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!!

Sweet Summertime

Well, today is it....the last full day of school for my kiddos:(  I will soon be the parent of a middle-schooler and a 2nd grader!  WOW!  Where does the time go????  It is a bittersweet time though.  I am so thankful that my kids are healthy and thriving and able to move on.  I'm not really worried about the elementary school to middle school transition for Kayelee.  Although I know it will be different, with new classes and greater challenges, I KNOW that she will do well!  Ri will move ahead in elementary school and I have been involved with that school so long, I have absolutely no worries for him either.  And though I know my kids will adjust to whatever changes the new school year will bring, it saddens me at the same time.  I still rememeber fresh the memories of my kids as babies and toddlers.  How I miss those days sometimes.  Yes, I am a realist and know that they MUST grow up, but couldn't it take a little longer for the growing up process?  I mean, I birthed them just yesterday, right?  HAHA.  But it's been a great year and I am looking forward to summertime!  Scott and I both work full-time, but we still get to take days off throughout the summer and see them enjoy a break.  Just another one of life's blessings:)  <3 Life!!

Favs from the Barner Shindig!

 Me with the Girlz...Emma, Mandita, Nicole, and Dawn

 Double Trouble...OH YEAH!

 Scott with Gary, Milo, and Joshua

 Little man cheesing!

 My two kiddos...looks of concentration as they play Rock Band

Our drummer boy...yeah, he actually plays!

COMPLETELY Forgotten!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHA.....I have already forgotten about my blog!!  WOW!  That didn't take long!!!:)  Really, I was going to update this thing EVERY day and I forgot I even had one over the weekend.  Either I had a really busy and fun weekend, or I just had a brain lapse.  I plead guilty to both!  So, let's play catch up.  This past weekend was great.  My husband and I did some touch up painting in our 8 month old house (well, 8 months since WE moved in).  Nothing major, just filled in some nail holes from the previous owners, and then painted a wall in the kitchen just because I thought it would look better....and it does!!!  I LOVE working on my house.  I am so thankful for it and even at my other house, I always took pride in it and wanted it to be nice and especially "homey".  Besides, it IS where I'm raising my children and I always want them to know where "home" is!  Speaking of homes, we visited our friends, The Barners' new home on Saturday night!  We had a really great time and enjoyed getting to hang out in their abode.  Many pictures were taken, and I will post some of those later today.  Sunday was another GREAT service!  I always look forward to "Son"days!  Then, after church, we did our "every Sunday meal" at Mom's.  It was YUMMO!  We had ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, cornbread, pinto beans, rolls (i think that's it)....YES, she does this EVERY Sunday!  And I love it.  That is some good eatin' folks!  And since we no longer have night services, family time was had by all!  We enjoyed some time out in the yard playing with our beloved dog, Jake ( I should really post a pic of that cutie) It stormed again last night in TN too.  Just as we had drifted off to sleep, we were awakened by hail, rain, and strong winds, along with thunder and lightening...NOT some of my favorite combos.  But I did get a good nights rest nonetheless (my favorite BIG word lol)  AND TODAY:  it's been a great day!  Work was alright...no major drama:)  Things went smoothly and the cash drawer balanced HAHA!  IT BETTER!!  Now, I just picked my kids up from school and I am awaiting my husband.  I guess we'll have a night of doing whatever we want since there are no ballgames or other plans tonight!  I think I'm gonna like this!!  NO, I KNOW I'm gonna like this!...<3 Life!! 

Weekends A'comin!!

