How Do You Know...

when something tastes REALLY GOOD?

You look at the face!

I scream...


You scream....

We all scream for ICE CREAM!

Yummmmmmmm....SO GOOD!

Happy 11th Birthday, Parker!

We love you, Parker! You are such a COOL grandkid!

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAY'S!

It's SO COLD outside...

Here are some pics of Marion, Iowa, home of Todd & Jenny & family.

This pic is looking at Todd & Jenny's house from across the street.

Their first snowfall came before Christmas & keeps piling up!

This pic was taken looking from their house to the house across the street.

This pile of snow is at the end of Todd's driveway.

Looking down their street.

Todd put me right to work on clearing his driveway!

Of course, he helped too.

She Makes a Baker's Dozen

We finally get to see and HOLD our newest grandchild,

Savannah Reagan Meyer. She is 2 weeks old in this pic.

Big Sister, Abbigail just loves her baby sister...always willing and ready to help.

Savannah is 17 days old today.

YES, How BLESSED we are!

Nene, NOT!

Seventeen days ago after the birth of our 13th grandchild, I updated the "intro" and "About my self" template on my blog. I do not know if anyone that reads my blog even noticed the change.

I changed the spelling of Neenee to Nene. I was just trying to make it a shorter version. But it did NOT work since there was one that noticed the change IMMEDIATELY! And it is a VERY IMPORTANT SOMEONE, since she is the one who gave me my grandmother name, Neenee, in the first place!
Neenee is the way I first spelled it almost 13 years ago, and Neenee it will remain to be!

Katelin told me...

NO WAY to...

and YES WAY to...

Love you, PG! You always make me feel special and loved!

Patterns of Love...

this is my logo (comes from my middle name, Love). It has occurred to me that I should post some pics of some of the items that I REALLY ENJOY making. These items are ONE of a KIND - there is not a one of them the same - that is why I think they are so much fun to make and give as gifts.

If you are interested in any of these items listed below - email me at: meyermanor@cccexpress.com and we will chat about the item you would like made to your specks and the cost of the item.

I would count it a priviledge to be an option for your gift giving needs.

• personalized baby burp cloths
• personalized hooded bath towel
• personalized flannel baby blankets
• Children tee-shirt designs for special occasions
  
  

Favorite team burp cloth personalized

Girl's personalized burp cloth

Hooded Bath Towel pesonalized

Tee-Shirt Design

Happy 4th Birthday, Grant!

Iowa...Here We Come...

Tomorrow (Saturday the 26th) we are driving to Iowa to see and HOLD our newest granddaughter, Savannah Reagan. We can hardly wait!

Neenee (me) will get to stay a week and help out and enjoy watching how big sister, Abbie, relates to baby sister, Savannah! Oh what fun will be had and I'm sure many, many, giggles and laughter!

Hopefully, I will be able to blog while I am there and send you pics and updates of our week. It is extremely cold in Cedar Rapids, Iowa right now. Todd said we are bringing a warm front with us when we come - the temps will warm up to the 30's (maybe).

Heavenly Citizenship

Have you ever heard someone say: "He/she is too heavenly minded to do any earthly good."
I have many many times. I never could wrap my mind around this comment to agree or disagree with it. I just pondered what the person meant by it. Today I read a devotional that I just had to post it to my blog. Now this, I can wrap my mind and heart around!

"Their destiny is destruction, their God is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." --Philippians 3:19-21

Christians who think the most of the next world are usually those who are doing the most good in this present world. It is the person whose mind is only on earthly things who, when it comes to earth, does little good. C.S. Lewis expands on this, saying, "Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither."*

Our verse today highlights what happens when your heart and mind is set on things above. Unlike the person whose mind is on earthly things, you begin to see yourself as a sojourner, a pilgrim on earth. You begin to appreciate your citizenship in heaven. You also begin to eagerly await the Lord's return, and you anticipate the joy of having Him transform your body into one like His.

Those whose destiny is destruction may say that being so heavenly- minded does you no earthly good. Not so! Those whose minds are on heaven do earth a world of good.

When you realize that your citizenship is in heaven, you begin to act as a responsible citizen should. You begin to invest wisely in relationships. Your conversations, goals, and motives become more pure and honest, and all of this serves you well not only in heaven but on earth. Heavenly-minded people are for earth's highest good.

