One Dollar

I am borrowing this from my friend, Carole's blog. Thank you Carole for sharing this on your blog. It is really working on my heart right now.

FROM DONALD MILLER, AUTHOR OF "BLUE LIKE JAZZ" WEB SITE:

"I’m happy to be riding my bike across America to raise money for my good friends at Blood:Water Mission and also to raise awareness about the current water crisis in Africa. Your help, both in donations and in showing up for our community rides, goes a very long way in providing hope.

Here are three ways you can contribute:

Use the link HERE and donate to the ride. All of the money you give will go directly to Blood:Water Mission, as each member of the Ride:Well Team has paid for their trip in advance. If you donate on this site, you will also receive the first chapter of my new book “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.” You’ll be receiving this chapter more than a year before anybody else will be able to read it. One dollar provides clean water for one African for one year, so every small contribution helps.

Join us on one of our community rides! You can ride alongside me and the Ride:Well Team in Dallas, Nashville and Washington D.C. These are fairly short rides that nearly anybody can take part in. Consider getting a group of riders together and joining us. We will be hanging out all day, eating, riding and enjoying each others company. And you’ll be riding for a great cause. Click here to learn more about these community rides..

The most important thing you can do for us is to pray. I’m a firm believer that God listens to our prayers. The most significant contribution you can make to us is to pray for the needs of the people in Africa, but also pray for our safety as we cross the country. Do pray that we find favor with the people we interact with, and that hearts are open to hear about the cause we are riding for.

I do hope to see you out there on the road. If you search around the Ride:Well website, you will find a list of the cities we will be passing through. In many of these cities, we will be presenting at local churches and community groups. If you happen to see your city listed, come out and hear us. We’d love to meet you. Thanks so much for joining us, either physically or in spirit, as we ride across America"

"One dollar provides clean water for one African for one year..."

Wow. I am trying to wrap my mind around that. One dollar. ONE DOLLAR. 100 pennies. 10 dimes. 20 nickels. That is all that stands between clean water, the very thing needed to sustain life, and a beautiful African child of God. That's IT. ONE DOLLAR.

$1.00 = CLEAN water for one African for an entire year

That is an astonishing fact and it is messing with my head and heart. Even as tight as our finances are, how can we NOT spare (at least) ONE DOLLAR?????????

Thank you Carole for posting information like this.

HE'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!!!!!

My newest nephew was born yesterday!!! He was scheduled to be born today, but apparently he had other plans :-) He is quite honestly one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen!! He weighed 7lbs 9.6ozs! We call him "Baby James." I am so in love with him, it's crazy! Hopefully, I'll get the ok within the next week or so to post a picture of him!!

Both Baby James and his mommy, Lauren, are doing well. Not sure just yet when they will be heading home... hospitals/doctors send people home entirely too fast these days if you ask me.

Thank you God for this newest little blessing You have provided to my sister and brother-in-law...and to all the rest of our family. Thank You for a safe delivery and for a beautiful, HEALTHY little boy! We are so incredibly blessed :-)

Awesome Fireworks!

And, here are some pictures of the Grand Finale'!! Of course, fireworks never photography as beautiful as they are in person, but I tried! HPC really went ALL OUT on the fireworks display last night!! They were stunning!! The kids absolutely LOVED every second of them!! It was worth having to deal with the heat to have such a fun family evening!!

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART

HPC!!!!!

More Pics from HOT Fun at the HPAC!!

These first two pictures really tug at my "mommy heart!" Ryan wants so bad to be just like his big brother, "Bubby." At the game yesterday, Lane was in the dugout and Ryan was standing right behind the dugout, and stuck his little hand in there so he could hold hands with his Bubby. Lane is so sweet!! He isn't the kind of kid who get embarrassed by his little brother and is really affectionate and protective (as seen in picture #2) of Ryan. It just melts my heart to watch them together! I am so blessed to have such wonderful, loving children :-)

The second picture is of them standing in line together. They were waiting their turn to get in one of those "jumpy things!" How sweet!






