It took me a while, but I made it back. I don't get here as much as I used to. It seems that many of us love the one-line life over at Facebook. It's just so much easier to come up with one line than a whole post. I just thought I would drop in and leave some thoughts. As usual, get your coffee and come back for the marathon read.

Well, the TREE is down, the gifts are mostly put away, and life ebbs on, and I am more pensive than ever. There are milestones you hit during your life that have a way of not only slapping you in the face but knocking you painfully down on your backside, leaving you stunned, hurting, and somewhat embarrassed, in a metaphorical way.

As 2009 ended, and 2010 quietly slipped in, finding us doing virtually the same thing we typically do every December 31, I was startled with the realization that a full 10 years had passed since Tim and I passed our first married New Years Eve in Tennessee. Back then, I was heavy "with child," the female child that would rock our worlds and change the course of all our lives. In 1999, not only did we have 3 male children that were "mine" by birth, but now, we were going to add an "ours," an act that would forever change everything. Sarah's birth in March of 2000 was one of those life-altering events that forever impacted not only 3 little boys who had never imagined adding a female component to the sibling pool, but also the mother and step-father of said children.

We became parents in the summer of our lives, when legs don't run as fast to chase little ones that are only outrun by mice and cougars. We committed to raise a female of the species, so different from the males I had become accustomed to herding. Three years later, we got another of those life-changing moments when we added Hannah to the female side of the tick sheet. Four and three. I was no longer the only hormonal entity in the house. I nearly gave my life to bear Hannah, and the experience changed me in ways that still send shivers up my spine.

So when I go back and think about what life was like 10 years ago, I can scarcely believe that I am really here--right here!-- in 2010. I don't know how 10 full years passed so much more quickly than 10 years have ever passed for me before. I do the math, and I realize that I have about 2 blinks before I am "three-score and ten." It's sobering--so sobering that I've been sitting on my metaphoric backside reflecting since New Years Eve!

Then, there are two truths that have more meaning to me each and every day. There are two men who have sacrificed their lives in different ways for me, and I am awed by their selflessness, not fully understanding why either chose to be a part of my life.

The first is obviously Jesus Christ, and I cannot even comprehend what led Him to lay down His life for mine. I like to think that, as I come to understand more and more about sacrifice because of the aforementioned sobriety that accompanies maturity, I do a little better at appreciating His love, His plan, and His sacrifice, and that I do more all the time to make myself the kind of ground that "drinks the rain which often falls on (me) and brings forth vegetation useful to (Him) for whose sake it is also tilled." Hebrews 6:7

The second man is my second husband. Having had a first husband who was not what he should have been, I appreciate the second so much more! Had Tim not entered my life when he did, my present would be so much different than it is now. I sincerely doubt that I would have had the life I have if he had not been giving enough to not only take on three little boys who could frighten the bravest of warriors but also to give me two more daughters for a grand total of 5 little indians! He and I have had to circle the wagons a few times, but we have gotten through some challenging moments of child-rearing together and come out the other side stronger for it.

There is no more wonderful place to be than secure in your love for someone. To be able to trust both my Saviour and my husband implicitly is more of a blessing than words in the English language can convey. I'm walking, safely holding one hand tight in the spiritual realm and one in the here-and-now with my husband.

Are things in my life perfect? No--far from it. Parts of my house need serious attention because the promised moth and rust are doing their work. My newer van has a newly-crumpled bumper, and both my dogs are badly-behaved. We deal with our share of scares in health, jobs, and loss of family and dear friends on this earth. My children sometimes fall down. We've worked to raise them right, but sometimes they try their wings prematurely and crash. Sometimes it is I who falls down. I try my best to pray from that prone position and move on. I have not perfected time-management. Truly, there's a long list of things I have not perfected.

Yet, somehow, when the day winds down, and all the members of this family crawl home at night, hungry, cold, and weary, we find strength in one another and in the faith we share--the faith we have tried so hard through the years not to compromise, even when that was very, very hard. And we still hold hands, and we pray, and occasionally, we still break out in song together or laugh at something silly til the tears stream down our faces. And when the bad days come, we still hold hands, and we pray, and while the tears stream down our faces, we try to remind each other what we do this all for. We've crawled in beside one another on hospital beds and sick beds and just lay there, because it was all that could be done at the time. When one of us gets weak or weary, the other six hold up his hands until the battle's won.

