Here is the after:
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
Here are the Racing Experience Pictures!
Here are three pictures from his experience. He went 170 mph and passed one car and was closing in on the second when his laps ran out. He absoultely had a blast, he is still talking about it! He said he is ready to go again.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Donald's Racecar Experience is on Sunday!
On Sunday at noon Donald's 25th anniversary present will become a reality for him...he will be driving a racecar around the Talladega Speedway at speeds up to 160 miles per hour!! He is so excited about it and I know he is going to be just so cute in that jumpsuit! Not sure how many will be on the track with him, but they say he will get to pass, draft etc...
I really hated that I could not get a Saturday date and we are having to miss church for this, but it could not be helped. I am taking 2 camera's and a video camera to document this exciting time for him. Already bought the scrapbooking paper for the layout! Will post pictures on Monday!
Have a great and safe weekend!
I really hated that I could not get a Saturday date and we are having to miss church for this, but it could not be helped. I am taking 2 camera's and a video camera to document this exciting time for him. Already bought the scrapbooking paper for the layout! Will post pictures on Monday!
Have a great and safe weekend!
Friday, June 15, 2007
The Vodosia household welcomes the weekend!!!
So ready for the 5:00 whistle to blow!! Actually for me today it will be 3:00 ;)
We are anticipating a relaxing weekend to catch up on some much needed family time! Donald is playing in a golf tourney with his company McAbee today along with a couple of "blue hats" from USX...sure hope they do well! I have a class at Scrapbook Stuff tonight, meeting Joseph for dinner at Jim 'n Nicks in Jasper. Saturday we are going to do a little house work (yuk!) and take in a movie and dinner at the Pita Stop Cafe. I am so ready for Sunday, have missed my church and my youth! Can't wait to spend a day in the House of the Lord!
Wishing you all a great and safe weekend!
We are anticipating a relaxing weekend to catch up on some much needed family time! Donald is playing in a golf tourney with his company McAbee today along with a couple of "blue hats" from USX...sure hope they do well! I have a class at Scrapbook Stuff tonight, meeting Joseph for dinner at Jim 'n Nicks in Jasper. Saturday we are going to do a little house work (yuk!) and take in a movie and dinner at the Pita Stop Cafe. I am so ready for Sunday, have missed my church and my youth! Can't wait to spend a day in the House of the Lord!
Wishing you all a great and safe weekend!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Hi Ho Hi Ho Off To Work We Go....
I think that is all we do right now especially this weekend! I am working the next 6 days 16 and 12 hours! Donald is working tonight 12 hrs and Saturday 3-11...I think we might cross paths in the morning around 8ish. Hope so, miss him and Joseph (but at least I get to see the boy when I get home at night).
GiGi and Joe are off to North Alabama tomorrow to see Gracie in her dance recital...I hate that I am missing it! Went last year and it was so cute! Sunday GiGi is making a dish from a recipe I got from the Olive Garden, can't wait to taste it!
Hopefully next week Joseph will have his interview set up with TCH for the Dental Tech in our Dental clinic. He is very excited about this opportunity and so are we. Just another step in reaching his goal to become a Dentist! We are just so proud of him! We are so blessed with an amazing, loving, compassionate, Christian young man for our son! (sorry I had to brag just this once!)
Ever one have a safe and glorious weekend!
GiGi and Joe are off to North Alabama tomorrow to see Gracie in her dance recital...I hate that I am missing it! Went last year and it was so cute! Sunday GiGi is making a dish from a recipe I got from the Olive Garden, can't wait to taste it!
Hopefully next week Joseph will have his interview set up with TCH for the Dental Tech in our Dental clinic. He is very excited about this opportunity and so are we. Just another step in reaching his goal to become a Dentist! We are just so proud of him! We are so blessed with an amazing, loving, compassionate, Christian young man for our son! (sorry I had to brag just this once!)
Ever one have a safe and glorious weekend!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Finally Pictures from our Anniversary
Wonderful evening, great food...if you have never eaten at the Pita Stop Cafe I highly recommend it! Thanks to the Hand's who introduced us to it!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
More Pictures from the Botanical Gardens
Here are just a couple of Amie that was taken, I took the top picture and another of the students took the close up of her.