These next two pictures of the boys were taken while they were inside of the jumpy thing!! They had a blast!! Why is it that kids can jump around like that for hours and NEVER run out of energy?!?!!

Hot Fun at the HPAC!

Here is Lane waiting for his turn at bat at the game Saturday. Notice how wet his head is... that is from sweat!! It was so incredibly HOT at the game!! We were melting!

Here is Lane again. For all of the years he has played baseball, he has always been number 11! Cool huh? For some reason... I just love this picture!

This is Lane with one of his coaches... Coach Paul Roy. He has to be one of the nicest, most caring people I have ever met. You can tell from watching and listening to him that he truly loves the kids and REALLY cares about each one of them individually, both on and off of the baseball field. One of my favorite things he said this year was after a really close game that ended in a tie. We had been down by several runs, and made a huge comeback. Our kids never gave up. After the game, Coach Paul said to the kids, "You honored God with the way you all played ball today." Wow.

Thank you Coach Paul!

This is Lane with Coach Darryl Frank. Coach Darryl is awesome! The faith that he has in the kids is awesome to watch. He makes them feel like there is nothing that they can't do. The kids thrive on his encouragement!! He was truly a leader to our kids, someone they will be able to look up to forever.

Thank you Coach Darryl!

Here is Lane coming off of the field at the Awards Ceremony last night. Each child was given a Gold Medal for their participation and effort during the baseball season.

I really CAN NOT say enough good and positive things about the Sports Program at HPC. I have never seen a group of people who care so much about our precious kids. They are truly doing God's work by ministering to our children in this way. They not only learn baseball, but they also learn about God's love for them. It has been a huge blessing to be part of this team... not just Lane's team (The Mets) but the entire HPC Sports Team. Thank you everyone that makes this happen year after year. You have made a huge impact on our lives!!

Baseball & Fireworks Saturday!

Well, today is the last game of the baseball season for Lane. His game starts at 3:30 at the HPAC. Looks like it is gonna be a H-O-T one!! Then, this evening they are going to have an End of Season Celebration. The kids will each be receiving a medal and then there will be lots of fun at the HPAC!! Food, inflatables, and fireworks! It should be a great evening! Lane is sad that the season is coming to an end, but he has had a blast playing ball this year. It's been better than any other year he has played, thanks to HPC and UpWard Sports!!!

Heartbreak

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- "The 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue, of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said."

I can not even comprehend what this family is going through in this moment. My heart hurts for this special family. Please pray for all of them. Lift them up in prayer so that they can feel God's presence, strength and peace as they walk through this devestating season. Pray that He holds them and carries them in the coming days, weeks, months and years. Also, please say special prayers for the brother who was driving when this tragic accident occured. I pray that his heart is protected from guilt and anguish. God called her home... just as he will call all of us home one day. I pray that he (and the entire family) will be wrapped in a blanket of God's love and peace.

Sad News ...

Sad news in our house this morning. I got up and stumbled into the kitchen to make our glorious morning coffee.

Put the coffee filter and coffee in.

Added the water.

Turned it ON.

Waited.

Waited.

NOTHING.

Our coffee pot has apparently seen it's better days and quit working.

Noooooooooo!! Say it isn't so :-(

You Win a Few... You Lose a Few

And the winner is ...

DAVID COOK!

Yep, David Cook won the title of American Idol last night. Congratulations to him! He seemed to be completely shocked and overwhelmed by emotion... which made the face that David Archuleta didn't win a lot easier for me to swallow! What a graceful winner he was...a true gentleman!! I do think that David Cook will have great success in the music industry... that boy can sure rock it out!

It seems that every season, or at least 3 seasons that I can think of, when it comes down to the final two... the person I am pulling for doesn't win!! I really wanted Clay Aiken to win over Reuben Studdard... I really, really wanted Blake Lewis to win over Jordin Sparks... and I was pulling for David A. to win over David C. It seems like I am the kiss of death (or loss) for whoever I am pulling for! LOL

Maybe next year, I'll pull for who I DON'T want to win and see what happens! A little reverse psychology never hurt anyone!!

