NO MORE MINI VAN !

So when I was pregnant with Alex I bought a 2004 4-door Honda Accord. Then when I was 8 months preg with Tyler we were going to the beach & felt like I was SO freakin big I couldnt fit into the Accord...Almost clostrofobic..So I talked Jason into a 2005 Nissan Quest Mini VAn...Well I liked it but after a while he diceided he wasnt drivin a van anymore, & since he DOES bring home the bacon...then I was like ok as long as its big enough for our family...Well he comes home with a 2006 Nissan Armada...It was a awsome looking cool SUV but after 31 days I turned it back in for a 2007 Quest AGAIN....I LOVED IT....for a year anyway....I am so NOT a mim=ni van drivin Mom & when I went somewhere with out the kids I still felt like I was toteing around the soccer team in the van....So long story short we traded the mini van in for the LAST time...JASON sayd=s NO MORE VAN >>>>>I MEAN IT! So we got a 2005 GMC Denali.....CAn we say I LOVE IT!!!!! Used YES, with a few miles on it YES...Cost lost of money to fill up the gas YES... but who freaking cares ....NO MORE MINI VAN!!!!!! Just thought I would share ..I know its nothing big to u all reading but wow ..what a great feeling to drive something other than the MINI VAN. Hope u have a good MONDAY!

Fun in the Sun

The pretend pouty lip.




Well our day so far has consisted of breakfast, swimming pool & Popsicles. Next will be lunch and a NAP. We r being lazy today & just having fun...I LOVE days like this. It is a bit hot but the Popsicles always do the trick for the kidos...Just thought I would post some fun summer pix of my 2 cuties. Hope there are lots more to come. My boyz are WILD so going outside is usually the best way to ware them down. Hope u all have a great weekend!

Thankful!

As I talked to my DAD today about the loss of Alan, my DAD reminded me that we are all born, we all die, but for some there is HOPE. Yes u die but if u have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord & Saviour Then when u die u actually just start living. Jesus paid the price for all of us dirty , rotten, sinners. Alan left us behind but started his new ETERNAL life on Sat morning. And personally, I know that even though he is missed , after being in the presence of God & in his heavenly home...he wouldn't come back if we begged him. Wow, such a bitter sweet situation..However, I still ask that u lift the Corley family up during this time because they are so very sad.

So as I thought about life & death on the way home, I just cried thinking how short Alans life was & how many things he want get to see his daughter do...Then I thought what if ....this...that...u know how our minds can run wild.....however, as I rocked Tyler tonight I realized all the things Alan did get to do & experience in lfe. What a wonderful family he has, friends, daughter, Job, loved fishing, treated everyone the same NO MATTER WHAT, at 39 still told people to pull his finger....hahaha, always a good time when he was around.>

Then, I just praised God for each day he has given me on this earth. Thanked him for allowing me to be a Mom to two PRECIOUS boys(though they can b mean at times) I love them SOOO much. U know we dont deserve anything in life......but God still allows us to have family & friends, materialistic things that we don't need. Husbands that get on our nerves some times , but guess what? We have one. & mine loves me, appreciates me & Is a God sent.....I LOve U Jason!!!!

So please dont go to bed mad, always say I LOVE U , never be to proud to say ur sorry, hug a little longer & dont rush ,but enjoy life to the fullest everyday because we all have a last day & it could be your or someones last day.

A Loss

So as usual I have a prayer request....Please pray for the Corley family. Bro. Ben & Jo Corley of Woodstock, AL lost their son Alan Last night in a car accident. He fell asleep at the wheel & hit a tree. He was divorced but has a daughter name Ashley. He just turned forty in Sept. Please lift this family up in this time of sadness.


love,
Brandi

Busy?

Well, its 12 am SAT morning & I'm still awake. Lets c, Alex has a T-ball game @ 9:30, Brooklyn's 1st bday party @ 11, Papaws bday party @ 12, pick final colors, knobs etc. @ 1.........That's just a few reasons why I should be in bed.

Well, I have something on my mind(As usual) I encourage anyone who hasn't read the book of James & Job in the Bible to do so. I gives much good advice. This is whats on my mind.. James 4:14-17(ESV) says14. "Come now you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go and do. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for just a little time & then vanishes.15 Instead you ought say, I the Lord wills, we will live & do this or that."

Vs 17...So whoever knows the right thing to do & fails to do it, for him it is Sin..


First, we take for granted the min, hrs, days we have here on this earth. Today I am going to (try) to be positive toward every situation God gives to me. We should all wake up thanking him for another day on HIS earth. Just know that even at your worst day, there is someone out there who has it harder. Also, I'm guilty of this so please don't think I'm pointing fingers...vs 17 plainly says, (I'm paraphrasing) "If u know right from wrong & continue to do wrong then u r in Sin. How many times have we all done something big or small, knowing it wouldn't be pleasing in the eyes of the Lord & done it anyway. Yes, if u ask for forgiveness he is merciful & just to forgive us(if u are saved) but if u continue to do the same things over & over & ask for forgiveness, then ur actually not sorry, because if u were u wouldn't keep doing them. Therefore, ur in continuous Sin.(I know we all sin daily) The Bible says"For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Just like us telling our children to not or quit doing something but they do it over & over & then we get mad & say"I don't know why he/she keeps doing that. I have told her/him NO a thousand times. Or, I have already spanked them/ put them in time out for that...Maybe we all need a good spanking/timeout from GOD. May we all stop trying to fit in & please the world, but instead do what's pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. Because hes really the only one that matters. There will be a day when we have to face him & WOW I'm Scared!