After Donald and Joseph showed up Baham wanted to take some of Joseph as well, he really thought his "shades" were cool. So he took the one of just of his Oakley's, if you look close you can actually see him taking the photograph. He is an awesome teacher and photographer!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Our Nephew turns 4!
This is our oldest nephew and he
celebrated his birthay on Saturday
with a party at the farm...a Cars/Clown
party. He actually turned 4 on Sunday!
Love this boy!!!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Way out of my Comfort ZONE!!!
This afternoon I start cross training in the Emergency Department at Children's! I am excited but nervous. I have been in the ED to work with Chris as a SANE, but never as an actual ED nurse.
So please say a prayer!!
So please say a prayer!!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Our Song: Endless Love
I tried to post this from youtube, but could not get it to work. This was and still is our song! This is old school compared to the music videos of today. Hope you enjoy!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_tpE9ZSZyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_tpE9ZSZyk
Today is the DAY!!!
Today is our 25th Anniversary!! It has been an awesome 25 plus years! We had a wonderful dinner on Saturday evening at the Pita Stop located on Southside by the old Healthsouth Hospital. We shared some Kapooli, Donald had the lamb kabobs and I had the shrimp kabobs. He was so excited when he opened his gift to see he would be driving a race car on 6/24 for 10 laps at Talladega! My wonderful gift was a 3/4 karat diamond eternity necklace! I was just blown away by the sparkle of the diamonds! (Integrity Jewelers 205-910-9094) they do awesome work!!
Yesterday I had a photography class at the Botantical Gardens after church and the boys came over after lunch to go to the Bonzai Tree showing. We made a few pictures for our anniversary too.
I should have the pictures tonight, so I will post some tomorrow!
Yesterday I had a photography class at the Botantical Gardens after church and the boys came over after lunch to go to the Bonzai Tree showing. We made a few pictures for our anniversary too.
I should have the pictures tonight, so I will post some tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
What has been happening...
Just a quick overview of the last few days...and on toward the weekend...
- Worked 12 hours on Saturday in the NICU; love the babies!
- Sunday was a wonderful day in the house of the Lord, the boys gave me a new Palm Pilot to feed my need for organization!
- Monday I had the Blitz at UAB, had a great visit and lunch with Tara. Took the 2nd class in Introduction to Light Measurement at the Birmingham School of Photograpy.
- Tues was a steady day at work, went to a Candle Lite party at Liz's house...this will feed mine and Joseph's candle obession.
- Today has been steady and I met with Jimmy Barnett which is the Educator in the ED at TCH and have my orientation days lined up! I am so pumped about this opportunity to work in the ED and continue working with the SANE program at a whole new level. Church tonight! Missed my kids last week, due to that wonderful allergic reaction to a med.
- Thursday I am not working any extra, going home at 4 to spend time with my boys and maybe a little housework (yuk).
- Friday will end with going to a Coming of Age concert at the Refuge from 6-10 pm; COA is our youth minister's band and they totally rock! You can check them out at www.indieheaven.com and you can link to their myspace from there too.
- Saturday we are cropping at the church; that afternoon we are going to the Botanical Gardens to the Bonsai showing (Joseph has one and we are going to see what it is all about). That night at 6 Donald and I have a date night to celebrate our Silver Anniversary which is on Monday! We are eating dinner at the Pita Stop on South Side and exchanging our gifts. I wish I could drop a hint about his gift here, but if he reads this it would spoil it. I will post pictures etc on Monday and let you know what it is!
- Sunday will be another glorious day in the house of the Lord! I just so love our church and everyone there! At 1 pm I am meeting my photography class back at the BG for a workshop. Amie B. is going to be my model so I think it is going to be fun...the weather is suppose to be nice.
Toodles!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Want to be Debt FREE and have Financial Freedom???
This is a long post, but will worth the read!
Dave Ramsey Seminar….Total Money Makeover
Read Proverbs it has 31 chapters and it tells you how to be good stewards of your money.
