Almost first post of 2009

It's around 11:00 on New Year's Eve. I've tried all day to write an end of the year post but it just hasn't happened.

The girls are determined to stay awake..right now they are half asleep in the living room floor. They have played the Wii until they can't play anymore. :)
Chad is reading a book he got for Christmas and I'm doing my best not to cough all over this computer! I'm going to have sanitize this thing!

Like most of you, I've committed to memorizing more scripture in this new year. I thought I would share my first few verses tonight.

James 1:19-22

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)

If you asked me what one thing God taught me in 2008 I would have to say that we worked on motives. What my motives are/were did they line up with His, etc... and also a year of preparation. Looking back I see just how intense some of it was. I have a feeling because of several things going on in my life, that the new year will be putting into action what He has called me to.

He has called us all to something, we are all born to do something very specific for God. I get the very strong impression that while 2008 was a year of "hearing" and preparation, 2009 is going to be a year of "doing" for me. We'll see what He does!

How about you? What is God impressing on your heart for this new year?

Where to begin.

We are so blessed. We had a wonderful Christmas week and were able to see all but two sets of family members. That is huge! The girls have been absolutely wonderful and up to this point, we haven't had the after Christmas melt down. (Does this happen at your house too? I'm curious if it's just us!)

Thursday morning we enjoyed Santa and then headed up to my parents to spend Christmas with my side of the family. It was great to see my sister and nephew along with my brother and sister in law and their daughters. My poor grandparents just sat and watched their 5 great-grandchildren open moon shoes and stilts and baby dolls and Wii games..oh brother you should have heard me trying to explain the Wii to my 91 year old grandmother. She was so confused. Anyway..it was a wonderful day that ended with Chad, my sister and I taking the three oldest to the movies...so my parent's could rest.

For several weeks I've been struggling with some sort of chest cold/cough/fatigue "thing". It wasn't bad enough to go to the doctor I thought, so I've just dealt with it at home. It has gradually become worse and listening to me cough and carry on...Chad and my dad decided I was going to the doctor. So Saturday morning that is where we went.

I've only got bronchitis, but they have fixed me up with some mighty fine drugs and I can already tell a huge difference. I didn't realize how bad I felt until I slept through the night last night. It's amazing what 6 hours of sleep will do for you! I'm still not 100% but we are getting there.

The amazing thing was the pharmacy where we filled my prescriptions gave me all sorts of discounts and coupons and we wounded up getting all my medicine at a much more affordable price. :) Thank you Lord. Just one more way He continues to show me that He is alive and active in my every day life.

We had an incredible church service this morning. Dad brought the Word and I'm telling you the Holy Spirit sat down on that place. One came for salvation, another who has been living away from the Lord came to rededicate his life..the front of the church was full of people on their faces praying. Dad lost his jacket in the middle of the invitation..we thought oh boy...he's going to preach again! Just kidding!

I have to share with you the sweetest picture for me today. When the man came forward to express his desire for salvation, my dad put his hands on his head to pray with him. The young man started out with his hands on my dad's arms...but the longer they stood there, the higher this guys arms went and by the time they were through praying his arms were totally extended in the air. It was the most beautiful thing. Complete surrender.

It was even more special to sit behind some of his friends and family..they were so happy. This family has experienced great loss this year and for one that they care so much about to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ was quite a gift.

As we sat at Aubelo's for lunch, dad told us that next week he would be baptizing FOUR! That little church is growing spiritually, and I really believe God is fixing to do a mighty work in those people.

It was an awesome way to end our weekend.

We are home, unpacked and Chad...is sick. So I get to return the favor and take care of him.

I'm looking forward to catching up on your Christmas story!

Blessings,
steph.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my bloggy friends!

I sure hope that your Christmas is filled with family, fun and most importantly Jesus.

You are just precious to me and I am so thankful that God has placed you in my life.

We have a packed weekend ahead of us, so I'm going on a little bloggity break. I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday!


Merry Christmas!

Steph.

