb 0.99 LSS
Boneless Ribeye Steaks 1lb 5.99 L
Lean Pork Steaks 1lb 1.29 L
Boston Butt Pork Roast 1lb 1.29 L
Bottom Round Roast 1lb 2.00 F
T-bone Steak 1lb 5.00 F
Whole Pork Loin 1lb 1.99 F
Boneless Pork Chops 1lb 2.59 F
Tender cubed steak 1lb 2.99 F
Butterball ground turkey 1lb 1.79 F
Bottom Round Steak 1lb 2.29 F
Bar-S Hot dogs 1lb pk 0.89 F
Bar-S Bologna 1lb pk 1.09 F
Bar-S Sliced Ham 1lb 1.99 F
Bar-S Corn Dogs 3lb pkg 3.99 F
Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast 1lb 2.39 L
Boneless Sirloin Tip Steak 1lb 2.39 L
Frosty Morn Bologna 16oz 1.59 L
Carolina Pride Cooked Ham 10oz 1.99 L
Zeigler Jumbo Hot Dogs 16oz 1.99 L
Cloverdale Farms Bacon 12oz 1.79 L
Bar-S Smoked Sausage 16oz 1.59 L
Tennesse Pride Pork Sausage 16oz 1.99 L
Zeigler Sliced Bologna 16oz 1.99 L
Freshland Country sausage 1lb 1.99 F
Conecuh smoked sausage 1lb 2.79 F
Cades Cove BBQ 5.49 F
Royal Sliced Bacon 1.79 F
Seafood Salad 1lb pkg 3.69 F
Yellow Fin Tuna Steak 1lb 5.99 F
Catfish Fillets 1lb 3.99 F

Frozen Foods
Mckenzie’s Frozen 16-20oz 5 for $5 F
Vegetables(any variety)
Store Brand Pizza 2 for $7 F
Store Brand Ice Cream Bars 2 for $4 F
Birds eye steam fresh 4 for $5 F
Store brand breads (any) toast, breadsticks.. 2 for $3 F
Budget, yusing, or michelina entrees 1.00 F
Store Brand Waffles 12.3 oz box 1.69 L
Kid Cuisine Meals 2 for $4 L
Tonys Pizza 1.88 L

Canned Goods
Van camps baked beans 28oz can 1.29 L
Hunts spaghetti sauce 26oz can 1.19 L
Luck’s beans (any) 15oz 2 for $1 F
Spam 12oz 2 for $4 F

Condiments
Welch’s grape jam/jelly 2lb or 22oz 2 for $3 F
Store brand ketchup 64oz 2 for $5 F
Store brand mustard 8 oz 2 for $1 F
Store brand ketchup 20oz ez squeeze 0.88 L
Store brand mustard 20oz 1.19 L
Store brand pickle slices 16oz 1.29 L
Store brand peanut butter 16-18oz 1.79 L
Store brand grape jelly 32 oz jar 1.59 L

General Groceries
Frito Lay/Ruffles/Cheetos 10-14oz 2 for $4 F
Golden Flake Potato Chips 5oz 4 for $5 LSS
Old Fashion Merita Loaf Bread 0.99 LSS
Sunbelt Fruit jammers/granola bars box 1.75 F
Pasta or Ricearoni 5 for $5 F
Delmonte fruit to go 8pk 2 for $4 F
Skinner Pasta 12oz 5 for $3 F
Pilsbury brownie mix 19oz 1.00 F
Cracker jack popcorn snack 7oz or 3-3oz 1.00 F
General Mill Chex Mix 8oz 4 for $5 F
Bugles Snacks 7oz 4 for $5 F
Cheerios Snack Mix 8oz 4 for $5 F
Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad 1.00 F
Chicken/tuna/hamburgerHelper 0.99 F
Macaroni Grill Mix 2 for $7 F
Betty Crocker Brown mix 1.00 F
Store Brand Mashed Pototo 8oz 1.00 F
Store Brand Cereal 32oz 2 for $6 F
Saltine Crackers 16oz 1.00 F
Store Brand Vanilla Wafers 12oz 2 for $3 F
Doritos 2 for $5 L
Oreos 3.49 L
Mexican Season Mixes 0.59 L
Pringles 1.69 L
Cheerios (any variety) 10-17oz 2.99 L
Crunch n munch 4oz 0.99 L
Oreo cakesters 2.99 L
Nutter Butters 2.99 L
Nabisco Toasted chips 2.99 L
Dinty Moore Big Bowls 2 for $4 L
JFG mayo or salad dressing 32oz 2.99 L

It's Yard Sale Time!

2009-07-07T00:47:00.004-05:00

I am so NOT a pack rat! My mom and my oldest sister were/are both hoarders and keep stuff from 30 years ago. At my house, unless something has sentimental value, it's outta here if it hasn't been used/worn in a year. Yep, I've been cleaning out closets, cabinets, and storage buildings and I have got stuff we don't need running outta my ears! I've also been making lots of hairbows since I haven't been working. And.....since I haven't been working, my wallet is a little too thin so we are having a yard sale at my aunt Deanie's this week. Here's the ad I put in the Times-Journal:
Huge Yard Sale Wednesday July 8th through Saturday July 11th 2 miles west of Ider 4 way on Hwy 117. Furniture, cookware, tools, kid's clothes (mostly gymboree, old navy, children's place-girls 3t-4t and boys 4t), kid's shoes, women's name brand clothing (various sizes up to 18/20), men's name brand clothing (up to xxl and 40x34 pants), toys, electronics (including a working dell pc and 20" tv), HANDMADE HAIRBOWS AND MATCHING FLIP FLOPS.
Seriously, we have tons of stuff we are bringing, plus my aunt is putting out her stuff, and Pearle Dalton is bringing all of her yard sale stuff too. So if you need some good stuff at great prices (not to mention helpin a sista out) come on over!

And speaking of hair bows and flip flops, I'm thinking of opening a store on etsy.com, what do you guys think? Anybody ever sell anything on there? If so, how do you get advertising? Just wondering.

On a separate note, please continue to remember me in your prayers. The next couple of weeks are going to be busy! I go for my second Lap-Band adjustment on the 15th (I'm down 32 lbs so far), my sweet baby girl is turning 4 on the 16th!!!! I can't believe it. (Yet another reason for the yard sale, birthday parties are expensive these days!) And, I start my new job the 20th (I'm really nervous, it's been a long time since I've worked anywhere other than surgery). For a change, these things are all good sources of stress! I'm so thankful that God has a plan for me. I just hope I can do his will without complaints or grumbles and be happy for the new oppurtunities I am given everyday to prove my love and devotion to HIM.

O...I almost forgot..today is my 32nd birthday and I'm proud to say it, because the alternative to not having a birthday is well..you know..not so good!

Toodles for now!
Love You All!
Karri

In case your wondering..../Happy Father's Day

2009-06-19T19:27:00.005-05:00

In case you are wondering where we have gone...we are in Myrtle Beach! It was a very last minute planned trip, but a much needed one. Let me start at the beginning of the week. Jason had to take the varsity basketball boys to camp at UTC for 3 days, mon-wed of this week. So, that left me by myself going crazy with kids. However, due to a last minute cancellation and a very good friend, I got a call on Monday with an offer I couldn't refuse! I almost called Jason to squeal about what a great deal and vacation I had secured for us, but I thought, how fun would it be to suprise him when he got home on wed.? And that's just what I did. I had everything packed and loaded in car with driving directions along with a Happy Father's Day card waiting on Jason when he walked in the door. The kids and I said "we love you, now go get in the car"! (This is a huge deal for me, I've never pulled off a suprise with out him finding out in the 16 yrs we've known each other). Off we went! We left at about 6:30 wed nite and I drove for a little over 8 hours straight! That was ok though because Jason and the kids slept most of the way. Even though this is Jason's father's day gift, I need the get-a-away too. We are having the best, most relaxing time. It's beautiful weather here and the kids have been fairly well behaved.

Now onto Happy Father's Day. Most of you who've been to a crowed beach know that you see allll kinds wondering up and down the sandy shores. This week I've seen men who are tall, short, fat, thin, handsome, and some who hit every limb on the ugly tree on the way down. Looking at all the men passing me by I have thought to myself how blessed I am that Jason is my husband and the father of our children. He is not perfect, but he is perfect for our family. He is more than I could ever ask for and much more than I deserve, but God somehow brought us together and has guided us every step of the way through our marriage and blessed us with two beautiful children. I love him with all my heart. My soul is for Jesus, but Jason has the rest of me! I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him and everything he does for our family, but I don't know what we would do without him. He has more than honored the vows we took almost 14 years ago....in sickness and in health, in good times and bad...he has honored me all the days of our marriage. He is a christian role model to our children. He loves the kids all the time, but is a disciplinarian when he needs to be (which is a lot with Cohen sometimes). I can't say enough good things about him, I am truely a blessed woman. Thank you God for bringing Jason and I together, and thank you Jason for being the man you are.

Now, back to the beach. We had a little excitement today while we were swimming. Look closely at the pic of the water. See that dark line a little way off the shore. Well, that is a large school of fish that sharks were chasing! The lifegaurds made everyone clear outta the water in a hurry when they saw them. The most we've ever worried about on our trips to the gulf of mexico were jellyfish! With that being said, I think I do prefer the Atlantic Ocean here over the Gulf. The sand is still white but not powdery (so it doesn't stick to EVERYTHING) and the shells here are AMAZING! With that being said, it's dark now and the kids are ready to get the flashlights and nets out to go crabbin'! We will see you all back on the mtn. soon!

Setting the Record Straight!

