Christmas Wish List

I have a new item to add to my Christmas Wish List. Family Tree Maker has a new version out: Family Tree Maker 2008. This version is different from the older version (by several editions) that I own. I am hoping to get the Deluxe version, which includes 3 months access to Ancestry.com. I love my subscription to Ancestry that was a Christmas gift last year. Ancestry.com has been a great help in my research for my family tree.

I Am A Hypocrite

What can I say... I am a hypocrite. I am not proud of this but it is true.

Hypocrite: person given to hypocrisy (pretense of virtue, piety, etc.)

I wonder at people who are shocked by the fact that "most" Christians are hypocrites. We all are. I am not perfect and I will never be as I walk on this earth. There has only been one to walk this earth that can truly claim perfection: Jesus. Although I know what is right and wrong (according to God's word) I still cannot become pure. I sin. I know you must all be shocked, but it is true I assure you. We all sin. Period. It is not just the unsaved that sin. Christians alike sin. We are all born with a sin nature. I, though, have become aware of my sin and realized that I need to have forgiveness for said sin. That is where Jesus comes into my life and makes me clean in God's eyes. Jesus became the glasses that God sees me through. Jesus came to our sin infested world to make a way for me, a poor hopeless sinner, to be able to stand before God without blemish. I am blemished with every day I live, but because I have given my heart and life over to Jesus He covers those sins and I appear without them before God. God is forgiving when we come to Him in repentance. How amazing is that?! I cannot do anything to become perfect or sinless, but through my acceptance of Jesus as my Savior I can become as white as snow by His blood that was spilt for me.

In the Bible there were certain people who followed God's word to the letter and considered themselves better than others. Jesus came and told them that it is not just physically killing, but the thoughts in your heart of murder, that cause you to become a murderer, therefore sin. I can "act" like I have never sinned, but if you could see my thoughts and know my heart you could see the truth. Can you judge a person by their exterior? No. I can have all the appearance of good but be not in the possession of a good heart. Man can be fooled, but God cannot. There is no place that we can go that God cannot find us. We are never out of His sight. He sees our hearts and knows our true motives. He is constantly disappointed in our sins, but is eager to forgive and FORGET as soon as we ask it of Him. Praise God for His mercy, grace and forgiveness and giving me the ability to have a personal relationship with Him!

Can You Believe It?

It is hard to believe,
but Otter will be five
months old this week.

Things Boys Never Outgrow

Today I learned of two things that my boys have not outgrown. First was Bubba.

About four years ago I got a phone call from Granddad asking if I could ask Bubba where he hid his remote control for the TV. This stemmed from an ongoing battle between the two of them for the TV rights on Sundays. This was funny when Bubba learned that he could hide the remote after changing the channel to the one of his choice. Well, now there are two TVs at Granddad's house so that is not much of a problem anymore, but I got another call on Saturday evening. This time it was Papaw asking if Bubba could tell me where he put the remote. He had hid it from his brother this time. How funny to get calls like this from both the grandfathers!

Now to Butch. In 2003 I took a picture of him with our cousin playing in the leaves. He pretended that he was fighting the leaves with his light saber. Well, today he was fighting the leaves with a stick while Joe blew the leaves. This time we were smart and got out the safety glasses to keep the leaves out of his eyes!

Another Tale From The Pumpkin Patch

At the trip to the corn maze there was a funny event that I forgot to add to my earlier post. So here it goes...

Before we entered the corn maze one of the leaders went over the short list of rules that the owners have for the maze. Well, we made it 7/8ths of the way through the maze before trouble struck. Being near the back of our group I was slightly farther from the happenings, but I did see parts. The boys were in the lead and at the moment we were stopped at the last point (there were 12 points where you punched holes in your cards and also found the trivia questions). As the boys waited on the slower adults in the group they started playing around the corner. That is when it happened! I saw a corn cob go flying by the others in front. Of course the male leader with us immediately called the boys down reminding them that throwing corn was one of the rules. He then made the comment that it should not be that hard for them to remember as there were only 5. Never underestimate a eight year old boy! One of the other boys that was standing with the other adults stated, "Actually, there are 6 rules!" His mother was horrified and put her head in her hand while shaking said head. I tried to help her by saying that if it had not been her's I was sure mine would have said the same thing!

Corn Maze, Hay Ride, and Pumpkins

Today we went to a local farm that every fall is transformed into a corn maze. This was a great trip that a few of our Scout Dens went on. The maze was separated into two different mazes. The first was 1.8 miles long and the second was 2.5 miles. We ended up doing both sides. Due to the drought this year the corn was not as tall as it normally can get (normally it is about 8 ft. tall), so we could at times see over the top of the corn stalks.


