Chasing Faith

Happy Valentines Day!!

2012-02-14T16:49:00.001-08:00

Ack!!!

2012-02-08T10:16:00.001-08:00

I cut my hair off!!!! Above the shoulder. I'm in shock...but I think I like it...

Busy day.

2012-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

My day started with a blaring alarm clock at 6am. I had to get up to make homemade biscuits for a small group of our youth that are in a discipleship group with Cam on Monday mornings. I mean, seriously, these guys are totally worth the early rise time! Since I was up, I had an awesome quiet time with the Lord and some sweet coffee, then hit the floor running. Literally. I did the elliptical machine for 25 minutes, showered, cooked breakfast for the girls, started school with them, did a science experiment, then made my way back to the kitchen for lunch. This is where I found a gallon of milk on the brink of expiration, and it was unopened! So, then and there, I decided to make yogurt with it. It was on my list of "someday I might do that" things. Today was someday. I did what I was supposed to do, then let it incubate for 7 hours. In the meantime, I started cleaning. Toilets and tubs are scrubbed, furniture polished, floors swept, mopped, and vacummed. Today my "extra" was the oven. It got a cleandown, and since I was there, so did the kitchen ceiling fan and vent hood thingy. Laundry was going all day (I was folding), I was answering questions and explaining concepts when needed. I made some homemade granola bars because we needed a snack for tomorrow's activities. I also turned some yogurt I already had into greek yogurt (because we like it better and I thought I needed the greek yogurt for dinner, but I didn't...). Then, I started dinner. Gyros with homemade pita bread. It was on the menu. I had the meat thawing. I had to do it. I think I could kill a dragon with the garlic fumes coming from my mouth. FINALLY, the kitchen is clean again, the laundry is all put away, and I had another bath. It was time to finish the yogurt. I just have to drain the whey off. This is how you turn plain yogurt into expensive greek yogurt. All this yogurt cost me was a gallon of milk that was going to go bad anyway!

The jar has the whey from the earlier yogurt draining...the bowl is catching the whey from the yogurt in the towel. It will hang for a couple hours and be super thick creamy greek yogurt.

I'll be sure to let you know if this stuff actually tastes good once I try it!

Tidbit

2012-02-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

I forgot to tell y'all about my super great witnessing experience while in Canton. Ha! Thursday evening, Chatty prayed that we would have the opportunity to share Jesus with one another...then we talked about how we were going to be sensitive to that while we are shopping. So, the next morning, this was right in the front of my thoughts. We were at this booth/display in the middle of the street that sells...yep...dishes. Fiestaware to be exact. I bought my little butter dish (adorable!) and started to feel the pressure. You know, the racing heart, the sweaty hands, the need to run as far away as possible when the Holy Spirit tells you this is your opportunity. *groan* Very rarely do I ignore such a clear call to share Jesus, but that doesn't make it easy! I am still ridiculously nervous every single time. Well, this man, he kind of opened the door for conversation, so I plopped myself down in the chair next to him. I felt that I should be super bold in a way that normally I am not. There was no beating around the bush. I just looked at him and asked him if he was a follower of Jesus. I must have mumbled in my embarrassment (not that I am embarrassed of Jesus, but I am certainly not all that sure of what will come out of my mouth, and frankly, there have been some pretty crazy things spew forth at times. I just know Jesus sits back, puts His feet up, grins and calls people around to watch Him turn my "spew" into something that will glorify the Father). Anyway, I had to repeat myself. I took a deep breath and asked again, "Are you a follower of Jesus?" Brace yourself for this reply. He said, "Obama and that wife of his should be out of the white house". Ummm. I think he was crazy. Wow.

Girl's Trip!

2012-02-05T12:52:00.000-08:00

One of my very best friends, Chatty, and I had the opportunity to go to Canton (the place where shopping dreams come true) on Thursday and Friday. Yes, this means that I got to stay in a hotel, which I love to do but rarely get the chance to do! You see, Chatty is the answered prayer from a couple years ago, and she is moving a few months before we move. Her husband is a chaplain in the navy/marines, so we have no idea where she will be. It hurts my heart to think that we may not see each other again, so we are taking every opportunity to spend time together before we are separated by life. Anyway, we drove to Canton on Thursday afternoon and lightly shopped (a lot of the booths were not open yet) in the Trade Days Area. Then we decided to just skip it and shop there tomorrow and go to The Dish Barn instead. This place is the storehouse for Fiestaware dishes. I love my Fiesta! I also said I wouldn't be buying more because I have to box it all up in 5 months anyway. Chatty just got started with her Fiesta obsession this past Christmas. While helping her pick things, the excitement overwhelmed me and I totally came home with new pieces. I can enjoy them for a while right?! I think this store was the highlight of our shopping. Chatty went home with some gorgeous things and the biggest smile you've ever seen. She almost couldn't sleep Thursday night because of her excitement! Friday we shopped all day then came home early evening. The time away really wasn't about the shopping or the dishes, but about being together. We laughed so much and teased and just played together. We made memories that will always be there. I am so thankful for her...

The Globetrotters!!

2012-01-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

I have wanted to see the Globetrotters since my best friend in Junior High went and told me all about it back when I was only 13. I knew they were coming to town, so I asked Cam if we could go. His reply was something like, "suuuureeee". He probably wasn't even paying attention...but he did suggest I go in San Angelo due to the smaller venue, so I looked, and they were SOLD OUT. I decided to just give up that dream because I didn't want to look anymore or drive to Dallas or pester Cam...then, a couple days later I called a friend to give her a hard time about not being there while her nephew was performing at the basketball game we were watching, and she said that they were going to be performing at the Globetrotters game in a couple weeks! I told her that we were just talking about that game, and she said she could get us tickets for only $15!! As you can imagine, I was super excited and felt that God was smiling real big at me because, He is, after all, my Father. And Daddys love it when their kids are happy! :) So, my teenage dream came true. I FINALLY got to go on Saturday night! It was just as fun as I had always hoped it would be, and we had really fabulous seats!! The girls couldn't stop smiling. When I told them we got tickets for it, they, as a huge disappointment to me, were a bit unemotional about it. Then they saw the promo on tv and an interview with the female globetrotter on the news and got a little more excited. But probably not as excited as me...this was my treat. We went with some good friends, so we went to dinner beforehand, and had a super great evening! Love those Globetrotters!!

Glue

2012-01-26T10:15:00.001-08:00

Ellie had a bottle of glue out because she wanted to glue something, but I wouldn't let her...So she laid it down, open of course. Then she sat on it, while sharing space with me I might add. I didn't notice for awhile. Until I did notice. Promptly I was flipping out and cleaning up. Did I mention I'm not feeling well? A little bit later, I went to use the bathroom and guess what? My panties were glued to my pants. Lovely.

so fun!

2012-01-25T12:13:00.000-08:00

I should have taken a picture. I didn't, but I recognize that I should have. Perhaps it will make you go do it for yourself. I am talking about exploding soap in case you weren't able to read my mind. You take a quarter of a bar of Ivory soap and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Watch closely...you don't want to miss it! Not that you can...the soap goes nuts! It just starts growing and growing and just when you think it is a monster taking over your microwave while making your kitchen smell like you have cleaned all day, it stops. The kids will squeal. You will grin like you have a little secret, and your offspring will think you are the coolest mom ever. Because you will be. And in case you'd like to explain WHY it does that, I'll help you out. The soap is full of air (this is why it floats when other soaps do not) and a little bit of moisture. As the air heats up, it expands and grows. It is the same concept as a kernel of corn turning into popped corn. Now go buy some Ivory soap. NOW!

Seem familiar?

2012-01-21T09:41:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to cut the baby clothes again. And I'm stuck on this one. It's the one from the picture I posted. I found myself, without reason, bringing it to my face to smell it. Hoping. Then I just laid my head down and let the tears come. It's just so hard. And it really shouldn't be. It will make something beautiful...

to ponder.

2012-01-20T06:33:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Predator by Terri Blackstock. It was worth the time to read...kept me on my toes and I never did guess the ending, which defines success in a suspense novel to me. Well, the last paragraph is closure and this is what was written,

"She's with Jesus, who adored her already. He has the same photo albums we have. I know He is thrilled to have her."

I love this! I have just never thought of it like this and what a comfort that is when down here we grieve so horribly for the ones we love, but would we ever wish them back from that Holy place where they get to sit at the feet of the One who loves them most of all? And to think of Him having the same memories because he was present at every second of life...I just love it.

A glimpse. I can just see her smiling this smile up into Jesus face!

Wow

2012-01-18T10:23:00.001-08:00

This morning has gone from bad to worse. I was mad when I went to bed last, which I know is a no-no, and it meant that I woke up in a funk too. Ugh. I know better. Then Cam, who I didn't want to talk to, tells me the missionary's wife in China called and left him a message telling me to call her. This causes anxiety for me. Big time. So I laid there thinking that I wouldn't call. I'd do it later (knowing with a 13 hour time difference there isn't a lot of opportunity). Then my phone dings, and it is Cam sending me her number. There went my excuse. Then, Cam comes in to tell me his bike won't start (it hates cold mornings) so I have to take him to work. I was going to wash my hair and all that because we had to leave in an hour for a checkup at the doctor for Ellie. But, without a choice, I threw on a sweatshirt and drove him to the church. Then I called China. 45 mins and a few tears later we said goodbye...if you are following you will see that this means I now have 15 mins to get out the door. I'm in pajamas. I threw on a hat and some jeans and to the doctor we went. My appointment was at 10, we got called right back. Then sat. And sat. At 10:50, she came in and 5 mins later we were in the car. Nice. Ellie is healthy and growing fine in case you were wondering. There is also no prescription for ornery. Dang. Sooo. Home we go. School has to be a priority today because Monday was not and we don't have school on Tuesday's. That is our gymnastics and pool day. We also spend the day being social with friends. However, no one is in school mode today. So within the first ten minutes, one kid was crying and this Mama was steaming. We decided to take a lunch break with Cam in hopes that we can be calm and refocused and have Godly attitudes. Just another day...

ugh.

