Paige Barnes

I am very proud to be married to this man .

Today was our walk for diabetes at UAH. Most of our family was able to come walk with us which totally blessed my heart! They all had to drive several hours to be here with us. We had a great day of fellowship with family. We started by going to church at The Bridge . Our brother-in-law and his wife have begun to build this body of believers. We are excited for them and just know God is doing a great thing over there in Huntsville! We were blessed to be able to worship with them today. We felt the freedom to worship and the presence of God in that place (and they meet in a school!!). John (our brother-in-law and the pastor) talked to us about the walls we all can build. Powerful and insightful. Then we all went back to their house for lunch! When it was time for the walk, we all headed over to UAH for the walk. We met Cole's parents and my dad there. We all got to wear t-shirts proclaiming our role in the cause to fight diabetes. The boy was given a different shirt. ...

I have been struggling for the past 5 or so days with some pretty severe pain in my neck and shoulders. Oh yeah, and my jaw that is still bothering me pretty good post wisdom teeth extraction. Dentist says we've probably irritated the nerve that runs from about the middle of my jaw joint down my gum line to the middle of my front teeth. It's pretty painful at times. This pain could have caused my other pain - who knows? All I know is I have a huge knot of a muscle spasm in my right shoulder and I can barely move my neck or hold my head up sometimes. The pain is immense. I have been rubbing on this stuff that's akin to Ben-gay and smelling like an old woman for the past few days with not much relief. Last night I was to practice with some girls that I sing with from time to time, but had a migraine come on in the early afternoon (probably from the neck pain). So I missed practice. I was able to start functioning again around 8:30pm or so, but I still went to bed wi...

1. They are Christians who understand what it means to be in the world but not of the world . God has not called us to hole ourselves up in a room with only other believers only listening to only Christian music and only wearing Christian t-shirts. Hey, nothing is wrong with doing those things, but we must be out in the world among the beautiful, dirty, needy, hurting,unique, precious people God created. We are just like them. The only thing that separates "us" from "them" is the blood of Jesus and He gave that freely for everyone! (So, let's go tell "them" about it)!! 2. They are awesome role models for my son. I am a sucker and even have a Jonas Brothers ring tone on my phone. Yes, I am a grown up, but I am a mom and sometimes that cancels out the grown-up part. 3. Almost all of their songs lend themselves well to air guitar. We do a lot of that around this house. I look pretty dorky doing it, but the boy looks pretty cool. In fact at...

...what my day was like today. The life of a mommy is never boring or slow, that's for sure. So I woke up in pain yet again. I have been told in the past that I have fibromyalgia and some days I am just in so much pain that's it's really difficult to function. So, for the second day in a row I woke up pretty stiff and unable to really get my right upper body to do anything. We are talking severe pain in my neck, right shoulder, and right arm. Not to mention that I just have general aches all over. Bummer. So we do our daily morning routine with the boy. Wake up, check blood sugar, give insulin and eat breakfast. Then we see the hubbs off to work so he can make our money! Before son's diabetes, I called my hubbs my "Sugar Daddy". I told him since the diabetes I would start calling him my "Splenda Daddy". Then after breakfast there are dishes to do and three loads of laundry to be done. Pick up things here and there and finally put my dini...

This morning I want to share with you some powerful words from one of my most revered speakers/preachers, Louie Giglio . I can't get the video to load into this post, but click here to watch it. We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but a...

Ok, folks. A bit earlier today I was informed that there is a term for "man-panties". They are called "manties". Thanks to J-Mo for setting me straight. It is vitally important that we stay up on the culture and newest lingo and things of that nature. I mean, one cannot be caught in a conversation and not know the correct term for "man-panties". Especially if you are suggesting that one put them on. And just so you know, I have used that term not once, but twice today!

Yesterday's visit to Crosspoint was awesome! They are doing this new sermon series called "Family Jewels". The day didn't start off too great for the fam. We were running late. The hubbs ran over a flowering bush in the yard on the way out of the driveway. He then almost pulled out in front of another car (we're still in our neighborhood by the way). Now, we were in a hurry to get to the movie theater. Yes, this church meets in a movie theater. How cool is that? So , we get there and the hubbs realizes that he didn't put son's glucometer (what checks his blood sugar) in his backpack. Now, he said he did as we left the house and even looked in there to make sure it was there. Bless his heart, we stayed up too late the night before! (Yes, I did become "miss smarty pants and say something in very ticked-off wife tone, and then I asked him to forgive me and reminded him that he was still my knight in shinning armor). So we get into church and...

I am not usually the type to have a yard sale. I like to go to them. Just ask the hubbs. I can be scary when we drive by a yard sale and there is some half-decent stuff sitting out in the yard. It's helpful that I usually only carry around plastic cash which limits my yard sailing ability. But we had a bunch of stuff and thought we could have a yard sale and put the money toward our Diabetes walk coming up next Sunday. So we took a chance. I was meticulous. I priced everything so there would be no question. I made yard signs and flyers and put them up around the neighborhood. I even took an ad out in the paper. All of these things done to increase our flow of traffic and allow us to raise the most amount possible for the diabetes walk. And then it rained. Right after we had moved all the tables loaded down with stuff out onto the driveway. So back into the garage it was, and I was bummed. However, the day was a success for two reasons. 1. We raised $150 for our diabetes...

