Linda Lou Averitt Blog

New Year, New Goals

2012-01-21T22:16:00.002-06:00

We had our annual kick off meeting, I shared a illustration that Alex had shared in church, I had a pale, in which I wish would of be clear but could not find one, then I put in some BIG rocks, ask is the pale full, all said no, the put some big rocks but smaller then the biggest rocks, ask was it full, all said no, then added more rocks and sand then ask, they said yes, what do you say? No, I added water, my point to this, In our life setting goals personal or professional we have to put the big rocks in first, if we do not then they will not fit in later, the big rocks are the goals that set the foundation for us to use the smaller rocks to get there…..so take a big rock ( goals)….set it..then take little rocks for the steps to attain it. Such as One big rock in personal life, lose the rest of my weight, little rocks, exerise, diet, water….etc. As you look at 2012 I encourage you to look at what is important in your life, spiritual, personal, work..then write out the big goals, let home be the foundation for you. Then find the smaller goals to help you attain the big ones. Most people who write out their goals will have a better chance of attaining them, it helps to have someone to be accountable to, meet with them to stay on track

I have taken time to write mine out and give them to two people to hold me accountable, hope this helps you identify your goals

Now my personal life, I have felt so much better, mother is doing really good, I had her home open Sunday and think I will have it sold. All the family is doing well, we went to Hannah’s Thursday for Blake’s Birthday, they were ready for bed when we did the cake and gifts, Hannah had taken Mark to have surgery so we waited on them to get home. Then Steve and I came to condo to have some alone time and thinking time, we needed it. Its cold here and we have just stayed in,other then to eat Got my goals written, put listing in computer, did some paper work that I needed to get done.

Keep my family in your prayers, moving mother will not be easy, it’s a lot of change for everyone, we need your prayers and the Lord’s wisdom. Steve will preach tomorrow at Journey Church, can’t wait to hear what the Lord has put on his heart Hugs and nite

Can’t sleep

2012-01-06T01:02:00.001-06:00

so many things going on in my mind So I am up and figured I would Blog…..last blogged about taking down Christmas, it is down and Valentine's is up I love decorating for Holidays, the LOVE month, plus I like red. This week the Real Estate market has picked up! I am so ready for busy busy work days, phones ringing off the wall and making hay while the sun shines. I got that cold stuff mother had, then I got a stomach virus that was a killer, but only 24 hours and its gone, I stayed away from everyone so no one would get it, but Steve was near me, hoping he does not get it. Mother has a nurse that comes to the house once a week, then a physical therapist twice a week and a aide to bath her twice a week, this has been so much help. Her home was shown today, praying for God’s will on the sell time, I am so ready and yet so not ready…….if that makes sense. I was making plans in my mind tonight as I lay beside her in bed, thinking when I move her I just need to get a hospital bed, she fell out of the bed the other night, scared Kay and bruised mother’s arm and hand, but all are ok….thank the Lord. We got the seat for the commode so that will be easier, and a bed rail for her bed. I just remember Lou Holtz saying having a game plan and that is what I am trying to do, stay a step ahead of this disease, giving mother the life she deserves full of love and attention, she is my Princess now, actually I call her, Miss Aster…as I am rubbing her feet or propping her up……she plays the role out well and we have a good laugh.

I am worried about Kay’s heart, she has PVC’s all the time, she has a pace maker but these spells make her so weak, she stays so active in her church, or try's too, so pray for her too, also my brother Jimmy is having shortness of breath, he has a heart cath Monday, so keep him in your prayers. That heart cath was awful, I will never do that again in my wrist, my arm would wake me up hurting for a couple of weeks. Praying all will be clean with his as mine was…..guess we are just getting older

Gavin had surgery on his eye, he has a long way to go and we are praying his eye ball will be saved and his sight restored. Nothing is to hard for God!

Ready for our company sales meeting this next Tuesday then we have a big Kick off the year 2012 meeting the next Tuesday……ready to put 2011 behind me it was a depressing year but still full of blessings, like my Luke!! In March my Sidney Faith Averitt will be here, can not wait! Guess I will go get back in the bed……hugs to all and good morning and good nite!

My redemmer Lives

2012-01-01T19:34:00.003-06:00

http://www.godvine.com/Young-Girl-Beautifully-Sings-My-Redeemer-Lives-379.html

go to this site and hear this young girl sing, My Redemmer Lives, it will bless you!

no more Christmas

2012-01-01T11:46:00.001-06:00

Christmas as well as other Holidays are always in our heart, but I love to be able to express them in my home with that said I have taken down, stored away all Christmas. I thought I might be sad but it actually brought good memoires of this past month. We have had family from Louisiana here, we went there, McGill’s came and stayed a couple of days, Sean and his babies came a few days, had all my babies in for Christmas on the 23rd. I am ready to be able to have my home back in order and for what ever 2012 brings. 2011 was probably one of the most learning years about me of my life, also one of the hardest. Since I have been in real estate I have always been in the top agents in Arkansas, this year I did not make that, nor did I make it in our company. Yes, it does bother me, not that I am not top but that I failed in returning calls and making this business work, it has been a year of sadness for me with mother, I am trying my best to focus on the positive but sometimes I do not win that battle either. We have had family issues this year that have hurt us all, we are working through them the best we can, I have realized that I am a peace maker and what ever the cost I try to please others, this has stopped in me, I realized that I take on others problems and will fix theirs when I make problems for Steve and I, this has stopped. I have taken time to examine my life this year, change some behavior I have, let God heal me of wounds, help me to understand why I want to fix people or even think I can So 2012 is a new me, if I could I would change my name, that is how different this feels to me, it is a good thing and I am in a good place, looking forward to rising to the Top in my field if that is what God wants for me this year, I know one thing, it makes a BIG difference in my budget I like it better when I get paid more, but really have learned to live on less. This Christmas I did it all for under a $1000 dollars…..a first for me. That is everyone! We all have too much anyway. We were able to help Open Doors ministry and the UAMS house, it feels good to give to ones who really need it. A lady who past away with cancer leaving five children and her husband, our Company helped her, every agent gave I baked some gifts, and made some gifts this year. So my motto this year is out with the old in with the new, good bye to 2011, lets have a wonderful year in 2012, what ever it may bring our way, I have learned God has it, He will provide and see us though it!

Mother is much better, we met with Home Health care and she will have their services for awhile, she is doing good, keep her in your prayers, my Aunt Connie’s Grandson Gavin had a fireworks go off in h is eye, it is serious and they need your prayers, so please pray for him……

Again Cheers……here here to 2012!!!

April Rebecca Averitt….21……oh my!

2011-12-29T07:41:00.001-06:00

Today I write my blog in honor of April, she turns 21 today!

little girl! We first met her birth father at a church cook out, he was there with a friend. He then came to our church some, he was living at the Union Rescue Mission, he had a drug problem and was getting help in their program. Not long after that, we met his girl friend, she was seven months pregnant and homeless. A couple in our church the Shaw’s, had her live with them, in a few weeks this was too much for them and she needed a home, Steve and I came home and had a family meeting, we ask our children if she could stay with us, she was to marry April’s birth father when he completed the program. They of course said yes, over the years we have had several people all ages live with us to help them, my children have always been so giving of them self Needless to say she moved in. On Dec. 28th she started having contractions, every time she would have one April would totally go crazy in her tummy, I could see her moving all over and kicking, she was not due till January. April’s birth mother is half Indian, joking, I told Steve we need to get her checked, I did not feel it normal for the baby to be so active with each contraction, and since she was Indian, they just squat to have babies we went to UAMS labor and delivery, April was a emergency C-section and here, it all happened so fast, the cord was looped around her neck. April was ok and so was her birth mother. At this time in our life, we thought Dee, birth mom and John Birth dad would get married and live happily ever after, we brought April home, our house hold was so excited, Hannah had her own baby, Alex totally cared for her too, everyone pitch in to help except Dee. Dee wanted to be with John, he had been in the program for 90 days and had done well, he left the program to be with Dee, they moved into a room, the size of a closet, the home had been condemned, on 14th and Cumberland. John’s mother lived in the back of it, not sure how with it being condemned? but they did. When April was a week old Dee left with her, our hearts were broke because we knew she would not be cared for, with in hours Dee called me to come and get her, we did. This went on for two weeks. My heart was broke for April, I did not know what to do, I could not keep her she was not mine, John was back on drugs and very abusive verbally and could be physically. I remember going to the church by my self, in the sanctuary and laying at the alter begging and crying to God to please do something, I was there for hours, felt like a nervous break down. I knew I had to protect my family from John threats but what about April, how did I protect her????? A lady called me and said she took April away from them, they she had a butcher knife on them and got April due to abuse, we went and got her, I said then I will never give her back, but you can not keep someone's baby even if suspected proven abuse, I had to take her home……..we had custody paper drawn up by our sweet friend Cindy Moody, I begged them to let us have temporary custody they said no…I had to leave her there, now if you wondering why I did not call DHS…..I did……a week past…Steve and I were in Hot Springs with Derol and Ann May, when John called drunk, I told him I could not help, which totally killed me inside, so I talked Steve into going by there and checking on them, when we did April had a bruised on her forehead and totally blind, the smell of paint thinner was so strong you could not breath, she was dirty, stunk and her tummy was so distended….they sold her wic/ formula and giving her onion water….John’s mother told him it would help her tummy not hurt and quit crying…..I was devastated….I could not leave her again…I said…let’s take her to Children’s Hospital, it was right down the street, to get her shots….Dee said ok, we did…they admitted her and she was in there for two weeks, during this time her vision came back, she began to respond normally, John and Dee “looked” like good parents, they had a room, food, laundry, TV………I looked like the crazy one, But in time true colors show….John came high and drunk to hospital…Dee would not stay with April in the hospital…then John and I got into it and we both got put on security alert and kicked out of hospital….the next day they discharged her to them……I do not know of a time in my life of the anguish I felt, it really almost did me in emotionally. I was distraught at what had happened, the next morning John called and was upset, the DHS woman had come to get April, he kicked her down some stairs and wanted us to meet him at Children's to take custody of April, Dee nor John wanted her in DHS, they both had been raised in DHS….we were there in seconds, went to Children's had a notary sign and we signed and they signed….I took her home NEVER to let her live-in hat abuse again…….

Some funny things about April….due to the fact she is the baby of five older brothers' and sister's, she had everything done for her, when we started kindergarten, I remember the teacher saying, she needs to fix her own cereal and pour her own milk she literally was our little princess, everyone who knew her was protective of her. One day when I had picked Jared up form school, April was maybe four, she was so mad at him, she looked straight in his face, and hollered YOU BABY! YOU BABY! YOU BABY!!! She normally did not have out burst of anger so it was really funny to us but not to her… when I washed my face, I would take toilet paper and make a headband around my face to keep hair form getting wet, one night April went into the den and said, JEEERRROD….mommy has toilet paper on her head!! I have this on video, her voice was country and had a draw on all her words…it was, I huuuuuugrrry moma…..her best friend was a little dog name Cooley when she was little, it was the neighbor’s dog, and I had got on to it for something, she said…do not be mean to Cooley, he is my best friend!!

So many wonderful memories of you growing up April, into a beautiful young woman…….when April was 19 months old, her birth parents came back into our life they wanted her back….Dee was pregnant at the time, they moved to Conway, still on drugs, no jobs and unfit…….at that time I said no, we went to court, not once but three times, the Judge gave them time to prove them self worthy to be a parent. John had threaten to kill us and I had it on tape and he was arrested, he came to court in his jail clothes, Dee had Matthew who was four months old now on her lap. I felt as if her life was swinging in the balance of heaven and hell, although God had told me she was ours and gave me so many scriptures, I was totally sick to my stomach…..I will NEVER forget when Judge Robin Mays had me on the stand ask looked me in the eyes, ask me why I wanted to adopt April……I begged and cried for April’s life……..my children knew her as their sister, we were a family and had been for 19 months, April had not known that life anymore and I would rather die then her have to go back to that……I meant it…the Judge had to take a recess because she started crying…..when Dee got on the stand, she said she would like to try being April’s mother…….the Judge and the Oklahoma Indian Tribe terminated the rights of John and Dee…..my heart was over joyed, we immediately adopted her………….had a major party, for years we did her birthday in August……due to her adoption date plus it was summer and more children could come to swim party’s April I have always told you how special you are, that I did not have a choice in the other children but I did in you and I chose you to be my little girl, I would give my life for you, God chose me and daddy to be your parents, it is a miracle to ever terminate a parents rights, Kay McCloud was our attorney and yours was Mr. Peters, they fought for your freedom, we fought for it….but most of all God fought for it……..I know meeting Dee and Matthew later in life had been hard, I am thankful for Dee, without her I would not have you, I am thankful you found it in your heart to forgive them, your heart is so big with forgiveness, never sell your self short, your life has a purpose and a meaning, God has plans for you, sometimes it has been hard for you, but you have over come, I pray God will open your eyes to the Hope of His calling in your life……………..I love love love you baby girl and would go to hell and back for you, but most of all God loves you and knows you, he will always be there for you, you are His not mine, always have been, always will be!

A friend shared this with me.

2011-12-26T16:06:00.001-06:00

What Dreams May Come

At a recent Advent Retreat, participants were asked to pick a figure out of the Nativity scene they most identified with. I invite you to think about this also. Who in the Nativity story do you most relate to?

Is it the shepherds, tending to the very ordinary, somewhat dirty details of everyday life, called in the midst of all that to recognize God with them? Or maybe it's the Wise Men, moved to bring extraordinary gifts to an improbable king. Or how about Mary, invited to give birth to the holiness. Where does your life intersect with the Nativity story this season?

Did any of you think about Joseph? Nobody on the retreat did. Mary got grabbed up right away by at least two people. The Wise Men had their turn. One participant chose the baby Jesus. Even the donkey got picked, because someone in the group was feeling especially burdened. Everyone in the Nativity story got a little attention, except for Joseph. Always standing off to the side, silent and tired. He is the supporting actor in someone's story.

I know of a little girl who always got to play the Virgin Mary in the church Christmas pageant, because she had blonde hair and looked precious in a blue robe. One year, the little boy playing Joseph, picked up the Jesus baby doll from the manager. That little girl grabbed the doll away from him and hissed very loudly,"That's not your baby!"

Biologically speaking, she was right of course, and that's the problem for poor old Joseph and his part of the story. It is not, technically, his child. He's not the biological father. It seems like you could lift him right out of the story, and the story would still go on.

Almost. The truth is a whole lot did depend on him. He was a good man caught in a terrible scandal not remotely of his own making. We tend not to think of this as a scandal, but it actually was.

He was betrothed to Mary. Betrothal was equivalent to marriage, a marriage which became complete once the groom took the bride to his own home and they consummated the marriage. But in the meantime, they were already considered husband and wife. That Mary had turned up pregnant during this time could only mean one thing to him - she had been unfaithful. Joseph knew the child was not his.

