update :)

I have been thinking it is way past time to update my blog for a couple of weeks.  I was told by another fellow blogger that I need to really be "watering my garden" a little more.  I need to keep up with my postings a little better in other words.  Sorry to my 6 followers,  who I'm sure have been waiting ever so impatiently for another riveting entry from yours truly.  I know that last statement is not entirely true, well not even a little true.  I know you just check when I update. :)  Anyway.  I do need to update.  So, here's a short blurb on what's been going on in the past three weeks.

Mother's Day was wonderful, period.  Thank you all so much for the feedback on my mother's story.  I loved telling it and I loved hearing that so many of you were inspired by her courage and fearless faith.  She truly is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege to know.

We celebrated some graduation ceremonies in the meantime.  We "graduated" our 3rd class of Seniors since moving to Cushing.  I hope there are many, many, many more students in our future here.  God has really blessed this class with so much leadership potential and with hearts that seek after Him.  We love you, Senior class of 2011.

Then, last week, we took 20 students with us to Arlington, TX to enjoy a Texas Rangers game and Six Flags.  It was a blast to say the least!  We had a wonderful time with the kids we took!  Even sitting all day at Six Flags was bearable because of the company we kept while there.  Christi Hickman, my dear friend and wife to our music minister, sat with me for the greater part of the day.  What a blessing!!!

So, now up to today.  I'm turning in money to our church secretary today for a new ministry that a few friends and I are starting for moms in our community.  I am SO excited about what we are doing and more excited about what God is doing!  We are hosting a garage sale this week at Robyn Jones' house.  So, if you like garage sales (as I do!!!) stop by if you are in the Cushing/Stillwater/Stroud area this Thursday and Friday.  I promise it will be worth it!  We are not only selling "pre-loved" items, but we are raffling a trip to Branson for $5 (<---click here if you want to see some pictures to where you could be going!) a ticket and also selling homemade laundry soap including instructions for making your own if you are interested!  The ministry is Moms31 and we have a facebook page.(<---click here to take a little trip to our facebook pg)  So, come and see us there or on our blog. (<---and click here to go to our blog page!)

Shameless advertising below! :)  Hope to see you there!

Last, but not least, I wanted to update you on our baby naming progress.  We have a short list that includes a few really beautiful names that we think will go with Elliana's name pretty well.  There was one new revelation yesterday about one of the names on that list.  We will not be naming our daughter Sawyer.  I can tell you that I still love the name, but being from Oklahoma where all our words kinda run together at times, I don't think I could be pleased always with that choice.  Here's what happened to help us with this one.
Yesterday, my mother and father in-law came over for some time away from Mustang. My mother in-law was wearing some really cute shoes.  She asked me if I saw them earlier and I responded, "Yes, I saw your cute shoes!"  But, with my Okie accent it sounded more like "saw yer"...and in that moment I heard her potential name being made fun of in so many ways and couldn't bring myself to put her through such torture as a Middle schooler.  So, the name Sawyer is officially off our list.  As for the others, we will update you as soon as more get crossed off, but until then, keep suggesting names.  We are open and would love some help with this HUGE task of naming our second child!
Thanks y'all!  Love
CL

Mother's Day...of course I would write today!

This morning, I was up WAY before the sun!  I was having a hard time sleeping.  Which normally means I either ate something that totally didn't agree with me or the Lord has something to share with me.  I'm supposing it's the latter since I haven't had to make a mad dash to the potty this morning.  ;)
I needed to type up a PowerPoint presentation for my amazing hubby this morning's worship service.  So, that was one thing that I needed to get done.  But, also I needed to spend a little extra time this morning worshipping the God that makes this life possible and taking the time to thank him for a petite, and many times overlooked blessing in my life, my Momma.

The story of how I came into this world is nothing short of God's creativity and really to be bold, a Miracle.  I know that word is thrown around so much today, but it's really valid in this situation.

