300th POST WINNER

Finally a  post to announce the winner of the 300th post giveaway….Drumroll…..


 WHIMZIE (AMY) of SNOODLINGS. 

I happen to know her so that makes it even more special.  I will be shipping her a box of goodies soon.  Stop by and read her blog.  She has a way with words and a lot of humor.
 
Also, please stop by
 MilandDil Designs 
and get in on another Great
Fall Giveaway.

Tell her I sent you and maybe you will get an extra chance.  She is in Dallas welcoming her new nephew Tanner.


Another super great post is from Beth Moore…a way with words is putting it mildly.  She is just the best. 

Please do not forget the prayer requests on the previous post.

Nothing has changed and oh how they need Brooklyn to wake up.  It’s been two weeks today. The family is so weary and hurting so bad.
 
I am praying for a Brooklyn Miracle.

One more request…so many times I have written about little Ashley..
A few nights ago she took a bad fall in while buckled in her wheelchair.  Please leave Trish a note of encouragement.  She carries a load I could not carry.



Precious Ashley


By the way…thanks for the heartwarming comments you left on the last post)

The holiday blog should be back in swing in the next few weeks.
The calendar is almost full, trees are coming out of storage, glitter is everywhere and I think I already feel tired.

Have I told you lately how much I love my blog friends?
People that don’t blog, don’t get it. That’s OK.
 
With love,
Teresa


PS..Amanda and Micah bought a wonderful new house.
I am going to decorate it.  I want it to be Southern Living worthy…we are going to look for all new furniture this week. 
If you have seen any cute tween boy rooms, send me the link.

PLEASE PRAY

Sorry I have not announced the winner of the 300th blog giveaway..I am waiting on my official “draw-er” as in Parker. 
I promise to announce it in the next day or so.

As soon as I wrote that last post, it seemed I knew more needs than I have in months, so I am just going to take this post and share a few and ask you to pray.

This is one of my dear friends from a town we lived in years ago…She was my walking buddy..Her granddaughter is critically ill here in our town on life support.  All from an asthma attack…

They desperately need prayer today. Please pray for Brooklyn and her Mom and Dad, Landon and Rita…and all the family members.  Life can change in a moment.

 


Also Courtney Shumway…a friend of a mutual friend..



This is her story…Unbelievable. she was moved to Houston yesterday still in a coma and they need a miracle.

I promise to be back with a cheerful post soon and to introduce you to a new blogger.
 
Feel free to add prayer requests in the comment section..We all know someone hurting and looking for hope.

Random Monday

I loved your responses on this post.  I hope I did not scare anyone away with the political question.  I am not really into politics, just thought the premise that the Donald might run for office was interesting.  This week I will be joining the
 
Hope you will stop by…I will be giving away a card box and then I will have another FUN giveaway here.
Today was a fun day.  I met a local blogger (not in person but hope to).  I ended up reading her entire blog.. Her name is Megan at  Mackey Madness.  Cute, cute blog…stop in and visit her.


    Grayson getting his LAUGH on today


Jack getting in TROUBLE…drug that Lion from his room to the KITCHEN while Amanda was doing her HAIR….His Response was, “I NEEDED A POP TART”

Parker IS camping for a few days. ….I am already wanting him home.  Austin got a new puppy today. 

This has been a weekend of Sat and Sun both being PAJAMA DAYs.  The pollen has given me a major headache, so staying in was all I wanted to do.. really I wanted to mark things off my long “To DO” list.  That did not happen, instead we watched three movies .
 
Please pray for my blog friend Paige from Paige’s Petals! SHE needs prayer for her entire family.
She is such a gifted writer and is walking a hard road.  Her husband is in his second bout with cancer, this time pancreatic.  They are a beautiful family and my heart breaks for them.  Please stop by and leave a some encouraging words.

I also am asking you to pray tonight for sweet Ashley.  They are at a very critical time, AGAIN and are so  in need of your prayers. I know that Trish and Dave covet every prayer and every word of encouragement. 
This is Spring Break week and we did not plan a big trip, but hope to take the boys somewhere later this week.  
This week will mark six months since Jack'stroke!  If you remember nothing else today, remember that live can change in a split second.

