What I believe

Wanna know what I believe in?  Well, just sit back for a spell and I will tell ya...

I believe God created the heavens and the earth and was above and before anything else.

I also believe there is a devil and we should all stay sharp and watchful.

I believe there is a holy spirit who comforts, indwells, and guides my life.

I believe in a savior named Jesus. He came to this earth through the virgin Mary, and lived on this earth for 33 years.  He died on a cross for ME before I was even born. I am so unworthy, don’t deserve it, but am very grateful....I think it’s called GRACE!

I believe in the power of prayer.  When there is no hope and we think we are all alone, we never are. He hears the cries of his children.

I believe the bible is God’s mouthpiece. If we read it, He will talk to us through His words.

I believe my parents need an award for raising me. I was a handful of spit & vinegar!  But love prevailed.

I believe everyone needs community.  Whether it is through one’s church, family, friends, neighborhood.  We all need somebody who cares about us...PERIOD

I believe girlfriends are the best. They warm my soul and give it a hug every day....can you hug a soul?...yes, you can!

I believe my children are extentions of my heart & soul...and yes, they hug my soul too!

I believe I am married (for 39 years soon) to a man who gave me his last name, has cared and has loved me, and has given me a safe place to fall.

I believe I love my grandchildren more than I should be allowed. They are hilarious, run me ragged, wear me plumb out, give me the best hugs, and love their Majo...and YES, they hug my soul as well! (there’s a theme here)

I believe I love golf & hate golf at the same time.

I believe God invented GPS’s, so we would no longer have to fold up paper road maps.

I believe when the phone rings and it reads “unknown” to let it stay that way....do not answer it!

I believe laughter is indeed the best medicine.  A good belly laugh lasts a long time.

I believe old age is not for the faint of heart.   We have to be strong to pick those grandkids up, to lift a load of fertilizer out of the back of the car, and strong enough to fight the good fight.

I believe I have rambled enough.

I believe this is THE END!

All that jazz....

    As of June 28th, this was the last time I would see this sight....This is Sherry's car...my jazzercise instructor, my golf buddy, my PT leader, my bible study partner, my laugh until I hurt BEST FRIEND!
   

    There are people in this world who cross your path that make you laugh louder, smile bigger, and live better....She is that person....I am a better person because of her... We have prayed together, cried together, golfed, traveled, shopped, painted rooms, planted bushes, ate, drank, all of that stuff you do with those you love.
     Sherry, I will miss you and your funny laugh, your jokes about your family, your crazy thick hair, & your house 5 minutes away!  Going to jazz is not the same...I still go and those of us who are still scarred by your leaving, we still dance, but there is no kick in our step as before!  You have impacked so many of us, you have no idea!
     So may you and Harold have a lovely life in Astor, FL, or as I lovingly call it DISASTER, FL.  May the road between my house and yours be well worn.  

Tribute to Dear Old Mama!

 Ok....Here I go again...trying to put into words to explain my Mama!  

She turned 85 on June 9th....I have known her for 62 of those years.  And I can honestly say, she is NUTS...in a good way...and I am NUTS about her!  

To say she was the heartbeat of our family is an understatement...she brought life, laughter, & fun into the door of our hearts, and filled our tummies along the way.

She could fry up just about anything, and throw a little gravy on it, and you would think you had died and passed through the pearly gates...my,my,my those pies!  apple, lemon, pecan...you name it, she could knock it out of the park!

Did I mention her hands?  They point every which way but straight.  She has had arthritis for years...Her standing joke was always, “I went to bed with Ben & I woke up with Arthur again this morning!”  Those misshaped hands help form me into who I am today.  She sews, stitches, glues, cuts, stamps, and has taken up painting at the age of 84!  She can paint a mean sunflower!  She is famous for her bookmarks and her hug coupons that she gives out freely when we go shopping.

She loves a good bargain and salivates when you pass a yard sale sign. If she spent more than $1.50 on a blouse, then she spent too much!

Her childhood was something of a horror show, but she has overcome the demons of her past, to become one of the richest women I know!  I am not talking about financial gain...she probably doesn’t have 2 nickels to rub together, because she gives away everything she has....it doesn’t stay in her hands for long.  She is richer than Trump, the Gabor sisters, & Brad Pitt combined.....cause she has discovered the secret to a deep, full life!  Actually, it is no secret at all.  She tells most people she knows about HIM...Of course, I am talking about Jesus.  She knows His book upside down the other, and has never met a stranger!

Soooo....Have you met Jesus?....look no further....He indwells in the heart of this precious woman I call Mother!  

Happy Birthday Mama!  

Your children rise up and call you BLESSED! 

This was the first time EVER to get their toes done...a little slice of heaven! 

My view as I drove away...

Field Trip to Jupiter 2-27-15

"Hey Audrey Belle....My name is Papa Joe!"

"I have heard about you...can I have your next corvette?"

"OK Pizza...just another mushroom right here and you will be done!"

"Mushrooms?...Not on mine, thank you very much!"

SMILE EVERYONE!

CHEESE PIZZA....MY FAVORITE!  Thank you Majo!

Look what I picked for you Mommy, while you were out to lunch!!!

Majo's rainbow cake needs to be savored!...and poked at...

MAJO...the baby whisperer!

....sweet family picture!

Ahhhh.....a little egg in the nest.....Precious!  Audrey Belle, you have a little piece of my heart...sleep on baby girl!

