My girlfriend Carol and I had the privilege to attend Living Proof Live with Beth Moore last weekend in Lexington.  To say we had fun is an understatement!!  We had a total blast.  First we got to get away for some girl time, second we got to stay in a nice hotel and we each got our own bed..with fluffy pillows and third, I prayed that God would speak to my heart and soul over the weekend.  I have been dealing with some internal struggles and let me just say that God delivered HUGE through Ms. Beth. 

The title of the event was “Jeremiah, author of Lamentations, Eat Pray, Love, One women’s search for everything across Egypt, Israel and exile.”

This was both of our first times to a Living Proof event, so we weren’t sure what to expect.  It blew my mind.  We had great seats, row F, from the floor up, which were not bad at all (it was open seating).  We were at eye level with whoever was on the stage. The worship that Travis Cottrell and the praise team did was incredible.   With voices shouting praises, hands raised in honor and hearts crying out to Jesus we belted it out.  In the moment, total connection.  There were 11,000 women from 29 states, that’s alot of women!  Here are two of them:

Beth M. brought a powerful teaching from Jeremiah.  She picked out scriptures that helped us remember Eat, Pray, Love.  She spoke alot about brokenness, desserts, idols and pretence.  God wants to meet us in our brokenness so that we can heal and be a witness for him.  God wants to come to the desserts in our lives and plow up the land.  A dessert is anyplace that we don’t allow God access.  Idols will cause us tons of trouble.  This statement was huge, ” we become what we follow, we will be like the idols we follow”  so what are you becoming?  God wants us to stop pretending.  How we worship, live, serve and love.  Stop pretending!   Be real, be free and be who Christ called you to be.   Big time stuff.  Deep pondering things.  It was what I needed for where I am right now.  Praise Jesus!  If you can ever get to a Living Proof Live event GO!  They are incredible and powerful.

Well, I am gonna leave you with some pictures.  Carol and I did have an awesome thing happen.  After the Friday evening session we sat in our seats allowing the crowd to clear out of the stadium.  While sitting there I glanced down at the stage and saw Travis Cottrell chatting with 10 or so women.  I told Carol to get her bags we were heading down there.  We got to meet him! Such a sweet guy who puts his whole heart into what he does.  He signed out program and we got a quick photo!  Isn’t that the coolest!!  What a way to end the summer for me.  Have a great weekend!

Whew, it has been a busy yet very fun summer.  We decided the last week of June that we were going to put in a pool.  I didn’t realize what an undertaking this would be.  It was well worth it, we have had a blast swimming all summer.  Natalie has had some water therapy sessions and the warm water helps her muscles. 

Phoebe and I went to Happy Hills Church Camp with our church.   I have to admit, I was a little nervous,  about the bugs.  But, we had fun and Phoebe learned so much.  It was only one night but she told me she can’t wait till she can stay many many nights. 

The best was the “water slide”  This thing is incredible.  They had a guy come in with a backhoe and trench this thing out.  The kids and adults had a blast!

Ms. Tonya

Camp was so much fun and tons of memories were made.  This will be something Phoebe does every summer.  Oh, by the way, we didn’t see that many bugs…hahah.

We spent tons of times with friends, having fun, eating yummy food and snacks.  Isn’t that what summer is all about!

Phoebe and Megan

Karla and Hannah

Phoebe and Emma

My girls w/ the Coop kids

last yippee before school starts!!

 So as you can see we did alot of swimming and visiting which was terrific.  School started today for our county which brings mixed feelings.  Natalie is in 5th grade, which is hard to believe, and Phoebe is in 1st.  My home is empty and quiet.  This will be a huge change for me but I am ready for routine and for fall.  I hope to help out at school and dive into bible study in a few weeks!  It does sadden me a bit.  Where has the time gone?  For those out there with little ones at home still, cherish you time.  It flies by! 

First day of school 2010-2011

Have you ever met or know of someone who just has a joy about them?   They enjoy life, enjoy others,  making  you want to be around them hoping that some of whatever they have rubs off on ya.  I have a few people I could name, how about you?

I have found that in my crazy life, I don’t do much celebrating.  I just make sure the lists are done and checked off.  Then I collapse into bed exhausted.  I get up the next day and do the “lists” all over again.  Not fun and no way to live.  That is what life and it’s curve balls has done to me.  I am not complaining or looking for empathy, just being honest.  Life is tough and sometimes how we thought things were going to go..well they don’t.    So I have decided that while I am pursuing simplicity, I want to celebrate life.  I want to celebrate those I love, celebrate who I am in Jesus and just have some simple fun.  Life is too short and too stinking busy.  So let’s share what we can celebrate and how.  Who do you want to celebrate?  What do you want to celebrate?  Who would you like to celebrate and how are you going to celebrate?  Let’s be fun, simple and enjoy life.  Let’s catch us some joy and laughter!  Here are some ideas I have come up with.  Now we  know we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, births of babies, graduations, weddings and baptisms so let’s think outside of the box! 