Also, In James 1:1-4 the Bible says"Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing"

**steadfastness(noun)
1. loyalty in the face of trouble and difficulty
2. steadfast resolution

Well enough for the Sat midnight church sermon.....I pray that I become steadfast.....That I am more grateful than ever for everything from itty bitty to XXXL that the Lord puts in my life & blesses me with. That I always look for the Lords will not mine...


Please pray for us tomorrow as we continue picking the final things for the house. Everything is going so well its a little scary. Jason reminded me tonight that this will only happen if its the Lords will & that we need not be upset if something changes & we cant do it. I Love him(Jason) Well I love the Lord too but u know what I mean....Also, Jason & I survived our 1st hr long temper tantrum with Alex since counseling Thursday & succeeded. It was tough but Alex knew we weren't budging & he wasn't making us angry(well we didn't let him know we were) so he finally came in the kitchen like nothing ever happened...Thank u God for small miracles. However, there will be more to come. So pray that God gives us strength , so we can all be what we need to be & do what we need to do with out giving up.


Hope u all have a great weekend...

I have a few prayer request...Ian Ellis will be having hernia surgery on Mon day & may not make it through it...He has many many health problems from birth. He is only a couple months old.

Also, Boothe Farley is on my friends list ..Her husband & Her have 1 daughter that's like 4 & they lost a new born @ 8 days old due to an uncommon chromosome defect. That was 6 months ago & by the grace of God she is pregnant again. U can click on her name & read her blog...It will change ur world.. But please lift both of these up this week.

Lots of love(and rest)
Brandi~

Update on Alex

Well God once again has come to our rescue. We got a call last night that there was an opening for Alex to see the Psychologist today(Wed) & then go to counseling tomorrow(Thurs). So we took it . Today went great . When the Doc asked Alex why Mommy brought him 2 c her he said" Cause I'm ugly yo her" Then the Doc asked him why he gets mad at me & acts ugly & he said "Cause she tells me no" Well at least he told the truth. I guess none of us like being told NO. So anyway, the doc talked to him by himself for 30 min & then Alex played with some toys in the room while me & the doc talked. He only tried to interrupt 2 times which was great. Jason & I can hardly carry on a conversation with each other with out Alex screaming to get our attention. She said she doesn't see any signs of A.D.D or A.D.H.D because if he was, he wouldn't have been able to entertained himself for that length of time with out some kind of wondering off or getting bored with the toys. However she saw MANY signs of him being strong willed & advanced in some areas. Harder to deal with now but probably very successful later in life.

But pray for us because the counseling is part for me to learn how to be a better parent to a strong willed child & for him to learn behavior management. She also wants Jason & I to alternate taking care of a different child each night so they realize that we work together, not one taking on any role more than the other. This keeps Alex from thinking only Mommy can do it. he also wants us to give him Benadryl every night for 10 nights to set a sleep pattern. 10 days in our bed, 10 days on a pallet on the floor in our room & then to his bed for 10 days.


However he has had a fever virus/vomiting on and off since Monday night. He seems ok during the day then WAM! 103.0 & up temp & vomiting. I took him to the after hrs clinic Tues Night but they said it would run its coarse. Lift him up that he feels better& that no one else gets it.

We also need u to continue to pray that Gods will be done about the house. Everything seems to be falling into place. We do need a buyer for our house so let me know if u know someone looking to buy in McCalla. We finish picking out our colors & final choices Sat so PRAY<>

Love,
Brandi

Easter Pix

Well, that's as good as it got for pix @ our house on Easter..As u can see, I wasnt included...Oh well, Its great being the Mom!

Praise God for Jesus raising from the tomb on the 3rd day. Now we have hope... For Jesus is "ALIVE"

Pray , Pray & Pray again!

Just wanted to ask all u prayer warriors out there to pray for something...Jason & I have EVERYTHING in order to build a house. Plans, a lot, etc.(except for selling our house)....However, we want to make sure that its the Lords will for us to build not just our will. Please pray for us that God will lead & guide us & give us a sign as to which way to proceed with this. Even if its not meant to b then were OK with that ...What ever is in his will & best for our family. And no were not building a bigger house just a one level instead of split foyer. We have a budget and as all u S.A.H.M know u cant go over that budget. SO we want be paying anymore out than we r now...I hope u all have a great week...Remember to thank God for all the blessings he has given u & for just allowing us to spend another day on his earth.

