A little more junk

So, in my quest to get some Spring Cleaning done......I am feeling like tackling that room, and maybe changing somethings up a bit.

I have been looking at Home Office Desks and trying to decide if I *neeeeeeed* one, or if I can re-purpose something around here.

The problem is...when I look on their website, they have so many cool, pretty, fabulous looking ones....and well, I just can't decide.

Maybe I need to think on it...and dream about these:

Let the Spring Cleaning begin!

This place is a wreck! A nice, warm cozy wreck...might I add...but still a wreck!

I think all of the winter cold has kept us in...and under the covers! And now that the sun is out, we are starting to clean it all up!

I think the first plan of action, is to tackle my Craft Studio! And, now, it has been turned into a little bit of an office for Main Street Memories, my Disney Travel business!

So, I am looking for a shredder, and am loving the features of this one. The Fellowes P-12C paper shredder

To ensure high-security against identity thieves, the P-12C features Cross-Cut technology, which destroys a single sheet of paper into nearly 399 particles.

* The P-12C also includes Fellowes’ patented SafeSense technology, which disables the shredder when it senses hands or large pets come too close to the paper opening.


**Not quite sure...still trying to make up my mind!

Who will pray for Updyke?

So, I set out on a 6 mile run...and was so burdened by God......that I picked up the pace, and after four miles, turned it around, and headed home...to post this.


I have never heard the audible voice of God, but He convicted me so hard in my spirit....I think I did today.
"Who of your "friends" will pray for Updyke?"


You see, it all started........Wednesday night. My sister and I went pay a visit to a family member in the hospital. IN AUBURN. Boo :)

So, on the way out, we decided to zip over to the University.....to check-in on Gowalla.....to leave a note for one of our dear friends (coughcoughLeighMarshcoughcough).

Anyways, when we "checked in".....an Auburn friend on facebook, made a crack about us being sad about the trees.

*Note: we had no idea about the trees.

So, we checked our Facebook feed, and saw a post about the poison. We made a crack on FourSquare...and off to see the trees...we went!

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No, here's where the conviction comes in.

Since Wednesday night......

I have been deleted by 20+ friends on Facebook. (too sad, their loss!)

I have seen my "friends" post some of the following:
-Auburn fan posts: I hope he accidentally swallowed some of the poisoning
-Auburn fan posts: I hope he rots in hell. Along with all of you Bama fans for laughing.
-Alabama fan posts: Serves them right, they've been defacing Bear's grave for years.
-Alabama fan posts: The Barners deserve everything they get.
-Auburn fan posts: I hope they hang him from that tree.
-Auburn fan posts: New name for ALL BAMA FANS: Updykes.

*********Now, here's the part that just really gets me.


This man has a soul. This man is going to face eternity.

You honestly, honestly, hope that this man goes to hell? Did you seriously just say that?

You honestly, would trade a man's life, for the "life" of a tree? You would rather save a tree...and hang a man?
People? People?

Then we wonder why our children act like idiots?

It's because they just heard you tell your friend that you hope a man rots in hell.

That is why!

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So, my challenge. To you, Alabama Fan. And to you, Auburn fan.

Quit hating on him.

He made a bad call.

He did a bad thing.

It was wrong. Yes.

But, pray for him. Pray for his eternity. Pray that God would send someone to minister to him. Or better yet......let it be you, Lee County resident. Go visit Updyke. I dare you. And show him the love of Jesus.

----------------------------------------------


And, even more than that.......get your flippin' priorities straight.

I do NOT even want to look up abortion statistics because I might throw up.
We kill THOUSANDS of babies every day.

Do you pray for them? Do you donate to them?

We let murderers go free? EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.


I know a teenager that was molested.......and his molester served 6 months. 6 months.

PEOPLE!!!!!!

Are we going to send this guy to jail for 9 years, and pay taxes on him.....and be on CNN and FOX and every other news stations about trees......yet we will let a child molester or murderer walk our streets.....and even more.....we will blame it on his parents?


So, I ask you know......if there is anyone still reading?

Who will pray for Updyke?

Quit gripping and hating.....and pray for this man. And his son. And his family. And the Auburn fans, and the Alabama fans. And pray that our nation will get it's act together......


Oh, and by the way, I am praying for Updyke!

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40

Arlington Cemetery---enough said!

I almost don't want to even put text with this....but on the other hand.


I am NOT a history buff at all. So, don't think that I am just oozing with "care" for all things history.

But, honestly, I was just amazed. Speechless (and we all know that is tough)......

The power of this place goes beyond words.

Do NOT leave unattended!

