No More Blog

Hey Friends,

Since going back to work, I don't have the time to blog, do Facebook and Twitter. So....my blog is going by the wayside. You are welcome to keep up with me on Facebook. Just leave a comment with your email address and I'll send you my Facebook name.

Blessings!

Jan

College Reunion

Hot Dog! I am gearing up for my 25 year college reunion. About 75 women are descending on the Pi Phi house in about six (count them) SIX HOURS. Women I haven't seen in years! It's gonna be a hoot. My best friend is flying in from Dallas. I'm picking her up at 2:00 so I don't have a lot of time to blog. SNIFF.

Will post lots of pics on Sunday! Hope y'all have a great weekend.

PIG SOOOOIEEEEEEEEEEEE

Randomness on the Interstate

Driving home from work on Thursday I was thinking about all the things I see on the side of the interstate. I assume these are items that have blown out of trucks, cars etc. Who knows? Perhaps some people throw them out. Now that I type this I can see Hubs tossing a few of my MANY throw pillows out...but that's another post altogether.

Yes, this is a random post. However...here is a list of things I've seen on the side of the road or in the median this last month.

• blue chair cushion
• plastic lawn chair
• a child's blue ball (the kind you buy for $1 at Piggly Wiggly)
• lots of shoes
• to-go coffee mug (I was tempted to stop because it was a nice one)
• potting soil sacks
• several blue throw pillows (spaced about a mile apart)
• a noodle
• a life jacket (pdf for you lake folks)
• lots of roadkill--many opossums, skunks, raccoons, and 5 deer. (I almost lost it with the deer because you tell they were probably a family)
• a portable potty chair (this one had me blowing cafe-au-lait threw my nose)

The throw pillows made me laugh because I just envision a couple cooped up together for a long trip and the wife with her precious throwpillows on the seat cushion between her and Hubs. Perhaps he threatened to throw one out the window as a joke and accidentally did it. However, that being the case. they probably would have gone back for it. Hmmmm....a fight perhaps? We'll never know.

I really do live in a beautiful part of the state. But the interstate is busy as it is a corridor between Arkansas and Missouri but more importantly it's the main road to WalMart. (not the Supercenter, but the Corporate Headquarters)

That's it for today. Just some randomness on this Saturday morning. Hope you have a good weekend. Until tomorrow my 5 faithful bloggers.

Jan

One of those Days

Okay, I have to tell this on myself. I bought the cutest dress in Little Rock last week. My co-worker whom I shall not call by her real name but by her code name (Thelma) and I (Louise) hit Burlington Coat Factory. Let me just make it clear here: I LOVE A DEAL..So we are walking around looking at the THOUSANDS of name brand clothes for less and before long I had a shopping cart full of bargains. So did Thelma (code), by the way.

So we decide to share one of the huge dressing rooms so we won't have to keep yelling across the shower curtain they so handsomely installed over the dressing room door. Thelma (code) tries on this darling sundress--you know--the long one? like the ones we wore in junior high school? Well it looked great on her! And the price was, well, priceless. I talked her into buying it for a wedding she's going to in Colorado.

I had seen a cute capri/top outfit. Red linen pants (to die for) and a white top with cutouts across the edge. It looked like what you might wear while sipping sweet tea at a party is someone's backyard. Bless my heart...

So I start to try on the top and Thelma (code) says, "you should try on the pants first because if they don't fit there no use in putting on the top." Which is exactly correct. Now I am not about to reveal my clothing size on my blog so let's just say it's somewhere between 6 and 18. So, there I am standing in my brassiere (sorry Mother--southern gals don't talk about their underthings--much less write about them) and I begin sliding these adorable, red linen pants up my derriere.
Lo and behold, someone has put a pair of pants the size of --well, let's say between a 3-6 on the hanger. I pull them up and they are so stinking tight. Trust me--it's a mental picture you don't want to even think about.

