He Died So That We May Live...

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:9-10

"WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Romans 10:13

Call on Jesus so you can be free from the bondage of the thief who came to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came so that we could have life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10)

This is another old post revived from 2007...if you're reading this, please listen to this song. Roll down to the YouTube video...watch & listen to the Shane and Shane song.

Photo taken at the Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman, Alabama.

time...

It seems to me that life closely resembles this picture...it is a blur...time passes so quickly...it is only the moments that we remember.


**Another old post brought back to life...it's from 2007

Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by, and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.
~Marcus Aurelius

“How small a portion of our life it is that we really enjoy! In youth we are looking forward to things that are to come; In old age we are looking backward to things that are gone past; in manhood, although we appear indeed to be more occupied in things that are present, yet even that is too often absorbed in vague determinations to be vastly happy on some future day when we have time.” ~C.C. Colton

Your life is made up of years that mean nothing, moments that mean all. ~Author Unknown

this seemed fitting...

I'm posting a photo of my nephew that makes me smile...such a handsome little fella...

okay, I'm starting to worry...

I'm scaring myself! Everything I find blog-worthy tonight is food-related! After this, I'm going to post a photo (to feel normal again), and go to bed! But first, I have to share THIS...it's crazy-cool! If Jordan ever opened her lunch bag to find Bento, she would freak! Rightfully so, considering she's in middle school and she's not Japanese...it does say that Japanese adults take lunches like this!

How cute! I think I need one in my size...

People, this is why I could not live in a cold climate! It seems like every time the weather forecast calls for snow or sleet (which is not often), all I want to do is make comfort food, stay inside, and surf the web! While searching for a cute, contemporary apron for myself, I came across THIS! A little bitty California Roll bib! Sushi, anyone? This would be so cute on a little kiddo.

this is just wrong on so many levels...

I have a problem...I love reading about cooking and baking, or watching shows about cooking and baking...so, when I saw this, I actually thought about going out into the sleet to buy the ingredients. Thank goodness I came to my senses...

The Original Beyonce...

**Here's another old blog post...I love these photos...I could call her Shelbyonce! Get it? Shel-Beyonce? I'm just goofy like that...

Long before Beyonce, Shelby was doing this pose...I have proof! I was going thru some photos from 2005, and I found these pictures. This is too funny! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this “armpit pose” is what Beyonce does in all her photographs. I’m sure I’m the only one who knows this useless information...and I’m probably the only one who thinks it’s funny!

The Crossroads...

**This is a post from about this time last year along with a few more photos I found...
I took this last year on a trip to the Delta with my sister, Heather.

The Crossroads...Robert Johnson went to the Crossroads, so the legend goes, he left with his guitar and the devil took his soul.
How interesting is that legend? When we visited his gravesite later that day, on his marker was this: Jesus of Nazareth. King of Jerusalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He will call me from the grave. Handwritten by Robert Johnson, shortly before his death and preserved among family papers by his sister, Carrie H. Thompson.

Did he really sell his soul to the devil? I don't know, but I do know that we all come to the crossroads at some point in our life. And yes, the devil is there.

As a Christian, I know that I am called to serve the body of Christ-to do His will. The devil does not want me to. He wants me to use my time unwisely so that I am unproductive and sedentary in my spiritual growth. I take an Equipping class on Tuesdays and today we talked about having a plan and setting goals. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
In our workbook it says that the trouble with most of our plans is that they focus only on getting things done. The focus rarely is on getting GOD'S things done. When we set our goals each year, do we really consider what God wants us to accomplish that year?

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

The Spudster...

Okay, I've been going through lots of old photos, and found one of my faves...it cracks me up every time I see it! That's my nephew, Alex, and Spud. Spud is my parent's dog...at least they SAY he's a dog. He's so short, Alex could ride him! All joking aside, Spud is actually a very sought after dog...he was dog-napped! My dad rescued him and brought him home safely.

Winter Jam 2008...

 

Mercy Me

 

Group 1 Crew...Jordan's favorite

 

Group 1 Crew

 

skillet

 

verse for today...

In the morning, O Lord, you will hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

The photos were taken in the Yellow Fever Cemetery, Grenada, MS.

When I get up in the morning, the first thing I usually think is...
"I need coffee..."
"I've got to wake the girls up (call Shelby's name twenty times)...
"Don't forget, today is (fill in the blank...garbage day, field trip day, etc.)...

My first thoughts are not about laying my requests before my Lord and going into my day waiting in expectation, but it should be...some days I do, but most days I don't. Why is it so hard for me to let go and let Him be in control of my life instead of trying to do things on my own? I'm going to pray for wisdom and discernment. I'm going to seek Him early in the morning.

puppy love...

 

Bunny Pictures...

Reserve a spot for Bunny Pictures! I've got the cutest bunnies ever...think floppy ears and soft fur...check back soon and I'll post a few pics of some of the cutest kids and the bunnies! For more info, click on my photography link and go to spring photos. If you're coming for pictures, you've got to see the gorgeous tin frames I have! Place an order and pick up with your photos!

