Jul. 6, 2008 - WHERE I'VE BEEN!
Sorry it has been so long since a post. I am having withdrawals!! About two weeks ago, my A/C adapter died and I have not been able to get on my labtop. I am visiting my mil today and couldn't resist the temptation to write an entry. I am hoping that I will get my new adapter this week. They said it would be 6 or 7 business days and that was a week ago Thursday. I will write an updated post about all of our happenings when I have my computer up and running.
I miss you all!!!
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Jun. 18, 2008 - Ramblings from Me....
This morning we awoke around 8:30 and believe it or not I dropped off my three oldest children at VBS by 9:10. We barely made it to the church, we were riding on fumes, but I knew there was a gas station directly across from the church. Me and my littlest pumped the gas. I don't know why, I've never done this before, but while I was pumping I prayed "God it would be so nice if you would lay it on someone's heart to pay for my gas." I had the money, it's just that gas costs so much these days. My two yr old and I went in and I wrote a check for the gas. A man paying for his gas next to me began talking to Hatton about his boots. I finished writing the check and we were about to leave when Hatton picked up some M and M's. I told him to put them back, (I didn't have any cash and didn't want to write a check for M and M's), but the man said "No, I'm going to buy that little guy some M and M's." Hatton was thrilled. I know it sounds crazy, but I really think it was God!!!! I know I prayed for someone to pay for my $25 worth of gas, and even though God didn't do that He did send someone to buy my little one M and M's. I wanted him to have them, but like I said I didn't have the cash, God knows!!! He provides!!! Maybe not in the way we would want or plan, but His ways are better than ours. Hatton enjoyed the M and M's much better than he would have the man paying for our gas. And the smile on his little face, and him saying, "Me share" all the way home made it even more special!!!
Hatton and I came home and began washing dishes and doing laundry. He was so glad he got to help me. I hope this is a trait he doesn't grow out of. I dug out some books that had belonged to my older children about having a new baby. I read him two books about having a baby and one book about Bob the Builder (you gotta read at least one about Bob) it was a special alone time me and little Hatton don't get too much of. Hatton is a sweetie, but he was one problem. He calls me "B B". I try to correct him and I try to ignore him until he says "Momma", but I think he's doing it now because of the attention he gets. You gotta love those mean little boys!!!
The baby is kicking lots now. I have a doctor's appointment next week and we get another ultrasound. I love being pregnant and I praise God that all the sickness is gone. I have lots to do before she gets here. I have been trying to do better on my housework. We finished our school year, but learning should never stop! I am trying to potty train Hatton, but have not been very consistent. He does go to the potty some, but I need to do better in that area.
Before I end this entry I want to include at least one thing about my husband. What can I say about him that I haven't already said. He's a great daddy and good provider, he's also a good "boyfriend". He loves going on dates with me and he likes to take me to places we don't normally go with our children like Red Lobster. He is very affectionate and caring. My mother and sister laugh and say that he can't keep his hands off of me. But I love that. I love knowing that he loves me, that he still wants to be with me. I hope that never ends!!!