Just a quick little thing

Hi my internet friends. :)

I sure wish I could tell you that I'm done with my holiday preperations, that my house looks fabulous, my children adorably dressed and getting along...but I can't.

Truth be told...I haven't had a shower yet, my dishwasher is going for the second time today, and I have two more loads of laundry before I can call it quits...

And I'm about to pop! I have to share with you something that totally transformed my thoughts today. It was in my Bible study this morning and when I say it knocked me flat on my face, I'm serious. Are you ready....


Fear cripples Faith, BUT Faith cripples Fear

For someone who suffers to live free of the stronghold of fear..that spoke volumes to me this morning.

We both have lots to do, so let's get off this computer and get back to it okay?

See you later in the week!

It's the 8 Things Meme

Prof Baugh tagged me with this meme! Maybe, just maybe I can stump you.

8 TV Shows I Watch:
1) Amazing Race
2) American Idol
3) Survivor
4) Food Network
5) HGTV
6) Jon & Kate plus 8
7) The Dugger's specials on TLC
8) Little House on the Prairie

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Asian Fusion
2) Panera Bread
3) Olive Garden in Times Square
4) Ankars Hoagies (mom and pop place in Chatt.)
5) Aubelo's
6) Fernando's
7) The Lady and Sons
8) and last but not least...this seafood place in Hilton Head..the Old Oyster Factory

8 Things that Happened to Me Today:
1) Woke up at 4 and never went back to sleep.
2) Had a LONG shower WITH hot water...no interruptions. Very rare around here.
3) Deep fried mac & cheese wrapped in bacon. YUMMY.
4) Had Christmas with In-laws from TN.
5) Laughed until my sides hurt at Chad's great uncle Wilton. So funny.
6) Amazed that mother-in-law's husband was rendered speechless by Uncle Wilton.
7) Watched my girls squeal when they opened a Wii.
8) Beat my husband in a boxing match. (Don't worry, it was animated.)

8 Things I Look Forward To:1) Seeing what God is going to do next.
2) Christmas with the rest of our family.
3) Leading worship for a women's retreat in January. (first one for this church ever!)
4) Seeing some of my siesta's again.
5) Children's choir starting back up.
6) Getting into the studio with Freedom's Call
7) Writing more
8) The occasional nap.

8 Things I Wish For:
1) that my daughters would have hearts that love the Lord.
2) Good health for our family
3) knowing Christ more intimately
4) that people we love would walk in the freedom that Jesus died to give them.
5) that we would be happy with where God has us.
6) to be confident that God will give me what I need to do what He calls me to.
7) singing/playing with Travis Cottrell (THIS WAS PROF's BUT I'm SO STEALING IT)
8) good hair!

8 People I Tag:
I've seen this all over this week, SO if you haven't played yet...consider yourself tagged.!

Sometimes you just need to be reminded...

That God is really there and that He really does hear you. AND CARE.

That is what this week has been for me. A big reminder.

Between all the LifeWay surprises, and the frame that Jennifer sent me...I felt so blessed...like God was saying "I'm still here...I haven't forgotten."

This morning in my Bible study I asked God to unveil my eyes today, I asked Him to show Himself to me. I also have been asking Him to help my unbelief in a very specific area.

I finished up study, grabbed my grocery list and out the door we went. First stop, haircuts for the girls. We walked right in and they took them right back, no wait. Thank you Lord.

Second stop...Kohls. My Freedom's Call girls..um Ladies, gave me some b'day money to spend on myself....so we hit the sales at Kohls. I found a couple of things, got in line and waited. Standing there something told me to check the size on one sweater...it was an XL. I needed a Medium so out of line and back to find that particular rack to make the swap.

I was aggravated at myself for not checking the tag on the garment, and then disappointed that they didn't have the size I needed. Oh well...I just found something else and since it was cheaper, I was able to pick up another top I had my eye on...all is well....we head back to the line.

On our way, a man comes into the area we were in and says, "Excuse me...I just finished my purchase. There is about $18 or so left on this gift card...I'm done and will not be using it. I want to give it to you...why don't you buy something for your girls."

