Three's a Charm

Abby turned three on July 12, 2010. Wow, where has the time gone? She asked for a French poodle party and Shannon also found her the most adorable French poodle outfit to wear for her party. Robert didn't get to come because Home Depot was installing our new flooring that day and someone had to stay at the house. It was a great day and Abby really seemed to enjoy her presents :-)

What a beautiful cake from Publix...and it was delicious,too.
Abby loved her cards and presents!!

Alex was such a good big brother. He helped Abby with her gifts and picked the trash up.
Abby decided later into the party that it was time to be a fairy.




You really can't argue with cash as your present...

I just love the little suit that Shannon got Abby for her party. I think she got it at Name Dropper.
This is what Robert and I gave Abby. I got her something for her room. I knew she would get so many toys that it might be nice to get something different.

Let's Have a Party for Holly - June 2010

I was excited when Holly and Peggy Sue said they'd come over for a little birthday get-together for Holly's birthday. I got a cake from Publix and cheesecake (Holly's favorite according to Peggy). We had vegetable lasagna, green beans, garlic bread, and Milos tea with splenda. They were so nice and actually ate what I had cooked! I felt so bad when I went to light Holly's birthday cake candles my candle lighter wouldn't work and I had no matches. Holly was such a good sport and "tended like" she was blowing out her candles so I could take a picture. I was also honored because Holly let me take pictures of her and of her and Peggy Sue. She never does that. We laughed so much and had such a good time. I gave Holly an American Express gift card so she could take it to IKEA in Atlanta and shop and get what she wanted. I made such wonderful memories that day and I love them both so much! What wonderful friends they are!!!

I love their beautiful smiles! They always make me smile and laugh so hard!


The candle lighter that let me and my dear friends down...


Holly getting her plate. She looked so beautiful.

What a great sport my friend Holls was. No lit candles but she still "blew" them out so I could take a picture and she made a wish! :-)

The Cowboy and the Princess

When I visited the two cutest kids in the world, Alex and Abby, my nephew and niece, recently they had an impromptu dress up party. They were so adorable.

A Makeover for Alex

It was so much fun redoing Alex's room. I talked to him about several options and he decided on the sports theme. I found the sports full size bedding set for $25 at Wal-mart. Gotta love Wal-mart! The red locker, also from Wal-mart, I chose as a bedside table because it also gave such good storage. And, believe me, Alex has it full of papers! I just thought the bedside lamp was nice for Alex and that he would like it. I chose the red architect type lamp for his desk and he really liked that. He already had a nice desk, office chair, netbook, and monitor. We hung a bulletin board and that completed his desk area. The blanket on his bed was chosen to bring some more pops of red into the room. I found a great blue poster frame that my sister found one of his old sports shirts with his name on it and we framed it in and hung it over the head of his bed. All of these items were purchased at...you guessed it...Wal-mart online. He already had some nice navy curtains which we used. The sports wall collection was purchased from Kirklands, another favorite of mine. Mama, Daddy, and my sister did all the major work on his room and I just provided the new layout and other ideas. Dave was at work but helped when he got home. They cleaned out and organized like you would not believe. Alex was at his other grandparents so we could all work without him seeing the new creation and really surprise him. I don't have before photos unfortunately! I remembered to take my camera but I had no SD card in it! ): My sister took some but she is so busy she has not had a chance to get them to me yet. I also wish I had a picture of the look on his face when he saw it the first time because I wasn't there either and I would love to have seen it. I guess we will just have to imagine. But Shannon said he really liked it and that's all that really matters!!!

6 Secrets of a Well-Packed Cooler

With everyone travelling more in the summer I thought this was really good information.

Cool the cooler: If yours is stored in a hot garage or attic, bring it inside overnight so it can cool off before you start packing it.

Fill it all the way up: A half-empty cooler is half full of room-temperature air, which means the ice inside it will melt faster.

Use solid ice: Solid ice melts slower than cubed or crushed. If you can't find solid blocks, use reusable gel-filled ice packs. Line the bottom of the cooler, then pack food on top, adding cubed or crushed ice (in bags) to fill gaps.

Pack foods in order: Raw meats, fish and poultry belong on the bottom to avoid contamination. Seal them in plastic bags.

Keep it shut: Use a separate cooler to pack drinks and snacks for the trip.

Insulate it: Stow cooler in the trunk, away from light, and put a blanket or sleeping bag around it for extra insulation.

Lamb of God

God and Satan One-on-One

Pray, My child. Ask and you shall receive.

No, you won't, said Satan, for God deceives.

Children, be patient and serve only Me.

But if you serve God you are slave, not free.

For you I created the moon, the stars, the lakes.

Yes, but look what total devotion to God takes.

When you're in trouble, I'm always by your side.

No, Satan replied, that is when your precious God

always hides.

Every prayer of yours I always answer.

Ha, mocked Satan, and where is the cure for cancer?

I am Alpha and Omega, most powerful and high.

Then why do Your children serve ME until they die?

The tides roll in and out at My command.

And I suppose You want them to believe You made

every single grain of sand?

I love them with a love that shaped the universe.

Then why do they concentrate on my kingdom and believe

their circumstances could be no worse?

I hold on wanting none to perish eternally with you.

I will use every trick at my disposal to assure they never

know You.

Satan, there's one thing you've forgotten.

Come on, God, there's nothing that can save Your precious

man from his sin.

Step forth, My Son, and show Satan Your hands and feet.

Satan looked and suddenly he could feel Hell's fiery heat.

Jesus looked into Satan's eyes and said, "The ones who love

Me will know it was for them to the cross I went."

But Satan never replied - he was only deathly silent.

Donna Whatley