AMERICAN SNIPER...

is an amazing movie!!

 

 

I've never seen a movie theater so packed ... 
or so silent when a movie was over...

So grateful for all our American Soldiers!

 

 

THANK YOU!

THIS MAY...

make some mad, irritate others, or inspire you...

I'm not sure which!

 

I want to start of saying that Tom and I work our butts off for what we have. We are in a great place... or at least heading in the right direction. I'm so tired of people making comments about "Carmel money." I learned a long time ago to be thankful for what I have... and that I had to earn what I wanted. I don't make comments about others paycheck or what they do with it! You have no idea... and frankly, it's none of your business! [end rant]

 

Starting over as a single mom was rough... but I survived and did the best I could. As most of you know, I've always been one of God's children, but it was when I got divorced that I {really} decided to follow Christ... with my whole heart! I knew I needed a Godly man in my life... and then I met Tom. He jumped in with both feet and never looked back. Our first few years together weren't all sunshine and roses, but we made it.

 

Yes, I'm going to say it. God is the main reason for our success. We are not perfect! We do not meet God’s expectations daily. We sin just as everyone else!

 

 Every day we strive to be better and strive to live according to God’s word.

 

Most importantly when we talk about our life, our future, our goals... we give it to God. We {I} had hit a wall where we weren't certain we could take anymore and we gave it to him. We said let it be what you want it to be. 

 

 We asked God... please walk by us as we do it because we CANNOT do it on our own.

 

We:

strive to be better

 strive to live the way we should

 strive to let go of the reins

strive to let Him have complete control.

 

And when we get a little off course... He is quick to remind us we cannot do it on our own.



TALKING ABOUT...

iTown... makes me happy!

 

 

I've had the chance to spread the word about our church 2 or 3 times in the past week! I love that people are interested in hearing about my journey there and want to know what the {hype} is!

 

I always give a little disclaimer first...

~ you may be overwhelmed the 1st time you go~

BUT... you will fall in love with this church just like we have!

 

Want to check it out with me sometime... I'll totally put you in the 2nd row with us!! It's just awesome... that's all I can say!

 

 

Or... you can sit in the last row with my brother-in-law and Coy... who never makes it through in the nursery!

 

 

The other kids all love it though! 5 of 6 kids is pretty good odds!

 



HEY HALEY...

I'm creating a monster! This all started because she wanted to shower in the morning! She's getting to the age where she wants her hair done everyday... And I guess her outfit has to match her hair style! Geez! Daddy doesn't do hair, so he bought her a straightener and blow dryer for Christmas. I should really teach her how to use one so I don't have to get up any earlier! Just kidding... I love this!! I love her more than words!! She's always my #womancrushwednesday and everyday! 

IT'S EASIER...

than I thought it would be... to give up social media.

I won't lie... I miss being able to post pictures, but I'm not {withdrawing} like I thought I'd be!

 

On day 4, I do find myself thinking about it more and more though...





instead...




MEET SHAY...

the newest fur baby... or grand fur baby?!

 

Miss Shay is a Teacup Yorkiepoo.

Her mom is a teacup yorkie and dad is toy poodle. 

She weighs just over 1 lb... I'm guessing, but we go to the vet Friday. 

She is full of energy for about 10 minutes and then crashes... then it's nap time!

 

Ember is doing pretty good with her. She has toys bigger than Shay! Shay has no fear though and acts like she is Ember's size!

 

Happy 11th {early} Birthday, Haley!

I wish I knew how to upload video to my blog, because her reaction was priceless! All of our eyes were tearing up! 



MY ONE WORD IS...

 

*TEMPO*

 

While continuing to read scripture... hoping God would lead me to my word... I came across the picture above! It kind of smacked me in the face! I am obsessed with watches and I am constantly looking to see what time it is. I always have to be somewhere, have the kids at an event, do that, finish this... and my schedule always seems to overwhelm me. I was reading about God's timing and how it is always perfect. I was reading about living in the moment and enjoying life. I began thinking about how fast pace our lives are and what I'm missing out on. I don't know what I'm missing out on... and that scary... or sad! Last night at church we started a new series called "Tiny Tweaks, Giant Peak" and that is where I came across the picture below. Pastor Dave talked about it in terms of New Year's Resolutions, but I'm thinking about it in terms of everyday life... and when I look back at an older age... or when the kids look back at an older age. I want to make those {small things} some of our favorite memories! I want to slow MY... our [pace] or [change our rate of speed]. I want to enjoy life. I want to embrace the moment. I don't want to live out of my planner and have every minute of our lives planned out. We have crazy schedules... and I want to cherish our times together. I don't want to get so caught up in cleaning, running places, etc that we don't enjoy our times together. I want to be able to drop anything and everything and grab my kids or husband... just to say:

 

 I LOVE you!

 

21 DAYS...

 

of Fasting and Prayer

 

I have never completed a fast where my heart and mind were 100% invested and that is all about to change! 2014 was a year of growing my faith and I can not wait to continue my journey in 2015. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me... and my family!

 

Today marks Day 1 of fasting. I'm not going to lie... I picked something very hard to give up! It's not about food or a diet for me. I had to pick something that takes me away from God and my family. As a society, everything we do is on our phones or on a computer and I needed to step away. At 9:30 pm last night, I deleted all social media from my phone: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat! (insert twitch here) I knew Twitter and Snapchat wouldn't be hard, but I LOVE posting pictures on instagram and "stalking" people on Facebook. It was consuming too much of my time.

 

Now... anytime I think I need to get on my phone, I just say a little prayer or start a conversation or read! I can't wait to be in the present! I can't wait for the knowledge I'm about to gain... either from my kids, Tom, the Bible, reading books, etc! I'm ready for this Spiritual Cleanse and actually hear the Holy Spirit!

 

Some friends and I went to church last night since I had to work today and I'm so glad we did. I had other options, but this year is about growing my faith... and really putting God first... so that's what I did! Pastor Dave gave us an assignment and I've been working on it for about an hour now... and it's starting to drive me a tad bit insane... because I can't think of the perfect WORD!

 

I'm trying to pick one word... that is the focus of everything I do for this entire year. This word won't just be for me... but for my family as well. I want it to be the first thing I think about before acting or making a decision. I know what I'm thinking about... I just can't seem to pick the PERFECT one for me... for my family!

 

Stay tuned!

Since I won't be on Facebook... I will be blogging along my way!

 

 

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" 

Philippians 4:13

HELLO 2015...

I'm so happy to see you!

 

2014 has been a wonderful year!

I am so thankful for all the amazing people in my life! There is no way I can possibly list every incredible thing/moment that happened, but I'll tell you what matters most:

 

1. My faith (iTown Church) has grown tremendously! I've always been close to God, but now that I LOVE our church... It makes going and learning and growing that much more awesome! I also LOVE that our friends and family are going with us and we are able to spread the word! 

 

2. Tom and I have a wonderful marriage (no one is perfect) and I can't describe what he means to the kids and me! I dedicated a whole post to him awhile back! He is my rock when I think the world may end! I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments!

 

3. Haley has been pretty healthy and did not have one hospital stay this year! She has developed in more ways than one, but this attitude needs to go! I've always informed everyone that she would be my payback child! She is so mature for her age and is so loving!

 

4. Drew is excelling and keeps me on my toes. He has brought his grades up and loves all things outside... sports and farming! Now... if I could just get him to like reading!

 

5. My family and friends! They are always there for me (and my family)... no matter what! Words can't explain my love for them!

 

I can't believe I lost two grandparents this year... 6 months apart! Rough times!

 

I wish you all the best in 2015! I can't wait to see what is in store for my family!!