Ummmm...

I looked at the girls and they were silent.

I thanked him said Merry Christmas, God bless.. and turned around to look at the girls.

They were grinning ear to ear and Chloe said..."Looks like God showed up in the Vera Wang section of Kohl's!"

Yes He did.

I want you to know that the first thing I did was remember what I had written in my study this morning..

Did I expect God to show up while I stood in the Vera Wang section? Not exactly, BUT

I asked Him to let me see Him today so honestly, I am not surprised.

The unexpected gift card wasn't about the clothes...it was God telling me..."I've got this little one...I've got it."

Now..I really have no idea how He's going to handle this thing and I don't have to know. But you better believe that I believe Him. He's spent all week long reminding me.

This verse is on the LPM Blog today... I thought it was timely.

"Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45


I believe God.

LifeWay....They have so blessed me this week.

If you haven't read this post, then go read it and then come back to this!

The worship team of Freedom's Call has had quite the honor this week. We were given the opportunity to sing at our local LifeWay store three nights. Let me tell you, the manager of this store and his staff have been wonderful.

He opened up the store to a local middle school chorus teacher, who happens to sing with us, and asked her to bring her three chorus groups to serenade his shoppers. Freedom's Call is so honored to sing after such great kids! They have done an excellent job and I think they have got a kick out of seeing their teacher sing!

It's been such a neat thing to watch some of them come into LifeWay, some for the first time and be amazed at the environment. It's a safe place. And Monday night I got a little emotional thinking about how these kids were surrounded by the Word of God. It was in front of them, beside them behind them....God's word does not return void and I believe that the simple act of opening up this store planted many seeds.

You know I've got pictures for you. :)









Remember last week I told you that they had hung a poster in the window? Remember I said I thought it would just be the flyer that they were stuffing in the bags? Ummmmm.....No...here it is




Life size. Two of them. Have mercy.


Thanks Rick and LifeWay at the Mall of Georgia! You have been such a gracious host and have blessed us this week! I believe with all my heart that seeds were planted. Thank you for turning the store into a place of ministry.

Okay....we are there Thursday night. (we've been singing around 7:15 or so) If you are in this area COME SEE US!!! I would love to hug your neck!

Behold! Miracles Still Happen!

As evidenced that these videos have posted!!! Sorry that I had to put this in two separate videos! But we were doing good to get this done today...:) This was taken before my LifeWay Surprise or I would have talked about it here. See the post after this if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Part 2 is extra special to me...you'll see why. :)

You Will NOT Believe This!

Okay...my life this week has been so blessed this week by the unexpected. The first surprise came yesterday and you will see it in my video...that is still loading.

Today I was completely blown away by the unexpected. Just a few minutes ago, the doorbell rang, Paddington the poodle went nuts and I was handed a box. I quickly scanned it, saw that it was to me from LifeWay. The writing on the side caught my attention and I just cracked up....here's what it said:

I open it up to find a note from the manager of LifeWay's Internet store. Apprently someone tipped him off to my Bible sniffing addiction. He fed my addiction by sending me this.



The note he attached says: "Thanks for thinking of LifeWay when you think of sniffing Bibles!" and my favorite line..."It's sealed for freshness!"

Oh yes it is!



To quote our Mama Siesta..."There's no high like the Most High!"

Ray, thanks so much for blessing me today! It was quite a surprise and I'm so humbled by your generousity. Thank you.

birthday stuff

Thanks for all the b'day wishes! I can't believe the man blogjacked me...I'll let it slide this time. (Especially since he's doing me two huge favors in January..more on that at a later time.)

So...you wanna know what kind of b'day goodies I was blessed with? The girls woke me up singing happy birthday and brought in cards and a gift that I LOVE. They picked out a beautiful necklace that I can hardly wait to wear! Good job girls. (and Daddy Mack & Grams who helped them with it while I tried on clothes. The told me ALL about it and hiding it so I wouldn't find it.)