This is the basic he told us last night…his website is http://www.daveramsey.com/ if you want more info.
Baby Step #1:
$1000 to start an Emergency Fund (time frame 1 to 1 ½ month) put it where you can get it, but not for Pizza! Prioritize!! In a 10 year period everyone will have a financial emergency!
Mutual Funds a one time investment of $1000 from age 25 to 65 at 6% will be $10,285 at 12% will be $93,050 and at 18% will be
$750,378
CUT UP CREDIT CARDS!!!
Open credit cards with a zero balance count against you as well as car pmts when you apply for a mortgage.
You do not need a credit card to rent a car, check into a hotel you can use you debit card!
Stay away from car payments drive reliable used cars. Save and pay cash!
Leasing a car is the most expensive way to finance a vehicle
Baby Step #2
Pay off your debt using the Debt Snowball
Quit borrowing more money!
You must save money!
Prayer really works!
Sell Something!
Part-time job or overtime (temporarily)
List you debts in ascending order with the smallest payoff balance to the largest. Don’t worry about interest rates or terms unless you have two debts that have similar payoffs, then list the higher interest rate first. (I am going to place a copy of this in the break-room if you want a copy)
Baby Step #3
3-6 months of expenses in savings
Emergency fund is insurance not an investment it must be easy to access or liquid. An emergency fund can turn a crisis into an inconvenience.
Money market accounts are easily accessible, often have no penalties for early withdrawals, and often have check writing privileges.
Baby Step #4
Invest 15% of household income into a Roth IRA and pre-tax retirement.
Compound interest is the key!
$100 per month from age 25 to 65 at 12% will be 1,176,477 from 30 to 70 years right at 6 million dollars
Start NOW!!
Diversification means to spread it around and it is a lower risk!
Mutual Funds are long term investments at least 5 years buy and forget it!
Invest:
25% in a growth and income fund
25% in a growth fund
25% in international funds
25% in aggressive growth funds
Baby Step #5
College fund…make sure your kids are fit too!
And Education Savings Account (ESA) or Education IRA, funded in a growth stock mutual fund is the best. $2000/year tax free
Research the cost of attending college.
The average college student graduates with $27,900 in student loan debt.
First rule of college…Pay Cash!
Savings bonds and pre-paid tuition not smart investments---the return rate is low
Baby Step #6
Pay off home early!!
You do not need the tax deduction! If you are debt free you can give to charitable organizations and help others and get the same deductions!
Best option a 15year fixed mortgage
Payments should be no more than 25% of your TAKE HOME PAY!
Written Workout Routine
Must have a cash flow plan.
A budget is when you say “Show Me The Money”
4 to 8 million dollars will flow through our hands by the time we retire!
A good cash flow plan should be a zero based plan. The envelope system is a practical tool. A written plan removes the management by crisis from your finances so the money works harder.
Give a budge 90 days to work for you:
Food
Utilities
House
Transportation
Clothes
Fun
Baby Step #7
Build wealth and give!
Wealth is not an escape Mechanism, it is a tremendous Responsibility!
If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else!!
Dave Ramsey Seminar….Total Money Makeover
Read Proverbs it has 31 chapters and it tells you how to be good stewards of your money.
This is the basic he told us last night…his website is http://www.daveramsey.com/ if you want more info.
Baby Step #1:
$1000 to start an Emergency Fund (time frame 1 to 1 ½ month) put it where you can get it, but not for Pizza! Prioritize!! In a 10 year period everyone will have a financial emergency!
Mutual Funds a one time investment of $1000 from age 25 to 65 at 6% will be $10,285 at 12% will be $93,050 and at 18% will be
$750,378
CUT UP CREDIT CARDS!!!
Open credit cards with a zero balance count against you as well as car pmts when you apply for a mortgage.
You do not need a credit card to rent a car, check into a hotel you can use you debit card!
Stay away from car payments drive reliable used cars. Save and pay cash!
Leasing a car is the most expensive way to finance a vehicle
Baby Step #2
Pay off your debt using the Debt Snowball
Quit borrowing more money!
