Wordless Wednesday- Daddy's Girl

Since we are coming up to the fourth birthday of our girl, I find myself suddenly sentimental over her baby pics! This is one of my favorites. Taken the day we brought her home from the hospital. She was then and is definitely now - Daddy's Girl!!

A Monday Meme!

Found this meme on another's blog -thought I would share my thoughts in this form today.

Outside my Window..Pretty day, Hannah running around in her bathing suit and a lizard sticking his tongue out at me on the window sill.
I am thinking...about school options for my child for next year!
I am thankful for...my hard working hubby, my spirited child, my puppy, who I know will grow up to be a great dog -- he is just teaching me patience right now and I am thankful for grandparents who jump at the chance to spend time with my daughter. It makes me a much better mommy when I have time to rest!
I am creating...dinner in the crockpot!
I am going...a little crazy... and hopefully going to sleep at some point today!
I am wearing...khaki bermuda shorts, my IRISH t-shirt, a hair clip and no makeup!!
I am reading...nothing at the moment, but I have some great books to start, when I get some time.
I am hoping...that I can go to the movies this week with my friend Kim to see Mama Mia!
I am hearing...the tv, a wasp tapping on the window screen and HB snoring away!
Around the house...some housework, folding laundry, making lunch for the gang, and hopefully a small nap this afternoon!
One of my favorite things...the smell of clean laundry
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week..take pup to the vet, a library trip, calling about reserving Monkey Joe's for Hannah's b-day, organizing my church bag, thinking of decorations for our Women's Fellowship meeting at the end of August.

So, what is going on with you? Leave me your answers in the comments or at the email address listed on the right sidebar.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Music from the Other Room!

Did you ever see that movie - I love it -- it is an older one (from way back in the 90's) with Jude Law -- so cool!! Anyway....

First of all, let me say that there is a ROOSTER in my backyard... not mine, our across the street neighbors feel they need roosters... I am secretly hoping that our dear chocolate lab gets him!! Um...chicken for dinner!!

My night was a rough one sleep wise, and this morning I have been quite grumpy. I had to pull myself out of this mood because, well, it was definitely not Christ-like and I have a 3.9 year old that needs her mommy! So, my solution -- I turned on the 80's music station on our digital cable in the living room and voila! New, happier mood - maybe now I can at least make it until naptime without screaming at the child and the dog!! Music from the other room.... get it??!!??

And speaking of Applesauce cake, Hannah participated in our library's "Catch the Reading Bug" program and we read 50 books this summer. She got a whole packet for goodies for a prize, things like coupons for ice cream, putt-putt, Applebees and Pizza! We were so excited. She also got to pick a book and she chose Annie The Apple Farmer. My child loves apples and so do I . Nothing makes me happier than a really good fall day, a warm piece of my Aunt Nell's apple cake and hot mug of apple cider.

The book has some recipes and this morning we are trying out Applesauce Cake. It smells yummy and Hannah had a great time helping me mix the ingredients. The time cooking together further helped to make my mood a bit sweeter... thank goodness. An event like cooking with resident toddler could go either really good or really BAD!

So, without any further excitement to record, I will include the recipe for the Annie the Apple Farmer's Applesauce Cake... I hope you get to enjoy it. And hey, turn on some 80's music while you are baking it -- it is a mood enhancement without any medication!


Annie The Farmer's Applesauce Cake
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon apple pie spice ( or allspice)
1 cup applesauce
2/3 cup raisins

Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and beat well. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Add to creamed mixture alternately with applesauce, beating after each addition and blending well. Stir in raisins. Pour into 9 inch greases tube pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until browned. Cool, spread with Butter Frosting.

Butter Frosting
2 tablespoons softened butter
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk

Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add milk and stir well. The frosting should be smooth and easy to spread.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Oh - and a good blogger would include pictures of the child baking... oh well, maybe next time when I am in a MUCH better mood I will remember to take those kind of pictures. Just envision a cute girl dressed in pink and her nose covered in flour, licking the beaters! Got it! Okay!