I looked in the mirror and Thelma (code) looked at me and we started laughing and I PROMISE YOU we nearly wet our pants. I had to cross my legs and stop looking in the mirror. It was one of the funniest things I have ever experienced. Needless to say, the pants didn't fit but I did find an adorable sundress.

I just realized that I have rambled on about a situation that probably won't be funny to anyone else except Thelma and Louise. But, it IS my blog so I guess I can do that. Anyway....back to the cute sundress.

Thelma (code) and I (Louise) had dinner last night at Olive Garden and one of the Arkansas Razorback basketball players was seated next to us. I asked if I could take my picture with him and he was so nice. I knew my sons would get a kick out of it. Anyway, this picture is more to show the cute sundress than the cute basketball player.

I'm 5'7"' by the way...

More later,
Jan

Where Have I've Been, You Ask?

Okay. So it's been like TWO MONTHS since I blogged. I can't help it. Seriously. I've re-entered the workforce like a meteoroid colliding with a 10 year old. (terrible metaphor, but it really happened this week)

I am sooooooooooooo busy now. I love it. I had prayed for a new direction since I am one year away from being a REAL empty nester. And I prayed for God to find me a spot where I could share the gospel because that is my passion. VOILA. Loving Choices Crisis Pregnancy Centers!

We just finished our second fundraiser for the year. LIFEWALK. Check out the slideshow on our webpage. www.supportlc.org. We raised over $24.000 and it was our very first time to do a walk. Praise God! We begin free STD testing this Tuesday and we were praying for $20,000 to kick off the STD testing. God blessed us with $24,ooo. Isn't that just like HIM?

And, not to boast or anything (actually I am because I worked my ever expanding rearend off)
I raised $2005 myself. My new BFF from work, Sharon, beat me by a measly, stinking $100.
Dadgummit. But it's all about saving the babies, right? You better believe it. So...that's what I have been up to since I posted last.

We fight the abortion battle one woman at a time. The abortion clinic here performs 6 ABORTIONS A DAY. That's ONE KINDERGARTEN CLASS PER WEEK. pause here and think about that for a minute...

Not to get morbid here but abortion is what it is.

Those of you who know me know that I am one fun, upbeat redeemed woman. GRACE is huge in my life. JESUS is how I get up everyday and keep on going through the pain of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I can't imagine facing an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager. Yet, that is what I see on a daily basis. Here is a statistic that will absolutely blow your mind.

1 out of 4 teenagers have a sexually transmitted disease. (church going kids included)

Is that not amazing? When I talk with girls I remind them that they can survive pregnancy but not most STDs these days. Moms: talk to your kids about sex. Tell them that abstinence is the only thing that works. I see a lot of Christian girls who are involved in church, mission trips, and youth groups. The television culture is killing our kids. Talk to them.

Well, enough for now. I hope you will go to our webpage. Over the next few weeks I want to post the names of some great dvds you can use to reach your kids about dating, abstinence etc. Until then...

Blessings,
Jan

PROM X 2

Wow...who knew you get go to two proms in one weekend? My son did. And he looked handsome if I say so myself. Here's a peek:

Are they adorable or what?

Not quite six feet but getting there.

I had some serious ponytail hair. But who's lookin' at me anyway?

The group before the Junior/Senior Banquet

The Bad Boy look...

Ever the gentlemen.

I didn't sleep for two nights. The storms were so bad here--and at the same time they were all driving on the interstate. But God was very good. Everyone arrived safely and had a great time.

Blessings,

Jan

Prom Time

Oh my stars! It's prom time at our house. Being the mom of two boys I never got to shop for the

all important prom dress. But...I always make the corsages and boutonnieres. I have more fun! I get my prom time fix with flowers. What can I say? My family owned a flower shop when I was little. I HATED WORKING THERE. Everyday after school I had to change the water in the cooler. Buckets and buckets and buckets of ice cold water. That, however, is another story for another time.

