verses & some bulleted thoughts

I realize that it's only Wednesday, but this has been a very frustrating week.  For starters, it has been FREEZING COLD here in South Carolina and we have not had heat for two days.  Brrr.  Honestly, at night it has not been too bad.  We've all doubled (and tripled) up with blankets on our beds.  Waking up each morning has been a different story.  Thankfully someone is supposed to swing by tonight to fix the issue, or at least let us know WHAT the issue is so that we can work towards fixing it.  I do believe it is "warming" up.  And by warming up I mean, it's not going to be EIGHT DEGREES outside tonight.  Thank God!  Literally.  Due to the weather and a few other stressors in and around my world, my mind feels so boggled.  It's not been easy putting my thoughts together.  Hence why I have not written anything too profound for you to read! LOL.  I haven't felt well either.  Resting is rarely an option in my household, so I guess you could say, I am pretty much a wreck.  Oh well, that happens from time to time, right?!  No shame here!  I figure, as long as you can write about it and laugh about it, IT'S ALL GOOD. 


It's always funny to me how God works.  I am reading several different devotionals right now, and although the stories in them are completely different, there is definitely a recurring theme.  Strength.  This seems to be a message God is really wanting me to hear at this time in my life.  (Can't imagine why).  Yesterday I read a passage entitled,  The Joy of the Lord.  The scripture was taken from Nehemiah 8:10:

 "Be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  

 In other words, STOP WORRYING ABOUT EVERYTHING!  Jesus is my strength.  He's got this!

Today, the verse was from Isaiah 26:3-4:

 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord, is everlasting strength." 

 In other words, I need to keep my mind on Jesus rather than the circumstances that are continuously unfolding around me.  I feel weak because I am weak.  Thankfully, God doesn't expect me to be responsible for the world around me.  That's HIS job.  I just have to move out of His way. 


Now, on to my random bulleted thoughts.  I have not planned these out.  I am hoping by spitting them out onto this page, it will clear my mind!

• I am so proud of JP and how he is reading
• It REALLY bothers me that I cannot turn left onto the ramp towards Greenville off of Pelham Road at the bridge.  That happened to me today and I was very frustrated.  I didn't want to drive all the way BACK down Pelham road.
• I still cannot upload pictures onto the blog and I am getting really angry over it.  Please be patient with me!
• I am only teaching half a day tomorrow (in the morning) and I am already dreading having to wake up and get dressed.  I think I am spoiled.
• I am looking forward to a much needed girl's night out this Friday
• JP is getting fitted this weekend for a tuxedo to be in his dad's wedding.  I won't get to see him in the wedding, but I cannot wait to see pictures of him all dressed up.

Okay.  I am distracted.  JP is begging for dinner -- the nerve!  Can he not see that I am BLOGGING?!!  LOL 


Have a great night, friends!  Stay warm.  Since it is so late in the day, my next post, (in case you're beside yourself with wonder), will be on Friday.

stay tuned...

Check back later today for a post.  I have not been feeling well.

In the meantime, here are a few cute pictures of my loves:

ugh

I was sitting here in the MIDDLE of a blog post about "resolutions and good reads."  I was really into it.  All of a sudden, I was not able to upload pictures anymore.  I am SO MAD!  I guess you'll get that post when, and if, the blog server decides to cooperate.  It's so frustrating.


Anyway, can you say COLD?!  I don't know where you are reading from, but this Southern girl is NOT used to FREEZING weather.  I don't like it!  I long for summer.  And please know... when the meteorologist announces that the temperature will drop to EIGHT degrees, that is when the heat goes out in the Cothran household.  Seriously.  Would you expect anything less?  Thankfully, we were able to storm the local Tractor Supply company and purchase a really nice heater.  We already had one running, so it's actually pretty warm in here.  God is good.




The school district is running on a three hour delay tomorrow morning so that the little kiddos don't have to stand in the cold and wait for their buses.  Guess what that means!  Yep... no alarm in the morning.  We can leisurely roll out of our slumber and take our time getting ready for school.  It is going to be SO nice.  (Sorry mom.  I know you're reading this and have been at work since before 8:00 am.)  My heart goes out to you.  Really, it does.  *wink*


Even though I am not able to post what I had planned, I did run across something I wrote several years ago.  Click on the link below if you'd like to read it.  It's pretty short and sweet, but carries with it a message that we all need to hear from time to time.  Especially me.


