Maci Cheerleading...

Maci loves to cheer. She has joined the upward team at Denver Baptist Church. Her team name is the Honeybees. It is so fun to watch her and all the little basketball players. I have some video clips I need to download and post. And a few 100 more photo's. LOL I just wanted to share a few of these before I forgot to! Come watch her if you want. They put on a really cute half time show!

Schedule; all games are played in the gym at Denver Baptist Church on Saturday's.
1/12/08 2 PM
1/26/08 9 AM
2/02/08 10 AM
2/09/08 1 PM
2/16/08 3 PM
2/23/08 12 PM
3/01/08 2 PM

Living A Sheltered Life...

Erin and I were just having this conversation on Sunday. I fell like I have been trapped inside of the bounderies of my house these past few weeks. Quarinteened! None the less shut out from the rest of the world which continued to go on without me. You know I've been shut in when today I cheered over a dirty diaper. LOL Finally a solid one, no more runny mess. Sad isn't it, the highlight of my day. LOL

Winter Blues vs. God's Amazing Grace...

Well, my house has been a little drab over the last several weeks. Sickness snuck in and got us all at one point and time since Christmas. Michael and I were down for several weeks at the end of the year and first part of the new year. The girls are currently recovering from a nasty virus bug.

I'm ready for Spring...I want to open up my windows and let in the fresh air. I want to see the flowers bloom and the world around me changing. Spring always reminds me of a special promise. Something I have been told quite often by many who love me lately. "This too shall pass."

I can finally see that light shining through at the end of the path. The girls are up and feeling much better today. No fevers. Yeah!! In the dark days of whining, sick, very upset and sour feeling children, what does a worn down mother do to get her through, what seems like and unending bout of sickness? I turned to the Lord. Used my devotions to help me look for a towards the light. I am human and didn't do this quickly enough...Of course I waited until my breaking point. When I could take no more. The thought of going crazy in this house with my children watching brought me to the feet of the Lord. "Just get me through this...." How often have I or you prayed this prayer. A prayer of desperation. So about 1/2 way through my trial of being tested I finally give in and crawled into the arms of our Lord. This is what the Lord said to me through Ephesians 2:3-17-19.

" I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God's hold people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love- how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God."

God is always there. When I get to busy to read his word, he is still there waiting on me. I am very guilty of commitment when it comes to my spending time with God. I'm often very consumed with life, my own trials and daily stresses. How could I stretch myself another ounce to find time for reading? This verse allowed me to be transformed. Helped me understand what my commitment to God would do and mean in my life. I had been getting by on enough of God to fulfill my needs, right when I needed him most. Doesn't he deserve more...My devotion that night, which lead me to the verse above taught me that commitment was imperative for my spiritual happiness.

Do I want to live a spiritual life that is saved just in the nick of time and risk the chance of really going crazy without God in my life daily... Or do I want to commit to my heavenly Father by coming to God everyday, allowing myself the honor of being filled with the fullness of God? (just as the scripture mentioned) Just the thought of never being at the desperate breaking point is refreshing. What would it fill like to get enough of God's fullness in my life each day? This is not to say that there will no longer be trials in my life. But when the testing times do come I will be strong and know instantly where my hope and trust must lie. To always have my eye on the light before the path ever gets dark and dreary. This is the relationship I long for...

The steps ahead that will take me there. Joanna Weaver author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, shared what helped her to get to this point in her life. She called the the 3 little keys.
*Consistency (Consistent Practice)
*Creativity (Creative Strategies)
*Conversation (A little Conversation)

She went on to say that when she became committed to these steps God transformed her life in miraculous ways. She became excited about her daily time with God. Sometimes she could not sleep and would find herself in Gods presence. This is something like what happened to me after my time with God. I went to bed after reading the bible and chapter 7 of her book. As I was laying there this thought came over me and I got up to record it in my journal.

Journal Entry 1-24-08
I love coffee. I look forward to it each morning, it gets my heart racing, gives me the energy I need to tackle a busy day at most. I realized that recently my cup of coffee had been more of a daily commitment than my time with God. My heart was no longer willing to exist in the midst of a melancholy type of love. No longer was half hearted, un-willful, occasional, unintentional devotion and prayer enough. The scripture had finally changed me. I had allowed God to change me as I had prayed so many times before. “Lord, use me for your glory, not my own intentions.”

So as a late New Years Resolution...I resolve to feed my soul...Letting the Lord transform me...
No more just in the nick of times. I want and desire something much deeper...When it comes down to it God's Amazing Grace will always prevail if you invite Him into your life for more than an occasional cup of coffee.

Love Adds a Little Chocolate...