You must save money!
Prayer really works!
Sell Something!
Part-time job or overtime (temporarily)
List you debts in ascending order with the smallest payoff balance to the largest. Don’t worry about interest rates or terms unless you have two debts that have similar payoffs, then list the higher interest rate first. (I am going to place a copy of this in the break-room if you want a copy)
Baby Step #3
3-6 months of expenses in savings
Emergency fund is insurance not an investment it must be easy to access or liquid. An emergency fund can turn a crisis into an inconvenience.
Money market accounts are easily accessible, often have no penalties for early withdrawals, and often have check writing privileges.
Baby Step #4
Invest 15% of household income into a Roth IRA and pre-tax retirement.
Compound interest is the key!
$100 per month from age 25 to 65 at 12% will be 1,176,477 from 30 to 70 years right at 6 million dollars
Start NOW!!
Diversification means to spread it around and it is a lower risk!
Mutual Funds are long term investments at least 5 years buy and forget it!
Invest:
25% in a growth and income fund
25% in a growth fund
25% in international funds
25% in aggressive growth funds
Baby Step #5
College fund…make sure your kids are fit too!
And Education Savings Account (ESA) or Education IRA, funded in a growth stock mutual fund is the best. $2000/year tax free
Research the cost of attending college.
The average college student graduates with $27,900 in student loan debt.
First rule of college…Pay Cash!
Savings bonds and pre-paid tuition not smart investments---the return rate is low
Baby Step #6
Pay off home early!!
You do not need the tax deduction! If you are debt free you can give to charitable organizations and help others and get the same deductions!
Best option a 15year fixed mortgage
Payments should be no more than 25% of your TAKE HOME PAY!
Written Workout Routine
Must have a cash flow plan.
A budget is when you say “Show Me The Money”
4 to 8 million dollars will flow through our hands by the time we retire!
A good cash flow plan should be a zero based plan. The envelope system is a practical tool. A written plan removes the management by crisis from your finances so the money works harder.
Give a budge 90 days to work for you:
Food
Utilities
House
Transportation
Clothes
Fun
Baby Step #7
Build wealth and give!
Wealth is not an escape Mechanism, it is a tremendous Responsibility!
If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else!!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Matthew turns ONE!!!! Today 5/11/07
(1) At UAB 6/06 (2) 10/06 (3) 2/07 (4) 4/07
Today is this gorgeous little boys birthday! Matthew turns one! He is such a miracle, he was born at 28 weeks, weighing just over 3lbs! He is very healthy and is such a happy baby! We are so blessed to have him and his sweet parents James and Emily at Bethel and I am doing my best to spoil this sweet boy!! He has the best smile, it just lights up his whole face!
Today is...
Today is this handsome little boys birthday!! He is two! We celebrated it over the weekend with a "Cars" theme party. He just loves Lighting McQueen!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Great Weekend and Monday!
Great weekend of scrapbooking! I worked on our Wedding Album and I have maybe 3 more pages and I will be done! I think it turned our really good. I will take some pictures with the digital and post later. Just remember the pictures are almost 25 years old! We had some great food, made a cute project called and "explosion box" and made a two page layout we can use for our retreat pictures.
Sunday I met up with the boys in McCalla at Paintball Quest for a paintball tournament, but I was to late and missed the last game so I ate lunch with them. We also started our Revival Sunday morning, with Michael Mason.
Monday I had the day off for a conference on "Shaken Baby Syndrome" it was good and we received a lot of good info. Amazingly the stats stated that the father/boyfriend and the baby sitters were the most likely to shake the baby. They showed a forensic video of a baby being shaken and the way the brain sloshed around in the head, the eyes moved also (which causes the hemorrhaging in the eyes, and the way the arms and legs swing so violently back and forth they can also have small fractures in their shoulders and hips. We also seen a video of three families that had experienced this, the first was shaken by the husband and he died, the 2nd (not sure who shook this baby), but he has severe mental delay and the 3rd was shaken by the babysitter, and also has severe mental delay. 3 lives changed forever because of a moment of frustration.