Just A Few More...

 

More from the Jiggy Photo Shoot...I can't help it, really, I can't...I think I need help...

 

 

Jiggy's First Photo Shoot...

 

 

Jiggy takes a nap...

 

jig·gy –adjective, ‑gi·er, ‑gi·est. Slang. 1. nervous; active; excitedly energetic. 2. wonderful and exciting, esp. because stylish.

Okay, I know most of you have no desire to see a photo of a dog napping, but she's just so cute! A few facts about rat terriers:

They are very intelligent, alert, and loving dogs

They are not yappers (whew....)

The rat terrier is a very well mannered, well rounded dog (probably more so than my kids...)

They are very good swimmers ( Hmmm, I wonder if Castlewoods CC will let us bring Jiggy along when we go to the pool...)

They make superb pets for children as they can play endlessly and have a natural instinct to protect young children

They pick up training faster than most dogs (and kids...and husbands...)

Meet Jiggy...

 

Jiggy is the newest member of our family! She is the cutest little thing!

my favorite photo...

I took this photo in Mexico this summer. This little boy broke my heart...if ever I've felt God's love, it was in Mexico. It's so hard to put into words. Actually, I can't put it into words. Why would children, whom we've never met before, hold on to us? I won't say hug, because it was more than that. It absolutely changed me. My prayer is that God will use me...I love Isaiah 6:8...Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" The song at the bottom, You Said, by Shane and Shane, I first heard while in Mexico. Every time I hear it, a flood of emotion courses through me. Play it, and listen closely to the words. I can't fathom the depth of His love for us...I'm so unworthy, yet so grateful...

love him...

He really is the cutest thing, and the subject of my shots whenever he's around.

new post in the works...

Check back in a bit and I'll have a new post! This photo was taken in Duck Hill this fall.

Verse for Today...

Photo:sunrise on the reservoir...

Pour out your heart like water before the face of Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children. Lamentations 2:19

So much wonder
Carved in your coral seas
So much wonder
Shaded by ancient trees
I consider all that your hands have made
Every newborn's eyes, every new sunrise
No power can tame your presence
No light can match your radiance

Such a wonder
Ordering time and tide
Such a wonder
Bringing the great divide
I consider all that you had, all that you gave
And all that you endured
From this rebel world
What a wondrous cross you chose to bear
What a wonder you would even care

No power can tame your presence
No light can match your radiance
Such a wonder...
Such a wonder...

Let every rock cry out
Let every knee bow down
You opened up my heart to wonder
What love, what a wonder you are

-In Wonder, Newsboys

Back To Reality...

I have a confession to make...I have wasted away another perfectly good day! We stayed in AGAIN today...it's just so cold outside, and we have no appointments, nowhere we HAVE to be...so, I shouldn't feel so guilty, right? Besides, it's back to reality tomorrow! It starts off with an early morning appointment at the orthodontist! I've been reading blogs again today. I did some legit stuff as well...washed all the sheets in the house, bathed the dog, sent my oldest child out into the cold to get the mail...of course, I've been reading the Pioneer Woman's blog. She had a photo of her child with his finger up his nose...I couldn't do that to my own child, but my nephew is a different story! Like I have said before...it's disgusting, but funny if it's not your own child! I would like to take this time to apologize to my sister for continuing to share this photo that I took two years ago...it's just that it's truly one of my favorites!

Best Blog Ever...

THIS is, quite possibly, the FUNNIEST BLOG EVER! I love the fact that she loves her life...and her man! It's raw and real...that's my advisory warning...it's not your average blog fluff! By that, I'm including my own blog...Go check it out. As for me, I'm taking down Christmas decorations today...oh, joy...the photo above is Jordan's favorite out of all the decorations...
www.thepioneerwoman.com

My First Resolution For 2008...

Have you seen this? If you are a fellow blogger, here's your chance to publish your blog!

http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook

We spent the day cooking, watching football, and looking at old photo albums. I realized that I haven't put together a photo album in about two years! I have tons of photos...I think one resolution for this year will be to do a Blurb blog book and a photo book. Look at these photos from 2004...my, how our girls have grown...this is why I love photos...one look at these and I was there at the beach that day...oh, happy day!

One more thing...the sample blog book at Blurb is the book of Sheye Rosemeyer. I came upon a link to her blog while reading the Tate's blog. It is beautiful, haunting, heartbreaking...I read the entire blog in one sitting.

www.sheyerosemeyer.blogspot.com

I look at the many photos of years past, and I thank God above for another year with my husband and children. Here's to 2008...

Best Cookie Ever...

Ginger Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup molasses
2 ¾ cup all purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons powdered ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1 box raw sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars in mixer for five minutes. Beat in egg and molasses. Sift together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture until blended. Dip Tablespoon sized balls of dough in raw sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Do not over bake! These cookies are best when soft and chewy. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Cookies can be stored in airtight container.