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Jun. 17, 2008 - More about Wes
This morning I am going to tell you a little more about my wonderful husband Wes. Wes works night shift and has only had 13 days off this entire year!!! He is a hard worker and provider for his family. This is an area in which God has really helped him. When Wes and I first married, I worked at a financial company. He worked for his father. They owned a plumbing company and did construction work. We both had very good jobs and made good money for two single people. Wes didn't have any health insurance because he was considered self employed. It was never questioned, I continued working after we were married because we both had brought debt into our marriage and because I provided the insurance. When Harley was about 2 yrs old I gave my heart to Jesus. Praise God that changes a person!!! No longer was I content working. Due to circumstances beyond our control, Wes's parents got a divorce, Wes stopped working with his father. He went to work at a factory that made mobile homes. His income was less than he had made with his father, but the situation was much better. After a year or two of working there, I gave birth to Hank on a Monday and on Wednesday Wes got laid off from his job. I have to say that even though things were tough financially God provided for our every need. Leaving two children for me to work was a struggle. Even though our children were never in daycare (they stayed with family) I felt as if someone else was raising my kids. I prayed continuously that God would allow me to stay home and be a full time mom. Harley was attending public school and cried daily. It was an awful experience for her. Wes was back doing plumbing again, but this time on his own. The money was pretty good, but I carried the insurance. I felt as if God was telling me to walk out on faith and quit my job, but Wes was very hesitant. He thought we couldn't do without the insurance and the second income. He was not one of these husbands who wanted their wives at home, he liked me working. One Saturday morning, Wes went golfing with my sister's husband and I woke up with the feeling that my milk was coming down. It was odd, because I hadn't nursed Hank for about a year! I then realized that I must be pregnant. I did a test and it was positive! We were in shock, this was a surprise. I felt like it was the sign I had been praying for. A sign from God if it was Him telling me to quit my job. Wes wasn't sure about this, but he agreed that I wouldn't go back to work after the baby was born. I felt that God would provide for our every need, financially and insurance wise. To make a long blog shorter, about 2 months after I quit my job Wes went to work at the plant my dad worked at. Wes wasn't even looking for a job, but God placed it for him. The pay is about what we were making as a two family income and he now carries our health insurance. Isn't God good? Yes, he is!!! If we walk out on faith, He will provide!!! Wes works long hours to make sure I can stay home and homeschool his children. It is amazing how God changed Wes's heart. After Baby #4, Wes kept telling me he was going to be "fixed" and we weren't going to have anymore children. I didn't feel that in my heart. I kept praying for God's will. It was almost sudden, but last June or so Wes came to me and said, "Okay, we'll have as many children as God wants us to have!!" When I found out that I was going to have Baby #5, Wes was so excited. He is thrilled to be having a baby girl. He went out and bought her a camo and pink outfit. You would think that this was his first one!LOL!! God has changed Wes's heart so much and I am so thankful that he has sacrificed for our family. I love him more than words can say! I love him more than he'll ever know!!!! I do believe that God created us for one another!!
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Jun. 16, 2008 - The Challenge!!
As most of you know, my dear friend dixiecajuns lost her husband in a horrible automobile accident on Mother's Day. Dixiecajuns has issued a challenge to all of us wives out here in blogland. The challenge is to blog about our husbands. So, dixiecajuns, I accept your challenge.
My husband's name is Wesley, but he goes by Wes. His sister's call him Bubba. He is a cowboy and a redneck in every sense of the word. He has been my husband for 13 1/2 yrs and is also my best friend. He loves me for who I am and doesn't hold my past against me. The day our first child was born he cried. He has cried at the birth of all our children. He is a daddy that is very hands on and loves his babies. He teaches his boys how to golf, fish, hunt, ride horses, and all other manly tasks. He is his daughter's chaffuer, and stage hand. He laughs and says, "I tote stuff!" He is my right hand man when it comes to our children's ministry. He builds sets and whatever else I ask him to do, even dress up and do skits. He has been known to be a pretty good puppeteer, also. We fit well together, I talk fast--he talks slow. We are opposite yet we go together perfectly.
Tomorrow I will write another entry about my wonderful husband!!!
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Jun. 9, 2008 - Cooling Off in the Creek
Living in the country has its advantages, one being creeks. My hubby and I loaded up the kiddos and went to the creek this afternoon. We were shocked that several other families had this same idea. But the creek was big enough for us all. I put my lawn chair in a shallow spot and cooled my feet while sipping on a cold Dr. Pepper and watched my littlest H throw rocks. My hubby took the older three to swing off a rope swing with bicycle handle bars attached. They had a wonderful time. We plan to make this a weekly outing, I do hope we keep it up!!!
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Jun. 3, 2008 - Ultrasound Update!!!!
