Today, I am still remembering Johanna, her parents and extended family. Her birth and passing to be with our Lord and Savior has put my mind in a stir. I do not question why God only gave her to her family for a short 63 minutes, for I know that God has a purpose for everything.

Johanna has made such an impact during her short visit on earth. I am overwhelmed with the lives that she has touched. Her family has great faith and that too has touched me so. I rejoice that she is with her Creator and is no longer sick and will have joy everyday.

So what is my mind stirring about? I wonder about my personal walk with God, my faith, my lack of Bible study, my understanding of God. I need to step it up. Where to start?? I have decided to read a book, which I have had for quite some time, "Knowing the Bible in 30 days." Now I personally know there is no way to know everything about the Bible in 30 days, but feel that this book will refresh me and prepare me for more in depth Bible study. I have also ran across some blogs to read - I need to read about other peoples walk with God. I need to know that they are feeling some of the same things that I do.

I am ready to step it up. Pray for me! and please continue to pray for Johanna's family.

Live, Laugh, Love
Donna

Bittersweet

Today I had the pleasure to met Johanna Raye. She is beautiful, as I knew she would be. She was born at 809 am today, but went to be with her Creator at 912 am. Johanna weighted 3 lbs, 13 ozs, 16 inches long and perfect on the outside, but did have some internal problems.

You will never know what a blessing this child has been to so many people, especially me. God chose very special parents for Johanna. They have known from the beginning that she had Trisomy 18. Their prayer was that Gods will be done with Johanna's life. They never once considered terminating the pregnancy, but chose to have this child, which was a very special gift from God. I believe we all have grown closer with the Lord through Johanna.

Nikki and Chad did get to spend time with their daughter and was with her as she left to be with God. I am thankful for their time with her. God did answer many prayers.

Although my heart is heavy and sure I am sad and have cried my share of tears today, but I also rejoice over the birth of this very precious little girl who has changed so many lives. God is good!

I pray God will give this family and all who loves Johanna so much comfort, peace and healing. It's been a bittersweet day.

Tomorrow, I get to keep Clayton, Johanna's brother, most of the day while his parents are at the hospital. I am so excited. We are going to have a wonderful day - playing, laughing and doing whatever.

Live, Laugh, Love
Donna

An exciting week ahead

Yesterday at work was crazy. I met some really high maintenance people. Today I dug my way through tons of paperwork. But the best is yet to come.

Friday is the big day - My dear friend will get to met her precious daughter via c-section. Her name is Johanna. We all are so excited about this sweet blessing from God. You see Johanna has Trisomy 18. She will be a full term baby, which is amazing within its self. Although Johanna is not expected to live very long, I pray that God will allow her to stay for a little while so that her family has the opportunity to cuddle and love on her. And if I am lucky, perhaps I can have a peek at her. Along with her mother, I am hoping she will have beautiful red hair like her brother. God has already used Johanna in so many ways - the faith of her parents is incredible. The sharing of her story by her parents is a true witness for God. Johanna is indeed a very special gift from God.

And then..........on Saturday I get to keep Johanna's big brother - Clayton. I am so excited. He is adorable and so much fun. We are going to have a big day and I am going to spoil that child as much as I can. I hope that it will be pretty outside so we can go out and play. Maybe over to McDonald's for lunch. Who knows what all we can get into.

As you can tell, it's a big and busy week. Please keep Johanna and her family in your prayers.

Live, Love, Laugh
Donna

Frecky!

Yesterday the hubby and I went to Hickory (his idea). So we shopped a little for him because he really needs some new shirts, which we did find at Kohls on sale (YAY!). Little note: we used the credit card (important info for later in the post). Afterwards we headed to Ruby Tuesdays - they have the best salad bar and white bean chicken soup, YUMMY!

Then over to Sam's to pick stuff for us and for the church. As we are checking out with our huge amount of supplies, the hubby decides to pay with the credit card, because he did not have enough cash. Swipe the card........DECLINE! Impossible hubby says, please try again. Swipe - DECLINE again! Impossible he says we just used it at Kohl's. The cashier kindly says "perhaps you are over your limit." There is no way the hubby remarks, please enter the numbers yourself instead of me swiping the card. Cashier says I can't do that, it's not allowed. Hmmmm......well somethings wrong because I KNOW this card is good. Cashier says I will call the manager. Again Swipe - DECLINE! Oh the hubby is not happy. So needless to say we have to put some things back and then pay with what cash hubby does have.

On the way home, hubby is calling GMAC.....automated machine, awful holding music, no real person, holding................................................................for 30 minutes, getting no where. Home by now - still holding, another 30 minutes. Finally he gives up, but let me tell you he is not a happy person and that is putting it mildly.

This morning, hubby calls GMAC again. I am constantly reminding him that whom ever answers the phone is not responsible for whatever has happen, please don't take it out on them. Anyway, it seems that MasterCard had a down time last night between 7 and 8:30 pm. No one could use their MasterCard during that time. WOW! Should of had a VISA. hehehe

Better

Today is a much better day. I think that I am finally getting over the "crud". Not much of an appetite, but that's ok (I could always stand to lose a few pounds). The sun is out today and it is so nice outside. I would love to go out and just lay in the sun - it would be great.

Well back to work (yay I can work today).

And it goes on....

I am still sick and still sick of being sick. Must this go on much longer?? NO, I so want to be better. Tomorrow is a new day and I better be feeling better. I have had enough of this nasty virus.

I'm Sick............

......of being sick. Ugh!! Vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stomach ache, no energy, etc..... I am zapped. I guess it is my turn since everyone else in the family has had it. This is only my second day and I fear that it wont go away in three. It certainly didn't for my guys.

