waynes3girls

I'm moving

2011-06-26T21:20:00.001-04:00

No not literally but in the cyber world I have a new address:
http://welchstuff.wordpress.com/

I switched over to wordpress. I'm not sure what the deal is with Blogger, but I've had several issues and decided to make a switch. Now you can actually leave a comment if you are so inclined.

Jump on over there and see what's happening to waynes3girls!

Book on CD

2011-06-25T10:17:00.000-04:00

I think I'm old. Seriously, in the last year I have heard and seen myself say and do things that are considered old, for example:

I've eaten oatmeal for the last few months every morning. Not the flavored packets, but the steel cut, stir for 2 minutes on the stove top oatmeal.

I've been hooked on listening to NPR on the way to work.

I have been scoping out hand lotions to help me deal with these large brown spots on the tops of my hands.

Last night I looked at the clock and told Wayne, "No wonder I'm tired, it's 10:30"

But this last one, well, it pretty much seals the deal.....I'm hooked on books on CD.

It all started innocently enough. There was a book I wanted to read and it had been sitting on my bedisde table for about 3 weeks. I seriously had no time. That is a sad thing when you no longer have enough time to read, but the truth is, I didn't.
One day at work while I was cleaning out a book shelf I happened upon "The Magic Hour" audiobook by Kristin Hannah. The book on my shelf is by the same author and I knew I like her writings. As I announced my discovery to my coworkers, my young sweet student worker, Jessica said, "Yeah my grandma listens to those all the time in the car."

So I discreetly slid it into my bag, and said nothing to anyone........and now I'm hooked. As I slid the CD in the car stereo, I was aware that this was just one more step I was taking down the road of aging. What's next? Geritol and estrogen patches?

The story is captivating and I am now taking the long way home trying to squeeze in the last 3 minutes of the story. Ginny mocked me yesterday as I slowly inched up the drive in my car. It was a critical moment and I dare not turn off the car in the middle of the court scene. She went inside while I waited with A/C full blast, wasting gas to hear which way the judge will rule in the custody of the wolf girl. (too complicated for me to explain here, you have to read the book)

So unashamedly I embrace audiobook. Wayne is now never allowed to speak in car, he gets dirty looks if he mocks the voices of my beloved characters and I must somehow break him from asking me details of the stories when we drive to the store. He is becoming as captivated as me.

So add this to the list of my "growing older but fully embracing the benefits" list. By the way, I am taking Leslie to college orientation on Monday. It's a two and half hour drive, but no worries, we are stopping at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. If I happen to browse the audiobook stand in the general store, don't mind me, I'm just looking for Nicholas Sparks.

Good Night

2011-06-23T21:31:00.000-04:00

Wayne and I have gotten into the habit of sitting on the back porch swing every evening, that is when it's not 5,000 degrees. It's a good time to relax, talk about our day and watch Willow chase birds and run around like a wild hoodlum. She somehow thinks that she is chasing every bird she sees fly overhead and she's off the porch and across the field like a bottle rocket. Ginger prefers to sniff around the porch and finally whine until Wayne lifts her up on the swing where she settles down between the two of us, content for one of us to scratch her ears.

These warm summer evenings are the best part of the day. Unrushed, we talk quietly about the events of the day and pause to sip our iced tea. Some evenings there is little talk and more of a contented silence between us as we watch the summer clouds gather and feel that warm breeze promising a sprinkle of rain before we head in.

Tonight we decided the humid muggy night air was just too stifling for outside conversation. Wayne headed towards the recliner and Ginger made her way to her favorite spot, tucked in beside him. No doubt both settled in to watch the "Swamp People".

I stayed out for just a minute longer. Although the air was thick and I felt beads of sweat begin to roll down my face, I turned in time to see this:

Yeah I know, poor quality picture, but in real life there was a brilliant streak of pink just above the inky black silhouette of trees. Enough contrast to make me strain my eyes and draw in a breath. Ever so quietly I hear the Father say,

"Hey, how was your day? Did you hear me? Did you feel me? I was right there beside you, all day. It was a good day. I'm glad you walked with me, and that strip of pink in the sky? Well, that's just for you, I knew you'd love it."

A little boy and his sisters

2011-06-21T11:01:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time there was an adorable, wild, blond headed boy who was the baby in his family. He owned his mama's heart and was his daddy's little man. He had two older sisters. His eldest sister mothered him, and he terrorized the other sister. Life was happy for him.

Every summer this family would celebrate being out of school by heading up to the mountains of Virginia,where the mother's family lived. For city kids, this was the best of times. The boy loved it most of all when his parents left him there with his big sisters. Although he loved to tease them, the boy loved his sisters, and they loved him. His summer days in Virginia made memories of the best kind. Working in Granny's garden, playing on the farm with his cousins, and riding Uncle Johnny's horse, these are the memories that come to life when he visits with the sisters.

And somedays when he and his sisters are together, those memories are relived in such away that the rest of us see those days in vibrant colors. When I listen intently to stories that they tell, the details and endings are etched in my mind. I smile in anticicipation of the tales of those three children I know so well. I see their bare feet slapping along a dirt road. I hear their laughter across the green Virginia hills. I smile when I think of the good natured shoving and chatter that fills Granny's kitchen at supper time, everyone reaching for a piece of fried chicken.

I never met Granny, or Mama. I would love to have been one of those carefree children splashing in the mountain stream. But when the boy and his sisters, now all grown, are together, and stomachs are full from a good meal, they stretch out, relax and the stories flow. And I am there. I see the children. I hear Granny fussing in her mountain twang. I see Mama, laughing at the antics of a wild little blond boy and I smile. He is a treasure that little blond boy. A treasure I know full well.

All the makings of a perfect Saturday

2011-06-18T13:20:00.000-04:00

Sleeping late until Willow decided to lick my face at 8am

Coffee with a cool breeze on the front porch

Helping Wayne with a building project- our new chicken coop

We didn't yell, throw anything or fuss

"Bridges of Madison County" while I knit on my sweater

Headed to the big town to eat at Outback

Stopping by the yarn shop where they are having a 40% off sale

Spending the afternoon with my three favorite people

Value

2011-06-16T10:21:00.000-04:00

The things that really matter in life cannot be bought or sold. Those things can never be measured or packaged.

The things that matter most in life can only be experienced from the heart. For how can you measure love? Who can package peace? How can you weigh the value of contentment?

The true value of life is found in the quietness of a morning cup of coffee with the living word of God as He speaks deep into your soul. The value of a sweet babies breath is impossible to figure. Who could sell the worth of a long sweaty run that makes your limbs heavy but your heart and mind light? There is no way I would let go of the treasure of the Wayne's smile. My girls laughter is immeasureable. The feel of their arms around my neck, even now, especially now, are worth their weight in gold.

Progress

2011-06-14T14:09:00.000-04:00

When I saw this yarn at Hobby Lobby I had to get it. It will make the best sweater ever!!!!I startyed on it as soona s I got home from my sister's house.

I'm making progress alhtough I admit it's hard to stay motivated on a 100% wool sweater when it's so stinkin' hot outside. I keep telling myself I will be done and wearing this beauty on my way to the mountains this fall!

Thoughts on Rahab

2011-06-12T07:30:00.000-04:00

Our Sunday school class is exploring "Extraordinary Women" by John MacArthur for the next few weeks. Today we will study Rahab. What a gal! She had so many strikes against her yet managed to be used by God that it gives all of us hope, even those of us who judge her because we are already ahead of her in being used, after all, I'm not a prostitute. I love that the Bible never holds back. To be quite honest, the Bible is a compeletely R rated. I mean, how many churches are gonna explain to the preK kids what "harlot" is as they color their pictures of her? It tells the true real life stories of men and women at their best....and worst. I see myself over and over and yes, I see myself today in Rahab's story.

So what did I learn from Rahab?

- People will always remember your mistakes, sometimes all your life, but it doesn't have to define you.
- When God gives you opportunities, do what you know to do until He tells you different.
-When you define people at first impression, you lose out.
-Let God write your story, He has a much better ending, or as Pastor Andy says. "It's not as important how you begin, it's how you end!"

Back to life, Back to reality

2011-06-10T10:08:00.000-04:00

After spending a wonderful few days with these adorable cuties....

I figured it was time to get back into life full swing. I have decided to really enjoy this summer. No more mad rushing through days, going at break neck speed. No, this summer I will take it all in, read, knit, enjoy people, savor good food and get this 42 year old body ready for a marathon in November.

Here's whats on my knitting needles:

Now is that cute or what? I love the sweet little owls blinking at me on the yoke. My first attempt at a pullover, we'll see if it will be wearable by fall.

Finished reading this book recommended by my SIL. She loves to read as much as I do and she always recommends books to me that turn out to be spellbinding. This was no exception. Wonderful book! Read it this summer!

I just ordered these flip flops yesterday. I can't wait to finish the sumemr and see if it's really true that they last forever. My Chacos have seen better days and after a couple mission trips they are ready to retire from day to day use.

Well, I am off to enjoy my first early Friday afternoon. This is the first summer I have gotten half days on Fridays. Makes the long days with no lunch the other four worth it.

Happy Birthday Heather

2011-06-09T07:32:00.000-04:00

I love you little sis. I love you because you were my built in playmate. Gilligans Island in the big ole tree out back, mermaids in the swimming pool, and laughing when mom spanked us with the ruler and it broke.

I love you because you "get it". I can talk without a filter to you because you never judge me. You make me feel normal and help me to laugh when life seems hard.

I love you because it's not hard to be your sister. You understand that although we are apart, it's OK. When we don't have time to sit and talk for hours on end, FB or txt is enough. You know that being close doesn't have to mean a physical proximity.

I love you because you share my secrets, you understand where we come from and you are an amazing,strong and beautiful woman. I love you Heather! Happy Birthday! Wishing you the best day and the best year ever!

What did I do all weekend? Well.......

2011-06-07T10:47:00.001-04:00

I spent some QT with the two sweetest babies in the entire world! Their little milk crusted lips, sweet pearly toes and precious humm song they sing when they are milk drunk are on my mind tonight, and I miss them. If you know me, you know I love me some wee tiny baby. It was a blast!

canopy road

2011-06-02T12:28:00.000-04:00

Somedays your run can find you in unfamiliar territitory. A run in a new place is good for your mind and body. Not knowing what to expect keeps your senses sharp and you observe and experience new sights and sounds.

This morning, I found myself on canopy Road. My sister's house backs up to the most beautiful road I've ever seen. Giant oaks line either side and branches join like clasped hands to cover the road in a tunnel of trees. Spanish moss drapes down to make curtain thatfilters the early morning sun. The warm humid Florida air makes breathing hard this morning. The thick air is heavy and already sweat trickles down my face, burning my eyes. The canopy road gives relief to the hot humid air. The shadows fall on the road and a gentle breeze greets my face. As the breeze blows the sweat from my eyes, it carries the the heady scent from the wild honeysuckle from the roadside. The early morning sun streams theough openings in the arms of the oaks makes abstract designs on the pavement that my feet connect with rhythmic patterns.

My mind drifts now to thoughts of sisters. My two sisters I left at the house, talking and chattering about the day. The sisters to whom we fed early morning bottles. Their tiny lips surrounded by a crusty milk mustaches. I think about the two sisters that live at my house. I think about the adjustment of the upcoming year and how life will change for both of them.

All these thoughts weave through my mind and as my feet pound out a mindless pattern, and my breathing repeats the cadence, I notice that I have gone farther down this canopy road than I intended. I hear a dog bark in the distance and that is my cue to turn around and head home, if I can find it. I'm sure my sister has a pot of coffee waiting. A good start to a relaxing day. I feel at peace with the world. There is a great comfort in having and in being a sister. A built in friend. Someone like you and someone so different. Forever joined by an invisible thread.

