Deanna Doss Shrodes

For those reading the blog today I wanted to quickly post a photo...just a few hours old, from Jordan's graduation. This is right after he stepped off the stage and received his diploma from the principal. Larry got this with a zoom lens from far away -- Jordan looked up knowing his Daddy was watching and waiting with the camera. We have many more pics and memories but his party is an hour away from kicking off and I must get the food in the oven, salad mixed, balloons on the mailbox...bye!

I got up early yesterday morning to try to put some finishing touches on the house for my sister's arrival from Charlotte, NC. She got here mid morning and Dustin, Larry and I picked her up and went out for a nice early lunch at Olive Garden. Dustin had to work last night so we wanted to do something special with just the four of us before he went. Good times. Shari's favorite restaurant is Olive Garden an d ever since going with her years ago she got me stuck on the pasta fagioli. Oh my. I love it. We eat the salad and that soup and dip the bread sticks in it. Fabulous! I didn't overdo it. I'm really watching what I eat, seriously watching it. We came home and spent time together all afternoon and made Jordan's graduation cake and talked and had tea, and just good conversation. Then much later tonight after Dustin went to work Larry and I, Shari, Savanna, Jordan and Emmy (Jordan's girl) went out for a bite to eat again and bowling. (Yes, bowling again...family ...

We got a new camera in time for Jordan's graduation. I don't know how to use it yet. I've been too busy doing other stuff the past day or two but Larry knows how so that will get us through for Jordan's graduation. He took these photos of Maddie and I wanted to share them. Haven't take many photos of her lately because of the lack of camera. You can see how much she's growing. As an english bulldog, she's eventually going to be a little "tank". Short and very stout. Right now I call her my little "tankini"! :-) lol She's so precious. After all the initial fuss of getting her it appears I may just be the family member that is craziest about her and can't wait to come home to her. This morning we are picking my sister Shari up from the airport. We're excited about her visit. Tomorrow is the graduation and party. Lots to do to get ready...

Posting has been scarce for me (in fact non-existent yesterday which is extremely rare) because I'm very busy getting ready for Jordan's graduation. My sister Shari is flying in tomorrow morning from Charlotte, NC to be here for the weekend. I am getting things ready for her to stay here (you know, all the extra stuff you do when you have a houseguest...sheets, towels, yada yada) and cleaning and preparing for the party. Right this moment I just popped a double layer chocolate cake in the oven, which is Jordan's request for his cake. I have a special topper I'm preparing with the help of Pastor T and my husband. I hope it turns out like I envision...we'll see but either way it's the heart/thought that count and I'm sure Jordan will get the message. Been getting some media things together too...will not say too much in case Jordan is reading the blog. I had intended on sprucing up my yard for the occasion (beyond cutting grass, edging) I intended to do the we...

This is a short work week because of the Memorial Day holiday yesterday, and I am extra busy with Jordan's graduation this weekend and my sister coming in from North Carolina. I had a double pile up of work today and wouldn't you know it, my computer went on the fritz. Ughh!!! I have been slow to blog with all of this going on, but Larry has it fixed up now and I'm back on track so a quick update here before nodding off to bed... Larry and I had a few hour meeting this morning with friends Pastor Ed & Janis Russo concerning some big stuff we're planning in our church right now. They are helping us with some things as we get ready for the big reveal, and we are ever so grateful and excited about what God is going to do!! Once it's public, I'll blog all about it, you can be sure. After the phenomenal meeting with the Russo's I came back to delve into my work on the computer and discovered that it was completely screwed up and I did not get anything don...

My church ladies (especially my life coachers!) really love me. I am so blessed by them, all the time. Truly they are a bright spot in my everyday life that many times keeps me going. On Saturday we had life coaching and a few of the ladies always bring something yummy to share. One of my favorite things that both Gayle Lechner and Janice Shehan both make is baked brie . OH MY. Warm and gooey...nothing like it. Janice makes it in a puff pastry that has a little bit of brown sugar and some kind of nuts with it, and Gayle makes it in a puff pastry with herbs. Gayle made her recipe for Saturday and surprised me by making it with a big PD on it, just for me. Notice the little "p" in the middle, "D" on the outside. When she presented it I said, "oh, does this mean it's all for me or do I have to share it?!" (LOL) It was so good...so good it would make a tadpole slap a whale, as I often say! I just had to grab my phone and take a quick pic of this before we...

Bad night last night. Painful. God has scheduled the sun to rise this morning and I hope for something better. I do hope in the Lord and continue to place my trust in Him. Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” ~ Lance Armstrong At times like this it's good that: 1) I am a woman of God who goes by the Word of God. 2) I don't have money for a train or plane ticket.

