A box huh......

Oh, one more rambling for tonight. Jason and I were having this discussion last night and we are stumped on something. In Revelations it gives a description of the dimensions heaven will be. It translates into 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles tall. To us that's a perfect box. So, if heaven is a perfect box then what is a person to do when told, "Don't put God in a box?" OR if God tells you to, "think outside the box". Just something we're pondering....Random I know. Our minds go to strange places sometimes. Can you tell? Any thoughts? I'm sure Brett will have a good philosophical answer for us. (wink) Waiting............

Please don't send the police...

Hello friends. Well, I haven't blogged in a couple days. Ebay is keeping me busy as is Faith Creations, LLC. Today I scored another business opportunity with putting my denim purses in a store on the square in McKinney. This makes two in one week. Now, I just have to get busy and make some purses. I have all the supplies, just need the time to whip em' out.

Luke's keeping me busy also. He's getting into EVERYTHING. Today, I was at the jewelry store getting my wedding ring prongs checked and my ring steam cleaned when I set him down for a "SECOND". I look down and he's gone. I panic and do that scary "Where's my son" that every mother dreads and the clerk says, "Oh, there he is behind the counter". Little winkerbean decided that he'd play with the glass cleaner bottles they had tucked away. Then right as I got over to pry his little fingers on one hand off the windex bottles I noticed the other hand was about to push the jewelry stores "HOLD UP" alarm. Lovely, wouldn't that have been nice to have the police show up in full swat garb all because my 14 mo. old decides it's time to "see what this button does". It's never a dull moment let me tell ya.

Now, a gripe....I hate insurance companies. Yeah, you heard me correctly. They drive me nuts. All the red tape, sorry we declined your prescription refills but we'll be happy to raise the rates on your plan. Long story, won't go into the details. Just pray for me tomorrow as I duke it out on the phone with a mgr. at First Health. Evidently, I've exceeded my annual refill allowance on a certain prescription so we had to pay full price for it. There is no way I've exceeded my annual allowance. I've only gotten the prescription 1 time prior to this. Ugh! Like I said, they drive me bananas.

Speaking of bananas...This morning Lukey was sitting in his high chair while I peeled his banana for breakfast. An almost daily ritual. I said, "Luke what is this?" And dangled the banana in front of him. He smiled and said "A Nana". It was so cute. I was so proud. I grinned from ear to ear. I was even happier when I handed it to him and he immediately said, "Ank ewe". He's learning. Soaking up everything. We should call him Mr. Sponge. Jason and I have to be really careful what we talk about, words we use, etc....(you catch my drift). I still haven't had a chance to take a picture of Luke in his Gung Uh costume (that's Elmo to you and me). Aunt Brooke, don't give up on me. He's a very busy boy these days.

Speaking of Aunt Brooke, we love you and are praying for you tomorrow.

Well...it's about time to hit the sack. I was up early this morning. If any of ya'll know someone needing to sell a dinette set or bedroom suit Kenya (my hurricane Katrina evacuee friend) is in need of one. Later taters.

Exciting new business venture!

Today was filled with several exciting things. First, to start off the morning mom and I visited our 3rd annual Lost Creek Ranch Community garage sale. We got LOTS of bargains. The one I'm most proud of is the Coach purse I got for $2.50 that I'm going to resell on Ebay. Also, I found Lukey's next year Halloween costume (can't tell you what it is) I can tell you it was only $3.50.

After all our shopping we decided to hit up McKinney Square. In particular Chesarae Antiques where I was offered a great business opportunity. Originally the owner was interested in my denim blue jean purses/handbags (she still is) for the store. But...she offered me an additional opportunity to do some seamstress work for her on an hourly/per project basis.

Basically, she'll supply all of the materials to make table toppers, table runners and fancy embellished pillows. She will pay me WELL for my labor. I think this will be a very beneficial mutual business opportunity. She has been in the "biz" for well over 20 years and knows what sells and what doesn't and she already has all her wholesale contacts established. What could be better. I don't have to put up any capital to get this little joint venture off the ground. I've already done some work for her today. 2 table toppers, 2 table runners and a partial pillow.

I'm really excited because this is right up my alley. In talking with her she and I are pretty much creative free spirits. Neither is bound by patterns or parameters. So, we have the leeway to be creative and are only bound by our imaginations. I love this kind of proposition. She and I are likeminded and I think she'll be a great business partner. That's my exciting news for today. I'll keep ya'll posted on how everything progresses. I'm really looking forward to this joint venture. It's back to World Trade Mart I go. I love that place. Although, it does have a tendancy to tire out the ole' feet---lots of walking. Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Mom is going to be featuring some of her beautiful decorative glassware in the store too. We definitely killed two birds with one stone. Heck, if it wasn't for mom I would never have gotten this opportunity. She knows the other owner of the store. Thanks mom. Wish us luck!

Caffeine in....Heather's NOT out...

