It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Today is simply beautiful. It's is 75 degrees and breezy. No humidity. I'm loving it. No bad for the 2nd to last day of June. This former Mississippi girl is loving this weather. I got out this morning on the deck and worked on my hanging baskets. I went to Jewel (local grocery) and they had all their plants 50% off. I got quite a few and now I have to plant them. I've only been puttering around in my garden, because I have still been quite sick. But the Doc has me on prednisone. I hate taking that medicine, but it sure does seem to do the trick. Also taking pretty strong antibiotics. But, I am getting off the subject. (Slowly I'm getting better)

I spent the morning getting my plants in all their container gardens. Now my deck looks inviting. I've stuck a few American Flags in them, here and there. Getting ready for the fourth. We usually have a big BBQ with a nice firework show afterwards. Also my Birthday is coming up. I'm thinking I am getting a new digital camera. I can't wait.

I won a beautiful bracelet and earring set from one of my great blog friends. Jensmere! Thanks Susan. I got it the other day and simply love it. Now I need to find a cute outfit to set it off just right. Stop by Susan's blog and check her out. She's very creative!

I also won another award! Kathie over at My Net Finds gave me this fun little doozie!! This award is for: These blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self- aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award.

So, I pass this award on (in no particular order)!!

Susan at Count it all joy.

Alicia at More Than Words.

Mandy at Mommy Cracked.

Carey at Life in the Carpool Lane.

Beth at I Am Heading Towards My Destiny.

Denise at Free to Be Me.

Jennifer at Walking on Sunshine.

Michelle at Surviving it All.

I hope you all enjoy you awards. I love getting to know ya better by reading your blogs.

Well, better go, I'm getting tired.

In Christ

I've Got the Gardening Bug!!

Well, we have had unexpected, but welcomed, company for the past few days. Hubbys family, as well as mine, came for a great Father's day weekend. Some decided to stay on for a few days. So, I have been all tied up with them and have had to fight for whatever computer time I could get. Ha!! My birthday is coming up and I told Hubby, it would be soooo nice to have one of my very own. Hint, Hint!! (He probably will not get the hint).

Ahhh, moving along. I have been engrossed in this great book, I picked up at the GoodWill. It's called A Starter Garden The Guide for the Horticulturally Hapless By Cheryl Merser. It's such a good book. It reads like a novel. It's her experience in making her garden. Hubby just chuckles when he sees me reading it. (I am usually reading a mystery/suspense novel) But I have been learning so much.

Our poor little garden has been sorely lacking. We moved into our home last June. I didn't do too much to the yard, except hang a few hanging baskets around the porch. I was much more worried about getting unpacked and that kind of thing. But now, I am ready to tackle the yard.

I hope to be getting that digital camera soon, and I can post some pictures and you can help me come up with ideas. If your interested in reading a good garden book I recommend the one I mentioned above.

On another note. This past weekend was supposed to be our weekend visitation with the kids. And of course it was Father's day. We were also supposed to have them on Mother's day weekend, but we told Bio mom she could have them, because it was Mother's day and all. But guess what....Friday night we waited and waited and the children never came. No phone call, nothing. We discussed going to the police department, but didn't want to upset the children. We are just filing more papers. I'm telling you, it's never ending. These poor kids, they are in need of some serious counseling. I worry about them. Well, enough of my drama. I have to go and read some more of my garden book. lol!!!

It's Small Talk 6 Saturday!!!

Ok, it's time for a cute little meme from MomDot.com, it's for the "slower" blog Saturdays. Hop on over to MomDot and check it out.

Here goes, today's Small Talk 6 Topic is......I know the suspense is killin' ya right? So how was your Friday night? Oh, yeah, the topic.......

6 things you think the Father of your children deserves to have. (Since this is Father's Day weekend) Oh and you can answer this in 6 pictures, 6 videos, 6 words, 6 paragraphs, etc.

Well, I don't have and children of my own, but Hubby does. So, he does deserve somethings. Let's see what I can come up with.

#1. Respect from his children (He has always worked very hard, he does deserve respectfulness)

#2. Love without conditions. Just because kinda love.

#3. Lots of hugs and kisses.

#4. A new Car. (I don't know, like a Jag, or something)

#5. A new computer.

#6. A great family vacation, (with no work, or business calls) completely cell phone free!!

Hubby, you deserve so much more than I can even think of. Thanks so much for working so hard for all of us! Love you bunches!!

Random Thoughts!!