If you've ever found yourself on the receiving end of bad news resulting from someone else's poor choices, then you can imagine how Joseph felt. Betrayed? Certainly. Disappointed? Naturally. Humiliated? Most likely. Angry? Probably.

Everything he thought he knew about his beloved and been upended. the future he had imagined with her was not to be. His own standing in the community would be harmed by something not of his own doing. His life has been altered by someone else's actions. He did not make this mess, but he will have to deal with it.

And so he has a choice. Joseph and Mary lived in a world where right and wrong were black and white, and consequences were clearly defined. These are the choices Joseph can make in response to Mary's unfortunate pregnancy. He can divorce her, or he can bring charges of adultery against her, which means having her stoned. That's what is came down to for a woman in Mary's situation. Divorce or death.

Matthew tells us that Joseph is a righteous man, and it seems a kind one too. Because he chooses not to publically shame Mary. He will not put her on trial or let her transgressions be know to all. He will divorce her, but he will do it quietly. And for a young woman in Mary's circumstances, that is just about the best she could have hoped for.

But then an angel shows up. As far as angels go, the one we seem to like the best is the one where the glorious Gabriel comes to sweet Mary and tells her she's going to have a baby. Artists love this story, and it has been painted and sculpted and put in glass thousands of times throughout the centuries The story of a young and innocent girl saying yes to God's wild plan - it is beautiful.

But the way Matthew tells it, the whole plan hinged on Joseph as much as it did on Mary. Joseph had resolved to put her away quietly, but the dreams of an angel who says, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

If Joseph can believe such a dream as this, then the story will move forward. the boy will be born legitimately. He will be given a name. Mary and the baby will have a home and a family. God's outrageous plan to be born into our world will be protected and nurtured.

Or, Joseph can wake from the dream, shake it off, and go on and file the divorce papers. Mary will be nothing more than any other poor, unwed teenage mother, and Jesus will be an illegitimate child.

Joseph has every reason in the world to do just that, to dismiss Mary, to disavow the situation, to get back to the quiet, conventional life he had planned. But he does not do that. He gets up from his bed,and adopts God's plan. He owns the mess he didn't make, and that mess becomes the place where God is born.

This is the choice we have too. When our plans get interrupted, and our lives get disrupted, we can say, "No, I did not plan this. I cannot believe this is happening, and I will not accept it."

Or, we can say, "Yes, I will accept what life is offering me. I will consent to plans I didn't make for myself. And I will believe the impossible good news that somehow God will be born in this."

You may have a hard time as Joseph first did believing in a virgin birth, but the true mystery in all of this is that God not only decided to become one of us, but that the plan hinged on human partners. And God still wants us to to be born into the disorder of our lives. And still, God wants us to consent, asks our consent, to this radical birth.

What does this mean for us? For Joseph, it meant claiming God's child as his own, giving him a name, a home, a family. It meant bringing out into the light what he had thought to assign to the dark. It meant consenting to God's plan, responding in faith with no knowledge of where it would lead.

In order for all of this to happen, Joseph had to let go of a lot. He had a certain understanding of righteousness, one that meant putting Mary away quietly. He had to let hat go. He had a certain expectation of how his life would work out. He had a certain sense of order and control, and a quiet conventionality. He had to let all of that go. And in all that letting go he did, there was room enough in his life to take hold of something bigger, to say "yes" to the mystery that is God.

It was Mary who later would be called the "God bearer". But it was Joseph too who bore God's plans as his own.

And what about us? When you look back over this past year, I bet there's a whole lot that happened that you had not planned. Some things probably went horribly wrong. Others turned out more right than you could have ever imagined. How has God been with you in all of it? How is God, even now, laboring to be born anew in the specific circumstances of your life, the ones you chose and the ones you didn't? What do you need to let go in order for God to be born? What have you been trying to divorce yourself from that perhaps you need to embrace? What do you need to say "yes" to in order for God to be born again in your heart, in your life, in this church, in our world, because it's still what God seeks.

Every day we face circumstances beyond our control, messes we didn't make, and ones we did. Every day we deal with interruptions and disruptions to our plans. Our lives often look little like we had hoped, even at Christmas. Maybe especially at Christmas.

But can you hear the angel, even now? He is saying what he has always said: "Do not be afraid. God is here. God will be born even here, if you consent."

And this is our call, in these days of Advent. Open your arms. Open your heart. Open your life to the mystery that is Emmanuel, God with us. Amen

I read this and it so spoke to me, I pray it will help give you understanding in your life too. Looking back this has been a very hard year for me, ups and downs with family, mother work. I have been dealt a hand I did not want, but I have trusted God daily to give me the grace to make the right decisions, I will do all within my power to obey the Lord and trust Him daily for the hand I have been dealt, knowing He is in control of my life and has all my answers, I pray I can walk in love, love never fails. This year I have learned in doing the 12 step program that I am co-dependent and do what ever I can to be a peace maker and hold everything together, no matter what, keep peace, even at your expense, I have learned that is a result of my child hood abuse, that it is never ok to accept abuse, if its verbal, physical, mental, you can love, still stand up and say no, this is not right, just as Jesus did when He cleansed the temple, I have learned that just because others think something of me, does not mean I have too, that I have to take that to the Lord and believe what He says about me, I have learned I can not please everyone and do not have too. I have learned that my children can fight their own battles, I am to be and encourager not a fixer I have learned that I love me and how God made me, its ok to say no and not feel guilty, its ok to have a PJ day and not be sick, to be honest, but only speak with love and be a few words, not to gossip, you might get over it but the ones you told will hold a grudge which will cause pain. I have forgiven Steve for not measuring up to my expectations in some areas and let him be him, I have forgiven me for not measuring up to my own expectations. I guess I would feel more like Joseph, with Walt trusting me to care for mother and over the finances, which he did six months before he died, there are times I want to defend my self, but God makes me be quiet. I do not like being POA or having to do all mother’s affairs, taxes, social security, medical, etc. but that is what God has trusted me with, I take it seriously. Like I said this has been a difficult year and I am not sure it will be better, mother has Alzheimer's , I have learned not to look forward in how I will be able to do this but to look at today and know God gives fresh mercy and grace today, tomorrow will take care of itself……if I look at tomorrow, I do not know how I will be able to do it, it depresses me with Mother…….wonder if Joseph just tried to look at one day at a time….bet he did love to all reading this, I can honestly say I have no un forgiveness, grudges, at this time with anyone, I have learned to walk away before saying things I will be sorry for, to make amends quickly when I do open my mouth at the wrong time and to let my family/friends know I love them, for we never know what tomorrow holds…..love to each of you if your reading this……hugs

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T22:21:00.001-06:00

Steve and I got up and hit the ground cleaning, we cleaned everything, washed sheets, wiped down base boards and trim, waxed hardwoods after cleaning them, vacuumed the furniture, cleaned kitchen, stove, fridge, just did it all, everything is spotless…….I always think when I see a little hand print and I wipe it up or Windex the glass, can’t wait for them to come back and make new hand prints Then got my bath and fixed Suppa Toscana, my friend gave me the recipe, April came over when Kay picked up mother for the Smith Christmas. We ate, the soup had too much red pepper. But we ate some and had salad and bread, tea….it was good and we enjoyed our time with April. We then opened presents we had a sweet family time, it is hard to believe, but April will be 21 the 29th.! April has been God’s gift to Steve and I, she is as sweet as she is pretty.

This year we did things different for Christmas for us, we went to Louisiana Dec. 3rd, then had the Averitt ( Steve’s brother and sisters and kids ) on the 10th, then Steve had surgery on the 12th., we had our Children Christmas on the 23rd., kept it with just us, called my brother today to wish him Merry Christmas and had told Kay my sister Merry Christmas, we had a house full, then today had just April here, with the house back in order and some hot soup but have had a wonderful family fun filled Christmas! One thing we did that I have never done is go to the Christmas Eve Service at Journey Church, where we go, my son Alex is the Pastor. it was such a blessing to began Dec. 25th with songs of worship……just a blessing! I did have to take a nap to stay up that late and went in my flannel PJ’s and house shoes, but wore my new coat Its has been a blessed week, mother is home form the Smith’s Christmas and wore out, already in bed. I think this will be the last year we can haul her around to all the Christmas gatherings, she loves them but it totally wears her out and her gait is not what it was, I am wondering if she will not need a cane for support soon All the Christmas goodies have her tummy messed up, plus the strong antibiotic so say a prayer for her please. I pray over her home and as we go to sleep over her mind, I pray God will slow this disease down so I can have her with me longer, know it is selfish but that is how I pray. Mother is happy and loves doing things, she is just getting weaker in her legs and back. I have to remind my self to live in her world not her in my world. I love her so much and love the time I am having with her, I will always treasure the moments when she is normal and we talk, that are far and very few between, the other night she had gone to the bath room, got back in the bed and reach over and kissed my cheek twice and said, I love you Linda Nite Nite……like when I was at home Its been a good day!

We have always taken the week after Christmas for vacation, last year we went to Branson, but like I said we changed some things this year, with Steve having surgery we decided to just stay home, we may go to the condo or visit Hannah if Steve feels like it, if not I am still enjoying my tree my clean house and my hubby……I love having my time with him, he is my sweetie! So for tonight it is staying here, working and having more family time Would still love to see my BFF Ann and Derol May they live in Hot Springs so we will go see them for sure Love the Holiday’s to see so many I never get to see. I have enjoyed every minute of this time, did shopping in October when I closed a big deal, first time ever having it all done that soon, to my disadvantage I did give Olivia and Blake their presents early, I could not wait, that is why I do not buy early!

Nite Nite……kisses

Christmas Week

2011-12-24T19:58:00.001-06:00

week has been so much fun, the first of the week I had spent the night with Sherry Maxwell my BFF she is such a important part of my life, I love her, she is someone I can tell anything too and she still loves me, she knows me inside and out, and she keeps it to her self Hard to find! I am blessed with her sister ship! Then Wednesday had a special lunch at the Victorian Tea room with my other friends, Sherry was there but she was taking this pic this is Pam Richey, Edwanda Ware, Dinah Lawson, we use to go to the Casino together about once every four months, have for years, always a group deal with Ed telling us when to eat, when to get up and what to do Dinah is our baby, she just turned 50 this year, we totally cater to her Ed is ready for a trip, but we said it will be awhile, she is 79 years old, so she said do not wait too long I love these women, they are a special blessing in my life, all very different, Pam gave me this neat cross made with beads, so pretty will take a pic and post it Then went to Mothers Tuesday at four, she was very irritated, she had had a hard weekend, I realized it could be the steroids the Dr. gave her for her Bronchitis , so I called her Alzheimer's Dr., he said it was and we added some zanax and it helped, that with a lot of prayers! Thursday I listed a home and showed property, I spent the night with mother, a little better night but she was still confused, Hannah and Mark came Wednesday night, I was so excited, loved seeing those babies, been Thanksgiving since I had seen them! I loved this throw they got me for Christmas, have it on me now, just smiled at looking at Blake smiling so big!! It was difficult juggling mother, work and company but it all worked out. Connie mother’s caregiver brought her over Friday and we had a wonderful family time for Christmas we ate, sang Christmas carols had gift exchange. Mother and I went back to her house for the night, her home was so pretty, we had the best time talking. We enjoyed the fire and the Walton’s Christmas was on, we sang Christmas Carols, special special memories for me. Got to bed and talked some more, then up at 7:30 which is early for mother, by the time the care giver got there, mother had her shower and ate breakfast, I had cleaned the house got the sheets in the wash, Saturday is our sheet washing day. Got home and had Christmas with Sean, Anna and Cole, Sean is getting a divorce in which I am sad about, but all I can do is pray, keep him in your prayers, this is a very painful time for him, he sure loves his babies, he is a wonderful father. After they left Steve and I went to eat at Our Back been a long time since I had been there, had a gift card, it was delicious had lobster cooked perfect! Then came home and went to bed, had my electric blanket on and just cuddled in for a long winter nap! I had wanted to take mother and April to dinner and look at lights, which mother and I did that when her sister Connie was here, but I was just too tired to wiggle, so it’s a quiet Christmas Eve with Mr. Steve, we woke up and in our PJ’s watching NCIS. We do plan on going to the 11:30 Christmas Eve service at church tonight, will be the first time for us to do that, hope we can stay awake, then tomorrow April will have her family Christmas with us!! April has always been a delight in our life, it is hard to believe she is almost 21 years old! She is so beautiful, inside and out! I have had a fun, family filled Christmas, loved baking and making chocolate cover pretzels had a shoe display A slight spill of popcorn, that turned into a play in the popcorn! Hannah said had that been when they were little someone would have been in trouble, and I let the Grand babies play in it, although they did help clean it up. I am grateful for all my babies and all my family, friends I am blessed! I hope you take time to have great family time and make some new traditions! Merry Christmas!

Tired but fulfilled!

2011-12-16T20:03:00.001-06:00

All id going well at my home, Steve is doing great and the house is all Christmas, I love, love, love this time of year, the Christmas music brings peace, I love singing about the Lord. I have shown property this week, listed some and closed a loan Been with mother, last night she was having difficulty breathing and coughing so much, I thought at one time I may take her to ER because she could not get her breath, I did the Sprivia breather deal and it helped, but today took her to Dr., she has no fever and does not feel bad so I knew she was ok, but her breathing worried me. I love this pic of us, we were at Clay’s wedding. The Dr. gave her a breathing treatment in his office, put her on antibiotic and inhaler for immediate relief and steroids to dry up her cough. So its at home in the house for her for a week, she has not smoked in almost a month! She does not feel bad but has labored breathing when she does any activity, hope she sleeps tonight last night she did not get much sleep. We ate Catfish for supper and she ate and ate, she eats good! Weighs 130, I am so thankful, remember when she weighed 84 pds.?? skin and bones, so grateful for her weight

Tomorrow have a slower day, will be home and miss Amelia will come and spend the night with me. Be watching the news paper Jared’s promotion will be in it, he is now the General Mgr. of the company he works for, so proud of him!! my boys, so proud of them all! Well watching the Walton’s with mother, so blog more tomorrow….hugs nite

Jealousy

2011-12-11T07:49:00.001-06:00

I awoke this morning with so much on my heart, so I got alone with the Lord, it was so sweet, I read where God is Jealous for ME!!! I love knowing that our God is Jealous for us, He wants us to be quiet before Him and just being HIS presence. I love my quiet times with the Lord. I decided to do some study this morning on the word Jealous. Its interesting, He is Jealous for us, not Jealous of us. BIG difference. The bible says who can stand in the midst of Jealousy, which from experience I have found that when someone is jealous in their heart of you, you will never measure up to their expectations. With the Lord He is jealous for you, you have meet all His expectations, for one, He knows all about you, He made you! The Bible states, He formed you in your mother’s womb! The next wonderful thing He did not leave us to carry the baggage of our life, in saying that, I mean in my childhood there was turmoil, good times, bad times, all of us pick up hurts and the way we react and respond, as we grow older we learn habit patterns of ways to cope, some good and some bad God in His mercy made a provision for us to receive total forgiveness and mercy and be the very being He created! I have struggled with jealousy, when I see a tall thin person, I think why could I not of been born like that, or have friends who have the best of the best, or being the number one person in real estate, all kind of things to be jealous of. When Jared had cancer it totally changed me inside and out, I realized what was important to me, its not the big houses, cars, money, skinny, etc.. I saw how quickly life can be taken…..when Cameron was tragically taken at the age of five…it changed me, I saw how quickly life can be taken……when Wyatt did not live, my first Grandson, I saw how fragile life is. So I can honestly say I do not struggle with Jealousy of things, but I do have Jealous for loved ones, so I have a tad bit of understanding how God feels when He is Jealous over me and you. I am Jealous over my family, I love, love, love them, I love being with each of them, I love my Grandbabies, enjoy and Jealous over each of them. I have been so blessed with a wonderful husband and marriage, not that we did not struggle though it at times to stayed married, but I am Jealous over Steve, not of Steve The trails we have had as a family have brought us closer to each other, and for that I am thankful. Next time you feel jealous of something, or someone, they may have the family you wish you had, someone may have the job you want, someone may sing better then you do, etc., remember the Bible states no one can stand in the midst of jealousy, so settle it in your self and love you just like you are, you were made in secret by the Lord in your mother’s womb, no mistakes in your being, God made you! God is Jealous over you. Look in your own life and see who you are jealous over or of, if it is of, then let it go, it will drive people away from you when you are a jealous person. Thank the Lord for what ever or who ever you are jealous of and ask Him to help you love what He has given you! Hugs

Surprise Company!