Almost three years ago my mom was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of a heart attack. She lives about two hours away from me so I wasn't able to rush up there right away. I spent lots of time on the phone with her as they did this test and that test and everything came back normal. She happened to mention to me that she was still having chest pain and her oxygen saturation was in the 80s. They did have her on oxygen at the time. Now as a nurse, it concerned me that they hadn't done any test to rule out a pulmonary embolus (blood clot to the lung). This is a serious and life-threatening problem. So I encouraged them to do a CT scan of her lungs to rule that out. Luckily the scan came back clear for a PE, but it did show a mass on her thyroid. Over the next month she went in for many tests and a biopsy which revealed that she had thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is usually called the "good cancer to have", as the prognosis is usually wonderful. Try believ...

First: Upload a family picture. Second: Answer the questions. 1. How many children do you have? 1 - the most amazing red-headed boy ever! 2. What are their ages? 6 3. What time of day do you start your day? Around 7 am 4. What do you eat for breakfast? Oatmeal, fruit, or yogurt 5. Do they watch TV? yes-in moderation 6. What are their favorite activities? music, games, anything Star Wars, crafts/making things, building with Legos 7. Do you get a break during the day from them? every now and then 8. How do you end your day? check blood sugar, bedtime snack, story, and bedtime prayers 9. What is your best parenting advice or tip? (taken from my mother-in-law) Pray for his future wife everyday! Third: pass it on!!

The night was set to say goodbye. Many people stood and said their thank yous to me. Several gifts picked out and given to me to say thanks for what I had done. My tears and my discussing how sad it was for me to leave...what I had done. And then one stood to say thank you to you. For what you brought to the experience. You touched more than you will ever know. Your service and witness was done quietly in the background for not many to see. But many were impacted. Most who stood to say something to me had no idea that I was only able to do what I did because of you. Because of your love for me and because of your support of me and mostly because you believe in me no matter what I decide to get into next. So as we leave we look back and see that WE did a good thing. God used US and God blessed US. WE worked hard and WE grew. Now WE walk on toward the next opportunity, hand in hand with our other hands raised up toward the Heavens begging for God to rain down the new mercies ...

DIRECTIONS:Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Hit forward, delete my answers and type in your answers. Four Jobs that I have had: 1. Stay-At-Home Mommy 2. Youth Minister 3. Nurse Manager/ Clinical Research and Protocols Nurse 4. Registered Nurse Four Movies I've watched more than once: 1. The Wizard of Oz 2. Sleepless in Seattle 3. The Princess Bride 4. Cinderella Four T.V. Shows I watch 1. Grey's Anatomy 2. ER 3. Heroes 4. Various things on the Discovery Channel People Who Email me Regularly: 1. My mom 2. My mom-in-law 3. My friend Beth 4. My friend Sonja Four of my favorite foods 1. Fried Pickles 2. Strawberry Pretzel Salad 3. Creme Brulee 4. Tiramisu Four places I'd rather be: 1. Touring Europe 2. A vineyard in Nappa Valley 3. At the spa 4. On the beach Things I am looking forward to this year: 1. My son getting his insulin pump 2. Finding out what life is about as a stay-at-home mommy and teacher 3. Remodeling our house an...

Since everyone else is doing it, I guess I must say something about Sarah Palin. Let me preface this by saying a couple of things: 1. I am officially registered as a Republican, but I think I should probably change it to Independent. I vote for the person and what they can bring to the position - not just the party. OK - I'm sure I'll get a nasty letter about that one. 2. I haven't really kept up with all the little details of Sara Palin, and I couldn't tell you the first thing as of yet about what she's done as governor or if I think she can bring anything or not to the ticket. (I do intend to do my research before I cast my vote, though). Here's what I DO know: 1. She is a woman who happens to be attractive . I think I am going to puke if I hear her referred to as "hot" or "sexy" one more time. She is someones wife therefore no one else in the world except her husband should be referring to her as that. SHAME ON YOU media/politician...

For the past almost 4 years I have been the youth minister for a group of about 60 youth. Considering what all has gone on with my son in the past few months and some other things God has spoken to us, we have been led to leave this position for me to stay at home. Sunday is my last day. This is both a terribly sad time for me and also an exciting time. I am excited about the next leg of the journey God will be taking my family on. I have been blessed to look back at the past 4 years of ministry and see how students and adults have grown. Friendships have been made, bonds created. Cords have been woven that will link us together for life. I will always be their youth pastor for those years. They will always be my students. I could not have asked for a better few years. Don't get me wrong, we've had some tough times. One or two (or three or four!) students who constantly kept their toe on the line. Most of them finally just jumping over the line at some point and neve...

