Happy Birthday Courtney - 24 things I love about you

Popping in today to wish my daughter a Happy 24th Birthday! I hope you'll wish her some fabulous wishes too.

24 Things I Love about You. Courtney

1. I love your smile.
2. I love that you love people.
3. I love that you are mean, I meant, loving to your sister.

4. I love that you admire your brother.
5. I love that you respect your dad.
6. I love the way you make fun of your mom, that would be ME.
7. I love the way you laugh.
8. I love the way you make others laugh.
9. I love how you love family.
10. I love to watch you dance. (You all will too - watch here.)

11. I love how you like to sport your style.
12. I love how you like to help me sport a style. Really, I do. Thanks!
13. I love your dog, Zep -- well, kind of!
14. I love that you are a fighter.
15. I love how you persevere.
16. I love your heart for God.
17. I love how you are so sentimental.
18. I love how you always invite me to lunch -- probably so I can pay, but I love it.
19. I love how you make time for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
20. I love how you like to look tough with a gun!

21. I love how you've always felt comfortable bringing people home.
22. I love how you've always felt free to invite others to supper. (I miss those huge pots of spaghetti)
23. I love how you look out for those who are down and out.
24. I love you, just because you are YOU.

Wanna Be a Mayan and More

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I thought I'd have a little fun today, because girls just wanna have fun! Today is Friday's Favorite Things over at Finding Joy and I have some favorites to share and be thankful for.

1. My son is crazy talented and creative! I can't explain it. Don't know where he gets it from, but his crazy whelms are always a hoot-and-a-half to witness. With that said, you have got to watch this video. It's my son and his best-man (to-be in May) -- can you just imagine the wedding? It is the Mayan year in 2012 and they have a rap about it. You just might want to be a Mayan before it's all over! Or maybe not?

2. Below is one of my favorite bowls. Not necessarily because it matches anything in my home any more, but because it symbolizes our family. Well, there's a huge problem. I got this just months before I found out I was expecting our third child, Lindsey. So after 18 years I figured surely I can find someone to paint me a baby Lindsey on here so it will be up-to-date, well kind of. Any takers? Any suggestions?

3. I'm loving my new necklace from DaySpring. It's all about Grace and I'm going to need A LOT in 2012 I'm sure! I love the scripture engraved on the back "by the grace of God, I am what I am." (1 Cor. 15:10) What a great reminder to not compare ourselves, our journeys, our strengths, our callings -- by the Grace of God he has made each of us unique. (if you'd like a reminder DaySpring is having great sales - CLICK below and check them out.)

Make sure you find some favorites to be thankful for today!

When Christmas Finally Came

Ever have one of those years when the spirit of Christmas never dwelled within your heart? Or try as you may with gifts and decorations, the season never settled in your home? Well, let's just say that has been my Christmas season this year.

I'm not sure why the disconnect. I guess it could be a number of things:

- first Christmas without my daddy
- first time in a decade I didn't go on a three-day shopping spree after Thanksgiving
- circumstances didn't allow my house to be decorated by Dec. 1st
- my son got engaged and I had to plan a celebration
- or maybe the fact that my daughter spent 4 days in the hospital

Whatever the reason and why Mr. Grinch stole the Christmas spirit from me is still a mystery. But as of December 20th I still had no decorated tree, nor a present in site. But somewhere in these last 4 days  - Christmas happened.

It didn't happen in the form of packages, boxes or bags. It happened in the realm of giving to children, men and women. It didn't happen because my house finally got decorated and the boxes neatly wrapped.  (neither happened) No, it happened when I was out loving on those who wondered if Christmas would even come or if family would even remember them with a note or a call.

Christmas came when my church hosted a children's movie night "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and gave 300+ presents to children from the community. Christmas came in the form of hugs from children, sticky candy on the floor, and smiles as big as Texas from those receiving gifts. Christmas came alright and it came big!

Christmas came as I visited the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility a few days before Christmas and  my church provided 120 meals for the men and women residents there. Christmas came as I led the prayer before the meal for the women. Christmas came when the women cheered that we would be coming every Sunday beginning in January for studies and worship. Christmas came as they hugged me and thanked me with the sincerest of hearts as we left. Christmas came alright and it came big!

Christmas came and it had nothing to do with packages, boxes or bags.
Christmas came and it had nothing to do with me, myself or I.
Christmas came when I was loving on those who needed Christmas love this year.

Oh yes, Christmas finally came and it came big!


Merry Christmas!


Tell me about your Christmas experience this year. When did Christmas finally come to you?

The Engagement {part 4 - babblings from the morning of}

It's here! It's the morning of the BIG proposal and there are a gazillion thoughts and emotions running through this teary-eyed sappy momma's mind.

While the day will be busy getting all the final preparations made and setting up for the surprise celebration, my thoughts wander.

How did he grow up so fast?
Is he ready for marriage?
What will the future bring?
Where will their life together lead them?

