Friday, March 20, 2009

Seasons Come and Seasons Go

One of the greatest things about living in the south is the opportunity to experience every season. I'm one of those people who are always ready for the next season. Spring is by far my favorite and the only reason I ever rush summer on is due to the excitement of a planned vacation.

Today being the first day of Spring makes me want to buy flowers, but wait, every time I do that it turns cold again. I think I will wait awhile longer and not risk a frost.

Spring is such a beautiful time. I love to see the new life it brings and how beautifully it paints our drab leftover winter canvas. It is like God is painting a picture and daily you can see the colors and textures he adds.

The warmer weather is wonderful, too! It is so much better for my 40ish bones and muscles. I have really hurt a lot this winter and look forward to a little relief. I think the warm weather makes me feel about 10 years younger. Now if it could just do something to make me look 10 years younger. LOL

Springtime, just another one of God's awesome blessings! As new life buds outside it makes me thankful also for the new life I have in Christ Jesus. My life before Christ was like constant winter, ugly and dead. Thanks to the saving power of Christ my life is made beautiful and alive!

Blessings to all,

Leigh Anne

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1: 3-5

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Heaven's Rejoicing!!!

And so are we!!!!

On May 4, 1995 Hayden Lewis Tilley was born. On March 18, 2009 he experienced his second birth. He was born again through the saving blood of Jesus Christ!

How awesome to know that another family member will be with me in heaven.

I am so proud of Hayden. He has always been such a sweet kid. I know God will use him and his talents.

I love you Hay-Hay!

Blessings to all,

Leigh Anne

P.S. More to come on May 4th.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Remembering...

While others are celebrating St Patrick's Day, I am remembering my Maw Maw. Today would have been her 89 th Birthday.

Others know her as Robert Allie "Bob" Smith. Yes her first name was Robert. I don't think anyone has ever been sure why.

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of being at her house. Many weekends, holidays and summer weeks were spent there. So often I will see, smell, or hear something that will remind me her.

For some reason I had many, many nicknames growing up. The most popular was Le-Le. I think Kerri started this when she was little. My uncle Bill called me He-Le. I never new why but I loved it because I thought he was the greatest. ( miss him so much) There were other names but for the sake of this post the most important would be Squirtwater! My Maw Maw called me Squirtwater. I have absolutely no idea where she got that. Luckily she changed to
Le-Le when I got older.

Maw Maw's house was very old, but can I tell you it was always so clean. You could eat off her floors. Every time I smell Pine cleaner I think about her. She always cleaned with that stuff.
Sand mountain must have gotten it's name from her yard. We had our own huge sand box. One great memory is having to dust our feet off before going to bed. She would always remind us of that.

Everybody has an "ice box" in their frig, but my maw maw had a "ice box" room. This was the back bedroom that wasn't heated. If you slept in that room it was with about 5 quilts on top of you. You couldn't turn over; the cover was too heavy. The "ice box" room was also known as the "back room". It was referred to as this by any parent, usually my daddy or my Uncle Bill, who would threaten discipline. " Do you want to go to the back room?" If you think about that is at least a step up from the "wood shed". LOL

Maw Maw had more of her share of health problems. She felt bad a lot and dealt with depression. But when she was feeling good, she was so funny. I loved it when her sisters visited from Arkansas. You have never heard so much carrying on and giggling from three old women. It was just like they were a bunch of teenage girls.

My Maw Maw loved her children, grand children, and great grand children. More than anything I am so glad my girls new her and remember her. I do plan to someday have a granddaughter named "Allie". At least that has been a promise from Bama Girl.

Miss you Maw Maw!

Blessings to all,

Leigh Anne