Blessings

While I was iced in, I had some talks with some friends who had needs for money,  as I prayed for them, I knew the need was real and they were hard working people, I wished I could help everyone but there is a limit to what I can do, in praying I thought I will tell the need on facebook, I was amazed at how people gave, we helped the two families:)) I got a msg tonight about a single mother with five year old twins that need help, at the end of the blog I will post where you can donate for that need, no amount is too small:) The one family needed medications and food, they are elderly and she was real sick with Bronchitis, then the other family had got on their own home this year and had no Christmas decor, everything was donated to her, nice things! Plus 300 dollars for gifts, she is raising her two yr old grand son, has a special need daughter and another son at home, it was such a blessing to be a part of seeing these families have their needs met, I do believe we are the arms and feet of the Lord, if we say we will pray then be ready to put your prayers into action:)) here is donation site:)


https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GVJ3PNH7B9X26

If you can help this other family, I and they thank you so much!!

Today we had the McKimmey Office party, I can not say enough how much I love the people I work with, I even sleep with one of them:))))  We have JM Crites that is our Santa and Misty who is Mrs. Claus.  They are so much fun!!

Our company is a very loving and giving company, we help those in need and take to heart in helping people buy and sell homes, this giving spirit comes down form the top, which is Byron and Marilyn McKimmey, I have never known anyone to help people like they do, I am so honored to be their friend and work with them.  They set a high standard to follow:)

We have one more party to attend this week, and I have three deals to get closed this week, working a booger of a short sell closing, that has brought a few non Jesus words out of my mouth:(( bout blew a gasket today, but won the battle to post pone the foreclosure on the seller for today, now to get it closed!  Every time I involved my self in a short sell, I say I will NEVER do it again, it is not worth the stress, headaches, having people upset with you, then I meet someone in need, who needs help.....but I am really going to try to steer clear of them if I can and if not God will give me the grace and help me pull it together one more time for all involved:))  After a long day we ate at Red Lobster, it was sooooo good!! I plan on doing some baking this week, making goodies trays for Christmas:)  Oh YES, Almost forgot, ASU is going to the Go Daddy Bowl!  So we will pack up with the Haley's and go to Biloxi!! Jan. 3rd.......we will stay in the IP Casino, so its massage time for me:) it is a really nice resort! Alexandria will get to spend the night with us one night:) we may just have to listen to the music and dance, dance, dance, I love to dance and Victoria and Alexandria and Jack are dancing mugs!!!  Then I am gearing up for the Feb. market, it is always busy! From now to end of Jan. is slow, people involved in Christmas and New Years, the weather for sure affects it, so taking advantage of slower days, working any lead I get and gearing up for 2014! Already working on my goals:) I did ok this year on my goals, I am not sure I will make Diamond in my production but I made more money, go figure that one:) I guess I had rather have the cash then the glory!!!  Have not gave it up yet, still working hard to sell a few more homes this month!! So pray for me to do that:)  Hugs and love to all!

Baby its cold outside!