Today, we (my hubby, my daughter, and 3 sons) all piled into the small ultrasound room. Our ultrasound tech was wonderful! She welcomed all of us and quickly commented that she guessed we were pulling for a girl since we only had 1 and 3 boys. We laughed, but told her that we would be happy with either. She wasted no time getting started. I told her that I didn't want to see the screen, because the last two times I knew they were boys before the tech ever told me. She had no problem with that. As she scanned she asked if we had names picked out. My husband replied that this was the first time we had ever decided on both a boy and a girl's name. I told what they were, Harmony Michelle and Hayden Jasper. She scanned one more time, and asked what the girl's name was, I told her Harmony Michelle. She turned the screen and said, "Say hello to Harmony Michelle!" I asked her if she was sure. She told me there was no question. We were talking quietly to each other and I began to cry. Harley said, "What? Is it a girl?" The tech announced, "Yes it is a girl!!!" I began questioning her. How long has she been doing this? How sure was she? Her answers were that next month will be ten years and that she was 100% sure. She went over the ultrasound picture with me and I had to agree, it didn't look like my boys' ultrasounds. We are all so excited!!! We are just praising God for answering prayers. Harley has prayed for a baby sister for over 3 years!!! I have prayed for God's will on our lives!!! I praise God that he hears and answers prayers!!! So now we are ready to go yard saleing!!!! I went Saturday and bought a little dress and a few other things, but now I am going to try to find the pink infant carseat I've been wanting. I'll probably get so much pink stuff that'll we'll all get sick of pink!! But after three boys I'm ready for pink!!!! Keep us in your prayers!!!!
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Jun. 2, 2008 - Good Morning!!!
I am one of those people who like to sleep late. Normally, we don't get out of bed until at least 9 a.m., I prefer 10 a.m.LOL! But this morning, my youngest H decided he was ready to get up at 7 a.m. I had went to bed a little earlier than usual, so I went ahead and got up. I have to admit, maybe my husband is right it is amazing what you can accomplish when you get up early. I folded a load of my hubby's work clothes and put them away, put another load of laundry in the dryer, made a batch of laundry detergent, put a load of clothes in the washer, washed, dryed, and put up dishes, spent some quiet time with God, got all three boys bath and/or showers, dressed the two little boys, fixed us all a bowl of cereal, made tea, and signed on the computer by 8:30 a.m. WOW!!! That's usually more than I accomplish in a whole day!!!LOL!!!
Tomorrow, I am taking my kids to the movies. Our local theatre is offering free movies on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings all summer. The movies begin at 11 a.m. Each week it is a different movie. Last week, we saw Mr. Mangorium's Wonder Emporium. Which I really enjoyed. This week the movie is Shrek 3. We've already seen it, but my kids love going to the movies. After the movie, we are going to hurry over to my ultrasound appointment at 1 p.m. I am praying that this baby cooperates! I really want to know if we will be welcoming Hayden or Harmony into our home in Nov. I am reminded of Jerm. 1:5 it says something like this: Before I formed you in your mother's womb I knew you, I had a plan for you. I do not want to be disappointed about the gender of this blessing!! This baby is exactly who God wants and needs it to be, it is exactly who God knows we need. Yes, we would like to have another girl since we only have 1 girl and 3 boys, but I will love another little boy as much as I will a little girl! I thought I wanted a girl when I was expecting Halston and Hatton, but I wouldn't trade either of them for a million little girls. They are so special and such a blessing to our family. God knows exactly what we need.
Pray for my family as I have been experiencing mood swings! This to shall pass, but for now I worry I might hurt my hubby for smacking his gum!LOL!!!
