Meyer Manor

UPDATE as of September 2010

2010-09-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hello! I haven't written a blog in over a year, since facebook actually but so much has been going on that I thought this would be therapeutic for me.
Leaving Lifepoint:
Ok so I quit working at Lifepoint back in June. Something Karl and I both felt that God was telling me to do. It was definitely a step out on faith cause there was NO job to go to. We both also felt that I was to take time off to "Be still and Know", a rest period. Not to be lazy but to truly spend time with God. Well I can honestly say I have so loved my time with HIM and the thought of not being able to spend this much time with him when I go back to work, kills me.
Books:
Some books I have read that I would recommend IF you are ready for it: Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On by Stormie Omartian, Discerning the voice of God by Priscilla Shirer, Radical by David Platt and last but not lease-the word of God. I started reading thru the Bible on August 12. I am about to finish the book of Numbers. I think reading through the Bible with the pure thought of learning about God and just appreciating that I can read it gives it a totally new perspective. Now I am going to be honest there has been several parts that I am 'seriously', I want to get to some action not numbers and rituals. But He had a point for all of it so I will read it.
Foster care/Adoption
Ok so last October on fall break I spent hours reading about adoptions in TN and foster care. I have always wanted to do foster care AFTER the girls were safely out of the house. Well did you hear that I part and After part well God's time is always best, right. Ok well while talking to my pastor (Pat Hood) he asked me "so Ruthie you don't think God could protect and use the girls if you were to foster now?". It was as if a light went off when he said that and I knew the time was now. Yes, I know I hate it when Pat is right.=) So Karl and I started our PATH classes which is 10 classes and a ton of paperwork/home studies. So we are now just waiting and praying for the children that need us. We feel very excited and so nervous to be doing this. We know this is probably going to be the most difficult thing we have to date done. BUT we so want to be a part of healing a broken child. Our eyes have been opened fully to what is going on all around us. I wish I had not heard so many of the stories we have heard so that I could sleep easier at night with my head in the sand. I wish I had never read the book "There is an urgency" by Gregrhi Love but I did and I will forever be changed. I will hug my children more and thank God that I was born into my family and they were born into ours.
Job/School
I want a job where I am working with hurting children. So either in the foster care world, in an inner city school (LaVergne High School would probably count), youth center......I don't know. I just know I want to be a part of helping hurting children. Also would love to go back to school for a Master in ??? that is the problem. Haven't quite figured that out. B.S. in Psychology so a master in Behavior Mod, counseling, social work, special ed...I don't know.
Prayer Request:
That we would be prepared for the children. For the children right now who need a safe home.
For a job that would fit my passion. For direction on which master's program.

Well I feel better =) thanks for listening to me rant.

China Trip and Pictures

2009-04-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ok my pictures came up first - Sorry! This young girl whispered "I love Jesus..I think you do too?" what a moment!

The China Team: Allen and Jennifer Bishop, Karl and Ruth Meyer, Spencer Johnson, Leslie Overby and Lisa Mosely. Standing in front of the Forbidden City.

Karl and I standing on the Great Wall of China, what a sight to see.

Karl and all his little friends. They just wanted to touch him and of course he got down and high fived them all. At one point they were so crowded around him that he fell and I thought they may dog pile him. LOL

This little girl was so beautiful and just caught my eye. I had to have my picture with her. She was deaf that is why she was at the special needs school.

Ok so one of my last blogs was about my dream of going to China. I so wish I had blogged daily about the struggle to get to China. In a nut shell I had three things I needed to get in order to go on the trip: Birth Certificate from Ca., Passport, and a Visa.

Started trying to get my BC in January from LA Ca. Sent off for it three different times and two different ways. Finally got it three weeks before the trip. I was giving up, I thought there was no way I could get the Passport and Visa now BUT we went for it. I got our congressman involved in it and got my pass port in a week, then it was about 8 days left paid some lady to go and actually stand in line and get my Visa and next day air it to me. We left on Saturday the 21st of March and my visa came in on Wednesday March the 18th. Gee do you think God was testing my faith or seeing how badly I wanted to go.

I have to tell you my quiet time was telling me to trust Him he was in control and knew what the future held. Well I took that to mean that he didn't want me to go on this trip or he would make it all come together and it wouldn't be this hard. Well Melanie Hill my tell you like it is bff, said "what if God is just testing you to see how badly you want to go on trip for the kids in China".

It was that statement that kept me going.

China was amazing. Being there with Karl was amazing. Seeing all those happy sweet faces was amazing. Lots of tears were shed that week. But they were good tears of joy and happiness-to be there and to love on those kids, was such an honor. We were suppose to be there to bring them happiness but it was me that felt happy. I promised lots of kids I would be back and I sure pray that I can.

Here are a few of the hundreds of pictures we took. We took lots of pictures of their sweet faces that will forever being in my heart.

Oh by the way, I would say "come Lord Jesus come" before I went to China. Then the Sunday we were in China I cried during service "don't come yet Lord, so many more need you".

Karly's Mommy Poem

2009-01-27T18:11:00.000-08:00

Moms are a robot that do anything you want them to do, they do it.
Moms are the sun that warms you up on a cold winters day.
Moms are chocolate that you can always get enough sweetness.
Moms are angels sent from heaven to Earth to share God's love.

From my Karly
From my 5th grader
To her mom who needed to know that she knows I would do anything for her.
To her mom who needed to know that she feels warm with me.
To her mom who needed to know that she thinks I am sweet as chocolate.
To her mom who needed to know that she knows who sent me to love her.

Thanks Karly, I love you and love being your mom. Thanks for writing about me today. I am honored!

China Trip

2009-01-26T14:50:00.000-08:00

Karl and I have the opportunity to go on a trip to China. On this trip we are going to be serving in three orphanages. I have been given the duty of planning an Easter Egg hunt and using the Resurrection Eggs. I am so excited. This is a dream come true to be able to go on this mission trip.
Ok so the reason I am writing about this is because I need whoever reads my blog to PRAY hard. I am having a problem with my birth certificate coming certified from California. We need it to come this week so we can send off for the pass ports and then off for the visa. So PRAY!!!!
My heart aches for the orphans in China and all around the world but China has become more real to me due to all my friends who have adopted from there. We want to adopt from there but have become discourage due to the length of time it is taking now. So we decided to go there and help and hold as many kids as we can get our hands on.
I know that if this is the trip we are suppose to go on that the paper work will come in.
Oh and if you know my husband at all, you know how terrified he is of flying. So for Karl to feel that God wants him to get on a plane and fly for 21 hours to serve the children in China - this in itself is a MIRACLE!!
I heard him tell someone the other day that he wants a picture of himself surround by little Asian children. I just fell more in love with him at that moment.

New Year's Day 2009

2009-01-03T14:04:00.001-08:00

This is a great picture of me by Lydia Chapman, watch out Alyson!
Madie, Jordan, Karly and Bethany New Year's Day.

Izzy and Madie celebrating the new year with a little sparkling grape juice.

Lydia's new piano!

Karly and Cannan Chapman. He was pouring it on thick that day with her. She was so embarrassed but it was to funny!!

We spent New Year's Day with the Chapman family and several other families. Good food, good fun.

New Year's Eve 2009

2009-01-03T13:54:00.001-08:00

New Year's Eve was spent at the Noe's House this year.This is Mason Noes, I could not get the picture to flip. Oh well.
DICE!! So much fun. I really got into this game and ended up being pretty good.

Jody and Kathi were our first friends in Nashville when we moved here in September of 1995. We have done a lot of "life" together the good and the bad times. Jody trained Karl in security. We were in church together and the same small group for years. Good old friends!!

Me and My Man!!!

Cheers!! Karly, Madie and Lexie Noes!! Lexie is a great friend to both of my girls. They just love her. She is one of those friends that they both can hang out with and have a good time.

We had a great time playing games and eating all night!! Thanks Jody and Kathi for a great new year's eve!!

Christmas with the Derrick and Rebecca

2009-01-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

More presents for the girls. Karly got a cool shirt and scarf and Madie got a Paula Deen cookbook, measuring cups and the cutest cow print mixing bowls.

Derrick and Karl playing a little Wii tennis.

Madie and her Mr. Derrick.

Rebecca and Karly, they look more alike then Karly and I. Not fair!

Madie Moo!!

Christmas in MO. with the Meyer Family

2009-01-03T13:17:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning, Santa brought more Wii games and accessories. Molly was looking for something for her. I think Santa forgot about her or maybe she is on the naughty list. lol

Isabel, Ruth, Karl, Karly and Madison in front of the Meyer Christmas tree. Our first family Christmas in the new house in MO.

The Meyer's with their grandchildren. Madie is so tall you can't see her Nana but she is back there.

Little Miss Catie!! What a sweet doll. This is Cindy's youngest.

Molly and Madie!!

Did not get many pictures my camera was messing up the whole time we were in MO.

We left for home after we did Santa and made a big Christmas breakfast.

Christmas in Ar with the Michau's

2008-12-30T08:16:00.001-08:00

Karly and Mommy she still loves me....(that is Isabel in the background). When she gets tired she still wants her mommy and it was getting late.
Nick, Karly, Autumn, Beth, Emily and Madie stocking time from Grandma.

Daddy and Madie, yes she is sucking her thumb STILL!

Caleb the oldest grandchild read Luke 2 from his phone. Technology!! It was funny and sweet. He is such a great kid. He is 18 now and graduates from high school this year and goes off to college. So it was a little emotional for all of us to watch him read it.

Caleb and the girls, they all love him.

Aaron and Tyler I have no pictures of them. I hate that!!! Teenagers.

We got to Hot Springs Friday night the 19th and left on the 23rd to head to Mo. We did not get to stop in Little Rock and see Deborah or the Halls. I was so disappointed but it was icy and we needed to get to the Meyer's house. That morning we got stuck at Rick and Paula's house (my brother) and they made me an amazing birthday breakfast!!! It was as if they new we were going to get iced in, of course Paula said she requested ice so she could make me a birthday breakfast. lol

Our movie this year was "The tale of Desperado". It was not very good but Karly had read the book and wanted to see it. Of course she said the book was better.

My vacation read was Twilight and New moon, oh and I went to see Twilight with my friend Kari. Very good!

Christmas @ Meyermanor 08

2008-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

The girl's tree upstairs!
The living room tree.

Snuggling with my Karly.

Opening the Wii! Oh you should have heard the screams!!

Frosty and Madie on 12/12/08

We got snow for our Christmas this year. We had to do our Christmas very early due to traveling on the 19th to Ar. So Friday the 12th was our Christmas Eve and it was also a snow day. It was perfect. We opened stocking on Friday night, Karl read our Christmas with a Purpose daily and then Karly read Luke 2, we watch the Grinch and of course we ate, and ate. The girls slept in the living room by the tree so that they could wake up to open presents. They actually slept til almost 8. Which was fine by us. We had a great morning opening presents and playing with the Wii and the other things they got. All three of the girls were excited about the Wii and so were we. They got lots of other little stuff to go along with it. One of my favorite things was the cross that Bel drew for me. I will post a picture of it soon. The girls got boots and purses, Littlest Pet shop VIP, books, lotion, etc.... It was a good morning.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-01T20:32:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving with Terry Walls (College Friend) and Isabel. This was her first Thanksgiving. She loved it. She likes to eat, watch Christmas movies and play games oh and we put together a big puzzle it was a very relaxing long weekend. Terry and Karl eating.
Madie yummy! No tummy ache this year so she got to enjoy all her favorites. We made a pumpkin pie together even the crust. It was delicious. She loves to cook.

