One of my favorite movie proposals was from Bride Wars....As Anne Hathaways character sat on her couch her soon to be fiancee hid her ring in a fortune cookie and then his words to her was that he put a lot of thought into where he wanted to propose.....And he thought their apartment was perfect because if they were at home, enjoying Chinese food and spendning an evening together 50 years from then he would be happy.
Ok...yes it was a movie proposal and yes that is the part of the Bridal show down that didn't actually get married, but it reminded of the simple proposal I got on June 27, 1998. A very sweet man snuck into my bedroom (to be fair, my mom and dad knew he was going too :-) ) and at 6 in the morning turned on my bedroom light and proposed. He wanted it to be as real of a moment as what our everyday life would be in the years to come.
As I sit here today, we mark 12 years as a married couple. God has blessed us with three beautiful children, our health, a roof over our heads, and much, much more. Outside of the obvious things I am thankful for, it is days like today that make my heart most thankful. Here we sit talking, laughing, just having fun while we watch a basketball game on TV. It isn't anything flashy or extraordinary, but yet it is extraordinary....Something so simple as being at home together, spending time together, is so nice!
Thank you Lord for not only giving Kevin and I each other and our family, but for allowing us the ability to still love one another 12 years later and for the ability to look forward to many more simple and special days together!!!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Christ is Risen
We have been singing Christ is Risen for the last couple of Sundays in church. The song is absolutely beautiful. It has been one of my favorites for a long time. Now, thanks to church, my kids love it too.
I wanted to share all the lyrics with each of you. As beautiful as the song is, the lyrics are what we should celebrate. Christ truly has risen for each of us and has trampled over death! Praise be to God!!!
Christ Is Risen by Matt Maher
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold
You downIn strength
You reignForever let
Your church proclaim
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!
Christian lyrics - CHRIST HAS RISEN LYRICS - MATT MAHER
I wanted to share all the lyrics with each of you. As beautiful as the song is, the lyrics are what we should celebrate. Christ truly has risen for each of us and has trampled over death! Praise be to God!!!
Christ Is Risen by Matt Maher
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold
You downIn strength
You reignForever let
Your church proclaim
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!
Christian lyrics - CHRIST HAS RISEN LYRICS - MATT MAHER
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Plant a Seed
I got this email forwarded to me this week. What a powerful statement of truth and integrity! Thanks, Janet, for sending it to me! I wanted a way to with my Facebook Friends, so I decided I would post it to my blog:
Plant a Seed
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different.
He called all the young executives in his company together.He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.
Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room.
When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the newChief Executive Officer!"
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
Think about this for a minute....
Have a great day and Enjoy!!!
Plant a Seed
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different.
He called all the young executives in his company together.He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.
Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room.
When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the newChief Executive Officer!"
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
Think about this for a minute....
Have a great day and Enjoy!!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spring Break
It has been a quiet Spring Break 2011. We have basically done nothing but stay close to home. When I say nothing, I mean nothing outside of this house like an extracurricular activity. We have done PLENTY:)
The boys and I have been on MISSION CLEAN HOUSE most of this week. Kinsley went with Daddy on an insurance claim yesterday and today was the boys turn. They wanted to go so that they could try and figure out what their Daddy does for a living. I doubt they understand much more when they come home, but at least they are getting quality male bonding time together in the pickup.
Sister and I did some stuff outside. She played in the sandbox while I looked for the bungee straps to the boat. I know I put them on at the beginning of winter because the cover has stayed on all winter (throughout both snow/wind storms) up until a couple of weeks ago. Then it rained, the wind blew, the cover came off on one side. Thankfully, I had bought extra straps a year ago and we got it all tied back down again. Who knows what happened to my old straps....And since I have basically new ones on it now, I guess I don't care anymore:):):)
Well guess it is time to get back to the grind of my day! I can't believe in a few months we will actually be un-tarping the boat and hitting the lake! EXCITING TIMES AHEAD!!! Hope you all are enjoying the SPRING weather on this Spring Break!!!!
