Well, praise the Lord--it's actually chilly today! It won't last, though. Supposed to be 82 today, which is still mild. Currently, it's 57. Needless to say, the kids are dressing in pants today

I understand living paycheck to paycheck. And while trust is my issue too, I find tithing difficult to swallow. It's not that I have a problem giving back to God what is God's, it's just with the larger paychecks, it's hard to give more than $20. (Tithe as you know, means 10 percent). However, God also wants us to take care of our bills, pay our taxes, etc. So I *try* to give what I can with my heart (because what's the point of giving if you're giving grudgingly). It's definitely something I have to pray for guidance about.

DJ is a great kid--and guess what? With Mommy's and Daddy's help, he lost his THIRD tooth last night. With God's help and Mommy's diligence, the kid has some GREAT teeth with LONG rooots. So, we've been working on this one tooth for over three months! Finally, we got it out. He was so brave. I know it hurt him. But he didn't cry. And now, his new tooth has room to come in~

Lynne is communicatively (sp) speech delayed. She's about a year behind. So picture a 3 yr old, who speaks like a 2 yr old and you have my Lynne. She's smart as a whip and cognitively, she's right on target. She follows mulitiple commands, etc. She's also physically on target. She can stand on one foot for three seconds, jump, etc. It's just the communication part of speech.

But like I said in my last post, since August, she has made HUGE progress Point in case: DJ and I will go to pick Lynne up from school. In the afternoons, the kids got outside and play on the playground, weather premitting. DJ, even though the kids are five years younger than he is, loves to play with them. When it's time to go, I'll tell Lynne. Now picture this: She will stand with her feet apart, her hands up to her mouth and yell (pretty clearly) 'DJ IT'S TIME TO GO!' Yesterday, while I was fixing dinner, she came up to me and said 'SURPRISE!' Then she 'handed' me birthday cake.

I'm sure she's always had this great imagination, but has never had the vocabulary to support it. We are all very excited. And she brings home new words every week! They have a pattern this month--leaf, acorn--and every day, she'll take me to the calendar and repeat the pattern. One day, her treacher told me that she and another student actually went looking for leaves and acorns on the playground and made the pattern--completely without guidance!

Yes, really looking forward to Daddy and my brother's visit. I have a house to clean that hasn't gotten done. Lynne doesn't go to school tomorrow, so I think I'll be cleaning all day tomorrow with her in tow. It's okay, she's a good helper

I pray that your roof gets fixed soon. It's funny the things we really do take advantage of--until they are not there--then we realize how important they are and how we should be thanking the Lord for providing for us! But God will continue to provide for you--have faith.

~Iva~

Good morning, Iva...
That's such a pretty name! Yes, money can get tight, sometimes. I do know it's hard to pay all 10% tithes when it's larger pay checks. You know, though, we found we just can't out give God! We go ahead & pay them, & somehow our needs are always met. After all, the money belongs to Him, anyway, & He'll just manage it for us! There are so many times I could tell you that God worked financial miracles for us. I'm sure you have those times, also. I remember once, when our little church was in a financial tight & received a special offering for it. Our children were all young & in school, then. DH looked at me & said the Lord told him to give what he had. (which wasn't much, but to us....it was.) When we got home that night, we realized we hadn't saved back the lunch money for the kid's that week for school. We didn't know what we were going to do. I remember DH telling me that we paid our tithes & offerings, & He would provide. Our mail ran very early where we were living, so the next morning I went to the mailbox, & looked down to the ground. There lay $40.00! You've got to remember, this was about 25 years ago....so it was more than it is now. I called all the neighbors to see if they had lost any money, & no one had. The Lord provided! We've lost things in our lifetime....& downsized as you had to do. But, He understands why...& has always taken care of us. Well, I certainly didn't mean to give you a sermon....just wanted to share.

Your Lynne sounds like such a sweetie. It sounds like she's catching up really fast. She may turn out to be a motor-mouth, like a couple of my grands! We've got a couple of granddaughters that hardly take a breath between words. This is a whole new adventure for her. I'm sure she's as excited as you all are! I always wanted an older brother. Is he protective of her? That's what I always imagined it would be like. Like he'd be my hero! My 15 yr old grandson has two younger sisters. No one picks on them in any way.....unless it's him, of course. They love their big brother so much! Sometimes, too much...pestering him! DJ is very brave...No way, would I let someone pull my tooth!

