Tuesday, December 9, 2008
And the WINNER is.....
JESSICA LEMAN!!!!
Congratulations Jessica!!! I want to thank everyone that came and looked at my blog, those that entered my drawing and those that did not! You guys all rock and everyone of you are winners in my book. I hope you will drop back by on occasion; as I will be dropping by your blog!
Come back tomorrow, I am sure I will have something wonderful to share.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Christmas Time Is Here!!!!
Now, on to my give away! I am giving away an Arbonne gift basket!! Included in the basket are: a Mandarin Cashmere candle, a Mandarin Cashmere body lotion and body scrub. I love Arbonne products, so I thought I would share something I love! I will put it together in a gift basket and update my page when I have done that, but for now here are pictures of the products.
How do you register for this?? Simply leave me a comment telling me your favorite at home spa product. Then Iwill randomly draw a winner on Monday, Dec 8; so I can ship it out and you can receive it before Christmas, in case you want to give it as a gift. (Make sure you leave me a link to your page or an email, so I can contact you if you are the winner!)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Time with THE King!
In chapter 1, King Xerxes is throwing a huge party. After 7 days, he decides to summon Queen Vashti to the party. He wants her to come before him, wearing her royal crown, so everyone can see how beautiful she is. He sends his men to get her and she says no! What in the world?? As I read the chapter, I was overwhelmed by how much this decision caused Vashti to miss out on! The king was celebrating, there was beautiful linens, decorations, etc everywhere, I am sure the wine and food flowed freely, yet his desire was to see the queen. He sent for her, asking her to come wearing her crown to enhance her beauty and she flat out refused! By doing so, she set an awful example for the women of the land, she embarassed her husband and king; and ultimately she sealed her own fate and was banished from the king's presence and replaced.
I wonder why she made the choice she did? Was she nervous about all the people?? Was she irritated at the request? Was she trying to show her irritation at not being allowed at the king's feast? Regardless of her reason, she chose to be disobedient and not submissive, so she missed out on the lavishness of the king.
How often do we do that? Our King asks us to spend time with him, so He can see our beauty, enhance it even; and we have other things to do. We choose to spend our time with others, doing other things. Are they as important as God? No, yet we choose them over Him time and time again. I know I am guilty of this. I wonder how much of my King's lavish provision I have missed out on because I was disobedient and not submitting to his authority in my life?
Lord, please help me to be more attentive to you! I desire to spend more time with you. I need to spend more time with you. Show me your ways. Change me!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Out of the mouths of babes....
Every morning on the way to school, I say a prayer with the kids. We pray for their classmates, teachers and for their behavior. Several weeks ago I started adding my paraphase of Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.) Usually that part of the prayer went something like this: Thank you Jesus that I can do all things through you, because you give me the strength to do my best.
Well, Olivia took that part and made it her own! Now every time we pray morning or night - she adds her own interpretation: "Thank you that we can do all things through Christ, and if we do not do all things through Christ we can not do things."
WOW!!! My four year old has captured a fundamental truth, and stated it so simply! The best thing is, she really believes this to the core of her being. I am so grateful that she had a heart for Jesus at such a young age. She is teaching me everytime she says this prayer!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Getting to know you....Getting to know all about you!
I recently read a blog that I thought was so cool. Chelsey posted a little about her, and I found it fascinating! Maybe it is because I am a people person or maybe just nosey, but I loved reading it. So, I thought I would do the same. So here is a little about me, some things you may know, some may be a surprise. If you want to do the same, (and I hope you will!) go for it! Just let me know so I can stop by and read!
I have been married for 8 years to my awesome husband!
We have 2 wonderful gifts from God, a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old girl.
I am VERY active in my kiddos school. This year I am the secretary for the PTO.
I LOVE to: scrapbook, cook & bake, read and sing.
I wish I knew how to play the piano.
I used to be organized, now I am just really good at making piles!
I work full time - at home. I believe that my calling is to be the best wife and mother I can be.
I am working on being on time - for some reason I really struggle with that one!
I think there is nothing wrong with wearing pajamas all day.
My favorite color is purple.
I talk - ALOT, and I use my hands to make points.
I am trying to listen more than I talk - especially to my children and husband.
I am learning every day how much more I have to learn.
I think that forgiveness is one of the best gifts you can give.
I LOVE coffee. I could drink it all day, Starbucks is one of my favorite places.
My favorite sport is baseball and I am a die-hard Houston Astros fan.
I do not like to wear shoes, I will take them off the second I am able!
I am the oldest of 4. I love my sister and 2 brothers, they each inspire me everyday, even if they do not know it.
I am so thankful for the Godly example my parents have set for me.
I think laughter is essential to good health.
