Have you ever wanted something, but got something else instead? How did that work out for ya?

Today was the first day of seventh grade for one hundred and eleven students at Robbinsville Middle School.

It was a good first day. Most of the students were nervous to begin a school year in a new school with new teachers and unfamiliar surroundings. I always love the first day. I love first impressions. And I love teachable moments.

The quote for the day was a quote by Kahlil Gibran
"The significance of a man is not what he attains, but rather in what he longs to attain."

I love this quote because it is an excellent ice breaker to get the kids talking about what they want in life. I ask the question "Have you ever wanted something really bad and got something else instead?"

I always get a lot of head nods. We discuss things they got and then I share a favorite Elvis story….

I tell the class how poor Elvis' family was. Did you know that his twin brother died at birth and it is told that he was buried in a shoe box because they couldn't afford a coffin? That's poor….

Then I tell them about a trip to the store that Elvis and his mom took on one of his birthdays. Elvis wanted a bicycle, but his mom couldn't afford to buy him a bike. She bought him a guitar instead!

Now, what if Elvis had gotten a bicycle instead of a guitar? History may have been rewritten! Elvis received a guitar and developed a love for music and discovered his beautiful voice that led him to become known by the world as the King of Rock and Roll!

Think about it….maybe you didn't get what you wanted, but you probably have all you need to make life all you dream it to be!

Back to School!!!!

August brings changes not only in the weather…but in the routine we fall into during the lazy days of summer. With Clancy moved into her apartment at UTK, I am settling into my new routine. 

Yesterday was our first day back at school for teachers. We had a professional development workshop, and I decided I want to be a life coach in my next career! It sounds like fun!

  I refuse to be a victim to my circumstances and I want to help others learn to accept their situations and make a life that they can enjoy and be proud of! 

Then last night we had our seventh grade orientation and met our new students and parents. I worked from 9am until 9pm! For this little lazy teacher, going from not working to working a 12 hour day is quite exhausting.

This morning I got up at 5 am! Really! That's a big change for me. I like my sleep! I had time for my devotion and wrote a few pages on my novel, did a load of laundry, washed dishes and even got to go to my mom's for a cup of coffee and a visit with Cam before school. I'm one tired little chick this evening, but I have accomplished my goals for the day and I am happy.

I am discovering the reality more each day that I am responsible for my own happiness and I am growing in the Lord and my relationships with others. I think it's a great place to be!

New Beginnings!

It's the last week of "normal" at Mudd Manor! On Sunday, my baby girl will move into an apartment at UTK! Very mixed emotions going on inside of me. I am so happy for her and so proud of her. Yet this is a new beginning for both of us.

I don't dread or fear empty nest…As a matter of fact, I am so ready for this stage of my life. I have the most amazing children, and I was blessed to stay home with them when they were young. I have a wonderful husband who has put up with a lot over the past 27 years and still loves me anyway, lol.

But now I feel it is time for "me". I look forward to getting up early and going to the fitness trail, or eating cereal for supper and coming home from school and climbing into the bed for a short nap before I begin whatever I decide to do for the evening.

And let's not forget that grand baby Cam who keeps this Lolli wrapped around his finger. For obvious reasons, when his "C" is around, Lolli is completely ignored. Cassidy is beginning a new job as a speech therapist for an elementary school, and I am also excited to be able to share the same schedule as she has and hopefully do some mother-daughter-Cam bonding.

Sweetgum Youth Program is thriving with a new creation curriculum that started out as a summer program but will definitely be going through the Fall months. It is so wonderful to see young people grow in the Lord, and I am blessed to be a part of the wonderful group of adults who are working hard to make our program a success. Check out our Facebook page! Sweetgum Baptist Church! 

I am three-fourths of the way through with my first novel, "I will see you in Glory!" Very exciting!!! I can't wait to share excerpts. Stay tuned!

I am also building a webpage that will carry my blog and my writings. It is very much under construction but stay tuned!

I would like to recommend a new book….

Claire Cook has truly been an inspiration to my writing!

I actually had the pleasure of meeting Claire at the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference in the spring. She is an amazing author!

This is the perfect book to start evaluating your life and deciding what you want out of life…then…make it happen. After all, "It's never too late!"

Summer Memories!!!!

Lake Fun with Cam!

Fourth of July Fun!!!!

   Graduation Beach Trip….Congratulations Clancy!!!!!!

Congratulations Clancy!!!!!

Our number three child has completed her journey through high school and will begin her journey in life!

So proud of the amazing young woman she has become. She is a breath of fresh air to my sometimes stale existence. Someone once told me I was either a ray of sunshine or a storm cloud on the horizon and …..well, I guess she is a lot like her mom lol.

Baccalaureate Ceremony at First Baptist

Great Friends

and 

Family!!!!!

How do you say goodbye to a part of yourself? How do you let go of your future? My family learned this past week that it is with lots of tears and dependence on a God of Great Promises.

 A love story…..

In 1984, my brother Todd began dating his friend from work. Karen had fixed him up with several of her friends over the months, but none of them had clicked. So….Todd took Karen on a date. I won’t say it was love at first sight. Karen and Todd had grown up in the same church and attended the same school all of their lives. They knew each other, and that was about it. But when they decided to take that first date-everything changed!

