I haven't had the flu in 12 years...all good things comes to he who waits! I got hit with it Monday evening - Aches, chills, fever, chest pains - the whole 9 yards! Baby Emma got it earlier on Monday & Ben had it over the weekend. Sam got hit with it last night at 3 am when his dinner came up & out. Note to self - no sick ones on the top bunks...gravity is not pretty when wed to the flu. He also just threw up all the way down the hall what sounded like gallons. Of course he stopped right at the bathroom door...go figure. One of our church members Face Booked me & asked if she could bring us anything. I replied, "A mop carried by a Nanny. My wife is about to lose what little of her mind she still has." Its been one of those weeks.

Anna just came out & stated she is feeling sick! Please God, don't let Beth get this mess. Ellie is also complaining of a sore throat.

I just couldn't stand to be in bed by Tuesday late morning. Beth kept trying to shew me back to bed but I wasn't having it. It hurts to just lay there. I'm still achy but it's not so painful. I'm left with a rough & painful cough.

I am not a good patient. My wife reminds me of that often. She's been such a trooper though all of this. I am a blessed man to be sure.

God has been so good to me & my little family. Pray for my older sons. They both want to attend Toccoa Christian College in the fall but money is the only barrior. Pray for God's provision.

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Beth & I were coming home from the store the other evening & as she started around the van I heard her scream. I've lived with her long enough to know that it was a "big bug or reptile" scream as opposed to a mouse scream which can break glass...but that's for another post.

I quickly came to her side & she said, "Its a snake". It was dark outside but I could see a small coiled snake not too far from her foot. The snake thought better of it & slithered under the van. "I don't like the shape of that snake" I said as I quickly retrieved my flashlight & machete. I could only see the outline of it but it had a thick body & a triangular head - tell tale markings of a pit viper.

By the time I got back out to the drive, the snake was making a break for it-heading under the wagon. I foolishly tried to cover it with my hat it struck at me - barely missing my hand. The next time I used the machete to try to hold it down. It saw that coming & went under the car.

I met it coming out the front of the car & was able to get the flashlight on it - It had the Hershey kiss marking all the way up it's body. The only snake in north America that has that is a copperhead.

It coiled again...and for the last time. The machete made short work of the little viper. I don't kill snakes unless they are venomous & near my house. If I had come across that viper in the woods, I'd have let it go in peace.

The light green tail is interesting. I thought maybe it was used by this juvenile snake to attract small lizards or other such critters for it to eat.

I'm sure thankful that my bride didn't step on that thing & that it decided to flee rather than fight as she almost stepped on it.

Emma Grace is Here!

Emma Grace is Here!!!

She was born 10:24 a.m.

10 pounds 8 ounces

22 inches long!

A 'Healthy' Girl so say the least.

God blessed us by giving Beth a great expereince - the IV didn't hurt or take 6 trys & the epidural took right away so I didn't have to wait in the hall like last time!

She is a beautiful 'little' girl

Her wavy black hair puts me in mind of her Momma.

Ben was soooooo sweet with her. He held her & patted her head & then kissed her on her cheek.

Such a sweet boy.

Sam was far more concerned with his Momma. He didn't like the fact that she was in the recovery room & not where he could see her.

She has LOTS of hair & is a great baby thus far.

She seems to be very content - I pray that this will continue.

God has blessed us greatly & for that we are greatful.

Stay tuned for more pictures.

20 Pounds in 2 weeks!

What a STRESS FILLED WEEK!!! My doctor once told me that I was a 'stress eater' - not that I consume stress but I consume everything in sight when I'm stressed.

Well this week has been one of the most stressful in my memory - which admitedly is not at all what it used to be.

I wasn't able to get on the scale this morning so I had to wait until this evening.

The result...5 more pounds GONE!!!

That equates to 20 pounds in two weeks.

The amazing part is that I'm not hungry, not dieting, & the cravings are still absent even in the midst of a VERY stressful week.

The only answer is that the Zija system works!

You really need to check it out for yourself.

Beth's b/p this week was 106/62! Lowest in her adult life. Zija has given us our health back.

We're having another meeting this Monday at the Church of the Wildwood at 7 pm. You need to come & get the 'skinny' on God's amazing Moringa tree!

My energy level has been phenominal this week. Call me impressed.

Lose Your Gut - Week One Results

I was dreading it but I had to do it. I went to Mom & Dad's & got on the scale this morning after a week of pretty much the same lifestyle & diet.

The results...220 lbs which means I lost 15 POUNDS THIS WEEK!!!

I've been on the ZIJA lose your gut program which consists of a nutrient rich drink in the morning, xm3 supplement mid day & one hot cup of miracle tea before bed.

Here's the skinny - pun fully intended:

I didn't change my diet with the exception of cutting sweets way down. I did have some chips & some ice cream on my weekly date with my wife.

I have noticed that my cravings, especially for chips, have all but gone away. I am rarely eating seconds because I feel so full. I still get hungry before a meal but it is somehow very different. The hunger seems satisfied quicker.

After one reasonable helping I feel stuffed.

I did have seconds one evening & I felt like post thanksgiving.

I haven't had any more physical activity than normal on purpose. It has been a massively stressful week (see previous post) & yet I have still lost the weight.

If you'd like more information on it, then join me at the Church of the Wildwood this Monday at 7pm. The lady who started Beth on it for her pregnancy will be speaking on the ins & outs of this amazing supplement system. I'm going to try to record it so you can hear it if you can't be there. This is amazing. My blood pressure has also dropped from borderline hypertension 139/90 to 126/78.

Beth has had a net zero weight gain in her pregnancy which means she's lost weight. Her b/p & blood sugar are amazing! She's usually on bed rest with sky rocketing b/p, sugar, & edema at this point. Instead her vitals are better than they've been in our 22 years of marriage.

'New' Car for Beth

First I want to thank God for his incredible provision for our needs as a family. I thank God for my sister-in-law Rebecca for sending me a book by a guy named Dave Ramsey. The pain of bringing my finances under control has yeilded the fruit of being debt free with the exception of the house (see my post in 8 years). I also learned to save for future needs & to pay CASH.

Well, we paid our van off a year ago & I just kept paying myself the same payment. Fast forward to today.

I was wanting a late model 3 seat wagon that had low miles (under 75 k) that would get 20 or abobe mpg around town. Enter "Auto Trader.Com". I found a 96 Oldsmobile Ciera SL, 3 seater, one owner, clean car fax, 58,000 original miles & has been garaged the whole time. It runs like a charm & doesn't shake at 85. The interior is amazing. I don't think the second & third rows have ever been sat in.

The best part is that CASH in hand got me a GREAT deal & NO PAYMENTS (except the ones I continue to make to myself)

Thank you God my Father for your amazing provision.

Enjoy it Beth...I love you...

21 years

The years now number twenty one

That we've been joined, two in one

Some times were sad & others fun

But none too bad when two are one

Three states, two daughters, four strong sons

six dogs, six houses, much work done

Regrets...a few, second thoughts-none

Life worth living when two are one

Sins forgiven through the blood of the Son

A heaven to gain - a hell to shun

Not a 'DO' religion but a finished work "DONE"

All Praise to God the great three in one

Twenty one years a great life begun

Christ in you & me made one

Without Him wed've lost in Him we've won

So glad God made from the two of us...one

-I Love you Beth-