2012-01-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

That seems to be an awful lot of my post titles...ha!

So I was remembering as I got frustrated at myself that I am NOT on a diet. How is it that I keep forgetting this?! I have this cool calorie tracker on my phone, so I thought I would use it. The problem with that is that is tells me how many calories I should have each day. I'm really not okay with their number, but when I go over it turns all red and makes me hyperventilate. Seriously. I'm not sure how to eat healthy without worrying about the calorie thing. And really, when I tell myself I am going to eat healthy, all I want to do is eat cake. And I don't even eat cake that often normally! It is just that teenager that is coming out in full rebellion against "rules". So last night I made a chocolate pound cake with whole wheat. That has to be better than refined flour right? It tastes great...so good that we all had it for breakfast. :) I could never be one of those super buff women with ripped abs and no body fat. I don't think they get to eat anything by celery and carrots. I would like to have ripped abs though...how cool would that be! I have decided, though, that I love to bake for other people. When I am eating better, I don't do that as often...and that steals some joy. So I made a cake for some friends...which prompted my children to beg for one of their own. HA! It kind of backfired...but it really is all about the challenge of making someone smile because of something I made for them...not about getting to eat whatever I'm making myself. In fact, more often than not, I won't even have more than one serving of what I bake. Unless it is sugar cookies. Then I have to beg someone to hide them from me.

All that to get to what I REALLY wanted to post about. I sent the girls to take a bath and Ellie came to me in her sweet pjs and wet hair to climb into my lap, and WHOA!! She found Gracie's body spray. And poured most of the bottle onto her skin. I now have a migraine threatening and she had to rewash...

Exercise.

2012-01-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

I'm trying. Really. Well, kinda. HA! Today I decided to go jogging while the girls played at the park. Then later I saw this photo and it just pretty much described what I felt. I had to share it :)

CALORIES

2012-01-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

Counting calories stinks. Seriously. What are you supposed to eat? Lettuce? It is truly shocking how many calories are in good food. I mean, my coffee that I love (with cream and sugar) has 135 calories! That is INSANE. It is a drink. And peanut butter. wow. I just, well, I'm at a loss. So I think I am going to bake a cake and consume a gazillion calories while I ponder the wicked world of calorie counting and just welcome my extra 4 pounds as new friends.

Another one of those days

2012-01-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Cam has been off two days this week...which rarely happens. We decided to take advantage of it and spend the days with him. In theory, this was a great idea. In reality, it has caused turmoil in the schoolroom. Because the girls were off Tuesday and Thursday, every school day this week has been a Monday. We have been frustrated and unmotivated...myself included. Today, they just keep whining about being done. I want to scream at them. I want them to realize how lucky they are to have already had two days off this week. I had planned on taking them to see a movie today, but we can't go if there is still schoolwork to be done. Which means I get punished too. You would think, as teacher, that I could make them do their work. I can't. And I'm regretting the days off. Seriously.

A reminder for myself

2012-01-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

We have been ordained and consecrated by God Himself for extraordinary lives. But with the extraordinary opportunities that this may bring, we must be diligent to never leave the presence of the God who gave those opportunities to us.

I read this in my Bible study tonight and it jumped out at me and reminded me of what needs to be most important in my life. What an extraordinary life I have been given!!

Grrr

2012-01-11T09:13:00.001-08:00

We have a clogged toilet...it seems there is a plethora of baby wipes stuck in the pipes. Nice. This makes for a crummy morning of unproductive-ness as we are distracted by the plumber, who happens to be a church member with a little girl Ellie's age...so I keep hearing "Addy's dad this" and "Addy's dad that". They can't focus. Please pray they can fix it. Soon.

Boiling dough

2012-01-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today I decided to make bagels and pretzels. With the healthier eating (not low calorie--we aren't on a diet), the girls seem to be starving all day (me too), so I wanted something that was whole wheat with not much sugar. We needed ideas for breakfast that wasn't an egg, because some of us gag when we have to eat them too often, or something drenched in syrup. This is what I decided on. I soaked my grain last night (I freshly milled it), so this morning I just put it all together while the girls had school in the kitchen.

This was after I shaped them...they were resting.

Boiling for 7 minutes. SO weird to boil dough.

draining after that hot bath

Golden brown yumminess

they were rising here, about to be boiled.

Lightly salted and Cinnamon Sugar

The pretzels taste really great! And I know I said I wanted not so much sugar, but we HAD to sprinkle cinnamon sugar on some for a treat! I had to stop Gracie because she was trying to eat the whole pan...
I haven't tried the bagels yet, but they smelled divine!

Sometimes

2012-01-09T09:45:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I don't like homeschooling. Monday's tend to be difficult. There are usually tears and frustration, sometimes by all of us. Ellie doesn't remember that when we have school, she can't pull her sisters away to play...she has to be retaught every single week. Gracie gets upset very quickly if she isn't proficient immediately in everything she does. And Faith. Well, Faith daydreams. Ha! She is off in la-la land a lot, which I love because she is so creative, but hate because it takes her FOREVER to do anything. Today has just been hard. I wouldn't trade it, but there are times when it isn't easy and takes everything in me to not scream HOLIDAY and go run for my bed!!

Bruised

2012-01-08T13:44:00.000-08:00

As I sat down last night to study the lesson I was to teach this morning, the Lord not so gently bit my head off about my attitude. We learned about the Sermon on the Mount, which isn't anything new, but certainly something I needed to hear right now. As we draw closer to "move time", I am beginning to realize just how much I have to let go of. I know it is just stuff, earthly possessions, but it is still MY stuff. I struggle with it. I like stuff. I especially like my stuff. Things I have collected and refinished and filled with memories...they aren't more important than Jesus, and I can't take them to Heaven, so I must let them go. I also realized that all the things I want and spend time looking for online, isn't a godly use of my time. That one was hard. I had to stop and dwell right here and reconcile just how wrong I have been. The Bible called me an idolator! How dare it! But it is true. I have put my quest for wants above my quest for Christ. It all just really spoke to me in a new way...in way that I needed to hear. Sometimes I think my teaching a class isn't about my teaching them at all...it is all about learning myself...

For the idolators eagerly seek all these things (what we will eat, drink, and wear), and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:32

Exercise

2012-01-07T08:12:00.000-08:00

I don't like it. I like how I feel AFTERWARD, but I don't like to actually do it. Yesterday, we went up to the college, and I swam laps while the girls played in the pool. I am sure I looked just like the swimmer pictured. I'm sure. Even though I almost drowned. And when I tried to show my girls the flip, kick off the wall trick, my nose filled with burning water and I thought I would die. Despite those things, I'm still sure I looked just like that "real" swimmer.

Entertainment

2012-01-04T16:16:00.001-08:00

I'm battling some sinus nastiness and have taken it easy today...this book has been my source of entertainment. I read the prequel over the weekend, thinking if I read them then Gracie would want to. I was right on that (she's lounging in the tub with the book), but I didn't for a minute think about actually being interested in the books! I like Anne...we may be kindred spirits...

Eating better.

2012-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

I told the girls there would be some changes in the food department of our home...this was right before I served them baked oatmeal (that was fabulous I might add!). Two of the kids didn't want to eat the oatmeal. I'm sure you can all guess which two. I told them that was fine, but there would be no more eating until the next meal. Right before lunch, Ellie came to me and said, "why do we have to eat yucky stuff now?" So that sums up what the girls think about this change...

I write this as I eat a Christmas tree cake loaded with trans-fats, so now my mouth is coated in this weird greasy feeling...but I think it may be worth it. I only have 3 left until next year. Well, until Valentines Day. The little shaped white cakes are my favorite, but I only eat them at Christmas and Valentines Day, because, well, they are trees with sprinkles and pink hearts! ha!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

New Year. New possibilities. This is a big year for our family with a lot of change on the horizon. We are embracing these changes, starting now, like most of the population I'm sure, by doing our best to eat better and exercise more. We will eat less sugar, drink more water and try to have "real" foods the majority of the time. This isn't new to our house, but we have really slacked off in the past year. My girls will whine a lot at first I'm betting because, really, who wants to give up Lucky Charms?? We will have exceptions and we will eat whatever we want to in moderation. We certainly aren't going to set ourselves up for failure, but I need to be more accountable with our grocery budget and what I feed my family. I'm excited about this!

On a totally different note...yesterday, all day, I had this nerve that kept twitching a couple inches under my belly button. It felt JUST LIKE a baby kicking. It was the weirdest thing! I sat for a good couple hours with my hand on my belly feeling the "kicks" and watching it jump. Odd. Anyway, Cam and I were joking about it last night and I told him I named her Claire (love this name...Claire Rhena...if only we were having more children...). Cam, however, calls it Hank. HA! So if you hear us talking about Hank or Claire...it's just our imaginations (okay. my imagination) and my very strange nerve...

Elusive

2012-01-01T11:29:00.001-08:00

Do you feel sometimes that attaining Christ is like trying to catch fog? Just when I feel like I am in a good place spiritually, it moves and disappears and I am left trying how to get close again...

