A Christmas Story for people having a bad day...

Just a little Christmas humor... :-)

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure... Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more!
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where. Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.
Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor... In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.
Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?"

...And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

If I ever questioned... I won't anymore...

Sometimes I can see why people would question whether God exists. Things happen to good people that make you wonder... "why not make this happen to a convict or something, why me?" It is the faith that you receive when excepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior that holds the answer to that question. You fully believe that God has a reason for EVERYTHING and a purpose for EVERYONE!!

That being said, this morning I got one of the biggest scares of my life. It's raining terribly, I'm driving to work and my cell phone rings. It's Jimmy, he starts the conversation off with "I don't know where you are but be careful"...seriously this is no way to start a conversation! This abrupt hello was followed by, "don't freak out but you brothers have been in a bad wreck and totalled the truck". Please tell me how I am supposed to "not freak out"!! Fortunately, the boys are fine and the truck is replaceable but there is no worse feeling than the panic that you get when you think about something happening to one of your loved ones. You immediately wonder what on earth would I do if they died. It's terrible, I know and you should never think that way, it's just human nature.

The fact that God kept both boys safe is enough to praise Him but when I talked to Jimmy after he went to pick up the truck, I was in absolute awe. Apparently the passenger side door was so crushed in it was touching the gear shifter. Jayme walked away with a scratch on his thumb. The only way I choose to believe that this is possible is that God wasn't going to let anything happen to Jayme today. Wreck or not, he would not be hurt. I by no means am leaving Tyler out of this. He didn't have a scratch on him either. Jimmy had said "this is the hardest hit I have ever seen". Jimmy works in a body shop and was a volunteer fireman, he knows wrecks.

God had a reason for the wreck this morning. It may have just been a simple reminder to a teenage driver of how quickly something can happen that could take your life or your passenger's. There may be more to it, only He knows. I do know one thing, this is not the first time that God has protected my brothers. When Jayme was three or four he was hit by a car so hard that his shoes flew off his feet. He landed on his little toddler butt in the neighbors yard. There is no reasoning but God's grace. When Tyler was in the womb, he had scar tissue from Mom's pregnancy with me, wrapped around his face. What could have easily hurt him turned into a small flat spot on the end of his nose that distinguishes him from the rest of the Markham clan.

I know one thing, God loves these boys and he has a plan for both of their lives. I am so grateful and honored to be their sister!

One more year down... a lifetime to go!!

I just want to wish my sweet husband, Jimmy, a happy 3rd Anniversary today!! I love you sweetheart!

With Thanksgiving on the horizon....

With Thanksgiving just a handful of hours away, I'm going to follow in the footsteps of my dear friend, Sandy Broome (love you!) and voice some of the many things that I am thankful for this year...

* My salvation. I know that I am a child of God and He is my Heavenly Father. Regardless of the mistakes that I make in my life, He still loves me and always will. Thank you.

* My husband. He is the backbone of our small but precious family. I thank him for his love, strength and hard work to provide all of the things that we enjoy. Thank you.

* My Dad and Mom. I have so many things to thank them for. The wisdom that I use in my everyday life, some was education, most was my parents. I am proud to say that they molded me into the respectable adult that I am today. Thank you.

* My brothers. They are all such awesome men! I am thankful for their humor. If ever I may need a laugh, any one of them can make me laugh to tears. I'm enjoying watching them all grow and find their own ways in life. I love them so much! Thank you.

* My In-Laws. All of them! I could never have asked for a better family to have married into. Like my birth family, they all have their quirks, but that's what keeps life interesting! To Leigh and Jamie, I grew up with awesome brothers but I will grow old with awesome sisters, I love you both dearly! Thank you.

* My job. I'm thankful for the additional income that it provides for my family and the friends that I have met along the way. I'm also thankful for the knowledge I have gained and the new patience I've acquired! Thank you.

* My friends. I am so abundantly blessed to have so many awesome people in my life that I call friends. Some of them close enough to be called family. Each and every one of you add something to my life that is irreplaceable. Thank you.

* My life. Each day is a precious gift. I thank God for giving me the days I have had so far and, His will be done, the days to follow. Thank you.

* My country. Whether the land of the free and the home of the brave is in turmoil or not, it is still my country and I will stand for it. It is still and forever more, one nation under God! I am thankful for the freedom to pray for it's rulers! Thank you.

