Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Observations

I can't believe I almost forgot to blog about this. We went to Barberitos tonight for dinner. A (ahem) larger sized man walked by. Nate points and blurts in the loudest voice possible...'Daddy, Look at his big ol' belly'!
M.O.R.T.I.F.I.E.D

I just looked at Allan and asked, "Did he just say what I think he said??" And, sadly the answer was "yes". I knew the day was coming when the kids start noticing the differences in people, but I was realllllly hoping it would just bypass our household. Oh well, he was just making an observation, but it was pretty embarrassing.

What would your mosaic look like?

I really liked this RBC devotion today. Wow, makes me think about how I live my life daily. I hope & pray that my daily life is glorifying to my LORD. It's my mission each day to live according to His truth and that others around me can see Him through me.

July 30, 2008

Snapshots Of Time

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. —Psalm 90:12

The designers of an innovative Web site call their creation a “snapshot” of our world. Every hour, computers monitor international news sources, select the most frequently occurring words and pictures, then display them as an interactive image. Over time, these hourly snapshots compose a mosaic of unfolding world events.
If a computer could track our words and actions, what would a snapshot of yesterday reveal? Over the weeks and months, what patterns would emerge? And what theme would dominate the final mosaic of our lives?

Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses the man of God, is a powerfully honest look at the brevity and significance of life. The writer compares an entire lifetime to a dream or a blade of grass, and cries out to God: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (v.12). Our days often seem so insignificant, yet they add up to so much. The Message renders verse 12: “Teach us to live wisely and well.” It is a prayer for the snapshots of life with the final image in view.

When all the pictures of our life are laid on the table, they will reveal our recurring words and actions. What story will they tell? It’s worth considering as we make our choices each day. — David C. McCasland

God has given life abundant—Live it fully every day;Though our time on earth is fleeting,He goes with us all the way. —Hess

It’s not how long you live that counts, but how you live.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Out of the mouths of babes...

So sweet.
I took Nate to the doc today b/c he's had a cough now for 3 weeks. Bad mommy waiting it out. But, I really thought it'd clear on it's own. Turns out he was wheezing and is in need of breathing treatments every 4-6 hours. This should earn me the Mom of the Year Award! Ha Ha!
Anyway, while we were there, Nate just got real comfy w/ the doc. He was chattin' her up like they were best buddies. He's taken an obsession to pointing with the finger that's not so great to point with. You know the one I'm talking about. Well, I was so embarrassed. But, he was trying to tell her that he cut his finger on his watergun. That happened to be the finger that was cut. Then she asked if it was feeling better. His response, "Yes, Jesus is making it all better!" That made me smile!! Then as she was listening to his heart, she asks him if he could hear his heart beat. And, he just looks at her and says, "Jesus lives in my heart."
I just melted. Even when I think all my energy is wasted trying to teach him things... it's good to know that some of it- the most important part of it, really is sinking in! I really believe the LORD knew I needed an encouraging moment b/c the past few days have been very trying and I really have felt that I'm just spinning my wheels and they'll never get anything. Thank you LORD for the reminder of Galatians 6:9...Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Battle was On


Oh yes, the battle was on! Mix' N Scraper vs. Dishwasher Heating Element!

Guess who won?? Yeah.. and it stinks... literally!

I think they need to add a side note to their description of the utensil on their website. It plainly states 'Handles won't separate from the heads'! BONK... WRONG!

Also says heat safe to 650 degrees... hmm, hope I never accidentally touch that heat element!

Man, I really liked that thing, too. Off to call my dealer.. pampered chef dealer that is!

Kitchenware: Mix 'N Scraper®
#1657 $13.50
Our scrapers are a staple for every kitchen. Heavy-duty silicon heads won’t crack, stain or melt. Handles won’t separate from the heads.
**Unless it meets the dishwasher heating element** Heat-safe to 650°F. Tackles thick batters and dough. **but can't tackle the dishwasher heating element** Mix, scoop and scrape with the same tool.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Monkey See, Monkey Do



Seth has to do absolutely everything his big brothers do.

Here, he joins the effort to rip my bannister off the wall.

Gusteau


We have been watching Ratatouille like it's going out of style. The boys call it Ratatootie! LOL!!

So, the other day as I'm unloading the dishwasher, Nate grabs a pot & pan, crosses his arms and says "Look at me, Mom! I'm Gusteau"... haha!!

