So I decided to make a salad!!!

Ok.... so today started off relatively normal!!! However... I cannot define normal anymore!! When you have your own business, children, husband, etc.... normal no longer exists! I'm trying to bring it back, though!! I think it can be done if done with all of the right perspectives in place!! There... in lies the problem (for me, that is!) I think all of my perspectives have been out of whack for some time now!!! I've been telling my husband that I think I'm falling apart.... I can't sleep.... I can't make it like this!! what do I do??? If only this... If only that.... And then, I go to the Dr. today for a regular appointment and there is a new nurse!!! For crying out loud!!! Its hard enough to go to the Dr. anyway, but to have someone NEW there!! Well.... anyway... I'm making small talk and really just trying to see how long she is going to be taking the girls place that just had a baby... (because.... I don't want anyone else "knowing my business... if you know what I mean!) When I saw the look of concern... in fact... ALARM on her face as she is taking my blood pressure!!!!! So....I say, " is it ok?? " like I always do... and NO it is NOT ok!!! Well... I could've probably told everyone that!! With the way life seems to be progressing these days!!! But... as I asked questions, and fretted.... she wrote out my blood pressure "measurements" so to speak and at first I thought I was going to cry!!! Only because I was alarmed! And then, I realized that in fact.... maybe God was trying to tell me something!!! From February until today.... it has progressively gotten worse.... HELLO!!! so has my stress level!!! So... I have 2 options!!!! (my sweet father in law always has 2 points to everything so I will dedicate this to him!!) I either need to get rid of all of the stress in my life!!!! which sounds wonderful!!! OR>>>>> i need to allow God to give me the Peace that surpasses ALL understanding!!! Peace like a River.... Peace that compensates fear!!!! Peace... that when all else fails... will get you through to the next day!!!! There are so many places in the Bible that I want to turn to right now!!! The verses that come to mind dealing with peace (which is truthfully what I need to calm my spirit AND my blood pressure!) are Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.... plans for a future and a hope.....you will call upon me and I will answer you!

And then also in Is. 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you... I will strengthen you and uphold you with my righteous right hand!. And my all time favorite! Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything!!! but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!!!!

Isn't that all we truthfully need!!! The peace that transcends ALL understanding!!! And yes, I know that high blood pressure is a very real issue!! And yes, I know that I have ALLOWED all of this stress in my life!!!! Sometimes I think its pride.... sometimes i think its a fighting spirit that wants to "do it all" so to speak!!! Well, I know I can't do it all!!! In fact... I can't do ANYTHING without Christ and I don't even want to try!!!! Which is why.... I decided to title this " So I decided to make a Salad!" I came home after my Dr's visit... and shopping and a pedicure to try to lower my blood pressure...ha ha!! and then I made a salad to take to my very dear, sweet, precious sister's house for dinner!!! In fact... you could say it was just what the Dr. ordered!! Standing there, tearing up the lettuce that I had frantically washed this morning.... (do you see a pattern leading to high blood pressure??!!!) and cutting up the strawberries and washing the blueberries and then photographing it just for this crazy blog!!!! I realized that it truly is the simple things in life that make me happy!!! I gave up a date night just to go to dinner at Andrea and Pat's house with my parents and nieces and nephew.... my youngest child came by after his football dinner... we all had fun and we laughed and talked and joked.... we shared with each other what was going on this weekend... football games, us going to Jackson to see Holly and Brad... talked about Mitch and Britney and Layton going to the beach for Labor day.... talked about the fact that my parents are having my grandparents and great Aunts for the entire Labor Day Weekend!!!! (bless their hearts!) etc..... etc.... etc....

Maybe high blood pressure is over-rated!!! Maybe we all just need to make a salad and chill!!! I will keep you posted for sure!!!

Can't believe summer is over!!!

Where did the time go??? It flew by as we all tried to catch up to it!!!! Thats what I feel like... it doesn't matter what you are going through... moving, kids going to college, change of jobs, death in the family.... just life!!!!! Its the night before Miller starts his junior year in high school.... Holly has been here all weekend for Jordan's wedding.... how can all of this be over??? I'm sad... and yet I'm glad... my body is aching its so tired. I guess i'm truly getting old! The fact is.... life is hard right now... but its also fun!!! Its tiring... but its also invigorating!!!!! I think this is how God intended it to be.... we are moving forth... and yet I'm trying to hang back!!! I don't want to grow old...(looking that is!!!) I don't want to be that couple that can't hear each other and keeps yelling...."What did you say??" and yet... that is what we are becoming!!!! Somebody needs to sign me up for Zumba or something!!!! I can't give into this feeling of giving up and becoming old!!! And yet it almost feels easy!!! Oh well... I know I have a wonderful loving husband and we are about to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! I couldn't ask for a better husband, friend, soul mate... etc... I am truly blessed!!!!

