Broadcast Your Blessings!

I was just reading a book that used the phrase "Broadcast your blessings" and it made me think. What am I broadcasting? When people come in contact with me, what message are they receiving? Yesterday at church we were talking about the broadcasts we receive from the media and how we allow them to impact our lives.

In a small but valient effort to counter those influences and purposefully create some joy at a time of year that is really not too joyful for so many people who are hurting, here is my broadcast of blessings....

a husband who loves me immensely
two handsome sons who have hearts of gold
a warm home with a beautiful Christmas tree
money in the bank to buy Christmas presents
a job that allows me freedom to be in tune with my kids schedules
a small group that loves deeply
friends all over the world
a sister that texts during the day to check on me
a God who is always near

Of course this is just a start, but who knows where this could lead! Anyone else out there ready to broadcast your blessings? I dare you!

Hello...Anyone home???

Whew, has it been since October 18th since I blogged? Shame on me. I guess life has officially gotten in the way of blogging. We are in the thick of basketball and lots of travelling and receiving of guests into our home. Add into that much wife-ing, mom-ing and working and you have yourself one full schedule!

Tonight is put up the tree night. We have to squeeze it into our tight schedule, but you take what you can get! We still manage to squeeze in most nights of the week together at the table, even if that means eating at 5:15 or 7:30, so I'm still pretty proud of that! Table time is definitely the best.

The pics are from recent times with family... fun, fun, fun!

Makes Me Proud!

This is an awesome story. Makes me proud to be an Aledo girl!

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/living/2008/10/16/homecoming.queen.cnn

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6025166&page=1

Enjoy!

A Must See... No Excuses

Ok... who saw Fireproof this weekend? We did not have our life group on Sun PM so some in our group went to see it together. In a word... phenomenal. A movie that was real life and completely honored God. Don't want to spoil it for anyone, but just trust me and go see it... soon!

Whew!

What the title expresses is a big sigh of relief! Today I took and passed my licensing exam for my new job. After studying for boocoos of hours (I don't even want to know how many!), I finally took my 150 question, 2 1/2 hour test. I went in the testing room pretty comfortable and confident, but by about question 30, I was really sweating it because it was much more difficult than I expected. But I knew people that took more than once to pass it and others who barely passed. So I figured I would be in good company if it took me more than once. Frankly, though, I was tired of studying! But when the computer told me the next screen would show my score, I took a deep breath and pushed enter. What a relief!!!

On another note, I just finished the last book I have in the Yada Yada prayer group series and I am so sad, but I think there may be one more in the series! If so, I will be going to the bookstore soon!!!

This week is full of fun as it is our homecoming week at school, so the boys get to dress up each day for the theme. Tomorrow is super hero day... wonder what that will look like in the morning??? Poor JP has to go shopping with me tomorrow afternoon (shhh, he doesn't know). He is representing his class in the homecoming festivities Friday night and he has to have "church clothes." Ahem, what church clothes? Even though we are at the church building often, we are pretty casual dressers, so... it's off to the mall. Oh well, maybe I can get him to wear whatever we find more than once before he grows out of it.

Rest

I started my week on Sunday seeking some answers from the Word on fighting spiritual battles. I believe the bible teaches us that the battle that we are fighting is a spiritual one, using weapons that are different from the traditional "weapons". Fighting is real. The battle is real. But as I was seeking answers from God on some things I was struggling with, the verses that I was directed to very specifically talked about letting our God FIGHT FOR US! Frankly, I was so relieved. I get so tired, but God reminds me to STAND FIRM and watch the Lord deliver me. The Lord will fight for me; I need only BE STILL! (Ex. 14:14) He also tells me to not be afraid because he is going before me to FIGHT FOR ME. The Lord has CARRIED ME, as a father carries a son (daughter). (Deut. 1:31)

I don't know about you, but that brings a beautiful mental picture to mind! What daughter doesn't want to be carried by her daddy, especially when things are a little (or a lot) scary. Wow! These were the verses the Lord knew that I needed this week.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Awesome!

It's Friday!

Yea! It's Friday! I have spent a large portion of this week at work studying for an exam that will allow me to get my insurance license. Whew, there is a lot of info to study, but I think I am getting there. Hopefully next week I can finish the studying up and take the test soon after. I'm not sure how long most people take to study for this thing, but I'm tired of studying and ready to take the silly thing!