Karly not happy about getting her picture taken of course.

Isabel enjoying her first Thanksgiving.

The gang before we ate.

My favorite part is going around the table and listen to everyone say what they are thankful for. We are not a very serious bunch but we do it and it always gets to me. Terry was thankful for his good report from the doctor and to have a job in this economy. Karl was thankful for family, job, friends, Isabel and the food. Karly was thankful for her home and bed and every thing we have.

Isabel was thankful to have two families now. Madie always says for "mommy" it is the joke but this year she giggled and said mommy but added so much more. Which was very special to hear my girls say how thankful they are for what they know comes from God. I was last so mine was just a repeat of what everyone had said. I am going first next year. lol

Off to sleep. Look for my smashing pumpkin pictures and Decking the halls pictures to come. Goodnight!

HOMESICKNESS

2008-11-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

Meyer kids, some of... My Parents, My Brothers and all my nieces and nephews, on the Michau side that is.

Feeling homesick tonight. I just got off the phone with my sister in law, text my nephew last night after his ball game, been chatting with my niece lately. I love Tennessee but feel like I am missing out on so much back home. My nephew is a senior this year, he is a star basketball player and we have never been to one game, not one. My kids have stuff all the time and no one is in the audience cheering them on except us. My heart is in Arkansas!

Addie, Madie and Karly

2008-11-14T17:58:00.000-08:00

How cute are they? Addie went with me to pick up the girls from school one day. I had told my girls that morning that I would have a surprise for them when I picked them up, it was Addie.
They screamed when they opened the door and saw Addie. It was precious. Karly said "oh Addie you are a great surprise". She is so easy to love!

Proud to be an American

2008-11-08T11:55:00.001-08:00

My exchange student, Bel asked me if I wanted to live in another country because the election did not go the way I voted. Now I have not said one bad thing about our new president elect in front of her but she asked me that this morning. Of course I said "NO, I am still proud to be an American". I am so disappointed when I hear people talk so bad about him in front of their kids or anyone. Before the election you say your opinion after the election you pray and support. You look at the positive. I want my kids to respect whoever is the president period. Now when he disappoints me with decisions he makes I will discuss that with them but still. It is important to me that my kids are supportive and proud to live in a democratic society. As for his color, I could careless what color he is. I may someday have a child by adoption that is that colored. Color had nothing to do with my voting. So I am still proud to be an America!
Oh, I have to add this, the other night they were discussing his abortion stand and Karly looked at me and said "Mom what is an abortion?". Oh it was so sad to have to tell her what that means. The look on her face was of pure shock. She just couldn't understand why someone would ever do that. It was one of those moments as a parent that you hate to see them growing up and learning about sin. OH it broke my heart. It opened up a great discussion on making wise choices.

Election day 2008

2008-11-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Ok so every presidential election I think I am going to early vote this time BUT I never do. Four years ago it took me 20-30 minutes at 5 on election day. Today Karl went to vote at like 8ish and called me to get dressed and come vote that no one was in our line. I got out of my truck at 8:40 and back in my truck at 8:52, 12 minutes and that included talking to Karl as I was walking in and then telling him goodbye as I was leaving. (YES there was kissing involved haha).
It was great. I wanted to take Bel our exchange student with me to see the process but needed her to stay home with the girls. She thinks this whole process is so interested. She is so shocked by the commercials that are so nasty. She doesn't understand why it matters who you know, where you were born, your morals, why it matters if you have cheated on your wife.... "She said why does that mean you won't make a good president?".
Karly's teacher gave her several worksheets on the election process. It was very interesting to sit and do it with her as we had the news on this morning as they were talking about the electoral votes. I think it really helped her learning it. She has an amazing teacher (Mrs. Davis). I must say I am so proud of education the girls are getting and I love relearning all this stuff with them. Although most days I don't feel smarter then my fifth grader. What am I going to do when she is in high school?? Tutors!
Well this time tomorrow we will have a new president. I don't know who it will be but God does. I also don't know if my guys wins if it will make that big of a difference in where we are going as a country. I do know this that no matter who wins, I need to commit to pray for our president and our country more because God is able to do above and beyond what I could ask or think. I might pray harder if my guy doesn't win but really I should pray hard either way.

Trick or Treat 2008

2008-11-01T10:04:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun with our small group. We went trick or treating in the Peter's neighborhood.
Karl dressed up like a mechanic and I went in my PJ's. I was nice and warm.

Karly was a spa girl who had just gotten a facial and her hair rolled.

Madie is not Sarah Palin but a report for MGM channel 8. She was too cute!

Isabel carved her first pumpkin and I think this was her first time to go trick or treating.

The best part was roasting the seeds.

Walden's Farm 2008

2008-10-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

My Madie 8 years old
I love this picture of the my girls, so cute!
Family picture on top of a hay mountain.
Karl and Madie (notice the tree behind them? amazing)
My 5th grader, Karly!
It is officially fall when we take a trip out to Walden's Farm to pick out pumpkins and enjoy all the fun the farm has to offer.

Holiday in Gatlinburg 2008

2008-10-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ruth the tree hugger!
Us girls feeding the ducks behind our condo. It was so beautiful.
My Madie taking mommy for a little ride. She is so precious!!
This was about an hour into the park and I totally got sick on this ride and was sick the rest of the day but I kept going and going.....
This was my sweet husband painting my nails. I asked and he did it. We had way to much time on our hands and now I have way to much paint on my hands.

We had a great vacation or 'Holiday' as Isabel would call it. We are have a great time getting to know Isabel. She is a very sweet, funny girl. She fits perfectly with our family.

Proud Mommy

2008-10-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Karly receiving an award for Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance.
Madie received three awards: Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance and the one we were most proud of she was picked as The Timber Wolf for all of the Third Grade. Timber Wolf is a character trait that they are working on for that six weeks. She got most responsible, our Madie most responsible. WOW!!
This is Karly's science project an edible animal cell, yum! She is turning it in Friday, so we do not know what her grade is yet.
Madie and Karly on their first day of school August 11th 2008.
This was Karly's reading project and book report on "Spring Break". It was so good. The girl could not go on the Washington trip because she broke her leg. So Karly printed off pictures of Washington and hung them from the ceiling over the girl, like she was dreaming of being there. It was so cute. She got an "A" on her project. Way to go Karly!

Fall Break

2008-10-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Ok so I am so excited about Fall Break. I have not had this many days off in a row in over 4 years, since I was a stay at home mom. So I am elated to say the least...... I love my new job even more at this point. I really do love it. It is going really good. Darlene my assistant is a huge help!! I am so proud of my teachers they work so hard in their classrooms. I love how they take care of getting a sub for themselves if they have to be out. They are so creative in the classroom.

Today and yesterday the Fire Department visited us for Fire Safety month. Most of the kids enjoyed it but of course several were very scared of them. The firemen decided to make me the Ginni pig and put me in the outfit from the boots, to the oxygen tank and the mask. OK well I am very claustrophobic. I was seriously about to panic in the suite but I did it. Oh man am I glad I am not a fireman. Yuk it was an awful feeling. The whole thing almost weight as much as I do. I hated it but the kids were not scared of me so it accomplished what they were trying to do.
Of course my teachers were taking pictures of me looking so lovely as a firemen. So sorry I don't have one to post.

Picture of Isabel

2008-09-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Me and my three girls!

Karly, Madie, Me and Isabell playing a game.

Don't I just look like the mother of three children or more?????

We are going to have another daughter, Isabel!

2008-09-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ok so if you haven't heard, we are going to have a third daughter tonight!! We are so excited we have been wanting to get an exchange student since July but it just did not work out. But a student got place in a family that was just a single lady with no kids. The student wanted a mom and a dad with siblings. Her parents are divorced and she has no siblings. She already goes to the school in our district, which is with in walking distance of our house. So we are getting her. We met her last night and she is precious. The lady she has been living with just cried, she is going to miss her so bad. So we went home and moved Madie into Karly's room so that Isabel can have her own room. The girls just loved her. All three of them had the biggest smiles on their faces, there was lots of giggling.

I know there will be challenges in the next year and it will not all be roses but we are so excited about having a teenager daughter for the year. Keep us all in your prayers. I will post pictures soon. She is a doll.

Facebook

2008-09-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

Ok so my best friends from college (Ashley, Deborah and Deborah) talked me into starting a Facebook page. Like I have time for this, like I even know how to do it. I don't understand how to find friends, how to add all that cute stuff, add pictures nothing. So tonight I get the lap top and think I will play with it and try to figure some stuff out and it won't do anything. Just my luck!

Oh thanks Ashley Z. I did get my maiden name on there like you said. Yeah now more folks can find me. My question is do we really want to be found? If we haven't stayed in touch with them in 18 years why now???

We have become reality junkies on tv and now we are becoming blog and myspace, facebook junkies. I wonder what Freud would say about that?

Worship at FBC

2008-08-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ok so yesterday Karl and I went to worship together. It was great we were in there before the music even started. We got to hear Jason do the announcements and we stayed until the very end. I now understand about the traffic issues that I never saw because I was there at 8 and did not leave until 12:30ish.

Wow what a difference to sit in there and just be able to worship. It was refreshing and much needed. We will get back to volunteering but for now we are going to just worship.

"My God is mighty to save" wow what a song. Oh I loved it and I know HE loved it.

Last Summer Blast

2008-08-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post that Madie turned 8 years old. We did not do a party this year but did take her out to dinner and of course she had to have her best buddy over, Izzy! The Chapman's bought them matching outfits for her birthday. They looked so cute!!

Autumn, Bethany, Madie, Emily and Karly a day with cousins!
Reagan and Nicolas big 2!
Madie and Mommy relaxing!
This was while Madie was still happy tubing right before the big flip.

The girls and I had one last summer blast before school started. Here are a few pictures we took while visiting the family.

The twins turned 2 so we got to be at their birthday party.

My brother Rick got a new boat so he took us for a boat ride it was so relaxing, just what I needed.

The next day we took all the kids out to the water park/amusement park. We opened the park up at 11 and closed it down at 8. So much fun.

Then back to reality for us. School started and my first day at CLC started. We had a great first week. I am so going to love my new schedule. It was so nice to come home each day and do homework with the girls and start on dinner. It is the little things that make you so happy. It felt good for my family to be my main focus once again. Tomorrow Karl and I are going to go to worship together. We are going to be able to sit through the whole service. I can't wait!!

Wise and Foolish Builders

2008-08-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

Remember the fun song:
"The wise man build his house upon a rock,
the wise man build his house upon a rock,
the wise man build his house upon the rock
the rains came down and the floods came up
But the house on the rock stood firm".
The foolish man build his house upon the sand
the rains came down and the floods came up
and the house on the sand went splat!!!!

