I'm Officially...40.

Today is my 40th birthday.

This is the cake that my hubby had waiting for me when I returned from choir. We enjoyed chocolate cake and milk. YUMMMYYYYY!!!!

Then we all left the kitchen.

Then Carmel helped herself to some cake, too.

When she was caught...she put herself right into time out!

It's Been a While...

Sorry it's been a while since I last updated. I wanted to share the video that I put together for my Grandmother's funeral. Hope you like it.

Heavenly Easter!

Early this morning, while most of us were sleeping, Ella Grace Story, my mother's mother, awoke in Glory to celebrate Resurrection Day with her Lord! While we will begin adjusting to life without her here we cheer for her arrival at her final destination! Praise the Lord!

Just over 5 weeks ago I saw her for the last time. She looked tired. She had lived 96 years nearly all of which was in service to her King!

The members of this large and growing family who are able will converge on the High Point, NC area. We will laugh, cry, sing, cry, pray, and laugh some more as a family. We have an incredible legacy left for us. Not just of parents who loved their children and each other, but more importantly children of God who poured their love for Christ into their children. My fervent prayer is that we will carry on the heritage to the future generations.

Lord, help us to be a blessing...

Sandbox and Fetch

We have the pleasure of being in charge of the daily care of two very precious children. Today was pretty enough that we could venture into the sandbox for the first time! We had a very good time and look forward to getting more toys to play with!

Carmel really enjoys the game of fetch. She still hasn't gotten the concept that if she returns the ball, we will throw it again. It appears to be more fun to be chased!

Another Visit with Grandma

Today we had another chance to visit with Grandma Story. One of her favorite meals is tacos so we brought in tacos to dine with her! I think I now know where Nathan gets his love for tacos!

My mom brought the round letter that passes among her siblings and read it to Grandma. Then Grandma dictated her addition and I was honored to write down her words.

We went into the family room and did some singing as well.

Before we left Cressalyn served her Great Grandma by rubbing her legs and feet! It was a precious visit as always!

Jesus Loves Him

Today I was faced with a potentially explosive situation while at work. We had run out of Dr. Pepper and Ken had left the store to get more from another restaurant across town. While he was gone a customer came through the drive-through and ordered a Dr. Pepper. He was informed that we were out and was offered other choices. He said he would sit right there...at the drive-through window...until we could fill his drink request.

Ken had left me in charge of the shift and the other assistant manager brought this situation to my attention. I went to the window and apologized for the inconvenience and asked him to pull his car into a parking spot. We would bring his order out to him as soon as our general manager returned. He refused to move. He just sat there...looking at me. Again I asked him to pull his vehicle forward to a parking spot. He hesitated and then began slowly pulling forward. He told me to be careful because I was getting angry. I calmly assured him that I was not angry. He said, "Yes you are" and pulled into a parking spot.

I returned to the front counter to wait on another customer. As I was filling his order this drive-through customer came inside. I asked him how I could help. He said instead of the Dr. Pepper he would just have a large milk. I informed him that we have only one size carton but I would happy to give him 2. I placed them on the counter in front of him and he realized it was 2% milk. He said he wanted whole milk. I told him that was all we had to offer. He responded "you don't have whole milk AND you don't have Dr. Pepper??" Again I apologized for the inconvenience.

He gathered his food and milk...after opening his sandwich to check for the onions he had ordered...and looked me in the eye...and said, "Thank you." Then he left.

The rest of the employees said they would have been yelling at him long before he even came inside if they had handled the situation. A customer at the counter was stunned at how grumpy this man was. It took a few moments for my nerves to settle and my heart to stop racing. I had full intentions of refusing to serve him any more and refund his money to him if he continued to behave as he was. In fact, had he refused to move his vehicle I was prepared to call for police assistance.

But as the rest of my shift and then the day wore on my thoughts returned to this man over and over. His face continues to be in my mind. I want to ask him who hurt him? What made him so distrusting of others that he feels the need to bully his way through a simple drink order? In just a short time after he left I felt as though Jesus said to me, "I love him."

After all was said and done, I had remained calm and had treated him with dignity and respect. It must have done something to his armor because he thanked me. How differently this could have gone had I let my reactions be based on his requests.

There have been many times...no many MANY times...in my life that I have reacted with a huff, rolling my eyes, sharp movements, and stinging tone of voice. I know I can react that way. But with the divine assistance of Numa...the Holy Spirit...I was able to refrain from adding negativity to negativity. How many missed opportunities have I had? There's no way to know. But I am so hopeful for the future opportunities that WILL come in my life! I am confident that with Numa's help I will be able to respond appropriately again!

Thank you, Jesus! For sending Numa! I pray for this man that You will make Yourself known to him! He needs Your peace! He needs to know that You love him!

Movie Review "Marley & Me"

Nearly a year ago my mother told me about a new book, "Marley & Me." I checked it out of the library and began reading it to Cressalyn and Ken on our vacation. I didn't get through the entire book before it had to be returned. It was totally funny to us to read the stories of Marley and his antics since we have Carmel and deal with HER antics! The book itself was pretty graphic in areas regarding the author's love life with his wife. But in reading it out loud I was able to do quick editing to convey a "cleaner" story to my daughter.

This Christmas the movie about the book was released. We knew that it would be hysterical to see this dog in action! Tonight Cressalyn and I went and saw the movie. I have always struggled with movies and shows that are "based on" books and such. The movies aren't word for word like the books. They alter details to flow better, I guess, but I can't stand it. For instance, when I read the Little House books AFTER seeing the TV shows lost interest because they weren't like the show. After reading, over and over, the Love Comes Softly series, by Jeanette Oke, I can't what a full movie of the books. This movie starts off very much in that way for me. But I determined to get through it without being critical.

I am so glad I was able to set aside the book from my head and just enjoy the movie! What a great movie! I have a very special place in my heart for dogs and Marley has earned his own spot! The movie portrays the frustrations of parents who have to give up so much of their own desires for the good of their family. I was pleased with the author's character stating that you don't quit it, you fix it in regards to struggles in marriage. Along with all the fun things about Marley, there are some deep lessons to be learned about marriage and family and commitment.

I don't think I have ever cried like I did tonight at the end of a movie. Yes, I have teared up, and even have had one slip down my cheek. But this movie tugged...no yanked at my heart strings so strongly!!!! I loved this one!