Aprons: Tied with Love

Our annual Ladies' Day was on October 30.  The theme was "Aprons: Tied with Love," and Laurel Sewell was our speaker.  She did a wonderful job teaching all of us that someone is always looking up to you - no matter your age.  We were all encouraged to live out the words of Titus 2:4, 5,

Let the older women encourage the younger women . . .

to love their husbands, to love their children,

to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind,

being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God

will not be dishonored.

Mrs. Laurel is so wonderful.  She created an acrostic poem to help us remember these things we are suppose to be working towards.

A is for attitudes of kindness (Col. 3:12)

P is for pure (James 3:17)

R is for respecting and submitting to our husbands (Eph. 5:22, 23)

O is for organized (Proverbs 31:27)

N is for nurturing, loving our husbands and children (Eph. 6:4b)

S is for sensible, sober-minded (1 Thess. 5:8)

The ladies of our congregation went above and beyond donating over 50 aprons to be used as door prizes for the day.  These were tied on the backs of chairs at each table.  The tables, besides the lesson, were the hit of the day.  My lovely friend, Kristen, was wise and chose a different lady to "host" a table. Along with hostessing this table, they were also in charge of decorating that table.  Each table had a story behind it.  I was able to help by decorating 3 tables.  My mom helped to hostess one of the tables while Laura Beth and I hosted the other two tables (which were right beside each other).  We had a great time deciding on our themes! 

Our first table was a Coca-Cola table.  I am NOT a soft drink drinker by any means, but my Grandmama Whittle LOVED an 8 oz bottle of Coke each day.  My kitchen is decorated with all kinds of Coca-Cola memorabilia.  We chose to lay a Coca-Cola apron down in the middle of the table.  The center was an pitcher that looked like an old Coke cup.  We placed white Zinnas in the middle to add a bit of color.  We placed 4 framed postcards of old Coca-Cola posters around the sides as well as an old 8 oz Coke bottle, a Coke bottle from 5th Ave. in New York City.  An antique soda fountain table and chairs with the Coke emblem on them also graced the table alongside a real Coca-Cola napkin dispenser, utensil caddy, and ice cream scoop.

Our next table that we hosted was our Little House on the Prairie table.  My great grandmother's quilt that she made for my mother was laid in the center of this table.  I used Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie and Grace dolls (given to me by my Grandmama Whittle) to grace the middle of the table.  A Little House Cookbook was also part of the table decor.  A tin pail with yellow and orange wildflowers and another tin pail with handmade wooden kitchen tools from Papa Whittle stood alongside the dolls.  When I was Laura Beth's age, someone had given me my own lunch pail like Laura's.  I used this filled with soft peppermints as the final touch for this table.

Our last table was completely dedicated to my late Grandmama Whittle.  Mrs. Laurel even mentioned Grandmama in part of her lesson.  The centerpiece of this table was her Fostoria crystal cake plate with the recipe book I made with her recipes on top.  Behind it, was one of her crystal pitchers filled with pink roses - her favorite.

 I chose her crystal sherbet dishes and glasses to alongside each plate.  Inside was tucked one of Grandmama's cloth napkins with a pink rose on each.  Crystal dishes with Hershey Kisses along with some of her crystal bells also graced the table.  Grandmama always gave us a Kiss when we gave her a real kiss!!  They were her favorite candy!

I was so glad to be able to spend the day hostessing with my favorite little girl, Laura Beth.  She spent the first part of the morning being a hostess with Gran at Grandmama's table.  She joined me later and was a wonderful hostess!! I was so proud of her!

The Whittle Ladies at Grandmama's table - 

Me, Laura Beth, RoRo (Rosemary) and Mom (Dwina)

It was a wonderful lesson, a wonderful day and a wonderful time spent with wonderful Christian ladies!

November is a Month for . . . .

being thankful . . . praising our amazing God and Savior . . . realizing how blessed we are!  Which we should do each and every day but, as humans, we need reminders daily!!!!

A few years ago, I spent November thanking God each day for blessings he sent my way.  I was not able to do that last year because I did not have access to a computer every day.  However, this year, I was encouraged to give it another thought by Jennifer from Smelling Coffee.

So today, November 1, 2010, I am thankful for places like St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  I am thankful for the people who had the forethought to put a place like that together.  I am thankful for the doctors and nurses who choose to work there to help make lives better.  I am thankful for people who can run in the marathon to raise money for this special place on earth.  I am thankful that there is hope for those who need it the very most.

See the following posts for ways you can help this place . . . these doctors and nurses . . . . these precious children.

Remembering . . .

Today is a day that I am sad to say snuck up on me.  It has made me think of how thankful I am for my children and the good health they have been blessed with in their lives.  Too many children are sick - so sick they never get well.

A year ago today, we lost our friend, Mallerie.  She was a senior in high school.  Mallerie had a hard fight for close to a year, most of which was spent in St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.  Her motto while she was there:

God would not have given me this life if I was not strong enough to live it.

Mallerie always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone she met.

Unfortunately, Mallerie is not the only friend we have had in St. Jude's in the past few years.  Natalie was in St. Jude's during her junior year of high school.  She was there for a good part of a year and fought so hard.  Thankfully, she recovered and has been in remission for 2 years.  She is now a sophomore in college and is living her life to the fullest!

Sadly, we got word last week that our college friend, Mandi, had to take her 4 year old son to St. Jude's with leukemia.  He had a tough week last week with the chemo treatments.  They have set up a Caringbridge site so you can keep up with little Eli's progress.