I loved that song when I was in children's church and I still will sing it in preschool worship.
My quiet time this morning was from Matthew 7:24-25 which is Jesus speaking about the wise and foolish builders.

I have heard this all my life and I knew what it meant but last night I watched Larry King and saw it, the Chapman's are living it. They have build a firm foundation and the rains and the floods have come and will continue to come but they are who Jesus was speaking of "the wise who build on the rock".

Don't you love God's word, it is so amazing!

Decisions....Decisions

2008-07-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

Well I have not blogged in awhile and let me explain why: Ok so in the last month we have made some big decisions. I have resigned from my current position at FBC to take another position at FBC. I will now be our Creative Learning Center director which is our Mother's day out program. The main reason for this change is that the schedule will be much more "mommy friendly". That brings me to our other big decision, after 7 years we have finally started our paper work to adopt a daughter from China!!! To say we are excited is an understatement, to say we are nervous another understatement, but knowing that we are finally obeying God's plan feels amazing.
I know I am going to get lots of questions like why China? why another girl? why at our age? All I can say to all of those questions is 7 years ago when Izzy Chapman came home Karl and I both felt it so strongly that we were going to go to China and get our daughter. Even as I type this tears are running down my face because she is not even born and yet I love her and can't wait to bring her home. I have no idea how we are going to afford it but I totally know God will provide as he always does. So pray for us as we are on a very long journey. Right now it is 24 to 28 months even possible 30 months. I would love to get her by December 2010, she would make a great 40th birthday present.

TPAC Recital 2008

2008-06-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

Karly's Recital 2008
She did a beautiful job dancing again this year. Of course we were so proud of her. My parents were able to come back to see her perform. She looked so graceful out there. She says this is it that she wants to try basketball which is fine. Whatever she wants to try is fine by us as long as she keeps her commitment to it. So I guess next year I will have pictures of her shooting hoops instead of dancing. That will be different. Karl will probably enjoy basketball much more.

Goodbye Brett and Susie

2008-06-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

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Today was the last day of VBS and Ms. Susie's last day at the office. Brett and Susie Cox are some of the dearest people. They have an amazing way of making everyone feel loved and special, especially children. My girls adore them both. They love to come to the office with me so they could go see Ms. Susie. They loved to have sleep overs at their house, of course they would have ice cream and candy for breakfast. But that was ok because it was Susie. I love to give Susie a hard time about Madie's bad teeth and all the candy she has given her over the last four years but really I never minded. Because along with the candy was lots of love. When you don't have family around it is so nice to have people like Brett and Susie who will come to plays or dance or cheer leading. Thanks for always coming to their events.

Susie asked me the other day why does God allow you to make such special relationships with so many people and then he takes them away from you. Mrs. Susie I have thought about that a lot and this is what I have come up with. You and Brett have touch so many lives at FBC. So many families love you and all those families will be praying for you. I know my girls will remind me every night "pray for Brett and Susie". Also the kids in Brazil are going to be so blessed to have you in their lives. Every hug, every smile, every time you show them love you are showing them God. Don't get me wrong, I so wish we could keep you but I know God has an amazing plan for you. Don't forget to start a blog so we can check in with you. We love you both dearly!

VBS 2008

2008-06-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

Karly's Crew

Madie's Crew

VBS is going great!!! Our theme this year is Power Lab.

The kids are learning where true power comes from-God. It has been so much fun.

Today we learned that God gives us the power to be brave just like Peter was when he stepped out of the boat to walk on water. I love that story. Can you imagine how scary that one step was? We learned that somethings either sink or float and Peter floated on the water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus his power source. I know VBS is for the kids but man I love the basic messages of the Bible that continue to speak to me, no matter how many times I hear them.

The coolest thing today was I did this science experiment in second worship testing things that would sink or float. So in case you were wondering, a lemon will float but a lime will sink.

A peeled orange will sink but an unpeeled orange will float. The one that I just don't get was a regular coke will sink but a diet coke will float. So we decided to see if Pepsi was different but nope, regular Pepsi floated and diet sunk. I don't get it!!

Tomorrow is our salvation message. So please pray for our kids that they will listen with their ears but more importantly with their hearts.

Another one bites the dust

2008-06-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

Today we lost another hamster. This one was a girl named Teddy. We only had her for about two months, Smore we had for 4 years who passed about two months ago.

We are getting ready for VBS this morning and I hear Karly "mom come here", I am of course in a hurry and say "why". Karly replies "I think Teddy is dead". Of course I am like in my head I don't have time for this but I go up and he is laying on his back with his arms in the air. Oh yeah not good. So I am like "oh I am sorry girls... Ok well we have got to go". Well then Madie runs upstairs to get something and yells "Teddy just moved". So Karly and I run up and yep he is still alive but barely. So I put the water up to her lips and she kind of drinks a little. The girls ask me to pray for her so I do.

So after VBS the girls (Karly, Madie and Izzy) run upstairs to see if she is ok but no she is gone. So they dug a hole in the back yard and covered it with some rocks. Karly wrote "R.I.P Teddy June 17th".

No more hamsters!!!!!!

Happy Late Father's Day - Karl

2008-06-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

My poor wonderful husband, for the last four years VBS has been the week of Father's day. Which means for my dear husband that Sunday is spent at the church working all day. He is so great about it and does everything with a smile and with a great heart. This year I forgot to even give him a card. Poor guy!! The girls had bought him one but in all the busyness of the day forgot to give it to him until tonight (TUESDAY).
So to my dear husband and the father of ALL of my children the two we lost, the two we have and the children of our future, I love you and would not want to co parent with anyone else. You are an amazing father to our two girls. They have no idea the sacrifice you have made for them. All the years you worked 60+ hours a week so I could stay home with them, all the times you take off to be with them when they are sick or to go to 4H camp or to a field trip or one of your special date nights with them. They are so blessed. I am so blessed. I love you dearly and I always will.

Anonymous

2008-06-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks you for your kind words of encouragement to read my Bible and for also reminding me to change my settings to approve all comments left on my blog and to not except any comments from anonymous writers.
To all of you who left book suggestions thanks. I am off to read "Same kind of different as me". (And don't worry anonymous I have already read my Bible today also. )
Happy reading to all!

"The Shack" Book Review

2008-06-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ok so I finished "The Shack" yesterday and I also read a review by a well known preacher (I will not use his name but) the review totally frustrated me. "The Shack" is a fictional story and you must read it as that. It is not the inspired word of God only the Bible is, "The Shack" is a book.

While reading it I saw God differently but not any differently then the Bible says. The book shows God as a loving God who wants to have a relationship with me -period. A God who is with me in the good and the bad that happens in my life. That he gives me a free will to make mistakes but he is with me. That sin is why the world is in the mess it is in not because he is causing the mess. All of this is biblical.

Yes, I believe that God used it to speak to me and to draw me closer to him. I think God can use anything he wants to grow us, a song, a sunset, a victory, a tragedy, he is God and he can use anything. The main way he speaks to me is during my quite time with him when I am reading His word, praying and writing in my journal.

So that is my review. If you are a reader like me why not read christian fiction that has a message about God. I also just got done reading "To know her by name" by Lori Wick. It had a great message also about a spy who had to trust God to help her survive in her job. She struggled with what God wanted her to do in the future, stay with her job or quit and do something new. It was great to read and hear how she figured out what God wanted her to do.

Ok I need a new book! Any suggestions?

The Shack by William Young

2008-06-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

I started reading "The Shack" yesterday. I know you say "how do you have time to read". I have to read, I must read it is my escape. I take whatever I am reading every where I go so that when I am waiting for dance to be over, I read. When I am waiting for the dentist to stop filing Madie's teeth I read, when Karl is driving I read to avoid being scared. I love to read.

The Shack is a Christian fiction that is much like "Pilgrim's Progress" that I read as a teen and loved. Like it in the since that he uses a story to teach you more about God. This story is based on a man going through a trial (rain) like James 1:2 reminds us we will face and how the three parts of God helped him and their different roles. It is very interesting and deep. (I would rather be reading right now actually.)

It is a thinker. I know I am going to have to read it twice to really get it. Anywho! I thought I would blog it in case you too love to read. This book is great because it is an interesting story and I know in the end I am going to draw closer to my "Father, Papa, Daddy" (You will understand that after you read the book.

RAIN
Someone once told me when the rain comes just cling to the father and know that he loves you. Little did he know what turn our lives would take two weeks later and I can honestly say I had to constantly remind myself "He loves me" and he loved me through it. Thank you father!

Our Ohio Get Away

2008-06-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

Karly and Derrick top right, Madie and Derrick top left.

Sweet Sisters holding hands after along day at the water park.

This is the Gorilla that scared us all to death.
The Worn out gang after the Water Park.

Karl and his girls resting on a hammer head shark.

May 29th we headed down to Ohio after work to see our friends, Derrick and Rebecca Johnson. We got in Thursday night around 9 and talked until 1:30 in the morning. Rebecca had to go to work Friday. Friday we did one of our favorite things to do we went shopping at the Easton's Mall it makes the Avenue in Murfreesboro look terrible. The girls of course spent all their money in one day on sunglasses and shoes of course.

Friday night we went out to dinner at Uno's pizza, oh my gosh!! Amazing. Then to Dairy Queen and then to the movies, another late night.

Saturday we went to a water park called Zoombies and to their Zoo in Columbus. It was so nice. The girls had a blast. The Zoo was great. The most memorable part was Karly standing at the glass staring at a Gorilla and all of a suddenly he charges the glass and beats on it and roars. We all found out that our hearts were in working order. Every one at that exhibit screamed. It was wild.

Sunday, I wish I had pictures of this but someone forgot the camera (Karl). The girls went golfing with the boys. They were their caddies. Rebecca and I went shopping of course.

We had a great time but it went way to fast. Oh on the way home we stop at the IKEA store in Cincinnati and shopped some more. That place is amazing, a little over whelming but amazing. We got Madie a new dresser and all kinds of other stuff for the house. FUN FUN

Now we are back home to reality. Not so fun!

P.S. Becca thought it would be fun for the girls to kick Derrick out of the bed and for them to sleep with her one night. Well she got elbowed several times by Madie and woke up with a pain in her neck with Karly and Madies name written all over it. Welcome to my world Rebecca!

Memorial Day 2008

2008-05-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

Madie, Izzy, Karly and Lydia at the first park.
Karl and Lydia at park number two.
Nails by Chapman Girls!
Full makeover for Mr. Karl.
Power Nap for Lydia!

Today we had four girls: Karly, Madie, Izzy and Lydia. We had so much fun as you can see by all our pictures. We went to two parks, sonic and back home when the rain started. We did not let the rain stop the fun. We painted all of our finger nails including Karl's, he got the full makeover hair, nails and face. They all wanted him to go to the store wearing it but he said only if they would go with him and they all said a very giggly "no". We played in the garage since it was raining we sang and danced did bubbles, so much fun.
I think we could handle two more, hint hint!!!