Oh well that's it.............back to the bed :(

Blah - I just want to go home!

Yea right! I'm not going home anytime soon. Work until 5 pm and then the hubby and I have to attend a "Customer Appreciation Dinner" tonight. Yes, I must go because my sweet little son's employer is hosting the dinner. Oh well, free drinks, free food - the bright side - I don't have to cook, YAY!

I will go and enjoy myself if it kills me. I shouldn't complain, they have one every year and I always do have a good time. It's just - I want to go to bed and read, maybe sleep. I am so dragging today.

Another thought: (i know that's scary) Do you suppose I am dragging because of the way that I eat?? Hmmm, I am starting to think so. Of course no exercise contributes to dragging. Seriously, I need to change my diet, my routine, my life.

Why is it that bad habits are so hard to break and good habits are so hard to maintain?

Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Church Lady

There is a lady at my church, who sits behind my family and myself every Sunday during worship (well every Sunday that she attends). I must tell you that she is a school teacher (this is vital information). Years ago she told my oldest son that he should not chew gum in church. He politely told her she was not his mother (hehehe).

Anyway, she did the children's time during worship a few Sunday's ago and GASP, guess what? She was chewing gum and I don't mean slowly and I mean she was chomping down on the gum. The oldest son smiles and well you must know what he was thinking!!!!

She also talks during worship to whom ever will talk with her. She does not whisper, she talks in a normal tone. It it so annoying. I found it hard to concentrate on the sermon. Her cell phone rings about once a month during service - one word- VIBRATE!! She then apologizes out loud - WHY??? we all know who's phone it is.

Every time church lady talks we all want to turn around and go sshhhhhhhh!!!!! But nobody ever does. We all hope one day she will learn to whisper. Probably not, but we can hope.

Last Sunday our friends came to church and they have 3 children. The oldest one is 6 and sat beside of me. He was coloring and being a good quite little boy. I was so proud, even if he is not my son.

So church lady starts talking and it is getting really annoying. The little 6 year old turns around and gives her the "look" and stares at her, like why are you talking while the preacher is speaking? You know that look, it's the one you give your kids when they talk during church.

Needless to say, I believe he got his point across because she was quite after that. That little boy did something that we all have wanted to do for so long. It was quit amusing, at least to me it was. Honestly, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Next Sunday, I am going to invite him to sit with me again :)

Live, Laugh, Love
Donna

Saturday.......

Well, the day started out cool, but has turned into a beautiful day. A great day to spend at the Biltmore House, but noooooo - the hubby is sick. Yes he finally has caught the stomach virus going around. So needless to say I have been out and about trying to stay away from him, which cost me in the long run. Why you ask? Wal-Mart - I can never go in that store and just spend a little amount of money. $109.00 later (ouch!), I went to Sally's and $42.00 (ouch again) later, I decided I better go home and take my chances.

Upon arrival home, I fixed the hubs some soup, which did go over well. So gave him more drugs and sent him back to bed. Please pray for me, I mean him (hahaha).

Now I am desperate - I am watching MTV Cribs. It is amazing at how much money these rich people will spend on a house. Can you imagine having a house that is 40,000 square feet w/ 9 bedrooms and an elevator? And the master bedroom and bath cost $ 3 million. That's ridiculous!! The entire house cost over $ 40 million. They even have a pool with a waterfall and Jacuzzi tub, and water slide. It makes me mad and not because I am jealous. I am just thinking of the ways they could be spending that money to help better this world. Like, shelter for the homeless, feed the hungry, health insurance for a family, and the list goes on and on. Oh well, I wont hold my breathe on that one.

Ok, I am turning the channel.

Hope you have an awesome weekend.

Live, Laugh, Love
Donna

Sharing !

I have to share some "I did not do that" with you guys. I think I have seriously lost my mind today. It has been a long day, a funny day, and just a weird day.

I so did not have a lazy day at work and feel that I did not earn my wages. (however, there were others that fell in this category) hahaha
I so did not eat 1/2 bag of candy corn today.
I so did not spend 1 1/2 hours at the salon just to get my hair conditioned.
I so did not go buy groceries and then go get take out for dinner.
I so did not want to trip a 5 yr girl that was constantly running in front of me and stepping my toes while I was waiting for my take out.
I so did not want to smack that girls mother for not making her behave.
I so did not go over to my sons girlfriends and watch Grey's Anatomy, even though I much wanted to sleep. (how to you say no when the son ask you to?)
I so did not have to text my son and let him know that I made it home alright.

Oh what a day! In all, it was a good day.

"Chirp"

Oh my dear friend Nikki, have I ever told you how much I appreciate your sense of humor? Better yet, I have ever told you how much I appreciate you handling the Schwan's man? And....by the way, I don't think crickets chirp, hehehehhehe!!!!

Journal

Do you keep a personal journal?? A while back when I was going through a "rough patch" in life, I couldn't sleep. A friend of mine talked with me about using a journal and even gave me a nice book to journal in. I had also found a neat journal book that ask questions and then gave you space to journal other thoughts. I have along the way keep a journal but not daily as I should. I think it really helps to get your thoughts on paper before going to sleep. That way your mind is clear and believe it or not - you do sleep better. I wanted to share with you the questions in my journal. See if you like these:

The weather today is______________________.
In the news today:________________________.
News & Events with my family & friends:_______________.
I am excited about:___________________.
I am concerned about: ____________.
Physically & mentally I feel__________________.
What I learned today: ___________________.
People / things that brightened my day:_____________________.
What I did to brighten someone else's day: _________________.
Goals / ideas for a better tomorrow:____________________.
Notes: ______________________.

I enjoying using these questions as a guide in my journal. I hope you will too.

Live, Laugh, Love
Donna