LETTER OF THE DAY IS "T' ___

I have been officially appointed to this task -not by one but two women - Kris and Trish. and I'm sure to have fun. I have chosen "T" for this week and I'm thankful for the opportunity and the following......

The Trinity- Father-Son- Holy Spirit

biblical teachings that I'm being taught weekly.

My teenager ( Jackie)
she is thirteen.

my teething -toddler ( Matthew) who is going through the terrible twos.

Trish

Todd family

Travis (brother-in- law)

Teri (niece)

Tommy (nephew)

Trent

Tanner ( a delightful little boy)

Tracy

Tabitha

tomatoes (yummy)

tuna on toast

Top Ramon noodle soups ( we love the chicken)

tamales ( good but spicy)

tacos( a family favorite)

trains( my 2ND preferred method of transportation)

teeter- totters ( play-ground favorite)

Tuesday

Thursday

toys (lots of them)

little tykes toys (outdoors)

tears of laughter

tabernacle (GBC)

Trust

Truth

trees ( they provide great shade)

tents( shelter when camping)

tasty treats that tempt the taste buds.

testimonies

pleasant thoughts

Ten Commandments

Target( store)

teachers & aides

Tennessee( I got family there)

Can you spot two that could be tongue twisters? Have fun!!

MY FAVORITE HYMN

I never really thought about how hymns fill us, though I do read the occasional history of a hymn when visiting Kris Todd. It does however make perfect sense - that I fill more joyful and hopeful after either listening to a hymn or listening to some great gospel music. I just love listening to "The Faith Man Quartet" c.d. that I got at the ladies conference. It always lifts me and inspires me to do more good things and reminds me that I have to stay on track for Jesus. My favorite hymn ( the refrain is the only part I know and sing) is " HE KEEPS ME SINGING" and I catch myself singing it over and over again on many days. I love it as it motivates me to clean my house and keeps me going..... This song stays in my head so therefore I looked it up. I would have never guessed that Luther Burgess Bridges back in 1910 had lost his family to a house fire. The part I know anyway goes.....

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus sweetest name I know fills my every longing

keeps me singing as I go."

I have many that I truly enjoy but my other all time favorites is "ARE YOU WASHED" and "TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS WITH YOU". I ask myself why I choose to share this with you and I don't really know- It's what was in my heart . Thank you for listening.

And the answer is...................

I thought the questioner Kina posted was interesting so I decided to do it for some much needed fun It's titled " Getting to know you".

1.What time did you get up this morning? I get up around 6:45 every day
( my 1yr.old son is the alarm)

2. Diamonds or Pearls? I don't prefer either but do have rings w/ diamonds.

3. Favorite T.V. movie? "To catch a thief"

4.What do you usually have for breakfast? Pepsi and occasionally a bowl of corn flakes.

5.Middle name? Gail

6. What foods do you dislike? I don't like liver, mushrooms, or yogurt.

7.Favorite c.d. @ the moment? It's by The Faithman Quartet.

8.What kind of car do you drive? A Chrysler town-n-country.

9. Favorite sandwich? Italian Beef (dry)

10. What characteristic do you despise? rudeness

11. If you could anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go?
Maybe Italy or Guam.

12. color of bathroom? Blue

13. Favorite brand of clothing? I'm not picky- if it fits & I like it- I wear it.

14. Where would you like to retire too? No place in particular

15.What is your most memorable birthday? ( I have several) (1) 10Th - I officially got the Ray
name (2) 13Th- My daddy took me to the car races- demolition derby and 21st.

16.Who do you most expect to answer some of these Questions in the comments? Jayne

17. Who do least expect to answer some of these Questions in the comments? Karen

18. What is your favorite saying ? I don't really have one.

19. What is your birthday? July 13Th 1968

20. Are you a night or day person? I prefer late afternoon/ early evening

21. What size shoe do you wear? 71/2 to 8

22. Do you have any pets? Does a fish count?

23. Any new & exciting news you'd like to share? not really but my son did learn how to flush
the toilet today- It will eventually drive me crazy

24. What did you want to be when you were little? a doctor, nurse, nun (lol).

25. How are you today? okay

I don't dare number the rest- there is alot

favorite candy? Hershey's, Reese's, just about any kind of candy bar.

favorite flower? anything fake works for me

What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward too? May 5-
Leaving for Camp Joy and the Ladies Retreat.