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May. 21, 2008 - To Find Out or Not to Find Out
Last Wednesday, I had a doctor's appointment. Everything is fine! I had lost weight, which puts me up 3 lbs for the entire pregnancy so far. You sure couldn't tell it my looking at me.LOL!! Normally, my doctor does ultrasounds at 20 weeks, but he has agreed to go ahead and do mine early. So on June 3rd I will be getting an ultrasound to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. I just don't do well with surprises. I want to know!!! I have known with all of my children except Hank who just would not show his stuff.LOL!!! With the last two babies, I was the one who saw they were boys and announced it. So this time I was thinking we might do something different. This is where you come in. Share the way you found out what you were having or how you announced it to your children. I had seen on "Kids by the Dozen" where they had the ultrasound tech put the picture which announced the gender in an envelope and later the mom opened it in front of the whole family. I look forward to hearing your stories and suggestions!!!
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May. 16, 2008 - Thoughts I Will Share
Over the last few days, I have cried out to the Lord for dixiecajuns and her family. I have questioned why God would allow such a terrible thing to happen to such wonderful people. God has showed me so much through this wonderful family. In their time of grief they have found strength and comfort in the Lord. Monday morning, while I was at their home, dixiecajuns was speaking on the phone. She said something that touched me deeply. After she recounted the details of her husbands death she said, "Don't forget to pray for the family of the man that hit him. They are grieving too." That touched me!! Instead of beng angry and consumed by grief and self pity, she was thinking of others. This morning I read her blog (you need to read it) and 10 people were saved at Elgin's memorial service. Very plainly, God spoke to me. He allowed this horrible thing to happen to these wonderful people, to reach people. He knew they would find strength in Him. He knew they would be willing vessels!! Continue to pray that God will wrap His arms around this family in the days ahead.
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May. 12, 2008 - URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
It is with the saddest heart that I write this entry. I have just left the home of dixiecajuns, dixiebeauty, & dixiefiddler. Last night, dixiecajuns husband was killed tragically in an automobile accident in Louisiana. He was a truck driver and was hit head on by another truck. Dixiecajuns was awaken at 3:00 a.m. this morning by police officers bearing the bad news. If you have ever visited dixiecajuns blog you know how much she loved her husband. He was a wonderful Christian husband and father. The family needs all of our prayers!! Also, pray for ryansgirl and livingfortheking who are also their daughters.
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May. 11, 2008 - What Potential Does God See in Me????
Kids' Krusade is just around the corner and I've been busy getting the lessons ready. The first night our Bible lesson is on Gideon. Oh, how God has spoken to me through my studying on Gideon. Judges 6:12 And the Angel of the Lord apppeared to him, and said to him. "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Now, the background on this is that Gideon was one of the Children of Israel and they had been under attack by the Midianites for 7 years. While Gideon was hiding from the Midianites, God sent an Angel to speak to him. Get this, while Gideon was being a coward God saw potential in Gideon. He didn't see a coward, he saw a brave and mighty soldier. I wonder what potential God sees in me. While I struggle to be a good wife, good momma, descent housekeeper, Children's Church Director, etc... what does God see? This makes me strive to do better. It makes me want to be like Gideon. He trusted in the Lord and lived up to his full potential. That's what I'm going to do too, I'm going to trust God to make me the wife, momma, Children's Church Director, and everything else He wants me to be!!! Continue to pray for God's will in my life!!
Happy Mother's Day
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Apr. 30, 2008 - Harley is on the front page of our local newspaper!!
Living in a small town, we are very fortunate that our local newspapers have put her in several times. She was in the Democrat Union last Friday about her win of Shoals Star IV. She was in the Times Daily Sunday about the same win, but today's was more special. The Lawrence County Advocate contacted us Monday wanting to do a feature story about Harley, after they had received the press release that she was a finalist in the Dolly Parton contest. I don't know how to scan (yes, I'm computer illiterate)LOL!! So, below is a copy of the article:
Local Talent to compete in contest honoring Dolly
by LaShawn Baxter
While most twelve-year-olds are dreaming of the day they can legally hit the highway, Loretto's Harley Morris has set her sites on being the next American Idol. Next month, Harley will take her talents to Sevierville to compete as one of ten finalists in the junior division of the 4th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, part of the Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass Festival. The competition honors Sevier County's most famous native, Dolly Parton. The events are organized by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.
