Taylor Made

Because sharing is fun....

2011-11-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

This last week I have been switching out summer clothes for winter clothes, and as I was washing and folding to put it all away, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the clothes passed our way!! Nesta, Heather, and Rhonni, have and are keeping my girls clothed. Thank you guys for passing down the love. I can literally count on one hand the things I have "had" to buy my girls, because we can always make hand me downs work:)) And the giving does not stop her they will continue to clothe Lyric and Harper and whoever after that!! Thanks for being willing to share, because free is good and sharing is fun!!!

Pictures for fun!!

2011-11-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double. ~Toni Morrison

*Disclaimer- if you are looking at these and thinking wow she can not edit, I was not trying to just thought the lower saturation looked cool! I am not and do not claim to be a photographer!! although I would love a new camera!!

Little moments!

2011-11-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

My heart melts as a mom when i walk in and they have decided to cuddle up together, I guess these little moments make up life.

They would run and jump into the swings laughing and giggling!

My Sister, My Friend

2011-11-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

in this post there are two sets of pictures, that hugely represents to different people, in the first pictures I was newly married and moved away, Summer was still in high school. I say all of that to say that if I could sit and right down the events between the older pics and the newer ones, the events, the relationships, the girl, the life, between those two times, we became different, we became grown up, living adult lifes. Neither of us knowing how our story would unfold or what the outcome would be, but we did know two things. That God knew our stories, even the screwed up part, and the second thing was that we had each other as long as God would allow. We have gotten married, graduated, had babies, had open heart surgery on one of those babies, we have failed, we have succeeded, we have changed, and most importantly we have grown. Thank you Summie, even though you did not get to choose me, I am grateful that God chose you for me!! He has been good to us and may we not forget to thank, love and continue to grow in Him daily.

Please note that in the top picture on the right we had no idea it started taking the picture, hence our midsections then we sat down in the three seconds it gave us and then we just improvised:)

Our First Camping Trip!!!

2011-11-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

This was our first ever camping trip and it was SOOOOO AMAZING!! I love to camp and this is something I really wanted the girls to grow up do and love!! We had smores, a guess who competition, did some hiking, and also didn't shower for three days. The girls were covered in dirt but they had so much fun!! Those two nights by the camp fire were like what I had always dremed of having a family would be like! It was a living dream for me :) Thanks babe for making this trip happen for me!

Friendsies!!!

2011-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

These pics are old but I ran across them and thought they were sooo sweet. It made me start thinking about friendships and relationships and how God blesses us with people who love and care for us. Today tell that friend, or friends, how much you appreciate them!

OSU Game 2011

2011-11-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

The game was awesome, no amazing, and this night was in my top three nights of great nights for the year!! Loving life....

Rainbow Faeries!!

2011-11-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

The girls wanted to be rainbow faeries this year for Halloween, and with the help of Dyllan and Micah we came up with two pretty great girls!! They were sooo excited and it was really cute to watch them, Isabelle did a great job teaching her little sis how you get the candy:-))

Summer and I with the crazy eye going on!!

Riding in the wagon

Pretty proud of those sour patch kids she got!

Kimberlin helping Dyllan pull the wagon around! She wants to do whatever Dyllan does!!

Trick or treat!!

My girls!!

Next year we will have four girls all dressed up!!! Come on Harper!!

Conversation goes something like this;

Kimberlin: No this candy bucket is mine

Lyric: let me check it out

Isabelle: (the mom) Lyric you have to get your own bucket

Lyric: what are you saying to me?

Second time around...

2011-11-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

I know I made this post when Isabelle grew into these jammies, but as I was unpacking winter clothes the same thought hit me again. Kimberlin is now in jammies that I have to fold three times, instead of in half, which means one thing, she is getting bigger. This time was a little different because she is my baby, but I am proud of her and I am proud of who she is becoming! Thank you God for my daughters!

The right choice...

2011-11-09T21:36:00.000-08:00

Best choice I ever made...

...because he cares...because he loves me.

My husband is sooo talented!!!

2011-10-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is an interior paint job that Jon did and it turned out amazing!! He is very talented and his work so great!! Great job Babe!!

A day of fun and new things!!!

2011-10-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

We took the girls to an amusement park on Labor day and it was such a fun day, watching their eyes light up and Isabelle was even tall enough to ride her first coaster and Kimberlin rode on the giant boat that goes side to side. They LOVED it and I cannot wait to take them to more fun things as they get older and can do more and more!!

Checking out the Ferris Wheel

So Excited:-))

going up, up, up

The four Taylor's about to hang upside down!!!

We call Kimberlin "goat" because well, she climbs to high places and eats things she shouldn't so we had to get a picture with the goat!

Enjoying a snow cone!!

Isabelle's first roller coaster!!

She wanted to go again and again, and now she says she will eat and grow taller so she can ride the bigger ones!! I love her excitement to try new things!!

Jessica's Race

2011-10-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Jessica swam-biked-and-ran her first triathlon, she did an amazing job and most importantly she crossed that finished line!! She totally rocked it and I am so proud of her for this accomplishment. Congrats friend:)))

My Mom's Birthday!

2011-10-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

My mom is such a blessing in my life and I am grateful to live close to her, and I am thankful for the time her and my dad take to pour into my kids. My girls have a great relationship with Granny and Poppy, and I am so thankful! We met at Olive Garden for lunch and four of the six kids were there for my mom's birthday! It was a sweet time!! I love you mom, and if I haven't said it enough, thank you for raising me, because now that I am raising my own children I fully understnad the work and sacrifice that goes into it, so thanks for all the sleepless night, the hugs, the listening ear, the deiscipline, the sacrifice and love! Happy Birthday!

Somebody's Hero

2011-10-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was sitting there and the girl's came up behind me and taped this to my shirt, they said I was super hero mom!! It was sweet and meant a lot to me!! So this post is for all the stay at home mom's who may feel like we are in a hampster wheel, cleaning up the same messes and doing the same dishes from 7-well all day and sometimes into the night! What we do does make a difference!! Today remember that!!

