Word for Wednesday

1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, Love is kind, It does not envy, It does not boast, It is not proud"

Blessings to you this day. May you know God's love richly today.

Five Senses

My sweet friend, Frizzy, posted this a little while ago. I'm finally around to getting this up on my blog. I really thought it was cute. I'm going to list four things I like and one thing I dislike of each.


Sight: I like: to see water (the ocean, lakes, streams), smiles, rainbows, full green trees, and I dislike to see someone crying.

Hearing: I like: laughter, music, the words "I love you", the word "Mom", and I dislike screaming.

Taste: I like: spinach artichoke dip, caramel frappacino, filet mignon, potatoes, and I dislike liver.

Touch: I like: massages, stroking fingertips through the hair, playing footsies, fresh linens, and I dislike pinching.

Smell: I like: Japanese cherry blossom lotion, Cashmere Mist, BBQ, orange blossoms, and I dislike garbage.

Okay, there you have it. A lot of information about my likes and dislikes. It seemed very relevant when Frizzy did it. lol Happy Tuesday, my friends! If you decide to do this, let me know so I can come check ya out! Big hugs!

Blue Monday

Happy Monday! I'm linking up with Smiling Sally today for Blue Monday. Splashing some blue your way. And you guys know me ... it's usually about the blue sky or the blue water...and today is no exception.


Friday was a rare day for us. Joshua did not have to work....so we decided to run to the beach! We used to live on the beach and decided that we would have a sandy toes day and maybe grab some fish tacos and just enjoy being together with our young man who we only have at home for one more year. That was the plan..........sigh.

Somewhere in there I decided to go to the west coast to avoid spring breakers...bad idea. We ended up in the car for a long period of time (1 hr 40 minutes)...and wound up on this little strip of a beach which was way over blown and cold and had a power plant on it. Oh my!

This is Josh and I being bbbbllllooooowwwwwnnnn away by the gusts of wind! I got a smile out of him even though he was beginning to understand that fish tacos were not going to be served up.

There was the tiniest bit of blue.....but it was there!

Mchubby trying to get to the center of the tootsie pop and make the best of it. We laughed a lot on the way home about me making a blog post out of the adventure and how next time we were definitely going to the east coast.

May the Lord bless you today! Even in blustery weather, the ocean is a magnificent thing and it amazes me how He spoke it into existence!

Happy Sunday

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

I have selected Nichole Nordeman singing 'I Am' for my selection this Saturday. Thank you, Amy, for being our host. I truly do appreciate this day when we lift up praises to our King.

May the Great 'I AM' bless you today and may you be filled with joy!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, my friends. I'm joining with Lynn today and giving thanks. The theme is random.


I'm so thankful for the beauty of coming together each Thursday to give thanks in one accord. Psalm 133:1 "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity"

I am thankful for His grace and that it is ALL I will ever need. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for thee"

I am thankful that my son made it home safely from his trip. Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears"

I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have had. There has been warmth of the sun and a beautiful breeze. I am so mindful of the weather and how God commands it. I was reading in the book of Job and was struck by this passage and was again amazed at our God. Job 37:5-7 "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man. That all men may know His work"

And I am thankful this week for the song coming forth from the voices of my men in the home. I have heard them more than a few times lifting up those beautiful voices in praise and it has made me smile. I'm quite sure Jesus is smiling too :) Psalm 118:14 "The Lord is my strength and song"

May the Lord bless you this day. Sending you a great big hug!

Word for Wednesday

Psalm 22:5 "They cried to You and were saved; in You they trusted and were not disappointed"





Blessings to you this day, this day that our Lord hath made.

Blue Monday

It's Blue Monday! Today I link up with Smiling Sally and flash some beautiful blue your way. Hope you enjoy this shot. Believe it or not, I took it on my iPhone in Tennessee!


I have no idea what kind of flowers they were but Dollywood was splashed with them and they were just beautiful! Happy Blue Monday!

Blessings to you today!

Happy Sunday

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Today I link up with Amy for Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. I'm posting Addison Road and Hope Now. What a lovely song. May it bless you!

Blessings to you this day! And great big hugs!!

My Husband Rocks

Happy Friday! Today I am linking up with Katy Lin and telling you why my husband ROCKS!!


This is my Captain Stubing! I love his smile. I know I have said this so many times, but that man makes me laugh! He has such a great sense of humor and has so many cute sayings to keep the atmosphere and those around him feeling loved.

