LIFE HAS BEEN HeCtIc!!!

Yes, life has been hectic, but when is it not?! Lol  I'm sure everyone's life is hectic.  I can't believe it's been 4 months since I've posted anything.

Life's been good.  Actually, it's been great.  I'm thankful to be alive.  Thankful to be healthy.  Thankful to live in the United States of America.  Thankful for a husband who doesn't fuss if the house isn't perfectly clean.  Thankful for so many things, too many to mention.

Last Thursday we took Mom and Jeremy and went to see the kids in Lexington, South Carolina.  We stayed until this past Tuesday, the 16th and came back home to reality.  Sunshine's 12th birthday was Monday.  Can you believe it?  I can't!  It seems like yesterday this beautiful little baby girl was born, and now we're shopping for clothes, she's got a cell phone, she's going in the 7th grade, she went to youth camp without either of her parents, and oh my!  She's turning into a beautiful young lady who has a heart as big as the sky, loves her little brother, and helps out in children's church.  I'm so proud of her!  She melts my heart. 

Easton is at the age that he's so much fun.  His speech has improved drastically, and he is developing his own unique personality.  He's very competitive and does NOT like to lose.  We went bowling on Autumn's birthday because the pontoon boat that was supposed to be rented didn't happen.  The owner of the business wouldn't answer his phone, and no other pontoons were available, so we had to go to plan B.  We went to Lake Murray and Jeremy and East swam, then we went bowling.  It was the boys against the girls, and the girls won.  Mom helped that happen, but East did not like it at all.  He sat down, crossed his arms, and stuck his little lip out.  I showed him his score and that he beat Uncle Jeremy and he thought that was funny.  I love to hear him giggle.  It melts my heart and makes me smile.

It rained every day that we were there, and naturally the day we left it was sunny.  We're having the same weather back home in Florida.  I'm not complaining though after seeing what the people in California and up north are enduring.  Fires in California, and water depletion with a heat wave up north.  Our grass may be growing and needs cut pretty often, but I'll take too much rain versus no rain any day.

Wednesday nights we've been doing a Bible study, "Unstuck" by Jennie Allen.  It's been very enlightening.  Topics are "Overwhelmed", "Discontent", "Sad", "Unstuck", and I can't remember the others.  We have conversation cards that are handed out, and they have questions that the recipient is supposed to answer.  It's amazing how those that receive theirs hits home with the question on it.  Some of the ladies think I pre-pick them out just for them, but it's just God because they hit home.  We've had tears, laughter, and reflection of our lives, and it's been very good.  Instead of rushing it and doing a chapter a week, we've just been taking our time and enjoying whatever the topic is.  There's only one more chapter to do after we finish up "Sad", so I'm not sure what we'll be doing next.

I follow a blog by Kasey Van Norman that is really good.  She was a special guest speaker at our Women's E-Conference in Pensacola this past April and has an amazing testimony.  I posted a comment to win her "He Calls Me By Name" Bible study and won one!  I was pleasantly surprised and ecstatic to receive it.  My friend Tracy won one as well, and she told me that all 300 women that posted received one.  Very generous of Kasey, wouldn't you say?!

Well, sorry for the rambling in this post.  So many things have happened since my last post that I can't post them all. :)  Scott's hours at work picked up another day, so finances are some better.  He was only working 3 days a week, but now he's working 4.  I'm still only working Monday through Wednesday.  Yesterday we received an unexpected blessing in the mail.  A rebate check from our insurance company because of the 80/20 rule.  If they don't spend 80 percent of what they receive in premiums, a percentage is calculated and returned to the subscribers.  It was perfect timing!  I like to say, "God is never early.  He's never late, but He's always on time."  Our car insurance, house insurance, and regular bills come due at the same time, so it's been a little tight.  This definitely will help.

We're planning on meeting the kids in Orlando in a few weeks.  They'll be going for National Fine Arts, in which Sunshine is participating.  I'm excited about seeing her perform.  I've never been, and to watch her will be a privilege.  We'll also go to Disney with them while there.  Last time we went was 3 years ago and East was 3.  It should be fun with him being almost 6 this time.  I'm looking forward to making special memories.  I'll be cashing in some of my coins that I save to be able to do it. 

Until next time, stay cool, be safe, and enjoy each and every day.  Live life, love what you do, and learn something new each and every day.

Debbie :)