Duty can pack an adequate snack lunch, but love may decide to enclose
a little love note inside...Obligation sends the children to be on
time, but love tucks the covers in around their necks and passes out
kisses and hugs (even to teenagers!)...Duty gets offended quickly if it
isn't appreciated, but love learns to laugh a lot and to work for the sheer
joy of doing it. Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often,
love adds a little chocolate.

Written by Linda Andersen in the book Love Adds a Little Chocolate.

When I came to this in my devotion last night I though about Moriah.

Thank you for being a positive light in my life. Keep on SHINING...


I thought if one thing Love is something I am full of. I'm coming to find that there are so many types of love.
I'm praying for the love that works for the sheer joy of doing it. So if you are praying, join me in praying for that
type of love to be present in my life and in all my works. It's the obligation and duty part that are stumping me.
I have always needed to be appreciated and have done certain things to get appreciated. And am left feeling very
let down and empty when the appropriate gratitude is not reciprocated. I need to do everything, even dutiful things,
out of love and not for glory.

The Story of what your hands hold...

Maci's hands...The DREAMER...

I catch Maci going after a dandelion, with a hand full of flowers in the other hand. Too PERFECT. First the flowers represent how much of a girlie girl Maci is. She is 100% Miss Priss Pot. Then the dandelion represents what a dreamer she is. At the end of every fairytale she ask, "Mommy could a fairytale really come true." Of course baby girl keep dreaming... Go ahead and make your wish! If any of my girls were to ever take over the business one day when Moriah and I are off traveling the world...LOL...it would be Maci. She is creative and artistic without a doubt. I can really tell that already even at 5! The fact that one object is not enough to hold her attention but in fact she has gone after two. A multi-tasker who will always think her cup runneth' over! (not half full) I hope that you find a way to transform the world with your Grace and Beauty!

Marley's hands...The LOVER...

Marley aka. Love Bug...She loves lady bugs. Every time we go outside she asks me to catch her one. She was so proud today when she found one on her own. To me this represents how loving she is. Caring for even the littlest creature's God has created. She has got to be the sweetest child on earth. Spread your love baby girl, this world needs more of it.

Micah's hands...The FREE BIRD...

Micah finds a bird feather. If any of my children don't fit the mold it's Micah. She beats to the beat of her own drum. Will defiantly grow up to be a leader. This feather represents the unique personality that she has. Follow your dreams baby girl and don't ever stop to conform to what other's think or do. Make your own path to travel.

I'm going to do just what Moriah has suggested to me. Print these photo's and frame them. They so perfectly represent the uniquness and differences of my girls. I love each of you so much! I also love how different each of you are!

December Photos...

We have had some beautiful weather this week in NC.
You can't hardly beat 80 degrees in December.
The girls and I played all week outside.
I want to share some of my photo's.



Look at this photo...
Be a Kid again...
Close your eyes...
Make a wish...
BLOW...
DREAM...

Our dog "Mags" or Maggie.

Pine cones in the sky!
Gosh I love those beautiful Carolina Blue skies!

December Photos cont...

Christmas Photos...

A few of my Christmas favorites...

My house and tree are full of Poinsettia's.

My favorite flower of the season. Read it's story below.

My favorite ornament on my tree.

Maci and I made this when she was only 3 months old.

Holly from our front yard.

We have two beautiful 12 ft. holly bushes.

The Legend of the Poinsettia
The legend of the poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children loved Christmas, but were always saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.
One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Of course they were teased by other children when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.

December Photos...

I love the Nativity scene. It's also Maci's favorite Bible story,
the birth of baby Jesus! She has me read it over
and over all year through. It never seems
to get old to her. She truly understands
too what it means to her today. And how
important that event is still today!



A rose I found blooming on my bush.

A little piece of heaven on earth.
I love our hammock!

Thanksgiving Feast...

I took this photo at Maci's Thanksgiving feast at Pre-school.

Saturday- Value, Day 5 of Moriah's Challenge...

As a parent I can only pray that my children will grow up to honor and share some of the same values that I have. Most all of the values that I have come from a religious values that I was either raised on or have grown to accept.
Compassion, love and care ...Are the most important and speak the loudest language to me. Jesus is the perfect example I hope to reflect when speaking of these values.
Compassion...how appropriate to emphasize this time of year. And, tomorrow being the first day of advent, (the coming of Christ our savior). God exemplified so much compassion for us that He sent His only son to save us from our sins. I looked up compassion in the dictionary and this is what it said. "Compassion is often characterized through actions, wherein a person acting with compassion will seek to aid those they feel compassionate for." There is no greater example of this than what our heavenly Father did for us through Jesus. Hold onto this as we prepare this season for the celebration of the Nativity.
Love, an unconditional love that my parents had for me and I now have for my children. Then the agape love that God has for, us, his children.
Care, stems back to the values we were taught in pre-school. Matthew 7:12 says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Also known as the golden rule. Again Jesus sets the perfect example of caring. He cares so much he is willing to forgive all our impurities and wash away all our sin. A great price that was paid for us through the blood shed by Him on Calvary.
Integrity is another value that stands of importance to me. If I did not have integrity I would not honor any of the values that I hold dear and apply them appropriately.
I value the Bible and it's great teaching of all the saints that have gone on before us.

