In Memory of Bonnie McGuire (our Mamaw)

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Bonnie McGuire

January 24, 1928 - December 9, 2012

Biography

Bonnie Mildred McGuire, 84, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012 in a Chattanooga hospital. She was a member of Four Point Baptist Church. She had lived in Cleveland most of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James C. McGuire; daughter, Vickie Sue Kirby; daughter-in-law, Linda McKay Bunch; mother, Bertie Wilson; step-father, Bob Wilson; father, Sam Hill; sisters: Edna Morrow and husband Bit; Jewel Brown and husband Lee and Mary Ruth Hill; three brothers: Robert Hill, Fred Hill, Arnold Hill; half-brother, Sam Hill, Jr. and brother-in-law, Paul Hill.

She is survived by one daughter, Dolores Ann McCallister of Cleveland; two sons, Mitchell Bunch of NY and Larry Bunch and wife, Pam of Warsaw, NC; three granddaughters: Missy Parris and husband, Sammy of Cleveland, Rachael Bivens and husband, Jason of Cleveland and Aron Weinbach of NC; four grandsons: Jonah McCallister of Cleveland, Adam and Andrew Bunch, of NC and Brian Weinbach of GA; seven great grandchildren: Morgan, Katie, Josiah, Jacob, Sarah, Samuel and Stephen Parris; two sisters, Iola Hall and husband, Earl of Cleveland; Sammie Jean Starnes of GA; two special cousins, Reba Davenport and Betty Wiley and husband, Bob. Many nieces and nephews whom she loved; two half sisters and one half brother; one sister-in-law, Dean Dailey and one brother-in-law, Bill McGuire and wife, Mildred of Chattanooga and many friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 12, 2012, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Pastor Ray Cheatham officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 P.M. Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the McGuire family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.

Satisfaction

Are you satisfied where God has you now? Are you taking time to enjoy this "season" of your life. 
Missy and I meet so many people, especially those that seem to have their heart's focused in the right direction, but very few people that seem satisfied to bloom where they are planted. They seem to always be reaching for something more, some adventure they haven't experienced yet.

Do you find yourself asking questions like: If only I had?, If only we could have done?, If we could only meet or experience?

Please beware! One of the enemies greatest tactics is to get you focused on the what if's and next you will experience great anxiety and let me remind you what the word says:

Phil 4:6, 7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

John 14: 27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

^{Are you settled?
I've had to learn the hard way sometimes in my life, but "Thank You Jesus" for this peaceful, satisfying "season" in my life.}

 

Our family recently watched the movie Agenda free online. This documentary is well done and makes one think about the direction our country is heading.
This should make us all drop to our knees and pray. We need a 2 Chronicles 7:14 prayer.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Please join me in that prayer and stay informed. I invite everyone to watch by clicking the link below until Nov 4th.
God, some how some way, Bless America!


Watch Here

Convictions

Where do convictions come from? Are they something taught, felt, inherited? These are important questions in the life of a believer. I think the simple answer is yes to all 3 questions, but here is the crux for us to ponder on:
Convictions have to be grounded and proven in the Word of God. I can have a preference about a subject, but if I can't defend that with Scripture, then that is what it is; a preference.
Our Pastor is doing a series in Luke and we came to Chapter 14 Sunday. You know the story. Here's the KJV version of it:

¹ And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

² And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

³ And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

⁴ And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

⁵ And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

⁶ And they could not answer him again to these things.

⁷ And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

⁸ When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

⁹ And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

¹⁰ But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

¹¹ For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

You may ask me what this story has to do with convictions. Everything! You see Jesus was making the Religious leaders of that day look inwardly and not outwardly so the real them would come to the light, not the one in the suit. Those leaders of that day were not doing things from a heart-felt, Bible believing conviction, but because that was how they always had done things, and they loved looking righteous and important on the outside. The Pharisees looked good by all accounts, but Jesus could see straight through to the heart of their pride issue. He calls you and me to "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God" and have convictions based on the truth set forth in God's Word, not because it's the latest christian fad, or because sister or brother so and so does it this way.

All convictions can be taught, felt, and inherited, but they better be confirmed and grounded in God's Word. Only He is our final authority.

