tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69158247153288492732024-03-14T00:59:11.382-07:00Time to relax, relate and releaseAlways find time to relax. Never miss a moment to relate and when necessary release that which binds you from His truth!Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-77183483894790327412008-10-08T20:02:00.001-07:002008-10-08T20:11:41.237-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRYQCnR_G6irpAP9d6TicVzLVKTHSQNAiuU7YHRTV8pSIB2FS3YrEIyRMo63Xhht4zQrBdaKL4A2Eh0c2eNwYMKkHjWvzzhdLWXMDmKfQ1gOR9gTH-WJuD_hcqOix5HthZxJLdAeqfLI/s1600-h/100_2462.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254984612411263666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRYQCnR_G6irpAP9d6TicVzLVKTHSQNAiuU7YHRTV8pSIB2FS3YrEIyRMo63Xhht4zQrBdaKL4A2Eh0c2eNwYMKkHjWvzzhdLWXMDmKfQ1gOR9gTH-WJuD_hcqOix5HthZxJLdAeqfLI/s320/100_2462.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">In this little girls two and a half years of life. She has managed to prove that toys are just not her thing. Here you can see a perfect example of what she would rather be doing with them. I will go ahead and say what exactly we are all thinking...WoWee she's a cutie!</span>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-46612441793595417882008-10-05T18:27:00.000-07:002008-10-05T19:03:09.439-07:00Boy I'm sure glad I changed my mind...<span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I just got home a few hours ago from our annual Westwood Women's Retreat which was held in Jacksonville, Florida. And, before I share how absolutely refreshing it was, I must tell you that I didn't even want to go. So much has gone on in my life since last years retreat and I just thought that I could sit this one out. You see I had reasons why I didn't want to go and felt that they were good enough...<strong>Not So Much!</strong> In the four years that my family has attended Westwood we have been blessed with friends who love us so much and have invested their time, prayers and encouragement in some of the toughest times in our lives. You see these sweet friends of mine knew that if I followed through with my decision to sit this one out,I was going to miss out on what the Lord wanted for me to hear. Oh my Goodness were they Right! Yes. In our sessions we learned how to begin to Love Well. This is something that I don't do <em>Well </em>at all. Heavenly Father, you are so intentional. Not only did I hear from you, but many of the women who are struggling with testy relationships in their own lives did as well. Thank you so much for this body of women who hunger and thirst for your righteousness. I am truly refreshed,encouraged, and desiring Your insight in relationships that I don't love well in. As I embark on this journey to love with Your love. Transform me so that my life may bring you Glory. I love YOU, Jesus.</span> </span>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-31834204021870353722008-10-01T06:52:00.000-07:002008-10-01T07:03:16.243-07:00Wordless WednesdayOkay so this is just one of Jakob's drawings that he has just thought up lately. He is very good at putting his creative ideas on paper. LOVE this kid!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENg0Whv-hQFtPAsxMoHH6hN8UjvkRS_lFVc6__8ptwlowGynTMIC4HtyzK_UL2plCUK8Tvy37V-Qm-7YAGeGuyvqvHc5om6MZF6D9ssWWRkMX9GpkpMQIwWdQBthETQ5s-dNwS-pjhaU/s1600-h/100_2421.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252183649508324946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENg0Whv-hQFtPAsxMoHH6hN8UjvkRS_lFVc6__8ptwlowGynTMIC4HtyzK_UL2plCUK8Tvy37V-Qm-7YAGeGuyvqvHc5om6MZF6D9ssWWRkMX9GpkpMQIwWdQBthETQ5s-dNwS-pjhaU/s320/100_2421.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-67373299563251936492008-09-17T18:45:00.000-07:002008-09-17T19:32:25.919-07:00A four year old, a two year old, and a newborn...need I say more!Okay my friends I've got ALL the kids down at once which is a rareity around here. From taking Jakob & Aaliyah out of preschool to getting Jonah on a schedule its been a bit hectic around here. Sitting down to blog has very difficult for me to fit in this last month. But here I am. I don't know when I'll be back to be quite honest so here are some random pics of the kids.. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ8si4iKgal4LltUbSUtGqiTMHZm7ObIxz2SopUW6hIX_FtXCCObuXiIM65sgDFImw0LIFdKrGNfijcSEYdHoAwF4iO6S12wqdsHY-nofnIkQdmVoBrS6BncCfmVk87_CNZdcyBbggVc/s1600-h/100_2454.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247177714267934962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ8si4iKgal4LltUbSUtGqiTMHZm7ObIxz2SopUW6hIX_FtXCCObuXiIM65sgDFImw0LIFdKrGNfijcSEYdHoAwF4iO6S12wqdsHY-nofnIkQdmVoBrS6BncCfmVk87_CNZdcyBbggVc/s200/100_2454.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Little Jonah hanging out in his swing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_g8e9DhH6nWm5yJtCJjl54XFhvJpDMSI2TXg7CK4AAPNKiXy_ZNfaA0KCf8aBLy1f-ZETV58kteWkRbTMAlXz_gXzVeN0QiJkEz3D4g3z3Mm0ugCzRtT0DUkIBY_qoQLPAQ7-2HDYPU/s1600-h/100_2458.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRLlhCcY-0_E34zXa1Bn_3rUdTObVUpLePD8cnBzRyWQdnvpHpTbmcqNubDQpxfp8wLSQpIgo3CcCadokWkcDi2c9L-9pIcsTpXCnMfzurDQ8UkBiId6HrawaknG7SV6v2XfhRT0xLAY/s1600-h/100_2393.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247179545490996146" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRLlhCcY-0_E34zXa1Bn_3rUdTObVUpLePD8cnBzRyWQdnvpHpTbmcqNubDQpxfp8wLSQpIgo3CcCadokWkcDi2c9L-9pIcsTpXCnMfzurDQ8UkBiId6HrawaknG7SV6v2XfhRT0xLAY/s200/100_2393.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I had laid him down on Jakob's towel and Jakob thought that was pretty cool.</div><div></div><div>See just enough time to post two pics and back to work! I'll be be back....Sun:)</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-51698184257714578492008-08-12T12:41:00.000-07:002008-08-12T12:56:14.653-07:00Jakob & Jonah great friends already!