WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT YOUR HONEYMOON

43yrs Later 
You realize your Greatest Adventures 
are still ahead....

 THIS YEAR ANOTHER DREAM TRIP CAME TRUE - Paris & Germany!

PARIS:
Was an epic adventure for Scott & I, with many happy tears moments!


Plan A: We were praying our “Smart Phone” APPS worked, especially Paris GPS map & the French Language Translator!
Plan B: We would look for another “LOST” American (tee-hee), and just hang out at the closest great French Restaurant for awhile!

GERMAN CASTLES:
These Castles were aaaaa-mazing! I felt like we were in a “Disney Movie”. Such adventures, laughter & delicious food!

“How Sweet it is - to be Loved by YOU”, Scott!
These 2 weeks were an amazing CELEBRATION of our 43 years of Marriage!
I cherish every memory - on the planes, trains & automobiles.....even boats we took across Germany & Paris!
Outside of the Day I came to know Jesus as my personal Savior - Oct 4, 1975 (our Wedding Day) remains the most significant day of my Life! Thank you for all you have done as a LOVING - Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Son-in-Law, Friend & Business Partner!
 Thank you for always believing in me, and being the Wind Beneath My Wings!
 Much of who I have become in life - is totally because God gave me the MAN OF MY DREAMS, to build this beautiful life together!
 Growing old with YOU is like having a “Fountain-of-Youth”.....it just keeps getting better!
Love you forever, Sweetheart!

10 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR ENERGY

"I WISH STOPLIGHTS HAD - A SNOOZE BUTTON"

Can you relate?

We watched a great podcast from Michael Hyatt, 10 ways to increase your ENERGY!!! 

Notes from that podcast.......

(1) Most Important - get plenty of SLEEP. Be deliberate about when you go to sleep. Most people need at least 7 hours. Even a quick daily nap can improve your creativity and focus!

(2) EXERCISE daily

(3) Drink more WATER

(4) Eat high energy FOODS - avoid process foods, carbs and sugar. Eat a high protein breakfast.

(5) Take good SUPPLEMENTS

(6) Feed your BRAIN - consume things that are mentally stimulating like books, audios, ect!

(7) Maintain a positive ATTITUDE - instead of saying "I HAVE to do something" say "I GET to do something".

(8) Watch your MOUTH - our language portrays our thinking. You can speak things into existence, so be deliberate with your speech! You can program yourself by what you think and say!!!!

(9) AVOID energy depleting people! Ask yourself - "Am I one who is energy depleting or one who energizes people?"

(10) Connect with God, daily! 

Bad news, Christmas time flies - Good news, you're the PILOT

TRUE CONFESSION:

The 2015 Christmas Holiday seemed to fly by so quickly! 

Each year there is always something I didn’t quite find time to accomplish - SO I’VE ALWAYS WISHED I HAD MORE TIME!!!!

I love Holidays - the decorations and the parties!

But its spending QUALITY time with friends and family, that I love most! 

TIME SPENT THIS YEAR - around the dinner table, talking about things that really matter!

TIME SPENT THIS YEAR - playing games and watching movies, that fill the air with laughter!

I’M GUESSING I REALLY DON’T NEED MORE TIME!

It’s more quality use of the time I already have!

The bad news is time flies! 

The good news is we're the PILOT!

AMEN

It's NOT the ornaments that make a - UNIQUE TREE

Many of my friends are surprised to hear - "I ONLY BUY CHEAP ARTIFICIAL TREES."
Years ago I discovered a unique trick when decorating my Christmas Trees, its adding more green picks to the tree!

Yes - I start with a very plain/cheap artificial tree! Before the lights & ornaments go on my trees - I ADD A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVERGREEN SPRIGS!!!

I also use this same thought process with GARLAND! I love to buy at Hobby Lobby - but I don't buy their pre-decorated 6' garland for $89.99 each, especially since I would need 3 of those 6' garlands for  projects like our fireplace!

So instead - I buy very plain 6' evergreen garland, for $15 each. Then I add a variety of picks to create EXACTLY the look I want, at a much better price!!!

My Husband - My Hero

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BLESSINGS: Our Son & Precious Bride Stephanie!

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Our Son and his precious Bride!!!!!

My precious Mother-in-Law...

I would appreciate prayers for Scott's Mother. She is having serious breathing challenges and has been in Intensive Care for the past couple of days! We are here by her side: blessed to pray WITH her and bring a smile to her face! Naturally, we would appreciate prayers for Scott's Father too! His heart is so heavy, seeing his wife (60 years) struggling! We are claiming our Lords - "Peace that Passes all Understanding" will comfort HIM throught this journey!

