I just read....

I LOVE to READ!!!

But I don't always have time. There is the housekeeping, cooking, the laundry, the girls activities, the girls, my husband, our shows, church, Bible study, friends, family and just life.... let's face it we can't do it all! A wise friend once reminded me that there is a season for everything and I wholeheartedly believe it.

As a teacher, I look forward to SUMMER! REST, RELAXATION, VACATION, sleeping in & for projects and summer book lists that can get accomplished quickly, but that I enjoy to refresh, renew and revitalize my soul.

A couple years ago I discovered a Christian Author, Robin Jones Gunn she writes about women!! She called them "Sisterchicks" These were about all different kinds of relationships we share as women at each stage in our lives. These hit the spot when I needed them. They nourished my soul, encouraged me as a friend, wife, and mommy.

Last week before we left for Arizona, I could not find the latest Robin Jones Gunn, so I asked my friend if she had a book for me... she did of course.... I am soo happy to have discovered another lovely Christian writer I enjoy....

The book my sweet friend handed me (had not been read by her) yet, was

"The Beach House" by Sally John...

again a book about 4 woman who were lifelong friends but had drifted due ot life circumstances......

in this book they kept referring to the " A REAL WOMAN"... LIST and although you may have seen it before I just had to share!

Enjoy! I hope your season finds you comforted by a "real woman" or a "sisterchick"... but that you always seek God no matter what you are going through, He will meet you there even when a friend can't!

A Real Woman HAS..

A nest egg for personal use

Something perfect to wear if an employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour

A youth she is content to leave behind

A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, a hammer, and a black lace bra

A black dress and a white blouse

One friend who always makes you laugh

and one who lets her cry

A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family

Eight matching plates, goblets and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

A Real Woman KNOWS...

How to fall in love

How to quit a job

How to confront a friend without ruining the friendship

When to try harder.... and when to walk away

How to have a good time at a party she'd never choose to attend

That she can't change the length of her calves, or width of her hips, or nature of her parents

How to live alone... even if she doesn't like it

Whom she can trust. whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally

Where to go....be it to her best friend's kitchen or a charming inn...when her soul needs soothing

What she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month , a year

I am so THANKFUL & BLESSED that my heavenly Father loves and accepts me for who I am and not who I could be!

WHAT or WHO renews YOUR soul??

Happy 70th Birthday to My Daddy!

Many of you might know my Dad. Maybe he was your teacher or your coach. A teammate in college or fraternity brother, a friend or a mentor, a colleague or a boss, a brother in Christ. However you might know him, I am sure you were and maybe still are blessed to know him and learn from him and immulate him.

He is a man to admire, to befriend, to trust and to lean on. I am the blessed one (along with my brother) we were raised in an amazing loving Christian Home with firm discipline and family values. I am so proud to call him my Dad! I am even more proud to have my girls call him Grandpa. Thank Dad for all you do & all you've done!

We all LOVE YOU!!

EZ to make Clip & Bow Hanger

Fun and Easy and Useful Craft for the girls and I:

The Girls & I saw this cute organizer in a "popular kids" magazine... for $29.99 each and thought "hmmmmm" I can make that! So off to Michaels we went and came out with $40 in supplies for probably 10 of these!

!Viola! Birthday gift additions.....

Try it!

Materials I used:

E6000 Glue

thin black with silver sparkle rope for edges

clear or colored rhinestones not pictured but will make it on the next set

cardboard

masking tape in pattern of your choice for bodice

3 coordinating ribbons

1 coordinating color of tule

Then just ADD clips, bows and flowers & hang in room or bathroom to help with the clutter!

Happpy Birthday to ME...What more could I ask for??

On Monday I met a couple of high school friends for happy hour at Claim Jumper.

 It was so much fun to catch up and laugh with them. 

I am thankful for all my friends, near and far old and new... 

I am so blessed!

When I returned home, I found this note on my pillow from my 7 year old!

 

YES, My birthday is tomorrow, the 11th of February, I will be 37! Wow, it feels like just yesterday I was 25 and getting married! Hmmmm!? I could ask that preverbial question where has the time gone?... but it is obvious and the time has not been wasted or regretted in any way. I am 37... age really means nothing to me. I love Birthdays... mine, Jeff's, yours & especially my girls. I hope my girls always enjoy getting older and that they see each year as a new adventure and blessing from the Lord. We are not promised any amount of days or years and I am happy now. I live my life to glorify the Lord as a wife, a mommy, daughter, a friend and soo on.... but I don't worry about the past or fret over the future. I know I have a Mighty God who can move mountains and He is mighty to save... 

even me, Amen!

