Amandamoo Pondering...

New School Year!

2011-09-14T07:09:00.001-07:00

Wow! I have not been on here in a long time. There is no excuse; I simply forgot about it during our busy summer. :-)

We are back in the saddle again with Judah's second grade year. This year instead of purchasing a ready to use curriculum that covers all subjects (like Sonlight or Heart of Dakota). I decided to order separate curricula for each subject and schedule it out on my own so I could get the kinds of approaches I felt Judah would benefit the most from. I like tinkering with curriculum. I think it stems from my addiction to school supply shopping. I have to admit that I still get buying fever when I see those displays go up at Wal-Mart. What is it about pencils, notebooks, and folders that always brings a smile to my face?

Anyway, this year we are using Mystery of History 1, Saxon Math, Apologia Young Explorers (Anatomy), A Reason for Handwriting, Rod and Staff Grammar, Explode the Code, and Sonlight's Readers. I got our spelling lists an worksheets from Http://www.SuperTeacherWorksheets.com and am writing my own journal prompts. I also scheduled it out as a four-day schedule (Mon.-Thur.) since Mike is home on Fridays.

We have a hybrid home school schedule too this year. My sis-in-law and I are sharing the duties of homeschooling our two boys. Mondays, I teach both boys at Grandma's house (we set up a school room in the basement). Tuesdays, she teaches both boys at her house. Wednesdays, we each do our own thing. Thursdays, we alternate teaching at grandma's house.

It seems to be working really well so far. The boys are doing very well, and we are staying on track with the schedule. Yay!

Back in the saddle...

2011-05-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back. I have had whooping cough and a virus for over two weeks now, so I haven't posted in what seems like forever. Enough excuses...back in the saddle.

I'll admit it, Ephesians 5:22-24 has always given me a little trouble. These are the scripture in the Bible that say,

"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything."

I feel like I have been given a revelation that when I am in proper submission, it frees me from responsibilities that were never mine to handle. With this freedom from stress, comes the ability to truly be myself and go after the big things God has for me, and us as a couple. The picture of a wife in submission is not one who is a doormat, but one who is a partner, not continually pulling away from her husband to go her own way.

I know intellectually that God designed marriage, and that His plan works best. However, walking out these verses has always given me a bit of a problem. You see, I like to have my own way. I know, for those of you who know me well, this is no huge revelation. :-)
More specifically, I think I know the 'right' way. I married a strong man, who also thinks he knows the 'right' way. Sometimes, this works out beautifully, and it is 'us against the world.' However, some days are ideas of 'right' do not merge so gracefully, and I find myself grumbling and fighting the boundaries within marriage.
Just like when I fight obeying God, I know in my mind and heart that I need to have a better attitude, but it is so hard sometimes.

Lately, while being sick. I was getting frustrated with everything very easily. Mike didn't ever do anything wrong, in fact he was very helpful and understanding, but I have not had the best attitude. I have wanted to go my own way and do my own thing, and felt that Mike was being over protective.

God, help me to know deep within myself that Your plans are higher than mine and that Your thoughts are always the 'right' ones. Help me to submit to Mike as I should to you. You are leading him, and I should be following.

Building an "I can do it!" kid

2011-05-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago, our pastor's wife (beautiful Ms. Pam) challenged all of us to be encouraging. To be cheerleaders for our husbands. To build in our kids the idea that they can accomplish whatever God has for them to do. I have been trying to get better at increasing my ratio of encouragement to correction. I just reaped a benefit, even if it was just a small one.

Jasmine has been in a phase lately of wanting to act like a baby. She is three and very articulate. She has good large and fine motor skills. However, she has reverted to baby talk, wanting to be held, and needing help with everything. Can we say frustrating????

I just turned on the computer for her because she wanted to go to the NickJr website and watch Dora. I was expecting that she would want me to put on the show and then change it for her each time one ended.

She surprised me. She logged on herself, clicked on the website in the bookmarks, found Dora and clicked on her. I looked at her and said, "Jasmine, you are getting really good at this!"
"Thanks, Mommy!" she replied and lifted her lips for a kiss.

Then she turned back to the computer and clicked on a game. She turned to me and said, matter-of-factly, "I'm going to play this one cause I'm really good at it!"

So cute.

My focus scripture this morning is Ephesians 5:4 "There must be no filthiness or silly talk, or coarsse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

I am choosing to be thankful today for a little girl who is on her way to becoming a confident young lady (even though the road is still long). For a little boy who loves his sister and helps her when I can't get to it. For a husband who loves us even when all of us are whining. :-)
God has truly blessed me. Thank you, Lord!

Jasmine's Name

2011-05-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

So, this morning I read the first two verses of chapter 5 of Ephesians:
"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

This weekend in Branson, Jasmine was more than a little difficult. She had a bit of a cold, was sleep-deprived, and had too much junk food and television. She was whiny, demanding, and disobedient - with moments of cuteness. The exact opposite of her normal personality. We had a good time, but it would have been a lot easier if she had been cooperating. (This pic was one of the good times when she was riding a mechanical boar at Shorty Small's restaurant.)

The verses this morning always remind me of when we were choosing Jasmine's name. We knew we wanted to use Mike's Mom's name (Diane) for the middle name. I have always been very aware of name meanings, even as a child, so I wanted the name to mean something significant. We couldn't find the exact right name until I found out that Jasmine means "a sweet fragrance." Diane means "of the Divine." Her name means "a sweet fragrance of the Divine."

That is exactly what we are supposed to be in this world. A sweet aroma that draws others to God through our love, joy, and peace, even in difficult situations.

This weekend, I didn't always demonstrate this quality to my kids as their behavior began to wear on my nerves, but I am trying to improve in this area. I want the Holy Spirit within me to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control that creates a lovely perfume to those around me.

On a side note, this morning when back in their routines, after a good night's sleep, and with no soda or TV, the kids are back to being their sweet selves again. :-)

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God, in Christ, also has forgiven you."

It occurs to me that Mother's Day, and every other day, would always be happy if we all practiced this verse faithfully.

Sometimes, it seems that it is most difficult to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to those that are closest to you. I find my expectations are higher and my disappointment greater with my immediate family and closest friends. Why is it that it is so hard to extend the same grace we extend to strangers to our own family members?

Lord, please help me to treat those closest to me as treasures. Enable me to encourage faithfully, forgive diligently, cover a multitude of sins, and embrace whole-heartedly those who are within my closest circle. I love them. Help me to show love to them as well.

Today has been a great Mother's Day. We traveled back from Branson. Jasmine was cranky because we ran her all over creation during this long weekend, kept her up too late, and skipped naptimes. However, I felt like I was handling her with compassion and firm kindness rather than frustration for the most part. I hope and pray that I can continue to handle the aggravations of daily life with peace and kindness, even when discipline is necessary.

