Tell those you love how special they are

Can you believe this picture from CCD (Catholic education) says that Nick's guardian angel is Annabelle? That was Ms. Angelle's first name. The CCD teacher has no idea about our life and Ms. Angelle. Somehow, she chose this name for Nicholas. I do not think that is a coincidence at all. I think Annabelle is looking down on all of us from up above, and I am especially grateful she is Nick's "guardian angel." You see, ever since he had that horrible nightmare, Nicholas has been scared to be alone. He thinks Ms. Angelle's skeleton is hiding under his bed at night and that she follows him around to haunt him. Poor thing. I told Nicholas that Ms. Angelle is looking over him to tell him he doesn't have to be afraid anymore. Let's hope that works.

This picture was taken at Sam's last year.

I really miss Ms. Angelle. I miss visiting her and bringing her sweets. I miss listening to her stories, going to Sam's and out to eat at the Golden Corral with her. I miss hearing her laugh at silly things and speak her mind at things important to her. But I am comforted in knowing she is still with me in memory and spirit- just like Mary. One day I will see both of them again.

It has been exceptionally cold lately and we had to get out our big coats. Ms. Angelle bought coats for the boys last year, so we all thought about her when we got them out. She always wanted to buy clothes for Andrew (her godson) and when she bought his coat, Ms. Angelle bought one for Nicholas, too. She and I were planning on going shopping again this year, but God had different plans.

I am grateful to have known spunky Ms. Angelle. She brightened my life during a time I really needed it. My biggest wish is that she knew how much she meant to me. So, if you have someone dear to your heart, tell him/her they are special to you. You never know when God will call them home.

"I am standing on the seashore. A ship spreads her sails to the breeze and starts for the ocean. I stand watching her until she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says: 'She is gone.'
Gone where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone says: 'She is gone,' there are others who are watching her coming. Their voices take up the glad shout: 'Here she comes!' ...And that is dying."~Author unknown

Ford Park

Ford Park
Click here to view a picture taken before the Kelly Clarkson concert of Katie, her friend, our neighbor Monica, and me.

Four things to learn in life:
To think clearly without hurry or confusion;
To love everybody sincerely;
To act in everything with highest motives;
To trust God unhesitatingly.
~Helen Keller

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
~Matthew 6:33

You're Invited

You’re Invited to the Online Holiday Party of the Year!

The authors of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, Marley Gibson and Cecil Murphey, along with the book's 50 contributors, will be the featured guests at The Knight Agency’s annual online holiday party! This is a wonderful opportunity to talk with writers who’ve truly been inspired by the Christmas spirit! Also, TKA Santa has more than a dozen prizes to hand out, including copies of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, titles from other Knight Agency authors and a first chapter manuscript critique with a ONE WEEK turnaround!* Make sure you mark your calendars for this event!!

EVENT DETAILS:
What: Online Chat with the Authors and Contributors of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES
Where: TKA Chat Room
When: Thursday, December 17th @ 9pm ET
How To Chat: (1) Click on this link: http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545 (2) Enter a username and password (any combination) (3) Click Login

*The winner of the first chapter critique will not be able to submit their work for the one week turnaround until after our holiday break (agents need a holiday too!). So, anytime after January 4th, 2010 this prize can be redeemed. If you have questions about this contest or chat, please email info(AT)knightagency.net.

You're Invited

You’re Invited to the Online Holiday Party of the Year!

The authors of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, Marley Gibson and Cecil Murphey, along with the book's 50 contributors, will be the featured guests at The Knight Agency’s annual online holiday party! This is a wonderful opportunity to talk with writers who’ve truly been inspired by the Christmas spirit! Also, TKA Santa has more than a dozen prizes to hand out, including copies of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, titles from other Knight Agency authors and a first chapter manuscript critique with a ONE WEEK turnaround!* Make sure you mark your calendars for this event!!

EVENT DETAILS:
What: Online Chat with the Authors and Contributors of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES
Where: TKA Chat Room
When: Thursday, December 17th @ 9pm ET
How To Chat: (1) Click on this link: http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545 (2) Enter a username and password (any combination) (3) Click Login

*The winner of the first chapter critique will not be able to submit their work for the one week turnaround until after our holiday break (agents need a holiday too!). So, anytime after January 4th, 2010 this prize can be redeemed. If you have questions about this contest or chat, please email info(AT)knightagency.net.