<div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jakob has been anticipating the arrival of his baby brother Jonah. He is very curious and has LOTS of questions for us about him. Since we've had Jonah home, Jakob has been wonderful with him. He even helped me give him a bath last night (look for those pics in the near fututre). Here are some shots of the two of them getting to know one another.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrVehyphenhyphen6t5WIQ5Xu1fNBCHwB7460U2-B8R0xHyIEXm-DKMFtK7-MIRidE_1ccg0tdXwzosakIS3-Y0rGhQ9oHts5prH8YK_1zNhZv7jtgzVhdKir-ZPj4eDLWTp7Mtc9APuHMzQh2-HfY/s1600-h/100_2368.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233720552031258002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrVehyphenhyphen6t5WIQ5Xu1fNBCHwB7460U2-B8R0xHyIEXm-DKMFtK7-MIRidE_1ccg0tdXwzosakIS3-Y0rGhQ9oHts5prH8YK_1zNhZv7jtgzVhdKir-ZPj4eDLWTp7Mtc9APuHMzQh2-HfY/s400/100_2368.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoZEAFbm8TPECyuB_Jv66Cu_tlWoJ7oDZOTLD0ydk_7AJfdH0e4wZkavD7zAy2suExIlHpYpRYlIfvlK4gHSfpM7ew4J6iaZYRqnlQZIFkR69-sBRtO_dYkl4-UD_4oAk13w-oAGaLTk/s1600-h/100_2369.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233721022722503746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoZEAFbm8TPECyuB_Jv66Cu_tlWoJ7oDZOTLD0ydk_7AJfdH0e4wZkavD7zAy2suExIlHpYpRYlIfvlK4gHSfpM7ew4J6iaZYRqnlQZIFkR69-sBRtO_dYkl4-UD_4oAk13w-oAGaLTk/s400/100_2369.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8sciqA6C86sVnBcb0wGBkAsl64NHhbvNIOAl4Wi0L-nIcyKkP55309EmSUSBShhXS3LLF2X02A3rKd0c5Xh9IdTwRFEp1_rrKsiJWqJzCWCWYym3_yW6a7qYIRzb6BA-MqXjYw5-2rc/s1600-h/100_2370.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233721768710009122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8sciqA6C86sVnBcb0wGBkAsl64NHhbvNIOAl4Wi0L-nIcyKkP55309EmSUSBShhXS3LLF2X02A3rKd0c5Xh9IdTwRFEp1_rrKsiJWqJzCWCWYym3_yW6a7qYIRzb6BA-MqXjYw5-2rc/s400/100_2370.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCTh0iaitq6fiZ7Ym8M4LX5N-7NSfJGYHm9Spdp_lnjz-QaWa52smNfiw7_y03fZN4oWKnmCdnG-_19bf4Mb4lDGcslQLx9cgNYj9Pi8sDVsnst9QoozgfvTto7WtQPjeeyUUcUF6Hqs/s1600-h/100_2372.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233722367220858786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCTh0iaitq6fiZ7Ym8M4LX5N-7NSfJGYHm9Spdp_lnjz-QaWa52smNfiw7_y03fZN4oWKnmCdnG-_19bf4Mb4lDGcslQLx9cgNYj9Pi8sDVsnst9QoozgfvTto7WtQPjeeyUUcUF6Hqs/s400/100_2372.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-74310168815594508362008-08-11T11:42:00.000-07:002008-08-11T12:24:05.410-07:00Fun times with Daddy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP8UdK6jFIEUd3naY5sRjvqVSjxAUjbMyReiWiqXEDGrQYwdh8nhw9_Q4P6u6-KrtErqMKZyuhbciI5khImlA8OdhbEH2A437KilmKkz5cYBKQ0fYc6V4oRpBBkUxHbNMMG62dQwjbdY/s1600-h/100_2348.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233334029614516658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP8UdK6jFIEUd3naY5sRjvqVSjxAUjbMyReiWiqXEDGrQYwdh8nhw9_Q4P6u6-KrtErqMKZyuhbciI5khImlA8OdhbEH2A437KilmKkz5cYBKQ0fYc6V4oRpBBkUxHbNMMG62dQwjbdY/s400/100_2348.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So Johnny has been able to be home with us for two weeks and boy has he and Jakob took advantage of this. Instead of naptime, Johnny has been taking Jakob out to learn how to ride his skateboard. I snapped these pics of them as they were coming in from their intense lesson. Jakob learned how to balance on the board! He was ecstatic! Man these boys ROCK!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiHuqA3u4LQyGMFOMTSgkzs-NFNXf6D7AYf-JTPq10JD-HW_trGEvTnUoYOW7aswcMJAU09DCEGQy91lWP8EgK4jxbKzWJtoA3BjE-kZg8ulW01dkX_rZVCewu_QHcfEpvlsH_B7mDs/s1600-h/100_2344.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233333229990262434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiHuqA3u4LQyGMFOMTSgkzs-NFNXf6D7AYf-JTPq10JD-HW_trGEvTnUoYOW7aswcMJAU09DCEGQy91lWP8EgK4jxbKzWJtoA3BjE-kZg8ulW01dkX_rZVCewu_QHcfEpvlsH_B7mDs/s400/100_2344.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiHuqA3u4LQyGMFOMTSgkzs-NFNXf6D7AYf-JTPq10JD-HW_trGEvTnUoYOW7aswcMJAU09DCEGQy91lWP8EgK4jxbKzWJtoA3BjE-kZg8ulW01dkX_rZVCewu_QHcfEpvlsH_B7mDs/s1600-h/100_2344.jpg"></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiHuqA3u4LQyGMFOMTSgkzs-NFNXf6D7AYf-JTPq10JD-HW_trGEvTnUoYOW7aswcMJAU09DCEGQy91lWP8EgK4jxbKzWJtoA3BjE-kZg8ulW01dkX_rZVCewu_QHcfEpvlsH_B7mDs/s1600-h/100_2344.jpg"></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUiHuqA3u4LQyGMFOMTSgkzs-NFNXf6D7AYf-JTPq10JD-HW_trGEvTnUoYOW7aswcMJAU09DCEGQy91lWP8EgK4jxbKzWJtoA3BjE-kZg8ulW01dkX_rZVCewu_QHcfEpvlsH_B7mDs/s1600-h/100_2344.jpg"></a>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-5143468080237115052008-08-05T07:55:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:37.817-08:00Loving life, loving family<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9pWgO8Tqqh2Mj4UJYzKS7as-HHy6v7-f7yOeQtD6aIp6VSeq11FsWKdcqYQlBj_qw1Ps5Spp8ZH3JkNKCxP2H7EfFzwLrjUqzeqIc1Uq9xfp8JtxAHbrcSJ-ZmoGfqUPQ9h04adkgCs/s1600-h/100_2326.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231059653307496722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9pWgO8Tqqh2Mj4UJYzKS7as-HHy6v7-f7yOeQtD6aIp6VSeq11FsWKdcqYQlBj_qw1Ps5Spp8ZH3JkNKCxP2H7EfFzwLrjUqzeqIc1Uq9xfp8JtxAHbrcSJ-ZmoGfqUPQ9h04adkgCs/s400/100_2326.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j-a2xwzMtmjzJx5E-y20P5aUsSDreiBo_WBNN4o2D79mvXPzKuV4fxBVx7pNRRC7FNkEPugjn3e_4By7kp-ZbXgnrAt-xpXZF5kJSYi8LOke2ymvotyHlTRiWy3-PFu1pJDrDHUCv3w/s1600-h/100_2321.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231058994929113250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j-a2xwzMtmjzJx5E-y20P5aUsSDreiBo_WBNN4o2D79mvXPzKuV4fxBVx7pNRRC7FNkEPugjn3e_4By7kp-ZbXgnrAt-xpXZF5kJSYi8LOke2ymvotyHlTRiWy3-PFu1pJDrDHUCv3w/s400/100_2321.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXxRfjNt5Yzk9Zy_ADQUtyJ4_23fFjDVvL6QNM_z_zl5USzG6M2R7e4LqIAnnRJY72v_NEjk5gbUf1wc6MxMKQNGJv6HEXvPeT8gh3AZn5WBPxH3qwtiCaoQYqMyKaN2MaVkF_NBQG6Y/s1600-h/100_2313.