My Words

2011-05-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29

If only I could get this one verse, 100% of the time, I'd be doing really well, right?!? If all the words that came out of my mouth built others up and benefitted others, the love of Christ would shine from me.

Note to self: Work on being more encouraging, Nuff said.

True Confessions

2011-05-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. I am an angry mom...sometimes. Especially when I am running late or have committed myself to too much at one time, statements and actions of my kids can send me up the wall. Today when I was reading Ephesians 4, two verses stuck out to me.

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Sometimes anger rises up inside all of us. Sometimes it is justified, like when Jesus turned the tables over in the temple. Sometimes it is my sinful and selfish nature wanting my way when someone else's conflicts with that will. However, no matter what the source of the anger, we make choices about what we will think about and how we will act.

I can choose not to sin in my anger and to deal with it quickly (before the sin goes down).

When I choose to dwell on things that make me angry, or act rashly out of anger, I give the devil an opportunity, an open door to wreak havoc on my life.

I am working toward being slow to grow angry, but when I get angry, my new approach is to breathe slowly for several seconds and think about if I would still be angry if I wasn't stressed out or running late. How would I handle the same situation if I was in front of other people? I, like everyone else, am living my life in front of an audience. I have two children who are almost constantly with me. But even when no human eyes are watching me, God is watching.

Allegory

2011-05-05T04:48:00.000-07:00

Imagine you were setting off on a journey to a fabulous vacation spot. Your host, the person who bought the land and built the home gave you specific instructions on how to get there. She even told you that it was the only way to get there because of the remoteness of the property and terrain surrounding it. To attempt any other way would mean that, at the very least, you would never make it to the vacation home. At worst, other approaches were life-threatening.

As you draw near to the island, you see the tiny cave that your host instructed you to enter through. With a glance at the lush jungle scenery on either side of the cove, it's stark, rocky appearance makes it look much less appealing. You decide that it can't hurt to get a feel for the island by sailing around it. You can always enter the cove when you come back around to it.

In sailing around, you notice that one side of the island is solid cliff walls. Well, that definitely would be too difficult an approach. Another side offered a flat rocky beach which would have been enticing, but sharp, jagged rocks peeked from the boiling surf close to shore. However, on the third side was a small, white-sand beach with crystal clear waters bordered by gorgeous plant life.

The idea starts to form in your mind that perhaps your host was incorrect. There might not be just one way to approach her home. In fact, she might have missed a more enjoyable journey to the home. You squint toward the island and notice that someone has cut a path into the jungle. Obviously, someone has traveled that way before. A seed of doubt remains as you remember your host's fervent insistence that the cave was the only way to arrive safely at her home.

But, you push that aside, thinking that certainly it won't hurt to check this harmless beach out. You can always hop into your boat and take your host's original route if this looks suspicious.

You land on the sandy beach and step out onto the warm sands, wiggling your toes in the beautiful surf. It feels so good here, You push the niggling doubt back to the recesses of your mind, insisting that your host must not have realized how great this area is. After a while playing and relaxing on the beach, you decide to check out the path. Having all but forgotten your original instructions to enter only through the rocky cave, you walk confidently into the comfortable path, admiring the beauty of the jungle surrounding it.

What you have not realized is that the path leads not to your host's luxury vacation home but to a village of natives who practice cannibalism. Their eyes are watching your journey as they anticipate their evening meal and your demise. The moment you stepped onto the path, you sealed your fate.

In a similar way, God made not only our eternal home but us as well. He says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one LOrd, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all" (Ephesians 4:4-6)

There are many paths we can take in life. However, our very architect tells us that there is only one way to him and eternal life, and that is through His Son Jesus. All other attempts, however enjoyable for the moment, lead to death.

And, though the entrance through a narrow cave seems unappealing, once inside travelers experience a wonder land of jeweled walls and cathedral-like spaces and protection while on the journey.

Thoughts on Ephesians 4:1-3

2011-05-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today I started reading Ephesians 4 and got stuck at verses 1-3. Paul writes, I "implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

There are several sections that immediately stand out to me.

1. "Walk in a manner worthy of the calling..."
We are called into relationship with God through Christ's death and resurrection and we are called to make known the opportunity for others to join in that relationship as well. The price that was made to make my calling possible was unmeasurably great. Jesus set aside the glories of heaven and his rightful authority there and came as a man to suffer what I deserved (death) in my place. To walk worthy of that price and calling, I have to be vigilant against growing complacent. I've been a Christian for almost 30 years, and I confess that it is easy to take that gift for granted. Lord, help me to recognize the miracle of the price that was paid so that you could draw me to yourself and never grow accustomed to that knowledge but wonder at it daily.

2. "Showing tolerance for one another in love"
This one stands out to me because of the use of the word "tolerance." That has become a bit of a bad word in Christian circles because it has been used to validate or overlook sin. However, in this case, Paul is talking about our relationships with other believers. I see a lot of intolerance and strife between many in the body of Christ. I have a goal to make my presence, both in person and online, one that is encouraging and peaceful, rather than one that stirs up dissension and disunity.

3. "Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"
This is so active in tone. It is not merely a state of being peaceful, but one of continual watchfulness and heightened awareness of possible disunity. Letting the fruits of the Spirit within us work themselves out in such a way that we actively and purposefully preserve unity and peace among believers would help to bear out the phrase "They will know we are Christians by our love one for another."

An Epic Calling

2011-05-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

As I read on in Ephesians, I am struck today not by a specific verse but the whole of chapter three. Listening to Paul describe the call on his life, I wonder if I have such a grand, sweeping, epic mission to complete. He makes statements like "my insight into the mystery of Christ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men" (Eph 3:4-5). Paul says he is called to "preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8) and to "bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things." (Eph 3:9)

God has called each one of us to a life and a mission. Do I see mine with such confidence and clarity as Paul sees his? Or am I marking time with mundane, but necessary, duties having little to no eternal value?

Can I see my role as a wife and mother as building up eternal beings and ushering them into the family and presence of God as grand, sweeping, and epic? Am I focusing on my efforts to be a part of a local church family and build, encourage, and lead others in this journey as a mission and calling?

Paul prays, "the He (God) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth , and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19)

I am coming to the conclusion as I think and type at the same time that if I stay filled with wonder at all God has done for me through Christ Jesus, I will more readily see the mission set before me to extend grace, kindness, love, and encouragement, indeed to extend Jesus, to others.

The Cornerstone of What?