Santa's Helper...

Being the good little helper that I am. I have allowed Santa to ship some items to my home this season. I will wrap them and place them under the tree to help take the load off of him. FedEx delivered one of these gifts today, unwrapped. On the front of the box, plain as day is an image of the contents inside. Well what the contents will look like after Michael helps Santa a little more by assembling the 1,000 pieces I'm sure it's in. I have my pink and white polka dot apron on. My house is in the process of getting decorated. Back to the apron. I have a christmas party tonight for my Sunday school class I'm baking for. I don't always wear an apron, but I have on a new shirt, thanks Mom, that I didn't want to ruin. (She gave it to me for my birthday.) I can get pretty messy. So back to the point. Oh one more thing, I'm also on the phone right in the middle of rolling sausage balls. If you've ever done this before you know how messy it can be. I run to the back door to see what my dog is barking about. Oh it's Santa's gift! In a hurry trying to avoid explaining this to my 5 year old I send her to my office to play the computer. (Computer time is like gold at our house.) Oh rats I've missed the delivery man before he has gotten back into his truck. I hang up the phone with promises to return the call and motion for the man to come and help me. (He must have thought I was the most domestic little housewife in my apron, LOL.) You see, the gift is to heavy for me to carry or even drag to the building shed in the back yard. With the most hateful, disgusted look on his face he obliges. In the sweetest, most kind voice I ask, " Could you please help me move this to the building out back, I don't want my kids to see what Santa has dropped off." His harsh reply, "Why didn't you ask before I carried this up the steps." I said nothing and just killed him with kindness, cause you never know what kind of day he was having.

I walk back into the house after Thanking him a million times for his kindness, thinking...
If I would not have been in the middle of being Betty Crocker, little housewife of the holidays, distracting my little girl who would have wondered why Santa had gifts delivered before Christmas, talking on the phone and the many other multi-tasking things I was doing at the time. I would have maybe, just maybe, seen you a little earlier and saved you the inconvenience of a few little steps...Like I would ever do something like that on purpose...Would it have killed you to swallow your harsh reply, put on a smile and help a friendly, busy neighbor out? Uggggggg......

Honesty- Day 4 of Moriah's Challenge...

Being honest is a lesson I unfortunately learned the hard way. Many, many years ago I used to tell lies to escape the consequences of telling the truth. Which meant I was doing things I knew were wrong. In our childhood/adolescence we make so many mistakes. I feel fortunate now that this is a lesson I learned at a young age. So I had time to gain back trust and not make the same devastating mistakes as an adult. Lesson learned...

I'm calm in nature but hot tempered...
I put everything off to the last minute...
---this causes me STRESS---------
I drink a cup or 2 of coffe every morning to get me going.
Weh children whine it sends knives up my spine and makes me want to run away...LOL
I don't like to be in the spotlight...
I'm not really a blond, anymore...
Sometimes I guve in just to avoid conflict...
I'm not honest when I think it might hurt someone's feelings...
I've been known to laugh and smile when I really want to cry...
I've really sensitive and wear my heart on my sleave...
I don't like pitty...
I would rather know how you turly feel than to haveyou pretend...
It bothers me when the reason someone does something is for self gratification.
It bothers me when people speak before they think.
...and when they gossip...
I have this silly fear of being the last one up/awake at night.
I live in a house of chaios and clutter...
i am guilty of eating and entire chicken pot pie...
I don't like when parents send their sick, runny nose children to school.
I dislike people who think they know everything.
These challenges have been uncomfortable at times.
Whe I clean, sometimes I hide the mess in a closet. So if you ever come over don't open them...
My real pet peeve is when people say they are going ot do something and don't. Expeciall with my kids...
My garage is fill of boxes and we moved a year ago.
I leave the bathroom door open and cross my legs when I pee....
OK maybe that was a little too much info...LOL

Inner Joy-Day 3 of Moriah's Challenge...

Fairfield United Methodist Church

Our heavenly Father...Nothing or no one could or will ever bring us more Joy. The second we all believe that our lives are forever changed. No material possession or even person could ever bring us more inner Joy than Him. True inner Joy is not attainable without Him...

