A Quick Prayer for a Friend

"Lord, sometimes we don't know where to begin. Sometimes our hearts are just too heavy to speak. But it is in these times that your Spirit interceeds for us.

Lord I pray for Jodi and her family. Grant them peace that passes all understanding. I pray for Grandmommy who is saying goodbye to her sweet husband. Comfort her-walk with her. She needs to feel your presence today.

And Lord we thank you for the legacy that Grandaddy has left this sweet family. We thank you for the fact that Leon knows you intimately and you know Him. Oh the angels will be dancing and singing soon.

Lord help all of us who know Jodi and her family to find ways to comfort them. If it means us babysitting the crew for all the parents-so be it. If it means cooking a warm meal-so be it. If it means just sitting with mouth shuts arms open-so be it.

We love you Lord. We know that it is in these times, friends hurting, grandparents dying that you are with us. We praise you Lord for Christian community. We thank you Lord for putting relationships in our path that span across two generations.

Lord, be with us. Show us your glory this weekend.

And Lord on a personal note, speak to us and the ladies of Metro this weekend at the Nancy Leigh Demoss conference. May we come home renewed and changed by being in YOUR presence this weekend.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Pumpkin Update

Yes, one of the things that was on my long to-do list was to

PAINT THE PUMPKIN.

And you thought I was working?!?!


Before:

After:



Now I am off to catch up on this:



You got to love apartment living hence the white walls and ugly/dirty carpet.

Here is my dream room I found on the Better Homes and Garden website tonight.



You just wait until we move into a house,

I will have

NO WHITE WALLS IN MY HOUSE.

I guarantee it!

Waiting.

This is a must read post, go on read it. You won't hurt my feelings for skipping my post today.

I find myself in holding patterns so often in my life that now I don't know how to deal with God moving us ahead.

Does that make sense?

I have been praying for a few things to happen and now that they are happening I keep wanting to say "Whoa God, whoa!"

Oh we humans are funny, fickle people.

Ahh, but the growth is a sweet time. A sweet, sweet time.

God is faithful. Faithful even when I am not.

God is loving. Loving me even when I am unlovable.

God is compassionate. He is compassionate to those who show no compassion.

And I am busy, very, very busy this week.

Too busy to be blogging but knew that I couldn't go without putting my two cents in on waiting.

Okay, good bye blog land. I will miss you this week. But I need to get a few checks next to my to-do list.

Shop-A-Thon=Mother Load of Good Stuff

The other night after Bible Study, I went to the Garden Ridge Shop-A-Thon. I went the first night, it really wasn't that busy or picked over yet. I thoroughly enjoyed walking the aisles and looking at all the new stuff. Christmas decor was the last aisle I walked down and let's just say I hit the mother load of ornaments.

Do you know how much fun this was for me? No husband telling me to get a move on and no need to rush because they were staying open until Sunday night at midnight?!? I am so blessed. Really, I am blessed.

:)

For the last two years, I have done a new theme on our small 4 ft tree that we display in our apartment. I got this idea from my friend Dr. Sam. You may remember last Christmas I showed you his different trees and themes for each room. He has 17 1/2 different trees. My idea is to have all different type themes for different rooms just like him one day...when we buy a house of course.

Last Christmas, I displayed all of our ornaments from the numerous road trips for the "Makin' A Memory" tree. We started doing this the first year we were married and in the last 4 1/2 years have collected lots of fun ornaments from all over the USA. I think this tree will be the perfect "Family Room" tree.

At the end of Christmas last year, I started working on this year's themed tree, the kitchen. You must remember before I tell you this I was planning on being in a house by Christmas this year. And well, as I have learned, it is better not to plan that far in advance... sometimes God has other plans that aren't our own.

Anywho...

The kitchen tree idea came from a friend passing on a string of "apple garland" to my mom last year. You know someone Else's junk becomes anothers treasure. Well this garland is precious! A little bit more country than I like but cute nonetheless, not to mention free. And well, if it's free it's for me! So over the last year, anytime my mom and I would go shopping we kept our eyes out for "kitchen tree ornaments." You can imagine how hard this was since most places don't carry Christmas ornaments year round.