And at the helm of our ship is that dear man I am proud to call my man, guiding us into eternity with his eyes fixed on the goal, watching for his Lord to come back and take us all to real perfection! No one is going down on his watch, he often says in different ways on different days.

So what's happened to me in the last ten years? Well, the short answer is, "A lot." What's coming up this year? I haven't a clue! Yet, I know that I am in the best hands possible, here and beyond here. What do I wish for? I hope men will learn to be better to each other. I hope that people who have others to love will love them and not take them for granted. I hope that friends and family members will learn to not always be looking for the "bigger, better deal" where friends and family members are concerned. You have who you have. Love them. I hope that people will not waste a lot of time finding reasons not to love. I hope that people who know they are doing something wrong will just find a way to step out of that and do the right thing, no matter what consequences may come here, because the eternal consequences are far more severe. I hope that I have some more good time with those I love until it is time to move on into eternity. I hope some that have recently passed and some who have been gone a long time by my clock are so happy where they are now. And I hope to do a better job this year of getting ready to join them, because even if I have 50 more years, and the Lord delays, 2060 is just a few blinks away.

Well, this is my first entry on the new and improved Pleo! My, this is different! At any rate, we are in the middle of a very strange Summer, and I cannot believe that the beginning of school is already staring us in the face. I just got going with Summer! We are planning a trip soon to New Jersey for my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary. That will be some nice away-time. We haven't had a vacation in forever!

We've had some kind of summer crud again for about 2 weeks. It was bad enough that I believe it was some kind of flu. Thanks to Sam running for us and bringing cold meds, we were able to survive. Survive was about all we could do. It was really rough. We even thought it might be the dreaded Swine Flu. We just lost a man in our town to it last week. We never went and got tested, because we were frankly too sick to drive, and Sam got into the last of his remodeling project for Wal-Mart and was working 15-hour days. He is nearly done, and we will see if he stays on full time. The economy is still severely depressed here, and jobs are very, very scarce. I guess it is that way everywhere.

I put together this little video for my Dad for Father's Day, since he and my Mom have a house full of chihuahuas. They just had the last litter of pups they are ever going to have, so if you are in the market for a pure-bred, give me a holler. They have had two litters of four pups each, and they say that's enough to put Mama Chihuahua through! I got a pretty one from the first litter, and we named her Baylee. She has a unique talent, and that is the backdrop for this movie. I could not resist putting in some of my cute little children, nieces, nephews and other assorted family members. So take a peek if you have time! (Hey, it's 3 minutes!)

So, "Keep on Smilin' " and have a good week!

Happy to be celebrating our 11th anniversary today! It's just wonderful of everyone to have a big party with fireworks every year! We always have a colorful anniversary!

The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.--Proverbs 23:24

A good man obtains favor from the LORD.... --Proverbs 12:2

Happy Birthday to my son, Sam, who "maketh his mother glad" (most of the time!) He always has been and continues to be my sweetheart! He came into the world in a dramatic way on Father's Day weekend, 1988, and he has been the pride and joy of our family every since. When you have a child that is easy to raise, it is refreshing to your spirit, and you have one more great reason to thank the Lord! I thank God every day for giving me Sam. I did not understand back then why I could not get a daughter for anything, but now, I may see the Lord's Providence in giving us a son, as I reflect on what this precious soul has meant to everyone. From the outside looking in, Sam looks like a good kid. Let me tell you from the inside looking out, he really is! Happy 21st, Drummerboy! (p.s. Sam would not be caught dead at Bonnaroo!)

I know that it has been a terribly long time since I have updated. So go get a cup of coffee, come back, and make yourself comfortable. (You can turn the music off at the bottom by pressing the round button with two lines on the player, if you like.) I know that I am getting slower all the time, or else the time-space continuum has sped up so much that I can no longer keep pace. The days turn into weeks, and the weeks to months before I can find time to sit and blog anymore.