2011-12-09T20:34:00.001-06:00

We got home and Connie called and said she was coming to Little Rock on Tuesday, she has a dear friend Larry who was a business partner with Jack, his back was in bad shape and she wanted him to come and let Darrell work on it, Darrell is amazing at what he can do to help backs, but totally unbelievable at what he can do to help frozen shoulders and rotor cuff problems, Connie could not even move her arm hardly and once she came and had to go to dr to get cortisone shot, then Darrell was working on me and told me he could fix it, so Connie came and went, and yes he fixed it! No surgery for her! Amazing! SO she and Larry got here Tuesday, we all went to Benihani's, a Japanese steak house, it was awesome, mother loved it, they put on a show as they cook for you:) Kay was going but did not feel well, so it was just mother, Steve and I and Connie and Larry. Then Thursday we ate at Larry's pizza so Connie could have some Chocolate peanut butter pizza!! Then I made Veggie beef soup and had chocolate fudge cake and corn bread for their dinner Thursday night.
We had our company Christmas party, we went to Gaucho's which is Brazilian Restaurant and OH MY WORD, so much food, all kinds of meats! We had such a good time! On Tuesday we had our office party, we party all the time

I just was sad I had to leave Connie and Larry, but they stayed with mother for me, and Connie loved that! Larry stayed at the new Best Western here in Sherwood, he said it was real nice, tried to get him to stay at my house, but he felt more comfortable in a hotel:(( Mother was totally excited to see Connie! We had a great visit and fun time, I will miss them! Today I worked and got caught up on things, got a new listing in Sherwood and showing property Sunday!! Saturday is our Averitt Christmas with Steve's brother and sisters, looking forward to seeing everyone! I will post pics!! Tonight I have Jared and Jenn's girls, Steve went and got a cheese pizza, then bath time and watching Lion King Movie, they have all fallen asleep:) totally enjoyed tonight, one night next week Amelia spend the night:)
well best get back to the movie...hugs and nite

Wild and Wonderful!

2011-12-04T10:10:00.001-06:00

We left last Tuesday night to go see Mama and Connie in Baton Rouge, mother’s care giver was off to go somewhere and we decided to just take a road trip! We then decided to leave Tuesday night, went to Vicksburg and spent the night, Mother loves casino’s, we stayed at Diamond Jacks, we got a wheel chair and took her to play, she played twenty dollars and we went to the room, got out PJ’s on and she said are we ready, I said for what, she said to go play, I said we have on our PJ’s, she said that would be ok to wear, they are warm and look nice she was not finished playing needless to say we went to bed, got up and drove on to Baton Rouge, the drive was so nice and peaceful, beautiful drive! When mother saw Mama she said she did not know she was going to see her and was so happy!Connie went all out made a huge pot of Gumbo and a homemade Coconut cake Chocolate pie too! They took us to a place to eat that had Turtle soup mother and I ate it, it was real good! We both like it. Mother quit smoking during this time, I am so grateful!! I know it will help her to feel better and for sure breath better!! We had a fun fun fun time, went and saw Mike the LSU Tiger, who did put a hurt on the Hogs, but I wore my Razorback shirt proudly so thankful we went, mother loved every minute of our visit! So did Steve and I! Well best get off here and get to Journey Church!! hugs! If you can come with me!! http://www.discoverjourneychurch.com/

Loving Christmas!

2011-11-26T23:35:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite times of the year is December, except for the cold and wet days which is today! Friday we decided to chill and watch the Hogs play, so we got up early today before the rain and Steve brought all my Christmas décor in, I went to get Jared to help him carry it in, love having them next door, will for sure miss that if we ever change it. Jenn was in her room not feeling well and the girls were watching a movie with daddy in their pj’s, so I said girls can you come and help me? they of course said YES!! Jared let them come bare foot and all, Jenn would have had shoes on them we had fun, Laila was missing her daddy and the movie so they went back to finish their movie, after helping me unpack it all. Steve and I finished it, really love Christmas music and the glow Christmas gives my home. The boxes have Christmas gifts for me to wrap, have to do that tomorrow

Thanksgiving was a very peaceful wonderful day with my children and grand children and mother, we ate and ate and ate Kay came and got mother and they all went to the Smith’s Thanksgiving, when mother came back I spent the night with her, she is too funny, she should have been exhausted, I was, but no she lay in bed and said are you sleepy? I said yes, she said well I some times talk before I go to sleep, I said are you sleepy? she said no but I am trying to be I said well lets talk! So we did….a sweet memory for me. I enjoy sleeping with her, she likes someone to sleep with her, she will look over to make sure your still there, to me I am not sure I would like that, because she may not know who we are, so that would bug me, as soon as I see her awake I say, hey mother, so she will know she is safe April and Kay are the only people who sleep with her, so she may know us sometime and then she may not but she knows we love her and she is safe with us.

Today I listed a home in Conway, it is on five acres and has a pond, it would be perfect for Hannah if they lived here. It felt good to work, of course it was raining and I am thankful I had Steve with me, he did the out side things you do when you list a home. Things are much brighter for me, I am finding peace in the midst of my storm, and for that I am very Thankful!

Mother’s care giver is off next week so I and mother and Steve are going to Louisiana to visit Connie and Mama and the family there, it will be short trip, we will be home Saturday, I have not been since Jack past away, Connie’s husband and really want to go and be with them during the Holiday’s too, His birthday is this Monday and their first Thanksgiving without him, makes it a bitter sweet time.

Did I tell you I got a offer on one of my listings Thanksgiving day???? YEA!!! Very Thankful! Well best get to bed, have Journey Church in am and then have work, work, work till I leave on Wednesday…..not complaining, answered prayers hugs and nite

Thankful!

2011-11-23T19:56:00.001-06:00

I have put daily on Facebook what I am Thankful for this month, some days I have not felt Thankful, then I would have a hard time thinking of something, after I would refocus my thoughts I could think of many things I am going through some hard times for me emotionally right now, just trying to keep one foot in front of the other, it is getting better for me. I have been slow at work, my job is not a job you can do by just showing up physically you have to show up mentally, to be in sales, so with that said it has been hard at work for me. What does someone do when they have things going on in their life that cause them pain emotionally, and physically? Here is what I do, I look at what is going on and why? I ask my self, is it worth working thorough, then if it is, I began to see what ever it is from the other person’s point of view, then ask my self, am I the one with the problem or is it them? If it is me, I make it right, if it is them I back away and give God time to make it right, there is nothing I can do to change someone or make them like or understand me, I have finally realized that in my life, and the group I do has helped me so much with this. Coming form a abusive childhood I have become a peace maker at what ever the cost, I am and have learned not to react to abusive people, it may be just abuse from the way they speak to you, or the things they say about you to others and it gets back to you, what do you do? I for one do not think some people know they are being abusive, I am sure I have with out knowing it, but when I do I make it right. When I say is it worth working through, I learned form Dr. Stevens that sometimes its not worth using my mental energy in that area, that it is not worth it and I let it go. My most important relationship is with the Lord and He is who I want to please with my life. I keep a daily journal and each day examine my day before the Lord, of course I am usually asking forgiveness for something but then if I did not need that, I would not need Jesus. This is one of the reasons I have not blogged, I was taught if you did not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all, so I have taken a break I do think I have a better mental attitude and for that I am Thankful! Today at work we had our annual Th anksgiving Lunch for people we do business with, it was fun! My office, I love it!! I have two desk in it, Steve works at this one When I got home got my Averitt girls to come over and play with the McGill’s Then some of the Haley’s came over so a fun filled afternoon with Grandbabies and I loved it, just what the Doctor ordered! I am preparing the dressing and roasting the Turkey for tomorrow, Alicia and her family, Sean and the McGill's and April and mother are coming over, then Kay is picking mother up to go to the Smith’s, so a full day for mother, she will love it! Alex and Jared go to their in laws this year, I will miss them, it will be just a small group for me, I am ready to eat and chill for the day, then I will spend the night with mother and everyone will go home. Steve and I will then put up Thanksgiving and decorate for Christmas, can’t wait!! I love Christmas! Already have gifts bought for everyone, so will wrap them and put them under the tree, glad I did it early this year. I will post pics of tree once I get it up. I am Thankful that I am making it day by day and looking forward to a new year, praying the Real Estate market is easier to get loans done, hoping Mother’s home sales, it will be much easier for me and mother. Mother is really having sundowners and it is much worse, it is hard for her to express any thought she may have at night, she gets real confused in the evenings, it is physically and mentally exhausting being a care giver, but for sure hard when it is your mother Keep us in your prayers. One other thing, Steve is having surgery the first week of December, not a huge deal but still surgery, which I am sure he is not looking forward to, we will just be chilling at home for the month of December, but what a better time to do it, with all the Christmas decorations! The Averitt Christmas is here Dec. 10th, this is Steve’s family then our family Christmas is Dec. 23rd with my children, so I will have it all ready. Did I say I love Christmas??? Someone said to me today, Bah Humbug on Christmas, said it is too commercialized, I said it does not have to be! So enjoy the month of December, do not get caught up in the stress of things that are not important Hope all is well with you and your household and glad I am coming out of the valley! I have so much in my life to be Thankful for and Thankful I realize it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terrific Tuesday

2011-11-14T23:05:00.001-06:00

Ok so Tuesday will be storms and raining here, and of course we have sales meeting and do property tour on Tuesdays, we go no matter what, so planning on a rainy Tuesday but will not let it get me down:) I worked on my big Commercial deal today, it will not close on time but still looks good. Commercial deals take longer, why I do more residential, I like quicker results, but Commercial will pay much much more:) so when ever it closes it will be a blessing. I am still in slow motion, about not able to stand it, need to be busier in real estate. I do not remember when it has been this slow for me, so pray pray pray it picks up:)
I am looking forward to Hannah and the McGill's coming for four days, I have not seen baby Luke in a month and I do not like going that long without seeing all of them. I am having to grow up and let them go, and its hard for me:( That is more true then joking:(
Things here are good, getting my home in order, not for sure when mother will move in, right now her home has not had any showings, I have-not got any calls, so I am just keeping that before the Lord in prayer and feel when it is His timing it will sell and we all will be ready for the change. I am thinking on a road trip with mother the end of the month, care giver is out of town and if I can I may just take her some where, she loves to go, maybe see her relatives or to the condo, not sure what, but if the weather is nice we will for sure do something fun:)
I have several things that have made my heart heavy, nothing I can really share but it is a struggle for me right now in several areas of my life, I am at peace, but still would like resolve in them. I think God is calming me in the midst of the Storm:) Never have liked Storms........
Alex had such a blessing of a sermon Sunday, he is preaching a series on God our Redeemer!! It was so encouraging, he then preached that night at another church, he is friends with Pastor Marvin Barham, it was such a terrific time, God's presence was so strong, I just soaked it up. Well have a full day tomorrow, then have step study tomorrow night, it will be over Dec. 13th, I will for sure miss those ladies. yet I am ready to have Tuesday nights at home, I am so contradictive of my self, I want to be busy and I want to be home or at mother's....go figure:) hugs and nite

Changes

2011-11-09T18:30:00.001-06:00

A lot of changes for me some I do not like and some I am getting use to, and some I love! First change, I am going to mother’s four nights a week, I have enjoyed it so far, we have played games, laughed till we cried playing Ginga, a block stacking game. When we get in bed she sometimes is restless, we talk then she falls asleep, one night she just could not get settled down, finally she did and was asleep, I was dreaming and called out MOTHER! She sat up and said what? then I woke up and realized I was talking out loud. Poor mother, I laughed and so did she! Then Steve is working with me a lot more, he is trying to take up the slack for me, with me at Mother’s more, I need my business to go on as usual actually I need it to pick up. I have so many listings but things are just slow selling, so pray with me for sales. The change I do not like is I have gained about 12-15 pounds and I do not like that. I have not watched what I have been eating and got back into old eating habits, things have been stressful and I fell back to eating out of stress, I do understand the defination of insanity, if I keep on doing the same thing, I will get the same results, so my behavior has to change, and it is so hard to change it back, BUT I am determined to do that! So pray for me in that area too! Another area of change is the evenings, they are quiet and uneventful, my life feels like it is in slow motion right now, I am use to a fast pace so it is hard for me to go at a slow speed, even in the evenings Time is flying by, I can not believe it is Thanksgiving in a few days! We are just having a day with Alicia and her family, a lot of my children will be at their spouse’s family this year, so it will be a nice family day with good food.

My car is in the shop, it has a leak that my extended warranty will not cover, but it does cover my seat motor not working right….go figure.

Tomorrow is the day my father past away in 1973, seems so long ago, he was 59 when he past away so he would have been 97 years old! Wow! Mother is 79 years old. My father was hurt in a construction accident on Arkansas Valley Drive and Rodney Parham, where Shorty Small’s is. It was on his birthday, he had a construction company. Both of Steve’s parents past young, so my children have mother on my side of the family as “Mimi” , I think that is why I love being A Nana and Steve loves being Daddygrand, I want to have a active role in my grand babies life’s, and that can be hard because I have 14 with one on the way not sure what life would be like with out all my babies.

