Jeffery Allen McDonald

Project 365, February 28, 2009

I knew what to expect... I asked Abby to get a picture of Jeff for me, and I specifically said, I want a good picture, not rock band, not gangster... I want a good one!! I should have known this is at I would get when she ran back upstairs....

In all seriousness.. Jeffery is an amazing young man. He is so full of heart. He is a Junior in high school. He is the best big brother his little sisters could have! Jeffery has been through so much, but always has a smile for me. I love him so much, I know that great things are in store for him... hopefully nothing that would involve a profile picture, that silly kid. The least he could have done was use the project 365 date as the number on his profile!!

We Have Our Boy Home!!!

Project 365, February 27, 2009

It is so good to have Joey home for the week. Lucky for me this time he got daytime hours at Charlies, so I will be able to see him!!! Everyone is happy to see him back.. especially the puppy!

I am back!!

Project 365, February 26, 2009

Wow... she even changed my music! To think about how long it took me to figure out how to get it there! One thing Abby has been screaming about with this blog (other than the fact that I broadcast her life) is that I seem to take more pictures of Sadie than Gracie... So Here She Is.. Gracie is the sweetest dog. She helped our family heal after losing our 9 year old golden retriever. She did not replace her, but she brought life back into our house, and for that we are grateful!

Suddenly I feel sorry for the celebrities who have their life all over the world...

Project 365 February 25

So, my mom decides to write my entire life on this blog, so I decided to put in a little word of my own. For one thing, my mommy is the most amazingest person EVER!! And about the

whole bike incident--that was my dad's fault, he said he had my bike ready. to go.. But anyways in all fairness.. I thought I should fill you in on my mom. She is always there, no matter how difficult the situation to encourage me and help me make decisions. I don't know how many times we argue about stupid stuff but I know that our relationship will never change. I am so proud to have Patricia Ann Bocook as my mother. So i guess on this broadcast of someone's life, you learned the most sappy suck-up story ever... but i guess i could have summed it down to four small, simple words...

I LOVE MY MOMMY!!!

Move over please...

Project 365, February 24, 2009

I was really tired... I just wanted her to move so I could go to bed!!

The Angel I Talk To...

Project 365 February 23, 2009

I don't make a habit of talking to inanimate objects, and I don't really have this obsession with 'angels' like you might think. A few years before my mom passed away I began buying her angels, I am not even sure why. But my stepdad gave me this angel back for my birthday. She sits on my dresser and I seem question her alot.. she never talks back, it isn't like I have two way conversations with her... I just mention things to her, that I might talk to my mom about if she were here... so yes, I am insane.. but it makes me feel better. So there.

We are Fireproof... Are you???

Project 365, February 22

Pretty much had the best day ever... Joe came home and we spent time talking and enjoying each other, then he took me to Red Lobster, where we proceeded to eat way too much lobster and steak!! To walk it off we went to a few stores, then I went shopping with some friends... Gwen and Alicia (again...btw..they were there Friday night too!!)

Skip to best... Movie Night with me an hubby. He got me "Fireproof" for Valentines day, so we decided to watch it. At first we thought it was going to be a cheesy flick, especially when the love of my life began critiquing the whole fire scenes... but boom we began to watch out marriage play out right before our eyes!! This movie was awesome.. We loved it.

Believe me, we have been to the point of no return, and with God's grace He healed our marriage and made us whole! I can't imagine our life without that time in the desert/wilderness. Joe is my best friend, the first person I want to talk to in the morning whether is at the station, or laying next to me and the last I want to talk to at night.

If you think you are at the end of your rope... tie a knot and hang on... Cuz God can do a new thing!!! My prayer for marriages everywhere is that you first cling to God, let him join you back together. If you need HOPE I am here, let me be that for you....