I found only three things: Santa in a chef hat mixing up a batch of goodies, a tiny little mixer and a mash potato masher.

But at the Garden Ridge Shop A Thon, I hit the mother load of "Kitchen Tree Ornaments." Garden Ridge is my BFF!

I scored big time!

If you click on the picture you can see the tiny mixer and mash potato masher thrown in too. Sadly the apple garland and Santa Chef are locked away in the storage unit down the street. I promise that when I un-box the Christmas stuff I will snap a photo so you can see.

Could Christmas get here any sooner? I can't wait to display all of this stuff.

I may even put it up early this year for good measure...or because I just can't wait to see what it all will look like put together.

Committed.

Marriage has it's ups and downs, ins and outs, highs and lows.

It's just one of those things that we have to go through. Do you think we can blame all of this on Eve? Or do we blame Adam?

A few weeks ago, I was ready to throw in the towel. Not really, but you know how it is, you get so dad gum frustrated and the thing that seems most appealing is to walk away. This is the point where I tell Jeff, "I'll be back."

Those three words are my code to him that he better walk away or let me walk away and not follow. This works for us. Neither one of us want to say anything out of anger that we will have to take back after all is better. Truth is, we are both so stubborn that the best thing for us to do is to retreat and take a "time out."

In the ebb and flow that we call marriage, I have filled my prayer journal with requests to make our marriage stronger. And true to His word, God has put us through relational boot camp. But why does it always seem like I am the one that is having to change?

"Lord, I wanted you to work on HIM not ME!!!"

And I kid you not, I said those words one night when I was having a tantrum before the Lord....followed by what my friend and I have defined as a "Holy Spanking."

The spanking can come in three many forms: the Bible verse that pricks your heart, the sermon that grabs your prideful spirit and swings it out the door and the friend who was kind enough to say, "I don't think you acted right then" making your realize you need to admit you were wrong.

Anyway, I had a "Holy Spanking" a few weeks ago and decided then and there to FINALLY do it God's way.

Allow me to skip ahead at this point to where we are today. Jeff and I have found a common ground. Jeff and I both are growing. Jeff is leading our family and communicating in ways that I never thought possible. I didn't realize that what needed to happen was for me to step out of the way a bit for God to transform my man.

And the Lord has blessed us. The Lord has provided us with a church family that is willing to go the extra mile with us as we learn what it means to be committed to each other.

So as my mama said the other night, "You just need to be committed to your marriage no matter what."

Committed to the Lord.

Committed to my husband.

Committed to the marriage.

Fall Into Reading 2007

Fall- the season of reaping, gathering in, harvesting and rejoicing.

One reason why I love to blog is because of people like Katrina. Many people host different meme's and challenges but the reading challenges is one that I look forward to each new season. This summer I read over 50 books. If you know me, you know I am always reading. The library is my favorite place to visit. I have found this to be the highlight of my week. I go, pick out 4 books and read all four books during the two weeks that I have them to myself. I have also loved getting to know new authors based on the recommendations from my GOOD READ friends and the others who participate in this challenge.



So with no further ado, here is my fall "To Be Read" list:



1. Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly

(Side note: This book is very out of character for me but it is for the Women's Book Club at church, they say it will be worth the read. I am a little scared though!)



2. Having a Mary Heart In a Martha World by Joanna Weaver



3. Becoming A Woman of Discretion by Nancy Leigh Demoss



4. If I Gained the World by Linda Nichols



5. At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols



6. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares



7. The Last Summer by Ann Brashares



8. Playing for Pizza by John Grisham



9. The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty



10. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini



11. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult



12. Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston



13. Me & Emma Elizabeth Flock



14. Elementary, My Dear Watkins (A Smart Chick Mystrey) by Mindy Clark Starns



This of course, is not the complete list. I actually have 23 books in my Good Reads cue but this should last me for at least a few weeks. Okay, I can't wait to stop by everyone else who is participating, really most of these books come recommended by others in blog land. Who knew blogging could be so inspiring?!?

What Would You Do?

What would you do if on your way to bible study you get stopped at a red light?

What if while at this red light-a few drivers from other cars get out and start fist fighting?

