20 YEARS OLD

Tomorrow is Erica's 20Th birthday. She is not a teenager anymore. Do you hear me complaining? Not!!!! But she has been a good child. I have been very blessed to have had a wonderful daughter as Erica. I hope and pray God is not disappointed in the way that Randy and I raised her. He gave her to us and I hope we have showed her the love of Christ. We have taught her to lean on God, to seeks God's guidance for her life's choices.

I could tell you some wonderful stories about Erica. When she was a little tot she played with a Sun-drop (yes a 2- liter bottle) She named him Sunny. That was her baby. She had every baby doll on the market, but she choose to love Sunny. Oh, we can't forget about her first baby doll that she cherished. Her name was Ashley. She carried Ashley everywhere she went. In fact she looked like Ashley. Ashley had not hair and neither did Erica until she was about 3 years old. When we would go out, no matter if she had pink on from her head to her toes (no matter her ears were pierced) people would still say" He is so cute", uuurrrrgh. Me being a young mother, it made me so mad. I would give those people the evil eye and politely say" Her name is Erica", she is a GIRL" - and don't you forget it.



She got lots of attention from her Mema and Papa and Uncle Roger. They loved her so much. She did no wrong and she stil doesn't in Mema's eyes (or her daddy's as far as that goes) they had a huge part is raising Erica. Thank God for Grandmas. Erica loved to take off to her MeMa's when she didn't get her way at home. She was a very spoiled child and guess what, now Adam spoils her... Good luck with that one Adam

Erica was a good student in school until the boys came along. She loved hanging out with her friends from church. If she had a choice- she would have rather chilled out with the youth group over anything. She wanted all her school friends to meet her church friends. She was devoted to it.. They were probably the biggest influences in her life. They loved her and didn't mind her tagging along with them. Erica was at least 4 years younger than they were. Some were older than that. I am thankful she had them in her life. I'm thankful for the older girls that took the time to mentor her. Thank you Ashlee Williams Tolleson. She really looked up to Ashlee. Ashlee was a good role model and still is an important person in her life.

Erica is my first born. She is the apple of my eye. We don't get to spend to much time together now, due to the love of her life. She chooses to spend her free time with him. Which is alright by me. I was the same way...(lets face it, it happened to all of us) We are very proud of Erica. If she is just 1/2 as good of a wife as she has been a daughter Adam has gotten himself a jewel.

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY ERICA- THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT DAUGHTER AND WONDERFUL PERSON. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU

Today I am Grateful.....

* That Jesus died on the cross to save me

* To have 2 wonderful kids

* That Erica is happy and has found a Christian young man that loves her very much

* To be able to see my mom whenever I want to.

* To have loved my brother Todd and know that I have no regrets

* To have a great job with great benefits

* To belong to a loving church

* To have a special friend named "Rooter"

* To have 6 wonderful sisters

* For Rhonda, Kayren & Wes my prayer partners

* For the teenagers at church

* That Lindsey has a good Christian friend

* That James Henderson is the youth minister at Eden

* That I got to see snow on Thursday in West Virginia.

* That I don't live where it snows all the time in the winter months

* That Randy is a great dad

* That Ernie gives me kisses

Randy

R obust

A dorable

N eighborly

D ebonair

Y ielding

D etermined

E lated

L ikeable

A lluring

I llustrious

N onchalant

My Gift From God

This is Tianna Robbins- She is witty- you never know what this kid is going to say. She is a clown- always making people laugh. She plays basketball for Chesnee Middle School. She is a straight A student. She is my daughters angel and an answer to my prayers. We love her to death . When this kid is around there is never a dull moment!!!


We changed churches and Lindsey was in the youth group. Randy and I knew this was where God had called us to serve. Lindsey is a quiet person until you get to know her. She had closed up and I was beginning to think, maybe this is not where God had called us to serve. I started praying and I had several women at church praying.
I am a true believer in prayer


We were praying for God to send a special friend to our little Lindsey. I know how kids want to belong to something. She wanted to belong but she lacked the social skills to communicate with the older girls. We started having the girls over at our house and getting to know them. It wasn't long and Lindsey was feeling the love of the others in the group.

The youth Minister (James Henderson) started going to Lindsey's school and eating lunch with her and he would hang out with her after church. Things happened and Lindsey fell right in with the others. A big thanks to James for taking a interest in Lindsey. Letting go and letting God is difficult thing to do, but he knows best and he is always in control.




Tianna will always have a special place in our hearts. I am pretty certain she will be in our lives for a long, long time....

Twin Living Christmas Tree

What a special Sunday night we had. We, being Erica, Adam, Lindsey, Randy and our freind Tiana went to NSFB to see the "Twin Living Christmas Tree". I have seen this progam many many times and I never get tired of it. It is a wonderful program. But this year it was really special. My sweet little niece and nephew were in it. They done a fantastic job. It was also a special treat, because NSFB did not charge for tickets this year. Which was a great idea. I highly recommend this drama. You will not be disappointed.
Of course, I think this is one was the best one yet. Yes, it probably is because Haley and Hunter where in it. But it also had a more special message. They did not do as much singing and dancing. (this play is like a broadway play) but it was more about the true meaning of Christmas.
Yes, it is great to be with freinds and family during the Christmas season, but that is not what it is all about. It is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we didn't have Christmas then we would not have our salvation. That is the true meaning of Christmas. Yes I know the clerks in the stores will not wish me a "Merry Christmas", but I will wish them one, and I know the schools don't call it Christmas break anymore it is called Winter Break to be politically correct. Stuff the politically correct. My kids will be on Christmas Break and we will celebrate Christmas and we will wish those that we pass "Merry Christmas. Want you do the same?????


Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

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Skeet Tournament

I was a little disappointed in the turn out today. However we did raise around $500.00. I can't be too disappointed. Still had a little time to have some fun, along with some of the kids. They had a great time, the weather was great for the skeet shooting.

I did some Christmas shopping today too. Did I mention I did some lastnight too. I love to shop. I don't even have to make purchases. However, I do have to be in the mood. I do love giving. I got my secret sister at church a really pretty Christmas plate. I know she is going to love it... It is high time for me to hit the bed- I want to make it to the 8:30 a.m. worship service and we are starting a new bible study in Sunday School, "Women of the Bible"- I will share these bible-studies with you- Until then.......

Skeet Shoot

Today is the day.. Hoping for a good turnout. We are hosting a skeet shoot to raise money for our youth to be able to attend the National Wesleyan Youth Convention. Our church has a great youth ministry (hats off to James Henderson). God has blessed us with some great kids. Most of the kids that attend our church are from single income families, single parents. How can you tell them "NO" they can't go becasue they don't have $550.00. This convention should possibly be where they meet Jesus Christ. Do we want to take that chance, Well, NO we don't. You might think this is not your typical fund raiser for a "church", listen, I just do what I am told. I was told to arrange the lunch.... So guess what? Soup and Salad are on!!!!

I am hoping this brings us closer to our goal. Which is around $22,000.00. We already have $16000.00 thanks to our wonderful giving church. We are expecting to raise approximately $1000.00 today and we only have 4 weeks to raise the rest. But we are having faith God will provide the rest. He has in the past, and I know he will not let us down.

It's off to the grocery store, so I can start preparing my salads... I hate grocery shopping... uuurrrgh. But someone has to do it.. Wanted to share so photos of some of the greatest kids..