Family...

We went to Louisiana a few weekends ago for Alex's 4th birthday. After the pool party, Seth had a cookout for us...crawfish and the works! I'll post those photos a little later. I've got a picture of the crawfish that will make you drool! They were so good...Pictured above: Alex wrapped in his towel, Alex and Elizabeth, my sister and Seth, and Elizabeth, my niece

Here It Comes Again...

Here comes the ice cream truck playing THAT SONG again! Do your ears hang lo, do they wobble to and fro, can you tie 'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow?... What is the name of that song? Please leave a comment and tell me if you know! I've been singing those lyrics for days now...just that one, lonely little verse...now you'll be singing it too...

I've Been Tagged...

Tagged by Emily Tate! Okay, here goes:

Maybe I should - clean my house, or maybe not...get a mohawk (says Shelby)...

I love the smell of - coffee, magnolias, anything spice-y that reminds me of the holidays...

People would say that I- am nosey, although I prefer to say that I'm curious!

I don’t understand why -old fat men wear Speedos on the beach...every time we go to the beach I see at least one old, wrinkly, fat man in a Speedo...it's like driving by a car crash...I can't help but stare...

When I wake up in the morning - I take my TriVita B-12 first thing!

I lost my willpower to - train for a half-marathon...

Life is - a gift...don't waste it on addictions, worries, or wanting to have it all...all of our material possessions and everything of this world will pass away...

My past made me - who I am today, the good and the bad...

I get annoyed when - adults have too much DRAMA going on and feel the need to share it with everyone...

Parties are not a good time to - get caught in a conversation with that one person who wants to tell you their life story...

Dogs are - an essential part of childhood. I remember certain moments in life by the dogs we had at the time...it all started with my dog Boo-Boo...

Cats are - worthless...

Tomorrow is - wide open...it's never too late to be what you might have been!

I have low tolerance for - bratty kids, people who cut me off in traffic, people who have a back car window full of stuffed animals, people who talk too loudly on cell phones while in a waiting room or restaurant when the conversation is pointless... Maybe I should stop there...

I’m totally terrified of - tornadoes, my children drowning even though they both can swim...

I wonder why I thought my life would be -normal... I don't think there is such a thing...what defines normal?

I always knew I would - have girls, still be clumsy and quirky...

Never in my life have I - funneled beer or gotten a tattoo...WHAT?! It's the first thing that came to mind, and it's the truth!

High school was - fun, but I'm glad it's over!

When I’m nervous- I do things way too fast...I have to tell myself to breathe and slow down!

One time at a family gathering - on Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house, her cousin stopped by for the usual holiday visit. He was feeling very reminiscent (had a little too much holiday cheer, if you know what I mean...if you don't know, that means he was drunk)...anyway, he was telling a story about the good ole days, cigarette in hand, while eating pieces of turkey off a tray. As he was telling the story, the ash on the cigarette grew longer and longer. As a bored twelve year old, this was amusing to me. No one else seemed to notice. Then, the tower of ash fell below onto the tray of turkey. He never looked at the turkey, only reaching over to fold a piece and bring it to his mouth. He never knew the long roll of ash was hidden in the piece of turkey he was eating. I watched in amusement as he ate the whole piece, ash and all. I still laugh when I think about it all these years later...

Take my advice - 1.) Take lots of photos of your kiddos while they are young and cute...before teeth start to fall out and they hit that awkward growth spurt...2.) Enjoy where you are in life...it goes by too fast to say, "I'll be happy when...".

Making my bed-is laughable...

I'm almost always - singing a song in my head, talking to myself (internal conversation) or talking to my Heavenly Father...

I’m addicted to - cracked pepper and olive oil Triscuits washed down with a Diet Coke (at first, you thought it said crack, didn't you?), my camera, my MacBook Pro, reading something, even if it's the back of the shampoo bottle...

I want someone to -take a road trip with...a girls only trip with no kids...

My Little Green Friends...

Ever had a surprise like this when you're watering plants? They love my urns...maybe because they're the same color as the creeping jenny!

My Other Kids...

Prissy and Jiggy...I don't think they know they're dogs...

"I Told You So!"...

Have you read the story of the ice cream truck? I posted the pictures, and in the rush of the last few weeks of school, never finished the post. I declare it finished! We are out of school, so I'll be posting more often! Read it below the ice cream photos...it is funny...

my beautiful girl...

"I Told You So!"...