Today is FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!  I love this day:)  Well, I really love everyday, but Friday is the day that leads to the weekend, which leads to time with my husband and kids and parents and church and ballgames and shopping and playing in the flowers and playing with the kids and washing the vehicle (well, maybe not THAT hahaha)...get my drift?  i LOVE my weekends!  This weekend we have a few things going on.  Tonight, there is a block party at the kids' school.  They have food, games, jumpy houses, and the principal gets in a dunking booth (which the kids think is the funniest thing ever).  Then tomorrow, Scott will go and hit a few golf balls with a friend early in the morning.  I'm so happy for him.  He usually puts things like that off in order to be with me and help me out with the kids, house, and whatever else!  He really is a good husband and he deserves some time doing something JUST for him.  Then, I get my hair done later in the morning.  I am super stoked about that!  It hasn't been colored in a few months, so it is definitely time!  I think I'm gonna go back to the blond highlights for the summer.  I just like them AND my hair fixes so much better when I have that color in my hair!  Then, after my hair appointment, Ri has a t-ball game.  I really enjoy watching my little man play.  He really is a natural and I think he will eventually be a really good ball player.  Kind of like his Dad, I hope!  Then, maybe I will have some time to work on my house as far as laundry, cleaning, and all that jazz.  I am a clean freak and like things so so.  I get it honest, trust me haha.  Saturday night we are going to some church friends' house.  They recently moved to the big metropolis of Obion, and we are gonna break the place in with one of our "gang" get-togethers.  I love having good church friends!  They are the best!  And speaking of church, that's where we'll be on Sunday!  Looking forward to another great service!  Well, there is a highlight of the Caudills weekend plans.  Now, as you all know, we can only plan and hope that things pull together.  I am a realist though and expect for something to be thrown off kilter!  But you know what....the older I get, the more I am learning to just go with the flow and do what I can!  Life is GOOD, God is GREAT, and I am STILL Blessed!!  <3 Life!!!  

RICK AND BUBBA

Please don't hold this against me, but I am an avid Rick and Bubba listener.  For those of you who may not know, Rick and Bubba are cohosts of the Rick and Bubba Show, a syndicated comedic radio program based out of Birmingham, AL.  I like to listen to it because it makes me laugh AND they both claim to be Christians, which makes for a clean radio broadcast I'm not ashamed for my kids to hear.  This morning, one of the big topics was the prediction of the rapture of the church by Harold Camping.  He has predicted that this event will take place on May 21, 2011, which is this coming Saturday.  Well, obviously no one, NOT EVEN JESUS, knows the day or hour when the rapture will take place according to Matthew 24:36 which says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father."  However, as I was listening to Rick and Bubba converse about this topic this morning, one of them (not sure which) made this comment.  They said (and I'll paraphrase)..."the rapture probably won't take place on this predicted day, but nonetheless, on May 21, 2011, SOME people WILL meet Jesus."  This statement really struck me.  Here lately, I have been in a study revolving around the book RADICAL, and I have realized that I have failed tremendously at doing whatever it takes to reach lost souls.  Rick or Bubba were right....SOMEBODY (more than one) will meet Jesus face to face on Saturday, May 21, 2011.  Maybe me, maybe you, maybe our spouses, children, friends....have we done whatever we can to reach those that are lost?  I hate to admit my answer to this question, and it is "no".  Lord, forgive me for not doing all I can to make sure people know you.  Forgive me for not reaching out to those people that met their maker on May 17, 2011 (yesterday).  No, the rapture date is unknown, but so is our "come to Jesus" date.  May we all be ready and may we all strive to help others be "ready" too!  <3 Life!!

"SINGLE"

Well, today I feel like a part of me is missing!  I walked right out of the house without a stitch of jewelry on...well, except for the earrings I just so happened to find in the cubby hole of my van:)  Now, I can go "jewelry-less" sometimes, but I ALWAYS have the wedding ring on!  Without it, I feel like I'm doing something "wrong" HAHA.  Besides all that, I work in the public and run across hundreds of people a day in this big bank.  Some I know, some I do not.  For the ones that know me the question will be, "Is everything okay with you and Scott, I notice you're not wearing your wedding rings?"...YES, people have asked me that when I did this on another occasion.  For one, NO...nothing is wrong between me and Scott.  And secondly, even if there were, do they REALLY think I would disclose that to them at my desk?...don't think so!!  For the ones I do NOT know, I always worry that they will bring up the absence of a wedding ring and what that implies (especially the sicko male gender...if you're male, don't take offense...i said the SICKOS).  This does not happen often though...for one, I usually ALWAYS have my wedding ring on.  However, it has happened once or twice in the last couple of years.  So, I guess the point of my blog is this:  I think I'm going to buy a cheapo wedding band to keep in my drawer here at work.  THAT way, none of this will be an issue lol.  I know, I'm crazy!  But if you're reading this, you probably know me well enough that you already had that one figured out;)  Hope you all have a blessed day!!!!!!!  <3 Life!

