Paying it Forward

Saturday Mom and Dad got a new refrigerator.  It's so nice and BIG!!  With Thanksgiving coming up I know Mom will love all the extra room - with cooking for nearly 30 people she'll need it!!

I was especially excited about their new purchase because they generously gave me their old one!

I haven't had a working ice maker in years.  I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying that alone!!  I LOVE it!

I have a hard time getting rid of things that aren't broken.  Thankfully, Tina and Chris took my old refrigerator and are using it the garage for the boys' sport drinks.  It worked out perfectly!!

I'm so thankful for the way my parents so lovingly and willingly take care of me!!

Girl Power

Friday I met up with Kayla for dinner and shopping.  I desperately needed it!!  It had been so long since we'd last gotten together.  We had so much to catch up on.  One of us would start a story and then interrupt ourselves with a completely different thing to share.  I love the ease of our 17 year friendship.  (17 years?  Can that be right!?!?)

It's been just a little over a year that I requested prayer for her.  You would not believe all of the many, many ways God has moved mountains for her and her family.  It really is miraculous!  Now, they are only a few short months away from the adoptions being complete.  That's right...adoptions.  I can't wait for her to share her story!

Kayla, thanks for making me laugh, asking all the right questions, and saying all the right things.  I love you, and I cannot wait to celebrate that "official" day with you!!!

Organized and in Style

 So, my friends Jen and Leslie introduced me to an amazing planner.  A planner with tabs, stickers, pockets, beautiful pages, and a personalized front cover.  I wanted one, but didn't know how much I'd use it and didn't really want to pay full price for it.  But then, I found a 50% off coupon and couldn't order one fast enough!

Here it is...

I absolutely positively LOVE it!!

All my important dates are in one place - school notes & meetings, shopping lists, ballgames, birthdays, weekly menus, cleaning schedules, things to do, etc...

I use it all the time!  Full price or not, I'm hooked and will have to have one every year!  ;)

NERT anyone?

We love to play NERT (a fast paced game, much like solitaire) at the holidays. 

Look at these awesome cards I found in the dollar bin at Micheal's...

LOVE them!!

(Les, I think of you when I look at the black and white ones!)

While the guys were away...

Matt went off to deer hunt.

Dad went off to quail and pheasant hunt.

The rest of us spent the weekend together!

Friday night we went to Branson to pick up a coffee table at Grana's.  While we were there she got out some old family photos.  Who doesn't love looking at pictures?!?!?

Everyone was quite entertained by my fifth grade picture!  Ha!

Saturday we spent most of the day watching Garrett play basketball.  He is only in fifth grade, but I'm telling you - this kid's got moves!!  He was amazing!!

Mom came over Sunday and helped me move some furniture around so I'd be ready to put my Christmas tree up.  And so that I could once again get channel 10.  :)  Usually it takes me 24 to decide if I like a new room arrangement, but not this time.  I love it!!

I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with my family this weekend!  Time with them recharges my battery and fills me up!!

I have Decided to Follow Jesus...

Today was a special day!  It was baptism Sunday.  531 people were baptized!

That's right, 531.

It was so moving so think of the all the lives changed by the love of God.  I stood in awe, watching the external acts of internal works of grace.  There were adults, couples, families, teens, and kids.  As I heard family and friends clap and cheer when their loved ones came up out of the water, my heart swelled and I couldn't help but celebrate with them!!

One of those 531 was my Garrett!

This still brings tears of joy to my eyes!!

 Such a big moment in this precious life!

 So thankful I got to share it with him...that we ALL got to share it with him!

Just Be

Can I just start by saying how much I loved the three days I spent at this Designed for Life conference?  Each message felt as though it were just for me.  The worship was incredible - especially Saturday afternoon.  The presence of God was undeniable and life-changing!!

I had so much fun!!  Cupcakes, a free purse, tricycle races, (Watch out!  Tonya and Tina will run you down!!) concerts, dancing, give aways, etc...

Doesn't Tonya look like she's been caught?

 It was an honor to share the experience with some amazing gals!

 Some of the powerful truths I'm hiding in my heart... 

• I want to be "feet first", committed to being at the feet of Jesus.
• I want to remember to "Just Be You". 
• I want to magnify God's word and His promises - not my situations or the what ifs.
• I want to "Just Be a Song".  A song that invites the presence of God and drowns out the enemy.
• I want to remember that how God sees my situation is miles away from how I see it.  I may be on the long way around, but I BELIEVE!!

I'm so grateful for the way God used the speakers to encourage, strengthen, and build my faith!!  I'm already signed up for next year and can't wait!

He Made My Day

Papa came riding with us Saturday.  (Well, it's actually been several Saturday's ago, but who's counting?)  When I was learning to ride and getting ready for Colorado, we rode together every week.  I've missed riding with him!

He provides the greatest commentary along the way - animal tracks, old wagon paths, types of trees...you name it, he knows it!

And, of course, it wouldn't be time spent with Papa without stories from his childhood!!

I love that man!!!

To blog or not to blog - that is the question...

I can't decide.

On one hand, I like having this place to preserve memories and to remind me of God's blessings and grace.

On the other hand, I don't like feeling like a failure when I miss a day, or two...or 60!  :)

When I started blogging, it was to remind me that I'm living and not sitting around waiting for a family of my own.  I wanted to make sure I was seizing every opportunity and living in the moments that make up this season of life.  At the time, it was literally one foot in front of the other, one choice at a time.  I'm so thankful that is no longer the case!  Living and enjoying life comes naturally - as it should.  It's no longer an effort.

I'm not sure why it is such a chore to sit down and type out a post.  I mean, I did it last year amid my toughest year of teaching yet.  What's different now?  Is it laziness?  Am I being undisciplined?  I definitely enjoy looking back at the past, seeing how the kids have changed and rereading some of the most precious moments.  Moments I'm not sure I would otherwise remember.

That alone is enough to keep trying, right?