The World Needs People....

*side note...these pictures were taken in vegas and lake meade (hoover dam).

THE WORLD NEEDS PEOPLE...

1. who cannot be bought.

2. whose word is their bond.

3. who put character above wealth.

4. who possess opinions and a will.

5. who are larger than their vocations.

6. who will not lose their individuality in a crowd.

7. who will be as honest in small things as in great things.

8. who will make no compromise with wrong.

9. whos ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires.

10. who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it."

11. who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for truth when it is unpopular.

12. who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes".

Single, Lonesome & Looking!

no, not me! here's the story....my grandmother was in the hospital over Christmas. so a few days after she was released, she came by our home and spent some time. while she was here, i decided to show her the blog world and some pictures of her that i had included in several of my post. all of a sudden, she got very excited, and i saw this sparkle in her eyes. she wasted no time in saying, "hey, will you put a story on there about me...be sure it says single, lonesome and looking...and make sure you put some really good pictures of me!".

you have to understand...she is 86, twice widowed and more boy crazy than any teen girl i know. in fact, the reason she probably ended up in the hospital is because her and her boyfriend (he's only 63, talk about robbing the cradle) broke up a few weeks before. she was so pitiful when she was telling me the story of their breakup. with tears in her eyes, "somehow our camara film got swapped and when i got my pictures back it was actually pictures of him and another woman". and the story and the heartbreak went on and on. i felt like i was dealing with two teen kids.

anyway, i promised i would put this post with "some really good pictures". oh and one other thing...she still drives herself to the senior dances, so when you're driving down the road, watchout for grandma!

A Busy Week It Was

monday-
maegan & tarah had to work at the coffee shop
maegan & faith had two karate classes
josh & tarah went shopping (skipped karate)-mr. tim says you're in trouble haha
today was our 24th anniversary and both of us forgot until 8pm (sad)

tuesday-
we took david's dad to vanderbilt for his second radiation treatment
tarah worked
maegan & faith had karate class
maegan was almost k-0'd by mr. tim and a kick to the back of her head
(that scared me to death, especially since i was in nashville)
david still sick with the flu bug

wednesday-
my mom's b-day (i forgot until friday) not cool!
cleaned house
maegan's day at the coffee shop
maegan & faith went to two karate classes
josh & tarah only did one karate class
david still sick with the flu bug went to bed right after work

thursday-
tarah's day at the coffee shop
stacy & savannah come over-worked on some new intepretive dance stuff
stacy & josh sang avalon's "everything to me" they are doing so well on that song
maegan taught a karate class then stayed to work out with the blackbelts

friday-
david's b-day (i didn't forget) whew!!!!! i am trying to find him an 05 mustang model car but i can't find one-any ideas?
maegan's day at the coffee shop
the girls and josh went to karate
david and i went out to eat

saturday-
maegan taught early class at karate
faith was sick and not able to go
tarah & i went shopping
went to savannah's b-day party-that was so fun-played pictionary (first time ever), we played guitars, went down to the creek and just had a wonderful evening (even tho they do live in the boonies!)

sunday-
we over slept so instead of rushing and being in a rotton mood by the time we got to church, we chose to stay here and just have some quality family fellowship. it was great. david is wonderful at getting everyone to open up and really think about day to day life. we talked about how we so often spend our time and energy focusing on unimportant issues of life, and how easy it is to deny the "real" issues and not face the vital things. by keeping our focus on the mundane things, we think we can escape dealing with the core issues. anyway, it was an awesome reflection time!
then i took mom out to eat and we did some shopping
bought maegan some of her "pointed" shoes she's been wanting. can't wait to see her actually try to walk in those! hehe
bought tarah earrings
brought faith 1/2 of my steak from logan's-it's great, she's at the age that she still enjoys food more than clothes & shoes!
mom & hoyt stayed and we watched "monster in law"

3 Minute Survey Report

from: www.rlmsurvey.com

so i took this survey, just for fun. but after it was done it gave a little more detail than i expected. so, for those of you that know me (alot or even a little) give me your take on this and let me know what you think.

Congratulations! Here is your personalized Summary Report from the Real Life Management 3 Minute Survey. What follows is an overview of your survey results. You'll find some very useful information here. But it's only a start. There is much more available to you from Real Life Management.

