Joyful Laughter

A prayer for today....

2011-08-24T09:26:00.003-05:00

"Lord, keep me mindul that the little things I do every day to raise my children, I do for You. Some days are harder than others, but let me shine with Your love and reflect what is pleasing in Your eyes."

- Chicken Soup for the Soul, Devotional Stories for Mothers

Week 2 - Project Simplify

2011-03-16T12:36:00.002-05:00

Here is the link for week 2. I am not sure how much I will get done for this week since we have got a lot going on this week of Spring Break but we will see. My goal through this whole project is to get what I can done and be satisfied with that.

I think I will end up posting picks at the end of the project. We will see. Good luck this week!

Week 1 - Project Simplify

2011-03-07T08:26:00.002-06:00

Project Simplify starts this week. This week the hot spot is your wardrobe. Read about it here.

Do the best you can with the time you have. That is what I am going to do. I don't have much time but will do the best I can.

Project Simplify

2011-02-19T12:03:00.002-06:00

How perfect is this! At least for me and my word for the year. It also falls in line for my theme for March - Spring Cleaning.

Do you want to join me?

February Theme

2011-02-19T11:53:00.002-06:00

So my February theme is Love. Very original right? Well I have not done the greatest job with it. Time has really been slipping away from me but one thing I did do was do little gifts for Wendell over Valentine's weekend. It was fun to spread it out over a series of days. I think he enjoyed it.

Our Valentine's was very low key. We were going to try to go out to eat but Brayson was very tired when I picked him up from daycare. So we ordered Olive Garden to go and Wendell picked it up. Which really worked out so much better. We did not have to wait forever at a restaurant and we got to eat by ourselves while Brayson took a little nap.

Great Quote

2011-02-08T12:24:00.001-06:00

"Faith is not a matter of impressions or probabilities or appearances. Faith is the assurance that what God as said in His Word is true, and that God will act accordingly. This is confident faith."

- George Mueller

Catch Up Post

2011-01-05T12:27:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year Y'all!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and fun New Years!

We had a great Christmas Break. I was able to be off for almost a week and 1/2 from work. It was a much needed break. We did a lot of traveling but we did get to spend our first Christmas morning at our own home. In the past we have been at my mom's or my in-laws on Christmas Day. But since we had Brayson, we have decided to have Christmas morning at our own home. And it was very nice and relaxing!

I turned the big 4-0 on the 29th! Not as traumatic as turning 30. I have actually looked foward to turning 40. Kinda weird. We went to New Orleans for my birthday without Brayson. It was my first time totally away from him. We missed him but it was a much needed break. We did a lot of walking, ate beignets, seafood, and po-boys from Mothers. Yum! I hope to post some pics later. I broke our camera over the break so we had to buy a new one before we went to NOLA and we have not uploaded the new software on our computer yet.

So it is a New Year and we all have new resolutions. This year I decided to have only one resolution: To spend time with the Lord everyday. This is the most important thing I can do this year.

This falls in inline with my word for 2011. Simplify!

Simplify - to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier

I want my life to be less complex or complicated. I want to make it plainer or easier where it is in my power to do so.

So that is where my one resolution fits. No list of things I can't keep up with or can't remember. Just a simple one where if I complete it, the year will be a success no matter what else happens.

Now I do have other goals. Each month I want to have a theme. This month is organization. Each theme will work with my word for 2011. I want to work on organizing my home so we can simply live and not be so suffocated by it. I know I probably won't have everything organized by the end of the month but it is a start. And by having it is a theme for the month, it is not overwhelming. I will get what I can done and move on from there.

So what is your resolution(s), goals, word for the year?

What a difference a year makes!

2010-12-15T11:43:00.004-06:00

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2010

Football Family

2010-10-19T14:47:00.004-05:00

I thought I would post some Friday night pics since I have not posted in a while. This is my busy time of year.

Twirl

2010-09-01T08:34:00.004-05:00

I read this blog this morning and it really resonated with me. I think it will resonate with every woman.

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/thoughts/twirl/

I have always felt pressure to do, to be more. That I am never good enough. My clothes aren't right, I am not the right weight, my hair is not the right color, I am not doing enough for my decorating blog, I need to do more projects, and on and on and on. And now that I am a mom it is compounded even more. What is your child doing now, mine child is doing this, what are your feeding your child, how much is he sleeping, etc, etc, etc.! You can drive yourself crazy. Through the past 11 months, God has helped me to let go of some of that pressure with Brayson but for some reason I can't let go of it elsewhere.

I need to remember this verse:

"The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

- Zephaniah 3:17

I want to be delighted in, I want to be quieted with HIS love, I want to hear Him rejoicing over me with singing. Lord help me to hear You.

Pray this verse for yourself and I hope and pray you hear His rejoicing over you.

Summer Family Picture

2010-08-12T09:49:00.003-05:00

Since I haven't posted in a while - thought I would share a family pic from this summer. This was taken in June.