Yes, that is why I'm blogging at 2 a.m. Too much caffeine today. You'd think I would have learned by now as sensitive as I am to it. That and the darned phone call we received at 1 a.m. on Jason's cell from Mr./Sr. Paco Benevides Ochoa Francisco Hernandez the Great Hispanic wrong number caller. We know you're proud that you won your bull fight but geez could ya wait until day light hours to let us know. (bad, I know--but so is getting woken up at 1 a.m. by a wrong number)

Anyway...I just had to tell ya'll that Luke will no longer be a frog for Halloween. We found an awesome "Gung Guh" costume for him. That's Elmo to you and me. I found it at the thrift store for $4.99. It's absolutely adorable and I couldn't pass it up at this price. Rest assured, I will be taking pic's. If anyone can tell me where I can find some red baby tights for him to wear under it I would be extremely grateful....Party City maybe???? I don't know. Stay tuned.... Make sure you read my "God story..." post below.

God story if I've ever heard one....

As you know if you read my blog from yesterday. My best friend Heather's father Charles passed away on Thursday. I just have to tell you this God story that has come out of "Pop's" passing on to be with Jesus.

9 a.m. Thurs. morning Heather took Hudson (her 2 1/2 yr. old) to mother's day out at the church. As she dropped him off he was very clingy and wanted to be picked up and loved on some more before she left, she obliged. When she put him down he looked up at the sky and waved and said, "Hi Chucky". She didn't think anything of it and left him in at his classroom and was on her way to see her dad.

When she got to her dad's house he was in grave condition. So she, loved on him, talked to him about who all he'd get to see in heaven and showed him pictures of her boys. He was unresponsive, but was still alive at this point. Shortly after 11 a.m. he took his final breath surrounded by his wife JJ and Heather. The day went on and Heather picked Hud up at mother's day out at 2pm. and went about making arrangements with her mother per her father's wishes. Later that evening they were back at home and sitting around as a family discussing the days events. Out of nowhere, once again Hudson spontaneously looks up at the sky and waves and says, "Hi Chucky". Instantly, Heather and Cody looked and each other and put two and two together. As the tears welled up in their eye's they were realizing that Hudson was seeing something in the heavenly realms that they were not. For, he knew nothing of heaven and knew nothing of Pop's going to heaven that day. And...here's the clencher...."Chucky" was the pet name that Heather's mother always used when she would say endearing things to Charles like...."My Sweet Chucky" back in their dating days.

Now, you tell me God doesn't send angels!!!!

To top it off, exactly 2 weeks ago Pops was over and sitting out on the back patio talking to Heather. He told her that when he dies and goes to heaven he is going to find a way to come back to them to let them know that he's alright. I believe he did on that day! Isn't that a tear jerker. Everyone I've told that story to so far has ended up in tears as I did. I took Heather's family a meal last night and she said to Hudson while I was there. "Where's Pop's Hudson?" He just smiled and pointed to the sky. This story absolutely amazes me and assures me that God sends little messengers to reveal his Glory.

Finally with Jesus...Charles Sherrard..9-22-05

Toward the end of his life, his health failed dramatically, but he didn't let on. He didn't want to worry people. It would have caused him pain to think that people were unhappy for, or because of, him. Love always protects. I ran across this sentimental poem that I feel is appropriate.

God Saw You--Author Unknown

God saw you getting tired, When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped his arms around you, and whispered, "Come to me".
You didn't deserve what you went through, So He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.

The name Charles means...a strong man. This so accurately represents our friend. He had a strong faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He never lost hope in God's healing power. He was kind, gentle, humble, patient, giving and loving. Even to the end he always thought of others, mainly about his sweet wife JJ. They spent 47 years as marriage partners and soul mates. I can only imagine the loss she must be feeling right now. In the days, weeks and months ahead while JJ, Heather, Cody, Hudson and Shep mourn the loss of husband, dad, father-in-law and "Pops" please pray with me that God will give them peace and comfort knowing that Charles is in heaven with the angels and no longer feels pain.

Matter of fact...He's probably already got his RV hooked up at the "Streets of Gold KOA Campground". (For those of you who don't know he owned an RV dealership/KOA campground in OK.)

We will miss you here on earth Pops, but know that you made such a difference in our lives even in the short time we knew you. You taught Jason and I about faith in a way we'd never experienced it. We love you and will see you again one day. May you rest in peace tonight.

Riveting "Katrina" Photos....

You have to check out the riveting photos on this website. They are unequal to any I've seen thus far of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina. God protect us as "Rita" approaches.
http://www.vincentlaforet.com/

Pitching Tents...I had to steal this Brett

Okay, I cannot claim this as my own. I stole it from my friend Brett Perkins website. This little "ditty" is from a church in Denver. You have to hear this absolutely hilarious Freudian slip. Click on this link and watch. It's only a minute or so long. http://tinyurl.com/9l44g

In other news....today Luke helped mommy bake some banana bread. Well...not really he basically sat on the floor with his bowl and spatula and banged it like a drum. Uncle Mike you better watch out, we've got a lil drummer in the making.

