Jamie, Gina and Amanda and Becky

So I really love my friends and lately they have REALLY been depositing into my love bank! Amanda and Becky recently came over and just hung out, drank coffee and spent time with me. I really needed that. And Amanda brought muffins from Fresh Market...does it get any better? Friends, coffee and Fresh Market Muffins?

Then I got to spend a couple days with my besty Gina. She makes me smile and I love the friendship that God has given to us.

Now these are some beautiful towels, are they not? My wonderful friend, neighbor and sister in Christ made these for me. And she loaded my girls down with gifts. I love you Jamie! She is so dear to me and I KNOW I don't tell her enough. So thank you to all these ladies who have made my 2011 the bomb so far!

Child Like Faith. (between you and me)

I look at you and the picture of Grace is so Beautiful.
The woman I see floating 3" off the ground is nothing of the one she used to be.
A Story of Mercy so profound, that I am compelled to Worship the Savior who wrote it.
This Mother, Sister, Friend, who's learned the art of Talking with the Father in the wee hours of the morning- reminds me to love Him more.
Her children look on with aw. Her husband calls himself blessed. Her friends can't imagine life without her.
And yet.
She humbly stands and says "Who?", "Me?".
"I am but a child in my faith"
and I say.
"And that is what makes your story so perfect. For you ARE the Kingdom of God.

My Family

I love my family. What a great Christmas Season I had with all of them. Each of them blessed me in so many ways and I always feel like it rushes by and I can't express to them how much their gifts mean to me.

We know it's not all about the gifts...not even close. But when I do sit and reflect on them, and see the love and thought behind the gifts, it does continue to bless me. Long beyond the shine of the silver, or linger of the smell of perfume. Or the newness of the clothes or sparkle on the ring. When all that fades and no longer shines....the love that my family put into their gifts to me will continue.

I know there are so many who have to really question if they are loved by family. I am not one of them.

Content

So there's a lot of power in that word, Content. I am. But not in a passive, don't care what's going on way, but in a "Wow, God is so good to me" way. I think a lot of times we have to see something bad, or experience something bad, or hurt with a friend, before we remember to be grateful. But this Christmas Season, I have had this overwhelming sense of contentment. I am so happy, so blessed. To a point where I know I must remember my Father and give Him all the glory. Life is hard. People around me are hurting. God is still Good. I wish everyone could know Him in His fullness and truly say this with me. I know there will come days for me to hurt. To suffer. Because life is hard and unpredictable and different around every turn.

I don't want anything. I don't need anything. I have an amazing network of friends, from every walk of life. I have a Godly Family that seeks after the Kingdom in every part of their lives. I have a husband that puts his Love for the Savior above all else and loves me as he loves himself, just as God commands. He loves his Children. Deeply. I have a home. I get to stay in that home and raise my children. I worship freely in a church that loves this World and every hurting heart in it. I have a Pastor who preaches lovingly yet strongly from the Word of God and does not hide behind Political correctness or fear. He leads us to passionately follow after Christ and Him Crucified.... and leads by example in a transparent and real way.

I want to say on this Tell Them Tuesday, that every one of you that touches my life, I am so grateful for you. I could never love you enough to fully express that to you. And in a world of people that "keep to themselves" I am so blessed with more friends than any one person should be allowed to have!

God has done all this.

Fun with Friends

Thank you to Julie and her family for hosting such a fun time with friends. She fed us and filled us up with sugar and let us trash her house! It was great and the kids were so pleased. I am blessed with really good friends and I hope they know that.

Reminded today...

Today I was reminded why I started this blog. A mom wrote about her last days with her daughter before she was unexpectedly taken from this earth and into the arms of Jesus. If you have a little one saying, read to me, dance with me, paint my toe nails...then do it. And cherish the moment, every moment with those you love. Not living in dread or doom, but in joy over the Life God has given and the Eternal Life through his Son...

Go and visit, meet this little girl. Pray for her mom and the twins who will arrive on this earth and never know their big sister....at least in this life.


http://rachelsuzking.blogspot.com/

Tiffany and Jamie and so many others

I have the best neighbors in the world. but this past week one of them blessed me twice. My neighbor Tiffany kept my kids so I could run off to a Thirty-One Gifts show. My hubby was working late and she took on a house full of kids for me. 2nd, she invited my E to an amazing birthday party, over at Cookies and Tea for Me. I am not sure she has ever had so much fun. She pranced around for days after that party.

Thank you Tiffany for loving on my kids a little.....

My other neighbor Jamie is supportive of EVERYTHING I do. From buying from my company to showing up at all my fundraisers! She is there for it all. I really do have the best neighbors.

Saturday we were able to raise a lot of money for Child Evangelism Fellowship. Because of a lot of people like Kristina and her sister and her friends, Martha Pam and other ladies who served pancakes. Running on their feet for 2 hours. To all the guys who cooked and let us boss them around. And especially to Lindi who set the whole thing up over at Applebees.

I am truly blessed by so many in my life. Thank you.

Still Tell Them Tuesday!

I have not forgotten Tell them Tuesday. I have just let my busy life, my full plate and my ever running over cup to keep me distracted. But this weekend a mother lost her 4 year old daughter, her only child, in a terrible accident and it reminded me about the shortness and preciousness of this life.