I will be back on the first with The Ultimate Blog Party post and more giveaways….my favorite thing to do. If you look closely on my blog I am getting very close to a huge MARKER….really an UNBELIEVABLE ONE…and that will call for a prize too,
Have a great week…

TOO MANY POSTS in MY HEART, SO THIS IS A RAMBLE

This weekend started out great.  I had a long over due lunch with one of my dearest friends on Friday.  We caught up.  Then on Friday afternoon and evening  (until 3 AM) Amanda and Terri helped me take down our biggest job this year. That would be multiple trees with what seemed like a million ornaments. Why do we attach them so good?  I understand why those that take their own down say ugly things about us.   Saturday Terri and I went back to the house and got everything organized and ready for next year.  I griped all day because my back hurt, but I will be thanking Terri next year for encouraging me that we needed to GET IT DONE!
 Saturday night was great football, great take out food and lots of blog reading, and trying to not get bogged down in the Arizona tragedy.  Those that know me, know the news junky x 10 that I am,  so that was impossible. 
I woke up depressed just thinking about it.  I have been on the couch all day. LITERALLY, except to get something to eat..We are having icy weather with snow here, no school tomorrow and in our area, no one goes out when its snowing and raining or at least I don’t.  I just pray the power does not go out.
Nothing makes me happier than a PJ day with a roaring fire, lots of football, in my case all the trees still up (I really love Christmas lights) and a son-in-law that not only cooks  but delivers. Thanks Micah, we love you.
I have one more house besides my own to take down and then it will be a wrap for another year for this tree decorator. 
In  this same weekend, I have witnessed the most horrible rampage in Arizona.  I have been glued to every report.  The picture of the little nine year old girl is almost more than I can look at.  The innocent people that were so brutally murdered on an ordinary normal day in front of a Safeway.   Is this still America?  See what I mean, I have so many things I want to blog about.  During this weekend, I found out that one of my favorite friends Dad probably has lung cancer, a gal that I love and had just visited with went in for an appendix surgery this week and they found a tumor behind her appendix and it was not one you would want to find, a local blog friends Dad just found out he had stage IV tongue cancer, so tonight my heart is heavy.  So many needs, so many prayer requests.  A few minutes ago I saw that Beth Moore had posted…It was a WORD…
then my new friend Edie posted…another WORD.
Don’t miss either of these posts.  They so encouraged me tonight…Ask God to give the people above a miracle, a good report….I know he CAN…its been only a few short months that my family needed one.  That miracle is sitting in a chair across the room from me reading a book and watching a little football. 
Time to have a  New Years Giveaway….Nezzy, one of my favorite bloggers just wrote about a SURPRISE  GIVEAWAY  she won on my blog. Same kind of GIVEAWAY this time…A SURPRISE.  I will have Parker draw next Friday…and I want YOU to WIN. If you send a new friend I will throw your name in twice. A comment is all that you have to do.  Have a great week.

CELEBRATE

I talk a lot about my little's, but today, take a look at Parker and Jack’s Mom, Micah’s wife and My Girl.  My Girl is almost 30 and to me more beautiful than ever..and she is one of the best MOMS ever.  As I watch her take care of my little men and her MAN,  I can only say “Thanks God” you are SO faithful. If you are new to the blog go back and read the post My Girl!

If you did not read this post, don’t miss my first real blog friend encounter.  TODAY LET’S CELEBRATE! ...the prayer request for Liz, my special ELF, has been answered. Her MRI showed nothing...This is my precious elf that I love so much. She has had two bouts with cancer, melanoma in the eye and then breast and she is YOUNG (early 30's)....this last month she had some symptoms that she could no longer ignore. After a visit to the original doctor that diagnosed her nine years ago and who told her she had months to live, he felt like this was a tumor in her brain. She now also has an adorable little Caroline who is 3. Elizabeth is one of the most FAITH FILLED gals I have ever known...so tonight we CELEBRATE this GOOD REPORT. 
Another CELEBRATION is for CATHY and RICK and HEATHER....Her transplant is scheduled.  Talk about answered prayer. AND it was because ANOTHER BLOGGER read her plea.