Scary but fun step

2010-06-24T14:43:00.002-05:00

So after my last post, I have decided to have a blog about my decorating journey. It is kinda scary because I am by no means an expert. I am trying to learn as much as possible. But I have to take a step of faith. If I fail or look like a fool - that is okay. So please join me here and join me on my journey.

This blog will still be about my life, what is going on in my family, what I am learning from the Lord, etc. So stay with me here too!

Here goes something....(instead of nothing)

Darling I don't know why I go to extremes....

2010-06-15T09:50:00.015-05:00

Last night Brayson and I were dancing to Billy Joel's "I Go To Extremes". Billy Joel is one of my faves and this is one of my favorite songs of his. As I was dancing around with Brayson, I was thinking about the words of the song and how I am like this song.

"Darling, I don't know why I go to extremes. Too high or too low, there ain't no in between."

If you know me, you know that generally I am a pretty laid back person. So you might not understand how this applies to me. Where I go to extremes is goals and expectations I place on myself. I set a high and lofty goal (the high) and then fail at one point or the other and just give up (the low). And most of the time, no one knows the goals I have set. So no one knows my failures.

I also see wonderful things from friends and other bloggers that I want to do or inspire me but I get overwhelmed and don't even try because I feel like I have to make these big leaps and bounds instead of taking baby steps.

Why am I so hard on myself? Why am I my worst critic? I think I have so bought into the world's view of success and what it means to get there. I constantly feel like I am late to the party and a failure. But who says I have to be on the world's timeline. Who cares that I became a Mother at 38? Who cares that I am just figuring out things that I am passionate about? Who cares that I may fail? It doesn't matter what the world thinks. What matters is I am who God created me to be. If called me to be a Mom later in life - so be it! I love it! If I never teach another Bible Study or speak - so be it! As long as I am where the Lord wants me. If it takes me a long time to develop my passion for decoarting - so be it!

So here goes a baby step for me - I am really learning that I really have a love/passion for decorating. I guess I come by it honestly since my Dad was an Interior Designer. I love Decorating books, decorating magazines, fabrics, colors, furniture, etc. So this summer I have started my inspiration book of what I like. I am also reading Open Your Eyes by Alexandra Stoddard. It is a book I bought a few years ago.

I am debating whether to do decorating inspiration/ideas here on this blog or develop a different blog. Hmmmm.....we will see. Remember - baby steps. ;)

My other passion is teaching the Word of God. I love it. There is nothing like digging into the Word and listening to what the Lord has to say to me. But having a baby has put things on hold. And that is sooo okay! I am doing my own study on Joshua. But it is slow going. I am struggling with getting up in the morning. It is so hard when I love sleep and I am sleep deprived. So my baby step here is to get up 10 minutes earlier. Then work my way up. So I am posting it here. So feel free to ask me how I am doing.

Motherhood

2010-05-11T14:20:00.006-05:00

Like I have said before in some posts, I never knew I would love being a Mom. I was not one of those girls growing up who knew they wanted to be a Mommy. That just wasn't a desire of mine. I honestly never thought I would have kids. I have always liked kids. Never have minded babysitting. I think a big part of it is also being a child of divorce. I saw how much my Mom struggled being a single Mom raising 3 kids. Mind you my brothers are twins and are 2.5 years younger than me. So my Mom had her hands full. She did the best she could raising us but it was a struggle. I never wanted to go through that. And that fear probably fed the mentality of not having kids.

So here comes New Years Jan. 2009 - I told the Lord if He wanted me to have kids, I was willing. I did not want to miss out on any blessing He had for me. Bam - a few weeks later I get pregnant. And as many of you know that was a total surprise. I call it the Lord's shock and awe plan for me. I struggled a lot during my pregnancy and during the first few weeks after Brayson was born. I believe I went through a little bought of Post Partum Depression. But after the Lord pulled me through that, I have truly loved being Brayson's Mom. It is not easy. It is very hard at times. Sleep deprivation is a killer. But I know all of it is worth it. Especially when I see this smile:

Or we have our little laugh fests. He is so much fun and such a joy. He is one of the greatest things that has happened in my life. Besides first of all knowing Christ and then marrying Wendell.

I feel like I am more of who I am supposed to be and the other things that I believe God has for me will fall into place at the right time. I am so glad knows what is best for me better than I do. So much better.

Me and B

2010-04-26T13:41:00.002-05:00

Brainstorm Journal and Prayer Journal

2010-04-23T09:38:00.002-05:00

Ok - so I am combining two journals in one day. Just did not get around to the Brainstorm journal yesterday.

Brainstorm Journal:

My problem is Time. Being a new mom, learning to use my time wisely is a delicate thing. There are so many things that need to be done and so many things that I would like to do.

The first thing that I have to do is spend time with God every day. I won't know what I need to do or focus on that day without being in tune with the Lord. He tells me to come to Him to get rest. He tells me to come to Him for wisdom and He will give it. He is the One who created the day and He is the One who created me. So I need to come to Him for my day, my time, my purpose, my direction.