Also, this morning when I pulled out a banana from the fridge for Luke's breakfast. I dangled it in front of him and he said, "Nana" and grinned. Our boy is so smart. He is really starting to understand things. I say, "go get your ball" or "go get your water" and he knows what to do. Recently, he also has started this new little technique for when he's into something he's not suppose to be. I'll spot him...pulling the baby monitor off the nightstand. He acts all startled when I say, "Luke, NO NO" and he calmly hands it to me as if he was giving it to me all along rather than fiddling with it like he's not suppose to.

Every day is a new adventure with him. He's such a joy. Oh, he also said Poppa for the first time last night. We were over at Jason's parents to celebrate Jason's 34th birthday yest. (Sorry for not posting that yest. Stacey-wink) I said to Luke, "Where's Poppa?" He pointed at Gary and said, "Bop Bop". That's Lukey for Poppa. He's such a sweet little winkerbean.

Today cuzzin Beau Bo came over to play with Luke for a little while, while Nana went to get a perm. After giving Beau his bottle, I was burping him. I had him propped up on my knee and I was patting his back. Luke came over and started patting his back with me. It was so cute. So observant that boy of mine. Well...that's about it. Jason's work is stressful as they continue towards meeting end of the year deadlines AND train new people. But...we're just glad he has a job. Blessings to all my friends. Stacey I will get in touch with you soon.

Later taters.....

Heavy Heart....

Well...I come to you today with a heavy heart for my best friend Heather. Her father who is suffering from cancer has taken a turn for the worse. I spent today watching her munchkin so that she could be there with him and her mother. Hospice has come in and are medicating her father so that the pain is bearable. I cannot imagine watching my spouse of 47 years slipping away. Please pray with me that Charles will be in no pain, that JJ (her mom) will feel our heavenly Father's arms wrapped around her as she continues to love on Charles.

Jesus, we know that you are getting Charles' mansion ready and in your timing he'll be with you. We ask that you provide peace and comfort for those he will leave behind. Your will is perfect and your strength exceeds all we can ever hope or imagine. Heaven will rejoice when their newest angel makes his grand entrance. Heather-- we love you guys and will help you out HOW EVER!

I also have an unspoken prayer request that I would ask that you lift up too. Thank You.

Costume Dry Run, 1st Colored Picture, Daddy-n-Me Glasses

Okay...we have a few pictures from today. First off Daddy and Luke are styling in their sunglasses. Silly boyz! I took a photo of Luke's official colored picture from Sunday school yest. He colored the bottom right "orange" part. I'm so proud of him. The teachers in his class said he enjoyed putting the crayons in the basket more than actually coloring...My little detail man! Then I took a couple pic's of Lukey in his Halloween Froggie costume. I wanted to make sure it fit. Hudson let us borrow it. He's going to be so cute. I even got him a little plastic pumpkin to carry all his candy around in. Well...not much going on today in the rice clan. We just enjoy being together. We're so blessed. Both Jason and Luke are about to get haircuts. I'm going to "buzz" them in the back yard. That's all for now folks!

Up, Up and Away.....

Up, Up and Away......As you can see Mommy, Auntie and Beau Bo and I went to the 2005 Plano Balloon Festival this weekend. The daddies were party poopers and decided that they were too "mature" to go watch balloons take off and land. Oh well...they missed out. We had lots of good things to eat while we were there: funnel cakes, gyros, cookies & sausage on a stick. It's back to our diets tomorrow. We had fun and decided to make it an annual event we attend. Even if it's just the 4 of us. We forgot our camera so this nice man took this pic and emailed it to mommy. Also, this weekend mommy hosted a baby shower for Janna Banana. It was a whopping success. 85 R.S.V.P.'s. She opened gifts for literally 3 hours straight. When mommy went to leave the shower (she'd taken daddys truck to carry all the food she had to bring) she realized his truck had attempted to be stolen. The lock to the door had been busted out. So, there's a repair they hadn't planned for. We're thankful that they only attempted to steal it and didn't actually get away with it. One wouldn't think that your car would be stolen right out in front of a $500,000 luxury apt. complex across from Highland Park, but after all this is Big D. Oh, I almost forgot. Mommy got to reconnect with 2 of her friends she hadn't seen in 8+ years. Hi Amy and Jen if you're reading this. We HAVE to stay in touch this time! (wink) Also, this weekend we went over and swam in my girlfriend Maddie's new pool. She's such a cutie. She's learning to walk like me and says...da da da! Big news on the search for Kenya's family. They've been found safe in GA and in Arlington, TX. She went to be reunited with her mother tonight in Arlington. It was a perfect ending to a LONG week filled with many frustrations. Oh, by the way..go check out my Aunt Brooke's blog and vote on what baby name she should give my nephew or niece to be....Well...that's all for the weekend recap. Thanks for all of you who have prayed for Kenya as we searched for her family. Later taters.

Another day of searching...

