I love my warped friends...

I have the coolest friends in the entire world! They are flippin' insane! If I post my outrageous adventure (to date) I have been offered money, a shout out on another blog and a llama. That is best offer so far!

Also, my Erin, who is the one of the most warped girls in my life will be leaving for a trip to England, Ireland and Scotland. Be safe and know that I totally hate you and love you all in one! I am so very very jealous! Growing up together, Erin and I had some wild adventures! Looking back at half the stuff we did makes me laugh! We both grew up with all brothers. It was our mission in life to make their lives miserable. I think we succeeded quite a bit. God has used her in incredible ways. She is a counselor/social worker in Mississippi. She loves her mission and is so very great at it! I can't tell you how many young women have chosen a different road because Erin came into their life. Have the time of your life girl! I can't wait to hear about another moment that has been checked off your list!

Totally random day...totally random post

First, a quick comment on my bucket list post. I actually got offered money from a friend who wanted to know the "thing" on my list I will not comment about. All I have to say is I do not take visa, mastercard or checks..cold cash baby! Next total random thought, I got Megan a card today that said I am squirrel. Megan thought it was the greatest thing ever! I love Momma moments that actually impress her! Third random thought, I have this new phone that plays music. I finally figured out how to put music on the thing. It is quite easy, hand the phone over to the above named teenager and say I want this, this and this song on it. I told you it was easy! And if that doesn't work get the son on the phone and have him talk you through it. Fourth random thought, my Mom's dog and our dog actually talked to each other on the phone tonight. Oh yes they did! Pepper would howl and then Zoey whined. It was quite hilarious. Fifth random thought, we still have Valentine's candy left but half of it has been pinched. You know....cut in half to see what is in the center. Does anyone actually eat those pastel colored nuts in the middle? I think they are like fruitcake..they reuse the same nuts every year. I am brave and I am going to eat one without pinching first! Sixth random thought, don't ever bite into candy without pinching and knowing what is in the middle...GROSS....I am not even sure what that was. Finally I got to throw a TOTALLY (compared to what I have talked about so far) RANDOM thought. I sat through a "webinar" today for a brain numbing 1 1/2 hours. I have spent most of my time training in every aspect of human resource management. I have had the honor of having some of the best people training me that came from companies in New Orleans, Chicago and Atlanta. They know their stuff! Bottom line I am being trained on protecting the company by protecting and empowering the employees. What do you get when you provide a great, safe work environment, rewarding the deserved, training those with potential, protecting them against every form of harassment? No lawsuits and great employees who know their stuff because we have given them the training they need to do what we have asked them to do. Employees who are willing to go the extra mile because you were willing to do that for them. Employees who are encouraged to attend work because they are rewarded if they do. Employees who get the truth from management because management does not lie to them. How do I know this? They get the truth from me even if it is hard. I couldn't help but think about if the church had those same guidelines in play and protection for their employees how many things could have been prevented. Every business including churches should take care of their employees. But the church has a greater obligation to protect employees because it is a reflection of the church. Some churches do have these guidelines. I have a dear friend who works at a huge church in Memphis. They send their employees through some of the same training sessions I am going through. Why? Because there is sexual harassment, discrimination and unfair employment practices going on in all forms of business even the church. This particular church is doing what is right! And I will quote her handbook "I want to turn my staff into partners with me...same vision equals the same success, I want them to say this is the greatest place to work." I told you this was completely random! Well I am trading in the unknown candy for some homemade lemonade made by my man! What a day!

Check that one off my list......

Have you seen that movie called "The Bucket List". I haven't mainly because I really don't like Jack Nicholson's acting.....blahhhhh! But I love the concept of a bucket list. "A list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket." At 31 years of age I had a stroke. One of the things they have you do in recovery is make a list of things you want to do before you die. Morbid??? Well kind of..but they hope that you will concentrate on surviving to do these things as opposed to giving up. I am thrilled to say I have completed some of the things on my list. Another one will be checked off next week. Stay tuned next week for an update on what it is. I will be glad to give you complete details. I am excited and apprehensive all at the same time. I believe life is truly an adventure. Your own book ready to be written! I do not believe for one minute that the Christian life was meant to be lived cautiously or fearfully. I did not say carelessly and just plain stupid....but not always in safe mode. This life and all it's complications was meant to be just that......complex. Your adventure doesn't have to be a safari in a far off land. It could be starting a business or a church. Someone who is afraid of heights looking over the edge. Adopting a child or getting a puppy (you don't think that is an adventure...try it!) Maybe it is finally walking away from a destructive situation. Who knows? God knows. I think He smiles when someone finds the courage, the breath, the spine to take that first step. Even my Lord's years in this clay were filled with adventures. He did sail to far off lands, rage battles with the establishment and climb to the tallest mountain to watch his Father show off the most beautiful sunrises. My Mom and I have discussed death and what you want to do or wouldn't do again several times. I have had alot of people ask me if that is difficult talking to my Mom about death. At first, I must admit it made me mad to talk to her about it. "Let's change the subject...o.k!!!!!??" But after awhile, I learned a beautiful thing about realizing your own mortality. You are not in charge! There is something so freeing and liberating about letting go and concentrating on living instead of dying! It makes every hug richer. It makes every memory greater. It makes you say "I love you" every time and mean it with everything in you. So what is my most outrageous adventure on my bucket list......wouldn't you like to know? But let me just say....I have already checked that one off!