What would you do if they were fighting in the lane that you needed to drive through to make it make it to Bible Study on time.

What would you do? Really!

Well I would first check that my doors are locked. Pull around them and turn up Casting Crowns new CD. I then would pray. And wait for the light to turn green. And pray for some divine intervention.

"Dear Lord now would be a good time to um, beam me up Scottie! If I am allowed such a request."

But then when the fighting comes closer to your car again and you are still waiting on the light that will not turn red what would you do?

Well-I sat and watched and laughed at the men.

Especially when another driver gets out of his car and yells to the man, "You "messed" up my car!"

And the other guy says, "So.....something, something something" (hands wagging pointing fingers to the car behind him) And then the man who was fighting gets back in his car.

The guy whose car was "messed" up during the fight, grabs his cell phone and follows the man to Point B. Not sure what happened next because I was driving to Bible Study to learn about the Book of Acts.

Later when I get home, I call Jeff. Who is at work.

We share a cell phone. I use it during the day-he uses it at night. I did not have a cell phone last night and for the first time ever I wished I did have one. But for the record, I don't carry one because I would never use it.

But this morning, Jeff emails me the picture below of a pink gun he found for me. I guess he got a little worried because of the "Fist Fight One Act Play" I witnessed last night. On my way to Bible study-nonetheless. LOL! Isn't she a beauty!?!?

Thirteen Celebrities That I am Tired of Reading About as Front Page News

1. Britney Spears


2. Rosie and Elisabeth's spat


3. Celebrities getting DUI's


4. This guy-who says "I didn't do it!"


5. This chick again! (But he's still cute...)


6. And now this girl is all they talk about


7. The Global Warming Ex-VP


8. Here's my fifty cents on this duo


9. The chick that I am going to call the "Southwest Mini"


10. He's cute but really the girl once kissed her brother with her tongue -I don' t get it!


11. Didn't he retire?!?!


12. Seriously Enough ALREADY!


13. I just posted him on here because of the picture of his hair. Are you playing Samson in a revival of Samson and Deliah?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Wacky Wednesday

What do you do when your husband works nights and you are all alone and bored?

Read. Watch television. Bask in the glow of the computer screen.

But what do you do when your brother in law is working nights and his girlfriend is home alone too?

The two of you get together and do something wild and crazy...or wacky! Of COURSE!

She came over after work, ate dinner and then we waited until Jeff left for work and went to Hobby Lobby.

Hobby Lobby is having a fantastic sale on all things home decor this week. Not to mention all things Fall.

We walked the ailses until they gave the big annoncement that they were closing for the night.

"Closing time. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here." -Semisonic

So we kept shopping...

I bought a wrought iron pumpkin that was 1/2 off. It's super cute.

But I don't like the color- it's blue. YES BLUE!!!



Don't believe me? Here, see for yourself ...




Can you tell? It's BLUE! When did pumpkins become blue?!?



Next stop was Home Depot which was a quick jaunt to my left.

"To the left, to the left" -Beyonce



Anyway the pumpkin is about to be a pretty rust color, you know almost orange but a little more red. I will post a picture tomorrow. It will be better to paint when the sun comes out tomorrow.



"The sun will come out tomorrow." -Annie

Oh how I love the movie Annie.

Meredith says it was her all time favorite growing up. I told her that I liked her. In fact I told her that i loved her because she loves Annie.

Jenni and I used to be Annie buddies but she had to grow up and be a missionary or something special like that.

Oh Jenni, where for art though Jenni!?!?

(Real World Chicks, let's see if this brings her out of the woodwork!)

Menu Planning-Phase One

I am not going to sit here and tell you that I have menu planning down to fine art or that I do this consistently every week. You see the minute Jeff comes to check to see if his name has been mentioned via the blog (yet again) he will call my bluff, so this chick won't tell you no lies. But I will venture out and tell you that I am getting better and for that Jeff and his full stomach thank me.

Now, I am only writing this because one dear friend recently mentioned to me that she would love a step by step version of my menu plan. And since I am a people pleaser, here it is.

When I started out, I found the whole process very daunting. So today I will only write what I consider to be Phase One.