I have to sleep on the right side of the bed.
I have a weird obsession with tweezing my eyebrows.
I love to serve others.
I wish I knew how to speak Spanish fluently.
I am passionately working on my relationship with Christ.
The Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals/movies of all time.
I like to buy clothes and jewelry for my dog.
I take the word friend very seriously.
I love to have girl time and hang out with my best friend.
I have a desire to be able to minister God's grace and mercy to women. I want every woman to know that God can take the mess we make of our lives and turn it into something more beautiful than we ever thought possible!
There is so, so, so much more, but I want to hear from you! Leave me a comment so I can come check your blog out!
Here is the link to Chelsey's blog: http://joyfullyliving.blogspot.com/2008/11/at-well-getting-to-know-you.html
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Blocked!!!
So, I decided today to be proactive! I made a decision before I ever sat down to blog that I was going to write a couple sentences about how wonderful it is to be a child of God! So here goes, in case you need a little pick me up this morning if you are a christian or if you are wondering what it is like to be one. Enjoy!
I am thankful that as a child of God, once I asked Jesus into my heart, all my sins (past, present and futures ones) were forgiven! I no longer had to walk in shame. I know that no matter what the day brings, I am loved beyond measure by a God who knows the exact number of hairs upon my head. When I choose to be obedient to His calling on my life, the blessings are unbelieveable. As His child I will always be provided for (this has been proven in my life many times), my enemies will not prosper, my steps are ordered, and I will have Godly wisdom to make decisions with. I have favor in my life and that has been proven time and time again. As I continue to seek after God with all my heart, He continually gives me the desires of my heart! He has restored my marriage that was on the brink of divorce, blessed me with 2 awesome children, and I am seeing my loved ones return to Him! His promises are amazing, His mercy is overflowing in my life and His grace in immeasureable.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What is important to you in a leader?
What I would like to know is:
What is important to you?
What makes a good leader in your eyes?
Are there things that are an absolute?
Things you can work around?
Come on, gimme the details! I can not wait to read your thoughts!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Can I get a drum roll please????
Yep, we are the proud owners of Hamie the hamster.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Why do you?
I guess I do it to get my thoughts out of my head. So, why do you blog?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Guess what we found???
A hamster! Can you believe it??? Abel went out in the garage to get some food from the deep freezer and the hamster was just hanging out in our garage - by the door to the kitchen. Can you believe that? We have no idea how it got in our garage, as everything was locked up tight.
So, now we have a new pet - unless some one puts up signs looking for their missing hamster. (Don't laugh - there is a sign in our neighborhood for a missing turtle, that answers to Molly.) Out of neccessity, Abel went to Wal-Mart and bought a cage, shavings and food. The kids are still awake, it is midnight, so school may be a wash tomorrow..I can not believe that they are still up - too much excitement.
My kids are in love, so I am kinda hoping no one looks for it; or we will be making a trip to Petsmart to buy a hamster. Thanksfully they are not that expensive!
Will update you tomorrow on the great discovery!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Desires
I know it may seem like a funny thing to celebrate, when we are growing up and someone asks what we want to be when we grow up most of us did not say a housewife! However, I feel that for my life, there is no other profession that I could aspire to that would bring me any greater fullfillment. So, in honor of my first anniversary; here is a short chapter on how I became a S.A.H.M.
Seven years ago this month, I became pregnant with my son. From the minute I found out I was expecting I started dreaming of being able to stay at home with my child. However, I knew that financially we would not be able to make it on one income. Like most young couples, we had an incredible amount of debt to pay off, which also included a mortgage and car payments. With that knowledge, I started planning and praying. My husband will tell you that I am not very good at planning, so I was mostly praying. I knew that God would not give me a desire to be at home with my children, unless He was going to provide a way. My praying intensified when we welcomed our daughter four years ago!
In all His wisdom, God did not shower money on us. In fact, we faced some very difficult financial situations, due to poor planning and irresponsibility on our part. However, He did give us wisdom to correct the bad decisions we had made. And, He blessed me with an awesome part time job that allowed me to be with my children as much as possible. Then, through a very complicated series of events, my husband was blessed with a job that would eventually allow me to be able to stay home!
After careful planning (on my husband's part) and a lot of praying (for us both!) in September of 2007 I was able to quit my job and begin the adventure of staying at home.
I have loved every part of staying at home, all the while never forgetting the sacrifices my husband has made. He works so hard to insure that our family is provided for. I am very proud of the man God has molded him into. I am so blessed that I have a husband that listens to God and to me! With out the love and support I receive every day from him, I would never be able to live my dream. I love you honey!
