Becomming a grandparent for the 4th & 5th time

January 24th 2012 - Our beautiful grandsons Hayden & Tristen came into the world healthy and full of vigor. Seeing them brought back all the feelings of love and excitement as it did when our first grandson was born. I'm already thinking of how much fun we will have when they get older. As a grandparent we think of all the things we can do with our grand kids that we didn't do with our kids. Yes, I was a very involved parent and did things to make memories with my kids...pictures, crafts, special events, pretend cooking shows, field trips etc...I could go on and on, however, its totally different when you have grand kids. Technology makes it easier to communicate...you see my grandsons that are only 2 days old live in North Carolina and its the hardest thing to not hold and love them physically. Technology helps us to see them and to talk to them and to say I love you...it is the next best thing. Boys we will see you in a couple months and we will make up for the time we cant physically be there. Our daughter and son-in-law are going to be great parents and I cant wait to see the fruits of their love.
You reap what you sow and I thank God for giving me great kids and beautiful grandsons.

Hayden & Tristen
Our love Papaw & Nana

The Buildings are Disappearing

Looking out my third story window in downtown Indy...just blocks away from the downtown skyline the buildings are disappearing with the heavy fog that has made its way in front of the cold front. A few hours later the skies open up and the first signs of  snow are beginning to fall. They are predicting 2-4 inches, however, last time the weathermen said this we didnt get anything. We have been blessed thus far with warmer than normal temperatures, so hey...this is January.
Tomorrow is going to be a great day...I get off work at 1p and then its home to fix dinner for friends who will be coming to visit. What will it be you ask. " Mexican Taco Ring" so easy and so good! Im usually the dessert maker BUT my friend, Bev since 5th grade is bringing dessert. Pictures...tomorrow!

Sweet Blessings!

Happy New Year!

Last year was filled with ups & downs...deaths & births...and amazing life experiences. I AM a woman who has made her New Years resolution and hope to stay on the path to success. I figured if I told my family members and co-workers I would then have to be accountable to my word and now you ALL know. Here are my resolutions in the order of importance.
1. Have a stronger relationship with God...really get to know HIM.
2. Read my Bible all the way through...I have tried many times and start skipping around.
3. Focus on my prayer journal and spend more time in prayer...and listen.
4. To say NO more often to give others a chance to say YES.
5. Love my husband like it was the last day.
6. Encourage my kids with a text of scripture each day and to say I love you as much as I can...already doing this...but hey.
7. Be an amazing Nana to the greatest grandchildren in the world!

Sweet Blessings,
Lodema

Love Unconditionally

God loves us unconditionally
A mother loves her children unconditionally
A grandmother loves her grandkids unconditionally
This little guy "Brodie" is my youngest grandson and I love him unconditionally.

A Wild & Crazy Weekend

Saturday started with my great nieces 7th birthday party. I forgot what it was like with seven 7 year olds in one room my...ears were ringing for several hours afterwards. Jalena was excited with her glow in the dark art box and her other art toys she received. She loves to draw and this is just the beginning for her.
Bob & I went to Saturday night church and our spiritual souls were fed...we have an awesome preacher who definitely teaches Gods word. After church we decided to call our friends to see what they were up to and they were just walking out the door to go for dinner. We invited ourselves to join them and we met up at Texas Roadhouse. After great food and great conversation we left and stood outside to talk and just west of us we noticed the weather was  rolling in. The wind picked up and the air was getting cooler...we hugged and kissed and parted ways. On our way home became a challenge the wind was knocking our car all around, the rain was pelting the car and then we heard this horrific noise...HAIL. We slid under the awning at a gas station along with other travelers seeking shelter 10 minutes later the hail stopped but the rain picked up. We continued home and the temperature outside went from 87 to 64 within ten minutes. I heard later we had 77 mile an hour winds...AMAZING!
Our return home turned into tears & sadness :(  A freak wind gust at the State Fair turned into tradgedy as of this morning 5 people had died  and 40 others taken to area hospitals. 
So many prayer chains have been created to lift up the families present at the time of this tradgedy. I ask that you keep "ALL" in your prayers. The stage scalfolding, lights, screens and anything else attached fell ontop of the "sugarpit" the VIP folks there to see the band ...Sugarland. I know the people in charge were in the decision making of wether or not they should continue with an approaching storm and then a freak wind gust  of 70 miles an hour came in front of the rain and came down on all these poeple including children. The state of Indiana is still in shock of what happened and we are all praying for the comfort of all.