Somebody's Hero by Jamie O'neal

She's never pulled anyone from a burning building
She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name
She's never hit a shot to win the game
She's never left her footprints on the moon
She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world,
No, she's just your everyday average girl (but)

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero

She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver
But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver
For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown
Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition
But now her baby's movin' on, and she'll soon be missin' her
But not today, those are tears of joy runnin' down her face

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress
She gave her wings to leave the nest
It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by
Looks back into her mother's eyes
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero

Thirty years have flown right past
Her daughters' starin' at all the photographs
Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that
Oh, but she already is

My crazy, yet creative daughters!!

2011-10-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Ok so sometimes when I walk out and see my kids playing, they really crack me up, why they thought they needed goggles and gloves I will never know, but the laugh was worth it. I know some of the pictures are blurry, and you can not see details but every "friend" stacked behind her has a book under it, so they would all have their own seats!

They even gave Jon a ride, please note the little co-pilot!! Their destination was the zoo and then the park!!

My UN-Birthday!!

2011-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

I figured a month later is about right on making a post for something, so here is what we did for my UN-birthday!! We called it because my birthdays have a history of being bad, so we celebrated early!! It started Friday morning with sleeping in and Jon had arranged for the kids to be gone, and all day Friday I got to spend shopping with my sister, shopping, lunch and a kid-free day! It was awesome! Then that night we got all dressed up and Jon had made reservations at this Castle restaurant for dinner, then off to get cheesecake!! We woke up and went and spent like three hours at a coffee shop, reading and talking and then off to lunch. The day before Rhonni surprised me for lunch!!! And the day of my birthday Jess took me out to lunch!! Overall it was a great birthday and so much fun!!

Here goes year number 28!!!

Kimberlin Nicole

2011-10-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures when Kimberlin was out playing and although I was right there clicking away it did not phase her a bit. This girl that was given to me, has rocked my world. She is intense and passionate. She keeps me on my toes and on my knees asking God for wisdom. Sometimes her intensity can be a challenge to me, but at the same time no matter what she does, she is focused and she is doing it on purpose. As her mom, I pray God will help me to mold this part of her to be used for Him. When tunneled right, these qualities will make her a great strong woman! I love you Kimberlin and you are truly a gift from God!!

It's A Girl!!! (for Summer!!)

2011-09-21T23:08:00.000-07:00

It is a girl!!! I am sooo beyond excited for Summer and Trav and cannot wait to see all four of our crazy girls (plus Summer and I) storm Target!! I see many fun girl trips in our future!!!

Lyric isnt so sure about this sister thing...lol

The picture below is from when we found out sweet Lyric was a girl!! Man time flies....

Summer my dear sweet baby sister, I am truly blessed to have you in my life as my sister and my best friend!! I am beyond excited that God is giving our daughters that with each other! My daughters have been the greatest joy I could ever imagine and I am so proud of you as a mom, daughter, wife, friend, sister and my friend!!! Can't wait to meet this sweet girl coming to join our madness!!! love you!

Happy Birthday Jon!

2011-09-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jon!! 28!! We had a datenight and a night downtown with our family!! I love you Jon!!!

Best Buddies!!

I have a shot every year of him and the girls!!

Jon and Belle got sidetracked during the shot:)) Kimberlin is like me...focused!!!

MY FAVORITE PICS!!!!

Colorado Vacation 2011

2011-09-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Better late than never! This seems to be quickly becoming my life's theme. We took our vacation back in July and it was a great time with Jon's family!!

Cold inside the cave!

Seven Falls

Headed into Cave of the Winds

Climbing around at Garden of the gods

brrrrr...

At flying W ranch

They were worn out!!!

On top of Pike's Peak it even snowed while we were up there!!

This was the funnest part a gold mine tour!!

We stayed in this little mountain town and they has all these old buildings so I decided to do a little photo shoot of the girls!

Classic!

hanging out at a random park!

A little friendly game of pig while we wait (notice I took these pics bc I was the first one out:)

An old fire hydrant (random I know)

Sand dune day (the last and lonnngggessssttt day)

It really went on forever and forever

~Good Times and Great Memories~

Just some thoughts...

2011-08-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

There is this scene in the movie 500 Days of Summer where the main character, Tom, is having a great glorious day he walks through the park singing a song with a bird on his shoulder, where the whole city joins in dancing and singing with him, he feels on top of the world, dancing into the elevator at work. Well this scene is brought to an abrupt end when the elevator doors open (the song ends) and he looks like crap, frowning, tired, frustrated and a little lost.
What do you do when life throws you a rough day, and things can happen so fast that it can feel like everything is going great and then BAM!!! out of the blue you feel sad, tired, frustrated and even a little lost.
These days even happen to christians...gasp. But they do they catch us off guard and we are left spinning a little. Being a christian though when these days do come (because there will be many) there is always hope, there is always a peace in knowing that even though we are left in the smoke of a disaster and cannot see our feet, that God knows the path that we are on and that He not only knows the path but He, the creator of all things, created your path. So look up and walk on following His voice if you can see and hear nothing else.

Burdens...

2011-07-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

Burdens. Carrying your own burdens. Carrying other peoples burdens. These thoughts have been spinning in my head lately, for no real reason just in talking with people who are struggling in life, whether it be financial, or family, or a certain sin, or just a season of life that is difficult. We are called to carry one anothers burdens and to help each other through this life and on that journey help each other look more like Christ. It is tough. It is tough to carry your own burdens, let alone thinking of picking someone else's burdens up, but it is our responsibility as believers. This is something Christ wanted us to follow through on...

Bear one anothers burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

So think back to a time when someone came to you and stood beside you to help you through a difficult time, not thinking of themselves, but instead lifting some of the burden so that you could stand a little straighter, that person was acting out in love and fulfilling the law of Christ.

Now think back to a time when you sacrificed and stood beside someone to help carry their burden? Can you think of a time? If not then look around at your brothers and sisters in Christ and get in the trenches of life with them, carry their burden, you may be surprised how God will work in your heart and move in mighty ways. Burden's of life are everywhere, but God left us with instruction on how to help each other. So are we?

Downtown Time

2011-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Sisters=Best Friends for Life!!!

2011-06-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Monkey see monkey do!