I have been so out of the loop lately. It all started, with yet another cold, that both Hubby and myself have had. I really wonder if we have had the flu. We've run fever, cough, runny nose, sort throat, aches and pains. I haven't even felt much like eating! (I guess that should help with the weight loss!) It's been ugghhh! And on top of that, we have also had to deal with life.

Yeah, imagine that, life is supposed to go on hold when we don't feel well, right! Lol! This past Friday we had to go to court to deal with issues concerning the ex wife and kids. That is pretty stressful in itself. Then I think I mentioned MIL is moving. Well praise Jesus, she found her on apartment. (She was going to have to move in with us) My prayers have been answered on that front. I love her, but well you get the picture right!

During all this life happening, and work I have had piling up (I work mostly from home) Hubby and I did manage to go to a movie yesterday. We saw The Taking of Pelham 123. Very intense action movie. It was pretty good, and it stars two of my favorite actors, John Travolta and Denzel Washington. Ummm, now I'm thinking, since I went to see that one, Hubby should go see The Proposal with me.

I apologize for not getting back to everyone, I am working on that, things just have piled right up. You know I try to respond to all your comments and visit your blogs in turn. I am thinking up an idea about my give-a-way, so stay tuned on that.

Thanks for being concerned about me. Some of you have sent me emails and such, I just haven't felt like evening dealing with blog world until today! You guys are great!!

In Christ,

Just Hanging around.

Hubby has been off work for a few days and we have just have been relaxing around the house. I however, have been having to do a little bit of work. Earlier this week I had to go into Chicago to a couple of meetings, but other than that, I have been able to work from my home office.

It's 3 days into our new eating plan, (not gonna call it a diet) and we are doing pretty well. So, tonight we are just gonna kick back and watch Burn Notice and the new show Royal Pains. I love the shows on USA network.

I want to get involved in a summer Bible study group, but so far none are going on. Maybe everyone at church thinks we would be to busy to attend a group study.

Well, better go. Have a great night. Oh, hopefully soon, I will be getting a digital camera. Can't wait. :)

In Christ Love,

Starting a New Way of Eating.

As of today, Hubby and I are starting on a no sugar, no pastas, no breads (or bread with low carbs) lots of veggies, lots of proteins and lots of chicken and eventually fruits. Sort of a modified Atkins diet if you will.

We have done this kind of diet change before with much success, but with the holidays and all we certainly slipped on the sugar aspect. We felt so much better when we were doing this diet change. My Mama even recently went to the doctor and he told her to do the same kind of diet. So stay tuned to find out how it goes. I would like to lose 30 pounds.

Well, it seems it's getting close to my 100th post and I think it's customary to do a give a way. If you have any suggestions on how to do one I would love to know. How do you keep up with every one's points or whatever? That's my biggest question.

Hope everyone has a great day.

In Christ,

eHarmony and A Day In The Life in the Burbs.

This weekend was pretty good. My MIL came to visit and Hubby and I talked her into signing up on eHarmony!! So this should make life interesting. She is soooo picky. It's killing me. She also has bad self-esteem, due to her divorce from Hubby's Dad. We're working on that.

Hubby and I found out about each other through eHarmony. (We actually met face to face in Atlanta) So it's a reliable thing I think. My Mama also wants to get set on eHarmony. We are going to have the whole gang on there! LOL!

Friday night the kids came over and well, they were 45 min. late. This is an on going issue we have and I basically have just given up worrying about it. We had BBQ'd and we were waiting for them to get here. I was standing at the kitchen sink, washing a dish, and Hubby was on the deck. I heard this loud squeaking noise and I asked hubs what it was. I thought our cat had caught a bird.

Elvis (the cat) walked right up to the glass door with a thing in his mouth. At first, I thought it was a rat, but then I realized it was a baby rabbit. Hubby called out to Elvis to drop it and he did. Into the house hopped the bunny. I started screaming and it was hopping around. You should have seen it. I wish we had it on video. Then the kids arrived. The bunny was hiding behind the TV. We moved it and it hopped behind the couch. The chase was on. Around through the dining room, living room, back around to the den.

Mania rained and screaming was pouring out of the house. All over a cute baby rabbit. Finally I got the bright idea to get a towel and throw it over the baby and pick it up and put it out. But once it was outside on the front porch, it wouldn't move. I think it was scared to death.