On our way home from Baton Rouge, it was warm there and so cold here, we just stopped and ate at JJ's Café in McGee, it was some good home cooking:)  We had made plans to go to Baton Rouge a while back, in the mean time one of my mother's life long friends husband past away, Gene Beasley, he and Luella were married for 70 years, Karen Beasley was my best friend growing up, Annette Beasley was my sister's best friend, so many good memories!  I was torn as to should I go to Baton Rouge or not, but decided to go ahead with our plans.  We went to visit Luella the night before we left, was a nice visit, I do feel sorry for her, what a lost feeling after being married 70 years.
 Roy my Mawma's husband had been in the hospital in Baton Rouge, he had lost a lot of blood, in which they gave him blood and got some fluid off him, he and Mawma  were there to greet us!  Mawma baked her famous chocolate cake with real fudge icing!  Connie made my favorite shrimp and sausage gumbo! We ate and sat around and talked some, Tiffany got confused on the time and missed dinner:( but I saw her the next day:)  I had started losing my voice and having a cough and congestion on our way down,  which turned into a cold I guess, they all had just had the crud before I got there, I worried cause I did not want to make any of them sick.  Mawma looks so good!  She is healthy and that is a blessing, Roy is doing well but having a problem with Chronic Heart Failure, in which he is back in the hospital today to get some fluid off him, so keep him in your prayers. everyone there had lost weight and looked great,  it was warm there, Mawma and Connie and I went to look at some condos and to lunch, we did manage to browse through a few shops!  I love my time with them, I talked to Mawma on some family history and realized I had some things all wrong, about my mother meeting my daddy they actually dated when daddy was working on the mountain. Then mother ended up marring him:) He was twenty years older then mother. Mother was 39 when daddy past away.  Its wonderful to have a grandmother whose mind is so sharp and her memory is good, she is only a few years older then mother was when Papa married her, she was a God send in mother's life! Without Mawma in her life I would not even be here today!
It is winter weather when we get home, dreading hitting the storm as we drive, we are in light rain now and 35 degrees, getting colder as we keep driving:(  Guess we are going to be snowed, iced or what ever in for a few days, I probably need it to get well:) 
Before mother past away I depended on Connie so much for comfort, advice, directions, she has been a angel to me, since mother has past away I have grown closer, I am so thankful for her love and friend ship and wisdom in my life, I need her and know she is always there for me, no matter what, she is like a sister to me.  I did not realize that she and mother looked so much a like till I was there this time and Connie made some of the same faces mother did:)  I love being able to share mother memories and talk about her with them, it keeps her alive in me:)
Now back to home and back to work, really I never took off work, I handled my Real Estate while gone, had Cliff show homes for me, it is slower right now, I would like it to pick up some, I like busy! 
I had Amber come and clean while I was gone so should go home to a clean house:) April said to me on the phone, maybe I should of gone to the store??? Now she is iced/snowed in, we will stop in Pine Bluff I guess so we will have milk, I always have food, more then we could eat, but she wants the junk food:)) Jennifer and Jared ask us to come for dinner, she is making some yummy potato soup. So guess I will figure it out if I need anything else, we have never been to where we could not get to the store, actually we could even walk it needed:)  Its been a long time since we have had this kind of weather this early in the winter:) Looking forward to being home and snuggled in, so I can get well:) Hope everyone has a great day where ever you are!!

Thanksgiving 2013 and November 2013

As Steve and I drove to do a friends sister's funeral, I said is the is the last day in November, he said yes, I can not believe tomorrow is December first 2013!  Where has this year gone??? As you know I decorated early for Christmas, so yes I am ready but just numb to think this year is almost over! When we left Hannah's I brought Olivia home with me, she was so excited, we did a shopping trip:)

We had out annual Thanksgiving lunch at McKimmey, it was a success, I think we had the best year yet!

 

 

 

 

The McGill boys

Jennifer and Alicia

 

We had the best, I think Thanksgiving ever, Seth and Mark helped me with the dressing, in which I needed, my hands are having a problem:(( I think from holding my phone too much:) and they stirred it all, Steve and Hannah chopped the onions and celery, I can not make dressing with out the memories of all the years I would call mother to get the recipe and I could hear her telling me, not too much sage it will make it bitter:)  I add and Steve will taste it:) It turned out perfect! I was excited that Mark and Hannah got to come on Tuesday and stay till Friday, I miss them being in Van Buren, in which I realize is not that far, but its not next door either, what I was use too!  Thankful Jared moved his family next door! We went to Alicia's for Thanksgiving, it was pot luck so that makes it easy, I even took a cats nap with Luke:) came home about 8ish and played Texas Holdem with Sean, Sarah, Nick, Hannah and Mark, it was just a fun filled day, a lot of laughs and very thankful!