This was there "chalk boat" and they found sticks for oars, it was awesome they were pretending to sail to California!!

It's That Time of Year

2011-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Wedding time of year that is. This wedding we went to were two optometrist getting married so they gave everyone crazy fun glasses to pick from!! The reception was in this great hotel downtown OKC and it was super fun!!!

The after party...Just kidding but the girls loved the glasses and glow sticks we got. Sometimes I wonder what they think in their head about where we actually go, to come back with play glasses and glow necklaces!!!

This wedding, was Isabelle's first wedding, and it was pretty sweet because we got to ride in a trolly to get to the chapel! Fun times, she thought the bride was a princess.

Julie comes to OKC!!

2011-06-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Julie came through Oklahoma on her to get Andy and we had such a great time!! We went to dinner, movie and talked a lot!!!!! Thanks for taking time to hang with us Julie!! Love you woman!!Trying to get all three of us in the pic...

...there she is but what is she doing!!

A Cure for My Phobia...sort of

2011-06-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have blogged before that I hate chalk, not just hate it, but it freaks me out running away the opposite direction. However, when I was at walmart I found these "washable sidewalk crayons" I tried them and I was able to draw a full picture with them!! I know it is weird but I am making progress to normalcy...well if adults drawing with chalk is normal:-)

Houston Pics

2011-06-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here are our pictures from Houston! We had such a great relaxing time and it was awesome to get to go with Summer and Lyric!! These trips mean so much to me!

Isabelle waiting on the bucket to tip...not the best place...

This slide was amazing and at one point we all went down together, Isabelle loved it!!!

The last day there Christy had planned for Summer and I to go get a facial while she kept all the kids, it was the best gift ever!!! We were soooo relaxed after this!

We had to track down an In-N-Out while we were there in texas because they just opened there!!

Waiting patiently (by force because there were like 100 cars in front of us) to eat my burger!!!

Houston Trip #4

2011-06-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here tonight and it is my last night in Houston visiting my sister. This is my fourth summer to come in a row, starting when Isabelle was only 8 weeks old, and the girls and I have made the trip every summer. This has been a great week and I feel refreshed!! This trip is always special to me because it has let me get to know my sister more and to actually just get to sit and talk with her (well after my kids are finally asleep:) As my head finally hit the pillow last night, I laid there thanking God of how blessed I am to have a sister who has journeyed before me and will help me along as I am learning and growing!! Christy I know that these trips will not always be possible but I am so thankful that we have had the last four summers together!! Thinking back it reminds me of where I was four years ago and what my struggles were then and to look back and see the progress is always encouraging. I like being around Christy because the way she is, is hope for my future that I can grow into that! Thanks for this week and the one's before, may we always take time to know each other more...

Moms and daughters....

2011-05-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

How many shots to get a good picture of a mom and her daughters??

I guess somethings never change....

Happy Birthday Jess:-)

2011-05-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

I surprised my best friend Jess for her birthday and it was AWESOME!!! I imagined this fun night in my mind for her and it actually all came off without a hitch. We all laugh and enjoyed a night of celebrating Jessica's existence!!!

The restaurant was amazing it was on this rooftop in midtown, and it overlooked all of downtown, and to top it all off the weather was perfect!! Jessica at one point said "this is surreal i feel like I am in a movie being up here!

These pics are for Landon!!

My Baby Girl is 2!!!!

2011-05-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Kimberlin!!

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!! You bring so much joy to our little family and I am so excited to see how God uses your energy and determination for His glory:))

This and That....

2011-05-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

One night when I got home this is what I came home too:

Jon said she got into some lotion so Isabelle decided to do her hair!! What those three do when i am not here:))))

Uncle Tyler putting Kimberlin to bed:))) so sweet Uncle Ty

Kimberlin and her faces!!! Totally shows her personality!!

I walked in the living room and Isabelle was out with her buddies!!

Moore Spring Bash 2011

2011-05-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

All six of us were together(yes I do realize that this post is late:) It was a great time!! Family time is so important and always fun to see everyone and all the cousins growing up!! God has been good to our family!!

Granny and Poppy (with the aid of Dyllann and Micah) kept all the grankids so that all of us kids and our spouses could go out!

My Beautiful Sisters!!!

ZOO DAY!!

We tried to take a funny picture and we kept laughing!!

There we go!!

To my siblings: God has blessed me greatly with the relationships that He a blessed me with through you and the guidance and love you guys have given me, has shaped a lot of who I am. You guys laugh with me, cry with me, challenge me, irritate me, and most important you love me!! I pray that God uses me in your lives as much as He has used you all in my life!

Mom and Dad: for us to love each other and enjoy each other this much you guys did something right!! Thanks!!

Adventure Time with the Fosters!!

2011-05-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Fosters surprised us with a little getaway and it was a great night of relaxing, great food, and most importantly a lot of laughter!! Thanks friends for a great relaxing time!!

Just Being Honest

2011-04-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

I sat nervously waiting as I sipped my iced latte, what was today going to look like? How would this affect our relationship? What does "community" after this meeting look like? Do I be real and honest with her? Or fake and keep things surface? These are all thoughts as I waited on a lady who I have a ton of respect for to come and meet me for mentoring, as a wife, as a mom, as a believer, as a follower, and as a leader. I thought about, since I know how to keep someone from getting to close to me, was to just ask her questions about her and then it would keep her at bay. Maybe this way we wouldn't have to deal with the harder, or should I say more personal, issues I am dealing with (just in general, please do not jump to any conclusions that something terrible is going on in my life). Time passed as we talked about who had our kids, and what sort of day we were having and then....she asked it. "So what are you hoping to really get out of this time of mentorship?" It was a good question, after all I had pursued her originally, I just never thought she would pursue back, but she did and now here we sat. The meeting went on and I shared some of my struggles and thoughts and what God had been chipping away at in my life, she was honest with me, and that alone made me feel safe. I learned that we shared the same struggles, it is just that she is older and has figured a little more out than me. At the beginning of the meeting I thought about just "pretending" which I can be good at, but why?? Why do we pretend? Why aren't we real with other believers about what we are struggling with?? You see, I have found that in the moments we choose authenticity with another believer about "insert issue here" then God usually provides someone to help us, to walk beside us, and to point us to Him. Being honest can be scary, but if we are always pretending then we will never really change what is really going on...the deeper issue.