After dating a couple of months, Todd knew Karen was his soul mate. He bought a ring. Karen had been fighting some health issues for a few months and making trips to the dr. Ironically, just as they were getting engaged, Karen was finding out she had cancer. The doctors gave her six months to live.

Everyone who knew Todd began to give him advice. They told him that not marrying would be best for everyone. They encouraged him to let go before it hurt too bad, but Todd refused. He said he would take 6 months or 6 days, whatever he could get with her…..Karen and Todd celebrated their 28^th Wedding Anniversary in December, 2013. 

The Lord blessed them with many years together. She was his soul mate, his best friend, his wife, and his world. Many months throughout their days together they faced hardships. She battled a heart aneurism and many complications from her chemo treatments, which damaged her lungs terribly. Todd had both hips replaced twice. She took care of him, and he took care of her.

On Tuesday, April 22, I watch Todd tell her goodbye. She lost her battle with illness, but won sweet victory in Jesus. I try to be there for my brother. His hurt runs so deep that all I can do is pray for the Lord to place a little of his hurt on my heart so I may help ease the burden. I hurt too. I lost my sister of 28 years, my confidant, my friend. I am comforted in knowing she is with Jesus. She is with her mother Emogene, her sister Ellen, and brothers Michael, and David. We will see her again.

Please pray for my family.

I'm Back.....

Seems like I've had so much going on that I have neglected to stay in touch. I vow to do better! So much going on as the school year winds down. We just finished our extended day schedule so we would be getting out of school in early June...that was taxing!

Springtime has brought many surprises...including 80 degree weather and a few days later...snow!

Our church is getting ready for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Stay tuned for pics of the event (Pray for sunshine and no rain or snow on Saturday!)

Fifty-one and holding!!!!!!!

It's hard to believe I am 51 years old. I am so blessed to see fifty-one years without major illness or disease. I've had my broken bones, broken heart,  and discomfort along the way, but I have escaped any life-threatening issues. My family is my source of joy and inspiration. That sounds so cliche, I know, but it is so true! Blessed, so very blessed.

This past year has brought so much joy to my life....in March we welcomed my first grandchild to our family, Camden Tripp Adams.

                        What a joy he has been! No wonder they call them "GRAND"!!!!!!!!!

Spending time with my family is my favorite pass time, and in June the ladies in the family took a road trip to one of my favorite destinations...Graceland!

From left to right: me, Cassidy and Cam, Clancy, My Mom, My Aunt Alice, My sister-in-law Kaye and my niece Elizabeth

This was one of the best trips ever! My mom and my aunt are big Elvis fans, one of the many reasons I myself love Elvis so much :) My sister-in-law and my niece were excited to see Graceland as well. Kaye, my mom and my Aunt Alice all had to joy of seeing Elvis in concert. We were thrilled to introduce Lizzie and Cam to all things Elvis, and Cassidy, being a brand new mom was thankful for a break and enjoyed bonding with her "mommy mentors".

Before we arrived at Memphis we made an overnight stop in Nashville and stayed at the famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It was amazing! Definitely a must see if you are in Nashville. While we were there Clancy, Elizabeth and I went to the Opry! Loved it! All three of us!

Of course our summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to Panama City Beach, Florida! Our home away from home. Nothing can compare to a week at the beach with no ringing phones, no meetings or appointments, no chores or obligations....the only place I can enjoy myself without feeling guilty for not "doing something".

          This is one of our favorite places. Nothing like spending time with the one you love!
                             (In April, Eddie and I celebrated our 26th Anniversary!)

          Summer wouldn't be complete without several trips to Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge, TN!
This was Cam's first trip, but definitely not his last. We get season passes and try to go at least once each season...Spring with the excitement of new rides opening, Summer fun with water rides and games, Fall with the Craft shows and Gospel Music Groups, and Winterfest with everything Christmas and lights!

                             Neyland Stadium with my peeps!  GO VOLS!

Clancy, Eddie and I took a road trip to Knoxville, TN to visit the campus of University of Tennessee. Clancy has been accepted into the Pre-pharmacy program at UT hoping to begin classes in the fall!

Too Soon Summer was over and it was back to school!

It's so hard to imagine that Clancy is a senior this year!

She has
been
        sooo much fun!!!!

She is so much like me
                        it is scary!!












We had little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf
visit on Halloween!!!







And a visitor from my favorite TV show...."A" joined us for a PLL season opener!

















We took in a Lisa Marie Presley Concert in Shelby, NC

Thanksgiving was spent with all 3 of my children! Such a blessing! We have had a rough year being a family and getting to spend quality time together. We spent the holiday in Knoxville. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings the Lord has given and my children are my greatest blessing!

Our Christmas was celebrated with a....family trip to Graceland!!!! (Hey anytime I can get there ok?)

This was one of my most special Christmas's ever! My kids are grown and going in their own directions in life. What a joy to be on a road trip with just Me and my kids and grand baby! We had an amazing time!

For my 51st Birthday, Clancy made me a card with 50 reasons why she loves me!!!!!!

                                                 I cried! Fifty-one years of blessings!