Well it's day 4 and we're still searching for Kenya's family. We get frustrated because of so much information being inaccurate on the web at various "help" organizations. At times we feel like gerbils on one of those little wheels going round and round and round....To say the least we're tired and just want to reunite Kenya with her ill mother and family. If you come across this blog and you have "GOOD" resources for contacting Reliant Arena in Houston, TX to see if her mom and sis are on the evacuee list or just where they are we'd be eternally grateful...Until then the search goes on. We will not relent until Kenya's family is found. Your prayers will help too. Jason and I are going to be heading down to Houston with Kenya this Sunday to find them too....

Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's off to Houston we go.....

For those of you I haven't talked to today, which are only a few people... My day started headed to Houston with Kenya and Herb (her shelter friend) to see if we could find her family in the Astrodome. 1/4 of the way there we rec'd a call from a lady who said she thought she'd found Kenya's family at a shelter in LaFayette, LA. So we turned around and headed back to Dallas. What good would driving to Houston be if they weren't even there. We get back to the shelter in McKinney only to RE-look (for the 100 billionth time in 3 days) on the computers and find her sis, and several nephews listed as of yesterday at the Houston Astrodome. So, needless to say we were all tired and frustrated and flustered at all the phone numbers we've called and people who've sent us on a wild goose chase. Nevertheless, we will not relent in our searching. We are determined to find her mom. She is ill and needs Kenya. Please pray that our 2nd attempt to Houston (still unscheduled) will yield favorable results. We might go on Sun. if we still haven't heard something. Gotta run...I'm SO worn out. Keep praying for my friends father as he's still declining rapidly from the cancer that has overtaken his body. Pray for peace for him and no pain. Night night.

BIG BIG NEWS!

Well I can officially tell everyone the news! I'm going to be an aunt again. Yep, my sister Brooke and her husband Michael are expecting. She found out the wonderful news yesterday. We're so excited Luke will have another little cousin. Maybe they'll name her Daisy (if they have a girl!) That's the BIG NEWS of today.

In other blogging news...we're still searching for my friend Kenya's family. We spent the majority of the day searching the internet and calling various "relief agencies". I have to say they aren't very organized and volunteers have tons of wrong info. We kept being given phone numbers by the Red Cross that had been disconnected or could not even help us. It was frustrating to say the least. So, we gave up for today and decided to try again later. Kenya is still staying at the shelter in McKinney and we haven't seen or talked to Larry today. Oh, I also took Kenya to the clothes closet in McKinney that our church helped sponsor. AWESOME facility. Very organized with helpful volunteers. She got a whole grocery basket full of stuff. They've really got that place spic n span and in tip top shape. There was a WIDE variety of things to choose from and she got a lot of the stuff she needed. Praise God. I'm storing it at my house until she gets her apt. because at the shelter in McKinney she said if they don't have room around their bed to store it stuff get's thrown in the trash. Sad huh!

Tomorrow is another day. I have to wait around for our black fridge to be delivered then I have an appt. in McKinney at Kid To Kid to see if they want to put some of my creations in their store. So we'll see. Keep praying we find Kenya's family and pray for my friend whose father is dying of cancer. Thanks and nightie night! Sorry no pic to post today.

Be HIS hands and feet to the world....

This was the specific charge by our pastor Bruce Miller this past Sun. I have really been asking God to use me to be HIS hands and feet in some way. Well...in typical "God Timing" he answered my prayers today. If you've been keeping up with my blog for the past few weeks you'll know that our local old McKinney Walmart (set for demolition) to build a Sam's Club was converted in 48 hrs. to a shelter to house Hurricane Katrina evacuee's. I went to help paint and sort clothes within that 48 hr. period. Now, several hundred evacuee's call the shelter home. Unfortunately, I was not able to sign up to volunteer further with the site on the day I went to paint and I've been meaning to go back.

So, today Luke and I packed up and went over there to see if I could sign up to be a volunteer at the site for anything they still needed. The volunteer coord. gave me the paperwork to sign up online. We said thanks and were on our way.

Upon leaving a man approached me and asked me if I was there to volunteer. I said yes, but was just picking up paperwork to get the volunteer process started. He kindly asked me if I was going home or staying to help. I said, going home. He asked if I would mind giving him and his friend a ride to the apt. he had just gotten. Now, don't get all "you sure are trusting of strangers" on me. You just would have had to be there, and you would have done the exact same thing (well maybe not all of you-wink!). If you know me at all you know that I have a heart for homeless and hurting people which is why I used to feed them every Tues. under the 1-45 bridge in highschool and early college.

Anyway...they jumped in the car with Luke and I and I asked them if they were hungry. I would love to treat them to lunch. We agreed on Kentucky Fried Chicken and paid the drive thru a visit. We got some chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, rolls and Pepsi's and we were on our way.

I told them I was interested to hear their stories. So, here are my new friends stories of survival. Larry Martin got out just before Hurricane Katrina hit and was evacuated to the Superdome. Kenya Jones had left to run to the store, leaving her mother and nephew behind at the house sleeping. When she returned the house was locked up and her mom and nephew were gone. Kenya was evacuated later by boat. She was terrified because she could not swim and she said it took 6 hrs. for them to talk her in to getting in the boat. They threw her a life jacket finally and she was also taken to the Superdome where she met up with her mom and family.