Contestants had to submit their rendition of a song written by Parton and Harley says she chose the song, "9 to 5", because she thought it would be "a fun one to do." Two weeks ago she won the "Shoals Star" competition with the hit.
Harley sang, yodeled and clogged her way to the Junior Grand Champion title at Memphis's Mid-South Fair in September, beating out 156 other contestants.
Belinda Morris says her daughter, who has been competing for about two years now, wants to pursue singing as a career and hopes to compete on "American Idol", when she turns 16. "She's more worried about that than getting her license."
There was a cute picture of Harley. The caption read:
Local Honors Dolly
Loretto's 12-year-old Harley Morris (pictured at the recent Hee Haw & Howdy Show at the Crockett Theatre) will take her talents to East Tennessee next month where she will honor Sevierville native Dolly Parton with her rendition of Parton's hit, "9 to 5." Harley is the daughter of Wes and Belinda Morris.
This same reporter works for our local radio station and yesterday they told about Harley in their news report. You can go to WLX Online and read the story. It is very similiar to the newspaper article.
Of course, we are so proud of Harley. But we would be proud of her if she never won another contest or never sang again. We love her and encourage her to follow her dreams. We pray for God's will to be done in her life. If singing is the career God has planned for her, then we pray that He will guide and direct every step of her journey!!!
Continue to pray for our finances, travels, and most importantly God's will for our entire family!!!!
The boys are all loving the beautiful weather we are having. Hatton and Hank would live outside if I would let them. Halston likes outside, but cartoons overrank it. I feel wonderful!!! I am now in my second trimester and I'm growing rather rapidly. We are anxious to find out if this little one is going to be a boy or a girl. We've had names picked out before we even got pregnant this time. Here they are: Harmony Michelle for a little girl and Hayden Jasper for a little boy. Michelle is my sister's middle name. Her youngest daughter has my middle name (but spelled differently). We are letting my mom name a little boy, but isn't it a cute name? I'm thinking we will find out in June what we are having. My next doctor's appt is May 14. I'll keep you posted! Keep us in your prayers!!
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Apr. 28, 2008 - My First Tag!!!
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Apr. 23, 2008 - How Many Children Do You Consider Make A Large Family???
We live in a very small town out in the country in Tennessee. We are blessed to live in a very exciting county. We live in the southend of the county, but at the northend we share our county with the Amish. We see them often at Wal-Mart which is in our county seat. Everybody goes to Wal-Mart!LOL! Anyway, my children and I love to see them, it is a real treat for us. My mother and I have always been facinated by them and their ways, we both read Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, Cindy Woodsmall, Kimberly Vogle Sawyer, and any other author who writes about them. The more we learn the more we love them. It is always a treat when we go to their community. Last Monday, my hubby and I loaded up our kiddos and two of our horses and went to visit them to get our horses shod. We had the best time. We first left our horses at the gentlemen who was going to shoe them, so we could take Harley to get a hope chest. She's turning 13 in Aug. and that's all she's asked for. Most of the Amish around here, make chests in the winter and then when they are all sold, they are sold. So now is really a good time to purchase one. It is all cedar and she chose one that was 38" wide, the 34" would have been plenty big enough, but she liked the larger one best. Anyway, after making our purchase we went back to see if our horses were done. They weren't so we had to wait awhile. The Amish gentlemen who was shoeing our horses, had three children under 4 yrs. The baby who was born in Jan. was inside sleeping, but the 4 yr old little boy and 2 yr old little girl were outside eating Cheese Puffs. Their Momma was standing nearby. When my four kids all jumped out of the truck she began smiling. Right away, she began talking to me asking me their ages and when our next little one was due. After visiting awhile, she asked me if I would watch her little ones while she went inside to check on the baby and clean house. We were excited to watch her little ones. Halston, my 5 yr old, didn't understand why the little boy didn't talk to him. I tried to explain that he doesn't speak our language, Halston's