Shout Out!

I just want to give a quick shout out to my blogging friend DeNeice from Organized Homemaking for Christ. She is doing a summer giveaway and I just wanted to share her blog, because she is a sweetie! She is a beautiful lady who loves the Lord and her family. I am inspired daily by her, Valencia at Buildeth Her House, and Hadias at The Proverbs Wife & The Wife at Home, because they are awesome women with large families, who show what it means to have the love of the Lord in your heart and how to love and take care of your families and homes. I still haven't figured out how to link names and blogs on my posts, but you can check my sidebar for links to their blogs. There are others on there too that are truly awesome women too! I was just giving some love to my "big family" girls! If I've left out any great women, who daily chase many children, charge it to my head and not my heart! I love all my blogging friends and have learned so much from all of you! Go forth and blog well! (Smile)

Be Blessed!
~Chondra

Memories

This past week has left many mourning the losses of television pitchman and sidekick to the late Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, actress Farrah Fawcett and pop icon Michael Jackson. I've heard tributes and memorials to all three, which were in order, but I was really annoyed by people complaining about who should be honored the most. At work on Friday, I listened to a new co-worker complain to a customer about how Michael Jackson was being talked about "too much" and more than Farrah and even Ed. She was mostly concerned about how he was overshadowing Farrah. In my opinion, that's like comparing Elvis and Anna Nicole Smith, but that's just me. There's always going to be someone more popular than someone else, but why should there be comparisons about posthumous remembrances anyway? They all held different titles and added contributions to society in totally separate ways. I'm not one to get misty eyed over people that I never knew, but I will miss seeing them, being that I grew up watching all three. I enjoyed Ed McMahon on the Tonight Show, especially when he assisted the amazing Carmac! They were quite funny together. I'll miss Farrah Fawcett from her role on Charlie's Angels, which was one of my favorite shows. Yes, I tried to feather my hair like her! Didn't work too well because I put too much curl in it, but I tried! lol Although I wasn't that big of a fan of Michael Jackson as a person (my loyalty was to his little brother Randy, who I thought was much cuter!), I did love his music. Yes, I knew the moves to Thriller, but danced in the den in the back of the house, when Momma and Daddy weren't awake! Hee Hee! My heart goes out to all of the children of each one, young and older, who have lost a parent and to the other family members as well. Also, as I was typing this, I just learned of the death of TV salesman, Billy Mays. He sold me on OxyClean, Kaboom and Orange Glo cleaners. I always enjoyed his excitement about the products he pitched. God blessed each one to touch lots of lives in many ways and I pray that each one knew Him as their personal saviour.

Happy Fathers Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Fathers Day (before it's over)to all the wonderful men out there that are being role models and setting examples for their children. Anyone can be a father, but only special men can be real dads! I was blessed with the true example of a great father! My dad was one-of-a-kind! He was the coolest man, but also the most spiritual. He was my ultimate superhero and I love him forever and miss him like crazy. It's been 17 years since he went home to be with the Lord, but his legacy lives on. Happy Fathers Day Daddy! I'll forever be your little girl!

I married a special man that is a truly extrodinary dad. Not only did he want to be a dad biologically, but has taken on the task of being a great adoptive dad to our four sons. I love him for that and pray that God continues to add many years onto his life so that we all can enjoy him! Happy Fathers Day Honey!

Here's a few pictures of my hubby with his troop! lol

The men in my life


Daddy & his little princesses (ages 3yrs & 7 months - 1996)


Me and my daddy (I was 9 months old!)

Feminine Friday

I'm so glad I read this post on Valencia's blog at Buildeth Her House. I was raised to only wear dresses, and when I got older and married I started wearing pants, but still wore dresses too. After ending up with psoraisis on my legs and dealing with the not-so-fun comments people would make, I started to wear more and more pants and jeans (during the week) and kinda got away from the dresses. After reading her post, I started to feel differently about hiding behind pants and felt so pretty and feminine wearing a dress. The psoraisis is barely noticeable now, and the scars left behind are beginning to fade. God sent this post at the right time. Now I need to add more dresses and skirts to my wardrobe for weekly wear since I have plenty for church! I actually had on one today and took a picture in it, but my phone is in mental retardation mode and won't let me download it. I should've used my camera, but whatever.