Christmas 2011

2011-12-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

The tree at 6:30. Because we told them they had to wait until 6:30...so at 6:31, they were in our room...

They had all the gifts sorted and ready to open.

They really didn't rush. They took their time, looking at and opening each thing.

We were just kind of sitting around talking...no one was opening anything...I'm not sure why, but it was nice!

This is Marie Grace, the one thing that Gracie really wanted for Christmas...

And this is Kit. They both have blond hair, freckles, and blue eyes...

And this is Ruthie. Ellie asked me last night if I could have her a sister...and that she was going to name her Ruthie Diane.

Ellie is the most lazy on Christmas morning...and has been her whole life. She sits in the chair in a daze then ever so slowly begins to unwrap things.

The aftermath that Cam cleaned up because is he great that way. The one lone gift in the middle is for Mollie...because she wouldn't put the deer leg down long enough to open hers. Sheesh.

It was a great Christmas! We drank our coffee and watched the Brady Bunch (doesn't everyone do that?!). We had a big breakfast before which the girls wanted to sing to Jesus, because this day is all about Him and the greatest gift we have ever been given. I love that we got to church to worship on Jesus Birthday. I think it would be nice to get to do that every year!

The things I was up to...

2011-12-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

I realize this is late...but I was so busy and I'd like to have a record of all the stuff I tried to make this season...

This is my headband. It was scrap fabric and would have made a cute gift...but I liked it! haha. I got the idea from Shyanne.

This horrible picture is my December calendar. In theory, each tag would have had an activity written on it for us to do together that day. What I didn't factor in was how busy life is. So, I spent the time making it, and we actually only did about 5 tags worth. Such a disappointment...

These are embellished towels. I initially was making them for the girls art school teachers...but I didn't et them done in time. Then the art school closed until January. So I made them for other people instead! Which I actually like better...because I know the people I made them for, and I love handmade gifts...and I hope they did too...

I also made a gazillion scarves that I didn't take pictures of. And that camera strap cover that I posted about previously here. I made clipboards for my girls and have to make two more but just am not motivated. I made some cup insulator things (like the cardboard ones that Starbucks puts on their drinks) that go around glass cups. These were given to Sunday School teachers. And lastly, I sewed some boot cut jeans into straight leg jeans using a tutorial on Pinterest. I am pretty sure that sums up the crafting. It took forever and doesn't seem like I did all that much now that it is listed out...HA!

The rest of Art School

2011-12-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

For some reason, these would NOT upload the other day...and I wanted to add the pics and movies of Gracie!

This is Faith near her favorite artwork that she did this semester.

Gracie and her friends all worked together to create this mermaid work.

Art School!!

2011-12-23T16:53:00.001-08:00

The girls got to attend art school at Arts Fifth Avenue this semester and their showcase was last week. It was fabulous! They danced, sang, played the ukelele and did some theater for us all to see. All the grandparents and some cousins and even a great-grandpa came to witness the hard work and talent of Gracie and Faith. I was so very proud of them...especially since, as homeschool parents, we don't get to see them perform often!!

Book Review of His LIttle Princess

2011-12-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

When I read the first letter in this book to my daughters, the prayer that followed by my six year old thanked Jesus for making her His princess. I honestly wasn't thrilled with the letters, wondering how my daughters would react and if they would take it seriously as I read it aloud to them. I'm also not usually a fan of pre-written prayers, but this book is beautifully done! My girls loved "hearing" from God the Father and the prayers give them a guideline on how to pray. I look forward to getting to read this with my girls every night and to see how they grow in their faith and in their awareness of how beautifully and perfectly they are made by the King of all Kings!! (This book was provided to me for review by Multnomah Publishers)

Ohhhhh!

2011-12-15T10:53:00.001-08:00

We stopped at a new bakery, which I was told was fabulous, to get cupcakes on this glorious National Cupcake Day. As you can see, I tried two flavors (chocolate mint and Italian cream), but due to the no sugar for four days thing, I couldn't finish either! I have a major sugar buzz going on. Can you see where I bit the frosting off the top of the green one?! That's probably what did it...

Rain, rain

2011-12-14T14:27:00.001-08:00

I know the land needs rain, and I really am thankful. However, I don't like it when it drizzles all day and is muggy and warm when I have to actually leave the house. It is miserable, and I think humidity should only be allowed if there is a sparkling body of water very nearby.

And I'm still not having sugar. Except the teaspoon in my big mug. But I have only had one cup today. Tomorrow I will have sugar. The sugar challenge is ending early. I can't not celebrate national cupcake day. It would go against everything that makes me "me"!!

And because pictures are fun, here's a picture of my own happy napper. She always falls asleep in the car when we go pick up the sisters from art school...

Thursday

2011-12-13T11:24:00.001-08:00

Thursday is NATIONAL CUPCAKE DAY!!!!!!!! This is the best thing I've heard all week!! I will be having cupcakes Thursday. They may give me a big sugar buzz and a bellyache, but I'm celebrating!!

A spoonful of cheat

2011-12-13T08:40:00.001-08:00

I added a teaspoon of sugar to my big mug of coffee this morning. It was so much better!!

um.

2011-12-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

Coffee without sugar is a little bitter. And the aftertaste is horrendous! I just thought you would want to know that. I may be giving up coffee for the week too. Or I may just put some sugar in it :)

Challenge

2011-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

So. We were having this conversation yesterday about coffee. I love coffee. I drink it all day in the winter because my house is SO cold that I need it to keep my insides warm. That being said, I drink decaf mostly. Sometimes I half it with regular, but the caffeine doesn't have any effect on me until I stop having it. Then I have a raging headache for a week. I hate that feeling that something has control over me...so I prefer decaf. Well, once that was said, my sweet friend who will remain anonymous until she reads this (ha!) said that I was addicted to sugar. HELLO!! That thought never even crossed my mind. I went without sugar while doing P90x. It is possible. I prefer to have sweet things though. They just taste good. I mean, come on. I bake all the time. And though it may seem to be what I think about all the time, it really is more the fun of making something that other people like. I don't eat much of it. In fact, I try to limit my sweet things to one a day. I don't eat candy. Chocolate in the form of cake is great, but other forms I can usually pass up. So my challenge this week is no sugar. I will cheat for my Starbucks treat, but other than that, I won't. I have had 3 cups of coffee today without sugar. It isn't as good, but its warm, and I will take it. I made pancakes for the girls for dinner, and I had mine with a little butter and a banana. I REALLY wanted to put powdered sugar all over it. Because that is what I do. But I resisted. And I lived through it. I did have a tall vanilla latte from Starbucks though. Cam called and asked if he could bring me one...I didn't want to hurt his feelings ;)

I'll keep you posted on how this goes!

My date last weekend.

2011-12-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

I went on a most special date last weekend with a group of ladies that have become my family over the last two years. I have laughed with them, cried with them, sat silent with them. I know that wherever I am, I will hold dear the memories that include them.

We started the evening at PF Changs where we did our meal family style, enabling us to taste and try all kinds of wonderfully delicious food! For dessert, Kerri and I decided to split what you see above. It is a cinnamon sprinkled banana fried in a wonton wrapper then drizzled with caramel and vanilla sauce. The ice cream is coconut pineapple. It was crisp, light, and my new favorite thing. Other than crab puffs. But that is a just because as I type this, I am craving them.

This is me with Dana and Kerri. They are mother/daughter if you can't tell (ha!). I love them.

We were on top of Bass Hall on the balcony. I wanted to capture the beauty of downtown at night...it didn't work really, but you can see how high we were!

This is Kerri, Betty (her Nana--Dana's mom), and Barbara (her granny--Dana's mom in law). The two grandmas are best friends, which I think is the neatest thing! See the angel in the background?? Isn't she pretty!?

This is what we saw at Bass Hall. I had not ever heard of it, but apparently it is a great movie too! The play was one of the neatest experiences I have ever had. I have never been to see a musical live, especially at a venue as beautiful as Bass Hall. It was an experience to remember!

Cute Sisters. Nikki and Kerri. Love these girls.

And you can see why I love them...this is what happened with I left my phone unguarded...

Yogurt face

2011-12-08T10:55:00.001-08:00

Do y'all make a face when you eat yogurt? I puff out my cheeks and have lockjaw because my taste buds rebel at all things sour. I TRY to like it. I make myself eat it because I feel "healthy". But really I want I shake my head, scream, then add sugar. :)

Trees

2011-12-07T14:09:00.001-08:00

I love these little Christmas tree cakes. They make my day happy. I wanted to show you the whole thing, but I ate half before I could stop myself.

So many things!!

2011-12-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

I was doing so good updating, then I fell off the earth or something.

ELLIE TURNED FIVE!!!!!! Can you believe it?! I can. Man. It's been a long five years. HA! I love her. I am so glad God knew I needed her. And I do need her so much. She is always good for cuddle time and lovin. She is a hilarious little thing whose smile is quite contagious. She throws some super strong fits too...makes me appreciate the other times with her. She is stubborn like her Daddy and creative like me (because of course I'm super creative. haha). I just adore her. She makes our family fun!

Camera strap cover

2011-11-30T11:54:00.001-08:00

This was my craft for the afternoon. I made this for a sweet friend for Christmas!!

Random pondering

2011-11-29T05:09:00.001-08:00

In Luke 20, I just love how the shepherds were so excited and relayed to Mary and Joseph all that the angels told them. What I love about it was Mary's response. She treasured the words they spoke. It just makes her so much more real to me...because when someone tells me something great about one of my girls, you can be sure it gets stored in my treasure box, just like Mary!!