I am itching to get Christmas out already, I played Christmas music today with mother, she loved it, and so did I, but I have fall out right now, but Christmas is only a few days away from peaking out at my house. I will post pics when it comes out. Well best go and watch the wheel with mother…..hugs and nite

Memory Makin Day:)

2011-10-31T21:58:00.001-05:00

What a fun filled day, I was at mother’s and we slept late, very rare for me. Mother and I then went to Jennifer Averitt’s to babysit, mother just loved it, Laila was sleepy so she just let mother cuddle her and hold her. Mika was asleep most of the time, but when she woke she was excited to see us, she went right to mother and gave her a big kiss, made mother’s day, she loves it when she realizes they know who she is and say her name. MIMIThen tonight was our Journey Church first annual Harvest Fest, it was so much fun, we had a great turn out and fun time. It actually helped us to get to know each other and pull us all together as a church, we are close anyway, but it gave us much more time together, this has been a great memory making day!! Amelia and Mika dressed so cute! All the children were so cute I have Sales meeting tomorrow, property tour, then show property, then ladies group so another full day. It should be pretty weather just as today, so another beautiful day! I had a weekend of mental rest, after such a stressful end of last week, I feel mentality ready to face the challenges of being a Daughter of a mother with Alzheimer's, Wife, Nana, Mother, Friend, Sister, Aunt, Realtor, what ever I need to be sometimes we just have to take the time to refuel, destress, thankfully my BFF realized what I needed We all have many hats to wear in our life, that is what makes us who we are Keep my dear friend’s Gene Beasley in your prayers, not sure you remember but he broke his hip, he is 90, I have known them all my life, mother and Luella have been BFF for over 50 years. He did well, then fell again and now has staff infection, not looking to good for him, Luella his wife just sat by his bed and cried and cried, she knows he may not come home, death is such a hard thing, I have thought a lot about it lately. You work all your life and then one day your called home and you may have never even taken the time to do the things you want in life. I hope I will never be like that, always take time for memory days, and never think you can not afford family vacations, it makes the memories that will last after your long gone, there is no price you can put on that. I have gone on vacations that I know we did not have the money to do but we did anyway, I have done family times that I really did not have energy to do, but did them for memory times, it means so much to me to know my grandbabies will remember fun times with me, or my children have memories they will always have, there is no price you can place on memory days! Well, so much for all my thoughts hugs and nite!

Bitter Sweet, Excited yet Nervous

2011-10-25T22:04:00.001-05:00

My life will be changing, I am excited about it but yet nervous somewhat in case I do not realize what I am doing. Mother has been wanting to have Kay or I around her more, she said the other day when Connie was there and I was leaving,” who was going to care for her?” I said Connie will be here, she said but I do not know Connie, of course Connie has been working with her as a care giver for over a year, I said, mother I will be back tomorrow, she said, well I guess who ever is here, I will just ask them to please watch out for me I just wish I was with someone I knew. So many changes in mother, today she ask Steve to come home with him, he told her she would be soon and she said she wanted to live with us, now keep in mind mother will not remember this within minutes, but it is shouting at me, I have to do something, she is just not feeling safe and secure any more. I am not sure she will feel that in living with us, but I can only go on the fact she knows us, may not understand I am her daughter all the time but she knows she is safe and cared for. My home is totally different form hers, mother has always been a perfectionist in her home, I am not it is straight but lived in, I have a cat and dog, I try to keep a clean home but it is not spotless, so mother and her care giver will have to adapt, it will be harder for the care give who will come during the day, she is real germ conscience not sure how she will like the dog and cat, the cat is outside most of the time but the little Cali dog is 18 yrs. old and a mini dashound, moody in her old age I just am not sure how much my life will change with mother living here, I have been told not to do that till the last resort, but if I wait till last resort mother will not even know me, and its now she is scared and needing me. So in saying all that, I want her here but do not want to give up my alone time with Steve, I am excited for her to live here, but anxious she will not like it, I have her home for sale, the month of Nov. I am just praying I am making the right decision and that this will help mother feel safe and happy, also stimulate her mind more, maybe slow down her disease. Mother does well with activity and she enjoys going places, so with all that said, please be in prayer for this time for her and all of us. I thought I would wait till her house sales before moving her, be there at nights, have Connie 9-4 daily, except for the days Kay or April is helping. It is so hard to know your making correct decisions and the best, I second guess my self all the time. I thought the other day that apparently Walt and Mother knew I could do this or they would not have left me in charge, which is a real burden to carry, I just know I cannot stand to see her cry or not want me to leave her, so I hope this is the right thing.

I listed two good homes today and showed property, I am still working on getting my apt deal closed, which is major Business is slower right now, so a good time for me to have time with mother, plus with care givers I can still work, in which I have to do and want to do. I actually love selling Real Estate, I could just pour my self in work if not careful. Hannah is moving this week, Regina her M-I-L is helping them and April is going Saturday till Tuesday, I am actually not helping, and it is so hard form me, but will be with mother all weekend so April can go help Hannah. Our church is doing a Harvest fest Monday night so Sunday after church we will set up for that, like I say not sure how all this will work but ready to try Kay has not felt well, she will see her heart Dr. tomorrow, she has had weak spells, so pray for her, Jill’s daddy JL has done well with his five bypass open heart surgery, he is already home, keep them in your prayers. Have a lot of paper work to do for work so will call it a night. Hugs and night

He will quiet you with His Love!

2011-10-22T10:27:00.001-05:00

This was our church bulletin last week and it has meant to much to me, so many times in this past week I have prayed for God to just quiet me with His love. This probably has been one of the most trying weeks in a long time. I started the week tired from my high school reunion, which as I said was a wonderful time! So many life changing things have gone on, JL Weaver had his open heart surgery and has done well, had a scare when his kidneys not working, but he is better now. Had two funerals, another friend close to death. Steve and I decided since we are older more of our friends are older too and having health problems and some have started passing away, when your in your 40’s this does not happen much, but in the 60’s they do, not sure I was ready for that one. I have had some personal issues that this scripture has been life to me this week, I have been angry, hurt, depressed, wanted to defend my self, wanted to help my children with what they are going through but couldn’t, I prayed for God to quiet my soul with His love and I was able to keep my mouth shut. Prayed this for my family too. To think, He is singing over me blows me away, I love singing and love to be sang to, but to even imagine GOD singing over me just totally blesses me. It takes me being still and listening to His sweet voice and take in His love that quiets my soul, reminds me I am his child and He loves me. When things on earth look dim, scripture says look full into His wonderful face! There are so many things going on right now with me that I do not have the freedom to share since it does not just involve me, but I am hanging onto this scriptures for me and my family Knowing God is faithful to complete the good work He has started in us all!

Thursday we took Olivia back to Van Buren, spent the night, loved seeing Max, Luke and Blake, Hannah and Mark Hannah is moving so we looked at the home she is moving too, ugh…I would dread packing with four babies, but have done it before my self, its not easy but you do what you have to do. Then Steve and I just drove and drove and looked at the countryside, trees, lakes, farms, then ended up at the condo, ate at Stringzbeans, which was so so good, they grow all the veggies!!! You just have to eat there to know how good it is! It’s a quiet and beautiful day and I am resting and listening for God to sing over me and quiet me with His love!!! hugs and hope you can hear Him sing over you too and quiet you with His love!

whew a full week

2011-10-19T20:20:00.001-05:00

Update on Jill's daddy, he made it through his surgery ok, so keep him in your prayers he is in ICU, Amelia is here and being her sweet self. I was so amazed at her today, we were watching blue's clues, he said can you see the otter?? do you know where the otter is?? Amelia said, YES, right there! and pointed to it. I could not believe at two that she can watch TV and totally know what is being said and answer it, but she can... we have to be very careful what we let our children watch! Tomorrow Olivia will go back to Van Buren, Hannah has had all week with boys in school Luke being home, its not often she gets alone time with Luke:) They have found a home there and will probably make a offer. I am just thankful Mark still has a job with the Post Office:) so are they. I do feel better, had a great sales meeting Tuesday and property tour, even in the cold rain:) Worked today, Jenn helped with Amelia and Olivia was in school:) Then my sweet Jenn made dinner for us all, it really helped. I did get all paper worked signed on the apt. deal, now pray it closes:) will fro sure be bathed in prayer and a answered prayer. Not sue what the weekend holds, but I know it will be beautiful weather! Race for the Cure is this Saturday:) planning on doing the walk::) Looking forward to listings and sells this next week!!

blog???? what is that??

2011-10-18T05:45:00.001-05:00

I for sure have-not got any better at making time to blog! Not even sure where my last blog left off. So much has happened. work is slow for me, I need it to pick up, like right now I had a physical last week and my Dr. sent me to heart Dr. for stress test and echo of heart, who the heart Dr. had me do a heath catch for some irregularities, He was concerned with family history but not alarmed, so I did the heart cath a week ago last Monday, they were able to go through the vein in the wrist which by the way still hurts me It was not a bad test just scary for me, all looked good, have a little narrowing but can be treated with meds. It has taken me longer to get over the test then I ever thought, so its been a hard week for me. One reason I did not blog, could not type. Hannah and Mark came wed. night for the night, Mark had MRI and has a ruptured disc in his neck and pinched nerve Luke is doing great, Olivia stayed here with us, she is in mother’s day out this week then will go home. I had a wonderful forty year reunion this week end.This is a Jr. High friend, she live in the Methodist children’s home and she would spend some holiday’s with us and nights, I have not seen her since school;( Our reunion was such a sweet time and we all had church together on Sunday, our class mate Mike Pounders is a preacher he had such a sweet and to the point good message Mother has had a difficult week just being settled, been over there a lot this week, then Monday we did all her yard and cleaned, got her house ready for fall. It is on the market and I need it sold, it is totally to hard for me to keep up both places I will not move her until it is sold, but she is excited to live with me, when she remembers, most of the time this week she did not know me, so that has been depressing! My friend’s mother passed away with Alzhemier's so it hit home real close in being involved with her during her mother’s death. I just want to enjoy the time I have with mother. when she moves we will miss this deck. I just love it, if I close my Apt. deal I am building us one here! So pray it all comes together and will close. That would be major! Jill’s daddy, JL Weaver is having open heart surgery this Wed, am, it is a five by pass surgery so keep him in your prayers, Amelia will come today and spend the night, she is almost two years old, Olivia will enjoy playing with her, then I will meet Jill near Jonesboro where har daddy is having surgery, they will stay in a house there during this time, which he is sick. So many prayer needs, Jill’s sister’s father in law just found out he has aggressive cancer and need a miracle, so pray for him, his name is Mr. Billison, not sure his first name. Thank the Lord we have a healing God!! A scripture this week on our church bulletin said, God quiets you with his love, and I loved, loved that, I need to be quieted with his love, just let all the worries and cares fall into his arms of love as he holds me and quiets me. I told Steve, I felt as if I was losing it some times, but then thought not sure how far I got to go to lose it, I may already have;0 might not be too far away place for me. I do know I need to slow down and stop making any commitments for awhile, other then work and mother, that is a full time job Took mother to Cracker Barrel for dinner Sunday, it was so much fun, she loves looking in that store!! the food was good….and we did not even do desert. I have got to get on track with my eating, I gained nine pounds when I was in hospital for the heart cath, all the fluids! So I am am making a commitment to get back on my walking schedule since it is cooler and getting this fluid off, most is gone but my legs and ankles still have some, think it is what I am eating now….ugh….the price we pay to try to stay healthy! It is a life style change for sure and when you change back you get the old results!! Well best go and get ready for my day, glad I got up early and had time to chat. Love and hugs

A no pic post, but smiley faces!

2011-10-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Have had a good week, this Monday should start out better then last Monday, I sure hope Last week was busy with work, and very busy with mother, she is doing the same just had some needs this week that took time I think it was Wednesday that Steve and I went to where Sean is camping and hunting when he is not working, it was very pretty, its in the wild life area, has a lake and is a wooded quiet area, only forty five minutes away, but it for sure a man thing, unless you like bugs, maybe snakes, critters. Steve went down Friday and got a deer on Saturday, Steve is back there tonight so I am home, I have enjoyed my time, miss him though when I talk to him, Sean had cooked potatoes and deer meat two peas in a camper I have a busy week this week, tomorrow have a new agent I hired to train, then to list a home at 10am, then work on my Apt. deal, hoping to get it all lined out, get a loan ready to close, but I need more sells so please help me pray them in All is going good with my family, April has a job at Vision Express in LR and loves it, she still sits with mother on the week end, mother loves her being there. Hannah’s, Blake got in school there in Van Buren, Olivia is on the waiting list, Blake is so ready and needs the challenge it brings! Alex and Jared went to Dallas for the Hogs game, living high on the hog in one of the suites at Jerry’s Stadium. Mother has been so much more confused this week, I even check to make sure I had not messed up her meds, I have gone over every day, I hope it will be easier with her living here, tonight she was worried about her babies, she had thought Kay and I should be home by now this disease is the pits to say the least, then when we talked she just laughed about it, so she takes it all in stride and I am going to have to learn to do that, it does not get better Kay spends tomorrow night with her, Kay is finally well, mother will enjoy that. My emotions are up and down, still learning to cope with so many changes in mother and continue to try to work with a happy face, in sales people do not really care if your having a hard day, its all about them, to be honest I have found my self the same way esp. with waiters. Need to learn from myself on this one.

