Great Bible Study

Kass and I have made a decision to start studying the Bible together on a daily basis. We are going to go from one topic to the next. Even if we repeat, that is okay. The Word of God never gets old. It's amazing the difference it makes when you really study the Bible. Reading the Bible is one thing really studying the Bible is another. It's so encouraging, uplifting, and really keeps life in perspective. Recently we have been enjoying Bro. Nathaniel J. Wilson's Bible study on holiness. It's great! He really has a way of putting things in perspective on why we should live a holy life. Anyway, I thought it was so good that I would share it with my friends. It just makes you want to be the best that you can be for Christ. If you scroll down to the lower right side of my blog you will see a link to Bro. Wilson's blog. Be sure to start with part 1 and work you way up from there.

Happy Birthday to Someone Very Special

See if you can guess who. This is his 3rd grade picture.

Good Manners are Wonderful!

Call me old fashioned but, I love to be around people with good manners. I'm not speaking about knowing all the little details (I really get confused with those kind of things since I live basically an informal life style). I'm speaking about kindness, courtesy, thoughtfulness, not letting doors slam in people's faces, not making rude noises, not interrupting people when they are speaking, being thoughtful and tidy, and all of that good stuff! In other words, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Of course, good manners start at home so I've decided to make a huge effort to work with Ave, and with anyone else in the house who is interested in improving their manners. I just purchased two books, Manners Made Easy by June Hines Moore, and Everyday Graces by Karen Santorum. I will be including these two books into Ave's home school lesson plan.

Today we worked on proper behavior when meeting someone for the first time. We practiced. He thought it was kind of funny. Hopefully, this will help him. Typically, he looks away when meeting people for the first time and mumbles a "Hi" or something like that. So today he practiced what June Hines Moore calls the 6 Six's 1. Stand (stand up when meeting someone for the first time) 2. Smile 3. See (Look directly at them) 4. Shake (shake hands) 5. Speak (Introduce yourself) 6. Say (Repeat their name). So far so good. I was the new person he was meeting, so for fun I made sure to tell him in a high pitched old lady voice, "My what a well mannered young boy you are. It was so nice meeting you."

Anyway, I will let you know if the books help or not. Also, if you see Ave using good manners, please give him some positive reinforcement.

The Big Pink Dress!

Kass is not going to be happy when she sees this post. However, I couldn't help but share. She found this pink dress at the store and fell in love with it. Kass in the big pink dress!
Super Big Skirt!

Wheeeee!

My little peasant girl.

Off to Grandma's house we go for our Thanksgiving meal.

Just a Few Things I'm Thankful For....

Just a few things that I'm thankful for........
A super sweet, beautiful, and loving mother (she's the prettiest one in the picture)......

The best dad anyone could ever ask for (smart, strong, handsome) ...........

A precious mother-in-law who is always there for me.........

Cool days when the doors can be opened wide........

My brother and pastor, who is carrying on the gospel and following in my father's footsteps......

Tough little boys who like to fish (and big boys too)...

Sweet little baby kisses........

Friends, what would I do without my friends........

and of course sweet young ladies who like to bake yummy Thanksgiving Treats (notice sugar & spice) .......................

_________________________

These are just a few things I'm thankful for. But most of all, I'm so thankful that I know who my savior is-JESUS!

________________________

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

Happy 22nd Birtday - Kass

Years and years ago, when my husband and I were just twenty-one years old, and Gene was only five months old, we found out that we were expecting Kass. At first, we must admit we were a little stunned to find out we were expecting another baby so soon. However, it didn't take us long to get excited! We were so happy the day that Kass was born. She was born Sunday morning at 11:05 a.m. -- right in the middle of a fiery sermon, I'm sure. The moment she was born, screaming, into this crazy world, we fell in love! She was precious.

She has brought us much delight throughout her life. Her spunky way, funny little humor and sweet ways have delighted us throughout all of these years. When she was little, she loved to be tickled, and she also took great joy in imitating her big brother's scream. He would scream, then she would--oh joy! Of course, all of this was done for fun.

