Your advise is requested.

On the morning of Aug. 29th I was heading to work down 1st Ave. in Alabaster, near Fox Valley got pulled over by a police officer.

There were 2 cars in front of me and I had just got finished thinking to myself that, "this truck in front of me is smoking really bad. I can't believe I am going to have to follow this all the way to the interstate in Alabaster". I had already started slowing down before I saw the cop.

Once we all saw him he started to move and did a U-turn and got behind me. I thought, "I am sure he is about to pull over this guy in front of me because his truck is smoking or he is heading back to the police station". After the police followed me for about 30 seconds he turned on his lights and pulled me over.

Once he got to my window he asked for my license and insurance, asked me if my address was correct on my license and then started to walk off. I had to stop him and ask him why I was being pulled over. He said because I was speeding.

I told him, "sir, I am not sure what the speed limit is because I haven't lived at the address on my license for even a month yet and I haven't traveled this road enough to know." The speed limit on 1st ave. is 30mph. (let me just say here that I know ignorance of the law is not an excuse...I was just stating the truth.)

Either way, he walked back to his car and came back with ticket in hand. I asked him how fast I was going. I thought he said, "29 in a 30." I said, "29 in a 30!" And he said, "no, 39 in a 30." Then he said, "didn't you see me get behind you?" I said, "yes I did that I why I didn't think I was speeding." (come on now...would I knowingly be speeding with a cop behind me!!!...of course I thought about this after I was driving to work). I asked then asked him, "how fast the truck in front of me was going and he said 38."

Well, once I got to work I looked at the ticket and he had written down that I was doing 49 in a 30, instead of the 39 that he told me I was doing.

The Price of my ticket is $160.00.

My question to you for advise is...Should I go to contest the ticket on my court date or just stand before the Judge and ask him/her to let me go to driving school so it will stay off of my record?

I feel that I have reason to contest it because of the sequence of events that morning and from the information that the office told me about the speed of the truck in front of me. And even more so since he wrote down that I was doing 49 in a 30 and the car in front of me was doing 38. If that were true then I would have smashed into the back of the truck that I was following and then we would have had an accident report on our hands, not a speeding ticket.

I truly feel that he clocked my speed while he was traveling behind me and once I started up the hill towards Thompson Road he pulled me over. It is possible that he clocked me at 49 but again...I did not know what the speed was and I sure didn't think it was 30 being the type of road it is and I would not knowingly be speeding with a cop behind me.

So...what is your advise?...contest, ask for driving school?!?

15 Random Things about me.

I copied this from my friend Vals blog and thought I would compare myself to hers and inform you about the same 15 Random things about me. :) My "random things" are after the dash.(-)Enjoy:

1. I like to drink milk while eating chips...always have. - (I like drinking milk with pizza when delivered to the house)
2. I don't sit on the toilet of any place except for mine and other family member's homes. Not even friends! - (When I got to go I GOT TO GO, so I don't care where I am; I will roll the toilet lid if need be.)
3. I've been trying to kick the habit of biting my nails for 14 years now and I tend to only do it while watching a movie or t.v. show. - (I have a habit of biting the skin around my nails. I have gotten better at not doing it)
4. I frown while I sleep so I worry about wrinkle on my forehead. I don't want to have a perpetual frowny face (; - (I don't care if I get wrinkles or not. I get excited when I see a gray hair...yea baby!)
5. I think my feet are the most unattractive thing on my body and they turn blue easily due to even the slightest chill. - (I have sexy feet..really! lol)
6. I prefer to go without shoes all the time unless it is cold. - (I almost, always have something on my feet, even at home. Usually flip flops.)
7. My right hand is double jointed so my fingers are naturally crooked but my left hand is not. I was forever picked on in school due to this fact. - (One of my eyes is wider open than the other. You wouldn't notice unless I told you so...)
8. I want my floors to be spotless all the time, then and only then is my house "clean." - (sad...but true...it's an OCD thing)
9. I check the cleanliness of others based upon their floors. - (I check the cleanliness by their bathroom. But of course Val, you wouldn't do that because you don't use other people's bathroom. ha!)
10. I have an eye for details others wouldn't notice and can tell you random things about someone after seeing them. This fact drives Alex crazy because he doesn't notice anything. - (I notice details others wouldn't notice as well but it drives ME crazy that I do this. I am pretty good at remember names of people too.)
11. When I'm mad my jaw make a weird pulsing movement. This is something noticed by Alex and he laughs because he can tell when I'm mad. - (When I'm mad I tighten my jaw which can't be good for the teeth!)
12. I have a keen sense of smell and always worry about the smell of my own home...which I'm desensitized to. - (same...at times I wish I couldn't smell)
13. I am a germiphobe and must have everything clean for my kids. No licking the paci before sticking it back in my kid's mouth here! UGH! - (I consider the source of the germs and I lick the paci ALL THE TIME!)
14. I really love flowers and buy them for myself because most others do not...my grandmother shares this love. - (I like flowers but I don't by them for myself)
15. I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord and although my body may not be what it used to be I know that God makes each and every person beautiful in his sight. Our petty human thoughts on beauty are sad and I embrace the body God has given me as I teach my daughters to do likewise. (I am who I am!)