I need to cut some things out or widdle them down. I need to really evaluate what activities to do. Especially on the weekends because our family time is so precious. I need to widdle down my TV time. I love to watch TV and I get sucked in so easily. I need to purge some things to be more organized and not overwhelmed.

I need to prioritize what is most important to me. My relationship with the Lord, my marriage, Brayson, family, etc.

I need to set realistic goals. I need to figure out what realistic is for me now.

I need to spend time on Sunday night to write out what needs to be done and what I would like to do during the week. Then break it down in realistic bites for each day and see what can be put on the back burner for that week if I can't get to it.

Learn to let go when I need to let go.

Prayer Journal:

I have had quite a few friends have babies recently. One couple has had triplets. I have had two friends have babies this week. Now that I have had a child, I get more excited when babies are born. And can empathize with all the crazy emotions you have after you have your baby. Sometimes it can be so hard. So my friends have been on my heart and I have been praying for them a lot. They were the focus of my prayer journal today.

6 Months

2010-04-22T21:31:00.003-05:00

My little Astro

2010-04-21T15:45:00.002-05:00

Taken by my sister-in-law:

Action Journal

2010-04-21T11:59:00.002-05:00

Well I did not want this entry to be a list of all of my to-do's and bore you half to death. So I thought I would put two action items that I could blog about in the future.

1. Finish reading "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence and write a blog entry about some of my thoughts.

I am trying to learn to be more content at work right now. This book so far has been an encouragement to me.

2. Make a blog entry about Motherhood by Mother's Day.

This one is especially for my friend Rene. ;) But also for me because I need to get some of my thoughts out.

Tomorrow is Brainstorm Journal.

Dream Journal

2010-04-20T09:18:00.002-05:00

One of my dreams is that my job would be to speak and teach the Word of God. My passion is for women to know the Word of God for themselves. I have been able to do this at different times in my life and I know it will come about again. It is a passion that God has put in my heart from the beginning.

This is one of my dreams - what is one of yours?

Tomorrow - Action Journal

Thankful Journal

2010-04-19T12:31:00.002-05:00

So today is day 1 of the journal challenge. So here are a few things that I wrote in my journal this morning that I am thankful for:

I am thankful that God has changed my views on being a Mom.
I am thankful that I am happy that I am a Mom.
I am thankful that I love being Brayson's Mom.
I am thankful for Wendell's love and patience.
I am thankful for how hard he works to provide for our family.
I am thankful that God does not give up on me.

So what are you thankful for?

Tomorrow's entry - Dream Journal

Jounaling

2010-04-13T08:55:00.003-05:00

I like to journal but I don't do it enough. Especially now that I have Brayson. Last week I received a little challenge from Becky Tirabassi who is a Christian author that I receive email newsletters from. She is the author of Change Your Life Daily and Let Prayer Change Your Life.

Well she sent out a little challenge for journaling and I meant to do it this week but yesterday got away from me. But here is the challenge:

DAY 1. Grateful/thankful Journal. On one page, list everything that comes to mind.
DAY 2. Dream Journal. What is a dream in your heart that won't go away?
DAY 3. Action Journal. What big or small "to-do's" come to mind. Make a list.
DAY 4. Brainstorm Journal about an unresolved problem. No idea is a bad idea. List every idea on one sheet.
DAY 5. Prayer Journal. Talk to God about someone who needs His help.

So I am going to start this next week on Monday. Do you want to join me?

Thoughts

2010-04-06T10:12:00.005-05:00

So it has been a while since I have posted. I have many thoughts going through my head and I just can't seem to put them down. So here is a random sampling of my life right now:

Brayson is 6 months old now. He is my beautiful baby boy and he will be one before I know it. Will post a picture soon.

Wendell and I watched "Julie and Julia" this weekend. I really liked it and it has inspired me to buy Julia Child's cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Now I am not sure when I would have time to make these wonderful meals, but we will see.

I want to start a study on the life of Joshua. Haven't started yet.

Resigned my position as Bible Study Coordinator at my church. I just feel I need to focus on being a wife and mom right now. Especially during Brayson's first year. I will only have this time once with him.

I am learning how to take little steps in the things I would like to do. Meaning, there are so many things I want to do but being a new mom, I only have little chunks of time here and there. I need to cut some things out so I can focus on what I want to do.

The Lord is teaching more and more that I need to wait for his timing.

So there are some of my random thoughts. More randomness later.

Another Brayson pic

2010-03-17T16:10:00.002-05:00

More Pics

2010-02-11T08:49:00.004-06:00

In Austin with Cousin Bethany:

After Bath time:

Confession Time

2010-02-10T16:00:00.003-06:00

Well I need to confess. Last week I got up at 4:00 every morning before work. This week I have not worked out once. :( I have spent time with the Lord 2 out of the 3 past mornings. Just have not worked out.

I was so tired last week and so sore, it has been hard to get up the gumption to work out.