All stickered up!

2011-11-28T16:39:00.001-08:00

I ordered these fabulous Uppercase Living vinyl expression flowers (from Jaymie) for my mixer. After some temptation to let filthy words slip through my lips (which I resisted) and some handy work with my little razor, I now have this Fiesta inspired beauty sitting on my rather ugly countertop!! Maybe the KitchenAid will help disguise it...

Stuffed

2011-11-24T15:50:00.001-08:00

I'm over stuffed with not only great food but with thankful thoughts. I am blessed, quite simply. My God is great and big and mighty and He loves me abundantly!!

and some more...

2011-11-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

I think I am on 30...

30. I am thankful for "home" where my parents live and where I have a room and where I am treated like a princess.

31. I am thankful for the never ending supply of really good coffee that is always hot and ready to drink at my Mama's house.

32. I'm thankful for babies. I got to sit and hold Shyne (best friend's daughter) all morning and all afternoon I get to sit and hold Seth (nephew). I love babies. I used to want another one, but I think I am finally to the point where I enjoy them immeasurably but am happy to leave without one...

33. I am thankful that my family is one that loves to cook. The food here is amazing! I wake up looking forward to what I will get to eat that day.

34. I am thankful for Amazon, who had the brand new, Karen Kingsbury, just released yesterday book shipped to me early so it was on my doorstep on release day. She is my favorite, and I am loving this book already!!

because I know you love pictures...

2011-11-20T18:49:00.000-08:00

I stopped by my friend Dana's house to say a quick hello, and she immediately grabbed her camera and took me outside to take a few photos. HA! She said this was too cute of an outfit to waste. I must say, the hat is Chatty's, and I love, love, love it! It was so much fun to wear! I am thankful she is a friend who shares her super cute accessories!!

This is one of the projects I was working on. The girls and I painted coffee filters with watercolors one day last week as a fun project that doubled for the materials I needed to make this tree. Then we went on a scavenger hunt in the fields for dead branches. Saturday morning, I cut the colored filters into the shape of leaves and hot glued them to dead branches. This was used as part of the decorations for our church Thanksgiving meal. It was fun and was really cute!! *as a side note about church, Cam and I celebrated our second anniversary at Lane Prairie Baptist last week! We were given a really sweet gift and lots of hugs and applause :) I turned four shades of red standing in front of the church (even though my outfit was adorable. HA!), but was humbled by the love they showed us.

So sweet.

2011-11-20T18:36:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that when my children (and my friend Chatty's) get together to put on a "show", they choose to sing about Jesus. It warms my heart.

I love them.

2011-11-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

This is the only picture I have of me with Mama and Daddy, so this is what you get. I am SO thankful for them. Today, I left my house at 5:45 in the morning (I know. I actually saw the miracle of the sunrise!) to meet my parents halfway between here and there so they could take my girlies until Thanksgiving when we go there. And the thing is that this is not uncommon. My parents adore my children and count it such a joy to be with them as much as possible. They would do anything for me. So, because this weekend is ridiculously busy and Cam has papers that must be written, my littles are there with the people they love most (after me of course). So, today, I must shout out that I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS IN THE UNIVERSE! I am blessed.

Do you ever...

2011-11-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Do you ever play a song over and over on repeat? For hours? I do. When I find a favorite, I repeat it over and over and over until one of my children asks me to please change the song. When they finally ask, I turn off then sing it over and over :D

I love being a mom.

The little things

2011-11-17T07:42:00.001-08:00

I get excited about little things. You know...things like new shampoo or getting to be the first person to use a new tube of toothpaste. I love new books, and new pens or markers can pretty much make my week! If I get a new shirt, or any other piece of clothing for that matter, I dream about it then wake up early just so I can wear it! Haircuts do this for me too. Ha! Today, I had a little thing to look forward to. I started looking forward to it when I went to bed. It made my morning and my coffee so sweet! I love little blessings!!!

One of THOSE days

2011-11-16T15:52:00.001-08:00

Ugh. I am pretty sure that that sums it all up.

and some more...

2011-11-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

24. I am thankful today for a nice park where I can take my girls to play.

25. I am thankful for my health that allows me to exercise at the above-mentioned park...because I ~~hate~~ love to exercise. It makes me feel ~~like pond scum~~ great!!

25. I'm thankful for bacon. It is just good! Even though it is pig fat...

parties

2011-11-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

23. I am thankful for parties! I like all types of parties...I like the ones with cake. I like the ones with cupcakes. I like the ones with cotton candy. I like the ones with candy buffets. I just like parties! Tonight, we had a party with our Sunday School class (that we do not attend because we are teaching teenagers in another class, but if we DID go, this would be our class). We had a progressive dinner. The food was fabulous, the company even better. I am not a game player, but I was forced to participate in a game that I could not predict the outcome and that I had to talk in front of the whole group. Crazy! However, despite my protests, I played Catch Phrase with the other 20 people in the room and had a blast. Imagine that. Anyway, the whole evening was super enjoyable, and it made me thankful for parties.

Those who sacrifice

2011-11-11T08:08:00.001-08:00

22. I'm thankful today for all those willing to sacrifice to make our country what it is. This includes the mamas, daddies, sons, and daughters that watch those they love walk away to fight for our freedoms. Thank you will never be big enough to truly express my gratitude...

Breakfast. For lunch!

2011-11-10T10:23:00.001-08:00

Mmmm. Today I'm thankful for homemade cinnamon rolls, the ability to make them, and that I was blessed with Mama's metabolism

Thanks for my Ellie

2011-11-09T08:57:00.001-08:00

18. I'm thankful for Wednesday Starbucks dates with this cutie!

Another day of Thanksgiving

2011-11-08T16:54:00.001-08:00

I'm posting from my phone, so I cannot see where I am in my list, but I'm still thankful!!

Today, I'm thankful for time spent with my great friend, Chatty. We meet every Tuesday at Southwestern to let the kids swim and for us to just talk about life. I love her. I'm thankful for her and her sweet children!

Naps

2011-11-06T13:19:00.001-08:00

I'm thankful for naps after church on Sundays...

The count continues...

2011-11-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

13. I am thankful for garage sales.
14. I am thankful for the people that use the gifts the Lord gave them to write books so that I can read them!

Honestly, I am struggling today with being thankful. You know, there are those days when you just want to run far far away. Today, I would take my family. Sometimes I would leave them behind. :) I'm trying very hard to find something to be thankful about every time I start to slide down that hill of "woe is me", and it does pick me up and remind me that the Lord is good all the time, even when I just don't feel like recognizing it!

Mmm

2011-11-04T07:19:00.001-07:00

I'm thankful for sweet, milky coffee and chocolate donuts!!!

Bible study and toe socks

2011-11-03T07:11:00.001-07:00

Today I'm thankful I have the freedom and the ability to study Gods word! It is an ever present help to me, whether it is giving instruction, discipline, or encouragement. I'm also thankful for colorful pens to write and take notes with and fun Bible covers! Then there are toe socks and yoga pants. They make me cozy and comfortable and I'm so thankful for them on cold, lazy days!

Chick-fil-A

2011-11-02T10:32:00.001-07:00

I'm thankful for peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes. And chicken sandwiches!

Thankfulness

2011-11-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

This month is about being thankful. I'm also reading a book about being thankful. So, in honor of all this, I am going to try my very best to post some things every day that I am thankful for!

Jesus. I love Him. I am thankful He paid the penalty for my sin. I am thankful that He loves me unconditionally. I am thankful that He walks through life with me, guiding me in every decision I make and that He carries me when my feet can no longer take another step. I am most thankful for Him.
My Husband. Cameron was made for me. He is the other half that makes me whole. I am thankful that he is my best friend. I am thankful that he "gets me" when no one else would. I am thankful that with a look, we can know what the other is thinking. I am thankful for the way he follows Jesus even when it seems crazy to everyone else. I am thankful he is taller than me and that he weighs more than me (it may seem stupid to you, but this is my list, so hush). I am thankful for the great big man hands that he has. I love them. They remind me of my Dad's hands and they bring happy memories and they tell me that he will always catch me and that he works hard. He may show up again because there is a lot about him that I am thankful for.
Family. I am thankful for all the parts that make up my family. Even the crazy people that make me wonder if they really are related to me at all, because those crazy people have a purpose in my family, and they make it whole. Family encompasses a lot. And I will probably add more thankful thoughts about family as well in the coming month, because family means a lot. I wouldn't be here without family!

This is all for tonight. And tomorrow, my thankful list may only be one worded. I'm just warning you. Today I was feeling wordy. Tomorrow I may not.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

It was the strangest thing. My mama came into town on Friday morning to hang out with us and be here to see the girlies all dressed up, but my sister-in-love was due to have a baby any moment. So, we were on stand-by. Actually, what that means is that we were carrying our phones around like it was a third hand and ~~driving Shanna crazy~~ texting Shanna whenever we thought about it. Well, because Mama was here, Cam and I got to go on a date (YES!). We snuck quietly into the house super late Saturday night (10 pm) and I promptly started having these very weird cramp like pains that would come every couple minutes then go away. I also became super nauseous. It was weird, but not uncommon for me because, you see, I have labor with those people I'm close to. Seriously. Cam looked at me and said that maybe I should check on Shanna. I didn't until Sunday morning, but guess what? Yep. She had started having contractions and was super nauseous Saturday night. Sometimes I think Jesus made me not only a Jesus freak but a freak of nature...ANYWAY...I have a precious new nephew. I named him. Not really, but I can pretend because it is my most favorite name and it would have been my son's name if I ever had one, even though Cam totally thinks he would have named our son Hank. He's crazy too. Maybe that is why we are married, but I digress. His name is Seth Wade. It fits him. I love it!

