It's a rainy Monday Morning....

We have a slow steady rain with some grumbling going on this morning. I do love the rain as it washes away all the dust, pollen and yuck off the trees and flowers. We also want our pond filled to the hilt for the animals, come July and August it is scorching around here!!!!!

The school was having their first art exhibit and Garretts drawing was chosen to be on display, it was so neat to visit the gallery. I felt so inspired, like I was visiting somewhere else. It was great to see what creativity they have, I wish I could be as free to create, but there is too much junk I have to remember and it gets all jumbled up.

Friday Day, I spent the whole day at the school for field day. We played games, ate treats, laughed, some cried, some got sick!!!! But we had a great time. Now I have ordered pics and will put together a 12x12 album as a gift to Mrs. Farmer. She has been an awesome 3rd grade teacher and this was her first yr. I wish I could have her with Garrett until Graduation Day.

She is young, fun, energetic and knows how to bring the best out in Garrett, we just love her.

On a side note, please lift up her dad in prayer, he has had surgery and lost the lower part of his leg due to Diabetis and now it is attacking his hands. He is a Preacher and knows that God is not ready to take him home yet. (he is just 50)

Wow, where do I start? We had a Baseball Game friday night!!! Wow, wish I would have had a CF card in my camera! My superstar son hit in two RBI'S and caught an awesome air ball way out in center outfield. Talk about wow!!! Then to top it off they put him in to pitch the 6th and last inning!!! The score was..can't remember but we were 5 points ahead and they could have tied up the game. Our hearts were beating out of our chests, we were so nervous!!! You should have seen Garrett, taking big breaths and total concentration. I instantly started praying for persicion for him and that he didn't hit anyone with the ball. Well... their star heavy hitter was up to bat....yikes. He pitch and it was a ball, again, and maybe a strike, then it happened he hit him with the ball. The batter was furious!!! Hit the bat to the ground and stommped off. I said well, glad thats over we got the first hit out of the way. He then walked two more and some ran in and scored. Then here comes my friends son and a good player. This will decide the game...

Strike, foul, ball, ball, Strike, and Strike. He stuck him out and we WON the game. He was given the game ball for so many great plays. Wow, my heart settled down about an hour later, Carl was in the dug out and said he could barly watch he was so nervous.

We all went out for ice cream to celebrate!!!! The coaches complimented Garrett's abilities to us and one said, "That boy just amazes me!!"

Well as for today I have a list of to dos: Did I tell you all I love list!!!! I have my crop for CTMH and need to get my layout and kits ready to go. Does anyone need help on how to prepare for a crop? I can help

Toad and Flowers.....

Last night

Garrett hollored as he always does...."Mammmmaaaaa" I answer, yes sweetie, and always if followed up by, "COME HERE". Okay buddy, G, close your eyes...and he hands me a sweet handful on peonies.

A little later that evening as he is entering the back door, "Mama" close your eyes I have more flowers for you...so I did....well here is what was in my face when I opened my eyes!!!! Open your eyes Mama, heres a kiss for you....Little Rat!!!!!

Here is a picture of Toad...flowers and the top of my China Hutch...I so love my new gold walls in the dining room with my Ruby Red dishes.

Scripture today:

Sealed By God

Today's Scripture
“…I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:23).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
We don’t often hear about signet rings anymore; but in Bible times, they were very significant. The signet ring was used to identify the message or messenger and the authority they had. In other words, you knew something was from the king because it was marked by His signet ring. It was representative of power and authority. This verse is saying that you are the mark of authority of Almighty God. You have been chosen and set apart to be identified with Him. When you have someone’s power and authority, you have access to everything they have. It’s like having power of attorney; you have the authority to act on behalf of that individual. As a believer in Jesus, marked with His seal, think of all you have access to today. Think about the authority you have. Everything He has is available to you—healing, provision, strength, peace, joy. You have been given authority to “sign His name” in order to receive His blessings. You are God’s seal, and you are marked to live the abundant life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me and calling me Your own. Help me to fully understand the authority You’ve given by Your Son Jesus. I receive all You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

This just in from Close to my Heart!!!!!!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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If you are interested in Close to my Heart products, demos or would like one of our beautiful catalogs which is chuck full of ideas send me an email.

Here you can see all of the creative opportunities with Close to my Heart stamps and papers!!! I love to make handmade from the heart cards with my photos. This is of coarse my favorite subject hanging out on his tire swing in his favorite Cardinals jersey and holy jeans....what a cute little monkey!!!!

Sweetie Pie Pictures

Okay, I am having blog user difficulties!!! I am adding pictures of Sweetie and also we visited the Ducks in Branson Mo. Monday with Garrett's class. It was a great time!! The water is still up and they cannot open the dam....The Branson Bell basement is 8 ft. under...wow. It was so windy on the lake, my sweet son had me trade spots so he wouldn't get wet....like any other mom I did and did get a free bath...lol...

After the Ducks we raced home for Monday night ball game, then on Tuesday we had another baseball game so we played 4 innings of that and then raced to get to half of his last basketball game. Wow, who needs to stay at home......of coarse Weds. night we attend bible study, Garrett anounced on the way home from church that he is the only one to answer all of the questions about King David. Then he said, wasn't he traded to an ole Geezer!!!! Hilarious!!! The funny thing is he has heard the stories since he was an itty bitty baby, so Geezer is his newest word he was trying out on us...I love these moments and wish I had a video recorder on me at all times so I could replay the memories. On on the last note I need to reread the story of David to my sweet little fella....I love being a mom.

Can you say "Sweetie Pie"?