I still have two more days this week. So we will see. Of course I am so secretly hoping that it snows so much tomorrow that I don't have to go to work and I can stay home and snuggle with my boy.

New Pic

2010-02-03T15:59:00.003-06:00

Here is a pic my friend Tiffany took when she took care of him last week. I just think he is the cutest!

A February Goal That I Am Hesitant To Write Down....

2010-01-28T15:21:00.005-06:00

Since February is right around the corner, I have been writing down some of my goals for the month. But there is one that I am hesitant to write down because my fear there is no way that I would do it.

Now that I am a working mom, I have to get up so early to feed Brayson and get ready for work. And if you know me, I am not a morning person. I like to stay in bed until I have to get up. There are two things that have been hard for me to do on a consistent basis since I had Brayson: spending time with the Lord and working out. I love to do both but to get up earlier than I have to is REALLY hard! And there is no way I can do it after work anymore. There just isn't the time.

So the goal that I am so hesitant to write down is to get up at 4:00 am (yes you read that right) and work out and spend time with the Lord before I wake up Brayson. Ugh...I already get up at 4:50. So what is 50 minutes??? Everything to a person who loves to stay in bed until she has to get up.

But Feb is only 28 days and this season in my life is temporary... So we will see how this goes. Maybe confessing on my blog will get me in gear.

So here is a cute picture of my boy:

Quote

2010-01-21T12:57:00.003-06:00

"When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you wait on His timing."

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Jan.19th

It has been a long time...

2010-01-20T12:56:00.003-06:00

It has been a long time since I have really posted on my blog. A lot has happened in the past year. A year ago at this time I got pregnant and did not even know it until March. Brayson was born on Oct. 1st. He was 2 weeks early. Which I am glad because it gave me a full 3 months maternity leave with him.

I went through a lot of struggles about what God was doing in my life during and after my pregnancy last year. I was supposed to start Dallas Theological Seminary in May. I swore this was what the Lord was leading me to do. Then I found out I was pregnant and that changed everything.

God has done such a big work in me since then. I am so glad Brayson is here. I love him so much. He is at this very cute stage where he is talking, smiling, and laughing. It brings such joy to my heart when he smiles at me. I think I have the cutest boy ever! Of course, I am not biased. ;)

So which brings me to my word for the year. Last year it was follow - little did I know how God would use that! This year I feel the Lord is leading me to ENJOY! Last year was a hard year for me and I did not enjoy a lot of it. It was hard and frustrating. But I feel it is time to put that behind me and choose joy and enjoy the life that the Lord has given me.

So how is that working right now - I want to enjoy my first year with Brayson. Enjoy our first year as a family. He is only this age once and I don't want to wish my time away. Who knows if I will ever have another little one so this may be my only chance. I don't want to look back and regret not enjoying these moments as a new family.

I want to enjoy my relationship with the Lord.

I want to enjoy who God has made me to be.

I want to enjoy this phase of my life.

So we will see what God does this year!

One Day I will be back....

2009-06-03T12:40:00.001-05:00

I know it has been months since I have last posted. So much has happened since then. And I think most you know some of it. I hope to post more in a couple of weeks.

16 Things

2009-01-22T10:24:00.003-06:00

Well I have seen this around in the blog world and on Facebook, so I am going to do this. You are supposed to post 16 things about you. So here it goes:

I love being a Texan! I love my state!
I love being an American! I love my country!
I love Mexican food!!! I could eat it every day. My husband is half Mexican and I love it more than him.
I am applying to Dallas Theological Seminary. I should hear if I have been accepted soon.
I love teaching the Word of God.
I played the violin from 4th grade until I graduated High School.
I love to look at Interior Decorating magazines. My father was interior decorator. I wish he was here to help me with ideas.
I hope to go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary this year.
My 20 year high school reunion is this summer. I am not that old!
I would rather bake than cook.
Reds and pinks are my favorite colors.
I like to play tennis.
I am a girl who loves football. I am always a little sad when the season is over.
I like to talk sports with my husband. It is always fun to surprise him with something that I know.
I love London and I am dying to go back there.
I have developed a love for European history. I finished a great book on Marie Antoinette not that long ago. I have a big book on Queen Elizabeth I that I need to start on.

I Have...

2009-01-08T11:53:00.004-06:00

I got this idea from my friend Aimee. The bold items are what I have done. Feel free to do this on your blog.

1. Started your own blog. - Check!

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band - I was in orchestra - does that count???

4. Visited Hawaii - Hope to go this summer!

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world - Don't have an interest in going.

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis - probably.

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I have been to the Statue of Liberty. But it was the summer after 9/11. They did not let you go up it then.

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing - I want to go.

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - well not the top it was way too cold. I went half way.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - been to Buckingham Palace but did not see the changing of the guard.

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House - I have seen it.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person - of course! I am from Texas!

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee - I am very scared of that I am allergic to them.

