Prayer for a Special Girl

I know I have been away for a while but really need your help with this from our missionaries in Slovenia. As many of you know this is my other home and I so love the Slovenia people. It would mean the world if you would do this and share it with your friend and family. Thank you in advance for your kindness.

Blessings, Lori

Our daughter Joy's best friend has been diagnosed with Leukemia just this week. Her name is Ana. She is 13 years old. She is in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy. As you can imagine this is a very stressful and frightening time for anyone, especially someone who may not have the assurance of God's unfailing love in Jesus Christ. If you would take the time to type out a prayer for Ana, please send it to me at joeinslovenia@gmail.com and I will pass it on to her.
Only one person has responded to this urgent need. Ana may die soon without Christ. Would you pray for and encourage her as she struggles to live. Please send me the prayer so that I can forward it on to her family.

Exciting News!!!

Thank you for those that were excited about our news!!! I am happy to tell you that we are going to be parents to a new Daughter-in-Law.
Josh and Christine are getting married on May 12, 2012.       
Josh bought his first home in December. On the day he closed he proposed to Christine at the new house and she said yes!!! We are so excited for them to start their new life together.
Now for some more exciting news!!!
We are going to be Grandparents again!!! Jeremy and Laura are going to have baby number 2 in September and that will make Graham a BIG Brother!!!! We could not be happier! This will make seven
GRANDS for us. Oh how I love babies!!!!
                   
Our sweet Baby Cheney                                                         
        Jeremy, Laura & Graham
God has blessed us with a wonderful family and we are so excited about our newest members.
Blessings,
Lori

Exciting News

I have some exciting news to share... hope I will have time tomorrow!
Blessings, Lori

Our sweet little Aiden

On September 9, 2011, we welcomed our 6th grandchild, Aiden Blake Story, to our sweet family. We are so thankful to the Lord that he is here and doing great!!! There were a several weeks that we were worried that he was going to be born early and not ready to be here. But he was born just on time. We know that God has a plan for this special baby boy.

Aiden Blake Story, 5lbs 12oz, 20” long

Aiden is welcomed home by is Big Brother Reed.

This is Reed and his daddy, Curt just before Curt went to help get baby Aiden here. How precious is this!!!

As you can see Reed was all smiles seeing baby brother for the first time. Do you just love his shirt. We made it at the store and ended up making him two more call that’s just about all he wants to wear.

We didn’t get to hold the baby because Gracanne was having a little trouble with her temperature and they didn’t want to bring him to her until she was stable. We also had to hurry home so we could help with Reed while his Nene went to a funeral visitation for a dear family in Magnolia who lost their husband, daddy, grandpa, etc.

We are going to pick up Aiden on Monday and keep him for a couple of days. Gracanne needs some sleep and they are getting ready to move in the next week. Can’t wait!!!!

Blessings from Grams,

Sharing life

Good Morning, I can’t believe it’s been almost two months since I’ve posted. Our life has been crazy, like always and I’ve just let my blog go by the way side. I probably have been doing some of nothing too or just some mindless junk.

Well since I’ve been here we have been on two trips will share more about that later, pictures involved and preparing for our Mission trip to Slovenia in October. We are so excited about this trip. We will be gone 16 days and hope to share so much and be a blessing along the way. My plan is to share with you all along the way via my blog. Hope you will enjoy it.

Hope you have missed me as much as I have missed you. Watch for my trip pictures.

Blessings, Lori

Quite Sunday

Today has been a wonderful day. Spent the morning at Sunday School and Church. It was a wonderful sermon on “How to build your life well” 1 Cor. 3:10-15. The main thing that was impressed upon my heart today was, God has trusted me with my life. WOW that is BIG.

Hope you had a restful Lord’s day. Blessings, Lori

Cleaning all day long…..

So glad to be back. I will share with you over the next few weeks what I have been up to but today I wanted to discuss our day of cleaning. We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more and we’ve just made a small dent. First we worked in the kitchen, then to our bedroom where we moved everything, on to the guest room where we moved out some furniture and finally to the family room for the basics. While we were in the kitchen we cleaned the refrigerator condenser coils. How often do you clean yours? We are suppose to clean them every 6 months. I don’t know about you but I don’t. But I plan to do better. We are trying to take better care of ourselves and the things we have.  While moving things around in our bedroom we needed to move the TV around. We still have one of those HUGE small TV’s. What about you… any of the older TV’s in your house?  I have one more question for you today. Does your husband help you with house work? I am VERY thankful that mine does. He helped all day. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that if a woman works outside the home her husband should help. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t if you are a stay at home Mother, please don’t think that. I know that you have one of the hardest jobs on the planet. I just know that it encourages me to have the additional help and not feel like everything is my responsibility.    

