Things here have been crazy, a good crazy…does that exist?  Well in my world it does.  We ended another school year with lots of laughter and memories.  Natalie had a great last week with activities and Phoebe had the famous “Fairytale Ball” and Readers Theater.   We are excited about the teachers that both girls have next year and look forward to new adventures…but first, some summer fun!

We have already had alot of things going on and it’s the first week of June.  Our pool is open and feels terrific.  We have been grilling and entertaining, which is fun.  Elliott and I decided this summer we are getting some cookbooks from the library and trying new things. (there is always carry out..)  That should be fun.   The schedule has camp’s, a beach vacation, VBS and relaxing by the pool on it.

We have some awesome news to share, but before I do I want to share some pictures to get you up to speed.

my new favorite dessert

FairyTale Ball

great friends

chillin

I am so excited to share with you the BIG news…but you will have to come back later to find out what it is.  I don’t have all the pictures yet.  I am so excited about summer.  I am excited in the relaxed routine.  Excited about some family time!  Time to just grow together, laugh together and make memories.

One thing that will not become relaxed is my time in God’s word.  It’s our playbook for life.  I am in the process of looking for the bible study I will do this summer.  What are you doing?

A group of us are heading to the Deeper Still event this weekend in Louisville.  I can’t wait!!  Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Pricilla S.  I am confident we will receive a word from Jesus!   Ah, a girls weekend.  What a way to start off summer!!   I am sure I will have tons of pictures and a few stories to tell.  Something funny always happens with this group of friends  and I don’t think this time will be different.

Things here have been really, what’s the word, worrisome.  Natalie had a minor complication from surgery that hopefully is working itself out.  She went back to school this week and is loving the attention.  They are so glad to have her back and she is glad to be back.  Being home was getting boring for her. 

I wanted to share a little of what I have been recently going through.  I find it annoying how the evil one uses good things to change our path so that we are not in God’s will.  He has schemes that he continues to use, they haven’t changed over the centuries.  I have been involved in bible studies since Natalie was 6 months old.  She will be 11 next month.  I LOVE bible study.   I love learning and digging into God’s word, sharing life with other women, sharing what Jesus has done in my life and the hope I have in Him.  Well, recently I believed the lie that I was not supposed to be involved in women’s ministry.  I built an idol , I don’t want to go into what it was, but the sad part is it’s a good thing.  I became addicted if you will and really thought that I needed to pursue that road and possibly a career.  Funny thing is that I never consulted God about this new endeavor.  Went a distance down that road in my own strength.  At that time in life I found myself very unsatisfied.  I was aggravated, annoyed, tired, stressed and my my heart just hurt.  Thank goodness I have wonderful friends that speak TRUTH to me and pray for me. 

Natalie had been in extreme pain for quite a while and we couldn’t figure it out.  I was emotionally exhausted and physically drained.  I started focusing on the idol.   I did some research into this new “adventure” and it looked like what I was looking for to fill the void in my mind and heart, but you know that feeling you get, the one that tells you something doesn’t feel right.  Always go with that one.  I started having second thoughts, processed it over and over.  Then, then, the freedom came.  We went to church one Saturday night, I sat in the pew, exhausted, we had 5 or so minutes before service started.  The lights were low, music playing, people hustling around greeting one another, fellowshipping but it felt like it was all slow motion.  I looked down and opened my heart.  I told God how I was exhausted and I needed Him to come.  Fill my soul with Him.  I needed Him desperately.  Suddenly I felt peace, I felt as if someone had taken their hands from around my neck, I could breathe.  I was an empty cup and the hand of Jesus was pouring His living water into me.  The fogged cleared and I realized this was IT…this, church, ministry, is where I get filled.  It became very clear to me that the road I had been looking at (the idol) was a dangerous road, a detour.  I was detoured by lies!  Oh, but sweet Jesus was there, to redirect traffic.  He showed me the right way for my life.  That night in church, freedom.  Freedom from the lies. 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  People have jobs.  I am just telling you my story.  Yes, I have had to pull away from serving in women’s ministry for this season because my family needs me,  but, I will be back, I am confident in that.  Not sure in what area, but I know Jesus knows and that’s all I need to know.  Just need to continue to pray that I follow his road to get to my destination.  We need awesome, godly people in the workforces to share the hope in Jesus, to witness, to be shinning lights for Christ.  Do your job and do it well with Jesus. 

You always have to search for truth and if things aren’t adding up than it’s a lie.  Satan wants to divide us from God.  He will use “good” things as a detour.  Watch out for those huge potholes!   I look forward to serving again but know where I am needed right now.  God has a plan and will for me and for you.  Search to know him. 

I heard this song and immediately thought of my precious girls.  This is what I want them to know in the deepest part of their being!  Claim this truth..

Wanted to share some photo’s of what has been happening in our life.  We have about 1-1.5 inches of snow today and it is still falling!  It is beautiful!!  Life has been busy and we are looking forward to slowing down and enjoying the Christmas season.  We have had birthdays, get togethers, Thanksgiving, baked cookies/candies and decorated the home for Christmas.  I just love this time of year.  All the lights and decor.  Love seeing how others decorate their homes too.  Everyone has a different style and it is neat to see the creativity.  I tend to be more natural/rustic, using lots of berries and pine cones.  What’s your Christmas style?