I made no secret of the fact all season that I am a huge Adam Lambert fan. I am crazy about him, and can't wait to download his album straight to my Zune. I'll probably work out to it for a long time, once it is released. I also think Kris is an awesome singer. Very talented. I've also heard a ton of other guys who can play and sing just like him. He's a lot like John Mayer or hundreds of worship leaders across the platforms of some of the more prominent churches in America. That's not surprising as Kris is a worship leader in reality, and we've been reminded of that by Christians all season long. There has been a video circulating of Kris leading, "God of this City" in his church. It's really praiseworthy, no doubt about it. And he's cute as a button. (Are buttons cute?) Truth be told, I enjoy Kris a whole lot, I just don't think he's all that unique . I could name quite a number of my personal friends right off the top of my he...

Madeline has grown so much. She's become quite the "tank", looking more like a bulldog day by day. Her big teeth are coming in and her tongue sticks out the side sometimes. Last night she came by my bed while I was working on my laptop and I grabbed her and pulled her up which took literally all my strength -- it's becoming very hard to pick her up because she's getting so heavy. She laid up on my lap while I worked and I picked up my cell phone and clicked a few pictures of her. My camera is gone...for good. It went bye-byes and this makes me sad. I am officially camera-less. So, this makes for an interesting predicament being that Jordan graduates in a week and I've got to get a camera. I haven't been able to take pictures of anything lately. including the kids, Maddie or anything. There's so much lately that I've wanted to chronicle in photos and post here...can't wait to be able to do it again. By the way, you can see in this picture some o...

Last night was Jordan's senior showcase and it was just delightful. He and Megan Russo did a drum duet. They utilized everything but drums! It was uniquely amazing. They had garbage cans, shopping carts, and all kinds of other "junk" and this is what they did their duet with, banging on all kinds of "junk" and creating different sounds. It was so creative and fun. I know I am partial, after all I'm the Mom, but Janis (Megan's Mom -- who is also partial) agreed...these kids brought down the house and they were bar none, THE best! The Russo's taped it and I'm hoping to get a copy and if and when I will post it on the blog. Last night was Jordan's last thing for high school, except for the actual graduation ceremony which will be next week. It was a real celebration last night. He is now out of school with no more classes and he is just thrilled, and so are we. We are about to cross a new milestone -- graduation with our second child and it'...

My life was really changed on January 17 of this year. Sitting right here in this room that you see pictured to the left. Lots of times here on the blog I have said things like, "there's something going on in my life...can't disclose all the details right now but God is really doing some big things..." or "something new is happening in our church -- it's not public yet but it will be soon..." I'm always sincere when I say those things and never just blowing smoke or trying to seem mysterious. I always end up sharing whatever it is eventually but I don't always go back and link my first comments with it, to show you what I was talking about back then. So, I'm here to share a backstory today and connect the dots for those of you who are faithful readers. Back on January 17 I blogged about something amazing that happened for me that day that changed the course of my life. I had been feeling very sick at that time and although we had a district ...

In ministry we have to learn how to be "instant in season and out" but also really in anything we do in life if we are to be successful, I believe that is true. I have been working on a project for my career coach job (which has now expanded - I am also recruiting/training coordinator there as well now) and in this new role I had a project assigned that was due this Friday. I've been working hard on it but it was only about 2/3 done this morning. Mid-day our COO (Chief Operating Officer) contacts me and says, "I am in the midst of meeting with a client and need whatever info you already have ready on that project..." My heart sunk because I knew I would be giving her something that was like a cake that was 1/3 unfrosted. But I had to, so I did. I had a delightful idea last week to add something unbeknownst to them to the project that would add some extra pizzazz and I was hoping for the grand unveiling Friday but it was sort of a good unveiling rather than a gra...

It's a rainy day in Tampa Bay and oh how we have needed it! What a drought. It's been kind of depressing as I have biked lately, all but two of our lakes in Lexington Oaks have dried up. I got the kids up for school but slept again until it was time for me to get up and rain makes itpwonderful for sleeping too. On days like this I'm trying to keep warm as no matter what time of year it is when it rains, I'm always cold. But I like that. Today was a really busy workday for me. I am tackling a lot of projects for both church and NJ (my other job). I have a huge project due Friday and I'm so excited about it because I'm putting some finishing touches on it that are completely unexpected and can't wait to see the reaction! As far as church goes we had a great weekend...service yesterday was great followed by an equally fantastic leadership meeting last night. There are a lot of changes occurring in our church right now which I'm not fully at liberty to make ...