There are days where I find myself longing for more out of life. It is those days where something is said in passing or I see something on T.V. and I am humbly knocked to my knees to realize that I have so much. The most humbling part is that those that have much less, give abundant thanks for the little they have and here I am asking for more.

Oh give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Next Tuesday, November 25th!

It's getting cold, everyones getting pale and if you're like me you had to revamp your makeup to keep from looking dead! If you need some tips on how to create a "winter glow" or just want to sit in for a free make over, join me Tuesday night, November 25th (that's next Tues!) at my Mary Kay training center in Belmont, right off I-85. We'll meet from 6:30-8pm, refreshments served. This is also a good opportunity to get some really cool holiday gift ideas for everyone in "your circle", men and teens too! If your interested give me a call on my cell (704)460-2381 or email me at rachelsprings@ymail.com. I'll provide any extra details or directions if you need them! I hope to see some new faces join us and bring a friend if you'd like!

Peaceful Assurance...

On Sunday night this past weekend, I had two terrible dreams. Nightmares, you might call them. Not ones where somebody is chasing you with chainsaws or ghosts or goblins trying to eat you. It was vivid and frightening and much what I feel like the world will be after Jesus comes back.

To keep it short, the first dream depicted men rampaging our house during a sunny afternoon barbecue with guns and for no reason other than hate, shooting the people that I care for the most in my life. I woke up in a cold sweat with tears running down my face, scared to death to go back to sleep and see anymore of this horrific incident. Finally after an hour or so, I dosed back off. The second dream was even more confusing than the first. Again, a gathering at our home. The door bell rings and I answer to find a women with a group of what looks to be 6-10 orphans. The lady explains that she is searching for homes for these children and asks if I would be willing to foster. I let them in, after a few short minutes, the children start to pull syringes from their pockets containing poison and stabbing my friends and family. Needless to say when I woke from this, there was no going back to sleep.

Jimmy woke up a couple hours after I did and one look, asked me what was wrong. I began to sob and tell him about these dreams. He assures me that they are just that, dreams. No need to worry or fear for your life, that he'll never let anything like that happen to me/us.

This morning my mom send me the below devotion, words that I already know in my heart but without fail seem to forget when fear enters my heart...

Psalm 70 –
Be still, My child, and know that I am God! Wait thou patiently – I know the path you trod. So falter not, nor fear, nor think to run or hide. For I, your hope and strength, am waiting by your side.
Psalm 71 -
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. 6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

I know that these words are true and I know that the words of my sweet husband are also true. I also know that some may think that I have gone mad! I think that my mind is wandering into the unknown of what could come if people choose to turn from God. There are paths of destruction, whether crime or just temptations, that lead us astray. Last night I prayed the hardest I have prayed in a long time and this morning He sends me words from the mouth of my beautiful mother. Praise God!

the decision has been made....

The elections are over and the people have chosen their next president. Barack Obama will take office January 20, 2009. Barack Obama promises change to this country. Lets all pray it's good change and Godly change. Even though Obama was not my pick and I have several reasons why not, he is still going to be my president. I have to accept that as do many other Christians that took a stand and voted for McCain. McCain is a man that fought for and served our country for several years and knows what it takes to have the freedoms we all take for granted. McCain stood for pro-life. He has his faults as do I but the facts are he took a stand in regards to some very importnant issues that Obama didn't. It is unfortunate that many others couldn't see that.

Whatever happens in the days to come, I know that I stood for my God and my faith and LIFE! I will be the first one to say that I hope Obama proves me wrong. I hope for every citizen in the United States of America, that he is the best person that could have been chosen to lead this country. I hope his promises have positive actions behind them and that the words that he has spoken weren't just to prove that he could become president with the right people behind him.

More than anything, I pray that all of God's children continue to pray harder than they have ever prayed before for our country. Barack Obama may be going to the White House but my God is and will forever be on His throne. I will continue to stand behind that fact!

Why I can't vote for Obama....

I recieved this email from a good friend of mine (thanks Amanda!). My friends at work ask me why I am so close minded in my decision about voting for McCain. Like I've said before, there are quite a few things I don't like about McCain either, but none would sway me to vote Obama. Because it is very hard for me to get in a political battle and remain professional/polite in my workplace, here's my answer in another man's words... (obviously, I'm not black... I'm referring to me being a Christian and having conservative Christian views in politics).... I have one thing to say, Amen, Huntley Brown!

