Y'all--I just had the best time--I mean the BEST. The twins and I were so privileged to have just spent the evening with Jason Crabb--of the Crabb Family fame--he was in our town tonight for a concert--at a church. Church concerts are my favorite because they are so much smaller and intimate. A local black high school show choir was there to sing during the offering. Jason called them up at the end to sing with him and that sure set some things off--for another hour of unplanned old time singing. It was stupendous. I had more fun watching Jason marvel over the kids. There were some really great soulful soloists in that choir.
The twins had a great time. M. even got a kiss and hug from Jason, and A. got a high five when he told Jason he had killed his first deer this past year. B. will enjoy hearing that Jason is a big hunter and killed an 11 pointer this past season.
It was just what this girl needed---and I am so excited to go back Sunday night because Aaron and Amanda Crabb will be there then. Fun. Here's a clip of the same medley he did with the choir at the end--it gets real good after the first minute or so. Enjoy.
What an eventful week--it started with the death of my oldest cousin's daughter--and with B. leaving for a turkey hunting trip to Texas. B. left last Sunday morning, bright and early, with great hopes and dreams of turkey shooting heaven. I very much did not want him to go--I was still recovering "mentally" from my pretty much self imposed "health scare", and we had the phone call from my sister saying that Denise had died in a car accident. He went ahead with the trip because he knew I would be fine, and because the trip had been planned for months and months in advance. Anyway, I decided that the kids and I would travel to Missouri for the funeral on Wednesday. We left Tuesday morning, not realizing the weather situation in Missouri--wowzers--what a lot of rain. The area where I grew up is pretty much completely flooded--take a look at these pictures of my home town:
The local newspaper says this is the worst flood--8 inches in 10 hours-- in my home town since 1982--which I remember well. Some say it's actually worse.
Anyway, the funeral wasn't in this town, but farther up the road in Pacific--that's the town that FOX has been reporting from a lot. They were actually evacuating the town while the funeral was going on. Denise's funeral was actually delayed a little while because her fiance' was trying to evacuate from his house. Here's a few scenes from that area:
Thankfully, we were able to leave the area before the entire town was flooded--we saw a lot of rain, and a lot of water on the sides of the road but were never in any danger.
The funeral was very sad--all funerals are, but they are especially when the deceased is young. Denise was twenty, engaged, and full of life. There were a ton of kids there--she ran with a group of about 50 kids--there were many, many more than that at her funeral. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. So--in honor of her mother (and my cousin), Beth,--and in memory of Denise-here's the fun song that was played at the end of her funeral. I'll always think of her now when I hear it.
Denise Ann Brunk
June 17, 1987-March 15, 2008
I was so glad to have my cousin, Angela, come back to Mississippi with me on Wednesday for a visit. She just left a little while ago with her hubby--who was with my hubby on the hunting trip--to go back home. We had a nice time--didn't do a whole lot--we shopped, ate, talked, and watched several movies, including August Rush, Enchanted, and Horton Hears a Who--they were all pretty good--I hated the ending of August Rush--it could have been so much better, in my opinion. We also talked a little about our 40th birthday trip--we focused on Maui...
The company is gone now, B. is home taking a nap (they didn't shoot a single turkey), the kids will be back in school on Tuesday, and it seems things are going to get back to normal--whatever that is.
Wow, I haven't posted for two weeks--it's been a tough couple of weeks for me. I have been sick for nearly 3 weeks, and, thankfully, we've finally figured everything out--I think. Since I last posted, I have had a ton of blood work, a cat scan, an endoscopy, and an urinalysis. I have had an elevated temp (99.5-99.9) for nearly two weeks--that has really bothered me for some reason. Anyway, I went from thinking I was going to have to have my gall bladder out to having acid reflux and a possible urinary tract infection--I say possible because one doctor said I did and today another said I didn't and that she wouldn't have even given me an antibiotic --WHATEVER. I had a little reaction to the antibiotic they gave me Friday so when I went in today the new doctor said I had taken it long enough and could just stop taking it without getting a new one. I feel a little insecure about that, but I will trust her.