Since the last update, Sarah has turned 9 and Micah turned 15! Sam finished Tech School and has his first job! Daniel turned 22 and finished his 3rd year of college. He won two Sociology Scholarships for next year and found out he'll be doing his internship at NHC, the nursing home near the college. Micah decided to rededicate his life to the Lord and make his calling and election sure. He was baptized on February 5th. (He was outside. It was cold!) :)


We've had a blessed year, despite some unexpected twists and turns. Our little family is constantly amazed by God's Providence in our lives and the lives of those around us. Who could have ever predicted the events of the past several months, with the economic downturn, Obama's stunning election, those that have been born, and those who have passed from this life...so many sobering events, yet so many glimmers of light cutting through a lot of darkness.

Like so many others, we have always felt that Tim's job was pretty stable, and that as long as he did what he was supposed to, we would always have that security. This year we have come to believe that nothing is that sure anymore, and he, like so many others who thought they would always work somewhere, we could be out in the cold with little notice. We have come to trust God so much more for our daily bread, and that is about as far as we look down the road...day by day. But isn't that as it should be?

Riding to church the other day, I told Tim that I am still rather in shock that Obama is our president now! I think we are long past due to have had an African American president; it is a shame that it did not happen before now. But I guess that deep down, I really wondered if we would ever get past race in this country and judge a man on his merits rather than his skin tone. From that standpoint, I was glad he overcame all the prejudices that have plagued our country for too long.

My greatest concerns have been for the moral decline going on in the nation, much of which has blossomed under the liberal policies of the new president and the current Congress. It has been rather sad to watch abortion proponents get some strongholds on the slippery slope which leads to national deterioration and possibly the final decline of the nation. I've always said that God really became irate in the Old Testament over the killing of children and homosexuality, and if you want to get Divine Ire poured out on this country, just keep promoting (or lending silent assent to) the agendas of both abortionists and homosexuals. I'm so tired of hearing that I cannot have an opinion or be vocal on this. The opinion of a Christian is just as valid as anyone else's opinion, and it is my hope that more Christians will be bold enough to speak up for the values which made this nation great in the first place.

Which reminds me....Our family has followed American Idol this season. We don't always get into every season; it has been hit and miss over the years. So it was quite interesting when it came down to the religious country boy from Arkansas and the flamboyant, homosexual contestant who was loaded with natural talent. Like nearly everyone else, we assumed that Adam would unquestionably win! We watched all the other contestants fall one by one, until week before last when Danny was cut. All hope was seemingly lost. But we decided that even if our puny little votes were only a drop in the bucket, we would vote for Kris and his values as the person who should represent America as an "idol!" We dialed our home phone and cell phones and sent text messages for nearly the whole time voting was allowed. Apparently, many, many people felt the same way. They say the vote wasn't even close. I have not heard the totals. I thought it was highly interesting that a guy who could sing his lungs out so beautifully (Adam) and obviously was head and shoulders above Kris in natural talent and stage presence DID NOT WIN! Maybe those who have been silent and let the supposed 1 to 3% of our population that is gay set a new definition of marriage and parade their bedroom behavior through the streets, into television shows once reserved for an audience who still knew how to blush, and into our very homes through all types of media are finally seeing where all of this is going and are deciding enough is enough! I suspect that the next group to get that message may be the Pepsi people, who decided to sponsor the Gay Pride Parade in NYC! We drink lots of Pepsi around our house, but we don't plan to buy any more if they go through with this. Coke works just as well! Let the Pepsi people note Adam's fate and be forewarned!

Well, I did not get on an update to rant! Let's see! What have you missed out on in 5 months from us? Well, in brief, we had lots of viruses in the second half of winter. It was extremely cold for Tennessee this winter, but it did not seem to affect the bug population. They are out in full force, with a few new varieties thrown in this year. We've had a LOT of rain. The Spring started out tornadic, but it has calmed down.

Daniel got mono just as we were getting over the worst stomach virus this family has ever seen. Daniel is living in his condo in Murfreesboro, and we are about 30 miles south, so he did not have the stomach thing, and we did not get mono. He got so sick, he had to take a couple of weeks out of school and come home for some Mommy-care! He was one sick "little" boy, but he is doing great now and still managed to pull out a good g.p.a. for the semester. He is trying to have a couple of B's changed to A's because of a whacky professor who apparently does not grade papers and just assigns arbitrary grades. This is the same professor who showed up for final exams with not enough copies of the test and had to go make more. While he was gone, those who were left with tests were busily copying the answers out of the books! But it may not have even mattered if he did not grade them anyway. One girl who thought she had done o.k. got a "D" in the class.