A Name By Any Other Name???

My mother wanted to name me Tallaluah Volusia. Thankfully my daddy intervened. I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like with that name? Would it have changed anything... would I be the same person, have dated the same people, married the same guy? All the things that a first impression of name can affect - how would it have changed my life?

I can't say that I was always thankful for the name but on the good side, there were never two or three Beverlys in my class...so all in all, it has served me well. In my early years through my twenties lots of people called me Bev. My husband (or at that time soon -to-be) doesn't like that nickname and so now, I usually call myself Beverly and let only close friends from long ago get away with calling me Bev. I feel most like a Beverly, but it makes me happy to hear certain friends call me Bev. I even have one friend whose name intersects with my Bev moniker in a wild way and we always have and I guess always will sign our emails and letters and cards with our names connected.... weird, but just things like this make me glad for my slightly different name.

What has brought on this topic, you ask? Well, this article about a poor child in New Zealand whose parents named her Talula Does The Hula in Hawaii. I am serious - I couldn't make that up. Poor CHILD! I sympathized immediately - especially with the Talula part -- but oh my -- what kind of parents are these that do that to a sweet little baby?

It suddenly made me very thankful for my own parents - even if they had gone with the Tallulah - it would have, never could have been as bad as ole Talula Does The Hula!!

So, QOTD (that is Question of the Day, for all you non-lingo folks!!) what were name choices your parents had in naming you... are you happy with the one they chose or do you wish they had chosen another? Leave me a comment....please!!

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Wordless Wednesday Never Had So Many Words!!

Forty more days til my daughter is four.

She is fun. She is forthright. She is hardly ever forlorn.
Life, since fortune focused its gaze on our family, shined on us and furnished our home with her life and love, has never been the same.

Mornings she is up first. Frowns hardly ever cross her face.
Mid-day she is frolicking outside, always at play.
Lunchtime she favors peanut butter and jelly.
Naptime sometimes causes a fierce look, but a story can send it fleeing.
Afternoons are spent flinging paint on paper, or coloring fast in her books
Dinner time her food of favor is fried chicken nuggets and French fried potatoes.
Evenings are a fabulous time, filled with video games like Frogger.
Bath time can be fun, because our girl loves to get all foamy.
Folding us in her arms, its hugs for mommy and daddy
Off to bed, she can be sure her family foundation is firm.
Following the sandman, she floats to dreamland, without fluster.

Forty days to come until she is four. We will give thanks to our Father above. Only He could have formed such a flawless family unit.

Go ahead, count the "f" words -- I know you want to.... there are FORTY!!

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

for more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

Timeless Tuesday

Last Saturday I got my hair cut! It was great fun. I love my hairstylist -- he knows my hair, and after five years, he knows me. We cut up (ha, didn't mean to do that!!) and have lots of laughs and my hair always leaves looking great!

While sitting in the chair this past week, somehow the conversation drifted to days of our youth. Our local mall used to have a food court where Chickfila was right next to the Greek Gyro place. I made the comment that I never liked the waffly fries from Chickfila and that always used to get just a sandwich from the Chick and then move over and order the yummy spiced up Greek fries from the Gyro place. Turns out - he did too!

Well, that got me thinking about the good old days. Days when as a teenager I could go to the mall and see everyone (or at least 10 or 100 people) that I knew. It was a fun place to be. Things were so much simpler then. And man, I miss those fries!

Now, I can only guess that you are wondering just what my ramble is about today.

Well, it is simple. I am longing for simpler times. I want to remember my "good old days" today. The fun times had with my high school friends. The Friday morning prayer breakfast, the pep rallies, the football games and Godfather's Pizza .The Saturday mornings we could sleep late, call each other on the phone and make a plan for the dollar movie on Saturday night. The fun of Sunday night fellowship and the drama of high school Monday through Friday. The summers spent with nothing to do but lay by a pool and listen to our favorite radio station. The good old days.

