A girl and her truck

This is my granddaughter Serenity

and this is her new truck

she is so excited to get this truck

It is my old truck

it's been with me a long long time

almost 14 years 

I've had this truck since Serenity was two years old.

Her and I have had some good memories riding in this truck and she has always been fond of it.

So much that I told her a long long long time ago that maybe some day when she was old enough to drive,

I might be ready for a new truck, and this one might be hers.

Did I say maybe and might?

Well she did not forget and from then on it was her truck.

Now picture that commercial with the little girl at the driver's seat and her dad is giving her all kinds of instructions before she drives off. She's not really a little girl but we are seeing her as her dad sees her...still his little girl. This is how I still see Serenity

The months turned into years and in what I am sure was a blink of an eye she turned sixteen! TODAY is her 16th birthday!

So I bought me a new truck and I am handing my old keys over to her...

 But not without first shedding a few tears. Seeing her grow up is not easy for a nana and I am a little sad to say goodbye to this truck. It helps knowing it's going to her, it will be in good hands. And she will be in good hands as I will be praying for her safety every single day!

Now it's not like I can be giving a truck to every grandchild, though Adrianna already has her eye on my new truck!

Serenity did save her money to pay for her new truck. She's not spoiled or anything.

Happy Birthday Serenity!

I have enjoyed every moment spent with you and I'm looking forward to many more and when we go in your truck, I'll be your passenger!

I LOVE YOU!! +: )


Serenity's 7th Birthday



Tis the Season for RED

 Arizona Cardinals RED

It's time for some Football

and Tailgate Parties!

time for more wins and few losses : )

our creative fans

 and theirs

the prayers

the game

 the touchdowns

the friendship & respect between rivals

and remembering the friendship & fun of seasons past...

Go Cardinals!

I've got the gardenin' blues

Singing the blues

the gardenin' blues

(to the tune of the "babysitting blues")

hi my name is julie

and it's summer here in arizona,

it's gotten so dang hot here

that it's so hard...

it's so hard...

to keep my garden going

so I have... the gardenin' blues

it's hot here in the morning

and it's hot here in the night

this heat has killed my peach tree

killed my plum tree too

so I'm so sad...

yeah so sad...

I have... the gardenin' blues

my garden looks so lonesome

all my pretty flowers wilted

yeah my garden's such a mess

and I don't know what to do

that's why...I have the blues

I have... the gardenin' blues

I remember when it was thrivin'

before this summer came

now it's just a memory

and it makes me feel like cryin'

do you know what I'm talkin' about...

if you do...then you've also had... the gardenin' blues

been cleaning out the garden

ready for this heat to head on out

I'll be glad...

yeah so glad...

when I can start all over

and no longer sing the gardenin' blues

cause I'm singing... the gardenin' blues

til my garden looks this nice again...

i'll be singing... the gardenin' blues

"babysitting blues" (video)

Sharing Faith At School

Protecting what we have

Reclaiming what we've lost

Shaping how we become

These are notebooks and folders being sold at Walmart stores. It is encouraging to see the country's largest retailer stocking school supplies with openly religious messages. It is encouraging to see christian messages being promoted.

As we see Christianity removed from our schools, isn't it teaching children that christian values and faith are something to hide and be embarrased about?

Many times teachers have the mistaken impression that anything religious is not allowed in school, and they make on-the-spot decisions that religious items need to go. They are wrong.

Some school boards have adopted official policies that inhibit student-initiated religious expression. But these policies also are inconsistent with what the relevant laws actually say.

Such messages are perfectly legal and they conform with court rulings that give wide latitude to students who want to express religious views in public schools.

Given the precedents established by court decisions, parents who stand up for the religious rights of their children to voluntarily express their beliefs in a way that doesn't disrupt instruction will usually win, if they have informed legal counsel.

This is information provided by Attorney David Cortman of the Alliance Defense Fund. View an interview with him by clicking here.

He advises students to first obey school authority if they are told to keep religious messages out of sight, but then parents ought to step in. The ADF provides a "Students Rights Handbook" here

Isn't it time to bring God back into our schools?

"God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son" John 3:16

This message is illegal in 53 countries.

Restricted nations: 40

Hostile areas: 13

Happy Birthday Michelle!

This sweet little angel came into my life

34 years ago today,

my middle child

my daughter

my Michelle

I have seen this very same look on Megan many many times.

I wonder if she will be like her mommy.

I hope so.

I hope she has Michelle's independence,

confidence,

and strength.

I hope she brings as much love and joy into Michelle's life

as Michelle has brought to mine.

and wisdom...
I hope Megan has her mommy's wisdom
for Michelle has taught me so much about
life, faith, and endurance.
I love how she sees things with so much depth and clarity.
I admire how she turns to God for guidance
and how she listens and trusts.
I am forever grateful that He allowed me to be her mother.
I didn't think she and I could get any closer than we already were...
like milk and cookies
yogi and booboo
bert and ernie
macaroni and cheese
rain and puddles
toast and jam

~but this year we did~

Happy Birthday Michelle!

I love you,

Momma

+: )