Monday night at the revival "Reflections" did a human video to Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Awesome message out of Phil. 2:11. I am working 16hours today so I will miss tonight's message and I hate that!
Have a blessed day/week!!
Sunday I met up with the boys in McCalla at Paintball Quest for a paintball tournament, but I was to late and missed the last game so I ate lunch with them. We also started our Revival Sunday morning, with Michael Mason.
Monday I had the day off for a conference on "Shaken Baby Syndrome" it was good and we received a lot of good info. Amazingly the stats stated that the father/boyfriend and the baby sitters were the most likely to shake the baby. They showed a forensic video of a baby being shaken and the way the brain sloshed around in the head, the eyes moved also (which causes the hemorrhaging in the eyes, and the way the arms and legs swing so violently back and forth they can also have small fractures in their shoulders and hips. We also seen a video of three families that had experienced this, the first was shaken by the husband and he died, the 2nd (not sure who shook this baby), but he has severe mental delay and the 3rd was shaken by the babysitter, and also has severe mental delay. 3 lives changed forever because of a moment of frustration.
Monday night at the revival "Reflections" did a human video to Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Awesome message out of Phil. 2:11. I am working 16hours today so I will miss tonight's message and I hate that!
Have a blessed day/week!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Off to a scrapbooking retreat...
This weekend is the retreat at Springville hosted by Scrapbook Stuff in Jasper! Can't wait 3 days of scrapbooking, classes, food and fellowship! TTYL Vikki
Friday, April 13, 2007
Today is....
Today is my "little" brother's birthday! Happy Birthday Chuck....I love you bunches!!!
Well, it looks like this weekend is going to be quiet...we were having a crop tomorrow but it is cancelled. So, I may do some scrapbooking at home, along with house cleaning and maybe catch a couple of movies with Joseph. We want to see Blades of Glory...I am really not a fan of either of those actors, but the movie looks really funny. There are several more starting tonight that we want to see.
Sunday will be quiet as well, after church we are going to Smiley's for lunch and them home for a quite afternoon until evening services.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Well, it looks like this weekend is going to be quiet...we were having a crop tomorrow but it is cancelled. So, I may do some scrapbooking at home, along with house cleaning and maybe catch a couple of movies with Joseph. We want to see Blades of Glory...I am really not a fan of either of those actors, but the movie looks really funny. There are several more starting tonight that we want to see.
Sunday will be quiet as well, after church we are going to Smiley's for lunch and them home for a quite afternoon until evening services.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Catch up!
I hope everyone had a wonderful time Sunday celebrating the birth of our Savior and some special time with your families! Here are just a few things that have happened in the Vodosia home since my last blog:
1. 3/31 Photo shoot with Liz, Ryan and Lily
2. 4/1 Palm Sunday...the choir had their musical tonight it was very good!
3. 4/2 went to Perico's for my bday! Best Mexican this side of the border!!
4. 4/3 I turned 42 years young!
5. 4/4-4/7 I had surgery and recovery time; everything went well
6. 4/8 Wonderful day at church; the service was very moving from the theme interp "By His Wounds"; the choir did awesome, Tammy Jarvis rocks the house everytime she sings! Bro. John's message was just great as always, we had a full house, more families joining every week. God is moving at Bethel!!
Muah!!
1. 3/31 Photo shoot with Liz, Ryan and Lily
2. 4/1 Palm Sunday...the choir had their musical tonight it was very good!
3. 4/2 went to Perico's for my bday! Best Mexican this side of the border!!
4. 4/3 I turned 42 years young!
5. 4/4-4/7 I had surgery and recovery time; everything went well
6. 4/8 Wonderful day at church; the service was very moving from the theme interp "By His Wounds"; the choir did awesome, Tammy Jarvis rocks the house everytime she sings! Bro. John's message was just great as always, we had a full house, more families joining every week. God is moving at Bethel!!
Muah!!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Update...