In honor of a new baby in the family, I left my baby with Mama and brought home my niece and nephew, Cambry and Caden, to spend the week with us. We have great big plans this week, but the first event was the Fall Festival at church! I just love this time of year. We get all creative and decorate our home, and the weather is nice and there is always something sweet laying around. It is just the best! So, we got all dressed up in our finest costumes and went to play some games!

This is Gracie the Peacock pecking at Cambry the Pioneer Woman. Gracie had a really hard time doing this because, you see, she doesn't like to make a fool of herself. Sometimes I make her, but she does it reluctantly. She was CRACKING up in this picture. She couldn't help it. And I admit, it was pretty funny that she was in bird form pecking her best friend...

This is Hunter Caden, or Colby from Top Shot, and Bumblebee Faith. I told Caden to pretend to shoot Faith and for her to act scared. You like that look? That is her, "are you kidding me?" look. I about lost it. She makes sunshine in my life.

So pretty. Pretty as a peacock :)

This girl lives on her toes. She was dancing around getting right on the tippy top of those toes.

So now we have candy. LOTS of candy. If you know someone, or a small country, that needs some sugar, we can help! OH! And guess what?! I have 6 packages of Halloween Oreos in my pantry. I thought I would stock up and maybe they would last until the Christmas ones come out...

My sweet Faith

2011-10-28T18:55:00.000-07:00

This was a while back, but she looks so cute that I had to share.

A mess. All the way around!

Faith is so proud of her spelling. She LOVES spelling! She asks me daily to take a picture of her with her words. School has been a bit of a struggle for her since we started (last year), but in the last couple weeks, things have really started to click with her. She is reading quite well now, and seems to enjoy it! This is such a big praise to the Lord! I am so very thankful that school is no longer full of tears and struggle.

Youth 50's Costume Party!!

2011-10-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

Our youth had a 50 for 50's party Wednesday. The goal was to have 50 students there. We had 45, which wasn't our goal, but WOW! It was great!

I went on the search for the perfect outfit to wear for this shindig. In my mind, I had it pictured perfectly. It was a ruffly prom dress straight from the Grease movie set. Now, I'm not at all certain that Grease was set in the 1950's, but that is a minor detail. I wanted a perfectly peach prom dress. With ruffles. Really. There is no such thing as a perfect outfit unless you have a bounty of cash to spend on vintage clothing. Soooooooo...I went with the second option...whatever I could find. Gracie and I hit the resale shops a couple Saturdays ago and spent a good six hours searching. It was great fun, and FULL of laughter. I would share the photos of some of the outfits, but I would hate for you to pee your pants as you read. And trust me, it could happen. I did find a perfectly peach prom dress. It had lace and it was ankle length and it fit like it was sewn just for me. I'm not sure I have ever felt so thin in all my life. But the general consensus was that the dress was from the 60's-70's, and it just wouldn't work. Imagine my supreme disappointment. It was peach! HA!

Here it is. The skirt is very itchy. Someone forgot to line it so the scratchy tulle that made it fluffy rubbed the skin off my body. Nice. Chatty had a fabulous pair of polka dotted earrings and a red scarf. A lady from church had the black scarf, and I found the rest out shopping.

Cute earrings, huh?! And red lipstick of course.

There are so many little details to my juke box. I wish you could see them. Because it looks pretty lame in this picture, but I assure you. It was not.

This is just fun, bubbly cuteness.

The "rug" was for a marshmallow spitting contest...it was hilarious! They had to try to hit a record (Faith and I scored a good 30 albums at a garage sale last weekend for $5!)

Me on Cam's bike. Because I had to.

The girls did too.

My main squeeze. I love him.

There you have it. Balloons galore. Old school records on the walls (that you can't see), my hand-painted juke box and milkshake, and the balloon arch that Cam constructed. It took forever it seemed to tie all those balloons on there! I thought my fingers would surely fall off, or I would lose my eyesight trying to see clear fishing line as I tied knots. But, I think the youth enjoyed their party, which makes every bit of time totally worth it!

Long time no update...

2011-10-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well, let's see. I have been crafting...but that probably isn't news to anyone who knows me. There is usually one or two (or three or four) projects laying around in some stage of progress. So, I tackled a few old ones and created a few new ones. I worked on some peacock wings/feathers for Gracie. Because doesn't every nine year old want to be a bird for Halloween!?

This was a couple weeks ago. Tonight, we made the head piece. It is HUGE, but she has declared her undying love of it and wants to wear it with all matching outfits. Cameron will thank me for my ingenuity and creativity in this matter I'm sure.

Faith and Ellie are easy this year. Not that Gracie was hard, but by easy I mean that I bought their costumes. I found the components at a couple different stores, but together, I think they will be just darling! Faith will be a bumblebee and Ellie wanted to be Belle. I really do enjoy getting to be creative with the girlies and plan costumes and make things all together. It is so much fun, and I hope it will create lasting memories for them!

Coming Soon: the youth 50's party

Why?

2011-10-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Ellie told me today that she has a special charm attached to her umbrella so that she can remember Faith when she dies. Um...WHAT?!

Then she asked me why they (her and her sisters) don't die. I didn't understand, so she clarified for me. She said that since Chloe died like that, why didn't they?

I think all the blood left the upper part of my body. I didn't know what to say other than to feel so very thankful that they didn't "die like that".

This is Chloe's Halloween decor this year. Just another part of me and my life...

Mean Streak

2011-10-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Do you have a mean streak? Does it appear often? I do. It comes out every night about 8:30. That is the time when I know I have hit my limit of nonsense. I don't want to parent anymore. I don't want to be the disciplinarian. I don't want to clean anymore. I just want to be ALONE. And I still want my house to be clean. But, see, the house won't get clean unless I do it. The kids won't pick up their stuff unless I make them do it. And!! Seriously. How can the house stay picked up all day and as soon as dinner is over, it looks like a bomb went off??!!! I don't understand! Anyway. I am there. I am mean right now. Nobody come visit ;)

being a teacher

2011-10-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is the fifth year that I have home-schooled my children. This is Faith's second year. She is struggling...which means I am struggling. More days than not, I think that perhaps I should give up and send her to the public school and let them try to teach her to read and write better.

Let me just get this out there before I continue. I am NOT anti-public school. I think it is an awesome opportunity for people to be able to go and learn! We home-school because we feel that this is what the Lord has asked us to do in this season of our life. As soon as He gives me the green light, I will happily enroll them at the school down the street and retire from teaching. :)

Okay. Back to Ms. Faith. She is a ball of fun-filled energy. She is sweet and kind and the most loving child. She, however, does not like school. She likes to play and pretend and draw. As soon as I get out a book or anything related to learning that she can tell, she gets all negative on me. She is actually quite bright. She is fabulous at math and memorizes like no other (which you would think would make reading easier), but letters cause her turmoil. She knows every sound that every letter makes when I show her flashcards (and I mean, she knows that "y" makes 4 sounds, and that "a" makes 3 sounds. She knows them all!), but when she is looking at a book, she forgets letters altogether!

The girls were tested by the IMB as part of the process, and Faith tested in her grade level, but it wasn't high in her grade level. So, we are holding off on proceeding until she can retake the test in December (not by choice). She must show improvement. This means that I have a huge amount of responsibility sitting squarely on my shoulders. I am trying not to stress, but it isn't working so well for me. Ha! So, rather than continue along this line of dwelling in my negativity, I will say that we are praying about it and for our sweet Faith, and we are trusting that God knows how this will all turn out. We trust that it will bring Him glory and that we will all learn something from this little trial.

The day after

2011-10-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the day after my birthday, and I can't help but to be deep in thought about my life. The Lord spoke to me today in church, or rather, He disciplined me gently in a way that made me squirm because I knew I had disappointed my Father. I have a love/hate relationship with discipline. It certainly doesn't feel good, but I love that He loves me enough to tell me the hard things anyway.

Life isn't what I always hoped or dreamed it would be. Sometimes it is far greater and exceeds any expectations I may have had, and sometimes it disappoints. I feel that this is normal and fine, but the problem lies in when I dwell on the less than perfect aspects and fail to see the richness of His glory in all things. Yep. I do this. I get all Debbie Downer and start to grumble. I grumble about the things I don't like (which I assure you is a lot of things if I dwell here). I forget about all the blessings. I forget about the fresh flowers blooming on my table because I can only see the ugly table (you will just have to trust me on this one). I forget about the joys of having children that I can touch and hold and only the see the fit that is being thrown or the tears that seem absurd to me. I forget about the man of God that I married (I mean, come on. He is a minister! How awesome is that?!) and I only see how often he isn't home. I don't want to see the uglies this year. I want to focus on those blessings. I want to recognize ALL the blessings in my life, not just the super obvious ones. I want to please the Lord with my thoughts, my actions, and my words. I want to give Him everything, including the things I really want to hold on to. I want my mind to reflect His will. I want to embrace His will. I want to leap with joy and obedience when I hear Him even when I would much rather ignore Him. This will sound silly, but I want Jesus to be my cupcake. I want to spend my time trying to perfect my relationship with Him instead of spending my time trying to perfect the vanilla cupcake. I want to spend my time looking for Him instead of spending my time trying to find the cupcake that will rock my world. I want people to know me as that lady who loves Jesus with every ounce of her being.

oh the time.