"Here's a Tip."


HAPPY TUESDAY friends!


Until next time...

back to the daily grind

Well, the break is over.  I have mixed emotions, today anyway.  I would be lying if I told you I wasn't very just a little excited about having time to myself during the week days.  However, I am NOT looking forward to beginning classes again.  At least I have another week to get myself psyched up.  This semester I will be in class on Tuesday and Thursday nights.  I will have one lecture and one lab.  Prayers would be appreciated!

I found a new Picture collage app for my iPad.  If you have an iPad or any smart device and enjoy taking pictures like I do, you MUST download this app.  It's so much fun (and addictive!).  Click on the following link and see for yourself!  PHOTO COLLAGE CREATOR   Here are two of the (many) collages I have made over the past twenty four hours:

Cute, right?!  You can insert typed text AND draw/color on the photos.  And naturally, my favorite part is that it's FREE.  Let me know what you think, if you try it!

Preston's guitar FINALLY arrived.  He is in heaven!  He is obsessed with our pastor, Mike, because he plays his guitar in church.  So, our goal is for Preston to get "on stage" with Mike and play/sing a song together.  Can you imagine how precious this will be?  This event will definitely warrant a video, rather than pictures on this site.... wait for it! 

Friday, JP and I went to lunch with Jamie and Natalie at Carolina Ale on Woodruff road.  Don't judge -- I truly cannot seem to get enough of that place.  I prefer the downtown location, but the food is YUMMY-licious at both locations!  If you've not experienced what Carolina Ale has to offer, here is a link to their website.  CAROLINA ALE HOUSE.

The only other topic streaming through my mind this morning is my disgust with the Flippies hat.

JP was so excited about this gift he received for Christmas.  You squeeze the end of the part of the hat that hangs down over your ears, and the ears (at the top of the hat) flip up and down.  Apparently, it's a really big deal in the world of 4 to 7 year olds.  While I agree that they are cute, like the STOMPIE bedroom slippers, the hat only works for, maybe, two days. And that is if you are fortunate enough to purchase one the every child in America has not had their little hands on "testing" it out. 

I am very disappointed.  These little items of "joy" are not inexpensive.  In my not so expert opinion, I would save yourself time, money and a load of disappointment with this gift. 

That's all for today, loves.  HAPPY MONDAY, and enjoy your first day of a brand new work week!

Until next time...

It's the little things

When I finally crawled into bed on New Year's Day,  this was a message JP sent me from his iPad before falling asleep.

I love this boy.

Happy weekend, everybody... See you Monday!!

wizard of oz, christmas catch up - part two, and our day

Last night we went to the Peace Center to see the Wizard of Oz.  It has always been one of JP's favorite movies.  For Christmas, Gaga (Scott's mother) bought tickets for us.  I have to say, it was AMAZING!  One of my favorite things was, it stayed true to the movie.  The acting was phenomenal, the music was superb, and the humor left me with an aching side.  JP was mesmerized.  It was his first play/musical, so I wasn't sure what he would think.  His eyes were as round as saucers the entire three hours.  He clapped so passionately after each scene.  It was thrilling to watch.  I have seen a variety of shows at the Peace Center -- the Sound of Music and Phantom of the Opera are the only two musicals/operas I have had the pleasure of attending.  This performance of the Wizard of Oz was better than BOTH, in my opinion.  And that is saying a LOT, because I loved the other ones too.

Now, it's my understanding that I have to see WICKED next! 

A few pictures from Christmas morning:

 One of JP's FAVORITE gifts from Santa was his Furby Boom!

Preston got his iPad!

 

...and his "real" bicycle. 

 

 

This is what Santa dropped off, along with a stocking full of surprises, at our house.  He also made a "drop" at Scott's parent's house.  I do not have those pictures.  I can tell you, though, that he was one happy little boy!

 

 

Originally, my friend Kerri and I were supposed to take our boys to Dollywood today -- unfortunately the park didn't open until 2:00 in the afternoon, so we decided not to make the drive.  UGH.  We were both disappointed, but we spent a nice day downtown.  We walked around and let the boys play after enjoying a GREAT meal at Carolina Ale House (my favorite!). 

 

 Her oldest son, Samuel, was not able to join us...we missed him!

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful first day of the New Year! 

 

Until next time...

 

 



cheers to a new beginning!

These are our CRAZY faces in honor of the CRAZY year we had!! HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my cyber friends!!

Until next time...