Monday, November 14, 2011
My how things have changed...
Two years later and I am trying to post some comments on a friends blog. I have to sign in only to find my own blog and realize that I had started something good and abandoned it. For what?
It's been a challenging two years and I've gone through some difficult trials. Our God is good and gracious and even though at times I felt like I had been abandoned, I can see now that He was carrying us through. Just like He promised. You know, when we aren't focused on the right things in life, everything suffers.
My family is starting on a new journey. We believe we have found a new church home which we are very excited about and we are getting actively involved in serving our community. Jeff has started a new job that he really, really likes and I think suits him very well. The company I work for is doing great and exciting things, and I have been granted many opportunities to meet and get to know many new smart, interesting people. Some of the relationships I had in the past were as rocky as my life and they are healing and on the right path. And the pain of losing my nephew is easing. The little man will always be in my heart, but I know I will see him again one day. God promises us this too!
For almost a year, I have been unable to pray at night because the mere mention of the things that were burdening me brought anxiety and panic attacks. It would be hours later that I would finally fall asleep. Last night I said my bedtime prayers without anxiety and because of this I know I am healing. I rejoiced silently in bed and thanked the Lord once again for forgiving me, loving me, healing me, for sending Christ to die for me so that I can live a full life and know without a doubt I will see the people I love again one day. And then I thanked him again for richly, richly blessing me!
And so today...we start a new journey.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What I am thankful for...
Good Morning! This morning is probably one of the last opportunities I’ll have for a while to sit around reading and watching Food Network. Next week, Pee-Wee football kicks back up and I’ll be up early getting Grayson ready for football and Abby ready for cheer. It is crazy busy and my favorite time of year. This year even the weather is cooperating with a 10 day forecast of temps in the mid to high 80’s…amazing for Big D.
This morning I was reading an article in Woman’s Day about having a mind set of thankfulness and the joy this mindset brings. I for one have had a lot to be thankful for, especially in the past 9 months. Being away from the hustle and bustle of working outside the home has given me a good opportunity to re-evaluate what’s important. While I will always be one to overbook my life, this time I am overbooking it with a lot of projects I REALLY want to be involved in. I’ll post more on those another day. Today, I’ll start with why I am really thankful for my church family.
I am so glad we gave FBC TC a chance. I truly loved going to Stonebriar because Chuck is simply awesome. But we have been at FBC TC for about 18 months and I have finally returned to WANTING to be at church every Sunday. It is no longer a burden to get up on Sunday morning and go. It has been a LONG Time since I have really wanted to be at Sunday school and church. So, here are the top 5 reasons I love my church.
Reason #1…awesome, caring people. People who are not pretentious or arrogant. I have met people who have almost nothing willing to offer up what they have out of kindness and caring. And there people who have lots, but place little value on material things because they know there are more important things in life.
Reason #2…I would say the Pastor, but it’s not just the pastor…it’s the pastor’s family. I think the whole bunch is wonderful. Pastor Mark tells it like it is from the pulpit and lives what I would call a “normal” life. He is real and it is reflected in his children…who are well mannered, normal kids and crazy cute! And Monica, who is sweet, smart, caring, warm…I could go on.
Reason #3…My children want to be at church. Because of people who care, my children know about Christ. They are eager to talk about God with us and with their friends. They want all of their friends to come to church events. They learn about missionaries and other cultures and absolutely love going to church.
Reason #4…The church totally books my social calendar and there is always an opportunity to hang out with friends who inspire me to be a better person and have a closer walk with my Lord and Savior.
Reason #5...All of my wonderful girlfriends and their families now come on Sundays. The people who I want to be with when I am not with my family are there too. Almost all of them. I got giddy a few months ago on Sunday because they were all there!! DeAnna, Penny, Tamika, Sharla, Holly...I could go on and on. Plus the new friends I have met at the church...It is soo cool! I get excited just thinking about it.
My church is a key component delivering a sense a community to our city. I love it!!
Next post….why I am thankful for my cool and awesome family.
This morning I was reading an article in Woman’s Day about having a mind set of thankfulness and the joy this mindset brings. I for one have had a lot to be thankful for, especially in the past 9 months. Being away from the hustle and bustle of working outside the home has given me a good opportunity to re-evaluate what’s important. While I will always be one to overbook my life, this time I am overbooking it with a lot of projects I REALLY want to be involved in. I’ll post more on those another day. Today, I’ll start with why I am really thankful for my church family.
I am so glad we gave FBC TC a chance. I truly loved going to Stonebriar because Chuck is simply awesome. But we have been at FBC TC for about 18 months and I have finally returned to WANTING to be at church every Sunday. It is no longer a burden to get up on Sunday morning and go. It has been a LONG Time since I have really wanted to be at Sunday school and church. So, here are the top 5 reasons I love my church.