2011-09-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

It just flies! Life seems to get busier and busier, and I can't wrap my mind around it these days! We had a revival last week. Or the week before. Team Impact came and did their thing. It was just fabulous! We have had so many people join our church, but more importantly, over 100 people were added to the Kingdom over the week! Jaymie and her crew were here with me during the week, which made it so much more fun (and us getting out of the house with 6 six looking semi-cute on time was NOT easy)!!

This is Siolo. He loves bread pudding. Especially my Grandma's recipe. I got a hug for making him some. I think he could have easily broken me in two...

This is Randall. He is a world champion in something. Weights are involved. He is is CRAZY strong. He broke wooden bats like they were little sticks.

This is Marc. Have I ever told you I like bald guys? This one was super nice. A great preacher too!

This is our gang. You can see Ellie is still as social as always...

Look how tiny Shyne looks! I just love this picture.

He is blowing up a hot water bottle. You know...the super thick ones. He blew it up until it popped! The kids loved this trick, which is great because they did it every night! Ellie decided that it looked like Shyne's hiney. HA!

That is just a little tidbit of what has been happening around here, but it is late, and I am tired. I will do my very best to get on here tomorrow and fill you in on the rest of life in the last 2 weeks! Oh!! My birthday is this week :) Just had to throw that in there...

Ten

2011-09-14T05:14:00.001-07:00

I'm not looking for a pity party, but I can't let this day pass without mentioning that it was today, ten years ago, that I held my Chloe for the very last time. Every year, without any forethought on the matter, my eyes open and will not go back to sleep at the same time they did that last day. At 6:15 this morning, I didn't remember. I was frustrated that I was awake, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. So, I got up and went to make myself some coffee when I saw it. It was a note from Cam. You see, he left before 6 this morning to go to work, but he took the time to write me a note telling me he was sorry his day was so busy and that he couldn't just sit with me. I lost it. I just started crying right there in the middle of the kitchen. I'm not sure if the tears were because I didn't remember when my eyes popped open this morning--because I don't want to forget; I don't want it to hurt and I don't want to dwell on the loss, but I want to remember everything about her, even the end--Or if those tears were because I felt it. I felt the hole open back up.

This week's agenda

2011-09-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. I don't really have "agendas". But I do have a loose plan! Kinda. Let's see. Today we had school at the park. We underestimated the weather and ended up a sweaty mess. Nice. Tonight, I have started homemade rolls for our turkey burgers. I plan on making some of those really thin potato french fry things because Shawna hasn't made me any in a VERY long time, and I figure the only way I will get them is if I make them myself. ha! I also have loose plans to sew some new kitchen curtains. But I'm feeling lazy, so that may be moved to tomorrows big plan. Tomorrow, we will have school. Because we do that most days. Ummm...let's see. I think I may clean out the girls closet. It is the one thing in the house that hasn't been cleaned out. I spent five hours cleaning our the laundry room Saturday. I'm not sure if that means I'm incredibly messy or junky or what. But that room is so clean and nice now! *newsflash* I was just told that Faith and Ellie were re-organizing the bathroom cabinets. I should go check on that. I should, but really. I think I prefer ignorance.
Wednesday. Our church is hosting Team Impact for the rest of the week. Google them. They are pretty cool people. I can't wait to see what they do! And what God does through them this week. And Jaymie is bringing me her baby. I mean, she is coming to visit me. I'm really looking forward to the visit! That also means that I won't be blogging. Not that I'm regular on here or anything, but I will have a really good excuse this time. I will try very hard to take some pictures and post some on here soon...it has been awhile!

Cleaning freak!

2011-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

We have mice. Did I tell you that already? We do. I hate them. I don't see what purpose they have on this earth. I don't know why they ever made it onto the Ark. Noah should have let them all drown. That said, I have been cleaning like a crazy mad woman. I cringe to think of those little nasty things (who also happen to be adorable) touching anything in my house. *shudder* I have emptied closets, cleaned out desks, moved beds, washed furniture, washed everything in the pantry including canned food. So, while deep down my house was clean, on the surface, it didn't appear to be. So today was the day that that changed. The floors are mopped, the bathrooms scrubbed, the linens all clean and fresh, the furniture oiled. I even washed throw pillows! This place smells great. I love a clean house! I just wish that three days from now it would still look like I spent five hours cleaning it...

*a side note. In the challenge of catching and killing mice, Cam decided to try out the sticky paper things. They are cruel, I know. But these mice are smarter than we are apparently. Well, the first night as we were laying in bed, we heard the squeal. We caught TWO of those little suckers. They were laying there all pathetically glued down (pink ears, little twitchy nose, cute as can be) SCREAMING. It was horrible! Cam, however, thought it was the coolest thing ever. I'm guessing that is the testosterone charged non-feelings speaking. He just couldn't stop smiling at his big "catch". I think he was more thrilled with it than he would be with any gift...so from now on he is getting mice catching paper for every holiday.

Where does time go?!

2011-09-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know how time flies so quickly!

I am in San Angelo right now so that I can get my car. It has a fabulously cold AC, and I am so thankful! I found a new cupcake place here about a mile from my mama's house. I went twice today. I am so weak when it comes to buttercream frosting! geez...

Cam sold his car today. It was a lemon (a big fat juicy one) when we bought it, and we quickly learned that we should NOT trust people when we have no knowledge to verify what they are saying. There was a ton of things wrong with it, but God sent a buyer who came with a mechanic and wanted it anyway! I am so happy that it is gone and no longer our problem. And I'm even happier that this buyer knew exactly what he was getting into...because, to be honest, I felt horrible selling a car that had problems! Cam was very upfront and honest with the buyer, telling him all we learned from the mechanics who looked at it. We are now a one vehicle family...kinda. Cam's primary vehicle is his motorcycle, which he enjoys a lot! I'm not sure that we will look for another vehicle or not. We will have to sell it in 10 months anyway...

We went to the American Airlines Museum on Wednesday...the girls LOVED it! It was a really fun museum with lots of learning possibilities, which, of course, is exactly why we went. ;)

Mice that are not so nice

2011-08-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our backyard is a wheat field, and since our lovely state is in a drought, we have mice. I never thought myself to be one of those women who would jump on a chair screaming because she spied a mouse. But, alas, I am one of those women. I knew myself to be terrified of roaches. And perhaps grasshoppers, but not mice. Then one sweet day, as I was cleaning out the pantry, one tiny little mouse creature jumped up and scurried across the floor. I screamed like no other. Almost as loudly as when the rooster attacked. Well, I found a dead mouse in the pantry this morning. And, SERIOUSLY! Can't they go somewhere other than there?! That is just gross. Thankfully, everything I have happens to be in Tupperware so they can't eat anything, but *gag*. Well, this dead thing was not tiny. It was so big that it was wedged in the trap, and I couldn't get it out. There were bodily fluids on the floor underneath the dead mouse (insert shudder here). And, well, gross. Just gross. I threw the mouse and trap away and got out the bleach. After all was restored, I went about my morning hating the life of living in the country. As I was making waffles (and eating them), I got a bit too engrossed in the book I was reading (as I was eating) and let a waffle burn. I dumped the steaming, very dark waffle into the trash and a few seconds later, I smelled it. Can you guess? Ugh. I pretty much cooked the dead mouse. Stupid vermin.

Women of Faith

2011-08-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

I get to go to the Women of Faith conference in Dallas tomorrow!! I am super excited! A sweet friend blessed me with the weekend, and I cannot wait to go and bask in His glory and have girl time for two days! My Vera is packed and looking pretty. I'm sure if bags had feelings, it would be thrilled to be getting go to a hotel too. ha! We leave at 7:30 in the morning, and our first stop will be Starbucks. I. am. pumped.

Homeschool

2011-08-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

We started school three weeks ago...kinda. We started early to try to work the kinks out of new curriculum and teaching two children in more subjects at the same time with different topics. We were not consistent in our studies. Ha! I didn't expect it to be so hard to have school when the rest of the community is not. It seemed like as soon as we determined to start, invites came from all over the place to do stuff. So, we, of course, did. This week has been our first "real" week of school I suppose that means. It is going well! Faith is reading like a champ (PRAISE THE LORD!) and Gracie is as easy as always. We joined a Homeschool group yesterday that hosts all sorts of field trips and parties for every holiday. I am especially excited about the parties! They even offer ballet and tumbling on Thursdays for a very inexpensive rate! I'm not certain we will do that, but it would be a great time for me to get to visit with other homeschool moms too...which I need. You know how you just sometimes feel so alone...Anyway, things are going great in homeschool world over here! The big girls have the opportunity to do something fabulous in September too! Be watching for that post ;)

Faith's Baptism!

2011-08-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Faith is such a sweet child...she is sensitive and loves to make people happy. She goes out of her way to greet people and give hugs. She is also blonde and ditzy sometimes, but that is all part of what makes her, her!! On Sunday, she got baptized, showing the world (in our church ha!) that she loves Jesus and wants to follow Him. She was thrilled! The smile just lit up her face (and my own!). We are so very proud of her!!!

My car

2011-08-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

While I was in San Angelo a couple weeks ago, my air conditioner went out in my vehicle. It was SO hot! The Lord poured out His blessings and a new air compressor was installed. Well, this past week (while Cam was away) my car started making a really loud racing noise. It sounded as though I was accelerating too fast, but I knew that wasn't the case. Being the girl that I am who knows nothing about cars, I just turned up the radio and ignored it. When Cam got home, he immediately noticed it and called Ray (the sweet man who takes care of my car). Apparently the air compressor was on its way out again. It is all under warranty, but the work has to be done in San Angelo. So, my parents, awesome as they are, drove my car home on Sunday. The air quit working completely with two hours left in their drive home. I now owe my Dad a Memphis Beat (the worst television show in the history of tv) marathon. Yikes! HA!!