Somehow in all of the chaos of the roof ripping off the Superdome and everyone scrambling for buses out of the city she was seperated from her family. She ended up in McKinney at the Walmart Shelter where she met Larry also an evacuee. She calls him her "adopted dad" until she can be reunited with her family. It's been nearly 2 weeks and she's not heard or seen anything from her family.

I told her that I didn't have any money I could give to help them out, but that I would love to be of help if they needed rides anywhere and if they wanted me to search the Hurricane Katrina Missing/Survivors databases on the internet. Kenya gave me all the family members she's looking for. She said that at Walmart she's been too scared to go to the computer and try to look family up because for one she does not know how to use a computer and two she wouldn't know how to look anyone up. She said it just depressed her. I said let me help with that. By this time I had gotten to Larry's apt. and asked them if we could pray together before they left. They agreed and I prayed for both of them to find family and loved one's. Kenya was so grateful and told me she really appreciated the prayers and that she really needed them. Larry said God bless. We exchanged ph#'s (they've been given cell phones) and I told them to call me anytime day/night if they needed anything. Both have found jobs here in McKinney and intend on staying here. Neither have plans of returning to New Orleans.

I came home determined to find Kenya's family so I searched the internet for 2+ hours. I found Kenya's older sister, Andreal who is staying at a shelter in the Houston Astrodome. Kenya was thrilled when I called her back witht he news. She thinks her mom is with her sis. We've still not made contact with them, but know their general whereabouts. Still doing some research...

Later in the day they called and asked if I could take them back to Walmart. Kenya had taken a nap at Larry's and Larry had left his bike at Walmart. So, I took them back and asked them what their immediate needs are. I got a list from both and am rounding up stuff for them either through the clothes closet our church is sponsoring or through another local ministry that sets up the evacuees with housewares for their new residences. Both of my new friends have such a sweet spirit and are grateful and more than appreciative of the help that they are getting from strangers. I am so blessed to have made these new friends. I know we'll stay in touch for a long time to come. I even invited them to church on Sunday and told them I'd come and pick them up. They said they'd love to come with me because they both were looking for a church. Larry said, "Now I don't have anything sharp to wear". I said, we're casual and what he had on would suffice. I cannot wait to see them again. They think I was helping them, but truly they were blessing me. Now, is where all of you reading this come in. I told my friends about my daily blogs. I said I have many praying friends and I wanted to know if they would let me take their picture so I could post it on here for you to know who you were praying for. They obliged, said "absolutely" and posed for me.

I am ever so thankful that the Lord allowed me to be in the right place at the right time to meet these friends and get to be HIS hands and feet. What an honor for me to do HIS work. Please pray specifically that Kenya will find her mother, who is ill, as well as her other family members. Pray her new apt. will be ready on Oct 8 as she's been told. Pray that Larry can find another part time job to make some extra money. Thank you all for praying for these dear friends in their time of need. Blessings to you. P.S. If you're at McFBC this Sunday I'll be happy to introduce you to my friends!

8 WONDERFUL YEARS TOGETHER...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Today marks Jason and I's 8th anniversary. I am so lucky to be married to such a Godly, sweet man. My love for him is stronger than ever and I'm so honored to be his wife. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has passed. We reminisced while laying in bed last night about how we never would have guessed we'd be where we are today on our first date Dec 6, 1996. We've definitely exceeded our own expectations for ourselves. So much has happened over the last 8 years. Here's just some: We had Luke, bought 2 houses, said: "I Love You" 4000+ times, moved 6 times, administered 620+ shots while pregnant, bought 11 cars, attended 3 churches, had 12 jobs between us, eaten approx 3000+ meals together, broke a leg, dislocated a kneecap, been to the ER 4+ times, bought 3 computers, started a business, vacationed in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Cancun x2, Washington DC x2, Kentucky x2, Tennessee, New York City, New Jersey, Austin, Virginia, Tulsa. We truly have a great time together. I never get tired of being with him, in fact that's where I most like to be. Every night when he comes home I am excited to see him. I am so blessed to have him. A day has never gone by where we go to bed angry. We talk things out and don't hold grudges. He is the provider for our family and understands all my idiosyncrasies but still loves me unconditionally. I look forward to many long years together. I'm excited about what the next 70+ years together brings. Thank you for 8 wonderful years. I love you always sweetie! Heather Bear

Mind games drive me bonkers....

Okay, I ran across this crazy mind reader game and it's driving me bonkers. I cannot figure it out. Check it out for yourself. http://louhi.kempele.fi/~skyostil/archive/dump/flash/psychic.swf I'm sure it'll drive you completely mad too. Nothing else to blog tonight. Fairly blah day. Oh, one bit of news we got our new fridge. Only it was in the wrong color. We ordered black, they delivered white. So, it's time to play the "hurry up and wait game" until they can deliver the correct fridge. Crazy Best Buy. Later taters.

Mow Lawn Rouge...