So, while I travel down my own high school memory lane, please share with me - what is your favorite memory from your own "good old days." Leave me a comment and let me know.

Living Happily Ever After,

Beverly

Soap and Water, Peace and Quiet! What I Wanted, What I Got!

I wanted peace and quiet all afternoon.

It was not to be. The dog was barking and going a bit stir crazy. My sweet Hannah was trying her best to behave, but she is three and that is difficult most afternoons. Hubby was off to work, so I had dinner to prepare, serve and clear away. There were clothes to wash, dogs to feed, stories to read and baths to give.

Baths, ah, now that is supposed to be a tranquil occasion. Tonight, however, toddler bathtime was interrupted by a thirty pound yellow ball of fur who jumped right into the tub. No warnings, no seconds to grab him - he just jumped right in. HB in the water and the water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Water on the walls, the floor, me, and probably the ceiling by the time it was all through. He was a soaking wet Labrador, and Hannah was thrilled with all the commotion.

At this point, the idea of peace and quiet was far from my reach.

I cleaned the mess, put the dog outside to dry, dried off Hannah and got her into bed. A few books later and she was ready to call it a night. I turned out the light and lay down beside her. Suddenly, quiet filled the air and as I lay there, cuddled up with my sweet girl, listening to her breathing slow to a deep, sleeping rhythm. I had finally found the peace and quiet I was so needing earlier in the day.

I don't know how much longer she will let me lay with her like that or how much longer she will ask me to "stay Momma, stay" when I turn out the light - but until such a time comes when she wants to me go - I will treasure those sweet moments. The peace and quiet that calms my weary Mommy aches and pains comes from snuggling a sweet, sleeping child and helping her start the midnight stroll into dreamland.

Thank you Lord for those moments. They make all the other crazy moments of the day worth it.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Come On Over and Check It Out!

Today is a mighty exciting day for me. I am a guest contributor over at Faith Lifts. Please click here to read my devotional post. It would be great to hear your comments on it - both over at the Faith Lifts site and here on my own. I am so happy to be a part (even in a small way) of this inspirational site. I know you will enjoy it too.

Thanks again for your support.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

A Day In the Country

It was a day in the country. My husband’s grandparents lived on acreage in South Georgia for their entire lives. His mom grew up there and as a child, my husband spent lots of time on the family farm. The place holds tons of happy memories for him and if I would let him, he would move there in a heartbeat. Unfortunately for him, my love of shopping and life at least somewhat close to civilization will keep us in our current location!

But yesterday, we, that is my husband, little girl and puppy dog, along with my father-in-law, headed to the old home place for a little bit of work and some fun “down in the country.”

Hubby and his dad had been there earlier in the week and worked on the land. Fallen trees from a recent storm and brush that had overtaken the once picturesque pecan grove were hauled away and truly their hard work had paid off. It was lovely. The old house, built in the early thirties, is not in good shape, but the renters that lived there a year or so ago, left it in even worse condition. They had stripped the interior and all that was left to do was to paint the window trim back to its original color of white, rather then the Cookie Monster Blue the renters had chosen to paint it.

Since his return home on Monday from working down there, my husband’s dreams have been haunted by that blue! So, yesterday, he wore me down. We packed a lunch, loaded the car, and headed to re-paint that trim.

It was our Hannah’s first trip to the old home place. She was not terribly impressed – her attempts at helping us paint seemed to cause more spills than actual painting progress and the gnats or as she called them “bees” caused her a lot of misery.

But she did enjoy the fields, the freedom to run and she and the puppy romped and played. She even rode the tractor with her daddy – I think it was more of a highlight for him than her – but here is a picture of the happy country duo!

Living Happily Ever After,

Beverly

Wordless Wednesday

Friends at last...maybe?

At least in sleep they are both sweet!!

For more Wordless Wednesdays click here.

A Tuesday Two-Step!