Tonight is a fun girl night, working on my albums at our Friday crop, then the usual Saturday filled with soccer, grocery store and topped off with dinner at a some friends' house! We end the weekend by getting to join with our friends for a great time of worship at church and a small group gathering of worship and praise on Sunday PM. Looking forward to some fun times and some restful times this weekend!

What's on your weekend calendar?

The Race Is On!

The race was lots of fun for JP and Ken. JP is ready to move up to the 25 miles next year.

A Must Read... No Excuses

I had an unbelievably busy week, but had (no took) some time this weekend to finish a fantastic, life changing book. I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is called Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I literally could not put it down. There were so many quotes in the book that were unbelievable. I kept reading them to Ken, then finally told him I would stop so he could read it himself! Go to the library today and check it out!

Ken and JP finished the bike race yesterday! It was an early morning, but lots of great memories for all of us! I'll post some pics later.

School Is In Session

Well, it's finally here. The boys started school today. They each said they had a good day and seem as excited as can be expected for a 13 and 10 year old. We are so blessed to be able to have our kids at a great christian school. We are thankful for their teachers and for the staff that they come in contact with daily.

On another note... why do normal parents with a good head on their shoulders make themselves get the cheapest cell phone offered, but will shell out the big bucks so their 13 year old can have the phone he wants. Hmmm...

On a third note... I am in my third week of a new job and am enjoying it! My boss is a christian man who we have known for many years. He has let me choose my hours, so I chose to work during school hours. This makes the whole getting the kids to and from school so much easier! The Lord has always provided what we need and usually exactly what we want... so blessed!

Anyone else want to share a recent blessing?

A Biking Adventure

Ken and JP have been preparing to ride in the big bike race here in town. The race is really a big deal (100 miles), and it brings many, many people to our little city. Ken and JP are going to ride in the smallest version of the race (10K), so they have been taking many 10K practice runs in recent evenings. Tonight I needed a little exercise since I have not been doing my usual walking. So we set out on the city bike trail, headed for the lake. About 2.5 miles in, I noticed I was getting farther and farther away from the guys and it was getting harder to keep up. Then I noticed a weird rhythmic sound coming from somewhere beneath me. Well, I'm no biking expert, but I soon realized I had no air in my back tire! JP was disappointed because we were so close to the turnaround point which is a HUGE hill at the dam that he loves to ride down. So while Ken and I relaxed on a bench by the trail, JP took off on his adventure.

Upon his return, we decided the tire was too flat for anyone to ride on, but of course we were at the most deserted part of the trail, so we decided Ken would speed home, get the truck and come get us. I volunteered to push the bike up to the main road where there was an oasis (Sonic!) and JP decided to stay with me. I assumed he would ride his bike, even if he turned back around a few times to stay nearby. But, sweet JP said he would just push his bike with me since we hadn't got to visit much today (smiling Mom moment). So Ken took off and we pushed, and pushed, and pushed. Funny, it seemed like the main road was so much closer when we were riding:). We finally made it to the Sonic about dark, sat on a bench and waited about one minute until our rescuer came for us! Of course, we couldn't leave without a little refreshment! Whew, what a ride!

I Have Been Blessed

This week is a week of reflection for me. On August 6, 2007, I received the most devastating news of my life. I had lost my father in an accident. So, as you can imagine, I have been thinking about him a lot this week. I've shed a few tears, and I'm sure more will come, but the overwhelming emotion I am feeling is gratitude!

I have been so blessed in my life in many ways, one of which is the blessing of loving and nurturing parents. I think for many years I took this for granted, thinking all kids grew up the way I did. But I now realize that many, many people were not so blessed!

So this post is dedicated to my sweet daddy and my precious and beautiful mom, who has shown me what perseverance and faith really mean this year. I love you, Mom, and you are on my heart every day!

Love this pic of Mom and Dad on vacation a couple of years ago!

Sparkpeople

While perusing a health magazine (not typical for me), I came across a website listed that helps you make healthy changes to your lifestyle. So I thought, why not! What I found was a place that you can customize to your needs, whether is be losing weight, starting an exercise plan, or just eating healthier. It allows you to track whatever you choose. You can also set it up to remind you of things you want to accomplish or you can just log on to find out how many fat grams are in an oreo (like anyone really wants to know that!) Anyway, the site is called Sparkpeople, and the best part is it is FREE! Have a look.

Fun on the 4th!

JP and Ken relaxing on the water

JP's action shot!

Brent (pointing) with Parker and April

Ken taking a spin around the lake

Ken and JP are about to take off. It was quite a ride!