Well, I've been praying for the Lord to help us finish the roof. DH has no work next week! Now, I could look on the negative side....we have bills to pay!! But, DH will be able to work on the roof! So...Praise the Lord! Somehow, the bills will be paid..... ok....I'm praying a little harder, now.

I hope you have a great Friday. Maybe you'll find out about that job, soon. I'm still praying for you.

I just wanted to drop in & say hello to my friend. Hope you got that job, & all is well. Take care & have a good weekend.

I could have sworn I replied to your other post. Huh...maybe I got side tracked? Probably

I actually got a letter from the church yesterday. My prayers were answered--I had prayed that the best person for the job, get the job, since it was in the best interest of the church. That person just wasn't me I have to trust that God wants me elsewhere.

Danny and the kids got baptised this past Sunday. My dad and brother came in from out of town to see the ceremony. It was wonderful to see them both. My brother has decided he wants to join the Air Force and become a pilot. My dad was a captain of the air force, so he's uber exstatic! He goes in for his physical sometime this month. He doesn't know what he's going to do if he doesn't pass the physical--but I can't imagine why he wouldn't. He's about 5'8, lean and a bit muscular. He's in a good shape--but time will tell, I suppose.

DJ brought home his report card the other day--ALL A'S! We are very proud of him! (Did I already tell you about that? I can't remember)

Lynne made a new letter sound this past week--'H'. She's moving right along.

Danny (DH) and I are doing very well. Our pastor, interestingly enough talked about tithing this past Sunday. (We will be entering our Solomon Project soon and for the past month, he's been preaching on how we can serve the church). Danny and I have looked through the catalog and think we've found 'jobs' that can best use our talents to serve the church. This Sunday is Commitment Sunday where we place our commitments on the alter. I've never done this and am looking forward to doing so. (BTW, Danny and I are members of the church--officially. This is only the second church I've belonged to--the first for Danny)!

Have a fabulous weekend. The high is going to be 72 today--but the sky is a beautiful blue and clear. PRAISE GOD for a glorious day.

Hugs,
Iva

Good to hear from you, Iva...
I decided you just didn't want to post anymore, as my other friend. If that happens, it's ok. I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you.

Sorry about the job. When we pray for God's will, though, we have to be prepared to accept it. You've done that, & it's good. He'll take care of you. I can't wait to find out what job He has waiting for you!

Good for DJ! We always gave our kids $1 for each A, & $.50 for each B....as an incentive. Do you do anything like that? As I look back, now, I'm not sure that was the correct thing to do. They should have been expected to do well. Can't go back, now, though, & rethink the past. You'd have to know 3 of our 4 kids, though. I'd just about help them make cheat notes to get through school! (not really...but, was tempting.) We had one daughter with no problems. She loved school & did very well. Went on to University of Alabama & made an engineer. We're proud of all of them. They have their own special accomplishments. Just that school was not loved by 3.

Good for Lynne, also! I remember all my little ones learning the H sound. They'd go through the house saying words that started with H, stressing the sound! I had to go to speech therapy as a little girl. I couldn't say my S's. People would call our house to talk to me, thinking it was "cute". I didn't know any better, at the time, that it was a problem. I do now, because I still have a problem with my S's. It feels like I have a mouth full of cotton when I use that letter. I'm very aware of it on camera at the TV Station, especially. Being a little nervous, makes it worse. Oh well, I suppose it helps to keep me humble.

I know you were proud to see Danny & the kids baptised! Especially with your dad & brother with you. Glad you had a nice visit. Wish your brother the best of luck with the Air Force. I know you & your dad are very proud of him. I'm sure he'll pass the physical.