Monday morning was crazy, the afternoon a bit saner. I am hoping today will be sane all the day through.

I have some stories to share, some thoughts and maybe a picture or two...but for now, my sweet child is calling for breakfast.

Come back and visit soon!

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

The List

One of my favorite things as a blogger is to receive comments on my posts. Yesterday, I received a nice comment from a new reader. It made my day. I went to her blog to post a thank you and was so happy that I did. It is a really good, inspirational site and I immediately added it to my favorites. I only a had few minutes to look over some of her posts but she had one a few days ago that peaked my interest. It was a simple listing. And so, with thanks to Faith at Gold in the Clouds, and the hope that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I have created my own answers to the list.

It is a pleasant respite from a lengthy blog entry - my brain didn't have to work too hard this morning. I hope you don't mind, but will rather use it to get a glimpse inside my sleep-deprived life in this moment on this early Thursday morning.

THE LIST!

Outside my Window..my backyard, Hannah's yard toys strewn everywhere - needs tidied up for sure. Also my two metal deck chairs one turned toward the window and one facing out -- wonder who did that?
I am thinking...my puppy sure does bite and bark a lot!
I am thankful for...my life, my friends and my family. Oh - and that I put a Coke in the fridge at 5 AM, cause it is frosty and cold right now - just when I needed it!
From the kitchen...grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast!
I am creating...a series of devotions and a new quilt. I should be creating some scrapbook pages - but I can't get motivated!
I am going....slightly crazy.
I am wearing...brace yourself, this is good -- my black yoga pants (which is hysterical, cause I have never done yoga - but I do enjoy the pants!), my old, worn-in, ripped neck, I LOVE IRELAND t-shirt and my daughter, who is currently hanging on my neck!
I am reading...The Shack, Stepping Up - Bible study by Beth Moore and a book written by a high school friend.
I am hoping...the day passes quickly and with little drama.
I am hearing...ICE AGE, The Meltdown playing in the playroom, Tony Soprano talking here in the kitchen (of course on the tv - he is not really here for heaven sake!!) and the soft snore of HB at my feet.
Around the house...Dining room still holds suitcases from our beach trip that need to be taken to the attic, bedroom holds a suitcase from my weekend getaway that needs to go there too. Oh and the front room holds a bunch of toys that need to go SOMEWHERE!! I am sure there is some laundry lying around here that needs to be done - otherwise - things are pretty okay here.
One of my favorite things...a frozen Snickers bar!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week..hoping for a date with my husband, a little shopping over the weekend at Bath and Body Works and as little cooking as possible.

So, leave me some comments with answers to your own list. If you have a blog, post your answers there and leave me your link. I would love to see what the bloggity readers are doing this morning.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Wordless Wednesday

My Two Favorite Puppies!!

For more Wordless Wednesdays, click here.

It's 5:01 AM, Do You Know Where Your Faith Is?

My puppy has possibly been named the wrong name. I am beginning to think that his name should have been more biblical in nature. Not that his behavior is currently anywhere holy right now, but he is becoming a constant supply of lessons in the realm of biblical truth. Perhaps he should have been a Paul or an Abraham or a Jonah! Perhaps HB, stands for more than Harlan Boy - perhaps it stand for Holy Bible!!!

This weekend was a particularly trying one in the area of sleep at my house. We made the decision to keep HB at home and not take him to the fireworks extravaganza this year. Our thoughts were that although he would enjoy the people watching, the eventual end of the night, fireworks display would possible give his little ten week old heart an attack!!

Therefore, Mr. HB was left in his kennel while we were gone. Of course, it was close to 11:00 PM when we got home, and apparently he had slept a major portion of the time we were gone.

We were tired and were just not thinking, but my hubby decided that after a walk, surely HB would be ready to go right back to sleep. Please keep in mind that it has been over 14 years since we raised a puppy. It has also been almost 4 years since we had a baby anything in the house and we had forgotten that babies can get their days and nights mixed up, very easily.