John Deere here we come...
Mow, mow, mow the lawn! I was such a help to daddy today as you can see. In the time it took daddy to edge, I had this yard pretty well wrapped up. I wonder if we'll get yard of the month?

GranDee made it back from KY and came by to see me. My aunt Brooke and her bought me lots of warm winter clothes. Thanks Aunt Brooke. I love them all.

I also have 2 prayer requests. I will leave the names anonymous but if you could pray for my friends father who the Dr's. has said has very little time left on this earth. He has cancer. Also, if you will pray for another one of my friends who is pregnant. She possibly could be miscarrying. Dr. appt. tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers.

Hook Em' Horns!

I do believe this picture speaks for itself! Hook Em' Horns. UT's biggest (yet smallest) fans. No big news to report today.

Oh, we DID pick out our new fridge. It'll be delivered on Monday. Yippee! Thanks Lee's for loaning, then giving us a loaner. We love you guys.

Brooke's yard sale to benefit the Hurricane Survivors was a smashing success. $1200 raised and a local bank is matching it so in total $2400. What a difference we can make when we all pull together as a community. I'm so proud of my sis, for all she did to put this thing together. GranDee comes back from KY tomorrow. Lukey sure misses her (as do we). We'll have more to share tomorrow, but for tonight we're all tuckered out and on our way to beddie bye. Night, night!

Day-o-fun....topless!

Today my cuz Beau came over for a little while and mommy took some pic's. (as usual) Here is a cute one of him sucking his thumb.

Then while daddy and the rest of the clan went to the Allen Eagles game, mommy and I played. I even went topless...shh! don't tell anyone. My pec's are very muscular these days. I'm working out. I lift a banana to my mouth every morning. Them nanner's are quite heavy, you know!

Any way...as you can see I can't seem to put Uncle Mike's phone down. I always carry it around. It rings incessantly. Most of the time it's my agent. This boy stays pretty busy these days. We just hung out around the house today. Refrigerator repair guy came, FINALLY. But, he didn't have the part to fix it. So, guess what! We get a whole new fridge. Headed to Best Buy tomorrow to pick it out. Boy am I sure glad we paid for the extended warrantly 4 years ago. Note to self...never buy Maytag again. At least that's what daddy says. Well...gotta run. It's way past my bedtime AND mommies. She got up early this morning to work on some Faith Creations projects. Her business is really buzzing. Several opportunities upcoming. Yeah! Extra spending money. Maybe they'll take me back to Gatti Town (wink, wink). P.S. I almost got lost in my toybox today.

To "Thumb" or not to "Thumb".....That is the question!

Just a quick little blog today to show you the pic's of my cutie pie nephew Beau. Yes, it's Luke and Beau who are cuzzin's just like Dukes of Hazzard. We call our sweeties, THE DUKE BOYS (Aunt Brooke came up with that) Any who...seem's that Beau has taken a keen liking to his LEFT thumb. (Poppa and Daddy Jeff like that) They're the "lefties" in our family. Now it looks like we'll have another south paw to cater to in the seating arrangements at family dinners. I took these pic's tonight while Beau visited us. He's such a cutie patootie. Luke really loves him. In fact, "Beau" is practically the only word Luke say's these days. He wakes up and goes to sleep saying "Beau" in his crib. We laugh when we hear him in the baby monitor at night. He says it with a southern drawl too. He can make a one syllable word into about 3 syllables the way he pronounces it. Too funny. Well we can all see from the pictures that Beau does best when he can find his thumb. P.S. He either really likes his thumb or he's practicing to be a hitchhiker when he grows up!

Faith Creations rides again.....

Nothing too exciting went on today in Rice-a-roni-ville. I ran a few errands and went to lunch with my publicist/sister-in-law. I say publicist because while we were in Kid to Kid children's resale, she overheard a customer asking if they sold nap mats. She chimed in and said, "My sister-in-law makes nap mat's and she's right over there". The lady proceeded to ask for my business card ( I just rec'd my new one's yest. in the mail--who knew) and we were off and running. She ordered a nap mat and is possibly interested in some of my latest creations--customized denim clothing. So, we'll see where that leads. Another lady in Kid to Kid also asked for my card to order a nap mat for her son. The mgr. of Kid to Kid also asked for my card and wanted to know what type of "creations" I make. Turns out they're looking for someone to make nap mats as well as some other little fabric novelties to sell in the store. It's all in God's plan and in his timing. I'm thankful for the opportunities. I love to be creative, so these little opportunities are right up my alley. I am also currently working on some denim purses which will be featured in a store down in historic McKinney Downtown Square (another God send). God is really working and I'm excited. Not to mention it being additional income to cover the ever soaring gas prices. I want to be a good steward of all that God blesses me with. I want to use the talent I've been blessed with for his glory as I always have since starting Faith Creations, LLC 3 years ago. Oh, how the product lines have changed since that first day. It's an evolution all it's own. I'm thankful and 3 cheers for Faith Creations up and in full swing again. I featured a few of the items I've currently got on auction on Ebay. If you or anyone you know is interested in anything I'm making let me know. Off to napmat. Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks to my buddy Heather (H1) who so graciously extended a hand the other night to help me color coordinate fabrics, embellishments, etc. for upcoming projects. Love ya H1. That's all folks!