Jumpy Fun


Yesterday, we had the absolute best time ever!!

We had a jump party as a summertime playdate. 16 of the boys closest friends joined us in Athens for a fun time of jumping followed by yummy pizza and cupcakes. But, the party didn't stop there. After that, we hit up McD's for some more fun playtime inside where it was nice & cool!

Again, thanks girls for driving out to Athens & making Nate & Alex's day by seeing all their bestest buds!!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Praise Him In Everything...

Here was my devotion today from RBC.org
Very good reminder to praise Him daily!

July 15, 2008
Silent Helper

I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things. —Isaiah 25:1

The discovery of penicillin revolutionized health care. Prior to the 1940s, bacterial infections were often fatal. Since then, penicillin has saved countless lives by killing harmful bacteria. The men who recognized its potential and developed it for widespread use won a Nobel Prize in 1945.
Long before the discovery of penicillin, other silent killers were at work saving lives by destroying bacteria. These silent killers are white blood cells. These hard workers are God’s way of protecting us from disease. No one knows how many invasions they have stopped or how many lives they have saved. They receive little recognition for all the good they do.
The Lord gets similar treatment. He often gets blamed when something goes wrong, but He seldom gets credit for all the things that go right. Every day people get up, get dressed, drive to work or school or the grocery store, and return safely to their families. No one knows how many times God has protected us from harm. But when there is a tragedy, we ask, “Where was God?”
When I consider all the wonderful things that God does silently on my behalf each day (Isa. 25:1), I realize that my list of praises should be much longer than my list of petitions. — Julie Ackerman Link

God keeps giving us reasons to praise Him.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Keep On Keepin' On

My daily devotion from RBC.org ....
Just wanted to share with anyone who reads the ol' blog!

July 12, 2008
Marriage Before Love
Genesis 24:61-67

Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun. —Ecclesiastes 9:9

A man went to his pastor for counseling. In his hands were pages of complaints against his wife. After hours of uninterrupted listening, the pastor couldn’t help but ask, “If she is that bad, why did you marry her?” Immediately the man shot back, “She wasn’t like this at first!” The pastor, unable to hold back his thoughts, asked, “So, are you saying that she is like this because she’s been married to you?”
Whether or not this story is true, it does suggest an important lesson to be learned. At times, feelings toward a spouse may grow cold. But love is much more than feelings—it’s a lifelong commitment.
Although most people choose to marry only because of love, in some cultures people still get married through matchmaking. In the lives of Isaac and Rebekah recorded in the book of Genesis, love came after marriage. It says in chapter 24 that Isaac married Rebekah and then he loved her (v.67).
Biblical love is about our willingness to do what is good for another. Husbands are instructed to “love their own wives as their own bodies” (Eph. 5:28).

So, walking in obedience to the Lord, let’s keep our marriage vows to love “till death do us part.” — Albert Lee

“For better or for worse,” we pledge,
“Through sickness and through strife”;
And by the help and grace of God,
we’ll keep these vows for life. —D. De Haan

Love is more than a feeling, it’s a commitment.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Jesus Bring the Rain


We have prayed for rain & the Lord has provided... in abundance! This is the view from my upstairs bathroom window.
We have the n'hood retention pond on our lot & it has never filled up before. Every now and then it'll get a puddle, but nothing like it did today. Even our swingset box was floating!! I told my neighbor, I had a lake front property for about 30 mins today! HAHA! Hope you're getting rain where you are!

Side note: My baby sister & brother-in-law are on their way to Brazil for her to begin her career. Hopefully their flight left as scheduled! Anyone reading my blog, please say a prayer that the Lord gets them there safely and for His protection and provision for them while they are there for 2 years And, also for them to transition into their new life there easily!! LaLa & Christian... please be safe while you're there. We'll miss you guys a whole lot & think of you often!! Love you bunches!!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Red, White & Blue 2008