Marie and Renne at the Girls Morning Out

Karla got a goodie at Girls Morning Out

Phoebe and Morgan (Morgan is only 7 mo. old)

Decorating the window ledge above our front door

Jiffy Pop...lots of fun

Turtle candies

My mom's birthday cake

Mom and David

Ready for snow

First snowfall in our new home

Have a blessed weekend!

I hope you had a wonderful, peaceful, restful and blessed Thanksgiving!  I just love that holiday and I really thing it gets overlooked. 

We are in the midst of Christmas preparations.  We spent the weekend getting decorations and Christmas tree’s up.  It’s fun being in our new home, putting up the tree for the first time.  The house looks so pretty.  I will post pictures soon! 

Our church started a new sermon series called…”All I Want for Christmas…” and today was HOPE. 

Hope is the expectation of something good to come

That is what Christmas is all about.   A precious gift given to us, Jesus, so that we have hope.  Hope that the best is yet to come!   Hope that God’s love is for forever.  However weak and wayward we are, God can still work through us.  He uses us,  in all our messy ways to bring glory to HIM!  In our insignificance we are significant with Christ!   There is light for this dark world.  Jesus is the light and the way!  We are called to be shining stars to others, sharing what Jesus has done in our lives.  Do you share?

When my youngest daughter, Phoebe was 4,  we were heading to preschool and Third Day was on the radio.  They were playing  There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel.  Now understand that Phoebe is a huge Third Day fan, so she was just singing her little heart out.  She yelled up to me and asked if I knew what the light at the end of the tunnel was.  I played along and said no, what was it?  She yelled, “it’s Jesus!!”  How stinking cute is that?  At 4 years old, I just thanked God for her young, sweet faith. 

So let me share that there is light for your life.  His name is Jesus.  He is our hope.  This Christmas, if your life is needing some direction, seek the Wonderful Counselor.  If you are feeling weak, seek the Mighty God.   If you are having family troubles, seek the Everlasting Father and if your life is chaotic, seek the Prince of Peace!

 I hope to share more of what is going on at our home.  I have declared December as my rest and reflect month.  The year is so busy and so I am claiming December.  Time with family, time with my hubby, time with my kids, time with Christ! 

Wanted to share this with you.  Enjoy!

Fall is here and life is slowing down.  There is just something about the sun setting earlier.  I know for this go, go, go girl  it allows me,  in my crazy mind to slow down.  I want to be curled up on the couch with a good book, fire in the fireplace, a yummy cup of coffee and quiet!  Sounds heavenly doesn’t it?! 

I thought I would share through photo’s whats been happening lately.   We have had fall parties, birthday parties, family photo’s…so enjoy catching up with me.

We watched the new Disney Tinkerbell movie.  It is really cute.  After the movie Phoebe wanted to make a fairy house.  So, this is the finished home.  She came up with the design and decor.  Pretty cute huh…we took tons of pictures while she was creating it but there are just too many to post.

Phoebe's fairy house

Natalie and her friend Jazlyn

Phoebe at the cornmaze

Halloween Hippy

Halloween 2010

Natalie and friends from school

a fairy, a princess, a ninja oh my..

cozy and quiet

 So there is a small look at our life.  It’s simple but fun!  I hope you are enjoying fall and coming up with a holiday plan so you can rest and enjoy it.

Can you guess from this picture?

Okay,  that’s a tough one because this is not white.  Try these,

Phoebe yelled for me last night and told me she had a loose tooth.  Now this is something she has wanted for a while..we don’t know why.  So when she told me, I yelled to her to quit playing with her teeth.  Than she came running and showed me.  Yep, it was loose.  She asked how long it would take to come out and I told her sometimes it can take a few weeks and not to play with it.  We didn’t want it to break off.  Well, today at lunch she bit into a chocolate chip cookie and out it came.  She and a little friend went to the nurse’s station and that is where she got the cute, pink treasure box to put her tooth in.  She is so excited!  I am a little sad.  Just another milestone.  She is growing up too fast.  If anyone knows a recipe to keep them little, share it with me.

Oh, and what are teeth going for now a days?  She asked what I used to get when I was little, which made me laugh and I told her a dime, she asked how much that was and I told her ten cents.  She smiled and said “maybe I will get 25 cents”  So sweet!

“You cannot impart what you do not possess.”   

***author/speaker Susie Larson, Growing Grateful Kids  

Yeah…it’s here, like a beautiful wrapped present..FALL!  I absolutely love this time of year.  There is nothing like it.  I thought it would be fun to list our top 7 favorite’s of fall.  Here are mine,

1.  The changing colors, have you looked around?  I love the majesty of the oranges, reds, yellows and browns.  God is  Amazing!

2.  The cooler temps.  We had such a hot summer here.  The cooler temps are a reprieve!  Can’t wait for it to be closer to 65 degrees.

3.  Pumpkin spiced Latte’s at Starbucks, yum!

4.  Roaring fireplaces.

5.  Trips to the pumpkin patch and apple orchards.

6.  Jeans and sweatshirts.  Oh, add in boots, just bought the cutest boots!

7.  Baking!  Love to make anything apple.  Pumpkin mousse, pumpkin muffins, pecan pies.  Also add soups and roasts.

That was hard, my list is so long!  So now it is your turn.  Tell us what you like about fall.  I thought I would add a few links of some fun websites to check out.  Lots of fall ideas from cooking, baking, activities and decorating. 

 http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/blog

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/

http://www.gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/blog/

http://www.southernplate.com/

http://www.aprongirls.blogspot.com/

Happy Fall Y’all!  I hope to be blogging on a regular basis, so we will be chatting soon.

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!