Integrity for sale.....as long as the end justifies the means....

I love intellectual debates. I bet you are no different from me, that some debates you feel better equipped to handle than others. I absolutely hate knowing what I desire to say and can't intelligently compose the words. It is infuriating especially if it is something I am so passionate about. I have several friends who are professionals and I delight in conversation with them. We discuss different religions, politics, marriage, and on and on. One of my friends in particular is passionate about integrity especially within public office or within the church. We were discussing politicians and how they are the master manipulators especially right now with this being an important election year. My argument was no matter how you try to protect against it even within the church integrity is for sale as long as the end justifies the mean. Here is where the debate started. Did we quit fighting for integrity or did we surrender? My friend stated there IS a difference. I debated that to quit fighting or surrendering is the same thing. Not true he said .... to quit fighting is a personal defeat but to surrender is handing the victory over to your opponent. I think there are times when you should stop fighting but we should never surrender to what we know is right especially within the church. So what happens when you combine politicians with the church? That is simple....they know better how to keep their hands clean from it all. They get other people to do their dirty work for them. It was a very convicting debate. My friend said I have never known you to be the type to surrender. The debate went on further to our own daily walks. For instance....when someone who is obviously overweight ask you if they you think they are fat? Lie....and well you lie. Tell the truth and you hurt that person's feelings. What about my friend? He is so dogmatic about telling the truth, he would probably say something to the effect of...."we could all stand to be in better shape but I love _______about you". He is so inspiring to be around. Deception is the practice of deceiving he said. Lies seep into the fiber of who we are and take root. I don't see anything holy, just, or right about that. The deceivers will tell you that you must accept it and move on OR find another playground to play in. That is the work of the enemy not of a Holy Lord. Especially when they were the ones in the first place wanting the "end" that justified the means. They want something so bad they are willing to deceive to get it! Sad very sad. I wouldn't worry about what I thought about such deception but I would care about what my Lord thinks. So did I win this debate? No! Praise God! I appreciated the lesson! I did however do some reflecting on fighting. Even prize fighters have to train, seek counsel and rest before they come back for the fight of their life. Float like a butterfly....sting like a bee...baby...this fighter is in training!

Week in Review

This has been such a cool week....here are the highlights in random order!

1. My son's birthday today! He is so amazing! He fell in love with a beautiful woman that is just wonderful! He has awesome friends. What a great evening!
2. Bigfoot Lodge----Skittle Skank----oh my side is hurting from laughing
3. Throw some "D"s on it!
4. Ethan doing the "walk" to try to convince Haley to do the "walk"
5. Darin singing the apple bottom song
6. Wonderful dinner with friends who are family
7. Shelia Tucker can cook some lasagna! And I couldn't love a blood sister more!
8. A great career! First week on my own how scary and rewarding at the same time!
9. Being able to boast of my Lord in a secular job. Thank you Lord!
10. Getting into that size of jeans that I haven't been in since the early 90s!
11. Sitting in my office today with 3 women I work with discussing my Lord. I know I already bragged on this one..but it just blows my mind! Oh and 3 women who seem like they will be good friends.
12. Megan making the track team!!! Megan..I said random order....but this really should have been closer to the top! You are amazing! Now go make Dyersburg cry!!!!!!!!!!!
13. Going out and buying things for my office this weekend (on their dime). Shopping on someone else's money.....priceless!
14. The commercial with the singing squirrel and the coyote that eats the bird. Funny stuff!
15. Carroll at my work saying and I quote "Look I am not joking....then I hit a papasqually and said that is worse than an amazon woman in stretch shorts and if it happens again I am getting my licensed (thank you very much) gun and taking care of this myself" Once again....my side was hurting from laughing. You would have to know her and she is just one cool chick!
16. My Mom got a new book from her daughter last week and it had bad language all through it! I went with a great author and it had a beautiful old fashioned cover! And it said &%^$ and $#&*$(#&(*$&# and $#$#&*(#$&! So this week I went with a best seller and it had a beautiful black lab puppy on the front. How could I go wrong? I even scanned through the pages!!! No problem right? It said ^%& and $#&*$#&( and $#&*$(#&(#*&! My Mom still enjoyed both books! She is just so flippin' marvelous! No more buying books from Target!!!
17. Why do I buy books from Target? Because my Mom and I like "real" books! Autobiographies, self help, Christian and Secular. But they have to be real not necessarily happily ever after. Obviously....from (number 16) we like ones that cuss and talk about sex! Good Lord I bought my Mom a filthy book........what has this world come to?
18. My husband saying "point"......I love this sexy man and no one can imitate like him!
19. And I will finish the way I started....My Son HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 20 years ago tonight I was smiling at my precious baby boy......and here we are again! You are across the room playing rock band with your Dad and I am smiling!!!!!!!!
20. Oh wait I have to say "20" in his honor....and I forgot the Zoey! Zo the fat ho always begs for anything we are eating......we brought BigFoot Lodge hamburger leftovers for her tonight and she actually moaned eating her food she liked it so much......that dog loves her food!