SO TIRED

-I am SO TIRED of inviting people to do things but never getting invited.
-I am SO TIRED of being the one to initiate the phone call but never getting the call initiated by someone else.
-I am SO TIRED of people not responding to messages which tells them to reply back with a response.
-I am SO TIRED of how people who say they are my friend treat me. Heck, with friends like that why would I want enemies!
-I am SO TIRED of plans being made and then at the last moment, they are broken by the other person. Which heck, I should have known they would be; this isn't the 1st, 2nd, or even the 3rd time, but yet I keep trying.(fool me once...you know the rest).
-I am SO TIRED of being used!
-I am SO TIRED of having to feel that even though these things are done time and time again I feel obligated to still put on a smile and pretend that everything is okay. If I no longer/if ever fit into the "box" that you have made then just go your way and I'll go mine.

But I think the truth has just been revealed to me. You have gone your way by your actions. It is obviously I who did not, until now, get the picture. This is good though. At least now I can quit filling SO TIRED!

Making changes...

A little bit at a time.

Why keep posting?!?

This, That, and the Other

Life is going by so fast already. This Friday Asher will be 3 weeks old and since birth he has been sleeping great. He is really putting his brother to shame. It is 5:08 am on this Tuesday and we, Corban and I, have been up since 3am. I think it might be a long day. I am sure I should be use to the lack of sleep by now but some days are harder than others.

The house is coming together nicely. We have the boys rooms painted and I am working from room to room and getting it the way we want it. I enjoyed the pool as much as I could before the cold weather set in. I guess by this weekend I will be needing to cover it until next summer.

Here are a few pics of what's been going on for the past month...house decorating, family and friend visits, parties, bringing Asher home, etc...no particular order:

The newest addition...

Asher Jackson Snyder

In my life...

A friend posted on their blog about friendships coming and going into their life. I have experienced the same thing recently. It is true that some friendships are for only a season and I will admit that 99.9% of the time I hate when that season is over, but over it must be.

I have loved all my friendships and wish nothing ill on any of them that have ended. Remember, it was a season and like Summer turning to Autumn, and Autumn turning to Winter, the season has ended.

Bette Midler is one of my favorite singer/song writer/artist. I think this song sums up what I believe a lot of people are facing right now.

Hebrews

Hebrews 10:25 via the Amplified Version tells us, "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching."

I think part of my gifting is being an encourager. If I know someone is going through something I am right there telling them that they can do it, you will make it, constantly trying to keep their spirits up, etc. I can encourage and persuade others better than myself.

But isn't that how God uses us. I think the areas that we lack in is where God uses us to build others up in and in return showing us that we are MORE than conquerors. You know what I'm talking about. I know there has been a time in your life where you were talking with someone and all of a sudden it was like a light bulb went off and it seemed as though the very words you were speaking were being spoken to you and bringing clarification, confirmation, encouragement, etc.

The body of Christ NEEDS each other. As Hebrews stated, we must assemble together. Coming together shows us that we are not alone in this walk with Christ. We were never meant to carry our loads alone. When the body of Christ is together it is then we are made complete.

