If the shoe fits....

ouch!!... this one stings a little bit for me, how about you? Have you truly prayed as you promised lately? If you have, has it been just a quick hasty prayer? Today, I vow to pray even harder for those whom I have promised to pray!!!

Just a gentle reminder....

Love,
Julie

Just to let you know...

Just a quick note to let all of you know that I am not having the surgery today. I really appreciate all of your prayers and well wishes.

I am still on a little blogging break but hopefully, I will be back to blogging soon! :)

And, I hope you don't mind the early Christmas blog design and music! It drives most people I know crazy but I listen to Christmas music all year long and I can't wait until after Thanksgiving to start dreaming of Christmas! :)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, everyone!!

God Bless.

Love,
Julie

*I have some Thanksgiving recipes posted here & hope to get a couple more posted sometime this week!

I thank God for you...

First of all, Thank you so much to everyone who commented, sent emails, cards and/or called me!!! I am SO truly blessed to have ALL of you as family and friends!! I love you all SO much!!! :)

You definitely know how to give a girl courage to stay the course and the knowledge that she is loved. As silly as this may sound to some, I thank God for blogging! It has truly changed my life for the better. :)

And in some ways, it can be a bad distraction. This week is going to be a hard week with the surgery and recovery. Next week is Thanksgiving, which needs to be all about our little family. So, I am going to be on amini- break this week and after that we will see. I am having some computer problems, as well, so that will figure into how long I am gone. I have not been on the computer since Friday evening (not even touched it) and I have noticed a remarkable change in how I feel and what I have accomplished without the distractions of even just checking my email! (Hard to admit but sometimes admitting is necessary for cleansing the soul!) :)

So, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I may post some Thanksgiving recipes here as I get the time to do so (maybe after everyone's tucked in bed which is remarkably earlier lately!) so be sure to check for those recipes! :)

I will see you when I return! Everyone have a very Happy Thanksgiving and I will try to keep in touch with you via email, when I can.

Love and many thanks to all of you for your encouragement and prayers,
Julie

*please pray for my sister, Tammy, and her husband, George, and their children, Jesse, Michael, Sarah & Rose. They are going through a divorce and have decided after trying to reconcile that it will not work. Pray that hearts are changed and God does a mighty work in their marriage. I will not give up on them!!

update and please continue to pray...

Charlie has a pretty bad infection. He also has an extremely bad hernia. Actually, more than one. He has some things going on with his kidneys, as well. So, he is on some pain medication and antibiotics and some anti-inflamatory medication. He has to take all of that, don't lift anything and go back in two weeks. If he is not better at a satisfactory level, they will send him to a specialist. We really need your prayers as this is very bad news. Charlie's work is VERY physical. Not only that, but to keep up with our place and 3 kids is very physical work, as well. We also do not have insurance at this time, (long story). So, we cannot really afford a specialist.

I am asking you to pray and pray hard for us. I know there are people that have problems a lot worse than ours. But, I know that our circumstances require prayer, as well. I know when we need prayer and we need it now. I also believe that my God can fix this. So, would you please join me in prayer for our family? Pray that Charlie is healed, 100%?
'
I thank God every day for the special friends I have who comment and email and phone me to let me know that I am loved. I so appreciate each and every one of you! May God bless you all.

*Also, of the upmost importance today, DON"T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!
VOTE FOR JESUS, VOTE FOR VALUES, VOTE FOR OUR COUNTRY
AND MAY
GOD HELP US ALL.

update on me:

. my bilirubin (sp?) levels are a little elevated (pancreatitis is acting up again)

. I have an infection in my body, hence, the abcess tooth. I have to take these high powered antibiotics to clear up the infection.

. My potassium level is low and it is making me feel even worse. Have to take potassium and eat a high potassium diet.

. tonight I am in my comfy pajamas, drinking hot chocolate and going to read books to Claire. Lily is tucked in tight and Drew is sleeping away until time for his next bottle, around 9:30. Then it's off to sleep for everyone.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I had planned on taking a blogging break and I still am going to be doing that. So, I will see you hopefully by the end of this week after I get some things straightened and worked out.

Ya'll have a great week!

Love,
Julie

Please pray for Papaw!

I tried to upload a picture of Papaw Fogg (his name is Ralph) but it wouldn't let me. I will try again later. Anyway, please pray for him. They think he could have prostate cancer and they are running more tests right now. This is Charlie's dad so we are understandably upset. You sweet prayers are appreciated.

Love,
Julie

URGENT PRAYERS NEEDED!

A young lady that we know, Brittany, just gave birth to twin boys, Justin & Richard. Richard was without oxygen for awhile because the placenta tore as Justin was being born. (very similar thing happened to Claire but Thank God, there was NO brain damage). Richard is thought to have some brain damage. They will not know the extent of it until Saturday. Please pray for Brittany and her boyfriend and their babies, especially, baby Richard. She is only 15 yrs. old and I will let you read the rest of the details here.

Thank you for your prayers. I know the family really needs that right now.

Love
Julie

(ps. Brittany is my nephew, Jack's half sister. Please pray for Jack, as well. He is trying to be very strong for his sister. She really has no father figure in her life. )

Update & a blogging break

Just a little update... I am still not doing anything major so it looks like it may be a little while before our son decides to make his grand appearance! He is just not in any hurry what-so-ever! =)

If he is not here by the 8th, we will talk induction. I want him to come naturally but I am being realistic. Both girls were inductions. So, the odds are not great that he will come on his own anytime soon.