We had a great loooong weekend on the lake, again. Wednesday we drove up to SC to spend time together as a family at my parents place. The plan was to leave Wed by 530 but somehow we didn't end up on the road until 830 and we got up there at 1030. The boys enjoyed some yummy and super nutritious Sonic corn dogs and Mommy & Daddy enjoyed Arby's 99 cent sandwiches on the ride up.
Thursday morning we woke up and were all jazzed up for a day in the water. We hadn't been out in the water floating around for 15 mins when Alex started screaming bloody murder. Bless his heart, there was a snake about 2 feet from his little face just coming towards him. Eventually, his screams scared the snake off in the other direction. We were all scattered and Allan & I felt so bad that we couldn't get to him fast enough. So, that put a damper our swimming and floating for the day. We decided to stay dry and do a little fishing. My mom couldn't stand that I was out-fishing her. haha.. Seth was none too happy about having to wear his life-jacket. He would pitch a fit everytime. Oh well. Got to be safe Baby Boy! Everyone in the cove seemed to be enjoying the great weather everyday also. Over the course of the weekend, the neighbors around the cove killed 2 more snakes. We aren't sure if one of them was the one that scared Alex or not, but we're hoping it was. The neighbors crack me up though b/c when they get ready to kill a watersnake, they just whip out their guns! haha.... One guy used a 22. The neighbor right next door had a handgun. It was dark and we were doing a little night fishing, so I couldn't see what kind of gun it was. He asked permission first b/c he didn't want to scare us or the kids. I'm assuming it was a revolver of some sort b/c he looks like a revolver kind of man. I'm just glad he killed the snake. On Saturday before we came back home, Allan, Nate & myself braved the water one more time. We had a blast having races on our floats. And, we were so happy we saw no snakes. However, once we were out of the water and packing the van we heard commotion. Another snake had been spotted around the cove. Everyone was shocked at how many had been seen over the weekend, especially with all the noisy people out in the water. Their cove is like a cul-de-sac but with water. So, all the neighbors alert one another when they see something. Despite all the snakes over the weekend, we had a great time! We got to see an awesome fireworks show put on by some neighbors. They realllly spent some money b/c it was one of the best, non-professional fireworks display that I've ever seen! The boys enjoyed it while eating some yummy ice cream.
Here's a slideshow of our weekend. But, beware!! When we go to the lake I don't put on any make up or do my hair. It's a ponytail/hat weekend. So, don't be too scared!! To see captions, you'll have to scroll over each pic.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Growing, Growing



Our little garden is just-a-growin'. And, our tomatoes are turning into bushes. We HAVE to go get more tomato cages. Already we are getting squash, zucchini, banana peppers, cucumbers, a few cherry tomatoes and bell peppers. Our corn, hopefully, will take off soon. When I prayed for rain the other day, the LORD blessed us with some 2 days in a row that filled the boys kiddie pool! So, the garden got that rain plus we got the kiddie pool to use on days there isn't any rain. I trusted Him to send rain, and indeed He did!

Now... if we could just keep the deer out of it!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Deeper Still...going deeper into His Truth

Oh-my-goodness. I had the most amazing time last night & today. Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, & Priscilla Shirer and the Travis Cottrell praise team along with Mandisa... combining them all just made for an amazing time! The event was sold out.. over 19,000 women in attendance. So great to be surrounded by all my sisters, gathered to worship and praise our King and be filled with His Truth!

Our hotel, Hyatt, was super nice except one minor thing.... 100 bajillion teenagers in Hotlanta for FBLA conference. Kind of scary to see who will be leading the business industry in just a few short years.

The girls and I had a great time getting to know one another better. Nothing like Hard Rock Cafe at 1130 PM... made me feel young being out that late! It was the only thing open that late. McD's was open but they had ran out of hamburgers, cheese, chocolate and french fries. Who runs out of food when they're expecting over 20,000 women in town?? I think someone needs a new inventory manager! Too bad my feet don't make me feel young. I made the absolute WORST decision about shoes. And, boy, do I have blisters to show for it. I hope I'm able to hobble into church tomorrow. Want some cheese to go with my WHINE?!?!

But, seriously, if you ever get the chance to see any of these ladies... I highly recommend it! You will not be disappointed. These ladies are all truly gifted in their ability to deliver His word. I look forward to seeing them all again one day.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Deeper Still Conference

I'm so excited for tonight because I'm going to see Beth Moore at Philips Arena for the Deeper Still womens conference. Priscilla Shirer & Kay Arthur will be there as well, but I'm not as familiar with them. Beth Moore wrote the "Believing God" Bible study that I did last fall and it was an amazing study! I'm super excited also that Mandisa will be at the conference! She was on American Idol and Simon criticized her for singing a Christian song that she sang beautifully. She has an awesome voice & I can't wait to hear it in person! I'll update with pics as soon as I return tomorrow evening if they allow cameras! :)