What's Important to me

What’s important to me

Rocking a baby is a small taste of heaven for me

A home cooked meal after saying grace

Going to church and singing with the saints

Raising children to love their Lord

Being a good wife by bringing coffee every morning

Counting my blessings...which have far exceeded their limit

Friends who hold a piece of my heart

Parents who are dear and sweet

A sister who loves hers

Sitting by the fire on a cold morning

An open bible

a grandchild’s open arms

Watching someone being baptized

Staying fit with a lot of sweat along the way

Bluebell ice cream

Sun on my face

a nice ironed shirt

Sinking a long putt

Chicken soup when my throat is sore

NO. 8 Grand child Has Arrived!!!

Introducing Audrey Belle Sherwood....Born January 15, 2016

Weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds 2 ounces

A beautiful little girl all in pink!

                                                        Philip is a proud dad

                                AND THEN THERE WERE 3!

Counting my Blessings...1 by 1!

I am SO Thankful                                                                     Nov. 26, 2015

Most years I have a house full of kids running around and a table full of turkey and all the fixins....This year it is just Joe and I.  WHAT?  Actually, I am looking forward to a quiet meal of a turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole(Papa Joe’s request) and apple pie..did I forget to mention there will be gravy...lots of it !!??...a feast for a king and queen, in my opinion.  I won’t have to put out extra chairs or make sure the bathrooms are clean(I usually have to make sure that I atleast check to see if there are any “floaters”) or make sure I have enough dessert....or treats...but I am good with it....cause in a month, I WILL have a house full....a loud house at that, and will love every minute of it!  But I like the quiet and the rest and the reflection of my crazy, incredible life and how God continues to pour blessings on my sorry self and wonder why He does and how I don’t deserve it, and doesn’t He know all that I have done wrong JUST this week, or just in the last few minutes?.....well, YES HE DOES....but He knows my name, He knows my faults, and He loves me anyway.....ahhh....gotta love a God like that!

SO, as I started counting my blessings some 4 years ago, I thought it only fitting to continue the theme....so here goes....in no particular order....

Love my man, 38 years and counting

Love Sarah....1st born, and 1st to “try things out” on

Love Stacy, the one stuck in the middle....O how I love the middle!

Love Philip, my boy...finally got one...and what a treasure he is....doesn’t call much, but that’s ok...he loves his mama, this I know!

Love Jeff....He married my 1st born, and this I am grateful that he takes good care of her.

Love Adam...My 2nd RED HEAD to join the family...He and Stacy built their house (took them 3 yrs) and is a godly man, and is making their house a home!

Love Amanda....she loves and married my boy!  Thank you Amanda for that, and for also carrying my 8th grandchild....a little girl...ahh, can’t wait to meet her!

Laura Jo...1st grand and SO grand to me!

Emily Jo...she loves Cinderella & her Papa Joe

Annie Grace...our chosen red head...what a spirit you have!

Millie Joy...another Jacksonville blessing who is so funny when she is so serious...

Claire Elizabeth...full of excitement and adventure

Joshua Scott...My 1st grandBOY...O boy, what a treasure you are and those BLUE eyes!

Norah Marie...copies her big sister to a T....and what funny faces you make

Baby Sherwood....You don’t have a name yet, but you are greatly loved by this Majo!

My parents...Still alive in Whitney, TX...married 65 years and they gave me life and lots of love to build on.

My sister....Glenda, you are my confidant through our childhood...I adore you!

Lottie...my friend, my partner in our Double L Cafe, the New Orleans beauty queen, such a sweet heart!

Sherry...you brought laughter into my life, and you have helped shape this 61 year old body(no easy task)...and you aren’t too bad at golf either...you are the BEST!

My Wed bible study girls.....Linda, an old running buddy whom I love dearly, Patti, a speaker of truth, Carol, have traveled to Alaska and down the Colorado River with you, Vicky, we traveled to Europe and boated down the Danube River, Janie, my sweet friend who has been through so much adversity and came out like a true champ, Marsha, a sweet heart, Sally, a precious southern belle who has talents galore, Janet, a faithful servant, Denise, left us for the mountains, but one who walks with the Lord...We have prayed, we have laughed, we have cried on my couch for some 20 years...oh my, if those walls could talk....

My Tues. bible study girls...Angela,the baby, Cheryl, a bible scholar, Sherry, keeps us in stitches and on task, Karen, who says you have a bad heart?..I think it works just fine, & Kathy, your southern charm is infectious....not as many years together with you girls, but I love you each deeply...more than you know!

Beth...so thankful for your friendship, our “church” days together, and traveling to Israel with you....it was a life changer climbing Mt Sinai on camels.

Jan...my TX friend....we raised our children together and you showed me what Jesus looks like!

Millie, my mentor and friend when I was a stupid teenager...By your example, I went to ACU & became a teacher!...thank you for leading the way!

Laurie, my neighbor, my friend, who has fed my animals when we leave town....thank you!

Saucer Sisters....there are too many of you(16) to name...but you mean the world to me!
      JJ...love sharing grandma duties with you!
      Travis....you are MORE than a fish guy....sure do love ya! 

THIS house....38 years of dust & memories...Dorothy, there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!...

My throne room....Where I have 66 crosses and counting and have taken each of you to the mercy seat a time or two!

Ok, as you can see....I could go on and on and on....if you aren’t mentioned, it is only because I am running out of space....The good Lord has not sprinkled, but poured a bucket of blessing on this sorry head of mine and to this, I am thankful...I will lift my fork this thanksgiving and thank my God, my savior, my comforter, for giving me breath, turkey, dressing, pie and all the overflow of this life I lead...O my....so so good!