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231058338674761730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXxRfjNt5Yzk9Zy_ADQUtyJ4_23fFjDVvL6QNM_z_zl5USzG6M2R7e4LqIAnnRJY72v_NEjk5gbUf1wc6MxMKQNGJv6HEXvPeT8gh3AZn5WBPxH3qwtiCaoQYqMyKaN2MaVkF_NBQG6Y/s400/100_2313.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienF1qju-ccTnTFGBav1UfBh4d1Xqz0SZV8nm4YKjxqa6pypyY1tU4CPC2o3vm6nx-2wrERvxxisd0W6pv7-dAg9_NtAC49EWycpEoN9XblXFXEqiSCaBmMgsQaA0QhZl4pt_Ilnd8rKc/s1600-h/100_2308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231057455267226434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienF1qju-ccTnTFGBav1UfBh4d1Xqz0SZV8nm4YKjxqa6pypyY1tU4CPC2o3vm6nx-2wrERvxxisd0W6pv7-dAg9_NtAC49EWycpEoN9XblXFXEqiSCaBmMgsQaA0QhZl4pt_Ilnd8rKc/s400/100_2308.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee3SNM370gmSURwlVvsCLaxFAHB052AsCoEA_DVHn0bx3iW6GNkvkjfD-nGKQe9fuTjXuBX6H7-gaiciUvgwGzteHdIU_8R3PTDGW9KWsDT6e6zBKpQ8nVd1d4THTZQV8ScyEKZqwaQ8/s1600-h/100_2302.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231056758513857554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee3SNM370gmSURwlVvsCLaxFAHB052AsCoEA_DVHn0bx3iW6GNkvkjfD-nGKQe9fuTjXuBX6H7-gaiciUvgwGzteHdIU_8R3PTDGW9KWsDT6e6zBKpQ8nVd1d4THTZQV8ScyEKZqwaQ8/s400/100_2302.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Here are some photos since the hospital. We are doing well. Three is a whole different ballgame and with little to no sleep at times this seems almost impossible. But oh to know the one who is the calmer of the storm! The lord has blessed us with some pretty sweet momments with the kids and i just praise Him for this blessing of Jonah. Enjoy the pics!<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231056155202910738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk842iwULG5GzlJsNU1kGD8Eh4CtSJMHomNVt4sxcabKWs_ZToPiu0nfr5SifRBzrHUiXaq0WpLNbUjSBlW5waGGFb1SwW7GZg751q96jL8Tk4LY3Vqwd8hyphenhyphenL8MZ9aX0jyeXZkhS_RThU/s400/100_2285.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231060986846968866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWct-Atsh5jEadeRSuGi2yar_e85JJAyJ_Zw2g6Y-5lU0irGXiTJ327919XByPSGJC5sd2j6fr0Ps8WUckCyxGZ7nkNlayLOBpf1Zgzdr1Y-BCvHVPPDFoVbdsGv1ZY2UlcXrXp-DXKjM/s400/100_2331.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231060299338866306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDu5UMQX_odfkJEy7mnlehxYU-6CGSxrqZV0HguG9h2C2sVmD99r4s0bG4S_1CwDEy3mSG4X_x2GpRll1UfbptIejldcZvIoJkg8VJgjLnNGic9I9IgfSycUhoJh7miVR9Vm8T7ZNA-o/s400/100_2328.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231055527775033378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNi0_jYixlTCUPyzxF6oAp0WXn-kWpdh03VuEnry2oNbzEFkGkH48cbooSRqjLz4ijsdZuKJXjHRImmtlLxk-fzhEsrhFBiVEuBDRwNtGiKND17FOcxTdNLYXoogGBgR_2CdKndRQIYg/s400/100_2284.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-17438221017185182142008-07-31T13:25:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:38.090-08:00Jonah Nicholas Pride is Here!!He was born at 2:57 p.m. He weighs 8 pounds and 12 ounces. He is 20 1/2 inches long and we are both doing great! Look how cute this little munchkin is - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229278815541861410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJt9gYRsMZ3OwDoMl_a6Qyq-0jBbXqDrycjov-bZ_RFvFDHvsCLLdD-1EgfljwVHHGySGU5xy11DOMrgqbL9aTy6BY0NT8_r7qToCLfsSfCob3pKZ7ywkVKdKTNR4CLIQ8k_Sx20HLt4/s400/Jonah.JPG" border="0" />He is going to meet his brother and sister in a little bit. When Jakob saw his picture (via text), he said, "Oh, cute baby!!!" He can't wait to meet him.<br />Here is one funny story...<br />After he was born, Johnnie watched the Ped. nurse cleaning him and is convinced that she somehow cut him with his blanket. He has little cuts on his body and very long fingernails. But, I'm sure that is just a coincidence and the nurse was a sadist :)<br />We are hoping to go home tomorrow and get settled in as a family of 5.Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-77430253434248849562008-07-31T10:02:00.000-07:002008-07-31T10:18:17.707-07:00Having a Baby!!Well, I am officially in labor. I just got an epidural about 30 minutes ago so I am feeling much better now. Right now, I am at 7 centimeters dialated (maybe more info than you want). As I am in labor having contractions, my husband is playing his Nintendo DS (Guitar Hero). Don't worry, I told him it was o.k. to play. Once it is time to get this baby out, say bye bye to the video games. Right now, I am also listening to my MIL singing along with the GH songs. My mom has a camera in her hands and is ready at a moments notice.<br />In case you are wondering, getting an epidural was a whole story in itself. The temperature was 110 degrees, the blood pressure cuff was expanding and I was having a contraction at the same time as a needle was being inserted into my spine. Does that sound like fun? It was all worth it, though. I am feeling good now and I'm in good spirits.Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-29233060363846897192008-07-27T19:14:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:39.303-08:00Just some fun at the beach!Johnny and Jakob just checking out the sea and shells. I love these two!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrqFO9UFX7lFQf-CRZ9Af1oZ5yIwxlSOrVnQ1Jh0cAPqVm_yOUCj4IV0c9u1ICSt0MShU1nOWQO-VTS8d2R6DEBo5wKHHnUp97bXFIby-kU_HKTj3ENuCmap0e-78EhRsFe4BvXxNsQg/s1600-h/100_2267.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227888056470213858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrqFO9UFX7lFQf-CRZ9Af1oZ5yIwxlSOrVnQ1Jh0cAPqVm_yOUCj4IV0c9u1ICSt0MShU1nOWQO-VTS8d2R6DEBo5wKHHnUp97bXFIby-kU_HKTj3ENuCmap0e-78EhRsFe4BvXxNsQg/s320/100_2267.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Jakob & Aaliyah playing in the cool hole Daddy dug for them!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN-sXE-7JVtKCimBK5_GIJWnGy-UEq5sz-vp4-ncunul7gkK7pXNRSBBJ9G8cY7T3spVzi_88JGqDEVFjCmJXkWDZWi_E3B2BuYTVZDH8s8twx_GGoB7_vT_zSuEQNtdbc2F1cdnlFmA/s1600-h/100_2266.