2009-06-08T20:57:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone out there in blogland! Boy have I missed you guys. It's been well....interesting to say the least around our house the past month. I don't really know where to start. There have been so many rumors started and spread around this tiny little town about me the past few weeks I can't begin to address them all. I can't get into details, but I just want to say that they are ALL lies. I have been accused of something I would NEVER, EVER do for many reasons. First and foremost, I love the Lord and though I am a sinner I would not and did not break a sacred commandment. second I love my family more than anything on this earth and would not do anything to hurt them or put them in jeopardy. Anyone who really knows me knows the truth by now and I do not hold a grudge against those who have spread these rumors (Thank you Luke McKay for your message yesterday at church). All I ask is that you speak to ME personally before you speak of things you really have no idea about and if you hear someone else speaking of things they know nothing about to defer them to me. Sorry to get into that, but, I had to get that off my chest! I also wanted to say thank you to my family and friends who have supported me through this mess. If it were not for you guys and the good Lord giving me strength, I think I would crumble into a million pieces. Even through this sadness and confusion, God has blessed me and my family far beyond what we deserve. I am so grateful to get to spend time with my little boy, who's about to start kindergarten soon, and my little girl, who has always been a mommy's girl. And I have gotten to do so much work at the church, all for HIM. I ask you all to continue to pray for my family and for our VBS this week. I hope that the Lord will claim some more victories in lives for HIM this week. May the Lord bless you all!
Karri

PS- I just wanted to send out a special thanks and love to my husband, my sis Freda, deanie and wayne, aunt kay, gail, crystal, all my cousins and my friends-Lisa, Jenny, Tammy, Deedra, Kim, Keri, and bro. Luke. I can never repay you all for your love and support, but I promise I will never stop trying!

Safe in the Meat Freezer!

2009-04-13T14:29:00.002-05:00

It's been a c-r-a-z-y weekend! Let me start with Friday....

Jason and I were supposed to be chaperones for the Ider prom. So, we had my niece, Tiara and her friend Brooke coming over to babysit for us. I knew I needed to stop on my way home from work and get some groceries so I first stopped in Tiftonia. Guess what? Walmart does not function without electricity! Who knew? I thought I would just run into Lucky's super quick and get back home before the bad weather set in. Seriously, it wasn't even raining in Henagar when I went in. Meanwhile, my husband had left school early and went home, but didn't go get our children from daycare???? What was he thinking? So, I called and ask my sis to pick them up when she brought Tiara and Brooke. Little did I know that my two babies are the ONLY ones left at daycare (yes give us the parents of the year award). Keep in mind I was only shopping for about 20 minutes. I start checking out and I hear one of the bag boys say its hailing the size of baseballs! What?? Then before I knew it I could hear sirens and alarms and the Luckys manager is yelling at all the customers and employees to get to the back NOW that there was a tornado coming. We dropped everything and followed the employees to back of Luckys into the meat freezer! Yep, their safe place is the meat freezer. It was cold, stinky and very crowded. I didn't have a cell phone signal, I didn't know where my children were at that moment, and I was thinking I was gonna die in that stupid meat freezer. To say I was panicked is an understatement!!!! I've never been clausterphobic until that very minute. After about 10 minutes we got the all clear and we could go back out into the store. I called home immediately. Everyone was ok, thank you Jesus, Jason had called my cousins Tim and Angie who live right behind the daycare and they had the kids. I got checked out and loaded my groceries in the pouring rain and got home safely! Tiara and Brooke came a couple hours later and off Jason and I went to the prom! It was so fun! The dresses this year were so wild! There was every kind of animal print in every color you can think of there. Nothing too R rated. Nathan Parham was the DJ and he played some old school tunes mixed in with the new. He even played my high school theme song "baby got back". But I decided not to embarass myself or my sweet nephew by dancing. Your welcome Tyler! When we got home everyone was asleep except Cohen! He was waiting up on us. We finally all crashed after a very eventful day!

Saturday we were completely and utterly lazy. I can't even remember the last time we didn't go anywhere or do anything on a Saturday. But, after the Friday we had, we needed a day of rest.

Sunday was the best day! The youth drama team performed to "Does Anybody Hear Her" and I cried like a big ole baby. It was the best performance yet! They are so talented! Luke brought a wonderful Easter message and home we went! The kids were so excited to hunt eggs. This is the first year we have ever done Easter at our house. It was blissful! We hid and hunted eggs with kids, took a million pics, and ate! Jason cooked us Easter dinner ( I'm talking ham, mac n cheese, creamed corn, pinto beans, rolls, and a chocolate cake). Have I ever said how much I love him?? Anyway, after letting our food settle, we decided it was such a beautiful day we would go enjoy it. We took the kids hiking at Little River Canyon. It was hilarious. Taegan stuck her foot in a puddle and got her feet soaking wet and apparently princesses do not wear wet shoes, I had to carry her back up the trail! Cohen fell on a wet rock into a stream and got his rear end drenched, but he thought it was funny. He just wanted in the sun so he could get some more "frankels" (aka freckles)! After that we went and played at the new fort payne park and then we were on to dairy queen for a sweet treat! The whole day couldn't have been more perfect! I felt like we were in a scene from Leave it to Beaver.

That, in a nutshell, was our weekend and our Easter! I hope yours was as blessed as ours! I just love my family (for today anyway) and I love making memories with them.
TaTa for now! Love you all!

Karri

One Nation Under God???

2009-04-08T13:39:00.008-05:00

I always ready my daily news on msn.com and came across this article from newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583 I'm very disturbed and confused by this story.

It personally left me with a lot of questions. Is this the reason our nation is in such decline? Are we as christians putting to much stock in our president instead of relying on God to direct our future? Like it or not, Obama is our president, and God is sovereign, so why can we not trust his will (and I do believe it is his will, otherwise it would not be). It may be his will that our selfish, conceited nation fall, I don't know, but I trust that God will will be done. Why is one party considered more moral than the other? My views on politics, lawmaking, and world view in general have changed so dramatically in the past year. I once considered myself a liberal leaning moderate (not Republican, not Democrat). Now, I think I am more of a moderate conservative. I now use the bible as my strict reference instead of what's mainstream or based on MY feelings. It took much soul searching and bible reading and praying to get to this point. I ask you to join me, whatever your political stance is, to pray for our nation, our world, it's leaders, and our lawmakers.
Lord, God, you know the hearts and minds of every single person on this earth. Please guide us all in making decisions, both big and small. Help us Lord, to reach out to our neighbors, our community to give them your word. Lord, use us, your children, to be a beacon of light to those in the dark. We love you, God, we trust you God, with our lives, with our childrens lives, with all of our futures here on this earth and beyond. Help us carry out your will even if we do not understand it. Thank you Lord for the many blessings you give us. Please continue to bless our families, put your hands on our national and world leaders, help them see that your word IS the truth, the light, and the only way to make it through these tough times. We ask all these things in your precious name. Amen.

Love & Blessings to All!
Karri

A year has passed

2009-04-01T03:17:00.004-05:00

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I'll tell you the city gate busted open with praise when my momma got there!

April Fool's Day will never be the same again. It's the anniversary of my mom's death. I can't believe its been a year! I won't go into how much I miss her. I know everyone is tired of hearing that. But I wanted everyone just to think about her today and remember what a wonderful woman she was and what a blessing she was to me and my sisters. I know she is at peace with our good Lord and knowing I will see her again one sweet day gives me comfort. To those of you who have lost your mother, you know the emptiness that is left behind. To those of you who are so fortunate to still have your mother, do me a favor, please. Even if you don't get along with your mom, even if you fight over the smallest things, even if you haven't talked to her in a really long time, call her. Call, or better yet, go see her today and tell her you love her, because you may never get the chance again. If your mom was gone tomorrow, would you have regrets? How important are the things that come between you? Just remember mothers are not perfect, they are human too. We only get one mother in this lifetime, don't take the time you have with yours for granted. I love you all and pray that you all have a mother that cherishes you and that you cherish back!

Comic Relief!

2009-03-30T00:43:00.001-05:00

I'm so proud of our youth! They rocked the church house today! I don't know if I'm still on a high from the church service this morning or what, but I totally have insomnia! Its almost 2 (fast time) in the morning, and I have to be up in just a couple of hours for work. So I decided I'm just not going to sleep. Mondays suck anyway, so I'll just be a little sleep deprived. Whilest entertaining myself in the wee hours of the morning (there's only so many infomercials I can watch), I came upon these videos. They are stinkin hilarious, so I thought everybody's Monday could use a little funny! Here ya go, enjoy!

Glad I'm not the only one who's technically challenged:

Mean but still hilarious!

These last two are from Tim Hawkins, nuf said!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Karri

P.S. I had a few complaints about my last background and not being able to read the font. Hopefully, this one's better...let me know!

Playin catch up!

2009-03-24T17:03:00.010-05:00

Since it's been a while since I posted, I have a plethra of nonsense to spew! It's all quite random, so bear with me.

First of all, have yall seen the new Beyonce video? It's the most sensual, but not raunchy, video I have ever seen. I know Beyonce and Michael Ealy are just actors, but DANG they are hot together!! I told Jason if he would look at me the way Michael looks at Beyonce in this video, I would never have a "headache" again! Click the first image on the right ---> on the guys face and it'll take you to the video. I think it should be in The Love Dare that you should look at your spouse that lovingly everyday! Sometimes Jason and I are so tired by the end of the day, we barely speak must less sit down and gaze deeply into one another's eyes. Maybe after the kids are grown we can have that sort of utopian relationship????

Second, I had a wonderful time on our ladies retreat a couple of weeks ago. I really needed to get away. I roomed with one of my bff's in the world, Tammy Pike, and we had a blast. Michelle Phillips and Brooke Smith kept us laughing the whole time, while Jenny Mann's songs and Lisa McKay's messages brought us to tears (in a good way). Snow tubing was a new experience and sooo much fun (even though I had snow in my underwear, my socks, and my hair looked a mess when we got done). Imogene Green totally rocked the dance moves while Brooke and Jennifer sang karaoke. Here are just a few of my fav pics from the trip.

Tammy and Lisa- just beautiful!

Lori, Brooke, and Michelle- I have no idea what they were doin??

Me, Tammy, and Jenny-snow tubing

I have a bunch more, but I promised some of my friends I wouldn't post them!