Fireproof your marriage today!!!!

http://www.fireproofyourmarriage.com/

Be careful little eyes what you see

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings

Be careful little feet where you go

For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

CHORUS:

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day

It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear

When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near

Be careful little lips what you say

For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

CHORUS

The journey from your mind to your hands Is shorter than you're thinking

Be careful if you think you stand You just might be sinking

CHORUS

Daddies never crumble in a day

Families never crumble in a day

*Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

Oh be careful little eyes what you see*

A Night Out With Gwen and Individual Thick Cheese Girl..

Project 365, February 21, 2009

Gwen, Alicia and I decided to go to B and B Scrapbook store in Powell, thanks to an invite from my friends Missey and Kim! It was quite the drive, but we had a lot of fun. It was a change of scenery for us and inspired us to spend the next day shop hopping!!

Lots of laughs and memories to make!

Time with my girl...

Project 365 February 20

Great news, Taylor came home and I spent the evening with Abby working on her Mission trip book. Here are a couple of Abby's layouts... too cute, she was loving the paper doll cartridge..

These kids go to "Indian School" in Navajo Nation.

A Concert For Abby...

Project 365 February 19

I missed her concert so I coult visit Taylor. Abby is very understanding. I got a private concert in my family room!!!

This is all I wanna see...

Project 365, February 18, 2009

I am exausted. Mentally and physically. I have so many life changing decisions to make that I have not got a clue how or when to do it. Please pray for discernment for me!! Now, I think I will watch my ceiling fan until it puts me to sleep!

God Bless!

She Looks So Grown Up Now...

Project 365 February 17, 2009

Isn't it funny how a few inches of hair can change the age of your child. But she is beautiful, and that smile can brighten the darkest of days...

The Mad Scrapper...

Project 365, February 16, 2009

I went scrapbooking today with my new bestest friend and her mommy. Maddie is her name and scrappin is her game!! She was wipping out pages like nobody's business!! We did not take the best picture, but the picture will still help me remember what a fun day we had and that I totally should be out of bling and ribbon... :)

If Only It Were That Easy...

Project 365, February 15 Bath Day

I can tell you one thing... bathing these two is not only expensive, it wears them out!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Project 365, February 14, 2009

Joe got me beautiful flowers and two cards (as usual, a funny and a serious one). He also got us a couples devotion book titled "I will love you, Forever" Inspiration for a deeper, richer marriage, and the movie Fireproof (he is a firefighter). I love him so much!!

Where I spend most of my waking hours...

Project 365, February 13, 2009

Im my real life I investigate fraud for the Medicare / Medicaid area of a program safegaurd contractor.. You meet all kinds of people this way... None that you would want to take home to mamma!!!

Hmmm. Which one to use....

Project 365, February 12, 2009

Well, we could talk about what I did for lunch today... which involved smashing and smooshing...

Or we could talk about a much funner subject... Deven and Sara and their Valentine boxes!!

Are they adorable or what!!???

Funny Moments...

Project 365, February 11, 2009

No enlightening messages or thoughts today… just something funny. I came home to a clean house and sat down. Sadie could not stand it because I was ignoring her, so one by one she brings each toy out of her crate and lays them at my feet. She hates it when we put her toys away… just thought it was funny!

BTW.. no worries, I am better today… I love that I have a hubby who can get me through anything. He is such a gift from God.

Her Smile...

Project 365, February 10, 2009

Today has been a really hard day for me. Memories are so thick in my mind. I try to focus on the here and now, but somewhere it gets lost. Sometimes it wears me out to smile all day when I am just not feeling it, then by the time I get home, the very people I love the most, who need that smile get the short end of it. I know I need to move on, go forward, there is so much out there...but I miss what I leave behind when I do that. Maybe I just need sleep... I can tell you if I am struggling to smile at the end of the day, there is one sure fire way to get me there... it is her smile....I love her!