This past week, our son, Joshua, was off to Minnesota for spring break. I know, I know, that's so backwards!! And he flew into a blizzard storm. At one point, his plane was pulled off of taxi'ing (I think that's a word) from the runway in Chicago and he was delayed for almost 2 hours. During this time, Jason knew my anxiety was high and saw me pleading with the Lord so he jumped into the role God so designed for him and prayed over our son and then made contact with the friends who were picking him up and had me checking the internet for the airlines information. Although there was much confusion from the airlines, God knew exactly where our son was and saw us through this time of not knowing where he was but knowing WHO did.

I'm grateful for a praying husband. He rocks!!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, my friends. Today, I link up with Lynn @ Spiritually Unequal Marriage and give thanks. Our topic today is freedom in Christ. Lynn posed the question "How has Jesus freed you?" and encouraged us to share our stories of struggle and freedom so that someone may read it and may be encouraged and they, too, may be set free!


My sweet sisters, I am thankful for the freedom that Christ gives me in this verse Psalm 139:13-16 "For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You. When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they were all written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them".... for each time I struggle with insecurity about my appearance, I can quote this verse. for each time I struggle with 'not being good enough' , I can remember Who thinks I am. (for anyone who doesn't think I struggle with these issues, I can't tell you how many times I want to change my profile picture because I look at it and think NO, I did not put that picture up there)

I am thankful for this precious truth Romans 8:1 "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit". Thank you, Jesus. Because You died for our sins you have freed us from the bondage of sin and death and we can now live our lives in the realm of the Spirit. Thank you, Holy Spirit for enabling us. Isn't it glorious to know that we have been set free from condemnation!

Mostly, I am thankful for the freedom to love with an agape love. We can do this when we forgive one another when we mess up. Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." This love allows you to not let a bitter root settle in your heart and you are free to look at the person through a washed lens. Only Jesus makes that possible.

I am thankful for the freedom to boldly approach the throne and petition the Lord. I was reading this verse and praying for our country and I want to leave it with you today. Lamentations 3:40-41 "Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord; Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven."

May you be blessed this day as you recognize the freedom you have in Christ Jesus.

Word for Wednesday

1 John 4:20 "If someone says, "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"

Blessings to you today....and great big hugs!

Hey, It's Free

Have you ever heard of this website? www.heyitsfree.net/

This website is dedicated to 100% legit, non-spammy freebies. I've been on it and sent off for all kinds of free stuff from laundry detergent to cereal. Hey, It's Free! Hope you find something useful and/or helpful!

Blessings to you this day! Big hugs!

Happy Birthday, Krystle Pie

Happy Birthday to my Krystle Pie! It seems very hard for me to comprehend that you are 27 today! **Warning ... this post is full of pictures!!





I know the quality of these pictures is not good, but I always wanted to just bite her cheeks!

This is her hospital picture. I was in labor 28 1/2 hours. Yes, you read that right. No...I never let her forget it! lol I was so naive...when the doctor handed her to me, I asked this question..."where did she get all of that black hair?" He looked over at her father and then back at me and they both busted out laughing. Her father still tells that joke. He has the most thick black hair on the face of the planet. I thought all babies were born bald! And they actually let me take her home! lol She weighed in at 7 pounds 14 ounces. And she was so beautiful and perfect.

Krystle is blessed to have a great relationship with Jason, as well. She calls him "Daddy" too and he has always treated her as his own.

My daughter was gifted with athleticism. She was the first girl to play on the varsity softball team as a freshman and actually started. She had such great determination and each time she stepped up to the plate to bat my Mama's heart went into my stomach. When I was pulling out these pictures, I got all emotional remembering all the times my sister, Candy and I, traveled all over the State of Florida and cheered this child on and thrilled in her victories and agonized in her defeats. I so miss the time with her.

This is Krystle and her father, Gary. Yea, I don't know where she got the black hair! lol Oh my gosh, it was funny, but let's remember the 28 1/2 hours of labor ok. They were two peas in a pod and it is my most fervent prayer that they find their way back to a great relationship. This picture was taken at her graduation and is one of my favorites of the two of them.

I don't know why this picture tugs at my heart so. Maybe because it is so honest. I don't know who took it, but she is obviously thinking hard on something or something has made her sad and she doesn't know her picture is being taken. It is also one of the few times when she let me braid her hair! She has beautiful hair and I always loved to have my hands in it but she is a 'no frills' girl and certainly just wanted it left alone.

She would be so mad at me posting this picture because she obviously missed the ball .... but, this child was playing sports at such a young age. And she was gifted athletically. She was a junior olympiad in girls softball at the age of 10 and we traveled all over the State with her. However, she was notorious for two things...dropping that shoulder on her swing (which she hated and so did her coaches) and true grit determination (which her coaches loved)...She is the only person on record as having broken a metal bat against a Stuart pitcher in the playoffs in her junior year. The bat company did not believe them and the school had to send it in for proof. Krystle held onto the bat and did not let go and the shockwaves from the bat splittling fractures her arm all the way up in splinters. True story! True grit determination not to be fouled by that pitcher! lol

This is a shot of Krystle playing volleyball. She was also the first freshman to make the volleyball team. She had a great serve!