Jacob's 8

Happy 8th Birthday Jacob!

We love you!

Daniel's Music - Wind at My Back Series Intro

I will forever call this intro from Wind at My Back "Daniel's Music".  When I was pregnant last year with Daniel he and I shared many long nights of me staying up and sewing when everyone else went to sleep.  It was nice and peaceful in the house but I didn't like that it was COMPLETELY quiet.  About the same time we had started watching a series from the library.  There were many things I did like about it but also some things I didn't.  What I did love though was the music for the intro.  Sometimes when I would be sewing  I would turn an episode on and not pay much attention to it but when it would go off the music would just play over and over till the play button was hit again.  I remember sewing and feeling him move and knowing that he was the only one that was still up with me.  It was our time together and I love that memory of him.  I would think about all the different blankets, burp cloths, and bibs that I could make for him. I would stay up way to late but it was still nice to have some time to myself and to do some sewing projects.

  Fast forward several months and Daniel was no longer with us.  I had no desire to sew or watch any episodes of the show.  Everything had changed.  A few weeks before his actual due date in March I felt like I was doing pretty good.  When someone would mention his name in the family I didn't bust out crying or get that sick throw up feeling.  We had made our way back to the library and once again I checked out the DVDs and thought I would watch them again when I had a chance probably later in the evenings if I could find a few extra minutes.  This was the week that I "should have" delivered our baby via c-section a week 39 just like I had the last 4 babies. As the kids were going to bed and I was going to lay down on the couch with Stephen to try and get him to sleep, one of the kids offered to turn on the TV for me and put on Wind at My Back.  Never did I imagine the flood of emotions and sadness that would overtake me when I heard the music playing.  All those nights of staying up late, just me and little Daniel, it was just too much.  I quickly turned the DVD off and decided not to ever watch those again.  That was 6 months ago!

  A few days ago we made a trip to the library again.  This summer we have made drastic changes in our television time.  We went from a no cable-netflix only family to a no cable/NO NETFLIX family that enjoyed a good family movie on a Thursday or Friday night sometimes.   Our trip to the library was for books but since it was the weekend we thought we would see if we could find a really good movie to watch.  We didn't see anything that grabbed our attention so I said let's get a Wind at My Back season and we can watch a couple of their really funny episodes.  I think the girls were surprised because they had heard me say how that music made me feel.

  This is what makes me so thankful and full of joy.  I can listen to that music and have my memories of Daniel without the deep pain.  Yes I do still miss him and think of him every day but when I hear that beautiful music I am able to smile and cry at the same time.  Strange!!!  Crying because he isn't here with us and smiling because I did have him for those few short months.  Now other things do still cause me pain, seeing a baby that would have been his age and sometimes when I see all the kids playing, running around and having fun I feel that pain of knowing there should be another one right there with them also Mothers Day Baby Dedication that was one thing I wish I had skipped.  The loss of Daniel will always be with me but I am so thankful that I do have my good memories of him too. This is why I now consider this music to be "Daniel's Music"  It has a very special meaning to me!!!


Eventually my plans are to journal everything about my pregnancy and delivery of our little boy.  I don't want to only remember the sadness of our loss but to remember all the days that we had with him.  I want to add a page to our blog of Daniel's story.  I believe I will keep these pages private for the public.  If though there is ever anyone who can be blessed by his story in some way I will gladly share this page with them. For now though I plan to add a little at a time about him.  This is something that was on my heart today and I wanted to share it while my thoughts were fresh.  We will always be  thankful to God for the time that he gave us with him.  To hear this our main music at the bottom of the page must be turned off.

Follow Up To Please Parents Don't Fail

I love Mark Schultz. He's a wonderful songwriter and musician. Here's a song he did a few years back about the dangers of being a parent/dad that doesn't have his family in a place of priority like a leader in the home should.

Listen:

Saturday August 25, 2012-It's the BIG day!!!!