As I start my next year of being a S.A.H.M. I am filled with anticipation and excitement. I know I am blessed beyond measure: I have an wonderful marriage, 2 awesome children and the desires of my heart have been met by my Lord and Savior. As I continue to focus on improving my relationship with Christ, I know that everything else will fall into place!
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NASB)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Starting over....again.
Ike seemed to wreck havoc on a lot more than the Southeast Texas landscape. It also took over my life! I have been consumed by it. Watching the news, looking for news on the internet, listening to talk radio, all to hear about Ike and the destruction it caused. Turns out I should have been a tiny bit more introspective in my search. I willingly gave Ike the place in my life that my relationship with God deserves. This realization hit me today, and when I say hit; I do mean HIT!! After watching yet another news clip about destruction and desolation, holding back tears, wondering why I was getting more and more effected by the images; I felt God drop some truth into my heart. "You gave Ike MY place."
Ouch! I knew that was true. All the time I was spending searching out Ike info, it was time I was using before the storm, to search out God; to strengthen my relationship with Him. SO, with this post I am starting over again! Saying goodbye to Ike and hello to my God. Thankfully He is there, arms open wide, waiting on me!
....'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 1:3
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A lot to be thankful for
My family
My friends
My undamaged house that has power
My incredibly clean refrigerator and freezer (freshly cleaned because of the power outage)
My parent's hospitality - let us stay at their house during and after the storm
My Dad's foresight - he had generators to keep us cool, and ice machine that kept us stocked with ice, BBQ pit ready to cook on, I am sure there are things I am forgetting!
My husband - he is an all around awesome guy! Kept me laughing, even in the tough times
My kids - they did awesome during all the hoopla
My kid's school is ready for them to come back on Monday.
There are so many more things to be thankful for, I just wanted to get some of them out there. Hope you are focusing on the good too!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
So much to do...
Here is the link:
http://www.tapped-out.blogspot.com
You will probably have to copy and paste, because I can not figure out how to get it to link. Sorry!
Friday, August 22, 2008
One way to look at it
"Ti, is mom crying because she is so happy Olivia is going to school?"
I guess that is one way to look at it!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Crazy Kids!
Caroline to my brother: "I am not scared of you, I know Kung Fu!"
When asked where she learned it, her response? "T.V."
Olivia talking about Tom and Jerry the cartoon: "You have to be 18 or older for that!" Must have been wanting to order from an infomercial!
The Boys (Aiden and Matthew): "Why won't the girls play tea party with us?"
Natalie is the only surprise, normally she says all kind of off the wall things - not yet! I am waiting, I know she will come through!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Quiet Heart
Psalm 16:5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
Speaker and author Elisabeth Elliot makes this thought-provoking statement about Psalm 16:5:
"I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned. Does the intellect balk at that? Can we say that there are things that happen to us that do not belong to our lovingly assigned "portion" ("This belongs to it, that does not")? Are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty? Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are cancelled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives."
The last line is my favorite! I am praying that in all circumstances God will teach me how to have a quiet heart.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I want to go to school!!!
Evidently, Olivia had other plans! Friday morning she came to me with some interesting information. "Mom, I want to go to school" she told me with a huge giddy smile on her face. I had to ask her to repeat herself because I could not believe it. My baby?? Go to school?? No way! I have plans for us!
So, like any good mom would do I gently let her know what that meant. "Baby Doll, do you know that when you go to school, you are gone all day?"
"Yep momma! I want to go to school!"
Never one to give up easily, I tried again "Olivia, all day everyday? Just like bubba?"
"YES Momma! I want to go to school" She flashes those big brown puppy dog eyes and winning smile - what more could I do??
"Okay Olivia. Let me see what I need to do to register you! I am so proud of you, you are such a big girl!"
"Thank you Momma!!" Runs off yelling to no one in particular, "I am gonna go to school!"
As I sit in the office crying that my baby is growing up, Abel reminds me that we can not keep her little forever, I try to explain that I was not asking forever, just for one more year. Even so, I know this will be a great thing for her, I just need some time to adjust to this!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Goals
Monday, May 5, 2008
A true friend
It's amazing that the creator of the universe,
Maker of heaven and earth,
Invites me to be his friend.
Those few lines amaze me. Think about it, I mean REALLY think about it. The creator of the whole entire universe, the one that spoke everything into existence, desires to be my (and your) friend. That concept blows my mind.