Sunday came and I woke to a beutiful morning of cool temps and cloudy skies. I caught up on news with my hubby and wrapped my other great nieces present for a party at 2 today. It was very relaxing and great to sit and read the paper and watch my favorite show "The Food Network" after the party and coming home I am now sitting once again and watching...you guessed the "Food Network".  School starts tomorrow and I have to ready myself for the traffic and the questions that every college student has...Where is my class?
Sweet Blessings!!

Peri-MEN-o-Pause

The other day I went to the doctor to have my cholesterol checked and it was the best ever, my diatician was so proud of me. So on my way out I went by Hardees to celebrate with a egg and cheese biscuit. I know its bad of me and I felt horrible after I ate it, but it was soooo good. I have been reading up on maybe becoming a vegetarian, I dont drink pop and there are alot of meats that I dont eat, so I dont think it would be that hard to switch over until I read you cant have hostess cupcakes...thats going to be a problem. I love anything that has the word cream in it...whip cream, cream cheese, cream pie, cream puffs...I think you get it. THIS is the problem. So now I have to have something to blame this problem on, so while at the doctors office waiting for the diatician to come back with my results I eyed some brochures on the wall that read; Diabetes (NO), Osteoperosis (NO), Menopause (oh no could this be my problem), so I sit there thinking should I get up and read what this information brochure has to say? I look around making sure nobody sees me taking it and then I go in for the kill...I snatch it up like a frog on a fly. I open it slowly and the first thing I see is.

Symptoms of Menopause

• Period changes  (hmmm...yup)
• Hot flashes or night sweats (hmmm...yup)
• Less interest in sex (yupyupyup)
• Vaginal Dryness (hmmmm)
• Trouble sleeping (oh yup)
• Trouble controlling your bladder (wearing a pee pad count...yupyupyup)
• Weight gain (oh yupyupyup)
• Mood swings (WHAT!! yup)
• Trouble concentrating or remembering things (
• Trouble concentrating or remembering things
• Trouble concentrating or remembering things  (YUP)

OMGosh! I have ALL these symptoms so I am having my mid-life crises and I didnt even know it. I head to work and brag to my co-workers on how AWESOME my cholesterol is and cant wait to go home and tell my husband. On my way home I'm trying to figure out how Im going to tell my husband about the discovery I made about myself. I finally get up enough nerve and throw the brochure at him and say, "see I told you it wasnt me...I DO have a problem and its called MEN-O-PAUSE see whats at the beginning of that word.
His comment, AND your point is?

Looks like there is no pulling the wool over his eyes he knows me too well. Looks like Im going to be praying my way through my womanhood. :D


Sweet Blessings,
Lodema

The wait is over

Some people wait for...
mail
telephone calls
marriage proposals
cars to warm up
a babies first cry
a babies first word
a babies first step
a job offer
the new IPhone
WHAT...the new IPhone...yep! I finally have a phone that does more than dial out and text. I was so giddy just waiting for the arrival...I tracked its every movement. When it arrived everyone knew it...I couldnt contain the joy I felt...ok...it was pertty pitiful...this was two days ago. So, my husband calls me this morning to burst my little bubble I'm in. Hon, dont say anything until Im done (this usually means something about me) I just talked with some guys at work and they said they have the IPhones too (I wanted to say something then, but knew I had to wait). Well, when the first bill arrived one guys was $400 something and anothers was $200 something, so you need to call them first thing and find out what you are allowed to use. Now I'm thinking oh great! So being respectful I still keep quiet. And he goes on to say, if we have a phone bill like that I'll take your phone and throw it as far as I can. Well...NOW I have to say something. Thats ok honey because my Defender OtterBox Case its in will protect it. Thinking now that he cant say anything to that...well I was wrong. Oh no, I'll throw it so far you wont be able to find it. Little does he know my case that surrounds my beautiful IPhone is PINK and I will find it! Looks like I need to make a phone call...I hear they dont tell you ALL the costs involved until its too late. Have a great day...love and blessings to all.