{I had a great time}

Beautiful Sunshine.
Paper Chains.

Time with Sweet Sis.

Snacks.

Taking Pictures.

Laughing and Talking.

Talking and Laughing.

I had a great time.

We had a great time!

{What I know for Sure}

I've heard it, read it, know it. . .

It doesnt

matter what

you do in public, it's what you do

in private

that

counts.

{Pitter Patter}

{My "Loves"}

Okay, so I call my kids "Love". . . I don't even think about it (or realize it).
Apparently I call my kids friends "Love" too.

Because they noticed!

I got these pictures only because I had to promise Evan that I wouldnt call him "LOVE"!

Funny, huh?

Well, I took the pictures and went right back to

playing with all my "Loves".

I had more precious Loves at my house, but they managed to dodge the camera.

{Phase II}

Saturday Clayton did a beautiful job

mowing the front yard, although his mother

accidentally put the wrong gas in the mower.

Oops.

Phase I Pergola is complete. . .

What you see are scenes of Phase II. . . or whatever The Mr. is doing. Up until now we have been very blessed to have the help of Kenny, but now masonry work is another story.

I am kinda' wishin' we could just hang some lights, buy a pinic table, and enjoy.
But, we'll see.

I planted my pansies, I have a couple of six packs to go.

Scored a $2 Welcome Mat at the DG.

I'll keep ya' "posted" on the progress. . .

{School Pictures}

Really Sweet.

{It was an accident. . .}

but I think I will keep it this way for a bit.

I was mopping my floors

(well, technically scrubbing on my hands and knees, I don't own a mop)

and I was scooting my table here and there when all the sudden it landed like this.

and.I.think.I.like.it.

{Rattle and Hum ~ It was on. . .}

and

I

watched it.

{Shopping makes me Sweat}

I don't really enjoy shopping. I cant help it. I am the type that will buy a "home good item" over "an outfit" any day. Sooo, irritating. Why, why, why do I do it to myself?

It's not normal, I know. Drives my husband nuts. Why? You guessed it. . . He constantly hears, "I don't have A THING to WEAR"!

I ventured out Saturday for a bit.

You know, I think I can do Sam's. No fancy bags, spotlights (you know the ones I am talking about ~ they make the floors look all shiny), or changing rooms. Changing rooms are where it all starts for me. . . the sweating. Anyways back to Sam's, I am not intimated to toss a couple of $9.98 cardigan sweaters in the basket with my rack of ribs and maxi pads.

And when it's all over, you leave with a cardboard box of all sorts of goodness.

Cheers to my 2 new Cardigans.

Hooray Me!

{Bible Study}

Happy Saturday SEC-r's (SEC, Right?). The sound of refs, drums, and cheering crowds are barreling from my living room.

AR vs AL. . . this apparently is a big deal. You know what? Watching football on TV makes me sleepy. 7 to 7 was the last thing I remember. . . I fell in a dead sleep.

Anyways, my "job" keeps me hemmed up, so for me to get my "spiritual food", I must be creative and disciplined. I have had a mentor (life saver) for several years, stay in Gods Word, I listen to my pastors sermons on CD (typically by Tuesdays), and podcast myself. . . to death.

And now I am attempting to keep some sort of Bible Study momentum. I completed one during the summer (walked away feeling like a Spring Chicken. . . that's a good feeling in case you didn't get it).

Another one starts this coming week. Small Group. Leader mentioned putting it on fb. I cringed. Sooo, Blogger (I power Blogger, ya know?) here I come.

Don't know alot of details, because why? #1 I wasn't really listening (Shhh, dont tell). #2 It doesn't really matter to me. I am there to learn and grow (spiritually, of course. . .Please Lord, you can stop the physical growth anytime), so I will start listening when we crack open The Good Book.

So, if you are in this area.

Looking for some wholesome goodness.

e-mail me.

{thobbs@greenwoodfbc.com}

and join us.

for.

God's Word at a lovely Bible Study.

P.S. Our leader has a "no fuss rule" (that's what I call it anyways). . . so no food or drinks are involved (Frightening, I know!). So ya' might wanna swing in the Sonic first.

{Looks like. . .}

a rainy day. . .

Perhaps a shower and some coffee for me.

{Cords & Candy Corn}

Today I have been at my desk working and eating candy corn.

You know what usually bugs the fire out of me?
Cords.

But for some reason. . . these mess of cords hasn't bothered me.

This is my latest desk I have acquired to ad to my "desk collection". . .

Its old & I adore.

Sorry, I didnt clean up for ya'. . . perhaps next time.

It has the same old harp design on the legs.

On another note. . .