Follow

2009-01-01T11:22:00.002-06:00

As I look to the anticipation and excited of a new year, I would like the word "Follow" to describe 2009. I want to follow wherever the Lord leads this year. I don't want to miss out on what He has for me this year.

I got this idea from my friend Kim. Go see what her word is for 2009. What is your word for this year?

By the way, I am so proud of myself as I just figured out how to link a webpage to my text. ;)

Happy New Year! May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you this year.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T14:08:00.001-06:00

I want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Behind

2008-12-09T10:17:00.002-06:00

Some of you may know that I like to make cards. In fact, the past few years I have made our Christmas Cards. It is my biggest card making venture of the year. But this year may be different. I have not even started my cards and may only make a couple for some family members. This fall has been crazy busy for me with some of my church activities and our football season.

It looks like I won't put up my tree as well. I have my other decorations up in the house but because of getting some new items for our home, I could not put up our tree when I put up our decorations. So my yougest kitty will not have the joy of trying to eat our tree and play with the ornaments. (I am not lying).

I really want to enjoy this time of year, so it means that I am going to have to put off some off this year.

2 Days Behind

2008-12-08T14:07:00.003-06:00

Well I knew it would happen but not this soon. I am two days behind on my December Daily posts. Oh well.

We lost last Friday. It is always hard to lose in the playoffs. But when you get so close to the State Championship, it is even harder. I am so proud of our team (players and coaches). Kaufman has gone the furthest it has ever gone in the playoffs. We definitely have something to be proud of. Now I just hope Liberty Hill beats the pants off of Celina! =)

The fun football part of our weekend was finding out that Ole Miss and Texas Tech are going to the Cotton Bowl. Gerald Harris is someone Wendell has taught and coached since 7th. He has come so far and now his junior year he has had the opportunity to play for Ole Miss. Wendell has also taught a girl named Audrey that plays in the Red Raider band.

So because of this - we are going to the Cotton Bowl! I am so excited. We got to go to the Cotton Bowl 2 years ago when Auburn beat Nebraska. I am also glad we are going since it will be the last time the Cotton Bowl will be played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. The 2010 game will be played at Jerry World (aka as the new Cowboys stadium).

Wendell is teacher of the year at Kaufman High School!

2008-12-05T14:25:00.002-06:00

I am so proud of Wendell. He works so hard to teach his kids. He does not want to have the stereotype that coaches have when teaching History. He is always looking for innovative ways to teach and help his kids learn History.

So I hope this is a great start to a great day as we play Celina tonight in our toughest game yet!

More Pictures from our last playoff game

2008-12-04T15:27:00.006-06:00

Here is the score in the 4th quarter - notice how much time is left:

Here we are at the line of scrimmage:

TOUCHDOWN!!! Kaufman wins the game 21-14!!!

Let me tell you that was an exciting game. Tomorrow we play our toughest opponent yet - Celina!

Favorite Christmas Shows & Movies

2008-12-03T16:08:00.002-06:00

A Charlie Brown Christmas - I love Peanuts!!
Frosty the Snowman
Scrooge - the version with Albert Finney. We performed this version of Scrooge when I was in elementary school.
White Christmas
A Christmas Story - I have to watch this every Christmas. "You'll shoot your eye out!"
Friends - the episode where Ross is the Holiday Armadillo. It cracks me up every time.

What are some of yours?

Post # 2

2008-12-02T13:30:00.002-06:00

Ok - now I am caught up! Ha Ha!

Today I will write about one of the things that has been a blessing to me lately - Fly Lady! I don't know how to make it were you can click on the word and go to the site so I will just tell you. It is flylady.net.

Fly Lady is a website designed to help get your house in order. I don't like to clean. I think it has more to do with I get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done and how it can be such a constant battle. But with Fly Lady it has helped me conquer what needs to be done in increments. Sometimes it is in 2 minute, 5 minute, or 15 minute increments. She breaks up your house into zones as well and you work in a different zone each week. I get emails everyday and I actually look forward to seeing what needs to be done for that day. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. So if you hate cleaning as I do, check out Fly Lady and see if she can help you get your house in order.

December Challenge

2008-12-02T13:28:00.002-06:00

Ok - so I have been challenged by one of my good college friends to post on my blog every day in December. This will be a challenge for sure. But since I am a day behind this is post #1!

We are still in Playoffs!

2008-11-30T18:15:00.004-06:00

We won in the last 10 seconds of the game to win 21 to 14! It was so exciting! This Friday we play Celina. This is the farthest Kaufman has ever gone in the playoffs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T08:38:00.002-06:00

I love Thanksgiving. I love the Fall colors. I love the Food. I love remembering my heritage - my ancestors really did come on the Mayflower. I love being with family and friends. This year since we are still in the playoffs (YEAH!), we will be spending Thanksgiving with our coaching family. Since Wendell has to work this morning and my mother's plans, it worked out better for us to each with our coaching family. But they are family as well.