Reason #1…awesome, caring people. People who are not pretentious or arrogant. I have met people who have almost nothing willing to offer up what they have out of kindness and caring. And there people who have lots, but place little value on material things because they know there are more important things in life.
Reason #2…I would say the Pastor, but it’s not just the pastor…it’s the pastor’s family. I think the whole bunch is wonderful. Pastor Mark tells it like it is from the pulpit and lives what I would call a “normal” life. He is real and it is reflected in his children…who are well mannered, normal kids and crazy cute! And Monica, who is sweet, smart, caring, warm…I could go on.
Reason #3…My children want to be at church. Because of people who care, my children know about Christ. They are eager to talk about God with us and with their friends. They want all of their friends to come to church events. They learn about missionaries and other cultures and absolutely love going to church.
Reason #4…The church totally books my social calendar and there is always an opportunity to hang out with friends who inspire me to be a better person and have a closer walk with my Lord and Savior.
Reason #5...All of my wonderful girlfriends and their families now come on Sundays. The people who I want to be with when I am not with my family are there too. Almost all of them. I got giddy a few months ago on Sunday because they were all there!! DeAnna, Penny, Tamika, Sharla, Holly...I could go on and on. Plus the new friends I have met at the church...It is soo cool! I get excited just thinking about it.
My church is a key component delivering a sense a community to our city. I love it!!
Next post….why I am thankful for my cool and awesome family.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Summer Went By Pretty Darn Fast
okay, okay...I wrote this on the plane to Birmingham about 3 weeks ago and I am just now getting around to posting it. Some of the information is a bit dated, but here goes:
Oh my goodness, this summer has gone by so fast and it has been a busy one. At the beginning of the summer, I thought it would be so great to be home with kids. I could work in the morning and then in the afternoons, we’d play. We’d go to the zoo, go the pool, go here and there. I bought all of us season passes to Hawaiian Falls. And then, I signed client number 2 and my workload when crazy. And then July 1st, I signed client number 3. At which time, I hired a baby sitter from church to watch the kids in the afternoon. Today, she can’t get there early enough!!
I have learned so much about business and marketing and working with clients this summer. I have learned how to manage contractors, which works out great unless they over commit themselves. Now I know how my clients feel at times…LOL! I have learned how to bill hourly because it’s not as easy as it sounds. I mean really, how do you bill for the time you spend writing in your sleep? I’m just sayin’!
Most importantly, I am learning how to balance working from how with being a mom and part of the family. I am having so much fun starting my business and have such a love for my work that sometimes it is very hard to shut the computer down and go make dinner.
Now I have to decide if I am satisfied where I am or if I need to grow. With growth comes office space, employees and contracts and I am just not sure if I want that kind of commitment. But where I am at is in the middle of getting it all done and needing more from my contractors anyway, so I probably need to make a decision at some point.
The way I see it…God truly led me here. He knows my needs, my fears and my abilities. He has a plan and I am just along for the ride. I’ll continue to do my best work, be the best partner to my awesome clients and know I am working to carry out my purpose in the world.
Oh my goodness, this summer has gone by so fast and it has been a busy one. At the beginning of the summer, I thought it would be so great to be home with kids. I could work in the morning and then in the afternoons, we’d play. We’d go to the zoo, go the pool, go here and there. I bought all of us season passes to Hawaiian Falls. And then, I signed client number 2 and my workload when crazy. And then July 1st, I signed client number 3. At which time, I hired a baby sitter from church to watch the kids in the afternoon. Today, she can’t get there early enough!!
I have learned so much about business and marketing and working with clients this summer. I have learned how to manage contractors, which works out great unless they over commit themselves. Now I know how my clients feel at times…LOL! I have learned how to bill hourly because it’s not as easy as it sounds. I mean really, how do you bill for the time you spend writing in your sleep? I’m just sayin’!
Most importantly, I am learning how to balance working from how with being a mom and part of the family. I am having so much fun starting my business and have such a love for my work that sometimes it is very hard to shut the computer down and go make dinner.
Now I have to decide if I am satisfied where I am or if I need to grow. With growth comes office space, employees and contracts and I am just not sure if I want that kind of commitment. But where I am at is in the middle of getting it all done and needing more from my contractors anyway, so I probably need to make a decision at some point.
The way I see it…God truly led me here. He knows my needs, my fears and my abilities. He has a plan and I am just along for the ride. I’ll continue to do my best work, be the best partner to my awesome clients and know I am working to carry out my purpose in the world.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Being At Home
So, I have been at home now since December and right now my responsibilities include:
1. Being a homemaker
2. Finding a job (in the works), or building a Marketing Business (in the works) or becoming a teacher (also in the works).