Here's a picture of me in one of my favorite outfits for church. I know it wasn't taken on a Friday, but I desperately wanted to join this post! Gotta luv me!!! lol

Beware - Google Fraud

I was recently online and whatever site I was on had a pop up about people that were making money part-time working for Google. Thinking that it was actually about Google, which I figure to be a reputable site, I read the whole thing. They were offering a book that "helps" you learn how to make the money for only $1.95. I figured it wasn't much to lose if it didn't pan out. WRONG!!!!! After a month or so, I never received the book and just chalked it up as a loss of $2.00. The other day I called my bank to check my credit card info and I was informed of a charge that was denied (not enough on the card). The CS rep made it seem as though it were no big deal, but I politely explained to him that even though it wasn't his account, he should at least act concerned that I was denying the charge. He finally told me that he'd transfer me to the fraud dept. They cancelled the card and said they'd issue me another. Anyhoo, to make a long story a tad shorter, I went online and looked up the charging company, and it brought up a chat discussion about the fraudulent charges!!!! It turned out to be a $72.21 charge for a subscription, which started if you didn't cancel the original charge. I messed up, but God blocked it!!! He is so awesome!!! I just wanted to warn anybody about this supposed "great" deal!

Be Blessed!

Rudy's Story

Here's the video about Rudy's recovery, that I mentioned in the previous post. Next time I have a video to post, I'll do the video first, then write the blog on the same post. I'm still a diva blogger in training! lol

Video On Demand: Latest News Video | WFAA.com

Cosmetology Photo Shoot

Saturday, we spent most of the day at Deondra's much anticipated photo shoot. Her cosmetology class worked with make-up artist to the stars, Rudy Sotomayor, to create a fashion show and photo shoot that was prepared by the students with his help. It was really amazing and the students got to see the behind-the-scenes work for a fashion show. The students were put into groups (before school was out) and selected a themes for the models. My daughter's group had two students that modeled and one that did make-up and helped the photographer. They also had five models from an agency, plus one little girl from our church. Their group picked themes that included a child model who was dressed to mimick the older model. Trust me when I say, we had a time trying to find someone that looked liked Deondra as a child! One little girl that we know really well, would've been perfect, but she is too unpredictable to rely on (tantrum diva). Last minute we remembered that Mi'Kenzy had hair that was a tad darker than Deondra's and skin tone that wasn't much darker than her. She did a really good job for never having modeled before or being around us other than at church. Only problem we had was mom didn't send her shoes as promised, so I had to make a quick run to Kohls to get a pair (took them back afterwards). My store manager at Belk, let us borrow clothes and accessories for our group. I was in charge of keeping up with them, which was a job and a half, but I tackled it! lol
Here's Deondra and Mi'Kenzy strutting their stuff! So pretty!

She was so thrilled to follow Deondra around!

Finishing touches on Deondra's makeup

Mi'Kenzy getting her big girl look! Such a professional 5 year old!

Robyn doing her thing!



Rudy was pretty much there to oversee what they did and help where necessary. He has really been a huge blessing to their class. He was in a car accident in New York a couple of years ago that almost took his life. Doctors had to remove part of his skull, which left him in a coma for two months. He was brought home to Fort Worth, where he has been in therapy and recovering quickly. He is amazingly regaining his skills and decided to use this second chance at life to help others by volunteering at the school. This is an amazing opportunity for the girls that they probably wouldn't have had otherwise. He loves the girls like little sisters and I have to say Deondra is one of his favorites. She made him a mousepad in her Communications class that has his picture on it, and he proudly tells everybody about it! God has truly blessed this young man, and I hope he continues to use his gift to help others. Of course, being caught up in the moment, means I forgot to take a picture of him, but I found one on his website. I couldn't figure out how to link the video to this post, so I have a separate post that shows the video about his recovery.
Rudy Sotomayor

Show & Tell Friday - Garage Sale Finds

It's been a hectic day, but I had to try to join in Kelli's Show & Tell Friday! It's been a couple of weeks ago, but my next door neighbor had a garage sale and when she does, she usually gets rid of Home Interiors items (she's a consultant) at ridiculously low prices.



I had always wanted the fruit candle shade, but didn't want to pay the $12.99 price for it. She had a different one out (rooster, I think) and I asked if she had the fruit one. She went in the house and found it and sold it for $2.00!!! Brand new, in the box, still available through Home Interiors!!! I was too thrilled! But, it gets better. The candle is usually about $5.00 each, but she was selling them for $1.00! Her sister-in-law sells Mary Kay and had the lipgloss for $4.00. Retail price is $14.00, so I saved $10.00! Whoo-hoo! Yay me! :)

I saved the best for last........



I've always wanted this table, but didn't want to pay the whopping price tag. I don't even remember exactly how much it was originally, but she sold it for $15.00, which I knew was a steal! It's sitting in the kitchen right now, but I plan on staining it to match the cabinets. I've been using it to hold school papers and homework items, like notebook paper, pencils and crayons. I'm so thrilled with my finds!

Soooooo Sorry I Haven't Posted!!! :(

Life has been a little more hectic than usual, so I haven't gotten to post like I wanted to. Amidst the usual keeping up with children, home, hubby and working and going to church, my oldest son has had some worse than "normal" behavioral outbursts. These have drained me and left me feeling a little depressed and out of sorts. Keep our family in your prayers that we will conquer this and come out victorious!

Be Blessed!
~Chondra