We also went on a hay ride that lead to a field of pumpkins (not exactly the sea of orange I would like most to be in today! GO VOLS!). There were lots of pumpkins in an area that I would guess to be about 5 acres. They dropped everyone off and we roamed around until we found a pumpkin to call our very own. Butch was trying to find the biggest pumpkin that was lightweight. That was a fun task. Joe was the human scale for this hunt!

Even Otter helped in the search!

Finally the pumpkins were decided on and we got on the hayride back to the farm. We all had a fun day and some of us were plumb tuckered out!

Little Greenbrier and The Walker Sisters

Yesterday was Butch's field trip. We went on a hike from the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area up to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse.


At the schoolhouse we met with Ms. Robin who taught us about the school days that followed the building of the schoolhouse, which also served as a Church. She taught about the four subjects that the children learned about, reading writing, arithmetic, and spelling.



Next we hiked up to the Walker sister's cabin. It was the location where several of the Walker sisters continued to live after the National Park was established. The last sister died in the 1960's. They lived in the cabin without electricity or running water. Imagine that!

Museum of Appalachia

Last week I went on a field trip with Bubba to the Museum of Appalachia's Homecoming. They have this great event with vendors, food, games, demonstrators and music every October. We had gone two years ago with Bubba's class and we really enjoyed that trip and we were thrilled to get to go back. Overall it was a good time. It started out cool and foggy, but ended up being sunny and warm.

We started our tour looking for the "penny man" as Bubba called him. He was there before and he did the pressed pennies. Bubba loves those and took about ten pennies with him. To his great disappointment there was no sign of the penny man after 30 minutes of searching. He later found some older men sitting at a table playing checkers, a game he likes to play. So after waiting his turn he had a chance to play.

I was eager to find a lady who was making lye and goat milk soap. I had purchased some on our last trip and loved it. It was a lilac lye soap. Good Stuff! This time I bought several different scents and varieties. We also found a booth with a lady and her daughters who were making rag dolls. Of course I just had to get one for Otter (who was being carried in her "pouch" the whole time). I got to pick the fabric for the doll and we watched as she made it. It was a smaller doll so it was easier for her to hold. Bubba decided that he wanted to purchase one that was larger for her for Christmas. He was so excited about picking out the fabric himself! I have to admit that it turned out very well.

Scary Ambiance

Here is something that I know would freak out many people if you happened across it while hiking.

Lake Tawakoni State Park, Texas

A Trip To The Zoo

Since the guys were out of school today we loaded up in the car and headed towards the Zoo. It was nice since we had not been in a while. We were also excited about letting Otter see her other "family." The boys seemed to have such a good time and I was happy to have Bubba tell me that this was much more fun than staying at home. It was a gorgeous day, too.








Also we got Otter her very own otter. This is just a small one that is just her size. She loved it! She wanted it when we were going through the gift shop before I had even bought it for her. She was asleep with it while we went to dinner and it was so cute seeing her holding her otter.

They Are Talking

Today we got to see BJ not BK, M, L, and S. During the course of the afternoon M and I laid the babies on the floor together. It was so funny. They both started reaching for the others face and they were talking to each other. It was adorable!

Kids Listen To This

This is a lot of the things I say everyday to Bubba and Butch. Otter is not included because I always sweet talk to her! ;) Thanks M for sending this!

There She Rolls!

Tuesday was a fun evening at our home. Otter has been laying on the floor beside me while I am at the computer. I was hoping to encourage some movement out of her. Well Ma, she done it! I had been helping her learn to roll over from her back to her belly by holding her hand. She would then pull up by holding on to my finger and roll over. Well, Tuesday evening she did it all by herself! She then discovered that she cannot do anything else, though she was working hard to push herself forward with her legs. We would turn her on her back again, but back she went to her belly. Now she thinks that she cannot lay on her back anymore. She needs to be on her belly. Too bad her blanket is hindering her moving forward.

Funny Sayings

The other night Joe was saying good night to our younger son, Butch, when he asked a question. Here is how the conversation went:

Butch: Hey Dad, you know how God gave us all special gifts?
Joe: (not sure what exactly this was about, but going along for a moment) Yes.
Butch: You know, like he made you and me good at golf. What did he give Bubba?
Joe: (dumbfound and searching his brain for something to say) ....well, Bubba is smart...
Butch: (interrupting Joe) Do you think it is not turning his homework in on time?

Now I cannot say how Butch stated this, with complete seriousness or in playfulness, but it did give us a great laugh afterwards! He did ask me on the way home from his field trip if I knew if Bubba had heard about what he said. I asked why and he said "Cause I will be in trouble." What a laugh!

Camping in Virginia

This past weekend was our first camping trip with Otter. A group from our Cub Scout Pack went to the Virginia Creeper to camp and bicycle. We drove up on Friday evening and finally found the place in the wee hours of Saturday morning (long story). We finally got to sleep and spent our first night in a tent with an infant. She did remarkably well and only briefly woke twice (just to find her paci).