2011-05-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

I have heard songs and sayings about Jesus being the Cornerstone for as long as I can remember. I never really thought about the fact that I did not know for certain what He was the Cornerstone of. I kind of thought that He is the foundation and cornerstone of our lives as Christians. This morning I had a simple revelation when I was reading Ephesians 2:19-21.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord"

Just before this passage the chapter is talking about how Jesus opened the way for non-Jews to join God's chosen people in His family. We were excluded according to the Old Testament law. There was argument, enmity, and war between the Israelites and those who were not Israelites. In the sacrifice of Jesus, both groups had access to God's presence, relationship, and family.

Two groups who could not get along were now a part of the same house. Jesus is the Cornerstone of that great house - His Church. We are fit together on the basis of what He did for us and can live in peace with one another as God's sons and daughters.

We were like a blended family whose children fight all the time. Then the head of the family, the father, does something so sacrificial in His love for the whole group, that they join together in gratitude and love for the one person, learning that all along they had more in common than they ever would have thought.

God's design for restoration and relationship is revealed yet again in this picture of a house where Jesus is the Cornerstone. We are His plan and purpose, the desire of His heart, the project He is building with His hands.

A Taste of What's Coming and a Return on Investment

2011-05-01T06:12:00.001-07:00

I was reading today in Ephesians and the 13th and 14th verses in chapter 1 really jumped out at me.

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory."

God sealed us with the Holy Spirit as a sign of the inheritance that we can expect to receive (only through God's grace and kind intentions toward us). The power, help, comfort, and hope that the Holy Spirit within us gives is but a measure of what it will be like to be in the presence of our Holy God one day.

However, the benefits that we experience are not the only purpose of the Holy Spirit living within us. The Holy Spirit marks us as belonging to God. God says, "This one is Mine and will live in constant communion with Me one day, without the hindrances of this temporary world. In addition, God gets a return on His investment. The Spirit within us shines out at the world and draws people to His glory to give Him praise and become His children with this foretaste of inheritance within them as well.

What an amazing plan and treasure God has for us when we believe!

Teach Me Joy Giveaway

2011-03-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

I just heard about this fantastic giveaway of Teach Me Joy Curriculum packages. It would be fantastic for homeschooling mamas or mothers of preschoolers. Looks really fun!

Click here for the details at The Crafty Classroom!

More info from the Teach Me Joy website...
Teach me Joy is a self-published early learning homeschool curriculum that has been brought to you by a seasoned teacher and homeschooling mom.

After extensive searching for the right preschool curriculum, Joy Bryant, the author of Teach me Joy Curricula, developed a program that would be easy to teach and easy to learn. Joy's programs give some wonderful tools to teach your preschoolers from home in a way that is AFFORDABLE! Her goal is to instill a love of learning while developing a valuable educational foundation.

Animal Play Preschool Curriculum for 2 & 3 year olds
•Detailed lesson plans in an easy to read format that includes Bible, Phonics, Math, Animal study and Music each week.
•Activities and Crafts designed to encourage creativity, motor skills, and make learning fun and engaging.
•Worksheets highlighting skills learned.
•Tips and teaching helps.
•Extra activity ideas for eager learners.
•Lists of books used and suggested books for reading together.

Fruit for Tender Hearts for K3-K5

•Detailed Helps and Lesson Plans for each area of study.
•Bible verses and stories that teach different “fruit” and character qualities.
•Introduction to letters & their sounds using a vertical phonics approach.
•Math concepts cover counting, number recognition, colors and shapes, measurement, ordering, and more.
•Weekly science lessons explore the body, nutrition and healthy habits.
•Worksheets and activities to keep learning fun and engaging.
•“Bigger Step” options for students who are ready to do some book work and are ready to read.
•Lessons targeting different learning styles.
•Weekly life skill suggestions.

Joy of Handwriting - Handwriting Curriculum
•Handwriting tips and instructions for younger and older learners.
•Reproducible worksheets for lower case and capital letters.
•Flashcards showing the cursive letter on lines on one side and teaching helps on the other.
•Blank “Story Pages” that include a picture and a place to write a story or just practice.

Judah's a star...

2010-04-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

So, this week Judah looks at us and says,
"You know, I've been a star a lot of times!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, I won lots of trophies at the beautiful baby contest when I was little. I was in the Christmas kids' choir musical. My picture was in the Sonlight catalog. My picture was in the MOPS newsletter. AND, I'm gonna be in the Kids' Choir Spring Musical. See, lots of times!"
He sat back, matter-of-factly. I smiled and said,
"Yes, I guess you're right. You are a star."

SUPREME TEAM RESULTS!

2010-03-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

I made the www.godigitalscrapbooking.com Supreme Team! YAY!

Here is my fourth round LO:

I created it using a fantastic collab kit called Blossom. AVAILABLE HERE.

A trip down scrapbooking memory lane...

2010-02-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Today I was talking to someone who wants to start digital scrapbooking (You can so do it, Liv!), and I was reminded of myself several years ago. Totally dedicated to paper scrapbooking. 100% against changing over. Listening tentatively to Jess Stern rave about the numerous benefits of digital over paper scrapbooking. Drooling over her gorgeous pages. Wishing I could switch but intimidated and completely at sea about where to start. Asking Jess to explain just one more time how to do this? Struggling to create that first page. A little better on page 2. Page 3 - DONE. So convinced I handed over all the huge rubbermaid bins in the basement that were full of paper scrapping supplies over to Mike's mom because I had "gone digital."

We've come a long way, baby!

Here is my LO for the third round of the www.godigitalscrapbooking.com Supreme Team contest (I couldn't have done it without you, Jess! Thanks for the continued nudging to try something new.):

I used a collab kit by FWTS and jjscrapping called SPRINGY. Available HERE.

Everyone has a price...

2010-02-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

...I've been meditating about what mine is. What do I sell out for? What am I placing as the most treasured thing in my life? What is the price of my worth? How much am I valued at?

Deep, digging questions that sometimes make me say, "Ouch" when I see my sin. Sometimes make me say "Wow" when I see my Savior.
Anyway, I came across I Peter 1:17-19 and thought I'd share them.

"If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

Wow! There is so much revelation in these three scriptures! God is our father. He doesn't compare us to our 'siblings' but judges each person impartially. Our stay on earth is temporary and should be viewed in the light of eternity.
But what stood our most to me was that my value is so far beyond any gold or silver.

My worth is above all the wealth in the world.

My price is the blood of the perfect Son of God.

It's already been paid.
I've been gifted with my freedom to live a life higher than I was able on my own.

I just have to live like it.

Scrapbooking Contest

2010-02-13T10:59:00.000-08:00

I'm entering the www.godigitalscrapbooking.com Supreme Team contest again! We're in round two right now which is why (aside from both kids and I having colds this week) I haven't blogged in a while.
Anyway, here are my round 1 and 2 entries:

I used Sew Chic (a new kit by Tricia Curtis)available HERE.