GO TIGERS GO!!!!!

I am blessed.....I am blessed indeed!

Right before my eyes.....

I can't believe this week my son turns 20! I actually have a kid who is no longer in his teens. I could not be prouder of my children. They are so much alike and yet as different as night and day. They are both hilarious. They have their own inside jokes (I am sure alot dealing with their parental units) and their own language. I love to hear them laugh with each other. It makes me smile! He will be home this Friday and begin the weekend of spoiling!! We are going to his favorite restaurant BIG FOOT and of course his birthday is going green (cash that is!). The best birthday gift ever! He thinks life is going by so slowly and I believe it is rushing by at warp speed. I tell my children all the time, "You make being a Momma fun." I truly love being their Mom. They have it together so much better than I did at either one of their ages. They are more driven, focused and dedicated to their dreams and ambitions. Jeff and I have one philosophy when it comes to raising our children.....Does it glorify our Lord and does it make their lives better? Scott now lives his life by that standard. Do you know how much that makes me happy? So Happy Birthday my man child. You are going places I never dreamed! And we couldn't be prouder of the man you have become. February 22, 1988 they placed a shivering, crying little baby boy in my arms and with the sound of your Dad and my voice you stopped crying. I hope you know you will always hear love, pride, encouragement, comfort in our voices towards you. This is just the beginning of the some of greatest years of your life. Dream big and know you, my son, are greatly loved!

This was a good day!

What a very good day! This was one of those days that just make you smile! My Memphis State (yes, I am old school and proud of it) is still number one and kicked butt in Alabama. Seriously....do the goons who tried to start something after the game actually look at the size of Joey Dorsey's arms? I love stupid people who try to intimidate. It kind of like my situation....do you really want to tick off someone who knows so much? What else....DUKE LOST! O.k. that just makes me sing songs! Today was such a great day at work! I can not even begin to tell you how much I see God's hand in so much! For instance, I believe God trains us for the future. I really do! He knows what our future holds and equips us if we will first recognize He is the trainer. About two years ago, my church participated in Relay For Life. It was a passion of mine! I absolutely love the organization and what it stands for. I had several people to get on board with me including one of our ministers, Johnny Lane. He also had a personal reason why this was dear to his heart. He was invaluable. He was the one that came up with the Nascar theme! You should have seen our redneck Nascar table! It was great! We had -0- money. He even donated a personal expensive gift for the relay. It was definitely a labor of love. My family worked with me sun up to sun down. The choir beautifully participated and when it was all over we raised over $1500.00. Doesn't sound like a lot but trust me it was! It was truly a blessing and one that I thought I would never get to participate again. Well, today at my current job I was asked to be the Relay chairman for our company. We just touched base on it during the interview process and quite frankly I totally forgot about it until today. I have a budget for this! I have an opportunity to involve hundreds of volunteers who already have participated year after year! Two people already share the same passion as myself because of family members who are cancer survivors one of which is a precious child. I just PRAISE HIM that I get another opportunity to share the love of my Lord, the Healer. And to share the testimony of my precious Mom. This weekend I was feeling a bit down. Tired, exhausted and running! What a pick me up! God over and over and over again reminding me why I have you on this road! And last but certainly not least I have had the best week with my family. My son will be home this weekend for his 20th birthday. I am the Mom of a 20 year old!! Anyway....he is just so amazing! I have had the best talks with him this week. Then there is Megan...what can I say about this young woman! She absolutely loves her Nana and spent the afternoon with her. I praise God for the young beautiful woman she is becoming. She is so giving and so selfless. That is hard to find in teenagers now a days. And then there is Jeff. What can I say about my husband. He has totally taken up the slack while I start this new adventure. What a partnership! He is my best friend and the love of my life. This was a very good day.