Here are some things I am thankful for:

My relationship with God.
For the things the Lord has done this year in me.
My husband. I am very fortunate to have him as my husband.
My family.
That Wendell and I have good jobs.
I have a house to live in.
I have food in my refridgerator and my pantry.
I can pay my bills.
That we are still in the playoffs. Go Kaufman Lions!
That I live in the USA! I love this country.
That I am Texan. I love being from Texas.
Freedom (the freedom I have in Christ and the freedom I have in being an American.)
My friends.
That I have reconnected with a lot of people this year through Facebook.

I could go on and on. But I need to get ready for today. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Choosing Hope over Fear!

2008-11-06T15:24:00.002-06:00

As you know, I was not happy about the election results Tuesday night. I did not vote for Obama. I was frustrated and upset. But I woke up Wednesday morning with relief and determination.

Relief - because this election is finally over. I feel two years of stress gone from all the events this election entailed.

Determined - to pray for our President, Congress, and our country. No matter if you voted for Obama or not, Christians are commanded to pray for our leaders.

Who knows - this may bring the Revival our Country so desparately needs!!!

2 Chronicles 7:14 says:

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

I think we can all agree that our Country needs healing. I believe if Believers would do this and pray for the leadership of our country, we will see the CHANGE our Country really needs!

So let's band together. Put away our despair. Put away our fear. Let's choose hope! Hope in the Lord. Because we all know He is the only one to bring real change!

Join with me and be committed to pray for our future President, our outgoing President and our present and future leaders of this country. Let's see God do an amazing thing in the United States of America!

What we must do now....

2008-11-05T11:02:00.001-06:00

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/11/united-house.html

Election Day

2008-11-04T12:31:00.002-06:00

Well it is finally here - Election Day! In a lot of ways I am nervous about this election but there is also a big part of me that will be glad when it is officially over. I have grown weary and I am ready for the phone calls to stop. I wish they realized that I already voted and stop calling me!! Oh well - life goes on.

Even though I am nervous about the outcome, I can have peace that no matter what happens, God is ultimately in control, He loves me and will take care of me. It just breaks my heart at what could happen to this country that I love so much.

No matter what happens, I will pray for the new president. Christians are called to pray for our leaders no matter who they are. Please remember that - no matter who gets elected.

My Story

2008-10-09T09:49:00.009-05:00

I became a Christian in college. Growing up I had a knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. I had gone to church some and learned the stories of Noah, Moses, the birth of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.

I was a pretty happy go-lucky kid. Nothing really rocked my boat until my senior year in high school when my Dad passed away. You see, I was Daddy's Little Girl and derived a lot of security from that. So when that happened I started searching for something to fill this void in my life.

Like I said, I grew up with a knowledge of God. So when I went to college at Texas Women's University and was going through Rush, I prayed that God would help me choose the sorority He wanted me in. So I pledged Alpha Gamma Delta. My freshman year I was enjoying everything my sorority had to offer: friends, parties, drinking, etc. Then came my sophmore year. I was realizing I was wanting something more. I thought I needed to go to church to get my life straight. Well it did not happen. So my Spring semester, there was a girl who worked with Campus Crusade for Christ who wanted to start a Bible Study in my sorority. So at that point in my life, I was eager to do it.

Through this Bible Study, I learned what it meant to be a Christian and that I could have a relationship with God. I learned that God loved me and wanted me to have a relationship with Him. The problem was that I am a sinner and separated from God but He provided a way so that I could have this relationship with Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for my sins and to bridge the gap that was between me and God. But in order to have this relationship with Him, I have to individually accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

I knew some of this before but did not know I could have a relationship with God through what Jesus did for me on the cross and accept His payment for my sins. But when I heard this, I knew this is what was missing in my life. So I accepted Jesus' payment for my sins and made Him my Savior and Lord!

My life has not been the same since!

What's your story?

My Friend Gayle

2008-09-09T11:58:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday I got some awful, shocking news. My good friend from work, Gayle, had passed away in her sleep. I am still in denial that she is gone. She was a wonderful friend and sister in Christ. This was totally shocking because she was in good health. She was engaged to be married in April. She has two wonderful kids (one out of college and one in college). If you could, please pray for her fiance, her children, her family and friends. We are all in shock. But my comfort is in the Lord and that she is with Him. I will see my friend again and what a joyous day that will be!!

This is a startling reminder that the Bible says we are not promised tomorrow. And we need to be 100% sure of where we are going to spend eternity.

I love my friend and miss her dearly. I will see you soon Gayle.

A Good Scripture for the Times

2008-09-01T21:34:00.002-05:00

"He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

-Isaiah 33:6

More Pics

2008-08-10T21:01:00.003-05:00

I love this picture. The statue is Christopher Columbus. I think it is cool how he is looking out onto the bay and the American Flag is there in the background.

Alcatraz
Alamo Square:

San Francisco

2008-08-05T21:37:00.004-05:00

The smokiness in my pics are from the fires that have been in Northern California.

Wendell in Alcatraz:

Lombard Street - the Crooked Street

I will post more later.

