TIS the season for giving THANKS.....

Frappe at 4 weeks old...... he has grown

into the most handsome FUR BABY ever!

Mr Frappe has been my side-kick over this past

two years of...BEING AT HOME AGAIN! I am

so thankful God brought him to our door three years 

ago all covered in mud! I couldn't resist his little

self looking up at me with his HUGE puppy

eyes.  Since the kids are both away at college

now, he has truly helped me through this

transition.  We've come to enjoy our snuggle

time.... I read and he snoozes.  When we are

just really tired of being cooped up in the house..

and I AM ABLE to go for a drive or walk.....

his ears LITERALLY perk upon hearing 

the words "GO FOR A RIDE" or 

"GO FOR A WALK". When I AM ABLE 
to grip a paintbrush, do some scrapbooking,
or make some cards ..... he is laying right
under the craftroom table by my feet.
OH...and when it draws close to 5:00 
and I say 
"It's almost time for daddy to be home!"....

he will run to the garage door and 
wait until he hears it opening.

THAT is our favorite time of day!! 

I am still in disbelief at how the time has flown by...

it truly feels like yesterday they were running

down the hall with their stick, chosen 

specifically for that year's "Nativity Play".... I had to

get out my fabrics and make their JoFUS and Mary

costumes...and LeeAnna's "Real Baby" always

played the role of baby Jesus.  I will cherish 

these memories forever!! Each year I try

 to post a special

"Note to Mommies with LITTLE ONES"

on my Facebook page...because truly, YOU BLINK..

and they are away at college, setting out on

their own life journey!! 

"To all of those mommies with young children, 

"The days are long, but the years are short!" 

Enjoy EVERY single messy, sticky, loud, sweet, 

cuddly, question after question, laughing, crying, 

sloppy kissy, taxi driving, paint all over fingers, toes 

and even our nose, ballgame cheering, dance 

recital practice going, indian outfit making, joFUS 

and mary and baby jesus outfit making, pumpkin 

cutting, last minute school project, weed bouquets

 in chubby fists, having a HOME and not a spotless, 

perfect GRAND HOUSE, knees bent in prayer for

 puppies and everything under the SON, moments NOW...

. TRULY... there will be TIME for the quiet and the calm

 when they are grown.... these days will be the memories

 that make you smile, have happy tears, and for 

no reason at all "GIGGLE OUT LOUD" as they all 

come flooding back. SEIZE THE DAY!! 

SEIZE WHATEVER YOU CAN, 

FOR LIFE SLIPS AWAY JUST LIKE HOUR GLASS SAND....

SEIZE THE DAY and ALL that it brings.... 

BLESSINGS!! withRobbie Hill and LeeAnna Michelle Hill 

my LOVES... 

MY HEART!"

This year also marked the tenth year of being married

to my BEST friend, my anchor, my care giver,

the one who still TAKES MY BREATH AWAY!!

Jeremy and I marked one of my 

BUCKET LIST items off and took a

trip to a Bed and Breakfast in the neighboring

town of Natchez, MS. We truly enjoyed 

our trip......and look forward the next

ten years! and marking off more of our

BUCKET LIST items together!! 

Wow....how fast time flies!

Well, in only two short months I will have an empty nest!! I have
always loved having a house filled with kids and laughter.
This is proving to be one of THOSE "hardest things I've ever
been through" moments.  I take joy in knowing that both

 of my children will be together at Mississippi State University
and that it is only a three hour trip, but not seeing them
 daily is the part I will miss.  I am blessed to have a husband
who helps me refocus and remember that we have raised
them to be capable, smart, and strong....knowing that
they are ready for this next step in life.  But now...what
to do with me! My Rheumatoid is still taking over my every 

joint.....and I am trying daily to think positive and claim victory
that things will even out soon.

My next journey will be gastric sleeve surgery.
My doctor thinks getting the weight i've gained with all of
 the steroids this year, will help my hips, ankles and knees and 

feet.  Also, a new stomach lining for ME!
After 23 years of Rheumatoid Auto Immune Disease
and anti inflammatory meds.... my stomach lining has thinned
... OH THE JOYS OF THE SIDE EFFECTS of meds!
TIS SCAREY! But I am all for it....if it helps, prevents
stomach lining tear (due to meds) and makes me more mobile-----
let's go! I think this journey will keep my mind off of the
 empty nest, as I know it will not be aneasy surgery and
recovery.  BUT it is a necessary one and will not only help the

 RA, but also my high blood pressure and borderline diabetes.
Onward...... each day brings us a little closer,,,and I know
that God will prepare me for both of these journeys!!
and all the while I WILL SING MY BRAVEST SONG!

Wow.... I haven't posted in 3 months....

Thanks Melody Ross ... I am loving ART II  class.

The holidays have come and gone..... and things are pretty quiet

around the house with both kids in college now.  I have been

doing a little crafting (above pics) and taking care of the 

puppies during the day.  I am finally getting use to staying

home again.  My RA has been pretty aggressive, but we

are praying that the new chemo treatments will be the

answer. Hope everyone is doing well... I have done inventory
of my time and God has shown me how I have not been
truly appreciating the MOMENTS that He has given me
with the ones I love.  I have been spending so much time
on Facebook with friends and games! I uninstalled it from
my phone in order to BE completely WITH the loved ones
I am able to still spend time with AND BE TOTALLY
with them! NOT LOOKING AT MY PHONE EACH
TIME IT BEEPS!! It was so easy to fill every moment
when the kids were at home .... we either learning, creating,
going, eating, reading, riding.....well, all the things we do
with our children.  This season is so different..... and
I am ready for God to show me what my purpose is in this
season of my life.....and I WILL ENJOY EACH MOMENT.