Song: "Blink"

Today I would like to share a song with you that I've been hearing on KLOVE. It is called "Blink" by Revive.


I felt our summer went really fast. The days, weeks, and months go by so quickly now. I don't think it has always felt this way to me. Now watching Caleb grow up I see first hand how fast time does go. I don't want to miss the moments we have together as he is growing up. So many of the things we put importance on now aren't really going to matter in eternity, and I think we all need to be reminded of this periodically. We all need to slow down.

This song is a great reminder to enjoy the moments, and I hope you are blessed by hearing it.

Have a day of blessings!

As we continue to wait

We had an enjoyable week last week as Caleb began another school year. He is a first grader now. The past couple of weeks I have remembered my feelings from this time last year as he was going to kindergarten. This year was much easier on me emotionally! I am thankful he loves school and enjoys going. It was so nice to go to campus and recognize all the familiar faces of the staff, students, and other parents. I volunteered on Friday and loved being there, catching up with a couple of the ladies. We enjoyed the first football game of the season on Friday night. Caleb is participating in a program where he is matched up with a football player buddy. The group of boys gets to run out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game before the football players come out. It was fun seeing him excited about it and also watching the game with him and hearing his buddy's name throughout the game.

We continue to wait on news regarding my husband's job. However, we know we are closer now than we have been because some new positions have opened. We have prayed specific prayers about what we would like to happen for our family. We do not know how soon we will have an answer. I am also praying that we will accept whatever answer God has for us if it is yes, no, or wait some more. He has been so faithful and taught us both so much through this process. More and more details that He is writing in this story that I never could have imagined make me just smile and thank Him. Please pray for us over the next couple of weeks as we anticipate some new news about this.





Have a day of blessings!

Prayers and Promises Week #35

For the month of August the theme for the verses will be glory/glorify. I've chosen this theme because I have been thinking lately about how God can be glorified through the various trials we go through even though it is hard on us. So my prayer is that He will receive the glory for all that happens, whatever that may be.

This week's verse is I Peter 1:6, 7.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Prayer requests for this week:
~ John and Elaine, John is battling cancer. The doctors don't have anything else to do for him. Pray for him and his wife, she is devastated.

~ Anderson, a young boy also battling cancer.

~ my husband.

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday: Music

This week for Flashback Friday we are talking about music! Fun topic! Linda just keeps coming up with great ones for us to think about and remember.

My Flashback:
I have enjoyed music for as long as I remember. Our family had a record player also where we would play certain songs. I always thought it was fun to try to put the needle on the record at the correct spot.

I always had a lot of cassette tapes. Many of them were kids sing along types. I had a stereo in my room and would listen to the local Christian radio station. I liked when they gave away prizes!

Songs I remember from middle school are Garth Brooks ones like "The Dance." The school hosted a skate/dance regularly. We'd skate half the time and dance the other half.

One summer we went to Six Flags and I got to go to the Steven Curtis Chapman concert. I've seen him in concert several times since then as well as Michael W. Smith and Casting Crowns.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

It is time for Thankful Thursday. Join with us at Women Taking a Stand today.

This week I am thankful for:
~ safe travel for my husband who had an overnight trip to Corpus Christi this week.

~ my sweet boy having a great start to first grade.

~ getting to attend another continuing education class. It was free and they surprised us with a lunch from Panera.

~ the wonderful breeze I felt going outside first thing in the morning. Such a relief from the hot sunshine!

~ supportive family.

Thank you for visiting today. Whatever you are doing take time to be thankful.

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #27: Adopted For Life

I had the privilege of listening to Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore.

When I saw this title I thought it sounded interesting and reading the blurb about the book made me want to find out more so I requested it.

The author explains why as Christians who are adopted as sons and daughters of God we should be leaders in the adoption of children into our families. I enjoyed the stories he told about things he has faced with the adoption of two of his boys.

I found this book to be appropriate for Christians, preachers, those considering adoption, or those who know someone considering adoption. Also it is appropriate for those who would like to help others adopt. I appreciated how the author focuses a lot of the time on comparing our adoption as Christians to the adoption of a child into your family. The reader (who is the author) was easy to listen to in my opinion.