God. You are my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though the ear gives way and the mountains fall in the hear of the sea though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging..I will be still and know you are God. You, Lord Almighty, are with me. You, God of Jacob, are my fortress. (Ps. 46:1-2, 10-11)

I choose to cast my cares on You, Lord, and You will sustain me. (Ps 55:22)

Did the world change..or did we?

Project 365, February 9, 2009

When did the world change… or did it? Growing up it was nothing for me in middle school to hop on the COTA bus and go to Westland mall or Central Point for an afternoon, with no money but the fair. I could entertain myself without money. But somewhere along the line things like that were just no longer acceptable. For instance, my daughter is in the 9th grade In High school. One Monday a month Joe is on duty during my Monday night hours at the scrapbook store. We talked about over Sunday dinner, discussed if it would be ok if Abby rode her bike to sectionals for band. We gave in.


Dad got up, pulled her bike off the rack, put air in the tires and felt it was road worthy. I told her to call me as soon as she got there, when she was done, and when she got home! Panicking all the way.


She calls me on her way home, and tells me her bike was broke, frantically I said “WHERE ARE YOU?”. She said in Hoover Crossing and I bolted out the door… hundreds of things going through my head like ‘what if someone asks her if she needs help’ ‘what would she say’. Praying that none of your children were walking the streets in the dark like mine when I was flying to get to her!! I came upon a girl carrying a bike down the street. In my gut I knew we should not have let it happen. The handlebars fell completely off!!

In my day, I would have just drug it home, and no one would have known any different. Or I would have knocked on someone’s door and asked for a wrench.


Yes the world has changed… I knew that when the fear jumped from my stomach to my throat to get to my little girl.


Psalm 5:11 (New International Version)
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Beyond our Galaxy, You are Holy!

Project 365, February 8, 2009

I know, technically the full moon is not until tomorrow, but it was such a clear night I thought I would take the picture.

Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Let Everything That Has Breath, Praise The Lord..

Project 365, February 7, 2009


I wish I could say I was one of those parents that are so excited for days like this but I am not. I don't mark it on my calander and prepare for days or weeks for it. Today was the OMEA Solo and Ensemble. Keep in mind I have had a horrible headache for days and having to show up to hear hundreds of kids warming up to their own
performance songs in the same small class rooms

was a little more than I could bare… on a good day!

Abby’s private instructor wanted her there almost 2 hours early, so we knew the day would be long. After waiting the hour and 45 minutes, Abby was set to perform. All I can say is WOW!


Her instructor accompanied her on the piano and Abby just began to play a song that literally took my breath away. The great thing was looking over at her daddy and seeing him fighting the tears.

The long wait for her results were worth it! She scored superior and the judge had many wonderful things to say.


Psalm 150

Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

What to do.. What to do...

Project 365, February 5, 2009

I am just not feeling it today. I still have almost 11 months of pictures to take and I don’t have a clue what to take a picture of… Abby freaked when I took a picture of her with a bloody nose.. that’s the excitement for the day around here…
So this is a picture of my new printer I got for Christmas. I have been afraid to use it, not really sure if I liked it or not, so I have been using my old one. Well, turns out it is kind of fun!! It has a touch screen editing feature… I can do this! It weighs nothing, is portable and prints 5 by 7’s too!

Joe also moved my entire scrapbook room around so when I have friends over they don’t have to completely move things around so they don’t have their backs to me!! It actually looks bigger. I like it!!

I am in Romans not with the Faith Comes By Hearing… So many verses I just love in Romans!!

Romans 8:37-39 (New International Version)
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

Project 365, February 4, 2009

After yesterday’s post you may be wondering how I am….
Psalm 30:5 /

Trading my Sorrows!
Though the sorrow may last through the night, joy comes in the morning.

Funny how the sun still comes up!! You see.. I have this very special man in my life who reminds me daily that we are in it FOREVER. Our kids will leave, in fact, they should leave. Bethany was born 11 months into our marriage, and we have never been alone. So maybe this is not such a bad thing (she tries to say to herself). All I know is that this does not mean I will never see her, if she does in fact leave. Which, is just an idea… But what it does mean is that Joe and I will soon be embarking on another stage in our own life, one that he is very excited about, so I think I will jump on that train!!