Why I Can't Vote For Obama By Huntley Brown:

Dear Friends,

A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating... First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him. Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can't dictate the terms He does because He is the leader. I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter. We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I don't know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.
NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)

To beat Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with. There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.God help him. There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law. Think about this: You can't give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.

There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now? Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 'Go and make disciples of all nations.' This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him? Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a ...1. Commitment to the White Community 2. Commitment to the White Family 3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic 4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community. 5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions 6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System 7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System. Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside. This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church.

The church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world. A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if it's a white church or a black church it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.

Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: 'Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this? So what does all this mean for the nation? In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 'Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' Then God says 1 Samuel 1:18 ' When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.'

Here is what we know for sure. God is not schizophrenic He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it. For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy. I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions.

Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation, 1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation. 2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?

Blessings, Huntley Brown

loving on my man....

This day in 1999, Jimmy and I started dating! That marks 9 years for us and we can't wait for the next nine.... and the next nine! I love you babe!! ♥

2 posts in one day.... I know! But, I HAD to add this!

My friends Michelle and Jessica both posted this blog and I found it hilarious so I tried it out myself! Go to "Google" and search your name followed by "needs". Here's what I came up with...

1. Rachel needs guidance and normal supervision... seriously, I'm not that bad!
2. Rachel needs your help.... again, not that bad!
3. Rachel REALLY needs some organization and better flow... understatement of the century!!
4. Rachel needs some good thoughts.... PLEASE!
5. Rachel needs more caffeine.... should say Rachel needs to stay away from caffeine!
6. Rachel needs to focus.... AMEN!
7. Rachel needs a new roommate.... the irony of this blows my mind!
8. Rachel needs a squeeze... please be more specific!

fun weekend!!

On Saturday, Jimmy and I were privileged to join my boss, representing our company at the 20th Annual International House Gala at the Hilton Center City....

We were well out of our league with the others at the event, but we still had a great time with the "big wigs"....

Sunday, we joined the Springs' family at the Homecoming for Mulberry Presbyterian Church... 120 years and counting! Jimmy's grandfather Earl has been a member for 50+ years and he was so emotional to see us all join him in celebrating this day!!

Later in the afternoon Jimmy and I decided that we would go to the pumpkin patch down the street from our neighborhood....

We ended the day with Bax playing us a little tune on the piano...

and then crashing.... on my rear end!

just a little advertisement....

Back in the summer I was asked by a good freind of mine to be a model in my wedding dress for some advertising shots.... I was a little worried about fitting into my dress but here are a few shots...

The name of the company is Studio 74 Productions... Contact Timm Young or Patrick Wolfe at http://www.studio74productions.com/ where you can also see the video that Timm did the same day as the shots above!

Baxter!!

Jimmy has been asking me for quite sometime to give him a picture of me that he can put on his desk at work. Yesterday, I finally just decided to call and make an appointment to get our pictures done professionally. We haven't had them done since our engagement pictures other than a few from when we got married. As most of you know, we didn't have the traditional wedding so we didn't have the traditional photographs. Anyway, that's beside the point. I called Jimmy to let him know that I have made the appointment for Oct 29th. He immediatley says, "Awesome, that gives us time to get a puppy that can be in the picture with us!" Jimmy has also been hounding me for a while to get a miniature schnauzer puppy like Jack, his dad's dog. I have been very reluctant to get another pet but something inside me decided to go on the internet and search breeders in the Charlotte area. I emailed a list to Jimmy and called to let him know. When he answered the phone and I told him I'd been searching, he started laughing! Apparently, Jimmy and Amy had been on the phone with the breeder that she got Jack from already asking her about her most current litter!

Needless to say, we all (Britt, Amy, Me & Jimmy) loaded up in the truck last night and drove to right outside of Albemarle, NC to look at the puppies. Jimmy is very aware of my weekness for animals. therefore was not in the least bit suprised when I said, "When can we take him home?" I'd like to introduce you to the newest Springs family member....

apologies in advance for my taboo statement....

Like most everyone else, I keep my political views to myself most of the time. I have two good friends that don't agree with me at all and that doesn't make them any less my friends. I am first to say that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. That being said, I am 100% against the thought of having Barack Obama as the future president and front man of our country.