(If you know me personally, then this post may be a side of me you don't see often unless you are my husband. If you only know me through the blog world, then know that it usually takes something really big or really stupid to get me riled up. Just ask the hubbs - I don't dare listen to talk radio). I am furious. First of all let me say that I did not watch the MTV VMA awards. I don't watch crap like that. Well, let's be honest. It's mostly crap. Who in the world is what's his name - the so-called host anyway? What in the world did the Jonas Brothers do to you? I mean, come on. Pick on someone your own age - from your own country. Bear with me friends....the claws are coming out. I know that it is socially acceptable to be perverted. It's socially acceptable to be a sex-crazed person and dress like you work at a strip club. I know that it is socially acceptable to be an idiot. I also know that it is a free country. People have the right to express themselve...

Ok ladies. We all care about our skin. Whether some of us are trying to turn back time, love the skin we are in, or taking care of what God gave us, our skin and beauty regimine (whatever it is)is important. God's Word tells us that we are the "apple of His eye". "For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye." I absolutely love that God thinks of us as the apple of His eye! So, I thought it would be fun for us to share our top 5 beauty must haves. You know, the things that you really can't do without. The ones you use everyday. So after you read mine, please leave me a comment with your favorite beauty items. 1. My favorite and most used product is Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer . Oh yeah, and now they have the firming version. Girls, can I be completely honest? I am as white as white comes. Tan in a bottle was...

Well, the news is in. Today's visit to Children's Hospital's wonderful pediatric endocrinologists have resulted in them telling us that Big Red is ready for the insulin pump!!! This is much awaited news for us as the pump will give him much more control over his diabetes and much more freedom. We were a little shocked that we were told we could do it this early (he was just diagnosed in June), but doc said his blood sugars are looking great and he's ready. So we come home and make all the calls to the grandparents to tell them the good news. In talking with my precious father-in-law, he was telling of something he was listening to just today talking about just how close we may be getting to truly finding a cure for diabetes. Matthew asks me all the time when they are going to find a cure. In keeping with that, I want to tell you of a great thing that is coming up in the world of diabetes and our life. It's the annual "Step Out For Diabetes" Walk s...

A big thanks to my blogger friend Stonefox over at Moms, Ministry, and More for bestowing on me my very first blog award! I have so enjoyed getting to know her, and I know you will too. Go check out her adventures! In the tradition of things, I will bestow this award on several other people that I so enjoy knowing in the wonderful world of blogging. She's So There is a new and becoming dear friend of mine. She is exquisite, classy, and wise. You will love to hear of all that she is doing today. She is the queen of keeping it together when there's a lot going on. The Hubbs is the blog of my dear sweet hubby. I nominate him because he shows a side of himself on his blog that really cracks me up and causes me to scratch my head...and because I am new to this blog thing and don't know many people yet! Life, One Cup at a Time is the blog of my cousin. She is candid, down-to-earth and all about her family and Jesus. It is refreshing to know that she goes through some...

1. It really hurts to have them cut out instead of pulled. For somebody that has a big mouth like me, it's hard to imagine there wouldn't be room for all those teeth! 2. Pain medication can be your friend. 3. They make cheesecake filling in a big tub. Yes, you heard it here folks! That's the best stuff to eat with a spoon right out of the tub since somebody tried it with peanut butter. 4. My husband is amazing and gets even more amazing every day. My hubby had to carry me in the house from the car and all the way to the bed because I was too out of it to even walk. (He's the STRONG silent type)! 4. There are just times when a girl needs her mom. Like when she just had a baby... or all of her wisdom teeth cut out. 5. Little boys are the best to their mommy. My buddy wants to love on me but he's afraid he will hurt me so he's really careful. And he picked me out some beautiful red roses. 6. Steroids are crazy! I can't sleep, I have the "shakes...

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Since I am having my wisdom teeth out tomorrow, I thought this blog post I ran across was most appropriate. http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/09/392-treating-god-like-dentist.html Sometimes we treat God like the dentist, it says. This made me sad because I try to avoid the dentist at all costs. I hope that tomorrow will be a turning point for me with the dentist... and with God. So I am not sure when I will feel like posting again- maybe when the cheeks aren't as swollen. ~Paige

I love my iPod. Those of you who know me well know that I am a singer and most of my life has revolved around that. Music moves me and I love it. If I had to be stranded on a desert island and could only bring one thing (besides my family) it would definitely be my iPod. So I love how they do the celebrity play lists on iTunes. I am by no means a celebrity or anything close (although my mom told me just a couple of years ago that I still had star potential - thanks mom!), but I thought it would be fun to see what my most played songs are on my play list and share them with you. Here goes (in order of most played): 1. "Like We Never Loved at All" by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw - I like songs that slowly creep into my soul and bring on the strong emotions. This song definitely does that for me. 2. "I know You Won't" - another one of those deep emotion songs. Plus, I love to sing this one. I love Carrie Underwood. She has talent, class, and reminds me of mys...