You Have Good Manners 94% of the Time

You manners are perfect. You always carry yourself with class.You know how to be considerate toward everyone - even if they aren't considerate to you.

How Are Your Manners?

To My Women Friends...This Is A Lovely Poem!

Christians

by Maya Angelou

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."

I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Tidbits for Tuesday

We had a wonderful Memorial Day! I hope all of you did too. Our friends, the Leonards, had us over for a cook out and I must say everything was delicious! There was so much food to choose from. Below is the menu:
Grilled marinated chicken breasts
Bar-B-Que Ribs (boneless)
Grilled Italian Sausages with onions and red peppers
Cole Slaw
Corn on the Cob with melted butter
Baked Beans
Cornbread Muffins
Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies
Then we took my famous Banana Pudding and a huge fresh Salad full of veggies! (squash, zucchini, tomatoes, vidalia onions, carrots, cucumber, oh and of course, lettuce and a bag of spring mix)!

Before eating, Agustin asked the blessing and thanked God for those who have fought for our freedom.

I then lead the group in a song/prayer entitled:

"God Bless Our Troops." Here are the words.

God bless our troops, wherever they may be.
God bless our troops, upon the land or sea.
Or in the air, we follow with this prayer,
God bless our troops, God bless our troops!

1944 by Louis P. Lehman

The kids swam, the adults talked, and we ended the day by chilling in the family room and watching a movie together. The only bad thing about the day is that Agustin was only with us for a couple of hours. He had to leave for work at 3 pm, but other than that, the day was great! Thanks Leonards! You guys are the best hosts! I'd like to send out a special thanks to the girls. Alex-thanks for entertaining Shane and offering so many games and snacks. I loved watching you two playing TWISTER! Congratulations on winning! Then to Miss Ashley, I'd like to say thank you for keeping Josh from getting bored. "Nuff said! LOL

A Bird and A Bush

This kind of photo doesn't get a lot of play in the anti-Bush MSM(main stream media), but it's worth its weight in gold here. I am a great supporter of our President. From Don Surber's blog: back in April, "One of the most touching photos in years taken by an AP photographer moved across the wires a last night and few newspapers published it. The Daily Mail did. It showed President Bush helping Robert Byrd walk."The occasion was the overdue awarding of a congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee airmen who served in World War II. There is irony there."But there also is compassion from President Bush. This may be why the photo received so little play in the newspapers today."Hat tip: Webutante

Special Prayer Request

What a week! I thought since I'm feeling so much better with my new meds, that I would be able to dig in and really clean my house. However, it seems that I feel too good to stay home! LOL! It does seem that with Dr.'s appointments for my husband and myself, along with other things that have needed tending to for awhile, we have been running the roads alot lately.



Some of the things we accomplished this week follows.

*Saturday, Mother and Daughter Tea at my mom's church (They had it a week after Mother's Day so that some girls from college would be home to attend.)



*Sunday night, Shane was in the final "Patch Club" program for the season (He won the Super Sailor award for consistent Christian testimony and a spirit of giving! Photos to come soon!)



*Purchased suit, shirt, tie, socks for Shane to wear to his aunt's commencement from law school



*Took Shane and said suit to the alterations shop for ...well...alterations! :)



*Went to Dr.'s appointment Wed. to be told I have type 2 diabetes,(YIKES!) along with a couple other new health issues



*Went with hubby to have x-rays taken of his shoulder and knees



*Made appointments for hubby to see orthopedic Dr. and for my 2 hour class on managing diabetes



*Paid lots of bills (Wanted to pay more, but ran out of money! LOL)



*Cleaned my desk half way, still have some things to deal with



*Lots of business calls



*All the regular things to run a household!



NOW ABOUT THAT PRAYER REQUEST!



Many of you who have been reading my blog for awhile may remember my post about my dear friend Patti. I received a phone call from her today and right away, I could tell she had something to tell me that was weighing heavy on her mind and heart. She asked me if I was sitting down because she thought my knees might buckle at the sound of her news. Then she started out, "I'm okay. I'm driving somewhere right now and I'm fine, but I just want you to know so you can pray. I have breast cancer."

My dear friend Patti!