Third, I had my first Lap-Band adjustment today. I am down 21 lbs, 1 pants size! Yeah me! The adj. wasn't very bad at all, except for drinking that barium stuff. Yuck! I am still mourning my Diet Mtn. Dews more than food, but other than that I still eat pretty much what I want to (just a lot less). BUT...every time I get an adjustment I will be able to eat less and less. They tell me by the time I get to my last adjustment I won't be able to eat things like soft bread (only toast), popcorn, raisins, and stringy vegetables like broccoli stems, asparagus, and celery (oh darn, heeheehee).

Fourth, I am so excited about youth sunday coming up! We have the greatest youth in the world! I am so proud of them all. I'm trying to find someone to switch nursery duties with me that day so I can watch mine and Jason's sunday school class and the youth. Anybody out there know of anyone who might be willing??? I've called several people with no luck!

Fifth, we have some great things coming up in the church. The True Love Waits program will be starting soon. For those of you not familiar with the program, it is aimed at our young people to promote abstinence and purity in God's eyes. We also have the big Easter egg hunt and festivities at the park. We will have free pony rides for the kids, cupcakes/koolaid, and a huge egg hunt with prize eggs. And last but not least, we will be doing a new church directory soon! So, get geared up and prayed up about all these things as we as a body of christ reach out to our community!

Whew, that was a long post. Sorry! Love you all!

Karri

A few pics of my favorite little people!

2009-03-10T21:39:00.005-05:00

I always miss photo friday, but I wanted to share these photos of some of my favorite kiddos from church (and a few of my own)!

I wish I could tell you this...

2009-03-02T00:52:00.003-06:00

Grief is getting the best of me this week. Taegan and I have both been sick and I really needed some momma lovin this week. Apparently, Jason hasn't gotten to the part in the "The Love Dare" where he is supposed to take care of his sick wife (without wanting something in return). I wrote these to make me feel better, read them if you want, or if not, please just say a little prayer for me to have strength and peace this week.

Mom,
It's been almost a year since you've been gone. I still think about you every day. I miss you so much sometimes it feels like my heart has been stolen from my body. You left me so quickly, I didn't have a chance to tell you goodbye. But, I know your body was tired and you were ready to go Home.

I am thankful you didn't have to suffer anymore than you did, but I still need you! I know that's selfish but I wanted you to see Cohen and Taegan grow up the way you saw your other grandchildren grow up. You would be so proud of them. Cohen is 5 already and has started t-ball. It makes me so sad you'll never see him play. I look at Taegan's big blue eyes and I see you. She still remembers you painting her fingernails when she stayed with you. She's quite the little princess.

I wish I had asked you more questions and I wish I had listened more when you gave me advice. I made so many mistakes growing up and I'm so sorry I wasn't a better daughter. If I could take back every second of worry that I caused you, I would. I think you would be proud of me this past year though. I have grown up a lot! I am trying to live my life like God wants me to and my faith has kept me sane. I try very hard to be a good person in general and especially a good wife and mother. Losing you made me think very hard about what kind of legacy I would leave and what people would say about me when I am gone. So many people honored you after you were gone. I can only hope that you felt that love while you were still with us.

You were the glue that kept our family together and now that you are gone we are slowly falling apart. Sunday dinners are gone and the holidays were just not the same. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't take you from His Throne if I could, but I just wish I could at least relay a message or eighty to you every now and again. So, until I see you again, I love you and I will keep your memory alive and pass the love you gave to me to my kids.
Your Baby Girl
Karri

Jr.,
Why did you go? I'm so angry at you! You left me when I needed you most. I had not even processed the thought of losing mom, and then you were gone. Why did you call ME that day? Why did I have to find you? Did you mean for me to find you that way? Having to do CPR on you still haunts me. I can't get that image of you out of my head. I know you missed mom more than life itself, but could you not stay for me, for Cohen, and for Taegan. I might not have had your DNA, but you were my dad. You got your life right a long time ago and I grew outta my bratty teenage years, we were as close as any father and daughter. Why did my love not out weigh losing momma? I still wait to hear your voice on the other end of the phone. I still expect you to come drivin up in your truck to see the kids, but your not there and your not coming. What do I do with that? Cohen still ask about you all the time. He misses you! We all do! My heart was already broken and losing you too just about drove me over the edge of insanity. But, watching you mourn mom was harder than dealing with my own grief. I don't know how or why, but I know you are with mom now and that's exactly where you always wanted to be. Your side of family sure is making things hard on us girls right now, so if you or God can, can you please send them a signal to layoff! I love you, keep taking good care of mom, and I'll see you one day soon.
Your Daughter Now and Forever
Karri

It's the small things (and people)

2009-02-24T02:08:00.002-06:00

Just thought I'd share some randomness. Sometimes I find myself sweatin the small stuff, but this week God has blessed me with finding pleasure in some small things.

Here's a short list of things that I'm thankful for this week:

1. My niece Tiara told me I'm the best aunt in the world
2. Jenny Mann and Tiara volunteered to help keep the nursery during the church's viewing of "Fireproof"
3. 13 kids in the nursery Sunday night(for some reason I actually teared up watching all those little heads boppin down the church hallway, it just made my heart happy)
4. Playdough
5. Cheeseballs
6. Good books
7. A husband who folded all the socks in the neglected sock basket (I hate folding socks)
8. A son who decided he can wipe himself after a #2
9. Myoplex protein shakes
10.Wow Wow Wubbzy
11.A boss that puts family before work
12.That cool mouthwash that makes plaque turn colors if you miss a spot (i don't have to fight Taegan to brush her teeth now)
13.Cordless screwdrivers
14.Organized closets
15.Lists

I have many, many more things to be thankful for, but for today I'm takin notice of the trees while navigating the forest!

Psalms 30:12 That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will
give you thanks forever.

Karri

P.S. I've lost 12 pounds so far since my Lap-Band two weeks ago!

And the winner is......

2009-02-16T09:07:00.002-06:00

Taegan picked a name outta the hat yesterday. And the winner of "The Love Dare" is Wendy L! Congrats Wendy! I will bring your prize to you Wednesday night!

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Karri

I love him....+Giveaway

2009-02-12T09:43:00.007-06:00

Valentine's Day has always been one of those useless holidays to me. Not because I am a prude or because I am down on love. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I think that love and devotion should be shown and expressed daily, not just one day a year. Roses and chocolates are nice, but there are many more ways to express love.

My valentine, Jason, is the most wonderful, caring man. God brought us together and has kept us together through it all! Not to say we don't have our tiffs and arguments, but we always find a compromise, even if its just to agree to disagree. I love my man. He takes care of me when I'm sick, he is a wonderful father, he helps with household chores, and he loves me like Jesus, unconditionally (not in that order). What more could a woman want?

I remember when we first got married, almost 14 years ago, I was 18, he was 20. Soooo many people discouraged us from getting married. They said we were too young, and in retrospect they were probably right about being too young. But, in a way I think it actually made our marriage stronger. We had to grow up and find our way through life together. There are many things that I would change about my twenties, but being married to Jason is not one of them.

I am so proud of Jason. He tries to live his life through God's word. He passes his love for God and for me to our children. He doesn't hold grudges or keep score. He is a mentor for so many kids at school and through coaching. He is soft when he needs to be, but stern when the time comes. He is smart, but he is openminded to new things. He is my love, my man, my husband and I love him with all my heart.

God has blessed our marriage far beyond what we deserve. I take my vows seriously and I will always strive to keep my covenant to Jason and to God true. Neither of us are perfect and good can always get better. That is why we have been doing the "The Love Dare".

It is a wonderful excercise for couples. I challenge all you married couples out there to take "The Love Dare". In fact, I am going to give away a copy of it in honor of Valentines Day. Leave me a comment and I will put your name in the drawing. I will choose the winner randomly (put your names in a hat and draw) on Saturday Feb. 14th and post the winner on the 15th.

I leave you with a few bible verses to think about on Valentines Day(and any other day).

Proverbs 30:18-19
There are three things that amaze me— no, four things that I don’t understand:
how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.

Song of Solomon 1:2
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.

Song of Solomon 2:16
My lover is mine, and I am his.

Song of Solomon 4:10
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!

Song of Solomon 8:6
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

Song of Solomon 8:7
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

(THIS IS MY FAVORITE LOVE VERSE)1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Ephesians 5:33
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Hoping Your Life Is Filled With Lots of Love
Karri

A new life begins!

2009-02-10T06:02:00.002-06:00

Thank you all for your prayers yesterday. The surgery went great and I got to come home about 4 hours after it was over. I am extremely sore today. More sore than from any other surgery I have ever had, but I think it will be worth it. It even hurts just to breathe. At least I got me some gooood pain medicine! So if this post sounds crazy I blame it on my pain medicine stupor!

I will have to be on a liquid/soft food diet for at least two weeks now, but that's ok because I don't have any hunger pains for the first time in my life!

So here is where I am starting from. I weighed 215 lbs the day before surgery with high cholesterol, migraines, joint pain, and a never ending hunger.

I will post my progress as I go (not that anyone cares, but I want to keep a jounal for myself). I think this will be good for our whole family. Because I can't eat much at a time everything that I do eat has to have good nutrional value. So hopefully this will help Jason and the kids eat healthy too.

I feel my pain medicine starting to kick in so the words on the computer are starting to run together now. But I just wanted to thank you so much again. God has truly blessed me and my family in so many ways, but especially with good friends. I could actually feel your prayers yesterday. I love you all!

Karri

No more BIG MOMMA!

2009-02-05T21:07:00.002-06:00

Hello, my name is Karri and I am addicted to food! At breakfast I think about what's for lunch. At lunch I think about what's at dinner. At dinner, I think about what I can eat while I am watching TV! It's really pathetic and I'm over it!

After a year of praying and 10 years of dieting (unsuccessfully) I have decided to take the big plunge! I am having the gastric Lap-Band procedure this Monday. Some people say this is the "easy" way to lose weight, but it's really not. It just forces you to do what you have no will power to do on your own.