Phase One-Planning and Compiling the Grocery List

What Phase One will Cover:

1. Pick a Day that Works for You and Your Family
2 Write down 7 meals that work are your family favorite recipes.
3. Get a magnetic notepad to stick to your refrigerator for the household to write down things needed.
4. Make your grocery list by the way the grocery store has the section layed out.
5. Clean Out the Fridge Before You Go.

1. Pick a day that works for you and your family to do your weekly grocery shopping.

What works for me may not work for you and your family but I do my grocery shopping on Tuesday mornings. Two reasons, it is the slowest day and the shelves have been restocked from the weekend rush. Whatever day works for you and your household-stick to that day as best you can. Also, try to get out of the habit of running to the store every time you need to cook. The reason menu planning is helpful is because it should decrease the amount of running back and forth to the grocery store. It also helps you save on the bottom line.

2. Gather your favorite family recipes (enlist their help if you need it) and come up with at least 7 meals.

I usually do not cook 7 meals a week but I do write down seven dinner ideas so that I have "an in case of emergency" meal just in case something comes up with work the next week and I am unable to grocery shop on Tuesday. Gather up the recipes and write down all the ingredients that you will need for that week. Make sure you check the pantry before you put it on the list. At one point I had 15 cans of Red Beans because one recipe called for it and every week I would purchase a can or two thinking I did not have it on hand. (Red Beans and Rice is Jeff's favorite food and my least favorite. Bleck!)

This is also a good time to look at the weekly calendar. If you have lots of late night activities happening then pull out the crock pot recipes. If you have pot luck at church or holiday gatherings, get your list for that too. I got all my holiday food ingredients last year before the holidays and boy did it make like easier.

Only focus on the 7 meals for now, you can add to it but I won't discuss that until Phase Two. Seriously folks, I was so stressed the first time I tried to do this so I am trying not to overwhelm you.


3. Get a magnetic notepad and stick it to the front of the fridge.

I use my notepad so often through out the week that Jeff knows not to take it off the fridge. I write down any and everything we may need. I ran out of Paprika the other day and I threw the empty bottle away then wrote Paprika on my list. No, I don't typically use Paprika all that much but I want to make sure I have it ready for the next time that I do. Jeff is known to put toilet paper on the list when we start to run low.

4. Make a list based on how the grocery store is laid out.

Sarah at In the Midst of It posted a template that she uses a few weeks ago for her menu planning. I made my own at the first of the year in Excel because I am an Excel nerd and get great satisfaction from things like this. If you would like my version, email me at blessedassurances@gmail.com and I will send it to you. I divided mine up into sections based on the layout of my local Wal-Mart. (Deli/Produce, Can Goods*, Frozen Food, Household, Dairy, Meat) Did you know that I have cut back my grocery shopping by at least 20 minutes by writing my list in categories? It really doesn't take that much longer if you already have the grocery lists pre-printed and ready to write down.

*Can Goods is all the little aisles in the center of the store which also includes baking stuff.

5. Clean out the fridge before you go.

A FLYLADY trick that I have actually kept. Usually the fridge is almost empty so this is a good time to quickly wipe down the shelves and throw out the little science projects. Trust me, it will help you when you come home to put away your groceries too.

The reason I do menu planning is because it simplifies my life and helps me limit the running around like a chicken with his head cutoff. I see this as a work in progress, therefore, I don't beat myself up for not having it done just right but I do want my home to be a peaceful atmosphere. And menu planning is one way to help me do this.

Now please don't stress out about this. Try it for a week and let me know if it works for you.

Next week we will move on to Phase Two-The Actual Plan.

Sunday Afternoon Naps Lead to Sleepless Sunday Nights

Oh what does one do when you are lying in bed at night and you can't sleep?

You blog of course.

I did something very out of character for me this weekend. I turned off the computer. Tonight when I couldn't sleep, I decided to check out GOOGLE READER to see if anyone had posted. It seems I was the only one who stayed away from the computer. For the first time, in the history of me using GOOGLE READER, I had over 50 posts to read. I decided that I would hold off reading all of these until in the morning, when I have a fresh cup of coffee brewing, a wonderful case of bed head and teeth that are in dire need of a good brushing. Nothing says "Good Morning Blog land" better than bad breath and sweet smelling coffee. Jeff calls it "A Case of the Exactlys" ...because your mouth smells exactly like your @#S! Oh my husband thinks he is soooo funny! And he seems to be getting so many requests to start a blog of his own that he is getting a little scared. Gun shy as I like to call it.