Chapman Prayer Reminder

2008-05-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

I printed this picture off to put on the mirror in my bathroom to remind myself to pray for the Chapmans. So I thought I would pass the idea on to you and ask you to pass the idea on to all your friends and family. I know it is on all of our minds now but they are going to need prayer for along time. So if you would print and pass the idea along.
I wish everyone could have heard Steven's words and Caleb's prayer Friday night, WOW. It was amazing.
I can imagine the depth of their pain and I know only by God and God alone will they be healed.
Pray, pray, Pray!!!

Ps. 30:10-12 "He will turn their sorrow into dance".

Jesus Calling

2008-05-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Ok if you have not heard of this little book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Let me tell you, I love it. My buddy Gwen O. talked about it on her blog so I thought I would get one because I was looking for something new to study. WOW - thanks Gwen, I love it.
It is a short powerful read with scripture to take you to the word so you can dig deeper. It just amazes me how He speaks to me everyday on just what I need to hear.

Today has been a heart breaking day due to the loss of my dear friends niece last night in a car accident. I love children and when anything happens to a child it just breaks my heart. I stayed up late last night and woke up early this morning just praying for the whole family. So I was running late for work and didn't stop to do my quiet time. I got to the office and could not focus on anything and finally decided to read my "Jesus Calling".
Today's in a nut shell, Fix your eyes on me, no matter what is going on, then will you be able to view circumstances from My perspective. I needed to be reminded of that today. Last nights events may never make since to anyone but we must always keep our eyes on Him.

Please keep the Chapman family in your prayers only God and God alone can heal their broken hearts. Maria was so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family and extended family.

Madie's Weekend!

2008-05-11T16:28:00.001-07:00

One of Madie's best friends Alex had a limo pick them up after school to go to her birthday party. Madie was so excited she loved it. Thanks
Alex for making her day.
The other picture is Madie performing on stage at our church www.fbcsmyrna.org for our Mother's day service. Our mother's day service features Preschool Ministry with a Parent Child Dedication service and the Children's Ministry by having them perform. It was great! We had 40 children and families dedicated this morning.
The Children's Pastor and kids did a great job and it was a great message on giving God your all, 100%.
Madie was so giving it her all while singing and dancing. She melts my heart. That is her in the yellow jersey.
Happy Mother's day to all my friends, my mother and my mother in law.

School is almost over another year gone!

2008-05-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Trot day at school is a fundraiser. I love volunteering on these kinds of days. Most the time they make me the copy girl not so fun. The picture at the right top corner is my former intern Kristi, she is a teacher at the girls school.

These are some pictures taken at a field trip that Karl and I both got to go on last week. Karl went with Karly and I went with Madie. It was a perfect day for a ball game. I didn't see much of it of course, I was the teachers runner but it was still a fun family day.

Psalm 23

2008-04-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

The other night the girls were asking me what book of the Bible was the largest and just different questions like that so anyways we got on the subject of the book of Psalms. I said you all want to hear my favorite Psalms. So I had them close their eyes and in a slow and soft voice read Psalms 23 pausing to add some visuals. When I finished Karly said "mom I could totally see that can I draw it?". She drew a sweet picture of Psalms 23. It was precious how she used her art ability to express what she was hearing from the word of God.

My sweet girls, I pray often for you - Ps. 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, that your souls will pant for God". I have learned so much about God because of you. My prayer life has increased because of you, that is for sure. Thank you girls for making me want to grow closer to him so that I can be a better mom to you. I love you both more then words. I know you will not read this until you are much older and I have it made into a book for you.
None of us know what tomorrow may hold so I want to tell you and tell you how much I love you.
Ok now I am going to go give them both some lov'n. Goodnight!!

Adoption...Adoption...

2008-04-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

Adoption...it is all around me. Yet again this week a friend told me they are adopting, my pastor announced they are adopting again. I cried when my pastor announced it, I felt the sting of jealousy when my friend told me but yet here we are still at the talking and praying about it stage and it has been what 6 years now. It's not a matter of if but of when for me.

My quiet time yesterday talked about the idol of control always wanting to know what is next. That is so me, I so confess that I worship the idol of control. I am not saying that proudly I was very convicted of that yesterday and had to spend some time asking for forgiveness.

You can ask my parents when I was a little girl they would ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up and I would say "I want to run an orphanage". I am almost haunted by those words now and seriously think what did God lay on my heart at such a young age.

I am planning to go to China in the fall on a mission trip if Karl lets me that is (pray). I am going to visit and help out in the orphanages. I know it will be a very hard trip for my heart. I could hardly look at Leslie's pictures from her trip but I know this is something my heart wants to go through and is willing to go through.

Adoption...Adoption what a beautiful gift. My grandmother was given up for adoption during the depression. I asked her one time how that made her feel and she said "oh I was the lucky one, I would have starved to death had my parents not adopted me". My grandmother's birth mother died days after my grandmother was born of starvation. My grandmother was reunited with her siblings in her 60. Their stories were so sad. They said their memories of childhood were filled with the death of their mother, of watching a wealth family take away their baby sister and of being hungry all the time. I am so thankful for the family who adopted my grandmother and gave her a wonderful life.

Mowing is for Boys!!!

2008-04-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Mowing is for boys in my book. Karly is messing up my over all Big plan. My Big plan is for the girls to help me with the house work not help Karl with the yard work. Actually, I must say they worked for hours in our house this last weekend. See this is how I got them to do so many chores. I took them up to Justice's to look around and of course it was "I want this and I want that", so I said "do you have any money?" the answer "no". Well, "I guess you all need to do some chores around the house". Extra chores that is cleaning up after yourself is expected and you do not earn money for that.

Here is the list and the dollar amount for doing the chores. Of which they got to choice which ones they wanted to do.

Vacuum stairs - $3.00

Master bath (floor, toilet, sink) - $3.00

Front bath (floor, sink) - $2.00

Vacuum living room - $1.00

Vacuum master room - $1.00

Vacuum upstairs - $3.00

Dust downstairs - $2.00

Dust upstairs - $2.00

Sweep kitchen - $2.oo

Load and unload - dish washer - $2.00

Empty all trash cans - $2.00

They loved it. Karly earned $15.00 and Madie earned $10.00. It was great!

Then as promised we went to Justice's to spend.

Cheap labor and I know my future son in laws are going to love them for being good house keepers. Karly is very OCD about cleaning which works out great for me.

Three Sweet Shots of My Three Favorite Peeps

2008-04-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Karly getting ready to go have spring pictures taken at school.

Madie Moo strikes a pose for mom also.
Both of these pictures turned out so much better then the school pictures.

Long hair ok, dirty bike/motorcylce no way. This is our nephew's dirty bike.

"Are my roots showing?" by Tina Hutchinson

2008-04-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

On Monday nights at my church, www.fbcsmyrna.org we are having a women's bible study. The study is being lead by Tina Hutchinson. She is not only leading it but wrote the drama and the study. She is amazing. She has such a heart for ministry.
Some how I got the honor of being "Gloria" each week. I am a salon owner and along with Jennifer Bishop who is my employee, Nancy. We try to start the evening off with a humorous little skit that ties into the message.
Last nights message was on how the world has labeled us but that is not the way God views us at all. It was great to be remind that he values us for who we are and not for the way we have been labeled.
Tina has a blog also check it out it will inspire you http://www.tina4hope.blogspot.com/ .
Last night Brenda White, who totally cracks me up, acted with us. She was so funny, I had to not look at her so that I would not crack up.
Brenda is the one with the towel on her head and the face cream, she apparently tried to color her own hair and burnt her face and hair, so Gloria is scolding her while she applies corn starch to her itching scalp and cold cream to her face.
It was to funny and messy!!!
I am not going to quit my day job for acting that is for sure but boy do I have much higher appreciation for those in theater. WOW!

Spring Break 2008

2008-04-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

Spring Break in Hot Springs National Park, Ar.

Madie strikes a pose for mom. This picture was taken using a disposable camera. It looks like an Alison Bynum!

Emily 7, Autumn 4, Karly 10, Bethany 9 and Madie 7.

Karly and Madie all dressed up for Easter. I surprised them by sending their Easter baskets filled with goodies. Karly called and said "mom you always know what I like".

The picture to the right is at The Historical Arlington Hotel. Karl and I love to get away when we are there and stay a night at the hotel. My Mom always takes them on a hike up the mountain behind the hotel where they run into some of the natural hot springs. Hot Springs is such a cute little town.

Spring Break

2008-03-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

New York or Arkansas?
We asked our girls do you want to go to New York or Ar for spring break. Arkansas won! So New York will have to wait. I still want to go there this year but as long as they want to go see family I am going to support that. I know when the teenage years come they probably will not choose Ar.

No kids for Easter
They wanted to go to Papa's church for Easter. So I meet my folks half way on good Friday and let them go from Friday until the next weekend. WOW! It was a long week. The weekend was the worse. Saturday and Easter Sunday, my heart hurt. But they had so much fun. On Saturday they went to two egg hunts, colored eggs and had a big family dinner. They have been with the cousins all week. So that is heaven to them. Karl and I went to Carobas and to the movies for Easter, after church of course. Church was amazing - My Redeemer Lives! that song is stuck in my head but that is ok because I love that song.

A Deaf Easter Service
Easter service was very different for them. My dad is the pastor at a deaf church. So everything is very visual and the music is very, very loud. The girls love it! Madie said "mom how do they remember all those signs, they go so fast, I could never do that". She was amazed.

Reunited and it feels so Good
Karl and I drove down on Thursday night. We did not stop one time, no food, no potty for 6 hours. We were so ready to see our girls. Madie called me at 8 "mommy where are you? I have just been watching the clock". Karly got on the phone "I can't believe your about to be here".

I think they missed us.

Karl and I enjoyed our couple time but as always it reminded us how thankful we are for our two precious girls.

Ode' to Smore

2008-03-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Ode' to smore, oh smore, oh how we loved you, you lived a good life at Meyer Manor, you will be missed. Not missed enough that we will go get another one but missed all the same. You were a good pet, an easy pet, an ignored pet at times but loved all the time. Ode' to smore the hamster we thought would never die, not that we wanted you to but all good things must come to and end.
Smore October 2004-March 2008

May you rest in peace!

I've been tagged

2008-03-02T13:38:00.001-08:00

Ok Ashley tagged me, so hear I go.

Four Jobs I have had:
Carrot Juice Maker
Bagger at a grocery story
Walmart, Walmart,Walmart
Bow Maker for Micheal's

Four Movies I could watch over and over:
UM, that is a hard one because I really don't like to watch a movie I have already seen.

Four Places I have lived:
LA California
Fremont Ca
Little Rock AR
St. Peters MO

Four Shows I watch:
Dirty Jobs
Clean Sweep
Law and Order
Reruns of Friends

Four places I have been:
Mount Rush Moore
Grand Canyon
San Francisco
Mexico and New Mexico

Four people who email me regularly:
Rebecca Johnson
Gina Jones
My Mom
Jennifer Thacker

Four of my favorite foods:
Chips and Sausa
Pizza
Mexican, Mexican!!
Broccoli

Four places I would rather be right now:
Beach
Bed
Bath
Repeat other three

Four things I am looking forward to in the next 12 months:
VBS
Vacation with family
Going on a mission trip with family
Reading a good book

Four goals for the next year:
Eating better
Exercising
Reading more
Taking an online course

Four gifts I got for Christmas:
Wise men for my willow collection
Purse
Bath and Body lotions and bubble bath
Pocket digital picture holder

Four places I want to visit:
Washington DC
New York
Boston
Paris

Four things I wish I could do better:
Cook
Sing
Play the piano
Write

Four things you don't know about me:
I took piano for 6 years
Degree in Psychology, Minor in Business Administration
Wish I had finished my Teaching Degree (20 hours lacking + student teaching)
I attended private school preschool - college.

