The Cash Family Adventures of Life

Adventures of 2011 in 60 Pictures or Less

2011-12-07T21:35:00.031-06:00

Welcome to my recap of 2011 in pictures. This is a very small sample of all the pictures I took through out the year. Hope you enjoy!

Every year our church has Disciple Now in January. My first year to host guys and glad to say I will have them back again this coming year.

David, Carley and I went to Atlanta for David to take a test for his job. He passed!

Early February brought me my 47th birthday. David and Carley making dinner for me.

We took a four day trip to Universal and......
Harry Potter

Carley with the train

David with his favorite minion

Terrie with her favorite childhood character

DISNEY WORLD!

Carley may never pretended to be a princess, but she is our princess

Colton riding on a landspeeder

My favorite two pirates

Carley with the Epcot Ball

Colton as Tweedledum in the Alice and the Looking Glass

Colton as the train conductor

Rehearsal

More rehearsal

Carley double Dee (Dee's double for the final scene)

Carley tech for the show

Colton with his two close friends, Josh and Vincent

Humpty Dumpty Cake

Carley para sailing with her dad

Colton with grandpa on a rented jet ski

Terrie C taking Terrie L out on a jet ski

Colton the bass player

Josh, Colton, and Vincent at David's 45th birthday

Timothy Mackall, Colton, Carley, and Rachel Mackall

Carley always a kid at heart

David helping baptizing the day of baptism in the bay

Life is always interesting with these two

David pouring into some young men's lives

Our friend's cabin in North Carolina

The backyard

Love the view

Biltmore Garden

25 years of marriage

Colton with R2D2

GNS playing at Chic-Fil-A

Me changing my hairstyle

Vincent

T&T Director

T&T Leader

Carley with her favorite Puggle, McKenzie

A Few Pictures of my trip to South Asia

Karen with one of the many children

I wanted to take her home with me

I love hanging out with children

Children were fascinated with the I-phone

Crazy Rickshaw driver

It seems I was always looking for something

How many ladies can we get in the middle row of a jeep?

Does this picture remind you of Biblical times?

One of the many cows we saw

I had to check out at least one salon while I was there. I'm having a 30 minute oil rub head massage. I think this may be in heaven.

Slums

Children who live in the slums

Karen and I adjusting to the culture eating with our right hand.

This sweet lady lives in the slum and only uses candles for light

So sweet!

I was ready for Aladdin to come swooping down on his magic carpet

This culture knows how to worship the LORD

I have to include a few pictures of my favorite 2 yrd old, McKenzie. She brings so much laughter to us every other Tuesday. She is one cool kid.

I hope you enjoyed the recap of this year. Maybe one day I will be a real blogger, but until then, we will get together when we can.

Days Before the New Year

2010-12-30T09:21:00.007-06:00

Am I the only person who would schedule contract work between Christmas and the New Year? Please tell me there are others out there that are just as crazy as I am. Since moving into our home a little over 4 years ago, we have been experiencing some ceiling problems. No, the ceiling isn't about to come down; however, the drywall tape was beginning to show in several places. Mac, our builder, was not pleased with the aesthetic of his work so he wanted it fixed at his expense. Have I mentioned I love our builder. Here is the work they began to day and will finish tomorrow.

I thought I would share a few pictures taken Christmas Day. I am hoping to get some pictures from my sister that were taken Christmas Eve. You will understand why if she come through with the pictures.
Our sweet little Christmas elf.

Colton is theatrical even when it comes to opening gifts.

Carley received lots of music this year.

Gideon has his own ideas of Christmas morning.

David decided to give Colton and Carley windshield whippers for Christmas.

David had a minion Christmas.
My BFF sent our family this basket filled for what is needed for a great family night. David and I didn't wait long until we plunged into the pistachios.
All my children plus my mom are ready to eat.
David and I decided we would get something for GNS members and their cars. One GNS member is a bike rider, so he couldn't get what we were buying.
We think they like them.
My sweet mom is always fun to watch at Christmas. She doesn't like for her picture to be taken.
Not sure what was so funny, but there are very few dull moments around if Vincent is here.

I think we can say we have all just experienced a miracle. I have blogged twice before 2010 ended. Could this be a sign that I can blog more than once a year. Let's hope so. I think it is safe to say I won't be back on here until Jan. 2011. We have the NC/Tenn game to watch this evening. Tomorrow brings a busy day of contractors, the gym, shopping and having lunch with my sister. Saturday we are spending New Years Eve watching FSU spank South Carolina. I pray I don't have to eat my words. I have very little against South Carolina, I just really don't like Steve Crybaby Spurrier. Hope all of you have a Happy New Year.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-18T06:34:00.020-06:00

Hello my dear family and friends,

It has been a year since I posted my last blog. I am sure there is some kind of prize for those of us who are "wanna be bloggers" (if this isn't a word, it should be) but are blessed to blog once a year. I could do more, but I think all of you would be bored to death. I need to realize that if you didn't want to read the blog, you would move on.

Here it is December 18th and I don't have all my shopping done. I haven't mailed out the first package or Christmas card, nor is all the baking done, and I am hoping not to be spending Christmas Eve wrapping Christmas gifts. I am determined to have my Christmas Blog written today. (epic failure!)

Here are some of the many highlights of the year of 2010. If you get bored to death, please feel free to move on, I will never know.

As most of you know, the Cash family is a rather close family. If any of us are heavily involved in something, we are all involved. June of last year, Colton, Carley and a few others from church began a Christian band, Goodnight Saturday.

GNS has had many opportunities to rock for Jesus this past year.

Their first gig of 2010 was at our church leading the music for D-Now.

The 2nd gig of the year was done for 1st Priority at Washington High School.
Colton on base.

This is Vincent, the lead singer, and very talented musician. He is also part of the Cash family.

Carley is lead guitar.

Colton is the base player for Goodnight Saturday.

Carley and her friend Madison attended the home school prom.

Colton and I took a break from all the life we live in Florida and headed north to a few of our friends graduations. Carley stayed back to take care of her daddy and to attend Pensacola State College to get her Spanish classes done over the summer.

We visited our friends in Maryland and had the joy of watching Colton's friend of 15 years graduate from high school. Days later we drove to Virgina to see Angela graduate.

Upon returning from our little road trip, it was back to helping the band for their next gig that was a few miles down the road.

Life can be very interesting when living with preforming musicians. Sometimes they can get attitudes.

We do other things besides live for GNS. We served in VBS. For those who have known me for sometime know I absolutely love telling Bible stories especially to children. Here I am all decked out in my Biblical costume with my I-phone.

Before school began, we took a quick road trip up to North Carolina to see David's family. We always have a blast with some very sweet people. We had never been to the amusement park, Carowinds, so we took advantage of the opportunity that was given to us. I did get to have my picture taken with a childhood idol of mine.

Once fall arrives and summer fades away, school begins and so does a ministry that our entire family serves in. David is still the Commander of our Awana club, I serve as the Sparks director, Colton was recruited by me to be a Sparks leader, and Carley moved to be the T&T secretary. Our philosophy is a family that serves together, stays together.

It has been a few years since Colton had audition for a part in our local theater here in Pensacola. His favorite director, Dr. Lott, was directing Alice in Wonderland ;therefore, Colton had no choice but to audition. Here is Colton is all his glory as the Duchess from Alice in Wonderland.

Like all seasons, life changes. We have the absolute privilege of investing in this little girl's life, McKenzie Grace Mott. For those who read any postings on Facebook knows that every other Tuesday is McKenzie Day. She spoils us all rotten. She has grown and changed so much this past year. Just one fun fact, her mom is a died hard Gator fan. I know I am blessed she allows me to play with her daughter since I am all about Florida State.

Thanksgiving arrived in no time and GNS was asked to perform at the Water Front Mission. While WFM fed many people, GNS led the people in worship. We were blessed with David's dad and Connie coming for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Feast

Carley, along with my mom, sister and myself, took our yearly trek to Atlanta, Georgia, to work with Operation Christmas Child at the processing center.

We live a full life enjoying family and friends and serving others. Our heart's desire is if you don't already have the most precious gift ever, you will find Him lying in manger just as the shepherds did over 2000 years ago.
We will be ending our year saying Merry Christmas to all our family and friends and hope you are blessed with an exceptionally good year.

Merry Christmas!

Family Christmas Letter

2009-12-20T16:29:00.025-06:00

Merry Christmas from the Cash's Home to Yours!

Hello Friends and Family,

If you are reading this it is because curiosity got the best of you or someone dared you to read it.

Here I am days before Christmas dreading writing a sappy Christmas letter telling everyone about all the good things that happened through out the year and leaving out all the trials and errors that were made through out the year. I decided I would let people know where they could go to read the Christmas letter instead of having the letter and pictures fall out of their Christmas cards. I do hope many of you actually received your card before Christmas and I am sure many of you did not because I am not a Martha Stewart type person who always has her act together. In reality, I am far from her. Here is the happening of the Cash's journey through out 2009 in photo form.