Boy, was I ever glad she had told me to be seated for that bomb! Now Patti knows that I have been through breast cancer with my mom and several aunts. Even my sister, Jungle Mom, has had a few issues with tumors and cysts. And I know that Patti has had some health issues and a couple of surgeries over the last year and a half. Her spirits were high today as we chatted about her MRI she was on her way to and the type of cancer she has. The particular type of cancer she has is the kind that if you have it in one breast, there is a 95% chance you also have it in the other breast. She assured me that she knows God makes no mistakes. He knew that on May 23, 2007, she would be told her biopsy came back positive. He was not taken unawares. She blessed me today with her vibrant testimony and faith in Christ! I think she encouraged me more than I encouraged her!



Ladies, Patti found her lump in a self-examination! The Dr. sent her for x-rays which came back telling her it was just mass and tissue. That was back in February. Over the last couple of months, she has felt that due to a pulling feeling and changes visually, something just wasn't right. She returned to her primary care physician who ordered a biopsy. Her Dr. just kept telling her over and over how proud she was of her for pursuing this and not just taking some one's word about the x-rays! HINT FOR ALL FEMALES: Do your monthly self-exams! I mentioned earlier that my mom has had her share of breast cancer. She has found all but one of her lumps. Once the Dr. found one. I'd like to ask all my praying blogging friends to please remember Patti as she is awaiting the next step after the results come back from today's MRI.



A second request I'd like to mention is concerning my mom. She drove from Florida to North Carolina to speak at a Ladie's Conference. She will be speaking Saturday morning. Please pray for God to have his way in each attendee's heart. Please pray also for my mom to have the words, grace, and discernment she will need. The theme is simply, "LOVE." Then Sunday, for traveling mercies as she will drive all afternoon to West Virginia to spend a few days with her sisters and brothers.

My mom, Loretta!



Thanks you all. I know you are a praying bunch and I am honored to *know* you!

WARNING! Proud Mom Alert!!!

Tuesday morning I posted about my son escorting Miss Ashley to her Jr. Sr. Banquet on Monday night. Well, Ashley posted Tuesday evening, including a few photos of her and Josh at the restaurant. I loved her sweet take on the night and of course I loved how she bragged on my son! She also shows her godliness with the manner in which she esteems her parents. Go read it, go on now! You know you want to!

Just click here

Junior/Senior Banquet for FBA

Mom and Son take a few moments together before the evening begins!

Josh searched high and low for pink cuff links, finally acquiring them Sunday afternoon, the day before the banquet!

Little brother Shane couldn't be left out!

First try at putting the wrist corsage on Ashley!

"Here, let me try it this way!"

" Okay, they say the third time is a charm!"

Ashley's dad teaches her how to put on a boutonniere!

I think it also took three tries!

The Couple, finally ready!

"Can we just go now?"

Mike and Kim - the perfect chaperones! HeHeHe!

Notice how perfectly the roses in the wrist corsage match Ashley's dress!

Tonight was a special night for my son Josh and his friend Ashley! Josh had the privilege of escorting this beautiful young lady to her Junior/Senior Banquet. She attends Faith Baptist Academy, which is one of the ministries of our church. Rather than a prom with dancing, they had an eloquent banquet with delicious food, fun games, a great sermon from God's Word, and wonderful Christian fellowship at The Rusty Pelican Restaurant which is situated right on Old Tampa Bay! A professional photographer was hired and photos were taken in a gazebo overlooking the Bay. I can't wait to see those!

The Gazebo overlooking Old Tampa Bay where the photos were taken before dinner.

After the wonderful time at the restaurant, the group headed to the bowling alley where they changed out of their formal attire into recreational fare! Josh has already shared a few great stories with me! *wink, wink*

The Banquet Room

Here are a few photos of this evening. There will be more to share with you all later. Enjoy!

Ashley and Josh

Josh and Ashley outside our house

Josh helping Ashley into the car

Kim (Ashley's Mom) seems happy to be tagging along as a chaperone with her hubby Mike of course!

They were so excited and BEAUTIFUL!!!

A MUCH NEEDED BOOST TO MY CONFIDENCE

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

Holy Experience

A wonderful new blog I found today is worth a visit. The owner of this blog has a unique style of writing. Her post for Thursday, May 17, was simply beautiful. I had chill bumps and tears as I read it. It isn't a long read either. I'd love to hear some feedback on that particular post. Enjoy!
Click Here: Holy Experience

FRIDAY'S SHOW AND TELL

It's that day of the week again! I just love Show and Tell Fridays. Thanks to Kelli for getting me hooked! If you would like to participate and increase visitors to your blog, just swing on over to Kelli's House to sign up on Mr. Linky.