I used a collab kit by Dancing Princess Designs and Dylabel Designs called Dipsy Doodles. Available HERE.

A Year Ago Today...

2010-02-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

...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. :-)

Psalm 86:15

2010-01-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

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.

Some kid cuteness

2010-01-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

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.

I could get used to this...

2010-01-24T10:29:00.001-08:00

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. :-)

Judah's Debut Performance

2009-12-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-14T10:39:00.001-08:00

I'm TWO!

I'm PRETTY!

Mommy and Daddy's favorite!

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Great is Thy Faithfulness...

2009-10-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand has provided.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

I've been humming this song off and on all week long. Those of you that know us know that we have been between jobs for almost 3 months now. Nothing earth-shattering has happened to change that reality, but I have become so aware of the reality that my heavenly Father is more than capable of (and chooses to) take care of me. He is faithful, steadfast, unchanging AND He gives good gifts to His children (James 1:17). All I need or will ever need comes from His hand. He may send it through channels of blessing so that they may also be blessed, but He is my Source.
At the beginning of this season, Mike's mom gave us a teaching CD by a pastor in Branson, MO named Keith Moore and since then we have gotten a hold of several of his other teachings. One in particular is called Forward in Faith and can be downloaded for FREE (as can ALL of his teaching series) at his ministry website: HERE. The scripture in that teaching has just come alive for me. In fact, I think that I have never been more aware of how living and active God's word is. It seems that every time I open the Bible I see a verse that I have been reading my entire life, but somehow God opens my eyes to new depths of knowledge. The greatest part is that I know there are still untold depths to delve into. Every morning that I open God's word, new mercies I see.

Reflections...

2009-10-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

I peeking back at some of my blog entries. I came across this one from last year and realized that it exactly captures some of the things I have been thinking about my wonderful Texas family.

Enjoy!
THANKFUL FOR...

Forest Park Balloon Glow

2009-09-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

I used the GoDigitalScrapbooking.com July Collab kit for these pages.

Fashion Girl

2009-09-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

So I went through all the kids' clothes today and packed up the smaller sizes to pass on to others. Then I pulled out the clothes that have been handed down to us. That would be when Jazz joined in the fun... She thought it was great fun to take an item to "Bubby" and get him to help her put it on. She paraded around the house in this outfit for about 45 minutes. Judah turned to me very seriously and asked, "When did Jazzy become a fashion girl?"

I don't know, Judah. I just don't know.

Milestone Moment

2009-08-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

So, I had my first real conversation with Jasmine today. You know, where she answered me instead of imitating me. AND, I could understand what she said.
Here's how it went down...

I asked her to bring me a diaper so I could change her. She ran to her diaper hanger and brought one to me.
"You're my good girl!" I said.
"Goo-Girl."
"That's right! You are a good girl!"
"I know." (Very matter-of-factly.)
"You know?"
"Uh. (which in Jasminese means "Yes") Gaw-Gaw"
"Gaw-Gaw (grandma) told you that you were a good girl?"
"Yesh."
At this point she grinned at me with extreme pride. I have to admit, I was pretty proud too.

Any Eaters out there?

2009-08-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

I love to follow Grace Upon Grace, the blog of a girl I knew when I was a child. She is sooo much better at keeping up with blogging than I am. And, her entries are quirky and thought-provoking.
Anyway, a while back she posted that she was reading a book by Michael Pollan called In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

I checked it out from the library and have been reading it. Wow! Pollan expresses his ideas so well that you don't feel like you are reading a book about how to eat. It's a fascinating read. I haven't dumped all of the processed food out of our pantry yet (my family would NOT rise and call me blessed for that move), but I have really started thinking about what I am putting in my mouth and in my kids' mouths. However, it's not really a worried, stressed out thinking about it. I am learning to slow down and savor each bite. I also have made a view more choices for whole foods. You know, those ones God designed, instead of scientist's copies.

Anyway, I was thinking about this today and wondered how many other people had been pondering their food choices. Have any of you read this book?

2009-07-30T13:31:00.001-07:00

I thought I would share a page I just made. I was so happy with the way this pic turned out after snapping it while sitting in traffic on the bridge one day, I had to do something with it! Enjoy!

I used the fabulous collab kit Once Upon A Time: Available HERE!

Fun contest...

2009-07-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

All my digital scrapbooking friends out there, take note: Susan Godfrey is having an amazing giveaway. Check out her blog HERE!

Reflections on this moment in my life...

2009-07-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

"Planted in the house of the Lord; They will flourish in the courts of our God."
--Psalm 92:13

I was reading in the Psalms today and I vaguely remembered this scripture. Something about it was teasing the edge of my mind, and I couldn't settle down until I found the verse and read it. God is so good. His word is living and active. Recently, positions at our church had to be cut because of budget reasons. My husband's job was one of those. We were totally surprised.
For half a day we sat stunned and in a daze, staring at our bibles. Again and again, we felt a phrase in our hearts, "Your paycheck is not your income. God is the provision for your life." (not original to me, I think it was from a Phil Stern message way back) Amazingly, supernaturally really, we have peace. Not just an uneasy calm and pretended contentment. True peace. Even excitement about what God wants to do next.
It's like when you are a kid about to go on a trip. Too excited to sleep.
Two words from the scripture above jumped out at me. Planted. Flourish.
God has a place to plant us. He was not surprised by this. He knew and was smiling because He could see the awesome blessing that would come in the future. He envisioned the growth in us in the time of waiting. He pictured the stories we will tell our children and theirs about the faithfulness of our God. He was thinking about the best gift He could give us as our Daddy God. The gift of a life FLOURISHING in His house.

2009-07-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

I created these pages using Andrea Gold's adorable kit "Snow Fun"
Fonts: Snap ITC, Smiley Monster

2009-07-20T20:03:00.001-07:00

Debra's new kit Sweet Peppermint Play is whimsical and so lovely. Check it out here!
Fonts: Pristina, Ribbon Happy

2009-07-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

I skipped a week because I got this new kit called Guga Dada by Maria and it really didn't fit Judah birthday pics but was great for these. Check out the kit here!
Fonts: Pea Zobrist, Perpetua Titlist, and Rhino Dino

P365

2009-06-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

I created these using Doggone page kit by Snowflake Beach Designs. You can find it HERE!
Fonts: Stencil, Pea Zobrist, Too Many Secrets

Playing Some More Catch Up with Project 365...

2009-06-15T20:17:00.001-07:00

I used a gorgeous kit by Doreen Stolz called Lilac Bouquet to create these pages. Get it HERE!
Fonts: Rage, Sandals

Still trying to catch up...