I am going to begin with last year's big performance of The Christmas Carol with Colton playing Bob Crachit.

We really began our year off hosting High School girls in our home for D-Now.

February brought me turning the BIG 45! I often wonder what big surprises I will receive each year as I become a year older. I am not talking gift wise, I am talking health wise. The body is beginning to tell me my age. I have to remember I am not 21.

Notice the reading glasses!

I am not alone when having a birthday in February. (Cough, cough as I say this next sentence.) Colton turned 18 this year. We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday.

( I am not sure what was being said here.)

Not sure why there isn't any candles on this cake, oh, I remember. It is made of ice cream.

This brings us to March. I don't think Awana had crazy hair night in March, but this is to let you know that we are still all very involved in our church's Awana club. Carley did my hair.

Through out the year, we, the Cash's get this crazy idea of having an After Glow in our home for the youth. What this means is having many, many youth in our home with lots of food and a mad game of Rock Band.

In May, we had a week of celebrating Colton graduating from High School.

We had grandparents and one of Colton very best friends come and help us celebrate this pivotal moment in time.

Angela and Colton at Fast Eddy's.

These two haven't changed a bit since they were 7 and 5.

The day of graduation we took a pontoon boat out. Bad mistake. I now understand what light choppy water means.

We always take visitors to Pensacola to Lamberts where the food is fantastic and endless.

With graduation, comes lots of gifts.

Also in May, Carley graduated from the Chosen Girls Bible study. Carley is here with her friend Courtney.

In June, David, Carley and I headed to the Maryland/Virgina area for nearly three weeks. The ultimate goal was to get Carley and David to Awana Camp in Pennsylvania. We stopped in North Carolina to visit family and I stayed in Maryland to visit with my friends in the area. Colton was not able to go with us due to his taking more college classes while the classes were still free.

We spent the 4th of July with this cutie pie eying Carley's ice cream.

We stopped in Virgina to visit the Neiman Family. We had to relive our Japanese days with fried cheese rolls, Inarizushi-no-moto rolls, and Yakisoba.

Carley, Angela, and I making cheese rolls

Making rice pockets.

Eating the fruits of our labor.

These pictures were taken while in North Carolina.

Late in the summer, David had the opportunity to go to Atlanta to take a job related class. Carley and I tagged along when went sightseeing. We spent the day at the Atlanta Aquarium.

Before it became to cold, we had a family picture taken at the beach.

Picture taken by Howard Chunn @http://howardchunnphoto.com )

As summer comes to an end, that means school begins. If you happen to have a weak stomach, scroll through these next few pictures. Carley is dissecting a perch.

When one works at the Rave Motion Pictures and it is Halloween night, I suppose it is absolutely necessary to dress up as some kind of scary creature.

Early November our church had a block party at a local park. The youth praise band, known as GNS , had the opportunity to jam.

David and I are not sure where our children got the musical talent. We both know how to push play on I-Pods and CD players. That is the extent of our music talent.

Every December we have a girls trip to Atlanta to work with Operation Christmas Child. This trip include my mom, sister, Carley and me. We usually try to see at least on attraction while in Atlanta. This year we went to the Coke Museum.

December really isn't complete in our home unless we celebrate another birthday. (Another cough here along with a deep breath.) Our baby girl turned 16 this year.

Here we are celebrating her birthday with youth at the youth Christmas party.

Notice the huge smile on her face. This is what she gets to drive to the Whirl Cup Coffee shop where she works, to praise band practice, youth group activities, babysitting jobs, and any other places she needs to go.

Our family hopes you enjoyed a tour of this past year with us. Life is never dull in the Cash home. You will normally find laughter and joy here. There is only reason that we have so much joy. Even though life can get really hard, we always have Jesus and he is the One who makes our joy complete. (John 15:11) If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior of your eternal soul, I challenge you to seek the greatest gift known to man. God said in Jeremiah 29:13, "If you seek me, you will find me."

If you would like to come back again to visit, I would suggest to visit at the end of each month. I am not the best blogger in the world. Please feel free to leave comments.

Once again, Have a very Merry Christmas!

The Right of Passage

2009-06-26T12:26:00.002-05:00

I wrote this as I was riding down the road this past Thursday.

I am currently sitting in the backseat of my van while my daughter is driving and my beloved husband is directing her in traffic patterns. We are on our way to a much needed vacation with time to get away from the ordinary to embrace something new and see good friends who we have not seen in a year. I love visiting friends that in someway has become family to me. What is bothering me now is the fact I have left one child behind to hold the fort down. This is the right of passage. Who is it for? Is it for me who can leave a child behind knowing that he will take care of everything or him who gets to experience somewhat independent living? I say somewhat because I did take him to the grocery store and bought him the food he wanted. He doesn’t have to pay the bills that are associated with living on your own. This is huge for me. I have a zillion questions running through my head. As my sweet husband asks me constantly who am I trusting in, me or the Lord? If I am trusting in myself, heaven help all of us. I will take this time to relinquish the controls back where they belong…in the arms of the One who knows all, see all, and has all authority over heaven in earth. The One who gave His life for all. Lord…he is yours, take care of him.

Terrie

It is Official! Where the Cash Family Goes, Drama Will Follow

2009-05-26T20:08:00.011-05:00

Ok, here is the deal. David, Carley and I went Atlanta for a little get-a-way. David went for a conference with work and Carley and I tagged along to enjoy the Atlanta Aquarium. The evening we arrived we asked the front desk if she could recommend a good Mexican restaurant. The lady recommended Pappasito’s Cantina. For my friends who may have never heard of this restaurant, this Mexican restaurant is out of Texas. You may have heard Beth Moore make reference to it.

We walk into Pappasito’s and notice instantly that it is more of a up scale Mexican restaurant than Monterrey’s or La Hacienda. These are two local Mexican restaurants that we dine at more than any other place in Pensacola. As we were seated I noticed that they use cloth napkins. That should have been a clue right there. We are not opposed to using cloth napkins, but that usually equals more money than what we want to pay for food that we didn’t cook. We received our chips and salsa which I can say were very good. The chips and salsa were not any better than what the local folks serve in Pensacola. Then the moment arrived, the menus were delivered and we opened them up to confirm what we already knew. This place was pricy. I could kick myself for not having my camera with me. As we look over the menu we see chicken fajitas priced as follow:

Chicken fajitas (serves 1-2)…..$14.95 medium (serves 2-3) 13.95 more

We ordered the medium fajitas thinking, this better be good for the money we are getting ready to pay. We had to pay a dollar more for cheese.

The food came out quicker than what I thought it would. I wish all of you could have seen our faces. The server placed down a small platter of chicken that was less than a half of a chicken breast over grilled onions along with a small bowl that had a cup of pinto beans with a cup of Spanish rice. Somewhere there was some chopped tomatoes and guacamole. We were shocked over the small portions for the food we received. We decided we would just chalk this up to not checking out the menu on line before we left and pay the price for not doing what we should have done. We filled up on chips and salsa. Believe it or not, we did get filled up.

After waiting for what seemed like a long time, we asked for the check. We knew this would be a painful experience for paying for really expensive food. David always looks over the check carefully to check for any mistakes that may have been made. This time there was a mistake, a HUGE mistake, but in our favor. Remember I said we ordered medium fajitas but the check said small fajitas. David told the server that we ordered a medium size and not a small size. The server began to apologize for not giving us what we asked for. It was his mistake. We were not paying an arm and leg for food, just an arm. Don’t get me wrong, I still think people are paying for atmosphere and not the food. We were laughing. The server then caught on why we were laughing. He even said he wondered why we would order a small order to share among three people. He went on to say we probably thought we were paying a lot for a little bit of food. We couldn’t lie, we said yes. He was quite appreciative of our attitude and laughed with us. No matter if we are in Pensacola or somewhere else, drama follows us.

Have You Been To Sonic Today?

2009-04-21T16:21:00.005-05:00

One never knows what will happen when visiting Sonic. It seems most of the time we visit Sonic we come out with a story to tell. Is it Sonic or us? I am guessing it is more likely us and not the employees of Sonic even though they occasionally give us a good laugh or two.

This particular day was quite interesting for Colton, Carley and I. I like to surprise my children every now and then with a treat like getting an ice cream at Sonic for no apparent reason. This time I did have a reason, the ice cream cones were fifty cents a cone. What a bargain for cheap people like me. I usually go through the drive-thru at any fast food place, but this time I was getting ice cream so I nixed the idea of driving and eating an ice cream cone at the same time. I don't eat ice cream that often and I wanted to enjoy every tongue licking moment there was to enjoy. I chose to park under the large awnings they have for those who choose to park and order.