This is my third week to participate in this Show and Tell. Today, I am so pleased to show off Joshua Vernoy - my wonderful, witty, inteligent, affectionate, articulate, godly nephew! I wanted to focus on him today to brag on him of course, and to use this opportunity to solicit prayer on his behalf. He and a friend are flying to Venezuela today, May 18th, to visit Jungle Mom and Yekwana Man. (His parents!)

Please pray for God's protection at all airports, in flight. Pray for the pilots and mechanics. Pray for their safety while in Venezuela. It will be bitter sweet for Josh, knowing that his parents will be leaving the country which he knows best. Growing up in Venezuela as an MK (Missionary Kid), he adapted to the way of life and culture there. I remember when he would come visit us in the states, he would miss Venezuela so much! Oh and due to the change of climate and environment, he always had to be rushed to the nearest hospital for asthma attacks. It seemed the first week back to Florida was always so hard on his little system! Even though he was on meds and a nebulizer, I do remember one visit when he was about 3 years old, we were at St. Joseph's emergency room two nights in a row!

Josh was a blonde, blue eyed philosopher at the ripe age of TWO! He enjoyed sitting and watching the other children play. He was too ill as a youngster to really JOIN IN the fun. He seemed wise enough to discern that running and getting over heated would cause an asthma attack. But how he would giggle at the antics of his peers and cousins! Due to having so much down time, he had plenty of time to THINK and CONTEMPLATE!! I wish everyone reading this could sit a spell with Josh and converse with him. It is a pure pleasure!

Josh feels the calling of God upon him to preach. He feels lead to be a missionary to a latin country at this point. He is living in Tampa, where he has just concluded his second year at Florida Baptist College, majoring in Pastoral Studies. He has become quite the preacher boy and such a blessing to this Auntie's heart! I know God has something very special planned for Josh. I have so much more I could share, maybe in another post! Enjoy getting to know Josh better through these photos. As always, just click on the photo to enlarge it!

Easter 2006 - Josh played "Easter Bunny" for me and delivered the baskets I had made for all the dorm students at Florida Baptist! (Shane just LOVES his cousin Josh!)

Josh preaching his first sermon at the church his Grandpa pastors in Tampa.

Josh coming out of the .... wardrobe! This was taken in his college dorm room his freshman year.

Josh, Shane, and I after his second sermon.

Cute huh? This was after the service. He took his shoes off and placed them to the side of this special offering box. He then knelt behind it to look short. (He is already short, but seems to enjoy doing these kinds of things!)

Josh is a bus captain for West Gate Baptist Church here in Tampa. He designed these fliers for a special emphasis. The kids on his bus route just LOVE him!

Fourth of July, 2006, with Gramps and Shane.

Hangin' out at Aunt Pam's with Paloma and Josh Rios.

August, 2006, on Hunting Island,S.C. While Josh V. is shorter than Josh R. - he isn't this much shorter! He just thought it would make a funny picture to dig his feet deep down into the sand and hug his cousin! I told you -- He's a hoot!

Now for a couple of photos taken during his younger years.

Josh Rios visits his cousin in Venezuela.

One summer while the Vernoy family was on furlough in the states, the boys were able to play on the same INDOOR SOCCER team! Their team won the championship that year! They were about 5 & 6 years old in this photo.

Meet "Little Man Sam"

PLEASE WATCH and then PLEASE PRAY for this little guy and his family.

http://www.arthritis.org/donate/sam.asp?CampaignId=E07E1XMYZZ021090870

A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE!

What a lovely day!

It is so great to be alive.

I have been so blessed with: more sleep, more energy, less inflamation, less pain!

Things I took for granted in the past, but feel very blessed to be able to do today:

1.Brushing my teeth shortly after getting up.
2.Getting up!
3.Brushing my hair, even the ones on the back of my head.
4.Ability to shower early in the day, rather than waiting until better mobility of the afternoons.
5.Making my bed early in the day.
6.Scrubbing the bathtub.
7.Stripping the bed sheets and putting on the fresh clean ones ALONE-WITH NO HELP!
8.Sewing a button on my son's favorite quilt. (It was an eye for a puppy on the quilt!)
9.Raising my arms to do stretch exercises.
10.Having the feeling of accomplishment during my day.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and caring words. I look so forward to your *visits* in my comment section!