Yesterday and Today....

2011-04-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a rough day...just all the way around it was rough. Jon had a rough day, Kimberlin was running a fever, I lacked some much needed motivation and in the end, my head finally hit the pillow around midnight-thirty and Isabelle woke up afraid the fire alarm would go off and "burn her long beautiful blond hair" (her thinking of how fire alarms work is a little whacked, and this was mainly a ploy to sleep in our bed, because after all fires cannot burn grown ups according to Isabelle!) After we got that taken care of, Kimberlin started crying at four am, where she moved into bed with us and that always equals a rough night of sleep, due to her random kicking and squirming. SO after all that I am just grateful that today is a new day (and tonight hopefully a better night)!!!!! I came across Psalm 104 and found it breathtakingly beautiful....here is to yesterday being done and to today being new!!

Psalm 104

Praise the LORD, my soul. LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2 The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent 3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. 4 He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. 5 He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. 6 You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. 7 But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; 8 they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. 9 You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. 10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. 11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. 14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. 16 The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 17 There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. 18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax. 19 He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. 20 You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. 21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. 22 The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. 23 Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening. 24 How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. 26 There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. 27 All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. 28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. 29 When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. 30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. 31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works— 32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. 33 I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. 35 But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, my soul. Praise the LORD.

Living with Intention....

2011-03-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

The definition of intentions: 1-a determination to act in a certain way : resolve 2-significance 3- what one intends to do or bring about Have you ever been driving along the road and realized after a couple moments (or minutes) that you haven't really been paying attention that much? I mean, sure you are stopping at lights and you have a final goal, but you aren't really fully there, fully present? Well I found myself there the other day and as I brought myself back to reality, I realized at times I had often done that in my christian walk, just kind of journeying along but with no real focus, no real intention, just going. I realized in that moment that our lives must be lived with intention, with a determination to act in a certain way, with significance, with focus of what one intends to do or bring about. So my question to myself was this... who am I pouring into to? who am I disciplining? how am I growing? Relationships are a part of life, no matter what, they are there, good, bad and the ugly of them, they are there and I will impact the relationships I have, but will it be good, bad or ugly? Without intention it (my walk as God's daughter, my relationships, my life) could just be nothing, never pushing, never growing, never challenging, never changing. OUCH!! That sounds...well... worthless. Pursing on to living with intention....

My Loves

2011-03-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

"You are my I Love You" by Maryann Cusimano

I am your parent,you are my child.

I am your quiet place,you are my wild.

I am your calm face,you are my giggle.

I am your wait,you are my wiggle.

I am your push,you are my swing.

I am your audience,you are my clown.

I am your London Bridge,you are my falling down.

I am your carrot sticks,you are my licorice.

I am your dandelion,you are my first wish.

I am your open arms,you are my running leap.

I am your way home,you are my new path.

I am your dry towel,you are my wet bath.

I am your dinner,you are my chocolate cake.

I am your bedtime,you are my wide awake.

I am your finish line,you are my race.

I am your praying hands,you are my saying grace.

I am your favorite book,you are my new lines.

I am your lullaby,you are my peekabo.

I am your goodnight kiss,you are my I Love You.

4 Years Old!!!

2011-03-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Isabelle's birthday was on Monday, which is also the night we have our Bible study here at our house so all of her friends were coming anyway so we just threw in a cake and had a little party:) She kept telling me all day that "she wasn't four until her cake came, then she would be four!!"

Notice her sister trying to blow the candles out for her!!

Yes, Kimberlin is still trying to blow them out!

Then on Wedensday we headed downtown to Isabelle's favorite restaurant, Crabtown!!!

Isabelle got a scooter from Grandma and Papa

Daddy and his "four year old big girl"

Btw her red hat came from Granny so she can be like Jess from toy story!!

I love this shot of these two!!

Not sure what is going on up there!!

Downtown there is this new cupcake place so we took the girls and when it is your birthday you get a free cupcake with a candle!!

This is Isabelle making a birthday wish (yes it does look like she is praying) the whole place was watching as my sweet daughter wished/prayed this: "God please help me to be obedient so my mommy and daddy wont have to spank me anymore!" haha the store was laughing and I was blushing!

...this concludes our birthday adventures until May!!

2011-03-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have never been a great decision maker, I mean sure give me two restaurants to eat at and I will pick quickly, but when it comes to the big decisions of life...I don't like making them. I feel sick to my stomach thinking of going either direction that is at hand, I do not sharing this as it shows my lack of faith in God directing my steps, but today this is how I feel. How do you choose the correct path for your life and how do you walk in confidence in the path God has laid out? Often times it is easier for my heart to trust God on the big things like eternity, but I struggle with the daily the stuff. Why is my heart like this? Why do I struggle that God's plan is actually the best for my life? Am I that much of a control freak? God I really do want your will in my life...please show me Your heart so I can follow You.

I was reminding of this song by
Barlow Girl called Surrender

My hands hold safely to my dreams
Clutching tightly not one has fallen
So many years I've shaped each one
Reflecting my heart showing who I am

Now you're asking me to show
What I'm holding oh so tightly
Can't open my hands can't let go
Does it matter? Should I show you?
Can't you let me go?

Surrender, surrender you whisper gently
You say I will be free
I know but can't you see?
My dreams are me. My dreams are me

You say you have a plan for me
And that you want the best for my life
Told me the world had yet to see
What you can do with one
That's committed to Your calling

I know of course what I should do
That I can't hold these dreams forever
If I give them now to You
Will You take them away forever?
Or can I dream again?

This and That

2011-03-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

I finally cleaned off my camera and so for the next couple posts I will just be updating pictures!! The girls are growing everyday and are the best of friends!! It is soooo awesome to get to be there mom(even though some days they make me a little crazy;)) Here is a little of this and that, which makes up our simply life!!

Granny bought the girls some princess crowns and I don't think the girls took them off for like three days!! They loved them!!