Powerlessness
by Laurie Kolp

I am powerless over the choices you make
but I have control of the reactions I take

I am powerless over the body God gave me
but I can exercise and try to eat healthy

I am powerless over sunshine, storms or rain
but I don’t have to let weather cause me pain

I am powerless over how others react
but I can separate emotions from fact

I am powerless over where life will take me
but I can follow my God faithfully

pedestal (n.)- A base or support for an upright structure or part, as a column or statue.

Never put someone on a pedestal, for they will always let you down. God made humans imperfect so that we would turn to Him; for the truth is- He is the only one who is perfect, and He will never let us down. God allows us to make mistakes so that we can grow closer to Him and learn from them. When someone lets us down or does something to hurt us (emotionally or physically), we must strive for forgiveness. In the end don't we want to be forgiven? God forgives us, so why shouldn't we forgive those who have harmed us? If we stop putting people on pedestals or believing they are perfect, we will never be disappointed or disillusioned again.

The forgiving state of mind is a magnetic power for attracting good. No good thing can ne withheld from the forgiving state of mind.
~Catherine Ponder

Okay, I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.

A snow day brings back memories

Can you believe it snowed today? This makes the second year in a row it has snowed here in Southeast Texas and that has never happened before. I am so grateful the children are able to experience and have fun in the snow. Even though it only lasts a little while, the snow sticks long enough so the kids can play.

Katie, Andrew and Nicholas had fun making snowballs and having fights. Since Pete was not home, we could not build a snowman like last year, but there was not enough snow anyway.

For some reason the snow has me thinking about when I taught in The Woodlands. It snowed there once and many of my second grade children had never experienced snow. I had just come back from a funeral that morning for a former student who died from a rare form of cancer at the age of six. I had taught his brother and then I taught him while he was homebound during his treatment and final days. It was a very sad time for me, but God always gives us hope. The snow that day gave me hope, and I let the kids play in the snow for a very long time. We are only young once, plus we have only one life to live. So live life to the fullest, love life always, and put your trust in God. He will never let us down. Thank you God.

BROKEN
by Laurie Kolp

broken promises
broken lives
shattered beneath
a web of lies,
the grass
is always greener
on the other side
and regrets
become reality
with no place
to hide,
happiness
comes from within
a gift from God
not to be found
in doubtless sin,
broken promises
broken lives
shattered beneath
a web of lies

Nicholas lost his first tooth

I find it quite amusing how Nicholas always feels sick on Sundays and Wednesdays (church and CCD days). Today after school he had to go to the dentist about a tooth that was bothering him. Thankfully everything is fine, and with Nicholas who knows if his tooth was reaaly bothering him? I mean, according to him, his teacher just got back from Hawaii. Anyway, Nicholas and Pete got back from the dentist just in time for CCD and this is what he tried to pull with me (Pete had gone back to work):

"Mo-uh-mm, the doctor said I shouldn't go anywhere that is short...uh, that is not school."

"You mean like CCD?" I said.

"YES! How'd you know?"

"Moms know things like that. Now put your coat on."

"But he said anywhere that has Goldfish I should stay away from, cuz that might hurt my tooth."

Katie, Andrew and I just started laughing while Nicholas vehemently stomped off. SIGH. I am so used to this, it doesn't even phase me any more.

Ironically, Nicholas lost his very first tooth tonight. I sure do hope that tooth fairy remembers, as she has had some close calls through the years. Nicholas is growing up, but I am glad he'll always be my baby no matter how old he is.

A New Day
by Laurie Kolp

Morning’s peaceful reflection
rays of sunshine peeking through,
and freshly brewed coffee
arousing, inviting, promising,
replaces my turbulent dreams
as I climb out of bed
to start anew.

EVERYTHING I TOUCH
by Laurie Kolp

Everything I touch
seems to break lately.
First my car stereo
ate my CD blatantly.
Then I dropped my camera
and now it won’t open.
I managed to salvage the
photo stick to my chagrin.
I took it by Walgreen’s
to make Christmas cards,
stuck the stick erroneously,
they had to take it apart;
the Kodak picture maker
had eaten the last thing I had
but the clerk got to work,
I no longer felt so bad.
(Perhaps I was a little
preoccupied
with the writing
and daily poetry
November espied).
Now that December has sprung upon us
maybe my life won’t be such an onus!(NOT)