So, assemble together with brothers and sisters in Christ. Encourage each other, admonish, warn, and urge each other to live a closer life to Christ. Take note that the word judge was not in this passage. Don't cross the line into judging, for with the same measure that you use to judge, God will judge you.

Have a blessed weekend Blogger world. Count your MANY blessings and name them one by one! Come and dine at the Masters table, come and dine! What a friend we have in Jesus...all our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege to carry, EVERYTHING to God in prayer; Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Making a check list...and checking it twice.

Since we are buying a NEW(used) house there are things that need to be updated and fixed.

Updating the fixtures, fans, flooring, etc. are things that can be done as money permits. Things that will be done within a day or two of moving in are the following:

-Of course unpack and take a dip in the pool
-Get ALL door locks re-keyed (this is cheaper than replacing all locks)
-Replace broken water regulator (controls pressure coming into the house)
-Purchase a damper clip for the fireplace
-Fix second garage door that does not open(it isn't aligned correctly)
-Paint boys rooms and bathroom and get them decorated to the brides liking
-Pool fencing(big ticket item but well worth it of course)

The painting of all other rooms will be done as time permits as well as pressure washing the decks and replacing any boards on the deck or yard fencing that needs to be replaced.

I can't wait to get in and decorate. I have the position of the livingroom furniture all laid out in my head as well as most of the other rooms. I am "trying" to refrain from purchasing any furniture until we move in because I need to see what we have, what we can get rid of, and what we might need/want. I did purchase a chair from a friend the other day but I knew I wanted it for a certain area. I have tables and other stuff in the attic and storage that have been put away for a year or more. I am anxious to see all that I forgot we had.

I have an idea for a headboard for the master bedroom. It's going to be good! Bedroom furniture is so OVERLY priced and I refuse to pay what they are asking, especially when I can do just as good or better.

I will do my best to remember to take before and after pics of everything. Just remember that during all this we will also be welcoming into the world Asher Jackson Snyder. Oh how ready I am to meet him! He has been one active little man inside of his Mommy; more so than Corban.

Until again...

A L-O-N-G month...and A L-O-N-G post; grab a cup of coffee!

We have almost reached the end of the month. Our closing for our new house is set for 10:00am on Tuesday. We do our final walk-thru on Monday.

Before that happens though I will be heading up to DuckTown, TN to go White Water Rafting. This is a trip away with the guys before baby Asher arrives, which is only a few weeks away. It may seem to some that this is not the best time to take a getaway trip but I assure you that this was planned before the sell of our current home and the purchase of our new home. I will also assure you that the house is as packed up as it can get. There are the last minute things to pack but other than that, everything will be stacked in the dining room by Sunday afternoon waiting for me to load it into the moving truck on Monday.

With all that has been going on, we added to the list numerous, and still going, visits to the ICU at the hospital. Last Friday my brother was in a really bad car accident driving home from work. He was banged up pretty bad and has already gone through surgery a couple of times. For all that he has been through he is doing really great. Today they should move him into his own room. The main reason he has been kept in ICU was to watch his breathing. It has been irregular since he came in but the nurse said last night that he was doing great. They are watching his left leg and pelvis to besure it doesn't pop out of joint. He has a broken ankle on his right leg, a broken rist on his left hand and just some brusing all over the place. He did get out of bed yesterday to do some walking.

I know he is ready to get his own room and to see his 3 little kids who are missing their daddy like crazy but since you have to be over the age of 12 to enter into the ICU they have not been able to see him. God was watching over him and still is.

To continue on: My mother moves into our house next week when we move out. Yes, if you do not know already, it is my Mother who bought our house. Her and my stepdad are in the process of a divorce. She did not want to continue to live in the house they were in and she wanted to start the "Fresh Start" somewhere else. Keep both of my parents in your prayers. Divorce is a hard thing for anybody, no matter what the circumstances, and no matter which person wants the divorce there is still pain that has to be dealt with and worked through. 21 years is a long time.

I will let you know though I can see God at work in both of their lives. My dad needed a wake up call and God is giving him one. My dad has told me things this past month that show me that God is dealing with him and the provisions for both of them this past month is truly amazing.

Well, I am sure you have reached the bottom of your cup of coffee, or if you are my wife, the bottom of the can of Dr. Pepper, so I will let you go.