To Know Me, Is To Love Me

If you ever got the chance to know this little character, you'd know someone special. He is my grandson, Isaac James. He is 17 months old now....and just as sweet and special as he was the day he was born. He is one curious little bug. You can't keep his hands out of anything. He is into all he can get into. We have such fun times with him....and I steal as much lovin' as possible....all he will grant me. He will always be special to me. "ALWAYS!"

How Do You???

How do you pick up your life and piece it back together after you lose everything? I wish someone would show me. I am so scared. It is going to happen, I just know it is. It could be anytime - anytime. I know some people care, some don't. I want to survive. I have always tried to do right by my bills and pay them as I could. It don't look like I am going to be able to save my home. I've fought my last fight. I give up. I don't know how to start over....I just don't. I only worry about my children at home. What will it be like for them? My babies.....sad.

Let God

Something I need to share......

Whenever you feel stressed....depressed....

Let Go & Let God

Handle it!!!

"Granny & Isaac"

This is Granny...and Isaac. Granny is Isaac's Great Grandmother. He has grown. Isaac is 13 weeks old here in this photo which was taken on 6/16/2007. We took him with us to eat to celebrate Father's Day. It was fun and he was awake the biggest part of the night. He spent the night with me that night and went to church with us too. Everyone asks about him. He is a special doll given to us by God...and we are grateful for him. Little Isaac James...you are so loved!!!

~Me, Being a Nana~

Being a Nana is special. I enjoy each and every day I get to see my grandson Isaac.
I love him so much. Someone asked me one day, "What's it like being a grandmother?"
I have to say...it is wonderful. I love you Isaac James!!

Nana & Pappa with Isaac James

"Pappa"

Shane likes being Isaac's Pappa. He enjoys sitting and watching him snooze or talking to him while he is cooing back. He loves his little grandson Isaac. He can't wait for him to be up and running around the house, playing ball, and doing all the little boy things they do. He says it will be a pleasure to play with him....as it is now. Isaac is "Pappa's Boy".

Death can be Scary

This is my precious Grandma Goins/with my uncle Doug.

From Left to Right....my mother, Mary...her sister Pansy ....and her sister Carol .

I created a book with photos of my Grandma Goins and gave it to my mother for Mother's Day.

Sometimes life is sad. I experienced death at a young age with my Grandpa Easter dying while I was 7 years old. It was a horrible experience but I survived it. I mean really while I was old enough to understand, I still was tramatized by the realization that they are dead...no coming back. Scary?? Yes, very much so for a small child. What I brought away from that though has brought me to where I am now in this life. Yes, everyone dies.....but you can choose to die and go to 2 places....Heaven or Hell. I am sad that my Grandma Goins passed away and it was too quick for me....but it was even quicker to say good-bye to all those who had gone before ....Grandpa Easter, Grandpa Goins, Grandma Easter, Paw-Paw Castevens, Paw-Paw Richmond, Jamie....who didn't even get the chance to live life...have children....and such. They all died way too early. I know one day I will see those who made that choice and where they are ...and it will be a wonderful reunion. I see Heaven as such beauty and as a mystery...and frankly, I can't wait to meet Jesus..............YEA!

Lindsay-My Blue-eyed Baby Doll

My blue-eyed baby doll is Lindsay.

She is one tough cookie.

I am so, so very proud of her.

She wrote me a letter last night and

told me she loves me. It was special

to me. I keep things that she does, as I did

with all my children. And I love my children,

but Lindsay came along at a special time in

our lives. She was very much wanted by

her Daddy, me, Kana and Kasey.

We showered her with love and kisses, and

we still do when she will let us.

Lindsay Beautiful!!!

I May Look Worn and Tattered......

Ever had one of these days?? I feel like this almost every day lately. I can't get my body off and running. I look like I have been pulled through the mud every day. It is killing me. I can hardly cope with today's problems and pressures. I feel like I am on the road 24/7. Lindsay plays travel soccer so that takes up a lot of time with play and practice. Then there is the every day problems around the house. A tree blew down at our house during the 60MPH winds and ripped up the sewer lines. It is driving me mad. We can't fix it due to the health department regulations, and our next door neighbors well isn't 50 feet away. Ain't that a crazy reason to let your sewage run into the neighbors yard??? I guess....CRAZY. Then I get no sleep. I am so sleepy today. My cat had kittens and insists on bringing them in the house. She won't take no for my answer. My sister is driving me mad today about a household shower for my oldest daughter...and I can't do it now. Not only is it a cost problem, but it takes the time I do not have now. I just simply can not do it. Shane looks like death warmed over. He is so tired. I felt sorry for him in the last few days. He looks like he can't go another mile. He is worn out too. One positive.....