Okay, funny story...I really think it's one of those "you-had-to-be-there" funny stories, but, nonetheless, I'll share it!
Alex was at our house a few weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon. He was on the back porch with the girls when, all of a sudden, he comes running thru the house screaming, "The ice cream truck! The ice cream truck is coming! I hear it! I hear it!"
Poor little man, he thought he heard an ice cream truck...little did he know that in the five years we've lived in this house, I've never seen an ice cream truck come down the street. I tried to break it to him as gently as possible, not wanting to crush his little spirit. After all, I'm the adult, and I know everything, right? How is it that in adulthood we sometimes lose that child-like sense of wonder? You hear music playing? It MUST be the ice cream truck!
Okay, back to the story...as I try to explain to him that there is no way possible it was the ice cream truck, he is assuring me that it is in fact, the ice cream truck. He was so certain, it broke my heart! He ran to the front porch and planted himself on the front steps, declaring that he would sit right there until the truck came by. I told Jordan and Shelby to stay on the steps with him, knowing that eventually, he would lose faith and come inside.
Then I heard it...music...that song...what is it? As the girls fling the front doors open, Alex is excitedly yelling, "I told you so! I TOLD you so!" David and I run to the front door. I look at him and say, "I think I heard it, too...could it really be...?" I look out and see Jordan and Shelby trying to hang on to Alex...it was like watching two girls trying to catch a greased pig! He was determined to break free and run for it! I rush over, pick him up, and we run across the street to the park. All the while, he's saying, "I told you so! OOOH! Get out of the street! He's gonna run over us, Ne-Ne!" I'm laughing so hard, tears are streaming down my face. Barefoot, still in my church clothes, and with Alex on my hip, I'm running toward the truck to flag him down. I point to our street and motion for him to come our way. I look around for David, realizing we're chasing the ice cream truck and have no money! He's one step ahead of me and runs toward the sidewalk, cash in hand.
As the ice cream truck turned down our street, we all stood on the sidewalk, cheering and waving. It must have looked like a parade. As the music played, one by one, each child went to the window to buy ice cream. With camera in hand, laughing and crying, I sat on the grass and watched as Alex smiled the smile of knowing for sure that he heard the ice cream truck...he told us so!

Remember that cute little banner Jordan and Shelby made me for Mother's Day? Well, this is what happened after the banner was finished...a paint fight...





If you look closely, you can see the black paint up Jordan's nose...
David's solution...hose 'em down!

Best Fruit Salad Ever...

Ingredients
2 and 1/2 pounds seedless grapes
8 ounces sour cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar


TOPPING INGREDIENTS
1 cup brown sugar, packed, to taste
1 cup crushed pecan, to taste

Directions:
Wash and stem grapes.
Set aside.
Mix sour cream, cream cheese, and white sugar by hand until blended.
Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.
For topping: Combine brown sugar, and crushed pecans.
Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely.
Chill overnight.

If you're having a Mother's Day lunch, this is yummy! It has fruit, so...that makes it healthy, right?

Mo-Mo's Day...

I love my girls...I guess we're going to celebrate Mother's Day all weekend long...if so, that's just fine by me! Shelby made an amazing flower card...it touched my heart...she asked me why I didn't cry tears of joy, so I told her I almost did! She replied, "Well, I want you to!" She's so funny. Did you read the last part? I'm a gift from God? Sometimes I feel so unworthy, inadequate as a mother...then, I remember that every day is a new day! If I screw up, my children forgive me. God does, too. I love the fact that I'm clever, provide marvelous clothes, and a splendid home. Most importantly, she knows that I care and I'm there for her when she's scared. I am humbled that she says I'm a gift from God. It does make me want to cry tears of joy, and thank God for His goodness. Silly girl, she closed the letter with, "You(r) #1 daughter, Shelby"...Jordan made the cutest banner and hung it on the back fence. Happy "Mo-Mo's" Day...she always calls me Mo-Mo...I love it! By the way, later on, I did cry. It was mixed emotions of, "Father, I AM so unworthy, and so humbled that you love me, and that you have blessed me beyond measure. My children are blessings from God above and I thank Him everyday. Jordan and Shelby, you Are so amazing! Okay, I've got to go and pull myself together now!

Amazing...

Jenny made a heart-touching Mother's Day cd with the kids at school this week...it was a cd of each child reading his or her own hand-written letter of "I Love My Mom Because...". The background music was this song...Amazing, by Janelle. As the music plays and the children read a letter of love, a slideshow of beautifully colored pictures of mom and child play. What an amazingly appropriate song for Mother's Day! Read the lyrics, listen to the song on the media player over to the right. This part, You came from Heaven shining
Breath of God still fresh on you, will make you cry thinking about the birth of your own child!