I have been thinking about doing this for 3 years, but I couldn't ever get my act together to battle the insurance companies. However, about a year ago I was easily approved by BCBS of alabama. Then, mom and jr died and my whole world fell apart and I just didn't think I could mourn them and food too. When your approved you only have a year to take advantage of it or you have to start all over with mountains of paperwork. That meant I had to make a decision by the end of this month. So, with blessings from Jason, I scheduled it!

Why go this route, some people have ask? Well, as I said earlier, I have tried every diet known to man and admittedly failed at every single one of them. And over the past couple of months I have been examining my life, how I live it, and what kind of example I want to set for my children. I am angry at myself for letting my body get to this point. I am frustrated that even with prayer I haven't had the strength to do anything about it. I am embarrassed to have to shop in the "big girl" stores. I am sad to feel beautiful on the inside and not be able to portray that because of how i look on the outside. I want to be healthy. I want to eat smart and not be hungry. I want my husband and kids to be proud of me. Most of all, I want to be around to see my kids/future grandkids grow up and to grow old with my husband.

I get so angry sometimes when I think of mom and jr. If only they had never smoked or even stopped smoking when they found out how dangerous it was...they might still be here today. So, if I can save my children some pain down the road by doing something today, bygolly I am going to do it (Lord willing, of course)

I am not ashamed that I need help to do what it takes to lose the weight. I am just happy that there is some help available. I am going to chronicle my weight loss and emotions. I know it is not going to be easy physically or emotionally, but I am ready.

Me and my family have probably drained your prayer bank this year, but if you have any prayers left, please pray for us as we go through this together. I can't promise I will be in a good mood for the next few weeks, I am told it is a bit like going through drug addiction withdrawals but I know with prayer, good family, and supportive friends, I can and will get through this!

Love you all!
Karri

PS. The Church Cookbooks are back in! If you know someone who would like one, would like to take some to work, or know of a business that would sell some for us please contact myself, Jenny Mann, or Lisa McKay! All the proceeds go to the community recreation center!

Feelin the LOVE!

2009-02-01T19:04:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to tell everyone who prayed for Taegan yesterday, THANK YOU! By the grace of God, she is ok!

Between my two kids, I would've never picked Taegan to be the first one to have a concussion.

I'll start at the beginning. We were just getting home and as soon as we walked in the door Taegan had to go to the bathroom. She didn't have shoes on, just socks, and she took off running (on the hardwood) to the bathroom.

The next thing I heard was a loud thud and screaming and crying. I tore off through the house and there was my baby girl, laid out on the floor screaming her lungs out, holding her head. I grabbed her up to check her out. There was the biggest goose egg and blood everywhere from her forehead.

Poor Cohen, he was scared to death. I was trying to keep it together for him and he was such a good helper. He ran and got me a baggie with ice in it and put his clothes (he still had on pjs from spending the night with my sweet friend Tammy) on faster than I have ever seen anybody change.

I knew right away this was not just a knock on the head. Taegan couldn't stand up straight and she was talking crazy with slurred words. So off we went to Ft payne. That was mistake #1. I thought I would just take her to rapid care and let them do an xray to make sure she didn't have a skull fracture. I knew she had a concussion, but I just figured they would tell me to watch her and send us home. Nope, they said she didn't have a skull fracture but we needed to go to the ER right away for an MRI or CT scan because her head was still swelling and she still couldn't walk a straight line.

Mistake #2- I took her to Ft payne ER! Keep in mind they sent her info from rapid care over. So we got to triage at the ER and I can't keep Taegan awake and neither can they, but they make us go out the waiting room for 2 1/2 hours before taking us back. Forget about brain function, they said her vital signs were ok so she could wait! Oh no they didn't! This mad momma caused a scene in that ER (not that it did any good). Anyway, if the waiting wasn't bad enough, once we did get to a room, they put my otherwise healthy child in a room with a baby who had a 106 fever on one side and a 6 yr old with a staph infection on the other side. Hello? INFECTION CONTROL ANYONE???? Since I was by myself with both kids, holding a sleeping Taegan, and no staff ANYWHERE around, I reserved that issue for a little letter I am putting together for the director of the ER.

In the meantime, aunt Deanie came and got Cohen, Jason was close to being back from the men's church conference trip, and the doctor on staff and the nurse practioner could not agree on how to treat my baby.

The doctor wanted to observe her for 8 hrs, the NP wanted to get a CT scan. Meanwhile, Taegan is STILL sleeping. They woke her briefly to check her walking and speech, neither of which was normal yet.

Finally, 4 hours after arriving at the ER, they finally decide to do the CT since she is still not waking up. She slept right through the CT scan with no problems. Jason finally gets there and an hour later....still no CT results. He goes to ask someone and they say they don't have a radiologist there to read them so they transmit them over the computer. Apparrently, Taegans got lost so they have to resend them. AAARRRRGGGG! 6 hours after we got to the ER, CT results get back. She does have a bruise on the frontal lobe of her brain but no active bleeding and she of course has the pocket of blood and swelling between her skull and skin (the gooseegg). They classify her as having a moderate-severe concussion and want to observe her for two more hours.

By this time she has woken up and is talking normal, but still a little shaky standing and walking.

Thank you Lord God Almighty that this was not super serious! I don't know how I could live without my sweet baby girl!

I learned/reaffirmed several things from this incident.
1. God is Good!
2. I love my kids more than anything in this world!
3. I have the best family and friends that anyone could ask for
4. Anything else ever happens to my kids, they will be taken to TC Thompsons unless I cant stop the bleeding before I can get to Chattanooga
5. Ft. Payne hospital may be good for general surgeries, but their ER needs more staff, and they do not need to be treating pediatric patients if they don't know how to care for them
6. Hardwood floors, socks, and doorframes are not a good combination
7. Watching a sleeping child is just about the most precious thing ever
an
So, once again thank you all so much for your prayers for Taegan. And thank you all for your prayers for me over the past couple of weeks. I have never worked so many hours in my life!
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. I hope my lifesong always thanks HIM and honors HIM!

I love each and everyone of You!
Karri

Bumps and Bellies!

2009-01-09T10:08:00.004-06:00

I know that's a totally weird title, right? Well, let me explain. My two kids started this!

One day last week, Cohen (the soon to be 5 y.o.), came to us and said he wanted bumps on his arms! Huh? Bumps? Yes, bumps mom, big ones! He said this as he was pointing to his biceps. I said muscles, you mean? Yes, big bump muscles on my arms mom. OK I said. You have to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and play real hard outside, no playin all day on video games to get big bumps. He agreed to this and said he would play harder than ever! Simple enough. Until....Taegan, the 3 y.o. comes to me yesterday and says mommy I want big bumps. Awwwh how cute I thought, she wants to be like her big brother and have big muscles. So, I ask her if she wanted big bump muscles on her arms like Cohen. No mommy, I want big bumps like yours she said. Where, I ask her? So she proceeded to point, to my boobies, my heiny, and my belly! Feeling extremely fat and dumbfounded at the moment I didn't know quite what to say. Oh, I said, those are not very good bumps to have sweetie, muscle bumps are much better.

Boy did I get corrected in a hurry! Apparently in my children's eyes, the bigger your belly is, the stronger you are! Cohen said his daddy is strongest man in the world! HAHA So to all you folks out there with big bellies, my kids think you are cool!

I didn't even bother to correct them!

Anyway, just thought I'd share a little of my kids' thought processes. Nothing too deep, or inspirational today! So, whether you have bumps or bellies, someone thinks you are beautiful!

Love, Peace,and Sanity to All
Karri

P.S. Here are some pics of my kids showin off their bumps and bellies(which they have to strain real hard to have)

Can I get an AMEN!

2009-01-06T13:12:00.005-06:00

I have been on a life high since returning from Gatlinburg with the youth group. I am so very proud of them! We had 6 give their lives to Christ in Gatlinburg and one more Sunday night! HALLELUHAH!!! These kids are so brave to step up and do what God wants them to do when the world around them says otherwise. These kids are my heros. They make me feel ashamed of myself for not listening to God when He asks something of me. Isn't it ironic that through these wonderful teenagers, God has worked on me, a 31 y.o. mother of two, who has been a Chrisitian half of her life? I am going to try to be a better Christian not only for the Lord, but for these kids who now need positive role models more than ever. And, I call on all of you to do the same. They need all the love, support, and prayers we can give them!
Here are a few pics from the trip:

Scattergories

2009-01-06T13:00:00.002-06:00

SCATTERGORIES.. it's harder than it looks! Link to this post, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people including the one that sent this to you.Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things. Nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial.. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. And you can not use the same word twice.

Your name: Karri
BOY NAME: Kyle
4 LETTER WORD: Know
GIRL NAME: Keely
OCCUPATION: kindergarten teacher
A COLOR: Khaki
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Kilt
BEVERAGE: kool-aid
FOOD: kiwi
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: kleenex
A PLACE : Kansas
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Kids kept me up late!
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Keep it down,kids!!!
Ok...And tag you are it!

New Year Preparations!

2008-12-30T21:54:00.003-06:00

Can anyone tell me why it is that two small children require so much stuff for a short get away? Honestly it looks like we are moving. We have play clothes, good clothes, hunting clothes(yes, Cohen is going hunting with my uncle), sleeping clothes, lots of underwear and socks, hairbows for Taegan, shoes, bath stuff, toys, books, just in case medicines, favorite snacks and juice.....you get my drift! I think I should've rented a UHAUL!

I am so tired from getting all of their stuff together that I don't want to get my stuff packed now. I will undoubtedly forget something, I always do. But I am looking so forward to spending time with the youth girls and guys, not to mention my best girl friends. I think it will actually be a bit of a break for me. At least the teenagers can bathe and wipe themselves! They always make me laugh too! Where they come up with some of the stuff they say, I'll never know.