She's studied long and hard.  We've spent MANY hours studying 2nd Timothy.  At times I felt like we were right there with Paul writing to Timothy and felt like we somehow knew both Paul and Timothy!!!  The scriptures spoke straight to us.  They challenged us along the way.   This has been a wonderful study for us.  The Bible Bee has made so many changes since we first started with it in its beginning  and I have to say I think this year has been a wonderful improvement as far as taking the focus off learning 600 verses and putting the focus on bible study.  We have also learned about many people throughout history that gave their lives or lived for Christ even through the hardest most difficult times.  Now in the morning we're off to Alabama.  It would be great to make it to Nationals, of course that is the goal to actually get there but knowing that our entire family has been blessed by this summers Bible Bee study, that has truly been a gift.  

Please parents don't fail!!

Here's a comment I recently read from Rick Boyer in a posting he made on Facebook:

"We don't have TV in our home; never have had. But the distractions of the internet are just as bad or worse, and we have to have it for business. The occasion of my posting the above was that last night I sinned by wasting a chunk of time on online entertainment. Nothing most people would call immoral, but it's immoral to waste our limited time on this earth. I was severely convicted for it. I know better."

This is a family we have kept up with and have learned much from reading their books. He (Mr. Boyer) even admits how the computer can waste time. I said this in an earlier post I made some time ago; "If the TV is the BEAST, then the computer/internet is the brother called the DRAGON". They can both take away precious time. God help us to not be legalistic into thinking just because we get rid of the beast, we don't have to worry about the dragon. 

My family and I still watch a very good movie that is family friendly from time to time, and I mean that in the strictest sense. No foul language, no harsh unnecessary violence (there are some civil war, historic things that can be taught at an appropriate age), no immoral images, etc.., and we even sometimes get safely on the dragon (like now),

But even being careful about all these things, I can still fail miserably as a parent if I waste time. It's that precious time God has granted me that I don't want to miss with my family. It doesn't matter how much of my story I can tell on a blog, or how much of my time I can give a friend, or my career, 
if I miss this opportunity to make an impact on the lives God has entrusted me with; I'VE FAILED!

But you don't understand, I've got a degree in......FAILED!
But you don't understand, I've been a success at....FAILED!
But you don't understand, I have an opportunity to....FAILED!

Do I make my point?

Katie turns 14!!!!

July 5th Katie turned 14.  Katie's birthday is always so much fun because there's lots of excitement with 4th of July activities that lead up to her birthday.  We had a fun night celebrating.  While we were enjoying cake and ice cream we realized that there was quite a windstorm outside. It didn't put a damper on things though we just kept on with the celebration.  Katie is probably on of the sweetest people I have ever been around.  She is a pleasure to have as a daughter and we are so proud of the young lady she is becoming.  Katie is always quick to forgive and also quick to ask for forgiveness.   She makes some fantastic brownies and cookies and always knows when her Momma is in need of chocolate. She has a very soft heart and a love for children.  She has been very interested in adoptions and has educated herself (and anyone else who will listen) with all kids of different information.  One of her gifts was a movie called "Rescued" the family that made this DVD also sent her one of their bluegrass CD's since it was her birthday.  Not your typical gifts for a girl turning 14 but this only shows just how big her heart really is. Our little "StinkerBell"  is growing up on us way too fast!!!

Family Shepherds

I just finished this new book by Voddie Baucham. It was a gift from my wife for Father's Day. I would encourage every man to read this book. Voddie has articulated and applied Biblical principles so men can be equipped to be the leaders God Almighty is calling them to be in their homes. I have read many books on educating men in this area and have gleaned great wisdom from many, but I have also seen some contextual criticism come up when attempting to discuss these books with other men; not with this book. Voddie has allowed God to properly keep each scripture reference in context and to the point "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works". 2nd Timothy 3:17. Men step up and lead!

What some people will do for free food (year 2)

Yes,  for the second year we dressed up as cows to receive free food at Chickfila we also met up with our friends the Duncans.  The Chickfila cow was out and all the kids (as you can tell from the picture above) were very excited.  This year we went for lunch and it was completely packed out with cows of all ages.   We had a fun time making our outfits and all the kids helped make their outfits unique.  We LOVE ChickFilA.