The morning cold and raining
Dark before the dawn could come
How long in twilight waiting
Longing for the rising sun
Oh, Oh
You came like crashing thunder
Breaking through these walls of stone
You came with wide eyed wonder
Into all this great unknown
Hush now don’t you be afraid
I promise you I’ll always stay
I’ll never be that far away
I’m right here with you

You’re so amazing
You shine like the stars
You’re so amazing
The beauty you are
You came blazing
Right into my heart
You’re so amazing
You are, You are

You came from Heaven shining
Breath of God still fresh on you
The beating heart inside me
Crumbled at this one so new
Oh, Oh
No matter where, how far you wander
For a thousand years or longer
I will always be there for you
Right here with you
I hope your tears are few and fast
I hope your dreams come true at last
I hope you find love that goes on and on and on and on and on
I hope you wish on every star
I hope you never fall too far
I hope this world can see how wonderful you are

Amazing, Janelle

Every Man...

I'm the man with all I've ever wanted
All the toys and playing games
I am the one who pours your coffee, corner booth each Saturday
I am your daughter's favorite teacher
I am the leader of the band
I sit behind you in the bleachers
I am every man

I'm the coach of every winning team and still a loser in my mind
I am the soldier in the airport facing giants one more time
I am the woman shamed and haunted by the cry of unborn life
I'm every broken man, nervous child, lonely wife

Is there hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man
Is there love that never dies
Is there peace in troubled times
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man

Seems there's just so many roads to travel, it's hard to tell where they will lead
My life is scarred and my dreams unraveled
Now I'm scared to take the leap
If I could find someone to follow who knows my pain and feels the weight
The uncertainty of my tomorrow, the guilt and pain of yesterday

There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man
There is Love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand?
Jesus is hope for every man

-Every Man, Casting Crowns

Joy in Praying for Others...

Please continue to pray for my mom, she's still in China. Last year, she was almost hit by a bus while there! This picture was taken at my mom and dad's house.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:4

Lord, I thank you for the joy and privilege of praying for others. What a blessing to be able to intercede, to stand in the gap and move heaven and earth for those I love. In all my prayers for those I know, may I have a heart of joy. Bless my family and friends, Lord. Bless those who need You today. May I find satisfaction in lifting up prayers for others.

positive and encouraging...

Have you listened to Love Is Here by Tenth Avenue North? It's my new favorite song...about a year and a half ago, I turned the radio to 100.9, K Love. I was a little intimidated, not knowing hardly any of the songs I heard. I recognized a few from church. I wanted to start listening to Christian music, but I couldn't sing along with any of the songs! You see, I'm the person in the car behind you...the one you stare at in the rear view mirror...you know, the one singing like no one's watching, the one you laugh at...yep, that's me. I know it's amusing, I laugh when I look in my mirror and see people doing this! I also try to read lips and figure out what song they're singing! Anyway, I was having trouble with the thought of not knowing the words to the songs. I was also clinging to all of the secular music that I loved. I gradually started tuning into K Love on a regular basis, going back and forth for a while. Believe me, it was a little rocky for a while. We all knew the words to the hit songs. We could sing the songs about cheating or shaking something without really thinking about the words we were actually saying! Even Jordan said, "Why do they have to be so encouraging all the time? It's getting on my nerves!" Well, after a month or two, I could sing along with most of the songs! It's gradually become the only radio station we listen to! When I was growing up, we didn't have anything like this...no matter what genre of music you listen to, there's a Christian version that sounds just as good...and the lyrics are much better! Go to iTunes and listen to some of these songs...one more thing...it also helps to listen to uplifting music while in traffic...it's harder to have road rage while singing songs of praise...not that I would have road rage, or anything...

Love Is Here, Tenth Avenue North
Call My Name, Third Day
Every Man, Casting Crowns
Already, Rush of Fools
Praise and Adore, Wavorly
When Our Hearts Sing, Rush of Fools
Beautiful Lord, Leeland
Opposite Way, Leeland

There are lots of great artists and songs, these are just some that I've purchased in the last few days and love! Go to the K Love link on the right...I bet you have K Love in your city! We could be singing the same songs in our cars at the same time!

Prayer for Salvation...

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:15-16

Lord, I ask and pray in the name and power of Jesus that You would plant a seed in my child's heart to desire You. I pray she would come to know You personally at a young age. Help her to know You as her Savior and Lord and stay on the straight, narrow path to Your kingdom. Give her ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to receive Your love gift of salvation. Draw my child to Yourself, I pray.

God's Armor of Protection...