Every family has to have one person in the family that has to be difficult at some time or another when ordering food. We all share in this activity. I have one that won't eat nothing but plain hamburgers, and another one that has never really liked ice cream in a cone. We won't even list the difficulties of the parents. Here we are ready to order ice cream. I tell the nice young girl I would like two ice cream cones and one plain ice cream cone with no cone but place the ice cream in a cup. I am not sure how that got translated from the speaker I spoke into to her head piece but this is what we got. Two ice cream cones with ice cream and an ice cream cone with ice cream in a cup.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in that Sonic to listen to how they came up with this brilliant idea of putting the ice cream cone in the cup. I hope the girl who brought us our ice cream didn't hear out hysterical laughs as she walked away. This is one of the many stories we have at Sonic. Do you have any to share? It doesn't have to be a Sonic story it can be any restaurant story including your own home.

Until next time.....

Is There a Difference Between Sea Salt and Table Salt and Other Easter Weekend Activities

2009-04-13T13:24:00.014-05:00

After this past weekend, I am absolutely, without a doubt, positively for sure, know that I come from a long heritage of bizarre behavior from my family. What other family do you know that sits around the dinner table and does a taste test of sea salt versus table salt? Here we are doing just that, taste testing the differences in the two salts.

My mom is discussing if there really could be a difference between the two.

The conclusion, there isn't a difference in taste.

I am not sure what sparked the desire to have this little experiment, but we did. These little sudden outburst of strange behavior describes who we are. We love to laugh and live life a little on the edge....like having spur of the moment salt tasting test. Are we pitiful or what? I like to think we are the what, just a family having fun together. Isn't that is what life is about, being together?

On to other events this weekend and long gone the sappy stories that I can tell.

We were to be entertained this past Friday by dear friends, the Cumberlands. We have been friends with them for years and enjoy each others company dearly. We don't have to worry about offending the other and can be just who we are. I love friends like that. I have several of them and those are the ones I just LOVE being around. Earlier in the week Gary called and asked if we could change the date to Saturday which worked out well. I was not only able to hang with the adults, but also their grand babies, Colten and Wes. Here are some more pictures of our weekend.

Beth always makes beautiful salads. We had lamb (first time for me), roasted asparagus, sweet potato, bread, and to die for strawberry pie. This could explain the two pound gain at Weight Watchers this week.

This is Colten. Sara loved the name Colton, but didn't quite want to name her son after my son, so she changed the spelling a little bit. The boy is a blast to be around. He is three and could explain why I love being around him.

If you are wondering what these creatures could be, they are called Z-bots. I have no clue how they got their name. They were very hot item before 1995. Colten and I played with them as if they were the most current hottest toy today. His Z-bot always beat my Z-bot.

This is Carley with Wes. Wes is very laid back like his older brother. Wes can entertain himself for long periods of time. Everyone loves babies like Wes.

Not sure why Wes isn't the E-trade baby, but I think he is just as cute as the one they have doing the E-trade commercial.

How was your Easter weekend? Did you or your family do any thing crazy? Until I can tell another story on the Cash clan, laugh a lot and enjoy life. You only have one to live.

What I Won't Do for My Sparkies

2009-04-06T21:02:00.004-05:00

This past Thursday night was Crazy Hair and/or Crazy Hat night at our Awana club. I am the Sparks director that is characterized by forgetting about the special theme nights until about 2 hours before we have to leave. I didn't have the creativity or time to make a crazy hat, but hair, I can do some crazy hair with some help from a crazy daughter. Here is hers and my master piece. The last picture was taken unbeknown to me by a friend who is quite sneaky with her cell phone. Notice that David wore a crazy hat.

This is David and me looking over some records. Don't we make a pair?

This week is spring break for Carley and me. I plan do some catching up with the up keep of house and yard work. My Weight Wathcher's leader has asked me to meet her at Publix to meet with the assistant manger to do a walk through the store to tag WW friendly food. I will be happy to help her with that project. Then there is the endless of laundy that needs to be done. I think every woman needs a laundry fairy. Forget the fairy godmother, I need the laundry fairy. Laundy is on my to do list too. Maybe I can post again before my mini vacation is over.

Weekend without David

2009-03-29T16:54:00.006-05:00

David decided he needed to attend the Awana Bible Quiz in Sylacauga, Alabama. Colton works most weekends so that left Carley and I to entertain ourselves. The two of us are never short on the entertaining part. I really do think one could stick the two of us in a room together and we would keep each other laughing over nothing. We would begin to make jokes of the air we breath. Are we pitiful or what?

It had rained all day and the forecast called for rain most of the day Saturday. We got this brilliant idea to rent a movie and a game for the Wii. Carley drove Blockbuster so we could rent The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and pick up Blockparty for the Wii. I failed to say that Carley took Colton and I out to lunch to Ci-Ci's Pizza for lunch. I won't even talk about the 8 slices of veggie pizza I ate along with 3 cinnamon rolls. I pray this doesn't catch up with me.

Here are some pictures of us playing Wii.

The object of this game is to see who can throw the trash bag the farthest. Let me put it this way, Carley is a better trash thrower than I.

An up close picture of my character.

Here I am attempting to throw trash.

Carley and I stayed up way too late and it showed Saturday morning. Nothing like having a great rain storm coming through around 6am and thinking it is 3am. I slept in but not as late as Sleeping Beauty who slept in until 11am.

I have a surrogate grandchild, Rebekah. Rebekah is the Youth Pastor's daughter who I just adore playing with. I tell all my friends I am just practicing me a grandmother with Rebekah. Rebekah came over around 2:15 to play with Carley and me while her parents went to see a movie. We began our play date playing the famous game, Cooties.

This is the ending of the game.

Gideon was wondering how he was going to get to play.

Rebekah has her own unique way to roll the dice.

Rebekah had to show me how to exercise my legs in a special way.

After learning how I should exercise my legs I thought it would be best for us to head out for a walk. Picture Rebekah who is 3 yrs old., two dogs, Carley and me wondering off for a looong walk.

We had to pick a few flowers before we got too far down the road.

We were able to allow Rebekah to walk Levi for a short walk. He really doesn't care who takes him for a walk as long as he gets to go on a walk.

After a walk we came back to watch a little bit of "Strawberry Shortcake."

Carley helped Rebekah put a few Backpack girls together along with the enchanted castle from Beauty and the Beast.

We ended our time with Rebekah eating ice cream sandwiches.

We had so much fun with Rebekah and we didn't want all our fun to end before the guys came home so we went headed over some friends house to play Wii with them. Ended up my friend needed me to go with her to Atmore, Al. to deliver some refrigerant gas to her husband. Carley stayed with her friend Courtney and Courtney's two brothers while I rode to Alabama.

We ended our evening totaling tired and was happy to get home to see David and Colton. Both guys had stories to tell but I was to tired to hear them all. Maybe, hopefully, I will post my story of my first born.

Unitl then.....

Another Busy Day

2009-03-24T06:42:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog Friends,

This is just a quick update on today's activities. I have a full day of homeschooling with Carley, run an errand this afternoon to drop of a prescription to a college student in town, practice my speech for Toast Masters, and attend Toast Masters this evening. Tomorrow I so much want to post a story about my first born, my drama king, Colton. He says there is always drama with mama, but I think he has me beat on that one. The post will include a picture with the story. Have a great day and laugh often.

Almost An Entire Month Since I Have Posted

2009-03-23T07:15:00.005-05:00

I received an e-mail from my mom today asking if I have quit posting because I have signed on to Face Book. There could be some truth to that, but more than anything, life has become too busy for me. In the Cash home there comes a time beginning in February and ends about this time of the year we call Awana season. During this season I feel we fall of the face of the earth and land in the land of Awana. In February we host Bible Quiz at our church. If I was a clubber or a parent of a clubber I would have no idea what all takes place behind the scenes of Bible Quiz. Months and months of planning goes into making the event happen. A few weeks after Bible Quiz the Awana Games event happens. In reality, Bible Quiz takes more prep time but the least exhausting of the two events. This past weekend we hosted Awana Games here in our home town. Last night I was thinking I was going to take the day off just to recuperate from the weekend. I would go into all the details of what takes place but I am afraid I would bore you in about two sentences. Take my word for it.

Here are some pictures of Sparks Games. My Sparks took 2nd place and I am so proud of them.

Sorry for the blurriness. This was taken from a cell phone. Colton is on the far right dressed as Streamwood.

Sparky Safari Relay

Balloon Battle

Sparky Train

Award Ceremony

This is the first post of others to come. We are keeping ourselves busy concentrating on the senior in our home. We are working hard to get him through his senior year. Who knew that last year in high school was going to be the most difficult one. Until then I will leave you now.

I Love My Hair Colorist

2009-02-22T20:35:00.005-06:00

Does life ever slow down? Don't answer the question, I already know the answer and I don't like the answer. I received an e-mail from my in-laws who are in their mid 60's telling me all that they are doing. They haven't slowed down at all. I look at mom who can run circles around me and she never slows down. I am beginning to wonder if I am living life in slow motion and I am getting exhausted watching others live life in the fast lane.

The purpose of this post isn't for me to complain about how tired I am. The purpose is to esteem the most wonderful, handsome, fun loving man on the planet. There are no words to even describe the love David has for me. David expresses his love in so many ways, but I believe the one way he shows love the most is in this servant role he created for himself almost 15 years ago. God commands men to love their wife as Christ loves the church. Jesus said he didn't come to be served but to serve others. David takes God for His word. Here are some pictures of David being a servant.