I had to meet the exterminator at the office this morning at 8:00. (today is my day off) I always sleep in 'til 7:00 on this day. I literally threw on my jeans and a tee shirt, brushed my pearly whites, put on my faithful flip flops and was in the car by 7:20. (this is important later in the story) and got there by 8:00. After he assured me that the ants from Sheol would die very soon I got back on the freeway and headed to Sam's to buy the roses. NO MAKE UP, NO HAIR...you get the picture. As soon as I stepped out of my car, one of the teachers greets me. Cute hair, make up, darlin' outfit etc. Did I mention that I stepped out of bed and into my clothes???

After a few pleasantries we both walked in Sam's. She headed to the back to buy the centerpieces for the prom tables. I saw a mountain of shoeboxes stacked by the swimsuits and turned left. Here's what I found for $9.00.

Aren't these adorable? And they had them in my size (5-6). I just luv me a bargain. And Tommy Hilfiger at that! So, even though my hair and face were not up my usual standards--my feet are! My faithful black flipflops are resting comfortably in the floorboard. And to think I'd never gotten them if I hadn't gone to buy the flowers to save money on a corsage .

Go figure.

Jan

Easter 2009

Yes, even at 20 and 17, I still make Easter baskets.

Ozzie tries to stare Joe down for food.

I break out the "Juliet" china every Easter


The centerpiece for dinner. The rabbits belonged to my sweet mother.

Homemade (yes you read that correctly) blackberry cobbler--Bill's favorite.

Rice Krispie bird nests

Eggs that I've painted over the years

Hobby Lobby's finest



I love this! It's kind of cheesy but how often do you find resurrection goodies?

I bought this at a local gift shop years ago. He rocks.


What you say? That's a Christmas tree? Yes it is.

I hang all my egg ornaments on it.

My guys give me enormous grief.

But I don't care.

It's me!

Real Moms

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a littleVoice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

I saw this on my friend's blog and simply had to copy and paste. Thank you KIM. Even though I am only sixteen months away from being a real EMPTY NESTER (I can't let my mind go there) I think this is perfect for the stay at home moms who never get a paycheck, never get any woman of the year awards, but get sloppy wet kisses and crayon drawings on a regular basis.

I loved that part of my life and wouldn't trade any of it! Not even having two preemies...I have decided that I totally agree with the saying "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I used to think that was just something people liked to hang on their walls. But I've decided it really is true. When I look back at the 25 years Hubs and I have been married I KNOW we're stronger and closer than most because of all the things we've been through.

I read about Gideon this morning. I love how God took a guy from the weakest tribe and returned him to full warrior status. God was there all along--the Israelites simply chose to go their own way and worship other Gods. Hmm....who does that sound like? Us perhaps? I love that God never gives up on us. That He uses people like us to do mighty, warrior things.

Most days I feel like a tired, 48 year old who needs to have her roots done, her thighs liposuctioned and her eyes lifted! Yet, God has other plans...

I am loving my new job. LOVING IT GIRLFRIENDS. I hope to have some pictures from our open house soon. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Jan

Please View

Joe's Home

Yes!

Joe is home from Kentucky. He's been gone a week and it has been so quiet! He had a great time and we had quiet time. But, I must say that Hubs and I enjoyed our time together. Bill stopped by a couple of times and we got to spend time with him. I worked without worrying about what we would eat for dinner or what time I would be at home.

Unfortunately, I had the sinus infection from Sheol last week. I am still suffering--bless my little heart. I actually slept in this morning (7:00) and promptly went back to sleep after a bowl of cereal. Ozzie and I were piled up in the bed until 10:30. So very not me...but hey, it was SNOWING for crying out loud. It was 60 degrees yesterday and 35 today. Lord help us.

That's about all for now. Hubs has been napping off and on today. We've watched basketball, golf and one movie. I thought I would be hanging out with Joe, but he opted to go to his brother's house to hang out. What can I say? I'm just the mom. :0

Have a great Sunday!