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Lori

Blogger Changes

I'm not sure about you but I am VERY frustrated with the new blogger changes. I can't see the blog updates from my favorites and I don't know how to fix it. I don't like the new look of the home page and I can't open more than one blog at a time. Any suggestions for me?
Blessings, Lori

Our American Flag

As we celebrate our Independence Day, what do you know about the American Flag? One thing that I have learned over the years is that unless you are in the military, police or fireman you are not suppose to wear one on your clothes in any way. It should not be used in advertising. WOW!!!
Take a look at this site:http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shtml
Blessing to you and your family on this 4th of July.
Lori

Been gone to long...

Happy Sunday to you. It has been well over a month since I've posted anything.  We have been really busy at work and I started giving swimming lessons May 30th. I love working with children in the water. It is one of my favorite things. I would give up my day job to do it full time if I could. But this year I promised Lynn that I would cut back some because of all the things that went on while caring for Mrs. Story. He felt like I needed to take a break. I have had 3 Great weeks with only 1 day of rain that I will be making up this coming week. For some reason I have the sinus, crud stuff like I had in February and March. I did go to the doctor right away so that it would get really bad. I've been on antibiotics for 6 days and don't seem a lot better. I can hardly talk which is a bad thing for me. LOL I also can't hear very good when my ears are clear so you just about have to holler at me.  LOL. You just have to laugh. So on this 4th of July weekend I am just resting. There are so many things I need to be doing besides laying on this couch. We had plans to go to Texarkana to try and find me a new swim suit. Lynn told me last week that you can see through the back of the one I have. I already threw away my very favorite one because it was wore out. Being in the pool giving  lessons they break down quick. I guess we will go later in the week. Hopefully I will be up and ready to swim by Thursday. We had one of our grandson's last week while his Momma was out of town. Connor was such a sweet and helpful boy. We had a good week.
Blessings, Lori

Never been so tired...

First I want to say a Thank you for those special comments. They are so special to me. We have been through so much since I've posted. I wanted to shared a few things mostly for me to remember. We rushed to have the visitation on Sunday and the graveside service on Monday. Wanted to make it easy on everyone. I filled out the information for the funeral home and obituary trying to get help from the sons. Guess what? I failed to list Mrs. Story's only living brother. I got the ones that have passed on. I was really upset but it was to late. On Sunday morning we had to go to the funeral home to make sure she look OK. She looked so much better than she did the last weeks but her hair was a mess. So I got a pick comb and some hairspray and went to work. By the time I finished she looked really good. I've never done anything like that before but I knew it needed to be done. We decided that we would leave the casket open for about 30 minutes for the family then close it before the visitation and keep it closed at the service. Mrs. Story was a private lady and we didn't think she would want folks looking at her. Jodi(our daughter), Michelle(our nurse for them) and I carried Mr. Story to the church to eat lunch and to the service. Our church, Central Baptist, is wonderful when you loose someone. They fix a meal for the family on the day of the funeral. Thanks to them for all they do. And a special thanks to Jodi for all her help. I couldn't have made it these last two months with out her. She would stay with the Story's when I didn't have someone, to give me a break. She worked at the store, went to the store, just anything we needed. Back to the visitation. I spent most of the time with Mr. Story and I tell you it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. He began patting her head/hair and lips then her arms. Then he stood up and began kissing her on forehead and lips. He was trying to see if she was really dead. Oh my, I began to cry. I was trying so hard not to cry in front of him. I spent the rest of the hour and a half wiping his tears, assuring him that she was with Jesus and that we would take good care of him. There were lots of visitors that shared how sweet Mrs. Story was and how much they loved her. We then went to their house for some wonderful food that was prepared by the sweet folks at Kathy's Dance Arts Studio in Magnolia. I was so thankful that Josh and his precious girlfriend spent the night with us. Monday is kind of a blur. We met at the church for lunch and headed to the cemetery for the service. I was sure to add her brother and the Bro. Mike did a wonderful job. Mr. Story started crying the minute we got there. I sat with him while we were there and Lynn has to set by himself. I felt so torn with where I should be. My cousin Bille and her husband came and locked their keys in the truck. The nicest locksmith came and opened it without charging them. After the service we went to the Story's for some stories. We had a blast. I know Nanny would have been happy. Laura, Jeremy, Jodi and the grands were at our house while the babies napped. Laura was so sweet to clean up my kitchen. What a blessing the kids have been. The days since the service have been hard. I miss Nanny but I'm so thankful that she isn't suffering any longer. Papaw seems to be doing better. He hasn't cried much and has been sleeping all night. We are so thankful for that. My brain has just not wanted to work. Tuesday we opened the store and I was a mess. I just couldn't make my brain work. I just couldn't. Lynn finally sent me home to rest. I was better on Wednesday and Thursday but Friday was brain mush again. I haven't slept very good. I think I have my days and nights mixed up. My plan for this long weekend is to rest and try to clean up some of this house that has been neglected for a couple of months. I have slept off and on all today. I hope by Tuesday morning I will be back to my old self. Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Remember those who have given their lives for us all.
Blessings, Lori