I love my grandson Isaac James and he has brought a new light into our lives....he is adorable. He is bringing me some joy I haven't had in a long time. I love to hear him breathe, cry, grunt ...which he does a lot of. So I may look worn and tattered....I may feel down and discouraged.....I may seem raggedy, but thank you God for one more day here on this earth to enjoy the time I have with my baby Lindsay, Kana, Kasey, Isaac James and mostly with my husband Shane...the love of my life.

New Photos of Isaac James

Isaac James - 1 Week Old (Friday)


These photos were taken on Sunday
at Maw-Maw Castevens home
Isaac James - 1 Week 2 Days Old

"Isaac & his Great-Grandmother Maw-Maw"

Maw-Maw & Isaac....on his Birth Day!

She said he brings "Great Joy" to her life.

There will be lots of "Rocking" going on here!!!

Little Isaac came along when there wasn't much joy in our lives. He brings a new beginning in this chapter of life, in our family story. I see great things going on with him here....he has no idea what love we have for him. How could he??? He is way to new to know that. Look at the love she has for him. You can see the love in her eyes... Is that not wonderful? He will know one day what joy he had brought to us. I am going to make sure he knows he was loved.......is loved........and forever will be LOVED!!!

Welcome Isaac James

Welcome Baby Isaac James...he was born March 16, 2007. His weight was 5Lb. 6oz. and 18 inches long. He is beautiful. I thought I had loved before....nah! I am his ~Nana~....and his is mine. I love him so.....WELCOME! You are so loved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've Got Sunshine...even when my world is Cloudy

Thank God for the precious gift of love....and salvation. I say this in due part because of the way I am feeling these days. I don't know if one day is going to be anymore better than the next. I have been through so much the past few months. I really don't know where I would be if it were not for his love, salvation, and the gift of forgivness. I know he must get tired of forgiving me so much every day. I call upon him almost constantly. Keep us in your prayers......thank you. More later....Karen

~Friends~

Friends~What makes a friend? It takes a lot of caring and sharing. In the photo below are two of the best people in the world. They have been our friends now for a long while. They don't judge us, they care about us. And we know it. Special is not a word to describe them...it is more than special. It is a friendship that is indescribable, a rare friendship that you don't often have. We, Shane and I, are blessed beyond measure in this friendship. Thank you Yogi & Nancy...Much Love!

 

I Want To Be Humbled in God's Spirit

The Elephant ...Beautiful!
My Favorite Animal ...Thank-you God for such a lovely creature!
Like the elephant, I feel as if I am a giant. And elephants are giants. But if you really look at the elephant, they are humbled creatures. Only when provoked do they become enraged with pride and anger. Pride can change a person. I am ashamed to say that sometimes I am too full of pride. I let things build up and then I let pride take over. Pride is harmful in some ways. You can sometimes be too prideful to say many things like I'm sorry, I love you, or even admit when you are wrong. Take in consideration Proverbs Chapter 8:13-"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." Then Proverbs Chapter 29:23-"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." I don't want to be so full of pride that I forget how to be humble in spirit. I don't want to hate, nor do I want to be hated. I want to be used by God to reach someone with something from him. I often get comfortable in my own zone. I don't want to be that way. I don't want to get so into my ways that I forget about why God sent me here. I don't want to be like that. I am asking God to change me. I want to be different. If I have to be a warrior, then I want to be a warrior in God's army. I don't want to see a battle in my life... for me. I want a battle for God's Glory.

 

Hello....is anyone there???

Hello...is anyone there??? I need to speak to someone...somewhere. I am in total dispair. I feel like I am the only person in the world right now. I often wonder if anyone ever feels this same way? Why? Why do I feel like this? I have asked God for his guidance...but I don't think he is hearing me! I need devine intervention now!! Not in 1 day..or 1 week...1 month...1 year!!! I need him to intervene now. If calling him on the phone would do any good...then I would. But I don't think the phone number is listed....for Heaven.

Come on God...answer now!!!
PLEASE!!!!

~ NTSC Stokes Spirits...More Photos ~

Lindsay ~ Hannah R ~ Emily
Lindsay ~ Carly
Hannah J
Sara Grace ~ Mildred

 

~ NTSC Stokes Spirits ~

Here we go....Go Lindsay!!!
Lindsay
Hannah R....in control!!!
Paulina ...kick off the toe!!!

The NTSC Stokes Spirits had a good weekend. They all played well and had fun! It ended in a tie against Greensboro Twisters Silver, but the girls did great!!! Way to go Stokes Spirits....
New Season/New Team/New Fun!!!