Monday, February 1, 2010

A Year Ago Today...



...was Superbowl Sunday. Jasmine was still tiny. We were hanging out at our friends' house and the kids were playing. I baked a cherry pie and there was way too much food, as there is at all good Superbowl parties. It was a great day.
Today was a great day too. I was super busy all day long. Then tonight we had our women's meeting at church. On the first Monday of every month, we have a meeting called First Love. We start with fellowship and snacks, then move to the sanctuary for worship and the word. Tonight I led worship. My first time to ever lead a whole set. There was a fantastic band and four other fantastic vocalists to help lead the congregation, but I was so nervous before it started. I prayed and claimed that I am anointed to lead worship, but I couldn't help feeling a little intimidated about having to cue the band where to go. I decided that sometimes you just have to do things scared and hope that someday they'll become more comfortable. It was awesome. I think God likes it when I have to get over myself to do something. Then He can really take us somewhere. My voice was not the best its ever been. I still have to learn how to give good cues and lead the congregation. But we met with God and got to worship Him. It was wonderful and liberating. Until I opened my eyes and realized that it was 7 minutes past my allotted time. That little voice in my head started chanting, "wrap it up, wrap it up, wrap it up,..." No one ever told me how hard it is to stop and go on to something else. I mean what do you say: "Okay, that's all folks, open up those eyes. Put those hands down that you have raised. Time's up." Hopefully I handled it more gracefully than that but I think I have a lot to learn about transitions. Yikes!
On the other hand, I could just decide to stay up there forever and let the speaker take the lead on when to take over. :-)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Psalm 86:15

I'm trying to do better about blogging every day. I just realized that I didn't get on at all yesterday and I'm about to head to church tonight.
So, here's my thought for today - short and sweet:
Pastor Hal used Psalm 86:15 in his sermon on Sunday and what he had to say was really good. I was reading it again this week and something totally different stood out to me.
"But you, o Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth."
Pastor Hal talked about knowing God's amazing grace and mercy. I was thinking that we are supposed to be reflections of God's character to the world. I don't know about you, but I am not always slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. I took it as a challenge from the Holy Spirit and put the verse on our refridgerator.
I am intentionally choosing to be slow to anger in the face of five-year-old rebellion and two-year-old potty training and independence issues. I am stepping forward in speaking the truth with abundant lovingkindness. I'm no there yet, but God's working on me through His amazing word. It is living and active.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Some kid cuteness



I can't figure out if Jazz is looking at me like that because she's wondering why I scrapbook such crazy things or if she's like,
"Where are all the pages of me????"













So, it's really a good thing Judah is into wrestling, Transformers, Star Wars, and good old-fashioned boy stuff.
He came in to show me this outfit he put together and said,
"Come on, Mama. It's time to exercise. I'm an exercise guy!"
Welcome back to the eighties.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

I could get used to this...

Have I mentioned that I have the greatest husband ever?!?! He grilled amazing pork chops for dinner last night and then baked a cake for dessert. Yummy!



Jasmine decided to help out and provided the most hysterical moment of the evening. She walked into the kitchen and Mike said, "Hi, Sweetheart!"
Jazz glanced up and replied, "Hi, Mommy!"

I think Mike is reconsidering the apron move. :-)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Judah's Debut Performance

So, last night was Judah's very first church kids' choir performance. They did a musical called A KING IS COMING TO TOWN. All of the kids were fabulous and sooo cute!




This is Judah when the actors were talking. :-)

I'm TWO!

I'm TWO!


I'm PRETTY!


Mommy and Daddy's favorite!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Pumpkin Carving

Mike is the master carver. He plots and plans. He lays out the design on the pumpkins and assures they are the perfect size.

I clean to the chorus of "Ewww, gross!" all around me. Judah thought he wanted to try cleaning out the pumpkin this year, but his contribution was to barely hold the end of the long-handled spoon for a couple of scoops.

Jazz was fascinated with the whole process. What are these strange orange things?

I like it! I really like it!

Our masterpieces! Mike carved the ship and the Jack O'Lantern with the spider for Judah. I carved the Elmo for Jazz. Everyone was delighted.

Mike, Jasmine, Judah & Me

Mike, Jasmine, Judah & Me
Created with "Sunporch" by Christy Skaggs