That is what happened to poor HB - he was so mixed up. After his walk, we put him in the kennel, and went to bed. Sure enough, about 30 minutes later, the howling began. I quickly got up to stop it, because we certainly didn't want Hannah to be awakened. It was 12:30 AM. I sat up with our sweet, adorable yellow pup until 2:00 AM. He played, he ate, he drank, he chewed, me and his toys! He barked every time I used the remote control -- it was truly a trying experience. At 2 AM, my husband did something that surprised me so - I almost cried. He suddenly appeared in the family room, dressed with leash in hand. He had come to take the puppy for a walk, to help tire him out. And walk they did - for an hour. Over eighteen years, my hubby has given me flowers, jewelry, and vacations, but that was truly one of the best gifts he has ever given. I went back to sleep and after his walk, so did HB. Of course, he and Hannah were both up and awake WAY too early on Saturday -think 6:30 AM. But I convinced them to both go back to sleep and we all slept until around 9:00 AM. It was pretty great.

We took HB with us on all of the rest of the weekend excursions, just to avoid that day/night mix up again. Well, all with the exception of Sunday church - he is somewhat of a biblical scholar, but I am certain church is not the place for him. After church and lunch, we came home with hopes of a nice nap and then some afternoon fun. Hubs and Hannah went right to sleep. HB and I sat up - turns out, he is afraid of thunder and guess what we had ALL afternoon? Thunderstorms!!

Poor HB - he went a little bonkers -- and I spent all afternoon trying to keep him quiet so everyone else could enjoy the nice napping conditions. Really, what is better than a Sunday afternoon nap, with thunder and rain coming down...nothing!!

As you might guess, last night, when bedtime finally rolled around, I was a little exhausted. Ready for a nice night's sleep in my comfy bed. Child got to bed relatively early, puppy went to sleep and hubby placed him in his kennel and we were off to sleepytown at a really decent hour for this household.

Forty minutes later, Hannah was up from a bad dream. I crawled in bed with her to ease her back to sleep and then just as she was dozing away, Mr. HB woke up and decided he needed a potty break. Once back inside, he was a bit awake, so I spent about thirty minutes scratching his belly to get him calmed back down. As the 12:30 AM mark rolled around, I was finally getting him back in his kennel and heading for bed, once again, myself.

Now, remember, I said there was a biblical truth in this blog post somewhere, and here it is - finally. On my way to bed, I quickly said a prayer and asked God to please just let HB sleep until at least 5:00 AM. We would be up then anyway as that is when hubby leaves for work, so I felt like if I got just those precious few hours of sleep, all would be okay. Plus, hubby had to go to work today - he didn't need the interruption of sleep either.

So, after placing my plea for a few hours of sleep, I got into bed and slept. I woke up at 4:30 AM to get breakfast ready. No stirs from the kennel, and I was feeling hopeful that I would be able to return to bed when hubby left for work, for a few more hours of sleep before the baby girl woke up. Hubby ate breakfast and as 5:00 AM was rolling around, I was beginning to inwardly thank God for answering my prayer.

Then, 5:01 AM happened.

Like a timer had gone off in his little body, HB woke up, barked and declared himself ready for the world.

I couldn't complain - God had heard and answered the prayer. We had silence from 12:30 AM - 5:00 AM. Then it struck me. I had asked for the minimum. I had short-changed myself and keep our great big God in a tiny box. He is willing and ABLE to give us all we desire. Are we just not willing to ask for it? If he could keep HB from barking until 5:01 AM, imagine, I could have asked that HB sleep until 9:00 AM - ensuring an even more quality rest for me and my family. I was only thinking about the minimum amount I needed.

At 5:01 AM, God showed me that He can do what I ask. I just have to truly believe it, and then ask for what is really needed. It was a neat lesson to be reminded of and to contemplate as I start my day. What other areas of my life am I holding back on asking God for help in? My housework, my health, my marriage, my mothering? If the God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth can keep a dog silent and give me a few hours of sleep - surely He has the answers for the bigger questions in life, and the ability to provide all my needs and even my wants.