Chad has been hearing me complain about my study Bible coming apart for about a year now. I love this particular Bible. We've been through a lot of stuff and there are notes all in that thing. BUT, when Genesis and Exodus started coming out in church last Sunday...it was time to get another one!

I've had my eye on the ESV for a little while, but kept putting off buying it. Chad surprised me with a beautiful new ESV study Bible AND the Esther workbook! I can hardly wait.

I'm just curious, oh boy this is going to show you just how weird I am... Does anyone else like to smell a brand new Bible? I tell you the truth, I took it out of the box and the first thing I did was open it and smell it. If I worked in the Lifeway, I would be in so much trouble for Bible sniffing....

My Mom and Dad sent me a great box with a garden ornament AND a really cool oil....container/jar/bottle I'm not sure what to call it! Anyway..it is covered in musical stuff and matches some pieces I already have! I love it. My little sister and nephew found a really cute coffee mug that is pink and green LOVE IT!

My in-laws in Florida sent me a very generous gift-card to a craft store! I went and bought material for some window treatments in the family room. (I'm going to do a "mistreatment" as the Nester calls it!)

My Tenn. in-laws sent me a beautiful earring and necklace set that I love. (Freshwater pearls) They are so simple and pretty. I'm already planning outfits around the jewelry I received.

Last night Chad and the girls took me on a Christmas light drive. It was fun to put the girls in their pj's, make some hot chocolate and spend the evening singing Christmas songs and looking at lights.

Thank YOU to those of you who left me birthday blessings! You are just precious to me. I can hardly wait to see you again! (or for the first time)

I'm off to watch the Survivor Finale and have some hot tea.

Birthday Blogjacking!!!!

To all of you wonderful siestas that I am forever hearing stories about, this is Ocean Mommy Hubby. Thought I would come and share something with you that she probably would not.

You see, today would be Ocean Mommy's birthday - if I told you how old she was, I might not see the light of another sunrise. But it is her birthday nonetheless. I will tell you that this is the 17th birthday that she and I have been together, but of course you know we started dating when she was 4.

So I have blogjacked her stuff here on the interwebs and thought I would come on here, share some love, and make sure she didn't forget to mention her birthday.

So do me a favor - help me wish her a Happy Birthday today. Showin nothin but love... Let's see if we can't get a couple thousand birthday well wishes in her comments. Even if you are one of those voyeurs (is that what she calls you?) who is always here looking and reading but never comments. Leave one today... even if it is anonymous.

Thanks for dealing with a guy here in the girly blog world.

I Love You Steph - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Chloep and Myhoo have now caught me doing this and they are Happy Birthday mommy!!!


Love always,
Ocean Mommy Hubby

Silliness Because I'm Exhausted!

Okay...so after a heavy post yesterday I feel the need for some silliness. Plus the fact that I did not close my eyes until something like 4:45 a.m. (my alarm goes off at 5:00) I really don't have the brain cells to spare this morning!!

I saw this at The Preacher's Wife and have laughed myself into a coughing fit. I had to share...we ALL need to laugh hard sometimes.

Word of advice....DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING WHILE WATCHING THIS. You risk it coming out of places drinks are not supposed to come out of....the reason I had to change shirts after I watched this.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

My One Thing Almost A Year Later

Last January, Jill (Bible Teacher with Freedom's Call) asked the team to spend time with the Lord and specifically ask for one thing that He wanted us (as individuals) to work on in 2008.

For me, that one thing was holy approval. I wrote about it here. I've spent a good part of this year working this out with God. In each area of my life, He has used the simplest of circumstances to show me just where I seek man's approval over His. Just when I think I'm getting it and doing better....wham it comes up again.

For several years I have had one person continue to pop into my mind. Off and on I will think about her, wonder where she is if she has children, etc. You know, just curious about this old friend that at one time, was a big part of my life.

About a year ago, this curiosity turned into something else. I would be in the middle of life and feel the need to pray for her. So I would. Still having NO contact with her at all...in like....14 years. But God would not let me forget.