The boys and I have been on MISSION CLEAN HOUSE most of this week. Kinsley went with Daddy on an insurance claim yesterday and today was the boys turn. They wanted to go so that they could try and figure out what their Daddy does for a living. I doubt they understand much more when they come home, but at least they are getting quality male bonding time together in the pickup.
Sister and I did some stuff outside. She played in the sandbox while I looked for the bungee straps to the boat. I know I put them on at the beginning of winter because the cover has stayed on all winter (throughout both snow/wind storms) up until a couple of weeks ago. Then it rained, the wind blew, the cover came off on one side. Thankfully, I had bought extra straps a year ago and we got it all tied back down again. Who knows what happened to my old straps....And since I have basically new ones on it now, I guess I don't care anymore:):):)
Well guess it is time to get back to the grind of my day! I can't believe in a few months we will actually be un-tarping the boat and hitting the lake! EXCITING TIMES AHEAD!!! Hope you all are enjoying the SPRING weather on this Spring Break!!!!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Redemption
I have been struggling lately. Not only have I been really sick, my heart has been hurting for reasons to numerous to write about on here. They are just the background story behind this post...they really only set the stage. It isn't necessary to know what they are; the only information needed is that the exist.
I believe in all my heart that God works in His perfect time, for His perfect will, for all those that love Him. Despite all the troublesome feelings as of late, I have clung to that promise. I believe that in ALL things God uses them for the good of those who love and trust Him. I see evidence of that all around me all the time.
I had read Karen Kingsbury's First Born Series (her second in the Baxter Family Series of novels) and her Sunset Series about a year ago. The library didn't have the Redemption series, which is the first one in the series. I started in the middle of the series and instantly fell in love with Karen Kingsbury, the Baxter Family, and the way Karen uses God throughout each of her novels. Each of them has spoken to me in different ways at different times.
I bought the Redemption series right after I finished the whirlwind of reading the first 8 books in under 3 weeks time. I couldn't wait to go back and get the back story and then re-read the other two series again. Life happened though. I got busy in the summertime and in the fall. Eventually Thanksgiving and Christmas set in and time slipped away.
Being sick, I have done little else but lay around for four days. Today I decided I would read something. I picked up the Redemption book from Karen Kingsbury. All 360 pages of it were just too good to put down. I get like that when I read. I can't wait to turn the page and can't ever put them down. This book was no different, even though it was strange knowing what is going to happen to all of them in the coming pages and books. It was awesome reading the back stories that I had missed.
The book spoke of God's grace being sufficient for EVERY situation and that Godly, Adult Love is far beyond what this world can fathom. It is everything that 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 talks about. It is patient, it is kind, it does not envy, it isn't proud or rude, it isn't self-seeking, it isn't quick to anger, but relishes in the truth, it keeps no record of wrongs, it protects, trusts, hopes, and always perseveres above all else. And that without this type of love in our life, everything else will vanish in comparison.
That is what I love about her books. It takes everything back to the Scriptures in an absolutely beautiful way. Using all of that, the book was about redemption despite anything that we do. It was about being loved and loving others in a way that true forgiveness and love is ALWAYS possible. It was such a good life lesson and one that all of us, including me, need to be reminded of daily as Christians.
And as with everything else, my choice to make today the day I read this book was rewarded by God's amazing love and grace in the message that it sent me. It was the perfect moment for me to receive the message and to be reminded of God's mercy and never ending love.
Life is hard. It is supposed to be as we walk in this world of sin and death. But as Christians, there is always hope. NOTHING IS TOO BIG FOR GOD!!! There is always REDEMPTION!
I believe in all my heart that God works in His perfect time, for His perfect will, for all those that love Him. Despite all the troublesome feelings as of late, I have clung to that promise. I believe that in ALL things God uses them for the good of those who love and trust Him. I see evidence of that all around me all the time.