My friend for life, Sherry Maxwell

Belinda Holiday and Jill

Belinda, Jill, Sarah

 Sean, Alex, Alicia Jean

 Sydney

 Amelia

 Nick Cox and Mark McGill

 Steve and Bob

 hannah

 Seth Harris

My new grand dog Axel

 

When all is here it is hectic and the house gets messy, I get dog tired, usually from not much sleep, I am so use to it being quiet, but when they all leave I sure do miss them!!! Looking forward to out Averitt Christmas, This is a pic of the Grands, all but Anna Averitt:(

 Some were tired:)  Anna came over Friday

 

I was not to thrilled about sharing her with her Step father's family but I have met the Miley's and know how they love her too,  Mr. Miley and his wife Georgia are elderly and I know they enjoyed her being with them:) I need to photo shop her in, like I would even know how to do that:(

 

Today I showed property then Steve did a graveside service for his friend of fifty years, his sister who Steve knew past away suddenly:( Then tonight we are going out to dinner with some good friends, I love the Holiday's I try my best to take time to visit with those I do not get to see much.  I am going to try to make good trays for some:) This Tuesday we go see Mawma, I can not wait will be home Friday and then have the Averitt Christmas on Saturday, then have our children's Christmas the 22nd and then spend New Year's wit Steve's sister Pasty and Donald!  So I have to fit in going to see the May's in Hot Springs, but I will:)  I also want to do a Christmas lunch for a few close lady friends, got to get it all scheduled!

My saying with my life long friends! It will be a fun filled month!  I love having taken time to look through some childhood memories, my Christmas ones are fresh on my mind and it keeps those I love right there in my heart to enjoy December with me!   Mark and Hannah and Steve did get my blow ups in the yard!

 I love these and love watching the children love these!

My children make light of them but I know they really wish they were in their yard! Have a great start to your Holiday Season, take time to love on old friends and make some new!! Love to all and to all a good night!



Just a Blogging on a rainey day......

Last blog was the first week of November,  we did go to Hannah's last week, had a great time, went to church with them Sunday, really enjoyed our time with them, we had our last bible study this year with Church of North Hills which is not where we go to church, but some great friends of ours go there and we have enjoyed a bible study on Wed. nights with them, it has been in our home for the past six weeks, I had all my fall décor out and decided to do all my Christmas to share with them, so it is up and ready for Christmas, I love Christmas songs, they are so peaceful and I love the joy that Christmas brings to my heart:)

Our crazy love tree:)

 

 

 My Lovie

 

 

 

We have had many homes, we have had big and small, a pool, acreage, horses, dogs, pond, lived in the country and the city, one story, two story...etc.  I have to say this home is one we bought for investment purposes, we totally gutted it, it sits back on the lot about 75 feet and a acre lot in Sherwood, its only 1800 feet and we totally love it, it is one of my favorite homes to have lived in:) Sure there are some things I miss in this home, such as a fireplace, garage, but it is next door to my son and his family, and I love living here, longest I have lived anywhere in a long time:) Being a Realtor I move a lot:)  I have a large living area and kitchen is big so its easy to have people over:)

Steve and I talk about moving someday, probably when my son does, not sure we will move depends  on who buys home:)   I wanted to share my Christmas with you:)

Today is such a rainy day, I have cooked dressing and I have decided I do not like to cook it before Thanksgiving, I only make it once a year and I know why today, it is a task!! BUT when I tasted it and it is not Thanksgiving, I thought ohhhhh  I will not be so hungry come next Thursday for Turkey and dressing, but who knows I may be:) I wait all year for that taste:))  Guess I will be making it again next Wednesday:)  We will all be at Alicia's for Thanksgiving, I am looking forward to that!  Tomorrow we will have Peyton, Laila and Mika for the weekend, we will go to Hannah's tomorrow, they have not been so hope they enjoy the country life:)  I know they will love the camper.

Lovie has been going to school, actually Steve and I are learning about Lovie , how to help her understand what we need her to do, she is so smart and so far it has bee very successful! We have two more classes to go:) 

 

 

Work has been too slow for me:(  I am working but I really like to be busier then I am, but it has given Steve and I time to get the leaves up and decorate our home, he hung the lights too! This is the first for us to have it all done this early, I have had Amber help me with the heavy house work, so the house is real clean and looks great, I am going to enjoy the décor this year:)  Can't wait to go see The  family in LA. the first week of December:0 Can't wait for my babies to all get here Tuesday for Thanksgiving:0 Love all this family time and this time of the year!! Bet I will be dog tired after Thanksgiving, it will be a quiet house again and I will need Amber's help again but its all so worth it!  Hugs to all and to all a good night!