Summary Report

You are a very organized person who wants to work with facts and information in a stable and secure setting. You like to know that the things you work on will benefit society. You also prefer structure, but too much detail can be overwhelming at times.

You genuinely care about people, and you enjoy being involved in projects that are good for the people in your life. However, insensitive and illogical people are a turnoff for you. When you encounter them you tend to set boundaries and take control of the situation.

You are logical and focused. You expect things to be done in a timely manner and with a smile. Indeed, negative people cause you to hold off on developing any long-term relationship with them. Money is important to you, but not more than people.

You feel pressure when people try to sell or manipulate you, and when you encounter such folks you will quickly shut them down—in a nice way, of course. If someone wants to get you involved in something, they need to answer all your questions and convince you that it meets your passion for others.

Managing your finances is something you are very capable of doing—although not something you enjoy. You tend to be balanced in your spending, and if you do get carried away occasionally, it’s only because you’re spending on others.

As for your lifestyle choices, you strike a good balance between your head and your heart. You are usually good about your eating and health habits, even if you fall off the wagon occasionally. The thing that causes you the most stress is rejection from others, as well as people who lack structure or sensitivity.

Life is a Journey — Not a Destination!

A Real Man...

1...is a leader by example

2...knows the difference between strength and just being strong

3...tells the truth

4...doesn't mistreat other people

5...sides with those who are right

6...keeps his commitments

7...acquires enough wisdom to be humble

8...confronts fear without running away

9...lives his faith with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength regardless of the cost.

10...is wild at heart!

david, thank you for being all of these! you have sacrificed so much over our 24 years together. you have given such an awesome example for our girls, and what they are is a reflection of what you've given to them by the time you've spent with them; rocking when they were just babies, coaching them on the softball field, crying with them over math problems/phonics/dying pets and broken hearts, playing tag in the house (knowing that i'm gonna be mad when someone gets hurt!), taking karate class with them after a hard days work and so many other things. i've always stressed to them that all they have to do is find someone as good as their dad and everything will be alright. but they are admitting they are having a little difficulty finding "a real man".

and finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the best husband in the world! and NO! you're not getting older, i would say you're like a bottle of wine...just better with age!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Me (and a very special person) 1…my dad was a state trooper, which made life a little difficult, cos anytime i tried to think about misbehaving either he or one of his "friends" were close by. and if i didn't end up telling on myself, he was sure to find out! but it was probably God's way of keeping me outta big trouble. dad was strict, but now i'm thankful for how much he truly cared! 2...dad coached our softball team for five years. we were called the tomboys and we made it to nationals, in cincinnatti oh in 1979. i think this is where we built our great relationship. he always expected me to give my best, never gave me slack for being the coaches daughter and i played my heart out for him. 2...dad bought me an original '67 mustang for my 16th birthday. later in life i found out that he had searched 6 months to find one that was all original (remember this part, it comes up two times later in life). 3...one time, when david and i were dating, we got caught going to watch a drag race. the trooper leaned into the car, glazed his eyes on me and said, "lisa, is that you?"! i said mr. keller, please don't call my dad. most everyone got their licenses pulled, the racers taken to jail, while david and i was just pulled over watching everything. then to my dismay...i see my dad's state car slowly pulling up. not a good nite for me! but i never went to another drag race. 3...graduated high school in may '81, married in jan '82 (dad made it clear that he thought i was too young, but after stating how he felt, he never said another word about it or had any negative actions). 4...my wonderful newlywed husband traded my original '67 mustang in less than 4 months after our wedding day, for an ugly (i'm serious UGLY!) long bed truck. i cried for 3 days and he tried to buy it back but the guy was too smart and kept my car. i can't believe my dad didn't give david a piece of his mind. he never even said a word. i think my dad thought it best if he allowed us to learn our own lessons, but now that i have children, oh my, how hard that must have been! 5...dad and mom seperated 4 months after david and i married. that was so hard. i never even knew anything was wrong. they never said a cross word to one another and to me it looked as though they had the perfect marriage. i was devastated. 6...hardley spoke to dad over the next two years cos he had a girlfriend and i blamed him for everything. he still took care of mom financially...house, car, my younger sister..everything...except life was just so far from how i knew it was supposed to be. 7...mom married around 2 yrs after the divorce, then dad married. the little girl inside of me somewhat died. 8...david encouraged me to restore my relationship with dad. after many months, i was able to begin that journey. wrote him a letter. then invited him over. as i asked question after question, he quietly and thoughtfully answered everything i asked. this was another huge lesson in my life...never make your mind up before hearing both sides of the story. he didn't try to give me answers until i was ready to hear what he had to say. he never said a harsh word about my mother, but he did share with me that everything wasn't his fault, as it had appeared. but he did admit he had done wrong and was willing to accept whatever consequences came. 9...dad decided to retired early from the State Patrol. he had put in his 30 yrs and wanted to take some time to travel while he was still young and in great health. he had worked his way to Post Commander. 10...90 days later he was out target practicing getting ready to go on a hunting trip. according to his dear friend and fellow trooper, chuck, dad had just shot his rifle and fell over. chuck revived him, got him to the hospital, called me and my sister and we were able to talk with dad. he looked fine and they had no idea what had happened. i spent about 30 minutes with him and then they had to run more tests. i went outside the hospital to pray. a few minutes later they had to rush him to a bigger hospital. he left in the ambulance, we tried to follow. we waited for what seemed like hours. more and more troopers were arriving. i was so scared. the doctors came out. he had an aortic aneuyrsm and by the time he arrived at the second hospital, it was too late. it was oct 29, 1994. he was 51. 11...the rest of the little girl inside of me died too. 12...it was during the next 2 yrs that i realized what a strong anchor my dad had been to me. and now i felt i had no anchor. my life had changed, never to be the same again. 13...when the retro mustang body style came out last year, david bought me my own car. i told him i had forgiven him, but that this would definitley redeem him. (smile). he liked my car so well, he decided to trade our suburban for a mustang for him as well. of course his is much more of a "muscle car" cos its a roush and a 5 speed. i'm sure dad smiled about that. Links to my Thursday Thirteen... 1. Adam's Blog 2. Wendy's Whimsies Thanks for stopping by!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Your Future Depends On...