St. Jude's is doing a wonderful work in the lives of so many families.  If kids are not able to pay for treatments, it is taken care of.  There are so many ways we can help these families who are living this tough life God has given them.  I think Mallerie's motto could be said of any of them there.  One way you can help is to shop.  They have a wonderful gift store online and all the money goes to the hospital.  Check it out and see how you can make a difference in some children's lives who aren't getting to enjoy life as a child.  You will be so glad you did.  

Graves' family, we love you 

and think of you daily!

Natalie, we praise God for healing you!

We are thankful we get to see you

live each day to the fullest.

Eli, we are praying so hard for you!

Keep fighting!

Remembering My Wedding Vows

This October I am remembering the vows I made over 11 years ago when Damon and I pledged our lives together.  It was the happiest day of my life at that point in my life.  

I had my wonderful friends around me . . . .

Precious younger friends who meant (and still mean) the world to me . . .

I remember literally jumping up and down with excitement as I waited to walk down the aisle.

I remember hearing the music that I had worried over so much because I wanted 

the meanings to be perfect. 

(My Nana was a bit worried because we did have music 

from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 

and she was a tad concerned 

with the word "thieves" being in my wedding program!!

She was even more worried when our walk out music came on - a WHOLE

other post for another time!)

I remember our reception and how friends and family from literally

everywhere came to be with us on this very special day

I will always remember July 9, 1999.

How happy we were.

Writing our own vows to each other.

I even remember most of mine . . .

If you need me . . . . I will be there.

If you fall . . . . I will pick you up.

If you need a shoulder to cry on . . . . I will lend you mine.

If you need to talk  . . . . I will listen 

(I actually think I said that one backwards, but I meant it like this)

And if the Rangers ever make the World Series . . . . I will cheer for them.

So, with that said, this October this MAJOR Braves fan will . . . .

Pull out my bear claw when the Rangers get a hit of ANY kind. . . .

will proudly display my antlers when the Rangers show speed like none other . . . .

and I will proudly wear the red, white and blue

while I shout with all my heart and soul,

"Let's go, Rangers!"

and, hopefully, at the end of the World Series I can say,

"The Rangers are number 1!"

Thanks, LB, for taking this pictures for me!

Let's Go Rangers!

Beat the Giants!

Free Cards? Me Me Me!!!

I was on my friend's, Kimberly, blog and saw that Shutterfly was giving away

50 Free Christmas Cards

I had to check it out because Shutterfly is one of my most very favorite websites of all!!  I have always loved what they have to offer and have even ordered my Christmas cards from there one year.  Of course, I wanted to share this WONDERFUL information with all of you.  You can click here to find out how to do it yourself.  I am not sure exactly how it works, but I know Shutterfly is wonderful!  Enjoy and have fun creating your perfect Christmas card this year!

Trick or Trunk - a Real Treat

Our teens from church hosted the annual Trick or Trunk tonight.  Due to rain, it turned into Trick or Table, but a good time was had by ALL!

 LB, Madlyn, and LeighAnne

 Harry and Hermione

 We love Houston!

 I LOVE Harry!

 Such good friends - LB and Katy

 My Best Friend - Arika

My Kids - LB, Cecily and Carter

Afterwards, we stopped by Papa's house to show him the kids' costumes.  He has had 2 special guests the past 3 weeks.  We have loved getting to know them and learn a little bit more about Korea.  I would write their names but I would butcher it!!

Big AL in Tennessee

Carter told me last year that he wanted to be Big Al for Halloween.  I really did not pay it much attention since our mind changes daily!  However, Halloween rolled around and his mind did not change - even with the Rangers going to the World Series.  This costume is proof that I cannot do anything with fabric!  However, he was THRILLED, and according to him, "That is what really matters!"

My Own Hermione

Laura Beth chose one of my favorite literary characters for her Halloween costume this year.  I am so excited about all the Harry Potter stuff coming up and this just got me more excited.  She absolutely LOVED her Hermione costume and did not want to take it off!  Thank you, Aunt Diane and Houston, for letting us borrow the costume! It was a HUGE hit!!!!

"Carter, on the Bucket!"

That is what Coach Eads always told the boys when they were coming up to bat.  It is one of the many things I will miss about baseball this year.  Yesterday we needed 6 months - yes, 6 consecutive months of playing baseball mostly with the same guys.  We were so blessed with great coaches, great teammates and wonderful parents who have become such good friends.  The boys did very well this fall - only losing 1 game!  I enjoyed the months of baseball but I am looking forward to a break as well!

Carter on the bucket - always ready to go!

Got to play catcher again!

Big sister, LB, sporting her Big Sister shirt!

Ready to take off from second

The team - minus Ty

Carter and Cade

Carter got to work on his left-handed swing this fall.  

He loved batting from the other side of the plate, and did very well!

Congrats on a great season!

Fall Fun with First Grade

I was blessed to be able to go with Carter on his field trip to Circle Y last week.  He has a sweet class and I loved being able to spend time with them.  Circle Y is in Corinth, MS, and has everything imaginable for kids (and adults) to enjoy.  We went on a train ride, played miniature golf, played on all kinds of bouncers, had a picnic, took a hayride, fed catfish, picked pumpkins and got to play with different kinds of animals.  It was a great day!

 Tyricus, Carter and Harold on the ride to the pumpkin patch.

 Pearce, Carter and Drew with their choice of pumpkins

 Carter holding the chickens.  He loved it!

 Being sweet with the bunny

Mrs. Rogers' First Grade Class - What a crew!