Four things I can cook without a recipe:
(When I cook haha)
Frito Pie
Homemade Pizza
Taco's
Chicken pot pie

Four Musicians/Groups I really like:
My husband
Michael Bluble(?)
Donnie Osmond
Mercy Me

Four people I tag:
Rebbecca
Melanie
Misti Smith
And ????

Karly Time

2008-02-29T21:29:00.000-08:00

Well I was coming up stairs to blog at 11:00pm and looked in Karly's room to find her wide eyed watching Disney. So I went in and tucked her in and we had the sweetest talk, which was way better then blogging.
She is an amazing little girl! She is so determined to due what she gets her mind set on. As a toddler I wanted to beat that strong will out of her but now I see how being strong willed has it's advantages. (I never thought I would say that.) For instance last week she decided to learn how to do a one handed cart wheel, well guess what she does a great one handed cart wheel this week.
So if your reading this and you have a stubborn little one let me give you a little hope. One day that child will have great grades, learn to ride a bike in a week, work to be the best in her class (always) behaviorally and educationally. She will be passionate for what she believes in: God, do not liter, be kind to animals, help the special kids, be clean and organize, color doesn't matter, exercise, do not eat a lot of junk (this does not include pizza or mac and cheese). Politically she thinks change allowing a man of color or a women be president would be the American thing to do. I like her heart behind this but it will not change my vote come November and I am glad she is unable to vote this year. (Not that there is anyone to really vote for this year.)
Ok well Ashley, I will complete the tag questions tomorrow.
Goodnight Gracee!

Snowy day

2008-02-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

Today the girls did not have to go to school due to the snow that we got last night. It looked so pretty this morning as the most amazing artist displayed a new look on our canvas.
Karl is at home with them and I am at work. I just looked outside and it is coming down again. I called the house to ask if they were seeing what I was seeing. No they were inside watching tv and eating.
I do not think my girls are cold weather girls. We had one good snow two weeks ago and they played and played but today they are so not interested. Madie went out for like 10 minutes after getting all bundled up, which took her like 45 minutes. Only to come in and tell me she was done and was Martha on-that would be The Martha Stewart show. When I told her no she asked if "Rachel Ray was on?"
This totally cracked me up but also got me to thinking maybe Madie is going to be a chef or maybe just a great mom who can actually cook. Karly always wants to watch makeover shows and has said since she was about three that she wanted to be a "hair doer". When asked in kindergarten what she wanted to be she said a "hair doer, Why? so I can make people feel pretty".
We will see! The one thing I know is He has a plan for them and I can't wait to see it unfold.
After today I think it will be in a warm climate for those two but who knows.

C3 Conference in Texas

2008-02-26T06:05:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Fellowship Church in Grapevine Tx. A mega church!! They make FBC look small. We had a great time and learned so much from their team. I left with a great appreciation for their staff. I can't imagine working on doing a great conference for others and plus keeping up with what is on their plates during a normal week. It was extremely giving on their part. I am posting some pictures of my ministry assistant and I that we took while we were at the conference. Kari has been on our team for about 9 months. She is doing an amazing job. She is crazy so she fits right in around here. God has always blessed me with great assistants who not only work for me but become dear friends (Brenda and Charity).

Contentment:

The Children's pastor preached this amazing message on Friday. He preached on Being Content. His definition for contentment was "having peace where ever I find myself so that I can give my undivided attention to the task God has given me". WOW! I am so the type to always be wondering what is next, or I wish we had or I wish we could.... His scripture reference was Philippians 4 and Ps 139:13-16. He reminded us that Paul and Joseph spent time in prison for God but remained faithful and focus on the task he had for them.

So for me that told me to relax the future is in his hands maybe I will go get my masters, maybe we will adopt, maybe we will be called to the mission field, maybe we will sell our house, maybe we will .....Maybe God wants me to be at FBC for the rest of my life, live in the same house, focus on the two kids he has given me, be a missionary to my community. Who knows I am just going to try to focus on the here and now because the here and now is pretty great, so I will relax and enjoy it.

V Day

2008-02-22T21:56:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day at Meyer Manor always consist of Mr. Meyer "spoiling his girls" as he puts it and we all love it. Well of course Karl is amazing to me but he is such a great father to his little girls. Their poor husbands have a high bar to try and reach. But the sweetest thing was when Karly said to Madison "Man Madie don't you hope we get a husband like daddy". Oh priceless! I pray that for my girls also. I love you babe for all you are to me but even love you more for all you are to them.

Celine-Ruth-or Tina

2008-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

At my Church (http://www.fbcsmyrna.org/) we have an event every year called Romance and Roses. Where we celebrate our marriages. I love it! It is always so much fun and you leave loving your mate just a little more each year. Well this year Rodney Wilson our Marriage and Family Pastor asked me to do something totally out of my comfort zone. He knows that Karl is the singer in the family not me! So he asked me to lipsync sing to Karl in front of everyone (only around 600-700 folks) oh my!! He asked me like three weeks before the event, so I had plenty of time to worry myself sick about it. The only reason I agreed was because I knew my sweet husband would love it and did he. So Tina Hutchinson who is an amazing singer at our church asked me what should we sing, well Karl loves, I mean Loves Celine Dion. So we chose "Because you love me". I was so nervous and he had no clue. I was shaken so bad I thought for sure he was going to figure it out but he did not even notice. I am going to try and down load the video of me singing to him but I am not sure I can figure it out. It was worth all the stress I went through he loved it. We laught so much and he just kept thanking me because he knew that was not comfortable for me to do. But I would do anything for him, even make a fool out of myself.

Karl - My world is a better place Because you love me!!!!

Cutting the cord

2008-02-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Hannah Montana:
Ok, I still can't really believe I did this but I did. My girls wanted to go see the Hannah Montana concert of course this weekend. They both had saved up their own money to pay for the $15.00 tickets. Which I thought the price was rediculous but better then the concert price tickets. So anyways, I did not want to see it nor did their father, SO this is were the cut the cord move happened. I bought myself a ticket to go see '27 dresses' while they went in the theater by themselves and saw Miley. I was so nervous. I gave them a cell phone and I had a cell phone to check on them. I would not let them have anything to drink because I did not want them to leave to go to the bathroom, no popcorn because you know they could choke on it. I called twice and texted about half a dozen. Of course they did great and they felt so grown up. Not sure it was worth the pit in my stomach but I know that we will be making more and more little cuts in the cord each year.

Funny things the girls said last week about marriage;
Madie "I am just looking for the right guy"
Karly " Yeah, I wonder about him all the time, I wonder where he is, I know he is out there, I wonder if I know him already".

Superbowl
Just wanted to say thanks to my parents for watching the girls for us Sunday night. We have not stayed at a Superbowl party in years due to girls need to get in bed. But my folks were passing through town from a meeting and stayed with us. They told us to go watch the game with some friends (Tony and Mel) and they would spend time with the girls. We had a great time and so did they. So thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Winning Sunday

2008-01-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Sunday's are always packed and yesterday was no exception. It was a great day at church www.fbcsmyrna.org. My pastor preached a great message from the Q&A series about how we can have assurance of our salvation. It was packed with scripture as always. That is what I love to hear messages that are not a mans words but take you to The Man's word - the Bible. Last Sunday he preached on free will, I took four pages of notes all scripture to back up his message. Any who, check out our web site to hear the messages they were great.
Preschool ministry went great, new volunteers, lots of kids and just a great morning. Praise the Lord!!
On Sunday's we always get together with our small group to do Bible study but yesterday we decided to have a play day. So we went bowling. We got a lane for the kids and an adult lane. Oh we had so much fun, well most of us did. Karl not so much fun. I beat him, I have never beat him at anything (well GPA of course, haha). I not only beat him at the first game but I beat him at the second game. Oh it was sweet victory and I promised him I would blog about it. So here is the score Karl 75 Ruth 76, Karl 85 Ruth 90. Ok both of us are awful obviously but still I beat him. So much fun. He was a great sport about it.

Chapel Time

2008-01-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

I think it is so amazing how God use his word to speak to us. Once a month I speak at chapel for our preschool on Wed and Thursday mornings. Well this morning our bible verse was
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6.
So I am asking them "how can God be your helper? What are you afraid of? What should we do when we are afraid?" The correct answer, (not the answer I got) was that we should pray to God and he will help us or send someone to help us like our parents, teachers or friends. We talked about being afraid of the dark, dogs, sleeping alone....
Well as I am standing up there talking let me tell you what was going through my mind. Ok Nov and Dec volunteers disappear, literally disappear which causes me much stress. So it is January which is the month everyone decided to come back to church so I need lots of volunteers to serve our preschoolers. Plus part of my job is to provided childcare for other events after service and during the week. Well I needed to hire several women and a few teenagers to do this. Needless to say I was stressed and honestly afraid that I was not going to be able to get volunteers or babysitters. So I prayed and prayed and then I called on my friends (staff) to send out an email to all of their folks to see if anyone need to make a little extra cash.
Well just like the verse says "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid (i was but in spite of me). He fixed it of course. All that worrying for nothing. I finally got on my hands and knees and cried out to him for help and he directed me to sent the email which fixed my problem in two days (my childcare problem). Oh and as far as volunteers, I always need more but Sunday I had 5 new folks come up and are willing to start serving.
God is so good. Someday soon I will learn to stop worrying and remember who is in control of all things. So this is just a shout of praise to the Lord for being my helper.

Madie the Giant

2008-01-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

Collin - Madie - Izzy
This is so random but I had to post this picture. Let me explain. Collin, Madie and Izzy were best of buddies when they were babies until school started and we could not get together every week to have our play dates. Before that we would get together once a week and go to library time and then to the park to play. It was really so us mom's could have some adult time.
Anyways, they were all three tiny kids and really about the same size. Izzy is four months younger then Collin and Madie who are 10 days a part in age. Now look at this picture she is a giant. The really funny thing is that when Izzy came home her and Madie weight about the same Izzy from being in the orphanage and Madie just came out tiny and it took her along time to catch up but boy has she. Collin was born 8 lbs. 4oz, Madie went home 5 lbs. 4 oz. On her three month check up I called Jana to say Madie is at Collins birth weight 8 lbs. 4 oz. Three month check up!!!!
I can't wait to take a picture of them at graduation or one of their weddings and see how they have changed. I wish I had a picture from the library days that I could post. Oh how time flies!
By the way Collin says he is going to marry one of them. We will see.
Oh and Madie loves that she is going to be taller then Karly and I, so the doctors say.