Today, I read an article chock full of wisdom on how to deal with your wayward child. I don't have a wayward child, (Praise the Lord!), but found what I read to be helpful information and guidance for all parents. I found myself with tears flowing as I read. I recommend ALL parents to read it. You will enjoy the blog owner's other posts as well. Click on the link!
Groovy's Ruminations

Funnest MEME ever!

I saw this over at Mrs. B's! It looked like a lot of fun, so I had to do it!
You have to Google your Christian name followed by the word "needs" and see what you come up with. You should, by the rules of the meme, list ten phrases. I did NOT click on any of the websites and I wouldn't suggest your doing so either.....Who knows what it might be!'My first name' needs:

1. Pamela needs fluids! (Probably!)
2. Pamlea needs a bath with lots of bubbles and 10 hours of sleep! (YES! Sounds great!)
3. Pamela needs a website.
4. Pamela needs a loving but firm family.
5. Pamela needs an agent.
6. Pamels needs a makeover. (Hey now, let's not get mean about this!)
7. Pamela needs to let go!
8. Pamela needs a bigger bra.
9. Pamela needs to work on her disappearing act.
10. Pamela needs a children's editor.

Okay, then I followed Mrs. B's lead, an typed in my blogging name followed by needs. Her is what came out of that!

My Blog title name:

1. Midnight needs a doggie.
2. Midnight needs a happy family.
3. Midnight needs to get back to blogging soon.
4. Midnight needs a loving home that will give her time!
5. Midnight needs guitars.
6. Midnight needs lots of entertaining things to do.
7. Midnight needs an available dinner option.
8. Midnight needs the click throughs.
9. Midnight needs transportation after the study.
10. Midnight needs some supplementing. LOL

If you do this, please let me know so I can visit your blog and have a chuckle!

Oh Dear! Should I Even Post This?

You paid attention during 74% of high school!

68-84% Pretty good, you know that there are libraries and newspapers, and you remember what you've read. You were a child that wasn't left behind!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

I never was a good test taker. I think I would have been an awesome candidate for Homeschooling!

Speaking of tests, I've got to cut this post short so I can go take a few! Medical tests that is! The doctors have been keeping me busy lately, bless their hearts! Together, we are working to help me regain some mobility and to suffer less pain. I'm happy to report that some of the new medications I started last week are working wonders! You may be seeing less of me on line during the midnight hours and more of me during the evenings, as it should be! I am once again experiencing a wonderful thing called: SLEEP!! YES! Restful, deep sleep! It's delicious!

I have a couple of new health issues that have manifested themselves through these tests. I may share more about it later. For now, I am off for a mammogram, and a bone density scan.

I posted my pitiful quiz above for you all to play around with and see if you remember more of your high school lessons than I did.

Here's hoping you are all having a wonderful Wednesday!

WHY IS MOM THE ONLY ONE WHO...

*Closes the cabinet doors?

*Asks others to smell their house, just to get a third party opinion?

*Puts the dishes in the diswasher (as opposed to the counter a mere matter of INCHES above the dishwasher. Ive even tried leaving the dishwasher door open as a subtle hint, but to no avail!)?

*Pulls the shower curtain closed?

*Turns off the lights?

*Picks up the paper/box/shoe/sock/whatever, that is in the middle of the entry and everyone is walking around?

*Puts the cordless phone back on the charger?

*Throws away old items in the fridge?

*Moves the old newspapers from the "reading receptacle" to the trash?

*Picks up the towels off the bathroom floor ?

*Cleans the scum that grows around the faucet ?

*Picks up the tiny pieces of trash that accumulates in the corners of the room (where the vaccum can't pick up) ?

*Straightens the welcome mat on the front porch ?

*Smells the kitchen rags to see if they're stinky enough to be washed ?

*Speaking of smelling things (a nose is an important "tool" in mommy's world)....smells the kids' hair to determine if they need a bath?

*Smells the laundry in the basket to see if it's a clean or dirty load? Tip! Never, and I repeat NEVER smell underwear, always assume those are dirty, even if they aren't!

*Gets on all fours and smells the carpet, just to see if that pee stain the
dog left, came out (am I the only one that does that?) >

*Turns the heat down at night ?

*Looks to see if the toilet paper is out in the bathroom BEFORE going as opposed to doing the bathroom scream, "CAN SOMEONE GET ME SOME TOILET PAPER?" ...that NEVER happens to a mommy.

*Throws away the reading magazines in the bathroom that are water- logged, ripped and otherwise trashed but still sitting there for reading?

*Has dust bunnies on the mind?