About 15 min. later, Amber comes up to me with the watering can I keep out on the porch, it had the baby rabbit in it. She wanted to keep it. (Oh NO!! I said, we can't keep it) But she put it in a shoe box with grass and stuck it in the downstairs bathroom. (out of Elvis's way) I called some wildlife organizations, but it being a Friday night, got no answer.

I finally managed to talk Amber into putting the baby rabbit back outside so it's mama could find it. We placed it in the backyard next to the fence. Hopefully there was a joyful family reunion. Baby Bunny was gone the next morning.

That's just a taste of life in the suburbs my friends. It's not always dull. Ha!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

In Christ,

It's Small Talk 6 Saturday time!!

Small Talk 6 Saturdays is a weekly meme created by MomDot to engage conversations during the "slower" Blog Saturdays. Every week, those participating respond to a different topic. The response is done in 6; either 6 words, 6 paragraphs, photos etc....

This weeks Small Talk 6 topic is 6 things about your children that you are proud of. Well, I have 3 step children, that counts right? So let's see.....

#1.) I am very proud that they all Love Jesus!!

#2.) They do well in school.

#3.) They have caring hearts for those in need.

#4.) They stand for what they believe in.....example....all 3 children had been attending private Christian school, but this year due to funding issues on the home front, they went to public school. As you know in public schools they teach evolution. Amber, the oldest asked if she could sit out in the hall on the day they were learning about it. Her teacher asked her why? She responded by saying that "Man was created in God's image and the God she believes in was not a monkey" When she told me about this, it brought tears to my eyes. I don't know that at her age (13) I would have been willing to stand up in front of my peers and be different.

#5.) Jacky, the middle one got straight A's this school year.

#6.) They are all very creative, but in different ways. Each has their own special quality about them. I love them all very much.

#7.) I am listing 7 today, Niko, he has an excellent vocabulary. He uses the most amazing words. He's only 10!

Hope everyone has a great Saturday. We are supposed to head over to the Kite festival.

In Christ,

I'm Back With Friday Fragments & Friday Flashback Photo!!

So many fragments, so little time. That's why when you write them down and save them all for a Friday Fragments post, you'll find it very satisfying. Welcome to Friday Fragments, the home for the little tidbits of the week that entertained you, puzzled you, or just made you happy. To find out more about Friday Fragments and how you can be apart of it on your blog, go to Half Past Kissin' Time.

***MIL is upset with Hubby because he invited his dad to the 4th of July party at our house. (his parents are divorced) She wanted to ask some gentleman from her church to come, but now she can't, (that's what she says) I personally don't understand why not. They've been divorced for years. What difference does it make?

***The Cubs are perplexing me. I guess what's new with that, right? They really need to get a winning streak going. I'm not sure why I am bothered by this, it is the same old story, year after year.

***My nieces tell me that they love school here in Illinois so much better than in Mississippi. I don't know why. My Step kids hate school here in Illinois.

***On Monday, I kept hearing a dog howl and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I finally went out in the front yard and a beagle had my poor little Elvis, pinned under the bushes. I saved him tough.

***The other day I was at the ATM with Niko. I was getting out about $40.00. He told me, "When Grandma goes to the ATM the machine gives her hundreds" I have to find out Grandma's secret!!

Flashback Friday Photo.

This is a really fun meme that my friend Alicia is doing over on her blog. So hop on over to her blog and see what it's all about.

I don't have anymore older photos saved in my computer right now. It's a work in progress. But I did find this one of my nieces in 2007 at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

I hope everyone has a great Friday and a terrific weekend~~

In Christ,

Renee

Nintendo Wii and IPod Nano give away!!!

Just found out about this great give away!! Click on over and enter to win. It's almost deadline time.

http://christianpf.com/wii/

What Does Mother-in-laws, Counseling, Peoria, IL, & Burn Notice Have In Common?

Not too much except, it has all kept me and Hubby pretty busy the past 2 days & it sounded like a catchy title for this rambling post! :-)

Hubby and I have been busy!! Yesterday we went over to the MIL's and helped my sister and brother in law, get some furniture. MIL is moving and Sis needed a few dressers and things, so that all worked out pretty good.