And that's my thoughts on my canopy road run.

Countdown

2011-05-30T21:24:00.000-04:00

2 more days until I see my little sister who I have not seen in WAAAAYYYY too long.

2 1/2 days until we both go down to Flaorida to see my sweet as sugar baby nieces and spoil them rotten for a few days

3 weeks until Leslie and I head to West Ga. for orientation.

4 weeks until I run the 4th of July 5K. I really need to get on the treadmill tomorrow.

10 weeks unitl my baby, yes my baby, starts her sophmore year of high school.

15 weeks until Wayne and I celebrate 20 years of wedded bliss with a cruise.

That is as far in the future as I can let myself plan for now.

Remember when

2011-05-25T19:10:00.000-04:00

Dear Leslie,

Remember when I left you at Gatewood for the first time in Ms. Nancy's class and you cried? I told you it was going to be Ok and you would love it....and you did.

Remember when you were in first grade and you hated to read and you threw the book on the floor and cried? I told you that one day you would love to read and that reading would take you to places you have never been. Now you love to read even if you stay up until 2am doing it.

Remember when you begged me to buy you a disposable camera and you would take all the pictures up in one afternoon? I told you one day you would be the world's best photographer......and you are on your way.

Remember when school started this year and you cried and said there was no way you could make it? I told you that you were a strong smart woman and it was time to act like it. You did and graduated with honors.

Remember this spring when you text me a picture of your ACT scores and then called me to tell me you were going to West Georgia? I told you that college would be some of the best years of your life........and they will be.

I love you sweet girl. You have made me very proud.

Love,

Mama

Mixed emotions

2011-05-19T12:57:00.000-04:00

Have you ever felt mostly happy but a little sad? Have you ever laughed when you felt like crying? Have you ever been excited, but never wanted the day to come? Have you ever wanted to freeze a day, but at the same time wished you could go back in time?

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Driving Miss Daisy

2011-05-18T15:13:00.000-04:00

Just in time. Her sister is flying the coop. I need another driver, bad. I'm lazy. I am used to sending them to Walmart. I'm used to the extra time in the morning, when they get themselves to school.

But this one, I think she's gonna be a lead foot...like her mama.

PLANKS

2011-05-16T21:24:00.000-04:00

No, not the kind on my back deck, the human kind. That's right, somehow I have managed to commit myself to a 6 weeks program of strengthening the core through planks.

Life After Bagels is where you can find out about the entire program. Why am I doing this? Well, it's mostly to improve my running form. A strong core means less injuries and less fatigue. So here's where I am and here's where I am headed:

Today (5/16) I could plank for 30 seconds

My goal is:

1) plank 5 x a week, (basically every weekday)

2) add 5 seconds every plank

3) Max out at 4 minutes (shoudl ocur around week 5 and will sustain through week 6)

I would love for you to join me, Tina and my cousin Becky (who is responsible for beginning this madness). Just link to the Life after Bagels website above or find her on FB. Then post your goals and updates either on your blog or on FB!

Sissy

2011-05-14T14:04:00.000-04:00

I guess it statred before Ginny could even talk. As soon as Virginia came on the scene, Leslie became "Sissy" We called her that, and as Ginny learned to talk, (which was not until she was almost 2) she called her "sissy" too.
Today, 15 years later, Leslie is still "Sissy". The sweetest sound in this house, is to hear Ginny call her older sister "Sissy". Sometimes it is through laughter and sometimes it is shouted in frustration. I thought that one day she would outgrow it, but I'm so glad she never did.

Whatcha readin'?

2011-05-12T12:47:00.000-04:00

I have lots of online friends. Some are real life friends that I talk to everyday, others I talk to every once in awhile and their blog is how I keep up with them. Some are friends from long ago and some I've never met. I read a variety of blogs. So I thought I'd share some fun ones and ask you to leave in comments section blogs you enjoy.

Of course I hit my sister's blogs everyday:
Heather and Liz

These are really good friends of mine. Some write all the time, some sporadically but always enjoy them:
Lauren
Roxann
Hollie
Megan
Worth

Knitting: My new passion. Reading knitting blogs helps me find cool patterns and funky yarn.

Adventures of a Rogue Knitter
Spud &Chloe
The Purl Bee
The Yarn Harlot

Coupons: The hottest craze among women everywhere! This is where I find good coupons, bargain, and freebies.

Southern Savers
The Bargain Babe
Krazy Coupon Lady

Fitness: I love these blogs. Usually they have some sort of challenge to get up and get going.
Life After Bagels
Chocolate Runners Blog

Bible blogs, I mean like who isn't gonna listen to what Beth Moore has to say
Desiring God
Stuff Christians Like
The LPM blog
Mark Driscoll: The Resurgence

This is only a small portion of the blogs I read. What are you reading?

Salute to Mom's Day

2011-05-10T10:23:00.000-04:00

This Mothers Day was different on many accounts, and I have to say, one of the best I've ever had. Yes, even better than my very first Mothes Day. That was the year that Wayne decided to celebrate his baby mama with an electric razor. Yeah, it was less than stellar. He's come a long way baby.

This year, my mother was busy taking care of babies in Florida with my baby sister. So I pretty much had the day to myself to be spoiled, and I was.

I was a tad concerned that the girls may forget it was Mother's Day. I'm not sure if Wayne was just yanking my chain or not, but he mentioned to me that the girls were old enough and had a somewhat independent source of money this year, so he was leaving it up to them to remember and do something all by themselves. I was not disappointed however, becasue as Ginny told me ," How could we forget Mother's day? It's not like it wasn't plastered all over Walmart."

I realized when I woke up that morning that this is probably the last Mother's Day that Leslie would be at home as one of my baby chicks. Gulp, another sad moment in the ride to her becoming an adult.

Wayne bought me the biggest most beautiful geranium ever and told me that morning that after church we would go eat Greek. I was happy because 1) I love Greek, and 2) It goes pretty good with this doggone bean diet I'm on.

Church was great. I love it that Andy, our pastor, mixes things up. The service was brought to us by various mothers and the wisdom in the room was amazing. Then he had all the mothers come forward, and the rest of the church gathered around them to pray a blessing over them. It was my favorite Mother's Day Sunday ever.

The girls and Wayne took me to Metropolis. It was delicious, and they suffered through it. Ginny expanded her horizons with a chicken finger and french fry basket. And we laughed. And we talked. And Wayne teased me which made the girls laugh even more. And I thought, I love them, so much. I thought, I want to always stay just like this.... but it won't. No, it will change every year, and it will be better than the last. I miss home made cards from little girls, but I laugh at the hilarious card they picked out for me this year. I love it that they spend their own money to buy me the prettiest spider plant you have ever seen. I love it that even though life changes, it gets better. I love to see beautiful smart funny girls across the table and know that I am blessed....and loved.

The rest of the day was absolute leisure. I took a long intoxicating Mothers Day nap, and knittted a little. The girls and Wayne piddled, and napped and watched movies.

Wayne drove me up to the corner store late that afternoon and we got a Diet Pepsi and pork skins, and that was supper. It was good. I hugged my girlies extra hard and I think they squeezed me back just as hard, after all, it was Mother's Day

I was never supposed to get this attached

2011-05-05T10:23:00.001-04:00

It all began with a sweet little girl named Kelli. When I started my job at the college health center, I discovered that a perk of the university system was having student workers in your office. They did your bidding, anything you wanted done, like run across campus and get me a sandwich, to file these papers, any job you didn't feel like doing, they were more than happy to complete for you.

Kelli was so much fun. She had the cutest giggle and best of all, she was fun to tease. Our office is like a family, and it didn't take long to spoil and mother our "baby". And then the unthinkable happened, she graduated and left us. It hurt. She never looked back.

I was determined to never let another student worker wound my heart, and then the twins came. Courtney and Lindsey are well, our girlies. We have guided them through relationships, encouraged them to become runners, chastised them for indecent clothing. and laughed, oh how we have laughed.

They have made the separation much easier by living a year after graduation in Milly. We have been able to see them occaisionally and even run together quite often, and suddenly, it seems as if we have become their friends instead of just their Milledgeville mamas.

When Jessica walked in our clinic two years ago, I was determined to keep her at a business distance. I tried to avoid teasing her. When she would giggle I would turn my chair around. I could not, I would not become attached to another student worker. It was just too painful when they leave.

She graduates on Saturday and even though she will be in the office until June, I am sad. I did it again. I was never supposed to get attached, but I did. I will miss her. She will miss us too. We pry into her personal life, giving unsolicited relationship advice. We warn her of the dangers of being out too late, and take care of her when she is sick. She's all grown up, and just like the others it's time for her to leave. She is a strong beautiful woman, our work is finished. I'll be darned if I am gonna love another student worker. I'm not even asking them their name next semster.

And somedays it sucks.....

2011-05-03T20:18:00.000-04:00

So here's the truth, I love to run, on good days, and I hate to run on bad days. In fact, if you are not in the mood to listen to whining, now would be a good time to log off. It sucked, bad.

I haven't really run much since the 5K in April. I did some last week in the woods and it was alot of fun. So when I saw the twins in the grocery store last night and they suggested a long run I was ready.

I love to run with the girls. They are fun. Faster than me so I have to push myself, but not so much better that we can't hang. they make me laugh, and somedays wish I had their youth. Our routine is pretty much the same. We chat and catch up as we warm up for about 1/2 mile then we all three put on our earphones, line up in random order and go to it. I watch their ponytails whipping in the wind, I dodge Lindseys spastic arm and get lost in thought. Once in a while one of us will point out a susnet, or sunrise. I'll tell them to smell the gardenias blooming, or just listen to our breathing. It's a rhythm I find comforting. When my groove is within reach I know it, my breathing becomes slower, my mind settles and I can let the days events wind their way through my brain. Tonight started out slow, I was feeling sluggish, but the girls were in no hurry so I knew in about 10 minutes I'd be in my groove. The groove never came, or else when it came I missed it gasping and thinking of Peanut Buster parfaits.

I knew it was a washout when I realized mile two was making my legs feel like lead, and my knees were beginning to feel wobbly. I lookedup and saw both girls wiping sweat. Y"eah, it's hard becasue it's awful hot this afternoon, my groove is just around the corner.", I tell myself. I topped 2 1/2 by turning up Lakeport. Now my lungs were burning. Screw it! I'm walking, and so I did. As usual, the girls see me and slow down. They begin to walk too. They say they are tired, but I know better, they feel sorry for me. As I finally catch up they tell me how awesome we did. Blah blah blah, we all know we all wanted to quit. It sucked.
But we don't quit, we muster up a little more umph and top the hill of mile 3 at a slow jog. Is my groove here at the end? No, legs still shakey, mind still begging me to stop. I hang it out for the last 1/2 mile then declare to the girls I think I'm gonna stop running, and maybe take up gardening. They laugh. they know I'm just tired and cranky. They know that I will run again, probably tomorrow, and maybe tomorrow I'll find my groove early on. The beauty of running, for every bad run, there's always tomorrow.

My take on Bin Laden

2011-05-02T14:34:00.000-04:00

Twitter and Facebook have been electric with the news that Bin Laden is dead. There is wide range of opinions. I have read comments that range from praise for our military and thankfulness that this mad man has been silenced, to others who condemn any taking of a life. Some have used scripture to back up opinions while others have posted crude and even offensive reponses.

Here's my take on Bin Laden-

I did not personally lose a friend or family member in 9/11, but I watched a widow that is probably about my age this morning on the Today show. She held a photo of her husband while tears streamed down her face. For anyone who has been a victim of terror, there is comfort in knowing that God, while full of love and slow to wrath, is also full of justice. He is longsuffering and calls all men to repentance, but he also defends the widows and orphans. He makes all things right.