Jan

As usual, it's been a while since I posted. Facebook has taken over my computer life. We've had an incredible couple of weeks at our house. Hubs just continues to improve beyond anyone's expectations. He was back at the office last week for half days. I am so thankful to Jesus because I know it is answered prayer.

Bill was home last week for Spring Break. I love waking early in the morning and creeping by the boys' rooms when their doors are shut--it means they're in their own beds. Sleeping. Snuggled up with Ozzie. Safe at home.

Joe's spring break is this week. I have a huge bone to pick with the University about scheduling their spring break on a different week than every other stinkin' school in Northwest Arkansas but I won't go there. No, I WON'T GO THERE. Because, well, this is a happy blog.

Joe went to Kentucky with a friend for the week which means that Hubs and I have the house to ourselves. It's going to be extremely quiet around here. Probably too quiet-- but I have a lot of little things to catch up on around here so I shall use my time wisely, I hope.

Which brings me to a verse that I read this morning. "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you still share in his divine nature." 2 Peter 1:3-4

I don't know about you but I took great comfort in that verse this morning. Just knowing that Jesus gives us EVERYTHING we need is a huge comfort--especially in this depraved world. I especially honed in on the last part of that verse which reads ...you still share in his divine nature. How many times have I forgotten that? Gotten so bogged down in the everyday worries of my life that I lose sight of who I am? In Christ?

All the promises that Jesus spoke of are mine. Mine. MINE! Oh that I would live like that. Hubs and I have talked alot about scripture since his surgery. We agreed that we take our blessings for granted far too often and that we don't claim the promises that Jesus has given us--free of charge! (that's something this thrifty gal can get her head around)

All of this to say that I hope you have a wonderful week. Bask in God's goodness--his name is Jesus. Grin.

Blessings,
Jan

Update

Hey there!

Hubs is doing so well. He's sitting here beside me and suggested that I ask for donations...sense of humor intact...what can I say?

We've been so blessed by all of you who have called, sent cards and brought food. I have put on 6 pounds--so don't be bringing over any more desserts. The pan of brownies went FAST and guess who consumed most of them? Yes, you are correct. The woman who is up 6 pounds.

Went to the grocery store today and bought out the place. I even bought those spiffy 50 cent reusable Wal-Mart bags. I felt so green. The check out guy smirked at me. Really ticked me off. I asked him if wasn't in favor of the bags. He said he really didn't care one way or another. He was just ready for his break. So I began to think about how many times we assume we know what someone else is thinking or what we think they should be thinking. Man, how prideful is that? It's not about us all the time is it? Imagine that...

So, that's my random thought for the day. I've been memorizing two scriptures a month and my favorite one is this: No matter how deep the stain of your sin I can remove it. I can make you as white as the freshly fallen snow. Even if you're stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool. Isaiah 1:18

I am so thankful to the Lord for his forgiveness. I am so glad that I never have to wonder what I believe or WHO I believe. I KNOW him. I love him and he loves me.

Have a good weekend gals! Keep praying for my sweet husband.

Jan

Healthy Heart

Hey there my sweet friends.

WE ARE HOME! THANK YOU LORD!

Kenneth went in for double bypass surgery on Wednesday morning at 5 am. The surgeons began at 7:30. Bill and I were surrounded by so many sweet people in the waiting area. I told someone that we could have held the Southern Baptist Convention right there and saved everyone the cost of airfare. It was wonderful to look around at all the men who love my big man. Sweet, sweet men six feet tall. Wonderful men who prayed without ceasing. I'm so thankful I could bust.

The surgeon finished in under three hours. They had to do three bypasses instead of two. But they were able to harvest veins from one leg instead of two. This was a real blessing because his recovery time will be less. The incision on his leg is from his ankle to his knee. (it makes my leg hurt just describing it) And, just like with my surgery this summer, they used SUPER GLUE to put him back together. Humpty Dumpty should come to our hospital. Really.