**when our kids figure out potty training…hallelujah!

** the graduation from kindergarten to first grade..that is a big one..all day school. 

** the first day of school and the last day of school.  (fix a special breakfast or dinner)

** promotions at work

** driver’s license

** passing quizzes and tests

** teachers/mentors

** neighbors

** our first date anniversary with our spouse..(hopefully you can remember)

** weight loss

** achieving a goal

** reunions

** memorizing scriptures

** your child learning to ride a two wheeler

** your child learning how to swing themselves

Okay so share some you have thought of.  What do you do to celebrate?  We can make a cake, go for ice cream, make a celebration banner,go to a  favorite restaurant, have a picnic, go to a specialty cupcake store, have a special plate that is used that night for dinner or dessert, make a homemade card, take a picture, start a celebration journal that you leave sitting out so others can see what your family celebrates.  

It will be fun learning how we all celebrate life and our families/friends.  I know that I need to have my memory jolted and I am sure we will come away with tons of  ideas and ways to not just do our “lists” but to live and do it with a burst of pizazz!

Hi friends,

It has been a while since my last post. Things here have been so busy. School is winding down for the year and we are gearing up for summer!  There are tons of end of school activities.  Plans to  be made for summer.

What summer plans do you have?  We haven’t planned an official vacation but we are looking at some places. Where are you going this summer?  Natalie will be attending a summer day camp twice a week and Phoebe is going to VBS and church camp! She is really excited about church camp. It is only one night (for kindergarten and first graders) but the cool thing is, it is the camp I went to when I was a kid. I have heard it has changed and been updated. When I went we slept in modified barns, having to drape a sheet over the rafters to keep the bugs out. We did have running water for showers and toilets but we saw spiders the size of kittens…of course I haven’t told Phoebe about any of this or she would totally back out. Not a bug liking girl.

I really just want to relax this summer. I don’t want to have my days so planned out that there is no wiggle room. I want to be able to sleep in, rest, spend time with family and friends, enjoy our evenings grilling and just relax. Is that even possible? How do you plan on relaxing this summer?

I love to read. There is a group of gals that’s reading Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson.  It is really good and Susie has such a passion for Christ. We are reading 2 chapters a week and hopefully going to be able to meet throughout the summer to chat about what we are reading and learning. I have 6 more books in line to read (not all this summer) but I just placed a book on hold at our local library and can’t wait to get it this upcoming week. It is by the season 5 winner of The Biggest Loser, Ali Vincent. She wrote, Believe it, Be it. I enjoy Biggest Loser and have watched it since season 3.  I will let you know how the book is and be sure to watch the season finale of Biggest Loser Tuesday at 8pm.

Have a great weekend, throw out some tips on having a relaxing, fun summer!  What do you do to make summer memorable?

Natalie had such a great 10th birthday.  There was a snow day on her birthday but my terrific friend called and said  she was bringing her kids over to celebrate the joyous occasion having a “spa” day with Natalie.  They had so much fun.  Natalie got her nails painted, and her hair fixed.  The crew sang Happy Birthday and ate some cookies.  It was such a sweet and thoughtful way to celebrate her day.  Great friends!!   Over the weekend we had family over to celebrate.  We served pizza, salad and cupcakes!  Just love cupcakes.  Here are some photo’s.

Birthday Girl

Natalie and her friend Samantha

delicious cupcakes..yummy!!

Over the past week I  had some really interesting conversations with Phoebe about the bible.  They have been such a blessing!  I love to see  God’s word residing in her heart.  Truly a treasure moment as a mom.  I wanted to share with you one of Phoebe’s favorite music groups.

This group is fun and very entertaining!!  Here is the link to their website.

Jump over to Lysa Terkeurst’s blog, she is chatting about Studying the Bible and Loving it, how to go about it and some tips and tools.  I know that my day’s can get ahead of  me and before I know it it is dinner time, bath time, bed time and I collapse onto the couch.  I need to  make sure I am aware of how I spend my  time.  I NEED to be in God’s word daily.  This is such a pull at your heart strings topic, especially for moms.  Our days are full and life is busy, but girls it is so important that we drench our days with God.   That is what she is going over for the next few days so I wanted to copy cat her.  ( I think that is legal in bloggy world??)  So how do you drench yourself with God’s truth?  When is your daily quiet time?  Do you blast Christian music, we do.  Do you hang post it notes with scriptures all over your house, I have a friend who does, what a great idea.   Please do share, let’s support and encourage one another. 

Have a wonderful Monday!

Well, here in Ky we have had lots of snow.  The kids have been out of school for 2 days and we are getting cabin fever.  We have had a run of illness go through our home and I am ready for spring!!  Hopefully we will see those big yellow buses in the morning and the kids will hear the wonderful sound of the school bells.

Question:  how many times is the word “love” mentioned in the bible?

Answer:  508 ( 697) times in the NIV.

                   280 (442) in the KJV.

The bracketed number includes words like ‘loves’, and ‘loved’.