When it finally hits you....

Sorry it seems like forever since I have posted. This week has been a marathon. In a lot of ways it has been horrible knowing my Mom has been so sick. And so strangely in a lot of ways exciting with my career. So mix that with family and you have little time to blog or anything else for that matter. But I am not complaining. When you seek God first you can actually be confident in the road He has you own. I am not saying there will not be bumps or head on collisions for that matter (or brain hurting excel spreadsheets) but you if know God has you on this road for a reason....you won't mind the travel!

Back to my blog..... it hit me after about my 10th email of why are you no longer speaking???? You know here is the way I would answer that..... Why aren't YOU? Have I been intimidated or harassed into being quiet? Absolutely not. Just been so busy! However, it has really only been one family that wants me to be quiet and they have the most to loose. And actually their stupidity makes me more vocal. I guess it is the Graves in me! Go Mom! The majority of my emails, comments and phone calls have been in encouragement and agreement and simply love! Thank you! However, if you think there is something corrupt, manipulative and dishonoring going on....speak up!! One of two things WILL happen.. the truth will be revealed or you will feel more comfortable in what is going on. Either way you win and God will be honored more by allowing all doubts and questions to be discussed or dismissed. Then you decide what is best for you and your walk. I know my answer. Unfortunately, then the decision is mine on what to do. My life right now has been consumed with a lot of things that actually make senses and bring me great joy rather than trying to tear me down. So it is with that I have absorbed myself in people that I love and who need me right now. I know I promised a blog from Jeff. It is awesome and it is poetic but it is also now in the hands of someone who can do something about all this. The scriptures remind us to seek wise counsel....well I believe I climbed the heights of my personal wisdom ladder! It is so funny how I believe if you totally seek what God wants you to do He orchestrates the symphony! And all of a sudden what you thought you would never do...you find yourself doing! Be careful! This sounds so easy but it is not. You must always be seeking the Lord through prayer, scriptures and WISE counsel who are ALSO doing the same. Because your motives may not be the Lord's. Oh He does work in mysterious ways! Have you ever watched a great mystery movie or read a novel? I don't mean SAW I, II, III (BLAH.....GROSS) ........I mean a great who dun it?? At the end of it there is this great A-HA moment. The truth is revealed and when you look back YOU SAW IT ALL ALONG!!! Sometimes though it takes walking forward and looking back for it all to makes sense than when you are in the middle of it. Please don't get me wrong I know sometimes it is just nice to talk with someone who understands and you mean no harm. I know that! I have been there, in there, and continue to be there. I am not talking about those people. But some of the people really just want to stir the pot without having any hope of any resolution and are not asking the questions to the right people. Those type of people are no different than the ones who are trying to harass me into being quiet. Theresa, do these people not bother you? No, actually I feel sorry for them. You know you have hit a hot spot when you ASK the questions and their answers are simply BE QUIET! You know those moments when your children say BUT WHY? And you say "Because I said so!". You know what......they really want to know WHY??????

Well it is off to the races again today.....what is my schedule...
In no certain order...
Jerk Chicken
Cabbage
Shelving
Shopping
LAUNDRY
Jogging
Date night with the hottest man on earth! ummm ummm ummm
And budget planning for the year!!!

Yes...my life is a marathon right now!!!! Oh but I love to run!!!