I just finished reading through Deuteronomy and Joshua. Astounding to me how God repeatedly instructed the children of Israel to obliterate, completely destroy the inhabitants of Canaan. Over and over He told Joshua to destroy every man, woman and child. Where is love in that? Is it a contradiction in His character to value life, yet demolish an entire people group?

The soverignty of God is a concept that I am just now beginning to study. It has opened my spiritual eyes to a side of His character that I previously never appreciated. Funny how opinionated humans try to understand and explain the mind of God. He is God, we are dust. His thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways not our ways.

He is altogether just when he commands an entire nation be destroyed, yes even the children. He retains his holiness when an island nation is drowned in a tsunami and people are washed out to sea. He is God when cancer kills, when spouses walk out, when babies are aborted.

Will Osama's death cause terrorism to cease? No. Will it increase terroristic activity against Americans? Maybe. Will it bring back the dead who were lost on 9/11? We know it won't.

But this we do know, God will not be mocked or ignored. He is patient not wanting anyone to perish. He gives new mercies every morning, but He is soverign in every thing He does and everything He allows. He uses simple people like you and me. He uses earthquakes and tsunami's. He uses kings and orphans. He can even use Navy Seals.

Craziness

2011-05-01T21:13:00.000-04:00

that is how I would describe the last month of my life. I just got through reading my friend Roxanne's blog. She has had a horrific month but has managed to see God's hand in it all and has even been able to celebrate in the middle of sadness. While my life is not in the middle of crisis, I share her sentiments that it has been a whirlwind. Thus the reason my posts have been scarce, that, and I seem to have a form of writers block. Maybe there is too much going on anyways.......here's a summary of the last mind numbing 2 weeks....

My church hosted a 5K for the Compassionate Care Clinic where I volunteer. I helped to organize it and despite the fact that a tornado came barreling through town and hour before the race was scheduled to start, it was a great success! We had over 75 runners. We raised over $4500 for the clinic, and look, my sweet running buddy Courtney and I both placed!

Maybe the best part of the Run for Compassion was seeing my two girls get out there and run it too!

The next week we left to go camping at my favorite spot in the entire world, Moccasin Creek in Clayton. We had a blast! We spent about 4 days in the peace and quiet. We celebrated Ginny's 15th birthday, we hiked, we read, I knitted. It was a little slice of heaven. We have discovered that camping with kids is so much fun, especially when they are not yours. I love it. Our friends the Parkers have three boys that make me laugh so hard! Tina kept me motivated to run while we were gone and we both decided that cross country through the woods was actually easy on the knees and we loved it.

Leslie stayed at home to job hunt. (Well that was the excuse she gave us) She found out that she passed her ACT and was accepted to University of West Georgia. Happy times in the Welch house! We are super excited! So we find ourselves in the middle of graduation invitations, party planning and college forms.

Today was a day of celebration, We traveled to Florida to see my two sweet nieces who were born yesterday. They are fresh from heaven and have that new baby smell, tiny cupid lips, and the sweetest toes ever. They deserve a post all their own but for now, I'll leave you with this...........

Kate and Rose Oliff

Joshua: the original tough guy

2011-04-15T06:35:00.000-04:00

My morning Bible reading has taken me through Deuteronomy and Joshua. I am thinking that the book of Joshua should be turned into a major motion picture. I can hardly wait to read what happens next. There is every element of action movie jammed packed in these stories:

Israel is by far the underdog.

Joshua has to step up after Moses. I mean, could there be a harder act to follow? He does it in style. Takes no prisoners, far fetched, sly dog battle plans that seem to come through in the last seconds. Wins over barbaric blood thristy kings.

The plot always has a twist, nothing is ever simple. (Read the battle of Ai)

The good guys win in the end

It's been a long time since I just read the Bible as a great story. Oh, I know it's so much more than a great story, but sometimes, there is nothing wrong with getting lost in the wonder of a great big God, that enables a rag tag army of homeless people to slay wicked kings and their people.

Somedays it's nice for God to remind me that in the end, we win. Please God remind me that nothing is too hard for You. Remind me that You want me to be ruthless when I attack sin in my life. Remind me that You and me make the majority. Remind me that even on days when I feel weak, I am a princess warrior.

Almost Paradise

2011-04-09T18:04:00.001-04:00

Remember "Footloose"? Yes, you children of the 80's. One of the most golden cinematic moments in history when Ariel and Ren slow dance to "Almost Paradise"? Remember her GunnySax dress and the best part of the movie, when Rusty (That was in SJP's better days) and Willard break it down in that crazy storage building just over the county line?
My favorite part was "Let's Hear It for the Boy". I loved watching Ren teaching Willard to dance. Good moves for a white boy.

I was in love with Kevin Bacon for a good 3 months after that movie. Still one of my favorite songs. He's still one of my favorite actors. I never knew what happened to Lori Singer, but I really didn't care, she was way too trampy for Ren.

Anyways, Enjoy this little clip, I'm going to stream Footloose on Netflix, Wayne is hogging the TV and I cry when he makes me watch Space Cowboys.

Never again if I don't want to

2011-04-07T10:45:00.000-04:00

Today, on the way to order graduation invitations, Leslie told me that there were only 25 school days left until she graduates. Then she said, " And even though I want to go to college, and you want me to go to college, it feels good to know that I don't ever have to go to school again if I don't want to."

Remember that feeling? I do. I felt like the world was my oyster and was setting off on the greatest adventure of my life, and I was right.

Leslie-girl, I pray the greatest adventures over you that you could ever imagine.

Days like this

2011-04-04T18:51:00.000-04:00

make me wish spring would last forever. I got home and saw Wayne in the yard working on his boat. Ginny was running around with her rotten mutt, Willow. Leslie was.....sitting on her bed logged on to Facebook.

Before you know it, it'll be broiling hot at 5pm. Nobody will want to step foot outside in the afternoon. Even Willow will be laying on the porch this time of day. But Leslie.......will still be sitting on her bed, logged on to Facebook. Gotta love that kid.

I'm not busy....just boring

2011-03-30T07:11:00.000-04:00

Seems like after running last week, I am officially in a runners and writing block. I cannot get motivated to run, nor can I conjure up anything remotely interesting to talk about on this blog. Frustrating!
So here is a compilation of boring snippets for lack of anything else remotely interesting...........

Tomorrow I get my hair cut. This is a major milestone. I always wear my hair super short, it just seems easier to deal with. After I got a pixie cut before going to Africa last summer, I decided it was time to let it grow out. I have not cut it since July. It is super shaggy but long! (Long meaning almost to my chin, and past my neck in the back.) My goal is a ponytail. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some sense of style.

I am almost half way on my nieces blanket. Did you know that my ADD makes it extremely difficult to concentrate on an afghan knitting project? I much prefer socks, but I am loving this pattern and they may share a blanket with socks for each!

After reading this blog, I decided to get ruthless and clean my closet. I finally gave away all the pants that I cannot, or do not wear. I told myself if I lose enough weight I'll just buy some new ones. Not much danger of that, what with the runners block and all.......
There is an inner sense of peace to walk into my closet and see less stuff. What I see is what I wear. Thanks "Not Going Postal" for the kick start!

Well I know this post has had you at the edge of your seat.....but I gotta go put some clothes in the dryer. I'll leave you with some of my shutterbugs latest work...........................

I'd rather be 42 than.......

2011-03-23T22:29:00.000-04:00

a 14 year old girl in middle school.
having to go through nurse practitioner school all over again.
waking up to nurse a baby in the middle of the night, again and again and again
a college graduate in this bad economy

Because when you're 42...............

You are much better at saying "no'
You usually can get a decent night's sleep every night( too old for babies, and too young for hotflashes)
You're husband has been around long enough to know not to say stupid things, knows what restaurants you like best and can figure out how to buy a really great birthday present.
You're kids still need you...but not to wipe their hineys.
I no longer have the urge to wear incredibly uncomfortable high heels.

I am fully embracing this season. I don't fear aging. The forties have been my best decade so far.

Princess Warriors

2011-03-21T20:39:00.000-04:00

Courtney, me and Lindsey- the Princess Warriors

I'm totally hooked. In fact I've already looked at the upcoming marathons for this fall. Without a doubt, one of the most fun and exciting things I've ever done. We got to the ATL on Saturday afternoon and picked up our packets at the Georgia Dome. It was like The Georgia National Fair of running. Vendors of all things running were everywhere. We saw the latest and greatest shoes, clothes and food. Publix had a mini grocery store in the middle of the complex full of organic snacks. Mostly people were laughing and friendly everywhere you went. I think that is what I like best about the running community, a very supportive group of people.

We stayed at the Omni Hotel which was directly on the start line. After looking at our loot we plundered from the Dome, we walked up the street in pursuit of a place to get our fill of pasta, the notorious pre-race meal. We landed at Asio's and appparently we were not the only ones with this great idea. After an hour wait we finally ate a huge amount of pasta and bread and passed on dessert.

I decided to go with the running capris and the girls talked me into wearing my race T-shirt. Good choices. I was so glad not to be bothered with shorts riding up. We slept like rocks and bright and early I got up to down my yogurt. Ever since I got my GB out, I get nauseated when I run too far. I figured it was inevitable on a half marathon, but I have found that Activia yogurt helps alot. (think I could make a commercial for them?)

The start corral was the equivilant of three city blocks. By the time we found our starting corral I was nervous enough to puke. Ever had the feeling you are in way over your head? I was desperately scanning the crowd for a chubby 40ish soccor mom type and all I was seeing were lean skinny marathoners with knee socks. Apparently that is the latest and greatest at preventing calf cramps. I fiddled with my ipod, stretched my calves and sent up some desparate prayers to God asking for His divine help and asking Him to at least let me finish. I was terrified of the notorious street sweeper putting me in the loser wagon.

The bell sounded and I started a slow jog. "Keep it slow, slower than you need" I told myself throught the entire first mile. The girls were gone almost immediately and I knew I was on my own. After mile 2 I found my groove and even had some pretty interesting conversations with a couple people. I found a 50ish guy with his teenage daughter and decided to pace with them. I stayed with them until mile 4 and decided it was time to turn on Mark Driscoll. I knew if I listend to his entire sermon I could get through to mile 10.

Somehow around mile 6 I lost the man and daughter I was pacing with and so I picked up a group of two women who seemed to be going a little slower than me, but my calves were burning and I knew I needed to slow it down a little. This is the point where I told myself,"OK, it's not important what your time is, it's important you finish and not walk." So with that I stopped checking my time every mile and decided to try and let my mind wander a bit. I imagined the life story of some runners around me and that let me kinda chill out about my calves and just cruise in my mind. At mile 8, the marathoners split course and the crowd thinned out a little. I found my man and his daughter so I set my pace with them again and got my groove back. At mile 9 I stopped for gatorade and water and could not start back up. I walked over to the right and in the middle of the hill just started walking. My right hip was sore and I decided that walking made it hurt worse, so I started back at a gimpy jog and turned my ipod up loud with some Toby Mac and decided to just try and tough it out. Once I topped the hill, I found myself in a beautiful park. There were lots of runner just walking at this point, but my hip felt better and I decided to keep cruising. As we exited the park we started up a hill. I bargained with myself, if you get up this hill and you are still not in skyscraper country you can walk. At the top I saw a high rise. I was back in the concrete jungle. By this time I had lost track of my mileage so my time meant nothing, but my hip pain was gone and I was in a good groove. I guess this is what the second wind feels like.