This weekend has been good for me, I did nothing for anyone, just rested, I really do feel much better, my fyrbo had flared up, so rest is what makes it go away. Best go get my tail to bed, its almost midnight, and I have a early day hugs and nite

Blah Monday

2011-09-26T21:21:00.001-05:00

Today has been a difficult day for me emotionally. I do not have them often, I normally deal with my self with the Lord in prayer. Today I had one of those days, had time reading and praying this am, then thought of making a pumpkin cake for mother, plus I love the smell. By the way the cake was a flop, its hard to cry and bake it has the consistently of pumpkin pie but it did smell good baking or should I say cooking. Had some work to do did that, went to store and then just sort of cried off and on the rest of the day. Talked to Steve, but I just needed someone to listen not fix it or tell me things about it, so that went over like a lead balloon, he tried, it was just me. My dear friend's daddy is in hospital and had broke his hip, he did good in surgery but had a bad night and day today, waiting on CT scan results, his name is Gene Beasley, my mother met Luella when Kay was little, so we all grew up together and have remained friends for over fifty years:) Then I had Susan Averitt and Cameron on my mind, Cameron is my niece's daughter who past away when she was five, then just had so many emotions, I have kept pushed down about mother come up, I am really struggling with her going down hill so fast, I have no ideal how I will do with her living with me, not sure I am ready but do not think I can keep doing what I do now either, so keep me, mother and Kay in your prayers, Kay is sick, she is fighting depression about mother too, and upset over Gene, but most of all she is sick with a cold/flu not sure what. So its just been one of those days, that the Lord reminded me that I had what I need for today and do not take thought of tomorrow for it is not here yet, when it is His grace will be here for it. I just do not like being so emotional, I do not cry a lot, but want to deal with my emotions, so have off and on all day:) Having faith tomorrow will be a better day Plus a more upbeat blog hugs and night

At the hospital and loving it:)

2011-09-20T00:09:00.003-05:00

Never thought I would like spending the night in a hospital, but tonight I have a special room mate he is feeling much better tonight, we hope to go home tomorrow. This is Luke, he is my youngest grandbaby, he will be five months old. I came tonight and could not wait to get here and hold and play with him I have held him most of the afternoon, he felt lousy when I first got here, cried when you moved him, the nurse tonight gave him some Tylenol and I can tell it helped Tomorrow the Dr. will be in and we will know the MRI results, they suspect he my have hydrocephalus, which is fluid on the brain, which will require surgery, so we are praying for a miracle As you know in my last post, I was not able to just come immediately, I guess I should say, had Hannah not been able to handle it, we would of come, but God was really faithful to her, and she had His peace SO I finished out my work commitments and came this afternoon, they have gone home.Hannah and Mark have not had probably more then two hours straight sleep since last Friday. She was exhausted and ready for some help, she would not leave the hospital, so I am glad she left with Mark and went home. As far as work, I have two new listings I got today I am working on a big apt. deal that would be my list and sell, Pray with me on that one, I need it to happen I am still planning on moving mother to my home in October, I have peace about it, as I said before it will be a major change for us all, but I know I need to do what is best for mother, and I think will be best for me I guess I use a lot of emotions when blogging. Steve had Blake and Olivia at the house, they came Sunday, and went to Mother’s Day out today and will for the week, then if all goes well, Hannah and Mark will be home and they will go back home the end of the week. So thankful we can help, I am so blessed to have a job I love and flexible hours, I can actually work from anywhere, matter of fact the nurse gave me her name and number to help her find a home here in FT. Smith, which I will refer her to a Realtor here, but be there to help her if she has any questions. Keep baby Luke in your prayers, praying for a normal MRI hugs and night

Heavy Heart

2011-09-17T22:00:00.001-05:00

It has been a hard day for me, I really miss Mama/ Roy and Connie. I worked Friday then came to Fairfield Bay hoping for a little down time, but being here has been busy, had open house on our condo and a condo I have listed here. Need them both sold:) My sister's son Clay and his wife Mary Lee had someone break in their home and rob them, which is such a feeling of vulnerability, and makes me mad that someone would do that.

Then Hannah called and Baby Luke is sick, he was admitted to hospital in Ft. Smith, they think he may have viral meningitis, and checking him for other things, so that worries me, he has a large head, so they are checking to make sure all is ok with that. Most our babies have big heads:) Than a little girl I have been praying for is near death at Children's Hospital, her name is Maddie, she has cancer:( with all that, I have just cried and prayed......I know God has all this, but it is real hard not to be with Hannah and her family and stay here and work:( April was going there today to babysit so Hannah and Mark could go to the Hogs game, so God had already made provisions for her some help, Hannah is calm and doing good, probably better then me:) but I have resolved that my place is here for now. I am coming home in the am and going to church, April is bringing Blake and Olivia home, so we will have them till Thursday, Hannah was to come Thursday to bring Luke for Dr. visit and Mark has Dr. visit, so hope they will all come then. I am checking to see if they can go to Mother’s Day out, they love it Max had met a friend and he will spend the night with him tomorrow night and go to school, Hannah has meet the parents and they live close to them:) That will help since Luke will be in hospital a few days. I have appointments on Monday, but can go there if need to after that:) Just needing some prayer time to refocus:) God is faithful to take care of us all:) hugs and night

MY,MY,MY

2011-09-14T09:37:00.002-05:00

I am not getting any better at blogging, seems worse Maybe things will slow down so I can take the time I like to, blog Work has been busy, matter of fact if you are wondering where to invest your money it is in Real Estate, you will get far more for your dollar! Especially in rentals, then put it with our Rental company and let them do all the work for you For real this is where I see many investor's taking advantage of this market.

Now back to my other life, Mama/Roy and Connie are here, I have spent as much time as I can with them, love them so much, Connie is hanging in there with the death of her husband, God has so taken care of Mama with Roy and Roy with Mama Mama meet Roy at a Drs. office waiting room He should have been a Simmons cause he just fits right in, they will be married four years this Thursday! Connie had a frozen shoulder form having a rotator cuff tear, now she can move her arm, she went to a guy here that knows how to fix it with one visit of therapy, he is a Mst. Massage Therapist and sports related injury, he is amazing Connie could not even lift the right arm above her chest, and look at her now! Mama and mother, mother loves having them here, mother is much worse with her Alzheimer's, I do plan on moving her in with Steve and I, it is just time to do that, not sure what all that entails for Steve and I but we know God will give us the grace we need, the hardest part is seeing your mother not be able to know what she wants to say, or not know where to go, in her own home to the bath room, or not even know she is in her own home, maybe being here will make it a little easier, it is hard keeping up with her household and ours. I have not worked it all out in my mind yet, may be like I tell my agents, this is something you have to do to learn how to do it and what to do, each day is different The kids have come by to visit and mother has enjoyed seeing them all, we went to church Sunday, Alex of course impressed the family he is a good speaker/preacher and his msg. was on the home April surprised us with her self then we all went to Red Lobster for lunch. Tonight Alex and Jill and Miss Amelia are coming for dinner then tomorrow Connie goes back for one more session with therapist and we go out to eat with Jimmy and Erma, maybe to a movie so see The Help. Have a lot on my plate right now, work is busy in which I like, and going have to rearrange my home, having a huge sale in October I have open house this Sunday in Fairfield Bay so will go there Friday after work, have Saturday to look at camp sites all around so I will know what I like in case I go camping I do think I will like it. Then work, work, work! Speaking of work and company I best go and get ready to do just that……hugs, I hope you have a blessed day!

Fun week

2011-09-06T14:06:00.001-05:00

Last week was a good week, had some offers and listings go well Mother is doing ok, I am so excited about mama and Connie coming this Saturday, I can not wait. We went to the lake for the Labor Day weekend, had the camper and camped out two nights then Hannah and Mark and their family stayed in it and we went to the condo we had a fun time, Sean and Anna came and The McGill’s, went out on lake and the kids tubed and rode the hot dog, just chilled I sure miss my McGill babies,not sure how I would cope if they all moved off far away On the camping deal, I am such a people person, always busy that it is hard for me to be still, now Steve can do this quiet well, he would love in the woods, but I really see from being in the quietness of the woods/lake how important it is to rest my mind, it is so clear now and not stressed. We will take mother camping I wished I had her this weekend, except I woke up Monday so sick with a Migraine and nausea real bad, stayed yucky all am but felt better in the afternoon but weak form headache, not had that in a while. I have ladies group tonight and we are taking the Lord’s super as a group, should be a sweet time then more work Miss Amelia is spending the night with me too!! I cannot wait for that, exciting things going on at Journey Church right now, we will have a fall festival Oct. 31st.!! Well best go and get done what I have to do today…hugs and loving this cooler weather!

Great Tuesday!

2011-08-30T22:38:00.001-05:00

Today was to be a day for me to be in a Motivational Seminar, but with all the traffic and no parking, Steve and I did not go, we instead picked up some signs on the home I closed and we put some signs up on some listings, then had lunch with Alicia, got to get a grip on my eating then worked and Steve went with Alex to a Pastor’s meeting in Jonesboro, I went to my ladies group, which is going well, such a wonderful group of new friends, it has been life changing for us all, if you have never done a 12 step study, it is life changing, really helps you understand your self The good and the bad. Now home alone and have time to blog! All is good here, Jill has still had morning sickness and tired so keep her in your prayers, she is doing great with her pregnancy, just normal pregnant morning sickness. Working out when I can get Amelia and keep her over night so Jill can just rest, or what ever makes her happy This is a easier Tuesday then last week for sure, this time last week I about did not even know my name, so glad it is more settled!

Mother is doing good, she seems more settled, I am looking at her moving in with us by the end of the year, dread it for her, but in the long term I think it is the best decision for her. Some have said are you sure you can do that, my answer to that is you do what you have to do, I will still have a care giver during the day and when needed, but I do think mother will be happier, her mind will be stimulated more with more things to watch and do, but she will have her space to where she can get by her self and be quiet. She will see Dr. Bradley in December and I think Kay and I will talk to him about stopping the Namenda, not sure it is helping, seems Alzheimer's is just taking its course I and Steve have prayed this through and we know God will give us the grace and peace we need to be care givers, I am fortunate to have help when needed. I feel very blessed to have my mother still at Clay’s wedding, she is beautiful inside and out

Well guess I will go and get in the bed, been a good day!! Hugs and Nite

So hard to Blog:( where does my time go?

2011-08-28T23:27:00.001-05:00

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I love blogging, but I am out of the daily habit of blogging and it is hard for me to take the time to blog right now:(( Since my last blog, have sold some home's and closed on my big one:) Thank you for prayers, it was a battle that belonged to the Lord all the way to the end! I do not say that lightly, the home had a squatter in it, and attorney who was down on his luck and his family had moved into one half of it, keep in mind this is a Million Dollar home, the owner did not want them there, but her grandson let them move in, this attorney sent me the longest, ugliest, unloved letter, even bet his paycheck I have never opened a Bible:) You will be proud of me, I chose not to respond, but ask the Lord to defend me, he even gave me deadlines to meet or he would not get out, believe me I thought who does he think he is????? but for once did not react to his demands or his demeanor, which was far from professional. I had pressure from everyone to act on what he said so the deal would close, but I knew I could not respond and I did not:) It felt good to just give it up and if God did it fine and if He did not then that was fine too, but I really could use the commission:) God came through, it did close:) I know I have never been called all what he called me, but I will continue to let God handle that:) The market has been real busy, I have closed over a Million in August, in which I needed. I am below my normal production this time of the year, way below, so keep praying. I had a few days with my girl friends, Old pic, Edwanda was not with us, I really enjoyed my time with them. Pam's husband was on a mission trip and Dinah took off work, Sherry was off, we just ate, did I say ate??? and laughed and talked, shared our hearts with each other, a great girl friend time:) Came home to a wonderful weekend,off I was relaxed, that helps, I am so high strung, when work is so busy it is hard for me to relax, people will never know how stressful Real estate can be, until you do it, thankfully I have Steve who can pick up my work so we never miss a beat. Sean had Anna and Cole ready to go to a Rodeo, Anna getting ready fro Deer season. Today I had the pleasure of having Children's Church at Journey, it was fun, Cole in his hat Watching Video on Queen Ester, Amelia and he baby we worshiped with a DVD of Kids Worship, it is neat how children express them self, so free! Then we ate lunch at Moe's, then went to swim, fun day, Sean and his family came and Sherry came, Alicia and her family had ball games, in which Steve went to one, I had Jared's girls so he and Jenn could go out on a date, Sean had taken Anna home by then so he and Cole and all the girls and I watched a movie:)
Mother is holding her on, Connie and Mama and Roy will come around the 9th:))) so excited to have them here again:) love seeing them so much. Keep Connie in your prayers with the loss of her husband Jack this has been a difficult time for her;(
Have so much work to do tomorrow, then Tuesday going to be in a Motivational Seminar that is here in Little Rock all day, work Wednesday and open house at Fairfield Bay on Friday, I should say condo:) Hannah and her family and Sean will be at condo for Labor Day, pray I sell the condo I have listed there:) SO a full, full week! hugs and nite

Vacation

2011-08-11T10:29:00.001-05:00

We left Thursday night with the McGill's and stopped in Southaven, Ms. and got Regina and came to PCB Florida, we go on a family trip every year, one day I pray all my babies and their babies will get to come too Alicia and her family and Alex and his family came Friday and Saturday. We have made some fun memories First was when I got up early, Hannah had gone to Wal-Mart and I was going out front to see out front and my toe hung on a frayed edge of the door mat, I fell and just had to sit there till she got back, first cried then thought well I guess I can spend this time praying my knee, my hands, forgot the sting of a fallcan’t show my hipwould you believe they never came and changed this out, knowing I had fallen on it! They said they had trimmed it the day before both edges are frayed real bad! we celebrated Steve’s Birthday, on the 6th. we have been to some neat places to eat Steve went on a fishing trip for his birthday with some of his boysthe Captain said with that catch, someone was living right, they all looked at Alex We had them packed and cut so we can bring them home Some good eating yesterday we rented platoons and went out snorkeling, it was to murky of water for me, but everyone had a great time and found many sea creatures:0 we ended the night with adult dinner out, at Pineapple Willy’s Marks’ beautiful mother Regina, my friend Had A beautiful sunset, which to me shows the beauty of God and the storms of this life, Sun always shines through dark times. My Aunt Connie, my mother's sister husband died in a tragic accident Tuesday night late, I was so over whelmed with what to do, I wanted to go to Louisiana but not sure how. We drove with two of Hannah’s children, she had two, so we can not leave without them and I could not do a funeral with them. The visitation is today and funeral is in the morning, in talking to Connie I knew she had family all around her and decided to stay here, but it is so hard, knowing what she is going through and me be here. Kay is in Arkansas and needs to be there for mother since I am out of state so she has been sick over it all, I have finally found me some peace on it, this helped days on the beach Mark and HannahBuilding a sand castleOliviabeach picnic, looks like the sea gulls swarmingMark and ReginaBaby Luke, loved it, not hot and cool breeze.beach days always end in the pool loving it and so thankful for my sweet family…….wish all was here with me

Roommates or married?

2011-08-02T07:24:00.001-05:00

This morning I awoke and felt I needed to read Ecc. 3, so I did. Steve and I will be married for forty years this next anniversary and we have been meeting with Pastor Marvin Barham to work on a defects in our marriage, now you would think after forty years you would have worked them out but, oh no, God keeps sharpening us with each other. I will always be working on my marriage to be the helpmate I am to be, it is so easy for me to be selfish, Steve makes it easy for me, he caters to me and when he doesn’t I do not understand why

In our marriage we have been though just about every road block for a marriage I can think of and have always worked it out, this morning the scripture spoke to me, Ecc. 3:12, “ though one maybe overpowered by another, two can withstand him. “

Now in our marriage at times it seems like were just good ole roommates and best friends, sometimes feels like we are on different highways, I am always looking for the road sign to make sure I am on the right road. I love Steve with all my heart and soul, but he can really drive me crazy at the same time. There are times I think, I just need to get away, we are together all the time, there are times he needs to get away from me:0 This scripture spoke so clear to me, when we are on different roads, or just roommates then we are not one. we will not with stand the darts of the enemy who is seeking to kill, steal and destroy marriages. As soon I/ you see this in your marriage, go back to you mate, pray together, be together intimately, make time for just you and your spouse so you can complete each other, pray over each other, SO you can withstand the fiery darts against your marriage! I wish I would of learned this at a younger age, but its today God showed it to me, I know I needed to hear it and wanted to share it with you. Love your self, forgive yourself, love your spouse and forgive your spouse, we all have fingers pointing back at us when we point them at someone……..Hope this gives you a fresh desire to pray for your spouse and be one with them in spirit and truth, because in marriage you are one, so walk in it.