God is sovereign....even in death.

As I continue to contemplate all that has occured as a result of Hurricane K, I ran across some interesting thoughts (while blogging) on death/dying and how it's all within God's sovereign plan. Although, it does not minimize the pain and grief we feel for the loss of loved ones. I wanted to share them with you, for we are not without hope if we know Jesus.

God determined to take them to His home at the age of ____; the means was incidental. It was one of many ways to die. If God is sovereign, these phrases are not merely fatalistic. They present actual reality. God counted the days of their lives - the hairs on their heads. The breaths in their bodies. The number was finished. They lived 100% of their lives. They were complete.

Death makes us assess the meaning and worth of life. Also, helpful is the reminder that one hundred out of one hundred people die. 100%. If it happens to everyone, we are not being persecuted. Job says to his wife, "Should we only accept good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?"

We have an unspoken expectation that a good God will bring only what we consider to be good things into our lives. We never expect him to allow and perhaps even bring difficulty into our lives. Have you ever noticed that people who suffer are marked with a beauty, a deepening, a transformation? This only occurs, however, when they can enter the suffering and look around for God in the midst of it. Otherwise, they are marked with bitterness and emptiness. God does not allow meaningless suffering. If God has allowed suffering into your life, it is for a purpose. A good purpose. A holy purpose. We have to trust God with everything we have, to open ourselves and say, God it is all yours (my life, my children's lives, etc.) to do with as you will.

Although these were not my words, I did find them compelling. My prayer is that they will minister to you in some way today, as they did me.

Suntan Lotion...Isn't it yummy!

Okay, I'd like to say that the past two days have been uneventful but that would be a farce. As you can see from the photo's yesterdays fall left quite a shiner on my chinny chin chin. It's more like a fabric/carpet burn from when I hit the ottoman on the way down. Then this morning while mommy was putting a load of clothes in the washer I snuck in the laundry room and grabbed the suntan lotion. Since I'm getting so good a figuring out how to open and clothes things I realized I had mastered opening the bottle. And...since I'm thoroughly acqainted with bottles I decided I'd try out the flavor in THIS bottle. Luckily, mommy caught me just before I hoisted the bottle to take a drink. I was only able to lick the contents of the bottle off my finger. If you look real close this picture will reveal my suntan lotion mustache on the left side of my upper lip. After a call to poison control to make sure I was ok, mommy said I didn't need to worry about sunburn on my tongue and that I don't need to play with the suntan lotion bottle. Oh, I almost forgot. Today I also squashed my fingers in my chaser bead box. Yeah, I screamed and cried. But...mommy soothed me like she always does. Tonight we went to my buddies Shep and Hud's house to visit and pray with their grandpa "Pops". He leaves for MD Anderson in Houston at 5 am. in the morning. Please stand in faith with us and pray for God to heal his cancer ridden body. We know the Lord can/will work a miracle. Thank you for your prayers. Night, night.

Mommy and Me....what a pair of silly willy's!

This is a self portrait of mommy and me today. We were being silly and taking pictures of ourselves.

Today I "re-arranged" daddy's bookshelf. He doesn't know it yet...shhh!!!! He'll find out soon enough. Hey, a boy's gotta do something while mommies blogging, right?

We didn't really do anything spectacular today. Went to church, hung out with family and friends. Oh, mommy went to help sort clothes and paint floors at the old Wal-mart that's been converted into a shelter for the displaced Hurricane Katrina victims. They will be arriving tonight and 1200 of them will be housed there. It was so meaningful to mommy to get to help out with getting things ready. She really enjoys helping other people. She said it was amazing to see how everyone pulled together as a community to serve these people. Well.....off to bed. It's been a long day. Happy Labor day tomorrow. I miss my GranDee, Uncle Mike and Aunt Brooke. (sniff, sniff) Love, Luke Elijah

My buddies come to play...Yippee!!!!

My two favorite Friends
Shep and Hudson. They
came to play with me today. Shep loves Elmo like I do and Hudson is quite the Hollywood star with his sunglasses. We watched Toy Story and 4 Baby Einstein videos. We're having so much fun being together. I love my buddies. Daddy took Hudson to the park while Sheppie and I took a nap. We might even get to go swimming after a while. Off to play.....

Hurricane K....things I'm thinking about

Would a person still have to pay their mortgage on a house that no longer exists?

Think about the dignity that has been taken away from people who have not showered in days, had no food or water, can’t go back home, have no sanitary conditions to use the bathroom in and are living amongst human waste and dead bodies.

What if I was wading through water to seek higher ground and I spotted a shark swirling the waters around me, as was reported yesterday. Now that Lake Ponchartrain and the Gulf of Mexico have merged, New Orleans is now part of the ocean. Where one shark is more are sure to follow.