Last Saturday was fun, we met Paris (my new friend and photography teacher) at the Botanical Gardens for her Portrait class. Joseph did some modeling for her, Kelsie came along and did some as well. She took some pictures of us, I got to see them last night and they all turned out great. She is making me a disc so as soon as I receive it I will post some.
Everything went great with the drama Sunday night...will post pictures Monday. It was a very moving experience. Tasha did an awesome job with her role as Mary.
This week has been busy as well...Donald working crazy shifts, Joseph's spring break is over...but he made a decision after much prayer about his career path and he has chosen to go into Dentistry with the specialization in Orthodontics. He has already made an appointment with his new advisor in April. We are so proud of him! He seems to be more focused and less frustrated this week which gives us back our happy, goofy and sweet boy! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful son, who loves the Lord, is talented in so many areas, has a sweet and tender heart!
I met Joseph out on Morris Avenue Tuesday to finish up a role of slide film for my class (it was the perfect cloudy 8 day!); but his allergies were kicking and he just could not handle it. We actually had to call Walter (our eye MD) and get some steroid eye drops for him. So Wednesday Donald and he came back over and I took the shots that day and they so turned out!!! I have them on slides so I've got to get them transferred to a disc and I will post some here and on my photography website.
As far as today and this weekend, tonight I am hoping for a quiet evening...maybe a little house cleaning and lounging around with my boys! Saturday I am shooting the Harrison Family (a great family we met through James and Emily). Then Saturday night some girlfriend time with Amber, Susan and Shannon...dinner for sure and you never know what else may happen...LOL! Looking forward to Sunday and a wonderful day in the house of the Lord! I just so love our church family!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Toodles!
Everything went great with the drama Sunday night...will post pictures Monday. It was a very moving experience. Tasha did an awesome job with her role as Mary.
This week has been busy as well...Donald working crazy shifts, Joseph's spring break is over...but he made a decision after much prayer about his career path and he has chosen to go into Dentistry with the specialization in Orthodontics. He has already made an appointment with his new advisor in April. We are so proud of him! He seems to be more focused and less frustrated this week which gives us back our happy, goofy and sweet boy! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful son, who loves the Lord, is talented in so many areas, has a sweet and tender heart!
I met Joseph out on Morris Avenue Tuesday to finish up a role of slide film for my class (it was the perfect cloudy 8 day!); but his allergies were kicking and he just could not handle it. We actually had to call Walter (our eye MD) and get some steroid eye drops for him. So Wednesday Donald and he came back over and I took the shots that day and they so turned out!!! I have them on slides so I've got to get them transferred to a disc and I will post some here and on my photography website.
As far as today and this weekend, tonight I am hoping for a quiet evening...maybe a little house cleaning and lounging around with my boys! Saturday I am shooting the Harrison Family (a great family we met through James and Emily). Then Saturday night some girlfriend time with Amber, Susan and Shannon...dinner for sure and you never know what else may happen...LOL! Looking forward to Sunday and a wonderful day in the house of the Lord! I just so love our church family!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Toodles!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Busy Weekend
I am so excited this Sunday is the Easter Drama that my SS class is putting on it is called "Through Mary's Eyes" written by a fellow church member. Tasha "Mary" is telling the story as it is acted out along with some other monologue... We have dress rehearsal Saturday night and Joseph is going to take some pictures, so I will post some of them as soon as I can.
Joseph has his first modeling gig tomorrow for the B'ham School of Photography, I am stoked about that as well...can't wait to see the pictures!
Donald is still working long hours, but he is getting to turkey hunt today and Saturday. He really enjoys the hunt, me I am to impatient to sit that still for hours. He tells me turkeys have very good vision and can see the slightest movement, not sure how he sits that still either...
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Ciao!
Joseph has his first modeling gig tomorrow for the B'ham School of Photography, I am stoked about that as well...can't wait to see the pictures!
Donald is still working long hours, but he is getting to turkey hunt today and Saturday. He really enjoys the hunt, me I am to impatient to sit that still for hours. He tells me turkeys have very good vision and can see the slightest movement, not sure how he sits that still either...
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Ciao!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
What is your choice??