I hope we all get something spiritual out of this trip, get to know each other better, and find common ground to spread the Holy Word when we get back! I am a little worried about all the traffic and people that will be there on New Year's Eve and Day, but I have prayed for the Lord to keep us safe and bring us back home safe. And that is my prayer for all of you out there as well. Have a safe and wonderful New Year!! Most importantly thank God for where you have been the past year (even if it has not been where you wanted to be, its a part of His plan), where you are now (no matter where you are-it could be worse), and where you are going (because you have the oppurtunity to be better)!

Love and Happiness to All In '09

Karri

Merry Christmas! In Memory!

2008-12-25T20:39:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating the birth of our Lord, Saviour, Jesus Christ!

And, I hope you all made it through your family gatherings with your sanity intact and your feelings unhurt!

This holiday season came to me with mixed feelings. The dread of grief and the joy of seeing my two preschoolers amazement and pure wide eyed happiness on Christmas morning. To my suprise, I had a wonderful, much anticipated, relaxed day at home with my family. In fact, I didn't get out of my pjs all day!

As my family celebrated the birth of Jesus, we, by his grace, also found peace in the death of our loved ones. Cohen said papaw sent him a hug from heaven for Christmas and that is the only time I cried all day! Oh it thrills my soul to know that mom and jr are singing in the Lord's choir now! I know that they would not come back if they could, nor would I ask them of my selfishness to. But, I so look forward to that meeting day in the air!

To all of you who have lost someone this year or anytime, my prayers are with you! These are a couple of memorial poems I though were worth sharing.

Dear Mom & Dad in Heaven

I sit here and i ponder how very much
I'd like to talk to you today

There are so many things
That we didn't get to say

I know how much you love me
And how much I love you,

And each time that I think of you
I know you'll miss me too.

An angel came and called your name
And took you by the hand and said

Your place was ready in Heaven, far above . . .
And you had to leave behind, all though you dearly loved

You had so much to live for, you had so much to do . . .
It still seemed impossible, that God was taking you.

And though your life on earth is past, in Heaven it starts anew
You'll live for all eternity, just as God has promised you.

And though you've walked through Heaven's gate
We are never far apart

For each time that we think of you,
You're right here, deep with-in our hearts.

First Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,
reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold.
was always most important
the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
my Father said to do.
I can't count the blessing or love
has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
Wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year

In Memory of my mom, Susie; my dad, Jr; my niece, Bridget; my cousin, Rhonda; a dear friend; Dr. John Franklin----see you on the other side of Jordan guys, I love you and miss you!

Please say a special prayer for Jason and I and the other adults going with us next week to Gatlinburg. We are taking our youth group to the Extreme Youth Conference. Jason and I are not perfect by a long shot. We not only want to teach God's word, but we want to set an example of living God's word also. Just say a prayer that the Lord's will be done through and by us and that we all have a safe trip. God Bless you all and thank you so much to all of you for your love and friendship this year!

Lots of Love
Karri

Mall Rats!

2008-12-11T13:52:00.003-06:00

Me, Jason, and Lisa took our 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class, plus some of their friends, to the mall last Saturday. We let them get some of their holiday shopping for parents and sibs done, plus have a little fun! What am I saying? We had a ton of fun! I laughed my stinkin head off at those kids!

I have pics and videos of them bungee jumping in the mall. #3 McKay is hilarious on there. I'll try to get those on later tonight! Even my two little ones were brave enough to try it! I'm not sure if the mall or the van rides to and from there were the most funny.

On the way there, the children serenaded us with the "free credit report.com" commerical song along with a few Christmas tunes thrown in. Hey at least they can spell f to the r to the ee......... (see the video below). Then on the way home, several of the boys decided to see who had the stinkest feet and farts! Gross, I know, but still literally, stinkin hilarious!

Anyway, we all had a blast, got some Christmas shopping done, and made safely home. God is good! Jason and I had such a good time we are taking the youth group to the mall this Sat. We think we will leave our two with aunt Deanie this go around though.

Well I have to get off of here and get some more work done. Later!

So much to do, so little time!

2008-12-04T21:30:00.002-06:00

It's a been a while since I've purged myself here, so here it goes! Life is extremely hectic right now! I have soooo much to do and absolutely no time to do it! And to be honest, I really don't want to do anything! I think I have the holiday blues. I just can't seem to get my act together. I played hookie from work today and kept my kids home from daycare just because I needed a day to enjoy the world through my kids eyes! We put all of our outside christmas decorations up and all the inside ones, except the christmas tree. That's Saturday morning before we take the sunday school class to the mall.

I have prayed more and cried out to God more this year than my whole life combined. It seems like this past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Losing mom and Jr. still hurts me down to my soul everyday, and the holidays just make it worse. All the estate stuff is still up in the air too. Five Points Baptist Church is having a memorial service for mom, Jr, and Paul McAdams on December 21st if anyone's interested. Work is crazy busy and stessful. The kids are......well, they are precious, but they are 3 and 4 years old, so they keep me on my toes. Jason is a wonderful husband, but just the daily work that it takes to keep a marriage strong and interesting is exhausting sometimes. By the way, we are on day 5 of 40 of THE LOVE DARE. Don't get me wrong, we have a wonderful marriage, but we can always use a little boost! Then there is always financial stuff, which seems to be the biggest stressor in our house.

On the upside of things, my relationship with God, my family, and myself have gotten so much stronger this year. I have met and reconnected with the best girl friends I have ever had in my life. Love you girls! As I said before, Jason is a wonderful husband and to hear my kids laugh makes everything seem right with the world (if only for a few minutes).

I try not to let myself get into too bad of a funk, I know I have so much to be thankful for. But, sometimes I just need to wallow! There are a couple of scriptures that help me get through my wallowing phases: I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Ps 18.1-2).
(Jesus said)Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14.27)

So, while I work my full time job, do my full time wife and motherly duties, go to most of my husband's ballgames, teach Awana Puggles, help teach 5th and 6th grade sunday school, help with the youth group, get all my holiday shopping done, host Jason's huge family Christmas, mourn my first mother and fatherless christmas, etc....I will be praying for that sweet peace that Jesus promises. My heart is not afraid, but it is very sad that my kids no longer have grandparents to share in their milestones. I do feel blessed that mom and jr got to spoil my kids for even just a little while. Jason's parents were gone before they were born. But as I mourn death, I will celebrate the birth of Christ this christmas season, HALLELUJAH, amen!

Love you all, appreciate all your thoughts and prayers

Karri

Never Stop, don't stop, can't stop.....

2008-11-19T20:57:00.004-06:00

That's how I live my life. That's what runs through my mind everyday. There are just not enough hours in the day. I know I just had surgery, but I cannot just sit down people! It is starting to tick me off that people want me to lay around for weeks after a simple gallbladder surgery. Yes, I know I look like i am eight months pregnant with my swelled belly, but my feet and hands still work fine! Besides the normal 7-3 job, there are always dishes to be washed, laundry to be done, meals to prepare(or a drive-thru to go through), kids to bath, dress, play with , love and discipline, husbands to keep happy, bills to pay, yadayadayada.......need I go on? My daily commute is my time. That's when I gather my thoughts, when I pray, when I breathe. I don't stop because if I stop I might not ever get going again! My brain/body does not know what to do when it is not stressed or involved in some type of drama. Stillness is awkward and unsettling to me. So thank you to all the people who worry about me, but this is who I am. I am not saying its the smart way to be or the most ideal, but it is how I cope with life! Maybe it's my ego, I guess I should pray about that. I like being involved in things. I like doing things for other people. I like being needed and useful. I want to be a good worker for the Lord and to provide for my family. Don't get me wrong I have my own pity parties often, but I try not to complain about life because I know this one is not permanent. Complaining and groaning never makes me feel better, but doing something, doing anything does. Love you all!

Trying to be better
Karri

At home!

2008-11-14T22:56:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you for your prayers! The surgery went great and I am at home now. I just ate some soup and for the first time in a month I didn't feel like I was gonna throw up after eating. WOOOHOOO!! Sorry this is such a short post, the pain meds are making the words run together! Thanks again everyone, I love you all! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Karri

Bad week!

2008-11-11T10:40:00.003-06:00

This has been the worst week and it's only Tuesday! You all know what happened yesterday (see post from Mon.). Then today I had to go for an ultrasound of my abdomen cause I've been feeling nauseous every time I eat. I thought it was just stress, but they found bunches of gallstones! So now I have to have the ole gallbladder out. If I keep having parts taken out, I'm gonna be an empty shell! The appendix, the uterus and ovaries, and now the gallbladder! Honestly, I am really tired of having surgery! It always seems to happen right before the holidays too. Anyway, I assume it will be sometime next week when this transpires. I'm waiting to get in to see the surgeon, but the family doc says it needs to be done asap. What a bummer! Ya'll please all say some prayers for me this week. It's extremely hard juggling my work schedule with Jason's practices and games on a normal day. So, to have the holidays and now surgery thrown in the mix..... I just need a lot of prayer! Mom and Jr. were always there for me when things like this came up in the past. They always watched the kids, and of course, mom always kept us fed, and coddled me. There's nothing like some momma lovin' when your sick! Man, I miss them so much! Oh well, I guess it could be worse. At least it's just my gallbladder and won't have me down too long (God willing). Thanks in advance for your prayers. I love you all more than yall will ever know!

Karri

Lost my everlovin mind!

2008-11-10T10:40:00.003-06:00

Seriously, I have lost my mind! I told you guys a couple of weeks ago about me wearing my pants backwards all day. At least I could blame that on the cold medicine. I got to work this morning and not only did I forget my bra, but I only shaved one leg! @!%*#
Just commit me now. Really, its not like I have perky little breasts either. I mean they sag and tend to hang out under my arm pits, how did I forget my bra? I think I know how the one leg shaving thing happened. Long story short, in the middle of my shower this morning, there was an episode between the 3 y.o. and the 4 y.o. and a very sharp knife! No one got hurt, but needless to say I lost my train of thought. (Apparently for the rest of the day!) Ohhhhh, there's never a dull moment! Hope you all can enjoy a laugh at my expense!! Love to all!