reply was "What does he speak Spanish?" LOL!! That really cracked me up!! Harley and Halston entertained the two Amish children while Hank, Hatton, Dad, and I watched the horses being shod. The Amish gentlemen was very friendly and talked with us as he worked with the horses. While the kids were playing, I asked the man if he came from a large family. I loved his reply, "No, there was only 5 of us children." How great I thought, in today's society when people find out I am expecting baby # 5 they think I'm crazy. How great it is that he didn't consider 5 children a large family. He just considered them a family. I don't consider 5 children too many. I am just as excited over Baby # 5 as I was with babies #1,2,3,&4. We are excited that God has blessed us with such wonderful children. I pray that when my children are asked about the number of their brothers and sisters, they won't consider it was too many, but that they were blessed by each one of them. Tonight my preacher preached from Genesis 28 and how God will not leave us from the place He has brought us. I feel like God has brought our family to this place in time. This verse spoke to me because when I feel like maybe I can't handle 5 children or more, this reminds me that God has brought me here and He's not just going to drop me off like a stray. Isn't it great to know that we serve a God that loves us and cares about every area of our lives!!!!
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Apr. 22, 2008 - Our Day
Thanks for all your prayers for my Granny. She will be undergoing some tests and a procedure where they will stretch her throat tomorrow morning. Please continue to pray for her, they think she may have infection in her intestines.
Today, I gave the three boys hair cuts. We went to my sister's and I borrowed her clippers. I have to say they are quite handsome. You can actually see that Halston does have eyes, I think people were wondering.LOL! This is the first time I've clipped Hatton's hair. It look like he grew up right before our very eyes. He's a little man now. I really didn't want to do Hank's, but I understand that it gets hot in the summer. Hank is the only one that has my natural curly hair. All the girls think he's adorable, they can't resist all those curls.LOL! But he's more into comfort than girls and for that I'm grateful!!!
We got good news about Harley, today. We had submitted a cd of her singing "9 to 5" for a vocal competition held in Dolly's hometown. You are only allowed to sing songs written by Dolly, and you cannot sing "I Will Always Love You". They choose 10 finalists in the 13 & over catergory and 10 in the 12 & under catergory. Harley was chosen as a finalist and we will be headed to Sevierville for her to compete May 17. We are excited, we have never been to this before but have heard great things about it. The boys are going to stay with my mil and my parents are going with Harley, Wes, and I. It should be a fun weekend. Harley loves it when she gets all of our attention. She's a hardworking little girl (some of the time) and we are very proud of her and all of her accomplishments.
My hubby went golfing today, something he loves and enjoys, but doesn't get to do very often. I am so proud of him and the decisions and sacrifices he has made to help our family. During the first years of our marriage, I felt like he had a lot of growing up to do, I felt like he was very selfish. Lately, he has grown so much in his actions. When our finances took a serious turn for the worse, he gave up golf, hunting, and even his truck so that we could get out of debt. I am so proud of him for stepping up and being a great father and husband. He's not perfect and neither am I, but we make a good team. I pray we will be the parents God wants us to be and our children need us to be!!
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Apr. 22, 2008 - Prayer Request
Granny has not been feeling well for about 2 wks. She wouldn't go to the doctor, but yesterday the pain was so severe in her stomach that she had to be taken to the E.R. They left sometime around 5:30p.m. but she did not get admitted into the hospital until 5:30a.m. She did not get seen by the E.R. doctor until 1:00a.m. It was a long night. They have her on morphine and she is resting some now. My mother said they will probably be running the light down/up her in the next few days. I love Granny very much. She is my only living grandparent. She is in her early 80's and is in fairly good health. Please keep her in your prayers!! She is an awesome Christian woman who still cooks dinner for all of us on Sundays. Last Monday, she babysat my four children all day. She is such a blessing and I don't know what we would do without her.