Doris Marie Feathers Graves.....My Mom

Today was my Mom's last chemo. She is so tired and so sick but she is done with the poison. She fought hard and stayed strong. And through it all of course praised Him. I know you might be expecting Jeff's blog. It is ready to go but not tonight. Tonight belongs to her. My Mom was born a share cropper's daughter. We use to sing the Loretta Lynn's song and change the words. My Mom was the baby girl with my late Uncle Jimmy being the baby. Five children and two adults in a two room shack. There were actually six children but God called one home early. She once showed me the place where they grew up. I tried my best to imagine living in it and couldn't. All three girls shared the same bed, clothes, shoes and lots and lots of hours in the field. It was not that my Mom was not loved, oh she was, but she was born for one reason to work the cotton fields. She still has the scars on her hands from endless back breaking hours of hard work. Could you imagine complaining about cleaning your room to my Momma??? As far back as I can possibly remember I knew four things......I was loved by my Momma and Dad unconditionally and deeply, my brothers would always be there for me, my Mom and Dad were so stinkin' in love and my Momma loved this man named Jesus. I didn't know Him like she did but there was no doubt in my mind that He existed and she loved Him with all that is in her. It was a passion passed on from her Mom. You could never get in trouble that Mom was not throwing something about Jesus in the mix. I don't care what you are complaining about my Mom has a scripture to encourage, rebuke, convince or convict. If you complained about a bully she told you to pray for them. If you complained about not having she reminded you what you had. She constantly and consistently encouraged me on the type of man I should marry but never who....she said just like your Dad, you will know. She met and fell in love with my Dad shortly after high school. All she wanted to be was Mrs. James "Jimmy" Graves and be a Mom. My Dad then and now loves noone like his lady. At a very young age and with four small children my Mom had her first mountain. Her husband went completely blind. Total retina detachment. I can remember my Mom carefully and lovingly changing my Dad's bandages after numerous eye surgeries and feeding him. I had a beautiful example of how marriage should be at a very young age. The one thing I can't remember EVER was my Mom complaining. And of course she praised Him. We struggled even though I never knew it. I knew we didn't have materials things others had but I never felt unloved. I know there were times my parents did not eat and yet we did. I know they went without out to make sure we had. And still over and over again she praised Him. When I finally called Him Lord and Savior, it took our relationship to another level. I finally got why she loved Jesus so much. I love to talk to my Mom about Jesus. Have you ever talked to someone who is so passionate about something it just spills over with excitement. That is how my Mom feels about our Lord. She was there for every moment in my life. From my wedding day to the birth of her grandchildren, sickness, long cries and long talks and every school program and birthday party in between. My Mom showered her family with unconditional love. And then about two years ago she diagnosed with her biggest mountain....cancer. She has surpassed every doctor's prediction. Even when my Mom was told this is treatable but never curable, she didn't face it with defeat. She faced it like she does everything in her life, with complete and total trust in the Lord and unquestionable faith in Him. God's Hands, God's Plan is her saying over and over again. I can not tell you the people she has touched over the past two years. So many have fallen in love with her as I knew they would. I have seen her in some agonizing moments. I have seen her in pain, very real dark pain. And yet over and over again she will remind you of people she knows about who are worse off than she is. She is quick to take the attention off herself and onto someone else in need. And of course through it all she has praised Him from the top of her lungs and to anyone who will listen. I am proud and honored to say I am your daughter. I pray I could just be a fourth of the woman you are and pass on the passion you live every day for the glory of God. I love you Momma and I celebrate with you a new road! Now bring on Spring...warm weather, sunshine and planting in your garden!

And then things not to laugh about.....

I will have another post this evening or tomorrow. My husband is actually going to be a guest blogger either tonight or tomorrow! Jeff is a thinker. He is the most incredible man I know. He is wise beyond his years. Unlike me, Jeff will first seek wise counsel and organize his thoughts before speaking. We have good friends who are attorneys. So we are always picking their brain. (who came up with that saying??????) Anyway....so when Jeff does speak, I love to listen! Whether politics, stocks and bonds, sports, our children, our dreams. It doesn't matter because he knows me better than anyone on the face of this earth. And my well being is always on his mind and heart. I love it most though when he tells me what he is studying in the bible and how God is directing him. It is incredible to see my husband seek our Lord's will for his life and in turn for his family. I trust him with everything in me to do just that.....lead us!

Jeff is a thinker.....but at this point he has a lot to say.

Laughter really is the best medcine!