This book was provided through christianaudio Reviewers Program.
Have a day of blessings!

Happy birthday, Peepaw!

Today I am thinking of Peepaw as it would be his 81st birthday. I miss his calls. I miss his voice. I miss his laugh. I miss his hugs. My life was blessed to have such a special Peepaw.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #34

I'm so thankful that He is faithful!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promises is faithful." Hebrews 11:24

Please remember these in prayer this week:
~ Wills' family. I mentioned Wills last week. He passed away last week and his service was yesterday. Pray for his family...parents, siblings, and many friends.

~ students and teachers beginning school. It's that time of year again!

~ my husband.

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday:

Today for Flashback Friday we are continuing with the back-to-school theme. We are talking about clubs and extra-curricular activities.

My Flashback:
I was involved in many extra-curricular activities for most all of my school days. In elementary school I participated in UIL contests. This started in 3rd grade I believe. We could choose an event. I think we had to try out for the team and then the team went to contest. I remember that most years I did an event called Ready Writing. The judges gave you a topic and you had to write about it. Then they judged them. Other events I did through elementary were spelling, listening skills, and Music Memory. In Music Memory, there was a list of 20 or so pieces, we learned the title of the work and composer. At the contest they played a snippet of the piece and we had to identify it.

In middle school I continued with the UIL events. I did participate in 7th and 8th grades in an event called Modern Oratory. We were given a choice of topics prior to the contest. We had to prepare a speech on that topic and give it to the judges at contest. In middle school I began my years in the choir. I had the same choir director from 6th-12th grade and she is a special lady! We went to many choir contests and I have great memories from these trips. In high school I went twice with the choir to New York and we performed in Carnegie Hall. I was in clubs too in middle school such as Builder's Club (which is the middle school version of Key Club). I was in the charter group at our school. We had science fairs and I got to go on to the regional science fair in both 7th and 8th grades. It was a fun trip because it was on the weekend of my birthday. One year we ate at Olive Garden and my friends ordered a cake and sang to me there! Those science experiments make me laugh to think about. One of them was called ""The Effect of Sugar Substitutes on Fruit Fly Reproduction." In one of my classes we did Texas Future Problem Solvers and we got to go to the state bowl in Austin, which was a neat experience. I was in the pep squad in middle school also. Thinking of those bright yellow shirts and purple skirts make me laugh now!

In high school I continued to be in UIL events, mainly writing events and one called Literary Criticism. I advanced to regionals and I think one year to state but I don't remember which event that was. It felt like I was in several clubs but I can only think of two right now...Key Club and SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving). I was on the year book staff and got to be co- editor my senior year.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday this week. Join us for Thankful Thursday at Women Taking a Stand.

Today I am thankful for...
~ my husband's job and the time off he had with us to spend together last Thursday through Monday.

~ my sweet 6 year old! This is his last week before starting first grade on Monday. We have had a busy week but I have made an extra point to do specific things longer with him cause I know next week I'll miss having him around.

~ seeing a pretty sunset.

~ the memories we've made this summer. It went by so fast, but I'm thankful for the time we have had together and what we did do.

~ for being here right now at this time. People continue to ask us questions about our move. We haven't shared all the details. I am just so thankful for how this part of the story worked out and our house selling when it did so that we could be settled here at the start of school and not trying to move. I know God knows what He's doing and I trust His timing in all of this!

Have a day of blessings!

Book review: Hands-On Bible

I recently received a copy of the Hands-On Bible from Tyndale. When it came in the mail, my son immediately wanted to look at it. Doesn't the cover look fun and exciting? We sat down and looked at it and read some of the articles together.

The Bible is written in the New Living Translation. Each book of the Bible begins with some information about what happens in that book and what to look for as you read, along with a verse to lead you to that topic. One thing that I really appreciate is the timeline. There is a segment of a timeline in the introduction of each book to show what was happening at that time both from a biblical perspective as well as general facts of history. Also included throughout the Bible are some activities to do related to the verses. These activities are sometimes little science experiments that teach a lesson, a game, or something written. Scattered throughout are a few full color pages as well with more activities and information about various books. I like the layout and print in this Bible, it's easy to read.

