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About Me

My husband James and I have been married for 23 years, and we live in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. We have 4 daughters, Ashley- 23, Briana-20, Marissa-12, and Daniella-8. This is our 16th year of homeschooling. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, camping, games with my family, and Bible study. My most favorite place on earth is sitting on a white sandy beach with the "sand between my toes", listening to the waves splash on shore. Our family is also passionate about adoption, Guatemala, and missions.


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Entry 6 of 221
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You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
Aug. 4, 2009
July!

Posted in Life Happenings

   The "Year Of the Whirlwind" continues.  : )  I have been absent so much lately, because, well....I've been absent from normal life.  I'm really tired, and really ready to just stay at home for a while, without any drama.  It has definitely been a month of drama!

   Other than posting the HAIRSPRAY pictures, the last time I posted, I had been at Briana's opening night on June 25th, left on the 26th and gone home, turned around at midnight on the 27th, and gone back because Marissa, who had stayed there with my parents, was really sick.  I had only planned on staying 2 nights to get her well, then come back.  The day I was coming home was our 24th wedding anniversary.  Well, things just didn't work out quite that way.  That afternoon there was a crisis in my extended family, and in an hour's time, Marissa, Briana, and I had to leave.  Briana was living with my parents, but we just packed up as much as we could.  The three of us went to a hotel to figure out what we were going to do.  The next morning, Briana and I decided that since she was planning to move into an apt. anyway, and because there was just too much emotion going on at the time, she would go ahead and find an apartment.   I'll spare you all the details, but that day we found her an apt (me being SO thankful that James and I had done some preleminary searching!) Over the next 2 days, we got mattresses, the electric switched, and a WHOLE BUNCH of shopping for dishes, pots & pans, towels, sheets, the works.  I ended up being here 6 nights, and it was an extremely stressful and emotional few days, because of the stress of the crisis and having to take care of all of this in a kind of emergency situation.  But, the Lord gave me much peace and strength that I needed to get through the week.  Troy (Briana's guy) was a big help bringing his dad's truck to pick up the mattress sets and helping us move them upstairs. 

   When I left her that week, the only thing she had here was kitchen stuff, 2 sets of mattresses and box springs lying on the floor, and towels.   : )  It was also very difficult to leave her.  She went overnight from being with family, even me coming to stay with her when my parents were out of town, to being in an apt. on her own.   But, it was another place the Lord gave us peace, and we knew He had walked with us through it.

   In spite of the stress and busyness of those few days, Briana, Marissa, and I had some fun times together.  It was good for the 2 of them to spend time laughing and being silly together in the hotel, and it was just a good time for us in that respect.  I think that time with the 3 of us together will always be special to me, because we bonded together, enjoying each other's company and laughs, in the midst of chaos. 

   I went home for a week, then came back alone.  I had already had tickets to go with Briana to see Troy in The Foriegner, so we did that, and did a lot more shopping here and the next town over.  We were able to get her a dining set and a couch.  I'm kind of getting my trips confused now, but I think that was when a few days later, James and the little girls came over for the day, and he brought her a great one year old washer/dryer set that we got for $300!  After doing several loads that week at the laudromat, we quickly saw that it would pay for itself in 6 months, especially since water is included in the rent.  Briana also bought herself a beautiful real wood sleigh bed at Big Lots for $300!  It is queen size, and gorgeous. 

   Okay, let's see.  I think I was at Bri's for 4 nights that time.  I then went home and spent time with Ashley and helped her get ready for Kenya!  She left on July 22nd!  Tomorrow she will have been gone 2 weeks.  She is having the time of her life, and I will post some pictures soon.  Two more weeks to go, and I have a feeling she isn't going to want to leave.   : )  When you see the pictures, you can see a pure joy and gleam in her eyes, that I'm not sure I've ever seen before. 

  I was home for almost 2 weeks, and, yep....I'm back at Briana's.  With all the chaos of the first 2 weeks of the month here, I had to change my tickets to see her in HAIRSPRAY again, so those were Friday and Sat.  I have also have met and had dinner with Troy's parents and had lunch with his mom and some of her friends while I was here.  James brought the little girls over Sunday night, and Monday afternoon they went to my parents' house to spend a few nights with them.  James and I are headed home this afternoon, and will have a day and a half alone. 

   Well, for your sake, I will stop there.  There is more.  : )  But, those are the biggest events.  There have been major lessons for us all this past month, and a lot of clinging to the Lord.  I miss my younger girls, but the Lord has been taking care of that, too.  They are learning things, too.  I'm hoping to start blogging a little more often.  I think I have just gotten out of the habit.   I'll be popping around to your blogs catching up, too.


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Comments

Aug. 4, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ThreeLittleLadies


Wow. I hope you get to stop and take a breath, Letitia! Oh my! I hope things are going better with the family soon. Have a good time with Brianna until you can go home for the count!

My niece went to Africa this year too - I think it might have been Kenya, but I can't remember for sure.

Hugs,
Carol


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Aug. 4, 2009 - You should message me!

Posted by tn3jcarter


I didn't realize that you were dealing with a crisis. I just thought it was time for Brianna to get her own place. I'm so sorry that you were going through such a tough time, but I totally understand about not putting too much out there on the internet.

I have been out of the habit of blogging too. Part of me would just like to save what I've done and stop blogging. But then again, when I can click through my old blog and find entries that I love, it reminds me of why I started. I dunno.

Love you!


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Aug. 4, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by bbullard


Hi, lady, and thanks for stopping by. Like your other commenter, I just figured your oldest was branching out on her own at this season of her life. I am sorry to hear that more was happening, and it sounds as if you are not at rest--physically or otherwise. I pray that the Lord will restore balance quickly, and give continued, sweet peace. God bless you, Letitia.


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Aug. 5, 2009 - Wow!

Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi


I'm about out of breath just reading all that. I know you and I are going through some similar things right now (as you left a comment on my facebook page last week). Let me know if you want to chat sometime - I can give you a call. It would be nice to hear your voice again.
Heidi


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Aug. 5, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MamaJ


Wow, you weren't kidding about busy! I do hope things settle down for you, but what a blessing for me to read about the peace God provides for you as well. I think to some degree we assume that God will remove trials, when He'd sometimes rather get us through them with Him. It's a great reminder. I love catching up with you on your blog. I do hope God continues to give you His peace. God bless.

Mama J.


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Aug. 5, 2009 - busy, whoa!

Posted by Anonymous


Wow, you have been a *going girl!*

So glad you had some laughs with your *biggies* and that you had some fun shopping moments (hey, I think shopping and getting great deals is FUN!)

Hope you will find so quiet times at home with your littles and that you will find times of refreshing flooding over you.

big hug
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com


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Aug. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Tammy ~@~


To say you've been in a whirlwind would be an understatement! {{{Letitia}}} Lots of changes happening in your life right now, but how thankful we can be that the Lord provides the peace we need for the steps we need to take. And how thankful we can be for those sweet moments of laughter He places in the midst of chaos!

Hang in there!

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~


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Aug. 9, 2009 - What a great mom!

Posted by FaithfulGrace


I appreciate how much I am learning from you about having our children leave the nest. I admire how you and James are gently cutting the apron strings and guiding your daughters to fly.

I continue to pray for Ashley, the pictures on Facebook are fantastic.

Hugs,
linda


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