Who you will be in the next five years depends on three things:

the books you read

the people you meet

the choices you make

Choose today to live a transformed life!

A few days ago, rabenstranger's post was talking about how life is changing so quickly and several comments about how unknown "growing up" can be. yes, it's such an exciting time but sometimes can be stressful. but i challenge you to to make it the very best it can be. smile often, laugh aloud at yourself and others. and remember, there's no one else like you, no not one that can accomplish what you will if only you choose to live an authentic life based on your values and beliefs.

Thirteen Things That Being a Mom Has Taught Me 1…. Ask questions before handing down the judgement...yea, I actually disciplined the wrong child and after all the ranting and raving was done, the child that had actully commited the offense said, "Mom, I was the one that deserved the spanking, not my sister." We just all cried together and learned a huge lesson. 2.... That our children listen to what we do much more than what we say. Actions speak louder than words. 3....Admitting mistakes, wrongs, etc and asking forgiveness from my children is one of the most humbling moments. But for me it's one of the most important things to do if I want them to be real. Afterall, they usually already know our downfalls, and when we deny them, what does that teach them? 4...Training siblings to work through their own disagreements saves me from having to always be the referee and bad guy. When our girls were seven and nine, we would send them to the bathroom and tell them to work out their problem and not to come out until they were able to come to some kind of resolution. Everyone always asks, "Why the bathroom?" to which they will say, "There was absolutely nothing to do in there!". Now that they are 17 and 19 I'm amazed at how they automatically go to the other one if there's a problem that needs to be resolved. Also, when David and I start arguing, they don't hesitate to say, "Do you two need to go to the bathroom and work this out?". That usually ends our argument with bursts of laughter! 5...Expect the best from your child....they usually live up to our expectations. 6...One on one time is one of the best investments. It may not be an immediate return, but when the teen years come it will give back more than you could ever imagine! 7...Being a servant (to them and others) is the only way to teach them to have a servant's heart and mind. 8...Children are great encouragers. They are the first to offer a hug or a kiss when they know you're hurt. 9...Children are great psychologist...they always have a simple answer to your problem and it will probably make you laugh. 10...Who they consider to date does matter because one day they may part of the family. 11...I have been taught that I have alot more to learn. 12...Having character is better than having knowledge. 13...I can't do it alone...Praying and seeking Godly counsel is vital! Because once the day is gone, I have to live with what I've done and trust God to bless it.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Girlie-Girls and Karate?