Thanksgiving, a time of Thankfulness

November is a wonderful month that I love, then comes December that I really love!  This is my favorite time of the year!  I have put out my fall decor as you know if you read my blog, and can not wait to put out Christmas!!

 This month there have been several things in my life that have been very emotional, I have done some soul searching and reflecting as a Child of God, a daughter, sister, mother, wife, child, friend, Realtor.  I have been accused of some wrong doings by a family member I love very much, it has been very painful for me and for them, in dealing with that I have reflected a lot on my child hood, letting the Lord use this time of pain to bring the healing He wants to bring in areas of my life, so He is working it all for my good.  Its not over and not sure it will be this side of Heaven, I will never understand it all, but I hang onto the fact God is in control and He is my defender.

Then as you know we were going through some things with April and Seth, Seth was able to come for a visit this past week, and it was such a answered prayer, looks like there will be a wedding in the future if all goes as planned and Steve and I and Seth and April are all on the same page! This is a real answered prayer for my family, if God is for us, who can be against us!

Have another family deal I am not free to blog about yet, but it is emotional too, so my plate has been full of healing and me letting go of the things I can not change, letting God take the wheel:) I have learned this week
that I had unforgiveness, bitterness, hate in my heart and I was able to give it to the Lord and forgive the best I know how.  I was able to realize I can not change what other people say or think about me, true or untrue but I can live each day knowing God knows me inside and out, He formed me in my mother's womb and He and I are ok.  There is a saying in Celebrate Recovery "to do the next right thing", and that is what I am doing in all of this, receiving wisdom from council, knowing I am trusting in the Lord for the out come of all these things I have shared, on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand:)

My daddy went to Heaven 41 years ago this coming Sunday, Nov. 10th., so I went to the cemetery today with Steve and put out new flowers, a time to reflect, I know that my daddy and mother and Walt are in Heaven, I have no doubt they are proud of me along with my Heavenly Father.  My mother and Walt loved flowers so I bet they have their Manson full of all kinds of flowers, daddy liked them too, but not like mother and Walt did!

Steve's parents, his daddy past away when he was 11 and his dad was only 52:(

Yesterday I went back to some old home places of friends

The Beasley's

where I lived on Cedar when I was under five

Aunt Otis's

Aunt Verna's and Uncle Herbert's, lot of memories there:)

 was neat seeing the homes and having such fond memories, not to say all my childhood was a bed of roses, It wasn't, but I choose to let go of what lies behind, thank God for His healing and move forward to what lies ahead:)  I always told my children, God healed me of my childhood and I am trusting Him to heal you of yours, only perfect children can expect perfect parents and only perfect parents can expect perfect children....Thankful for a Savior!  We all come from a some what dysfunctional family, which brings me to my next point, if we are always in the victim role we will never be a survivor!  So next time you have the poor me's think about the good me's, do not let your self be a victim,  there is so much more life in being a Survivor!  And that I am!!

A rose is all alone on this almost dorment, dead rose bush in my yard, shows me there is always fresh new life in the midst of death!  When we may be in the worst time of our life, God gives us a Rose, so look for your Rose today, he is faithful to see us all though our emotional times and bring healing to our souls!

I love Fall!

Wow I just do not remember when I have seen the trees look so color full!  They are just beautiful his year, they say we are in for a bad winter, although I love snow too, for a few days so I may like a bad winter:)  I do not like being cold though!  I showed property today in Little Rock then came this afternoon to Fairfield Bay to show property tomorrow, the tress were so pretty even thought I missed their peak time.

