Finally Updating...Installment # 1 - May, June 2008

I've been a VERY bad blogger over the summer. Please forgive me for not updating but it's been a little crazy. Some good things and some not so good things, but, in everything, God is in Control! What I have realized though is I have 3 major things that I like to write about, 1 - my family, 2 -my creativity (painting, clay, etc.) & 3 - my faith. What I have determined is, I feel guilty about posting my creative projects if I haven't updated on my family or some amazing inspiration if I promised, with good intentions that I would post some painting or clay work. So, I'm going to start 2 more blogs, one for my creating and another for my inspiration. I hope to do this very soon but at the latest the end of the year. So, keep checking. I managed to make a couple of updates during the last 5 months like Ashley's graduation with her Associates Degree & my birthday. However, so much more has been going on that I'll have to fill in the blanks. This is the first installment, May & June 2008.

May 2008 - First Plane Ride & Graduation in Ohio

Bryant and I flew to Ohio for a friend's high school graduation. This was Bryant's first plane ride and it was a real joy to be able to share that with him.

Me, Bryant & Tiffany. Tiff is so special. She is sweet, smart, funny and loves the Lord.

This is a wooden box from HL that I painted for her. I also wrote her a note and glued it with a picture of the two of us on the inside cover. Of course no graduation gift is complete without a little money! :o)

I just had to take the picture on the 'moving sidewalk' at the airport. Bryant thought this was so cool. Luckily there weren't too many people on it. He had so much fun just being a kid and I enjoyed watching him. Thanks again, Jessica, for allowing me to have him for a few days!

June 2008 - Male Creativity, Mother Nature, Anniversary, UGA, Surgery, Swimming Pool Make-over & Family Challenges

Okay, so, I left the house for a while and when I came home, I had a checker-board lawn! My husband was so proud! He'd always wanted to try this. A couple of days after he did this he had to go on travel for work. I typically help him mow the grass and was so afraid he wanted me to try to keep this checkerboad thing going. However, he did not. What a relief!

While Wayne was gone, our neighbors dead tree fell during the bad storm we had. My husband had been asking them to take care of the tree because he was afraid someone was going to get hurt or it was going to cause some major damage when it finally fell. We were very lucky that it just damaged the fence. I think it scared them to death because I don't think they realized how much damage these things can cause. Now they know and no real harm was done. Thank you Lord!

A bird nest built in one of my plants on our porch every year. This year our little feathered friends chose a plant that was just starting to come back so I could stand on a stool, without touching anything and get some really good shots. Here is a quick look at the first few weeks of their new little lives...

There were about 4 eggs but only 2 on them hatched and grew. They were so cute. The picture on the right is the 2nd bird getting ready to fly. I just happened to be near and grabbed my camera. Empty Nesters Argument...

Our 30th wedding anniversary was June 24th. We went to the new Italian Restaurant in town, Santinas, and it was absolutely delicious. The walls had the most beautiful murals on them and the atmosphere and food were wonderful. I highly recommend it! We looked so-o-o-o-o young! What am I saying, we were young! He was 20 & I was 19. We made a couple of trips to Athens in June to sign Ashley's apartment lease and UGA Transfer Student Orientation. Here is Ashley in front of her apartment at lease signing. She was going to room with 3 other girls then met someone who wanted just one roommate, which worked better for Ashley as well, but is more expensive.

I took these pictures at the UGA College of Education.

In January we had an extremely heavy rainstorm. Due to a ground-water problem, our pool liner was just about destroyed. We brought someone in to fix it but it was beyond repair. We decided to put off replacing the liner until the weather got warmer. So, to try to divert some of the water, it was suggested that we dig a ditch on the high side of our property to divert some of the water during a heavy storm. So, $450 later, we have a "lovely" ditch. So far so good.

This is what the pool looked like before the new liner...

This is work in progress... ...a close up of the new liner pattern and finally...

...the new liner. I'll show more pool pics later in this post.

One of the reasons I have not updated in so long is that we've had many family trials over the last few months. I guess it all started the day Ashley and I went to her UGA orientation in June. Some of you know the details but I won't go into it in a public forum, at least not right now. The immediate result was, our daughter that got married in March, Stephanie, separated from her husband. It has been a very difficult situation and many prayers have been lifted with their names.