Anyway, I will be on a blogging break for awhile. I just have so many things on my mind right now and things that need my major attention. I just feel a shifting of my priorities and right now blogging is not one of them. I don't know how long the break will be but I will be sure to post pictures and let you know of baby Drew's birth!! And, I will blog periodically after that, I am sure. Blogging is something I love but I just can't make it an idol. I have to take care of my family first. So, I will be back as soon as everything settles down and our schedule is going good.

So, I will still be commenting some on your blogs, I just won't be around as often or posting here quite so much. I hope you all have a wonderful month of September and a joyous and blessed Fall season. =)

Love to everyone & Thank you for your prayers!!!

Julie

Prayers for Granny Darlene

Please pray for my brother-in-law (Paul)'s Mama, Granny Darlene. She was in the hospital Thursday night and last night. I think they are letting her come home but I will have to check on that and update. I am not sure what was wrong but she is having a lot of health problems right now so, please pray for her and her family.

*I set this to post early today but it didn't for some reason. I am sorry that it took so long to get on here. (Sorry Paul & Crystal, we are praying, I promise).

Prayers for Aunt Vivalee

Please pray for Charlie's Aunt Vivalee. She has had surgery for an aneurysm and has developed pneumonia. She is almost 80 yrs. old and she's hanging on but really needs a lot of prayer. We do not know at this time how everything will turn out. Your prayers are appreciated.

Random stuff

Charlie took the girls to visit his parents last night. I stayed home to rest although I actually got more done than I do if the girls are with me. lol. Right now, ALL the laundry is done, the floors are clean and the clutter is picked up and put in its place. It feels GOOD.

I have been so full of anxiety lately and Charlie has constantly told me to "be still" and let God work. Just keep on praying and let his peace sustain me. This has been difficult to do not only because I am nearing the end of my pregnancy (with no new OB, so far) but also because of family situations. But, God has started this work, he knows the reasons for these events and circumstances. I MUST trust.

So, cleaning did a good work in me. I feel less stressed even with maybe 4 hrs. sleep last night snatched here and there! Claire was up about every hour, I don't know why. She has been sleeping in the same room as Sissy and I am finding it a lot different and less peaceful than when they are seperated! Bless you, Mom, for all the sleepless nights that Crystal and I gave you! SO sorry! lol.

Anyway, just feeling better but still struggling to be peaceful about all that is going on right now. Thank you to those who have been praying for me and my family. We really do need and appreciate it.

Charlie gave the lesson at church yesterday and it was over, can you guess? "Be Still and Know that I am God". One of my very favorite passages and I LOVE the way my husband always knows just what to say when I need him to say it. Thank you so much, baby.

I also mentioned a while back that I have some family that graduated this year and things happened and I never got around to congratulating them (on my blog) so here goes:

Congratulations to high school graduates:

*Garett Burns
*Jesse Phipps
*Michael Rogers
*Jake Morgan
*Amber Bunn

If I forgot anyone I am sorry, truly did not mean too!

Well, I have to go get off the computer and do something productive today to stay awake. I think the girls and I may go for a walk in awhile although it is supposed to be in the high 90's with like 97% humidity!!! I will be SO happy when we get our pool and get in it!!! :o)

*Also, please continue to pray for my swelling in my legs and feet. Thank you.

Love and Prayers to all & Have a wonderful week!

Julie

Marriage & Prayers

Marriage is hard sometimes yes, but right now, I know that there is NO place I would rather be than with my baby. Charlie is my rock. He is the best thing God has ever granted me. He is my strength. He loves me despite my flaws and sees the best in me. God LOVES marriage. God has ordained our marriage to be sacred and right now I am ever more reminded that I MUST work all the harder to keep my marriage vows sacred and untouched by the enemy.

If you can would you please say a prayer for me tonight? It's not about my marriage but I have some things going on right now that I need strength for. I also ask specific prayers for my sister & my brother in law & their children tonight. Please ask that the Lord would equip me with the strength, knowledge & peace to be the help I need to be. To say the right things. That the Lord would help them find strength and peace in HIM.

Right now, I am off to bed to hold my husband close & thank God for him.

Love and Prayers to all,
Julie

Bring the Rain by Mercy Me....

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain



I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain



So I pray

Just listening to this song a lot lately and feeling very humbled. I wanted to share the lyrics with you tonight. Hope they fill you with peace. :o)

*Lily is better finally. She is still feeling kind of puny (just not herself) but she is improving. Praise God and Thank you so much for your prayers.

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Lily...

Please pray for Lily, she spent all last night throwing up! She is feeling VERY bad right now so I am thinking that maybe this thing they have is viral. Claire's fever broke Saturday night late and so we went to church yesterday but by the afternoon, she was feeling pretty tired and just not good. No fever but just worn out. She says her throat doesn't hurt anymore and I have NO idea what the white spots could be? Maybe yeast?

Anyway, so now Lily is feeling really awful. I will be on a blogging break the rest of this week. I just have to much going on right now and sick babies. So, after we get everyone well and spend some time at church camp, maybe I will get back on here to blog. Well, I know I will! :o)

Have a great week, everybody!!!

*I have to tell you; Lily took about 5-6 steps last night!!!! She was walking from here to there and then sitting down and laughing! She's SO funny!!!