So very happy!

There are so many reasons why I love where I live....I'm not sure if it's a Southern thing or if this stuff occurs everywhere....I've only lived in the South.

And, by the South, I mean I have lived only in Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina. My other favorite Southern states are Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

Nothin like the South. It gets so hot and so humid at times you question if there is really air out there. You cannot breathe it can get so thick. That's gross, but when it's all you've ever known, it becomes ok.

I hate hearing western folks talk about how hot it is in Phoenix or something and they have no humidity. "It's dry." Don't feel sorry for them. You can take it.

There are some things that I just wouldn't trade for anything....And, I'll share through pictures because we all love pictures.

Atlanta Braves baseball....

This would be Chipper Jones...kids love him!



These would be goats, yes goats, behind some "motel" in Georgia. We had lunch at "the Dairy Queen" next to the "motel."



I found this green teeny tiny frog on one of my chairs on the patio. No bigger than your thumb.



This is a "farm cat" and her babies...



These are baby turkeys. TURKEYS. I will post about them tomorrow. They are one day old. Waiting on the last one to hatch. Simply amazing.

I love where I live.

I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you may be!

Hugs and blessings~

And, if you've been around long enough, you know how I feel about these guys...

Amazing kid!

If you haven't seen this amazing video of this 8 yr old boy playing baseball, then you HAVE to watch it. Its not long, and you'll be blessed. He's not your average boy playing ball.



Thanks for the inspiration, Adam. You are one cool kid.
Hugs and blessings~



http://youtube.com/watch?v=y4LMBEBM1qc

It's time....

I think I have been working on this post for some time.

If you have noticed, I have done 2 random posts that give you some insight into "who I am" in the last couple of days.

I absolutely love reading random things about people. It's much more fun than reading some other things. I don't know...maybe it's just me, but I love finding out quirks and interests about people. You can find out things about people you think you know and quickly realize you didn't have a clue that they like ketchup on a turkey sandwich.

Not me. Just sayin.

So, I think it's time for me to tell you a bit more about myself. I'm not sure why, but I think the Lord is telling me to be a bit more detailed about who I am and where I came from. And, before I say another word....I give Him all the glory and praise for the work He has done and continues to do in my life.

So...let the story begin. And, bear with me.

I want you to know that I had a wonderful childhood. I want you to know that I grew up going to church. But, I want you to know that these two things was no guarantee/done deal/good girl outcome for me and the decisions I would make come high school and college.

As a parent and a person who deeply loves growing children and their families closer to Christ, a good childhood and growing up in the church guarantees you NOTHING. I say this not to scare us or cause us to doubt, but merely to share my story and the path that I chose to take then.....and now.

I would say that my 1st pit I landed in and landed in and landed in and landed in was the pit of

COULDN'T SAY NO. This can mean all sorts of things and I believe I covered so many things along this road. Not being able to say no to people, situations, or behaviors can then lead you down a road of.....

PEOPLE PLEASER ......these two things go hand and hand and caused a lot of destruction in my life. I wanted to be liked by everyone and was well liked by most everyone, but this isn't good either. Before I knew it, I was with people and in situations that I had no business being in and was setting myself up for some huge falls because I couldn't say no......remember??

I was also someone that had NO RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY.....don't get me wrong though...I wasn't rude or hateful or ugly. I was a typical teenager and young adult that truly believed I was invincible and would never die. I thought when I made the stupid decisions to do the stupid things I was doing, I wouldn't get caught.....and if I did??? So what.

I have lived through so much in my lifetime. Not as much as some, but enough to know that I have either seen it all, witnessed it all, or participated on some level of "not the right thing." I have nearly died, had an old boyfriend commit suicide, battled addiction of different kinds, wanted to take my own life on more than one occasion, been heartbroken more than I could imagine for someone who was popular, well-liked, and grew up in the church.

A review:

1. Couldn't say no
2. People pleaser
3. No respect for authority

These 3 traits that lead my life were 3 sticks of dynamite that would eventually explode. They did too. But, they didn't explode like you might think they would or should.

I grew up alot in my early 20's, got tired of the lying, manipulating, being someone that I wasn't, and knew it was time to just grow up. The church was nowhere in my sight either. Let me say that my youth director was arrogant and very uncaring and completely turned me off. I walked away from church and didn't return for over 10 years.

I got tired of the race I had been running and began to just slow down. I graduated from college alone and scared. I had no one anymore. Life was not good. I began to work at my local gym teaching some classes and getting started in graduate school. I think I was scared to be alone so I kept going to school.

I met the man of my dreams in that gym. We married. I loved him dearly. We had 2 children very quickly. The second son sent my "normal" life into a complete tailspin. I thought I had life all together, but realized soon after Tyler was born that I most definitely did not.

I called my husbands cousin one afternoon and she invited me to Bible study for moms at her church. That Bible study changed my life.

I was introduced to a man named Jesus that I never knew growing up in the church. I guess I heard about him, heard stories about him, but never knew the real him. He's not just a man in a book. He is real. He is at work. He is active in all our lives.

I was introduced to scripture. I was introduced to every day living with Jesus. I heard him for the 1st time during these months of Bible study. My heart fell in love and I didn't even realize it.

You see.....I have been in too many pits and know more pits than I care to share in detail. But, you get the idea of what I have said. I know that Jesus saved my life during a time when I thought life was good, normal, and happy with a husband and 2 kids. The thing is....I didn't even know I was sinking then. I KNEW I was sinking during those teenage and early adult years, but had NO CLUE where to turn. He knew that my life would take a turn at a different time. He saved my scrawny neck during those years and I thank Him every day for it. The man has patience.

Jesus knew that my life would be turned around in a different way and in a different time. I can look back over those disastrous years and humbly say, "thank you Jesus for protecting me and loving me even when I was a complete mess and a fool."