I told her from day # 1 to pray for God's will and not her own. I have done the same. God has been working overtime in all of our lives and Stephanie and Brian are no exception. Please pray for God's direction and His will in this situation. I'll probably share more later.

Fortunately, I don't have any pictures to share for this event, but I did have some "female" surgery in June. After a blood test in May showed I was VERY anemic, I was sent on the journey to find out why, which included many tests, biopsies, & doctor visits. I'll spare you the details but I ended up having to have an endometrial ablation. I am due to have more blood work to make sure this fixed the problem.

I'll start working on the second installment soon. Please leave a comment and let me know you were here!

Personal Loss and Mother Nature's Devastation

One of my greatest blessings from God went home on Thursday evening, May 8th at 9:45 p.m. My dear, sweet, friend and grandmother, whom most knew as "Memomer.

Helen W. Maynard at age 17

God answered our prayers and took her peacefully and quickly as I was holding her hand and humming to her. God is so good! I am working on a post dedicated to her but it may take me a few days to get through it. I can't work on it too long without breaking down, so please be patient. I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. They mean so much.

Stephanie and I heard a song on the radio as we were coming home that truly touched us. The song is by Mark Harris and is called "Wish You Were Here".

"Wish You Were Here" I wanted to tell you how closely I've kept the memories of you in my heart And all of the lifetimes that we had to share Live even though we're apart But don't cry for me 'Cause I'm finally free (Chorus) To run with the angels On streets made of gold To listen to stories of saints new and old To worship our Maker That's where I'll be When you finally find me No don't you be weary ‘cause waiting for you Are wonders that you've never known Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for his hands And one day They'll welcome you home And that's when you'll be Finally free Finally free (Chorus) I wish you were here, I wish you were here And all of the dreams that you treasure Will soon come together And that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow And you will rise again (Chorus) We'll run with the angels on streets made of gold We'll listen to stories of saints new and old We'll worship our maker that's where we'll be When you finally find me I wish you were here

The thought of my PRECIOUS (the name my husband always called her) Memomer having a new body and being able to run with the angels brings the biggest smile to my face!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to add that Macon is suffering devastating damage from the storm this weekend. I found out today that 11 tornadoes were confirmed in Georgia. Here are some pictures that I took when Stephanie and I went to Macon on Monday.

The tornado just snapped off the tops of these trees all over Macon and the surrounding area.

This McDonald's sign just couldn't hold up to the strong winds that were over 110 mph.

This was on the road in front of us.

Please keep the families in this area in your prayers. There are many who do not have power or water and may be without it for a couple of weeks. It's easy to take these every day conveniences for granted until we lose them. We heard today that one of our good friends from church lost part of their house and 2 of their vehicles. There are trees down all over their yard. Some volunteers are going over tomorrow to see what they can do to help them.

Hugs & Blessings ~ Kim

Every time I think of you, I thank God for you. - I Corinthians 1:4

Weathering the storm...

Bryant lost his first tooth this week. He looks so cute. He's got another loose tooth and can't wait for the tooth fairy to visit again! We had a bad storm here last night and into the morning. LOTS of rain, wind and several tornados. This is the same storm that devastated Enterprise, Alabama yesterday afternoon. Our hearts go out to all of the families who suffered loss of belongings but especially to those who lost loved ones. We were very fortunate here and were so happy to have Brandon's (Ashley's boyfriend) family here with us from Crawford county since they lost power. Our dogs were going crazy with the bad weather, especially our two meteorologists, Annie and Jody. They KNOW when rain and bad weather is heading our way. They are terrified of it and their mood changes and just want to be held or hide somewhere. Wayne and I were off work today. We kept Bryant last night because he wasn't feeling well and we were pretty sure he wouldn't be going to school today. Wayne played golf. Bryant and I didn't do much. Neither of us felt very well so we slept and relaxed all day. I hated to "waste" my day off like that but I think my body needed the rest.

I had my birdhouse painting class on Monday but haven't finished it yet. Here is what I've done so far. I'll try to work on it soon and post a picture of the finished piece.

These teeny-tiny flowers and bugs are a real challenge for me. To give you a better perspective of the size. This whole painted section is only 2 inches tall! The bees are about 1/4" long! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :~) Kim