I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoes Know where I'm goin' and I know what to do I tidied up my point of view, I've got a new attitude! I'm in control and my worries are few! Cause' I've got love like I never knew Ooooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo I've got a new attitude! ~ Patti Labelle I said I'd share how my new experiment with how I handle last minute unexpected stuff went, and so here I am for a few minutes before bedtime... Today was great! Excellent! Couldn't have been better. I spent my morning as Wonder Woman, saving the day, lassoing (sp?) problems in and finding solutions, leaping tall obstacles in a single bound, and through God's power coming through with a banner service. I had to get a new way of looking at things. In the past (recent past, as in...before this morning!) I would just get upset over unforseen things people would throw my way and just get so angry at them for doing it, and spend all my time focused on how wrong i...

Time for Wonder Woman to rise and shine...literally! This morning as I wake up at the crack of dawn as is my custom on Sunday mornings, it's not just time for me to wake up, but to save the day. Anyone in ministry knows what I'm talking about, as we all have to do this on many Sundays. On days like this, circumstances dictate that I must not only fulfill my role but a few others that I didn't expect at the last minute. What ministers accomplish most weeks is nothing short of amazing. I have found that the quote, "your procrastination does not become my emergency" does apply in the business world, but doesn't apply when it comes to ministry. Unforseen things become our emergency in the pastorate unless we want to look like an idiot or lose a few first time visitors. I had at least a few hours notice last night that this morning will be a challenge, so now is my time to rise to the occasion. Challenges like this typically put me in a tizzy. But I am now loo...

Some church/choir members, Mike & Juleen Stramiello passed this video along to me (thanks guys) and it's very interesting. I don't think I've ever, in all my years of singing/playing heard anything like this guy... enjoy. By the way, I love Simon's reaction to this!

Well it's Fun Friday and for the most part it's been fun! This morning I had a client meeting (career coaching) followed by a planning meeting with some on our management team and after that I headed out to treat myself to a mani and pedi. I sat there and savored the whole thing. Larry took Maddie to the vet today for the little patches of skin she's been scratching. We thought they were fleas and kept treating her but today we found out they are not fleas. They are demodex mites and evidently this is a condition not passed to humans nor found in your home, but it's just something that dogs get that is hereditary, passed to them from their mother. (Thankfully we don't have to worry about treating the house, our furniture, clothing, her kennel, or other things like that - we just have to treat Maddie.) They said it's a common thing that puppies get and we have about four or five medicines to give her to get rid of it. I'll be glad to see this over with becaus...

As I mentioned on my post Sunday, we had an amazing Mother's Day at Northside. In addition to the ton of stuff we gave away for women, we had four people commit their lives to Christ! I brought the message this past week which was called, "A tale of two Sarah's...". According to some, it was a great message -- one woman told me it has changed her entire life and put things in a whole new perspective for her. So, if you'd like to hear it go to the podcast here .

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin to Pooh

Elizabeth Edwards is one classy woman. I knew she was going to be on Oprah last week in an exclusive interview and so I Tivo'd it to make sure I didn't miss it. I blogged about the Edwards situation a while back here when John admitted his affair. I have even more respect for Elizabeth after this interview. She's a very intelligent woman and not only is Rielle Hunter ("the other woman") not in her league, but she's not even worthy of playing the same game. This article quoted one of the best things Elizabeth said in the interview: "There is no excuse for women to do this," said Elizabeth, who has terminal breast cancer . "Women need to have respect for other women. You can't just knock on that door and say, 'you're out, I'm in'" added the mother of three . "If you admire that life, you can't just take it. Build your own." I couldn't agree more with this quote. Like any man who cheats, John Edwards i...

I wasn't able to blog earlier about plans for today although I fully intended to. I'm late in posting because last night I got sick and remained so until a little after noon today. Last night my family went to see Star Trek along with our friends, the Currie family. My head started aching a little bit during the movie. On the way home it turned into a full blown migraine and I was holding my head all the way home, wanting relief. All night long I was sick and woke up all through the night, nauseated, and sick. I remained like that until noon today and was hoping so much to be better by the time we had to leave for my gift from Larry (at 4:00 pm) Thank God I got better!!! I think my body was just responding to some stress I had gone through earlier. Anyhoo... Tonight Larry and I went on a double date with our friends, Bernie and Lisa Currie, from church. It was a mother's day gift to Lisa and I, and we had dinner at Maggiano's and then saw Amy Grant in concert! It was a...