Speaking of guns. Were we speaking of guns? Not sure. But we are NOW! Jeff has been looking to get a handgun for a very, very, very long time. Almost as long as we have been looking for a house. This past Saturday we were driving home from his brothers when he asked if I would happen to like to get my concealed hand gun license too. I thought about it for a second and said, "Sure, why not. Can I get a pink one?"

Oh he laughed. Hard. I asked him what was so funny. A pink hand gun seemed like a reasonable request. He said, "Susan, a pink handgun?" I sat there silent. Then he replied "You know I did see a pink glock (the thing that holds the bullets, I think) that you can put inside your gun. Do you want to do it with me?"

Girls (and Wade) I think I do. I really, think I do. I just think with Jeff working nights and me home alone and this world going to hell in a hand basket, I think I would feel safer. Not to mention the fun we can have shooting at each other paper people targets.

And don't worry, we are looking to buy a safe to store our one black, one pink gun in. Also we are going to have to take a 10 hour safety course before we buy. Safety First, People! Safety first!

I know my sisters-in-law are going to start not allowing the kids to come over and play once they read this post. (don't worry sisters, you know your children will probably be 18 before Jeff finds the gun he wants anyway.

But you know, I grew up around guns. My dad taught us well. For some reason, carrying my own gun around seems like what I was born to do.

Especially a gun that is pink.

By the way, this post has taken on a whole new dimension. i really did not plan on telling you about my dream of having a gun. But I just did. I guess i get loose lips (or fingers) when I am tired and it is fast approaching 1 AM.

Okay, pleasant dreams. I will see you on the flip side!

The Google Game

Have you ever played the Google game?

You know the one where you google yourself and see what you find?

I never actually find the real Susan. I just find others with my same name who are a little more ambitious than me.

For example, I have been a songwriter, a motivational speaker in Florida and a doctor.

But the best was the one I found last night when I entered in my longtime friends name.

Here is what Google Says-

jodi's weblog: Slap the beaver - Slap the beaver. the_beav.jpg So I come up number one now if you Google search "beaver jodi". Small pleasures, folks. In other news, my wrist feels much ...www.jodigreen.ca/blog/archives/2005/01/slap_the_beaver.html - 9k -

Can you guess who I googled Real Life Friends?

The picture that pops up is what cracks me up even more. I am so glad that your kids don't look like this Jodi!

Now that's what they call a Friday funny!

Thursday Thirteen: I Haven't Done One of These in Say...FOREVER!

Thirteen Places I would Rather Be Than Home...in bed...with a sore throat and a headache.

1. On a Beach In Florida (Um, check that-I will be there in October)

2. At A Family Reunion meeting Jeff's crazy cousins (Um, Check, doing that in October)

3. Magic Kingdom (Check, Check-going when we are in Florida)

4. Cruising the Interstate with Jeff (yes, yes, that too will be covered in October driving to FL)

5. Sitting on the Couch at MIL and FIL's cheering on the Chargers (Duh! Football Season is Here! GO CHARGERS!)

6. Standing on a scale that shows that I am 16 pounds lighter (taking it off one pound at a time my friends, one pound at a time!)

7. In Vegas Playing the slot machines (Still working on Jeff, he says no I say"Let's GO!")

8. At my brother and sister in law's house watching HSM2 with the girls. I know a few of the dances now...thank you very much

9. Getting a pedicure with my friend Tina-this girl knows how to massage my feet! (Give me another week and I will be there!)

