Update

Well the results are in partially that is. Two weeks ago I had mentioned that Charles had gone to the hospital-
he wasn't feeling well he had a really bad pressing feeling in his chest and some pain, they kept him part of the day diagnosed him as having Angina http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/pages/4/1675_51092.htm
and he and was given a prescription to take. Well this week he had to go in for more testing, he took a stress test and and echocardiogram. There are some other blood tests he has to do next week. The cardiologist called yesterday and said that things looked fine and there wasn't anything to worry about. Praise God! I am so glad about that, but there are things to be concerned about like his high cholesterol (he is now on a prescription for Lipitor) and being over weight. Ok I understand these things and we have actually been trying to do something about this sense the first of the year, now unfortunately this Dr. Was an absolute jerk and had we met this man before we had a battery of tests performed we would have chosen another one. So now we have learned we do need to screen these Dr.s. He told Charles he needs to be 160 lbs. coming from a man of Asian descent I understand where he is coming from but, Charles is height-weight proportionate (granted he has lost 20 lbs sense the first of the year) and his goal would be to be 185 but last year he hired a trainer and ate protein shakes and stuff he couldn't break the 200 mark. So now where to go from here. The Dr. Also said it was all my fault that Charles is over-weight because I am the one doing all of the cooking. Nice huh! I don't remember holding my husband down and force feeding him.
I'll give more info as I learn it.

Taking Pictures With My Heart

Taking Pictures With My heart

~Vickey L. Banks~

It was an extraordinary moment at the end of and otherwise ordinary day.
I was walking down the hallway of our home when I came upon the sweetest sight I had ever seen: my three year-old-son brushing his teeth. No, it wasn't the fact that Parker was brushing his teeth; it was what he looked like at that moment. With aid of his well-used footstool, he still had to stand on his tippy toes to barely see into the mirror. Clad only in his tiny white T-shirt and"big boy" underwear, the little muscles in his calves were clearly outlined. He looked so small, so innocent and pure.
I froze in place. Looking on, I realized that someday that same precious little boy would probably be bigger than I was. He would be able to pick me up! So, I willed time to stand for a few marvelous moments while I soaked up the memory of what he looked like on his tiptoes.
I thought of going to get my camera to capture the moment forever, but I couldn't bear to turn away. Instead, I did what mothers have been doing for centuries.
I took a picture with my heart.

Monday Morning Thoughts!

Well in looking at the last time I updated it has been a while 1 week can go by in an instant. It is a sad morning I don't get to go on my usual Monday morning foray's to Value Village for dollar day madness ;) Being that it is presidents day and they opened early with half off of everything in the store it is killing me to be at home. The boys are off this week for what is called "Mid Winter Break" it is a stupid break, Teachers get over it! I never had it when I was growing up but it makes the children get out of school later in the summer because of it. I am not staying home because they are home this week mind you because they are old enough to be by them selves, it is other things going on today but they are a thought. Now that I have ranted a little bit I just thought what a day to to be rummaging, oh well I will get over it. Charles and I went out last night with Joe and Tabatha last night to the casino they have the best sushi at a wonderful price, plus the casino was having special drawings for $40,000. There were 20 drawings of $500.00 then 2 Grand prize drawings of $10,000. You are not going to believe this But Charles and I did not win... hehee! Ok so it was no big surprise there but it was sure fun dreaming about what we could do with and extra ten grand. Oh and then as we were standing watching the black jack tables (it was standing room only, and no machines were available) This guy kept betting $100.00 for each hand, 20 hands later he left without wining a hand. I wonder where he gets his money from.
Well those are my thoughts for the moment!

Happy Valentines Day

Well today is Valentines day a day for Love, it started for me as an awesome day, I got to sleep in and then I had to get out of bed... Charles was in a really grumpy mood today and boy did I hear it. You always take your frustrations out on the ones you love, but did it have to be Valentines day? Ok I did the Value Village thing with Tabatha and Charles today I got a couple of choice items today I am so glad. I got a set of crystal coasters (Princess house) that come in a brass caddy, I presently own them and was happy to get another set of 4 to replace the broken ones that I have encountered over the years. I got a brand new rice cooker just like the previous one I had owned and loved, and a few baby things for a friend. The day shopping was awesome. Charles and I came home and did a few things and I sent him to Costco to pick up a couple of things for dinner along with that he brought me home some roses. They are so beautiful. He can do the sweetest things and we agreed not to do anything for Valentines Day because of some bills we need to pay off. He broke our deal the stinker! Ok he is forgiven. I got the boys a "Sweet Valentine" It was devoured I think in 5 minutes flat. Boys will be boys.
I had the most wonderful talk with my longtime friend (Sister) Patrice yesterday I am so glad that we got to talk sometimes life gets in the way of our intentions and time goes by, I am so glad that we can talk and we are transported to where we left off with our last conversation.