LET IT REALLY SINK IN - THEN CHOOSE
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood
and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him
how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be
twins!"
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the
employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and
asked him, "I don't get it!
You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two
choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can
choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood."
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I
can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept
their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I
choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away
all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to
situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's
your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry
to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him
when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious
accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released
from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be
twins...Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through
his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my
soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground,
I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I
could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
He continued, "..the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me
into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and
nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'.
I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said
John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The
doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took
a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'."
Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on
me as if I am alive, not dead."
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his
amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the
choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood
and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him
how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be
twins!"
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the
employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and
asked him, "I don't get it!
You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two
choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can
choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood."
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I
can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept
their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I
choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away
all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to
situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's
your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry
to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him
when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious
accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released
from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be
twins...Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through
his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my
soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground,
I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I
could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
He continued, "..the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me
into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and
nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'.
I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said
John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The
doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took
a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'."
Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on
me as if I am alive, not dead."
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his
amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the
choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
SnapDragon??
Does anyone else feel like this on Monday's??? It was a busy weekend. It started Saturday with a trip to Dothan to play paintball in a 5 man tournament and then drive back home in the same day! With the time change we got home around 2:45 Sunday morning. Sorry to say we were slackers for the AM services, but there for the PM service at church. Reflections did the drama Call Out to Jesus by Third Day and did an awesome job!!
Blessings!!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Interesting Sunday
Joseph and three of his friends, Zac, Josh and Brad played in a Paintball Tournament yesterday in Cullman. I have been to buy paintball stuff, but never to a field to watch them play. It is very interesting to say the least. Some of these guys go at it like they are really in combat. Some are just there for fun. Our group Last Minute Militia played 5 games and they won 3 out of the 5, but the points were not enough to carry them into the finals. Joseph and Josh took pictures and finally at the last game I was brave enough to get out on the field at take some pictures. Will post some soon, did not take my digital so I've got to get them developed.
We maybe heading down to Dothan for a 5 man tourney on Saturday!
Ciao
We maybe heading down to Dothan for a 5 man tourney on Saturday!
Ciao
Monday, February 26, 2007
What a CRAZY Weekend!!
Great time at Maniac Madness with India and Nonna! They did a spectacular job! Seen old friends, made new ones, got some scrappin done. Here are a few pictures!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Maniac Madness is in 24 hours!
Can't wait! Maniac Madness a retreat sponsored by Scrapbook Mania is tomorrow! It starts at 9:30 Friday and goes until 7:00 pm Saturday. I hope to get so much done in my scrapbook, meet new friends, see old ones and just fellowship! I will post pictures on Monday!
Also on Sunday night will be the 1st Priority Praise at Bethel, our youth group is so pumped for this. It is always such a blessing to see the youth come together from different area churches and just praise our wonderful Lord and Savior. Our Praise band "The Other Side of Grace" will be playing as well as Reflections will have two human videos "Shout to the Lord" and "Call out to Jesus" it will be an awesome time in the Lord! Will post some pictures Monday!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Vikki
Also on Sunday night will be the 1st Priority Praise at Bethel, our youth group is so pumped for this. It is always such a blessing to see the youth come together from different area churches and just praise our wonderful Lord and Savior. Our Praise band "The Other Side of Grace" will be playing as well as Reflections will have two human videos "Shout to the Lord" and "Call out to Jesus" it will be an awesome time in the Lord! Will post some pictures Monday!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Vikki
Monday, February 19, 2007
Great weekend!
Wow! The Valentine's Banquet was such a huge success! In part to the wonderful youth council and parents we have on board. We started out at around 10 that morning with cooking and decorating. The youth did an awesome job with the human video "When I think about the Lord", special thanks to Shelia Tucker for singing at the last minute! The Newly Wed game was a hit as always! We prepared food for 125 people and only 3 couple did not show that had reservations. We had child care this time and our youth parents, council and youth that helped did a great job. A special thanks to Emily for taking charge of the older group of kids and creating fun for them! I had several parents that said their children had a blast! It was a long and exhausting day, but so worth it!