This would make a great gift for a family you know or maybe even your own family. I look forward to using it more with our family.

Have a day of blessings!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free fromTyndale as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It's ugly...

Upon hearing the news of the passing of a 22 year old man from my hometown that touched countless lives, I am reminded again of something we must live with in this world….cancer. This past year there have been so many I have known personally who have been diagnosed with some form of cancer. When I hear of someone else being diagnosed, I often find myself full of questions… Why this person? Why do they have to suffer? Why can’t there be a cure? Why this family? I have seen the impact cancer has on the physical body as well as the way it touches the lives of the family members who battle alongside their loved one. My heart breaks for them. Cancer is just so ugly to me.

Read the rest of my devotional today at Laced With Grace.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #33

This week's verse is Psalm 33:17, 18---
"A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love."


When I found this verse, it made me think about all the things we hope in everyday. In our society we don't rely on horses as in the time this passage was written, but we get the idea...it is silly to put our hope in _______ for deliverance. What do you use in your own life to fill in this blank? What are you putting your hope in? If it is not in the Lord, then it is vain, whatever it may be. The next verse goes on to say that the Lord wants us to fear Him and hope in His unfailing love. We don't have to hope in any thing or person. We can rely and lean on the Lord.

So many people around us don't have this hope. I cannot imagine how they can face the struggles and heartaches of life depending on their own strength. The Lord is the only Way!

There are so many prayer requests for people this week. I'll share a few.
~ Wills. I've asked for prayers for him before. He is a 22 year old young man who was undergoing treatments for cancer. His situation is serious; my childhood hometown is all praying for him and his family.

~ twins I mentioned last week. These newborn twins were born 14 weeks premature. This week they are both improving though! It was encouraging to hear the reports on them.

~ John and Elaine. John had a scan recently that showed tumor growth and a new tumor. He was one of my former buddies through Audrey's Umbrella and I've kept up with him on Facebook through his wife Elaine. She posted this week that they sent him home on hospice care and there is nothing left to do for him the doctors say.

~ those starting back to school. We have one more week here in Texas before the students start, but the teachers will be starting this week. Pray for them as they go back to the classroom and prepare for a new year with new children.

~ also those going to college and their families.

Join us for Spiritual Sundays.

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday: Back to School

Today we have a back to school theme for Flashback Friday. This is another great topic Linda has chosen for us!

My Flashback:
All of my life I absolutely loved school. I always looked forward to school starting and getting my school supplies was always such fun. It made me excited to see the stores putting out their rows of school supplies. I remember when the school where my Mom worked starting offering supply packs. The first couple of years they bought them and put the packs together themselves. So I would go with Mom to Walmart and we would have carts and carts of school supplies! It is a funny memory to think about! So many people have a bad attitude about shopping for supplies. I noticed this back then and now when I take Caleb. They gripe and complain about what they have to find. To me it is a fun time to look and pick out the things together.

For back to school we would always go shopping for school supplies. I always had a special outfit for the first day too. I liked to get a new backpack and new lunch box. I really did not take my lunch that often. I remember a plastic pink Minnie Mouse box with a thermos. I asked Caleb if he wanted a new backpack and lunch box for first grade. He said he would just use the ones he had. They are both in good shape so I guess that is fine, I just expected him to say he'd want a new one (I guess cause I always wanted a new one!).

Something that was always so exciting was to go by the school building and see if they had posted the lists of classes yet. I am excited this year to go look at the window next Thursday and find out who Caleb's teacher will be for first grade!

When I went to kindergarten, the teacher asked how I was getting home and I told her riding the bus. I was so excited to get to ride the bus home. I went to kindergarten all day but only every other day. It is weird to think of that now! For example, one class went Monday/Wednesday/Friday the first half of the year and then at Christmas switched with the other class to Tuesday/Thursday.

I love the "back to school" time of year now and like to share that excitement with Caleb.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday: Special Birthday Edition!