At the last water station I estimated I was probably at mile 10. As I sucked down the gatorade, the station girl smiled and said, "\You're almost there, only 1 more mile." I was ecstatic, mostly becasue I felt good, and I KNEW I was gonna do it! I decided I had enough in me to flat out run, and so I did. The last mile was jam packed with cheerleaders, bands, cheering people, who did not know me, but cheered me on like family. As I turned the last corner into Centennial Park I saw the finsh. It was surreal. I did it. I finished. 13.1 miles. Farthest I've ever run. I was moving, at that point nothing was hurting, but the best part was looking up and seeing my time. My goal was 2:30 and I finshed at 2:15 chip time. I am strong. I am a healthy 42 year old. I am a princess warrior. I'm gonna run a marathon next.....just because I can.

The ups and downs of running

2011-03-17T21:32:00.000-04:00

I ran my slowest ever 5K. Wayne was kind and said it was because I'm over 40. I know better....I need to lose about 30 lbs.

Sunday I run my first ever half marathon and although I know I will be fine, I'd really like to get through it without walking. I've got my mantras ready..."What the mind can concieve, the body can achieve" (thanks Kenny for that one!) and "You can do it girl, one step at a time" I can always use this one, "Looking good girl, keep it up"

I've got my ipod loaded with Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Journey, Tony Mac and Mandisa. I even have a sermon by Mark Driscoll if I think I want to quit. Tonight I had no ipod and it was rough.

If I can make it though this race, maybe I'll tackle a marathon in the fall, or maybe I'll just stick with neighborhood 5K's.

The best part of this race is running with my girlies. They have been so much fun to train with, even the days we did sprints. I would have quit this whole thing a long time ago if it were not for them. I would have been content to run my 3 miles a day and an occasional 5K. Never push myself, but I'm glad I'm gonna stretch my limits a little.

So here's to stepping your of your comfort zone.........

And this made me cry

2011-03-16T08:01:00.000-04:00

*picture from KP's FB*

Is it possible to be excited, worried, elated and wistful all at one time?

Everytime I see her graduation gown....that's exactly how I feel.

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus

2011-03-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

The earth trembles under Your power and we say, Come quickly Lord Jesus

Your children suffer much in Your name and we say, Come quickly Lord Jesus

The lust of the flesh makes me fight to focus on You. I grow tired of the struggle and I say, Come quickly Lord Jesus.

"Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven.
And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"

Acts 1:11

A Plethora of Emotions

2011-03-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

This sums up my weekend. Lots of emotions...........

Saddened- Everytime I turn on the TV or pull up the internet I am so saddened by the devastation of Japan. My Sunday School class (all women) specifically prayed for the Japanese women who lost children, husbands, parents in a way I cannot comprehend. We prayed that the God of all comfort would reveal Himself to them, would draw them to Himself.

Loved- Wayne took me to Carrabas then shopping for new running clothes as a early birthday celebration. The girls went with us. It was one of those family times that is rare and will be even more so in the next few months.

Worried- I am running my first half marathon next Sunday. I hope I can finish it. I felt very nauseous last time I ran 10 miles, and that's three less than the half. I got nauseated when I ran today (of course I had just eaten) so I kept thinking , "there is no way I can do this next weekend" How's that for postive thinking?

Hopeful- Andy preached such an awesome message this morning. He's been going through Jude and today he encouraged us to stay in the fight. God uses ordinary people to build His kingdom. God really spoke to me through his message, and a conversation with a friend that when we are a "nobody" that's when He does His best work through us....to display his glory.

Happy- I talked to Jamie, one of my sweet, sweet friends that I never seem to find time to talk with. She is a busy working mom like me, so she gets that it may be a while in between our convesation, but we can pick right up where we left off. I hugged her so hard this morning and heard all about what God is doing in her life and every time I thought back to that sweet conversation today it made me smile.

Peaceful- I had a picnic lunch on perhaps the most beautiful day of the entire year. We had chicken salad sandwiches (made from the SCA grilled chicken) and sat in the sunshine. We ate and talked with friends, enjoyed their little boys running around, and mostly just soaked up the goodness of God to bless us with a gorgeous day.

All in all, a very good weekend.

A baptist girl's take on Lent

2011-03-10T10:36:00.000-05:00

I was raised as strict a baptist girl as you can get. Lent was something that I vaguely knew happened in the Catholic church. It involved mysterious ashes, and I'm quite sure that there was some sort of whispered explanation about "Oh that's something for catholics, we don't do that."

So when my coworker, who is a nondenominational girl that is crazy about Jesus, asked me what I was giving up for Lent, I gave her a blank look and said, "Uh, I'm not catholic, I'm baptist." Then we both laughed and I thought, "Far be it from a baptist to give up anything, much less say no to food in any shape or form."

My inquisitive mind would not let it go, I began to research. Where did Lent come from? Is there some doctrinal issue that would make it wrong for me to observe Lent? Why would I want to give up something for 40 days? Does it bring you closer to God to fast from something in your life?

I found some interesting things about Lent. It is recognition and celebration of the crucifixtion and resurrection of Jesus. Noel Piper, from Desiring God gives this great description of Ash Wednesday, and Lent. Please go here to read it.

So, I decided that this baptist girl would see what happens when I purposefully lay aside something that would require a bit of a sacrifice on my part, so that I could have a daily reminder of the sacrifice that God gave me in His Son, Jesus. Oh, there's no comparison, but yet, there is a daily reminder of the forty days Jesus spent battling Satan and sharing deep fellowship with the Father in the desert. There is a somber reminder of the cost of disobedience as the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness.

By marking the forty days until I celebrate His life giving resurrection, I stop and think about His great sacrifice. By disciplining myself, I refocus on Christ. By allowing myself to stop and ponder,"Why did Christ have to die?" I find the answer is worth pondering.

He became sin

Who knew no sin

That we might become

His righteousness.

I'm a tad excited.....

2011-03-07T08:05:00.000-05:00

A Great American Hero

2011-03-04T21:13:00.000-05:00

*picture from Ashley Mangus' Facebook*

Tonight we celebrate a great American hero, CPT. Geoff Mangus. As I listened to these snippets of tonight, I realized that my friend, Geoff, is much more than a friend, a father, a husband, a cancer survivor. He is a great American hero. I thank you Geoff for your sacrifices, some which I will never fully know. Here are things I heard and saw tonight as I celebrated his retirement with him, his friends and family:

"Always do right......"

"First to fight for the right"

"Integrity"

6th fold: our hearts with which we pledge allegience

Valorous Unit Citation

Red stripes, for soldiers blood

"So thankful for my wife, Ashley"

stars: in God we trust

Colossians 3:23

"Friends...through thick and thin"

12th fold of the flag: for the Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Operation Iraqi Freedom III

A little girl, dressed in red, bows in her hair, hugs her Daddy tight

"....best friend I could ever have."

Duty, Honor, Country

"Thank you Capt. Mangus"

and I echo that, "Thank you Capt. Mangus."

Best reads in 2011

2011-03-03T07:14:00.000-05:00

We are almost through the first three months of 2011, and I have read some incredible books.

Hollie introduced me to this wonderful book. I have read it once, now I am going through the second time and letting it really soak down into my bones. This book is about a woman's journey in finding God's gifts to us in our everyday life. She explains that the life of joy, is a life of gratitude. This is a MUST READ!

I put off reading this book for a while. Not sure if I wanted to join the "sell everything you've got and give to the poor" bandwagon. After all, I really like my stuff. Much more than that, this book puts a mirror in the face of the average American believer and asks , "What does your faith look like?" It casues the reader to question the priorities in their life, to answer the question of, "exactly how much Jesus do you want?" Wayne is doing a small group study with some guys in our church right now through this book.

John Piper is one of my favorite authors. My friend Andy Hall intriduced me to Piper and I have been hooked ever since. Piper is a writer who demands you to think and meditate over his writings. While this is no easy read, it is very enriching. "Think" shows how reading and studying God's Word is connected to the way we process and think. In a more practical way, he teaches the reader to engage his brain and actively process the Bible.

So, what are you reading?

He speaks into us:

2011-03-01T14:01:00.000-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me that God would speak into our lives. Here is what He said, just this morning to some of my friends:

Ps. 28- do not be nice to people then talk about them behind their back.

Mercy, peace, love.....thanks Jude for the reminder.

Get up, (insert her name :))!!! ....oh and...that my prayers should always rooted in thanksgiving. Because I have him, in all things I can find rejoicing. I Thess.

IRONICALLY....as if I haven't heard enough (but he knows I'm hard headed) that I need to give Him out of sacrifice, not from my abundance....hence, Him 1st, other "stuff" after him. God is just amazing when He pounds in a point!

It seems that the thing God is drilling me about is the overall theme of what the devotion I'm reading said this morning, "Lovest thou me?" John 21:17 (Jesus talking to Peter) do I truly love Jesus, am I even His friend? Because if I truly loved Him I would keep His commands....I don't know and the thing is everything I'm looking at is pointing me back to this. Ephesus, the loveless church, our SS and church services yesterday, and our next chapter in Crazy Love is about....love.

Ps. 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide unto death. Nice to remember who I can count on.

Hey I was reading in Job and he reminded me no matter what trials come he is still there.

The path God has chosen for us is uniquely our own. We are not to compare it to anyone else's. The lessons of trust we learn on this path are often wrapped in difficulties...but they are opportunities to grow...to trust Him more. Oh how He is teaching me this!

Reading in Mark this morning: My love for god should make all other relationships, husband, children look like hate when compared to my love for Him. Wow! That is alot of love...I am so far from that, but that is where I want to be! God teach me to love you more than anything.

God showed me that by knowing Him I have the greatest possession I could have. Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing Jesus. Philippians 3:8

Psalms 48

2011-03-01T06:50:00.000-05:00

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised

In the the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness

Beautiful for situation

The joy of the whole earth,

Tis Mt. Zion on the sides of the north

The city of our great King!

It's all a gift

2011-02-28T08:03:00.000-05:00

" When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt, but it is I who am in His great debt, doesn't all become gifts?"~ One Thousand Gifts

Hearing my husband say "ahh, I gotta get up" as he stretches his 6ft 2 inch frame the length of the bed.

The deep dark roast smell of fresh coffee as it brews, promising me a wake up push

The heavy weight of towels from the washer ready to by hung on the line to dry in the spring sunshine

Two girls with beautiful long hair preening in front of a mirror, sharing snippets of early morning talk

A vague achiness in the front of my legs, reminding me that I ran yesterday...I can run

All these gifts from my Abba, and it's only the first hour of my day.

Perfect Saturday

2011-02-26T19:12:00.000-05:00

Today was absolute perfection. Wayne and I slept in until 8:30. Then I got up and made a big breakfast of sausage, eggs and toast. We spent all morning cleaning, then Wayne and I took a little road trip. We mostly ran errands, but we had so much fun. We listened and sang to country love songs. We had lunch at Subway then Wayne let me wander around Goodwill while he patiently waited in the car. The weather was beautiful. I even rolled my window down.

Late this afternoon, I trimmed all the shrubs while Wayne checked the oil and whatever else you do to cars. Then we grilled burgers and sat down...all four of us....and ate supper together. Perfection.

Ginny went on a walk and took these pictures of the neighbors horses. Willow is fascinated by the horses that the neighbor put in the pasture next to us. I'm thinking we will be hearing lots of barking for the next few days. I love living out in the country. Even if that demon dog drags up cow bones and barks at horses all day.

Enjoy Ginny's photography skills!

Can't Give up Now

2011-02-25T07:23:00.000-05:00

This song came on my ipod this afternoon. At the perfect time, just as I was rounding the hill at mile 7 and had convinced myself it would be fine to walk the last one. I started smiling when I heard the words, then I kept running, or you could call it shuffling at that point.