2009-06-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Created using the June Collab kit at www.godigitalscrapbooking.com
Fonts: Peabody, Pea YarYar, Prissy Frat Boy

Finally Finishing April...

2009-05-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Created using My Sock Monkey by Scrapalooza - Available HERE!

P365 Week 15

2009-05-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

Soooo far behind -- I will not even start making excuses...

Created using Majula's Cherry Cake kit- Get it HERE at GDS!

Created using Andrea Gold's Euphoria page kit - Available HERE at www.godigitalscrapbooking.com!

Growing Garden

2009-05-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here is my first garden planting this year. I can't believe how well it's done! I'm not exactly known for my green thumb. The rabbits have not even touched my beautiful lettuce - Yippee!

My only problem now is that I don't know when to harvest collard greens and red cabbage. OR how to cook them. Yikes! I need to call my Dad!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

So my husband is wonderful! He got me added memory so I can scrapbook faster, flowers, a new stainless steel water bottle. He also stopped at a roadside stand on the way home from church because he saw tomatoes and knew I would like them. Yea!
Judah hugged me, gave me a kiss and said, "That's my Mother's Day gift for you, Mama, do you like it?"
I just about melted. What a nice day!

And to end a lovely mom's day, I changed my look cause I've been getting bored. What do you think?

2009-05-02T07:39:00.001-07:00

So grateful...

2009-04-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful to be involved at a church where pastors are not afraid to say the tough stuff. I was so blessed. convicted. challenged. shaken awake by Jim's sermon this weekend. I have never truly understood what being the bride of Christ was all about. Now I have an inkling.
I am studying in 1 John right now and I am amazed at how God is speaking the same things to me through so many different mouthpieces. "Prepare yourself. Purify yourself. Be ready. Get your kids ready." Serious stuff. Not always fun to face our faults and shortcomings. But coming to God as a husband and not a master -- so worth it!
I love you, Jesus! Help me to love you more and to pass that on to Judah and Jazz.

BTW, if you have missed the "Made For God" series at Destiny, click here to listen online.

Slowly but surely catching up...

2009-04-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

Project 365 week 14

I used a fabulous kit (Summer Garden: The Essentials) by Dancing Princess Designs. I can't wait to make lots more pages with it!
http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_dnld_info&cPath=29_115&products_id=3906
Fonts: stamPETE, Pea Yar Yar

Playing Catch Up with Project 365...

2009-04-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

I used Andrea Gold's template 54 sides a and b from Template Grab Bag#13 and her page kit Possibilities. Available at www.godigitalscrapbooking.com
Fonts: Pea Bailey and Lucida Sans Typewriter
The close up pics of the kids are taken by J.C. Penney's portrait studio.

P365 week 12

2009-04-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

I used a template set from Template Grab Bag #13 and Captivating page kit, both by Andrea Gold.
Here are the links to my galleries with full credits: GDS, DST, MSA

Supreme Team VII

2009-03-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

www.godigitalscrapbooking.com just had their next supreme team contest and I am on this team again! Yea!
Here are my entries into the 4 rounds of the contest...

ROUND 1:

Kit: Your Day by Dani Alencar

ROUND 2:

Kit: Waiting for You by Majula

ROUND 3:

Kit: Kick Back and Relax by One Memory At A Time; WordArt: Relax by JAB designs

ROUND 4:

Kit: My Heart Sings by Dancing Princess Designs

P365, week 10 & 11

2009-03-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Kit: Action This Day by Bianca Argollo, Font: Pea Angedawn

Kit: Discover by Andrea Gold, Font: Pea Angedawn

Project 365, Week 9

2009-03-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

Had to get creative this week cause I've been a slacker about taking my pics. Oops!

I used a kit by Maria Designs called Glamour. Very Classy!
Fonts: Pea Bailey and My Own Topher

P365, week 8

2009-02-26T20:46:00.000-08:00

Kit: Winter's Natural Warmth by Laitha
Fonts: My OWn Topher, PEa Bailey

P365, week 7

2009-02-26T20:01:00.001-08:00

For these pages, I used templates from Grab Bag #13 by Andrea GOld and her new kit Ms. Attitude. Fonts: My Own Topher and Pea Bailey

Project 365 Week 6

2009-02-14T19:51:00.001-08:00

These pages were created with the GDS February collab kit. Find out how to get it free HERE.

I'm running a little behind...

2009-02-11T09:57:00.001-08:00

These pages were created using Majula's digital kit "You and Me" available at www.godigitalscrapbooking.com
Fonts: Cry Kitty and Gentle Redhead

What do I value?

2009-01-31T19:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight at church Jim was preaching about Isaiah 54 again (part of the i54 campaign)and the focus this week was God's stretching us to make us stronger. Ever since i54 started and I read the scripture God has been dealing with me about my tendency to think that everything in my life is fine. Now I know we are supposed to be content, bloom where we're planted, be thankful, etc. I'm not talking about becoming negative and complaining all the time. However, I tend not to dream big or to allow God to bring big dreams into view for my life. Well, that is changing. Suddenly I have been having multiple ideas for books, businesses, parenting, homeschooling, just about every area of my life. Tonight God was speaking to me during communion time that when I decide to go after something I really want, I devote time, energy and thought to it. I try with all my might to win the prize. Lately, my focus has been on "winning" things that aren't actually what I value most. When I focus on those, the really important, the eternal, stuff gets slighted. My goal for this week is to select the few highest valued prizes I will go after this year and break it down into a plan with measurable goals. Nine out of ten people will never change even if they are killing themselves with their behavior. (Change or Die) I want to be the one. I want to be the one who God can mold into a flexible strong instrument for His use. I want to be the one who comes back to say thank you for all He has done for me. I want to be the one who launches others to be a "one."

Project 365 Week 4

2009-01-29T13:31:00.000-08:00

I created these pages using "Guga's Brother" by Dani Alencar. Fonts: My Own Topher and Pea Amy Rica

A week in the life - Project 365

2009-01-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

Here we go again...

I used Doreen Stolz's beautiful page kit "It Seems Like Yesterday."
Fonts: Elise and Harlow Solid Italic

Project 365 week2

2009-01-15T14:30:00.001-08:00

Here is this week's pages from project 365, Enjoy!

Created with Helen Ehrenhofer's page kit "Baby Cottage Blues." Font: Lima Bean

Project 365

2009-01-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

I am doing project 365, where you take a picture a day. I am scrapbooking two pages a week with the photos. Here are the pages from the first week of the year... As you will see, we had the absolute best start to the year possible!