Life Long To-Do List

2008-07-23T11:07:00.002-05:00

When I was on our trip, I was looking through my issue of Real Simple on what little down time we had. And there was a section that posted writers top 3 life long to-do's. Every issue they ask a question of their readers and they post the answers a couple of issues later.

So when I read this, I thought it was a good question. What are my life long to-do's? I also asked Wendell this as well.

So here are my top 3 for right now:

1. To learn more about interior decorating. My father was interior decorator so it is in my blood. I just wish he was around to help me develop it.

2. To develop my own personal style of cards to give out as gifts.

3. To go on more mission trips. This is one of the things I miss the most about not be on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. I love missions.

So there you have it. What are your top 3 Life Long To-Do's? Let me know!

San Francisco

2008-07-23T11:03:00.002-05:00

We had a great trip to San Fran. We probably did just about everything you could do there. At least the main touristy stuff. We walked all over that town and rode the Muni all over the city. I will post pics soon I promise. I am just not that handy with my digital camera.

What is also overwhelming is we still have so many Paris/London pics we need to develop and now we have a ton of S.F. pics to develop. Let alone put in a scrapbook! Ugh!

So please be patient. I will get to it. =)

"Quirky Me"

2008-06-24T12:20:00.002-05:00

I found this on blogger friend's blog (if that makes sense). I met her through my blog. I am to list 6 things that are quirky about me. So here it goes:

1. I am a girl who loves football.

2. I hate soggy eggs. I want my eggs to be nice, fluffy, and cooked!

3. I also hate soggy bread. Can't stand it.

4. I don't like to clean. If I could afford it, I would have a maid in a heartbeat.

5. I am not a morning person. I so wish I was but I am not there yet.

6. I have really sensitive ears. I am always asking Wendell to turn the TV, radio, etc down. But it also allows me to pick out sounds really easy. I can name a song I know in a couple of notes. I can pick out an actor by their voice pretty easily. I guess it comes from playing the violin from elementary school through high school that it makes me sensitive to notes and noise.

So there you have it! Now you do it!!

Fredricksburg, Tx

2008-06-24T12:00:00.002-05:00

We went to Fredricksburg this past weekend for a wedding of one of the coach's Wendell works with. We had a good time and got to experience a lot of what this town has to offer.

We do miss the hill country. We think about going back but Wendell also wants to go back to Houston some day. The atmosphere is so much more laid back in the hill country.

We left on Friday and stopped off in Round Rock to do some outlet shopping. Got some really good deals on clothing for the both of us. We rolled into Fredricksburg around three and immediately went walking around on Main Street. We stopped in so many stores. We even went into one of the wine shops and sampled some wine. I bought a sweet wine from Wimberely. I am so inept when it comes to wine.

We had German food that night.

Saturday we went to the National Musuem of the Pacific War. That was very interesting. I learned some new stuff. Of course, I have my wonderful history buff with me. There was so much information. You could also see alot of parallels of what happened then to what is going on now. While we were touring the musuem there were a couple of gentlemen that had served in World War II and it was so neat to overhear their experiences. I am so proud of our military and what they have done and sacrificed for our freedom. I get teary just thinking about it.

We did some more shopping and the wedding was early that evening. The reception was at Hondo's where we got to hang out, eat, and dance. They had a local band play in the area outdoors. So I even got to hang outside and listen to music and dance with my wonderful dance partner.

Did not take any pictures. But I will when we go to San Francisco. I promise!

Need a new pic

2008-06-13T09:06:00.001-05:00

Man - I was just looking at my blog and my profile pic. And that jacket makes me hot just looking at it! It is too hot to be looking at a jacket like that! =)

Maybe I will get a new pic after we go to Fredricksburg or San Fran.

I can't wait to see this movie!

2008-06-10T16:22:00.001-05:00

If You Came to My House....

2008-06-05T13:03:00.003-05:00

I got this off of a friend's blog. Since I have not posted anything in a while, here it goes:

You Would See:

The stray black Persian kitty that we feed and lays around in our backyard. We call him Mangy kitty because he was really mangy when he came to us. Since we feed him on a regular basis, he looks a lot better. But sometimes, he will have a mangy day.

We also call him our version of Smelly Cat. (For all of you Friends fans) There have also been times he has fit this name as well.

We Would Probably Feed You:

Enchiladas. Wendell makes great enchiladas. Or something from the grill. And I would make some fun dessert.

We Would Undoubtedly Ask You If You Have Read:

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerich. We are reading this in our Growth Group.

We Would Play This Music For You:

Maybe some George Strait.

We’d Would Want To Tell You The Latest About:

Our summer plans. Playing Tennis. And football of course! =)

We Would Probably Suggest A Game Of:

The Friends Board Game

We Might Show Off:

Our kitties - Chloe and Chelsea. Especially Chelsea's lastest shenaningans.

We Might Get On The Computer And Show You:

Our pictures from Paris and London. Since we have only developed a handful of pictures. We took over 400!!