When I made it to my car, I listened to it on the way home. I thought about alot of things besides running. I thought about talking to my aunt this weekend about how good, but hard marriage is. I thought about the long, loud discussion I had with my kid last night. I thought about this last long year at my church with my faith family. I thought about how easy it is to slip back into my old ways.

I thought about all that, and then I rolled down the windows and turned this song up loud. I sang the words as loud as I could. Yeah, God hasn't brought me this far to leave me.

Once upon a time

2011-02-16T10:20:00.001-05:00

there lived a man who had two beautiful daughters. One looked like him, the other like his sweetheart. For some reason, God decided he needed daughters instead of sons. He did not care that he never had a son, he loved his daughters more than life.

He decided that girls need to learn to appreciate the outdoors too, so he took them camping and on long walks in the woods. He took them swimming in the lakes and taught them how to fish. They loved being outside as much as him.

They grew up and lost interest, or so they thought, in the great outdoors. They would rather ride in cars, listen to ipods and go to movies. The only ones left to take walks in the woods were the man and his sweetheart.

This did not seem to make the man sad, for he loved his sweetheart, and he loved his girls. The wise man knew that when his daughters looked through old pictures they would laugh and relive memories of when they were little girls. He knew that when they gave him grandchildren, he would get to enjoy the great outdoors with them again. Mostly, he knew that even though we don't always live it out, we hold what we've been taught to love close to our hearts.

A simple question

2011-02-15T11:15:00.002-05:00

*More updates*

Today I text this simple question to some of my friends: What did God tell you out of His Word this morning?

Wow! Amazing responses! These are the answers I got all throughout the day. These women are insightful and their responses were so encouraging. These are just average busy women who stop, and listen as the God of the universe speaks into their lives and this is what He said:

"He is coming back and no man knows when, don't want to find me lacking. Crud- I think He might be unhappy when He comes. I have to do something about that. the big word is love for all people He created. Broken on down to trying to tell and truly relfect Him to those I come in contact with."

"To know that He is God and He is able!"

"let us not love in word or speech but in actions and truth...real love."

"GRACE. Be the ONE people are looking for the difference in."

"Psalms 63:1-8 david was so satisfied in the Lrod he expected total satisfaction in his soul and physical needs. I desire the same expectation."

"Psalms 139 God knows me better than anyone, wants to be with more than anyone, He is always thinking about me and loves me more than I'll ever understand or realize! his presence was and is overwhelming me today."

I'll post more as the day progresses so check back often.

*More updates*

"Godly grief brings repentance, wordly grief brings death."

"God is holy, (reading the OT book of Exodus about all the priests went through before they entered the temple) but he wants to have a relationship with us, who are so unholy. As a result, Jesus came to bring us near to God. That is an awesome thought! Through Jesus, we can come to God and talk to Him, walk with Him. He has an individual Word for all His children."

Happy Valentines Day Mr. Welch

2011-02-14T07:04:00.000-05:00

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me

There's a truth in your eyes sayin'

you'll never leave me.

The touch of your hands says you'll

catch me if ever I fall

You say it best

When you say nothing at all.

Weekend Catch up

2011-02-13T21:21:00.000-05:00

Here's kinda how the weekend went:

Friday night, which has officially turned into our stay in, cook on the grill and watch "Gold Rush" was bliss. After a long hard week, I was so excited about laying around. Wayne cooked some chicken on the grill. I walked in the door, immediately got into my PJ's and started on a new pair of socks. Remember when I told you I wanted to knit a pair ever month this year? Well, February is quickly fading, so I figured I better get moving. Delicate pink socks with white cuffs, toes and heels. Probably will totally regret the white, but it looks precious.
While Wayne watched "Gold Rush" I watched TV in the bedroom. I am sick and tired of Discovery channel toying with my emotions. I refuse to hope and wish for those Alaskan miners to strike gold. I have moved on to 20/20 which told a fascinating story of the Kim family that got lost in Oregon for nine days in 2006.

Saturday morning, I got up to see Leslie off to take the ACT. Said many prayers for her through the morning, and we'll see how she fared in about 6 weeks. Praying for a solid 17 on math scores. I spent the most wonderful day cleaning and knitting and even got on the ellipitical. Never left the house except for a super quick trip to Walmart. We went with our friends to Freedom church on Saturday night to their Valentines banquet. Sat with Heidi and Tim. I absolutely love that girl! We talked each others ears off. I love it when people love Jesus and love each other.

Sunday was well, wonderful. Our church has really gone through some hard dark times over the past few years. The last few months have been extraordinary. Despite (or maybe because of) going through difficult days, God seems to be pouring out a new anointing on this place. I've realized that so many of the people I love dearly are standing beside me ready to really work. God has done cool things in the last few weeks. He has created a sense of unity like I have never felt before. He has spoken a warm blessing over our worship. He has anointed our pastor.
As we sang "Lord. I'm amazed by You" I thought about the words I was singing. "How wide, how deep, how great is Your love for me." His love is never ending. People come and go in your life, in your fellowship. but God is unchanging. That stability holds us as we go through uncertain times. And then it dawns on you one day, that God is doing a new thing in your midst.

I look around this morning and see the faces of people that I love, and that I know love God with all their hearts. I see new faces that God has brought. I realize that although God's ways are not always clear, they are all together trustworthy. There is an unmistakable excitement in the air. He is leading us into a sure place, a place of spiritual prosperity that we were not ready for. Bring it on Jesus. Be big in our midst.

The less you need the more you have

2011-02-11T19:11:00.001-05:00

I just finished up "Radical". Wow! Gave me alot to think about. I have been asking God to bless me with more so that I could bless others in my life who really need it. Surprisingly, He told me I have plenty to share. He told me that I don't need more, I need to want less. So with this fresh on my mind I am doing an inventory of my life to see where excess is. Asking God to show me what please Him and what doesn't.
Insightful. I caution you, do not pray anything like this unless you intedn to do something when He shows you. Believe me, He is showing me areas of complete self-centeredness in my life. Areas that are shamefully wasteful. Material things that I think I "need" but don't. Better ways of using the resources He has given me.

Here is the Radical Experiment that David Platt invites the reader to embark on for a year:
1.Pray for the entire world in a year
2.Read the entire Bible in a year
3.Sacrifice your money for a specific Purpose
4.Spend your time in another context

What would our lives look like if we lived a radical life for a year? Is it really radical or is merely obedience?

I found this interesting article online this afternoon. He expresses my thoughts perfectly.

Pretty babies

2011-02-10T21:11:00.000-05:00

There is alot I have not perfected in this life......

But I made some pretty girls with that Welch man!

Lukewarm

2011-02-10T08:12:00.000-05:00

My Sunday School class is doing "Crazy Love" over the next few weeks and God has been showing me so many things.This week, we are studying what it means ot be lukewarm. Ugh! Nothing more nauseating than lukewarm. Reminds me of..........

...............cup of coffee that has been sitting all day
...............being so sore and dirty, getting into the shower and realizing there is very little hot water left and I am stuck with a lukewarm shower
...............Feeling passionate about something, explaing that to someone and they just give you that blank I-could-care-less-about-anything-you-just-said look. FRUSTRATING!
..............A scorching July day, a clear sparkling pool that you dive into, and as you splash into it, you realize that the water is not cool and refreshing, but lukewarm and almost suffocating. Ugh! you feel better outof the water than in.

My favorite description is this on on page 70-

"Lukewarm people are moved by people who do radical things for Christ,yet they do not act.They assume such actions are for "extreme" Christians not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of His followers."

Sprints

2011-02-08T20:06:00.000-05:00

Tonight I met the girls and ran sprints. Why oh why did that seem like such a good idea this afternoon? I know that one thing that makes you a better runner is to run with someone faster than you. I have loved running with these two girls. I usually can just barely keep up. It has really improved my running.

Tonight we decided that to increase our speed for the half marathon in March, we really need to start sprinting. I have been doing sprints on the treadmill for a while but sprints on the pavement, in the cold is a whole other situation. 20 seconds fast as we can go, 2 minutes walking. Over and over, When I was flat out running, the girls shot off and left me like a rocket. My chest was burning and by the third set, my legs were on fire.

IT KICKED MY BUTT!!! Even now, after a hot bath, four advil and a hot cup of coffee, I can feel an ache in my calves and thighs. Tomorrow I will be sore. I will be able to tell I went further and harder than I am used to. And that is a good thing.

I remind myself, "If you keep doing what you always do, you will never improve". I think, "If you don't want to look and act middle age, you gotta keep moving." And when it's all over and the sweat is running into my eyes and my breathing finally returns to normal I say to myself, "Girl, you are mighty fine for 41!"

Hey Stephanie, what's for supper?

2011-02-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

Well folks, tonight is leftovers so take your pick:
grilled cheese sandwiches
tator tots
shrimp chowder
grilled chicken from Upwards
and Kenny Huff's famous corn dogs
Oh yeah and I'm having broiled aspargus!

Mix and match to suit your fancy.

And for dessert:
dried out blondie brownies
or
rainbow sherbert poptarts

Nothing like mama's kitchen on the eve of grocery day!

Sunday Thoughts

2011-02-06T07:44:00.000-05:00

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Col. 3:4

A perfect day

2011-02-05T07:07:00.002-05:00

............to start knnitting this baby blanket, although it will be a beautiful soft lilac. Sorry, don't wanna wrap my new nieces in an dirt brown blanket. But look at the pattern....it's beautiful.

....................to listen to my new Chris Tomlin CD my pal Worth got for me. I'm gonna play it LOUD.

...................to cook my big girl some shrimp chowder. She ask me last night could I make her some, her favorite. Can't say no to that, plus it looks like a good day to make some warm chowder.

....................to meet my friends Rick and Pam for coffee. I love them and miss them so much. Cannot wait to hear all the good things God is doing in their lives.

......................take Ginny with me to the Goodwill. Hmmmm wonder what we'll find?

Reader Beware

2011-02-04T14:35:00.000-05:00

This book is not for spiritual wimps.....then again maybe it is.

*Picture dowloaded from Amazon.com*

Unplugged

2011-01-31T08:11:00.001-05:00

God spoke to me today. He told me that I am too distracted to really listen to Him. So this week I am going to unplug. No facebook, No twitter. I'm turning off my cell phone. I won't blog. I'm only checking my Email at work. ( I feel like I need to stay employed). I'm turning off my TV. Ok, well I am not watching TV, my family would stage a revolt if I literally unplugged the TV.

Instead, I am going to try to be intentional in spending time reading the Bible, talking to God while I take some long walks. I want to spend some time praying over each one of my girls and Wayne. I want to write some notes to people I care about. I want to spend some time talking (you know, old fashioned face to face conversation) with some friends I never seem to find time to talk to.

I will hopefully find my self more centered and less distracted at the end of the week. I know that God has something He wants to tell me, I've been way to busy to stop and listen.

Babies and faith

2011-01-27T06:47:00.000-05:00

Tonight I went to visit a friend of mine who just had twins! The baby boy is still in the hospital, but I got to see sweet baby girl C.
This little angel is not even 5 lbs. So precious with her cupid bow lips that were stained with dried milk. Her little fingers were almost translucent. I could smell her new born baby scent. Her little feet were no longer than my thumb and the most precious new skin with tiny wrinkles covered a sole that has yet to touch the ground.

She made small stretches and tiny grunts and gave me a scowl when I laughed too loud. Her mama says she sleeps so good and mostly wants to drink her mama's milk and lay on her mama's chest. This sweet one does not care about where the milk comes from. She doesn't worry if it will run out. She just knows and trusts. She has not spent the afternoon fussing about her brother so far away and wondering when he will return. She graciously accepted the tiny purple cap I knit for her and drifted back to dream land, perfectly content to be snuggled in its warmth.

Child like faith. A beautiful picture of what how I am to be. I want to trust, not in the quality or quantity of my supply, but in my Abba who has promised to care for me, His child.