Last Tuesday

2011-08-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday night in the midst of Cameron being ridiculously sick, we had an interview with the International Mission Board. It was our final interview, and it went great! Thing are still moving forward...

There really isn't a lot of information that I give you all, not only because I can't, but because there just isn't much. Just keep praying for the Lord's will to be done and for our families to come to peace with the fact that we are most likely moving in less than a year.

Cam's return

2011-08-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

A week ago last night, I picked my greatly missed and very hairy (he hadn't shaved for two weeks) husband up from the airport. He was beyond ill. The Sunday before they left Honduras, he started feeling bad, and by the next day he had full blown fever, shakes, aches, and headache. When I saw him, his medicine was working pretty good, but he was moving slowly, his skin was pallid, and his eyes were ringed in black. We made it home, and he went to bed. For days. I took him to the doctor on Tuesday morning (the day after he got home) and they did some blood work to test for malaria. It took a week to get the results back in! The test returned with a negative result, but apparently that test has a very high false negative rate, so they will not say he doesn't have it unless they see two negative results. Of course, being a man who is stubborn, he refuses to have more blood work done. Don't worry! I am watching him. If he relapses even slightly, he will go right back to the doctor! It has been over a week now, and he is still moving slowly with his dark circles and pale skin. He also naps. Daily. I mean, he just looks worn out! In fact, at church Sunday I had at least 5 different people come to me to tell me he looks VERY sick. He is determined to be better, and maybe, just maybe, his will can heal him (along with all my prayers!).

*his trip was awesome! He said it was the hardest thing he has ever done, but that is was so much fun!! People gave their life to Christ and an impact for the Kingdom was made! They were able to baptize people in the river and see new churches formed. Praise God!!

That stupid rooster.

2011-08-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to update you all on our fighting rooster. Cam called from Honduras and "the attack" is the one thing I chose to tell him. Nice, I know. Ha! He said he would shoot it when he got home. Well, after the frightening rooster fight I found myself embroiled in, my rescuer had been checking and taking care of the chickens. I asked him how Mr. Rooster (he does deserve some respect for taking care of his women) was acting. That dumb bird hadn't even looked twice at my rescuer!! My mom was here, and she went out to gather eggs (don't ask. she just loves to do this) and again, the rooster didn't look at her. I'm wondering if he smelled my fear. Or if it was the screaming. Or the kicking. Or perhaps when I hit him with the water pail. Whatever it was, I won't go out there again until he is dead! I'll let you know when that happens ;)

Update.

2011-08-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

Soooooo...my eyes popped open at 5:30 this morning, and as I lay in bed trying to make myself fall asleep again, because who wants to get up before the sun rises, I thought about my blog. It was then that I realized all the things I thought I told you were actually written in my journal. Oops. So I have some updating to do. You can read it all, which will come is several posts, or you can skip it. Either way, I am updating y'all!

Cam's return
Faith's Baptism/ Our 12th Anniversary
Homeschooling
That stupid rooster
My car
Gracie's 9th Birthday
and anything else I can remember :)

The Quilt

2011-08-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

I think I mentioned that a lady was coming over to talk to me about making me a quilt using Chloe's (and the others too) baby clothes. Well, she came. We have an agreement. Actually, she was fabulous. She was super sensitive and wants me to have a big part in making the keepsake. She wants to teach me to do it all, and if I choose, she will help (like sewing and cutting and stuff). If not, she will just show me what to do and guide me. She really is a blessing to me! However, she gave me my first assignment. She told me to cut all the trims and seams off/out of the clothing. She said to save it all because we may be able to use the trimmings, and she also said to sort all the clothes into color related piles. I have put it off for a week now. This morning, however, I got my box out and started to go through the clothes. I don't know how to cut them! I am assaulted by memories, both good and bad, and I am just completely overwhelmed by emotion. How do I cut them?! Will I remember the memories when the clothes are no longer whole? Will I know what it is when it is a snippet of its former piece? I am just really struggling...

Brutal Attack

2011-08-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

So. Cam is gone, right? Right. That leaves the duty of checking/feeding the chickens to me. A sweet friend offered to take care of it for me, but I thought, no...I can do it. I just don't like to. So, on Wednesday morning, in my pjs, I went to the coop. All was well...I gathered the ONE egg (ugh), checked for snakes, and grabbed their water pails to be refilled. I filled them up, and lugged them back out there (those dudes are HEAVY). As I was setting them down, up struts Mr. Rooster. I looked at him, ignored him, kept walking, when out of nowhere, he jumps up and starts wildly kicking my leg!! I, of course, scream, and exit as promptly as possible, thinking, "stupid rooster". Well, today was chicken day again. I got up, and while giving myself a pep talk, walked out there early this morning. I threw some scratch, grabbed the three eggs (improvement) and got the water pails. As I was leaving, who saunters up but Mr. Rooster. Ugh. I warily look over at him while hustling to the gate and he charges me!! This time I was armed and I warded off his blows with the water pails, swinging wildly in a panic. But, in my head, I knew I had to face him again. I filled the pails, and made my way back out to the coop. I stood at the gate trying to gauge his mood before entering, took a deep breath and went in. I made it inside the coop, deposited the first water thing, and turned to get the other. There he was. And he was strutting his bald chicken butt towards me. Maybe he saw the fear. Maybe he smelled it. But I took off. I was screaming "NO!" Then it happened. He charged me again. I started kicking him. He upped his charges. It was a battle of wills. I couldn't kick fast enough (P90x training failed me), but I was screaming like a banshee. I mean, really, if there was anyone outside on my street, they heard my screams. I was yelling, trying to move, but I couldn't because he had me cornered. I was kicking wildly (I wear rubber boots) thinking, this stupid thing is going to DIE. But I think he was made of rubber. He just kept popping up closer than he was was before I kicked him. Ugh. I gave one last hard kick and RAN TO THE GATE. He charged the gate (if you haven't seen this...oh my. They run and jump with their legs parallel to the ground kicking with those scary looking claws) just as I shut it. I just left the second water in the middle of the yard and hooked it back to the house. My heart was pumping, I was about to cry, and I admitted defeat. I called the sweet friend, and I am relieved of chicken duty. Brutal way to start the day. And to think, I haven't even had my coffee yet...

Shadows on the Sand

2011-08-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

I found this book to be a really fabulous read! A lady with a troubled childhood who has a hard time believing someone could love her falls in love with a man who has baggage (putting it mildly). In the midst of her loving him and him trying to come to grips with his feelings towards her, a murder happens that involves them both. It almost felt like a dance to me. They would get close, then step back and twirl around what you really wanted to see happen. I really had to stop myself from reading ahead! I am so thankful that Multnomah publishers sent me this book to read and review. It was a fun book that kept me on the edge of my seat!

Honduras

2011-08-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

Cam is in the Honduras, with two other crazy men, backpacking for 5 days to share Jesus with remote tribes of Indians. It is such a manly man trip...no showers, dehydrated food, no toliets, no beds...you know, none of that stuff that we NEED. ha! They have a pack mule and their backpacks. It is nuts! But extremely cool at the same time...I have this insane pride filling up my chest at the thought of my man roughing it like that for a week to tell people who haven't heard about Jesus! That doesn't mean I'm not counting hours until 8pm next Monday evening though...

In the meantime, we started school today! It was/is ridiculously unorganized (it is all new curriculum and we have to figure out exactly how to work it. ha!). The girls seemed to enjoy it okay. I mean, there were only tears once. ;) That is pretty good around here! Seriously, the tears were because I had to lay some rules and one of my more sensitive children felt I was getting onto her I suppose. Faith did really good with her reading! My fingers were crossed on that one after Saturday night...she came into our room after a nightmare...she was crying because there were LETTERS. BIG letters and LOTS of them. Apparently she had some anxiety about reading and letters and school...HA!!

Home

2011-08-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

I am back in Joshua, Texas and the 109+ degree heat. It is just nuts! Yesterday we spent the day at a friend's pool...it was fabulous! Today, I smell cinnamon rolls baking in the oven (made from whole wheat to make me feel not quite so guilty about eating them), and I have a school room that NEEDS my attention. I currently cannot see the floor, and that is just not okay. In a couple hours, a dear lady from my church is bringing over a friend who is a pro at quilting. I am lugging the tub full of Chloe's clothes from the top of the closet for her to look at. She is going to see if she can turn them into a quilt. They have been in that tub almost ten years now...it is time. Hopefully, I can talk to her without bawling my eyes out. Ha!

Back at the 'rents

2011-07-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

I am in San Angelo again. I know! I have been here a lot this summer it seems!! I usually don't get the opportunity to spend more than a week here at one time. This go 'round, I am here to see my best friend's new baby girl. She is simply precious, and I want to bring her home with me!! I haven't gotten to see her a ton because I am trying not to bug the new Mama (for the third time) as she is getting some sweet time with her own Mom who is here from Arizona.

As for my healthier way of life...well...it lasted for one day once I was here. HA! It is so much easier to exercise when there is someone exercising with you (and a free television to plug the dvd into). I packed all this healthy food to eat while I was here, and I ate it for two meals. No one really wants to eat what I am eating, so I would have to cook for just myself. Who wants to do that when there is really yummy non-healthy alternatives?!! So, I fell off my exercise/meal routine and had a hunk of chocolate cake, freshly baked by my Mama, and a hot cup of coffee for the first time in a week. It was good, and I will more than likely have another piece tomorrow, but I am excited to go home to my exercise buddies and my other routine...