3 weeks of squeezing

I am so thankful for my family. The last 3 weeks have been tough. Trying to help our local congregation at Waterville Baptist get ready to open has been very difficult. July 8th is almost here! My wife has been amazing and my kids are such a blessing. Devotion time is my favorite time with my children, and we have had to be very creative these past weeks to keep our devotions, but my blessings have understood. Through these difficult times, our church has been challenged and we have been squeezed. Let's hope what came forth from the squeezing was Jesus and not my flesh. Growing hurts. Some Christians I know don't even have to be squeezed and "fleshly" things are present. Let me say ; the fruits of the Spirit do not consist of impatience, hatefulness, or "I have arrived" attitude. I think you will find the list in scripture is the exact opposite. God knows our short comings and He can mold us into His likeness, but these 3 things mentioned have to go. I can't wait for Sunday!

Sam Turned Three!

As you can tell from the pictures Sam is a baseball fan even though he's never been to a real baseball game since he was a small baby.  He is a real Yankee fan, always wanting a Yankee hat.  We did a baseball theme for his birthday this year.  I actually bought a store bought cake (even though it didn't taste that good to me) it had baseball players and the field on it.  The little baseball players were a huge hit.  He really enjoyed opening his presents this year too.  The last picture is my favorite!!!!  I knew they were watching his new Winnie the Pooh movie but I didn't  realize he had piled up on his sister.  I think she was just about as tired as he was.  That's another fun part of having little ones so close in age, they celebrate as much as the actual birthday person.  I guess turning three and being a birthday boy just wore him out.  He enjoyed relaxing and watching his new movie before bed.  Happy Birthday to our 3 year old sweet boy!!!!

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!!

Sarah's 4th Birthday

Happy 4th birthday to our dear precious Sarah!!!  You are such a joy to all of us!!  We had a princess birthday for Sarah.  She woke up to our dining room being decorated for her princess celebration.  We eventually had to put a few things away till that evening.  It was too tempting for 3 little ones in the house not to bother. That evening her Daddy even surprised her with a dozen roses and pizza for her birthday supper.  It's hard to believe that she is already 4, seems like she should still be the little baby of the family.

Moore Family Films: Watch Free Online-It Is Your Life: The Moss Famil...

Moore Family Films: Watch Free Online-It Is Your Life: The Moss Famil...: On sale for $10.00 (Regular price $15.95) During the month of June, Moore Family Films is offering another one of our films free for o... This month the Moore Family is sharing another great DVD. We enjoyed watching this. It was great seeing the story of another Mom who has had MANY c-section!!! I'm sure that anyone who watches this will come away very inspired by this family!

National Bible Bee

It's that time of year. The time that our family gets really excited about a box being delivered to our home from the National Bible Bee. This year they have made a few changes and instead of learning about 8-10 verses per day it is more like 8-12 verses per week. Also there is personal and family Bible study that will take about 20 minutes or so per day. This will be very manageable for most people. Now one of the best things will be a chance to go to Nationals in November. They will be held in Tennessee again this year. The Pigeon Forge area will be the location and since that is so close to us we are excited about going even if Morgan's scores don't get her there to compete. Last year Kirk Cameron, Voddie Baucham and the Gettys were special guests along with many others. Just going to the conference will be wonderful-getting to compete in the finalist would be even better. We will do this study all summer as a family and encourage and help Morgan with the memorization part. Since she was a little girl she has always been blessed with the ability to memorize things. It just comes easy for her (unlike her Mother). When she was in Kindergarten we started going to a different church near the end of January/beginning Feb. we were very glad they had the AWANA program there. Our previous church had not yet started their AWANA program and we had hear great things about it. I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult for Morgan to finish her first year book since we had started so late. She thoroughly enjoyed going to AWANA. It was a very small group and she really liked her teacher. She quickly devoured the book and completed it by the end of March! She then went back over it again and by this time we knew that the Lord had blessed her with a gift of memorizing things very easily. When we first heard about the Bible Bee several years ago we knew this would be just right for Morgan. She had went as far as she could in AWANA and we knew how much she loved to memorize Gods word. For different reasons she has never competed at the locals but this year our goal is to finish well and by that I mean to do her best in the local competition and then see where that might lead. I cannot stress enough that this is more than a competition but it is memorizing the scriptures that will stay with you for a lifetime and also personal and family devotions. I hope to do updates about our experience with the Bible Bee all summer. I also hope to find other families that are blogging about their participation with the Bee and maybe do a link up. Sign-ups are through the end of the month!!! Spread the word!!!