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Apr. 16, 2008 - I Am So Blessed!
As I wrote the title to this entry, I think how true it really is. Last Thursday was our homeschool meeting. We met at the park and the kids played while the moms talked. A lady that joined our group in March brought several boxes of books to give away. There were several unit studies so I grabbed those right away. My children are not big fans of school, to say the least. At times it is like pulling teeth to get schoolwork completed. So, yesterday I brought in the box of schoolbooks and let each child select a book they would like to study from. Harley selected a unit study on computers. Hank selected a unit study on The Wild West. There was also a Bible Study. We sat down yesterday morning and began the Bible Study, all four children and I. It went very well. In fact, I was shocked at how much the little ones already knew. Harley and Hank began their unit studies. Today, we sat down and had our Bible Study, which again went awesome! Who knew we had it in us. We've tried this before, but never with this much success. Harley and I spent time going over the time line of when computers were invented. I was shocked at how interested she actually was. I gave her an assignment to write the different hardware devices. Once again, I was impressed. Hank, who is my little cowboy, enjoyed learning about the Louisiana Purchase. I gave him a writing assignment and he did a good job. He has a nice handwriting. They are taking a break, but are planning on doing Math as soon as Mom comes down and makes them.LOL! School is sometimes hard for us, because we have to be so quiet, which is very hard for us loudmouths! My hubby works night shift, so he's trying to sleep. Notice the word "trying". You don't want to wake Daddy up! That's for sure!!
That's why I like it when it's warm enough to send the kiddos outside when their volumes are way up. My mil and sil live right next door and it's nice to be able to send the kids across the pasture to their house. I am so blessed that they are not only willing to watch the kids, but they love watching them. It truly is a blessing for a momma who hasn't been feeling like her normally spunky self. Anyway, I won't keep you in suspense any longer.... Last night, was the finals of Shoals Star IV. It was a packed house (actually it's not a house, it's a Christian Coffee Shop.) Each contestant had to do three songs. We let Harley choose her own songs, and she decided to wear a different outfit for each song. I will admit that I tried to discourage this, but decided this was her contest and she needed to do it her way, that way she couldn't blame me if she didn't win.LOL! She was the only contestant to change clothes. The first song she sang was 9 to 5. She wore a cute little black business looking outfit, it's hard to find a business suit for a 12 yr old who wears a size 8 and 10 in little girls. LOL! She did look adorable though. She put her hair up in a bun and carried a brief case and cell phone. She started the song acting like she was talking on the phone and when the music started she threw them down. At one point during the song, she took her hair down. The judges loved it! I thought it was a little cheesy, but keep in my mind I'm the queen of cheesy!LOL! She rocked the song! I was so very proud of her! Her next song, was a new one by Taylor Swift "Picture to Burn". She got the cd last Wednesday, but didn't decide to sing it until Sunday. She did a really good job on it and you would have never guessed she learned it in two days! The judges loved it! She had a real spunky attitude, note I said real!! She changed into her little denim cowgirl outfit with leather fringe and sang, yodelled, and clogged to "Cowboy's Sweetheart". One judge said she saved the best for last. She did a really good job. We were so very proud of her, but we always are. She is a performer. She can't just stand and sing, she has to be putting on a show. It truly is a gift from God!! So the suspense was killing us! I had bitten off all my nails. Finally, they had the results. The lady who had been in first place the last two weeks finished in third. This was very surprising to me. I thought her and Harley would be first and second like they had for the previous two weeks. But you never know. They told that it was very close with only .25 points between 1st and 2nd place. Harley sat very quiet by her grandmother. I watched her as they announced the 2nd place winner, Harley looked at me and quietly said, "I won!" We were almost in shock, then he announced that the Shoals Star IV winner was Harley Morris. She is the youngest to ever make it in the top 3, so for her to win it is really something. The very first Shoals Star winner was 13. All have been women or girls. She won $200 and a recording session to make a cd!! That truly is a blessing!!! You never know about contests, though. I remind Harley that it is just somebody's opinion. She normally does really well, but last Sat. at the Chicken and Egg Fest. there was 24 contestants, and she didn't place in the top 3. I thought she should have, but maybe I'm a tad partial.LOL! The win last night was very good for her. It helped rebuild her confidence. It's probably a good thing she doesn't win every time, that way it keeps her humble. Confident yet humble, that's the way it should be.