I haven't had a very good week. We're stressing pretty bad over the house, & our bills. DH had no work at all this past week, & next week looks bad, also. It's been raining the whole week (inside & outside my house!) so he couldn't work on the roof. Our kids are suppose to come over next Saturday & help us with it....but there's 30% chance of rain. Please help us pray the rain will hold off.) I cried most of yesterday. I think the RA makes things worse for me, emotionally, sometimes. My nurse said I was very stressed, & it would make RA worse. Anyway, I also received a call that my mother couldn't swallow her food, & they wanted me & my sister there. They didn't know what they would have to do. Most of the time, that's how Alziemer patients die. They either choke or starve to death. My sister was very emotional when she called. I just fell apart. I couldn't bare to think of her starving. One of my daughters happen to visit her & my step-dad & called to let me know she was there with my sister, & had got her to drink a whole can of Ensure. Everyone was relieved. I never did go. It was one of those days for me & I just couldn't face the world. I was glad to get that call. Sorry, didn't mean to lay this on you. Guess I just had to vent. I'm better this morning. Going to get ready for church. It's still raining, so I don't have to be too particular how I look, wouldn't do any good. Well......Praise the Lord, ANYWAY!

Hope you have a great day!
Charlotte

I would never just 'drop off the face of the Earth' and never reply to you. What a horrible thing to do! (Sure hope you don't do the same...but with your mom sick and all, I understand if you go 'offline' for a bit).

I went to speech therapy too! But with me, it was the 'R' sound. I used to say 'wabbit' instead of 'rabbit'. Even today, if I get very stressed or rushed, I'll say 'w' instead of 'r'.

I will keep you in my prayers, Charlotte. We both know when there's God's will, there's a way. I know he will take care of you.

I must cut this short as I'm getting ready for church too!

Have a blessed day!
Iva

Good morning, Iva...

It's a beautiful day here. The rain has finally stopped, hopefully. I didn't mean to leave the wrong impression of my other friend. She was a very busy, mother of 4 young ones. She even left me her email address, when we stopped posting. With all the family & school activities she had, I don't know how she stayed with me as long as she did.

It's been a very busy morning, with the phones. Some mornings are really quiet, & I do all of my postings. But, not so, this time. It's already time for me to get ready to go to the station. I'll try to come back tonight, or in the morning.

Pray for me, my friend, & I'll pray for you. Have a great day!

We're having a bit of a rough day today My DJ seems to have a bit of a bug. He got sick on the way home from church yesterday and really hasn't been able to keep anything down. I finally got him to drink some Gatorade and some broth. He's very weak though, since he hasn't eaten any real food in a day and a half--not to mention vomitting takes quite a bit out of me--I can only imagine what it does to his little body

I seem to have a full blown cold--caught from my dear, sweet Lynne. Her daycare center is just a breeding ground. While they are most diligent about handwashing, etc, one cannot help but to get wrapped up in 3 & 4 yr old germs

Right now, I'm just praying, litterally, that this bug stops at DJ. I took off work today. It wasn't a great thing, but it's a lot better for me to take off work than Danny--who is our primary source of income! And Lynne certainly doesn't need this either.

I am praying for you today, Charlotte. Have a terrific day!

Hello Iva...
I do hope you & your dear little ones are all feeling better.
I've had a very busy week, so far. Can't seem to stop to catch my breath. To add to that, my computer wanted to act up, so I haven't been online very much.

Well, we really have been praying for a pretty day this next Saturday. The kids are suppose to come help us put the roof on the house. I'm afraid there's storms in the forecast, though. Sometimes, I wish the Lord would just come out & tell me why this is all happening, & how things will turn out. I do know He knows all about it, & know He's able to take care of all things. I just get a little weary....ok....a whole lot weary! We've had 3 pretty days with sunshine, though. At least it was a break from the rain.

Try to let me know how everyone is feeling. I've been praying for all of you. Talk to you later,
Charlotte

angel-lover just wanted to say I used to have the icon on here until someone told me she looked like me hehe... I got to embarassed

Hi Scorchin...

I would LOVE for someone to tell me that I looked like her! My hair is blonde........that's about as close as I get. Stop by any time.

Good morning!

I have a praise report to share:

My son is feeling TONS better, thank God! Whoo hoo!

We are still praying that it just stays out of our house. Found out last night at church that a couple of families had it. So, it's just going around all over the place! (I pray that it doesn't reach your family!)

Not too much going on here. Guess this is a good thing.

Have a great day!

Don't have much time today. Just know that my prayers are with you.

God bless you today and always!