*Cleans the toothpaste goop off the tube, walls and counter?

*Notices when it's time to get a new toothbrush?

*Knows exactly how much soap is left in all the shampoo bottles even though the bottles aren't see through?

*Knows how many meals that cube of cheese will last until its gone?

*Is the only one to ever think about running the butter dish through the
washing machine?

*Cleans out the hair that accumulates down the drains....yuk! It's a dirty job but someone has to do it?

*Saves rubber bands for future use to close the tops of food packages?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taken from the Trigger Memory System website which is chock full of ideas for all moms, whether a home schooler or not !
http://www.triggermemorysystem.com/

Walking Daily in the Word of God

STOP

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

Before you open God's Word, stop all other activities and remove distractions. Give the Lord your full attention. Be still, and consciously enter into the presence of the Savior. Look unto the Lord Jesus. Do not rush into His presence, but enter reverently and lovingly.

READ

"Give attendance to reading." (1 Timothy 4:13)

Read the Word of God thoughtfully and carefully. Plan to read the Scriptures with some sequence. Read a passage thoroughly. It is better to read a short passage well than to read a long portion with little comprehension.

MEDITATE

"Thou shalt meditate therein day and night." (Joshua 1:8)

After reading a passage, ask this question, "What is God saying?" Think about what you just read. Meditate on God's Word. Notice key words and phrases, and seek to find God's emphasis. You will likely re-read some portions of Scripture as you meditate on God's message to you.

WRITE

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables." (Habakkuk 2:2)

As God by His Spirit speaks to you, take the time to write down the truths you are discovering in His Word. Perhaps you have found a promise to claim or a command to heed. Perhaps God has shown you a sin that needs to be confessed or a stumbling block to avoid. In your own words, make a record of what God is saying. Expressing your thoughts in words will help you to remember what you have learned about God.

PRAY

"Men ought always to pray, an d not to faint." (Luke 18:1)

When you are abiding in the Lord and in His Word, you are ready to meet Him in prayer. Our Savior not only longs to speak to us, He also longs to hear us speak to Him. Pray specifically about the things He has revealed to you in His Word.

OBEY

"Observe to do according to all that is written therein." (Joshua 1:8)

God's revelation to us demands a response. His Word is to be acted upon. The purpose of knowing the Scriptures is not to obtain knowledge, but to glorify God by living in obedience to His will. When the Lord speaks to you through his Word, obey His commands, and obey immediately.

SHARE

"...The same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)

The Holy Spirit will continue to teach us His Word if we are willing to pass it along to others. Deliberately share with others the treasures you have found in the Scriptures. Be a living testimony of the power of the Word of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now a quick announcement on behalf of Shane! He has blogged some quiz results lately and is anxiously awaiting your opinions. Please visit him and leave a comment! A link to his blog is listed on my right side bar as Battle King Shane. Thanks from his mom.

WHEN MOTHER READS ALOUD

When Mother reads aloud,

the past seems real as every day;

I hear the tramp of armies vast,

I see the spears and lances cast,

I join the trilling fray;

Brave knights and ladies fair and proud

I meet when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud,
far lands seem very near and true;
I cross the desert's gleaming sands,
Or hunt the jungle's prowling bands,
Or sail the ocean blue.
Far heights, whose peaks the cold mists shroud,
I scale, when Mother reads aloud.



When Mother reads aloud,
I long for noble deeds to do-
To help the right, redress the wrong;
It seems so easy to be strong,
So simple to be true.

Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd my eyes,

when Mother reads aloud.

I recieved the following list today via email from our pediatrician's office. I think those of us who are mom's can relate to the majority of the items! ENJOY!

You Know You're a Mother When.....

You use your own saliva to clean your child's face.

You have time to shave only one leg at a time.

Your kid throws up and you catch it.

Someone else's kid throws up at a party. You keep eating.

You've mastered the art of placing large quantities of pancakes and eggs on a plate without anything touching.

Your child insists that you read "Once Upon a Potty" out loud in the lobby of Grand Central Station and you do it.

You cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons; your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.

You always go to the bathroom with a "friend".

You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one your child eats.

You can't bear the thought of your son's first girlfriend.

You hate the thought of his wife even more.

You find yourself cutting your husband's sandwiches into cute shapes.

You can't bear to give away baby clothes - it's so final.

You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.

You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.

You donate to charities in the hope that your child won't get that disease.

You hire a sitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.

You hide in the bathroom to be alone.

You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.