This tree is fire red in its peak

 

my view from the couch:)

 

I love coming to the condo, it is so calm and just a step back in time here at FFB.  We ate at one of our favorite places tonight and I am so full, Steve brought home a huge piece of chocolate cake and yes I ate some of it too!  I am so ready for bed, but time goes back tonight and its just 7:34!  Tomorrow we are  showing property here:)   Only bad thing is we will miss our Journey Church:( will have to get it on line, but that's just not the same as in person.  We had and amazing Harvest Fest, Jill and Jennifer Averitt planned it and they just out did them self, I think it is the best yet! I came home tired and forgot that I had a breakfast meeting in the am at 6:00 with Parkview friends:( I was awake but remembered it when I saw a post on face book:( They meet monthly so maybe next month:)

 

Seth Harris will be coming Monday of this week to visit, we are looking forward to that, we have not really been a round him in a long time, he and April are planning on a wedding this spring.  No date for sure yet, but coming:)  God has done a real work in all of us on this one:) He is faithful!  Have some other things He needs to work out for me with family members, but I know He can.

 

I am getting excited to get to see Mama and Roy and Connie and her family, we will keep our tradition and go in December to see them, we started it taking mother, now it just helps me to be with them:) Makes Christmas, Christmas!  I plan on seeing Derol and Ann May some to during the Holidays, I miss not seeing them! I pray this season will be a time of fun, friends and family!  I love this time of the year!  Well got work tomorrow so getting in the bed and calling it a night! Enjoy the trees and the fall air!!! hugs and night!

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. Gen. 50:20a

I loved this verse this morning, so many times things come in our life and we stress and fret over them, especially if your a people pleaser and want peace with everyone. Which most of us are:) No one likes strife or confusion, we all want the world to be at peace and for us to be at peace with each other. BUT as we all know the world is not always at peace and neither are we. One thing you can always count on for sure, is God will work it all out for YOUR good, no matter what it is.  When others harm us, intending or unintended God has your back, you may not feel it but when you need it you will know HE is the one who has you in the palm of HIS hand.   I have not had a Bible whipping in a long time from anyone, but lately have had many verses and little sayings sent to me to let me know the sender is  God them self, and I am the scum of the earth, the only thing when someone does that, they are exalting them self saying, I am ok your not ok, which is saying I am a little closer to God then you, God loves me more then you, if you could just see all this and be like me, truth is, they or not ok and neither or you, if you believe what they say, things like this make me want to vomit!  So yes, I am thankful for our cover of our bulletin at Journey Church to today that reminds me when someone intends to harm you or hurt you with their words, actions, gossip to others, God has your back, and will make it good:)  Personally I choose not to respond to such things but to pray for the person saying such things, I have learned one thing these past few years, you have to walk the path God chose for you and trust that each step He will lead you, I will always seek out wise counsel when needed to make sure I am where God wants me in my life at this time:)
Life is always changing, mine sure has these past five years, as I get older, I realize the most important things in life are not things but what has eternal value. I am in sales so I get a lot of recognition in my Real Estate career because God has blessed my business, at the same time I totally know who butters my bread:)  I read a post today that said, always point people back to the Lord, they need to know its not you doing it , it is only God, in which I believe, I also believe God says, your the apple of my eye, in you I am well pleased, He desires for you to know His love for you and how proud He is of you being His child, when you do well he is clapping his hands, when we fail he is ever interceding but will always be showing you off because He is proud of you! So it goes without saying, God gets the Glory of the light that shines in you, He will let the others see it so they will want to know, what is it that keeps you going, so positive and full of life?  Let the world see who you are, who God has made you to be and SHINE!! Let go of all the negatives, you will never please all those your in contact with, run the best race you know how here on earth, listen to what your Father is telling you, if I do not see you here on this earth then for sure hope to see you in Heaven someday, "When God is for us, who can be against us, what can mere man do?" Lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus daily so you can run and shine in all HIS glory, as He redeems you daily! If you do not know your Jesus like this, then cry out to Him to show you who HE is, He has your back! He is your healer, provider, deliverer, Knight in shinning armor! Hugs to all!