2008-01-15T15:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2007

2008-01-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

Ok so I never posted our Christmas pictures from 07. We of course went home for Christmas to both or our parent's homes. It just would not be Christmas if we didn't. We do our Meyer Manor Christmas here in Tn, on the Saturday before we go. So the girls love all the Christmas' they get. One with us, one with my folks, his folks, my best friend spoils them, Santa, and then came home to Derrick and Becca having more presents. Oh and all the small group kids pick out a gift for each child from the dollar story. They get so into picking out the perfect gift for each other. It is quite cute and they all have 6 dollar gifts to open at our party. So here is a few pictures:

Picture 1 Is all the Michau's, kids and grand kids.

Picture 2 Is Meyer Grand kids

Picture 3 Is My parents, me and my three brothers

Picture 4 Is our small group kids

I am sure I will post more, this is all it would let me. I am having all kinds of blogging issues.

Ar vs TN

2008-01-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

Before 08 gets ahead of me, I wanted to post a few pictures and events that I did not have the time to do in 07. Plus I have some really cute Christmas pictures to post. So here we go:
Arkansas Hogs vs. Tennessee Vols @ UT
November 10th 2007

UT killed us, but we had a great time. It was so exciting just being in that stadium. I was honestly a little nervous being in such a large crowd of orange considering the four of us were sporting our Hog shirts. We are still HOG fans even though we have been in TN for 12 years. Going to the game was our birthday gift to each other. Karl's birthday is in November and mine is in December. We took the girls (who just about froze to death) with us. Karl the sweet dad that he is left the game took a taxi to our car and got a blanket for the girls. It was cold. I think we had one of everything from the concession stand. When in Rome! One of the crazy things was we actually ran into folks we knew, Jason, Kelly and the girls and then a guy behind me called me by my maiden name. We went to college together. It was crazy, there was 104,000 folks at that game. Small world.

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T14:23:00.000-08:00

Make a postcard - it's easy!

13 days until Christmas

2007-12-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

OK so the title of this blog in itself stresses me out. Which is exactly the opposite of what my pastor as been preaching about. It is so hard to keep your focus and not get stressed out. The presents, the parties, the money, the wrapping, the traveling, the cards (that I am sure I will not mail again this year) - oh my!!!

So if you read my blog and have great ideas on how to focus on Christ this Christmas and not on all the other stuff that HAS to be done, please respond. My kids are getting older and I am feeling like I need to come up with more grown up things to help them focus on the real meaning of the season. Of course we will have a happy birthday Jesus party, read the bible story all month, buy gifts for others, sing the songs but I would love to hear if you have any other ideas to share.

I plan to post some pictures of the house all decked and the girls in their Christmas outfits but in case I don't blog until the new year - I pray you and your family will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T20:39:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post a quick note to tell all of you how thankful I am for so many things, including you. God of course is at the top of my list, without Him I would be nothing but lost. So to my God, my Savior thank you for ALL the ways you have blest me.
Thank you for the big things like my amazing family of four. I am so thankful you gave me Karl to live life with. I am so thankful you allowed me to have the girls who fill our lives with so much joy. I am so thankful you allowed me to be born into a christian home with loving parents. I am so thankful for my two big brothers who watched out for me and still do. For my little brother who let me practice my parenting skills as I tried to mother him. I am thankful he turned out ok in spite of me. For my brothers wives who gave me the one thing in life I always wanted, sisters. For my in laws who raised an amazing man for me. For my brother and sister in laws who make Karl laugh like no one else can do and who make the holidays a joy to be a part of a large family. For my 19 nieces and nephews who are so beautiful and I am so proud of each of them. For my friends oh I wish I could name you all. Thank you God for blessing me with so so many friends here in TN and all over the world. For my church family, Tn would not be our home with out you. For my staff family who make coming to work every day a joy even during the stressful, busy times. For our health, for our home, for all the extras that we have we are so grateful to our Lord and Savior.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Fall Break in Gatlinburg

2007-11-04T16:50:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of the girls racing each other. Madie tried to cut Karly off and they had a huge 3 or 4 car pile up. It was the funniest thing, watching them blame each other to the worker. We were on the side rolling, just imagining what they were saying, "she did it, it's her fault", fingers were pointing and heads were shaking.
Karl and Karly raced to the top. Neither of them made it and I thought we might have to call for an ambulance Karl was so winded. This to was hilarious!

This turned out so cute. We took this down town Gatlinburg while we were shopping. The girls favorite thing was the cool inside pool we had. It had tunnels and waterfalls built into it. The hot tub was what I enjoyed the most. It was a cave inside the pool.
A little golfing (putt putt) lesson for Madie. Who did not enjoy the challenge of getting that little ball in that little hole.

This was on top of the Sky Lift mountain. It was so beautiful. I would have loved it if more of the trees had turned but my fourth grader explained to me that the weather had not been cold enough for the roots to pull the chlorophyll out of the leaves into the roots thus changing the color from green to fall colors. Are you smarter than a fifth grader? NOPE, not even a fourth grader.
This was a great little family get away.

Double digits for Karly, the big 10.

2007-10-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Karly turned 10 today, October 15th. We took her and some friends out to eat pizza
and skating.
Madeline, Alexis, Abbie, Tori, Madie and Karly - The Party Girls!

We celebrated with her girlfriends on Sunday.
This morning for her actual birthday her daddy woke her up with a muffin and candle singing "happy birthday Karly". I took donuts to her class as we walked down the hall everyone was saying "happy birthday, Karly". She was beaming. Then Rebecca and Derrick sent her balloons at school. She loved all the attention.

Karl and I have both agree that 10 years ago on October 15th was the best day of our lives. Honestly, it was perfect. The deliver went so smoothly. Our doctor made it, my parents made it and Karly made it safe and sound. We could not believe we had a baby. She was so cute, so fat and hairy. I know that doesn't sound cute to you but to her mom and dad it was. (She wants me to take off fat and hairy but she was. She had a head full of hair.)

Happy Birthday Karly, you are an amazing little girl. I am so proud to be your mom. I crawled into bed with you this morning held you and prayed for you. I am so thankful that God chose you for me but I know you are really His. I trust Him with you and know that he has an amazing plan for you. I can't wait to see the women you become. I don't expect you to be perfect. I know this journey of life gets rough but I will always love you no matter what. I will always be here for you. I pick you up now when you fall and I will pick you up later when you fall. We will brush it off and learn from it, together. Love you mean it, Mom.

Melanie's Wedding Day, Sept 29th 2007

2007-10-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Karl and Karly dancing.
Karly, Emery and Madie what dolls. We missed you Parker.
The Bride
The Groom

Karly and Madie with Mel at the rehersal dinner.
How sweet is that?
Minutes before the ceremony we snapped a few shoots on the church lawn.
Mel and all her girls. 2007 BFF's Mel and Ruth

On September 29th my dear friend and co worker, Melanie married Tony.

It was so beautiful. She did a great job putting everything together for her special day. The whole weekend was fun the rehearsal and wedding day. So I am going to post several pictures that I snapped. Hope you enjoy!
Ok this was suppose to be at the top and the pictures are all done backwards. Oh well I tried.

Madie's Baptism

2007-09-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

I know this was quick but Madie wanted to get the baptism over so since I have a few connections at the church (ha ha), we were able to get her baptized Sunday. It was a very emotional day, I can't imagine how I am going to feel on her wedding day.

The sweetest thing was in her video she thanked Karly for leading her. Oh man, I lost it. Plus Karl being the one to actually be able to baptize her was priceless. My girls have no idea how blessed they are to have the daddy they have.

I am sorry to my friends who did not know and missed it. It just happened so fast.
If you would like to view her video testimony and baptism, go to http://www.fbcsmyrna.org/media/video/madie%20meyer.mov .

Thank you to all of you for sharing this precious moment with us. She loved all the notes and hugs and presents. We are so blessed with wonderful friends who love our girls.

Madie did it!!!!

2007-09-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Monday night Madie was in her room doing her quiet time. I came in and said "what's your quiet time about?" she gave me the "Jesus" answer and it really was about Jesus. She looked up at me and said "Mom, I want to ask Jesus in my heart". This was the moment we had been waiting for. She has taken a class at church on becoming a Christian, we have been talking about it for months and we knew she had the head knowledge but she had never asked what she needed to do to become a Christian. I ran to get her dad and Karly turned to Madie and said "ok Madie lets go over the ABC to becoming a Christian". Karl and I just set there as Karly made sure Madie knew what sin was and that she needed a savior. You talk about emotional. It was emotional enough that Madie was about to make this desicion but then to have Karly lead her was WOW a very proud moment. I wish I had record Madie's prayer. She was so emotional as she cried out to God and asked him to be her savior. There is nothing more amazing to know that we will all be together forever. Man, it is one thing that he died for me but that he did that for my children, something I could not do is the most amazing thing that I am so thankful for - Thank you Lord Jesus!

Big week at Meyer Manor

2007-09-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

I have about 5 different stories so pick one or read them all:

Home Repairs/Remodeling:
We chose to put hardwood in the kitchen/dinning room we did not expect the dishwasher to leak on it and ruin some boards a few days later. In one week the fridge had to be replaced, the dishwasher and the air conditioner had to be worked on. YEAH! Life happens I am wearing out and so is all my stuff.

Hard lesson for my Karly:
We have a rule at our house while playing outside you do not go in houses or in back yards. Well my very obedient child for some reason chose to follow all her friends into our neighbors back yard. This is not a normal back yard these neighbors have a pit bull, rottweiler, and two other large dogs. Well as Karl and I are enjoying our Saturday morning coffee we hear our girls screaming and of course we jump up and run outside. They are hysterical and yes my Karly got bit twice by the rottweiler. It was not bad "thank you God" but the terror that they went through just killed me. I can't tell you how many times I have said a prayer of thankfulness because of course all the "what ifs" were playing out in my head. I must say the sweetest thing was Madie's concern for her sissy. She was crying "I don't want Karly to die, I don't want my dream to come true". She had a night mare about Karly a few weeks ago. Sad but sweet.

Read to Succeed:
Every year I am asked to read at the girls school on "Read to Succeed" day. I love doing it the girls pick their favorite books for me to read. I bring props and everything.
Well this year Karly the big 4Th grader did not want me to come read to her class. I might embarrass her. I must admit it hurt my heart a little but I respected her decision. So I get to the school and head to Madie Moo's class and I see Karly in line for lunch so I go say hi and as I am about to leave she says "bye mom" and puckers up and gives me a big kiss in front of all the 4th and 5th graders. That fixed my heart right up. PRICELESS!

Real Marriage:
Saturday night my church www.fbcsmyrna.org had an event to celebrate marriage. We went to eat and then to the event a great date. What a reminder to us both to "Hurry Home" to want to be here with each other and to cultivate what we have. We laughed a lot that night. I am sure God was so blessed to see his children enjoying life together. I believe we worshipped through our laughter. I love my husband dearly and am thankful that he hurries home.

Week 2 of Daniel:
Well I had to walk into my girl friends and tell them that I had only gotten 1 of the 5 lessons done. Shame shame! I came home that afternoon and finished week ones home work and did three lessons for week two, that is how good it is. It is so deep and so filled with history, I feel smarter already!

A few statements to think about from this study:
Godliness is never accidental.
Integrity depends on consistency.
The more we learn the more God will reveal.