In other news, Cameron is in Brownsville for a mission trip this week with some other members of our church. Pray for him (and everyone else involved) when you think about it!

P90x

2011-07-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot move my body. There are places that hurt that I didn't realize had muscle attached to it. WOW.

We have begun this great exercise program with some friends at church, and it has been fun! I mean, it's painful, and I want to quit everyday, but there is something about the fellowship that makes it all worth it! We are also doing the diet plan, and today I made some beef broccoli noodles that were awesome...even my kids liked them!! There is a lot of food that I can't wait to eat. Maybe that can be my motivation...

AND. Even bigger than me exercising (which is pretty huge) is the fact that I have had NO coffee or cupcakes in days. And I'm still alive! Ha!! That doesn't mean I don't want some buttercream frosting though...

Dumpy Kind of Day.

2011-07-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just have those days where you really don't like your kids? When they just won't act the way they know they should act? Yeah? Me too. Today was one of those days. Ellie got dressed for church in a pink frilly frou frou dress, which was just precious! Then she peed in it. All over the floor. That was my first clue it was going to be a rough day. Then, while at church, Gracie informed me that her shoes were too small and giving her blisters. Ummm...WHY did she wear them?! Oh. That's right. The neighbor's dog took her other pair of black shoes and ran away with them because she left them on the porch. She ended up taking her shoes off and going barefoot at church. We are on Holy Ground there--right? I felt like a super great mom when she told everyone her ONLY black church shoes were too small. I wouldn't be surprised if I get a donation tonight to buy her new shoes. Ugh. Then, the plan was for Faith to go forward to tell the church she accepted Christ at the end of the service, but DURING the service, she drew a huge green monster thing on her leg with a marker. I mean, really?! Tonight, Gracie is supposed to speak about camp, but she told me she didn't learn anything at camp because they only taught about stories she already knew. I know for a fact this is not true because for the afternoon I was there, the Lord spoke to me about something I needed to hear! She apparently wasn't paying attention. Frustrating. Then, this afternoon, the littles proceeded to kick the boards from under the top bunk until one of them (the boards, not the kids. oh the shame.) fell off. I would like to kick something too...but I won't. Instead, I made cupcakes, and I may eat three of them to make myself feel better (or sick to my stomach. either way)!

A contest

2011-07-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

There is this contest I'm entering...because I like contests even though I rarely win. Ha! I have to link to these super cute swimsuits, and I am hoping (fingers crossed) to be luckily drawn to win one of these swimsuits. And maybe more. I'm not really sure, but I know I really like the swimsuits!

When God Created My Toes by Dandi Daley Mackall

2011-07-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

This rhyming picture book was a cute little book. When I received it from Multnomah Publishers, I read it to Ellie. I had to rush through it to keep her attention, but I thought the book was lovely. The pictures were cute, although the little girl seemed to be a bit of a stinker! I like that the book makes you think about how God played a role in our own creation. It could easily open up a lot of really great discussions after reading time! I will most definitely try this again with Ellie with hopes of a better reaction!

Happenings

2011-07-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

Gracie left for kids camp again today. She was super excited, but Faith sure was upset! She cannot, for the life of her, understand why kindergartners can't go to camp! She just sat in her bed with tears running down her face as Gracie packed her bag. It was sad, frustrating, and sweet all at the same time! One of the Mamas that went to camp with the kids sent me a video of them singing...Gracie was a dancing fool! I just don't understand why she won't cut loose in front of me! I do, however, love that she doesn't take herself seriously in front of others!

We got some testing results back from the mission board (the girls had to take some tests to gauge where they were academically). Gracie is doing great, excelling even. Faith, however, not so much. She is right on target for a beginning reader, but apparently she should be more than a beginning reader...hmmm. That means we started some summer school today. Don't tell Faith though. She thinks we are doing crafts! She is looking forward to tomorrow when she gets to draw the events from a new book in sequential order...

Ellie is doing great. She is throwing less throw down fits and talking more like a little adult. She cracks me up! She hasn't cut her hair in awhile now, which is HUGE in this house. She is still Ellie, or Stinkerella as she wants to be called! Ha!

Cam and I are better. Thanks for the prayers. We have a big interview with the IMB on August 16th. Other than the interview, we can expect to be voted on by the board either in November or January. Then, we will get a move date of either April or July. Yikes. So, please keep praying! My heart needs it...don't get me wrong. I am super excited about what the Lord is doing and where He is taking us, but I know leaving my family and my best friend is going to break my heart...

Sweet Faith got a NEW birthday!

2011-07-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

This week has been a week of questions for Faith. She brought me her Bible on Thursday night and asked me to read to her. So, of course, I did...I read starting in Luke 1. After we read a bit, we started to talk and the talking led to questions about salvation. She told me she knew she was a sinner (like when she threw that big fit earlier, she said. HA!) and that she knew if she didn't ask Jesus into her heart she would go to hell if she died. My heart about hit my throat when she told me, "but Daddy told me I had to get bigger first". A couple months ago when she first started asking questions, she did not fully understand what sin was and why a sacrifice was necessary. We have been waiting for her to come ask again when she was truly ready. Now she is!! So, Friday night after we read some more, she started asking questions again. This time she was a bit more urgent. I asked her why she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart and she said, "I just love Him soooo much!" I told her to go get Daddy and we would all talk about it. She replied to me, "why can't you help me like you did Sissy??" Umm...well. I was kind of at a loss because Cam was the one who told her she needed to wait before, so I wanted him to ask her some questions. She didn't want to go get him and said she would just wait until the next morning. I wasn't okay with that, so, because I am super blunt sometimes, even though it is unnecessary, I asked her, "what if you die while you are sleeping?" I know. Shameful. She looked at me like I was a retard and said, "I am too little die Mama". To my credit, I did not bring up her sister, but I may have panicked a little. So she went to her bed, and I got up and got Cameron. He talked to her a bit and soon she was jumping on my bed telling me they needed me. I went in and she was all grins. She then bowed her head and asked Jesus to be her Savior! The girl could NOT stop smiling. She was ear to ear grins with giggles that just bubbled out every other second or so. I told her now she had to tell someone. She immediately said she wanted to tell her Papa. So I told her she could go wake him up to tell him (he was totally okay with this as I knew he would be). The next day she told EVERYBODY she saw. She is beyond excited!! I'm pretty excited myself...maybe even more than she is! This is THREE people that I have had the opportunity to lead to Christ in the last 2 weeks. It just does something inside you that you can't put words to. LOVE it! It is pure awesomeness. I am so proud of her!

Pray

2011-06-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

You know how some things need to be bathed in prayer? Well, I have some things that do. Will you lift us (me and Cam) up to the Father?

Camp

2011-06-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Camp was filled with wonder and awesomeness and some really not so great things too. What makes all the not so great things bearable is that FIVE teenagers accepted Christ as their Savior! PRAISE TO THE FATHER!! As a follower of Jesus, I love nothing more than the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, and I had the awesome responsibility of leading two of the girls in my room to Him. It just puts me on a high that rivals nothing else. Our youth are truly a special group. They loved on each other and made everyone feel accepted. It was great!

The camp was absolutely beautiful. Seeing mountains makes me think of how awesome our God is and how those mountains bow to Him. It puts life in perspective for me. Love it! I ~~was forced to~~ had the privilege of backpacking up the mountain to spend the night under the stars. With creatures I couldn't see. Among people who like to sing but really should not do so. It was awesome. really.

My favorite thing, other than telling those girls how much Jesus adores them, was meeting Jenny from Addison Road. The band was fabulous, and I think I could easily become a stalker of Jenny. I think she really wants to be my best friend. So, now my goal is to learn all her songs so I can pretend to be her. Yep. Not creepy at all.

We also did the zip line and this really high big swing. And I played games. Crazy, I know. Those of you who know me well, know that I do not play games. I just don't! But I did. And I rocked them!! ha! Seriously though, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and not allowed back in. It was good for me...I connected with our kids like I wouldn't have had I decided to sit around and only watch (like I REALLY wanted to do). So I have decided, no more sideline watching for me. I'm playing! And you better watch out because I am BAD at games!! Ha!!

There was this final big relay the last day of camp. It was painful and hard and totally invigorating. We, of course, had to pose it up after the relay! I'm just praising Jesus I survived it! AND, the adults came in second in our heat. :)

The beginning

2011-06-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we leave for camp, and that starts the first of a busy couple of weeks. Let me just break it down for you...
This coming week is youth camp in Glorieta, New Mexico. We will get back late Saturday, do our youth led service Sunday night, and I will head to San Angelo bright and early Monday morning. My babies are there while we go to camp, and Gracie goes to camp with Cambry the Monday I get to San Angelo . That means I get to watch to my nephews while they are all at kids camp. She will get back on Thursday or Friday (not sure) and Cam will join us there for the 4th of July! We get to relax a few days with our family then he goes home and I stay for Jaymie's (bestie) baby shower on the 6th. I will leave for home after that, and we get all of 3 days off before Gracie goes to kids camp with our church! Once she returns (and we will make some day trips to visit her), we have one week before we go to Brownsville for a mission trip. Is your head spinning yet?? Mine is. So I will stop. I won't even tell you the plans for August. Can I just say that I am ready for summer to be over so I can stay home??!!! All of this is fun stuff, but I have decided that I am a major home-body. :)