Sunday was a great day to be in the Lord's house. I love my church!! We had an awesome Sunday School lesson on the sanctity of marriage, wonderful worship service both morning and night. Bro. John just brings the scriptures to life! We started a Beth Moore study last Sunday afternoon, Jesus the One and Only, and it has just totally changed the way I look at the birth of our Lord and Savior. She has just made me think about it in so many different ways. I will be honest I have not been faithful to my daily devotions and Bible study. But this study is making me realize what I have been missing on a daily basis, it is good to dig in the word!
May everyone have a blessed week! ;)
Sunday was a great day to be in the Lord's house. I love my church!! We had an awesome Sunday School lesson on the sanctity of marriage, wonderful worship service both morning and night. Bro. John just brings the scriptures to life! We started a Beth Moore study last Sunday afternoon, Jesus the One and Only, and it has just totally changed the way I look at the birth of our Lord and Savior. She has just made me think about it in so many different ways. I will be honest I have not been faithful to my daily devotions and Bible study. But this study is making me realize what I have been missing on a daily basis, it is good to dig in the word!
May everyone have a blessed week! ;)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
A Valentine from God
My Child-
Not only can I hear you, but I know everything about you. (Psalm139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me, you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:27-28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you, when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth, and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 13:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41, 42, 44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1John 3:1) Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart, and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I, who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. (Romans 8:39-39) I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
Love,
Your Heavenly Father
Not only can I hear you, but I know everything about you. (Psalm139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me, you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:27-28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you, when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth, and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 13:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41, 42, 44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1John 3:1) Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart, and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I, who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. (Romans 8:39-39) I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
Love,
Your Heavenly Father
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Friday Night was AWESOME!!!
Rod Stewart was just fantastic! He was just amazing and looks better now than ever! He is 62! He was all over that stage, dancing, running, jumping and shaking his little booty! (I do mean little!) Debra and I met up with a few co-workers of mine and we just had a great time...so wish I would have carried my camera! It said that was a no-no on the ticket, but there were camera's everywhere! oh well, it will be in my memory and on a scrapbook page!!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Time to catch up!
Sorry about being MIA...but it has been a busy few weeks...We had Christmas at GiGi's with all of the family! Got to see Mark get Santa...he got a basket ball goal, a dancing elmo (which he did not like...it freaked him out), lots of other goodies. Chuck, Chelle, Grace and Brock arrived later in the evening on Christmas day...Gracie was excited because she got a Tenn. purse...which killed her daddy and GiGi! Brock like his gifts as well...he played with his Spiderman motorcycle. It was really nice having everyone home together...since Jen and Jack are in Atlanta and Chuck and Chelle in Tuscumbia it is hard to have everyone together since they have others to "share"it with. But GiGi was happy that all of her kids were home this year.
We left on 12/27 for a ski trip in West Virginia with the youth...what a blast! We had a great time on the slopes skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The worship services at night were just awesome...if you ever can hear John Evans take my advice and go! It was a very good time of fun, fellowship and worship. And we got to know each other better!
On New Year's Eve I had to take my kitty Tigger of 18 years to the Emergency Vet and have him put to sleep. He had cystitis and had slowly been getting worse over the last few months and while we were gone just really took a turn for the worse. It was very hard to do but he is much better off.
I took lots of pictures and will post some later of Christmas and the ski trip. I pray all of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and will be blessed beyond measure in the new year!
;) Vikki
We left on 12/27 for a ski trip in West Virginia with the youth...what a blast! We had a great time on the slopes skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The worship services at night were just awesome...if you ever can hear John Evans take my advice and go! It was a very good time of fun, fellowship and worship. And we got to know each other better!
On New Year's Eve I had to take my kitty Tigger of 18 years to the Emergency Vet and have him put to sleep. He had cystitis and had slowly been getting worse over the last few months and while we were gone just really took a turn for the worse. It was very hard to do but he is much better off.
I took lots of pictures and will post some later of Christmas and the ski trip. I pray all of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and will be blessed beyond measure in the new year!
;) Vikki
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