10. Barnes and Noble reading a book sipping on a non-fat latte with the latest People Magazine in my life (I have to admit, I am getting a little tired of Brittany and friends but I will get my fix later tonight)

11. Scrapbook weekend- Take me away Kim! NOW! I need to get away! (Oh alright, I will wait until November

12. Camping in the mountains (Jeff and I are trying to work out the logistics)

13. In my new house with my feet kicked up on my ottoman (Um, not so much-will try again in 6 months. For those of you who followed this "house hunt" journey-don't worry I am fine with it, thanks to lots and lots of prayers and a husband who is not being lazy but proactive in getting a great cushion for us. Blame Dave Ramsey if you want! lol!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Good Routine Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Let's face it we are all a little busy these days. I know I am not the only one running from morning until night. I have come to believe it is what us women do. We work and we work hard...while our husbands sit and watch football. LOL!

Lately I have been restructuring my daily routines. I tried the Fly Lady* thing, it worked for a little while. Actually it helped jump start my whole love for a good routine. But after awhile, I realized her routines are not really my routines. We at the Blessed Assurances house like to beat to our own drum. I have embraced this part about Jeff and I. I mean not every household has a husband who works nights and a stay at home housewife that works for the #1 Furniture Brand in the country (or that's what the company likes to tell us over and over) in her living room. It can get a little insane at times in my little living room.

But here's the thing. We have found a routine that works for us. I have read many, many books about order in the midst of chaos and I think I am close to getting it under control. And let me tell you, I know like every season in life this too shall pass, so for now this is what works for me.

Yes, I will share with you our weekly routine but only under the preface that you must find a routine that works for you and your family. How do you know a routine is working for you anyway?

1. When it becomes second nature
2. When your house can be straightened up in less than 15 minutes and scrubbed down in less than an hour
3. When you can leave the house on a certain day and time and your husband doesn't have to wonder where you are because he knows it is grocery day.
4. When the laundry pile is not overflowing and the clothes are put away.
5. Finally when the ring around the tub is a nice off white and not a dark brown ring.

These 5 things are a good guide to knowing you are doing a great job.

So here is how we at the Blessed Assurance house roll.

Monday-lazy days, spent catching up from the weekend and planning out the menu
Tuesday-Grocery Day
Wednesday-laundry day-wash, dry, fold and put away
Thursday-Me time, I get out of the house for Bible Study and afterwards treat myself to an hour at Barnes and Noble
Friday-errand day (Bank, Post Office, Cleaners, etc)
Saturday-clean the house, catch up on laundry, get ready for Sunday
*we try to have the house finished before noon and start the morning off with Jeff's infamous pancakes
Sunday-Church, Small Group and Charger Football

So there you have it. A basic weekly schedule that works for us. If you have any routines that work for you, I would love to hear your thoughts so feel free to comment on what works for your family.

Next up: Menu Planning 101

*Flylady is a wonderful resource if you need help establishing a routine, she will take you step by step through the process in a loving, compassionate way. If you need help-try her out. I promise you and your house will be happy.

Happy Birthday Kim!

Today is my friend Kim's birthday! I talked to this girl for quite sometime today and she did not even tell me it was her birthday. You big toot! For that you get a blog post for all the world to read.

1. Kim and I met at Pantego Bible Church when Jeff and I were newly, newly married.
2. I met her when Hudson was less than a year old (he is now 5) and Emma wasn't even a thought yet.
3. Our little small group split off from a bigger small group so that group became fast friends.
4. We had great discussions on Sunday.
5. Jeff was a new Christain during this time. Her husband Danny and another guy name Todd took Jeff under thier wing. They all used to meet for coffee once a week back in the day.
6. One summer Holly, Kim and I did a Bible Study together on Romans. I guess you can say the girls took me under thier wing too. I grew so much that summer.
7. Emma was less than a month old at this time.
8. We bonded while I was able to get my "baby fix" by rocking her little one.
9. All 3 of us and our husbands left Pantego at the same time.
10. Jeff heard about Metro Bible (our home church now) from Danny, Kim's husband.
11. I was so glad to have a familar face at church that first week in our new church.
12. Ever since that first day, we have tried to sit close to each other during church.
13. Kim and I bonded over our love of scrapbooking and getting crafty.
14. We also have bonded over our love of Jesus.
15. And we have bonded over blogging. She started reading my blog first and then got inspired to do her own. I love her blog. In her quiet way, she continues to challenge others to be more like Jesus.
16. One time she gave me a book, "Loving God with All Your Mind" that she thought would be a good read for me.
17. This book changed my life. And she said it would. You should read it too.
18. She is the "Scrappy Chick" weekend coordinator.
19. I am so thankful for her taking time to put this together every 6 months.
20. We all enjoy a good amount of bonding over this weekend.
21. She cracks me up when she says during the weekend, "Let's put on a movie."
22. She prefers a movie with a good soundtrack for scrapbooking.
23. Top Gun is always in the mix-I think it is because she likes the volleyball scene but she won't admit it.
24. She hates the sound of smacking gum just as much as I do.
25. Her kids are so precious to Jeff and I.
26. Emma comes into the santuary while we are practicing singing and waves hello to me while she dances a "Holy Jig" to the music. This girl is NOT shy and I love that about her.
27. Hudson made Jeff and I so proud this Sunday by memorizing the scripture that had pretty big words through out. He is growing up so fast. He has grown by leaps and bounds the last few months. God has great plans for this little man!
28. I am so thankful for Kim and Danny's friendship.
29. Danny works nights as a K-9 officer and she is the one friend that truly understands how hard it is to have a husband who works nights.
30. Especially when you are trying to start a family.
31. I am so thankful that God brought you in my life, Kim.
32. You are such a blessing to me.
33. And I am thankful that we still get to see each other once a week at church.
34. Not to mention, that you are my most faithful blog commenter.
35. Here's to the big 3-5!