We were blessed with an invitation to the lake to spend the day with friends from our small group! It was so much fun! Of course, I didn't have anyone take a picture of me to prove that I was actually there. Oh well, I'll remember next time!

Spiritual ADD

I was recently in a conversation with a friend where we were discussing what we felt like needed to change in order for our relationship with God to move forward. I shared what I had been feeling very strongly from the Lord in the last weeks.

PAY ATTENTION!

I have felt like I have been seeking God's will for my life and my future almost constantly in the last few months, but have not had clear answers. It finally occured to me that when you ask, you have to listen for the answer. I'm afraid that I was so consumed in the asking that I forgot to stop to hear what I needed to hear. I jokingly told my friend that it was like I had "Spiritual ADD" or something. I could not focus long enough on the thoughts at hand to hear an answer. I have since tried to listen for God's voice in not only the "big" questions, but also in the everyday questions. It's amazing how much fretting has left and how much peace has taken its place. I pray that my hearing will improve every day!

Reflections

Today would have been my father-in-law's sixty-second birthday. Much has happened in the last 5 1/2 years since he went to heaven unexpectedly. I pause today as I think about all the people (grandparents and parents) we have lost in these years. And strangely enough my thoughts go to my husband and the godly man he is. He shoulders the responsibility of leading our home and family in good times and in bad. In times of blessing and in times of sadness. I know this is a difficult task, especially when you have lost your male role models at a young age. But I believe the only reason he has been able to carry us through these rough years has been his reliance on his Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for the blessing of a loving and leading Father and a loving and leading husband.

Washing Dishes

In our house, we have a rule. If you cook, you don't have to clean up. Since I usually cook, my husband takes on most of the cleaning duties. Today, he finally realized that we have two boys who are old enough to wash dishes. So while I am blogging, he is training them on the fine art of dishwashing!

Hee Hee Hee! Now he is telling stories about when we were first married and didn't have a dishwasher, so washing dishes was spending quality time together! I can just imagine the eyes rolling now! Raising kids is so fun!

Anyone have a good system for training the kids in doing chores? I'd love to hear them. My kids have too much free time this summer!

My Guys!

I had a great Mother's Day this year. I am so blessed to have two fabulous sons and a fantastic husband, too! This is also the only holiday where I get to be in all the pictures, and I always make the guys pose for a bunch! As you can see in the second picture, this is the year that my 13 year old, Brent, passed me up in height! We have had lots of height comparisons lately. J.P. never stops making me smile with his funny sayings and constant impersonations of his favorite shows and commercials! And of course, my sweet husband is the best! I love the way he loves me and our family and leads us in the way we should go! I am blessed!

13 Years Ago Today...

Just 13 short years ago today, we were welcoming our firstborn into this world! Today Brent has entered the official world of teenager-dom. He is very excited, and his mom isn't so sure! I think my trepedation comes mainly from all the stories from my mom about how my 13th year nearly killed her! Brent is really a great kid. We are so proud of him and all he is and all he does. What a blessing to have such a great son!

Sick Stinks!

Warning: This post may be taken as whining!

For the past three weeks someone in our house has been sick. The past week and a half has been me! And I am not a great sicky. I am blessed to have a very flexible schedule, so I have been able to rest when needed. I went to the doctor on day 3 when it looked like all was not going to be ok on its own. But now, on day NINE, I am still having to go to bed at 8 just because I can't keep going! Some days I have to take a nap just to be able to have enough energy to get some dinner on the table and make it to 8 or 9 for bedtime! OK, OK, enough whining! I know there are people out there in MUCH worse shape than me. I should count my blessings that things are not worse and that I have a husband and family that can take good care of themselves and of me! Thanks for letting me get that out of my system! I feel better now. Sort of.

Christmas 2007

Our gracious Father answered our prayers for peace and comfort during the holidays. We thank him for that and are so blessed to have made some wonderful memories this year.

This is the newest member of the family, our niece, Molly Elizabeth!

JP and cousin, Natalie

MarMar with JP and Brent

Grandmother and her six beautiful and handsome grandkids

The boys open some gifts at home

We had a yummy dinner on Christmas day

Logan and JP are great friends and cousins

The cousins had a ball at the Gaylord Texan

The Gaylord was a beautiful place to celebrate the holidays

J.P., Ken, Me, and Brent at Mom/Grandmother's house

More Gaylord photo ops

This was the view from our 8th floor window!