So, it boils down to this--I'm on ne*xium for acid reflux, and I just semi-finished an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection that may or may not have been there. I'm just glad to be feeling better, because these past couple weeks have really done a number on me. I won't even go into how Satan has messed with my mind--the lies he told nearly drove me CRAZY!! I have worked very hard to stand on the Truth--I didn't always do so well though :) I'm glad that all I have to wait for now is the results of routine biopsies from my endoscopy (down the throat with a camera). I am working hard to relax and deal with these little problems that can come when a person reaches 40--growing older has its challenges.
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We had such sad news Saturday night. My cousin's twenty year old daughter was tragically killed in a car accident. She drove off a steep embankment and her car landed upside down in water. It's so sad. B. is out of town this week, but the kids and I plan to head to St Louis tomorrow for the funeral. I am dreading the long drive, but I just feel so bad for my cousin and her family. Please say a prayer if you think to. And I miss my husband, so a prayer that the week would go quickly for me would be nice too!!! One of my cousins may be coming back with me from Missouri to spend the weekend--that will be so very lovely!
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The kids went back to school today--they had a really nice spring break. It would have been a ton better if I hadn't been sick and it hadn't been filled with tests for me!!! The weather was extremely nice, and they enjoyed the relaxation time. They will have to miss school tomorrow and Wednesday to go to St Louis--then they have a four day weekend for Easter. They should feel like they've had a nice long break. Only 8 weeks of school after this one. The kids are excited about summer.
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I cannot believe it is already Easter. I'm so thankful for the cross and what our Savior did for us. A blessed Easter weekend to all of you...
B. is gone this week to North Carolina for work. I have had the distinct honor of driving his big ole truck around the past couple days while ours is being worked on. We have an automatic sliding door that isn't so automatic anymore. Our van is really starting to show its age--we bought it new 8 years ago, and thanks to Crown Ministries and Dave Ramsey, we are still driving the thing. We do have a savings account set up for a new one, but it will still be down the road a bit--especially with K. about to turn 16. We plan to help her some with purchasing her own car.
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I am so happy to announce that I have met my Weight Watchers goal--well, sort of. My original goal was 10 pounds, then I changed it to 12, then I decided that 11 was a really great goal. So, after 8 tough weeks, I am 11 pounds lighter and so happy to be on the maintenance plan--those extra points per day are like heaven to my hungry self!!
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I've had a bit of a health problem this past week, which led to Satan doing a number on my mind. I finally went to the doctor yesterday, (I'm awaiting test results) and I feel some better today. I have had stomach pain for a couple weeks--I blew it off for about a week, and then I started having fearful thoughts--you know the kind, "this is probably something serious", "you probably have cancer", blah, blah, blah. I have heard it's quite common for people whose parents died a premature death from disease to be a little paranoid when they feel pain, or when something doesn't seem right. (My mom died of cancer twenty years ago at the age of 41.)
Anyway, I saw the doctor yesterday and have a pretty good idea of what it is. I'll post on Friday after I go back to the doctor to let you know.
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We have all been having fun with the new Wii--my arms were so sore after boxing with my hubby. There was something very satisfying about knocking my sweetie out--he flat out enjoyed watching me go down, that's for sure. The kids have had a blast--I may even go buy them another game to play during Spring Break this next week. I can hardly wait to have my kiddos home for the week. We don't have any plans other than a family date, and a big shopping date. Fun.
My favorite action shot of M.
I wasn't aware B. was taking a photo at that very moment. My son won, by the way--and he enjoyed it--immensely!
The local newspaper says this is the worst flood--8 inches in 10 hours-- in my home town since 1982--which I remember well. Some say it's actually worse.
Thankfully, we were able to leave the area before the entire town was flooded--we saw a lot of rain, and a lot of water on the sides of the road but were never in any danger.