So, I have been blessed beyond words when it comes to a life and a heart turning completely around. I have gone from the girl who couldn't say no, people pleased, and had no respect for authority to being....

1. loves to say no
2. looks out for what Jesus thinks first
3. complete respect for God and those He has placed in my life

He saves. He truly saves. He isn't called Savior for nothing!

Now you know why I call my blog, "Blessed by Him." There aren't enough words to tell you how I feel about Him. If you do not have a personal, real, daily relationship with Him, then please email me. I'd love to show you how to take a man from the stories in a book to the man who you can't get through a day without.

Blessings y'all....and, thank you for loving me and encouraging me along the way. You are the best! It's a complete joy to walk this road alongside you.

Something to kill time with....

1. Where is your cell phone? car

2. Your significant other? work

3. Your hair? colored

4. Your mother? golfer

5. Your father? smart

6. Your favorite thing? Laughing

7. Your dream last night? Nada

8. Your favorite drink? Coffee

9. Your dream/goal? Peace

10. The room you’re in? Kitchen

11. Your church? blessed

12. Your fear? sickness

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Home

14. Where were you last night? Home

15. What you’re not? Bold

16. Muffins? blueberry

17. One of your wish list items? Speaker/teacher

18. Where you grew up? Arkansas

19. The last thing you did? coffee

20. What are you wearing? pj's

21. Your TV? Good Morning America

22. Your pets? schnauzer

23. Your computer? Addicted

24. Your life? Blessed

25. Your mood? anxious/VBS

26. Missing someone? Tyler

27. Your car? Suburban

28. Something you’re not wearing? shoes

29. Favorite store? Target

30. Your summer? Flying

31. Like(love) someone? family

32. Your favorite color? orange

33. Last time you laughed? last night

34. Last time you cried? last night

I could not have imagined....

Seriously....the love I have for this blog community is really indescribable. Y'all encourage me, teach me, make me laugh, make me cry, make me seek Him more, and make me so glad I started this crazy thing ONE YEAR AGO!!!!!

Oh, yes. Today is my blogaversary. One year ago, I birthed, "Blessed by Him." And, it has been the best ride.....thanks to each one of you.

I have real friends here. I am so blessed in so many ways and you are a part of His blessings over my life.

Well, what should we do to celebrate the big day???

Throw a party ??? (I so would if we could all get together)

Wish I could send you video greetings, but I can't (camcorder dead)

Well, I think I'll just list a bunch of off the wall, crazy stuff "about me" for you to get to know me a little more. And....no, it won't be a 100 things. I'm not patient enough to think that through!

1. I'm sitting here in hotel room in Atlanta. Braves game last night. Braves lost. Boo Braves!

2. My middle son, who is only 10, is on his 1st away from home trip with friends.....Destin no less.

3. My hubs and I will celebrate 14 yrs of marriage the day before I head to SA for the Siesta Fiesta.

4. My oldest turns 12 this month. WHAT??? EXCUSE ME??? No way!

5. I absolutely love my coffee first thing in the morning....and then any time thereafter is good too. Addiction was always a problem for me.

6. I grew up in the church but did not know Jesus until I was 26 yrs old.

7. I had my 1st two boys 15 months apart.

8. God grabbed me then because I might have lost my mind that 1st year.

9. Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis TN turned my life around and introduced me to HIM through a Moms Bible study. I was amazed, in awe, and in love before I could articulate it.

10. I'm in a season of life with Him that I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing. I love my job at the church, but wonder if I should be doing more.

11. I'm crazy about kids and women studying God.

12. My favorite color is orange!

13. My favorite thing to do with women is laugh, encourage one another, and do Bible study together!

14. My husband and I are both tall. He's 6'2 and I'm 5'9 so we have 3 tall boys.

15. My youngest son makes me laugh all day long. And, he has the coolest hair around.

16. God broke me of anger and short temper issues. PRAISE HIM! It is an ugly thing.

17. I absolutely love our dog, Bailey. She is a miniature schnauzer and is at the puppy hotel while we are gone. :(

18. I love good food.

19. However, my entire family so dern picky. Makes it very hard to feed them.

20. I got some new pj's the other day. I love them and want to wear them all day long.

21. I could spend HOURS in Lifeway.

22. Wish I would read more. I have this thing about sitting down and feeling like I should be up doing something.

23. Want to read "The Shack."

24. Love mint chocolate chip ice cream. Reminds me of being a kid.

25. 20th HS reunion is in October. DON'T WANT TO GO! And, I really don't think I am going to be able too.

26. We ordered room service for the 1st time with kids last night. You would have thought we said we are going to Disney World as soon as we leave here.

27. My heart breaks for the homeless, hungry, and hurt world.

28. I want to make a difference in the life of someone else. Someone did that for me and I came to know the real Jesus.

29. I miss Bible study. I've been gone for 2 weeks with baseball and I feel LOST.

30. I have to wash my face before bed. Actually, I have to be clean before bed.

31. This coffee from the hotel is not nearly as good as mine at home.

32. THATS IT!!!

Have a great day. Not in church today because of being out of town. Feeling kind of funny.
Praying for each of you today.

hugs and blessings~
Fran

A whole new me!

Well, look what I have gone and done!!!

Got me a new look!!!!

Thank you Amy! You are the absolute best!! If you are in the mood for a new design.....I HIGHLY recommend her.

Happy 4th! We are so blessed by Him.
Hugs~
Fran

Some Summer fun!

Since my brain is on the "low productivity" side right now....I'm going to share some pix of all the fun we've been having lately. Not even going to type cute captions I don't think. :)

Enjoy...I hope your Summer is a blast!!













me and my best buddy on the tube!


Peace out!!



hugs~
Fran