Then after breakfast Saturday morning the group that was going to ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail got gathered and headed for the trail. Joe and Bubba rode with the others from the campground to the trail. Butch, Otter and I rode in the van. Butch decided at the last minute to stay behind. He was not ready to make the trip. So after we got everyone off the three of us hiked a little over half a mile down the trail. It is a beautiful trail from what we saw. Rhododendron lined the trail some and kept it cool. When we came back from hiking we went with the others to Damascus, VA where the group was to end their trip.

Damascus is a cute little town in Virginia. There was also a car show going on in town so we were lucky to find a parking place. We unpacked the lunch stuff on a grassy area close to the train cars on display. It was a great area for a picnic and subsequent naps for some. The guys all had fun on the bike trip and Bubba was even riding the bike without training wheel (they were bent out so far that they became useless on the trail).

It Has Begun!

The day her Daddy was dreading is already here. Otter was getting her picture made with S and look what happened. She reached out to hold his hand. Here is our barely three month old little girl already trying to hold hands with a little boy! Daddy better get the shotgun out!

Otter And Her Dollie

I have been looking and looking for a doll for Otter. Not just any doll will do, you see. I wanted one that was all soft and cuddly for a newborn (or what remains of a newborn). I looked only to find mostly soft dolls, but always with some hard plastic head or other features. Finally while looking in the clothing section in a favorite store of mine I found her! I found Dollie! I was so excited that I immediately picked her up and took her home with us. Otter just loves her, too! I was not sure how she would like Dollie, since other toys and stuffed animals never interested her, but she loves her Dollie. She often will hold her and pull her up to snuggle with and sometimes kiss ( or is that chew?). I am so happy that she likes her new doll so well. Now if Bubba could only find a dart gun in her size! ;)

Bubba's Birthday

We celebrated Bubba's birthday this past weekend. It was fun having a few of his friends over so they could play together. His main priority was to play the board game Risk with his friends. I asked him if he wanted me to make his cake or if he would like cupcakes and he said he wanted a cake with Risk on it. He had also initially stated that he wanted the cake four different colors, but changed his mind. He instead wanted me to write Risk in red on his cake.

Well, the day of the party came and I had made his cake and I was waiting to ice it. Then after my parents came I figured it was time to finish the cake. I iced the cake with the vanilla icing and the left a little extra to make the red icing. That was when my fun began. I started by putting the vanilla icing in a decorating bag. Then I added the red food coloring. The box stated that for a regular size of frosting to add something like 50 or so drops of food color. I was thinking that was a large number, but I was only making a little bit of red icing so a few drops would work. I added the coloring and mixed it well...it was pink. So I added a little more coloring. Still pink! My dad even commented on it still being pink. So here we go again, more coloring. Still pink, though darker. I was tired of adding food coloring by this time so I said that this will have to do. Then I go and cut a small triangle off of the bottom of the bag to write on the cake. Then I realize that I forgot to put in the adapter for my decorating tip in the bag. I also in this process sling a little bit of the red (pink) frosting in the kitchen. I then get another bag and get the procedure correct so that it is ready for use (the proper way). I got the cake done and It looked decent. Defiantly not my best work, but good for how flustered I was at that point. Maybe I will learn from this and make the cake the day before next time. Oh well. Bubba like it and it tasted great, so I guess it worked out.

Tunnel by Third Day

Well I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
And I can't begin to know what you're going through
And I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you
Just remember what I told you
There's so much your living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
So keep holding on

You got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Well it brings new life for your eyes to see
So remember what i told you
There's so much your living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
So keep holding on
Keep holding on

So remember what i told you
There's so much your living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shinging bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel ooh
For you, for you yeah
Shinging bright at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
So keep holding on
Keep holding on
Keep holding on now

You got your disappointments and sorrows
Im gonna try and give a little hope to you

Times Of Need

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him
Romans 8:28a

Many times we think of this verse when we consider our sins and those difficult times we sometimes experience. There have been many occasions that I can recall, that in the midst of those times, I could not see how the situation I am facing could ever turn out anything good. Now that I have passed through these times and I look back, I can now see some of the good that God has given me through those times. I grow closer to him through my constant prayer. He can also use those times to show how He provides for us and supplies our needs. Then sometimes He just ask for our faithfulness no matter what we have to endure. Right now is one of those times for me. I am in the midst of a situation that I have no idea how I can continue to endure it or confront it. I can only visualize two scenarios as a result and neither one seems to show any way for a true peace in my heart in regards to this. I was reading Psalm 13 tonight and I realized that no matter how difficult this is for me, even when I cannot see an answer to my pleas, that I must praise the LORD because through every moment He has been faithful to and has blessed me. I ask that you pray for me and that I will praise God no matter what the outcome.

Psalm 13
How long, Oh LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God,
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fail.

But I trust in your unfailing love,
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
For he has been good to me.