Prepping the hair for the color.

Adding the final color to the rest of the hair.

Now you know how I have strawberry blonde hair. It comes from a box and a man who loves me so much. I hope I haven't bored you with a hair story. I hope to post some more news about the buzzing business of the Cash home soon. We are ALWAYS doing something. Have a wonderful day.

For Women Only, Men May Not Understand

2009-02-20T10:41:00.006-06:00

My mom sent this to me a few days ago. If we are honest with each other, we will all agree, at one time or another we have said, "If only I could get away with this." Enjoy, and it is ok to laugh, I did.

My First Born is EIGHTEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-15T18:19:00.008-06:00

Ok, someone please stop the clock of time for just an hour. I can't believe he is 18. I remember bringing Colton home from the hospital with the help of my mom and my friend Angie Haube. The Navy had called David out to sea before we could all come home together, but David was there for the birth of Colton. I looked at my mom and began to bawl. I had no idea what it meant to be a mom and felt very unqualified. I looked at my own mom and asked her, "What do I do? I have no idea what to do." What a feeling of complete helplessness. Guess what ? In spite of Colton's mom and dad, he has survived 18 years of imperfection parenting. If anything good comes out of this guy, it is all GOD.

Anyone wondering how we celebrated 18 years of Colton's life? I am glad you are wondering. Due to a busy day today, Colton's actual birthday, we celebrated his birthday yesterday before he went to work. Today we went to church, came home, inhaled lunch, then David, Colton, Carley, and Vincent, Colton's friend, went to a concert this evening.

Here we are doing what we all do best....eating.

We went to Lambert's, home of the throwed rolls, located in Foley, Alabama. Let me just say, the rolls are worth placing Weight Watchers on hold.

Lambert's doesn't believe in portion control either. Check out just how much food they insist on giving their patrons.

Did I mention Lamert's is southern cooking, down to the fried okra. Is there any other way to eat okra?

Here are some random pictures of Colton opening cards and his ONE gift. Colton decided he was ready to graduate from his Ulead video program to Adobe After Effects to further his video creativity. Adobe is a rather very expensive program. Colton received birthday money to help pay for Adobe.

My two strange guys.

Here we are stuffed and happy. We added a new member to our family, Brice. He is the guy in the blue with the red cap. He works for Lambert's and I guess he wanted his picture taken with us.

Here is the birthday cake with no writing, no candles,nothing but heavy laden calories. Colton wanted the famous Outta Sight Oreo Delight dessert. All I can say about this is ....SIN.

Maybe Colton will share, maybe not.

Today has been a great day for my first born. Where as for me, it has been a day of reflecting and praying for Colton. He is on the threshold of manhood and it will be a thrill to see how Colton chooses to live life. Let me say this. Life is NEVER boring when Colton is near by. Nothing will thrill his parents more than to be a man who is serving the Lord with all he has. May we be blessed to be thrilled.

We love you Colton!

Mom and Dad

Ending the Birthday Week with a Girl's Weekend

2009-02-07T19:46:00.006-06:00

I guessed it on the mark; my friend's gift came today. I can safely say I celebrated getting old all week long. Michelle sent me this beautiful watch that has watch bands that can be interchanged to match the clothes I wear from day to day.

Last night Carley, our friend Donna, and I went to dinner at Chili's and then to see Hotel for Dogs. The food is always good at Chili's. I ordered one of their new guiltless items, the grilled buffalo chicken sandwich. If you ever order the same sandwich, make sure you have plenty of water to drink. The movie was pretty good. I am not sure if I would have like it as much as I did if I had to pay to get into the movies. Colton working at a movie theater helps me enjoy movies much more than paying for them. I am not sure I would love or even like a movie that I had to pay $8.50. There was twist in the movie that made me choke up and shed a tear or two.

Today it was about Carley and me. The two of us went to see the movie New In Town, a total chic flick. There were a few men that endured the movie for their wife or girlfriends. What shocked me the most about the movie was the one word that was mentioned in the credits of all places. I don't understand why it was necessary to add the word at all, especially at the end.

From the movies, Carley and I decided to do some shopping at Publix's and Kohls. My dear sweet mother-in-law, Connie, introduced me to Snyder's Restaurant Style Tortilla chips while my family was visiting in North Carolina this past summer. I failed to ask my in-laws to bring me some of those chips when they came for Colton's performance, The Christmas Carol. After returning to North Carolina, Connie sent me an empty bag of chips so I could go around to the different grocery stores and beg for the grocer to order the tortilla chips. I have a hero, he is the grocer at Publix. He keeps those chips stalked for us Weight Watcher junkies. Carley and I went to Publix to get the tortilla chips, Alternative Bagels, and beef marrow bones for our dogs.

We were so close to Kohls that we had to go to see what was on sale and I had a 15% coupon off of my entire purchase. We love that store. I won't say how much I spent, but I did come out with some awesome deals! From Kohls I had a coupon for the Marble Slab. (Just call me the coupon queen). Carley got her normal chocolate with a Reeses Cup mixed in with the chocolate ice cream. I, trying to be good on Weight Watchers, got vanilla frozen yogurt with blueberries mixed into it. Later Carley and I shared our traditional subway sandwich. Now we are just relaxing and counting the hours until David comes home. It will be at least a few days before I blog again. Colton's birthday is a week from tomorrow and we have to get ready for his birthday.

Speaking of Colton, I want to share his latest creation with you. Enjoy...

The Birthday That Doesn't End

2009-02-06T09:56:00.002-06:00

Ok, I never knew turning 45 could be so much fun. My entire family,including my sister, mom, Andy, David, Colton, and Carley began celebrating my birthday on Sunday which was two days before my birthday. We had lunch at Nadine's on Sunday. Tuesday brought just the Cash family out to my favorite Mexican restaurant which I have posted about. Yesterday, Thursday, the females of the family went out to lunch to my absolutely favorite girl lunch place, Norma's on the Bay. Just look at this lunch. Don't ask how many points it equals, it's my birthday!

My favorite girl in all the world. I know she is going to love me for this pciture of her eating.

My two favorite women in the world. The three of us could write a book on survival. If the Lord does lead Colton to the film industry, he must make a movie about us. The movie would bring hard belly laughs and tremendous floods of tears.

I can't wait to see what Saturday brings. One of my very closest friends did tell me she sent me something, maybe it will come Saturday. :>)

I Must Have A CrazyFamily

2009-02-03T20:17:00.009-06:00

Today was a very special day because it is my 45th (did I really type that LARGE number?) birthday today. I decided that this is really the true new year for me verses January 1st. So like so many middle age American's at the beginning of the year I to began my new beginning by going to the gym with Carley.

As Carley and I arrived home from the gym, we discovered that David had come home early to spend time with us since he is leaving for Chicago. After we did what all people do after returning from the gym, we ate lunch and did some schooling. Being the great guy David is, he suggested that we go out and do something which usually translates into shopping. He is leaving tomorrow and needed a book to read on the airplane. Carley had pre-bought David Ted Decker's book Kiss around Christmas from the Family Christian Bookstore. FCB had sent me a 50% off coupon any one item, sale or non-sale item for my birthday. What better place to go shopping than the Family Christian Bookstore. Off we went, all of us, David, Colton, Carley and myself. I have had my eye on the ESV Study Bible for several months. Low and behold, the Bible was on sale for $53.00. Can you guess what I bought?

I consider this gift from the Lord. The Bible is normally $75.00 and I got it for $26.

Here are some pictures of some other nice gifts from my family. Some you may have already read about.

You may recognize the pink notebook that I just love so much and use everyday.

I am not sure if you can tell this is a digital photo frame, but this is what it is.

Colton and Carley gave me this much needed gift certificate. My mom gave me a gift certificate from the Back Rub store. David being gone, I see pampering on the horizon.

After all the shopping, I couldn't wait to get home to break into my new Bible. After Carley and I ate one of these,

I began working on the Bible Study that I am currently working on with many other ladies that come to my home on Wednesday night.

As I was studying with my new Bible in hand, I came across a verse that just spoke volumes to me. I did what any other die hard Bible study person does, I highlighted and underlined. Here it is, the documentation of my first highlight in my new Bible that I hadn't had for more than two hours.

After doing some studying and David going over some Algebra, we went out to dinner to one of my favorite Mexican restaurant. Nothing like salsa and chips for one's birthday. Having a soon to be 18 yr old, good thing it was an all you can eat night. Just in case any of you are wondering, I stuck to my favorite, taco salad. This taco salad was not point friendly. After we ate, we decided to take pictures of ourselves. This activity naturally leads us into entertaining the staff and patrons of the restaurant. Too bad we couldn't collect an entertaining fee. Here are just a few of the pictures that were taken.

Not bad considering Carley just poke the camera out there and said smile.

Want to guess who took this one? It isn't the person who is missing.

The same person took this one and managed to get Colton in the picture.