About 6 months ago I joined Facebook. I fought is as long as I could and then got sucked into it...it's addictive isn't it! Anyway. I joined because it was just another way to communicate with my Siesta's, I really had no plans to look up old high school friends.

About a month ago, I was on Facebook when this person's face and name popped into my mind. I did a friend search and nothing showed up. NOTHING.

This week, and I honestly can not tell you how, I found an old high school bud that had this person in her friend list. I KNOW! It's crazy....no it was divine because I can't tell you how I stumbled upon these two girls!

But here is the thing. I looked at her little profile picture for 10 minutes. I knew what God wanted me to do but I fought it. The what if's began to swim around in my mind and heart. All those lovely insecurities from high school began to work their way from the deep places of my heart and I heard this..."HOLY APPROVAL".

I sent the message and sat scared to death, BUT. God told me to. I have no idea what He's going to do, but I can tell you...I'm okay with whatever happens. I don't think He orchestrated the timing of all of this for me to NOT learn something.

Honestly, I can't wait to see what He does with this.

It's been almost a year since Jill asked that question. While I feel that I have grown up in this area at the same time, I feel like I have SO much more to learn. I feel like I will always have to keep this in check...it keeps me on my face and at His feet. Which is where I need to be.

HELP ME!!! Please?

Hey! I'm in the middle of something and I need your help. (For those of you that don't comment, this will be a GREAT chance to leave your first comment! Anonymously!)

Here is question for those of you who know Jesus as your Savior...

What is it that keeps you from going to the next level in your walk? OR Do you feel that you are where you need to be in your walk?

Okay, if you have never entered into a personal relationship with Jesus (I am not talking about attending church I'm talking about knowing Jesus!) what is that keeps you from getting to know Him?



Like I said..feel free to comment anonymously. Maybe in the next week or two I'll have a little something to share with you. :)

It's Monday

It's Monday and that means everyone around here is in a lovely mood. I wish you could hear the sarcasm in my voice. This afternoon has been much better but we had to ALL have a little individual prayer time SEVERAL times today. "Please More Spirit" has been theme on SO many levels.

This week is the calm before the storm for me. A good storm but next week is going to be c.r.a.z.y. I won't bore you with all the stuff that next week holds, but I will tell you that for three nights, Freedom's Call will be singing at a certain Christian bookstore that we all love. I'll have some pictures and stories to share I'm sure.. :) One of the ladies I sing with e-mailed us to say that the store had hung a poster in the window over the weekend to promote next week. I figured a flyer, you know something you can tape on the door? um.. no.

Chad took a picture and sent it to my phone today...the caption said "it's big" And it was....like 40x40 I am not kidding. I had the sudden urge to go throw up. No pressure now. I keep asking God what he was thinking...I'm so much more comfortable behind the piano and preferably behind a plant.

I need to get off of this computer and make dinner before rehearsal. At some point this week I have another Name/Attribute of God to share..it was tough for me and I would love to hear your thoughts on it. That will probably post sometime Tuesday or Wednesday. :)

Hugs and Blessings!

Don't you want to trade places with me?

Let me tell you, we are one exciting couple come Friday night. The girls are playing upstairs and I'm in my favorite footie pj's reading blogs and playing on Facebook.





Chad is going through playlists on iTunes creating some new run music...

Here's a sample of what I'm hearing:

"We are the World..." GAG, but I loved it when it was new.

"Hurry boy she's waiting there for you..." can you name that tune?

"Love is a battlefield...."

"Holiday"

Something from the Beastie Boys...

(something something something).."Mr. Roboto..."

"Shout, Shout, Let it All Out"

and one of my favorites..Bruce Hornsby "That's just the way it is..."

But I have to tell you..when "Thriller" came on a minute ago, I spit my drink at him.(mercy "Crazy for you" just played and I'm distracted, and now dadgum it he makes it play "Girls just wanna have fun." I can not concentrate and he just played, are you ready for this? CHER.."IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME"! Somebody make him stop.)

Okay Thriller story.