Created using the January Collab Kit from www.godigitalscrapbooking.com
Font: My Own Topher

New blog header

2009-01-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

In honor of the new year I created a new blog header with Judah and Jasmine and their build a bears. They got to make the bears (Troy and Sally - names by Judah) with all their Texas cousins on January 3rd. Cappy and Sasha gave them all gift cards to Build-A-Bear and an outing was born!
The header is created using Helen Ehrenhofer's Baby Cottage Blues page kit and the fonts: Pass the Chex, LithographLight, and Lima Bean.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

2008-12-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

Why does one very small extra child make things a whole lot harder to get done? It really is not proportional that having two kids instead of one should make it difficult for me to get things done. Oh, well. She's worth it! Christmas cards have been extra challenging this year to get sent. Please look at the card above and know that you are loved and appreciated by our family. We pray God's best for you and your family in the coming year. Merry Christmas!

Christmas isn't coming???

2008-12-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

So, Judah and I were watching Saturday morning cartoons. Darby, Pooh Bear, and friends were singing about how Christmas wasn't coming because Santa lost the presents and had called the whole thing off. I turned to Judah and said,
"They're being silly, aren't they?"
"Yeah," Judah grinned and looked at me.
"Judah, what's Christmas really about?"
His little face scrunched up in concentration and then he remembered,
"Jesus!"
"I hugged him and nodded. "That's right! Santa can't cancel Christmas because its about Jesus. Even if no one got presents, Christmas would still happen."
Judah turned to the TV and yelled, "Christmas is about JESUS!"

I tell you this anecdote because I am so excited about this idea of Operation Take Christmas Back. I started a couple days ago as it said on my blog and already it is bearing fruit. I don't even know the lady who thought of this plan, but I read her blog and am being blessed because of it. Thank you to all of you who put positive, uplifting, challenging, Christ-glorifying ideas on your blogs, facebook, myspace, e-mail, etc. You never know the fruit that is reaped.

Operation Take Christmas Back

2008-12-04T07:42:00.001-08:00

So after my last blog, my friend Megan referred me to another blog post with an idea called Take Christmas Back. I love it and want to do it. The basic idea is to do something everyday leading up to Christmas Day to help us (and our kids) remember the true meaning of Christmas. Reading the Christmas story, serving others, etc. I'm up for it and I hope you are too. Feel free to grab the image above and spread the news. Operation Take Christmas Back has begun!

Gifts, gifts, and more gifts?

2008-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I am not Scrooge. I love gifts. I love Christmas.

So, our basement bedroom overfloweth with Christmas presents waiting (somewhat impatiently) to be wrapped... At the same time, our house overfloweth with stuff. Over the past few months, I have been realizing more and more just how much "STUFF" we have. And I'm not just talking about my particular house. Practically everyone I know has far many more things than we have ever needed. Now, I'm not saying that economic times are not hard, and I know that the dollar doesn't stretch as far as it used too. Indeed, I have friends and acquaintances that are in real trouble with respect to mortgages, rising grocery prices, and skyrocketing unemployment. I simply feel a need to purge my house of extra things. I am ready to cart everything off to Oasis ministries and Goodwill. Does anyone else see the crazy irony in the fact that while I feel this way, I am purchasing gifts to fill up my house and the houses of our friends and relatives yet again. Yikes!
This year I must be getting old. I am far more excited about spending time with family than the prospect of receiving Christmas surprises. People are of so much more value than all the exciting merchandise of the season.
Thanks for listening to my venting.

Oh, I am trying to really get the idea of gratitude across to Judah. Does anyone have any ideas on how to teach this rather ethereal concept?

Christmas Decorations

2008-11-29T15:45:00.001-08:00

Practically everyone who knows me knows that Christmas starts on October 14th (the day after my birthday). I pause for Thanksgiving -- it's always good to be grateful. Then I keep on trucking to Christmas. I love the lights, smiles, music, gifts, smells, foods, just about all of it! Our house is decorated inside and out. We also just got back from Thanksgiving in Branson with Mike's family. Silver Dollar City is bedecked in millions of Christmas lights and sooooo pretty. The pics in my new blog header are from our trip. Jasmine grabbed tons of attention in her pink marshmallow suit. Cute, cute, cute! What a fun time with family! The whole experience put me in the mood to decorate my blog for the season. So, merry Christmas to all! Let's remember the true meaning amidst the fun of the season. Jesus gave up an awful lot to be our gift, and I am truly grateful!

Thankful for...

2008-11-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

This week naturally has me thinking about blessings in my life. Wow! There are lots of them. I am so grateful for all of the many amazing people, opportunities, and things in my world right now. As soon as we get close to Thanksgiving and Christmas, I start to miss my Texas family more and more. Today I was thinking about four women down there and I am very thankful for their roles in my life.

My mom (aka Marme): She is hospitality in the flesh. There is rarely a day that goes by that someone doesn't drop by my mom's house and she is always ready. There is coffee, snacks, cold drinks, the house is presentable, and she sincerely welcomes everyone with open. Whenever I hear that someone will be in the area where my parents live, I tell them to tell me the exact dates so I can get my parents to feed them or let them stay at the homestead. My friends never believe me and don't take advantage of this great opportunity...but they should! My parents would welcome anyone (and everyone) with open arms, a lovely guest room, and more fabulous food than anyone should eat at one sitting. Marme is an example to me of church in motion during daily life. She invites, offers, hosts, and welcomes untiringly.

My Sissy (aka Nesey): Hmmm...shall we say that growing up I didn't appreciate her as much as I do now. I was very black and white, always knew what was right for me (and everyone else) and willing to share my opinions without invitation. Yikes! My sister loved me wholeheartedly anyway. She is a teacher -- in the best sense of the word. The classroom (and any other place you get her together with teenagers) is her mission field. She is bold to proclaim God's Word and passionate about His heart and people. Sissy was always labeled as the bubbly, people-pleaser. However, I have come to recognize that this is very misleading. She disregards how people might judge her when God tells her to do something. She goes right on and does it. She also is very intelligent. Because I adapted to school like a duck to water, people were quick to label me the smart sister. My sister praised me and let me take the glory when she could have demonstrated her own intelligence and accomplishments. I hope I grow up to be as bold for Christ and as loving of others as my big sister.

My Sister-in-Law (Angel): We had already pretty much adopted Angela when my brother fell for her and married her. She is one of the most caring people I have ever met. She never forgets about what is going on with you. And, watch out, cause if she prays for something, it happens. She tirelessly petitions God on behalf of family and friends. She fiercely loves her daughters and is their advocate and comforter. She is quick to smile, quick to hug, and quick to laugh. The perfect person to share a cup of coffee with -- even if you don't drink coffee!