At this point we were sure we needed a new photographer. Can you tell we were laughing very hard at ourselves.

Carley and I laughing and smiling at ourselves.

Not sure what happened to David. I think Carley is trying to send him a message about him leaving for Chicago.

I will leave you this picture. After our impromptu photo shoot, this is the one we ended with so I will end with it too. Over all, turning 45 has been great. I got to spend it with the craziest bunch of people in the world, the ones I love more than life itself. I hope everyone has people who love them as much as these three people love me. Thanks family, I love you soooooo much!

Blessings to all!

Super Bowl Sunday

2009-02-01T20:44:00.002-06:00

I am sitting here typing away and semi-watching the Super Bowl. To me, the only reason to watch the Super Bowl is for the commercials and those haven't been all that exciting this year. So far the only commercial that I have even thought was worth my time watching would be the Anheuser Bush beer commercial with the horses.

There is about 49 seconds left in the game and history will have been made. I hope to blogg again Tuesday to share what I did for my 45th birthday. Until then....

Being Kind Does Bring Blessings

2009-01-23T21:03:00.009-06:00

This has been on interesting day today. Colton leaves the house around 8:30 to attend class at PJC and calls at 9:20 to tell me that class has been canceled. He then asks if he can hang out with a friend of his for the rest of the day. Being who I am I suggested that Colton bring his friend Vincent over and they could just hang out at the house. It wasn't 30 mintues later when Colton and Vincent came through the door and began playing Rock Band. Carley and I continued to wade through all the school work we needed to get done. We went over predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives and other little grammar details. From there we reviewed the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and many other great details of the beginning of America History. Reviewing American History really stirs up the idea of wanting to give each Congressman a test of his or her own knowledge of American History. If our forefathers could see what our country is like today, they may have stayed in England or let the France and Spain have the USA. We are not the same nation at all. After History, Carley and I found ourselves knee deep in Algebra and consecutive integers. During all this schooling I was thinking Vincent would be staying with us all day and eating dinner with us. Colton and Vincent went to the movies and by the time Colton came back, Carley and I were almost done with school. My brain was dead by that time and I needed a nap. After napping for awhile, I woke up to find Kelly, the minister of music, at the house working with Colton on a project. Instead of Vincent eating dinner with us, Kelly ate with. I tell you all this to say I NEVER know what each day brings, and sometimes what I think will take place, never does.

The purpose of this e-mail is to share what happen to me a few weeks ago. Like most women who are married, we are the ones who are responsible for most of the washing of clothes. I spent a good part of my day washing clothes in this washing machine.

As I pulled the clothes out of the dryer, most of them were quite wrinkle like this.

I felt really bad that all the clothes that I had washed for David were not just wrinkled, but really wrinkled. Most of the clothes looked like a topical geographical map that a grade school child would do for a school project. Are you getting the picture? Lately David has been putting a lot of thought into what he wears since he has lost the weight he needed to lose. I will say this as bluntly as I can, David is looking good, real good! I love the way David looks when his shirts look all crisp and not like a topical geographical map. I did what I had to do.....IRON. Did I just hear some gasping sounds?

David and I went out to dinner and then to Office Depot to pick up a few things. While we were there David showed me a netbook and asked what I thought of it and wanted to know if I would want one. I naturally fell in love with it and of course I would want one. I think I wanted one, I am not sure what I need when it comes to electronics. David is so patient with me and explains most of the ins and outs of what this netbook can and can't do. After my crash lesson I knew this is what I needed. What does the man of my dreams and my knight in shinning armor do when he comes home? He begins to research the internet about netbooks and the best price he can get for a netbook as I begin to iron and iron. I ironed many dress shirts and pants. I must have been in some really weird mood but really didn't mind ironing. About the time I am done ironing, David asks me what color would I like my netbook in? I could have chosen white, black, blue, or pink. Let's see here, I have two males that live in the house and a girl who hates the color of pink with a passion. You want to guess what color I chose?

Here it is.......

Here I am sitting here with my little pink Acer typing away. Thank you for humoring me with reading all the details. I can't wait to see what this weekend will bring. I know what I want to do, but lets see if I get to do it. It has something to do with unpacking boxes of books. Hope you get to blessed by being kind and you get to do at least one thing you have planned for the day.

What a weekend!

2009-01-19T10:04:00.010-06:00

I am siting here at the computer reflecting over this pat weekend. In some ways the weekend is one huge blur, but in other areas I think I remember bits and pieces of the weekend. I just want to comment on the man of the year first. His name is David Cash and he spent his entire weekend with 8, yes I wrote e-i-g-h-t, females this weekend. The coolest part, he survived it. Does he not need to be praised for just a moment? What man would ever think to endure such an adventure?

You may be asking yourself right now, "Why were there so many females in the Cash home?" I am so glad you are asking. This weekend we had the joy and privilege of hosting five high school girls along with their counselor for Disciple Now (DN). The theme for DN was manhood and womanhood. Pretty deep stuff that I wished someone had taken the time to tell me a few things about guys. Maybe I wouldn't have made some of the mistakes I did in my younger years and earlier in my marriage.

Along with the group of girls we had, we also had a friend of ours stay with us this weekend until she left this morning to go to Pensacola Christain College.

The Lord moved in the hearts of these young high school girls this weekend. One girl, Jessica, came to the saving grace of salvation through Jesus Christ. Nothing could thrill David and I more knowing that the Lord met her right here in our home and Jessica's eyes were opened to her need for Jesus.

I am leaving you with some pictures and a little commentary so you will understand what the pictures mean. Until I post again, which I hope is soon. I have a cool story to share. Another story of my earthly prince charming.

These are the young ladies of DN. Caitlin, the girls' counslor in the second one from the left.

This is Carley's room with four extra girls in the room. Two girls slept in the bed. Carley slept on a twin air mattress with the dark blue sheets next to the bed. One girl slept on a queen size air mattress that is loaded down with a blue sleeping bag. The last girl slept on a twin air mattress that is near the window. Can we say wall to wall air mattresses.

Here the girls are in their sessions learning about manhood and womanhood.

Peace out!

Not Me Strikes Again

2009-01-15T21:46:00.003-06:00

We all have this extra person in our lives named Not Me. This individual lives on all continents and can speak all languages know to man. Most of the time Not Me gets a bad rap and is known for his bad and very destructive activity. Something unusual happened today.

On Wednesday evenings I host a ladies Bible study in my home. There are 16 ladies who attend so I have to do some rearranging of the furniture. I bring furniture from different areas in my home which includes two dinning room chairs. I was so tired from last night that I didn't place all the furniture back to where each piece belongs. This morning I began moving pieces back to where they belong but got interrupted shortly after I got started. I had it all done but one dining room chair. Carley and I left around noon to meet my mom and sister for lunch and than ran errands. When I came back, the dinning room chair had been moved back to where it belongs. It only made sense that Colton had moved that chair back for me. When I thanked him for taking care of moving the chair, he quickly told me he didn't move it back. Carley looked at me and said it wasn't her that moved the chair either. I knew it couldn't be her because she was with me. David was at work, so that only leaves one person left, Not Me.

Not Me, if you are reading this, I want to thank you for helping me out today. Don't ever give up on Not Me; one day he or she may just surprise you with some act of kindness. Maybe I can keep Not Me around for awhile. Maybe just one day this Not Me may visit you.

Have a great day!

How Could They Have Known?

2009-01-11T16:19:00.002-06:00

I, along with most people my age, grew up on School House Rock. May times I passed my multiplication speed test singing the different multiplication songs. Who will ever forget what an interjection is due to School House Rock. There is the famous song with the words "I am a bill, sitting here on Capital Hill...." I was reminiscing with the help of YouTube when I cam across this little dity. We have to remember these cute little videos were made in the mid to late 70's. How did they know Washington would be a three ring circus, or has Washington always been a circus?

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2

2009-01-07T06:44:00.004-06:00

Have you ever heard of this game? This game is one silly simple game that is a lot of fun playing with friends. I am not sure how much fun it is playing a lone, but let me just show you a few pictures of friends and I playing the game. I have come to the conclusion I must not have much pride left in me after showing pictures of myself playing. The pictures are not flattering to this ego of mine. Oh, well here it goes.

The first picture isn't all that clear, but this one tells the story. We are playing a mini-game called the thinking game. What one has to do to win the mini-game is place the Wii controller to the temple of their head and begin to think. Here we are playing the thinking game. Don't we look silly! This is pitiful to say, but this is one of the very few games I won. I think David lost because he didn't put both hands to his temple like the rest of us.

We are playing a mini-game of balancing rotating plates on a stick. We control the plates and the rotating speed of our sticks by moving our Wii controller in a clockwise circle. Poor David wasn't able to balance many plates on his stick. Meanwhile, I was having a great time balancing plates with great acuracy. This is the only other game I won. Between David and the other two young whipper snapper players I did't have a chance at winning any other games.