If nothing else, I hope this is a reminder to you, bloggity readers, that our God is a BIG God. He can do the impossible, He can make your life so much richer and fuller and meaningful. Take the time to ask Him and don't forget to ask BIG!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever, Amen." Ephesians 3:20

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Land of the Free, Home Of the Brave!

Did you have a good holiday? We did. Well, I should add that our holiday festivities are not over as we are headed to lunch with all the grandparents today to continue the celebration. Just the thought of the yummy barbeque, the fixings and desserts is making me anxious for 12:30pm to arrive on the clock face.

Yesterday, while my husband slept (he worked the night before) me and my two legged child took our two four legged children outside for lots of walks and playtime in the swimming pool. It was a ridiculously hot day - but with the help of a few (okay, a lot) popsicles we made it through.

When evening rolled around, and Daddy had awakened, we hurriedly packed the car with blanket, chairs and snacks and headed out for our county's fireworks display. We must be living right these days, because we were able to actually park in the park the fireworks were held in, and not up the road, down a trail, up a hill, at the fairgrounds. Can't tell you how excited we were - it was a fourth of July miracle.

We set up camp, got a great spot, clear of all obstruction and my child and hubby were off to explore the rides, games, and other fun deeper into the park. I was just happy to stay on the blanket and get in a little reading. I probably did much more "people watching" than reading, but it was fun anyway.

The fireworks commenced at dark and thankfully, for my daughter's sake, they did not disappoint. She looks forward to the fireworks so much each year. I am so thankful that she loves them and is not a scaredy cat like some small ones are. She did crawl in my lap at the beginning and want me to cover her ears - but about halfway through, she pulled my hands down and declared that she was a "big girl" and didn't need it. That she was "strong and brave."

So there we were, my little family, watching fireworks, celebrating Independence Day in the land of the free, with our own little one who is brave!!

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

Happy Birthday, America!

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS...

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining, in the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invasions from without and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states;

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world;

For imposing taxes on us without our consent;

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury;

For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offenses;

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies;

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments;

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

[Signed by] JOHN HANCOCK [President]

For more information on the Declaration of Independence

and The Fourth of July click here to visit our nation's archives.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!

Lessons From a Leash

My puppy, which is ten weeks old and a sweet, yellow ball of energy, needed to go outside for a “potty break” this morning. I am desperately trying to get him to “potty” in the appropriate place in the yard, as well as not wander far into the woods, so he gets put on the leash for every outside visit.

I found him sitting by the door, eagerly needing to go out, so I grabbed his red retractable leash. For those of you, not so familiar with the doggie world, a retractable leash allows the pet owner to control the length of the leash. It allows for great control, especially when puppy is headed for danger. One quick flick of the button and puppy is right back where you want him. Think shepherd staff made from durable cloth, plastic and mechanisms too complicated for me to understand!

When my HB saw that leash, his tail began to wag. He jumped up and started barking – clearly he was happy to see it, it meant he was going outside.

I hooked the leash to his collar and out we went. At first, the time outside was pleasant. Cool breeze blowing in the air, puppy frolicking (yes, I said frolicking!) in the wet, dewy grass. His business complete, I decided to just let him sniff around a bit, just enjoy some outside time.

But true to mischievous form, my little HB almost immediately got into trouble. He started sniffing around our front bushes, gradually wound his way around one of them. I had let the leash out a little so that he could enjoy himself and explore, but as he got further into the trouble area, I started gently tugging. I tugged and he lunged, I tugged and he lunged and wound the leash around his foot. It was going from bad to worse. I retracted the leash until he had no choice but to come back out the way he went in, and by then, he was mad. Mad at me, but ridiculously mad at the leash. It was holding him back; it was keeping him from all those great smells under that bush. The gardenias in bloom were calling to him and he needed to be in them, under them, biting them! He growled, he bit at the leash and kept biting. Eventually he wound himself up completely in the leash, which by the way, I had been retracting and letting out as needed in this strange puppy tug of war.