The Crazy Lady
Karri

PS- Just so you know.....sports tape works great at hoisting "the girls" up! Good thing I had some Macguyver tools at work!

Basketball Season and Elections

2008-11-06T23:00:00.004-06:00

Well, b-ball season is in full-swing now. Football ended on thursday before Halloween and the first b-ball game was the following monday. No rest for the weary! While I do love sports, being a coach's wife is sometimes very frustrating. I call myself a single parent during ball seasons! Since Jason helps with football and basketball we usually don't get to see him until sometime from May to August. The 7th and 8th grade boys are doing great though. They beat valley head monday night pretty badly, but lost to NSM by a narrow margin tonight. I just want to say how proud I am of my husband, the coach. Even though we don't get a lot of family time, I know he is setting an example for dozens of boys coming into manhood. I always observe the other teams' coaches, how they act during the games, how they act toward officials, and most importantly how they treat their players. Jason is not a screamer, he doesn't cuss, he really even rarely gets mad. If he ever gets a technical, it'll be a miracle! It seems even when he gets on the officials they tend to ignore him :(( His philosophy for the boys is if they don't know it before they get to the game, they are not going to learn it by being screamed at in the middle of game. I have heard several comments from parents in the stands saying they wished he would be more aggressive, but I think aggression only breeds more aggression. Athletes should focus on fundamentals of a game and be confident in their skills, not plowing through a game because they are getting yelled at! Jason respects his players, and I hope they respect him in return, I know I do! It's one thing to have a God fearing/loving husband, but it's a true blessing to have a husband who tries to spread that love and truely cares about the youth of our community.
On an unrelated note, I am so glad the elections are over. I didn't realize how much energy and effort I had been putting into this election. I really struggled over this one! There was so much mudslinging and lies going around, I was spending hours at night trying to find out the truth about each candidate. Obama has won, and I am satisfied with that. I would've been satisfied with McCain too. I am not trying to be complacent about it, but I think that God has a plan for this country (good or bad, I don't know) and apparently Obama is going to lead that plan. So, I will pray for him and the other leaders in Congress, and most importantly I will pray that the people that make up this nation will stop worrying about who is on the right and who is on the left and just live for God. Every one makes mistakes, the president elect has made some major ones, and I'm sure his presidency won't be a perfect one (what presidency has been?). But, God and our nation have given him a chance to prove himself, so I think I should do the same. I was thinking about our pledge of allegiance and how I hope that we really can be that one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Ok, I'm done with my rant for the day! Stay tuned for more rants, raves, and the crazy stuff that goes on around my house!

Peace, love, and sanity to all!
Karri

Brooke's Get To Know You Game!

2008-11-06T21:41:00.004-06:00

Brooke's Game!
I love this! Please pass it on. It's a great way to learn something you didn't know about someone. Here is the list from Brooke's blog. Copy & highlight the ones you have done.Have fun!!

Swam with wild dolphin
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Been inside a Pyramid
Held a tarantula
Taken a candle lit bath-my own little get away from the kids
Said I love you and meant it
Hugged a Tree-the big oak in our backyard before we had to cut it down
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightening storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game—Go Braves!!!
Walked the stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables-i love home grown tomatoes!
Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars-not on purpose- oh the college years
Changed a baby’s diaper-too many to count
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Watched a meteor shower
Gotten drunk on champagne
Given more than you can afford to charity
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment-during psych nursing clinicals- laughing around paranoid schizophrenics is not a good idea
Had a food fight- nearly put out a fellow nurses eye with a grape
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger- that's how i met my husband of 13 years, I highly recommend it.
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can- does screaming at my kids count?
Held a lamb
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a rollercoaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool, not caring who watched
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Actually felt happy about your life, even for a moment
Had two hard drives for your computer
Visited all 50 states
Taken care of someone who was too drunk- those college years again!
Had amazing Friends--have the best friends I've ever had right now
Danced with a Stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Hitchhiked in Europe
Taken a road-trip
Gone rock climbing
Midnight walk on the beach
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer than you were in love
In a restaurant sat at a stranger’s table and ate with them- gotta love Ichiban
Visited Japan
Milked a cow-sweet Bessie!
Alphabetized your CDs-and my soups, veggies, fruits, and spices-yes I'm OCD
Pretended to be a superhero
Sung karaoke -badly, but yes
Lounged around in bed all day-pre kids
Posed nude in front of strangers-not necessarily posed......also prekids-when you have plastic surgery, they sometimes have you stand nude while they draw on you.
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud-have you met my son??
Played in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken- a wonderful four times, when I fell in love with God,my husband, and my kids ( i'm sure they will break my heart when they get older).
Toured ancient sites
Taken a martial arts class
Played a computer game for more than 6 hours straight
Gotten married
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days -have you seen my butt? NO
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Gotten a tattoo-three, looking for number four
Rafted the Snake River
Been on television news program as an “expert”
Got flowers for no reason
Performed on a stage
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded Music
Eaten shark
Had a one-night stand
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been in a combat zone--does working in trauma operating rooms count? Or living in a house with two toddlers?
Buried one/both of your parents- buried both of them in April of this year-still cry almost every day
Been on a cruise ship
Spoken more than one language fluently
Performed in Rocky Horror
Raised children -trying my best, not so good at it
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour-that's how i ended up with tatoo number three
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city-was a travel nurse-lived in several cities for six months at a time
Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge-yep, lived in San Fransico as a travel nurse
Sang loudly in the car and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
Had plastic surgery-need much much more
Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have
Wrote articles for a large publication
Lost over 100 lbs
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Piloted an airplane
Petted a stingray-and a shark
Broken someone’s heart
Helped an animal give birth-sweet Bessie again
Won money on a TV game show
Broken a bone
Gone on an African safari-with Diego
Had a body part below the neck pierced
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol-i'm a pretty good shot if I do say so myself
Eaten mushrooms gathered in the wild
Ridden a horse
Had major surgery
Had a snake as a pet-ewww no
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept for more than 30 hours over 48 consecutive hours- gotta love IV sedation
Visited more foreign countries than US States
Visited all 7 continents
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten Kangaroo meat
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the paper
Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
Gone back to school-almost finished with my Master's in Nursing!
Parasailed
Petted a cockroach
Eaten fried green tomatoes-yummy
Read the Illiad-twice
Selected one important author who you missed school to read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating-sweet bessie again (just kidding)
Skipped all of your school reunions
Communicated with someone without sharing a common language
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream-right now!!!!
Had to put someone you love in hospice care-Granny Willoughby
Build your own PC from parts
Sold your own artwork to someone that didn’t know it was yours
Had a booth in a street fair
Dyed your hair-tooooo many times
Been a DJ
Shaved your head
Caused a car accident
Saved someone’s life-I'm an operating nurse-it's what i do.

So there's my answers. Any suprises in there to anyone?

Love to All

Karri

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

2008-10-28T01:59:00.003-05:00

I have always heard that children who asks a lot of questions tend to be gifted. Well, if that's true, Cohen is gonna be a flipin genius! Sunday, he must have ask a million questions on various subjects! Here are just a few in the order he ask them followed by my answer.

If God made everything, who made him? He has just always been, and will always be, no one created him.
Will God ever die? No
How did God make light without making the sun first? I am not really sure, ask Luke next time you see him.
When mamaw and papaw went to heaven how did their bodies leave the ground? Their old bodies stay in the ground. Their soul goes to heaven and they get a new body there.
What is a soul? The part of us that God gives us to think, feel, and decide things with.
When mamaw got a new body was she taller? I said yes, because Cohen thinks people who are short don't eat enough fruits and vegetables
When I go to heaven, can me and Tyler D. still play football? Yes.
Will my sister still whine in heaven? No, everything is perfect in heaven. She won't have anything to whine about.
How many pine cones does a pine tree have? Every tree probably has a different amount. When we get home why don't you see how many you can pick up.
Do dogs eat pinecones? Ours probably do, they eat everything else.
Why does Oscar (cohen's beagle) eat his throw-up? Because he's nasty
Can oscar have puppies? No, he's a boy dog. Only girl dogs can have puppies.
Why can't boy dogs have puppies? Because that's the way God made them. Animals are just like people, only the girls have babies.
But boys have the things that help make babies in their peepees right? Yes.
Well how do the boys get the things that make the babies inside the mommy's belly? Ummmmmmmmmm. Well, those things are called sperm. They look like tadpoles and they help decide what color a babies eyes and hair are gonna be and how tall they are gonna be and if the baby will be a boy or a girl. God made a man and woman to fit together like a puzzle. So when a man and woman get married they lay very close together and the man's privates fit inside the woman's privates like a puzzle. Then the man sends his sperm to the woman and the baby starts to grow in the womans belly.
Where does the sun go at night? On the other side of the earth. When we can't see the sun here, people in other parts of the world can.
Are stars fire? Kinda of.
Are they hot? Yes, the sun is a star and it helps heat the entire world.
Whey are the other stars white? I'm not sure, let's ask daddy, he might know.
Can people in heaven see the stars? I don't think so.
Can God beat up Superman? Yes.
Does God know where the fortress of solitude is? Yes, God knows where everything is.
Can people fight in heaven? No, God doesn't like it when people fight.
Well, what if someone else starts it? Nope, he still doesn't like it. You are supposed to just walk away if someone is being mean to you.
Is it ok if you just throw something at em but don't touch with your hands? No, that's still fighting.
But it's ok if I just hit Taegan sometimes? No, you're not supposed to fight with anyone!
Does God know Santa Claus? I'm sure he does, God knows everyone.
Santa doesn't like fights either, does he? No
Does God tell Santa the people that are bad or can Santa see everyone too? Santa just knows.
How many pinecones do you think I can pick up? A thousand

OK so yall get the idea. I could keep going, but this post would never end. Do ya'll see why I am so tired all of the time? I definitely did not want to discuss the birds and the bees with a 4 year old! He can come up with some doosies! We spend a lot of time looking up things in my house! Taegan hasn't gotten to the question stage yet! Thank goodness. I don't think my brain can take anymore! Are this many questions normal? I mean we go through this everyday! I hate to answer I don't know so much, but my goodness what his little brain can think up. I'll just keep answering the best I can I guess and hope I don't mess him up too much!