Light Affliction

2011-01-24T20:29:00.001-05:00

My newest addiction is twitter. You can find me on twitter at: @waynes3girls. It is the beauty of Facebook without the stupidity of games, worthless comments, etc. etc. I follow our pastor Andy, and he just left a tweet that made me think.........

........If you are called you must answer the call. There is a one of a kind message Jesus wants to speak through you. The walk will not be easy, but this small affliction is but for a moment....."

If it is true (and I believe based on Matt. 4:19 it is) that Christ has called every believer to follow Him, if it is true that He has designed a plan specifically for my life (and I believe based on Ephesians 2:10 He has) and if it is true that every believer will suffer hardships ( and I believe we will based on I Peter 4:12) then God must have an answer for me when I feel discouraged.

He tells us "What you suffer now is just a momentary light affliction". It doesn't feel light. It hurts. I am tired. Somedays I think I could just turn and walk away from it all.

But Christ tells me, "It's a small thing really".

"Based on what?" I ask. According to how it feels it seems very hard, very large.

"Based on what I have prepared for you." He answers.

"Did you forget that I have prepared a place that you, with your limited human mind, human eyes and ears, could never take in? Why it would terrify you in it's splendor?"

So I hand him the momentary light affliction and ask Him if He would carry it for me. He gently lifts it from my back and with the kind hand of a Father, places it on His shoulder. He sees me bent low. He knows it's hard for me to see the ending as bright as it may be. He knows my legs ache from the race I'm running, so in His tenderness, He swings me up and carries me for a while. Until I'm stronger, Until I'm ready to run again. Until I realize that the burden is a light affliction.

What do you carry that seems so heavy? It's a light affliction..............

Just what I needed

2011-01-23T20:35:00.000-05:00

This morning I had the most delicious coffee ever! It was just what I needed.

Sunday School ( I really love those girls) was chapter 3 of "Crazy Love" Ah the love God has for us....overwhelming! Please remind me God that it really is all about You, and I have to daily ask You to help me love you. Just what I needed.

Worship was awesome. Funny how when you ask God to meet you, He does. When I sat in the pew after singing I said to Worth, "I'm about to shout! " :) Singing about "Holy is the Lord", one of my favorite songs, hearing the boys in the band bring it, well it was just what I needed.

Andy preached on four steps to Christian growth from Colossians. One thing he said that really blew me away was, everything I need, to do exactly what God wants me to do, I have in Christ. He is sufficient for everything I need. What a precious promise! It was just what I needed.

Wayne took me out for lunch. I had a turkey on wheat at Subway. I wanted something fattening, but the turkey on wheat was....just what I needed.

Michelle and Christine and I rode bikes all afternoon. We are slowly but surely progressing on our quest to finish a triathlon. We biked 12 miles in 52 minutes! You know I would have much rather just run, but the bike ride.....was just what I needed.

Tonight I listened to Andy talk about one of my most favorite books in Scripture. We are "Rediscovering John". I love that book! I love John, the disciple Jesus loved. I can't wait to meet him. He saw Jesus perform more miracles than he could write down. He authored the seven "I AM's". He reminds us in chapter 17 that while Jesus was walking on earth over two thousand years ago, he was praying for me. Wow!To know that God does not need me, but wants me well, that was just what I needed.

Ginny

2011-01-21T21:24:00.000-05:00

Just cuz.....

2011-01-18T21:17:00.000-05:00

Tonight I'm happy...just cuz.......

Wayne left me a few pieces of bacon on the stove when I got in from a meeting late

I ran 4 miles today and I hit my groove at 1 mile

Tina text me to say she ran 2 miles

Leah made me laugh really hard at work today

It was a good hair day

It's supposed to be beautiful tomorrow

I've got a new Prevention magazine to read when I go snuggle up in bed in a minute

The girls chatted with me tonight...about nothing very important...but that made the chat even better

Now matter what...I'm loved...by beautiful girls, a strong handsome man, and the God who made it all and hold it all together

Breakfast

2011-01-17T08:34:00.000-05:00

Do you like to eat breakfast? It is the most important meal of the day. I eat breakfast most everyday, so does Ginny my youngest. Leslie and her Daddy will probably meet an early demise because they refuse to obey this important health rule. Dpending on the day, it can be elaborate, or eaten on the run. In honor of the perfect French toast I made, and am eating while I type, here are some important tidbits about my love of breakfast:

1. Coffee is a MUST. No decent self respecting breakfast is complete without it. Coffee can turn a handfull of cookies into a sensible breakfast.

2. I used to love to make my babies rice cereal and applesauce for breakfast. They were so happy in the morning and so ready to eat. They would laugh and coo and spray me with rice cereal.

3. Breakfast burritos are probably my family's favorite and we eat it for supper alot too.

4.Waffle House trumps Huddle House every time.

5. Eggs, bacon and smokey toast best camping breakfast ever. It's even better when you chase it with an ice cold Coke from the cooler, and it's just cold enough to make you wear your jacket. The camp chair are a little damp still and the squirrels are running around like crazy hoping you drop a crumb or two.

6. When you cruise, always go to breakfast in the dining hall vs. the buffet.

7. Oatmeal with raisins and a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar is the best day in-day out breakfast ever.

8. Before I die I want to learn how to poach an egg and make hollendaise sauce.

9. When I was a kid, we were so poor, my mom would make rice or cooked bran cereal before we went to school. We never got sugar cereal, it cost too much, and she made breakfast alsmost every morning I can remember.

10. Can you think of a better feeling than to wake up and smell bacon frying? No matter where you are, it means your home.

Just Stop and Think

2011-01-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

Bits of utter randomness

2011-01-15T09:12:00.002-05:00

If you happen to care...........

Look at these sweet little slipper socks I am knitting. They are for a friend of mine whose birthday is this month. I took the handmade pledge and everyone gets hand made gift from me this year.

This pretty yarn reminds me of pistachio ice cream

Well, we are keeping our 30 day pledge of not eating out. Last night may have been somewhat of a cheat. We got 2 for 1 subs at Subway which turned out a whole lot cheaper than buying stuff to make subs at home. Wayne was hungry for nachos, so I managed to make nachos that were less than 500 calories for me....don't get too excited, I've had better.

Training for my half is going well. Tomorrow I am running 5 to maybe 8 depending on the weather and my ability to keep up with L&C my running buddies. Made reservations at the OMNI HOTEL for the night before the race. It's gonna be so much fun!

I am mulling over the idea of a container garden this year. I would love to have cucumbers, but will they grow well in a container.

Last night we watched Georgia Traveler (I'm not making this up folks, this is what we do on Friday nights, eat nachos and watch GPB) and I fell in love with Okeefenokee Swamp. It is a must see place for 2011. It is gorgeous down there.

After sooooo many days of cloudy skies and dreary weather, This was a beautiful sunset to watch......

Come take a walk with us

2011-01-11T17:21:00.001-05:00

Wayne and I have cabin fever. While I strongly believe that rest is good for the soul mind and body, anyone can get a little stir crazy. So Wayne just pulled on his boots and told me to get mine on, so come go with us. The woods are beautiful when there is snow on the ground and there is nothing on TV right now except Jerry Springer.

Ever since Wayne was a little boy, he wanted to own land and live in the country. Now we own around 14 acres. That's not a huge amount, but it's just enough to ensure no one is right up next to you. We don't get back in the woods much because it's either hunting season, or summer with snakes around. So today, which is neither, is a pefect day for a walk. Come on........

I love to walk back through the woods to the creek. Wayne will hold the limbs and make sure you don't get hit in the face, but he doesn't let you talk above whisper so you won't scare the deer (As if the loud crunching of the snow/ice mix can't be heard all over the place.)

He's quite the outdoorsman. I always feel safe when he's leading me in the woods. After about 20 feet in it all looks the same to me, and I ask him where our house is from here. He can point directly to it. He has made me love nature more than I ever thought I could. If you're quiet, and stand still, you can hear the ice melting from the trees above and feel it pelting us on the head.

When we reach the bottom, look down at all the ferns. In the summer time, I feel like I'm a little fairy in the middle of a magic forest, but today they are frozen in time. Bright green leaves covered in a layer of ice.

Here is where Wayne spends early morning and late evenings in the fall. His beloved deer stand. This is where he does his best thinking...and dozing.

Well, we made it. Here's the creek. It's gotten alot bigger becasue of the beavers that are damming it up. Lets stop for a minute and just get really quiet. It is so cool to know that we are all alone in the middle of this picture perfect spot.

Time to head back, Look at these tracks. I tell Wayne I think they are deer, tracks, He tells me that they are probably Willow tracks. She thinks she owns these woods. She spends countless hours roaming, sniffing, chasing squirrels. Perfect life for a country dog.

Well, thanks for walking with us. This is why God makes snow days. He wants us to slow down and be still. He wants us to take a walk in the snowy woods with the ones we love. He can talk to us with less interruption. We notice Him more, and appreciate Him for Who He is. You smell that? Leslie and Virginia are up and cooking us a plate of hot pancakes and bacon. The coffee is hot.

Thanks for walking with us!

Snow days are the best days

2011-01-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

pretty man pizza

2011-01-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

I am not just married to the prettiest man in Putnam county....

but the best pizza maker too!

Maybe we should make, packge and sell

"Pretty Man Pizza"

Hard lessons

2011-01-08T21:48:00.000-05:00

This week I learned that.........

.........sticking to a budget means I have to tell myself no even when I'm dying for Blackbirds...or Chik-Fil-A....or Lands End clearance.

.........investing in relationships is hard work, and sometimes I'm just lazy.

.........running in the cold with no gloves is hard on the eczema on my left hand.

..........not everyone wants or needs my opinion.

.........there are only two people in this world that I am responsible for besides me.. Leslie and Virginia....and even they
don't always listen to me.

.........if you don't speak clearly and carefully, you will be sure to be misunderstood.

.........if I want to save the last little bit of milk for my coffee in the morning, I better hide it in the vegetable bin, no one looks in there.

..........life is too short to hold grudges.

No time like the present

2011-01-03T10:13:00.001-05:00

In celebration of the beginning of 2011 I am casting on this beautiful baby watermelon hat. Isn't it precious? Two identical hats for my precious twin nieces that are coming in May.

You can find the pattern here

Attitude

2010-12-30T07:12:00.000-05:00

Paul encourages us to "have the mind of Christ" in Philippians. I love the idea that I can think like Christ thinks. So different and so foreign to what I usually have running through my mind.

In 2011, I want a new attitude. Every time I renew my mind in one area, God is ready to tackle the next. He has been speaking to me about this, and just yesterday, I read a blog that said what my heart has been feeling. Beth Moore says it so much better than I so read it here:

http://blog.lproof.org/2010/12/thinking-about-a-new-year.html

My attitude is one that will not be easily offended. I won't hold grudges. I want to love so freely, that forgiveness is abounding.

Health and Wellness

2010-12-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

I do not know why I like to run so much. No one in my family is very athletic. I would never consider myself and athlete, yet year in year out, I always come back to running.

Here are my events for 2011:

Atlanta Publix Marathon and Half Marathon

I'm running it with my pals Courtney and Lindsey. We are doing the half. I really wanted to do the full, but in all honesty it scared me to death and I was easily persuaded to do the half this year.Registrations are completed and I am excited.

Second event:

Old Capital City Triathlon

This is an example of what happens when you talk about races with a runner at a Christmas party. Thirty minutes into the conversations, I was so excited about this new venture. I've been thinking about a triathlon (the baby one) for a while. I know that I can't run forever, and I love the idea of mixing several things in one race. I have somehow convinced about five other women to do this thing with me. I have not been so excited about a race in a long time.