What church do you attend? Grace Baptist Church

What is your full name? Kimberly Gail _____

Do you wish on Stars? no

If you were a crayon what color would you be? blue or black

How is the weather right now? comfortable

Favorite soft drink? It's a toss between Dr. Pepper and Pepsi

Favorite restaurant? I like Apple bees or Denny's

Hair color? medium brown

Favorite day of the year? The first day of school in late August

Favorite toy as a child? Bike

Summer or Winter? I'm more of a fall person

Hugs or kisses? hugs

chocolate or vanilla? diffently chocolate

What is under your bed? an assortment of stuff

Do you want your friends to answer these questions too? Yes, if they'd like b/c there is alot.

When was the last time you cried? Today - I'm highly emotional

Do you have siblings? yes- 2 brothers 1 sister

What did you do last night? played outside w/my son & played games on my computer

Favorite smell? I'm really not into fragances- but I do like the occassional pumpkin candle aroma

What are you afraid of? My children getting hurt and rodents of course

Plain, buttered, or salted popcorn? The more salt and butter the better- but I do like it all.

How many keys on your key ring? between 5 and 10

How many years at your current job? a little over 13 yrs. I've been mom that long.

Favorite day of the week? I say Wensday- I look forward to going to church on this day.

How many towns have you lived in? Sikeston Mo., Berwyn,Cicero, Lyons, Kankakee, Romeoville
all located in Illinois although there might be more - Oh yes there was Poplar Bluff Mo. too.

Do you make Friends easily? I like to think I do.

Ok, found it- thought I missed one and I did>

Who is the friend you've had the Longest? Karen G - my bestest friend ever!!!

That was fun and alot easier than I thought and now that I'm done _ GOOD NIGHT.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS !!

Matthew, Zack & I got to visit Christine today and it was fun.

The boys had a time trying on Uncle
Larry's caps.
catching race cars.

racing cars

sliding down the stairs ( It hurts the hider most parts that's why I only did it once).

I wasn't the only spector though -there was Pumba the nosy-adorable cat

A day of pampering.

I have good news to share- as some of you know I've been having a lot of pain in my neck into my lower back and I was undecided as to what to do. My hubby & I agreed on me trying a massage. I was kind of leery about the fact that someone would be touching my body and its something I never felt comfortable about. Who do you go to ? Denise Banister of course!! She did an excellent job working these kinks out and I can turn my head and lift my arm with a lot more ease. I plan on returning for another massage on my lower back in the near future. I should warn that there might be some pain involved but its all worth it.

The crazy thing is I got another haircut ( twice w/in several months) My mother used to beg me to cut my hair because she couldn't see as she says "my beautiful face & eyes. When I was much younger and didn't have all these out- of- control hormones I would simply drop in on a beautician friend of mine and get a trim or up-do to look somewhat presentable if some important event came up. But other than that I was quite comfortable looking like Cousin It, it was more important to me what I felt w/ in my heart than to care about how I looked. How the times have changed!!! I can't even stand hair in my face now.

Thank you Denise for a wonderful pampering.

The letter of the day is "A"

Amanda my adorable 9 yr. old daughter

Abby ( my niece in WV)

Austin ( my nephew in Arkansas)

Ahrens - Ron & family are very nice people and are a great blessing to us.

Arnold - another great family

Arvin- Mike ( yet another nice guy )

Aldridge - Jane ( we call her Ma maw)

-my given last name before I was adopted by Jack Ray on my 10Th birthday. ( no relation to Jane)

Angie - my sister-in-law in Kentucky

Angie/ Angela - Bosley my sister who goes by both names.

Acquaintances- we all need to know someone.

Adam - the first man ever created.

Abraham- a biblical man who served the Lord.

Abel- Another fine biblical man.