These are my great grandparents that are no longer with us and Krystle. They loved her and she gave them great joy!

This is Krystle's first Easter with her father and I. We could not keep our eyes off of her and we could not quit smiling. She was our joy! She is still our joy.

My Krystle Pie, I love you. May your day be filled with all things good. Remember that all things good come from the Lord and He loves you so very much. And Daddy and I love you so very much and Jay and Josh love you so very much. Are you getting the theme of being loved very much? I hope so!

Thank you to my friends for getting through this with me and getting to know more about my daughter. Thank you for your prayers for her.

Blessings to you today!

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

Happy Saturday! I'm joinging with Amy today and posting Hillsong's 'Hosanna'. May it bless you and refresh your spirit today.

Blessings to you today!

You've Been Popped!!!

My precious friend, Mikki, over @ The View From My Beach Chair showed me some wuv with this cute little Popz! Thank you, my sweet friend!! So, I'd like to share it with you this beautiful Friday...go on...take it...and take a hug with you too!

I'm lovin ya!

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday! Today is Thankful Thursday when we gather together and give thanks to the Lord. Thank you, Lynn, for hosting us. I am so very thankful that my son arrived in Minnesota safely last night even though they were in the midst of a blizzard. He was delayed a bit on the tarmac in Chicago and that had my Mama's heart troubled for awhile but God brought some sisters alongside of me to pray and keep me uplifted (thank you Kelly, Lisa and Beth). Psalm 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust"

I am thankful for the Lord's Word. I am grateful for how it sustains us in every situation in life. When there is nothing else...there is His Word. 1 John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God"

I am grateful for my husband. This man makes me smile. I love his love of the Lord and his family. I am thankful of how the Lord is writing our story and I'm thankful that I'm remembering to enjoy it. Song of Solomon 2:16 "My beloved is mine, and I am his"

May the Lord bless you this day! Big hugs to you!

Word for Wednesday

Matthew 4:19 "Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men".



Look closely at the water....neat, huh? Blessings to you today!

Thank You, Lori

I received this award from my sweet friend, Lori, over at Basketball, Gymnastics & Me. It is the Best Blog Daily Thinker Award. My first response was "are you sure?" lol I think it is so nice when these girls take the time to make these awards and golly I wish I knew how they did it ... but I'm so thankful that Lori thought of me.

The rules of the award are to pick ten other bloggers to distribute it to, but you gals know I love you all and if you are here ... you must be a great thinker, (yes, that's humility lol) so grab that Award and go spread some sunshine!

Blessings to you all ... and again, Lori, thank you!

Blue Monday

Happy Blue Monday my friends! Have I got some blue for you! This weekend was jam packed with a visit from my precious friend Kimmy and her family on Saturday. We went out in the boat and had a great time. The Lord provided a beautiful blue sky and some great fellowship. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we did the day!

Remember, if you would like to join in on Blue Monday, our hostess is Smiling Sally.


If a picture can tell the story...would you just look at those smiles!! This is Joshua and Kelsey on the tube. I'm pretty sure they had fun!

The Kelster sporting Josh's Oakley's while he was in the water. She is just too cute! Love her!! And look look look at that fabulous blue sky, my friends!

This is Brad skurfing it up dudes! lol He popped right up on that lake like he was just on it yesterday! (Brad is Kimmy's hubby)

This is Joshua showing us some mad skills on the wakeboard.

Fabulous blue here...and no, I'm not talking about the sky, although that is fabulous too, Lord. Thank you, for this son of mine and his blue eyes.

My friends, this is Kimmy. I'm sure most of you know her. If not...go meet her and show her some bloggy love. She is one fun lovin gal who loves the Lord. She was being rather serious in this pic...lol

Captain Stubing giving Brad directions ... lol I'm not quite sure what he was telling him, but Jay can not talk without his hands and they are just so cute, so here's our guys...we loved being with them on Saturday.

Jason and Brad ... our hubbies.

Kimmy and her precious family as we are about to launch the boat.

Well, my friends, that does it for another edition of Blue Monday. Thanks for hanging in there with me and all the pics. I pray the Lord blessed you this weekend.

Big hugs to you!!

Happy Sunday

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

Today, I link up with Amy and share a worship song. I have selected Third Day's "You are beautiful, my sweet sweet song". We just saw Third Day in concert at the Strawberry Festival and they sang this song and it was just perfect and I hope you enjoy it.











May the Lord bless you today!