And here is one to grow on: Thank you for inspiring me this summer to lose the weight. You look good girlfriend, you look good.

Pretend I Am Not Really Here, KAY!

It's been a little crazy around here this week, I will tell you about it...oh wait, I don't have the time. I promised myself that I would do 4 things before I came back to blog.

They are as follows:

1)grocery shopping
2) wash, fold and put away the pile of laundry
3) file all new catalog pictures for work
4) clean off my desk


And since I am halfway there, I thought I would reward myself by writing a post.


I found this article very funny.

And you know what is even funnier? Someone asked me for parenting advice this week.

Here is what I was thinking:

(Are you serious!?!? You want MY advice! You must be desperate to ask me?!?!)

Here is what I actually said:

"Umm. I don't know! Ask someone else."

I just knew this was a test from the Big Man Upstairs. If you asked me advice, oh say, a year ago and I would have jumped at a chance to talk non-stop. But the truth is, I don't know and I won't know until I have been there and done that.

But here is what I promise to do for any of you moms out there at the end of your rope.

I will pray for you.

I will pray for your spouse.

I will pray for your child and the demon that sometimes posses that child.

And I will give you a big hug and say "You are doing a great job!" Because you are. Really you are! Go ahead give yourself a quick pat on the back. Go on, you deserve it!!

To all the mothers out there in my life: Please know that on the horrible-no-good-very-bad days I am praying for you. And then on the wonderful days, where everything goes according to plan, I am rejoicing with you. (I'm curious, does it ever really go according to plan?)

And if you ever need me to pray for you and your child, then all you have to do is ask or don't, I will still pray for your little monster angel.

I may be under a pile of paperwork and laundry right now but I can still pray.

When I finish my to-do list I will come back to tell you about the conversation last night with Jeff. The one where he announced to me that he was going to pursue acting.

Blogging now acting. My husband is ambitious!

(ohh, I spelled ambitious right the first go round. I am one smart spelling chick)

On Bended Knee I Come

You prayed with me for Canon Perkins, you prayed with me for Canon Norman, you prayed with me for Cousin Kanyon. Now I ask you to pray with me for baby Bennett. You can keep up to date with the latest here. http://www.totsites.com/tot/bennettmitchell/journal/.


Will you join me in praying for Travis, Kelly and Baby Bennett?


I am taking a few days off of the blog to get some other things done around here. So I will see you all in a few days.

God bless your Journey!

Summer 2007

I made this little diddy to compile all of our summer pictures together! Enjoy!

Click the play button to start the music if you want the soundtrack version. Or leave it alone if you would like the silent movie version.

So Long Summer, So Long

Summer- A time to defend, nurture, guard and protect yourself.

This SUMMER has been exactly what I want while at the same time being nothing like I expected. I did everything that was on the Summer Plans List while other things have come as a complete surprise. One of the most unexpected things from this summer is how God transformed me.