I want to thank our friend Donna for hosting this great gathering of friends together in her home and for sending me the pictures to blog. Donna is not the typical single person. She took Carley and our friend's two children for the day to play Wii games. Later we all met at Donna's house for pizza and to play more Wii games. We are going to have to do this again soon. Until I blogg again, which will be soon. Have a happy day or evening if you are reading this at night.

A Night with the Halls--January 1

2009-01-05T20:44:00.004-06:00

There is no better way to begin a new year than to eat your first evening meal with good friends. The Halls invited us over to their home for some fantastic chicken and dumplings. I intended to take a picture before we dug the last drop out of the pan, but I was a little to late. Here is a great picture of what a small amount left in the pan looks like. I am telling you, this was the best chicken and dumplings I have had outside of what my mom makes.

Any of my Weight Watchers friends, please don't ask me the point value, I don't know.

After we ate, we went into their living room and opened some Christmas gifts. My pictures didn't turn out as well as I hoped. I am sure their daughter is quite happy about that. Later, Karen insisted on baking her famous cookies. Oh my word, can we say there is nothing Weight Watcher friendly about these cookies. All my WW friends, I haven't ate one of these sinful cookies yet. Noticed I said yet. Another friend of ours who love these cookies as much as I do told me to freeze them and I could have them later after I reach my goal weight. This should be enough to motivate me to get back on track and reach my goal weight.

On the pan ready to be baked.

Cookie ready to be eaten.

This is Davis, aka Dennis the Mennis, an inspiring artist. I took a picture of the last cookie on the cookie rack and caught Davis in the act of being Davis. He is a really great kid that has one HUGE imagination.

We had a wonderful time with our friends as we usually do. The Halls are never short of making people laugh with their hilarious stories of life. One goal this year is going to be spend more time with friends. Until I post again, enjoy life and laugh often.

Happy New Years plus 5 days!

2009-01-05T06:56:00.007-06:00

Wow, I can't believe it is already 5 days in the new year and I haven't blogged yet. I can say we have been busy and I have been relaxing some. I think I am allowed to relax every now and then. At least three times a year. David tells me I am allotted one, maybe two, sick days a year so I can relax a few days a year too. I have been thinking about what goals I will have for 2009 and I have jotted down a few, but that is for my own personal growth, not for the world to see. This way if I fail at the goals, no one can come back and tell me.

An update on Flat Dawg Notes.

Flat Dawg Notes has added another band member, Vincent. Want to guess which one is he? Vincent is not always available for tour, so they just perform with out him.

Check out those fancy moves of the bass and electric guitar players. Don't you wish you could play like them?

What did you do for New Years? We went to a church wide celebration on a fellow members ranch. I think it was a ranch. There were cows, horses, and a few other farm animals that I could not tell what they were in the dark. There was more food there than anyone can imagine. I was beginning to wonder if they were feeding the US army and not just our little church. Carley tasted venison chili for the first time. Bless her heart, she had her hopes up that it would taste great. Even with all the salt and pepper she placed in her bowl of chili, it didn't help the taste of the chili.

The church praise band had set up and played many praise and worship songs. The Lloyds made this huge bon fire for us very cold nature people. On Christmas day the temperature was 70 degrees. New Years Eve night, 32 degrees. David and I stayed near the fire while Carley socialized with her friends. Some of you may be wondering where Colton was this evening. He stayed home due to having a bad day at work. While we were there, the lead guitar player asked Carley to play two songs while he played the acoustic guitar. This made Carley's night not to mention her mom and dad's night too. David and I managed to pry ourselves from the heat of the fire to see Carley play. She did an awesome job. David and I left, we decided we were too old and cold to be out in that kind of weather. Carley rang in the new year with friends from church, Colton stayed home, and David and I were sleeping as the clock struck midnight.

Hope you and your family had a safe and wonderful Happy New Year!

Gideon...aka Romeo

2008-12-30T10:39:00.018-06:00

Life must have slowed down a bit if I am to the point of blogging about my dog. This isn't just any ordinary dog, this is Gideon. See, I am really not a dog person, I am more a cat person. We are not true believers in reincarnation, but if there were such a thing, we think maybe Gideon would be an example. Gideon is more cat like than dog like and I use to have a cat that just loved me. This cat was unusual, she worshiped me, not expecting me to worship her like most cats are characterized. Gideon does some unusual things. I will let the pictures tell this story.

We should have known with this look we were going to have a dog with lots of personality. Can you see the cat like attitude in this picture?

What dog would sleep like this?

This is Gideon resting his back paws on David's feet while David rubs Gideon's ears.

This is the look we get when Gideon wants to play ball.

Do I need to say any more about this "cat" look Gideon is giving. These picture says attitude all over them.

Gideon loves hanging out with me even if it means having to sit under my chair instead of being in my lap. As you can see, he is a little disgusted that I am taking way too much time on the computer.

Gideon can always find someone to pick him up and hold him. He loves to be loved on.

This was taken last night while several guys were playing Rock Band. One guy sang a little louder than the average noise level in our home. I was never able to capture more of Gideon's funnier expressions, so this is as close as it will get. We was a little worried.

At the end of a long walk, run, or just playing with Levi, you will find Gideon just like this. The old saying is true, let sleeping dogs lie.

This is more than likely my last post of the year, so for those who drop by, I want to wish you a wonderful Happy New Year. As one person put it in another post that I read, I hope you have a fantastic Jesus year!

Flat Dawg Notes

2008-12-27T18:02:00.005-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen....please allow me to introduce you to the next great Grammy Award winning band, the one and only FLAT DAWG NOTES. (clap, clap, clap) The above picture shows the band members from the game Rock Band. Can you guess what member above belongs to what member below?

Here is the band practicing in my family room. They will have to begin paying rent space soon or find another place to practice.

We have David on bass guitar, Carley is the lead guitar, and Colton is on drums.

We may have to help the drummer to get a better stool than the sofa.

I personally think the bass guitar player is quite the hottie.

Here the band is getting all the practice they can get before they have their next big gig.

Maybe next post I can add some sound so you can hear just how great they are. Until then, use your imagination.

Post Christmas Pictures

2008-12-26T16:59:00.051-06:00

******Warning*****Warning****Warning***** Long Post Ahead

Ok, now that you have been warned that this post will be longer than usual, you may proceed, but I did warn you. I have several pictures posted with commentary for the pictures. This is the part of the Cash Christmas 2008.

We begin each Christmas Eve at Nadine's home. My family along with my mom and her new husband, Andy, arrived around 6:15. David led us all into a time of reflection of just what Christmas is all about. David did a great job, we read scriptures in the Bible, sang a song with all verses, read more Bible scripture, and sang more songs with all the verses. This continued on through several sections of Scripture. By having this time of reflection on the birth of Christ, and just what all God has done for us, we turn our focus from what the world thinks we should celebrate to the real reason we celebrate Christmas. It is all about Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Here are the options of food we had and us eating our food.
None of them are Weight Watcher friendly.

Yes, this is me getting ready to eat a huge Oreo ball.

From eating, we went into Nadine's living room and opened gifts. I did spare you and I didn't post every picture I took that night. Here we are..................

Nadine gave David this coaster from San Fransisco. Nadine travels all over the USA where she buys us odds and end things from places she gets to visit.

My mom played a lot of Sudoku while we traveled to Atlanta. Nadine thought this would make an excellent gift. Not sure if our mom thought so; she looks a little frighten.

I love to cook.

There is a story behind this gift. Nadine took Carley up to Troy University back in September to check out the college. Nadine graduated from there moons ago. Nadine bought this for Carley but gave it to her early as a Christmas gift. Lucky for us, these past few days have been really warm, so I was able to take the hoodie out of Carley's closet and wrap it up for Nadine so she could re-give Carley her Christmas gift.

Another great gift from Nadine's travels.

Care to guess where this came from? No, it isn't Hersey Park, PA.

This is Nadine, the mighty traveler. She wanted lots of books this year and she got them.

There is a story behind the cigar box. This box has been reused longer than I think I have been alive. Now each year we MUST use the box. Next year I will be using the box to give a gift to my mom or sister. The cigar box made it to Japan one year. The gift in the box was a Christmas ornament from the great state of Nebraska.

Nadine gave my mom a box and told her to open it. If she didn't want what was in the box, she could give me what was in the box and open this other gift. My mom kept the gift and it was a Christmas ornament of a trolley in San Francisco. I just loved it and was a little disappointed she didn't give me the gift. It was my turn to open the other box. The entire time I was unwrapping the gift I was saying out loud, "I hope I get the San Francisco Bridge." I did!

Carley's shirt from her favorite place she has never visited.

What inspiring movie director doesn't need one of these? Do my children have a cool aunt or what?

I wanted to show that we did help Nadine clean up our mess.

That concludes Christmas Eve, now we will move on to Christmas morning. The nice thing about having teenagers is they don't get up at some weird early AM time. I woke up at 8 am but that is because we did attend 11pm Christmas Eve services. I know I will not get any sympathy from these young moms, but I am not one of you. The guys were awake and ready to partake in the madness of opening gifts. The girls this year were slow in getting up, sorry guys, maybe we can do better next year.