Finally!!! It's just recipes!!!!!

OVERNIGHT CARAMEL FRENCH TOAST WITH BANANAS FOSTER SAUCE

1 Cup brown sugar

1/2 C butter

2 T light corn syrup

12 slices bread

1/4 C white sugar

1 t cinnamon

6 eggs

1 1/2 C milk

1 t vanilla

1 t cinnamon

-bring first 3 ingredients to a boil, stirring and then turn off!!! Pour in a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with 6 slices bread: sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon (save 1/2) top with other 6 slices bread and sprinkle with rest of cinnamon mix. I did double this part ( the cinn/sugar mixture) Beat eggs... (I used 8!) add milk.... and then I added 3/4 C fat free half and half!. add vanilla and cinnamon and pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Next morning... let sit out for 30 minutes and then bake, covered, at 350 for 45 minutes... uncover... bake 5 minutes more!!! Top with sauce!!!

SAUCE RECIPE

1 Cup brown sugar

1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 C banana liqueor

4 bananas sliced in chunks

1/4 C dark rum

combine butter, sugar, and cinnamon in skillet or flambe pan. over low heat... stir.... till disolved.. add liqueour, place bananas in pan stir till browned and softened, carefully add rum... ignite carefully to burn alcohol off... ( not easy!!! I had to have help!!) pour over individual servings of french toast!!!! YUMMY!!!!!

SUNDAY BRUNCH EGGS

12 slices canadian bacon

12 slices swiss cheese ( I used 1 C monterey jack instead and it was great!)

12 eggs

1 C whipping cream ( I used fat free half and half and it was great too!!)

1/3 C parmesean cheese

12 slices toast, optional.... we didn't do this only because we were having the french toast!!)

grease bottom of appropriately sized casserole dish so that canandian bacon fits up next to each other.... place canadian bacon down, sprinkle with monterey jack, bake for 5 minutes at 350... carefully break each egg over each canadian bacon round. Pour cream over all.... then I sprinkled very lightly... black pepper and tobasco sauce on top. Top with parmesean cheese. Bake at 375 till desired doneness for eggs..... 15-20 minutes is well done!!!

These were all very good!!!!!

I hope you enjoy!!!!!

don't ever be afraid to use fat free half and half in place of cream.... I do it all the time and its wonderful!!!! I wouldn't do it for company but its great on a day to day basis!!

Holly's Update!

Just a note to all of my dear friends that have been praying for Holly and Brad and all of us as we go through this "transition" time in their lives... Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, prayers, etc.... I am posting Holly's letter on here so that you can better understand what I've been talking about, ranting about(ha ha!!) and what God has been using in our lives to make us rely on Him for every detail!!! Thank you for your continued support and please do not stop praying for all of us!!! We need it more than ever!!!!!! Much love and many thanks!!!!!!!

carolyn

To such loving, praying, and faithful family & friends,

I would much rather prefer sharing with each of you in person about the current changes that are taking place in our lives. However, with emotions, energy, and time wearing thin, I realize that I am doing a poor job of keeping you all informed and updated - so I decided to start an email. Brad and I greatly need and appreciate your prayers, your encouragement, and your support during this next phase of our lives, so I am going to do my best to explain Brad's career with Chick-fil-A at this point to hopefully give you a better understanding of what's going on- - and to brag on the dedication and hard work of my sweet husband who I couldn't be more proud of!

Brad went through a series of interviews with business consultants and Human Resources (HR) in the Spring, and submitted his application to enter into the July 11-30 Interim Manager training class. After interviewing with about 30 guys at headquarters in Atlanta on June 23rd, Brad was one of 14 guys who got accepted. It has been re-iterated several times how great of an accomplishment this was. So Brad reported to Atlanta on July 11th- which was his birthday- to begin his Interim Manager (IM) class, and I moved to mom and dad's with Murphy and my clothes :) In the meantime, I was offered a 5-day K4 teaching job at Briarwood that I graciously declined. This was something extremely difficult for me, and my heart has transformed from anger, self-pity, and sorrow to gratefulness, joy, and contentment. I know full well that this is solely the power of the Holy Spirit working within me, and I have already learned SO much about submitting to the Lord's will for me. Through this process we have experienced a great deal of the unknown, waiting, anticipation, and just taking it one day at a time. My dear principal and friend, Liz Whatley, reminded me of something so true- that being in the unknown is exactly where the Lord wants me because my only option is to trust in His will and plan for us.

