BEEN A WHILE

It seems it's been FOREVER since I posted something!!  And I guess it has HAHA!  Anyways, lots of things have been going on lately, some good, some bad.  But God is faithful and will not put more on us than we can handle...WITH HIM!  July is the month of many birthdays for our family!  Saturday was my Dad's.  Unfortunately, we lost a great friend and the steel player of our group on that day as well.  He suffered with cancer and now He's playing in Heaven!!  Yesterday was my birthday and my husband got my family together to celebrate.  It was a hoot and many more GREAT memories were made!  I am now officially 30 years old.  WOW, where does the time go????  I'm a young 30 though lol.  I will post pics of this event tonight hopefully.  Just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm still here and still trucking.  Hopefully, I will figure out how to post on my blog from my new smart phone which I've gotten since I started this blog.  Hope you all have a marvelous day!!!!

Almost Vacation Time!

Tomorrow after work, we will be leaving for our 2011 vacation.  This year, we are going to Scott's sisters house in Selmer, TN.  While there, we will be visiting Pickwick Lake where we will fish, ride the boat and intertube, and swim!  We are all excited and know that we'll all have a good time.  Scott also wants to visit Shiloh.  Neither of us has ever been there.  Most of all, we are just looking forward to having the week off together.  I'm sure I will take LOADS of pictures, so I will post some when I get the chance!  Looking forward to this "not so far" vacation!  <3 Life!! 

Walk Of Hope

Today our bank is hosting its Walk of Hope Sack Lunch Sale!  We are selling hamburger or bbq bologna, chips, drink, and dessert for $5.  You sure can't beat that!  The grill is set up outside under the shade tree, but shade tree or no, in 98 degree weather, it's gonna be HOT.  I don't envy the guys cooking at all.  I will sure enjoy eating my hamburger later on today though LOL!  Walk of Hope is such a great cause.  It is an organization that raises money for cancer awareness and cures.  The money raised within the community STAYS within the community to help those in need!  My family has been affected first hand by cancer.  Scott's father, Randall Scott Caudill, died of cancer at the age of 46.  We have a picture at home of Scott (my husband) pushing his dad in a wheel chair around the track at Walk of Hope the year he died.  Such a great reminder of the good things Walk of Hope does for our community and those affected by this dreaded disease.  So, if you haven't supported the Walk of Hope by buying a sack lunch today, find a way to support!  It is a GREAT cause and you never know the lives that you are helping touch through the many outreaches of this organization!  <3 Life!!

Don't Worry...God's got this!

Today, I just feel like posting some lyrics to one of my favorite songs:


You don't have to worry, and don't you be afraid
Joy comes in the morning, troubles they don't last always
For there's a friend in Jesus, Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart's been broken, just lift your hands and say

I know that I can make it, I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your hands

So if your tests and trials, they seem to get you down
And all your friends and loved ones, are nowhere to be found
Remember, there's a friend in Jesus, who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken, just lift your hands and say

I know that I can make it, I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your hands
With Jesus, I can take it, with Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your hands

Tupperware Party

Last night I attended my first ever tupperware party!  It was held at my house, but wasn't my party.  It was my sister-in-law, Brandi's grand opening party.  Since she lives in Selmer, my house was just the gathering spot!  It was a fun time too:)  Brandi's regional rep was there to walk her through her first show and while demonstrating the money tupperware products (which are awesome by the way!), we made salsa.  It was SO yummy!  Everyone at the party was excited to look through the catalogs and purchase new tupperware.  To our knowledge, there are not alot of tupperware salesman in this area, so the party went over really well.  And I'm not a salesperson, but their products are extremely durable and have a lifetime warranty.  My mom realized that bowls she had recently thrown away, which she had for many years, could have been replaced with brand new ones!  She was a little disappointed HAHA!  I was glad to be a part of Brandi's first show and I wish her well in this new little business adventure.  I will be hosting a party for her with some of MY friends within the next few weeks!  Hopefully, I can have a good party for her!  <3 Life!!