It's a BEAUTIFUL Day In The Neighborhood!

This morning, I was awakened by the beautiful sunshine!  The weather today is my kind of weather!!  The temps are in the upper 50's to lower 60's, and the sun is shining bright!!  It brought to mind how the sunshine can just pretty well change your day.  Well, it does mine anyways.  Especially after there have been many gloomy days here recently.  As I was getting ready this morning, this thought popped into my mind and I actually posted it as my facebook status: "Lord, help me be the light in someone's darkness."  Just as the weather can make a difference in our day, so I, as a Christian, should make a difference in someone's day.  And I can do this with the light of Christ shining through me!  You never know, on my public job, I may encounter numerous people that have had "many gloomy days here recently".  It is my prayer and desire to be a shining example:)  I want to bring "sunshine" and joy to peoples' lives...there are too many other folks that take care of bringing all the other junk!!  <3 Life!! 

WHEW!....Motherhood!

Today has started off with a BANG!  First, I had to get up a few minutes earlier to make sure I had time enough to pack Ri's lunch for field day today:)  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the "jobs" of motherhood, but sometimes those few minutes of extra sleep make such a difference to my day.  And what makes it worse is on Mondays, I am to be at work at 7:15 instead of the normal time of 8:00.  Anyways,  we made it out the door with time to spare, thankfully.  On Mondays, my Mom is gracious enough to let my kids come over since I do have to be at work so early.  She takes them to school every Monday and they look forward to this each week!  They will miss this during the summertime while they are out of school.  My workday has been very busy, but good.  I am thankful to work at a place where I love my job AND the people.  We all get along which is a HUGE blessing, especially since the majority of the employees are women HAHA!  In all seriousness though, First State Bank is a great place to work, and for my job, I am extremely thankful!!  Kayelee graduates from the DARE program today at school.  She was all excited about it...getting the t-shirt, certificate of completion, and whatever else they will grace them with LOL!  Dentist appointments are today at 4:00 for both kids.  I am anxious about that.  The kids do really well with their teeth, but the dental assistant in me always thinks of the worst!  And then tonight, we have a free night at home...woot woot!  I am REALLY excited about that.  Yes, it will be full of cooking, cleaning, and preparing for tomorrow...but I will be HOME!  I am so blessed and I NEVER want to take my life for granted!  This Mommy business is work, but it sure is FUN!!!

My Church Peeps...Nicole, Dawn, and Mandita:)

Sunday, Sunday

 This is one of my favorite days of the week:)  Church was great this morning too.  We usually always have a "good" service, but today was extra good.  Needless to say, when I left, I was in need of a new makeup job!  I LOVE those services.  So thankful I was raised up in a Pentecostal church and now my kids get to experience what I did!  Anyways, after church we went to my parents' house.  My mom has cooked Sunday lunch for us ever since I married and moved away!  That is another highlight of my week...momma's home cooking...YUM!  I am very close to my parents and Sundays are "our" day together.  Now, Scott, the kids, and I are at home on this drizzly day!  The kids are out jumping on the trampoline, soaking wet, and they are loving every minute of it!!  I guess here in a bit I will work on my house (dusting, sweeping...all that nonsense!)  I have done something productive already today though.  Scott and I went to Wal-Mart after eating and stocked up on groceries and toilet paper haha.  When we got home, I cleaned out the refrigerator and now it is clean AND stocked.  That's such a good feeling:)  I guess the rest of the night is left for family time and housework!  And that's JUST the way I like it!  For those of you wondering, we don't have P.M. services, just one extended morning service.  I'm not skipping out on church LOL!  Now, on I go to prepare for this coming week full of ballgames, church, work, and whatever else may creep up.  I think Kayelee has DARE graduation tomorrow and field day another day.  Ri has something too, not sure...maybe a class pinic.  I'll have to pull out my calendar that keeps things rolling around here:)......<3 Life!!