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Apr. 14, 2008 - Exodus 23:25
"So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you." Exodus 23:25
I am so glad to give a PRAISE REPORT!!! I went to the doctor today, and I gained 5 lbs in the last month, despite of the fact I was sick every day last week.LOL! My doctor did another ultrasound and everything looks great! There was only one little babe, but it looked healthy. In fact, it measured 2 days bigger than the due date. I can't believe how much it has developed since last month. It was just a tiny dot that resembled a pea last month, and today you could see its head, body, arms, and legs. Truly a miracle. I went up for prayer at church yesterday and woke up feeling better today. The reassurance from the doctor that all is well, has been very good for my heart. I have to admit last week was very emotional for me. When I was sick, the devil tried to tell me something was wrong, but he is a liar!!! I PRAISE God for His wonderful grace, for His promises, and for sending me wonderful friends that lift me up in prayer! Thank you all so much!!!
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Apr. 9, 2008 - Say Hello to my sister!!
For as long as I have had this blog, I have tried to convince my sister that she needed one. Finally, she listened to me and with the help of our wonderful friends, dixiecajuns and dixiefiddler, she now has one. Please take the time to stop by and welcome her. Her blog is absolutely gorgeous and her entry brought me to tears. Her blogging name is Tammysspace. I'm not sure if that's one or two s's. It's listed in my friend list so you can go from there.LOL!
Just a quick update on me, I'm feeling better, but so tired!!! I go to the doctor Monday, so I'm excited to hear that little heartbeat. Isn't God wonderful? Even though I've been sick, I love being pregnant. I love knowing that God chose me to bring this precious little baby into the world! What a miracle it is!!! I definitely have a little pooch! It's that in between stage where you wonder if people look at you and think, "Boy, she needs to do some situps!" LOL! Most people who love me and are honest with me (you know who you are) say I'm showing! I've even started wearing some maternity clothes, which I love! Yeah, I know I'm weird. But for some reason, my maternity clothes are always cuter than my regular ones. God blessed me by allowing me to meet a lady who wanted to sell who maternity clothes and I paid $50 for 55 nice instyle peices. So I'm excited that I've got some new to me clothes this time around. I can't wait until I'm bigger and can wear some of the really cute things.
Continue to pray for Harley and her singing. She is singing so much that her voice is straining. Please pray for her! She made it to the finals in the Shoals Star IV. Tuesday will be the last and final competition. Only 3 made it to the finals. When they did the rankings last night, 1st place is a 34 yr old women with .26 more points that 2nd place which is Harley and 3rd place is .71 points behind Harley, and a 20 something yr old woman. We are just thrilled she made it to the finals. She was the only child in the contest. We praise God for the talents He has bestowed upon her.
I don't mention my 3 boys that much, but I love them so much words could never say. Pray for them that they will be all God wants them to be. They are very active in our children's ministry even thought they are only 8, 5, and 2 yrs old.
Pray for my hubby this week, he's working days and his sleeping is all messed up. Pray for the rest of us, too!LOL!!
Belinda
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Apr. 8, 2008 - Update on Me
Hey, I don't have a lot of time so this is going to be a quick entry! I'm feeling better, but would like for you to continue to pray for me. I have not been sick since Sunday, but I am still feeling queasy and I am extremely tired. I know that this too shall pass. I praise God for this baby, this pregnancy, and His greatness!
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