My Sort-Of Sister (aka Tricia): Okay, so no one (including my husband who has seen it in action) really understands how much Trish is a part of our family. She has been my sister's best friend for over 20 years and is truly a sister (if not by blood). I have a camaraderie with Tricia that allows me to call her and chat at any time and feel like no time has passed. We may not talk for a month or more, but when we dial up each other, it is hard to get off the phone. Tricia is the ultimate organizer. She makes sure things get done. She is perpetually prepared and has the biggest servant's heart in Texas. If there is a need, Tricia is already on the way to meet it. She puts aside her own plans to help out at a moment's notice. She is a caregiver and you'd be hard-pressed to get her to sit still to be served.

These four women are an inspiration and blessing in my life and I am very grateful to God for them.

Choosing Thankfulness

2008-10-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

I was reading a book the other day. Not a serious, let's grow and learn book, but a light-hearted, let's escape from craziness and laundry kind of book. The author (Lori Wick) weaves biblical messages into the fiction she writes. Anyway, one of the things in this book was the phrase "choosing thankfulness." In several situations that were trying, scary, or downright depressing, the characters were choosing to be thankful and recognizing the sovereignty of God. This really jumped out at me for some reason. How apt am I to give God praise for planning things out and ordering my life, especially when I am not really comfortable with a particular choice He makes. If He is God at all, then He must be God OF all. So, I determined to choose thankfulness everyday no matter what.
I shouldn't have mentioned this to anyone, not even myself.
In school, I always liked tests... in life, not so much...
Friday, my laptop died. Yup! Dead as a doornail (whatever that means). So, here's the really cool part. God was completely and totally bringing good out of this before it even happened, Mike decided to speed up my computer for my birthday present. He bought extra memory and wanted to get rid of all the stuff I don't ever use. My instructions were to back every single thing I would ever need onto my external hard drive. God is so good! When my computer died, I lost none of my writing, scrapbook pages, digital scrapping supplies, documents, NOTHING whatsoever! Also, within 24 hours, Mike had our desktop computer set up upstairs and running beautifully. I am so thankful God is taking care of through the wonderful man to whom I am married.

Decorating for Fall

2008-10-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite season...cool weather, beautiful colors, caramel apples, trips to the pumpkin farm, my birthday, ramping up for Christmas...I love it all! So, today I decided to decorate my blog for Fall. I learned how to make a new header (very fun!) and used Christy Skaggs kit Forever Autumn (available at GDS). I changed the format too. I am one of those people who would change the furniture and paint the house every few months if it was practical. Everything is more fun when it can be decorated! Anyway, if any of you weren't in the mood for autumn yet, hope this helps!

Woo-Hoo! I'm a Supreme Team Member

2008-10-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'm celebrating the recent knowledge that I made the GoDigitalScrapbooking.com supreme team. The Layout above is my first LO (2007 Pumpkin Farm) as a supreme. I made it with the GDS Collab kit this month. I always love the pics we get at Eckert's Farm. Can't wait to go back again this year!

Grateful for Mike...

2008-09-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am following the trend set by two amazing women (Sarah and Jessica) that I have the privilege to know. On their blogs they were bragging on their husbands, and I was reminded of what a fantastic man I married. So, here goes...

He is energetic, passionate, and can work most people into the ground.
He has guarded against being a work-aholic by leaving his computer at work so he can spend time with his family.
He is such an endearing father: making up games that are special "Daddy" times with Judah and Jasmine.
He is a protector and provider, committed to my success and our family's well-being.
He is growing daily in the things of God and hearing from God for our family and those he leads.
He is funny and fun to be with.
He challenges me to become more Christlike and to see myself and others clearly.
He is incredibly intelligent and analytical.
He is diligent and faithful to all commitments.
He persistently works at learning new skills until he excels at them.
He never forgets birthdays and anniversaries.

I made it to the last round...

2008-09-27T10:16:00.001-07:00

Well, I am in the final round of the Supreme Team contest at www.godigitalscrapbooking.com. Woo-Hoo! They gave Andrea Gold's page kit "Possibilities" to work with. Here is the link to the contest:

Rays of Sunshine

Now I just get to twiddle my thumbs until Tuesday night when I find out if I am a part of the team.

Renewing Friendships

2008-09-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

All day Thursday, Judah and I prepared very excitedly for company. When Mike and I were dating and first married, our best friends were a couple named Mark and Joy Willis. When we changed churches and moved, we kind of just lost touch. Recently I found Joy online and through e-mail we planned for our families to get together for dinner. Mark and Joy and their five lovely children (and one on the way) entered our house and the years fell away. They had never met Judah and Jasmine. We had only known two (Anna and Emily) of their five (Anna, Emily, Laura, Caleb, and John Mark). However, they have done such a fabulous job with their children that it was a delight see how they got along with Mike and I and with Judah and Jazz. All of the kids played beautifully all evening and were gracious and full of gratitude. What a wonderful demonstration of God's plan for the family -- a showcase of His love, grace, and embracing nature. Friday morning, when Judah woke up, his first words were, "Mama, that family that came to our house last night was AMAZING!"
I whole-heartedly agree!

On to another round...

2008-09-20T09:13:00.001-07:00

I finished my LO for the next Supreme Team round at GDS. I took a whole bunch of pics of Judah and Jazz in our yard and when we walked to grandma's house. They had so much fun doing a photo shoot for me. Here's the link to the actual contest:
Expressions of Delight
The kit we got to use this round is called "Delightful" page kit by Veronica Hurly. It is fabulous!

GDS Supreme Team Contest

2008-09-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that I am entering that scrapbooking contest again! If at first you don't succeed... and so on!

I have made it past the first round with the page of Jasmine in a flower pot and have entered my St. George Island page for the second round. Check it out at GoDigitalScrapbooking.com!

(The pictures are links to the gallery.)

Jasmine Flower Pot page created with Helen Ehrenhofer's Mom's Garden kit.
St. George Island page created with Maria Design's Tropicaliente kit.

Box Day!

2008-09-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Our pre-school curriculum from Sonlight arrived this week. It is awesome! We are going to officially start the schedule next week, but Judah was so excited, we have already started reading the books and doing the developmental workbooks. He is thrilled to be in "school."
I didn't even tell him that I had ordered it. When he saw the delivery man bring the box, he asked what was in it. I told him that it was his school stuff and that Mommy would be his teacher. He started hopping around excitedly. The box was really heavy (gotta love free shipping!) so we slipped on our shoes and went outside to play tag in the front yard while waiting for Daddy to come home and bring it inside for us.
As soon as Mike set the box down on the dining room table, Judah was right there with scissors. I slit the tape open and the first thing he saw was the brown paper packing material. Judah grinned up at me and gasped in joy!
"Mama, I got bags!"
He can make a game out of anything! ...and he has. That brown paper has floated all over our house. He mainly likes to play that it is a bunch of snakes attacking him. or his sister. or me. It is so cute to watch creativity at work.
By the way, he loves the other stuff in the box too.