You'll have to forgive me because I am quite flaky these days and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. However, a few things are certain. I want to work and I do NOT want to be a homemaker full time, which leads to the next list of desires, I want to work part-time outside the house, make decent money and; therefore, have time with my kids. Or I could work full-time at home, but I still need an office or clients that I can visit on a regular basis--even if it's just for lunch.
Here is the deal on the homemaker bit...I hate to clean house and if I stay at home, it is expected of me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind keeping things picked up, doing the laundry, and maybe vacuuming. I also don't mind grocery shopping and cooking dinner. But I will NEVER be the kind of mom that has ZERO cobwebs. I looked up today and my coo-coo clock had a cob web on it and then above that was one hanging from the ceiling, there are milk (or something) spots on my leather sofa and dog hair on the tile in front of the fireplace where the dog sleeps. Everywhere I look in this house, there is something that needs to be cleaned and I hate to clean, hate it, hate it, hate it! If you are looking for a complete example of cleaning avoidance...look no further. I can think of a million things that I can do to avoid mopping the kitchen floor. So there!
BTW--This makes my husband crazy because he says right now, it's my job and well, I think he should fire me and hire someone to do this crazy housework.
So, I think I am going to focus on my other two, err three, responsibilities and see how quickly I can make extra money to hire someone for the housework, cuz he won't do it. Ppphhhbbbbttt!
Oh, I should be getting my logo for my marketing site this evening. YEAH!! Hopefully, I can get the website published by the end of the week and move forward with that project. WEEEE!
1. Being a homemaker
2. Finding a job (in the works), or building a Marketing Business (in the works) or becoming a teacher (also in the works).
You'll have to forgive me because I am quite flaky these days and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. However, a few things are certain. I want to work and I do NOT want to be a homemaker full time, which leads to the next list of desires, I want to work part-time outside the house, make decent money and; therefore, have time with my kids. Or I could work full-time at home, but I still need an office or clients that I can visit on a regular basis--even if it's just for lunch.
Here is the deal on the homemaker bit...I hate to clean house and if I stay at home, it is expected of me. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind keeping things picked up, doing the laundry, and maybe vacuuming. I also don't mind grocery shopping and cooking dinner. But I will NEVER be the kind of mom that has ZERO cobwebs. I looked up today and my coo-coo clock had a cob web on it and then above that was one hanging from the ceiling, there are milk (or something) spots on my leather sofa and dog hair on the tile in front of the fireplace where the dog sleeps. Everywhere I look in this house, there is something that needs to be cleaned and I hate to clean, hate it, hate it, hate it! If you are looking for a complete example of cleaning avoidance...look no further. I can think of a million things that I can do to avoid mopping the kitchen floor. So there!
BTW--This makes my husband crazy because he says right now, it's my job and well, I think he should fire me and hire someone to do this crazy housework.
So, I think I am going to focus on my other two, err three, responsibilities and see how quickly I can make extra money to hire someone for the housework, cuz he won't do it. Ppphhhbbbbttt!
Oh, I should be getting my logo for my marketing site this evening. YEAH!! Hopefully, I can get the website published by the end of the week and move forward with that project. WEEEE!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Strawberry Pie
I made this pie last night and had a few requests for the recipe. It was from Light and Tasty, April/May 2004. I included nutritional information. And as a bonus, I am also going to post the Taco Noodle Dish that I made as a precursor. I took the chili powder (read: spicy) out and the kids LOVED it!!
Fresh Strawberry Pie
3 pints plus 1 cup fresh strawberries
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
8 tablespoons reduced-fat whipped topping
Set aside 1 cup strawberries. Arrange remaining berries in pie shell. With a fork, mash reserved 1 cup strawberries; set aside.
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add mashed strawberies and bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into strawberry mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in food coloring if desired. Cool for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon over strawberries in crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Garnish with whipped topping. Yield: 8 servings
Nutritional Analysis: One piece equals 234 calories, 8 g fat, 3 g fiber. (5 POINTS)
Taco Noodle Dish
2 cups uncooked yolk-free wide noodles
2 pounds lean ground turkey (I used lean ground beef)
1 can (8 oz) tomatoe sauce (I didn't have this so I subbed a 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes)
1/2 cup water
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup (4 oz) shredded reduced-fat cheddar chese
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives, drained
1/2 taco sauce (used salsa instead)
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook beef over over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, green chilies, taco seasoning, onion powder, chili powder and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes. Drain noodles; place in an 11" x 7" x 2" baking dish. Spread the meat mixture over the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Top with lettuce, tomatoes, olives and taco sauce. Dollop with 1 tablesppon of sour cream. (I set all of this stuff out and let everyone add what they wanted.)