Let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings...

Project 365 February 3, 2009

Have you ever had one of those days that seems to be going along like any other normal day then you come upon something that changes your perspective on everything. That is what happened to me today. I was just looking at updates to blogs when I come upon my daughters, keep in mind 4 years ago I sent her to Indiana Weslyan, knowing that one day she would be back, at that time she would come home, get a job, find a husband, have my grandbabies, at which time I would promptly quit my job and babysit!
I can’t begin to explain the devastation I felt when I saw that Bethany is in touch with a recruiter in Atlanta. She has all this research on her blog about the hospital, and the area. I feel sick writing this right now! It isn't as though we have not talked about her experiencing different things. I guess in my mind, I always thought, when it came down to it, she would choose me.
Lucky for me she drove home tonight for a dentist appt in the morning. My chance to BEG her not to do this to me!!!
For 21 years I have prepared her for independence, to be socially and financially responsible. Why now am I thinking that should go out the window and she should stay here? She says she is just looking around, but I can feel her restlessness. Please pray that where God leads she will follow, and I will listen. Because I can't bear to lose her on my own.

Find Your Wings ~ Lyrics
It’s only for a moment you were mine to hold
The plans that Heaven has for you will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I pray for all that you might do
But most of all, I wanna know you’re walking in the truth
And if I never told you,
I want you to know,
That as I watch you grow
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I’m here for you whatever this life brings
So, let my love give you roots and help you find wings
May passion be the wind that leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong and guide you on your way
May there be many moments that make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I’m here for you whatever this life brings
So, let my love give you roots and help you find wings
It’s not living
If you don’t reach for the sky
I’ll have tears as you take off
But, I’ll cheer as you fly
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I’m here for you, whatever this life brings
So, let my love give you roots and help you find your wings
Lyrics to Find Your Wings By Mark Harris

All I can say is she definately has taste...

Project 365, February 2, 2009

First of all, let me say I worked tonight and had NOTHING to do with this!! But my hubby thought it would make a great blog picture. I am not sure, but I think he needs a hobby! However, you have to admit, this puppy is hilarious!! :)

She loves to get into everything, and don't bother putting all her toys away, because one by one she picks them up and scatters them everywhere, it's like I have a toddler again!

I hope you are all have a great week!! I am really tired, I worked at both jobs today without a break in between... and here it is almost midnight and I am wide awake, yet feel dead tired!! How does that happen anyway??

I wanna be like Paul, because he wanted to be like Jesus....

I am continuing to listen to the New Testament on my IPOD each day. I am in Acts right now and have come to the conclusion that my life has been pretty easy. When I begin to dwell on all the crazy and tragic life altering events over the past several years, I want to crawl in a hole and just give up.

Now, once again, listening to the events that Paul, Silas and the other disciples endured, I become so ashamed of the pity I have placed on my life!!

I am amazed at the courage, strength and loyalty they had in their walks and the cause for Christ. How they were beaten so many times and thrown in jail, and yet they were still found to be singing hymns and praising God, even converting the prisoners and guards!!

I want my life to be a living testimony!!

Philippians 4:12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

1 Peter 3:15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Romans 2:7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Yipppeee!! My girl has a name!!! I had many emails and comments, some so darn cute, some just thought provoking, but in the end.... Drum roll please.....


















pixelatedkitty said...
I say Junie B. Cricut :)


Now I have to figure out who you are and where I can send my prize to!!! :) If you see this, send me an email... patibocook@yahoo.com Thanks!!!

Project 365, February 1, 2009

I actually got some scrappin done this weekend!! The Cyber Crop was fun and it really motivated me to get some pages completed. Here are the layouts I worked on!!