This post may take me hours as it is the first time I have used the Windows Live Writer and have no clue what I am doing.  I just glanced at my dashboard and again stunned…One away from having 900 followers on this little GRAMMY blog….and almost 400 readers on the holiday blog, A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING (and look for some changes on that blog soon) as in a new look!   

All I can say is WOW and THANK YOU! 
As much time as I am working on  Christmas, I still do a little fall…Here is a little look at what I am going to put out tomorrow..      
When I get this all put together I will show you my new fall wreath.  I hope that will be right after Brett beats Miami tomorrow and right before the Manning boys take on each other..They are both a CLASS ACT!

As a thanks to all my readers, it would not be a good day without a GIVEAWAY and a SMILE!

A really neat FALL COFFEE TABLE book
I got at market!  It can be YOURS.  Also I won this book, READ IT, LOVED IT and now am going to give it to someone else…IT IS SANDI PATTY writing from her heart.

TWO BOOK GIVEAWAYS and all you HAVE to do is leave a comment….That’s it.
Parker will draw Monday night. NOW for your SMILE….a picture Amanda got on her phone last night and this is what our FUNNY JACK said! 

          WOOK MOM, NO HANDS!

*****I checked out a new blog last night and today that blogger became my 900th follower.

I am so happy to meet Sissie and read her beautiful blog..SISSIE’S SHABBY COTTAGE!  Please stop by and see her….and she will be getting a goodie in the mail. 

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING

You will need to read this post to learn about Will's story and need for PRAYER.... Thank you so much for praying for this family. Will is still critical, but there have been some positive things today.

The newest Update on Will....NO Bacteria or virus left..they are taking him off antibiotics to help kidneys...Diagnosis now is Encephalitis not meningitis. He has good blood flow to the center of the brain...The EEG must measures the outer core not inner...Dr said we just need to pray that the brain swelling decreases and brain bleeding would stop...

I was reading through some of the posts on our mutual friends FB walls today and found these things said about the Mathews family. In a time of crisis what a tribute to Tyree and Mark as parents.

Tyree is always there for all our children. Troy loved playing ball this summer for coach Mark. He is such a patient and kind person and you could really tell he loved the boys. I know Jesus is right with them carrying them through and that He will not leave Will's side.

Before this trial we have discussed Tyree as one of the greatest moms we know. The Mathews family never miss worship on Sunday and sit as a family. She spends everyday at the school working to be near her children. She is an inspiration. God comfort her when we fail to have words.

To a mom that is my hero...Tyree Matthews has shown us all how to be a mom and how to keep believing. She is breathing God's faithfulness. What a light God put on her for this time.

BELOW are some pictures from the prayer vigil at the hospital tonight. The crowd continues to grow...How these pictures touch my heart. The old song "I am so glad I'm a part of the family of God" has been in my heart all day.

Please stop by Wills Prayer wall on FB and leave an encouraging word for the family..

PLEASE PRAY

UPDATE...Friday noon
I just added a picture of Will's family. The best place to go for current updates is to the Facebook page. He did make it through the night and I just heard that his kidneys are working and he was on his way to have another cat scan...Will update as I know anything else. My deepest thanks to all my friends in blogland for praying. Please pass his name and his family on to every prayer group that you know.

Friends... This is a picture of Will Matthews. I wanted you to have a picture to go with your prayers. Will is a 14 year old boy from Shreveport that goes to Calvary Christian Academy. Just a few days ago he was HEALTHY and playing football. Today should have been his first day of high school. Tonight he is fighting for his life after a brief illness, which has turned out to be bacterial meningitis. His heart stopped last night and he is now on a vent. I do not know Will personally, but we have a thousand mutual friends and our city is on its knees tonight for this kid. This was the latest update from a close friend of mine and also of Will's family.

