SUNDAY JUNE 14th

Happy birthday to my sweet mother-in-law.

Happy birthday to my bestest oldest brother!

Happy first anniversary to (neice) Joanne and Frank! (who are expecting baby this fall).

We also remembered flag day and the founding Godly principles that our nation was built upon.

hummingbirds returned to KY

this is the kind that we see at our backyard deck on the nectar feeder that Scott hung up.  I think he plans to get a real live photo of our feeder being used by those fast flying, tiny birds and will post on his own site.  It is fascinating to watch.  This magazine cover photo was on a recent AG publication we got in the mail.

I am thankful

My nephew and neice-in-law will celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary this month end.  And they just got back from Mexico with son, Dari -who was living with his aunts and grandma all these years.  Can't wait to go visit Illinois and meet him. (and see all the family together).  They live in my brother-in-law Steve's home.  Dari has met his little sister Mia Ciel, but now they finally will all live together. 

Blood donation

Coincidently, on the day I donate blood - one of my daughters donated her cut long hair to "Locks of Love". (and my daughter-in-law will also at the end of summer).   I am proud of them and their concern for such a good cause!  They had purposed for a long time now while intentionally growing out their beautiful thick hair.

Thursday, my work had a blood drive and I drove in to headquarters to donate. Last time (3 months ago), my flow clotted and I never quite finished filling the bag.  My donation wasn't used, so I was a bit nervous about the outcome of donating this time.  I am O+ and I know it's good to donate especially with the shortages going on all over our nation.

My iron levels were good, and I had plenty of water all week- no aspirins- etc. so the only question about a possible deferment was if my blood pressure would be too high to participate.  It has been running high all year.  In fact, last week I went to my doctor for a refill script-required doctor's visit and it was very high then and she wants to recheck me and my meds in another couple months.

I have still been trying to lose weight & eat well/right and I have never really liked adding salt to any of my food...so my b.p. is probably related to stress- though I always feel like I am calm, cool and collected.  Go figure.  I probably need more exercise - which is hard to get at my stationary desk job.  My hobbies of sewing and reading don't get me much exercise either, nor does riding the lawn mower.

So- I was two numbers (systolic) lower from deferring when they took my b.p. and my flow rate was the fastest it has ever been for my donating blood.  I was done lickety split- and for an experiment I asked them to take my b.p. now that I was done donating. 

Yikes! We got the opposite answer I was hoping for- as my b.p. was even higher than before donating. (and I was told if it was this reading beforehand- I would have been deferred.)  I was not dizzy, not anxious feeling, not fast heartbeat....  I didn't even bruise this time.

They gave me TWO different KY Blood Center T-shirts for being their last donation of the day and also a coupon from a tire sponsor for a free rotation and tire evaluation.  Isn't that special?  Anyway- I drank their orange juice and had my granola bar- left work's headquarters and  feeling just fine, went grocery shopping before heading home.

So while I was unloading 18 bags of groceries (from garage to kitchen is tall flight of stairs- up + down, up + down, etc- so I do get some exercise- even though stairs are hard on my knee that needs replacing and my ankle that still needs surgery) I pause to answer the ringing home phone.  It is my husband who couldn't get a hold of me by cell (of course not- I was busy going up and down the stairs)...he says "guess what".  I say "what".  He says "you can probably guess".  I say "just tell me".

He says "I am on my way home.  My books and things are all loaded up and I will see you in a short while.  The company let me go today- I was the next one in line even though they feel so badly about it- with the owner's financial and our economic downturn - there is no way to keep me at this time."

So I ask all of you - what is that saying about getting blood from a dry turnip? I can't remember how it goes. 

Friday- Scott went to the unemployment office to register for compensation again.  Seems like he was just there.  Oh- he was...last August through October...not even a year ago.   Guess we can enjoy the weather and yard work that will get done around here.  I just cannot worry about this situation -it doesn't help or change anything to worry.  Beth Moore calls "worry" the same as  "Vain Imaginations" or "fear".

I will pray and wait upon the Lord to see what He now has planned for us.

(I just hope I see the window open soon).

Our baby's 25th Birthday today

Dear Kimberly, Happy first 25 years ... !

When I first carried you inside, I thought of the miracle that God makes in each of us, uniquely creating each of us after Himself.

When I first held you in my arms, I thought of you as a blessing from God, a special and personal gift to be nurtured and loved.

When I first felt your tiny hand in mine, I thought of how I would never want to let go but of how soon you would be reaching out.

When I first heard you cry, I thought what a powerful sound calling me to yourself so that I could meet your need.

When I first saw you sleep, I thought how peaceful and sweet, how renewing of the spirit.

When I first watched your dad carry you, with his protective tenderness and strength, I thought of how special is our security.

When I first experienced the excitement of your siblings and grandparents meeting you, I thought how wonderful to share you.

When I first saw you smile, I thought of the beauty and joy you would bring to all who would know you.

When I first heard you speak, I thought of all that you would learn and proclaim as truth in your realm.

When I first watched you take steps, I thought about what path you would follow and what imprints you might make.

When I first saw you puzzling and curious, I thought of how you are mindful and hopeful.

When I first saw you hurt, I thought of how you were crushed yet concerned for the welfare of others.

When I first saw you meek, I thought of how you were being made stronger.

When I first saw you in friendship, I thought of you as graceful and giving.

When I first saw you in prayer, I thought of you as seeking and humble.

When I first knew of you, I loved you. As I watched you grow, I appreciated you too.

When I first missed you in my everyday, my heart yearned to know of your thoughts and accomplishments.

When I first think of you each morning, I pray for you to be content in all your days and in every circumstance.

When I first pray for you, I wish you joy and strength, delight and discernment, laughter and wisdom.

When I think of your birthday and your birth day, and you in each new day, I thank God for each remembrance of you.

I will always love you Kimberly.

Have A Happy Day!

Love,

 momma