Appreciate and love those God has given you. Drink in the special, fleeting moments with those you love. Don't waste your time. But continue to set your hope on Christ. You must, because this life is such a vapor.

So today I thank my mother in law. She helped me out of a tight spot last night at the doctors office. And made going to the doctor with 2 little ones a special time. My girls were blessed with time with Grandma and even spoiled with some new toys!

Thank you Sandra for showing up in more ways than one.

My Hubby with his daughters, and a weekend without his wife.

I have to say thank you to my husband. He sent me on my way to a 4 day MOPS retreat with 17 other amazing mommies. With my kids safe and home and in his great care, I was able to be refreshed, renewed and reminded how great my calling is.

I love him for giving me that gift. For letting me have a moment to hit the refresh button and come back ready and equipped to be a better mom. The worship and study of God's word, the fellowship with my MOPS sisters and the time to be silly with some friends was worth more than words can say.

Thank you Brian for giving me this past weekend. I love you.

Angel Mommies

This past week a few of my mom friends have been real angels. Stepping in with me to help another mom. Reaching out to a stranger in the Love of Christ and the bond of motherhood is such a sweet thing. So I want to thank Jaime, Lorna, Shara and Lindi for helping me out. Loving people is a gift that gives back in unseen ways.

Thank you for the memories Mesa!

Please show your love and support by visiting Mesa's new company at www.mesacolephotography.com she gave her time and love by doing these photos for me. This means so much to me. My parents loved the photos and will cherish the memories for life.

Kristina...what would I do without her?

Thank you that you help me out with the girls anytime I scream help. Thank you for reminding me that young ladies can be cool and still love Jesus very much. Thank you for being such a sweetheart...and by the way, Happy late Birthday!

Andrea

We are so proud of you. From your drive in education to your passion for Christ. You are a great example of Godly womanhood and I hope my girls grow very close to you as they grow up. Thank you for your selfless love for all of us. For your giving spirit. You desire to think outside the box in gift giving and time spending. For your obedient spirit and gently care for others. You are so loved and will be missed. BUT I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE GOING TO BE NEAR MY BIG SIS!

so many that I love and appreciate....GREAT FRIENDS WHO DO GREAT THINGS

My friend Lindi- far left is so great about helping me in a pinch. If I need to drop the girls off and run to do an errand she is so gracious to open her home. I don't know if she realizes how amazing that is to me.

My friends Sherri and Sarah are wonderful at throwing creative parties. Just the best fun!

And I have to say a special thank you to Sarah, She put attention on me and Sherri at her last party and really blessed me. She told everyone about events Sherri and I were going to be a part of, that are near and dear to our hearts. She is giving and creative and loving...I know Sherri would agree. She made sure everyone knew what we were doing and gave to both of our causes.

Amanda is my friend there at the very bottom, she knows she is awesome. I told you about Amanda recently.....I have really good friends. I wish I could share them with the world!

Thank you to ALL WHO SERVE! past and present....

Special Thanks and Happy 8 years baby

This day has been great. I got a chance to run around and finish up some time sensitive issues without the kids! A dear young lady came over and kept the kids. Then I met my wonderful friend Julie for a pedicure...one that left me with the lack of ability to keep from drooling all over myself. It was heavenly! And then we had lunch....this gift was from Mesa and Julie for my birthday and it was just the sweetest gesture of love to me!

And tonight I will be celebrating 8 years of wonderful marriage with my best friend and hubby- Brian! I love you BP! Thanks for taking care of me and blessing our family with love and joy. Thanks for being such a great daddy....I love you.

Two Special things....

On May 15 I was able to celebrate with friends and family the 35th birthday of Brian, my brother in law Bobby and myself! We had a Birthday Bowl and just a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who came out or sent in money to support my favorite ministry-Child Evangelism Fellowship

And of course, I have to thank Joshi for changing me and so many THOUSANDS of people. I love you Joshi. Thank you Nadene for sharing him with us...we love you so very much.

Birthday Thanks!

On Wednesday before my birthday some great friends of mine joined me for a girls night out and blessed me with a great gift and CAKE! They were the first ones to celebrate my birthday with me!

Thank you to my friends and my Hubby for making me have a special birthday! On May 1 I turned 35 years old! I wanted to tell my friend Gina thank you for spoiling me on our retreat with Four Oaks. She just took really great care of me.


My friend Amanda came over and took care of my girls so Brian and I could go on a date. I returned to happy children, gifts, balloons, flowers and even a Birthday sign in my front yard. It's nice to feel loved.

My hubby gave me a beautiful ring for my birthday. LOVE IT!
On Sunday night I ended my birthday weekend with a great cake from our Bible Study leaders Mike and Pru- it was super yummy.

Thanks for my great Birthday!

So Many to Pray for....reminds me to love more...

Joshua still needs much prayer.... And little Braden is in the hospital with an undiagnosed pain and fever. Going through test and hoping to go home tomorrow.

And little Kyle is very sick as well. Bad infection and in the ER today.....

Remember my friends today in prayer-

A much needed break

I want to thank my dear family-Shara and Bobby Bankston for opening their beach house up to me last week. I went just for the day, but I did a lot of nothing and it was nice. Nice to chill, have no place to be, and have no one calling my phone!

They cooked me food and cleaned up after me and it was wonderful!