Words to teach,
Words to chasten,
Words of peace.

Words to comfort,
Words of cheer,
Words to remember
Words so dear. ……Tonja…..2/16/08…..

Just a word of thanks to my husband. He works very hard, and is committed to running our business with Christian principles. He is a tough taskmaster, but very fair. He appreciates his customers and lets them know it. His employees respect him. He designed and built a state-of-the-art new store 7 years ago. We sell motorcycles, ATV’s, and watercraft, as well as accessories. My Pop started this business over 50 years ago, selling only 1 brand, now we sell 6. Don became owner quite a few years ago, but Pop is still an integral part of the business. The plans are for Ian to come in when he completes his Master’s in May.

For the last 4 years, Donald has been selected as one of the “Top 100 Dealers” in the country. He is at the convention now, and has just called me to say that he was in the top 5! That is amazing news!

God has blessed our business tremendously, and in turn, we have used our business to bless others. It has prospered through His grace, and Don, with God’s help, has continued to guide it to grow and prosper even more. This is not something we take lightly. God has been very good to us and to Him goes all the glory!

“Thank-you, God.” “Thank-you, Don.”

As I had told you, I was home sick yesterday..wallowing in misery…feeling awful.
When Don got home, though, even in my sick and weakened state, I could tell something was up. He came into the room, with that little boy, kinda guilty look on his face…you know what kind of face I’m talking about. “Well, I did it!, ” he said. Words that cause a catch in my heart. “What did you do?” I asked sweetly. “I went ahead and did it, ” he said again. Obviously, he was stalling. (Now, let me say that my DH is not one to do things frivolously. He is the most logical, think-things-through kind of guy. He NEVER buys things on impulse…he never DOES things on impulse. Actually, he likes to talk things through…backwards and forwards…up one side and down the other…and upside down…again and again and again. And the only thing we have been MAJOR discussing lately were the house plans. So, I had no idea where this confession was going.) “Donald,” I said, “just go ahead and tell me what you did.” So he starts in on this long list of events that started yesterday morning. I heard every step he took and every word he spoke leading up to 1:00 yesterday afternoon. Whereupon he departed from our town with my Pop and a good friend of his, and set his sites on Lake Eufaula. Now in this area of the country, this is THE place to fish. And, he loves to fish, and Pop loves to fish, and my boys love to fish. And his good friend had bought a place at said Lake a few months ago. Well, this good friend had heard about a place that had just become available and it would be just “perfect” for Don and the guys. So naturally, they went up to see it. And, according to Donald, “it was everything I had ever wanted in a lake place.” So, he did it! He bought it …on the spot…right then and there! It is a mobile home…3 BR..2 Baths…central air….fully furnished…new beds and furniture…fully equipped kitchen, large covered deck with nice furniture, washer and dryer, t.v. He says, “I thought you wouldn’t want to have to worry about doing all that stuff, so I thought this would make it easier on you.” RIII-IGHT! Now, I am not a person who enjoys the lake. There is nothing happening there. It is sooo quiet….too quiet. There is nowhere to go. Nothing close by. No where to go out and eat. I do not like to swim in the lake and there is no where to lay out. Give me the beach any day. But, this was not about me…this was about him and the boys and Pop. And, they are all like a bunch of little boys talking about their first camping trip. They love to go and sit in the boat and hunt down the fish, and convince the fish to catch hold of their lines, then clean the fish, and cook the fish and eat the fish. And that, to them , is a fine way to spend the day…and the next day…and the next. I could lose my mind! ANYWAY…HE DID IT! He signed the papers this morning, and he has a lake place. And, I am happy for him, and the boys and Pop, and the rest of the male members of the family. I think that anything that keeps the family spending time together and gives them a wholesome, relaxing activity to participate in is great. They can leave the boats there and take the watercraft down with them. And, they’ll have a ball. So, all is well, he is happy…and I am happy he is happy! But, as I told him…this does not mean that is vacation central for us now. We still have to make our annual trek to the beach! And I got his promise on that!

