From My Heart

My family is home together for the first time in 3 weeks. It feels wonderful. We are not used to being apart for such an extended period of time. As you know, Jason and Mason have been in Honduras. My week, unfortunately, stunk. Not only was my dad in the hospital, but our dog, Harley, died. And I had to tell the kids and Jason had to tell Mason when they got back. It has been very sad for us all. Harley was a sweet puppy - I will always think of her that way even though she was 9 - and she will be missed.

The great thing about last week is that Deonna and the girls kept us busy last week, which was great because we didn't have much time to feel sorry for ourselves. You know how easy it is when things go wrong to have a pity party. Anyway, we went to dinner together, we went to Hawaiian Falls, we went to the hospital together, they spent the night and we had such fun! Usually, the big sister takes care of the little one, but this week Deonna has been my soft place to fall. I am so thankful that God continues to bless my family with hers. There are no words. Thank you. I love you!!!

Allan and Carrie-Anne Stanglin, our closest friends have been in town some lately and we have really enjoyed spending time together. The great thing about the Stanglin's is that we ALL get along. I have found that when it comes to friends, usually the husbands get along really well or the wives are best buddies, but it is rare that both spouses like each other. Not only that, but our kids don't fight. Really...they play great together and love each other. It has really been a blessing.

The picture is for Jenny. Jenny, Mason is 13 (wears a sz 13 shoe), Kacey is 9, Jacob is 7 and Bowen is 6. Malaya has really become a young lady. I love how she looks at Jed. She adores him. : )

I want to thank you for all of the prayers lifted up on behalf of my dad. Also, for your words of encouragement and offers to help if needed. You know who you are.

My 13 Favorite Movies (not necessarily in this order)

1. Last of the Mohicans - close race between #1 and #2
2. A Walk in the Clouds - the most romantic...
3. For Keeps
4. Gladiator
5. Mona Lisa Smile
6. Braveheart
7. The Patriot - another hero movie
8. Love Comes Softly - a movie from the book by Jeanette Oke - you probably think it's corny, but I love it.
9. The Quiet Man - love John Wayne
10. Imitation of Life - the 1934 version with Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers
11. Dial M for Murder
12. The Notebook
13. Calendar Girls - yes, I know what it is about, but these women loved each other and had true friendship

Posted by Tiersa at 8:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

These are just to make you laugh. Bowen likes to take pictures of himself...Enjoy! 

Posted by Tiersa at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

My Daddy is in the hospital having problems with his heart. This really worries me because he had his first 5-valve bypass at age 42. That was 13 years ago. I worry about him because he still doesn't take care of himself the way he should. Not that I can talk... I just think this could be an ongoing problem. The doctor said it is probably a result of sleep apnea. That can't be all. I pray that the doctor's will be able to fix the problem with medication. So far, that has been the problem - he is not responding. They are not sure why he is not responding, but other than that, things look good.

This is not a good week for things to fall apart with my family. Jason and Mason have safely arrived in Honduras and I miss them more than you can imagine. Julia has kept the kids for me so I can be up at the hospital, which has been a life saver. Being alone is good for a while, but not during a family crisis - or what appears to be a crisis. I am not used to not having Jason to lean on and take strength from when things go wrong. Have I mentioned I miss him more than you can imagine? I miss his presence. I miss him sleeping next to me at night. I miss him coming home for lunch. I miss seeing his number on caller id. I miss his voice. I miss spending time together, fixing him dinner, watching the tour together. I miss his touch, his smile, the way he looks when he first gets up, the smell of his soap in the shower. I miss him.

I chose the picture because I have some peaches left over (from Mona) and I thought I would make a pie or some preserves or something yummy like that and because it makes me laugh, the picture that is. I'm in a cooking kind of mood.

13 Things You Can Make with Peaches

1. Peach Cobbler
2. Peach Pie
3. Peach Preserves
4. Peach Salsa
5. Peach Ice Cream
6. Peach Tea
7. Peach Fruit Pies
8. Grilled Peaches
9. Peaches in Salad
10. Peaches with Pork Chops
11. Peach Melba Cake
12. Peach Topping for your ice cream
13. Peaches and Cream - real cream - the good kind
    

Posted by Tiersa at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

Yes, I am still forgetting the Thursday 13 so for now at least, I will just call it "The 13". Well, things have been very different around here lately. Mason went to camp last week, Kacey is gone this week, and Jason and Mason leave for Honduras on Wednesday. I do not like all of our family not being together, not being home together for so long. I cannot begin to tell you how I will miss Jason (and Mason). Different reasons of course. We have never been apart for more than 2 days. : ( It makes me sad. Nine days is a long time...

We have started looking for a job in ministry. It has been a long time since we have had to look for a job. I am incredibly nervous about the whole job search thing. I have some incredibly lofty opinions about preachers' wives. Maybe that is part of the problem - my idea of who and what I need to be.

13 Things I Love About Summer

1. Ice Cream
2. Swimming - we love going to Mrs. Elaine's
3. The way sunscreen smells
4. Time with my kids
5. No school
6. Vacation - at least right now the idea of vacation
7. The Tour De France - I have said from the beginning that Floyd Landis would do better than people think. Jason said Yuroslav Popovich or George Hincapie or Dave Zabriski would win, let me see...where are they? I don't like Floyd Landis, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does very well.
8. Capri pants
9. MMM Summer fruit - nothing like Mona Venable's peaches!
10. VBS - lots of work, but the kids love it.
11. Memories of summer's past
12. The sound of locusts
13. Ok call me crazy, but Wal-Mart has the cutest dinnerware. It is bright and cute and I love it!

Well, maybe next week I'll be better - wait, maybe not...

Posted by Tiersa at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Comments