Apostles - The twelve that were called by Jesus.

air conditioning- we all like to stay cool during the summer.

address book- need a place to store all sorts of info.

angels - what we'll become when we are called home to heaven.

announcements- I like being informed of things happening.

AMERICA - all the United States

Our National Anthem

Advil - to help with our aches & pains

aspirin- baby helps us older people too.

adolescence- a big part of our youth.

apples - any variety is good

animals-

My brain has gone blank so now I say adios (lol) and don't forget we need to

"LOVE ONE ANOTHER"

Our beautiful day

It was definitely a gorgeous day and one that we got to enjoy with family and friends in the great outdoors of Lyons. I even visited my childhood friend who was also my Sunday school teacher - Sue Wright-. She was and still is a blessing in my life though I don't get to visit with her often- but back then I was alwaaays at her house. The kids and I spent the majority of the day at Karen's playing in her beautiful new yard and ended the day with a trip to the park with my mom.

The Grosse- Slone trio singing " I'm a happy christian cowgirl"

which they want to sing next yr. at Round-Up Sunday.

Matthew really liked riding the glider w/ Kristian.

Here's Karen giving Matthew directions on how to use sand toys.

thought this pic of Matthew is sooo cute trying w/ all his might to move Karen's fire pit.

THE FINALE

Because we didn't get a hotel room in Sikeston, we opted instead for a hotel in Cape Girdeau as a treat for our last night there. It was far more beautiful than any hotel that we've ever stayed in as a family. Here is some pics I got off the Internet because while there I lost my photo chip to my camera.

nice, comfortable & really roomy

this lobby was a big hit for Matthew he loved the fountain(center of pic). and the employs made popcorn and fresh cookies nightly ( which was done w/ in certain hrs). and we really liked that too. This is also were they served breakfast ( biscuits & gravy and good tasty coffee

This pool my family had almost to themselves. ( though they enjoyed the hot tub too)

our room was on the left w/ in a step of the pool.

on the right was a slanted walk that Matthew couldn't get enough running out of that.

upstairs was a game room w/ free fuse ball, and ping- pong and we tried both, but were not good at either. ( it was interesting though)

This following pic I found interesting on a bill board & thought everyone would enjoy it.

THE 2ND PART OF VACATION.

That was a long trip to Missouri from Arkansas. It has been years since I been down this far into Missouri and I don't recall back then these roads being this hilly or curvy. ( the major factors why I don't drive in WV). and I was driving!!! It was scary but manageable and worth the trip to see the family. We stayed 1 night 2 partial days and lots of things happened w/in this short time. The big issue was were to sleep ( they made room for us & it's hot- hot in their house) and normally we would stay in a hotel. Would you believe there was not a room available for Sikeston was the host of the " Red Neck Cook- Off " (lol) It's true as funny as it sounds. There was good & bad in this vacation. The good - we went to the cemetery and visited our loved ones & I thanked my Aunt Wanda/Jackie found some nice blouses for church at the outlet mall and the children had fun playing with their cousins. The bad - my Aunt Ann temporally stooped breathing & nearly passed out . She Quickly came to after her friend hit her in the back a couple times. For safety precautions she went to the hospital by ambulance and was found to have pneumonia. She was released within 2 hrs and given meds and orders to rest a few days. I thank GOD it wasn't something more serious for she has lots of health issues and they take care of their great grand kids who live w/ them. We also had a good laugh though, We were trying to figure out a way to get rid of My Uncle's new dog b/c it wouldn't stop barking and was scaring my son. ( not a dog to have around children) . It only calmed down when said "uncle" was present and giving it some attention. It was a good visit and not nearly as crazy as it usually is.

THE GIRLS HAVE FAVORITES TOO.

Jackie & Amanda have compiled a list of things I forget which is the following.

FOODS : fried eggs- french toast sticks- fish sticks- Frito's & funyons.

Fink Family

feet

faces ( smiley ones are the best)

flip flops ( Jackie's preferred choice of shoe)

fishing

fresh air

frogs

flowers

femininity

fire works

fence

finger paint

Flag

firmament ( the heavens)

furniture

functions ( they keep us real busy)

frames ( picture)