Jacob On The Road

Jacob has been traveling for the past seven days with his father. He looks like he's really working hard!

Graduation Day

After a chaotic year, Jacob graduated from the 8th grade. It was really sweet as they were welcomed on to the high school hall. High School next fall -- that's just another whole kind of prayer request!

Lord Jesus, thank you for Jacob. Thank you for bringing him into our lives. Thank you for the joy and thank you for the chaos. Regardless of how difficult the teen years are he is and always has been one of our biggest blessings.

Roosterville

Many, many years ago a friend of ours (who was and is a practical joker) nicknamed my husband, Rooster. My hubby is a sweetheart, but he loves nothing better than a challenge and let's face it sometimes dealing with clients is a challenge. Our friend loved nothing more than watching hubby get his feathers ruffled.

The nickname stuck (he's not crazy about it) and family and friends vowed to bring as many roosters into our lives as possible. Here's just a few of our treasures: A very alive rooster showed up on our office steps early one morning. Our brother-in-law (who's a terrific artist) drew a rooster in the corner of our freshly poured concrete driveway. A concrete rooster in full color showed up in our flower garden. We've received rooster salt and pepper shakers, rooster towels, rooster clocks, framed photos of roosters, a huge, huge stuffed rooster, rooster license plates, rooster garden flags (including one with a swirling tail) and one of my personal favorites a dancing rooster who crows.

Not long ago I managed to get this photo of hubby and he'll kill me for sharing it, but I can't resist.

Forgive me Rooster!

Happy Birthday Zachary!

My SweetPea turns 24 today!

Happy Birthday Jacob

Can you believe it? Jacob is having yet another birthday and turning 14! We love this child so much and thank God every day for him.

Lord Jesus we pray your will in Jacob's life. We pray that through these difficult teen years you will guide him and lead him to a closer walk with you. We pray Lord Jesus for wisdom to make good choices and decisions. We pray for protection not just physically, but from worldly temptations. Thank you Jesus for this precious child.

Beanie Baby Mania

My name is Kim . . . and I'm a recovering beanieholic.

Do you remember the beanie baby craze? . . . Were you addicted to buying those little furry animals? . . . Did you search high and low? . . . Take your toddler so you could get more than one? . . . Hide them so your husband wouldn't know where you'd been that day? . . . Did you get hooked on beanie buddies, beanie minis, and classics? . . . Did you join a beanie club at your local library hoping for insider information? . . . Do you still have tucked away in your wallet a beanie baby club card?

I feel your pain.

Many years ago my wonderful mother got me hooked on beanies. She showed me one, let me hold it and then took me beanie hunting one day and well the rest is history. I became hooked on acquiring them. I have taken my toddler (now nearly 14) with me so I could get two. I've camped out in a parking lot. I've made friends with some crazy people just so I could scope out their favorite beanie haunts. When just getting the babies weren't enough, I started collecting the buddies and other Ty products. In my attic right now are plastic tubs with beanies, buddies and more carefully stored and labeled in plastic baggies. I have some of the more exclusive ones tucked away in a curio cabinet a constant reminder to me of wasted time and money.

A few years ago I did manage to donate most of my buddies and all of my classics to our youth group to carry with them to the Gulf Coast to use during their mission trip. It felt good to know that some child who had lost everything would at least have something soft and cuddly to snuggle up with. It gave our youth an opportunity to open doors and spend time with children and to share the gospel. My mother and I both are looking for ways to donate these once cherished albeit crazed beanies.

I have to admit though some of those outings were fun times! I especially remember spending a lot of time with Jacob hunting the next big find. He was my beanie ally back then and it was definitely good times.

Lottery!!!

So I've never been a huge supporter of the lottery, but occasionally I buy a ticket. Every once in a while I'll buy a scratch off. I've never bought more than a $1 or $2 ticket.

Thursday evening I couldn't help myself. I was craving chocolate so hubby and I drove over to the corner store and while inside I bought myself a ticket -- okay I bought two or three. We got home and hubby had bought himself a couple and he won $1 and then he won another $1 and then he won $5. As usual my tickets were duds until . . . I scratched off a money bag symbol . . . I reread the directions . . . get a money bag double your winnings . . . I slid my ticket over to hubby and asked him to look at it . . . he smiled and said, "honey, you just won $1000 dollars. "

I couldn't believe it. I never win anything! We drove back over to the store to have them verify it. Yep, it's a winner. Friday we drove to one of the claim centers and I'm a $1000 richer (less $70 of state tax of course). Yep, who's got the golden horseshoe now?