I thought this was interesting.  God is love.  He pursues us because he loves us.  To sit and think that the creator of the universe, the heavens and the seas, all creatures that breathe, all plants that grow, the one who Was, Is and Is to come….loves me!  That is a moment, take it in and cherish it.

If you want to see a poetic view of God’s love hop over to my girlfriends blog and read the poem that she posted.  Beautiful, real, and transparent.  She is so talented.  I adore our new friendship, she is tons of fun! 

So do you make homemade valentines or get the store made ready ones?  Do you do anything fun for V-day, like heart pancakes, red food and drink or special gifts?

I was reading a blog I follow today and the gal was talking about simple pleasures.  I thought it would be fun to list some.  We are so busy in life and the minutes turn into hours, turn into days, turn into months and than years.  Do you take time to have delights or pleasures?  In the moment do you say..”Ah, this is delightful!”  I know I have.  Like…..

Sleeping in (those moms who are up at the crack of dawn with school aged children..I can hear you all saying AMEN!)

A good, and I mean good cup of coffee

The smell of a freshly cleaned home, just love it.

Getting a handmade card in the mail..this has become one of my newest pleasures!

Hot fudge cake all to myself..no sharing

thunderstorms

tall glass of brewed ice tea

Being able to sit and watch a TV show you enjoy with no interruptions

Hearing “I LOVE YOU MAMA” from you kids

Fresh flowers in the house

Pellet ice…like at Frisch’s or Chick Fila

Great hair days

Sassy shoes

Natalie’s smile

Phoebe’s laugh

Elliott’s love

sunrises

An upbeat  Christan song on a Sunday morning..the kind where you just have to raise those hands

bible study and quiet time

answered prayers

coffee lovers ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery

warm clothes right out of the dryer

fuzzy socks

getting a compliment

laughter between friends

Now it is your turn, blessings !!

Hi friends!  Can you believe it is the end of January?  Slow down 2010.  Genny over at My Cup 2 Yours is hosting Talkin about Thursdays, a fun way to meet new friends and get tips and ideas.  Today it is, telling 5 things about yourself.  So here are mine:

1.  I took square dance lessons when I was around 10.  (yehaw)

2.  I have such a passion for growing in God’s word. 

3.  I love, and I mean love Mexican food!  Especially chimichangas.

4.  I was an EMT with our local fire department. (before kids)  That is how I met my husband!

5.  I like the color purple, coffee, funny movies, christian music, exercising, reading, cooking, and carrot cake! 

Now it is your turn!  Tell us five things about yourself!

Hi friends,

We are well into the new year, 2010, can you believe it.  Where did the decade go?  I follow a few blogs and Kelly over at Kelly’s Korner is doing this fun Show Us How You Live topic.  This months topic is New Year Resolutions or what I like to call “goals”.  So let’s share!  You can click on the link above to get to Kelly’s blog. 

Five goals for 2010:

1.  Regular date nights with my hubby.  We have let this go and life get’s ahead of us.  You can get so wrapped up in the day to day stuff and before you know it another month, year or decade is gone. 

2.  Develop a quiet time.  This is an ongoing goal of mine.  I really want to cut out time to fellowship, praise and dig into God’s word.  I want to grow patience allowing God to stretch me in adventures that I believe he has for me.  I desire to follow God’s lead in my life, doing his will, being a faithful follower.  Be and have kindness and gentleness reside in my heart so I can model to my daughters what it means to have compassion towards others and teach Phoebe self control.

3.  Work out three times a week.  I am a mom of young children and I don’t want to place un-necessary pressure on myself.  As long as I am eating healthy and getting in my 3 workouts I am good with that. 

4.  I want to read more.  I love to read.  I don’t get the chance often but I want to start a book club or something.  This allows me to slow down and take some time to myself.  Plus it helps your kids.  When they see you reading you can tell them to go and get a book.  Reading is food for your brain!

5.  I want to discover me.  This is the biggest one for me.  Jesus made me like he wanted me and I have lived in bondage thinking I don’t measure up.  This is such a lie and I want to break free.  I want to see what I like and what I enjoy and be the true me.  I believe many gals have these chains because let’s be real..we all want others to like us and think we are special.  The one that I want to impress by being who he created me to be is Christ.  There is something in each of us that only we possess and we need to discover it, unlock it and use it so that we can work for God’s kingdom. 

6.  Okay I said to list five but I have another one.  I want to be a better mom.  I want to take the time out of my busy life to truly disciple my children.  Who else will do it and who else would I want to do it?  Once again it boils down to being disciplined with TIME.  Making sure we are not allowing BUSYto get us. You know the acronym for BUSY is: being under Satan’s yoke.  The evil one keeps us busy so we can’t develop our quiet time, spend time with our husband,  deepening our marriage, disciple our children according to God’s truth and not of this world, build friendships and on and on.  He likes to isolate us or keep us running all the time and than her has our minds for a playground and boy does he have fun!  Be aware of his schemes.  Be on the lookout! 

So there is my list for 2010.  What do you have on your’s?