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Daniel 2:20-23 (she asked us to memorize it so quiz me when you see me)
vs 20 this week:
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever, wisdom and power are His.

Ok that was my week - oh and I got to see my sweet friend Gwen. Let's get together soon.

Week 1 with Daniel

2007-09-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

No Daniel is not the new love of my life, Karl is still that but I am going to be getting real intimate with him over the next 11 weeks.

I have joined a Daniel Bible study with some church friends. The study is of course by Beth Moore, so it will be incredible! Today was our first look at Daniel and I can't wait to see how God speaks to me through the life of Daniel.

This week I have on my own been doing some reading about the book and character to just be prepared. I have to be honest the only thing that came to mind about Daniel was "Daniel in the Lion's Den". Today as Beth can do so well she opened our eyes to see so much more. We stayed on chapter one and picked it apart. I had read chapter one twice on my own this week but reading it today with the history and insight was like reading it for the first time.

So as the next eleven weeks of this study goes I am going to blog about what God says to me, and how the life of Daniel from 605 BC is still relevant. God is amazing, his word is amazing, timeless and alive.

Today we were challenged to look at our lives and see if:
Question:
Are we being influenced by our Babylon (culture/community)?
Are we influencing our community? Our culture is telling us that it is all about me, "have I found myself", how is that going to help me, satisfy me, fulfill me, how do I look, ME Me me!!!!
Is our focus on the world we have been sent to or is our focus on the royal family we are?
Reminder:
We are just visiting we our not home!

WOW! week one and He has already spoken volumes to me, I can't wait to see what He will say in the next 10 weeks.

Blogging + or -

2007-08-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

Blogging - well I thought blogging would just be fun, you know a great way to read what is going on in friends lives, see pictures of their kids, you know fun. That would be all the positive stuff. But twice now I have read blogs and WOW sometimes things people post just hurts. That would be all the negative stuff. I refuse to comment on them because my mommy taught me "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all". So I won't but as a mom I am going to teach my girls "if you don't have anything nice to say or write don't say or write anything". You know that whole do unto others thing. Just my opinion!

P.S. Please don't ask me what blogs I got my feelings hurt by and no they were not even directly about me but about places or people I love and respect.

Magic Springs Trip

2007-08-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

One more fun summer trip before another school year begins! Magic Springs is an amusement park in Hot Springs Ar. Where my parents live. I grew up going to it each summer. They have added a water park to the amusement park. It is small like Dollywood but was perfect for our girls. They got to ride on everything they wanted several times. I was amazed at how brave they both have become. They went on things that I won't go on and of course made fun of me for being a chicken. The water park was our favorite due to the heat. We all loved the slides. Of course there were several that non of us girls were brave enough to go down. My Dad went down several water slides with the kids and ended up at the Chiropractors office the next day and on pain medicine. Sorry Dad but thanks for the great memories you made that day with the grand kids. They think your the best. Mom went down them in spite of the fact that she broke her back two years ago. What great grandparents!
This was my personal favorite thing to do, float down the lazy river. The water was freezing which was perfect because it was in the 100's.
We had so much fun at the park with our nieces and nephews. They are all such great kids. Very well behaved, which made it easy to enjoy having 5 extra kids each day. So much fun!! These memories are priceless.
They were all tuckered out from the heat and the amusement park rides. "Can we go back to the water rides" Madie and everyone requested.
Uncle Karl and his nephews, he had so much fun with the boys. I know they are getting older and hanging out with your uncle and aunt won't happen much in the future, so we treasured that they wanted to be with us this year. Karl spent the night with the boys and you should hear all the pranks they pulled on him and he on them. Oh my! Let me put it this way one of the pranks involved the police calling the house. Boys!!! That was actually one that Karl pulled.

Boys will be boys (even when they are 42).

Well goodbye summer now back to having a schedule, home work, bed time and early mornings. YUK to all of the above. Honestly, I love being back on a routine. You just get so much more accomplished in your day. So here we go.....back to school.

Summer is over

2007-08-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

I really cannot believe how fast this summer went. I didn't get enough time with the girls or in the sun or to relax or to read or anything. It just flew by.
We do have some tricks up our sleeves for the last week of summer. I'll post all about that next week when I can add some pictures.
I think all in all the girls had a great summer. They loved coming to the church with me everyday and spending time with Addie. They have totally fallen in love with her and she with them. She is pretty easy to love. They have taught her lots of new tricks. She is so smart!
It was nice having them there and getting to just walk down the hall if I needed a hug or if I was wondering how they were or if it was storming in would run Madie who hates storms.
Summer is normally very hard on me because it reminds me that I am a working mom but this summer it was so nice to have them with me.

So all in all I to had a great summer.

Evaluation Time

2007-07-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Evaluation - The process of pointing out the positive and negative of something or someone.

This week I had my three year evaluation with my boss and pastor, Kyle. Having an evaluation is never a comfortable thing and always makes me nervous. But this year was different and I am not really sure why. Maybe because I am more comfortable with my boss, maybe because I have done it several times already, maybe I am feeling more confident (no, not that). When I came home that night I told Karl word for word of how things went during the evaluation. He was shocked at everything I shared with Kyle; the good, the bad and the ugly.

All week I have thought about it and thought how well everything went. This morning it hit me why things went so well because after three years God has taught me that the preschool ministry is not mine but His. He wants it to succeed, He has a plan for it, He calls the people to serve, He gives me the ideas, He gives me the wisdom to run it. HE not Me! As long as I am seeking him he will guide me.

I love to think about how Joshua must have felt when he had to take Moses place. Can you imagine the pressure. Here is the guy who freed the Egyptians, Crossed the Red Sea, Ten Commandment,... Studing the first book of Joshua and seeing how he was nervous but the Lord told him to be strong and courages, to seek him and he would be with him, has been a huge encouragement for me in everything I have been called to do.

One thing I told Kyle was a struggle of mine is to constantly wondering "what am I going to do next, where is God going to lead me or use me". This is so wrong! (and Kyle and my husband told me so). God wants me to wake up everyday seek him, serve him (and others) and when this chapter in my life is over HE will let me know.

By the way, Kyle had positives things to say and things I need to improve on. A year or two ago any negative thing from a parent or co worker would have sent me into depression but now I try to find a positive in the negative and make it work to improve myself or the ministry.

I can't really believe I have been on staff for three years. I am so honored and blessed to be able to serve my God at FBC www.fbcsmyrna.org and in my community.

My Baby is 7! 7 that is so old

2007-07-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

Madie turned 7 yesterday, June 21st. I can't believe it 7, that seems so old. We had a High School Musical Party. She is our singer. Her gift was a Karaoke machine. They sang and danced all afternoon. I must admit I have tried it out myself. Karl got a good laugh out of that.
Izzy and Madie the next Cheetah Girls
All the partiers!
Rebecca got Madie with some icing on her nose, isn't she a cutie!

Camp Pictures

2007-07-17T16:28:00.001-07:00

This was OMC - Organized Mass Chaos - so fun so messy!

Karly with Green hair.
Karly's Crew
All 60 of our FBC Kids

Ok I thought I would post some camp pictures. I included one from the wreck for my folks; I didn't even tell them. "Sorry Mom and Dad but we didn't even need a band aid".

Jeff Slaughter

This was me at "Slaughter Salon", Jeff Slaughter does your hair to raise money for missions. He used freeze hair spray and it stood straight up.

The tip was painted purple. It totally embarrassed Karly but then she went and had hers painted green. Picture up top, she is still so cute.

This pictures was during our church group quiet time that we had each morning. It was so precious to see them reading their Bibles and writing in their journals.

Camp was so much fun!

Kids Camp 08

2007-07-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Camp is going great!!!

We are having a blast.

We are very thankful for how awesome our God is and so grateful for his hand of protection. Monday's events have not ruined our camper experience. The kids are having so much fun that they have not mentioned it since we got here (unless they talk to their parents).

We had one salvation last night (Brett Derr). It was precious and awesome to see such an emotional time for him as he knew he needed to be saved. He was nervous but really wanted to do it. Others have told us that they want to go home and get baptised. It is just neat to watch them as they are growing and learning about their God. We are all growing even us old folks.

Our verse this week is Jer 29:11, what an amazing verse for us to focus on this week after the bus wreck on Monday, that He has a plan for our live, not disaster but a hope and a future.

Well I must go, I am the photographer for our campers. I have taken almost 300 pictures and I am going to make disk for the parents. I am loving getting to walk around and see all of them doing their different tracks. I know parents have been worried but I hope after seeing the pictures they will see how much fun the kids had and how they did not let the wreck ruin a great week.

Keep us in your prayers, that God will continue to move in our kids and the other campers.

"The Original Meyer Manor"

2007-07-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

We visited "The Original Meyer Manor" my in-laws place for a little R-n-R. We had a great time. We got to see all the niece's and nephews including our newest one, Ms. Sadie. She is a doll like all the Meyer kids. We swam, we tubed, we rode the jet ski and of course ran from the water balloons.

One of the best things was getting back with our kids. My folks took them to Hot Springs after VBS, so we were kid less for about a week. Which was nice for about two days but then boy was I ready to see them. It was way to quiet without them. We did enjoy going out to eat without the extra noise and watching a movie without being interrupted but we were both very ready to have them back. They had a great time in HS with all the cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents.

We were planning on maybe doing Disney again this year but when asked what they wanted to do it always comes back to going to Ar to see family. We know someday they may not feel this way so while this last we will just save the money and go back to Ar.

We celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary on the 4th of July. I can't believe how fast time has gone by but then on the other hand I can't remember not being married to Karl. He surprised me by taking me to Union Station for the night, Maggion's for dinner, Melanie S. had the girls. We went to the Pancake Pantry for breakfast and then went shopping in the Village and down town Franklin. It was perfect!! Oh I also received an amethyst ring and surprised him with a new wedding band.

A few thank you's:

To Mom and Dad for taking the girls, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Meyer for showing us a great time at the lake, thanks Melanie for watching the girls for our anniversary.

Also
To mom and dad thanks for all the years that you prayed that God would give me a wonderful husband, he did.

To Mr. and Mrs. Meyer thanks for raising up such a great man to be my husband and the father of my girls. I know that without your example and up bringing in a Christian home, he would not be the husband and father he is today.

Two Highlights of our Summer down

2007-06-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

VBS and Dance will go down as two of our summer highlights, both were amazing!

Here are a few pictures of both events. I am sure I will post more so bare with me.

End Zone

In this room they learned scripture in a pep rally environment.

They loved it and had fun.

What a great way to learn Gods Word!

Worship Rally At VBS.

We rocked the house as we praise the Lord.

My favorite was the rock en' Jesus Loves Me!

32 accepted Jesus on Wednesday!!!!!!

I love it, I love that - what a mighty God we serve.

Karly's Dress Rehearsal.

We could not take pictures at TPAC.

Karly was amazing. We were so proud of her.

I could never do what she did. Susie my friend and co worker, came to rehearsal with us. All three of us cried as we watched her (Don't tell Karl I blogged that he cried, he'll kill me, but he did). She has a great teacher, who just so happens to be one of my dear friends (bff) and co staffer at FBC, Ms. Melanie Simpson. Mel your the best!! Thanks for being you and the great example you are to my girls, who adore you.