Friday Funnies

My funny and precious friend, Kimmy, is hosting Friday Funnies today! Such a fun day where we gals get together and share some laughter or at bare minimum a giggle or two. Allow me to introduce Jeff Allen. Funny guy, ladies!

Blessings to you this day! And a great big hug!

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday! I would like to thank our host, Lynn @ Spiritually Unequal Marriage for linking us up today. This time of fellowship together is such a time of encouragement!

I am thankful today for the gift of laughter! Last week there were many tears in my life and those who were around me and this week the Lord has blessed me with surrounding me with laughter. I'm grateful for the sound of it and for those who brought it to me. It was much needed! Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doth good like medicine"

I am thankful for the peace found in God's Word. I was reading this Psalm and it washed peace over me. I've been having trouble on the new heart medication. As I consider what options I have, I have this Word from the Lord: Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage. And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord"

I am thankful for my son's change of attitude in a decision for the branch of the military in which he wants to serve. He has been steadfast in a decision regarding serving his country as a Marine upon graduation. We have been praying with him regarding this decision and coming alonside of him with counsel. Last night as I sat with him and went over each branch and each job classification and prayed for wisdom and direction...there was an interest shown in the Air Force, which I am so grateful for, because I do see this as a better fit for him. He has submitted information to the recruiter and we will continue to be diligent in prayer for him. Proverbs 13:1 "A wise son heeds his father's instruction"

Happy Thursday to you, my friends. May the Lord bless you!

Word for Wednesday

Since most of the country is laden with snow, this verse came to mind.
Psalm 147:12,16 "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes"

Blessings to you today!

"Unfortunately Debra"

My sweet friend, Kimmy, over at Homesteader's Heart, posted yesterday with a quite funny post. If you don't know her...go see her...especially if you need to giggle! She does not take credit for the idea but did participate and really, it is kind of cute, so thought I would try it out.

The idea is to google "unfortunately (your name)" and see what you come up with. I have to tell you ... it is funny! Here are my top five.

#1 Unfortunately Debra was used as no more than an arm chair who did little to influence the outcome of a match (apparently, I'm into wrestling...lol)

#2 Unfortunately Debra sold her cafe and hasn't been the same since! (I could write a book about this....such a great idea)

#3 Unfortunately Debra wasn't feeling so great as she had just come from Argentina (world traveler)

#4 Unfortunately Debra goes gangbusters on Fiona and it backfires. (ok, that would never happen...lol)

#5 Unfortunately Debra's hairstyle is too severe and makes the whole ensemble look unbalanced! (I just knew it!!)

Too funny! Thanks, Kimmy, for the idea. Now if you ladies decide to do it, let me know, I'd love to see your "unfortunately"! lol

Blessings to you! And a great big hug!

Blue Monday

Good morning, sweet friends!! I have missed you! First, I would like to say thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement while I was away. You gals are simply the best and you are a sweet salve to me. Again, thank you.

Next, warning.......this post is jam packed filled with pictures. I'm linking up with Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and since I've been gone I thought I would overload you! lol We had one day at home that was not filled with specific familial obligations and we had already had planned to go to the Strawberry Festival with my sister and her family and our dear friends, the Nichelsons. So, with a little encouragement, we all headed out on Saturday and here are some of the pictures I snapped along the way. I hope you enjoy!


Jason and Mark....would you look at those cowboys! Fabulous....er....rugged, yes, that's better...handsome, rugged. lol Oh, and don't forget the blue sky...and the blue on their shirts!!

My precious sister, Candy, eating one of the fair's finest foods...funnel cake. Happy girl.

Mark and Sharon enjoying the beautiful day together. Love them!

Sharon and I....my blue eyes will have to be the qualifier for this picture and blue Monday....tee hee. We were being silly and having fun.

Does everyone remember the "L" post? Remember I love LOLLY....Meet Lolly! Me and Lolly.

Kelly and I loving on each other.

Brendan and Aaron ... best buds. Oh my gosh, they are so cute! They loved the bike show and the pig races!

Josh and Jared striking a pose....ha!

The girls lovin on each other....Kelly, Me and Lolly

Kelly and Candy at the pig races

Me and baby Jason .... poor little guy ... his Mom puts him in a Patriot jersey! lol

Mark and I getting ready to go to the Third Day concert....which by the way, was so awesome. Got to worship King Jesus....doesn't get any better than that! Throw in eating some chocolate covered strawberries and I'm getting a glimpse of Heaven, my friends!

Mark and Jason acting silly .... look at that blue sky!

My beloved and I thanking the Lord for the day of rest and love amidst the difficult circumstances.

Thank you for sharing this time with me. I have missed you all! I was so encouraged and blessed by your lovingkindness that you demonstrated to me while I was away.

Blessings to you today! And a great big hug!