S*T*O*R*M*S

Just let me say "ENOUGH ALREADY" with all these storms!!  I am fully aware that we have been really fortunate in this area compared to people in say, Joplin, MO.  For that, I am extremely thankful!  But still, I am so tired of this weather.  Yet, I know that this is the ultimate plan of God as far as end times, but geez!  Anyways, last night was another "rough" one.  We had called the kids in from playing outside, and not long after, the tornado sirens went off.  Alright, HERE WE GO!  They went off for what seemed like an eternity.  I guess when you're in that situation though, it DOES seem like an eternity.  I emptied out the coat closet, which is surprisingly the only interior space in our new home.  The kids went to their rooms and pulled out every blanket they had in their closets and 2 pillows each.  They were doing really well until the hail started pounding on the windows:(  It broke my heart to see my kiddos scared.  And you can'th help but think, "Is this really the way we're gonna go out?!?!"  So, when I began to see the fear and panic in their eyes, and hear it in their cries, we began to pray.  It was amazing the calm that came when we prayed for God's peace and comfort to surround us.  Guys, He REALLY hears us and is with us no matter what!!  It's amazing to me, but He is amazing, so I really shouldn't be surprised.  After about 10-15 minutes, it began to calm down outside...even though the skies were wicked looking.  The four of us walked outside to survey any damage that might have taken place.  Luckily, nothing had happened to Caudill Casa except the mailbox had been blown almost sideways.  I think we can manage.  We did have a few neighbors that had shingles flying off everywhere.  But nothing too extensive.  After picking up trash and limbs that had blown onto our property, we went back inside to enjoy the rest of the night.  We hadn't been in 30 minutes when the power went out, and stayed out for a good hour.  And of course, as soon as it goes out, my youngest decides he is hungry.  So, I use a candle lighter to search under the kitchen sink for my oil lamp.  I finally found it and lit it for him as he ate a bowl of cereal HAHA!  We explained to him that people WAAAAY back in the day were raised up by candlelight and oil lamps.  Of course, neither he, nor I even, can imagine!  We are so spoiled.  The funny thing was we were leaving to go to my parents where there WAS electricity...I go to open the garage door and.....NOTHING!  Just a habit to flip a switch or push a button and wa-la!  Not so much!!  All in all,  the night was not too bad.  We were a little more guarded than normal, but let our guard down a tad when the kids had a light saber "fight" in the lights out conditions!!  Thanks Lord for Your protection on my family, friends, and our home.....<3 Life!!

My Life!

Last night we had a t-ball game!  It was SO hot!!  I am NOT a hot weather fan.  I was soaking wet after 5 minutes of being at the ballpark.  But it sure was worth it to watch my boy play.  He played 2nd base for most of the game and did well there....THEN, they put him on 1st base.  He SMOKED it!  He really is the little ballplayer. He made 2 great catches at first base, which led to two outs at first.  I was so proud, but tried not to show it TOO much in front of the other parents LOL!  In all honesty though, I was wanting to scream, shout, AND jump up and down on the bleachers!  It was a great game!  After the game, it was Wal-Mart time....boooooo!   But we HAD go.  There's only so much you can do with a loaf of bread and peanut butter hahaha.  All in all, it was a good night spent with family doing what families do.  Tonight is church night and cram cleaning night:)  My sister-in-law is hosting her grand opening tupperware business party in my home tomorrow night.  So, if you know me, you know that I want everything SO SO.  That means house cleaned top to bottom, side to side, and inside out.  And of course I had about 4 "projects" I baited my husband on that really weren't even necessary, but SURE weren't necessary 2 days before a party is hosted at my house HAHA.  We women must all be the same!  Anyways, he was a good sport and got them all completed like he always does.  He is TOO good to me!!  So, I am planning to crank up the coffee pot tonight and chalk it up to a late night of getting things prepared.  I think some storms are brewing for tonight too, so I'd probably be up anyways!  Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  I have got to try and think up something for us to do to celebrate!  Maybe grill out with my parents and Scott's mom and just have a good ole time.  I am truly amazed at my life and how God continues to bless me and my family.  I don't deserve it, but I'll take it!!  HE is the reason I have joy!  And it's not just when life is rolling in the right direction like this post describes...but HE is good ALL the time!!!  <3 Life!!