That is the name of the newest member to our family. Her mother is a dainty Golden Retreiver and her father a masculine built black Lab. She is so sweet so Garrett named her Sweetie Pie. I am hoping maybe he will come up with something like the name I want!!! SASSY. I usually get to name our pets and he will not budge on this one. He just loves her!!!!

Prom Pictures

I have been working diligently this evening on Prom pictures. I am going to surprise my niece with it tomorrow. I am so excited about how they turned out, I can't wait to see her reaction.

Take a peek and tell me what you think. I am also going to add Brian and Morgans picture.

Wow, What a day!!!!!

Today I went to Branson for my belated birthday outing with my best friend and scrappin bud

Cindi. First stop we went to the craft show down town. Didn't buy much but loved looking at the arts and crafts and visiting with the vendors. Next, we headed across the street to the $store and buy did we find the bargains. We loaded up on scrapbook papers and embellies. (Then we only had 40 mins to eat and catch our movie Maid of Honor starring Patrick Dempsy. ( Yes, I am a Gray's Anatomy fan. I just know Meridith and McDreamy will be together again soon, True Love!) So off to Red Lobster for lunch, if you knew Cindi she times everything to a Tee and thinks we could eat and make it to the movie on time. She is very time oriented, heheheh, I am not. I work, shop what ever until the last minuet. So we ate a great lunch and arrived at the Imax 10 mins to late. So we just had to shop until the next show at 4:40. I took her to the secret scrapbook location I would not tell her until we could go together. She loved it just like I knew she would. Girls, I bought some great embellished chip board. Some say baby girl but they can be easily altered for another page and I already have the vision. So she spent $100.00 plus and I spent 40.00. We didn't even make it to the $dollar store by White Water because we went to across the street and found albums yes, 8X8 Bazzill scrap albums. They are the trendy orange color and I have visions of embellishing the front of them with the girls name, flowers, buttons and Ric-rack!!!! I can't wait to get started. Cindi found some great black frames for her new house ( Her log home burnt last yr 2007 while they were out of town on vacation).

So now we are on count down of 6 mins to make it to Imax. We ran and a line was quickly forming. We tag teamed the bathroom break and waiting in line to save time. We need a snack,

we split the best big luscious green apple freshly dipped in chocolate and rolled in pecans!!!! Oh and yes it was deli sh!!! We hurried to find our theater just sat down and the movie started!!! Talk about timing. We laughed, almost cried, squealed and of coarse loved watching PATRICK!!!!!!! It was a great time and the show was so fun. Then we jetted home and spent the rest of the night with our families. I think that we should do it once a month not once a YEAR!!!!!

Belated Birthday!!!!!!

Brandi's newest body art, so pretty!!!!! Here is my mom and sister
Brandi, on the far right mom and I. Below, Brandi's nails..I always love how they look but I can never sit still long enough to get them done. lol...... Thanks for a great lunch.....




Yesterday mom and my middle sister Brandi drove from MO. to have lunch with me. Mom brought me a Seal a Meal, which I have been wanting, and Brandi brought cute little cupcakes!!!


We had a nice visit at the park. Here are some pictures of our visit...It's hard for us to get together so this is a real treat.

Today's thought:

The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.
Mark Twain.




Today's Verse: It Takes Faith
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4,5 NIV





Meditation 5/11 - 5/17 This is life eternal ESV
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 17:1-5


Have a Great and Blessed Day,
Tracy

Basketball with Cousin Brian!!!!

We went to the basketball game last night for Garrett!!! Boy was it a tough game, at first they were getting wooped, their team was down about 6 points and then they made a come back. Garrett scored two and in the final last seconds our team came down the court, made the shoot and it bounced off the rim. No score, they ended 12-11!!! At the end they really came together as a team, it is so awesome to see them learn sportsmanship and team work at such a young age. ( Tools they need for their future and they don't even know it.) What a great two days of ball playing.

On a note, cousin Couch Brian was recognized at a ceremony last night for his grade in Sociology!!
I don't know the whole story as I was working the concession stand for the night. (I think it's fun and a great way to get to know the kids Garrett is around all day.)

Here, I want to share one of my devotionals today from Walk the Talk, enjoy and have a blessed day. Tracy

212° Attitude
One of the many commonalities among people of good character is that each has “an attitude.” More accurately, each has three attitudes – all of which are factors that lead to personal success.
The first of these attitudes takes the form of a contagious, upbeat outlook. People who exhibit this are generally positive, approachable, and cooperative. For them, the glass is almost always “half full.” Do they ever get down and have bad days? Sure…they’re human! But they typically bounce back quickly – choosing to be victors rather than victims.
The second attitude is a can-do spirit. Here, the mentality is: Give me a task and I’m all over it! We can do this. Let’s get to it. People with this mindset focus on making things work rather than on lamenting on why they won’t. That’s why these folks are the DOERS of the world.
Finally, individuals of good character display an “attitude of gratitude.” They appreciate the people they know, the things they have, and the opportunities they’re afforded…and they SHOW it! Now, turn up the heat…212°

Happy Birthday to me....

Happy Birthday to me.....Yes, I cannot tell a lie, todays my Birthday. To celebrate I get to spend most of my day traveling to the Dr. then rushing back to watch Garrett play ball!!!!

Mothers Day was quiet and restful, we stayed in all weekend, not by choice, my head cold made the decision for me. We will celebrate next weekend, it was nice just to be at home, just wish it could have been a productive weekend. That pretty much sums it up, I did make a great scrapbook page. On the way to the Dr. I get to stop and shop at my favorite store Scrapbook Addiction, can't wait. The owner Brandi Pinn is really into having the newest products and gives great service, well worth the drive.