The US Postal Service has suspended mail to many zip’s in MS, LA and AL. Think about all the packages, bills, medical supplies and prescriptions that are lost and will never get to their destinations. The bills can be re-sent but think about all the wasted postage on bills sent that will never get a reply. Medical equipment/Prescriptions sent and never rec’d. Think about the impact on the medical community being out the monies for equipment and prescriptions that will never be recouped. Healthcare and prescription costs are sure to rise.

What if you died sitting in your wheelchair outside the Superdome and out of respect the only thing people could do was cover you up with a sheet.

What about making payments on a car that is now 20 ft. under water and that you will never drive again?

Insurance rates (home, life & auto) will inevitably have to go up substantially to cover the costs of this natural disaster.

I never in my wildest dreams would have thought about cholera, typhoid fever and other infectious diseases in our day and time with all of the vaccinations we get from childhood on.

Who would have thought that they would have to deliver their baby on a bridge overpass and cut the umbilical cord with a “sterile” knife (heated with a lighter) and tie off the cord with a shoe string until they could get medical help.

What do Diabetics do who have no electricity to their refrigerators to keep their insulin at sufficient temps.

I’ve always heard, “The Superdome is hurricane proof”. I guess that was like saying the Titanic was unsinkable.

Who would have thought police officers, fire officials and Medi-vac personnel would be fired upon while trying to restore law and order and evacuating those stranded on rooftops.

How would I get along for 5 days without water? Forget bathing, I just need a drink. Although there is an abundance of water in New Orleans now, I wouldn’t want to drink the contaminated sewage water or water ridden with toxic carcinogens from decomposing bodies floating in them.

How would I feel if my baby, that was just born during the hurricane was choppered out to a hospital in another state without me knowing when I would see him/her. Or furthermore, how I would even be recognized as the birth mother to actually claim him/her when I was finally able to be reunited.

What about all the relief workers who are volunteering their time, funds, resources and talents only to return home at some later date bringing infectious diseases that they will spread to their friends and family because of the unsanitary conditions they were subjected to while helping others. We’re looking at a health crisis all over the country.

Despite the fact that oil reserves are now being tapped into gas prices are soaring thru the roof. Price gouging is happening all over the country.

People are taking advantage of lawlessness with looting, raping and pillaging to get a “free” big screen t.v. that cannot be plugged in anywhere within a 50 miles radius of where they’re stranded.

Where do you bury the bodies of the deceased when the cemeteries are 20 ft. under water?

What would I do if I had ONLY the shirt on my back and my baby had no diapers or formula?

What if I had no shoes when I fled my home and I had to make shoes out of a cardboard box bottom and a couple of rubber bands.

How would I feel if I lost the grip of my spouse’s hand, which I was holding when the Hurricane ripped our house in half and they were swept away--never to be seen again.

How would I have decided what to flee my house with before the Hurricane hit? And how could I carry it all while wading through waist deep water.

What if I didn’t take out flood insurance on my home because the Army Corp of Engineers who designed the levee system in New Orleans were so confident in it’s ability to contain water during a hurricane that they didn’t consider most of the city of New Orleans a flood zone.

These are just a few of the many sad things I've thought about and continue to think about over the last few days. I cannot imagine the amount of anger, grief and sadness these poor people are feeling. May God bless their precious souls. I am so fortunate to be blessed with all I have. I do not take it for granted. We have to help our brothers and sisters in this time of need. We just have to! I'm proud to see Texas taking in 75,000 of the refugees.

You gotta be kidding me...

Look what I found....

Mullet Night & Fireworks presented by Great Clips

Friday, September 2, 2005 White Sox vs. Tigers, 7:05 Got Mullet? Celebrate a classic American hairstyle, the Mullet. PREGAME: Shake your mullet to the beat of the band Identity Crisis. Let your mullet loose as you jam with the band Backstage Pass. Don't have a mullet? Have a stylist at one of four Great Clips haircut stations located throughout the ballpark trim one up for you. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Ronald McDonald House and Chicago White Sox Charities. MULLET MARCH Then, march your mullet over to Gate 1, where mulleted men and women will parade their classic cuts around the warning track. Wigged mullets will be accepted. The first 500 mullet marchers will get a free White Sox Mullet Night T-shirt. Sponsored by Great Clips

I had pickles....

Well...today I don't have anything real exciting to blog. Luke did have his first cheeseburger w/pickles today. He seemed to like em' too. So that's pretty exciting.

I spent much of today pondering the dire situation in New Orleans. I'm asking God to reveal to me how I can make a difference. He's calling me to help in some way, I feel it. I just need to continue to seek HIS wisdom and clarity. Those poor people in need. I can't help but think about the old saying W.W.J.D.

What WOULD Jesus Do. I firmly believe he would extend a hand of friendship and help the poor, sick, hungry, hurting and destitute. That's what he DID do. We are all part of the human race. Yeah, there are rich and there are poor but one is no better than another. We've got to help our fellow man. I believe God commands us to. More to come...I'm still pondering.