Colton is ready, but where is Carley? She wasn't ready.

Here is Carley. This is a movie, The Italian Job, from Colton.

Carley gave Colton a deluxe set of poker chips and cards.

Time for another story. David and I try very hard to spend the same amount of money on each child. This year Colton was receiving just one gift from his parents. The mom, me, was feeling horrible that he had only one gift under the tree from us. I went digging in Colton's closet to find somethings I haven't seen in years. I came across his bear he received as a new born baby. I couldn't resist wrapping the bear up for Colton.

We had to take a time out to check on the "boys". We gave Levi and Gideon beef marrow bones. It kept them busy while we open Christmas gifts.

David had a difficult time with this box. Colton placed his certificate to his dad for an airsoft face mask in the box. The box was quite tricky to open. David ended up destroying the box.

This much awaited Christmas gift.

The mess

We ended around 10 am and I had until 12:30 to get my act together to host Christmas dinner. Nadine, my mom, and Andy joined us for lunch. Since I was busy with lunch, there are not any pictures of our feast. After lunch, we went into the family room and opened more gifts from my mom and we gave out our gifts to Nadine, my mom, and Andy.

This is Andy and notice what is on his travel coffee tumbler. Isn't it something that I, the FSU fan, buys anything with a gator on it. I hope he enjoys drinking coffee from it.

This is the Happy Birthday Jesus cake that we had this year. Nadine made a red velvet cake. It was yummy!

Thanks for stopping by and bless your heart if you read all the details. Hope you enjoyed the 2008 Cash Christmas.

Blessing to all and have a Happy New Year,

Merry Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T07:17:00.022-06:00

Today is the day that kicks off the celebration of Jesus' birth. This evening we will go to Nadine's house for Christmas Eve festivities. We usually begin the evening with the last day/night of advent. David is always in charge for Christmas Eve advent. He gave me a preview of this evenings message. I am not sure what child was in ear shot of our conversation, but their words were I guess we don't need to attend Christmas Eve services, Dad has taken care of it for us. I am looking forward to what David has prepared for us. I do know there will be lots of singing and a Third Day song is included in the line up. After we participate in Advent, we then move on to the food. No party is complete without lots of high fat and high calorie foods. This evenings menu is as follows: cheese dip, little smokies, tortilla wraps, boneless buffalo wings from Chili's, Christmas cookie, taco dip, and I am trying out a new recipe for southwestern egg rolls. The deal is we don't make enough to feed an army, but we do have a variety of food. We will fix our plates and move into Nadine's living room and begin opening gifts that she is giving to all her family. My mom will decide if she is going to give out her gifts this evening, or she will wait and give out all her gifts Christmas afternoon at my house. Tomorrow on Christmas Day, everyone gathers at my house, and we will give out our gifts to the family. We began this back a few years ago so my children will be more focus on giving than receiving. That only works when we are at home, not out at Nadine's receiving.

Until I post Christmas Eve pictures, here are some pictures of our home this Christmas season.

This is what I wished my house really looked like, below you will see the truth.

We had some medium winds come through the area and blew my tress over. I thought I would leave one down for the picture.

Bad picture, but maybe this is what it really looks like to most people.

This is our tree in the corner that I blogged about earlier. I like the picture without the flash better than with the flash.

Carley decided to pose these three charters as if they were playing Monopoly. David and I made the this little piece of art many years ago.

I keep soft plush Christmas things around for when my young pre-school friends come over to visit; they have some things they are able to touch and play with. These Hallmark snow people are always a hit with little ones. They like to get them all playing at one time.

I love Nativity scenes. I have three on the mantle here. Below you will find a closer look.

The Nativity scene on the left came all the way from Hungry.

Hallmark sold this one several years ago and I loved the details on each piece.

This one in the most special of all the Nativity scenes. Nadine, my sister, made this nativity scene for me one Christmas while she was in college. One of the wise men has lost part of his gift thanks to a puppy who wanted it for himself. I had a cat who would hide baby Jesus at night. We had to lock her up in the bedroom with us because many times I could not find Jesus in the morning. He ended up under the refrigerator more times than not.

This nativity is the first one I bought back in 1986. It was my first Christmas from home living in Japan along with being a newlywed. I remember how excited I was when I finally received it.

This is where all the wrapping takes place. It really looks pretty good compared to what it has looked like in the past few days.

The Christmas Cactus is in the same pot as the one my Grandmother had this plant in. I am too afraid to transplant it. Everything I transplant dies.
Every family should have their own personal "Charlie Brown" tree. We were going to put lights on this tree, but decided the branches were not strong enough to hold them.

The Cash family wishes all of you and your love ones a very Blessed Christmas and an abundant New Year.

Happy Birthday Carley

2008-12-21T18:32:00.016-06:00

We had days upon days celebrating Carley's 15th birthday. We began celebrating with grandparents, Tom and Connie Cash, while they were visiting us during Colton's performance in the Christmas Carol. We had a nice dinner then opened birthday gifts along with Christmas gifts. Christmas gifts will have to go into the Christmas blog entry.

Here is Carley with her gifts from her die hard Tar Heel grandparents. It is a long story how Carley ever became a Tar Heel fan. Let's just put it this way, her dad had a lot to do with it one weekend while I was on a ladies retreat. Carley was three years old and has stayed true to being a Tar Heel no matter how hard I try to convince her other wise. I have given up on changing her mind.

(Gideon wanted in on the action too. I guess he was offering a ball to the birthday girl.)

We choose to celebrate Carley's birthday with my family the day before her birthday. She opted to have her favorite meal at home instead of going out to dinner with everyone the day before her birthday. We ate grilled tenderloin steak, twice baked potatoes, peas, salad and dessert. To make her dinner a little more special, I used the china and crystal.

I know I am not the best decorator, but I think I got the message across.

Sorry for the blurriness. There are fifteen candles on this cookie.

We have a tradition of reading cards out loud before opening gifts. I think that is something my mom made my sister and I do and it has carried on to my family.

My mom gave Carley an accessory for her Ipod. She can place her Ipod in this sleeve like thing and attach the thing to her upper arm. She uses this when we go to they gym. I have no idea what the proper word is for this Ipod accessory.

My sister, Nadine, travels all over the place. Nadine brought back a key chain from San Francisco. Nadine also gave Carley a really cool t-shirt from New York City. We are so blessed to have someone in our family that get to go to these new and exciting places. We all benefit from her journeys.

Let me recap December the 16th 15 years ago. David and I had to be at the hospital at some ungodly hour of 5:30 am. Carley was a planned c-section because the last OB appointment the doctor said she would be born on Christmas day. Her brother, Colton, was almost three years old and I wasn't about to miss Christmas morning with him. There is just something about seeing children at that age being awe struck by the new toys under the tree.

We arrive at the hospital, my pastor at the time, who I didn't tell I was going to the hospital, showed up at 6am to pray with us. To this day, I have no clue how he knew I we were there. Around 8am, (I would have to go to the attic and look in the baby book to confirm the exact time), the doctor pulled her out and asked me if I would like to see my beautiful baby girl. The answer would have been yes, but the nurse said wait due to the fact Carley was beginning to poop and the poop would have been on my face. I had to wait just a minute or two before I really got to see one of the sweetest faces ever seen before in human history. On a side note, the nursing staff was not concerned whether her lungs were working or not. Carley screamed, not cry, but screamed the first several hours of her life. I wondered upon hearing that news if this was a sign from the Lord of things to come. For the past 15 years Carley is not only a joy to us, but to so many other around her. She has so much compassion for people at times I wounder where she gets it from. It is one of her many gifts from God. I don't see too many 15 year olds who love Jesus the way she does. My prayer for her is that she continues to pour over His word and love Him more today than yesterday.

Carley's birthday day. We took the day off from school because it was her birthday and we can do that because we homeschool. Carley chose to turn off her cell phone for the day and remove herself from all society. She went into the guest bedroom to study all day for her learner's driver permit. Around 3:30 she came out of the guest bedroom and announced she was ready to take the test. I wasn't too sure if this was going to happen today because the DMV is a government office and most government offices close around 4:30. Our DMV is about a twenty minute drive and then there is the chance of them locking the doors at 4:00 so they can leave at 4:30. I called to see what time they did close to make sure I wasn't wasting a trip to the DMV. Amazing things do happen in our world, they close at 5 pm. Carley and I arrived at the DMV, the receptionist refused to allow me to sit with Carley in the waiting area and I had to sit some where else. I assure you Carley was in viewing distance from me. Her and I were still able to communicate through hand motions. She later told me I should have taken the time to learn sign language like she did. It worked out later that I was able to join her in the waiting area she was waiting in. I don't know who was more nervous, her or I, while she was taking her test. She did pass the test and we walked out of the DMV around 4:50.

Carley will tell you the greatest birthday gift she could have received for herself is the driver's permit to learn to drive. Yes, she drives me almost everyday to the gym. That evening to celebrate her passing the test and her birtday, we had the Chunn's join us at a local Mexican resturant. Here are the last few picutes of the final celebration of Carley's many of days celebrating 15.