Waking up with Jesus

Mrs. Story is waking up with Jesus today. She passed away yesterday at 9:03 in the morning. We are so blessed and thankful in knowing that she is no longer suffering, no longer struggling for a breath, no longer longing to be with her Lord and Savior. She was such a wonderful Christian lady who wanted all her family members to know and have a relationship with the Lord. She started reading her Bible through on January 1, 2011 with our church and kept up until her last days of which our special care givers continued in reading it to her until the end. What a testamony to her loved ones about her relationship with the Lord.
"A faith that fizzles before the finish, was faulty from the start." Isaiah 58:13 I found this in her bible and this is how she felt. Her faith and love for the Lord was her life. She and Monroe, her husband had the most wonderful marriage and love for each other. I've never had the opportunity to see this before. When Mr. Story came in the room after she had been gone for a while. He stood up out of his wheel chair and kissed her on the mouth. I could only cry. The love of his life was gone.  He has sat with her, patted her, prayed over her, helped her do all those things she couldn't because of RA for the past years. What an example of what real love is. My prayer is that the family will see that this is how God planned for marriage to be. We will celebrate her life today and tomorrow. You can find the information on her services at the following link.

http://lewisfh.funeralplan2.com/obituaries.aspx?turl=http://aurora-24607.tributes.com/show/Marilyn-Taylor-Story-91524649
Because of who He is, Lori

Dying process...

Mrs. Story made it through the surgery great but woke up extremely mad. She thinks that we are trying to prolong her life and is ready to die. She has been saying for months that she is tired and ready to go on. I know she has to be. The COPD has made her life so hard. But having surgery to repair the hip was mainly for comfort. She wouldn't work with therapy so they just sent us home and she was doing pretty good. On Wednesday things changed and she has crossed over into the dying process. The hospice nurse called me to tell me it could be anytime. I went and spent the rest of the day with her but she was still really mad at me and let's just say it was better for me not to be in the room with her. She wouldn't swallow so I would have to blow up her nose to make her so she could take the morphine. I have been pushed harder and further than ever with Nanny(that what we call her) than ever before. Many medical procedures that one should never have to do to anyone but their children when they are babies. The Lord has been faithful to give me the strength to do it. During all this we are having the busiest week we have the whole year at the store. Trying to be there and with Nanny has been a challenge. I had to work yesterday morning, there are lots of folks counting on us. I got a call from the nurse that I needed to come it was really close. I spent the afternoon and evening with her just holding her hand. I think she is not as mad as she would let me sit there with her. She has been close several times in the last two days which is such a drain. My sister-in-law, Karen, spent the afternoon with me which was wonderful. Our husbands just can't be there. Hers is better than mine but they just can't and that's OK. God has given us to one another to be what the other can't be. I am so thankful that he choose me to take care of her. Please pray for our family as we continue this process. God is so faithful we know and know that His plan will will be done.
Because of His promise, Lori

Sad and mad all at the same time

Have you ever been sad and mad all at the same time? Well I am and have been all day. We have round the clock care for my in-laws because they can no longer care for themselves. But Mrs. Story is so hard headed and continues to get Mr. Story to help her when he shouldn't . He tried to get her up during the early morning with out asking for help and they fell. He is fine, but she has a broken hip and arm. We spent most of the day at the ER in our home town and are now in ElDorado where she will have hip surgery in the morning. She has COPD(never smoked in her life) and is in the end stages with that. They will be giving her a spinal because she can't be put to sleep. My prayer is that this all will go well.
Now here's the mad... I am so mad because she won't listen to anyone. "I'm going to do what I want" is her attitude. We have been telling her for weeks not to let Mr. Story do things for her. Now here we are. This is one of the busiest week in our business and it looks like I can't be there. Lynn, my husband will have to be there so that I can be here. I'M JUST MAD!!!!

Here's the sad... it breaks my heart to see her in so much pain. She really is a sweet lady and I love her very much. It breaks my heart that Mr. Story can't be with her. He is so precious and loves her so much. He pats her hand and face when she is sick. I have never seen a man love a woman so much. I only hope Lynn will love me that much.

So there is my heart.
Blessings, Lori

My Favorite Food… PIZZA & I’m giving some away!!!!

I love PIZZA so much it is my favorite food. If I was stranded on an island and could only have one food it would be pizza. So I was excited to try the FRESCHETTA® SIMPLY...INSPIRED™ pizza.