Also praying for Wisdom - that Scott & I know how to BEST serve his parents needs! To be a blessing to them!!!!

I have reached a new "NORMAL"

I've reached a new “NORMAL"- as they say!
Our sweet Buddy can never be replaced-

and he will be forever miss!!!

But his Sister Princess and I are bonding on a whole new level-We even went CLOTHES shopping TOGETHER, the other day! Petco was our store of choice!

OUR NEW NORMAL-Princess now owns her first DRESS and girly pink NECKLACE!

WHY?

Several family and friends suggested it would help me to get over Buddy - if I bought another dog, bunny, cat, ect! I prayed over those ideas, but felt strongly those were not my only option. Instead….I’M GOING TO CELEBRATE THE PET I ALREADY HAVE!!

And “WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE”

Birthday #4 and so much more!!!

THANK YOU LORD-

For this weeks special Family Fun: Mom and I flying together for the 1st time! Visiting our daughter and 3 grandchildren! Birthday #4 and so much more!!!

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I SAID GOODBYE TO BUDDY YESTERDAY…..

My precious Buddy closed his eyes for the last time yesterday!

The Doctors said there was no hope for his cancer recovery, only pain!So my courageous husband and son cradled Buddy in their arms, as the Doctor did the rest!
Today, there was no gentle nudge (from Buddy) with an intense "I love you gaze",only a heart that’s filled with tears remembering the joy filled days with him in my life!
Our Lord, family and friends have given me great comfort! Thank you all.
Please continue to help me CELEBRATE the 8 years of Buddy’s life….

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To My Dearest Buddy-
I thought about you all night long. I miss your face everywhere in our home and I cry. You are much more than a dog, you are my four legged Baby Son!
I wish you were in the kitchen, begging for treats. I wish you were in the family room, begging to go outside and potty. I wish you were in our bed, hogging the space like you usually do!
I find myself clinging to your doggy sweater, just to smell your precious scent again!
You’ve helped me through many lonely moments, when I was home alone!I used to think you look so smart, the way you’d sit and stare.
You’d always lend a thoughtful ear! And I miss the way, on my cheek you’d lay a little doggy kiss.
You have shown me what absolute unselfishness looks like, in this selfish world. You have taught me the meaning of devotion.
I know you’re gone for good now, though it is hard for me to believe…that you won’t come when I call your name! Or bark…every time the doorbell rings, or a squirrel runs across our yard!
You told me you loved me - a thousand times over….by the way you would rests against my leg, by the way you thumped your short little tail at my smallest smile, and by the way you showed your hurt when I left the house.
I know you didn’t leave me empty handed, you left me a part of you. I will always remember how much you loved me, and the thoughtful things you’d did.
It is hard for me to realize you won’t beg for anymore treats or just hang out with me! And, it is hard for me to say goodbye, so rest is peace…my precious Buddy.
I’ve asked God to place a doggy-door in Heaven! And let YOU run to greet me when I get there!
Love you ton’s-Mom

We will miss me brother David...

THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS:

My precious brother David was found passed away in his home this morning! It was a shock to our entire family, but our Lord has already filled our hearts with a peace that passes understanding!
Between the tears, we have been celebrating his LIFE!

Princess Savannah & Princes Alisa

Pam's Page 41 - "Family Life"

Last week was full of MANY blessings!

We just spent a week in Orlando and had sooooo many "take-away" moments! We had special time with dear friends and family too!

Scott and I especially enjoyed giving both of our granddaughters a

"Princess Appointment" in the Disney Castle.....

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Flying back home tomorrow...

OK, a little sad because - we are flying back home tomorrow!

However, we are taking these awesome

"FAMILY" memories with us!

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Praise the Lord....we will be together again soon!

We will all spend 6 days together at Disney World, the first week of December! Yipeeeee!

October Family Fun in Maryland...

Having a ball visiting our daughter, son-in-law and PRECIOUS grandbabies! These 7 days are flying buy!

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Flew in on Tuesday: Visited a Petting Zoo, Apple Orchard, watched Sheri teach ballet class, eat, laughed, played, ect......

God is so good!!!!

Why Go To Church?

Pam's Page 38 - "Family Life"
Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now.. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

Can I feel like a Princess too?

Pam's Page 37 - "Family Life"

Can I feel like a Princess too?Like my 3yr old granddaughter, Alisa?

SURE!! I think you can rediscover, at any age, the “little girl” inside! You’ll always be our Heavenly Fathers “little girl” – and He loves to watch YOU dance, celebrate life! You are His princess, so celebrate each day in YOUR castle.....

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But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." - Luke 18:16

Great Book for Christian Women-

"His Princess: Love Letters from Your King" by Sheri Rose Shepard