Resting and recovering:)

2011-07-22T14:04:00.001-05:00

I had to hit the road running when I got home from Tenn., was tired but was so glad to see my grandbabies So once I had pushed my self to my limit, I decided to take a Linda Lou AVeriit day, actually several Need so down time and rest time and me time I am reading and praying about specific things going on in my life right now that I need God to do something about SO it’s a me and Jesus time. This am slept till 9am then got up laid at the pool, did water aerobics with some other ladies, then showered and read and ready for a nap:0 Tonight going out to eat, and then tomorrow more pool time and prayer time and rest time then home again, home again. I have to have my time so I can refuel When I went to mother’s Friday she seemed so sad, she brightened up, we sang about the little brown church in the woods, looked a pictures, I cannot wait till that book I did comes, she will love it. When I see her like that I know it is getting closer to time for us to live together, I am really praying on when that is to be and how to do that, just have a feeling it may be by the end of the year. I guess I may start bringing mother over to spend the night some to see if she can just move in like my home is, or will I need to rearrange things. I do not want to do this till I know it is the right time, but just pondering on it all well best go take a nap..hugs

Home again home again

2011-07-16T08:50:00.001-05:00

On our way home, on the road again This has been such a roller coaster of emotions for me. I love seeing mother see her brother’s and sister’s, friends, family. Yesterday we went to the train station, this is where we would ride in form Little Rock, it is so pretty now, still had same character. sorry pics are blurry

Then we went to Sharon’s, we had a potluck, so what good food! Tom and Sharon had hired a group to come and play, they play the song of the church in the wildwoods, it was so sweet, mother sang and sang, a lot of old gospel songs,some neat folk songs, and our old time favorite you are my sunshine like being with old time country gospel, such a memory I will never forget, they played Tn. waltz, mother danced with her brother Ed clogging, Connie taught me to dance with the door knob, taught, Tiffany and Sharon to clog would love to figure it out. so many good deserts…yes I did eat some We came back to house, packed and went to bed, got up at seven to be on road by eight, then on road realized time change, so we will get home a hour earlier Today is Sean’s birthday and Laila’s birthday party, April comes home tomorrow cannot wait to see her and hear all about her missions trip, I have missed her, even in being so busy with mother

Have a busy week in Real Estate, appointments on Monday, Hannah and family are at the house, can not wait to see them and hold baby Luke hugs and have a great day!

Simon’s Reunion, Chattanooga Tn

2011-07-16T00:20:00.001-05:00

Friday, July 15, 2011

We left Tuesday morning early to go to Chattanooga, to have a Simon’s family reunion, look like a dork We made the trip fine, had a lot of stops, mother did great! We had rented a home, in which Connie and I found on the internet, we rented it so we could all stay together and family could come there to visit. As we neared the home, I realized it was in a high risk area, it made me so nervous, I just started laughing, when we got in it, it was a beautiful older home, decorated pretty, but drug deals going on across the street, the dryer did not work, the stove was dirty

with spilt over something and we found a syringe.

dryer was not vented so it heated up the whole house,

I emailed the owner to let her know that we had felt the home was misrepresented and that she may want to have the maid clean better. That I would want to know these things if I were out of state and it was my home. I had just came back from going to the grocery store and unloaded the food, it was 10pm and all was in PJ’S, the owner called me back and said, I want you to vacate my home right now! I thought………………… and said, may I call you back in a minute, I have learned when someone is irrational to let them cool off. I looked on line for another place, could not find anything, I knew I could not move mother and all our things, Mama and Roy are elderly and we had all unpacked. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I called her back, and said I am so sorry if I offended you, you have a lovely home, I felt as a business woman you would want to know how it was left, she then said she is the one who cleaned it and she does not clean the oven or stove after each guest, she was in town in one of her other homes, one block over Again, I stated what a beautiful home she had and that there is NO WAY I can move my mother who has Alzheimer's and my Grand parents out at ten o’clock at night, we will talk in the morning. I was so shocked in how unprofessional she was, it was hard to go to sleep because of the area, also the house had five bedrooms but she failed to say one was in the formal living area, and one off the kitchen does not have a bedroom door so Steve and I slept in the open bedroom with our glock, there is no way I would of stayed without a gun and Steve. The house has a wonderful front porch that sits up higher on the street the the other homes, we did enjoy the porch, after the first night we got use to the area and have been fine, seen many drug deals go down, it has been a quiet area, so I settled down, for one there was no place to go. Called the owner and said we would be fine in her home and I again was sorry if I offended her. She was nice and said ok……what a mess

Mother’s family came over, Aunt Mildred, Inez, Mama, Sharon, Ed, mother.mother

and Connie

mother seeing her baby brother WesleyConnie, Mildred, Ed, Elmer, Mother, Wesley and rest of family

at Ryan’s and everyone came, even Mother’s friend from grade school This is mothers BF and Aunt Mildred’s BF form school.

Mother knew her brother’s and sister’s, she cried when she saw them.

Yesterday we went to Signal Mountain, we went to her mother’s grave, Papa made the headstone for it and her grandfather’s

her old home place, Papa torn down original house, but this one was form my teens left our out house

field that the everyone played in you could walk through the woods to the store to get up the mountain you can go up the W road, it is where the road has curves and it is shaped just like a W, only one car can make the turns at a time

beautiful views! Then there is a little brown church in the woods, that has a congregation that still meets in it,

we sang this, mother remembered it mother was singing the song that talks of this church, pic of song

Having a good but tiring time, has bitter sweet moments, so sad to see mother like she is, I am making her a album of the trip, today we will go to the train depot and to Sharon’s for a reunion potluck, since it was Friday we felt it would be better at her house then home tomorrow….hugs by the way the house is beautiful and furnished nice but would not stay here again, due to the area Hugs!!

Wonderful Week

2011-07-10T20:12:00.001-05:00

Last Thursday Sean came with Anna and Cole and spent the weekend, it was wonderful having the time with Anna and Cole, Alicia was out of state and we took care of her plants and pool so we went to swim daily Cole loves the water My Birthday was Saturday, Sean and Steve surprised me with a cake and balloons and flowers, cards, the balloon sings real loud happy birthday to the tune of hallelujah. if my cake looks funny it was beautiful with candles, and I held it up, like in the photo but had it in my hand and it slid off and fell in the floor was a mess. but we salvaged the cake I had three friends, Pam, Dinah, Sherry come over and swim, ran everyone else off a great girlfriend time, they would not let me take a picture of us all Pam did pose real good, but did not get a pic Today went to Journey Church had Journey Kids.. this is my sweet Amelia Sean and Cole went with us, Anna had gone to her mother’s. Sarah was in Memphis. I then cooked all morning, purple hull peas, squash, mac and cheese, home made chicken pot pie , brown beans home grown tomatoes, corn bread, iced tea, veggies from farmers market then we went swimming, Alex and Jill and Amelia came with us love the one on one time with the boys. Jared and Jenn have been gone and they came in tonight, the girls are here spending the night, yes I am tired but just wanted to see them too it had been two weeks tomorrow first appointment is 8am, which happens to be a massage then off and running, have appointments all day, NPBOR lunch and meeting, taking pics of houses, listing a home I also sold one on my birthday, listed and sold it the same day Then tomorrow night spend the night with mother and we leave Tuesday for Tenn. I sure hope she does well, I guess if it is too much we will come home, a busy busy week hugs and night sure got a lot of smiley faces!

Blogging Blahs…………….

2011-07-06T22:15:00.001-05:00

I guess I have the blogging blahs, just have not even thought of it or wanted to blog, have had a lot of things going on but failed to share them:( Hannah and her family came down the 4th weekend, she had Dr. appointments, Luke is way to cute, he has sandy red hair and blue eyes:) only red hair I know in our family was on my dad's side. He is such a good baby! We went to Alicia's Sunday after church for Alexandria's 16th Birthday and Monday had a great fun family time, Alex and Amelia,

Jill and Amelia

Anna, Victoria, Alexandria

it was too hot to bring mother:((( I will go over tomorrow and visit, she is doing well. We go to Tenn. this next Tuesday:) So excited about taking her. Kay and Steve and I are driving, meeting Mama, Roy, Connie and her daughter Tiffany, then all her family will come and visit, we have a five bedroom home rented. Hope it works out good for mother, guess if it is too confusing we can always come home. We were suppose to go to Mtn. Home to the lake with Jared and Jenn but I was so tired and did not feel too good, fighting a sore throat:( plus we listed two homes:) but I really miss them, they have been gone for almost two weeks on vacation, I know her daddy will miss them when they all leave.
I am going through some personal struggles as I lead this ladies 12 step group, I have some areas in my life the Lord is showing me that He wants to heal, which is wonderful but painful at the same time. Pastor Marvin my friend reminded me of the 10 Lepers, nine went away and were healed, in which he thinks still had the deformity of Leprosy but the one came back and Jesus said I will make you whole, he left with no deformity, I think I have walked in a lot of healing but now Jesus will make me whole:))) so its exciting too. This 12 step bible study is really a work out on you mentally and physically, the group is going good, it is so neat to see ladies share and see them grow and become healthy in their soul:)
All is well with my family, keep Sean and Sarah in your prayers, its so hot here and he works long hours in the heat, Alex and Jill always need prayers as they lead Journey Church, God is so using them both. Hannah and Mark are thinking and going to move back closer, it is too hard on them both being away with no family or friends, he is trying to come to the Conway Post Office, so pray for them:) I need to feel better, this heat totally knocks me on my butt for some reason, I just can not do it, makes me weak and faint:((( I am almost at my goal weight, in a size 12 from a 26-28:) I am going to get a physical when I get back from Tenn. to make sure all is good:) April and her BFF Molly.
April leaves for Haiti this Friday at 4:30 am and returns the following Sunday, so keep her in your prayers, she has raised almost all her money to go:) She will pay out the rest. Well going to bed...hugs

Sat. till Monday:)

2011-06-27T21:24:00.003-05:00

I love me some Farmers Market, went on Saturday morning and got fresh squash, tomatoes, sweet purple onions, purple peas, black berry's! Came home and made the wonderful tomato salad, squash, peas, corn bread, it was so good, could eat it every day:) Took some to mother's and she and Kay ate it too:) I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned Saturday, was wore out by the end of the day but all was clean, house, car, yard:) Then Sunday went to church, Alex started a msg. on Grace it was real good:) came home ate a salad the picked mother up and went to Alexandria's dance recital, mother loved it, she loves watching small children:) Alexandris will be Sweet 16 tomorrow:) Then we went to see Aunt Marie, totally surprised her, was a great visit, upon leaving, mother and Aunt Marie got all teary eyed, I know it is hard for Aunt Marie to see how far mother has progressed in her Alzheimer's, she is one who said mother did not have it in the beginning, that it was just her age. We ate at Olive Garden then went back to mother's, really enjoyed my time with her. I can not wait to go to Tenn., mother will so love that:) I made her a photo album, she just looks and reads it all the time, she loves looking at the pics and telling me who they are. Today I had work to do, still so put out with Chase mtg. and Citi mtg., someone, some where needs to reprimand them! I got really too hot today , felt sick, finally finished work and been in since about 4ish, my throat was hurting real bad and just do not feel real good, so I am hoping tomorrow I will feel better. It was 100 her today and heat index was 105! I did list a home today:)) Tomorrow is sales meeting but should not be too hard of a day then we have a Potluck at the ladies group I do for completing our first book!! I just love those ladies, God is doing more in me in this study then the last:) always needing Him to show me and bring me close to Him:) Hannah and family will be here Saturday, I am spending the night with my BFF Sherry Thursday, that will be fun, we are having some creative ideals, will share more on that later, but I am excited about it:) Hugs and nite

Fun Friday

2011-06-24T22:25:00.003-05:00

Gosh wish I had taken pics of this day:) It started early, I had appointments most of the day, first was showing my Beck Road property, which is in WLR, then went to LR office to work a offer on my Benton property. Then went to a new listing on Lee in LR and listed a cute two bedroom home. Best part of my day was having lunch with my high school/college best friend Beverly Jane Martin, that is her in pic, she is so sweet and beautiful. A few weeks back I was at open house int he heights and she walked in! I have not seen her in 40 years, we could of talked forever. We may have to do a bunking party:)) So much fun to reconnect, I found her on Facebook:) Then went to office and finished up some work then home. Steve and I went to Pig and Chick and he had ribs, I had fish, it was so good. Steve had worked most the morning on mother's yard, making sure he can get water to the areas that need it, boy with that said we need rain, next week will be 100 degree's and sunny all week, no rain in sight. Mother is having a good week, that makes me happy! I am taking her Sunday to Alexandria's dance recital then we will do dinner and I go home with her, April will come after her Haiti meeting to spend the night, I am looking forward to my time with mother:) I will take some pics for you. I am hoping that I wake up tomorrow feeling like I want to clean house:) and get in the mood and get this house back real clean, I am a clean freak:( but this week just have not worried about it, and guess what no one has said anything about it:) Well going to bed...hugs and nite!

Far and Few Between

2011-06-24T07:34:00.001-05:00

I have realized I am not blogging as I use to and not sure why, guess I got out of the habit I will update you on my life, since my last blog, we had a wonderful Father’s day, Steve preached at Journey Church and it was a touching message, we ate at Red Lobster with Jared and Alex and their families, long wait but worth it, worked most of week, got some loans closed, which was nice! On Wed. went with Pam and Ray Richey to dinner, Steve and Ray had played golf, Steve is doing well form his surgery on his arms, but he was really sore in a good way. I enjoyed having dinner with them and just talking. Then back to work, listed a wonderful home on one of Lakewood’s lakes here in NLR. is about the same, we are going to Chattanooga on July 12th, all of us rented a big five bedroom home to stay in, Connie and Mawma and Roy will meet us there, then her brother’s and sister will come there I am super excited, Kay and Steve are going, its for a few days, I will take plenty of pictures for mother to remember it! Mother wants to go and see her family, in which I have not seen some of them in years Kay has two kidney stones and will have to do something about them when we get back, she is not in pain with them and I pray will not be:0 All my babies are doing well, and grandbabies are good, Laila got glasses, she is too cute Luke is growing so fast, I miss not seeing him daily, Hannah and Mark will be here July 1st or 2nd for a few days, looking forward to it! I have a big deal going on a home, it is a short sell and I am praying it closes, would you pray for it to close too, not only will it help the 86 year old owner but will be a major commission for me This is still a hard market,one of the worst I have seen and I have been doing this since 1986! Something has to give, hope it gets better soon! Keeping my chin up and plugin along in it, it helps being in the business so long, also that I learned how to work the business in a hard market when I first got into real estate! The agents who got in when the market was just order takers do not have the tools to survive in this market, so there is a lot said of for experienced agents. You noticed I did not say older:0

Ok, last night I was at church and this lady said do you know the Averitt that is in Real Estate? Some that were around said that is her! She did not recognize me since I had lost weight!!! I loved it! I found a pair of size 26 pants at the condo when was there, I can put two legs in one leg of them I have five more pounds to go for my goal weight, then need to firm up and workout with weights to build strength……will make it! Hugs, make this a fun day for you

A walk for a cure to Alzheimer’s

2011-06-18T19:15:00.001-05:00

Came home from the condo with Alicia, it was such a wonderful time for us Thought I would see my Averiit girls next door but they were out of town, so its been real quiet here, Steve was in Van Buren till evening, I had dinner with Sherry Maxwell, then Steve got in and went to eat with Jared, since Jenn and the girls were at her mother’s for her birthday. This morning got up early and went to the river market for the Alzheimer’s Walk, we had a good group walking and all got shirts, raised $1050.00 dollars so far. They gave us flower wind mills, to write the name of whom we were walking forThis was Alicia’s, they made a flower garden, then after the walk you got yoursA neat thing to do, my niece Susan Averitt Bobbitt walked with us, loved having her there!