One thing the people I work with have figured out about me is that I love to laugh. I find laughter in the most peculiar places. Yes, I am the heartless one that will laugh at you when you trip or when you have toilet tissue hanging off your shoe. This one particular lady I have simply fallen in love with, will make you laugh till you are crying. She is strong and intelligent but boy is she funny! She is one of those people who has a cute country saying for everything. Anyway, she tells me I am about to meet someone who (NO LIE) fell out of deer stand...one month later got hit by a car....and then (in the name of Jesus I am not making this up)...two months later went hunting and accidentally shot himself. What did I do? Well, of course! Laughed and accused her of lying to me. She of course swore on her great grandmother Lulu (also not making this up) that she was telling the truth. She wanted me to know this before I met him where I could get all my laughing out of my system. Until.....he came in and I met him and he proceeded to tell me his story AGAIN! Oh my gosh! She had to leave the room. I kept a very professional face. Of course, I am a professional woman! psssh Now....here would be just how stupid I am, I asked him how he accidentally shot himself??? Why did I ask? You could hear her laughing from the other side of the wall. He proceeded to tell me that he was shooting at the deer but somehow the gun was either in the wrong direction or it bounced off something. I am not sure how I got out of this situation with a straight face but I did! Now as much as I know it is wrong laughing about someone's pain, I can't tell you how much it has been such a blessing just having this lady in my life. She accepted me from day one. There were not any hoops I had to jump through or game playing. She works hard and expects you to do the same. Anything beyond that well that is simply friendship. Now here is the total GOD part! She is taking care of her very sick parents. She understands. She knows what it is like to cry and worry about people you love. She simply understands! She looked back at me after we finally recovered and said "now isn't it nice to laugh in the middle of it all!" Exactly what I needed is exactly what my Lord gave to me. How incredible is that!

Music!!!

Quick post. The one thing that I can say Jeff and I can totally relate to our children regarding is MUSIC! We all four need lots more!!!! Jeff just bought Angels and Airways CD and it is great! For those who like contemporary rock without all the pop it is for you. We loved the Grammys last night for a couple of performances but for the most part if you are too old to stand up on your own............
Anyway...by far my favorite performance was the Foo Fighters with the orchestra. I love that song! I hope Itunes comes out with that live version! I have a link below to the radio version. It starts out slow and then it rocks! Yes, I am a rocker at heart. I grew up on Journey and Foreigner. However, I love all music except country and alot of rap. Another great performance last night was Josh Groban and Andrea Boccelli. It was phenomenal. If you can't sing like that...don't make fun! It gave me chills! It is off to work and by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY!!!! I love you big brother!

Here I stand....neither brave or fearful.....just standing

What a week! I am so sorry I have not blogged in what feels like forever. This has been an unusual week for me. So many have called and emailed asking me about my new job, my family, and the latest and greatest on the political scene! Friends truly want to know how I am and how I feel. Random people want my opinions. And others well......if you have enemies....good for you.....you stood up for something!

My week.........
Jeff is the greatest husband in the world! He took Meg and I 0ut Friday night for a night on the town celebrating my first full week of my new job. We spent more on dinner than we have spent on groceries all month! It was definitely a treat and Megan and I were so spoiled. I have this "thing" that I do that if it is a new restaurant I must try something new. I was not disappointed at all. We all shared this dessert called chocolate explosion. Oh my goodness! Three different kinds of chocolate! Wow!
Scott made the President's list again and is ranked 10th in his class at Mississippi State. How amazing is that? He truly has his priorities right and his focus is amazing! Brandi is doing amazing as well! I am blown away over my kids. They are not perfect, I wouldn't want them to be! But they work so hard and strive for so much that I must admit keeps me in check. I love to hear about their successes. Sometimes as a working Mom you can start to believe the stupid myths that somehow by my working I have warped my kids. And then I look at Scott and Megan. Do I miss seeing Megan after school, well yes. But I am blessed to have a husband who works from home. She does not lack for our attention oh quite the opposite. As a working Mom, once I am home, I belong to my family. That has been the biggest change about my new job. I do not belong to a place 24/7. I can't tell you how freeing that has been. My new job is wonderful! It is a lot of detailed work and my brain hurts but it is so exciting. A good friend of mine said don't make the mistake of thinking just because you don't work in the church that you will still not be used by God in your career. We will be known by the one we call our Savior! Do you know it got around that I had come from a church to this company. Fourth day on the job a gentleman comes into my office to ask me a pretty simple question. He hesitated and then asked that I would pray for his grandchild. She has been in remission from leukemia. She ran a low grade fever and he was praying that her leukemia had not returned. How he must fear every time she aches or gets a cough. Praise God it was just a cold! This world is hurting and searching for hope. Oh the honor of being His that we will have the opportunity not to take delight in the need but the need of prayer! It is humbling as well! Which brings me to why I feel so strongly about what is going on.....(yes you were wondering when I would get to that!). I think in a lot of ways people have become numb to all of it. As long as it doesn't effect me why should I care? When we turn our eyes away from the offense we are part of the plan. It would be much easier not to care. Seriously, I could easily say well it was not my decision or plan. They are the ones who devised the plan....they will have to sleep with those shadows tonight and whom they have hurt. But yet, when you know the truth and say nothing....those same shadows haunt you. Well, Theresa, they are just going to do what they want to anyway! For the most part you are correct. You may stand and nothing changes. But at least you stood! The problem is sometimes things can look good on the surface but dig deeper. Well, this is of God how can this be wrong? Is it? Or is it man's plan and you are asking God to bless it? Oh I can hear my critics now.......I will just say if you have been transparent, honest and have sought a Holy God every step of the way....full speed ahead.