The girls are in AR with the grandparents. The house is so quiet! I have to tell you what my oldest told me as they were leaving Saturday and I was getting weepy. She hugged me and said "Mom look on the bright side, when I have kids they can go stay with you for a week". Now how sweet is that. My pastor spoke on spiritual gifts this morning, I am thinking she may have the gift of mercy. lol

VBS

2007-06-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

VBS 07

We have had a great week!

This is Jordan as a reporter in the Bible Adventure room. He is reporting on the Day of Pentecost. You can imagine how hard it was to come up with a play for such a story. I was so proud to see how all the actors pulled it off. I think the kids got it. My kids were talking about how amazing that must have been to be able to speak and understand another language.

Our Children's Pastor does a great job with kids worship. I have loved the varity of the worship ralley. We had 30 kids on Wednesday give their hearts and lives to Christ WOW!!

That is what it is all about.

VBS '07 ends tomorrow, I can't believe it.

We are already saying "next year lets...".

Crazy I know but we love VBS.

VBS/Camp/Vacation/Dance Recital/Anniversary

2007-06-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

Ok in the next three weeks we have:

VBS June 18-22

Karly's dance recital 19th and 22nd

Camp Whatever (1 day)

Ark. to see the Meyers for 4 days

Celebrate our 15th anniversary 2 days

Go to Central kids camp. for a week.

WOW I am tired already!

The week before VBS is by far my toughest week of work. No days off and long hours but there is just something about it that I love. I was at the church until 8 on Thursday, 5 on Friday, 4 on Saturday and who knows about tomorrow but I loved it. We finished the stage about 4 today and I must say I think it turned out well. My family was with me which makes it even easier to work extra hours. Have I mentioned lately how amazing my husband is? He is definitely my partner in every thing and in every way. I am so blessed to have him. Another thing I love about VBS is the relationships that always seem to come from it. I have made so many good friends after working on VBS together. This year I have loved getting to know Becca W. more. She has done a great job as a VBS director. Thanks Becca!

Brenda's Blog

2007-06-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to tell you that Brenda White my ex (ministry assistant) is blogging.

She has set up a blog to show off her amazing talent as an artist.

I am so proud of her and want you to check her out, put her on your friend list,

spread the word is what I am trying to say.

She is so talented and you will want to see her work and have her paint for you.

She has started on Karly's room but we are waiting for Karly to decided exactly what she wants. We're waiting and waiting...

Way to go Brenda, my friend.

I love you and pray God's blessing on your new venture.

Her blog address is http://www.painterbean.blogspot.com .

Check it out!!!

Full Plate

2007-05-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like if one more thing gets on your plate that is it,

the whole thing is going up in the air

and all over the place?

Well this last couple of weeks there has been a lot of family stuff in Ar going on. That has been very emotionally stressful. This is my third year at FBC and this time of year is normally very stressful. Summer is here which means VBS, volunteers going on vacations, turn over of volunteers is huge in the summer, plus we still have to work on what is coming Aug promotion Sunday. So May and June are normally crazy. Well VBS we have had the best response of volunteers since I have been on staff. The last two weeks I have had a good 10 new volunteers who are joining us weekly or biweekly. My Wednesday night Wacky Wed volunteers are staying. I know this is a lot of work details, sorry BUT my point is that My God knew that I needed a break and He gave it to me. So I just wanted to give Him a big Internet THANK YOU. So honored that the God of the universe is "My personal God" and that he cares about the littlest details of my life. Thanks again God!

Karl - 4H and Karly

2007-05-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

You have to check out my hubby's blog to read about 4H. But I just wanted to post that he is such an amazing father. He took three days off to go to 4H camp with Karly because she wanted her daddy with her due to she was a little nervous. I think she asked him because she thought he might be able to protect her a little better then mommy. They had a great time and he informed me that he was doing it again with her next year. Boy he has set the bar for their future husbands that is going to be hard to match. Karly even told Madie "don't you hope our husbands are like daddy".

I've Been Tagged

2007-05-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ok so Michale Hall tagged me. I think I am suppose to tell you the rules. I write about 7 interesting facts that you may not know about me and then I tag 3 more friends and on and on we go.
7 Facts:

1) I am a "California Girl" and was "Born in East LA" yes two songs titles were written about ME. haha. I have lived in four States; CA. AR. MO. and now TN.

2) I graduated from High School at the end of 11th grade so I could go to college with my best friend, (Deborah Tedder). From K - 11th grade I attended 7 schools. We moved alot.

3) I am PK "preacher's kid" and for the most part was a good one, now my brothers I could tell some stories on but they all turned out to be great guys so we will leave the past alone.

4) I hate my name Ruth, Ruthie, Ruth Ann all of it and when I was a teenager I wanted to change it to Samantha or Stephanie and be called Sam or Steph.

5) As the only girl in my house with three brothers I escaped to my room to play dolls and barbies for hours. Unlike Becca, Michale and Gwen I was not a tom boy. I was all girl and loved to play alone in my imaginary world where I was the mommy to all my dolls, stuffed animals and barbies. I scared my parents by telling them I did not want to get married I just wanted to be a mommy. Thank God I changed my mind and I also figured out how babies were made and I would have to have some help with that.

6) When I was in high school I was a "Days of our lives" fan and actually faked being sick the week Bo and Hope got married. Oh that makes me laugh.

7) I love to read but never have the time. So whenever we go on vacation i will research and ask my friends to suggest a great book for me to read. A good vacation to me is having read a great book. So far my two most favorite have been when "The Note Book" first came out. I sat on the beach and just cried. Then last year I read "Redeeming Love" oh and at Christmas I read "The Scarlet Thread". So if you have a good read please leave me a post because it is getting close to vacation time.

ok I am going to tag Melanie Simpson and my husband Karl and Kelly Stewart.
They are all on my favorite reads list i don't know how to my a link for you like Michale did.

My Not So Secret Blog

2007-05-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so I started blogging and I told a few friends and mainly family. I was trying to keep it a secret from the guys but I believe it is out. Which "whatever" I am sure they will not check it out often because it is just going to be "Mommy stuff", nothing about golf or a sporting event, no deep inspiring words, just life at home with the girls and my "hot" husband. That's right Kyle I said it again my "Hot husband". Hey after 15 years the boy is still looking good and I am proud. HAHA
So to all my friends who were trying to be loyal and not let certain guys know I am a blogger it's ok, they know. Thanks for trying. They will read it one time, roll their eyes and say "there she goes again talking about Karl and the girls".

I AM A MOM!!!!

2007-05-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

This was a crazy busy Mother's day. We had to be at the church at 7 am due to Karly was on stage performing for service. She did a great job! I had 47 babies in the Parent Child Dedication today. So I really did not even think about what today was and that I had a gift and cards until all that was over. It has always been our tradition to go get food and take it to the park on Mother's day, no busy restaurants for me. So we got Zaxby and headed off to the park. It was then that it hit me I AM A MOM!!!! As Karl and I sat watching them I went back about 11 years when Vandy's "finest" told Karl and I we would never be able to have health children. Man am I glad doctors can be wrong and that God answered my cries.
To my mom, my mother in law and to all my friends - Happy Mother's day so glad that I get to celebrate this holiday with you as a MOM.
Oh my pastor got his baby girl and we saw live feed of them today during service. Check her out at pathood.org God is so good.

My Pastor's China Baby

2007-05-09T20:01:00.000-07:00

Our Church is amazing and I am not just saying that because I am on staff there it is just amazing. Our church has made me think outside the walls of our building, out in our community, out of our country. It has given me a heart for adoption - it started with Izzy. Izzy is Madie's best friend. She was adopted from China in 2001. She is so precious. Since Izzy our church has gone crazy with adoptions, not just from China but Russia, Korea, US.... And tonight I can not sleep because my pastor and his wife are in China as I type picking up there daughter. Pat had on his blog some pictures from the orphanage. So sad...so unimaginable that children suffer like that. I asked Pat to bring one back for me, I wish. Please pray for them Pat, Amy, Seth, Zack and Jadelyn. Here is a picture of Izzy and you will see why we love her.

Take Me out to the Ball Game!

2007-05-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today Monday May 7Th, I took a vacation day so I could go on a field trip with my girls. the field trip was to a Nashville Sounds game. We had a blast, the weather was a perfect 78 degrees with a nice breeze. We all walked away a little pink which we needed a little color. This was a rewards field trip for a reading program at their school. Karly has three field trips this week. Today's for reading, Wednesday is a third grade field trip and then on Thursday all the students who have been on the Principals list all year are rewarded with another field trip. She is loving life. Third grade has been a hard year. The work load has just about killed us all so we are beyond proud of her for keeping up her grades. Oh and on top of that her goal this year was to not miss a day of school and guess what she has so far been successful in achieving that. She is amazing and some times pushes her self way to much. Madie is so different, not so self motivated or driven but boy is she pure joy to have. She is our carefree girl who helps us all stop and laugh often. It was a great day to be with my girls and just enjoy being their MOM.

Saturday in Nolensville

2007-05-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

I wish I had pictures of today Saturday May the 5th. Karl told his girls he had a surprise for us and to be ready by 11 am. So we all piled up in the truck and off to our surprise. He took us to a little town in Middle Tn called Nolensville. So quaint I felt like I was in the Ozarks of Ar. We heard some great singing by Jessica Marie Miller on the front porch of the old feed house. At one point she even called Karl up to sing back up for her to "Jesus take the wheel". I leaned over and told the girls "man your dad is cute" Karly smiled proudly and Madie giggled. It was a very relaxing Saturday morning. Jess sang "I am blessed" it was a great reminder as i looked around at my little family,my dream came true and I am so BLESSED.

My First Blog

2007-04-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well I have entered the world of blogging WOW. It is truly a weird feeling to think anyone can read what you blog. I do not plan to try and fix the world or give some great insight into deep issues. I have always written in a journal about what is going on in my life so this seemed right up my alley to do.
At the present time I am sitting at the computer worrying if a four legged, black mouse is going to walk across my foot. Karl and Madie announced Saturday night to Karly and I that they both saw a black mouse in the house on Friday. Oh my gosh!!!! I started cleaning everything. I pulled out the stove, the fridge and the dishes in the cabinets. I found no sign of a mouse but I felt much better after doing so. We have had a trap out now for three days and no mouse. I will update you but promise to send no pictures of a trapped mouse as that could be very disturbing.
Today the girls did the sweetest thing. They ran in the house in tears over two little birds that had tried to fly but fell and were injuryed. Expecting the birds to be dead I went out to investigate to find that the little birds were yes alive. We then got an eye dropper and hydrated the birds they immediately began to move and chirp. Karly took a spoon and scooped them up and placed them back in the nest. They check on the birds several times and even prayed for them to learn to fly. How precious to see their tender hearts.
Ok so as I was sitting here out comes my mouse and I about had a heart attack. I am still shaking. My my hero is up here setting another trap. Ok he is ready to go to bed and I am not staying up here alone. So goodnight!