Kimberlin's ever so loving looks that you can read like a book!

We had the chance to get to babysit Lyric and the girls are sooo helpful!!

Kimber isn't really sure about another baby though;)

Sleeping in a tent in there room!!
I sleep with this eye patch at night, well Belle takes naps in our bedroom during the day so sometimes she sneaks it on!! I just happen get a picture!!
One day in February the weather was so beautiful we loaded up and went to the Zoo for a picnic!!

Wrestle time with daddy!!

Love this shot:)

Hair finally long enough for piggy tails!!

Happy Birthday My Isabelle!!

2011-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

My oldest daughter Isabelle is four today!!! She has been such a blessing (and a challenge;) to my life!! The beautiful thing about Isabelle is that she is passionate and caring in a way that I only imagine to be. She is determined and focused. She is growing into a beautiful little girl, inside and out. Someone told me the other day, "wow she has energy!" but then they looked at me and said "imagine tunneling all that in a way that glorifies God?" As her mom I dream of helping her learn to use the gifts God has blessed her with for His glory. She is a leader and creative! I feel so blessed to have her in my life and Isabelle as I wrote to you when you weren't even out of my tummy yet... "may you learn to seek God and pursue Him, no matter the cost!" Glorifying Christ with your life is the most important thing you can do. I pray that God uses your life in mighty ways for Him!! Remember always who's image you were created in!! Happy Birthday sweet Isabelle!!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2011-02-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

In honor of another week I thought I would post a few of my favorite things!! These are just a few newer things i have discovered lately that I really like!!!!

An apple and one tablespoon of peanut butter, is one of my favorite snacks!! Plus it is under 200 calories!!! Delicious!!
Another new thing i have learned to love is sweet potatoes!! I eat a baked sweet potato twice a week for lunch!! sooo yummmyyy!!!

This little treasure I found at walmart and I absolutely LOVE it!! It is just a refillable water bottle, but something about the shape just says "drink me!!!" so it helps with consuming my eighty ounces a day!!!

This post is just about enjoying the simple things in life!!! Here is to another week...

A Change in Perspective....

2011-02-22T06:51:00.000-08:00

Grocery shopping to me used to be this dreaded act of having to plan a menu, right out a shopping list from that menu, taking the girls to grocery shop (which is not really the funnest thing for a one and three year old) getting home unloading the girls and then the groceries, then putting all the groceries up....it really filled up half a day very quickly.
Then one day as I started my normal planning and making list, I realized that the fact that we had money to go grocery shopping was a blessing...not a curse I had made it out to be. So then the whole attitude behind the process changed. My perspective changed, and with that perspective change came an attitude change. Now when it is time to go shopping I check my heart and my attitude because this is a blessing that we have food!!

From the trunk....

...to the house

now all put away!!!

Simply Wise

2011-02-20T19:02:00.001-08:00

Have you ever bought something you just thought 'you could NOT ever live without?" An outfit (that turns out to not look as good on you as you thought) , an appliance (that ends up getting dusty), a pair of shoes (you wore once), a book (you never read), or a hair/makeup (product that sits in your cabinet)?? I have...all of the above. Summer and I had a garage sell last spring and we ended up laughing so hard because we were with each other as we bought a lot of the things we were now selling...to de-clutter our house and because we just did not use or need them anymore. The fact is we probably did not need them in the first place, I mean after all they ended up being sold in a garage sell for dollar...seriously.
So after the above being said and in honor of going to a Dave Ramsey seminar yesterday, I want to encourage us to really be wise in spending. I know it is easy to justify spending on a super-cute outfit for your kids (believe me I know this feeling well I have two girls), but the question is simple...do they really need it?? Will they even care?? The even bigger question is this do we need it?? Here is to spending wisely and in doing that we reach simplicity.....

A new day!!!

2011-02-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had a day planned but then when you woke up and got your day going you are very harshly hit by reality that anything you thought you were going to do, your not. Let's take my day today as an example. I had grand plans of spending time outside with my daughters and being super productive getting things done inside, but then 1:30 am came and Isabelle comes down the stairs and says "mom, if I change can I sleep with you and dad?" I thought oh great she peed the bed, which she never does, but then I sleepily reply, "why Isabelle?" She says because I threw up everywhere. So we give her a bath get new jams on and all get tucked in. 2:08 Kimberlin wakes up crying. 2:23 Isabelle throws up again. 2:54 Kimberlin wakes up...this goes on and on until about 7:30 at which we finally all woke up and cuddled up on the couch. Then Isabelle throws up all over the blankets then Kimberlin throws up too.
So needless to say I am up to my neck in sheets and blankets to be washed and I have two babies that just want to be as close to me as possible...so that is what our "new day" looks like today!! I will grab some good books and embrace my day on the couch loving on my daughters, and hold their hair as the vomit. In these moments I realize this, they wont always want to be this way with me when they are sick...so we will enjoy the moments together!!
Vomit, laundry, baths and all....

Happy Heart Day!!

2011-02-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

I am usually a little anti-valentines day...but this year was amazing!!! I received 24 roses, of which I had to share four so all of Jon's girls could have some so Isabelle got three and Kimberlin got 1!! So technically I got 20 roses!!! Monday night we had small group at our house and it was so awesome!! It was a good day!!! Thanks Jon for making it sooo special!!

Boy has candy necklace...

Girl wants candy necklace!!!

So sweet!!! Happy belated Heart Day!!!

Being pushed to give...

2011-02-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had someone do something nice for you and you thought "wow, you are an amazing person and I couldn't love you more?" Then pretty soon that same person screws up? It seems like the great acts (no matter how many they have built up) are very quickly forgotten because they hurt you in one act??
Why is that when someone does one bad thing, that we forget all the joy they bring to our life?
Why is it we choose to be so quick to forget? To forget the good and love them through the bad.
I have found in good relationships that harm/hurt (damage to the relationship) is usually not done on purpose. You see it is the act of choosing to love them in spite of the hurt that makes us push deeper. Deeper into knowing them and who God created them to be, and understanding more why God brought them into your life.
Can I find grace and love to give them?
Can I be the one to do the good act of kindness towards them??
In the 27 years I have been alive (and mainly the last 8) I realize how much relationships push you to constantly give. Give your heart, your love, your forgiveness and yourself. That is what Christ did the whole time He journeyed on the earth, here as a human, He gave constantly, His heart, His Love, His forgiveness and Himself.
He left us a perfect example, are we following it?