Help me to understand, Lord, what it truly means to have my citizenship in heaven. And may I act as a heavenly citizen should while I temporarily reside here on earth.

Blessings,
Joni and Friends

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Camden Before and After

These are 2 pics of Camden before his surgery. As you can see his little head is elongated - small and narrow in the back, flat sides, and bulging out in the front (forehead).










Because of his fused soft spot in the back top of his head this was the only way the brain could grow.

Here is a pic of Cam's zig-zag scar. If a straight cut was made, it would have left a scar more visible - causing his hair to part in half showing the scar - thus the zig-zag - the hair will not part in a straight line so the scar will not show.

Camden's surgery was a success. The scar is healing well and the swelling is going down everyday. BUT Camden continues to be a VERY fussy baby thus many sleepless nights for Amy.

I have been staying at the Bledsoe's house since Sunday helping Amy out with Camden and the other gchildren. I came home this afternoon.

Today Amy took Cam for his after surgery checkup with her pediatrician in Tulsa. We had our suspicions as to why he has been so fussy and the doctor confirmed them. He still has that stomach virus and an ear infection. He has recovered well from the surgery, but the lingering virus and ear infection have worn us out! The doctor prescribed ear drops to ease the pain of the ear, three days of antibiotic for his ear, and he needs to be fed pediolite to help his stomach get rest from the virus.

Join us in prayer for Cam's recovery from the ear infection (he has been fighting this now for about 4 weeks with 3 different antibiotics) and the stomach virus (going on now for about 1 1/2 weeks).

Poor baby, he tries to be happy, but you can always tell when he has some pain. Pray that this antibiotic works and the virus passes on quickly. Pray for Amy's physical and mental strength and endurance.

Here is an AFTER pic of Camden. His head now is rounded like it is suppose to be. He looks like a different baby!

Judi, the Manner's Lady sent me this precious prayer for Camden. I just love her thoughts: Thank you God for that sweet round head… may it be filled with thoughts of God all his life.

Amen and Amen

Don't Let Me Miss the Glory...

in every situation of life - the good, the bad, the ugly

...in every issue of life that I may find myself in

...Lord, don't let me miss Your Glory!

This song truly spoke to my heart today when I heard it on Godtube. I hope it speaks to your's as well and that you will look for God's glory in every situation of life you find yourself in. Leave me a comment on how it ministerd to you.

Well, it has been a week since my last post...a very busy, full week at that! And yes, this wife, mother, and neenee is tired, yet thankful that God sees fit to use me as He wills. I am so grateful to be available to minister to my family and so grateful that Father, God gives the grace and strength needed to do His will.

Have you heard of Gwen Smith, a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author? Check out her blog. She has a video from Godtube on the Sameritan woman that's a must to hear of God's unconditional love and acceptance.

She has several other websites you can visit: www.myspace.com/gwensmithmusic, and http://www.gwensmith.net/. You can listen to her music and download some of it free.

I think her music will encourage your walk with the Lord.

PRAISE BE TO GOD...

Who is FAITHFUL to hear and answer prayer!

Camden came through the surgery very well. The only blood transfusions he has had came from his own blood. During surgery any blood loss was sent through a filter and sent back into his little body. Quite amazing, isn't it! How good our God is!!!!

We indeed are OVERWHELMED with the Father's lovingkindnesses toward us.

Blessed be His Great Name!

Check HERE to see if an update on Camden has been posted to the Caring Bridge website.

So many have prayed for Camden and our family. We literally feel a covering of prayer over all of us. We cannot thank you enough for your GREAT part of prayer in our family's life.

Please continue to pray for Camden's recovery from surgery. If all goes well he will be coming home on Friday.

She makes a Baker's Dozen...

Savannah Reagan Meyer

Savannah is just hours old in this picture. She looks like what I remember Todd looking like at birth. I think it has something to do with the eyes and forehead. I will have to find a picture of Todd at birth and compare the two. I will post it with this one when I find it and when I have a spare moment:)

God is Good ALL the time. ALL the time God is Good!

Way To Go...

