Prayer

We had prayer conference recently at our church and the speaker share with us something that I have never really thought about before. Yes, I know God knows all of our requests before we bring them to Him. Still, I always feel the need to ask. But it's about intercessory prayer...with the Holy Spirit. If we will allow him, He will show us how to pray and what to pray for. This verse spoke to me in a profound way...

Romans 8:26 in The Message says this "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans."

I don't think this is an excuse to not pray, it's just when we are stuck... not sure... empty.... broken... hurt and there are feelings but no words, the Holy Spirit steps in for us. God knows our hearts and knows our innermost being and that kind of intercessory prayer can be the most powerful sometimes.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

Today is Chandler’s 11th birthday.  He is growing up to be such a young man.  He’s almost as tall as me and we can wear the same size shoe! 

I am so proud of him.  He is smart, funny, creative and kind-hearted.  He is a huge help around the house.  Give him a task and he’s on it!  Right now his dream is to be a fireman someday…because he’s been fascinated by them since he was 3.  All he talks about is getting old enough to be a volunteer firefighter.

He goes to middle school next school year and that’s gonna be a huge step for both of us.  My, how time flies by. 

We love you “Chan-the-man” and can’t wait to see what God has in store for you! 

Self Portrait

“Hey look Mom… I drawed a picture of me.  See I’ve got my hands on my hips and you see that big bump right there (pointing to the thing under her right arm in the picture)… that’s my booty.  You know, when I put my hands on my hips and stick it out to the side like this (and she impersonates for me)”.  --Kensley, 4 1/2 years old

Happy Mother’s Day!

I am so thankful today for my 3 beautiful children.  I am blessed to be called their mother and to have the opportunity for Corby and I to raise them.  Looking at this picture makes me realize how fast they really are growing up.  I am also thankful today for my Mom!  She and my Daddy raised me in a Godly home and has always been a wonderful example to me.  I love you mom!  Happy Mother’s Day. 

Teacher Appreciation Notes

I found this idea online several years ago & still love it.  I’ve done these each year for my kids to give for Teacher Appreciation Week. 

Here’s how I created them:

My camera (a Canon) has a setting called color accent that allows you to focus in on one color and make all the rest of the picture black and white.  I wrote “Thank You” with green sidewalk chalk on my driveway.  Picked that color as my accent on the camer and took the picture… you can see that it also picked up the green in the grass as I did not write the words far enough over.  Download your pictures & then in open them in photoshop  (or I’ve also used a scrapbooking software and Paint…which most people have on their computers).  I typed in my message to add to the picture and saved it.  Print out a 4x6 & wallah!  A great, personalized & very cute note. 

5th Grade Field Trip

Chandler’s last field trip as an elementary school kid has passed. *Sigh*

Each year Boiling Springs does something pretty big for them… because it’s a pretty big deal. This year they went to the National Whitewater Center in Belmont. Corby tagged along as parent chaperone this time. They didn’t raft but got to do flat water kayaking and geo tracking plus some other stuff. Here’s a few pictures from their big trip.

Spring Break: Part 2

The second part of the week we spent in Statesville with the rest of the family.  Most everyone came in for the weekend and the kids all had a blast playing together.  We had a full weekend but full of fun. 

We got to see our precious twin nieces who are growing up so fast. 

Birthday party for cousin Nathan who turned 7

Fun with the cousins…