All the while puppy was waging war against this leash that just a few minutes before he was so excited to see, I was calling his name, clicking my tongue in that “come here, boy” way that dog owners do. He was ignoring me, struggling with the leash and continuing to tangle him in it. Finally, I realized that he was exhausting himself and I went over to him, released his foot from the leash and retracted it all the way. He now had a very short length of leash and ultimately had no choice in where he was headed. Not surprisingly though, he was happy to have me so close, to have me pick him up and bring him into the cool house. He sat quietly while I unhooked his leash and then settled his self on the cool tile for a quiet nap. Exhausted.

As I watched him struggle, it occurred to me that I am just like HB when it comes to submitting to the authority of God in my life.

Just like HB, I can sense in my spirit when I need break from this life and need to spend time in the Word or in quiet prayer. Just like him, I see Bible study or time at worship as exciting. I am ready, jumping for joy in my soul at the thought of diving in God’s Word for a fresh truth to hold onto. My heart’s tail wags at the thought of sitting down in the sanctuary of my beautiful church, hearing some great music and listening to a sermon, sure to apply to my life.

But then, just like HB, I find that once I am actually confronted with a biblical principle or a sin in my life, I quickly start to tug and struggle. God’s Word is like that retractable leash. I desire it because of what it can do for my spiritual life. But at times, I rage against it because it creates boundaries for me. It guides me into pleasant places, but it also pulls me back when I want to stray off into the sin of this life. I tug, God uses His Word and His people in my life to pull me back.

In some instances in my life, I can look back and see how God used His retractable leash. He allowed me to wander a little bit, to see what I wanted to see, and then using His Word and His ways, he gently unwound me from my chaos, pulled me back to Him. All the while, even when I was exploring things that could ultimately cause me harm, He was gently tugging at me, softly calling my name, calling me back to Him. Even more comforting to know also that the times I was out exploring the sin of this world, He was with me, whether I wanted Him there or not. Just like that leash for HB.

Ultimately, through all the struggles, and all the wandering and rebelliousness, I am never more happy than when God shows up in my life. It is amazing grace to me that He gently untangles my every mess and carries me back to Him, into the coolness of His presence, the quiet rest that only He can offer.

I knew getting a puppy would change my life, who knew it would provide such spiritual lessons so early on a Thursday morning?

Wordless Wednesday

BUSTED!

We should've named him Cottonelle!!

Lab in the Toilet Paper - Such a happy puppy!

Click here for more Wordless Wednesdays.

Veggies, Anyone?

The free family movie this morning...Veggie Tales - The Pirates Who Didn't Do Anything.

I will start this post by saying - I do not heart Veggie Tales. I realize on some level, it seems unchristian like for me to not wholeheartedly embrace this delectable vegetable cartoon dynasty. I have tried to keep my own prejudices about the cucumber and tomato and all their friends away from my daughter, and I have actively tried to introduce them to her. We even have one of the videos and several song cd's. But honestly, she just doesn't get 'em either. They apparently do not meet up with her imagination, because she has never been a fan.

Knowing this movie was a Veggie Tale production, but so desperately wanting and needing a morning out, I purposely kept that part out of the movie description I presented to her yesterday and today again on the way to the theater. I simply told her it was a movie about pirates. She loves the pirates, so I figured she might at least give it a shot.

We were lucky enough to have her daddy tagging along with us this morning, so I knew that would also give her high incentive to stay and watch the show.