Strawberries and Mothers Day

Last Saturday we went to pick strawberries..

Mothers Day A rare picture with all my sweet ones!

Tuesday Linkup

I'm linking up with Tesha's Tuesday link up.  She has a blog that has been a blessing to so many.  This is something that she sent out to other Mommy's that have suffered a loss.  I read through all the names and thought of how all of these women have had to go through so much.  I am so thankful that the Lord blessed me with 8 children and I can't imagine what it would be like if I hadn't been able to enjoy every single one of them.  I am blessed each day with hearing the laughs, giggles and of course on some days the screaming and crying of 7 of them but I am forever changed after having Daniel.  Those few weeks with him still inside me were difficult with the pregnancy problems but they were at the same time wonderful and a gift from God.  Things that were once taken for granted are now hoped and prayed for.  Mercy Me has a new song that I heard on Sunday.  I'm sure that we can all relate to this song if we have suffered a true loss of any kind.

When will we learn?

1) The more popular something is usually means the less Christ-Like.

2) Everything really does come down to my relationship with Jesus Christ.

3) Satisfaction is not in a ministry or life goal, but in Jesus Christ.

4) Children ARE a blessing and most families want and have few.

5) Love is not based upon feeling but on commitment.

6) Being in debt is a curse and most families want, and have a great deal.

7) Worship is not a style of music or preaching.

8) A good sign of a growing church is NOT how many people are attending.

9) Success is only measured by how successful we are in submitting and following Jesus Christ and His mandates, not our career.

10) The mission field begins at home and the first disciple is your spouse.

Sam's Haircut

Sam's first Haircut!

 

Lots of Links

It's a busy Friday around here but I had to take time to mention 4 things:

Morgan has a new blog that she has been working on. It has a bit more of an "older girl" feel to it. 

It is so pretty and she has done such a good job with it. I only wish I could do things like this. 

Visit it HERE.

Our friends, The Munck Family are having a giveaway and they are also sharing about how their family made some changes to find simplicity, and a peaceful lifestyle. This would be a great DVD for any family to have. They also share about The Maxwell Family and the wonderful ministry that this family has. Visit their blog and giveaway HERE.

Moore Family Films have released several documentaries on The Family!  We have 3 of these and love them.  We bought these shortly after Daniel had passed away, and they were truly an encouragement to us.  Right now you can watch one for free during the month of April.  It is well worth your time.  We usually watch one of these at least once a week. They're having a special price right now and it would be a great investment at such a low price. There are lots of extras on the DVD that I actually find just as enjoyable to watch as much as the main part. The other movies they sell are just as good and we can't wait to see the next one.  

There is a link-up at Tesha's Treasures for anyone who has experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillborn, and the death of an older child. Tesha has found so many things online that are meant to help Moms and Dads with their grief. Somehow I came upon her blog one day and realized that we had both lost our little boys at about the same time. This link up tells of so many that have lost children of all ages. It has been hard to read, but it has shown me that I need to write down all the details of our time with Daniel. I don't want to forget anything about our short time with him. I will never forget him, but I want to be able to remember not only his passing, but those weeks that we had with him. The ultra sounds, hearing and seeing his little heartbeat for the first time, finding out by accident very early that he was our 5th son,  sharing with family and friends about him and all those exciting things that go along with finding out you have been blessed again with a baby.  These things I want to always treasure even though our time with him was so short.  

Alive!