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227887157130361426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN-sXE-7JVtKCimBK5_GIJWnGy-UEq5sz-vp4-ncunul7gkK7pXNRSBBJ9G8cY7T3spVzi_88JGqDEVFjCmJXkWDZWi_E3B2BuYTVZDH8s8twx_GGoB7_vT_zSuEQNtdbc2F1cdnlFmA/s320/100_2266.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>It was so seriousely HOT! Although the heat didn't seem to bother these three:)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdKji7qBP0sSW36saF2jZMeSXXIbU5R8HPsceZgS0d7beICQrpXcorQJ1m6PAtMOHcjZ7Jgx6VcISlPmX8ARJz-5ude4Yg1jek3SIf1njLDCQ4Pzu1uRNXcco11eORPqyEM9tR45Bpgc/s1600-h/100_2260.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227886664168511506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdKji7qBP0sSW36saF2jZMeSXXIbU5R8HPsceZgS0d7beICQrpXcorQJ1m6PAtMOHcjZ7Jgx6VcISlPmX8ARJz-5ude4Yg1jek3SIf1njLDCQ4Pzu1uRNXcco11eORPqyEM9tR45Bpgc/s320/100_2260.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Even though it was time for bed, Jakob & Aaliyah felt the need to try out their super cool shades!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZciuKYF96eDLx2eTUK0DqC7w1zhxx2fO3btraiVlhNZjAspMumk7kliAi2nsUP4QZOZZgKkZOxis4tTAUF36fLNtUy-4avSqXLmLggLAWDCvkRQfpZVUXgHJXYJtHS0oOoc8Negk8-JY/s1600-h/100_2239.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227886095598287698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZciuKYF96eDLx2eTUK0DqC7w1zhxx2fO3btraiVlhNZjAspMumk7kliAi2nsUP4QZOZZgKkZOxis4tTAUF36fLNtUy-4avSqXLmLggLAWDCvkRQfpZVUXgHJXYJtHS0oOoc8Negk8-JY/s320/100_2239.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I'm really not sure what look he was going for but boy is he cute no matter what!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrr3Kk40dexyzJ3cOME3JlhwZvqIkUWk3rubuhE5LLVQKvsaZCBK5clcFBFqtpJ7SnYWEpnv6FhzMROB3LjXHxGJyAaB0hHT5VJGRpdy8IBGIJhcKTveiJr3cfv_59rjkqOs7JVTI6yw/s1600-h/100_2233.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227885475387129282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrr3Kk40dexyzJ3cOME3JlhwZvqIkUWk3rubuhE5LLVQKvsaZCBK5clcFBFqtpJ7SnYWEpnv6FhzMROB3LjXHxGJyAaB0hHT5VJGRpdy8IBGIJhcKTveiJr3cfv_59rjkqOs7JVTI6yw/s320/100_2233.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The kids and I posing for a pic. We were headed down to the pool for some fun!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoHYnlshsJ7LSilG3quIVisZ2mReQNoMwLl1NiO0EVb0RwWOTu7feicUw7_JuhIL_mpxxjUOe2EEe6O1mup_3TqgE0788YR-GDGyMc7p-xkfNHHmWu1GO9t6iHdLY_0m12B7xbSlj_w8/s1600-h/100_2232.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227884670944129586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoHYnlshsJ7LSilG3quIVisZ2mReQNoMwLl1NiO0EVb0RwWOTu7feicUw7_JuhIL_mpxxjUOe2EEe6O1mup_3TqgE0788YR-GDGyMc7p-xkfNHHmWu1GO9t6iHdLY_0m12B7xbSlj_w8/s320/100_2232.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-51862898090903503622008-07-27T18:31:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:39.442-08:00A Generous Friend....My friendship has grown so much over the last year with<span style="color:#cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.goodstewards.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Abby</span></a> and it has been an absolute delight to call her not only a Sister in Christ but a great friend. I have an absolute blast with her. Whether we are goofing off,which we often do or just hanging out sharing about life, our time spent together is dear to me. One thing that is absolutely undeniable is her generous heart.<br />Which brings me to my reason for this blog. Johnny and I have been in the deciding process of who will share a room with Jakob, Jonah or Aaliyah?! After a very long deliberation we finally decide to put the boys together. Here's where my sweet friend saw the opportunity and took it. We talked about a theme for the boys and a more functional room decor for them and us. We set a date and Abby and her three kids (Sweet, very well-mannered, helpful kids) show up and Abby gets to work.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEoprxIRMsacZtQ03u_OWMB2r1K2vEZMRxbPjYv023slPUoF3kn0SYA-DigeIxMK5qz2-toXaVzNQcee6wmdz1mH9Aui-V0gSiYdK-uHwSn0kWBdB4Z7vHK46kzeX3Fr-RmDdiE4F_3Y/s1600-h/100_2227.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227877262137125506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEoprxIRMsacZtQ03u_OWMB2r1K2vEZMRxbPjYv023slPUoF3kn0SYA-DigeIxMK5qz2-toXaVzNQcee6wmdz1mH9Aui-V0gSiYdK-uHwSn0kWBdB4Z7vHK46kzeX3Fr-RmDdiE4F_3Y/s200/100_2227.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jakob & Jonah's room looks great! Thank you, thank you, thank you, my sweet friend. Your heart is SO big. And the example you lead of service is one to live by. I love you! SunSundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-80469032179501595102008-07-06T13:37:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:39.683-08:00Happy Fourth to YOU!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSh5u6iau6e10UApBwSrwXFe0k9zXJYitLFxzTpUegasDieSL4pVl97aDslxwJwdqu0KyfXnQP8uEpl4qw60s6gA3zCeg3hbGoqSJREATT9CcLMidvLy2eUAZJJwB_Yp84Byn807gCEE/s1600-h/images[2].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220008456526937906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="135" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSh5u6iau6e10UApBwSrwXFe0k9zXJYitLFxzTpUegasDieSL4pVl97aDslxwJwdqu0KyfXnQP8uEpl4qw60s6gA3zCeg3hbGoqSJREATT9CcLMidvLy2eUAZJJwB_Yp84Byn807gCEE/s320/images%5B2%5D.jpg" width="205" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I hope you and your family had a great time this Fourth of July! We sure did. It worked out that Johnny was not scheduled to work this weekend (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">YAY</span>!) and the kids and I were very pleased to have him home with us for the weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't take very many pics from our stay at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Daly's</span> but we had a blast. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Daly's</span> were gracious enough to have us over to grill, swim, play games and just plane hang... LOVE IT! Thinking that we were the only one's invited in walks one sweet friend </span><a href="http://www.johnandkellyinflorida.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;">Kelly</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and her precious little girl Lucy. The weather was great and we look forward to spending more time with these great couples. As the evening drew near Johnny and I decided to drive over to Winter Garden for the Fire works. I don't know what we were even thinking. Jakob still at age four does NOT care for the loud noise of the fireworks and Aaliyah was DONE! So instead of sticking it out we all were pretty exhausted and headed home for a more quite view of the Celebration on our TV! Thank you to ALL over our men and women who serve overseas! May God Bless You All!</span>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-56795509441394963182008-06-15T18:23:00.000-07:002008-06-15T18:47:31.862-07:00I was tagged by my friend <a href="http://www.homeschoolingfour.blogspot.com/">Cassie</a> over at homeschooling Four to do this fun little tag. Here it goes!<br /><br />1. Where is your cell phone? I'm not sure<br />2. Your significant other? work<br />3. Your hair? dark brown with some gray highlights...UGH!<br />4. Your mother? Gentle<br />5. Your father? Good Ol' Country Boy<br />6. Your favorite thing? getting my kids up from their naps they always want to cuddle.<br />7. Your dream last night? Can't remember their always random though<br />8 Your favorite drink? Diet Coke<br />9. Your dream/goal? Wow, maybe I'll blog this one<br />10. The room you’re in? Living room<br />11. Your hobby? Right now, pregnancy<br />12. Your fear? Snakes<br />13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? anywhere but my inlaws backyard<br />14. What you’re not? quiet<br />15. Muffins? banana nut<br />16. One of your wish list items? ???<br />17. Where you grew up? Florida<br />18. The last thing you did? Put my oldest to bed<br />19. What are you wearing? pajamas<br />20. Favorite Gadget? computer<br />21. Your pets? I can't keep them<br />22. Your computer? dell<br />23. Your mood? tired<br />24. Missing someone? Yes<br />25. Your car? Dodge<br />26. Something you’re not wearing? bra<br />27. Favorite store? Target<br />28. Like someone? Yes<br />29. Your favorite color? Green<br />30. When is the last time you laughed? Today<br />31. Last time you cried? today<br /><br />There you have it. I now tag <a href="http://www.homehopeandfuture.blogspot.com/">Brandi</a>, <a href="http://www.goodstewards.blogspot.com/">Abby</a>, <a href="http://www.jaredjenandandon.blogspot.com/">Jen</a>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-8945962228774389022008-06-10T18:07:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:39.725-08:00School Days....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aPclYxfzZbigasNtJHSia1O954rCTMyzaZMboa8r7g6y9ehIexvELrOrqUAgJyOTcWga0zlzNwfp3PjypcRVjVbeJQgoT4rm8He3-qrKHK45pan7r9O-aoYkr4bucfXwlfS0iUCEMwE/s1600-h/100_2149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210436036093433730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="240" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aPclYxfzZbigasNtJHSia1O954rCTMyzaZMboa8r7g6y9ehIexvELrOrqUAgJyOTcWga0zlzNwfp3PjypcRVjVbeJQgoT4rm8He3-qrKHK45pan7r9O-aoYkr4bucfXwlfS0iUCEMwE/s320/100_2149.jpg" width="379" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">Not to long ago Johnny and I were taking our oldest to his first day of preschool and now a year later our babygirl had her first day herself. I was only able to snap this one pic but oh what a sweet one it is. The school was packed and now adding another child to our family mix makes everything move a lot quicker. The kids and I were so happy that Johnny was able to share in the moment. Although, he worked last night he made it a point to take his big brand new four year old boy and sweet little Aaliyah to school today. Jakob was ready so ready that as we walked him in the room it seemed as though we just disappeared no hugs, no by mommy and daddy your my favorite people in the whole world nothing. Ugh! He's so BIG! Aaliyah on the other hand new something was up and she was not at all happy about it. As we Pride's do, she voiced her disapproval for what was going on by clinging to me and screaming her Daddy's name. Leaving them was difficult today but as Johnny and I left I was able to quickly realize how good this was for not only them but for us. </span></div>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-67651499135547777562008-05-19T19:53:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:39.912-08:00Room Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlW_NwiA6mnT6xB7eSfd03YY3CAqEsAm23djd7u3AF-8WyY9kBlluXx_KsnLxWhoZGEXGHmoRKqHwKKKGgLbDyiRKOUvD3G_ru1hq7FLJvD0wuP46lV2SItl3TbCn1y49_vjPVLx6JKA/s1600-h/100_2015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210434626238307506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="227" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlW_NwiA6mnT6xB7eSfd03YY3CAqEsAm23djd7u3AF-8WyY9kBlluXx_KsnLxWhoZGEXGHmoRKqHwKKKGgLbDyiRKOUvD3G_ru1hq7FLJvD0wuP46lV2SItl3TbCn1y49_vjPVLx6JKA/s200/100_2015.