When the movie started, all that showed up on the screen was that cucumber and that tomato and immediately Hannah groaned.."oh, its Veggie Tales!" That was all she said, so hoping to divert a disaster I quickly added - "but, its pirates!!" Thankfully the movie started and she did sit through most of it. Of course we had to take a potty break, and if I hadn't armed my purse with gummies and a candy bracelet, and bought the coke and popcorn at the concession stand, I don't know how long she would have really lasted. But she did make it all the way to the end. Hubby and I did too, even though I am pretty certain he caught a "veggie" nap somewhere around the Isles of Malabar (have to see the movie to understand that one - sorry!). I did think the ending was great, loved how they put a Biblical truth right there for "those who have eyes and ears to see and hear." It wasn't preachy at all -but as a Christian, I actually came away with a devotional thought for the day.

For those of you without small munchkins or who like me, just are not veggie fans, unless they are stewed or fried or tossed - the story is the tale of three "just ordinary" guys who are called upon to go on an extraordinary journey to become heroes. Through it all, they discover some uniquely timed help along the way, circumstances that combine together to enable these three ordinary "vegetables" to do the extraordinary and save the prince and princess from the evil pirate. At the end, they are rewarded by the King, who reminded them that he was with them along each step of the journey, even in the test that came their way, for the test only proved to show them what was real and important and ultimately helped them complete the journey.

If ever I needed to hear that, this was the week. It has been a trying one - on many different levels for me. Emotionally, I am finding that I am cleaning house, clearing out some old dusty things in my emotional closet that have no place in my present and future, and in doing so, I have had to face a test or two. On another note, raising an almost four year old is a test in itself and occurs daily around here. Through prayer and quiet times of reflection over the past week it has been shown to me that as awful and as stressful as times of such testing are, I have found a renewed strength, a fresh outlook on my life and a clear vision of the course I want to stay on for my future. This short snippet at the end of the Veggie Tale movie seemed to be just the Word I have been looking for. Yes, I have made the right decision, yes, the trial has been tough, yes, I know there will be days when I will question my resolve, but ultimately, my tests have passed through God's hand before being dealt to me - He knew I could walk through them - He has used them to strengthen me, and for that I am thankful.

Now, you might wonder if after all this, I have become a fan of the Veggies... sadly, no, they still drive me a little insane. All those vegetables, with no arms and legs or worse,(no eyes - ick!), singing, dancing, rowing boats...please! But I do appreciate their message and Hannah liked it and was interested that they have other videos and books -- she might just have been converted this morning. Only a trip to Lifeway will tell for sure.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly

It's Not the Boogie Woogie Flu - Just The Traveling Bug!

I am still here. Just busy. I have nothing of real importance to blog about this week, so rather than bore you all to tears, I have kept the silence.

This morning, however, I visited Fried Okra and read all about Megan's neighbors and their recent trip to Edisto. Of course, all this did was give me that good ole beach depression again. I must have the traveling bug too - because after Helen two weeks ago, my suitcase is still in my room- just sitting on ready to be packed up again. Ah.. I fear that this will not happen for awhile!

I believe my summer fun, beach time and "hit the road" status have all come to a stuttering end. I have realized the energy it takes to get the life back to normal after such wonderful trips is very taxing and trying on this old soul, not to mention the cost of filling up my precious SUV now equals the cost of a night's stay - ANYWHERE! I must learn to be content, for the rest of the summer at least, in my own backyard. We have a wading pool - I can stick my feet in and dream of blue water, soft sand and squawking seagulls, I guess.

My friend, Abe, though actually did some traveling this week and ended up back here at home again. It is nice to have my high school buddy home - as I told him earlier today, the air feels different just knowing he is in town. We even found ourselves doing something we hadn't done since 1984 - watching the same television show and talking on the phone. This was always our Thursday night "thing" - we both watched Magnum P.I. (yes, we are THAT old!) and talked during the commercials. Last night, I felt like a teenager again - at least for about fifteen minutes! Good to have him home, wishing my friend Krissy could have come as well - maybe next time!

Anyway, the day is planned for me already - free family summer movie with the hubs and daughter and then housework and laundry. Stop, the excitement is killing me... I need to go dip my feet in that purple plastic pool and splash my toesies in the imaginary ocean. Hope you all have a great day, wherever you are.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly