Sometimes..You Got To Getaway.

A last minute decision, turned out to be the most fun weekend of the Summer.

Some friends told us about this beautiful hotel with a water slide and lazy river.

 It didn't take us long to decide....as we threw our cloths into the suit case.

 A quick search on Expedia and we were off to Orlando.

 We drove straight to the hotel and didn't leave all weekend.
The boy went round and round on the water slide (we did too :)

I just love water slides!

When we were not twirling on the slide, we were a float on the lazy river.

I just love a LAZY river! 

 We shared delicious food. Steak Marsala makes my mouth water.

 Then we suited back up for more LAZY river. Only thing we could do after a meal like that..is be LAZY.

No theme parks, no expensive tickets, no walking around until our legs ache,

 just a relaxing weekend getaway.
We fell in love with this hotel.

It is beautiful and new. Very reasonably priced, considering you get hotel and water park combined for less than one theme park admission ticket. Who needs Disney, when you can float the LAZY river all day.

We cherished this weekend together.
A few days of togetherness without thinking of our business.

Which btw, is getting  closer to opening. We have our shop, our county approval, licenses, appliances (most of them), waiting on furniture, waiting on some minor construction of walls, plumbing, painting, and the fun part decorating. Even if I am restricted, to decorating with a sports theme.lol..
Figured out what it is yet??

I'll post a few pictures of the shop next time...as a clue;)

Sweet Blessings!

~Brandi

Remember When?

Yaw, know I'm an old fashioned kind of girl.
Well, if you didn't know, now you do.

I love everything old and country this includes my TV 'wachin'. I even talk country(in my countrified twang :)

My favorite program has always been The Waltons. I have loved this show since I was a little girl.

A couple years ago they took it off the air, the reruns, I mean. I have missed watching all those Walton gatherings and the happenings of this God fearing, Blue Ridge mountain living family(btw,I dream of living in the Blue Ridge mountains someday).

 Sadly, in today's reality television watching society, The Walton's just didn't carry an audience. Except Me!!  Maybe a few others!  I miss programs like this. Good clean shows, where families gathered around dinner tables and prayed, the ladies were 'ladies', and men agreed over hand shakes. Their word was honest and good. Little House on the Prairie is another goodie.

Times were hard for families back then, but they were simpler.  Most folks had good values, faith in Jesus, and where honest hard working family.  Flash forward to modern day, we are doing our best to live and instill these values in our children. Trying to train our boy to understand the biblical principle for hard work. Raising my daughter to love serving a family. This family for now and one day her own. Of course, to hear it from her four year old heart, she's going to marry daddy. No other love for her...just daddy. Daddy's girl that one! I'm thankful her daddy has her sweet heart. She will hold any man that comes a courting (someday), in comparison to her daddy. He is a good man, so the bar is set high. I pray for the man that comes along after her high spirited heart. I do pray for the future match for my children.  Speaking of  'old fashionness', I hope my children embrace courting verses the all too 'casual' dating seen of today. You know what I'm talking about. How much dating did you do before marrying? Unfortunately, I did my share. Hoping to spare them that part of this world. 

Thanks to Netflix, I have been watching all my favorite episodes of The Waltons. We all have! Just like the Waltons gathering around their radio, we all gather around the lcd hdtv(not my purchase,the man chose it) to watch their show. OK, so not "just like" them :) But I do watch with my needle and thread in hand just like Ma Walton did.
Close enough!

GoodNight John Boy.

It's a Beautiful Life

I love our home school life. 

I miss teaching them when we take a break from 'doing' school.

Learning and life go hand in hand.

 My boy and I, have spent the Summer evening's reading through his children's Bible.
We are just about to finish with it, and then begin reading through his junior Bible.

It has more of the details in it.

This child absorbs the Word. He never lets me slide on our readings.  Every night, he reminds me that we have to read. I ask him questions and he can give me detailed responses.

He knows it! He gets it!

His eight year old heart breaths it in and retains the teachings.

 I learn so much from him.
My mother's heart cannot contain the joy of knowing my son loves the Lord so deeply.
I truly, cannot hope for a greater blessing.

 She loves Jesus too, and she loves playing with flour.

Teaching the little lady how to read this year, and colors, numbers...and anything else we decide to learn together :)

Pouring myself into them.
Living this life to serve my family.
Teaching, learning, and loving them every minute I can.

My friendly neighbor asked me the other day, "do you plan to always home school them."
Absolutely!
To home school my children is a blessing.

A great blessing to us all.

~Brandi

Kenpo Karate Kid

 For the longest time, he wouldn't move from my side.
Shy and timid little guy...he was. No longer is he that bashful boy.
Everyday, growing up and into the young man he is becoming.

 We prayed for an activity that would be suited for him. Something he liked, but would also teach life long skills. Most importantly, a boost to his self confidence. 

 We decided on Kenpo.  A street smart self-defense form of Karate.  In Kenpo, they are instructed to respect adults (yes sir/mam), to be thankful and gracious, to help others, to keep himself and his room tidy. The instructor is a kind Christian man and my boy is loving this course.

 Showing off his moves.

 I have to choke back my tears as I watch him in class.
(Who cries during Karate...I do...but don't tell him that :)
He makes me so proud to be his mama.

He blesses my life with his.

Celebrating Life

You are the great love of my life.
There can be no other.
I gave you my heart fourteen years ago.

 

You have it still!
Thank you for walking this life with me.

Loving you, with all that I am.

Help Meet

One Who Helps

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;

I will make a HELP MEET for him." -Genesis 2:18

The Bible teaches that it is the wife's duty to HELP her husband. You may not agree with that, but it is God's plan. Many women have simply sold-out to the ungodly influences of the feminist movement and refuse to accept any such teaching. There is no greater role for a woman in this world than being at her husband's side.

Many foolish women have DESTROYED their husbands!

"A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands." -Proverbs 14:1

A wise wife builds her family. She can be the most influential power in her husband's life. With her tongue, a wise women can encourage and build her husband up. She can pray over his mind, body, and soul. The same as a foolish woman with a sharp tongue can shred a man to nothing.

Submission

"In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives."

-1 Peter 3:1-6

Let us remember, that Sarah obeyed Abraham, even called him lord.This is greatly admirable for any woman. Sarah's use of the word "lord" was simply her way of saying, "Hey, your the boss Abraham!" Sarah was loyal.

Submission is a biblical principle spoken of throughout God's Word.

"For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is head of the church." -Ephesians 5:22

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is filling for those who belong to the Lord."

-Colossians 3:18

To offer balance both scriptures go on to include instruction for the husband to love his wife, as Christ loves the church (the "Bride").

A home will never be a home if a man and woman refuse to accept their proper roles in the marriage. A husband must be understanding, not a tyrant, committed to God, and an honest man, fair to his wife and kids. A woman must be submissive to her husband and obedient, but the husband must allow her to express her opinions and be fair about the decisions he makes.

Ladies, when you refuse to be a HELP MEET to your husband and submit to his authority, you are allowing the devil to gain entrance into your marriage.

"She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life...Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

-Proverbs 31:10-12, 28

~"You can name anything you want to name, but I am opposed to anything in the world that de-emphasizes the line of difference between the sexes. I believe that ladies ought to be feminine and sweet and lovely and charming. I believe men ought to be strong and masculine and decisive. I'm opposed to anything that makes a man and a woman act alike, look alike, dress alike, or talk alike." -Pastor Jack Hyles

One Step at a Time

Starting a business, is like climbing a mountain one single step at a time.Just when, you think you've cleared the pass, you look up at the challenge that awaits in the miles ahead.

We scouted out buildings for three months. A facility large enough for our plans, but not too big with empty space to fill. It had to be affordable. We found something usable, but really old and kinda small. Though, the location and lease was perfect. Zoning shot us down really quick. We would repeat this scenario three times. Each time finding something a little better, but always an issue. Finally, the right place. We actually looked at this same site three years ago, yes, we have been planning this for along time. A very long time.

At this point, we are about to sign the lease. Just as soon as 'zoning' approves our plans. I think this time will be the "YES" we have been hoping for. Jason has to go before the County Commissioner's August 17. It's just a formality, some of the commissioners have already given him the thumbs up. Parking was the only question and they worked that out.

We formed the corporation this week. Yeah!!
Passing the point of no return now.
Praying through every move we make, and every person we speak with. Thankful for the guidance we have received and the prayers.