When my dad was in seminary we lived in Raleigh, NC. At that time G.A.'s (Girls in Actions is a mission organization for elementary age girls) was BIG in Southern Baptist churches.

Our G.A. group had this "cool" college age leader. Bless her heart she tried. Anyway..she took us to McDonald's for ice cream one Saturday afternoon. This was about the time "Thriller" was released. It came on the radio and she turned that radio up ALL THE WAY. Understand...

We were NOT allowed to listen to Michael Jackson at ALL. I knew who he was and I knew I was going to be in trouble if I came home singing "Thriller" so I started praying. In the mind of this 9 year old my sister and I were in some serious spiritual warfare... :) I asked God to deliver us from the influence of the evil one. Yes I did and about that time,

My cool hip G.A. leader drove us into a ditch.

I believed with all my heart that was the Lord's way of delivering us from evil.

Never under estimate the power of a 9 year old's prayers. :)

Chloe just came down and asked us when mom and dad karaoke would be over, apparently we are getting too loud for the young ones.

Oh goodness, Chad is killing me! Right now I'm listening to him sing this line:

"The search is over....you were with me all the while....."

Oh thank goodness some Chicago...."You're the inspiration..."

And the one song I hate to play and have played at one too many weddings..."Just you and I"

Exciting Friday night isn't it......okay...to the sound of George Michael "One More Try"...I'm saying good night...

Happy Weekend!!!!

Hanging On

We had loaded the car, turned off all the lights, set the alarm and were out the door. It was Chad's race weekend and we were so excited to get on the road.

The closer we got to 285 the more we saw the traffic just waiting to exit. We decided to take 85 into town and hit 75 north the "long" way as my girls call it. This was a treat for me. I love the Atlanta skyline, I think it's beautiful. As long as I'm not the one driving that is!!!

Once we got on 75 there was very little traffic. The girls were listening to their MP3 players, singing along to their Christmas music. Chad and I were chatting about the 1/2 marathon he would be running the next day and Paddington was asleep in the floor at Chloe's feet.

I remember thinking how strange the traffic was. There were so few cars around us, and then I saw this thing.

We were coming close to an overpass and I saw this mass on the outside of the chain link fence. I quickly realized that the mass, was a human being.

A lady.

A blond lady in jeans and a flannel shirt. She had crawled over the fence and with her fingers in that chain linked fence, she was barely hanging on.

Chad and I realized it about the same time and he grabbed his phone to call 911. Chad got through to them, hung up the phone and we answered as many questions about it as the girls could throw at us, and then we prayed. We prayed for the lady with the blond hair, we prayed for the police that would be there shortly...and then we said amen.

The image of this woman hanging on that overpass has not left my mind. I've seen her while I pray, when I'm shopping, I've seen her in my church...it seems that everywhere I turn, I see women just hanging on for dear life. God will not let me forget.

We have no idea what happened. I'm not sure I want to know to be quite honest. I just know that my heart has hurt for her everyday since that Friday in early November.

What made her crawl up and over that fence? Was she lonely? Had someone hurt her? Was she trying to get someones attention? Most importantly, did she know Jesus? Most of these questions Chloe and Emma asked in the car as we continued our drive.

I saw another lady this week hanging on for dear life. I don't quite know how to describe the situation other than she was fighting the Holy Spirit. I watched her fidget and squirm, refuse to make eye contact and blame everyone else for her problems. I heard her talk about whomever wasn't standing near her at the time.

My heart hurt for her. She is lonely. I feel bad, but honestly she's done it to herself. She says she knows Jesus as Savior and attends church, but I think she quit being a disciple a long time ago. She knows nothing more of Jesus today than she did a year ago. Oh, don't get me wrong, she can talk the talk but when it comes right down to it....she doesn't care.

I left that place in tears. Doesn't she want to move past whatever it is that is holding her in the funk? Does she want to live the abundant life Jesus died to give her?

I can tell you that as I prayed for her, I kept wondering why. Why does she choose to stay that way. Every time I think of the lady from this week, I see the lady on the bridge.