I know better than to make any type of eating commitment for 2011. Who am I kidding? I am terrible at diets. So after thinking long and hard about my middle age weight gain I am contemplating moderation. Everything in moderation. Hopefully this will mean less meat, more vegetables, less sugar and more water.

So maybe 2011 will be a year of new accomplishments for me. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get Mr. Welch off the couch, into a pair of running shoes and in a 5K. Now that would be a real accomplishment!

Socks and stuff

2010-12-28T08:16:00.000-05:00

Knitting socks has become my new obsession. I like it because they are fast and fun. While I was blocking the pair I made my dad for Christmas, I noticed that I still am leaving a small hole in the gussett. Dang it.
OK so here's my plan for 2011: a pair of socks every month. The more you knit, the better you get. Everyone gets socks for their birthday this year, but by December I can promise you, there will be no holes in the gussett, or ladders on the side.
January is for Wayne. Last night, while we were watching TV wrapped up in a blnaket, I saw his bare feet sticking out from under the blanket, and I thought I need to knit that man some slippers to cover up those feet. I told him as much and he replied " Well, that is sweet but you probably won't get them done until July and then I won't need them." Now I'm not sure if that was a slam on my knitting skills, or if he really doesn't want to wear slippers. Either way I found a manish pair that I am casting on January 1st.

So that's my goals for kntting in 2011. Not sure if I will have 12 pairs of socks in 2011, but the ones I have will be beautiful!

Looking forward....

2010-12-27T08:17:00.000-05:00

I'm a sucker for New Years resolutions. I love them. I love to make them, I love to look back on them. THat is not to say that I do very well keeping them, but that's for another post.

My friend Hollie mentioned in one of her posts that she was going to take the last days of the month and use them to look forward to 2011. Maybe not so much resolution, but contemplation. What are the things I want to learn, do and become in 2011?

After all these years, I am finally learning that I do better spending quality time with God when I do a structured bible study or daily devotional thing. I applaud you folks who read through the bible in a year, but its not for me. I cringe when I hear someone say "I'm reading the bible through in a year." I think of all the times I have tried and made it to the third week of January then stopped after bogged down in the laws of Numbers and Deuteronomy.

I am starting off this year with a favorite, "Jesus the One and Only: 90 Day Devotional" . Mostly I want to fall in love with Jesus again. Oh I love Him, but I'm not always "in love" with Him. So the first 3 months of the year I am going to focus on Jesus, his life, His words while He was on earth. I've lost that lovin' feelin' by just being too busy and too overwhelmed. He's waiting on me.....

Tomorrow I'll tell you some more of my contemplations for 2011. What about you?

Sleep in heavenly peace

2010-12-25T15:49:00.000-05:00

The soft gentle rumble I hear is coming from my man who is sleeping in the heavenly peace of a full tummy. The girls are in their rooms relishing the technology of finally having wireless capablility. Folks, all it takes to make your kids Christmas is a 15 dollar router.
I am contemplating how in the heck I start a diet with all that food crammmed in the fridge. The dogs are dozing in their new nests. There is a gentle rain falling that I am hoping turns to a dusting of snow later on this afternoon. The TV is playing a hallmark Christmas movie in the background.
My heart is full...peace on earth....goodwill to men. Merry Christmas from the Welch house!

Day Before

2010-12-24T07:39:00.000-05:00

Call me crazy, but I love the day before the "Big Day".....any big day, Thanksgiving, a birthday, in this case, Christmas. The anticipation is maxed out, I'm usually running around like crazy. The girls are at home asking me a thousand questions. Wayne is making me laugh by singing some silly song he has made up about that given event. In this case he is entertaining me with his Elvis version of Blue Christmas. I love the feeling.

The best part of the "day before Christmas" is spending it with Lynn and Craig. I am thinking back to the first Christmas Eve I ever spent with them. I was dating Wayne. So nervous to make a good impression. We went to their TINY house in Marietta and ate and laughed until we cried. I was in love, with him.....and them.

Through the years we have loved each other through every Christmas Eve. I don't really remember a year when we weren't together. There were years that Wayne oldest sister, Patricia and her family joined us. Those are special times that don't come around to often, but mostly I love to think about the joy of Christmas Eve's spent together. Things like:

......The year I was pregnant with Ginny and threw up about 4 times on the way there.

......Bringing Pawpaw with us and getting in a terrible wreck on the way...and being so happy that next morning that we were all ok

......Matt getting a "new truck" for Christmas. Wayne drove it from Eatonton and parked it at the pool house

......watching Chevy Chase "Christmas Vacation" and laughing until I cried.

......decorating ornaments.

......Shrimp chowder

......driving around looking at Christmas lights sitting in the backseat with Lynn and laughing, and laughing, and laughing.

......listening to stories about their mom, and wishing she were here, even if just for tonight.

......lining the kids up in front of the tree and taking pictures.

......watching Leslie, as a little girl, content to just be near Matt, but usually on him in some way.

......first Christmas meeting Christopher, watching him watch Megan, and knowing that this kid's a keeper.

......seeing the explosion of lights that Craig has created in the living room....kitchen...bathroom if Lynn will let him. Nobody loves Christmas like Craig.

......speaking of Craig and Christmas....his egg nog! :)

......laying on the bed with Lynn, laughing and talking while the boys hog the TV. Talking about what we got the kids, what we think the boys got us, and whether or not it will be a "sweatpants" kind of Christmas.

It's Christmas Eve morning. In about an hour Wayne and the girls will be up. We will load up and make our trek to Cumming. This morning I realize that our Christmas Eve looks as different as our lives. Matt and Megan have started their own lives. My girls are almost grown. It changes every year but it will always be about family.

There will always be Christmas Eve at Lynn's. The kids and their family's may be there and some years won't. There will be new babies, more stories of college and new careers. New sons and daughters to bring home. But there will always be four good friends, who happen to be family celebrating together. Maybe over Lynn's chowder, and maybe over Shoney's, but together. Among God's blessings in my life, I am thankful for being in this family. I am blessed.

Hillsong

2010-12-23T08:24:00.000-05:00

I am sooooo excited!

I will be HERE on March 7, 2011. Perfect birthday present!

last reads of 2010

2010-12-21T09:57:00.001-05:00

I just finished up my last two books for 2010:

Worth gave me this book and it is absolutely awesome. If you are missional minded this book will inspire you to reach out. Toby Mac does a fantastic job of showing through the lives of ordinary people, how extraordinary our God is! Read it! You can borrow it from me....but you can't keep it.

Tina gave me this book. I finished it last night about 12:30. It has me so energized to run my half marathon in March! the story is actually the autobiography of of Sister Madonna Buder, a Catholic nun started running at age 48, and now, at the age of 80, she has finished countless marathons and triathlons. She combines stories of her training rituals with accounts of races where she is visited by angels. Her relationship with Jesus is very real, and you witness her conversations with Him, as her friend. You see her turn racing into a ministry to others. Fantastic book. It helped to affirm in me that EVERY part of our lives as believers in Jesus, is a ministry. You can borrow this one too, but not until I finish running in March! :)

I think I will squeeze another book in next week while I am off. I am going to start the Karen Kingsbury series on the Baxter family. I usually don't like Christian fiction, but I'm gonna give it a try.

* sorry for the fuzziness of these pics I ripped off of Amazon*

Mary, did you know

2010-12-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

....that your baby boy, would save our sons and daughters?

What's on your knitting needles?

2010-12-16T06:58:00.000-05:00

This awesome neck warmer looks so soft and warm. It's a gift for someone who appreciates handknits as much as I do!

Campfire socks. Fun to knit, and quick once I figured out the pattern.These are for my dad, except I knit them in BRIGHT RED! to go with his Georgia lounge pants.

Lesson learned

2010-12-15T07:25:00.000-05:00

I learned a great lesson this week It was this: Stand still and let God move. I wish I had the time and space to tell you the whole story, but let me just give you the short version.

About a month ago, I heard God distinctly and clearly tell me something that He wanted me to do. If you know me, I am VERY action oriented and I proceeded to do what He said, when I hit a roadblock. I remember so clearly lying in bed that night and I ask Him, "God did I hear you right?" He answered, "You just stand still and let Me move."

In an unprecedented act of faith in Him, I did just that. Let me tell you that I seldom stand still, even after He has told me to. Most of the time I am running around trying to manipulate a way for His will to be done, you know He needs me to do that for Him :). But this time, I stood still and just waited and watched.

He moved in a way that I did not expect, but as clearly as I had heard his voice a month before, I saw His hand move. It was beautiful, seamless, perfect. It made me humble, and happy.

I trust Him. Once again, He showed me that His way is perfect, and that His timing is never too late. I love this song.........

Stand still, and let God move.

Standing still is hard to do.

When you feel you have reached the end,

He'll make a way for you,

Stand still, and let God move.

Snuggle weather

2010-12-12T21:51:00.000-05:00

Baby it's cold outside....and it's snuggle weather inside!

Simple Things

2010-12-11T14:52:00.000-05:00

After having a horrific 2009, I made a pact with myself to slow down in 2010 and enjoy the simple things. I read the most interesting thing by Andrew Murray the other day. He said that in the rush of our world, we forget to be still and commune with God. To commune with God means to say "No" alot. It means turning off your cell phone and spending Saturdays at home. It has been a year of awakening. I slowed down. I said no alot more to people and requests for my time, and started saying "Yes" to God, to Wayne, to my family. I found time to do some really neat things I've been wanting to do. Like hang out laundry.

When I was a little girl I used to love to help my mom hang out laundry. I love a towel that has hung out to dry on the line. I figure if I live out the country with no neighbors to see our underwear, why not? Wayne made me a clothesline and that is a simple pleasure for me on Saturdays.

I found time to take a walk and talk to God. He has never told me He was too busy for me. He has never failed to show up and walk with me, and tell me things I needed to know.

I found time to spend some lazy afternoons with Wayne. In a year that has been hard in other ways, it has been a great growing year for us. I love him so much.

I'm not sure what 2011 will bring, but I feel like for the first time in a while I am grounded and settled. Learning to say yes to the right things makes all the difference in the world.

Streams in the Desert

2010-12-10T07:32:00.000-05:00

For the last few weeks, I have been reading this book, Streams in the Desert. It's an old book. It was published in 1925 but literally, this copy I have is old. The pages are yellow, and it smells musty. I love this book. In the the age of internet, email and smartphones, it is such a pleasure to hold a book in my hands and read from the wisdom of believers before me. Mrs. Charles E. Cowman (I love it that she uses her husbands's name!) wrote a collection of early morning thoughts as she ministered as a missionary to Japan and China for many years. Six of those years were spent and the bedside (literally) of her invalid husband, who finally died and left her heartbroken and lonely. I love the wealth of knowledge she shares about her sufferings.
Here is an excerpt......

"I think that I can trace every scrap of sorrow in my life to simple unbelief. How could I be anything but quite happy if I believed always that the past is quite forgiven and the present is furnished with power, and the future found to be bright with hope because of facts that I cannot change with my mood?"

If you happen upon a copy of this book at a yard sale pick it up. It is a treasure.

Sweet Word

2010-12-07T07:10:00.000-05:00

Like you, sometimes I find myself in a situation that seems impossible. A situation that has no outward resolution. I want to be a faith filled woman, but I'm not always that woman. This morning, God reminded me of His power, His hugeness, his ability to bring water to a desert.

2 Kings 3: 16-18 " then he (Elijah) said " This is what the LORD says, "Dig ditches all over this valley. Here's what will happen- you won't hear the wind, and you won't see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill.'"