5 months

5 months since I delivered Daniel. I went to sleep last night thinking about the date -29th-.  I dread when it comes every month.  Just more of a realization that we lost our sweet boy!  As hard as I try not to I feel a deep sadness when I think about this day.  I actually felt the sadness last night but was glad that I hadn't started the normal crying I have at night when I think about him.  Now though with waking up to early and a quiet house I find myself at this place again.  Grief is just odd!!!!  Just the slightest thing hits the wrong way and it all comes back.  Yesterday after a sweet phone call from a bereavement nurse my mind started wondering and all the whys started poking back up.  One of the biggest culprits I face is  Guilt- trying to figure out what we could have done to stop this, guilt of not having a big funeral, guilt of not taking it easy more during the pregnancy, guilt of not telling others quickly we were expecting again with the dread of what others would say, hearing negative comments or smart remarks that go along with birth announcements.  After thinking we lost him early on I didn't think I had the patience and love to extend to those with  a rude comment.  Guilt is a huge factor during grief I get that.  I've read it before but still didn't realize just how big till these past few months.  Of course Satan knows right where to get me! I just have to remind him and myself I have already worked all this out.  I know God is in control!!!  My plans were not his plans but I just keep telling myself each day God loves us.  I am not in control he is and instead of tears I WILL have joy!!!! 

Focus!!!

  I happened upon this song yesterday while looking for something else that I had heard on the radio.  Neither of the songs were similar but I was very glad that I found this one.  A great song to listen to not only for the beautiful music but also for anyone that has suffered loss of any kind and most of us have in some way.  I have some goals for the week that I plan to post and be able to review from time to time. I hope to be encouraged by any progress I might have.  By this time if things had gone the way we had hoped for we would now have our little boy.  This past Friday (comparing this to all my past c-sections and deliveries) we would have been at the hospital at 39 weeks delivering our baby boy.  Well my mind began to wonder this past week.  I had the feeling of anticipation of what should have been.  For weeks now I feel that we have been doing very well and learning to remember our baby without so much of the sadness but when I least expect it I personally feel that I have fell back into that pit.  The pit of self-pity, depression and the why's?  When I'm able to recognize it then it's time to dig myself out of that pit and come back to normal living.  I think this must be something that you don't even know has a hold of you until you're caught.  As well as too much hurrying from here to there makes it harder.  Feeling tired and overwhelmed, not how I want to be.  So I plan to start a list of goals.  Organizing and planning seem to be therapy for me.  As for my list in no certain order- Reading and memorizing scripture with the family.  Daddy does a great job with the family each night doing this but I would like to help the kids during our school day to memorize some passages together and also go back through the book of James again.  Our church is doing this in the ladies group but since I haven't been able to join in I thought we could just study this book together at home.  My older ones have memorized all the books of the Bible but reviewing this each day would be a help for everyone.  Plus Jacob has only memorized the books of the NT and we are about in the middle of the OT.  We have been doing a unit study on Ireland and we have learned so much and really enjoyed it.  My plans are to also start the Amanda Bennett studies for American Government, Elections and a few other things on that subject.  It will be the perfect year to do that!  We have made a huge change in our eating habits.  We have seen some big improvements in the way we feel and have had a fairly healthy winter season ( in comparison to some in the past) this has been a family effort and we have been educating ourselves in other ways of Natural Healthy Living.  The documentary Forks Over Knives was the push we needed to start making some changes but there is still plenty room for improvement.  Since the mornings are nice and cool and the afternoons are way too warm TOO SOON we will have to move around the school schedule to allow for outside time in the morning hours.  I hope to add a neighborhood walk to this too. Sewing- A true enjoyment- I have the fabric purchased for Sarah's dress and I plan on trying a new pattern for Easter.  We need to do some outdoor Spring pictures and I have a plan for the color coordinated outfits.  Morgan and Katie still need to pick out their skirts and tops and then we will be ready.  I hope to go back to the area we did Fall/Winter pictures at.  More house cleaning- we have moved the girls room around after being blessed with the gift of a beautiful girls bedroom set.  I still need to finish their curtains too.  This might take awhile.  Implementing a "stay at home date night".  This might be a good thing to do on Wed. nights after Sammy gets home from church and the kids are already in bed.  Something good to munch on enjoying spending time with each other.  I have missed my husband lately with our boys doing Upward Basketball and him coaching two teams this has made for Tuesday nights being taken up and then a very hectic Saturday.  I know Josiah and Jacob and Morgan (assistant to her Daddy) have enjoyed it but I am looking forward to taking back our Saturdays.  There is plenty of yard work to do and maybe a few day trips here and there.  Also we started reading a series a while back but got off track so maybe we can start on this again it will line up perfect with our study of Ireland.  Also some long range personal goals-I have everything I need to try soap making if I can just get the nerve up to try it.  We have planted some different berry bushes and hope they do well.  Morgan is wanting to try a small garden and I am hoping to grow a few herbs.  Starting small and seeing how I do with these.  Drink more water and drop some weight (always a good wish for me) but not to stress over it.  And a big dream of ours would be to do more singing as a family with me not doing any singing just being an encourager.  Daddy and the kids are always singing and learning new stuff on the piano and guitar.  This is truly a gift and needs to be used.  Back at Christmas some of the kids at church went to an elderly unit and sang for them.  It was such  a blessing for them and the kids.  I would love for our family to reach out to the men and women in the nursing homes and sing and play for them.  I'm sure it would be a great time for all of us and a ministry for our family to do together.  Also a good way to spend some of our Saturdays.  Now I just need to take the initiative and find a place that has a need for this type of outreach.  Fellowship time- I have great plans on inviting friends over but need to follow through.  This is an area that needs much improvement.  Painting- It seems there is always an area that needs some new paint.  Starting with the foyer and stairs and then moving on to the bigger area.  This is a big to do list but I plan to start slowly- key words DO NOT STRESS!!!                                                     