Niko

After that Hubby and I drove down to Niko's counseling. It's been moved to every other Wednesday. When we all got there in the office, (Bio-mom, S-dad and us) The counselor asked Bio-mom and S-dad to please wait in the waiting room while she just met with Hubby, (Niko's Dad), Niko and me. So we all got to spend quality time with the counselor. She tells Hubby and me, that we are doing everything right with Niko and that there is nothing she sees, that we could do differently. (you know some people are trying to say we aren't doing everything right...you know who right? If not read down through other posts)

Any, it felt so good, to be reaffirmed by a professional. After a while, I guess we started doubting ourselves. So to Hubby and Me, this is very good news!! Praise Jesus! Now hopefully all other parties in play will get with the program, and we will all be on the same page and do what's best for the children. The counselor also said that Niko definitely needs to spend more time with his Daddy. Good news too.

Kaydee Bug Well, enough about that. We got up this morning early 6ish. and went to pick up my Mama, Sister and 2 nieces. My oldest niece Kaydee has epilepsy and she had to go to a pediatric neurologist in Peoria. We made a day of it. All went well with the appointment, but Kaydee does have to another EEG and MRI done in July.







Tonight Hubby and I are just being couch potatoes in front of the TV. Burn Notice season premiere comes on tonight. We have been anxiously awaiting the first episode.







So I will go for now and kick my feet up and watch Michael Weston, take on the bad guys. :)

Hugs,

Well, Looks Like The Drama is Still Goin' Strong!

As you may know, Hubby has some issues with his ex-wife. We think he gets them resolved and Bamm, a whole new crop of them pop up. His oldest daughter doesn't help matters to much. She is totally playing both parents against each other.

What's a Dad to do? Does he forfeit the precious little time he has with his children, because of scheduling difficulties? We have done this in the past, but when he wants to make up his time, that causes a problem too. We actually have a court date coming up on this very matter. I just wish it could all be settled in a grown up manner!

We found out tonight that Niko has a baseball game schedule at 5pm. on Saturday. Hubby has been pretty accommodating with the ball season, but we already had something planned for the kids to do while they are at our house this coming weekend. (That's another gripe bio-mom has, she says the kids are bored at our house.) So we have planned somethings for this weekend.

Hubs called and left bio-mom a message (she had middle daughter call and play message girl)! So who knows how this weekend is going to end up! All this drama is killin' me. I do know, that I think I'm developing an ulcer with all this.

Well, so sorry to bring ya'll into our private drama! I just had to vent for a little bit.

I know that the Lord isn't gonna give me anything that, with Him, I can't handle! I know that I'm in this family for a reason! I just get so tired of it all sometimes.

Thanks for listening!
In Christ Love,

Blog Problem Solved!!

Well, it seems that the blog problem is solved. It was blogfrog that was keeping my blog from loading correctly. So I just deleted that little widget from my blog and now everything is doing great.

Just an update :)

My Mama's Biopsy!!

Mama had her breast biopsy last Thursday and all seems to have gone well. The Doc said that he really feels that it was a cyst, because it burst when he touched it. But he was still able to collect enough of it to send it off to the lab. Please pray that's all it is, a benign cyst.



Mama is feeling good and we all appreciate your prayers immensely. Now she has to have an EGD and colonoscopy. She has had some blood in her poo. (sorry to be so descriptive) But, well, it's a concern. Since she has moved to Illinois, she of course has had to find new Doc's and well she is getting a full work up. That's a good thing.



On another note, you may remember that my blog friend Grits Girl. Her Daddy's test came back, his cancer has not spread, (praise Jesus) and he will be having surgery on the 24th (I think). So please continue to pray for him.

For a short moment today, my blog actually loaded like it was supposed to. I was so excited. But then for some reason, I refreshed it, and well it didn't do again. Back to square one. I am sure it's gonna be fixed soon though. I can post, but I can't see my main page.

I hope ya'll have a good Tuesday afternoon. School is almost out around here. The kids get out on June 10th. My nieces June 2nd. So lots of summer looms ahead.

In Christ,

Having a few Computer Problems!!

Oh my!! Hubby has done some updatin' on the computer machine, and now I am having computer difficulties. I know he meant to do good, but my blog will not load!! It's the only thing that we're having a problem with (don'tcha know it). I can access my dashboard and everything else, but my home page has definite issues! So I will be suffering for a few days, until he figures it all out! That could be a bit scary!


If you happen to have any suggestions, I would appreciate it!

On to a more positive note, I am starting a Bible study on Judges and Ruth. The last time I tried to read the Bible through, I got bogged down in Judges. So I am hoping that the Bible study helps.

I came across this blog Prayers For Rance. It's about a young guy who got hurt pretty bad in an accident. Please visit if you get a chance and offer prayers and encouragement.

I hope ya'll have had a great start to your week.

In Christ,