I have been a christian my entire life, grew up in a christian home, strayed a little as an adult, but am now faithfully seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ, yet I think this concept eluded me for a while. I am just now coming into an understanding that God truly wants to be my friend. Now, don't get me wrong I always knew he was my friend, but I think the friendship level God desires is much more complicated than the friend level we put Him on. I am sure you will agree with me, we all have friends on different levels - ones we like to hang out with becuase they are fun, ones that let us slide when we know we are wrong, the ones that when the going gets tough; we are never sure how long they will stick it out. Then we have the few, the bold, the brave - the ones that no matter what, they stick it out. In my life I have been blessed with a couple of these. The friends that never let us get away with the pity party we continually try to throw, the one that calls us out - the one that encourages us to pray about things, to have an active, intimate relationship with Christ. This is the person we seek out when we can't go on, when we feel like the world is falling down around us. The one we go to for comfort, peace, encouragement, wisdom. This is the friend that doesn't leave us no matter how hard we push them away.
Now, take that bond and multiply it by my children's favorite number - infinity! That is the friendship level Christ desires for us. He invites us to that intimate relationship with him. Isn't that amazing????? And the kicker is, that level of relationship is not even hard. He wants to spend time with us, for us to know Him deeply and intimately. What a privilege - What an honor!
Monday, April 21, 2008
A sense of wonder
For example, my daughter Olivia has the unique ability to constantly live in a moment of thankfulness. Whatever the circumstance, she finds something to be thankful for. She continually thanks me for the meals I cook - even if it just chicken nuggets. She tells me I am "the best cooker." At almost four, she has more insight into how being thankful can effect every area of her life than most people 10 times her age. She takes joy in the small things and lets her family know she appreciates them. She is not shy in telling her brother she appreciates him, that he is a good brother. I have heard her many times tell Aiden "you are the best 'brudder' in the world" and of course, her dad is not to be left out. On Easter Sunday, Abel dressed very nicely - (for the choir debut at church). When she saw him that morning, she was so excited, she told me "oh mommy, daddy looks so handsome!" For a little girl, she takes notice of so much, and is thankful for all she has; big and small. I only pray she continues in this as she grows.
Not to be left out, Aiden is a wonder of his own. His love of learning is so amazing. He relishes in each new concept he masters; whether it is school or church or conquering a hard part of a drawing. Aiden enjoys learning. It is nothing short of pure joy to watch his face light up as the pieces fall together and he "gets it". His thirst for knowledge is not limited to things I consider "normal" for a 5 year old; he can talk for days about the solar system or dinosaurs and he does not talk in generic terms - he is so specific. He has questions that make me stop and think - even some that I have a hard time answering. I pray that this love of learning only continues to grow.
Both of my children are gifts from God - no doubt about it. Seeing life through their eyes gives me the opportunity to remember that God desires so much for us. "God desires for everything to be new, for us to be thankful in all things - no matter how small; just like Olivia. He wants us to relish learning new things, to have a desire for him that is unquenchable. Just like Aiden's thirst for knowledge. My children teach me so much every day, I am so grateful for them! Their approach to life at such a young age leaves me filled with such a sense of wonder. I know they are truly God's gift to me!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Why are you in my seat???
I was so blessed to see Abel being used by God this past Sunday. For many years, I doubted that Abel would allow God to use him. I felt that he was determined to self destruct, making bad decision after bad decision; with no regard for anyone else. However, in the past 3 years, Abel has allowed God complete control and the transformation is amazing. As I was singing in the choir on Sunday, I was overwhelmed by all God has done for me and my family. He has restored my marriage, given me back my best friend, blessed me with 2 awesome children, I could go on and on. While standing on the stage - I was so thankful that Abel allowed God control. He did an awesome job leading praise and worship - his desire to be used by God was evident that morning.
I can not put into words how thankful I was for that moment. Being a part of God's divine plan is wonderful! I believe that when we give up control of our lives and allow God to reign, mighty things happen - just like Sunday morning. God took the broken pieces of our lives and has skillfully, over the last 2 - 3 years, pieced them back together into a masterpiece so beautiful words can not describe.
That is why I was standing on stage crying like a baby in the second service - I know I looked out of place. Everyone else was smiling and I am trying to pull it together - and not being very successful. But if I had heard the quick exchange between my mom and sister after Kristen got to church - I might have been able to pull it together a little quicker.
Kris: "Why is Bree crying so much?"
Mom: "Because you are sitting in her seat!"
-b-
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Why not???
I have waffled between several answers: "OF COURSE!!! Who wouldn't be interested in my life!" or "NO WAY! Do I need anything else to take up my time?" and of course the all powerful " WHY??? Who would be interested?" And usually, I just end up putting my attention somewhere else. Until now.... I decided that I do have a story to tell - and since my 3 year old will only listen to me for so long before she wants to talk about princesses or pink power rangers, I am starting my blog.
If no one reads it, at least I have a forum to get my thoughts, ideas and opinions out. If one person reads it (outside of my family - because they are obligated to) then I will have hit the jackpot! So stay tuned, there is no telling what I will post..