I am so excited to see what adventures and blessings the Lord has for me in 2010, my 38th year of life... 

and thank you Jordi!

I think it skips a generation...

Well.... it happened!!!

My girls have caught the domestic "bug"! 

In the fall, Cami began taking a sewing class with some friends from church and taught by one of her fabulous teachers from church. 

In her first session she made a pillow for her room, a reversible tote bag and a pair of jammies for her sister for Christmas. Over Christmas break she was asked to make 2 queen size pillow cases for her "big sister" Amber... she made a lil cash for that project and has her Aunt Noelle to thank for assisting her in that process.....

She just began her 2nd session of creating and learning. She is now finishing her own jammie bottoms and next she will make a skirt for herself.

She loves sewing soo much that Santa surprised her with 

a NEW sewing machine for Christmas! 

To top things off, Over Christmas break Cami learned to knit with Grandma Smith. 

After watching Cami and Mandy knitting beanie hats, Jordyn decided she too would like to learn to knit too! So Grandma ask Jordi to choose a couple of her friends to learn to knit with and Viola! Jordi is now in a knitting class taught by Grandma and she just finished her 1st beanie! 

Next project a 2nd beanie and a scarf!

I am so proud of my girls for desiring to learn and create projects that are so easily bought!

I think it skipped a generation! 

Maybe I will dust off my machine or use Cami's to create a thing or two!

pictures of Jordi's hat to come.. Grandma is finishing the final touches!

Isaac decided he could NOT let Jordi have ALL the fun!

Hope your RAINY week is filled with fun, laughter, creativity and happy kids!

30 Days of Praise

30 Days of Praise

Happy New Year to my Girls! I love you more than sunshine!

Cami What happened to my first baby? Where did the years go? Was I really 26 years old when I had you? Wow somehow that seemed old to me then!? Oh The endless days of diapers, naps and leisurely park days with friends are now a blurrrr. Good thing I have a good memory because even a camera could not capture it all. Cami you are 10~sometimes I think the next stop is 15! Fortunately it isn't. We have a lot of adventures ahead together as mother and daughter and someday friends! You are so smart, I have to be on top of things all the time. It's humbling to be corrected by my daughter

 but I love that you are so interested in me as your mom and life around you. I look forward to growing each year together as mother and daughter!

So many changes are just around the corner, what was that like for me? I often think how did I feel at 10 what were my thoughts and concerns?? Who was I at 10? Cami you will graduate from elementary school in 6 months and go off to middle school where I can't volunteer in your class or wait at your door after school. This makes me sad but it is the next step in letting you have a little more freedom, which means you have more responsibility as a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a student, a friend and a Christian young woman

We joke about what you will become someday... a doctor, a lawyer and such but truly I desire for you to love the Lord with your heart soul and mind. The rest will fall in to place as God has ordained, not us! This is the goal and God will direct your paths, keep looking to Him for ALL decisions, all praise for everything and in any disappointments! God is Amazing Cami! 

Thank you Lord for giving her father and I this gift of a daughter Help ME Lord to be the BEST mom you created me to be for Camryn!

I LOVE YOU CAMI!!

Love, Mommy

My little Jordyn, my sweet little teenie tiny 5lb 3oz baby where did you go? You are all grown up. You love to dress up and curl your hair.  You play hard on the soccer field and gently with your friends. Wow, you're turning 8 in 5 months. You have grown into a sweet, caring friend, daughter, granddaughter and sister. You love to laugh and your sense of humor is entertaining to all. You are a friend to weak and leader with great confidence.  You never want mommy to be alone and I love that about you. We will have many days of shopping just us girls, you me and Cami too! I love your energy for life and determination through  any obstacles you may face. God is control and I know your heart is learning to love what is of the Lord and see the difference between the world and Godly things. My desire is that you will always stand up for what you believe and glorify the Lord in ALL you do!

I LOVE YOU JORDYN! 

Love, Mommy

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and NOT to harm you plans to give you hope and a future."

Hold tight to this verse girls, it will see you through all situations!

HaPpY NeW YeAr 2010 to my beautiful and sweet daughters!