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Okay, so I wasn't good with being consistent in daily "room time" with Jakob when he was younger and now we have a little boy who can barely stay in his room during this time (door always open). He can only take about 20 minutes before he needs to show me everything that he's doing and thinks of just about every excuse to come out of his room. Does this ring true for anyone else? Now on the other hand there's Aaliyah. From the time we found out that we were pregnant with her we decided to update or should I say improve our parenting quite a bit. That's a entire blog itself. So in that decision making "room time" was one thing that we wanted to do a better job at implementing into our children's day. Now to Aaliyah, remember what I said above about Jakob okay well this little girl is quite the opposite. She tells me bye, bye, Mommy as I close the door, and will stay in their sometimes falling asleep for at LEAST an hour. Can we say night and day....Absolutely! Well all of that explanation of "room time" is to share with you Aaliyah's agenda while she was there today. You see Johnny and I are headed out in the morning to St. Petersburg Beach, Fl. for a short vaca celebrating four years of marriage. So I was very busy today packing for the kids to go to Aunt Jenny's house and all that goes with that. I had her in there just at an hour and never heard a peep. As I walked in this is what I was greeted with "Hi Mommy" Awww, Room time, you gotta love it!</div>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-876440473411985912008-05-17T20:54:00.000-07:002008-05-17T21:27:35.574-07:00Good to be backMy goodness it has been awhile since I have blogged. And oh have I needed too. Let me just catch you up on life since my last post was Christmas 07'. Johnny is still working as a Paramedic and he is really enjoying his job, the hours, and the partner that he has been placed with. I am so thankful for this opportunity the Lord gave to him and our family. Although the hours are not at all my favorite, as time goes on I am getting more and more acquainted with the hours myself. For Jakob my sweet little boy, he is still in preschool and loving it. His teacher is very kind and cares a whole bunch about my little boy. Jakob will be turning four soon and beginning VPK. This excites me and makes me a little sad all at the same time. Instead of attending two days per week he will be going 5 days. I am not sure I love this at all and wonder how he will adjust to the extra three days a week. We will see... And finally my precious daughter Aaliyah. Wow this beautiful little girl is growing so fast. She will be two in a couple of weeks and really that just doesn't seem right. She is a doozy and gives her daddy and I a run for our money already. You would think as little as she is she couldn't and wouldn't hurt anyone oh the contrary, she is our little "Al Quieda" (you would have to meet her in order to understand that nickname) it has been such a delight to watch her learn from her "bubby" and love & adore both Jakob and her daddy. I am amazed at her. And already see God working on her little heart. As for me.....Oh my! I am busy. Busy in all the ways I desire to be. My family is perfect. Jesus has given me the best husband, son and daughter for me to share my life with. I learn from each of them in so my ways. As we prepare for our newest addition to the Pride family "Coming in August" it has been so sweet this time around to see Jakob so excited about his new brother. I am getting more and more excited myself to meet this little guy and welcome him into our family. Okay so maybe I covered it all and maybe not as for right this very minute....it's very late and church is just around the bend. SunSundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-19198437184400708802007-12-18T12:26:00.000-08:002007-12-18T12:32:17.532-08:00Christmas 2007Still haven't found much time to blog. In the meantime we have been very busy this holiday. I wanted to take a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">moment</span> a share with you this sweet picture of Jakob and Aaliyah with the greatest Santa Claus at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Milena</span> Mall. This was Aaliyah's first time and she was not sure very sure of this guy. Jakob did enjoy him much more this year the last year. Just wanted to share.Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-49548515402043620282007-10-29T12:14:00.000-07:002007-10-29T12:26:53.341-07:00One year ago today...October 29, 2007, I can't believe it has already been a year since this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">beautiful</span> lady slipped into the arms of her Savior. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mamaw</span> left behind such a legacy to live by. This women lived and breathed giving of herself to her family, her church, her community, and her GOD! She was so sweet and gentle to all that came into her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">presence</span>. Her ambition in life was to always make sure others needs were taken care of before anything else. My heart is full of memories that I will never forget. I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">privileged</span> to say that my life as a child and now as a women has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">truly</span> been touched by her genuine desire to minister to others by giving more than sometimes she even had to give. <strong>I miss her today</strong>. I was cleaning out somethings <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">on top</span> of my refrigerator and found a letter that I had wrote to her and never mailed. I began to regret never sending that note....and then was reminded that the conversation that I got to have with her before she died was better than any note I could have ever sent to her. Lucy Lambert, I love you and miss you with all of my heart. I long for the day when I to will be with my God my Savior and I will see your sweet face again!Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-14622888283088496532007-10-18T08:52:00.000-07:002007-10-18T09:30:18.150-07:00Thankful ThursdayMy friend Jess is hosting Thankful Thursday on her site and I thought I would join in.<br /><br />1. I am thankful for my witty husband and his love for me and our kids.