My church, Fairfield United Methodist. It's not the domination or the actual building of the church itself, but the people who come. I have learned so much from each of them. Many thing's they will probably never know. (Hey that would make a great challenge Moriah, to write about someone that has impacted you that may not know and invite them to read?) I love to come to church to worship, but also to see and be surrounded with such a great and loving family of believers...I truly love each member and each member holds a special place in my heart...

My mother brings me so much inner joy. Just thinking about her puts a smile on my face. She will and always has loved me unconditionally, fought for me and taught me. No, there's nothing better than being the baby and a mama's girl...

My husband...We are by no means the perfect couple. But we were truly one of those fortunate couples that really listened when God called. I whole heartily believe that He chose Michael for me and vise versa. Just that thought brings me joy. I am truly, deeply and passionately in love with this man...

When my children sing me songs, giggle, give me hugs and inspire me. They are what my life is about now and forever. I love that they are all so different and that each of them radiate beauty. It's just so appropriate because what they have to offer the world is endless and full of happiness, love and joy...

There is nothing like coming back to a good book. One that inspires, captivates and challenges you to grow by facing the unknown. One that you wish you could just sit down in a cozy little spot and read from cover to cover. All of Max Lucado books bring me inner Joy. He is my favorite author. I have a ton of his books. Let me know if you would like to borrow any...

The first kiss of the morning and last kiss of the night. If you haven't figured it out by now I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic. My heart sings each morning and night with all 4 kisses that I get. And as a cherry on the top of the Sunday; when my children call me in for "one more kiss and one more hug please." Nothing in the world feels better or tops that...

Something very simple like hearing from an old friend or catching up with a new one. Or finding a e-mail that brings you to tears of joy waiting for you after a very rough day. I truly find joy when my friends open up and trust me with their inner joys, broken hearts, ect. I compassionately care and yearn to help them no matter where their lives may lay...

Sunday lunch...For all you raised here in the South, need I say anything more? LOL The feeling of the family gathering, no matter how big nor small. It amazes me that all Rita (my mother-in-law) has to do is tell her children after church that she has cooked and all 6 of them, their wives, (well Michael's the only one married) and children will be there. Seated around her table, to pray together, laugh together and pick on each other. I can only hope to follow in those footsteps...

The moment when I can find that my work as a photographer has inspired, brought forth emotion or captivated. There is no better feeling than for someone to admire and truly appreciate your work. Especially when to you it's a form of art that you poured your heart into...

This was great M- to focus on the true inner Joy in our lives. Thanks................

Day 2-Be You...Moriah's Challenge

Day 2- Be YOU.
Take it and do with whatever you like! Blogger has been down ALL DAY!I'll be back with my post!!ANYTHING you want...Just based around " BE YOU" XOXOX

The first thing that came to my mind when I thought about being ME was my love of poetry. I don't often like to talk about myself. So I thought I might create a little poem that desribes me best.

I am a woman who flies by the seat of her pants...
Keeping up with me on most days, not even wonder woman stands a chance.
I like to dance, I like to sing, though if you heard me your ears would ring.
I can type really fast and search the web all night long, I can play the guitar,
well..... only one song.
I try to laugh as often as I can, especially when my husband tries to be superman...
I'm less of a fighter and more of a lover and I've been known to steal the covers.
I've been told a time or two that sleeping with me is like fighting jujitsu.
I had my first real kiss in the fourth grade, I often rode in the Mooresville Christmas Parade.
I married for love to a man who was sent from the good Lord above.
We had three darling little girls in three short years. Each of their birth's brought us to tears.
A few of my favorites are dumplings, chicken and liver mush...
I'm not a real country girl though, but, shhhhhhhh, Hush!
I don't like to clean or take out the trash and if I see a spider it's going to get smashed.
I'm pretty humane in all other ways, I've been know to take in a couple of strays.
Yellow is my favorite color for no reason at all, I'm not short nor tall.
The number one thing that sett's me apart is my caring heart.
I'm the youngest daughter of two, My favorite college team is Caroline blue???
I don't like attention or the spot light, but if you cross me wrong I might want to fight...LOL
Greys and Dirty Sexy Money, are my favorite shows, my hair has always been blond as far as anyone knows.
I have a much deeper disire for most things, than I hardly ever let people know. I should let my inner flame show.

Moriah's Challenge...Inspire...

To understand this challenge you may want to read Moriah's BLOG post titled Inspire...
If you want to participate copy and past to e-mail or post on your blog. Then leave me a comment so I will know to come view your post.