Anyway, congrats to BOTH of the David's! I truly hope we hear more down the road from David Archuleta... I still love his voice!

Battle of the David's...

David Archuleta

David Cook

So, last night was the final duel on American Idol. I must admit, we watch the show weekly... unless we are at the HPAC for baseball stuff. Anyway, while it hasn't been as addictive this year as it has in the past... it has still been fun to watch. There were some really talented people on this season.

But, from the very beginning I have loved David Archuleta!! He is soooooooooo talented, he has been blessed with an incredible gift. His voice is so strong and pure, he could just about sing ANYTHING and it would sound good. He seems so sweet and humble, I could just hug him!

And, while he may be as "entertaining" as some of the other contestants, he has them beat in the raw talent category. Keep in mind, he is only 17 years old. I think that in time, he will become a true performer ... but for now, all he needs to do is rely on that voice of his. He doesn't need a bunch of flashing lights and screaming guitars to make him sound good or make us listen to him.

David Archuleta was definitely at the top of his game last night!!! Man, he just sang the heck out of all three songs that he performed. He sang with such passion too! Even Simon had nothing but good things to say about his performance last night! Imagine that!!!

I think David Cook is talented too, don't get me wrong. But, he seems to get caught up in the lights and the "show" too much for me. I do enjoy his music, but his voice just isn't as pure and it just doesn't move me like David Archuleta's. But, I do think David Cook did a good job last night too.

So, we shall see what happens!!! Good luck to them both. But... as you can probably tell, I'm hoping that David Archuleta is the next American Idol!

The Last Couple of Weeks

We've been spending a good bit of time out at the HPAC watching Lane play baseball! Just check out my handsome little ball player :-) These are pictures from their (the Mets) first game... and he hit two doubles and one base hit! GO LANE!!!!!!!! He is a good little athlete and I love watching him out there playing ball, giving it his all. He loves it too... it's nearly impossible to get him to leave sometimes.

Healing Place is awesome for, among about a million other things, being part of UpWard Sports. Thank you Pastor Dino for making this a place where our kids are encouraged to be the best they can be and at the same time, really LEARNING about the game and more importantly about commitment and teamwork!! Our kids truly honor God through this ministry, and we are so excited to be a part of it!!!

Here are Ryan and Claire (one of the kids I babysit) playing in some clover patches in our front yard! I remember doing the same thing when I was a little kid and when I saw them doing, it felt like I was a kid again!! In this crazy life that we all lead, it is so refreshing to remember back to a time when there wasn't so much hustle and bustle going on... a simpler time with way less worries than we have as adults. I love this picture... their innocence tugs at my heart strings.

And here we have what I call the Western Power Ranger... notice the cowboy boots! LOL! Ryan is enthralled with the Power Rangers. Yes, I know that there are better things that he can watch... and he does - TRUST ME! But, we are sure to remind him often that the Power Rangers aren't real and that fighting people is not the way to handle problems. At least in the Power Rangers, the good guy always win instead of the bad guys.

Good vs. Evil... an age old concept and/or struggle.

And, last but not least... let me ask you a question.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR????

My biggest fear, other than something bad happening to my family, is a complete, total and paralyzing fear of SNAKES. In fact, you could say I don't just have a fear ... it's actually more like a full blown phobia. For some reason within the last month or so FOUR of these hideous creatures have appeared on our back patio. Yes, I've come face to face with my biggest fear FOUR times recently. If anyone can determine what kind of snake this is, I would love to find out! Since these monsters have started showing up we, ok not we, MIKE cut back a lot of bushes and things that we had growing around the patio. My mom lives right behind us and is a plant-a-holic so there are plants, bushes and flowers everywhere. And, while it is beautiful to look at, it is also a very inviting environment for these completely unwanted guests. I DETEST SNAKES!!!!! They are sooooooooo scary looking, and I could care less if they are poisonous or nonpoisonous...it really does not matter a bit to me. Snakes always seem to me to be intertwined with evil. Just look at the Bible and the Garden of Eden!! See, there is the proof...they really ARE evil and they represent evil!!!!!!!