Then went and did my Pedi and manicure, the guy I like so much ( Frank ) has his own new place, right near my house, then came home and cooked fresh squash and purple hull peas from the Farmer’s market, corn bread and fried potatoes, have fresh garden tomatoes….yum yum…this was Steve’s father’s day meal. Tomorrow Steve will preach at church then just a day with him in mind, one thing he sure ate good tonight I have just stayed in where it is cool, after the morning, going to bed early, it is 100 degrees hot here! House is quiet and cool:0 I have a busy work week, hope to sell another home this week, praying for listings and sells!

Mother is doing good, Kay is not feeling as well as she would like, she see’s Dr. Monday am, she has kidney stones and is hypercalicum, so they are running test, pray for her we have a trip to Tenn planned in middle of July for mother to see her family, need all well hugs and nite

one more pic before I changedme before I ever lost weight to a Healthy life styleme in shorts talking to the group leader I go to for Alzheimer's,me and mother got a few more pounds to go to get to my goal weight, but will get there, it has taken me three years

Have to get better at blogging!

2011-06-16T23:32:00.002-05:00

As you know if you read the last blog, we had Blake then April brought Max home last Saturday, when Max got here he had sprained his foot and needed special attention we really enjoyed them, we went to Indian Hills pool with them, had such a fun time there, saw a lot of old friends Monday was a full day at work and we did the pool later, then picked up a 5$ pizza, same pool Hannah and Mark met at! Monday was probably one of the hardest days I have had in a long time, just a real struggle for me, I had a great productive day at work and was thankful but had to pray most of the day inside just to get through it all, then came home took boys to pool and tried to relax and let things go. Tuesday was a better day worked till late afternoon, went to pool with boys, had a good group with the 12 step ladies I do on Tuesday, I so needed it Then after group Alicia and I left to come to Fairfield Bay Condo, me doing my step study home work, preparing for next Tuesday group. We have had such a relaxing time, I cannot remember when I have been this at peace and relaxed, I really needed this time alone with the Lord and with Alicia, we have drove for hours looking at wild life, woods, houses, land, went to the pool both days, view from pool had been so stressed I could not eat, and had lost 10 pounds in a week, which is way to much for me to lose in a week, I have totally been able to eat and drink a lot of water and tea, just amazed at how a little rest can give ya! my favorite place to eat here! I preach take time for your self but have forgot to do that for me I have a condo listed up here, trying to get it sold In the am we will go home early, have work and then on Saturday the Alzheimer's walk, I am so glad I have been able to eat because I was so weak I was not even sure I could do the walk, but feel so much better! I want to lose the rest of this weight but not that fast. I am so proud of Alicia she is changing her life style to a healthy way of eating, she has lost 32 pounds!!! She is looking so good, we had home grown tomatoes!! yum yum! When I get home I am doing a tomatoes/onion salad! Can not wait to eat it, it is a original recipe form Lugi’s, a wonderful Italian restaurant here. Well this little rest has been much needed for me, my sweet hubby kept the boys Wed. then left today to go to Van Buren to take them home and help Mark tomorrow with his Sub., Sean and Cole and Anna are going to be at Hannah’s tomorrow so I know Hannah is excited! Looking forward to a good work week and a quiet house, the best thing about grandbabies, you can love on them and enjoy them and when your tired take them home hugs and nite

Bringing you up to date!

2011-06-11T22:04:00.001-05:00

We went to Van Buren on Wed. took Laila and Peyton with us to see their cousins, had a great time, I got up with baby Luke, he is so good, he sleeps real good, had a little helper come downstairs to help me early Thursday amshe is such a sweet little girl, so tender! She loves her Luke! Then later the girls all wanted to feed him, Olivia wanted to, since she has wanted nothing to do with him, she got to do itshe wanted Hannah to put him back in her tummy but has decided she loves him too. Such a fun day for me as a Nana, feed the cousins lunch, Laila wanted a ketchup sandwich and she got one, she ate it allthey had such fun, then Hannah took them out to play in the sprinkler, They had fun but I could not stand it, went to Wal-Mart and got a pool and slip and slidethey loved it, her children loved being outside, they stay out and play all the time. Then Steve helped Mark fix the transfer case on the sub., and we came home, bought Blake back with us went to Jared and Jenn’s Friday and played in their back yard, and Jared did a cook out, Jenn’s mother and Nanny had come down to go to the Farmer’s market. Amelia was spending the night while Alex and Jill went to Bentonville to a wedding shower, my Amelia, cousins, Mika and Amelia and Peyton, Jared in back ground grilling Amelia loved it all, she is so good! Came home and called it a day, all slept well! Today Jill called and Alex was real sick with a high fever, she was taking him to after hours clinic, another problem was his truck in which they drove there had a funny sound when they got there and he thought it broke, in which it had, Biff, Steve’s brother picked them up from the hospital and took Jill to the wedding shower and Alex to pharmacy and back to the hotel, he had a serious sinus infection and broncuttis, but I have learned the best place to get well is in a hotel, when I had the crud, Sherry Maxwell did too, we went to hotel for three days and laid in bed and rested and had room service, slept watched movies Steve and Jared left tonight to go get them car hauler in tow Kevin is preaching for Alex, I told them I would just stay in, with three little one’s and Steve not here, I have open house tomorrow and will work till later Sunday night, have a inspection on a closing for Monday. Monday is a real full day, massage on neck at 8am then closing in Bryant, then listing houses in Benton then another closing, mother has Dr. appointment in-between all that at 1pm…..so its going to be a juggling kind of a day! Steve will have Max and Blake with him When April came home tonight she brought Max to us, this will help Hannah finish things she needs to get done with just Olivia and Luke…..I feel terrible leaving Olivia, but we can not do them all unless I am home too, and this will be a busy week for me….. this was Luke when we left, he was fast asleep, he looks like a angel! my morning smile how can you not like to get up to a early morning feeding with this smile!! So the weekend has been busy with babies, but I have loved it! Ended this day with rocking Amelia to sleep on my front porch as the storm blew in, nothing sweeter in life then rocking your babies! nite

Too, too long!

2011-06-07T07:42:00.002-05:00

I can not believe I have not blogged, so many things to say:) Got over my blues, still miss my extended family:) Things have been busy around here, Mother is doing good, she is worse as far as her memory, she will see Dr. Bradley Monday, in which he just does some memory deals and tells us what to expect at this point:(( not what I want to hear. Mother now weighs 130 pounds, so we are watching her diet We had our annual crawl fish boil, normally we have fried fish but this year Sean had B'Q and it was totally awesome, he has a friend Ronnie who is a Award wining Chef, he did a tenderloin that was out of this world for us:) and the pork butt, he has a special rubthe beans were so good, he knows how to cook:) The 100 pounds of crawl fish were perfect, a great day of family fun we had about 70ish people came it is open invitation to all, Steve and I bout killed our self getting the outside ready for it, Sean had been sick and could not help, we were behind on the yard stuff but now its in shape, so is Jared's my son who lives next door:) Of course Steve has mother's in shape too:)

You know me, I planned the huge party, then had a listing appointment on a neat home in the Heights,

then went to a 40 year Parkview reunion, get together,our big one is in the fall, combined with Centrals but before all that, Peyton and I got a pedicure and manicure she loved it!! so did I! Then I listed two more homes and got a offer on a home I have in Benton, have two more homes to list this week so work has been busy! I needed it to pick up. All is well with our sweet baby Luke he has just adjusted and sleeps good, of course Hannah is a pro at being a mommy I miss not seeing him anytime I want to Well, best get going, got to be at work early, its sales meeting day, I pray the Lord Bless and keep you today, may His grace fall on you and fresh mercy all day, all week, all year long! He is our strength and very presence help, all the time! If your looking for a church, ask me about mine! hugs

Preparing myself

2011-05-27T10:09:00.001-05:00

I have what I call the blues today, Mama and Roy and Connie have gone, they left early this am I really enjoyed them and loved watching mother be so happy, she loved having them here. Yesterday Jenn and Jill brought all the girls over Mother always enjoys children, she is amazed they know who she is Max is always so loving with mother, Hannah and her children came later and we all had dinner. My camera was dead but Connie will have pics and I will snag hers. In July we are going to Chattonnaga to see her brothers and other sister, we will meet Connie and Mama and Roy in Memphis I want mother to see them while she is able to get around, it is getting difficult and she is for sure progressing in this dreadful disease. I always wonder how long it will be before she needs totally help with everything, as of now she can get around, needs help with her personal care but feeds her self, she talks and inter acts in cover stations and has a great sense of humor, I just hate knowing I will lose her in all she can do today, but try to prepare my self, with Aunt Jane passing and a friend on mine Mother passed with Alzheimer's I know that day will come so I am trying to cherish all I an in today, at the same time I can only take so much and need a break from it, wish I didn’t or I would be with mother all the time. She has the best of care and loves her home, she is in a happy place. I am trying to be Trying to live one day at a time and our needs is met for today, also preparing for our future with mother, I know in the end she will live with us, so making all future plans for that day. Ok, on a lighter note, the McGill's are here, Luke weighs 10 pounds and the Dr. said is healthy and will be a big boy Blake just found a baby bird, in which we now have in a box and they are feeding it worms Max built a tent in the front yard over the swing frame for the yard swing, Sean and his family are coming today and Jill and Alex and Amelia for dinner, probably Alicia and her family if they are in town…..so it’s a busy day, then Hannah will go home tomorrow and Steve and I are going to do something, not sure what but something fun, like ride four wheelers, or go to the pool, but something! I am taking a agents calls while she is on a cruise this week so work will probably busy I need it to be. Hugs to all and hope everyone has a great weekend!

Busy week

2011-05-26T11:45:00.002-05:00

Mama and Connie and Roy got here Tuesday, so as soon I as finished work I was at mother's:)) I had everything prepared to cook for the week, yesterday we had storms, so of course I put the chairs in mother's closet, which Connie thought was hysterical, she took pics, we did not have to go there, which was great:) but she did have mama and Roy sit in the chairs for a pic:) I had put a roast and potatoes and carrots in the crock pot and some green beans on stove, I did not think the roast would be done so I got out the chicken and made chicken and dumplings and a yummy salad, when it was all said and done the roast was done so we just had it all for dinner!!! I am going to post some pics so you can see them, mother has enjoyed them here, and I am so glad they came, she knows them sometimes and some times not, but she knows she loves them:) Hannah and her family come tonight to go to Dr. visits and will be here for weekend, then Monday I have me some girl friend time:) for Memorial day, can not wait! Not sure if i said my back was bothering me or not but it is much better:))) yea! Keep my April in your prayers:) hugs and have a great day!

new Blog

2011-05-23T21:37:00.002-05:00

As you can see I have a new look, thank you Elaina Weaver! I won the make over from her blog:)) So tell me what you think? Been a Monday, got a lot done at the office and went to the store for mother, Mama and Connie will be here tomorrow till Friday am., I am excited they will be able to come for a few days, mother needs to see them, they will be at mother's if any of you who read this want to see them:) I will love visiting with them!! Kay is out of town at the condo and will be there a few days to rest up, she is exhausted from the schedule she has kept for so long, two weddings in a few months is a lot of stress, in a good way. Ready for the sun to shine have a full day tomorrow with work:) Boy I need some of my listings to sell, so say a prayer for me and them:) will best run, just wanted to see the new look and what you think:) hugs and nite

for better or for worse

2011-05-21T12:58:00.002-05:00

Hummmmmmm……just thinking on this statement that we have heard and maybe said at weddings. What is for better or for worse?

Life is for better or for worse, Love is for better or for worse, you and I are for better or for worse…..this morning I feel like it is for worse, woke up not feeling to good have a headache and stuffy nose, my back is trying to go out, I am trying to get to the for better part of it

This has been a busy few days, My Aunt Jane past away, Steve and Alex did her funeral, took a pic of daddy and Walt’s grave, Aunt Jane is buried beside them with Uncle Dave, it was a sweet funeral, makes me have to look at reality with mother my dear friend Becky Hale

sang, Amazing Grace. Very sweet time for family.

Then Wednesday Steve’s sister Patsy and her husband Donald spent the night, loved getting to visit with them They were on vacation.Thursday, Cole spent the night, he was absolutely perfect, he is just so sweet.he looks so much like Sean sometimes, then totally like Sarah’s family I taught the lesson at Celebrate Recovery Thursday night, before I got up to speak my mind went totally blank, made me real nervous, I could not even remember what I wanted to share at all or where to start, but it all came back and went well. Then Friday Mary Lee invited me to a special Bridal lunch and special it was, they had individual wedding cakes for our deserts, the butter was even in the shape of a wedding cake, we all were requested to wear hats, since I do not wear hats or dresses that much I had to go shopping, I bought a dress, shoes and hat, came home tried them on for Steve, when I walked into his office he laughed out loud, he said he was not prepared to see me dressed like that but I am so glad I did, almost didn’t and I would not have been dressed proper for this luncheon in anything else.Kay and Mary Leemy shoesthe table, see the deserts?