Road Trip!!!!

2011-02-09T09:43:00.000-08:00

We decided to take a little road trip after Christmas and we got to stay in a cabin for a couple nights! It was an awesome to break from real life!! Also being in a place where your phone does not go off because there is no reception is always cool too!! We actually got to go see sooo many cool things we went to same caverns that was sooo neat and the girls really liked going down into the cave.

Bats in the cave

Family photo!!

at the mouth of the cave

right before we went into the cave

Our next stop was Little Sahara and this is mainly for four wheelers but it was really cool, and there was sand as far as you could see!! It was really fun!!
My Daughters!!

Papa and Kimberlin

Steven, Deborah and Jon

Digging for treasure with uncle Steven

Jumping contest

This was by far the funnest thing we rolled down these giant hills...I did it several times and actually got going pretty fast...oh to act like a kid again!!!
We played at a park a little bit before getting back in the car!!

Pursuing Greatness...or at least trying....

2011-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

Greatness (or the lack there of) is something that keeps coming up in my life--greatness that glorifies God with every breathe I breathe? What does this look like in my life?? How do I pursue that right now? These are just a few of the questions that keep surfacing in my head.

When I look at myself, I see this potential of greatness, that I do not know how to get out of myself?? I do not mean greatness in the sense of "wow she is perfect" but greatness relationally and who I am deep down at the center.

This heart that beats so selfishly-I want it to beat to give.

The wife that is not always loving-I want to act in love.

The mom that is not always relational due to stuff that "has to get done" I want to take time to pour into their hearts with no abandonment.

The sister who does not listen enough-I want to be there with all my heart.

The daughter who does not take time to see her parents-I want to meet them where they are in their life.

The friend who does not make enough time to connect-I want to connect deeper.

The christian who lives half-hearted I want to grow past that.

The me that judges and condemns-I want to love.

By pursuing these characteristics...this life-style--will I achieve greatness????

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Just a good laugh in honor of all the snow....

2011-02-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hope it made you smile!!!!! Happy snowday!!!

Good Times...

2011-01-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

Just a fun few pictures of an awesome night of laughing and playing games!!!!
Seriously my stomach hurt these night due to laughing so hard....good times~ may we never take them for granted!!

Holding out for sunny weather!!!!!

2011-01-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

My new background is a hope I am holding out for that the sun will appear again in all its glory!!! I am not a fan of winter so I decided I would make my blog sunny and bright since the weather wont be for a bit longer:(((( Anyways almost done with January!!!!

Christmas Tree!!

2011-01-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

I know, I know my pics are behind but in part I am keeping this blog to keep events in order for myself to look back on, so here they are!!! The girls really enjoyed the night of putting up our tree and watching our favorite movies!! It was awesome!!!!!

Isabelle picked our tree!!!

The only picture I had of them together!!

Kimberlin was loving it!!

We went straight out after Jon got off work so he is in his painters whites, no, he doesn't wear white jeans for fun...I wouldn't allow this;)

Isabelle very focused on putting up her ornament!

Can't forget the back of the tree!!

STAR TIME!!

Shout out to the Fosters!!!!!!

2011-01-27T17:33:00.000-08:00

This picture is actually from back in December when our friend (Jon's best friend from highschool) graduated with his Bachelors, but the exciting news is that the weeks following this to current a lot has happened in their lives!! Seeking God's direction is so important and Jon and I have had the honor to be praying with Donald and Rhonni about where God wants them serving! Anyways Donald applied to med school and found out yesterday he was accepted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is awesome that he got in, but even more awesome that God answered our prayers in directing their lives!!!! Congrats Fosters we are so proud to get to be journeying with you!!! Go forward and serve God!

Mundanity of Life....

2011-01-22T19:41:00.000-08:00

"Mundane. Boring. Unspectacular. Unnoticed. We want to do big things for God; the mundane is, well, mundane.Why does God make us prove ourselves in the small, unseen, mundane things before trusting us with more responsibility? Because integrity and character are born in the mundane places where no one sees but God. God cares more about who you are than about what you do. The mundane tasks you do today are significant-both in how they serve others and in how God is preparing you."

I cannot claim the greatness above, it came from my daily Bible study, but it really struck a chord deep in my heart and really challenged me on my attitude of the mundane things in life. It gets hard to be a mom of young kids (and I am sure kids in general, but I am just a mom of younger kids) you end up doing a lot that will never be seen a lot that may never be acknowledged, but it is stuff that matters. In serving your children they are learning to serve others. In loving your children, they are learning to love. In building relationships and ministering to people your children's eyes are seeing and their hearts are learning. What a beautiful opportunity we have to love and serve God, in training our children through our actions...wow.

"Because integrity and character are born when no one can see but God...."

Downtown, haircuts, forts and such...

2011-01-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am still playing catch up on the blogging world...but I think I am making progress!! This first group of pictures is from this beautiful night in December, the day was like 72 degrees and that night was only like 68, it was sooooo perfect!! We love downtown and spend a lot of time there in the summer and so this was a nice little gift in the middle of December!! Daddy and his girls!!

Mom and Kimberlin!!

Isabelle wanted a picture 'picking the statues nose'

My sweet girls!!Sisters!!!

Kimberlin's first haircut! She was getting the 'she mullet' or the 'shullet' so we decided it was time to trim it up!! Also because Jon has quite the fear of mullets:) Moms reading this please do not make the same mistake I did with this one, I always tell Kimberlin not to touch sharp stuff or it will cut her, so when we went to get her haircut I was telling her, 'we are going to cut your hair' this look of fear kept coming over her, then I realized it was because she had always heard cut as bad thing, anyways by the end of it we were saying your hair is getting trimmed, instead of cut....a lot less traumatic...hopefully!!

