Who am I?

Today I am remembering who I am.

I am a chosen child, a daughter of the King, and an indispensable part of God’s heart! Remembering whose I am frees me to embrace the gifts He has given me and accept the parts of me that I question with my own fragile heart. Knowing whose I am draws my attention away from the critics of this world and fixes my gaze on the only one I have to please ... God

It’s so easy to want to be like other women I know and admire, but remembering that God fashioned me and the gifts and abilities I have are all from Him; that I am by His design….gives me such Freedom to just be me!!

Psalm 139:14-16 "I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed.

Just 5 minutes...

Today I have been searching for just 5 minutes to cuddle with my sweet baby girl. I went out of town this weekend without her and missed her so much! I just couldn't get enough of her sweet kisses last night and was so looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with her today.

BUT....she is so active! I remember my sweet friend Leslie telling me to just treasure all the times Kaitlyn wanted me to hold her or rock her. Now she is a busy body and too busy playing for me to hold her :(

Love you sweet girl...don't get to big for us to cuddle!

Changes!!

Notice some super cute changes!!! My most talented friend Wynne is doing a re-design on my blog. You have to check out her super cute layout here. She offers tons of tutorials on how to do the layout and fonts for your blog. Not only that, but Wynne is a great photographer. She captured some great pics at E-Teen CBS that I talk about so much. And not only that, but she is such a precious friend to me. I tell her all the time how blessed I am that God brought us together 'cause there we have a one-of-a-kind friendship.

Thanks Wynne!!!! Love you!!!

I choose to honor...

I would much rather my hubbie recall the scripture:

“Her husband praises her: ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!’ ”Proverbs 31:28b-29

Vs.

“It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.” Proverbs 21:19

So today, I choose to honor. I choose to love and and encourage. To be a helpmate. ....and you?

Love & Logic

My friend Jodi blogged about a Love & Logic course she took after the arrival of her precious little one Parker. When I heard that a local church was offering a 6 week mini-session I joined a few friends to take the class. I must say, this style of parenting is very intriguing.
I am off to our class this morning on the topics of potty training, bedtime, manners, and eating habits. Very excited to see what I can learn.
As I was running around this morning checking e-mails, getting sippy cups, tying my shoes- I yelled "Kaitlyn, are you ready?"

Well, this is what I found. Miss Hollywood herself with her sunglasses upside down and a purse on her arm (of course!)

Here are a few pics of from the weekend. I ran fever starting Thursday afternoon and had a nasty cold, but little Miss never missed a beat!

I hear wedding bells!

My sweet friend Jordan suprised us Monday with a rose and two invitations to be in her wedding.

The date has been set and plans are underway for a date in October.

Kaitlyn will be a flower girl (for the very first time)
 and I will be her Matron of Honor.

 

Can't wait to share in this special day for Jordan and see my little princess in a flower girl dress!

So Pretty Baby Girl

Video of Kaitlyn after she found mommy's lip gloss. Here

Having fun with cousins!

Jayme & Sydni (Chris' brothers girls) came over Monday after school.

Kailtyn adores these two. She calls them "da girls!!"

 Just a few pics of craft time at our house.

Full Time Worshiper in Heaven

Today mark's 11 years that my dad and brother joined the heavenly chorus as a full time worshiper. I sure miss them, miss the special times in my life that they were not able to share...my wedding day, my accomplishments, the arrival of sweet Baby K.

As this day approaches I always ask myself if this will be the year I visit the grave side. I have only been there once or twice because I firmly believe that the memory of them is really in my heart.......I see my dad in all sorts of things I do...I see him in the way I love Chris and the way I discipline Kaitlyn (he used to say Sommer, I can be your best friend or your worst nightmare..ha!). I see him in the way I love to sing and worship with arms extended to the Lord. I see him in my love for people and the way I love to encourage.

Instead of visiting the graveside, I like to pull out an e-mail that my dad forwarded to close friends on 2/23/99, his final day on Earth. The story reminds me that in this world we will have troubles, but our hope is that our Savior has overcome the world.

Enjoy the parable of the donkey.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! 

Shake it off and take a step up.

Thanks for sharing dad.
Through Christ I have been able to shake it off, take a step up, and my life will never be the same because of the healing in my heart.

Ready For Spring!

We are so ready for Spring!

Kailtyn will be so much fun to play with this summer I can hardly stand it. Today we were able to paint pictures on the back porch and fly a kite with Dad. Here's to enjoying the warmer temperatures while they are present, even if it is just for the weekend. What a gift.