CONGRATULATIONS go out to our son in love, Kevin Bledsoe. For the past 18 months he has been a busy, hard working, diligent husband and father and STUDENT!

Today he received his Master's of Business Administration. He has a couple of more months to finish and wrap his studies up.

We are SO PROUD of you and recognize all the challenging, hard work and long hours you have put forth to accomplish this goal.

WAY TO GO!

On another note,

please pray for our grandson, Camden.

This is the last picture I took of him before his craniofacial surgery in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, January 15th.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the rest and peace of a little child alseep in his mother's arms. So secure...so trusting...so at peace.

May it be so in our lives as we rest in the arms of our Abba, Father to do all things well on our behalf.

God is Good All the Time. All the Time God is Good.

She's Here!

Enjoy Your Hot Chocolate

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups...And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this:

Life is the hot chocolate;

your job, money and position in society are the cups.

They are just tools to hold and contain life.

The cup you have does not define,

nor change the quality of life you have.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,

we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.

God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate!

What are Little Boys Made of?

I just love this pic of five of our seven grandsons
doing what they do best - wrestling!

A Boy is...

Trust with dirt on its face,
Beauty with a cut on its finger,
Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair,
and the hope of the future with
A frog in its pocket.

God Loves Little Boys
(Randy Grayson)

God loves little boys and all that they do

Exploring and laughing and roughhousing, too.

God loves their energy, eagerness and wit.

He loves their serious side and their fanciful spirit.
He guides them and tends them while they grow,

Giving them all of the grace he can bestow.

God's plan for his boys is wondrous as well,

Because soon in their place little men will dwell.

Having a Blue January?

You may be finding January is a "blue" month for you after all the holiday rush and bustle.

I came across the website of Mary Southerland and thought it was really good and informative.
If you have never heard of her (like me) check out About Mary.
Check out the Depression or Blues?? quiz. Be sure to check out Promises for the Pit and to read the excerpt from Sandpaper People.

She also has an online free Bible Study. Her January study is Light for the Journey. I am enrolling today! Check it out.

Below are a couple of questions and answers taken from an interview with Mary Southerland that I really thought were excellent. Hope they help you in your daily life walk with the Lord.

How can we exercise our right to say "no"!

1. Ask God to show you the top five priorites in your life and write them down.
2. Using these priorities, write out a mission statement for your life. When asked to do anything that does not fit that statement, say "no".
3. Realize that some people will never understand your choices or your priorities, but they are not your audience. Understand that you are running the race for an audience of One.

Speak to women who are worn out from all the "doing" they do.

Just stop! Take a deep breath and a step back to celebrate the calling of being a wife and mother, a friend and sister, a daughter ... a woman! Your home and children are your greatest mission fields and your most important opportunities of service. The fact that God created the home before he created the church is a loud statement to us that the family is very important to Him. Your children get their first impressions of God from their parents. Let the unimportant things go. Learn to discern between the important and the urgent. Learn to say "no" without guilt. Your house doesn't have to be perfect. Simplify everything! And have fun while you're at it!

GRAND 12 Christmas PhotoShow

Click HERE to view our 2007 Christmas and 2008 New Year Highlights.

Grow in Grace in 2008

Bishop J.C. Ryle puts it this way: "When I speak of growth in grace, I mean an increase in the degree, size, strength, vigor, and power of the graces that the Spirit plants in our hearts. When I speak of a person growing in grace, I mean simply this:

• that his sense of sin is becoming deeper
• his faith stronger
• his hope brighter
• his love more extensive
• his spiritual-mindedness more marked.

He feels more of the power of godliness in his heart. He manifests more of it in his life; He goes on from strength to strength, from faith to faith, and from grace to grace."

Is your sense of sin deeper than it was last year? Is your hope brighter? Do you sense more of the power of godliness in your heart?

We can be transformed into His likeness; something fundamentally different can happen in our lives from year to year. Change is possible, and a new and improved you is within reach. This is how it happens:

Behold the Lord's glory and you will grow in grace.

Lord Jesus, I behold You today in all of Your majesty and splendor, Your excellence and purity. Transform me into the person You want me to be as I grow in Your grace.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18

(taken from Joni Eareckson Tada Devotional)