On Thursday, August 12, 2004 our lives changed forever at 11:27 a.m. when our son was born. I could never have dreamed of all the ways he would have blessed our lives.

Today our sweet son turns 6 years old. The time has passed so quickly. "Six" doesn't seem as hard for Mommy to say as it was to get used to saying five!

Caleb,
I love that you are so sweet and caring. I love that you are silly and make me laugh. I love that you are sensitive and know when Mommy needs a hug. I love that you look up to your Daddy so much and that you two are so close. I love that you sing and hum, hearing you makes my heart smile. I love that you help me when I ask you to do something. I love that you tell people yes when they ask you if you are ready for school to start. I love that the one thing you have been most excited about turning six is being able to get your very own library card. I love that you still give me snuggles and sweet hugs and kisses in the mornings. I love that feeling of holding your hand in mine as we walk into a store together. I love that you love Jesus. I love that you care about other people. I love that you like to go by and look at our old house. I love that you love books. I love that you have your preferences on your clothing. I love you!
I am so thankful for you. You are such a blessing to us. Happy birthday!
Love,
Mommy

Thanks for stopping in today on Thankful Thursday!

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #26: Seeds of Summer

I have finished Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts. This is book 2 in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.

Natalie Adams has returned to the family ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas after the sudden death of her father. She gives up her plans for college and as a rodeo queen to go home to run the ranch and care for her two half-siblings, Chelsey and Dillon.

Jared Logan is the new preacher in town. He meets Dillon one day while he's out fishing and then after that repeatedly comes to the family's aid. It is hard for independent Natalie to accept his help. While Natalie is attracted to him, she knows she is not qualified to be a preacher's wife.

Natalie has a lot of responsibility as she is faced with running the ranch, dealing with her father's death, and a battle with her siblings when their mother shows up after having left twelve years ago.

My thoughts:
This was a very enjoyable book. I loved the setting and the way the author describes the Flint Hills. She makes it easy to picture the scenes in your mind. I read the first book in the series Snow Melts in Spring, and those characters are briefly mentioned in this book too. I appreciated getting to know these characters in Seeds of Summer. They are easy to relate to as you read about their struggles and doubts. I am so glad to have found this author and look forward to the next book in this series.

Have a day of blessings!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Prayers and Promises Week #32

Here is the verse for this week:
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to give you hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11

Some things to pray for this week:
~ students (and their families) who are preparing to go off to college this week and next. I know my "little" brother in law will be moving into his dorm next weekend.

~ our youth minister and family is leaving, they are going to a new church where he will be the preacher. We are excited for them at this new ministry but will miss them. They've been here nearly 10 years. They are moving this week. Pray for them as they move and for their house here to sale.

~ premature twins born to one of our church families. The little boys (Jonathan and Joshua) weighed less than 2 pounds each.

~ those serving in the military and their families. I have another friend from high school whose husband will be deploying soon.

~ my husband. He pulled a muscle while trying to learn to ski Saturday.

Thank you for visiting.

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday....When I grow up....

I am always excited on Thursday's to read Linda's prompts that she posts for the flashback coming up on Friday. She has come up with some great ones, and I love participating and remembering memories from my childhood. Today Linda has asked us to share about what we wanted to be when we grew up. This is an easy and fun one for me (and probably long)!

My flashback:
When I was young, I talked about being a nurse. Someone said one time something about nurses giving shots and helping the doctor. Well right then I changed my mind. I didn't want to be a nurse if they only got go give the shots, I wanted to be a doctor and do the "gross stuff" I said. For many years I said I wanted to be a doctor.

I believe when I was in middle school for one of my classes we had to interview someone in the profession we would like to be one day. I talked to a pediatrician. At the moment he told me he did not always have a lot of time with his family, I immediately knew I did not want to be a doctor anymore. From then on, I no longer had that desire.

For a few years I felt unsure of what I wanted to do. One year I went to a science fair competition and they had various classes set up for us to attend. One was an occupational therapist from the West Texas Rehab. For a while I thought this might be a good career for me.