Daniel's condo was about a mile away from both tornadoes that struck Murfreesboro last month. The second tornado was the biggie, and it tore up our church yard, taking down probably 10 or 12 trees and overturning portables, etc. Fortunately, it did not touch our building or Daniel's condo. One of our members was actually in a building that was completely destroyed. Every employee got out alive, and that was quite a blessing. When you think that you could have easily lost a son and a brother in Christ (or several of them) in an F-4 tornado that was on the ground for something like 22 miles...well, you can see why we are praising God for his protection!

I keep having people ask me, "Are you still home schooling?" and the answer is still a resounding "YES!" We've never been more proud to have this right, and you can bet we are exercising it to the fullest extent! I asked the kids the other day if they wanted to just try continuing lessons through the summer, and they think that is a good idea. They agreed that if they keep studying, without the summer break, it is not as hard to start up again in the fall. We won't go at a breakneck pace, but it will be nice to have some extra time to do some special studies! Tennessee is a wonderful state for home schooling, and we thank God often for the opportunity to have more time with the kids to train them. I only wish sometimes that I was allowed to take in other people's kids and home school them, so that they did not have to brave some of these public schools. The sadness in some kids' eyes...when you ask them about school....it will rip your heart out!

I had a big round of tests on my heart last month! I had been dreading having it done, but I got hold of an old report from 2007 that said I had a couple of leaking heart valves, so we had to look into it. I was given a clean bill of health. The doctor (who is my dad's cardiologist at Vanderbilt) said that if the numbers on the test results were true, I had one of the strongest hearts he had ever seen. While I think there is a slight possibility that the numbers are just a little off, I think it is also possible that I have developed a super-strong heart by raising Dan, Sam and Micah. Any of you who knew them as children will vouch for that! :)

I can't think of any more earth-shattering news. My little niece Kelsey had her appendix out a couple of weeks ago and is fine now. All the little chihuahuas in our family are going through spaying and neutering now, except for the Mom of the pack who is having her second litter at the end of the month. My mother says it will be her last litter, but we will see. They are just so stinking cute! We got Baylee fixed a couple of weeks ago, so she never saw a heat. Now maybe there will not be dogs hanging out everywhere outside, since our outside and inside females won't be fruitful and multiplying anymore.


The tan one is ours. The white one, Rascal, belongs to my nephew, Ben. The large black one is Babe, the mother chihuahua! Koko is the redish-colored father, and the tiny black one is Sweeney, also a girl. Baylee, Koko, Sweeney, and Rascal are all getting "surgery" so that my parents don't have 101 chihuahuas!

Mom has her hands full of pups and grandpups!

I never thought I would see my dad in overalls, much less with chihuahuas in the pockets!

Some of you have asked me how my Uncle Fred and Aunt Fran are doing! They are in Illinois living with middle daughter Mary Ann and her husband Bill, and they are just doing great! They have actually made some vast improvements since moving back north again, and both are more mentally acute than they have been in some time. This is a picture of them that was made recently up there! Not bad for mid-80's, huh?


I've been profoundly affected by some very emotional losses over the past few months, and that depth of emotion continues tonight. Some of these losses have been deaths, and some have been relationships/friendships. I'm a very naive person by nature, and most of the time, I don't see these things coming, so I think it affects me more than it does some people. Kelsey Harris' life and death has opened so much dialogue in our family, and she has caused us to reevaluate our priorities and our values and our spiritual lives. What a wonderful example this young lady set with her positive attitude (what an understatement) in all things! I know God has been glorified because of her life and her family's faith! I know that I will not soon forget her, if ever!

Now, as I finish this post, I have heard the terrible news that little Nathan Ing, age 7, is slipping away tonight. He has battled cancer since December 2006. He was playing yesterday, and he just went downhill really fast. His parents had prayed for a merciful end to his life. Yet, none of us are ever ready to let go. I ache for his dear family tonight.

Well, this is long enough. I am going to add a slideshow of some pics since the last post, and in the tradition of my firstborn, who posts now on Facebook exclusively, I may take up his "song of the post" tradition, at least for a while. There are a lot of people hurting tonight for a lot of different reasons. Some have been betrayed by a "good" friend. Some have lost love. Some are aching from the deepest lost of all--death. We'll let another guy who would have made a great "Idol," Danny Gokey, sing this one......