On August 17, 1979 at the young ages of 19 and 18, Coletta Ravon Schmidt and Rocky Wayne Greer entered into a covenant marriage with one another.  The peace and quiet in their home was replaced a couple of years later with the birth of Rocsann Ravon Greer, a curly headed, dimpled, blue eyed, sweet baby girl.  Life was good.  Eight months later, the world came crashing in around them--stroke was the word that rocked their world.  Apparently, it was a preventable stroke caused from birth control pills.  After 8 days in a coma, then came the exhausting work of rehabilitation.  Coletta, just 22 years old, endured the rigors of regaining the use of her left side that had been paralyzed in the stroke, and returned home a different, but very determined woman.
Then,  December of 1981 brought more shocking news--Pregnancy!  Immediately excitement was squelched by grief and dismay.  The doctors were not impressed to say the very least.  They were troubled at this news and quickly told the young couple to abort all hope for this child's survival right then and there, literally through means of an abortion.
Here's where the plot thickens.  Rocky and Coletta could not go through with even the thought of killing this life they had already brought into this world.  So, they changed doctors.  The pregnancy was considered high risk with a possibility of even losing Coletta in the process.  The proceeded with childlike faith.  Nine months later brought another surprising word, Daughter (AGAIN!).  They were sure this time it was a Son.  That daughter of course is Me, Cory Lynne.
I'm so thankful, not only for the memories I share with my mom (I assure you there are many because she is a great mom), but also for the time that I was being formed in the secret place, as the Bible calls it, and loving me even then enough to risk her own life to bring me in whatever condition I came, into this world!  AMAZING LOVE!
My mom and dad did the unheard of in those days, refuse a "medically endorsed" abortion.  I can't thank them enough!  She did everything a "normal" mother would do.  She taught us to do cartwheels in the back yard, she taught us cheers from when she was a cheerleader at Cordell High School.  She did everything (probably more than other moms her age)!  As I look at my daughter and feel my other child kicking wildly in my womb, I think of my mom and the unmatched sacrifice she made to bring my sister and me into this world and then continue on and raise us as if she had no reason or excuse not to be the same as any other more able bodied mom.  I just hope I am as courageous and fearless in raising my children as she was.
So, here's a little and very humble thank you, Momma!
You (and Daddy) are the best example of Love I can imagine!  I love you back!
Proverbs 31:26-31
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  
Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I apologize for my blank look in this picture.  This is the day we brought Elliana home.  I was a little more than exhausted and overwhelmed by the guests on our first day.

 Baby Shower (Meet and Greet) a week after Elli Kate was born.  What a difference a week makes!

This last summer!  She was twirling and I stopped her so we could take a quick pic!  That's all we get, really, are pictures on the run now. :)

temptation

Well, late late last night, I was working hard...well sort of.  I was using all my brain power,  which isn't a whole lot, to try and make some last minute purchases on a website I found just about 4 days ago.  Let me give you the background.

I was home "alone", it was late, Elli Kate was sleeping soundly, so I got my laptop and did the only reasonable thing to do on a Friday night--I surfed the internet.  Is that still a valid phrase?
I knew temptation would draw me in, but I continued.  What's my weakness you ask?  Well, plants, flowers, soil, mulch, etc.  I know, not quite what you had in mind, right?  Anyway.  So, I found some YouTube videos about proper planting of hollyhocks and peonies.  That led me right into looking at the right mulch for the right flowers.  And, you know what?  I learned a LOT that night.  However, my appetite wasn't quite satisfied.  I had to find out where this greenhouse or nursery was and how could I justify ordering a few plants online.  Well, it didn't take long--because I'm so tech saavy because I listened closely to where the gardening guru said he was broadcasting or webcasting or whatever you call it from.  It was Springhill Nurseries somewhere in Ohio.
When I got to the sight it was like when the skies opened up on Princess Kate for the Royal Wedding...but for me at midnight! (btw, I was watching highlights of that event while ogling over plants)  It was a girl's dream...well, this girl's.  :)
I found some of the most beautiful plants I think I've even seen.  They have about a bajillion different colors and hybrids of day lilies and any other plant or flower you've been dreaming of!  Seriously, if you even like to garden or are thinking of starting to garden, you need to check their site out!  Not kidding! It's that good!

Part II
So, that leads me to last night.  So, I got an email telling me that they were having an overstock liquidation sale and some things would be marked down to 73% off, but only until midnight!!!  I sprang into action!  I immediately put my daughter in her jammies (my darling husband was still out doing ministry things at about 9:30 pm...I was trying to keep her awake to see him) and lullabied her and got her in bed soundly.  I came back to the computer with a mission in mind and can I tell you that my mission was accomplished last night!  I bought some things I have been wanting for a while now!  I got a kaleidoscope (hard word to spell) butterfly bush for--get this--$5.99!!!!  These are normally like $20 or more.  And, I got two blue delphiniums for $3.99 each!!!  Lastly, I got a couple of red bee balm for $3.99!  I'm so pumped and excited to get that email saying that they are on their way to my house!
I know not all of you share my excitement about these procures as I do, but I wanted to let you in on a little more of what makes me tick!
Well, since my family is sleeping-in this morning, I'm going to make my way outside and do some mulching now.  I'll share some pics soon of my flower beds.  They are a work in progress, so don't be too anxious. ;)