So, I've got my shovel in my hand, I'm diggin' my trenches. I don't smell rain or see clouds. This air is still, I won't even pretend that I see any storm on its way, but I know that God is bringing rain to me. He promised that to me. He will cover me and my family, my church and my ministry in drenching, life-giving rain. Faith doesn't stop to scan the horizon. Faith keeps digging, knowing that these trenches are going to overflow.

Mr. Romantic

2010-12-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

I am married to a wonderful man. He is a wonderful provider. He's been a hard worker since the day I met him.
He is hilarious. No really, he seems quiet to the rest of the world, but he can make me laugh so hard I nearly pee my pants. We have a thousand private jokes, and he takes pleasure in making Ginny laugh by telling her all sorts of Ginger and Willow stories, or poking fun at me, her mother.

We are at that place in life/marriage where we kinda think and act as one. That doesn't mean we always agree, or look at things the same way, but in most situations, I think about what WE will do, and what he thinks is always present in my mind. (Except when I am buying running shoes or knitting supplies!)

Last night was date night and we both had our mouths set for Japanese. Kiroshima was packed however, and we settled for Buffingtons, the burger place down the street. It's usually my favorite place in the world, but the food was so-so last night. Maybe because I had been craving sushi, and nachos were just not the same.
Anyway, it didn't really matter because we had the best time together.

It was one of those nights where we had such good talk time. Most of our conversations are me yammering on and on and Wayne nodding his head and saying "Yeah Baby" at every given pause. But tonight he really listened to me talk about Leslie and college, about how happy I am that Ginny is doing so good. I know he was listening because he asked me questions and there was no GON magazine in site for him to read.

We talked and talked about his business, about the future, about the girls, about Christmas. It was good. I needed it. As we left Kiroshima and headed to DQ for our buy-one-get-one-free Blizzard, I thought, "I love this man." He's my best friend in the entire world. Romance is being asked into your partner's world. I'm glad I'm a part of his.

Oh and then to top off a perfect evening, we went home and watched "Swamp Loggers".

My day

2010-12-02T20:38:00.000-05:00

I took Leslie to see University of West Georgia. A definite maybe on her possible college list. I simultaneously was excited for her, while I had to fight the urge not to throw up. I remember very clearly sitting in the orientation session and having an out of body experience. I saw the leaders lips moving but I could not hear a word she said. My mind was instead racing while I had thoughts like, How can my baby be going to college? Who is this tall redhead sitting next to me smiling and laughing? She looks so grown up! How can I have a child in college? I am only a kid myself. Will she be able to find her classes? What if she runs out of money the first month?

All these thoughts fired in rapid succession, and were finally silenced when I heard her saying " Mom let's go, we are going to take the tour." She was giving me the look that meant "Do not say a word, don't try and make friendly conversation with the tour guide or I will never speak to you again."

I managed to stumble along the tour keeping my mouth shut and blinking back tears. This is for real. She is going to leave my little nest I have made for her. As we looked at the rooms where she will live and eat, and study and laugh, I thought, her room will be empty next year. I won't wake her up yelling, "If you do not get up right now I am driving you to school for the entire week!". I won't peek in her room and see a pile of red hair ever which a way, and her sweet little mouth gaping open while she sleeps. I won't hear MTV and VH1 and threaten to take away her TV if she doesn't turn off that "trashy TV".

I've never been good at transition. I like things the same way. But things don't stay the same, ever. I refuse to be a clingy mother. When it's time to fly the coop, she'll be just fine. I will be too.

Thankful

2010-11-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

for grace...given to me when I did not deserve it.

for love...... of a good man and great kids.

for family......the ones I'm related to by blood, and by love.

for a future......there is so much more than this.

for trials....has helped me define what brings me joy.

for quiet......I am learning to "be still and know that You are God."

Happy Thanksgiving

What's on my knitting needles?

2010-11-23T09:06:00.000-05:00

This is an inside out sock. I have to finish the toe. I love this super soft yarn. It is really easy to knit up, and I am quickly becoming obsessed with socks. They are fast, interesting and who doesn't love a pair of handknit socks as a gift?

I finished this bag before we went to Boston. I love the cabled braid strap. It was alot of fun to make, but I didn't allow for stretch in the yarn as it hangs over my shoulder, and by the second day in Boston, it was more of a knee bag instead of a hip bag. Gotta do something with it besides that ugly knot I put in it! I think the answer may be in letting it be a kntting bag to haul my yarn in vs. a real purse I guess my lip gloss collection can get weighty!

My favorite thing as of late are these precious booties. Who are they for? My sweet niece that is coming in May. She will have beautiful dark hair and eyelashes like her daddy. I am working on another set for her red haired brother who is probably wild and doesn't like to wear booties, but that is just too bad. He will have to wear them.

My baby sister, Liz, is having babies....two of them! God truly has granted her a double blessing for her trials!

Boston

2010-11-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

Well, did you think I fell off the face of the earth? I usually don't take too long of a blogging break, but ever since we got back from Boston, life has been chaotic. Anyway.....Let's talk Boston

We stayed downtown at the Boston Park Plaza. Total awesomeness. Jazz band every night in the lobby, and two bathrooms in our suite. What more can you ask for?

Boston is the home of Harvard and MIT. All that brain power in one place...a little overwhelming huh?

Wayne's goal for this trip was to find Neptune Oyster which had been featured on one of his favorite shows "The Best thing I Ever Ate"

It was fabulous, even if we did underestimate the cost of a dozen oysters on the half shell. Basically blew out daily food budget on this one meal...but oh! so worth it!

If you are a history buff like Wayne and I, you know that Boston is the seat of all things colonial. The birth place of the United States. Incredible history to take in....especially about this guy....

Paul Revere.

His home...

and the North Church... remember " One if by land and two if by sea" ? Well, this is the place where it all went down.....

All in all, it was a fun trip. I heard "You have the funniest accent, Are you from the south? " about 50 times. Wayne never could find a Waffle House and it rained the whole time, but being with the one you love makes it all worthwhile!

Deer Dash

2010-11-06T16:37:00.001-04:00

I love this race! I have run it many times over the year. It is a great 5K, challenging, cold and just the right amount of people. This year I had some great girls to run it with me:

my pal Michelle, who is way better shape than I am, but hates to run. I know that she loves me if she'll train and run a race with me. She is a trooper and finished in less than 30 minutes!
Thanks for running with me Shel, just because you know it makes me happy!

These two little whippersnappers ran with us and placed in their division! Ahhhh, to be young again.

Thanks for running with me girls and making me feel like I still got my mojo! :)

Angie and Cason ran their first race and did so great! I'm hoping they are hooked on racing so we can rock the Will Robinson 5K in two weeks! Way to go girls!

*PS* I unashamedly ripped all these pics off Lindsey's FB page becasue she is the only one who brought a camera!**

Saucony

2010-11-04T08:04:00.000-04:00

I've always been and Adidas girl. I have really high arches, so after trial and error, I have worn Adidas cushion response for about 10 years. Well, I think I have a new favorite........

I'm excited because......

2010-11-02T18:59:00.000-04:00

........Wayne killed a deer last week and we are having venison meatloaf (When I type that why does it make me think of Jacob and Esau?) pinto beans, corn bread...Yum Yum!

......I not only filled out my app for my birthday marathon, but wrote out a training schedule (if you know me, you know planning and orginzation gives me a rash), and bought some brand new Saucony's this weekend. They are quickly becoming my favorite.... move on over Adidas.

.......Wayne and I are headed to Boston on Sunday. I have a nursing conference next week. Never been to Boston and Wayne, who is a history lover, and I cannot wait to do a little exploring, eat lobster, and ride in the yellow duck boat!

.......I am on the ball with Scripture memorization again. It's been a long time and I've been lazy, but I am back on track.

.........Finished my actual first knitting project that is just for me! An awesome little denim colored bag. I have to put a liner in it and I will post a pic. It's going to Boston with me. Now working hard on a scarf for a friend. I wanted to give it to her before I left this weekend, but I have a feeling it's going to Boston with me too.

Sunday afternoon naps

2010-10-31T18:40:00.000-04:00

Sunday afternoons were made for naps---

Naps for big boys

Naps for silly sweet girls

Naps for good little doggies

And naps for bad little mutts who are spoiled by their big sisters,

bad little doggies that have chewed up two of my shoes this week,

bad little doggies that I cannot, for the life of me, help but loving.

Grace

2010-10-28T08:10:00.001-04:00

I recently read this excerpt from an interview with Andy Stanley:

The church, or should I say, church people, must quit adding the word "but" to the end of our sentances about grace. Grace plus is no longer grace. Grace minus is no longer grace. We are afraid people will abuse grace if presented in it's purest form. We need not fear that, we should assume that........of course grace will be abused. But grace is a powerful dynamic. Grace wins out in the end. It is not our responsibliity to qualify it . It is our responsibility to proclaim it and model it.
Andy Stanley.

It is so much easier to accept God's gift of grace, yet so difficult to extend grace without reservation. What if they hurt me again? What if they take advantage of this gift?

Thank you God for not qualifying Your grace to me. I don't deserve it. I've taken advantage so many times. Even now, I think of how I accept salvation yet stubbornly refuse to model the same gift to others. God save me from myself and let grace flow out of my life without reservation.

Happy Birthday Lauren

2010-10-26T15:09:00.000-04:00

This picture is the same one I posted last year. You would think if she's that good of a friend I'd have a recent picture huh? Today is her birthday. I hope she celebrates in high style. I hope all her students were extra good today. Maybe they remembered to sing "Happy Birthday Ms. Brown" I hope her husband Chris does something extra fun for her. I hope her sweet baby Gage, hugs he and tells her he loves her. I hope she knows that I love her too! I hope that this year brings laughter, tears, (the good kind) and joy. I hope next year at this time, she knows and loves God more. I love you sweet girl!

You are for me

2010-10-24T20:18:00.000-04:00

I just got back from our annual SBC ladies retreat in Blue Ridge, GA. Powerful and life changing. This song sums up what God whispered to me this weekend.

19 years

2010-10-18T08:09:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow marks 19 years I have been Mrs. Welch. Alot has changed about me in 19 years. When I met Wayne, I was a city girl. Had no desire to tromp out in the woods, sit in a deer stand, or worse, sleep under the stars....that all has changed quite a bit.

Wayne has taught me:

how to walk softly in the woods so I won't scare the deer
that trout like to swim in the deep cold pools of water in the stream
that pure happiness can be found sitting beside a moutain stream and listening to the water run over the rocks

sleeping with the camper(or tent) windows opened under lots of blankets is the way to go
nothing smells better than frying bacon on a chilly fall morning
you won't melt if you get caught in the rain
he loves me most, when I make "his" world "our" world

I love you Wayne Welch!

Senior Pictures

2010-10-15T15:20:00.001-04:00

Oh. Wow. Just got home and got to sit and really look at Leslie's senior pictures. They are fantastic! Go here and let me know your favorite.

Go to photo gallery and then Leslie Welch senior pictures.

What I'm taking camping.....

2010-10-12T09:22:00.000-04:00

We are leaving in about an hour. I am sooo ready. I have never just taken a week off in the middle of the year to get away. I need it. Celebrating 19 years with Wayne. Love him. So here's my stash:

1. denim colored yarn, knitting a cross body bag.
2. mint green, cornflower blue and white cotton yarn...washcloths with intials in them..my newest project
3. Ipod with lots of Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler and Kari Jobe loaded.
4. Hiking boots...lots of walks
5. puppy chow...a camping must
6. lots of coffee.
7. my fleece red camping jacket. It's really pathetic but I can't throw it away.
8. "The Jesus Way" my newest read.
9. A fishing pole, as if.....makes Wayne happy...I'll give him an obligatory cast or to before I settle in my chair to read.
10. Perhaps the most important thing of all...... this guy:

Sorry Ginger, You gotta stay home this trip.