I had read Karen Kingsbury's First Born Series (her second in the Baxter Family Series of novels) and her Sunset Series about a year ago. The library didn't have the Redemption series, which is the first one in the series. I started in the middle of the series and instantly fell in love with Karen Kingsbury, the Baxter Family, and the way Karen uses God throughout each of her novels. Each of them has spoken to me in different ways at different times.
I bought the Redemption series right after I finished the whirlwind of reading the first 8 books in under 3 weeks time. I couldn't wait to go back and get the back story and then re-read the other two series again. Life happened though. I got busy in the summertime and in the fall. Eventually Thanksgiving and Christmas set in and time slipped away.
Being sick, I have done little else but lay around for four days. Today I decided I would read something. I picked up the Redemption book from Karen Kingsbury. All 360 pages of it were just too good to put down. I get like that when I read. I can't wait to turn the page and can't ever put them down. This book was no different, even though it was strange knowing what is going to happen to all of them in the coming pages and books. It was awesome reading the back stories that I had missed.
The book spoke of God's grace being sufficient for EVERY situation and that Godly, Adult Love is far beyond what this world can fathom. It is everything that 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 talks about. It is patient, it is kind, it does not envy, it isn't proud or rude, it isn't self-seeking, it isn't quick to anger, but relishes in the truth, it keeps no record of wrongs, it protects, trusts, hopes, and always perseveres above all else. And that without this type of love in our life, everything else will vanish in comparison.
That is what I love about her books. It takes everything back to the Scriptures in an absolutely beautiful way. Using all of that, the book was about redemption despite anything that we do. It was about being loved and loving others in a way that true forgiveness and love is ALWAYS possible. It was such a good life lesson and one that all of us, including me, need to be reminded of daily as Christians.
And as with everything else, my choice to make today the day I read this book was rewarded by God's amazing love and grace in the message that it sent me. It was the perfect moment for me to receive the message and to be reminded of God's mercy and never ending love.
Life is hard. It is supposed to be as we walk in this world of sin and death. But as Christians, there is always hope. NOTHING IS TOO BIG FOR GOD!!! There is always REDEMPTION!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
February Already
If I had waited three more months, it would have been a full year since I updated this blog. That is hard to believe. I had committed to updating it weekly, and then I became a Facebook junky! Something about updating Facebook two or three times per day made our family blog seem kinda of pointless. The really funny or crazy stuff went straight to Facebook anyways. But there is only so much that Facebook will allow in 420 characters or less. And I have missed this blog. Maybe I will do better now, and maybe not. But the nice thing about this blog is that it is always here!
It is so hard to believe that my little boys aren't so little anymore. Dilon reminds me all the time that his is armpit tall now. They are very funny about Damon being 2 inches shorter, but being Dilon's older brother. Dilon is very involved in sports and loves anything competitive. Damon isn't as interested, but he LOVES to use his imagination and build with LEGOs. He is a fantastic builder.
Kinsley is well on her way. She is caring, ornery, and silly all at the same time. And she has decided in the last couple of months that her Daddy is AWESOME! She used to be completely attached to me. She still loves spending time with me, but she doesn't blink or think twice now about doing things with Daddy. She loves spending time with him. And now calls us "My Momma, My Daddy"
Well here is to hoping I will do better in the next 9 months. Time will only tell!!!
It is so hard to believe that my little boys aren't so little anymore. Dilon reminds me all the time that his is armpit tall now. They are very funny about Damon being 2 inches shorter, but being Dilon's older brother. Dilon is very involved in sports and loves anything competitive. Damon isn't as interested, but he LOVES to use his imagination and build with LEGOs. He is a fantastic builder.
Kinsley is well on her way. She is caring, ornery, and silly all at the same time. And she has decided in the last couple of months that her Daddy is AWESOME! She used to be completely attached to me. She still loves spending time with me, but she doesn't blink or think twice now about doing things with Daddy. She loves spending time with him. And now calls us "My Momma, My Daddy"
Well here is to hoping I will do better in the next 9 months. Time will only tell!!!
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