This is 'not so sure look' I was talking about:)

For Christmas Isabelle got some pajamas from her grandma and it came with matching PJ's for the doll!! They are tooo cute and Belle loved them:)

Jon brought Kimberlin in from the car and stood her up, but when he went back out to get Belle and came back in, Kimberlin was down and out!!!

On December 14th, Jon and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary!

Christmas Eve morning I made the girls a fort and they played in the fort for like an hour and half together, reading books and laughing, it was so sweet!!

Defining Moment...

2011-01-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

January for me comes with a lot more time spent indoors, and the girls and I don't get out that much. If you remember reading my profile 'I HATE the cold weather' so I really do try to avoid it at all costs. This means that I am not around as many people as I normally am, and with this it brings a lot of time to think about life.
The other day as I was folding another load of laundry, this question kept creeping up in my head?? Who am I? Am I a follwer of Christ, a wife, a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a leader, a follower?? Yes. What defines me? Does a role I live define me, a realtionship I have? Does how I choose to spend my time define me? I then started thinking about how the little choices in life do define us and they do create who we are, but that still left me feeling disappointed because I know I haven't made the best choices in life and if all these things are chiseling out who I am then I am afraid there would be a lot of cracks straight to the core.
I am grateful that a weak moment or even a great moment in one single act doesn't create who we are as a whole but rather that God is the one who is defining who we are and creating us to look more like Him from the inside out, if we choose to follow Him.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God, prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

So am I (are we) choosing to walk with confidence into the good works which God has prepared for us? As someone wise once asked me, "the question is simple...are you going to be obedient or not??"

The Month of November...a little behind!

2011-01-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

Here is the last of our November pics! (nothing to thrilling just trying to keep everything in order, between moving and no Internet life has been nuts:) I am emptying my cameras and hoping to get the all in order tomorrow and then start posting regularly again!

Isabelle enjoying her first cup of hot chocolate!!!!

I was able to go down to Dallas to be with Summer during Lyric's heart surgery and it was such a blessing to get to help in carrying her through this time! Lyric is doing awesome and growing great!! Please continue to pray for her voice as her vocal chord was paralyzed during surgery and this may or may not be permanent, we are just waiting to see how God is going to work there:)

One night after we had put Kimberlin in her bed she decided at some point to sleep under her bed, why you might ask??? Who knows!!! She brings so much joy to our life because she is just so funny and quirky:)

The girls and I decided one day to have a 'date day' so we headed off to the zoo, this day was one of the best days of my life!! The zoo was quiet and the weather was beyond perfect! It was a gift from God for us three girls on that day!!

Here are my only pics from thanksgiving (we were at three different peoples houses and in two states all in one day so it was a little crazy!!) However to mark Thanksgiving 2010, here are the pics!!

to-do lists

2010-12-12T22:03:00.001-08:00

I have not really blogged in quite awhile, life has just been sooooooo busy (I know, I know that is everyone's story right now) and that is because life is super busy right now. Just this last week I was home with super sick kids, connected with people in our community, drove down to Texas for a friend's graduation, picked up my sister at the airport, worked out, cooked, grocery shopped, kept the house clean and laundry going, I know this is nothing special just a normal week of life, and please don't misunderstand me, most of this stuff was great (well not the sick kid stuff :-() but connecting with the community God has given us and spending a few brief hours with my sister, seeing a friend graduate with his masters! All this stuff was great, but I am tired.
So why am I writing all this tonight? What does this have to do with anything? Well I guess my question is this where is the balance of living life like one giant to do list and really stopping and enjoying life? I don't just want to get through the day, week or even year and realized that I was just doing things to check them off my list. Is there a balance there or is that what life is when you are an adult? Living life with checklists and to-do's, but not in the checklists and to-do's.
Here in sit on Sunday night (too late) and I am going to face this next week with a little different approach, trying to be sensitive to when I need to let the 'lists' rest, and be sensitive to what God is calling me to do. These are precious moments I have been given with the girls and I want to teach my daughters (sponges if you will) that I have been blessed with as much as I can, about living life in God's presence. I want to be productive and relational....c'mon Monday bring it on!!!

Thoughts on community....

2010-12-03T15:58:00.000-08:00

At our new church our women's group started today and I am beyond EXCITED!!!!!!!! I really could use the honesty of other women pursuing God, and I am so honored to get to know these ladies and to be apart of their lives. As I arrived (a little late always making one a little self conscious) I started to feel this pull that maybe today I just shouldn't go, maybe I would just join in next week, I thought to myself, after all I am the new kid in town of this group of women, but I got out of the car and went in. As I sat there the leader described how she is very open with her life, and struggles, because she remembers a time when she was a new believer and she had Christian women in her life, but yet she still felt alone and like she didn't have anyone to confide in and to pray with her. I sat looking around the circle at women who were all so different, but our passion and pursuit is the same...to know God more, and to look more like Him!!!! God has answered a prayer for a spiritual sisterhood in my life, and I am excited to see the great things God is going to do in and through this group.
After I got home I read this devotional that had this scripture so I wanted to share it because I think it is essential to real community!

Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy it's results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
James 3:17-18
(this is from the message so it is worded differently...but I loved the way it was worded)

Be patient with each other, and live in peace....

Our Life Lately....

2010-12-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

Life has been pretty insane lately...moving, new jobs, new friends, new church, helping out with Lyric, trips to Dallas, halloween, thanksgiving!! A lot has been going on and things have felt completely out of control, for people who know me, I don't like this much. I don't like that unsettled feeling, but through all the change it has been a time of growth. Growth with God constantly asking me to trust Him...with moving, with new jobs, with new relationships, with new church, with Lyric, with Summer, with traveling...TRUST. Trust can been a hard thing, but on the same exact hand in can be the most amazing thing ever. You see trust can push you like nothing else can, and if chosen, trust can lead you into a deeper way of living life.

I know these are a lot of pics and honestly they may seem scattered, but this is where I am at in life...

My Hot Husband!!! Jon thanks for walking with me!!

Time with Uncle Ty

ZOO DAY!!!

My crazy girls!!!!

These pics are old but Belle was determined to make Lyric a beautiful princess bed!!! Yes, the doilees were a must!!

Kimberlin inherited some of Belle's old Jammies!!