The Beauty Of Tenderness

Tenderness,

How harsh and unbearable

Our world would be without it.

One Strange Week

Hi Again, it has been several days sense I have written it happens every time Charles goes on vacation. I don't get a chance to do the things that I normally would. It didn't start out to be Charles vacation but it ended up being that way it started by Charles not feeling very well on Tuesday and staying home from work and then Wednesday morning he was on his way to the hospital.
He was there for several hours but he checked himself out of the hospital when they wanted to admit him. He didn't want to stay there for no real reason other than to observe him, he said "I live 2 miles from the hospital if there is a problem I will com back" they gave him a prescription and he has an appointment with another Dr. next Monday the 21st (sense he checked himself out and didn't get the answers he wanted) so when the time comes I will update about that Dr. visit.
Well everyone else here is doing very well, the boys finally got to spend the Christmas money that was sent to them from their grand parents so they all have been planted in front of the TV playing "Burnout 3" it is a pretty fun game seeing all of the different ways you can crash a car without getting hurt. Well I am going to go for now but not without a favorite quotation.

Happiness

Happiness sneaks in through a door

you didn't know you left open.

~John Barrymore~

Amazing Race

Well we just finished watching "The Amazing Race" I cant believe that Freddy and Kendra won the race and collected the million dollars. Kris and John were robbed of it by American Airlines and then at the end the stupid train came along and forced them to stop and come in even later, Charles and I think they still may have come in first if it hadn't have been for the train. I so wanted Bolo and Lori to win but when they were voted out a couple of weeks ago our next couple was John and Kris to win the million, they were always nice to each other never raised their voices to each other or anything, unlike some of the other couples that were in the race. Well that is my take on the show and then to see the new one starting really soon with Rob and Amber going to be on it from "Survivor" boy this one ought to be fun.

And God Said... No

And God Said... No!

I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No".
He said it was not for him to take away, but for me to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, And God said "No".
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience, and God said "No".
he said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No".
He said he gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No".
He said suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own. But he will prune me to make me fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No".
He said I will give you life, that you might enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
And God said, finally my child you have the idea.

Random Thoughts

Joshua got back tonight he has been gone sense Thursday to a Christian youth conference in Portland. In retrospect in is nice to have him home, yes there are days that I could strangle him but he is funny and I missed him. I am so glad he got home safely. He was impressed by a church that has an outreach for teen prostitutes, they go out with a flower tell the young lady that she is beautiful and worthwhile and their church has a rehabilation group for those wanting to get out, all they have to do is go with them like she was being picked up and they take her away. I am so glad he got to go and spend some time with other Christian teens.
While Joshua was away I got to spend some one on one time with both Nicholas and Joseph that was nice Joey spent the evening with a friend so it was just Charles, Nic and I what a weird feeling to have one child home and that it was Nic.
I went with Aathina yesterday when she had her tubal ligation I was her ride home it is amazing what surgeries are considered outpatient now we were there a total of 5 hours and she went home feeling fine and everything. She was having tears about no longer being able to have babies, I so understand those feelings of loss. Charles and I really at one time wanted a larger family we are grateful that God gave us the 3 wonderfully healthy boys we have but I always wanted to have a girl. I guess I will have daughter-in-laws. I hope and pray I can one day be a wonderful Mother-in-law to my daughters and they can respect and love me without obligation.

You will find, as you look back upon your life,

that the moments when you have really lived are the

moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.

~Henry Drummond~

3 Questions

A. First, recommend to me:
1. A movie:
2. A book:
3. A musical artist, song, or album:
I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want. Im adding the caveat, Keep it clean.
Then, I want you to go to your blog, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything they want.

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

THANKSGIVING

To fill our cup with Thanksgiving

means to live in the belief

that GOD is working for good even

when things seem to be falling apart.

GRATITUDE

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,

but the parent of all others.