I love to read. I LOVE TO READ! I was looking up corporate law and employee law the other day and came upon this great article. I know you have heard of Enron....and that whole scandal. Alot of innocent people were hurt by greedy leadership. Have you ever heard of Cascade Tiles? Probably not. It is a great story. Mom and Pop organization....treated their staff like family and loved by the whole community in Michigan. They sold out to a large overseas corporation. Then the corporation treated their staff like crap and cut everyone benefits except for the corporate heads of course. Lost good staff alot were let go because they had been there so long and they thought they could get younger staff cheaper...well ........ profits went down....way down. Same old story.....same old song. However, here is cool part of the story. Mom and Pop couldn't believe what they had unleashed on people they loved. Came out of retirement....bought the company back (by this time the corporation wasn't making enough money to care).....hired back the staff. It was a struggle....alot of dark hours. Before officially retiring this time, the Chapmans decided to make the company EMPLOYEE OWNED. Each employee could purchase into the dream they had worked so hard to create. One year later a company decided to take a chance on people like you and me doing home improvements on their own.... the company LOWE's. Guess who they contacted for their tile and flooring??? It is one of the most successful employee owned company in the manufacturing business. What does this have to do with anything? Sometimes the hardest thing to do is the right thing!

Until tomorrow ......my puppy is licking my hand, begging for treats. We took her today to be groomed.... she smells like strawberries! There is something not to appealing about dog smell and strawberries!!!

Out of the mouths of babes.....

Could you believe our weather last night? What a night! My heart just breaks for the students and parents of Union University. And for the families of all those who lost loved ones last night. In a moment your whole world can change. Have you been watching any of the stories? Even though it is hard to watch all the horror and damage, it is always so inspiring to hear about the rescues and the rescuers. People who dropped everything to help others in need. I just know that makes my Lord smile. He wants us to get it! He will allow the storms in life to hit to teach, to transform, to refine. I was having a conversation about trials and why we go through them with more than one person tonight. But I especially loved the conversation I had with my daughter. Now for the most part our conversation is not for the entire blogging world to see. But part of it blew my mind! I hope I will never get too prideful that I resist confessing that I learn so much from my children. Out of the mouth of this thirteen year old, I receive so much wisdom. My little lady is at that precious young age where everything should be black or white, right or wrong but old enough to know better. People will twist "their" wrong to be right as long as the end justifies the means. People will hurt other people as long as you can convince enough people that the scandal is worth it as long as....well....the end justifies the means. I didn't have trouble agreeing with her that people will do these things, I just had trouble explaining to her why. We talked about everything from boys (her personal favorite subject), church politics to well regular politicians. It was funny that every topic we talked about basically ended with "they all tell you what they think you want to hear." And out of the mouth of this intelligent young woman...."well all I want to hear is the truth". I love the woman she is becoming. I know just like her brother before her, when the road gets tough she won't be afraid to keep fighting. She will just remember whom she is fighting for.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ssssh....they will never know what hit them

I have had so many emails wondering why I haven't been blogging. This weekend I spent the ENTIRE weekend with my family. We had so much fun. I wanted away from everything before I started something new. Can I just say first GOD IS SO GOOD! I woke up yesterday morning and felt like a kid going to her first day of school. I asked my husband to remind me that "I can do this." He just laughed and reassured me that I would be just fine. You know what? I was! Everyone was so very nice. I could not believe how welcoming and compassionate these people were. Do you know that during the threat of storms today they were more concerned about the school closings than I was? I didn't know we were in so much danger! Hmmmmm.....I didn't know we were in so much danger. Don't you wish other parts of our life could have radar systems like the weather.........(Beep beep beep) Cancer is approaching in 3 months seek a physician now. (beep beep beep) Financial ruin is around the corner seek help now! (beep beep beep) Stop....do you know what you are doing??? Wouldn't it be nice just to run to the hallway and cover our heads and pray the storms will pass around us? What pain, suffering and heartache we could avoid. But then again we would also miss the rainbows and sunshine that follow the most horrific storms. Have you ever noticed...the next day while everyone is trying to pick up what is left of their homes, it is usually bright and sunny? I was watching one of the local stations during the storms tonight and you could almost see them drooling over reporting. Don't get me wrong I know some were legitimately concerned but some loved the fact people were in peril! Can you see them in the war room sorry oops I mean production room....."well let's see if the warm front hits the cold front....then conditions will be just right for massive destruction bwhaaaaaaa!" You know what I love the most about people like this....they truly believe they are smarter than the "little" guy who watches them. Common sense will tell you that 75 degrees in February is just not right. Something has to give! But isn't it the same in life. Most people who manipulate, scheme and don't care about who they hurt to get their way usually believe they can "one up" the little guy. Oh and they definitely believe they are smarter! Well, those people are not that smart. They won't figure any of this out. It doesn't matter what they think anyway. Who cares! What is the worse thing they can do? And if they do find out the truth.....well that is simple.... LIE! I don't know what is sadder, finding out the truth or realizing you believed in the lies.........ANYWAY......as I was saying...THE LITTLE GUYS....are the best ones to have around. Because after the tornado blows your world away, they will be the ones who help you pick up the pieces and rebuild. The manipulators and schemers will just try to take your insurance money!