I don't know when I officially decided I wanted to be a teacher. I think it was at the beginning of high school. I say this because I remember once I made this decision my Mom started buying me Christmas gifts that were teacher related books and materials! I never changed my mind after that. I went to college knowing I wanted to be an elementary teacher and dreamed of teaching 2nd grade. That was the position I got my first year in the classroom. The next year I had 1st grade. I didn't think I would like it as much but it was great as well.

Since my Mom worked at a school I volunteered many hours at her campus in the summer months. I did all sorts of things helping her and some of the teachers. I saw the "behind-the-scenes" stuff that goes on at schools. I think being a teacher is just in my heart. I will always be a teacher. My body runs on a school calendar I think and I always know when August is coming because I have this need to start getting school supplies and planning lessons of some kind!

Through all my years I always knew that I wanted to be a Mommy and my dream was to be a stay-at-home Mom. My husband always knew this was important to me and it was important to him as well. He wanted my dream to come true. Before we had children, we were not sure how it would work, but everything did work out and God blessed me to be able to stay at home. I've been a stay at home Mom for 6 (gulp) years now and I love it. Last year when Caleb started kindergarten I had several offers for various positions. I still feel though that I need to be at home for this time and that is my profession for now.

People ask me if I will go back to teaching someday. I figure some day I will. I just don't know yet when that some day will be. I also have a feeling I "need" to write. I don't know how what that is going to look like either. We will see what God has for me and our family!

Have a day of blessings!

Remembering

Today is one of the days I remember our first child. This was my first due date. Caleb and I already talked about our thoughts of what kind of party she would have wanted this year.

I'll always hold the memories of that special time in a special place in my heart. As I said before I know there was a reason for that loss. Through the years I have met many women who have gone through a miscarriage. Recently the mother of one of Caleb's classmates went through a loss. When I hear of someone else who has had a miscarriage, my heart remembers that pain and the sadness that filled me at that time.

August is a big month for us and this year it doesn't seem quite so overwhelming. God is good and I'm thankful for the memories and that He is with us and has us in His care.

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

For August we are meeting for Thankful Thursday at Laurie's blog. Hope you will join us!

Today I am thankful for...
~ my amazing husband. He has had a tremendous loss at his work this past week. I am so proud of him, the stand he takes, and the example he is to his coworkers. I may share more about this another day.

~ my sweet boy. He is adjusting well to being at the duplex. He always makes me smile when he says as we are driving, "Can we drive by and see our old house?" (Cause I like to drive by and see it too!)

~ air conditioning! So thankful it works well in our duplex and vehicles.

~ lunch with a friend from church. We were paired up together for her to be my mentor in our new women's ministry program at church. Caleb and I enjoyed lunch at her home today with her and her daughter.

~ lessons God continues to teach me about trusting Him and waiting on Him.

Thank you for visiting. We are looking forward to a fun weekend with a special little birthday boy! His birthday is next Thursday and his party is Saturday.

Have a day of blessings!

Marriage Monday: Food that Flopped

I'm late today but wanted to add in for Marriage Monday. When I saw one of the possible titles for this month ---Food that Flopped (And How We Laughed About it Later), a funny story came to mind!

When we were dating, I found out my husband loved lemon pie. One day I was home from college and knew he was coming over to visit, so I decided to make him a pie. I had made many pies before but never a lemon pie. My Mom even helped me some as I was preparing it. When he got there and had a bite, it was not at all what he expected. I don't know what I did wrong! Remembering it now, he said it was very dense and he doesn't remember what made it that way.

We joke about it now if we eat something that isn't the best. Or if I make something new and I'm scared how it will turn out, I'll mention my first lemon pie.

I don't know if I've made him another lemon pie since then! I should try!

Have a day of blessings!

Card giveaway

I found a giveaway of note cards. I love having cards to send and have a big tub of cards divided by categories. I always like to get more! I follow Pam's blog and was excited to see the giveaway she's hosting right now. She is also offering a discount on her cards now too. Go check it out! It's easy to enter, just leave a comment. Here is the link.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #31

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30, 31

Have a day of blessings!