Week 1 of Brad's IM Class is complete- and let me tell you, it was a long week for me! I cleaned out my classroom, ate lunch with my wonderful K4 team, worked at Mulberry, and moved almost everything out of our apartment into our storage unit on 280! I am so very grateful for our amazing parents- mom, dad, Mark and Jennifer, Miller, Mitch, David, Wes, Arrington, Wes' friend Adam, and our sweet Samford friends Jessica and Josh. I don't know how else I would have gotten our furniture, washer and dryer, etc. down those stairs!! It has really bothered Brad that he isn't able to be here to help, and he is tremendously grateful for our family and friends as well! But Brad is so busy he barely has time to blink! A typical week for Brad includes getting up early to drive 45 minutes in 2 Chick-fil-A vans with all the guys to class which will last usually until 6:00 with a couple of short breaks. They take several tests, so nights include study sessions and sometimes homework. The wives (and children) are welcome to visit on the weekends, and I am SO grateful and glad I was able to go to Atlanta this past Saturday and Sunday. CFA took us to dinner in Stone Mountain, and then to a laser/light show on Saturday night. We all went to early church with Craig Carter (head of IM classes and the CFA IF Marketing Teams.... a.k.a. BIG WIG!) on Sunday, and then they took us to the Braves game where we sat up in Club Level and I didn't even break a sweat :) Then Sunday night Brad and I were able to go to Piedmont Park and eat dinner at Park Tavern together- we enjoyed this so very much! I was SO glad to be able to meet all of the great guys and some of their sweet wives, and to meet some of the CFA Corporates! It was tough leaving Monday morning- but thankfully Brad will be home Friday night to help finish packing up our apartment and spend time with me!

What you can be praying for this week is for strength, endurance, and rest for Brad as they have been told this is the longest week for them because every single day all they will be doing is food prep from 8:00 until 6:00. They will also be taking tests, and they are standing on their feet all day long. Also, Brad was told that they will be finding out their placements probably this week instead of next week. We have requested the South East, but it is still very up in the air. They will also be told whether or not they are going on August 1 or September 1. Once we go, they will give us a completely furnished apartment that they choose. During Brad's time as an Interim Manager (also known as a Temporary Operator), he could possibly move around a few times- all depending on where CFA needs him. The average stay for an IM is 1.5 years. We know guys who have gone for 6 months, and we know guys who have gone 2 years. It just all depends...

I realize this is lengthy, but I felt that it is important to share with those who are so important to me. I will let you know where the Lord is taking us as soon as I am able to. Again I thank you more than you know for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving us!

We sure love you!!!

Holly Nichols

Psalm 37:5

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."

I want God's Best!!!!!!

As I'm sitting here after walking the dogs... we have Holly's dog with us while she is visiting Brad in Atlanta... after cleaning out yet another closet to begin making room for some of Holly and Brad's "things", after doing the treadmill, packing up Miller's toys from age two to 16!!!! I am finally sitting down and able to reflect on all of my emotions that have run amuck these past few weeks!!! I know I have said too much... I have probably sent many of you to a wonderful nights sleep after boring you with way too many details!!!! and yet, I also think I may have confused alot of you because I wasn't "allowed" to say anything about Holly and Brad moving, or her not being able to continue teaching, etc.... My heart was truly breaking in a million pieces and it was my only way of talking it out so to speak!! Thank you so much for listening, caring and especially praying during all of this!! As I sat in church today and looked around at so many people that have been influential in my life over the years.... I was so thankful!!! As I listened to George Shamblin teach a fabulous Sunday School lesson... I was humbled.... most of all.... I am so grateful that God is giving Holly and Brad an opportunity to move forward with their lives in ways that I can't control!!! I'm beginning to see how exciting this can be... that its not a bad thing for her to move away... its just very different from what I would have chosen!! However, as a dear friend so sweetly pointed out to me.... God loves Holly a whole lot more than I do!!! His best for her is so much better than my best for her!!!! Its a great and reassuring feeling to know that!!! Its comforting to me and and its exciting to me to see what God is going to do in their lives!!!! Hopefully, they will end up in Birmingham..... I'm just praying now that I will make the most of this new phase in life... that I will be available to help them when needed, that I will be available to my other 4 precious children!!!! Mitch, Britney, Layton and Miller!!! That I will focus on each one of them as well as Holly and Brad and that as a family we will all grow even closer because of this new chapter in our lives!!! Truth be known.... I'm praying that I won't cry when I talk to them in a minute because they just called and are on speaker phone to hear how Murphy's been (their dog!) and to hear us be excited about everything thats taken place this week for Brad in Atlanta!!!! I'm getting the tissues out now and splashing cold water on my face!!! I MUST sound excited!!! :) and I truly am!!!! but I will never lie and I will never hide my emotions..... except to spare them and for now.... I will not cry and I will listen and I will be excited.... and I really am excited since I havent heard Brad's voice in over a week!!! I know they've enjoyed this time together and I'm so glad Holly got to go stay with him for the weekend!! Went to the Brave's game with all of the other Chick fil A interim management guys, sat in Club Level seats and truly enjoyed themselves!!!

