I've been looking forward to joining this party of all parties!

The first thing that went through my mind was "what should I tell everyone?"; not far behind came "what would make someone want to come back?''.  I began to piece together the answers to the first question in my mind but decided that the 2nd one was not mine to answer right now. I long to have a "productive" and "fun-for-all" blog one day, but at this time in our lives, there are too many obstacles to overcome. I know that when the time is right, God will put it all together. And I will smile. Inside and out.

My name is actually Kellie... not Sue. The title for my blog came about because my husband used to tell me that my best attribute was my smile. He said that I had a "sunny" personality. Then one day at church, one of the older men (not old, just 20 yrs. older than me) that I did volunteer work for, and truly respected, told me that I lit up a room when I walked in with my smile. He was like a father figure and it meant the world to me. Well, hubby was there and heard his compliment as well, and Sunny Sue was born.

I am a mother to 2 teen girls who have grown faster than I could ever imagine. I remember big bows and picking out clothes. Now we are beginning to search for colleges and taking ACTs and SATs. I am proud of who they have become and the days when I long for their presence are fast approaching.

Hubby and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this year and have lived in 4 different states throughout our marriage. We began in Texas and are back "home" again. I love being a Texan but I use the term "home" a bit loosely. We are not sure where that is exactly anymore. Our family is going through the biggest struggle of our lives right now. Jobless for 9 months. I won't linger there because we know that God has a plan for us and we are trying our darnedest to hang in there and stay positive.

My blog is mostly about family and stuff I love. I love to scrapbook and plan to share more of some of my favorite things. I like to share about tips I learn, books I read, and blogs I love. I hope you will hang around and get to know me better.

For now, join the party and meet some new bloggers!

SSMT Day

I had a longer post planned, but will just have to finish it tomorrow. It has been another tough day at our house. Seriously, I know God is doing his best to grow me somewhere. Maybe that's the problem... I'm just not getting it!!!!!!

Tough stuff on our list today:
1) Today would have been our Abby's 10th birthday.
2) My daddy is in a VA hospital for terrible leg and back pain along with depression.
3) Hubby just got another job rejection where he had made it to the final 3.

 I think my new verse is just the right one. Especially today.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal. 
~2 Corinthians 4:18

**I don't know why some of you are getting a message that your comments aren't getting to me. I will do my best to check it out tomorrow and hopefully fix it! I appreciate your comments too much to miss them.

It's almost Christmas!

Christmas is quickly sneaking up on us and it has been quite some time since I have given you all an update. Unfortunately, our situation has not changed. However, as I write, Hubby is at an interview in Kansas. So far, we have only checked into our hotel and had a bite to eat at Jason's Deli. So far, so good. :-) Well, at least we have seen plenty of civilization (familiar eating and shopping places) and everyone has been nice to us. I haven't investigated schools or much about the community yet because everytime that I have, it hasn't worked out. That doesn't mean that I am superstitious, just don't want to get my hopes up. So, I will wait...

We have had a hard time looking forward to Christmas. It is hard to "get in the spirit" when we don't have any of our decorations. None of our trees, ornaments, stockings, etc. However, because of family generosity, we were able to visit our old church and see the Christmas program. It was such a great gift for us and just what we needed as a family. An incredible memory!

I must go for now but promise to give a better update soon...

           Merry 
                           Christmas 
                                                   everyone!  

What is a Dad?

A dad is a person who's loving and kind,

And often he knows what you have on your mind.

He's someone who listens, suggests and defends...

A dad can be one of your very best friends.

He's proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong,

A dad can be patient, helpful and strong.

In all that you do, a dad's love plays a part.

There's always a place for him deep in your heart.

And each year that passes, you're even more glad,

More grateful and proud to call him your dad!

                                                                                                                           ~author unknown

Flashback photos of the men in my life that I am very thankful for.

 Me at 4 with my dad and brothers.

My first Christmas with my brothers.

(I was a surprise... can you tell?)

Our oldest at 4 yrs. with her Daddy in '98.

Our youngest in '98 holding on to her Daddy .

My father-in-law with his "tuckered out" grandgirls in '99.

Happy Father's Day

to the men in my life!

The Beast

Hubby went for a little drive this weekend to meet up with the dad and brother. The plan was to partake in a little R&R on the river somewhere in Arkansas. Hubby was only able to go for one night, so it was going to be a quick, cram-it-all-in-as-fast-as-you-can restful trip.

On his way home from said getaway, I called to check on him. He was halfway home, doing good, would be ready for a nap upon return. 30 minutes after he should have arrived, I called again. No answer. 40 minutes. No answer. 45 minutes after he should have arrived, a call came in.  Hubby's number. Not Hubby's voice. After much confusion and heart racing, I was able to deduce the fact that Hubby had stopped for gas and left his phone. Things are going to be fine.

Check the map to see where the phone is. 30 minutes due north of where my man was when I talked to him last. How could that be since he was supposed to be headed due west for home? Call to the brother. No answer. Text to the brother. No reply. Call to the sister-in-law. Then the realization on both of our parts that we don't even know exactly where our men are in the hills of Arkansas. And there is not good reception there. Wherever THAT is.

Heart begins to beat a little faster. Sister-in-law has her mother in town and they are out shopping. They go back to the car to pray. I receive a text with said prayer just mere seconds after Hubby pulls into the garage.  God was fast with that one!

Relief sets in. For a moment. But then The Beast appears. Do you know the one? The one that comes out and attacks the man? The one that says something like, "Where have you been? What happened? Do you know you lost your phone? Why were you so far off your planned course?". Hubby looks confused. Doesn't understand why sister-in-law is texting me a prayer for him. He just took a wrong turn. Then The Beast appears again after a very brief intermission. "Did you ever think about calling to let me know? I don't even know the name of the closest town to where you were! How would you feel if that had been me? Don't you understand how unsettling it is to get a call from a strange man on YOUR phone?"

When the Hubby can get a word in, he says...


wait for it...


"Wasn't the sermon about worry this morning? This must have been a test. Did you pass or fail?" The Beast retreats with its tail between its legs and goes to take a nap. Ugh.

More than one apology has been issued.

Hubby is now returning from a 5 hour round trip to retrieve that stupid phone.