Blessed beyond the Negative

Wow! Lately I have to remind myself to look at the good things in my life. There can be so much in a days time that you worry over, cry over, listen to that just about can drive you nuts. Am I the only one? Who in your family isn't getting along with who.....who at work is now complaining about who and what isn't right or fair.......who isn't happy with their own current circumstances....who wants to complain about all the dust on the hardwood floor or tables at my house??? ME!!!! I just have to separate myself away from all the negative lately. Tell those voicing it or thinking it (me) that we are all missing the BIG picture in this world.

It doesn't matter that we all don't get along or aren't very best friends, but step up and be the christian person that is in you and turn the other cheek!! UGH, do I sound frustrated??

Do others have to point out to me about what I have and what they don't have? Or why do I need to look at what others have that I don't have? Why would I think twice about that? I know my family are good stewards with our money and that is all I need to or they need to focus on.

I need to get off my little soap box, so that is that. It's my blog and I can vent when I want to, vent when I want to....

No, but really my positives in such a negative society, economy, DAY is that I love every bit of my man, and my sweet two little girls beyond anything in this world. I love the fact I can see animals owned by people that love them and I make them better because I saw them that day. I love the clients that see that and thank or hug me for it. I DON'T live for the people that want to act hateful and say, "Yeah, she is no better and I am tired of coming here for 3 weeks and I didn't apply the medicine like you said, but she isn't any better."???? What, are you seriously admitting that to me lady??? When I lie down at night I LONG to see Jesus face to face where there will be NO negative days for me!! Amen and good night

Blackberry patch pickin'

For the past 4 years I have taken Addie to pick blackberries in Elkton, KY. There is an old client of mine Margerite Oakes that owns the Tin Barn and she sells them as well as blueberries and day lilies. Claire has gotten to go with us the past 2 years. This year we didn't get to pick very many because they were pretty picked over (I got us there too late!). We picked a few and then had to buy the rest so I could make jam and cobbler. I hated having to buy the pre-picked ones because it is so much fun getting them yourself. However, I have to work the next 3 Saturdays and she is only open to the public on Saturday. Oh well, the jam turned out great and I loved eating fresh cobbler for supper last night! Can you say sweet tooth?

Claire is proud of her blackberry!

Addie is all about picking.

Addie's prize berry!

My sweaty hot little pickers. Claire got really tired in the hot sun and wanted to be carried and that is when I decided it was time to leave! Addie was not ready to go though.

Fourth of July

We really had a nice July 4th weekend. We were worried that we wouldn't enjoy it because Chris's father was having some tests ran at St. Thomas in Nashville but he did get to come home and we are so thankful he is okay. We ended up postponing our 4th celebration at our house until he is better. We did get to go over to a family gathering at Ronda and Donnie Lewis's farm. Addie was all excited that she was going to get to use her fishing pole she got for her 5th birthday for the first time. Uncle Boyd helped her fish and she didn't want me or Chris to help her. She did end up catching her first fish. She told Boyd that it was going to feed her whole family!

Addie loves her a smore! Aunt Lynn made her one on the fire.

Claire hit it off from the start with Clay and Lacy's "Mimi", Wilby, Boyd's mom. She wanted to hang out with her the whole night! She rode with them in the car up to the fireworks.

Clay and Claire

Boyd, Addie, Lacy, Clay, Claire, and Wilby fishing

Chris wanted to show me the log cabin that Carlos and his wife Theresa had built on the back of their property. It was really neat and we hiked over to it.

Addie's first fish!

My fourth of July cuties

The grand finale that made Claire come up out of her seat! She was done after this one.

Claire turns 2!!

Claire turned two on July 3rd! I could so eat her up!! I was off that day so Addie and Claire "helped" me make her birthday icing and cake. Thanks to Aunt Sherri we have an awesome recipe for homemade cake and buttercream icing.

Obviously from the picture Claire enjoyed it!

I love love love this picture!! The expression on Claire's face is classic! She didn't know what to think about the candles for her! So she had to hold on to big sister.

Brushing Teeth

This child of mine is ADDICTED to brushing her teeth!! Thank goodness for fluoride free toothpaste for the little ones. Every time she passes by her bathroom she points and says, "Teeth, teeth" and she will cry to brush her teeth. She really loves to eat the toothpaste that is by Baby Bling and it is the vanilla ice creme flavor. Where was this when we were kids??

toothpaste and slobber about the mouth and chin.....

she is smiling because she KNOWS she is not supposed to be in the bathroom anymore.

Saddle Ridge Ranch/VBS

VBS with our 4 year olds. They are getting ready to sing their favorite song, "I am so H-A-P-P-Y and I will tell you why."

I loved VBS as a child. We attended Berry's Chapel Church of Christ on Hillsboro Road in Franklin, TN until I started 7th grade. I loved the song "Booster booster be a booster, don't be rowdy like a rooster, booster booster be a booster and boost our Bible school..... BOOSTER". The last night of VBS was family night and the whole family would come and we would all bring homemade ice cream, yummo. Who could top that? And whatever class was the quietest coming into the sanctuary would win the VBS flag for the night!! I thought I was so special when our class would win.

Well, I have been blessed these past two summers to be able to take Addie to VBS at Hilldale Baptist Church where we are members. I have always worked and Addie hasn't been old enough to attend until last year. She had a great time last year and I did too as I helped lead a 3 yr old classroom. This year she had an even better time and I loved it as well. I got to help in a 4 yr old classroom with Wendy and Summer and we had the best little 4 yr olds. They are so sweet and innocent and their enthusiasm was contagious!!! This year the theme was Saddle Ridge Ranch and Wendy and David did a great job of decorating. The children raised over $9500 to send to Asia for medical aid there for the children. It was a very proud moment and I know the Lord was glorified! Brother Tim shaved his head as well.

Addie turns 5!

Addie turned 5 on Tuesday the 8th. I can't even believe it. One I can't believe that I have been a mother for 5 years, two I can't believe that she will start school this fall, and three where has the time gone???

My two stinkers

We just had a little birthday celebration at home with the family. Addie had such a big day. She got to go to Nanny's for a little birthday celebration with Clay and Lacy and then we celebrated after dinner at our house. She also was in VBS this week at Hilldale and told all her friends that she had a "double" birthday due to her two parties.

Still stuck in the Hannah Montana phase......