I'm SAD...

Ok, call me a whiny baby but I am SO SAD!! My wonderful, amazing husband is at the airport at this moment waiting for an airplane to whisk him off to Washington, DC. Waaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Thank God for cell phones :-)

Mike is going out of town for a some training that is supposedly going to lead to him getting a promotion at work!! He did a couple of classes here locally, but whatever this class is that he has to take now is not offered here. Sooooooooooooo off he goes!

It's the last week of school for Lane, and 2 of the kids I babysit... the other 2 are already out... plus, Lane has a makeup game at the HPAC Tuesday at 6pm ... so things will be a little hectic around here, but hey, for us that is normal! I KNOW I am spoiled because Mike is a huge help around home in the evenings and on the weekends. But, like most Moms I have a super hero cape hanging in the closet so we will be fine!!

And, of course I am a worrier... but I have faith that he will have a SAFE trip. I prayed all the way home from the airport this morning!

Thankfully Mike will be back Friday night, and I will be at the airport to pick him up!! Yeahhhhhhhh!

I Don't Understand ...

Why can't I find time to blog lately??? It's driving me crazy! Ok, crazier than normal :-) Hmmmmmmm now that I am blogging... what to blog about?? See, I drive myself nuts-o!

A couple of my blog-world friends have done this lately... thanks Carole and Summer!! It's fun so I'm going to borrow it! Thanks again y'all!

I Don't Understand

Why some people let their children play "Grand Theft Auto" and other VERY inappropriate games and/or listen to VERY inappropriate "music"

How anyone could NOT like chocolate or coffee

Why I constantly do laundry and never get it all done

What was so wrong with BIG hair? (picture later!)

Why anyone would not want to go to Healing Place Church

Why some churches put man-made rules in place instead of just doing what the bible says

Why my wonderful husband loves Star Trek

How my kids NEVER EVER run out of energy

Why GREASE is one of my favorite movies EVER

Why I don't have to be hungry to eat french fries

Why some OLD "rockers" don't just retire gracefully

Why we park in the DRIVEway and drive on the PARKway

How people just stand there without singing or clapping during worship

Why kids want to be grown up so fast

Why it seems like Pastor Dino is always directing his sermons directly at ME!

*** Not a complaint at all :-) ***

Why does everything have to cost so much, I mean REALLY

How could a friend of my son's NOT know that Christmas is when we celebrate our Savior,Jesus', birthday... not the birthday of Santa Claus

How people can be selfish

Why I have so many "issues"

Ok, I'll stop for now... but there will probably be more to come later cause I was on a roll!

So, come clean and tell us... what do you not understand??

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you! I wish all of you a wonderful, happy day touched by God's grace. Each of you has a special place in my heart and a special place in this world. Thank you for just being YOU!

My Heart Breaks ...

AP: Myanmar

In a drastic move, the United Nations stops sending cyclone aid to Myanmar, saying the country's military government has seized aid intended for the victims. More than 1 million people were left homeless by the storm, which also killed at least 23,000 people. Some officials fear that death toll will top 100,000 as entire villages were wiped out.


After reading this, I am left sitting here in utter shock and disbelief. I absolutely, positively CAN NOT wrap my mind around this. There are people suffering horribly over there, probably in ways that we can not even imagine. There are bodies floating around in the water. There are kids alone everywhere walking around starving and looking for their parents. There are sick and severely injured people everywhere. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are now homeless have nothing. The water is contaminated. The list goes on and on..... And now we hear that this country's government is taking the food, medicine, clothes, cleans water and othe supplies/aid that other countries are sending to aid these poor, suffering, and devestated people????????????????