I started out this summer anxious about the next phase and instead of giving it to God, I talked about it with my friends non-stop.

Early on in the summer, I made the decision to turn off the television for the summer. By doing this, I found myself getting quieter on the inside. I felt God calling me to keep silent and trust Him with the "next phase." I prayed more and talked less.

Many things came up this summer that were completely out of my control. Often times, I felt like I was in a series of tests to see if I truly meant what I said when I said I would trust God.

The big apartment flood, the colon cancer scare, the increased work load, not getting pregnant when I wanted, all of these have served as a reminder that God is fully in control of my life-not me. Oh I cried and I tried to pray in a way that would get God to do things my way. But each time He would gently remind me that my ways are not His ways.

When my mom started to pack up her apartment we decided to clean out a few of our "memory boxes." As you already know from the past post, I enjoyed my walk down memory lane. But I found a quote in my prayer journal that hit home even today. To be honest, I don't know if I wrote this or if I found this and wrote it down. I don't think I wrote it because it is too profound for even I to write. But I think this quote is a perfect way to wrap up my "So Long Summer" post.

"God has more for you than plans; He also has a purpose. You do not have to fear getting on a side track when God is setting your course. If He is speaking, listen. If He is guiding, follow. And when you arrive to the place He has chosen, let your heart be still. He not only knows where He as taken you, He also knows what He is doing with you while He has you here."

God Bless Your Journey!

Huh. Who Would Of Thought That A Small Box Could Home So Many Memories!

I have been looking through an old box of mine from high school and college that was in my mom's closet. She's moving said the box had to go.

And here is what I found inside.

I have found a sweet, sweet note from Jodi (I will call you to read it, I can still remember reading this and praising God for our friendship. It's a sweet one, you are a sweet friend even today)



I found a list of to-do's from the week before I left for ACU. It was divided out by the days leading up to the big leave and the last line said, "Leave for ACU!"



I found a picture of my great grandmother and I cooking in her kitchen. This will be framed and put in my kitchen now. I think it was my first salad to make ever and she raved and raved about it. I had the biggest smile on my face. It is a keeper.



I found my notes from the Mexico mission trip. Aquilles baby! YEAH! I have spanish songs galore, I can't wait to teach the children at church these songs. Plus a few vocab words.



I still have the first ever retreat booklet with Hatchett. "The Great Adventure."



I found some of my piano books that I used at recitals. I can't wait to teach Hayley these songs (after I reteach myself of course)



I found a picture and many sweet notes from Laura who I am now reconnected with thanks to the blog.



I found my letter from ACU telling me I was in Nelson Dorm and my roomate would be Meredith.

I found some pictures from a time that a certain intern came to my house one night to fix my hair for a banquet. It was huge. And we laughed and laughed. It's because of this night that it still cracks me up that the Lord gave you boys, Kendra. We had a blast did we not?

Oh and a Sierra magazine you stuffed in my box when I was the church runner and they came to sing at the church. We were walking on cloud nine that week, 'member?

I found pictures of one of my cabins at CDR when Jenna Lucado was in my cabin (some may know her Dad, Max)



I have a check in list from my campers during 4th session. My favorite cabin EVER. Sarah you were there-really that cabin rocked!



I found Mark and Melissa's engagement picture, still in a crystal frame. Yeah, that's right, IN A FRAME. You guys were so sweet...still are, of course!

But the most important discovery of all is my prayer journal from 1993-1994. Priceless. Hard times but God was good. I will share some of the entries later, promise.

God was a big part of my life then just as He is now. And most of you real world friends were there then like you are now. We are blessed to have such a rich history together.

And as I look over all the names listed on Baby Bennett's site at everyone who is praying, I am reminded once again how blessed we are. Nothing, nothing compares to Christan community.

We are so blessed.

Thanks for the memories y'all. Let's get together soon to make more of 'em.

(Jeff asked me the other day, "So how many get togethers are we up to now when we get a house?" I told him 2 but the real number is definatley more than 2, we just will ease him into it slowly. My mom may have to give him a few pointers, I used to invite the whole school over since we were only 5 blocks away. She learned to cope...I think.)