P.S. Cohen told Taegan after we got home that he wasn't playing puzzles with her anymore! So I may have to revisit that issue again!

Sudafed Head!

2008-10-23T22:48:00.003-05:00

The most embarrassing thing happened to me today. I am going to blame it all on Sudafed. I have had a cold all week, so I've been maxed out on the Sudafed (the good stuff)! Anyway, it's Thursday morning and I have a huge class to teach at work today. We do what's called our bi-annual inservice fair. This an opportunity for me to give all of our staff and management updates on new policies, any changes in practice, and educate them on new procedures. We also do all of our emergency drills (i.e. fire, cardiac arrest, stolen baby, out-of-control patient, etc...). It's an all day event! So, you know, I want to look cute (if scrubs can be cute) since all the staff is going to be there. I go to my closet, pick out some black scrub pants, a scrub top that is white with black, lime green, and pink polka dots, and put a pink/green striped long sleeve shirt on underneath. I got my matching accessories and out the door I flew (@ 6:00 EST). I set my laptop and projector up, talk to some staff and get the day started. Everything goes off without a hitch. People payed attention, we all learned some new stuff, I think the day has ended well, and I am feeling pretty proud of myself. Apparently, I should've done a how to dress yourself drill, because when I get home @ 5:30 and go to change clothes I notice my pants are on backwards! Yep, been that way ALL DAY! How did I not notice this? Why did someone not tell me? I mean the butt pockets were obviously in the front and the cargo pockets in the back. I must have looked like a total idiot up there ranting about being responsible for yourself and your patients. ARGGGGH! I am sure the people I was teaching were thinking that I couldn't even dress myself, how in the world am I gonna give CPR to someone? Oh well, maybe I should go in with my shirt backwards tomorrow and say I am starting a new trend. Or, maybe I should lay off the Sudafed! You guys are my friends, you would've told me, right? Seriously, if I ever have my dress stuck in my pantyhose, a booger, or anything of that nature, PLEASE tell me, and I will do the same for you! Peace, love, and clear heads to all!

Karri

Politics and Christianity

2008-10-21T19:44:00.002-05:00

OK guys this is gonna be a long one! I am on my soapbox today. I’m probably opening up a whole can of worms and I am sure I am gonna get all kinds of comments to this one. But, this subject is on my heart and mind so I’m gonna let it flow. One of the docs I work for today actually told me I was “unchristian” if I voted democratic in the upcoming presidential elections. This got me to thinking about my own moral views, my obligation to do the right thing, and all the emails and comments I have heard in the past few weeks regarding the elections and the candidates.
First of all, I hear so many things from both party views. My husband is a die hard democrat and probably 98% of my friends and co-workers are republican. I am neither, yes, I am a fence rider. I vote based the person and their particular stance on issues that are important to me. My husband, the government and economics teacher, tells me that parties do not matter so much at the local level, but make a huge difference at the state and national levels. So that leaves me to do A LOT of research to find out the REAL facts. This election is actually keeping me up at night. I know I am just one person, but I want to make the right choice. I have looked over multiple biblical scriptures that address the issue of christianity and government/politics and I am STILL undecided about who to vote for. But to all my republican friends who send me negative stuff about Obama all the time, you all should realize there is just as much negativity surrounding the McCain camp.
Here are some of the scriptures I have looked at recently: ( Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25-render unto caesar) (John 18:36;Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37-socialism) (Romans 13:1-7-obey earthly laws) (Genesis 19:4-29 and Leviticus 18:22 in the Old Testament, and Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:10-homosexuality) . Too many to list on the topic of abortion.
Click here to view the democratic platform The Democratic Party; here for the republican platform http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/
Here is my stance on the issues (not than anyone cares). I’ll just cover the biggies:
· Abortion and stem cell research: I am totally against using abortion as a method of birth control. However, I do think some allowances for mother’s health, rape, or incest should be taken into account. The bible states that God knows us even before we are conceived.
Therefore, should we not also take the same stance as Catholics since any act of intercourse is a possibility for conception? But I am really not sure if the bible clearly defines when life begins. So, I have to rely on my background in science to guide my views on this issue and the issue of stem cell research. I have to think that God gave some scientist the brilliance to figure out that these tiny cells can cure some forms of cancer, debilitating disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's, grow entire organs (if your are not a donor, you should be!) and so many more that we don’t know about yet. These cells can be harvested at the time of full term births (from the umbilical cord). They don’t have to be harvested from aborted fetuses. If this research, along with God’s will of course, could help your mother, father, your child, why wouldn’t you vote for that?
· Homosexuality- I think that marriage should be between a man and a woman. And, I do think it is a sin to live a homosexual lifestyle. It is also a sin to have premarital sex, eat too much, etc... yet we do not deny any of those offenders basic civil rights. So let's be fair, if our government is going to allow people shacking up common law benefits, then everyone should get them. When I worked in San Francisco, we had a patient on life support that was gay. He and his partner had been together for 15 years. He had not spoken to his parents or siblings in 20 years, but his parents were the ones who got to make his end of life decisions. I don’t think that’s right. Sin is sin whether you are gay or straight, but everyone should have earthly human rights extended to them.
· Environment- we have to acknowledge that this problem actually exists and we have to do something about it now. If not for us, then for our children and grandchildren. I keep hearing about the debate to drill off shore for oil or not. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how much oil we drill for if we don’t have the refineries to refine it in. Instead of spending all that money drilling and refining and giving more and more money to the oil companies, why can’t we develop the solar, wind, and hydrogen technologies that are already there? These alternative energy sources are available NOW, they just need to be marketed and produced on a national scale.
· Economics- boy this one really gets my goat. I hate that we have trillions in dollars deficit yet we keep spending and spending. Guess who’s gonna pay for it, our kids! This is the policy that most makes me turn against the republican party. When this administration took office, we had a billion dollar surplus, gas was 1.46 a gal., I could buy milk, bread, and eggs for less than $5, and we had a balanced budget.
· Socialism- I am with the republicans on this one. I am all for helping those who REALLY need helping and those who just cannot work, but I cannot justify helping people who are just too lazy to work. I don’t like the idea of redistributing wealth. As for socialized healthcare-no way! The government can’t handle the programs it already has in place. Why add more government programs for corruption and bad management?

I am so fed up with both parties spreading lies about the other party’s nominees. I am going to side with the democrats on this issue because I get sooo many emails and remarks about Obama and his campaign that are just not true. I think everyone should have all the information about both candidates to make an informed decision. Obama is not a Muslim nor is he the antichrist! Those of you who say otherwise, please do your research. And to those of you who say it is “unchristian” to vote democratic because of their stance on abortion, gay rights, and stem cell research, let’s look at the GOP’s record on those issues. I hear a lot of lip service about those hot button issues, but no action. Even when the republicans had complete control over EVERY branch of government (legislative-congress and house of representatives, executive-president and vice president, and judicial-supreme court) they did nothing to change or implement any laws or regulation regarding these issues. I am Christian because I believe Jesus came, died for my sins, rose from the grave, and will return for his kingdom no matter what my views on these issue are. I like Brian McLaren’s comment; he says “too many members of our faith communities continue to be manipulated by cynical politicians who know what tune to play to get people of faith marching obediently in their parade." McLaren adds that Christians may not be in agreement with every detail of a campaign, but says "we're electing a president, not a Messiah."
Here is a link about Obama’s religious background Cover Story: Barack Obama's Christian Journey Newsweek Politics: Campaign 2008 Newsweek.com. You can find info on John McCain’s religious views at http://www.johnmccain.com/
I would like to add that Obama does have some questionable acquaintances, but McCain spouts some nasty things out of his conservative mouth. If you would like to read some examples, please go to politicalhumor.about.com/od/johnmccain/a/mccainisms.htm

I, so far, am not endorsing either party, but I know that even political decisions are still decisions that need to be Biblically informed as much as possible. When there are no clear cut answers evident in the bible, we must pray that we each make the moral decision. But when there are biblical principles, we have a Christian duty to take that into consideration in forming our political viewpoints.
Whew! All that thinkin’ makes my brain hurt and I’m drugged up on cold medicine. So I’m goin to bed now!

I am the ultimate pooper scooper!

2008-10-16T22:50:00.005-05:00

So, Jason and kids get to Myrtle Beach finally at 3 am Thursday morning (Jason got lost). The mapquest directions were wrong so I was trying to give him directions over the phone. I am the most directionally challenged person on the planet, so I was not a huge help by any means. Anyway, we all finally crashed around 4 am. The kids were up and raring to go at 9. So I go in the kitchen and start making some breakfast. The kids go out on the balcony to watch the ocean. A few minutes go by and I hear Cohen say “ooohh Taegan”! That’s never a good sign. Jason goes running out the balcony door and starts yelling for me. I go out there and to my surprise Taegan has left me a nice little package. Apparently she had to go reeeaaally bad, she pooped on the balcony, on the balcony ya’ll! What is wrong with my child? She looked up with those big blue eyes and that sweet little voice and said I sorry mommy, but I didn’t poop in my underwears. I’m such a softy, how could I be mad after that. So, I went and scooped the poop, spayed the balcony with Lysol and went on with our day!

Here are my sweeties at the beach!

Here are Cohen’s multiple personalities:

Taegan the model

We decide to go to Captain George’s all-you-can eat buffet that night, mostly cause kids eat free there. Can I just say I was totally impressed with my children’s crab leg crackin’ abilities. Cohen must have eaten at least 4 pounds of crab legs. He even cracked those big thorny pincher legs by himself. Taegan was no slouch herself. She was gettin’ into the little ones by herself. They definitely lost money on us that night! Check ‘em out

I love my family and I love making fun family memories . I thank God for them everyday!