Isabelle got to go with Jon for 'See You At the Pole' She was excited to get to pray with all the kids!!! (the face is because it was like 6 in the morning)

This is Belle sleeping in her box...her dad this with her. She is soo funny

Jess, this pic is for you...

Park Picnic Day!!

Belle and her crazy outfits!!!

One day we went to this small town festival!!
Watching the parade!!

Kimberlin sleeping in her highchair!!

They got out of order, but more festival pictures...

Jon got me this card and the outside was soooooo sweet!!!

My favorite group of pictures!!! Making cookies together!!!

I love these girls!!!!!

A Beautiful Picture of Love

2010-11-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

I remember the first time I had to take Isabelle to get her shots, and how I kept thinking how am I going to be able to hold her while she looks at me and thinks, "mom, why aren't you stopping this?" But in reality I knew as her mom this was the best thing for her or I would not be doing it. We make these hard choices as parents and my example is just on a small scale of pain. I know I have blogged about my sister, but this is where my heart and energy are at right now, but once again I just want to tell her this, "Summer you are doing awesome!" I stayed with them last night to help with feedings and just for a little perspective each tube feeding takes about an hour to an hour and a half, plus summer has to pump, well Lyric has been throwing up so much that it turns into clean up and bath and makes everything take that much more time. Last night I watched my little sister hold her baby girl and just let her throw up on her...what a beautiful picture of love. My sister talks so calmly to help Lyric get through the throw up and dry heaving and she handles it all so well. She loves on her until she is calm then cleans up the vomit then starts the laundry. I have mountains of respect for how she still listens to my problems and when I tell her, "sorry this is stupid compared to your problems" she responds with "hey that is your life and what your dealing with is important too." She is so loving. And the beautiful thing about Summer is she isn't faking it but this is just who she is!
I guess to wrap this up, Summer when you think how are we going to do this? Or you think "I just can't take anymore." Look back on all you have handled for two months, since you found out. God has decided as your Father that this is best, for whatever reason He has, just like we do for our children.
You are one amazing woman and I am proud to not only call you my sister but my friend!!

A Lot of changes

2010-11-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been super crazy with moving, we still don't have internet at the new house so I am having to blog when I am over to help Summer with Lyric. So this won't be a super deep post or anything just a few pics from the last few weeks....

In the midst of packing I decided that the girls and I should get out in the sun, so here are pictures of our last time playing in our back yard in McLoud.

This is the saddest moving picture EVER...

When we moved we went ahead and moved Kimber to a big girl bed, so here are pictures from her last night in a crib :( :)

Hope to post more soon!!!

Summer

2010-10-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight I sit writing with a heavy heart. I looked at my mom the other day and I wondered "does she know that when she got pregnant with Summer that she was giving me my best friend for life?" I am close to all my sister's (one of the benefits from being a middle child:) but Summer and I have actually been blessed to get to live near each other the last three years and that has developed our relationship a lot. So back to tonight, I looked at my little sister and she looked so tired. I know she is going through so much and I am beyond proud of her, but tonight I just wanted to hold her and protect her from life. I trust God and I know that He is in control and loves her way MORE than I do, and I am grateful for that. Summer is going through a lot, and I hear some people say 'oh it isn't that big of a deal, a lot of people of to have holes in their hearts patched up' and to those people I say, 'shut it, and when it is your child that is having open heart surgery and eating through tubes then you can decide how not a big deal this is (sorry for the tangit but it makes me mad). My sister has learned and has several times put feeding tubes down her own daughters nose, and in spite of being worn out and tired my sister has continued to pump and feed Lyric the best possible (some woman give up just because it doesn't feel great) but not my sister, my sister had $400.00 (which was money for the surgery time:() stolen from her car Sunday and still found a reason to praise in the midst of everything else, my sister is learning to take every moment as a precious gift not knowing what the road ahead holds. My sister is an amazing woman and Summer when you read this, whenever that might be, know you are doing an awesome job handling more in this short time than God ever entrusts to someone in a lifetime to bring glory to His name. There is no where else I would rather be than to be holding her heart and hand during this time...I love you Summie!

I heard this song (I Will Wait for You There by Phil Whickham) and wanted to dedicate to my sister Summer. Summer give me your hand as we journey on and may we always be able to find hallelujahs in the midst of life....

I will wait for You there

Down on my knees where I met You

Give You all of my cares

Find a grace to hold onto now

I’m calling for You

I will wait for You there

far from the world and it’s violence

It left broken and bare

I need to hear You in the silence now

I’m calling for You

And with outstretched arms I will sing out melodies

And my beating heart Will pour out a symphony

Hallelujah’s in the morning

Hallelujah’s in the night

I will wait for you as long as I have life

I will wait for You there

Down On my knees where I met you

Cause life is a war fought with tears

But You are the strength I hold onto now

I’m calling for you

What a Friend....

2010-10-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

At Church on Sunday we sang this song and it is just such a good reminder to remember that God is walking with us through life, no matter how crazy and out of control it feels, He is still the author of our story. Just remember today that no matter what this day, or week, or even the rest of the year holds, to seek after God and His plans for your life. Sometimes I think we think that 'plans for our life' is something that is far away and we often forget to include Him in the daily decisions and actions. So today remember that He is here with you and we are living for His glory.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

My California Post!!

2010-10-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

My California post is under my 'on moving' post. I had worked on it a few days ago, so it went under the other one. People have been asking me for pics so I didn't want anyone to miss it!! Thanks

On Moving....

2010-10-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

I am home today just packing up boxes and as I am packing up box by box, I am getting a little sentimental, after all this is the house I found out I was pregnant with Kimberlin in, and later brought her home to. This is the house Belle moved from her crib to a big girl bed and potty-trained in, she became a little girl here not a baby. We have had some of the best and biggest christmas trees here in the light of the fireplace, some of the best moments in community here with our friends. We have grown and changed, been challenged and pushed, loved and been loved here in the house. I realize that it is just walls with a roof, but these times will now go in our brains as memories, and not our reality. I am excited, please don't get me wrong, but today, this Monday afternoon I am a little sad:-(
Thank you God for this time here in this house...