Also like most, I have been listening with one ear open to all of the debates that have been on TV over the last few weeks. Personally, I think Sarah Palin hit a home run in her debate against Joe Biden. I think she was witty and personable as well as intelligent behind the pretty face. Last night Jimmy and I sat down together to watch the debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Thirty minutes into the debate, Jimmy looks over at me and says, "I hate to say this, but Obama has this debate in the bag"... clearly his oral charisma had taken hold of my husband. The man that every time he hears the voice of Barack Obama on the radio or TV changes the channel or station, this can't be right. It's not that either one of us has not listened to his views and ideas before shunning him as a possibility, but on the contrary have just not been impressed until last night.

The below article was on "Yahoo News" today reassuring me that the dazzling front that Obama puts on to this nation is not just something in my own head... please see that I have given credit to the author of this article, I am merely sharing this piece with you all... in bold I have set apart a statement that I hold true in my mind...

The Obama DelusionBy Robert Samuelson
WASHINGTON -- It's hard not to be dazzled by Barack Obama. At the 2004 Democratic convention, he visited with Newsweek reporters and editors, including me. I came away deeply impressed by his intelligence, his forceful language and his apparent willingness to take positions that seemed to rise above narrow partisanship. Obama has become the Democratic presidential front-runner, precisely because countless millions have formed a similar opinion. It is, I now think, mistaken.
As a journalist, I harbor serious doubt about each of the likely nominees. But with Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, I feel that I'm dealing with known quantities. They've been in the public arena for years; their views, values and temperaments have received enormous scrutiny. By contrast, newcomer Obama is largely a stage presence defined mostly by his powerful rhetoric. The trouble, at least for me, is the huge and deceptive gap between his captivating oratory and his actual views.

The subtext of Obama's campaign is that his own life narrative -- to become the first African-American president, a huge milestone in the nation's journey from slavery -- can serve as a metaphor for other political stalemates. Great impasses can be broken with sufficient good will, intelligence and energy. "It's not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white," he says. Along with millions of others, I find this a powerful appeal.
But on inspection, the metaphor is a mirage. Repudiating racism is not a magic cure-all for the nation's ills. It requires independent ideas, and Obama has few. If you examine his agenda, it is completely ordinary, highly partisan, not candid and mostly unresponsive to many pressing national problems.
By Obama's own moral standards, Obama fails. Americans "are tired of hearing promises made and 10-point plans proposed in the heat of a campaign only to have nothing change," he recently said. Shortly thereafter, he outlined an economic plan of at least 12 points that, among other things, would:
-- Provide a $1,000 tax cut for most two-earner families ($500 for singles).
-- Create a $4,000 refundable tuition tax credit for every year of college.
-- Expand the child care tax credit for people earning less than $50,000 and "double spending on quality after-school programs."
-- Enact an "energy plan" that would invest $150 billion in 10 years to create a "green energy sector."
Whatever one thinks of these ideas, they're standard goodie-bag politics: something for everyone. They're so similar to many Clinton proposals that her campaign put out a news release accusing him of plagiarizing. With existing budget deficits and the costs of Obama's "universal health plan," the odds of enacting his full package are slim.
A favorite Obama line is that he will tell "the American people not just what they want to hear, but what we need to know." Well, he hasn't so far.
Consider the retiring baby boomers. A truth-telling Obama might say: "Spending for retirees -- mainly Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid -- is already nearly half the federal budget. Unless we curb these rising costs, we will crush our children with higher taxes. Reflecting longer life expectancies, we should gradually raise the eligibility ages for these programs and trim benefits for wealthier retirees. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame for inaction. Waiting longer will only worsen the problem."
Instead, Obama pledges not to raise the retirement age and to "protect Social Security benefits for current and future beneficiaries." This isn't "change"; it's sanctification of the status quo. He would also exempt all retirees making less than $50,000 annually from income tax. By his math, that would provide average tax relief of $1,400 to 7 million retirees -- shifting more of the tax burden onto younger workers. Obama's main proposal for Social Security is to raise the payroll tax beyond the present $102,000 ceiling.
Political candidates routinely indulge in exaggeration, pandering, inconsistency and self-serving obscurity. Clinton and McCain do. The reason for holding Obama to a higher standard is that it's his standard and also his campaign's central theme. He has run on the vague promise of "change," but on issue after issue -- immigration, the economy, global warming -- he has offered boilerplate policies that evade the underlying causes of the stalemates. These issues remain contentious because they involve real conflicts or differences of opinion.
The contrast between his broad rhetoric and his narrow agenda is stark, and yet the press corps -- preoccupied with the political "horse race" -- has treated his invocation of "change" as a serious idea rather than a shallow campaign slogan. He seems to have hypnotized much of the media and the public with his eloquence and the symbolism of his life story. The result is a mass delusion that Obama is forthrightly engaging the nation's major problems when, so far, he isn't.
Copyright 2008, Washington Post Writers Group

reminicing on my yesterdays and cherishing my todays...