Had a wonderful dinner last night. So for today, I slept in, Steve had a golf tournament to play in with Jared, I will show property this afternoon, then go to Mother’s and get her ready for the wedding tonight, so I need to feel much better! Hope your having a good day! Hugs

Marriage

2011-05-18T08:40:00.001-05:00

From this to this39 years later…….blessed with this

When your married for a few years people will ask how you made it this long. I woke up with all this on my mind and decided to blog, hoping to help give you insight to a healthy, happy marriage, hoping to help you not make the mistakes we have. First off marriage is a two way street, you give 100% everyday, 24/7, 365 days a year, then if you both do that your covered when one can not, yes, there are days you do not have 100% to give I will be only speaking for me in my marriage, as a young bride, who had never been away from home and moved 2000 miles away, I was miserable, I became pregnant right off with Alicia, I have been pregnant 8 times, yes, I said 8 and have 6 children. I think in the early days, the children kept us together, we could not afford to divorce, not that we had not thought of it many times in all these years. What I would like to share is what I have learned in being married. 1st. Peter chapter 3 tells us women, that if our husband is wrong in his doing, we are to be quiet and he will be won without a word ( from us) by our gentle and quiet behavior…….NOW I was far form gentle and quiet when Steve did something I did not think was right….BUT over the years have tested this scripture and know it to be true. As a young bride I was very insecure, had a lot of baggage, when Steve would go out of town if he did not call I would totally blast him, out of my own fears and insecurities, when he would be late and did not call I would blast him, again out of my own emotional baggage, I could never understand why he may not want to call then he said who wants to pet a biting dog? Are you a biting dog?? if so you will drive your husband away from you, because of your own needs inside that only God can heal. Steve had a hard time telling me no, I did not hear no and did what I thought was ok, inside he simmered with anger towards me, then when he said no to things I WANTED, I manipulated him, so this makes for a lot of frustration in a marriage. I was and am his beloved, I just could not see it in my younger years……….wish I had. I have learned to let Steve be Steve, let me be me, know where I began and end and where he begins and ends, we are one in spirit and unity but two separate people, Steve makes major mistakes in my mind but I have learned God is in control of Steve and I am to pray for him to hear God in our marriage. Do not misunderstand, for those who know me, know I am a strong personality, I do have my opinion and we agree to disagree sometimes on issues, we do not move on till we can agree, then sometimes even though I can not stand it, I just have to trust God and submit because Steve will be adamant on something. He is usually right! Ladies this is the security you are looking for, a man who hears the Lord, now keep in mind you may not think so all the time, this is where you have to trust the Lord, a man who does not bow down to you but stands up to you, to help build God’s character in you, but totally loves you unconditional. This is what we all want, so next time he does something that makes you angry look and see if it is something emotional that you need help with, if it is a fear of divorce? is it you just want your way? I know from experience we can make the man or break the man with our actions and words, your husband will NEVER be the man he can be if you nag him, correct him, embarrass him, I learned as a young wife, not to uncover Steve’s faults with my family, no one loves your husband like you do, they will judge him, and you will be over it So find a friend who loves your husband to share with and will give you good advice when you need to share. We can make or break them, in Pro. it says a spirit of a man will attain him in sickness, but who can can bear a broken spirit???? You know when your feelings are hurt or you have a wound to your inner core, that is your spirit…….in all our years of marriage Steve has had a very sensitive spirit…..I can wound him easily and have. I have seen His spirit broken by me, I pray you will learn from me and guard your husband’s heart as your own. For a long marriage you have to be totally honest and learn how to communicate, we learned this through Marriage Encounter, a work shop that teaches you to communicate your feelings, which are very hard for men to communicate. I encourage you to Google it and go to one of these, they have them twice a year in LR but they are all over. Ladies keep your feet at home, you are more vulnerable then your know, men will entice you and say sweet things, but guard your heart in his area, from my mistakes, I learned to keep my feet at home, I do not go to places of temptation for me, failed in that area in my marriage and never want to go there again, grass is never greener on the other side So how do you have a happy long marriage? Its not always happy If you will look at all the fingers pointing at yourself when your looking at you husband’s fault it will help you see he is just like you, he has needs, he has feelings, they are in your hands, what will you do with them? Build him up or tear him down, it is in your power to do that……..I have learned to build Steve up, I have learned to love when I do not like him, I have learned to shut up and walk away, I have learned its not all about me, even though most the time it is, for real…..working on that still, working on my marriage daily, loving on my husband daily, letting him see the real me and trusting him with my heart when he has hurt it daily……but most of all Trusting God to keep my husband the man he is and is to be and keep my mouth shut:0 Look at your self, if you need help get it, life and death is in the power of the tongue….be a life giver in your marriage!

whew home, home again:)

2011-05-15T20:37:00.001-05:00

Nothing like coming home We had a great weekend at Hannah and Mark’s. Friday afternoon when we got there we did some shopping, had lasagna and salad, for dinner, it was tasty, then I stayed up with baby Luke Friday night, he is such a good baby

I gave him his first bath, his navel cord had fallen off and it looks real goodHe did not like his bath, but loved being cuddled afterwards. Since we were there we decided to have Olivia’s birthdayshe is three this Thursday small family party but so much fun!! Olivia loves toy story and loved her gifts! So glad we got to share it with them! Then Saturday we cleaned, cleaned, cleaned and cleaned some more, we got so much done! Hannah and Mark got a swing set they bought from a neighbor and a bb goal got a trampoline, so now the kids are set with things to play on, Steve and Mark put it all together, the kids played, and got up went out and played some more…this will help having a back yard that is like a play ground! Blake called it a play ground! So proud of Hannah and Mark, they have adjusted so well, Mark went back to work Saturday, but no doubt in my mind that Hannah will be just fine, I love going down and helping them. Belinda will be there this week, then they are coming here for Memorial day and Hannah and Luke have Dr. appointments. Not sure if we will hang here or go to the condo, just playing it by ear, I have Journey Church Kids that Sunday and Hospitality so we will be at church for sure, may just drive home form lake then drive back. I woke up today with a real bad headache, hurt to the point I was nauseated, of course Hannah gave me a half of a zophran and that helped with the nausea, when were were leaving Max ran up to tell me bye, I bent down and we head butted, I thought it knocked me out, I saw black, just held onto him, could not even help him for me about to pass out, then my head pounded, so on the drive home I tried to sleep April shared some very personal things going on in her so please keep her in your prayers, this is such a hard time for her, which makes my heart hurt, and Victoria had some things going on that need prayer to, so it was a heart wrenching ride home with a bad head ache, I did dose off after our talk, but my heart ached for both of them. Thank you for praying! I am ready fro bed and on my way there…hugs and nite

On my way:)

2011-05-13T12:16:00.001-05:00

Always on my way, to where today? Van Buren to help Hannah and Mark Excited to see how much Luke has grown and bring April home. Steve's brother Biff has been in the hospital so he will go see him in the morning, he lives about 30-45 minutes form Hannah. Victoria is with us Last night I was so proud of Sarah, she graduated in her nursing, she has about one more year and will be a RN, so she still has school but she has worked very hard to get where she is!!the blonde, is the back of Sarah,Cole watched for her, we yelled for her when they called her namehe is soooooo cute!!!

Had a good week, the group I am doing for ladies on Tuesday night is totally awesome, it is really blessing me to be able to do it, getting to know some neat ladies. I was in continue education for six hours yesterday, then went to mother’s, not sure she knew me, but she was doing well, Faye was with her and mother was just resting in her chair, we talked and visited, then Steve and I went home to watch NCIS, which was one of the best and it left me hanging till next Tuesday!! I hate it when shows do that Olivia’s birthday is Thursday, she will be three, so I thought we might could do a birthday dinner tomorrow for her, I am getting settled with out them here, makes it easier that Jenn and the girls came home, I can hear them playing and enjoy playing with them I am just spoiltit to my grand babies!! I have not said much about my April lately, she still lives with the Harris family, that is her boyfriends parents, she is doing well, still not agreeing of the relationship she is in, but praying daily and leaving it with God He does not have Grand Children, she belongs to HIM!

Kay is so busy with Clay and Marylee’s wedding, she will be so ready for a break when she gets though this, she is doing well. Actually all is going smooth right now for us, and it feels real good!! I need my business to pick up, like for real I have some loans in closing but this has been the worst I have experienced in a slow market, just staying focused and keep digging for the worm, so pray for me some new listings so I can get some buyers!! Someitmes you have to go backwards before you can go forward………..where I have been Best run….hugs

Mother’s Birthday

2011-05-09T20:03:00.001-05:00

We had so many ideals for Mother’s birthday, from having a gathering with people dropping in at different times, to having a few friends over for lunch, then had to think, we need to live in her world, not her in ours, we think, we wanted her to see everyone and feel loved, but it would have been stress for her for us to do that, so I spent last night with her, which was Mother’s Day, we had fun, we laughed at ourselves, watched the birds, visited with Steve, then he left and I spent the night, I normally sleep in the other bedroom, but last night I slept with mother, we talked before we went to sleep. Then this morning when she woke up I was there to say Happy Birthday!! She said I did not know it was my birthday) this was said several times during the day. She and I met my brother Jimmy for lunch, it was a nice quiet lunch where mother could just talk to Jimmy and have his attention, she loved it! Jimmy was not feeling the best, he was limping with his hip hurting but we had a great visit. Then we went to J Pruitt's and got mother a pair of shoes, perfect for her, and they should be:0 This store caters to AAA feet, mother has one foot that is 8.5 and one that is 9 AA…..so we got a really nice pair of sandals…..Then went to Kroger's, home then to dinner with Kay at Red Lobster,Just the three of us, it was fun and we had each others attention, so much easier on mother then a big party, she has had a fun day and I am thankful I have too! Now I have a lot of work to catch up on so off of this blog and working! hugs and nite

Beautiful Saturday

2011-05-07T15:39:00.003-05:00

Today was a Kitchen shower for my sister's son's finance:) Mary Lee, I and two of Kay's friends and Jill gave her a shower, of course Jill is the perfect host and party planner, she just went with it, it was a kitchen shower, we had a fun time, mother loved it! I know Kay will be wore out by the time all these weddings and showers are over:) Ruff having two weddings so close. Alex came over with Amelia during the shower, they were still here when I got home:) Alex sat in our swing and it fell, no one was hurt, the funny thing is, last night I was sitting in it and told Steve to swing with me, he said will it hold us both? I said...welllllll sure!...I laughed so hard at Alex:) I am home and Steve is taking a nap, I am trying to be content with just doing nothing BUT I am not a do nothing person, so it is very hard for me to be still:) I know God has something for me in this still time of my day:) so after I blog, I will read my bible:) Mother is doing well, she is probably in stage 7 of her Alzheimer's, there are 8 stages, she has progressed very fast this past year, Part of the Serenity prayer is, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and this disease is one of those things in my life, courage to change the things I can, which is me dealing with Alzheimer's.....I just do not like to even go there, but do every day. So thankful mother is in a happy place in her mind:)
This week work will be some what busy, have some loans in closing to work on and hope to list or sell a home this week:))) Then towards the end of the week I will go get April at Hannah's, I am still missing them pretty bad, but have tried to keep my mind off of them not being here, hard when they were here for so long:( Had my bedroom carpet and couch and dinning chairs cleaned today, ugh on the citrus smell of the cleaner:(( well best go and see what God wants to say to me...love and hugs!

Fun day, road trip:)

2011-05-05T21:09:00.001-05:00

We left this am and took Hannah's. new refidge to her and the other things they needed help getting home, plus the riding lawn mower to mow Peyton and Laila went with us this was on the way home at Cracker Barrel:0 They had so much fun playing at Hannah’s with Blake and Olivia bout to far away to see them We were able to take the riding lawn mower and got the yard done, I went to the store got groceries and unpacked the kids, it helped her some, April is there all week and I can go back next week to help, Hannah is doing well, actually doing too much, she needs to rest more, but she feels so much better then she did, her back is bothering her form her epidural, guess that’s normal, they had to do it twice so I am sure it is sorer and I reminded her it has not even been a week since she delivered;0 All the McGill’s were glad to be home, Olivia did get in my lap to go home with me but decided to go get in the Jacuzzi tub instead;0 We are back home and I did enjoy coming into a clean home and quiet home, watching American Idol and honestly ready for bed. Have work tomorrow and get my hair cut:0 I need it done. Steve and I enjoyed our day, glad to be home hugs and nite!

Totally not prepared:(

2011-05-04T23:11:00.001-05:00

Today Hannah and her family left to go home,was totally not prepared for my response, first let me say, I am not a crier, so for me just to cry and cry is really unusual for me, hold it in and stuff it, but today I just let my self cry, Steve held me and we both just bawled, felt stupid, but could not quit, then I started cleaning, so did he, we cried, cleaned, I thought its just OK, cry:) When I was in the room Hannah was in, I missed her and thought of just sitting down and feeling her, then I thought this is how people must feel who lose a child, which made me so thankful, I can go see her anytime I want. Then I just prayed for the Lord to fill me up, fill my cup, and make me whole, that He would fill the loss I was feeling and He did, Steve and I just kept cleaning, finally quit crying, then went to store and to eat, now home and enjoying our quietness that four hours before made us both cry..........emotions are so fickled! All ready to go
I am so thankful for my family, they are mine and Steve's life, tonight I got a call that a friend in Real Estate lost her son in a car wreck, since I had just had that feeling in the bedroom, it let me know some of her loss feeling and wanting to be close to him, I just cannot even image the loss of a child, please keep her in your prayers, her name is Pam. Put me into perspective.....
Mother has been doing so good these past two weeks, I am so thankful, this Saturday I have a wedding shower for Mary Lee, Kay's going to be D-I-L and then mother's day then Mother's birthday is Monday, we had planned to do something with the whole family but decided to wait since we had Easter with all of them, it may be too much for mother, not sure what we will do but we will do something special for her:) April is at Hannah's this week so I will spend the night Sunday night and then if Luella is back in town maybe have her and Aunt Marie over for lunch :) Kay may have some ideals too. Well, guess I am going to watch NCIS with my sweetie......hugs and Nite

so much so fast so long since last post

2011-04-30T21:38:00.002-05:00

I can not go through since my last post, mainly because I cannot even remember it all:) but I do have my new grandson here...Luke Everette McGill, he was 7pds 9 ozs. 20 and half inches long, Hannah was so ready to have him, had a ruff delivery, her epidural wore off but she did great! They will come home form hospital tomorrow then go home to Van Buren Thursday or Friday, i already feel like I miss them! I will have more time to think and blog once I get some time for me, until then it is far and few between.....all is good here, mother has had a great week and has remembered me, Steve and others, seems like she is so much better this week, I just take it one day at a time but its neat to see her better:0 hugs!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T17:10:00.003-05:00

This may be the most special Easter I can remember, Alex has preached on worship and just seems like I realized at a deeper level what Jesus did for me in His death. Although we had Easter baskets for the kids, we kept our focus on Jesus. Worship was more meaningful as I sang to the Lord, it seems its is hard to really express how thank full I am for Him. After church we all went to Matthew and April Bale's for a family gathering, we had so much food, it was unreal, but as we all can, we ate it:) then the children hunted eggs. Since I have been young my brother started putting money in Easter eggs and my children hunted them, now Steve and I save our change form the year and we fill eggs with money and the little one hunts them, they get so excited, of course some do not know the difference form a dime to a quarter or dollar:) but the older one's do:) this year it was so sweet, the older ones would actually give their eggs to the younger ones who did not have as much! It was a blessing to watch:) It has been a blessing of a day, enjoy the pics and share it with us! hugs