Before she learned to walk, it was hilarious watching her scoot through the house on her little elbows and knees--she looked just like a little army guy scooting through the brush. We were always amazed by her hula-hoop abilities at the young age of four, and we always loved the homemade cards, and gifts that she loved to make us. The funny little acts performed by her and her brother were so much fun to watch, and the day we looked out the window and saw her streaking down the gravel road in front of maw-maw Lay's house riding her bike with no training wheels made us laugh (she was four). We had tried to teach her to no avail, but she learned all on her own. She was and still is such a determined little booger.

Of course, we had the dramatic moments like the time she climbed on top of the house and was too scared to come down. Finally, when I was at my wits end trying to get her down, the mail lady came by and saw the situation. Fortunately, the mail lady was able to coax her down. Funny! And also the time Kass and Kay snuck out to the bedroom window late at night to roll the house--we threatened to punish her for the rest of her life from sleepovers.

Next, we watched her develop physically, mentally, and spiritually into a beautiful young woman. We laughed at the funny hairdo's she created, and the creative way she dressed. We watched as she stood strong throughout the entire ordeal of hurricane Katrina, reaching out to others giving no thought as to her own losses. Our heart swelled with pride when the reporter, Lois, with the Washington Post, told us, "Your daughter is amazing. She is an ambassador!" Little did she know that she truly is. She was, still is, and will always be an ambassador for Christ.

Lastly, we watched as she progressed through high school being her lovely, wonderful self. Endearing teachers and friends alike with her generous heart and giving ways. These were special days-days we will always cherish and remember.

Today, she is a beautiful, mature, wise, compassionate, and generous young lady, and today, we would like to say to this sweet girl of ours. We love you and hope that you have a wonderful 22nd birthday and many, many, more!

Below are a few pictures of Kass in her younger years!

Yes, believe it or not Kass was born with brown hair and blonde roots!

Riding her tricyle in Granny Lay's yard.

I started her young! Always mommy's little helper.
Kass making a silly face.

She still loves her phone time.

I always loved to hold her in my lap.

Happy Birthday Kass - Love you bunches!

Old Katrina Poem

The following poem was written by my oldest son, Gene, (who was at the time in his senior year of high school) on our way to Maryland after hurricane Katrina. He sat slumped down in the back seat getting sadder, angrier, and more upset as we traveled further and further from his beloved home town. He decided to write a poem, and this is what he wrote as we traveled to Maryland. He also wrote another one when we left Maryland and gave it to Sis. Libbey. When I find it, I will post it as well. Anyway, I came across this particular poem while I was cleaning out his closet last week and thought that I would share it in memory of the storm that changed our lives forever!

Katrina's Fury

by Gene Lay

It seems like yesterday,

I had a normal life.

Everything was going my way,

I had no big worries or strife.

My friends and I were playing ball,

The things we always do.

Hanging out at the mall,

And playing a game of pool or two.

Wondering about my favorite team,

Hoping the best for this year.

Winning the bowl would be my dream,

But loosing my greatest fear.

It just seemed like another one,

To pause our life shortly.

No one wants to jump the gun,

Little did we know this would be costly.

Talking to my friends,

Not realizing it would be the last.

It would put a halt to all my trends,

It all happened so fast.

This would be the beginning,

Of a nightmare that came true.

It feels like we're just pretending,

Like a rerun of the little one that just came through.

I left my house not too much in a hurry,

Grabbed a few clothes and was out the door.

When I got to the city, there was a bit of a scurry,

Got on the I-10--put the pedal to the floor.

When I finally reached Baton Rouge,

I greeted family and chilled out.

But, it wasn't till I cut on the news,

That I realized what this was about.

It was two hundred miles wide,

Went from a one to a five in three days.

Caused total destruction where millions abide,

And literally turned everything gray.

I love my hometown that's called the Big Easy,

I hope you can visit it somewhere down the road.

But while I'm here in D.C.

I'm gonna put on an extra jacket and enjoy the snow.