~ I put out some Fall/Halloween Books to read to the kiddos.

~I mailed my bills this month in lou of paying online. . . as in, I bought a book of stamps, wrote checks, and took them to the post office.

I think it makes bill paying seem more gratifying. Does that make sense?

~The Mr. is back on the day-shift, and I went to bed at 10:00 pm last night.

See? Miracles do still happen.

Talk Later.

Tonia

{Meeting today}

All Day.

{Yes, those are pumpkins!}

I am going in! Climbing in the attic. . . no turning back.

What do I have stashed for Fall? Anything? Cant remember. . .geez.

Thought for the day: J. McBride you are fun to talk to! Next time we need tea and snacks. . .and out of my office. Don't let me get my phone to close to the tea, please.

P.S. My new phone is for the birds. But it rings and dials out. . . so I will be grateful.

{Although I am glad to be home. . .}

I heard some amazing people of God this past week. I could list several, but I chose to share my top 3. Carey Casey is the kinda black preacher you would see in a movie. I think I could totally get down with some "black folk worship". They get it. Really. Anyways, he was president of FCA, and now he is chief exe officer of the Kansas City based National Center for Fathering. Just a great man of God, and has such a passion for fathering Godly children.

The guy you see below. . . I do think next to God alone, he may have all the answers we need.

He wrote the book below, and apparently some "sex stuff". . . all of which I will be looking into.


Last, but not least, Doug Fields said some things that I could relate to in many areas of my life. He has been a pastor to teens for over 30 years. He worked at Saddleback (Rick Warrens Church) for 18 years. He posed many challenges like. . . .

Hold your kids more than you hold your phone.

Mmmm. Something to think about, huh?

Thank you so much to all my friends whom helped with my kids!!

{Dallas, TX}

On my way at 11:00. . .

Talk Soon.

{One of the things. . .}

me & The Mr. have in common is that we don't much talk about the "personals" of our "jobs". Both of which, although polar opposites, have much in common. But tonight I decided to "break the law".

Bro. Ronnie has been having our staff read the book you see above. Up until now I have loved all of our "required reads". This one, not so much. Conviction? Yes. Doubt? Yes. Actually, this book really gives you all emotions and strips you to the core.

Platt talks about how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He talks about the subtle dangers that are weakening our church, but the thing is, it goes against our expectations. . . .I started really feeling depressed by about Ch 2. . . and I really started talking to God about it. I have continued to read, but seek. . . and listen.

And then today, He starting answering. . .

Last night during my quiet time I was reading Galatians 6:9-10. Really, aiming to meditate on 9, but 10 hit me like a ton of bricks.

Right now, therefore, every time we get a chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

(God, you mean people I go to church with??)

God continued to confirm me again. . . on the way to school, I was listening to christian radio, and they were talking about "Spiritual DNA", and how we are all created for a purpose, whether it be a missionary in Uganda or Greenwood, AR. Right? Simple truth, but amazing truth.

Last but not least, I checked my e-mail when I arrived to the office. A husband had sent me an email concerning his wife. Just asking me to check-in with her, etc.

What a Precious, Precious God we serve.

Thank you, Thank you Lord. Thank you for your reassurance. Thank you for reminding me that I have much "work" here to do. Show me. Use me. Forgive me when I fail.

{Friends & Family}

Confession: I think being w/o a phone has caused me to be emotional! I will be traveling here soon, so up-and-at-it early this morning with many things on my mind.

But really the only thing I want to mention is: I am really thankful for my family & friends.

{Buddy Boy}

Happy Sunday to you!

We had a great morning at church. Lunch at Subway.

and now. . . what to do with myself?

{Sept 11 ~ I remember}

Picture of a son looking for his father.

His Father was on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane flown into the towers.

{Pergola ~ Mum ~ Tea Anyone?}

See these tools? They tell the story of the last 2 weeks of my life. They explain the blister on my left thumb, and I would also like to blame them for my communication issue. (no phone).
But, on the bright side. . .the backyard is coming along nicely.
Pergola is complete!
Lanterns are hung (Stacy are those the right ones?).
It ads so much shade. We need shade in our "naked-tree yard".

(Excuse the mess)

I have been planting shrubs and flowers.

We haven't decided on edging yet. . . so we are kinda' going backwards.

The Mr. bought me and sis the bird feeder (Now ain't that sweet?).

We tilled the soil, so it is a muddy mess right now. . .but it was much easier on the back.

Also, wanted to thank my sweet SW for my mum.

Is it not the dreamiest?

Its so big it has its own special "hair net".

Since I have been outside, the inside of the house is in a sad state.

Have a good day friends!

P.S. No phone till next week. . . Tea anyone?