People say that time flies, that is a gross understatement. It seems like yesterday that I was 12 years old riding my bike after school longing for the days when I would be a teenager and go to high school. Those days quickly came and then I remember longing to be 16 to get my driver's license and then 18 to be legal and finally graduate from that hell they call high school! It's funny how life runs it's course isn't it? Well, 16, 18 and then 21 came very quickly and passed. I married young to the love of my life, moved out of my parents house and so it began, I am a full blown adult. Skipping to an explanation period....

My parents basically had two sets of children. Chris and I had most of our small childhood to ourselves with our parents. When we were well out of the small child phase and almost out of the elementary school phase, they decided to start again. Tyler and then Jayme were born with a 8 year gap between me and the next. By the time that Chris and I graduated and moved out, Jayme and Tyler were only 6 and 9. My parents will have raised children for over 30 years by the time that the younger brood is out of the house! My point in this is that even though they are my brothers, they are in a totally different generation that Chris and I were in. And back to the main topic....

Last week, Mom called me and asked if it would be possible if I could keep Jayme while they went to Oregon for a few days for my cousins wedding. Of course I said yes. My parents seem to think that this is a huge inconvenience for me, but what they don't understand is that it makes me so happy to spend some time with him! He arrived yesterday after school and we spent the night hanging out, going to Morris costumes for ideas for Halloween and just chatting. It is amazing to talk to him because he is not your average 14 year old boy. He is so incredibly smart, sometimes you forget his age. He got his wit and humor from my dad and therefor is an absolute entertainer at heart. He made me laugh to tears last night which doesn't happen very often. He brought up things that we had done like 7 or 8 years ago that just blew my mind that he remembered... like me taking him to Shoney's for breakfast before I took him to school. I don't remember that day all that well but to to hear him tell me about it, it was obvious that was a day that he holds dear to his heart. I started to think about it and realized that in just a year or so, he will be an only child. Tyler is 17 and headstrong and will be out of the house the day he turns 18, leaving Jayme to be the only baby bird left in the nest. This makes me sad for my mom. I just can't imagine being in her position, where you have spend the last three decades of your life, raising four children and in just a few short years, we will all be gone.

I said all that to say this, our days are precious. Each one of them is a gift from our God and the more time you spend longing for the future are days that you have missed in the present. It reminds me of the song by Trace Adkins, "you're gonna miss this". That and spend time with the one's you love. Make every moment count because you don't know what that moment is going to mean to someone else, even if it's just another day to you.

just a quote to ponder on....

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will then know peace”

Growing up the thought of being 25 years old seemed so far away and when I got to that point I would be so old, so far I'm right! You ask a person in there 40's and 25 is a "spring chicken". I have one thing to say, if 25 is a spring chicken I don't ever want to be 50!! I know that God has a plan for me and that he would never give me more than I can handle with His help. These days I have found myself wondering... how much more God?

From my last blog, (which I am fully aware was a long time ago, Michelle) things seemed to have been getting better and now worse. I had my radiation therapy and was looking forward to the recovery process. I had been slowly gaining strength back. Don't get me wrong, I still can't run to the end of my driveway, but non the less, better than before. Last week I caught an awful cough/cold from my hubby... thanks babe. What to most would be just a common bug, hits me twice as hard with a weak immune system (Grave's is an auto-immune disease). For most, a few doses of Sudafed and you're good to go, but with Grave's I'm not aloud to take any antihistamines. Believe me when I say that sucks!

The night before last I was at home and I started to get a headache. This "headache" sooned turned into me laying on the couch in severe pain and blurred vision. I took some Advil and went to bed. Yesterday morning, I called the doctor. By lunch I was at my desk with my head between my legs on the phone moving my 4:00 appointment to ASAP!! Jimmy had to come get me from work and rush me to the doctor. Turns out I am having intense stress induced migraines. The doc says I need more rest... not just slowing it down but slam on your brakes rest. She gave me some sleeping pills and some emerency migraine pills. They seem to work, yesterday afternoon I had another and it was gone in 10 minutes after I took the pill.