If It Was A Long Enough Visit, We Might Watch:

Lost, Sports, old movies, or possibly George Lopez.

What Would A Visit To Your House Be Like???

Oh....If you read this and want to do it, then YOU'RE IT!

Scripture Memory

2008-05-05T14:45:00.004-05:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions was Scripture Memory. I have not been that great with it. But I am keeping at it.

Here is the verse I am memorizing this week:

"The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit"
- Proverbs 18:21

Fun Weekend

2008-05-05T14:39:00.002-05:00

I had such a fun weekend. Wendell and I went to Kaufman's Baseball playoff game in Rockwall. The bummer was we lost. But I had a good time catching up with some of the coach's wives I have not seen in a while.

Saturday I went to Canton with my good friend Tonya. We had a great time. The weather was perfect. I got some fun stuff too.

Sunday after church, Wendell and I played Tennis at the Tennis Center in Mesquite. We bought racquets a few years ago and had not used them until yesterday. We had a lot of fun. I think we are going to try to play regularly this summer.

So I guess you can add that to my list of things I am looking forward to this summer: Playing tennis with Wendell.

It was so nice to have a fun weekend. We had a stressful week financially this past week. We had to replace our A/C unit in the house and we had to get some repairs on Wendell's truck. So it was nice to have some fun!

I hope you had a fun weekend too.

What I am looking forward to this summer

2008-04-24T09:21:00.002-05:00

For School to be out and Wendell's schedule to slow down a little before football.
Baseball - Rangers and Astros games.
Going to Fredricksburg.
Going to San Francisco - I have never been to California.
Our nine year wedding anniversary!
Football being around the corner.

Things I am not looking forward to:

Higher electric bills
Higher water bills
The price of gas.

Of course all of the things I am not looking forward to have to deal with money. =)

A few more pics

2008-04-20T21:46:00.004-05:00

Here is Wendell with our good friend Mario Cerda, who serves with Campus Crusade in Paris.
It was fun to see him.

Wendell is trying to have a little fun with the phone booth.

More Pics

2008-04-02T09:06:00.004-05:00

Versailles

2008-03-29T16:45:00.002-05:00

Paris and London Baby!

2008-03-25T08:31:00.001-05:00

I am back! I am still trying to get over jet lag. The trip was great. Will post more later.

What happens in life is not by accident...

2008-02-28T20:23:00.002-06:00

Do you ever just look back on a certain time in your life and all of a sudden God shows how some pieces of your life fit together? I do this every once in a while and I am just amazed to see God's hand on my life.

One of the things I love to do is to dig deep into the Word of God and to teach others the Word of God. I was working on one of my lessons for Colossians and having a blast looking up meanings of words and cross referencing Scripture. Then I thought about how when I was a young girl, I would try to read the Bible. I would start in Genesis. I knew some of the stories but I really did not understand the Word. So I would only get so far and would give up. Then some time later, I would go through the cycle again.

Then I became a Christian in college, God's Word came alive, and I was excited. I started to learn how to study the Bible inductively and I was hooked. I loved my class on Bible Study Methods when I was going through New Staff Training for Campus Crusade for Christ.

God planted a seed sometime when I was a little girl. A seed that was love for His Word which sprung into a desire to teach others His Word and how to study His Word.

God does have a plan for each of us. He designed each one of us in a unique way. How has God designed you? See if you can find pieces in your life that fit your puzzle.

Simple but Fun

2008-02-23T13:46:00.002-06:00

I made these cards for the Bible Study I will be teaching on Colossians. I thought it was a simple but fun way to remind the women of the readings we will be doing.

My Valentine

2008-02-14T13:50:00.002-06:00

I am so grateful for my Valentine, my husband. He is my best friend and my favorite person in the world! I tell him regularly that he is the greatest! I am so thankful that the Lord put him in my life. And I cherish everyday that I have with him.

Happy Valentine's Day Sweetheart! I love you!

Coach's Wife Poem

2008-01-28T15:19:00.000-06:00

This is a poem I found on a message board I frequent. It is written by a fellow coach's wife and it sums up my life:

The Coach's Wife Fight Song

I am a coach's wife, I wear my team colors bright
I'll travel any distance to see my team play tonight.
No matter what the "season", I will be a faithful fan
Because I stand beside the coach, the leader, the man.
So bring on the fun - I'll even face the strife
'Cause I know God will give me strength to be a coach's wife!

My Comfort Today

2008-01-28T11:33:00.000-06:00

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you."

--Psalm 32:8

First Post

2008-01-24T13:31:00.001-06:00

Okay - here is my first post on my first blog. I wanted to have something here. It is going to take me some time to get this thing set up, so please be patient with me.

If you have any tips to make my blog pretty, please do not hesitate to let me know. I could use all the help I can get!

I named my blog "Joyful Laughter" because I love to laugh and I want to carry with me a spirit of Joy.

Well that is it for now. Thanks for the tips!