Thank you for listening and especially for all you that have prayed for us during these past few weeks!! Please don't stop!!! I truly believe it is the only reason I have peace in my heart and I am able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak!!!!!! These verses in Isaiah really spoke to me tonight so I will share them and then go get on speaker phone with a smile in my heart!!!! (and hopefully on my face as well!!!! :)

Isaiah 55: 8-9 " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

All I have to say to that is HALLELUIAH!!!!!!

Thank You!

This is just a very quick note to all of you that have written me personal messages of encouragement... I truly appreciate it!! Words cannot express how much I appreciate it because it is hard to get on here and truly be yourself... however, it is honest to goodness therapy for me!!! Right now I am so tired.... just tired beyond belief... emotionally, physically and spiritually. For those of you that are excited for us.... keep praying for excitement for me!!! For those of you that want to be close to your children.... I will keep being honest with you about life!!! and I commit to praying for true closeness with you and your child... and with you and the Lord!!! For those of you anticipating change.... whether it be a child going to college, a child getting married, or children moving away... you are on my heart most of all!!!! Enjoy this new phase... embrace it and make the most of every new opportunity!!!! I'm praying for this for our family!!!! I'm praying for "stamina" for all of us!!! In more ways than you can ever imagine!!!!!

And for now, thanks be to God, the Author and Giver of Life... who has for now... blessed me with these!!!!!!

good night..

Another Season In Life

And here we sit.... me, jim, miller, holly...and the dogs!!! Laughing, talking, throwing the ball to the dogs.... trying to find out about miller's weekend at the lake... and it hits me... Holly is here!!! moved in, back home, took a long hot bath, which was always her favorite thing to do here!!!! and she had helped us clean out all of her dorm stuff from the attic today!!! in the 100 degree heat!!! I think we sweated off atleast.... 2 lbs?? maybe?? I sure hope so!! My back hurts, I'm exhausted beyond belief....and then I look over at my precious baby girl on her laptop in her pink Seaside t-shirt....and my heart is glad!!!!! Ok.... enough reminiscing!!!! I'm glad she still WANTS to come home and sit with us and that we are still as close as we are!!! I'm GLAD that Brad was chosen to go into the interim management program with Chik-fil-A... I'm glad that they are so in love and that they choose to move forward with their married lives!!!! I would be a fool to not want that for them!!!! Thank You, Lord for allowing them this opportunity!!!!! I have cried myself to sleep many a night while I couldn't talk about this opportunity for them.... I've felt sorry for myself... VERY sorry for myself!! But most of all.... I am so very proud of them and so thankful that God blessed Holly with Brad for a husband!! His birthday is today!! Which is making it harder for Holly!!! She made him the best breakfast this morning and instead of crying (like I would have done at her age!) she came over and we have truly moved a mountain!!!!! We packed them up yesterday... there is still much to do!!! We cleaned out our attic and some closets... and we anticipate them living here for a brief while before Brad is told where he will be.... I know it all seems strange and a bit CIAish.... it does to us atleast!!! But Brad has done a great job with this company and we are so proud of him for being chosen to move forward!!!! What my friends need to pray for is that my selfishness of wanting them to remain in Birmingham would be changed to my excitement of what lies ahead for them!!!! One of my main fears is that I am losing my best friend besides my husband!! The best friend of my youngest son.... the encourager of my husband, oldest son and family, etc..... basically, the core of our family!!! I'm sad that she had to give up her wonderful kindergarten teaching job at Briarwood... the dream job she truly lived for!!!! I'm just plain sad and I'm glad I can finally say it!!!! However... I learned a very long time ago that God turns sadness into singing.... sorrow into Joy and that no matter what we want.... HIS BEST IS ALWAYS BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!! i don't want anything in my life that isnt ordained by Him!!! its just not worth it!!!! Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Psalms 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You"

Lord, help us through these next few weeks, months, possibly even years!!! We want to glorify you!!!!