I know that this blog has served as a bad news post for me since I started it. It was intended that it be a good news post, where I could share my blessings. I have one blessing to share as of now. All that has happened has made me a prayer warrior. I still have a hard time praying out loud in front of others but my God knows that I have called on Him and He will be the one that pulls me through this. Well, maybe one more blessing... through all of the turmoil, I have been unbelievably loved on. I take advantage sometimes the people who care for me, but when I'm down and they come to the rescue, I truely feel their love. Thank you to all of you. :)

I see the end of the tunnel!!

For those of you that have seen or spoken to me in the last few weeks, you know the battle I am fighting... On Sunday, August 10th, I woke up feeling extremely faint and weak. After noticing that I had lost a great deal of weight over the last few months, I felt it time to see a professional. On the following Tuesday, I had blood tests done. On Thursday, I had more blood tests done. After all this, it was discovered that I have extreme hyperthyroiditis. To keep it short, my thyroid is on overdrive! My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist... Unfortunately, the specialist had no available appointments until September 18th!

Fortunately for me, I have a large group of prayer warriors standing behind me. On Saturday night of last week, I met with the Broome/Gompers clan to have a time of prayer on my behalf. My special friend, Sandy, was kind enough to do some research and locate a few other endocrinologists in Charlotte. Monday morning I called the doctor to give them one more chance to get me an earlier appointment before I scheduled elsewhere.... needless to say, I had a call back from them by 11:00am saying they had a last minute cancellation and could see me that afternoon. God is good!

I met with Dr. Robinson and after a quick examination, it was clear to him that I had Grave's Disease. I find it easier to tell you to google the term, rather that explaining it to you. In short, it is what triggered my hyperthyroiditis.... The doc did one other test to confirm before telling me treatment options. His prognosis was correct.

On Friday of next week, September 5th, I will have to have what it is called a radio-iodine treatment. Basically a direct form of radiation to kill the overactive part of my thyroid. After three months, I will more than likely be put on a thyroid hormone that I will have to take for the rest of my life.

I realize that these types of issues are not very uncommon, but it doesn't make them any easier to swallow at 25! I have a small request and that is that you keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I go through the procedure next week...

Anyone married knows that everyday with your spouse is not a piece of cake. There are times when you disagree about one thing or another and you feel the need to let the other know. I do my fair share of being the informer in these situations. My husband, who claims to have no patience, would agree. He has come out the "better man" many times. This past week, he who has no patience has been patient with me. I am thankful for this.

Beyond being frustrated with each other and getting over our differences, we have reason to smile...

This morning I went to Christenbury Eye Center to have a consultation done for a Lasik surgery procedure. I hate the thought of glasses and contacts for the rest of my life so this was exciting. I will have the procedure done before the end of September this year. The smiling doesn't end here...

Many of you that know that Jimmy has worked for his family business for his entire career, minus a few months here and there. Recently he has been given the opportunity to spread his wings a bit and he seems to be flying. He was given a promotion to be the manager of the body shop and although this heavily increased his work load, it has given him room to grow professionally as well. This morning he called me absolutely excited... he got his own business cards. This means little to most but huge to him and I am so proud.

All though both things are small to most... It makes me remember that even the small blessings count.

the reason why...

So today I was reading the blog of my dear friend Sandy Broome. She makes a comment about the reason why people "blog". There are so many reasons; updating your friends and family about your every day life, venting about the things that are going on, tracking the small things that happen in life that you don't want to forget. All of these are understandably good reasons to blog. My reason? I need an out. I need a place where I can right down the thoughts in my head... to get them out of my head. I am a worrier. It is my nature. I can not change it. I try and lay things down to God. "God, this is yours now, I'm done with it." This sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. This would be a huge thing to be freed from.

I live, what you might call, a priviledged life. I get what I want most anytime I want it. I have an outstanding husband (even though I am fully aware sometimes I don't deserve him). I have a beautiful home and an excellent job. I have what some would call fairytale. I forget sometimes though. I want to make a point in my blogs to try to recognize the things that I am thankful for rather than dwelling on the things that cause me to worry. If you are my friend and reading this, hold me accountable. :)