Thanks, Kat for these special awards. And, I see that I am sharing them with the “B” Club…those Beautiful, Babbling, Boisterous, Blogging, Babes! Can I get a ‘Buzz’ from my “B” sisters….we rock…oh yes we do!

I think I will pass these awards along to Angie, at By Faith….Angie.
Enjoy, my friend!

I always look for special cards for my men…early, too, as soon as they are put out…so I won’t forget. Then the 14th arrives and I remember the cards…I forgot to send them. Well, at least I can hand it to them…well, if I can find it, that is…..not much chance of that…..SO….

—————————————————————
****To the men in my life, whom I hold dear,**************
****Your valentine is coming by blog this year.***********

****I think you are special, I think you are great.*******
****So here are my reasons, numbered 1 through 8.*********

————————————————————–
**** DONALD ****

1. your integrity
2. your provision for our family
3. your calm, level-headed thinking (but,it DOES make me crazy, sometimes)
4. the way you care for Mom and Pop.
5. you can always find something to laugh at (corny stuff)
6. the way you serve God
7. the example you set for our boys
8. I know that I am loved by you…I am secure in that.

**** ADAM ****

1. you are the one who made me a mother
2. your smile lights up my soul
3. you dug down and found the strength to take a different road through life
4. you recognize and give credit for those who have shown grace and mercy toward you
5. you, in turn, are quick to show grace and mercy to others…you learned well
6. you are developing the talent God gave you and honoring Him with it
7. your heart is tender, and full of empathy
8. you were wise enough to marry Suze and give me a Daughter to love.

**** ALEX ****

1. You are my sunshine
2. you are true gentleman
3. you show concern for others, even in your own distress
4. you trust in God’s wisdom
5. your mind is amazing…you know so much about so much
6. you are patient (most of the time) teaching me the computer
7. you are so appreciative of others
8. I think you understand me, most of all

**** IAN ****

1. You were born with a tenacious spirit, and it has not waned a bit.
2. You love people…and people love you…because you are interested in them.
3. You had a hard road to travel, but have never felt sorry for yourself.
4. Instead of wondering about things, you learn all you can about them.
5. You are a leader among your peers…they respect you and your direction.
6. You give me a shoulder of strength and comfort when I need it.
7, You are willing to take your off time to share with others.
8. You honor the Lord in the way you live your life.

**** POP ****

1. You finally quit pinching me in church when I was a little girl.
2. you gave me the confidence to believe I could do anything.
3 You taught me to love to read.
4. You raised me in church.
5 You still show me how to ‘keep on keeping on’.
6. You gave me a sister.
7. You love my mother and treat her with tenderness and respect.
8 I can have faith and trust completely in my Heavenly Father, because I have
faith and trust completely in my earthly Father.

And, now**** SCOOTER ****

1. No one…NO ONE..is as glad to see me as you are!
2. No one…NO ONE..wags their tail for me like you do!
3. You love me unconditionally…all the time…every day!
4. You are my boy, too, even if you have 4 legs instead of 2.
5. You never complain about what I serve you.
7. You are happiest with even the smallest treat
8. You never question my judgement…I’m always the boss!

********NOW YOU NEXT 5 ARE SPECIAL AND DEAR,*************
********IT’S ALWAYS A PLEASURE WHEN YOU ARE NEAR!********

TOMMY…you show great love for my sister and for my family…I am proud YOU are my brother. You are the only one who understands the ‘old book thing’. You are a mighty prayer warrior for our family, and spend much time helping track down doctors. You do this out of love…and it makes you even MORE special to me.

WILL…You are so great to my sweet Tara, and I count you as my nephew…you are great in SS, and even if you do enjoy the hunt…I still think you have a compassionate heart.

BEN…What a delight to get to know you! I am thankful Lori has you…and I know you love her. I gladly add you to my list of “special men in my life”.

BILL…you are a friend through and through, and your respect and love for my Pop touches my heart. I fully trust him in your hands. But, next time y’all are in the woods, turn off the motors and listen….someone may be trying to talk to you…:)

UNCLE ALLISON…You have been an example before my eyes since I was a little girl. You never waiver or change. You stand steadfast…and show us all how to live and love. I am still amazed at the wisdom that you speak.