<br />2. I am thankful for my sweet kids Jakob and Aaliyah spending my days with them is so precious<br />3. I am thankful for my friends who are such real girls! You know who you are. Thank you for always loving me for who I am and always being such an encouragement to me.<br />4. I am thankful for my Pastor and staff. Since our family has been attending Westwood we have learned so much from these people and have come to a deeper understanding of what it means to serve the Body of Christ.<br />5. I am thankful for both of my small groups. Friday morning girls your ALL are amazing. Thank you for sharing your trials and triumphs with me. And my Sunday morning group, "The Essentials" in the short time that we have been meeting together thank you for allowing yourselves to be vulnerable before one another and share with us and God your journey.<br />6. I am thankful for my Mom, Dad and brother who have been beside me in each phase of my life always being there to support me!<br />7. I am thankful for falling back (time change) that is! What date is that again?<br />8. I am thankful for the time I get to spend on my new hobby, planting flowers. This gives me great opportunity to spend with the Lord.<br />9. I am thankful for the special time that is spent with my workout partners...when we go!haha or should I say when I go! And the sweetest part of it all is the Jesus Time!<br />10. I am thankful that my God blesses me beyond measure with so much to be thankful for. I Love You Jesus!Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-30945865015619523692007-10-18T08:25:00.000-07:002008-12-11T23:33:39.977-08:00We are all looking for ways to give to one another...Right?! Well my friend Brandi has provided a perfect opportunity for you and I to generousely give to our sweet Pastor and his family! Check what Brandi writes...<br /><br />Do you like winning things? Do you like helping people? If you answered "yes" to both questions, this is the place for you. (I won't ask which you like better!) Now, first: the story, then: the gifts!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbt7U-NQB8yr9WcUKB6XWwFm8OI9pI1a-yDCIco9OlR6XFtCTTLTsV_uSk3OD7gk-35inIZpIoXBYiOQhQbBZrRmI7cbqLYUyJ_ma0u8IkjbL2_54sCY6lMACaiMVY9KGu7db_vNygUti/s1600-h/dunwellfamily.jpg"></a>I want to introduce you to a family. Jon and Christie D. (no last name to protect identity) and their boys. Jon is our wonderful pastor and the best shepherd of a flock that I have ever seen! He and his wife, Christie, love our church and serve it faithfully and sacrificially. I could go on and on and list the ways that they serve our church body and the community that we are in. I could list the times they were called to help someone in the middle of the night. . .The number of community organizations that Jon sits on boards for. . .the number of life lessons I have learned through their faithful example. However, all you really need to know is that they are amazing, faithful people full of integrity. They also happen to be adopting. After 10 years of infertility, Jon and Christie thought adoption would be the way that God chose to expand their family. God had a surprise in store for them, 6 years ago when they found out that they were pregnant with their first son. 3 years later, surprise little boy number 2 came along! While Jon and Christie love their little boys, they still felt their family was not complete. They continued to try to get pregnant while pursuing the options in adoption. This year has brought 2 miscarriages and a renewed sense of God's call to help the orphans through adoption. They prayerfully considered many countries open for adoption and soon settled on VIETNAM! They are now pursuing an adoption of a little girl.You may be thinking, "how does this affect me?". God's Word is clear about helping others. He says over and over throughout the Bible to "share with God's people who are in need" (Romans 12:13), especially pastors ( I Tim. 5:17-18)! Please join us in helping this wonderful family answer God's call to care for a little girl halfway around the world who needs a family so desperately.<br />THE BONUS!!!!!<br />We are giving away PRIZES!!!! Now, are you curious?<br />Prize #1: <a href="http://tiffanyandco.com/">TIFFANY & CO. SILVER NECKLACE</a> (Return to Tiffany, Oval Tag)*used but polished and comes with tiffany box complete white bow<br />Prize #2: <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/">Pampered Chef</a> Basket full of fun and useful kitchen tools<br />Prize #3: A Goodie Bag of Professional Beauty Supplies (donated by Friends Beauty Supply)Prize #4: <a href="http://www.seaworld.com/">Sea World</a> Tickets for 2<br />Prize #5: TimeWise® Microdermabrasion Set from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.marykay.com/cholcomb">Mary Kay</a><br />Prize #6: A new blog header and background by Whitney R.*the girl who just redesigned mine<br />For every $5 you donate, your name will be entered in our contest. (so, if you donate $20, your name will be entered 4 times and so on and so forth, you get the picture)<br />If you cut and paste this post on your blog to encourage your readers to join in on the fun, guess what? We will enter your name AGAIN.<br />If people donate from your blog, ask them to write your blogname in the "Comments" section and for every $100 donated, we'll enter your name a THIRD TIME.Contest winners will be drawn at random as soon as all of the money is raised! Let's go girls!<br /><br /><a href="http://homehopeandfuture.blogspot.com/2007/10/great-prizes-for-great-cause.html" target="_blank">To donate, go to Brandi's post about this</a> and click "donate" under the thermometer on the right hand side of the page. If you decide to donate, please mention in the "comments" section of her site that you found it here first!Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-20671568428039590362007-09-28T13:19:00.000-07:002007-09-28T13:48:31.535-07:00Everything I could have asked for....