Later that evening they were able to take him off the ventilator. By the next morning he was sitting in a recliner. That afternoon he was walking. I am still in shock.

Anyone who thinks prayer isn't effective should talk to me. God was so good to us! My man is way ahead of schedule. He HASN'T HAD A PAIN PILL IN 24 HOURS. And the guy has a scar from his throat to his bellybutton and down one half of his leg. THEY SAWED THROUGH HIS STERNUM AND SPREAD HIS RIBS. Don't be telling me the Shephard doesn't take care of His Sheep. No sir. Don't even think about it.

So, we are home. Watching the snow. Sittin' in front of the fire. Ozzie is snuggled up next to me on the couch trying to decipher the hospital smell his Man Master is emitting. Dadgum betadine. You just can't get rid of it.

Hey--maybe I bathe my bod in betadine for that mid winter tan...

Thanks for your prayers, girlfriends. Love you all.

Jan

Heart Surgery

Hi Friends,

Please pray for my precious husband as he undergoes bypass surgery tomorrow at 5 a.m. I will write about it tomorrow night when he is out of the woods and in ICU.

Believing in our Lord for miracles,

Jan

Happy Birthday Bill-O

Yes, I'm one month late in posting my eldest son's 20th birthday pics. So, sooooo me. Get it? Sue me? Sooooieeee? Okay, I had to throw that in since you can see the darling cake I ordered for Bill. He had a wonderful day. We went to Shogun's for dinner then we lavished ( chick word ) him with gifts. I had more fun shopping for him. I LOVE to buy men's clothes! They are so easy to buy...pants and shirts. What could be easier than that? Okay, I'm rambling now. I guess it's the talk of shopping.

My precious 20 year old--hard to believe!

Skip forward to the ice storm that hit us about three weeks ago. We were without power for 6 days. SIX STINKING DAYS. We piled the mattresses in the den and hung out together for 24 hours a day. Yes, you read that right. The first three days we couldn't leave because the roads were so bad. Trees were down everywhere. Our neighborhood has 80, 90, 100 year old trees. You can see from the pics the amount of damage. We cheered and threw kisses at the SWEPCO linemen as they drove into our neighborhood. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life!

Now, fast forward again to Valentine's Day yesterday.I made my man a strawberry pie. His favorite treat in the world. Now, I have to admit that I purchased the gel, the Pillsbury pie crust, but I DID wash and slice the berries and put it all together. And because I went to so much trouble, Hubs bought me my favorite thing in the whole world--A RUSSELL STOVER sampler. And to top if off, he found one with none other than Snoopy on it--it sure is nice to be loved, is it not?

I hope you have a great week and Jesus blesses you immensely.

Jan

A New Chapter

After being a stay at home mom for 21 years I have re-entered the workplace. I haven't been this excited since Maybelline started making washable mascara in the seventies.

I am now the Site Director for Loving Choices. You can see our website at lovingchoices.org

I volunteered there as a peer counselor last year and fell in love with this incredible organization. We are a non profit crisis center founded by pro life Christians twenty years ago. What's so awesome is that I had been praying for specific things over the last year and God answered many of my prayers with this new position.

• I prayed for something to do where I could make an eternal difference
• I prayed for a small part time job where I could make some moolah
• I asked God to use me in a way where I could share the gospel (this is my passion...I love evangelism)
• I asked for a new adventure where my family could still be first

You should see our facilities. They are beautiful. One is right by the University and the other is north. (up yonder as my grandmother would have said) I will be working at the one north of my home. It's only a 30 minute drive and with my Travis cds, hey, it's a great time of praise!

So, if you would lift me up in prayer I will be your new BFF. Put me on a prayer list and I'll send you a Razorback memento. Which reminds me...gotta run. The Hogs are on tv.

Hogs and Kisses!

Jan

PSS Go to the website! I'd do a link, but don't know how. Yes, I'm pathetic but I have all my teeth :)