"The neurosurgeon came by and there is nothing he can do. The infection is in the cells and can't be drained. The doctors have said its all in Gods hands now, there is nothing else they can do. My heart is breaking for them. Please continue to pray."

His classmates have circled the hospital tonight in a prayer vigil. There is a FB page, Praying For Will Mathews, where you can leave prayers for the family. Please feel free to stop by and leave a prayer for this sweet family.

He is critical RIGHT NOW and needs a miracle.

Life can change in a moment. PLEASE huge your kids tonight and pray FERVENTLY for this child and his family. Not one of us knows when we will need others to PRAY. Parker is 11...I cannot imagine him going in the hospital for an infection and 24 hours later not knowing if he would live through the night. Jack had meningitis when he was five days old, but it was viral. He was critical! Our family will never again here the word MENINGITIS without breathing one more thank you to GOD for healing him. He is a HEALTHY TWO YEAR today. Our hearts hurt tonight for this family. I know the blog world is full of wonderful people that believe in the power of prayer...Please pray.

What a Fun Post!!!

I have loved getting to know so many of you better and some of you for the first time. The last post was one of my favorites. It again proves my theory that we are all more alike than different. Once I started reading the comments, I thought of another hundred things that I just DON'T DO! I copied all the comments so I can put you with your blog and feel like I really know you.
Parker is home (man did I miss that little man) and he just drew 2 numbers from the comments in just this one post. (and I gave those that posted about it extra chances) These lucky bloggers will receive a "surprise" in the mail very soon.
Heersink Happenings at http://heersinks3.blogspot.com/ and
Kristin at My Art and the Mom in Me at
http://mysweetthree-kristin.blogspot.com/
Since it is so late in the month and I have a busy week, I had Parker draw for the "Card Box" for July. The July WINNER is
Kathy at Sweet Up-North Mornings... A Creative Oasis
http://sweetup-northmornings.blogspot.com/
Please visit these blogs and say hello. I always love making new blog friends and all three of these gals have great blogs.
There are so many very sick children..... I have four healthy grandsons and am so blessed.....but please pray for these little ones.....My heart breaks for each of these families. They each need a miracle! Please leave them a comment and let them know you are praying. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggiecobb

Please Pray

Grayson in the NICU tonight....so hard to leave him....
I think that he is not a happy camper

I have already fallen madly in love with this little guy I would love to write a pretty post tonight, but just need to ask you to pray...so I am just going to copy and paste a FB update and will write a better post soon.

What began as a normal day, became anything but.... Dana's labor was progressing very slow and around 12:30, Grayson's heart rate dropped significantly and within a matter of minutes they did an emergency C-Section. He was a good 7lb 8oz little boy but his heart rate was very fast so they rushed him to the nursery to assess him without her even getting to see him. It appeared that after several hours he was breathing better but each time they took the oxygen hood off his levels dropped (an episode is what they called it)..Dana had a really bad reaction to the anesthesia so she was in recovery for a long time...just a rough afternoon for her....by late afternoon the pediatrician came by and said they were going to watch him overnight and keep him in the nursery under the "hood"! Within an hour that all changed and they decided he needed to be moved across town to the new state of the art NICU. Many of you know we spent more than enough time their with Baby Jack 17 months ago. By this time Dana realized he had a problem and it broke her heart not to see him...
Greg and I met the ambulance at WK South and were able to spend about an hour with him in the NICU. He is precious.
Its after midnight and I am not sure I have even made a complete sentence..Baby Grayson is stable. They have him sedated to give his little body some time to rest and heal. We spent time with the neonatologist late tonight. He was encouraging that Gray is going to be OK but he is a sick little one tonight.

He has a collapsed lung and a small hole in his lung that hopefully will close up on its own. There is a lot more the doctor told us but I am afraid I will get the terminology wrong.....and what really matters is that the his little lung just get better.
So my prayer request tonight is that Dana and Greg would get some good rest....and that tomorrow we will get a good report on this sweet baby.
Thank you to all of you that called, texted, emailed and most of all prayed.