Reading more birthday cards.

Carley is all girl but like her mom, found that guys had cooler toys than girls. She does play airsoft with her brother and the youth at church.

The Chunns gave Carley a Corgi calendar. Carley loves her two Corgis and nothing would make her happier having a few more here to take care of. She will have to settle with the ones in the pictures.

She was ready to kill when all the attention was on her. Carley is not one wanting to be in the lime light.

I know the post was long, but this is another day in the Cash home. I hope to blog a little more after Christmas. We will have to tell you about the treasue hunt of Christmas Day. Until then, have a blessed and wonderful day.

The Christmas Carol

2008-12-17T11:58:00.014-06:00

The Cash family has completed another few weeks of the life in the fast lanes. Right after Thanksgiving it was time to get into the theater mode of life. From previous post, you all know that Colton was cast as Bob Cratchit in the Christmas Carol. I have posted a few pictures that were taken at the final dress rehearsal. I am so thankful for those parents that were there with their cameras. Since Colton can drive now, there wasn't any reason for me to be down there as much as other parents of non-drivers. Enjoy the pictures.

Opening scene with Cratchit and Scrooge

Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit (remember Colton's costume for future picture below)

The Fezziwig party with Colton playing the fiddle in the background

The scene where Scrooge tells Cratchit that he is receiving a pay raise.

Practicing the curtain call

I have no idea what everyone is looking at, but another shot of the curtain call.

After the last performance the past Sunday, December 14, the Cash family hosted the cast party. Every member of the cast received a bear from the costume designer. She dressed the bears in clothes that resembled the costumes that the actors wore during The Christmas Carol. In some instances, she actually used the material from the actors costume to make the outfit for the bear. Here above, we have the Cratchit bear family with the Crachit actors.

Colton's bear

This is Dr. Lott playing Scrooge. Dr. Lott can be compared to Robin Williams. I promise you, he doesn't look anything like this is real life.

Check out this video that Colton made.

I hope you enjoyed the post and video. By all means, do not have a bah-humbug day.

Operation Christmas Child

2008-12-10T10:33:00.025-06:00

I knew I had many things to catch up on over these past few weeks. I refuse to get behind in blogging. By golly, if one is going to do something, they should do it well, and often.

Right after Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping, Carley and I took a road trip with my mom and sister up to Atlanta to work with Operation Christmas Child. My sister, Nadine, introduced us last year to the joy of helping this ministry by working in one of the distribution centers. I am going to be up front and honest with all of you, it is hard work! Worth every stiff muscle and sore feet that can be soaked in hot water after a five hour shift of standing on one's feet.

The old adage says a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are my many thousands of words.

Imagine walking into a building seeing all these boxes knowing in 2-3 weeks they all have to be processed, boxed up and shipped out. A little over whelming don't you think? When we arrived to the warehouse on Tuesday, the warehouse had already processed 176,000 boxes. That was done in one weeks time. It takes countless of volunteers to get the job done.

This is a picture of a flat of boxes that have already been separated into an age group. Before the boxes are clear wrapped by ages, they have already gone through one process call sorting. We didn't work in sorting this year but here is a picture from last year.

Behind each worker is a flat of boxes. The worker opens the box and looks for inappropriate items that we were told to remove along with money that may be found in the boxes to help pay for shipping. The workers give the box to another worker across from them, and that worker places the box on the appropriate age category.

This is the assembly line and the next stop for boxes. Behind each worker is a pallet of boxes that have been separated into age groups. The worker takes the box, opens the box for a last look for any inappropriate items and to fill the boxes with other items if somethings have had to be taken out. Once the box is clear for shipping, then the worker tapes the box, places the box on the assembly line and pushes the box to the end of the line.

Nadine and my mom on the line

This is where Carley and I worked. We were at the end of the line. The end of the line is where the boxes are now separated into boy and girl boxes. As you can see by this picture, the boxes collect rather quickly at the end of the line. All these boxes were packed into large boxes that will be placed on a ship some time after December 13. Each large box MUST have at least 14 boxes. Carley and I averaged 16-18 boxes the first day we worked. Believe it or not, it was noticed because the next day when we worked, the Samaritan Purse personal brought it to our attention to thank us for the work we did.

On the second day Carley was tasked as the e-give girl. Samaritan's Purse did something different this year that none of us were aware that they did. This year one could donate on line and print out a tracking number to place on their shoebox to be sent out. The shoebox is scanned from the time it is packed into the large box to be sent out of the warehouse to let the donor know when and where the shoebox left. Once the shoebox is delivered, the shoebox will be scanned again to let the donor know where and when the shoebox arrived at its final destination.

This is the tired and very exhausted crew that left Wednesday around 1pm and then drove back to Florida.

If you ever get the opportunity to volunteer to work in a warehouse packing boxes, I say go for it. Every box that I touched and all the other boxes that were being sent from all over the United States, God will use in a mighty way. I am so glad that we had the opportunity to take part in what God is doing with shoe boxes.

A New Christmas Tree This Year

2008-12-10T09:44:00.011-06:00

The Lord is always at work blessing His people and even those who don't know Him. This year I am truly blessed in so many ways and one is the opportunity to try out a pre-lit Christmas tree before I purchase it. How often does that happen? To make a long story very short, a friend of mine bought this tree last year thinking they would use it in their front yard. I asked if I could try out this 9-ft pre-lit tree in my home this year. One to see how the tree would look in my home and the other is to see if I even liked pre-lit tree. This is the story of this pre-lit tree.

This is the corner we cleared out to place the tree in. There is my beloved husband, David, reading the directions. (did you get that, reading the directions!)

Is this not the most pitiful display of tree branches. I thought if this is it, I I'll pass on pre-lit trees. I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but I did not realize we would have to fluff the branches. I was having a pre-senior moment. By the way, the directions said it would take 20 minutes to assemble. Assemble, yes, fluff tree limbs, I don't think so!

Second row placed on the tree and fluffed. Looking good if I say so myself.

The final row and top placed on the Christmas tree. I think it looks great for a pre-lit tree. I didn't have to place one set of lights on the tree. What a blessing!

I will show the final decorations in another blog.

Blessings to all,

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T18:40:00.013-06:00

****Update on the finished product. We have heard the project was a success!

It is the night before Thanksgiving here at the Cash home. The house is clean, the pre-Thanksgiving prep for tomorrows dinner has been done, and now it is a time of relaxing, so we thought. One of the Cash family member is in the local Christmas play, The Christmas Carol, playing the role of Bob Cratchit. From what we understand, it is theater tradition for each cast member to bring little trinkets to give to each other as a gester of encouragement. The mom here had a brilliant idea. I thought since Colton is playing the role of Bob Cratchit, let us (family project) make little gold coins and engrace a little something on each of them. Each of them went from 12 to 20, and now the number has increased to 25 coins to be painted and engraved. I have already purchased 20 bags of chocolate gold coins to add to our "little gift." Our inspiring actor has been too busy with school, work, and rehersals to help with the family project. Here are a few photos to see how this process goes. The first step is to paint all the wooden nickles.

The next step is to engrave.
This is a slow process when one has to do twenty-five coins.

The next step is for someone to color in what was "drilled" out.

Then we have the finished product of our great adventure.

If I remember I will show the absolute finished product of the bags that Colton will be handing out to all the cast members. We are looking forward to his great production. Hopefully I will be able to get a few pictures to post on the blog.

Until then...Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Ode To Leviticus

2008-11-19T21:13:00.006-06:00

Ode To Levi

Your wagging nub and humongous smile
Your sigh of weariness and disbelief
Your protective mind and speedy feet
Your giddy spirit and fearful soul
Is what makes you the crazy dog.

Where does the time go

2008-11-19T18:54:00.005-06:00

Ok, let me try to see if I can form a sentence or two that will make sense here. I have just been released from taxi driving prison. I have been incarcerated since February 15, 1991 and was released this past Monday. I am not able to articulate what this freedom means to this mere woman. I had the opportunity to actually finish a load of laundry today without having to leave our home to go drive someone to school. work, or theater practice. If you are still wondering what I am talking about, my son, Colton, who is to be 18 in a few months finally took his drivers test and passed with flying colors.

Needless to say, my prayer life has picked up tremendous speed since Monday afternoon. I know we all have God on speed dial, but I just wonder if mom's of teenage drivers prayers are on a faster speed than say those who teenagers are not driving. Maybe, just maybe I will now have the time to write and post pictures. So much has happened this past year.

If anyone who reads this will give me a few days, I promise I will return.

We are back

2008-04-19T13:23:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone! Carley and I are going to attempt to keep this blog going. She and I decided maybe between the two of us we could be more active than I was in my last blog attempt. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, we may have two males, David and Colton, contribute a few things now and then. Hold on to your hats, we will be posting more of our everyday life and adding pictures here and there too.

We would love to hear from friends and family too. You can leave a comment every now in then just to let us know that you are reading.

Love to all,