The Wissmann Family...

The Wissmann family will be at Phillipi Baptist Church in Cleveland TN, February 4th at 7:00pm. We have seen them in concert once before and the music was wonderful, so if any of you live around the area please come and hear the Wissmanns in concert you will not be disappointed!!!

The Tennessee Aquarium

On New Years Eve our family went to the Tennessee Aquarium.  It had been about 10 years since our last visit so there were many changes and improvements.  We weren't really sure how the 3 little ones would do but they had a wonderful time.  Tickets compliments of Daddy's brother and his wife.  We surprised the kids too!  It was a great little visit.

SOME THINGS I'VE LEARNED

These are some things that I have known to be true but now more than ever I can say that yes, children are a blessing!  Yes,  I would love to have more blessings!  No, I'm not crazy to say this (scared but not crazy)!  Never ever take those trips to the doctor for granted.  You are not guaranteed a healthy baby just because all the other ones were.  Death is real and it is SAD and it is HARD.  The loss of a child is worse than I ever imagined it could be even at 19 weeks.  Time makes things a bit easier even though the loss is still there and it still hurts deeply.  Life is hard to understand but God is merciful and gives me grace for the day. I fail miserably at being a wife and Mom but my desire is still there.  My desire to teach my kids to Love the Lord.   To Love God and follow him, the most important thing!!!!  To be an example to really live what I say that's the hard part.  To be respectful to my husband, to be patient with 7 needy people, to love others and help my husband as much as I can in the ministry he is in.  That's the hard part too. I'm not the best housekeeper or the best cook or the best friend or for that matter just fill in the blank with tons of stuff but I desire to improve!  Not just sit and dwell on it but to actually do better and improve.  I've got lots of work ahead of me.  Now to pull out all those "self help" books I love to read!  I'm coming up on 15 years of being a stay at home Mom!  Wow!!!!  Can't believe it has been that long.  Can't believe all those times I have complained and griped about this or that when I should have been praising God for allowing me to stay home and growing our family.  Not that I haven't been thankful but I just need to express that thanks to him more than complaining over such petty unimportant things.  After 15 years I look back and see how blessed I am.   I hope to grow this year in my relationship with God through prayer and Bible reading, to grow closer to my husband who is a wonderful leader in our home and to love on my sweet little and big ones that I get to spend each day with.   My life might be looked at as boring, stressful, uneventful but what I see is love, contentment, joy, fun, never dull and never ever boring.  Simplicity at its best!  So thankful for a simple joyful life!   

Are you lonely?

http://www.amothersheritage.com/2012/01/03/are-you-lonely/  I just read this a bit earlier and wanted to put this link on here to refer back to.  It is a beautiful example of a loving Mother/Daughter (or daughters) relationship. 

You know you live in the country when......

Deer graze in your front yard!!!

More posts coming soon.