The Diet Coke and Mentos Project

This is what happens when Mom goes out of town, and leaves three guys at home with way too much time on their hands!!

Well, really....the truth is...they had to get Chap's Science Fair project finished. And, he had already done all of the "paper work"...the research, the letters for his board, he had it all ready and in place.


They started the "testing" at 6am.....


But, the actual "experiment" still had to take place.


So, I left them with 3 Diet Cokes, and somehow, they ended up with 7 Diet Cokes, that they set all over the yard to explode!

Crazy. Crazy. I can only imagine how it all unfolded.

But, they had a blast, and memories were certainly made!

And, here was a little bit of the end results!

Walt Disney World - Goofy Challenge

39.3 Miles. 2 Days. 1 Sister. Cute Socks. Fabulous!

Honestly, I would love to do a long blog post about this race...and I will, at some point. However, for now, I will tell you, if you are even *thinking* about doing it....go for it!

Grab a friend, go register, and do it. It was one of the most funnest, rewarding races ever!

Was it hard...not as hard as I expected.

Were there times when I wanted to quit. Yes, stupid mile 19. Stupid 19. Stupid hairpin turn. Stupid bridge. Yes.

Then, what happened......

I said outloud "uh...this is crazy. my legs are giving out. what am I gonna do?" and my sister, the most loving, sympathetic person in the world (just kidding...that is crap!).....she looked at me..and said "duh..you're gonna run".....and run we did!

But was it ridiculous fun! Yes!

Characters.

Sweat.

Fans.

ChEARing all of the way.

The Castle.

The Tree of Life.

The Sorcerer's Hat.

The EPCOT ball...yes, we saw it all!!!

Would I do it again........um, well...........of course I would! But, ONLY with a friend....that wants to have fun!

This is the day...that the Lord has made!

(February 7,1999)

Last night, I found this picture...Mason drew...the night before Elijah's funeral.

Here's the BEST part....we had not told him yet. He knew Mommy was sick. But...he had no idea what had happened. He came home from church that night...(quite honestly, I don't even remember how he got to church and back..so much of that is a blur)....and he brought me this picture. So proud. I asked him what it meant. He said he couldn't wait to teach Elijah about God............little did he know, Elijah was already in the arms of Jesus.

Oh, when I think back to the moment we told him....it rips me to the pit of my stomach again.


Every year, I have great plans for my self...and my mental state....and if I go back and read thru my posts from previous years...on February 5th...it seems like a skipped record.

I am not having a "woe is me" party...and I am not just drowning in my sorrows...but really just more of a "why me?" or a "why not let him stay?" kind of party. A little party I tend to have all by myself. Those kinds of parties are not really fun. Anyways.

But, as I was re-watching the Angie Smith video that I posted yesterday....that song motivated me....what an honor to carry him. What an honor that God trusted me so much with this grief. He knew that I couldn't really "handle" it....but he knew that I would. Thank you, Lord.

And, you know, that video is so true. There were so many little dreams I had for us. So many things I wanted to do. I had dreams while he was in my belly of all that we would be as a family. How much he and Mason would play. So many things.

But, I never dreamed that life 12 years later would still be so full of emotions. And, life would be so full...full of life. Full of love. Just full.

So, I spent most of yesterday and last night, scanning in old pictures, and strolling down memory lane. And, I am so so so glad I did.

It made me realize that I am so blessed.

Although I don't have sweet Elijah here (and when I even think of it, quite honestly--I ache).....I have so much more than I deserve. I have life so full. So...I spent some time...not mourning....but smiling.....I scanned all of these in...and put them to music....as a gentle reminder....even though it is not what *I* had planned....God has blessed me in ways I could not have even dreamed.

12 years....He turned my sorrow into dancing!

12 years ago today...I had no idea...that tomorrow, February 5th of every.single.year, would be the day....that I grieve...yet I celebrate...all at the same time.

Elijah Cole Smith.

I watched this video of Angie and Todd Smith, and she put so perfectly into words those feelings. Thankful to the Lord for our grief. Although it's not easy, it's part of His beautiful plan.

But, Lord, may I never forget that feeling of brokenness and dependence on You.

If you feel so compelled, watch this video, of just the awesomeness of God in what could've been so tragic, yet they allowed Him to use it for His glory.

**And, Happy Birthday, sweet Elijah :)

Valentine's Pencils--from Cookies and Cups

When I saw these, I loved them! Cookies and Cups is a cutie pie fabulous blog!

She used Mentos, but another girl used Rolos!! How cute in the world!

I am totally thinking I might give these a whirl....Check out her blog...if you don't follow her...duh...you should!