Workin in Paradise

2008-10-16T22:25:00.003-05:00

I complain all the time about work, but not this week. My company, HCA, and my center, Chattanooga Surgery Center sent me to Myrtle Beach, SC for the ambulatory division Risk and Nurse Manger Conference. This was my first time to Myrtle Beach. The beaches were clean and so many seashells! However the sand was not quite as powdery as the gulf coast beaches. They put me up in the Embassy Suites right on the oceanfront. Here is a pic of my divisions VP of operations and the other managers in the central division.

I am so proud of the center and myself! The center was recognized for the best improved out of the entire asd division (115 surgery centers)! Cases were up 146% and cost per case down 95%. Not that it was all me, the staff and management at CSC are great! However, I think I need a huge pay raise! Anyway, the conference was wonderful, but I missed my family terribly until they came up on Wed. Sometimes when I am at home, I wish I could just get away. Yet when I finally get the chance to get away I can't stop thinking about my family. I am never satisfied even when I get what I thought I wanted! This is something I pray about often and apparently still have much more prayin to do!

OK now that I am finished bragging, I just want to give credit for all of my success to the Lord. Without him, his love, honor, and mercy I would be nothing and could give nothing. I am so thankful that I have a job when so many people in this country are out of work or unhappy with their work. It makes me so ashamed that I ever complain about my job. This year has been so challenging for me in so many ways, personal and professional. I still often feel conflicted by my life roles. When I am at work I worry about home and when I am at home I worry about work. I feel like the jack of all trades and the master of none! Anybody else out there struggle with this?

Love the Ladies!!!

2008-10-16T21:54:00.006-05:00

This was my first year to participate in my church’s annual Ladies’ Banquet. It was so much fun!!! We got to decorate tables, fellowship with one another, and worship the Lord!! What could be better? Tammy Pike helped me do this table. Here is a pic of our table.

Here are all the other beautiful tables.

Everyone did such a great job.

Here’s a pic of me and my favorite gangsta girls!! I know you’re scared of us! We could totally jack you up! HAHA

Jenny Mann- a devilish grin, but an angel’s voice. Your music always speaks to my heart.

I was honored to have the speaker, Lisa and her guest, Kathy sit at my table. And her message, what a blessing! She spoke about being jars of clay and being broken. But halleluah God can pick up all those broken pieces and put them back together to make something beautiful again.

I just love the ladies from my church. They have shown me what it is to let God work through them. I can’t wait until next years banquet! I am already thinking of table decorating ideas!

Sundays and the Mysterious Smell!

2008-09-22T02:21:00.005-05:00

It's Sunday morning and the devil is at our house like he is every Sunday morning. Cohen, the 4 y.o. wants to play playstation instead of getting ready for church, Taegan, the 3 y.o. is having a mental breakdown over which dress to wear. I'm not even gonna talk about how long it took her to pick out shoes once she finally picked a dress. My 13 y.o. niece Tiara, who spent the night with us like she does almost every weekend, is still asleep and I cannot get her to get up and get in the shower. Jason, the husband, is wondering if we can be out the door in 20 minutes, and I haven't even had my shower yet! To make a long story short, Jason and the kids left for Sunday school while I finished getting ready and enjoyed my diet Mtn. Dew in peace. While enjoying that rare peaceful moment I get a whiff of this indescribable smell that I have been smelling off and on for about three days. I make a mental note to self to go back through the house when I get home from church to see if I can track down the air poison!

Sunday school, children's church, and regular church all go well. Great message, praises to God, and no major meltdowns from the kids. Although Cohen did make not one, but two little girls cry before we get out of the church parking lot. He loves to tackle! Taegan is getting tired and just wants to go eat lunch. Off we go on our usual Sunday lunch outing. We eat at a local restaurant with the preacher and his family and usually about 15 other friends from church. This is always a blessed time of fellowship with other Christian families whom we love dearly. Both the kids were absolute angels through the meal. No fighting, screaming, or throwing food. Thank you Lord!
So we return home and I resume my quest to find THE SMELL. I checked all of the usual offending odor origins. It wasn't the diaper pails anymore since we are now diaper free in my house! It wasn't underneath the 4 y.o. boy's bed. He has a habit of bringing outdoor "friends" (e.g. lizards, frogs, bugs) to live with us in a shoe box underneath his bed. Keep in mind he very rarely tells me when he does this and he almost always forgets about them. Needless to say, we have our own pet cemetery behind our house. That's another blog in it's self! Anyway, that wasn't the offending smell.....this time. It wasn't even one of the many fermented juice sippy cups that I often find lurking under or behind something. I know, I know, Martha Stewart would be very disappointed in my house keeping skills! But hey, I do the best I can considering I work full time, have two toddlers, have a small hairbow business, and am married to a football/basketball coach(which renders me a single parent during those seasons). I looked and smelled everywhere, and still could not figure out what in world that smell was! In the meantime, my lovely husband did what any helpful husband would do. Instead of helping me pinpoint the smell he proceeded to spray a whole can of orange scented lysol throughout the house. Fabulous! Now my house smells like orange scented poo!
After the aerosol fog cleared and I could breathe again I continued my quest. In my bedroom I saw Cohen's sleeping bag neatly rolled up in the corner. I assumed Jason had rolled it up from where the kids "camped out" in our room last weekend. As I approached the sleeping bag I could tell the smell was getting stronger. I was actually afraid to open the stupid sleeping bag! Turns out I had a right to be afraid and should not have unrolled it at all, but should've taken it straight to the firepit and torched it. Apparently, eight days ago my precious son spilled a whole cup of milk on his cute spiderman sleeping bag and didn't want to get in trouble. So, he rolled the sloppy, milk soaked, fleece and vinyl sleeping bag up into a nice, neat roll and stood it up in the corner. OMG! Just thinking about it makes me gag! Now remember, I am a surgical nurse. So I see infected pus filled wounds and bloody body parts all the time. Whatever this particular mold was had lots of hair and I am pretty sure it had legs and a heartbeat and smelled worse than ANYTHING I have ever smelled! After a couple of shrieks/screams and more than a couple dry heaves, my husband came to my rescue and took the newly living sleeping bag for a good disinfecting. Meanwhile both my children are laughing their heads off at my reaction to THE GROWTH! So, I did what any good mother would do...I told them both if they spilled anything on sheets, furniture, etc... and left it again without telling me or daddy that the germs could not be washed out, no matter how much soap and water we used, and that the germs would rot our skin off. Take that Martha Stewart!
We return to church for night services without incident. Back at home we are all tired from another typical Sunday. We all get in our pajamas and curl up on the couch for an episode of Dora the Explorer before bedtime. With Cohen on one leg and Taegan on the other, Cohen hugs me and says he is sorry for acting bad and he loves me. This prompts Taegan to hug me and tell me she loves me more than Cohen does. At that moment all was right with the world and I felt truly blessed! I can't think of anything in this world that a hug and an I love you won't make better.

Goodbyes

2008-09-17T13:51:00.000-05:00

Those of you who know me know my family has had to say enough goodbyes this year. My mother died suddenly in April. Then three weeks later my dad passed as well. It has been the hardest and most eye opening time of my life. I miss them so much everyday and it's very hard to explain to my three and four year olds where "mamaw and papaw" are. I tell them they are in heaven with God, but sometimes the questions that come along with that are impossible to answer on a toddler level. Yet, in this time of grieve and a deep longing just to talk to them one last time, has come a greater appreciation for the small things in life that I used to take for granted everyday. On my long drives to work I take a second and take in the splendor of a beautiful sunrise instead of cursing under my breath at traffic. Or, I stay in the kids' rooms an extra five minutes just to watch their little faces light up as they tell me a story or sing me an extra song, when before I just wanted them to go to bed so I could have some "me" time. Through this loss, I have learned that God is the great comforter and that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I try to let everyone I know how much I love them and appreciate them. For all of you who have stood by me and supported me thus far, thank you! Your love and kindness and the grace of God has kept me from losing my sanity. Also, I wanted to ask everyone to pray for Dr. John Franklin's family this week. He is a plastic surgeon that I work with who was killed in a tragic car accident yesterday. He has two sons and three grandchildren who need all the love they can get. He will be missed not only in the medical community, but as a friend and a brother in Christ. See you on the other side Dr. Franklin! Tell Mom, Dad, and Bridget I said hello and we miss them more than words can say! That meeting in air will be sooo sweet!

Got gas?

2008-09-15T13:59:00.001-05:00

O.k. I am totally new to this blogging thing, so I will try not to rant too much this go-around. I just want to know where has all the gas gone? I realize my family and I do live in a VERY rural area, but come on... I went to five, yes five different gas stations this morning and they were all completely out of gas! At the sixth gas station they did have the premium gas that now costs a gazillion dollars a gallon! To my disgust, I paid the cashier a crisp twenty dollar bill for 4.5 gallons of gas-UGGGH! Seriously, if one small (category 2) hurricane is going to cause this much trouble with our economy what in the world is going to happen if something MAJOR happens. It's all really scary to me. My husband, the high school economy teacher, tells me this is a simple supply and demand issue. He says that "IKE" threatened the supply, people panicked, and the demand went up immediately, all causing gas prices to rise. I understand all that, but IKE wasn't near as bad as predicted and we have all that "emergency" stockpiled oil here in the US. So can anyone tell me what the problem is? And really, is Sand Mountain going to get a gas delivery anytime in the near future? O.k. now that I got all of that out of my system I would like to say that I am very thankful to the good Lord above that IKE was not as bad as predicted, that he allowed my family and myself to see another glorious day, and that the sixth gas station did at least have SOME gas! To those of you reading this, please pray for the safety and comfort all of those who were directly affected by IKE .

Karri