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11


Lord, I thank you for your protection of my children. With the full armor of God, may they be strong in Your mighty power. Help them to stand firm with the belt of truth and to put on the breastplate of righteousness, knowing they are in right standing with you. may the gospel of peace be like shoes on their feet. As they take up the shield of faith, give them the Holy Spirit to fight for victory over evil. With the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit-the actual Word of God-may they be completely protected.

victory...

The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came...Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory. -Reuben Archer Torrey

work with me, please...

It makes me happy to take pictures...is it too much to ask for a little cooperation? She brashly announces, "okay, I'm done!" and runs off! Notice the running motion in a few of the photos. If she's not running, she's making faces...

mama's got a brand new bag...

David spent the weekend fishing in Empire, Louisiana. Jordan spent the weekend on the beach in Florida. Shelby and I decided to make the most of our weekend at home by having a little maintenance work done...haircuts all around! After that, we did a little shopping and took a trip to the art gallery. Shelby spent her birthday money on new clothes and a snazzy pink purse from Monkey Charms. It's a brand new store with trendy purses, shoes, and jewelry at bargain prices.

a brazen invitation...

Graffiti, Jackson MS
click photo to enlarge...

prayer...

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15, NIV

Rush of Fools: Already - THE BETTER QUESTIONS TOUR!!

My mom will be in Hong Kong for another week...please pray for her safety while there and traveling mercy on the way home. I added a few songs to the media player at the bottom of my blog. These are great songs. They are:
Already by Rush of Fools
Beautiful Lord by Leeland
Wondrous Love by Jadon Lavik

Great, great songs! Another one I love...Call My Name by Third Day.

In the video above, the lead singer for Rush of Fools tells what the song Already is about. Just watch the video and then listen to the song.

*Update: I took a few songs off my media player because I added a few new ones. I also moved the player over to the right hand side. I want to list the songs I took of because I love them so much. These songs can be found on iTunes.

I'm Not Who I Was by Brandon Heath
If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens
Audience Of One by Big Daddy Weave
Sea of Faces by Kutless
Praise And Adore by Wavorly
Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser
Albertine by Brooke Fraser
Beautiful You by Monk & Neagle

Prayer for Other Children in My Life...

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the little children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." Matthew 19:13

In my life, Lord, there are many children besides my own. I pray for them today. I lift up my children's friends, my nieces, nephews, and other relatives; my neighborhood children, foster children I know; and church kids. I ask that you would bless them all through me. So many children, Lord, need you. Show them Your love; reveal Your goodness and faithfullness to them. Bless their lives today, I pray.

When Our Hearts Sing - Rush Of Fools

Prayer for Teenagers...

"This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" 2 Chronicles 20:15

Lord, I ask for wisdom and patience through my children's teenage years. As they navigate new waters of growth, replace their confusion with clear thinking. I pray for their self-control and the wisdom not to be swayed by their peers. Give them a passion for you and direction for life. May they be motivated and honest. Help me to connect to my kids at this age and seek to understand their world. I thank you that the battle is not mine to fight, but Yours, Lord.

No, she's not a teenager yet, but, I'm starting to see her heading that way. Only one more year...I'm so torn with emotion...I just can't believe how true it is when people say, "They'll be grown before you know it!" I'm actually letting her go on a weekend trip to the beach with a friend and her family. I've already warned her (a hundred times) of all the dangers of the world. I told her not to go into the water too far (sharks), not to go to the bathroom alone (creepy men), to be alert, etc...I prayed this morning that God would give me peace and confidence. I worry about her so...When I read the verse above, I realized the battle is not mine...Thank you, Father, for Your protection over my children, and for the peace in knowing that You alone are GOD. You give me peace and comfort in my moments of self-doubt and fear.

Kiddie Couture...

this is the best shot I had of my niece...her Coach shoes...I kid, I kid...ummm, since when did teens start wearing such expensive shoes? Just give me a pair of flip-flops and I'm happy!

I Love This Kid...

I couldn't help posting a photo of Alex from this weekend...way too cute, and he thinks he's Spiderman. I love watching him shoot a web...

going home...

We spent a weekend visiting with my parents and my sister's crew...it was so good to roll around in the grass, feed the ducks, sit out on the deck talking about our childhood, it was good to laugh and take it easy...my mom left for Hong Kong this morning. Our visit was to spend time with her and my dad before she left. Please pray for her safe return. Look at Jordan, she's growing up. Heather and I went to Hayden's baby shower Saturday afternoon. Okay, I officially feel old. Not really, but reality set in...everyone had aged...the church ladies who give every mother-to-be a baby shower, my niece, my own daughters...it wasn't that long ago the baby shower was for Jordan...I'm thankful for every year added on to my life. God is so good to us.