Snakeaphobia

Maybe someone out there will understand my nightmare come true that happened tonight. I am snakeaphobic, I don't think that is the scientific word for it, but whatever it is, I am it. I have been since I was little. Can't watch them on tv, can't look at pictures in a book, and forget the reptile house at the zoo. No way!

Well, tonight at my parent's house, who live on 5 acres, I was heading outside to start packing my car to leave in the morning, and I opened the backdoor only to find a snake lying on the door frame of the house. PRAISE GOD I looked down before stepping out!!!! I slammed the door, screamed bloody murder and preceded to run to the kitchen, jump up on the counter, and sit in the fetal position crying my eyes out. My mom figured out very quickly what I was doing, and by that time my step-dad had come out to see what the screaming was all about, and my mom told him to kill it. So out he went with a flashlight and a hoe, and I did not get off the kitchen counter until I saw him carrying it away. He said it was just a rat snake, and they both apologized profusely, and promised to take some snake barring measures before we come back in a few weeks. Needless to say, the packing of the car will wait until sunrise.

Now, here is my dilemma. I don't want to pass my fear on to my children. Cooper didn't seem to care. Just looked at me like I was crazy. But my reaction freaked Cade out a little bit. My mom tried to laugh it off so it wouldn't seem so bad, but I'm sure seeing their mom in the fetal position crying might stick with them for awhile. I have a very real fear, but how do I face it and fake it I guess, so that they don't see that? If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. And you can pray that I don't have horrific nightmares tonight.

The one that got away!

We went to our "farm" in Logansport this weekend and the kids had a blast! We went fishing, rode on the 4-wheeler, picked peaches and just plain got dirty! Cooper was so close to catching the only fish of the day. He was reeling it in as hard as he could! It jumped out of the water and we all saw that it was a big bass, so Papa took over but it still got off the hook at the last second. We were so disappointed. And of course the camera wasn't on at that point so you'll just have to believe me!

Our summer so far...

I'm at my mom's with high speed internet, so here are some pictures from our summer so far.

Galveston with Jason's family









Backyard Fun!

All is well...

Jason's dad is going home tomorrow. There was no damage to his heart from the attack, and the doctor is very pleased about his condition. He will have to take some meds everyday for the rest of his life, but we are just so thankful that he has a rest of his life to live. God is good.

There were so many people praying for us, Wayne really didn't have a choice but to get better. That was something that was so encouraging to me. You realize who really cares about you in situations like this. People from all over the state of Texas and the country, really, were praying and calling to check on us. I am so thankful for the people that God has placed around us to support and uplift us. I can't imagine going through things like this without the Lord and without the Christian people who support us.

I'll be at my mom's week after next, who has high speed internet. So I will post as many pictures as possible in the time I'm there. I'll be there because my sweet husband will be at middle school and then high school camp. Fun, Fun. I am just too old for that!

Wake up call

This won't be one of those funny, uplifting blog entries today, but hopefully encouraging none the less.

I have been learning some lessons the last few weeks because of some sad, emotional things in my life. My paternal grandfather, Porter Crow, passed away a few weeks ago from cancer. He lived in Florda my whole life, so I only saw him maybe ten times. I didn't know him very well, but I've been reading entries that people have been writing about him in a online guest book, and he impacted the lives of so many people for the better. I know he had been turned off of organized religion many years ago, and I often wondered about his spiritual life. According to many of these people who have written, he was a strong man of faith who encouraged, uplifted, challenged and inspired many people. So I have been reminded to try to get to know people, their authentic person, because you may otherwise miss someone who could impact your life. And I have been reminded not to judge people's spirituality because of what I might see in very brief moments or heard through the grapevine. Only the Lord can judge a man's heart.

http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=88170027

The other thing is very current. Jason's father, Wayne, had a massive heart attack yesterday. Jason is in Paris with his family, waiting until they are able to run some tests to see how bad it really is. He and Sandra were just here this last weekend, and we spent some wonderful time together at the beach in Galveston. As I was packing Jason's bag, I had a shocking thought. What was my last moment with Wayne while he was here? I had run an errand before they left, and I remembered that he had been taking a nap on the couch, but luckily, I woke him before I left to tell him goodbye and thank him for coming and I loved him. So, God willing everything will be fine, but at least I know that I had given him a big hug last time I saw him. Tell people that you love them whenever you can, because you just never know! Hug your parents, your spouse and your kids!

Please pray for Wayne, and I will keep you updated. Thanks for listening.