Brandi~

Trials

Well the Psychologist cant see Alex to start his evaluation until April 29Th so pray that we can be on our best behavior until then. He is such a precious loving boy & I love him more that life, but his anger has to go! He was pretty good today & last night he even let Jason give him a bath. He usually pitches a fit if Jason even comes in the bathroom while he is in the tub. He thinks Mommy has to do EVERYTHING for him. So anyway, the Bible says in (James1:2-4) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Maybe that's what Gods teaching me, to depend on & trust in him more. So that my Faith will be stronger. I guess I just need to be thankful I have a beautiful, healthy boy who I can love & hold each & everyday. Some people would give anything to have a child or even a healthy child. Well guess that's all for now. May all of u grow closer to God through each of ur trials. Look to them as JOY(boy that's hard) At least were still alive to experience them.
Have a good night!

Love,
Brandi~

Doctor appt

HAPPY ST PATTY'S DAY!

Well I have called APS to make Alex an appt. & they will call back to schedule. So pray that he gets the right Doc that can understand what he is going through. I just want my baby (Big Boy) Back. I love him so much. My Mom was diagnosed with being Bi Polar 2 years ago so this concerns me. Just pray for me & my little man that God will interveine & give the doc all the answers & knowledge he needs to help Alex. Hope u have a great day! Oh our church is doing its Easter Drama on Sat night & sunday Mornig if anyone is interested in coming. I promise it will be worth ur time.


Love,
~Brandi

Prayer

Well, its Sunday & it all starts over tomorrow. The weekly schedules/routine is here once again & I dread it. Alex is going through something that I cant figure out & don't understand. Its very emotional for all of us. For the last 3 days I have vomited every time I ate because my nerves. I stayed on the couch the majority of the day because I was So sick. I am emotionally drained from all of this. The tantrums, crying till he throws up or his nose bleeds, screaming at the top of his lungs, I don't know what 2 do any more. I feel helpless. I'm sure someone is thinking"Spank his Butt"..Well guess what , I have! We have spanked, taken things away, done time out, got down to his level & calmly explained things & even done a reward chart but NOTHING works. So I'm calling his doc tomorrow to make sure nothing is going on with him that the Doc needs to know about. He will not go to sleep until I do. He goes to bed , but keeps his self up till I go to bed. SO I'm hopping that sleep deprivation is the cause of all this nonsense.

In the mean while please pray for me & Alex & our family because this is tough. He cried for 30 min during church today which is so not like him. So pray, pray , pray for God to handle this situation. I love my family & cant stand for there to be so much stress & tension in the air. I dread Jason going back to work because I at least have a back up. Alex still acts up when Jason is at home but I can walk away and let someone else handle him for a min. When its just me I end up loosing my cool & screaming at Alex which is not good. So once again, pray for us as soon as u read this PLEASE! I will update on what the doc says. Oh, I also applied for Super Nanny, I'm serious, I did!

Fun Times

my 2 boyz

I love these boys soooooo much. I could just kiss their faces off!

1st For 2008!

Well I guess I'm a little behind on my entries for the new year but WOW, so much going on. First of all I want to Praise God for ALL that he blessed my family & I with in 2007. I hope that I can be more obedient to the Lord in 2008. That I will look for what his will for my life is & not what I want. That he strengthens me in the area of witnessing that I may share the love of God with others. That I will be the Godly servant, mother, wife, daughter, sister & friend that he wants me to be. " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"(Philippians 4:13) I am now wearing a bracelet that says"Believe" I will continue to wear it until I honestly & whole hearted Believe & live like it. I am working on breaking free from all of the worldly things that can keep a Christian "SATISFIED" in stead of growing in the Lord. I have to BELIEVE in myself also & that's a problem for me. I ALWAYS catch myself saying "I cant do that". But if I start with telling myself I cant then I wont. I will warn anyone hungry & on fire for God, SATAN WILL ATTACK & TRIALS WILL COME. But that's where my bracelet comes in "BELIEVE" This might sound silly but I'm the kind of person who needs to be reminded several times about something , my bracelet is a constant reminder for me. I hope each person who reads this desires for a closer relationship with God in 2008.

Well I now have a prayer request, Alex has Pneumonia in his right lung. They gave him a shot & antibiotics hoping not to admit him so praythat God clears his lungs & takes his fever away. Hes a sick sick boy. Tyler got his well baby shots today so hes & little under the weather also. My mom is having neck surgery Jan 29Th & my brother(LOGAN) is still in a juvenile detention center. pray that God saves his soul before its 2late. Hes going down the WRONG path at a very young age. Jason is GREAT & wonderful. We have both started working out again which relieves some stress(but makes your muscles ache) I'm tired of everything jiggling but I guess that's life after 2 kids. Oh well there worth it.

So we r torn about this whole 3rd baby thing...to have 2 or 3 children? With the 2 boys & 2 parents there is a parent per child , they both fit in my lap, on each hip, on my back, in any vehicle. This world is made for even numbers. How ever I continue to pray that whatever Gods will is then that's what it will b. I'm just not gonna pop out babies left & right & be like GOD, u did this now how r we gonna pay for them. I have Faith but not crazy Faith . God did give me common sense. I'm trying to figure out some fun things for Alex's 4Th bday party if anyone has any ideas. Well guess I need to take a bath & ck Alex's temp.

Kisses,
~Brandi