Busy week, Spotted Pigs, Life and such

This has been an absolutely great week. There were so many things bidding for my attention, however, I set everything aside and concentrated on my family. Each day was filled with fun, laughter and adventures. Today I spent the day with my Mom. Not at the doctors but running around like two crazy teenagers! We hit all of our favorites, Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby and Target. We even drove to the other side of town on an adventure for Meg. My Mom is just the coolest woman in the entire world. She was so funny. I have never laughed so much over spotted pigs! Mom, I am still not sure why the pigs were glued together but I am going back to buy them! Oh I am cracking up as I type this. We are BOTH getting the glued pigs to remember this day! And what a day it was! Today, my son came home for the weekend! Jeff and Scott are playing Rockband as I type! It is HOME when Rockband is still going at midnight. All is well! With all that said, I just read the saddest email. When I say I put everything aside, I meant EVERYTHING aside for a week off from the madness. She had heard a bunch of stuff from OTHER people besides me (imagine that)..... some junk alot of truth. Her questions were puzzling. So I emailed her back with what was truth and what was junk. Now before the self righteous hypocrites jump to their own conclusions and call for the blogging police, the junk and the truth was about my Mom. This sweet lady was under the impression my Mom was on life support. Praise God, oh praise God, with her sweet little cap given to her by her friends at West, and even tired and drained, she spent a day laughing with her only daughter over spotted pigs instead of the rumor that was circulating. It wasn't my friend's fault. She only knew what was told to her. She only knew part of the story. See true friends and family are reading for ALL of it not just reading for those "a-ha" moments. True friends and family also know the whole story. They don't pick it apart for their own personal agenda. Some are like me just getting into the whole blogging thing. I absolutely love reading other people's blogs. Not just here locally but across the world. Since I started blogging, I have several family members who have started as well. It is a great way to constantly have "family reunions." You know what I am talking about? Sitting around....telling your story. Now I will be random....I also love the political blogs. This is an exciting year no matter who you vote for. Now I think it is VITAL that you look at their voting record not just what is coming out of their mouth. But the only thing I would plead is ....VOTE! People have fought and sacrificed for that right for you. UTILIZE IT! O.k. that was random! Back to why I blog...I hope I have always been an example to my children (screw ups and all) that I don't back away from a fight I think is worth fighting for. My son quickly reminded me of the same conversation I had with him two years ago. Two years ago, Scott was asked to leave Jesus out of his Valedictorian's Speech by scared, weak people. Now they didn't have the legal right to do that. It didn't stop them from trying to intimidate him into doing what they asked. They didn't care! It wasn't his Dad and I that fought the fight. It wasn't the attorney we hired who fought it......it was Scott. We left the decision completely up to him. We knew we could ask him and he would be obedient. But he had to dig deep and realize why he was fighting. This was a road he was going to have to choose to travel or get off. He chose to fight. It wasn't easy. You don't know the phone calls that poor kid received. You don't know the people who tried to intimidate him in school before graduation. But it was the ones who knew the whole story who were fighting along beside him giving him air under those wings. And boy, did he fly! The struggle, the truth, the fight made him a better man. Today, he is not afraid of running to the roar. I truly believe in those crossroads you make decisions that can impact lifetimes. Do you know how many times when I state my last name, strangers, will say "hey do you know that Balentine kid from Munford....the one who wouldn't back down from praising Jesus?" Oh yea I do......that's my kid! What an example! Well, speaking of him....he is singing "the Who" with his Dad. I think that is funnier than the spotted pigs! I love my life! he he he he