I wish I could say that I am well versed on this country and it's "government," but unfortunately I am not. What I DO KNOW with every fiber of my being is that the people of that country are God's people, just like we are. HE loves them. He loves each and every one of them and I can only imagine how this is breaking His heart. My heart breaks with His.

Because of this corrupt, evil, "government" these innocent people will continue to suffer unnecessarily. Can you imagine watching your child starve? Or watch your child slowly die because of the injuries or illness brought on by that storm... knowing that they could have been helped? Or can you imagine being one of those lost children walking around ALONE in the debris looking for a parent, relative or friend?

My heart is aching for these people as I read more about the situation. My heart is breaking for them. Please pray that these people are released from their suffering. Pray that the hand of God comforts them, and heals them. And, pray that that somehow the hearts of the people in the government over there are opened to the plight and suffering of their own people... and that they allow ALL of the aid to reach the people who so desperately need it. And, please pray that the aid continues to be sent over there, and that the countries who are sending the aid are not deterred by the actions of the government of Myanmar.

Remember, there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING that is too big, or too hard for our God to do.

Rain, Rain Go Away!!

RAINED OUT!

Our area was pounded by a really nasty line of thunderstorms last night and this morning so all the games at the HPAC have been rained out for today. Lane was all fired up and ready to hit a home run! Oh well, he'll have to do it this coming week at the make-up game.

Instead of being at the ballpark today, we will be at my sister's house helping them get their house ready to be shown. Yes, they put their house on the market to be sold. It's a really cute 3 bedroom garden home in the Dutchtown area. (ppsssttttt... if you know of anyone who may be interested it it, just let me know!)

She loves their house, but they have simply outgrown it. With her being very pregnant and now on bedrest, she can't do much of anything at all. Sooooooooo to the rescue we come!! Hopefully we will be more help than harm... LOL!

Have a great day, try to stay dry and I'll check in later!

The Countdown Has Begun!

10, 9, 8, 7, ....

As I posted a while back, my twin sister is pregnant with her 3rd son!! She only has about 3-4 weeks to go and I will FINALLY get top hold him and kiss his sweet little face off!! LOL

She has been having a lot of swelling her feet and legs. She barely recognizes her feet anymore! Wednesday she wasn't feeling too hot... nothing in particular, just the end of the pregnancy yuckiness!! So, I went over to her house to see her and I brought her my digital blood pressure cuff... and yep, her blood pressure was higher that it should be. It got a bit higher as the day went on. Thankfully, she had an appointment with her OB/GYN Thursday morning and she has been put on BED REST until the baby gets here. They will now be seeing her weekly and will be keeping a close watch on her and the baby. He also said it is quite possible that the baby will be born earlier than the originally scheduled c-section.

We will be doing anything and everything to help them right now. Her hubby works long hours and she has two other kids to take care of. At least they are a bit older and not so high-maintenance. So I will be busy, busy, busy for the next several weeks, but I wouldn't have it any other way. She is my bestest friend and I love her so much! Plus, I love her boys just like they are my own!

I have to give it to my sister though. She works... I mean WORKED... in a extremely busy doctor's office in Baton Rouge. It is a really hectic and stressful job. She stuck it out through all the morning sickness, tiredness, aches, and blahs that go along with pregnancy! She planned on working right until the end, but the baby, her body and her doctor had other plans! I told her that I hoped this isn't an indication of things to come with this little one... not going with the flow and giving her a hard time...LOL!!!!!!

She should try to enjoy laying around and doing nothing while she can ... cause those days are quickly coming to an end!! They are about to begin one wild and crazy ride. One the little one gets here, lounging and relaxing will be distant memories :-)

Anyway, please pray that her blood pressure can be controlled by bed rest and that they don't have to admit her to the hospital and do the c-section any earlier than planned. Also, pray that she doesn't go completely nuts-o laying in bed and that the baby (and Lauren) continue to be safe and sound!!!