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals 312 calories, 13 g fat, 2 g fiber. (7 POINTS)
Enjoy!!!
Fresh Strawberry Pie
3 pints plus 1 cup fresh strawberries
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
8 tablespoons reduced-fat whipped topping
Set aside 1 cup strawberries. Arrange remaining berries in pie shell. With a fork, mash reserved 1 cup strawberries; set aside.
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add mashed strawberies and bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into strawberry mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in food coloring if desired. Cool for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon over strawberries in crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Garnish with whipped topping. Yield: 8 servings
Nutritional Analysis: One piece equals 234 calories, 8 g fat, 3 g fiber. (5 POINTS)
Taco Noodle Dish
2 cups uncooked yolk-free wide noodles
2 pounds lean ground turkey (I used lean ground beef)
1 can (8 oz) tomatoe sauce (I didn't have this so I subbed a 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes)
1/2 cup water
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup (4 oz) shredded reduced-fat cheddar chese
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives, drained
1/2 taco sauce (used salsa instead)
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook beef over over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, green chilies, taco seasoning, onion powder, chili powder and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes. Drain noodles; place in an 11" x 7" x 2" baking dish. Spread the meat mixture over the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Top with lettuce, tomatoes, olives and taco sauce. Dollop with 1 tablesppon of sour cream. (I set all of this stuff out and let everyone add what they wanted.)
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals 312 calories, 13 g fat, 2 g fiber. (7 POINTS)
Enjoy!!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Disciple Now Weekend
This past weekend was such a rewarding experience. Jeff and I opened up our home to seven amazing girls, ages 12-14, for two nights and received so many blessings in return. The girls had such unique personalities with interests ranging from a love of swordsmanship, Manga and Anime to cheerleading, football and all things pink. And amongst the difference, one HUGE commonality brought them together. They were all raised by families who shared the love of Christ with them and they were all saved by grace. How fortunate they are to have families who love them enough to share their faith with them so that they may inherite the Kingdom of God. It is SO incredibly important! And in the worst of times, these teenagers will have a God they can turn to, to carry them through.
This weekend, we had an awesome speaker Jerrod who captured and kept the attention of the teenagers and adults with his crazy life experiences and his ability to easily relate them with the Word. He spoke of the time he got hit by a car going 35 mph and his realization at 16 that his dad was quite strong and clearly still in charge. And then he tied each of these stories to the weekend theme "Holiness" and discussed how we can become holy by being set apart in our actions and agents of change in our world.
As Christians, we are to live as no one else. We are to be in the world, but not of the World. And while I have heard this message so many times in my life, it really sunk in this time. I think maybe because his message strayed away from the "don'ts" in life--you know...don't drink, don't cuss, don't dance, etc--and focused more on "do's." Do love your neighbor, do feed the poor, do show up for church and community projects and do share the love of Christ with everyone you encounter.
Secondly, become an agent of change in your circle of friends, school, jobs, communities and world. Speak up when it's important and share Christ with your friends. As Christians, we can reach people one at a time, and the Word spreads one at a time. Together we can become Agents Of Change.
The whole weekend was so powerful...And Sunday morning, Jeff and I finally became members of the church we have been "visiting" for over a year. If you have a chance to be a part of DNow! I highly, highly encourage it. We'll be there again in 2010!
This weekend, we had an awesome speaker Jerrod who captured and kept the attention of the teenagers and adults with his crazy life experiences and his ability to easily relate them with the Word. He spoke of the time he got hit by a car going 35 mph and his realization at 16 that his dad was quite strong and clearly still in charge. And then he tied each of these stories to the weekend theme "Holiness" and discussed how we can become holy by being set apart in our actions and agents of change in our world.
As Christians, we are to live as no one else. We are to be in the world, but not of the World. And while I have heard this message so many times in my life, it really sunk in this time. I think maybe because his message strayed away from the "don'ts" in life--you know...don't drink, don't cuss, don't dance, etc--and focused more on "do's." Do love your neighbor, do feed the poor, do show up for church and community projects and do share the love of Christ with everyone you encounter.
Secondly, become an agent of change in your circle of friends, school, jobs, communities and world. Speak up when it's important and share Christ with your friends. As Christians, we can reach people one at a time, and the Word spreads one at a time. Together we can become Agents Of Change.
The whole weekend was so powerful...And Sunday morning, Jeff and I finally became members of the church we have been "visiting" for over a year. If you have a chance to be a part of DNow! I highly, highly encourage it. We'll be there again in 2010!
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