The family is gone to karate class. I miss being with them, but I just haven't been quite up to it lately. It's that lovely middle age "junk", and everyone keeps saying, "but you're too young!". But nope, I ain't!

David and I started martial arts 12 years ago and several months ago our whole fam has decided to jump in. Faith, the youngest, has begged me since she was four to let her take karate. I really had hoped she'd be interested in ballet or jazz. But we took those classes for about 8 weeks and she would practice but it just wasn't from the heart.

So when the older girls decided they'd like to start karate, Faith knew this was her chance too. And omg'ness!!! She takes about 6 classes a week and begs to take more. It's definitley a desire, straight from her heart.

Maegan and Tarah also love karate. It's amazing to see such "girlie-girls" transform to this serious" karate kid" mentalitiy. In their first tournament they all placed...Tarah was first in fighting and Maegan was third in her age bracket.

I've been out of karate for about 4 weeks now, but I'm praying that I will be back on track next week. If not, I will simply be thankful for this time of rest and continue to be their cheerleader!

I've been tagged...

so i've been tagged by

No Average Girl

and poked by servantoflove. my instructions are to list five things that i do that are considered weird. this is a little hard becos to me what i do feels normal. but hey, let's give it a shot...

1. i will build a fire in the fireplace even when it's 60 outside.

2. i eat the seeds of an apple.

3. recently, i've learned to drive a straight shift and now (almost always) choose to drive it instead of and automatic (but um its an 05 Roush Mustang, so i doubt that's too wierd).

4. many nights i prefer to sleep on the couch (verses a king size bed), but only if my hubby stays with me!

5. our girls have always had their own rooms, but we allowed them to sleep with us from day one and to this day they can sleep with us anytime they want! and our youngest was born at home!

Welcome, New Arrival

Just a few days ago, my niece had her 2nd baby....another beautiful girl, Macy Bell. Just wanted to dedicate a post to her for being such an excellent mom. I am so proud of her for the time that she devotes to Emma and Macy. She is doing such a wonderful job. It was


a pleasure to be there for the labor and delivery. And I will get some pictures of Macy soon!


Hello world I've just arrived
Cuddly friends are by my side
Making all my dreams come true
Feel so very special too

Trip not easy I confess
My poor Mama needs some rest
Daddy he was by her side
Face was glowing filled with pride

All the family made a fuss
In fact they were quite boisterous
Now I'm home and glad to be
Around my loving family

I'll just smile and bat these eyes
Giggle coo and hypnotize
Then when they are fast asleep
I'll quickly get them on their feet

They'll pick me up with gentle care
Quite down while they are there
What a life it's going to be
Filled with sweetest memories

Well I guess I better go
Have to catch the late late show
See you then and it's a bet
My diaper will be nice and wet



What a big day this has been
My arrival rated ten
Better get some sleep and then
Be calling out for them again.

And It's True!

"An abstract noun," the teacher said, "is something you can think of, but you can't touch it. Can you give me an example of one?"

"Sure," a teenage girl replied. "My father's new car."

And this really is David's new car and the girls really can't drive it because it's a straight shift!

Finding A Husband

At a local coffee bar, a young woman was expounding on her idea of the perfect mate to some of her friends. "The man I marry must be a shining light amongst company. He must be musical. Tell jokes. Sing. And stay home at night!"
An old granny overheard and spoke up, "Honey, if that's all you want, get a TV!"

DON'T MESS WITH MOM

My son came home from school one day,
with a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
to put me in my place.

"Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'

It says I need not clean my room,
don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion,
and regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
and I sure don't have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
and pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
get tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
with the marks on my behind.

Don't you ever touch me,
my body's only for my use,
not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals,
like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
so you can't influence me,
or I'll call Children's Services Division,
better known as C.S.D."

Of course my first instinct ! was!
to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
at the local Goodwill Store.
I told him, "Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.

I've called and checked with C.S.D.
who said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of those Nike Airs.

I've canceled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. is unconcerned
so I'll decide what's best."

I said "No time to stop and eat,
or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
to make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
a favorite dish of mine."

He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
to watch on my VCR?"
"Sorry, but I sold your TV,
for new tires on my car.

I also rented out your room,
you'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D. requires just a roof over your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your jet ski,
dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
instead of C.S.D..?"