I am
I love
I yearn
I feel
I understand
I can't
I trust
I depend
I show
I think
I believe
I don't
I could
I should
I really
I see
I hear
I smell
I touch
I can
I did
I do
I am

My Version...

I am in love with my life.
I love deeply and passionately.
I yearn to be the person God has created me to be.
I feel misunderstood a lot.
I understand that sometimes it's best to agree to disagree. (Sound familiar Michael?)
I can't always say how I feel without thinking it through first. Then usually my initial thoughts are softened.
I trust few people.
I depend on too many people.
I show my feelings through my photography. It's my creative outlet.
I think about how other people feel.
I believe that it is better to forgive than to carry around a grudge.
I don't always do what I know is right.
I could learn more from my mistakes.
I should be more devoted to reading my BIBLE.
I really hope to make a positive impact in a BIG way someday!
I see people for who they are on the inside.
I hear my children pray and know they will grow up in the way of the truth and the light.
I smell honeysuckles and remember my childhood.
I touch as many people as I can, as often as I can.
I can spend more time walking around in circles, than getting anything accomplished. No LIE!
I did once learn a valuable lesson about the destruction lying can cause.
I do the best I can every chance I get.
I am too blessed to be stressed!

More effective a mess than all cleaned up...

You know why that statement is true for me and many others? Becasue everything in life is never it's cleanest. I'm talking in general but it can be broken down into different catagories... It could mean litterally having a clean house. How many of you, like me, want to take on a new task. Such as putting up the Christmas tree. You know what goes through my mind. Well I have to get the whole house spotless before dragging out all those boxes. Are you like that too or am I really alone? Do you have any idea how long it would take me to get the whole house clean and keep it that way? No remember I have a husband, three small children and a dog.

I am the Queen of Procrastination. In some weird, strange way it motivates me. LOL


I have learned...Everything is never going to be perfect or cleaned up... So my little contributions here and there are a lot more effective than no contributions at all. Don't hold yourself back. Jump right in both feet and look back later when you have accomplished what ever it is you are seeking. And if in anyway this feeling of mine, that I so openly shared with any of the world who joined to listen, inspired you to live and let go I would so love to hear your story and how it turned out. Post a comment and share with me...DIG IN...

FL..

This was the photo session from XXXX, you know where! We got a few decent shot's but looking back now they are funny.
First we set out the afternoon, one day before we are leaving, for a photo session. By the time we get there and get ready
The sun is almost set. Kids and husbands were in great moods. So bound and determined to get photo of the beautiful
beaches in FL we get up and get ready all over again the next morning, of the day we are leaving. For what, grumpy
children and husbands. UGG...can I ever win?

LOVE this shot... Our kids play so much and so well together
I honestly feel like I have a son. I would call Garrison my own any day!

FL Trip...

Marley and Garrison

The whole Gang!

Michael and Girls / Rodney and Garrison...
These last two photo's are not great. They were taken from the beach
with a not so great telephoto lense. But I still love them. Of course I wish they were better
but definatly better than none at all. It will remind me for years to come how much fun we had
even if I can't see everyone's faces. LOL

Fall @ School...

Denver Baptist Preschool Fall Festival...
I love this time of year. Getting to come and be with the girls at school makes it even better.
Michael and I both took time off to visit with the girls. We rode on hayrides,
picked pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, played games, made crafts and ate pizza.
We are so BLESSED to have 3 children. They are such a very special
part of our lives. Girls, Daddy and I had so much fun with you
on this day! Thanks for the JOY you give us! XOXOXO


Marley

Fall @ School...

Maci Grace playing on the playground...

Fall @ School...

The girls were so excited to have Daddy at school
with them. Marley would not leave his side for the
first 30 minutes or so. This photo was taken
early that morning, during chapel.

Marley and her granma's blue eyes!

Sweet little Micah!

Fall @ School...

Micah and Marley on the hayride...

Maci and Emma Barker/Cousins

Everyday when I drop off Maci Emma meets her to give her a hug.
It's so sweet! Emma is in the 3 year old class beside Maci's room.

Fall @ School...

Marley on the playground.

Can you say Static Electricity?

Trunk-OR-Treat...

Saturday at church we hosted a Trunk-Or-Treat at our Fall Festival. The kids dressed up and went around the parking lot and trick-or-treated at members car trunks, which were decorated. We enjoy being with our church family. A lot of them are actual members of Michael's family and the ones that are not are so close to us it feels like they are. It seems to me this is much like any church should feel like...One Big Happy Family...That is who we are!


Rita Lynch (Granny) as the little old lady who lived in a shoe and Micah.

Maci as a beautiful bride.