<span style="font-family:arial;">This past weekend our women from our church went on our annual Women's Retreat in Jacksonville, Fl. This was my second retreat that I had been on and my first time having the oppurtunity to be able to serve on the Retreat Team. Everything went so well. From being able to serve on a team with some of my dearest friends to serving with women who I admire in so many ways. The theme for the weekend was B.F.F "Becoming Fruitful in Friendships". I loved the fact that not only I could spend time with my current friends but that I was given time to cultivate new friendships that I look forward to having. During our time in our sessions I was challenged beyond what I could have ever asked for in my relationships not only with the body of Christ but with God and even my family and non-believers. What was very exciting for me was that I had already went through a very difficult time of learning about friendships in the past and thought that I pretty much new all that there was to know about having healthy relationships in my life. But as I began to consider the truths that I had already heard before I was so very challenged in ways that I had never been before. Thank you Lord!!!</span>Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-46596096690420878742007-09-15T12:19:00.000-07:002007-09-15T12:49:57.514-07:00Deeper understanding of prayer...As I grow closer and closer to the Lord I am filled with such a passion for prayer in my life. I shared with you in my initial blog that I was reading the book Celebration of Discipline written by Richard J. Foster. I have now finished the chapter on prayer and found my self flipping the pages for more. We all want a more intimate, powerful, relational time of prayer with the Father but getting ourselves and our agendas out of the way has to happen first. I could completely identify with the example in the book of the man that prayed, and at first he thought prayer was talking, but became more and more quiet and realized that prayer is listening. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Engaging</span> with the Father is not based on Him tuning His ear towards us but first our ears toward Him. Have you ever had those <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">moments</span> when God is teaching you hard lessons that it feels as though it just "hits you like a ton of bricks" as I continued reading the chapter the Lord began to convict my heart. Seeking repentance and choosing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">obedience</span> in what I know He is calling me too. I pray for others and when I do it seems as if it is with all of my heart. And then I read this sentence...We must hear, know, and obey the will of God <strong>before we pray it into the lives of others.</strong> I began to just weep, I want my life to be in such order with my Father that when I pray on behalf of others He hears me heart. We genuinely love people, my desire for those that He lays upon my heart is far more than it is within my power to give, and that absolutely causes me to pray. The great thing about learning and understanding prayer is that this will be a lifelong lesson and many many opportunities for practice.Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-56222799116422853252007-08-22T10:45:00.000-07:002007-08-22T11:02:04.424-07:00Monkey Joe'sFor all of you mom's who are looking to do something fun with your kids and haven't tried out Monkey Joe's, its a great play place for kids with all sorts of bouncy equipment for all ages. Check out the website <a href="http://www.monkeyjoes.com/">www.monkeyjoes.com</a> Johnny and I took the kids this morning and had a blast. And, most importantly during these HOT summer months we were able to have fun without suffering from heat exhaustion! Of course Jakob had fun with us but he didn't fail to mention as we were leaving that he wanted to bring "his friends" (love that, taking ownership already) back to Monkey Joe's with him next time we go.Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-66219000509903874142007-08-18T12:51:00.000-07:002007-08-18T13:04:36.908-07:00The month of August, A Month of Celebrations...My parents just celebrated 35 years of marriage on the 12th (Love you and miss you Dad and Mom)! I went out last night with one of my dearest friends Jen and celebrated her birthday! We had a fabulous time. And, I am looking forward to spending time with my nephew Nathan and my sweet sweet sis-in-law Tira for both of their birthdays next week. These names that I have mentioned are family and friends who are so very special to me. I thank God for all of you. As you celebrate either a birthday or an anniversery my prayer for all of you is that God continues to grow each and everyone of you into His likeness and that you and your families are given His favor for the years to come. I love you ALL dearly. SundaySundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915824715328849273.post-26231065819097546242007-08-08T12:57:00.001-07:002007-08-08T13:11:29.414-07:00"Will Power"I have begun reading the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. In the few pages that I have read I can't wait to share with you already what I am learning. Especially in the area of "will power". So many times my method of dealing with sin is by relying on my own willpower and determination. I love the scripture reference (Colossians 2:20-23) that Richard Foster uses to describe ways in which we try to control sin. I find my self repeating at times the phrase "I can do it" over and over again in different situations. The fact of the matter is no I can't. By surrenduring my will to Christ this not only releases my control of the situation but turns my "will worship" into worshiping Him with my obediance. Taking the focus off of self and focusing on Jesus.Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757143189165145066noreply@blogger.com2