We tried the Rustic Pepperoni Pomodora and it was AWESOME. The thin crust was crispy of which I love. The pizza is larger and has more toppings than you usually get on a frozen pizza.

 FRESCHETTA® SIMPLY...INSPIRED™ offers FRESCH-TASTE SEAL™ Packing which locks in the vibrant flavors, while using 30% less packaging material.

There are eight different pizzas that offer very distinctive flavors: Farmers Market Veggie, Southern BBQ Recipe Chicken, Tuscan Farmhouse, Chicken Bianco, Hawaiian Style, Classic Bruschetta and Harvest Supreme.

SIMPLY...INSPIRED™ A Celebration of Great Taste™
Check them out on Face Book they will be giving away coupons. http://www.facebook.com/FreschettaSimplyInspired

I will be giving away a coupon for a free FRESCHETTA® SIMPLY...INSPIRED™ pizza of your choice and   FRESCHETTA® bamboo cutting board.

To enter you need to be a follower of LorisStorys and leave a comment of which pizza you would try.

Hope you win!!!!

Blessings, Lori

Winner

I am so totally excited that I am the winner... from over at GUSSY. She has some awesome things!!! She was giving away a signed copy of Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman. You can read about it here.
http://www.gussysews.com/2011/04/win-a-signed-copy-of-vintage-notions-by-amy-barickman/
This is the most awesome prize!!!!! One of those give aways that I REALLY wanted!!!
Blessings to you all,
Lori

In transition

My life is truly in transitional place right now and while on this trip the Lord is helping me as I’m making some much needed changes in my life. One is my blog, I have struggled over the last few months in doing what “I” want with my blog. I love contest, crafting, blog hops and reading everyone’s blogs. But that takes tons of the time I have left from just life. It is so easy to get caught up in it all and let the things that you need to do go. So after opening up and letting God work and knowing that I need to put Him first in my life I will be using this blog a little differently. If I have stopped following you, I hope you will understand. I will still be following those that have craft ideas and will be saving those that I really like and want to make when the time is right. I will enter some contest but only those that I have time for and those that are really something I’d like to have (Silhouette for sure). I may offer a give away from time to time and will have our products from time to time but mostly I will blog about my life, my family and my Lord. That will take lot of time cause we are a busy bunch. My prayer is that you will see the love of the Lord in my blog. I wanted to share with you the following.
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http://www.number17cherrytreelane.com/2011/04/quitting-can-be-ok.html

During my struggle, I was reading this post from Rachel and began to giggle. God is so funny at times. He knew just what I needed that day. Showing me just what He had for me through the words from a sister in Christ. I am so thankful that He loves me no matter what.                                                                            Blessings, Lori

A Little Birdy told me….

Ladies, I am way late in getting this to you. But you still have time to play. Over at Just Birdy she is having an awesome give-away I think you should go over and check it out. Jess has beautiful blog, one of my favorites!!! She also does some blog designing, I’m just finding out. Very talented!!! As part of the give-away I am giving away one of the most precious diaper covers I’ve ever seen. One of my blog buddies, Melissa from Preserved Photography is sharing some photo image blocks. They are beautiful and I would love to have them. There are lots of other treats in this give-away!!! So check out the link below (I hope it works, I’m not to techy), you won’t be disappointed. <a href=http://justbirdyblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/birdys-big-give-away.html#>Birdy’s Big Give-Away</a> Thank you, Jess for choosing me to participate in this give-away!! I do love a good give-away… I also love to win!!!!! LOL                                             Blessings, Lori

The Greatest Spot/Stain Remover

I have been wanting to share some different things which I hope will be of some help to everyone. So today I’m starting with this wonderful stain remover that I found about a year ago. Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover. I was checking out at Hancocks in Shreveport  and the sales clerk talked me into to buying it. Boy I’m glad that she did. I had a white polo that I had gotten makeup on a few years ago and had been washed and dried a many times. I decided to try to get these spots out first. I put the remover on the spots a few times over a couple of days, washed it and it was just like brand new!!! I couldn’t believe it. There hasn’t been one time that I’ve used it that the stains didn’t come out. You can purchase this at most fabric stores. This is just a personal review. I didn’t receive anything for this. Hope you will check it out and let me know what you think.                                                                                 
Blessings, Lori

March Craft Swap & Special Gifts

Good Evening, I hope this finds you doing well today. I am so happy to be sharing with you this wonderful craft I made for the March craft swap. I sent it out weeks ago but forgot to take a picture. I wanted to do something special for the ladies staying with the Story’s and I thought this would be perfect. Don’t you just love this?????

                       

                  This is what it looks like in the frame!

                            

         

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did making it! Blessings, Lori