Scrapbook page created using "Child's Play" by SAS Designs. Get it at bits2kits.com!

Rants and Rambles...

2008-09-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about the balance of responsibility and responsivity. In my mind is a fight between "Martha" and "Mary." I love the idea that we should all be like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus worshipping Him. However, if our children are not fed, houses a wreck, jobs sloppily done (or not done at all), etc.; what kind of witness are we giving to others. I tend to pendulum swing back and forth when what I suspect I need most of all is a healthy balance of BEING in God's presence and DOING His will for my life.
I was talking to one of my vocal students this week who was bemoaning a difficult issue in singing that is frustrating. We compared it to sin. The better we get at singing (or the closer we get to God), the more obvious our faults become to us. I am starting to get very frustrated with my own desire to compare myself to others instead of the standard that God set in His word.
When will I learn to get my nose out of other people's business and get down to BEING who God wants me to be and DOING what He wants me to do?

Texas Vacation

2008-09-06T04:56:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything new for a while because we have been visiting my family in Southeast Texas. There was a big Hurricane Gustav scare while we were there, but in reality, Saint Louis got more rain yesterday than the hurricane produced at my parents' house. Most of my family got to meet Jasmine for the first time and we had a great time seeing everyone. I am so blessed to have such a loving, God-loving family. They are all so hospitable and outreach oriented. More pics to come later but here's a page of Jasmine bonding with my Dad.

Created using Helen Ehrenhofer's Mom's Garden from GDS

New Opportunity

2008-08-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be joining the Dayspring School of the Arts faculty teaching voice classes on Monday nights. God set up this amazing connection with this fabulous organization in Saint Louis. What a blessing to get to work with such great people!
Check it out!

Blessed Beyond Expectation

2008-08-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

I am so blessed. When I was younger, I used to pray that I would really fit into my future husband's family. I prayed that we would have a great relationship. I expected that when I got married, I would like my father and mother-in-law. I expected that we would get along and there would not be huge struggles over my husband. I got blessed beyond my expectations. I got enveloped into a family. Papa Bear and Moma D (my in-laws) care for me like my own parents. They are continually supportive, helpful, loving, and servant-hearted. BUT, God's blessings don't stop there. Mike's extended family accepted me as one of their own. It makes being away from my family in Texas so much easier to have a wonderful family here. Not to mention I have another sister in Laura -- so cool! God longs to pour out his blessings on us whenever we share our desires with Him.

Recently, Mike's Aunt Margie and Aunt Nan came to visit so I made this scrapbook page for Jasmine's scrapbook. I used Trendy 3 page kit by Christy Skaggs.

Healer God

2008-08-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

So, I'm really late getting this story up here, but I have to share it. Saturday before last, I dropped a glass jar of baby food from the top shelf of my pantry onto my little toe. My poor little piggy immediately turned purple, bent to the side and swelled up to twice its size. I hobbled into the living room and told that I thought I had just broken my toe; he took one look and agreed with me. We decided that if I went to the hospital, all they would do is tape it and give me Ibuprofen. Oh, and let's not forget an enormous bill for that service. So I bit my lip, taped my toe and downed a couple of pain pills. At church that night, we sang a song called "Healer" (see www.jimstern.com for info about this amazing song!) and prayed for people to get healed. Thick-headed me completely forgot that I had a broken toe. I was busy singing and praying for other people. But I guess God doesn't need for us to remember we are sick to heal us. I realized Sunday that my toe had not hurt since that worship time even though it was still purple, bent to the side and swollen. I changed the tape and went on with my day. By Sunday night when I went to change the tape again, my toe was perfectly normal. Praise God, when we are thick-headed, He's still amazing!

Haircut

2008-08-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

So Judah has always hated haircuts. He wiggles, runs away, cries, even sometimes screams like a banshee so that strangers think I am abusing the child by subjecting him to a little trim up top. Needless to say I put off haircuts until absolutely necessary. For about three weeks I have been thinking, and saying, that his hair is getting way long. I've been garnering courage to drive him to Fantastic Sam's and force him into that black chair facing the mirror. Ughhh! This morning Judah made me realize that I had waited too long. He leaned back into his bath water, wiggled his hair, and looked a me with a smile. "Mama, my hair feels like princess hair! Is my hair as long as a princess yet?"
'Nough said.
Grab the keys and head to the barber.

Created with Trendy2 page kit by Christy Skaggs

Who Loves Me? book

2008-08-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

I had this fantastic idea to create mini-scrapbook pages for Jazz's "Who Loves Baby?" photo album. It has pictures of really close family members on each page. It turned out really cute. The only problem is that now Judah wants one made especially for him, AND he wants ALL the family members to have a page. Yikes, what have I started!?!

I used the following digital kits (www.bits2kits.com) to create these pages:
Bella by SAS Designs
My Man by Christy Skaggs
Playdate by Christy Skaggs
Jaydan Lee by Christy Skaggs
Burnished Sunset by SAS Designs
I Can See a Rainbow by Eirene
Touchdown by Christy Skaggs
Reflection by Christy Skaggs

Daddy? You've Got to be Kidding Me!

2008-08-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

My beautiful 7-month-old daughter Jasmine sat up in my lap this weekend, looked over at my husband, and said, "Hey, Dad!" You have to understand the backstory... My four-year-old son Judah said everything before he said "Mama." This includes sentences like "It's good!" about squash. Certainly it means that he said "Daddy" before he said my name. So, things were going to be different this time around. Since she was born, I have been coaxing and coaching her to say "Mama." We've been in intensive training since she started babbling. How is it that she says "Dad" first? There's no justice in the world!

First Blogging Experience

2008-08-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this is my first blog post on my brand new blog. I'm feeling a little technologically intimidated right at this moment. My philosophy about computers has always been that if I read, poke some buttons, and use some logic, eventually I'll figure out how to accomplish whatever I need to do. It is slightly frightening to think that anyone can log on to this website and witness my bumbling attempts at creating a blog. Oh, well! I have to start somewhere.
I am starting this blog for a few reasons...
1. I am a writer trying to better her craft and all writing is practice in voice, style, grammar, etc. So the more I write, the better writer I become.
2. An avid digi-scrapper, I need a forum to post and describe photos, scrapbook pages and stories about my two darlings so my far-away family can keep in touch.
3. It will be extremely cool to look back over the posts and see how I have grown as a person and how my family has grown.
So, we are off to the races...