I was so quick to pray for the lady on the bridge, pray for help to get there asap. It was life or death.

The lady this week, I have prayed for her, but I have not had the same urgency. God forgive me, because I should. It is life or death for her too.

God opened my eyes and my heart. You don't have to be hanging off the side of an overpass to be hanging on for your life.

I'm praying for the day I can say that the lady I know, is living. Living the life Jesus died to give her. Abundant, Happy, and Free.

One of my San Antonio Roomies, Darlene, passed this along to me. Thanks Darlene, I love your blog too!

I'm supposed to answer the following questions with one word.(That is a joke! We'll see how I do.)

Here goes,

1. Where is your cell phone? Side table next to me.
2. Where is your significant other? Office
3. Your hair color? Brown.
4. Your mother? Generous. (And Bambi killer since she hit a deer this week!)
5. Your father? Generous
6. Your favorite thing? Bible with my piano a very close second...
7. Your dream last night? Um....don't remember
8. Your dream/goal? To sell a song.
9. The room you’re in? Family room
10. Your hobby? blogging
11. Your fear? that is a little too private to share.
12. Where do you want to be in six years? In Bermuda on vacation
13. Where were you last night? Celebrate the Savior (our women's Christmas event)
14. What you’re not? Outgoing
15. One of your wish list items? Esther DVD's
16. Where you grew up? TN...Good Ole' Rocky Top
17. The last thing you did? Fixed lunch
18. What are you wearing? sweats
19. Your T.V.? annoying
20. Your pet? hogging the heating pad
21. Your computer? probably on too much
22. Your mood? good
23. Missing someone? yes
24. Your car? dirty
25. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Genevieve Bond (in Chattanooga)
27. Your Summer? too fast
28. Love someone? yes
29. Your favorite color? pink and black
30. When is the last time you laughed? Just a minute ago at my dad telling me about my niece Morgan.
31. Last time you cried? Last night watching a woman fight the Holy Spirit moving in her life.

Okay...I'm supposed to pass this on to blogs I love! BUT, this is so hard for me because I love so many. I'm always afraid of leaving somebody out...but...I'm passing this on to....Darla at Overcomer, and Bethanne at Waiting for the Shout. Both of these ladies tell the truth without sugar coating it. I love that about them.

Hey!

I'm exhausted. Happy, full and exhausted.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. We didn't actually have our "feast" until Saturday when my sister and nephew were able to join us. It was great to see them. Colin came in with hugs and kisses for everyone, and then he made the rounds again. It was too cute. My nieces talked my ears off. They say "I do" to anything you ask. They love to laugh and want to do whatever Coco (chloe) and Emmy (emma) do. I was smart this time and kept my shoes in the closest with the door closed. It was such a fight to get my heels away from them last time!


Sisters


Cousin Colin was very glad to see everyone.


All the cousins


Emma had someone looking up to her all week.


She was telling me something.



After lunch with my side of the family, we joined Chad's mother's side for an awesome dinner of pasta, salad and desserts. It was so good to see almost everyone on that side. (Aunt Debbie I need that Greek Spaghetti recipe...my girls are still talking about it!) I thought my camera was in my purse, but apparently little hands took it out to make a video and failed to put it back in.

Sunday morning the girls and I led worship at my parent's church. It was an answer to prayer really. I had fought a cold for several days. (It started the day after I had my flu shot!) Anyway, I wasn't really sure if I was going to be able to sing, but God took care of it and for the hour and half I needed it, my throat felt great. Of course later in the afternoon, this is what dad and I did.




Boy, do those things pull out some strange stuff! I'll allow my dad to keep his dignity and not post the video Chloe took of us doing his ear.

Cowboy Chad and Dragon Colin sharing some jalapeno dip Sunday after church.





As much as we loved being with our family for a few days, it's always good to come home and get back into our routine. Of course, this month routine sort of goes out the window doesn't it?!

Enough rambling for one night, I'm off to warm up and check the weather...I sure hope we have more snow flurries tonight!