And while I don't know the answers to those questions, I do know I have to trust. Trust HIM!

But I have to tell you that having a gazillion questions, doesn't negate how excited I am. Seriously, excited! Like WOW.

My little boy is getting engaged!
We love his girl!
She's already part of our family.
Now we get to make it official.
I admire the love I see in them for each other.
I LOVE how they seek God in all they do.
I adore the fact that she compliments my son in all he does.

Yep, I'm babbling away because I'm too stinkin' excited!

Some of you might possibly think I'm crazy. But I could use some words of advice. Anyone want to share? Memories? What to be mindful of now that we're planning a wedding?

I gotta go get ready for the big surprize.
I'll be so glad when we can talk about this. It's awkward holding stuff this good in.

And even more awkward that by the time I post this it will be old news. :(



Engagement Part 1 - if I could keep him little
Engagement Part 2 - the ring
Engagement Part 3 - keeping the secret

The Engagement {part 3 - keeping the secret}

"Mom, I need you to keep this ring and hide it!"

As my son handed me the gift bag with the ring in it, more emotions lept from my heart. I think on the inside I was screaming, "NO. You know I'm not that responsible. I can't find things I use every day, much less hide something and find it a month later." But on the outside once again, I was glad I got to be a part of such a special event.

But you have to know -- this secret -- it's killing me.

While I secretly write here to capture the moment, I'm ready for the secret to be revealed. I'm tired of avoiding my boy's girl for fear I'm going to blow the secret.

Are you a good secret keeper? You've probably guessed it, I'm not.

How are you doing with all those Christmas secrets? Are you having to avoid certain people so you don't spoil the surprise?

Don't you just love all those awkward moments that happen while you're trying to keep sweet, special secrets?

The Engagement {part 2 - the ring}

Read The Engagement {part 1 - if I could keep you little}.

My mind was trying to wrap around the fact that my "boy" was turning into a man and had marriage deep in his heart. When he first brought up the subject, I figured I had about a year to prepare my heart and mind for this big step. After all, he doesn't graduate college until May 2012.

However, my boy wasn't worried about mom's time table. He was ready NOW.

One of the next conversations we had was about setting up a date for him and me to go look at rings. I couldn't believe he asked me to go with him. I can not even put into words how honored I felt to even be asked, much less get to be there for such an important decision on his part.

The engagement is a surprise, so naturally his girl couldn't go. And the ring was to be a surprise too, so thankfully he wanted a women's point on view on rings and I got asked.

We ventured out. I think his girl might have wondered what was up when we set out on our "mother/son date." She was texting the whole time we are out, so we decided to tell her we were going to eat.  We surely didn't want to keep fabricating these lies. (forgive us, Lord!)

Arriving at the jewelry store, it's hard to describe all the emotions I was feeling -- honored, excited, sad, anxious, privileged, and totally in awe of this little boy young man. We lingered at the counter, my son wanted my reaction on a ring he had spotted earlier so I had to turn around. Then I finally heard,

"Mom, you can turn around."

Oh. My. Word! The brilliance, shine, beauty, and sparkle -- all from one ring! It's as if that ring were highlighted from Above as my son put it in front of me. But I think deep down what was shining more was the love that this symbol represents. I'm still tearing up writing this, excuse me. There are not dictionary words to describe the beauty.

The beauty of my son's heart.
The beauty of his girl -- inside and out.
And the beauty of the ring that will symbolize their undying love.

There is something so special about a wedding ring. Do you remember the thoughts you had when you received yours? What does your ring symbolize to you?

Linking up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky for Tuesdays Unwrapped. This is our last Tuesday and one in which I am so thankful for boys, their girls, love, engagements, and rings.

The Engagement {if I could keep you little}

I wrote these posts in advance to chronicle the days of this mom's little boy getting engaged. The engagement was a surprise, so I'll be posting this week what led up to the big moment. It was a special journey! However, itt seems like yesterday we were capturing his growth on his bedroom wall (HERE). 


Snips and snails
and puppy dog tails
 . . . that's what little boys are made of.

If I could keep my son little . . . somedays I would, others day I wouldn't trade watching him grow into a man for nothing. And since keeping him little is not going to happen, I have to tell you . . .

My son and I photographed a wedding together one evening. We had a good hours drive on the way home and it was a great night for visiting, if I could keep my eyes open. After a moment of silence he began, "Mom, that's the kind of wedding my girl and I are going to have."

Blurry eyed I turned towards him, "What?"

And there begin the first of many conversations about the engagement and marriage of my little boy. I'm thankful he wanted to share the journey with me. That way it gives this poor mom's emotions time to sink in. Maybe if I cry a lot now, I won't cry on the big day. Well, maybe?

I'm not sure how all this works. This young man is the first of my three to get engaged or married. I need suggestions. I need advice. I need help! Anybody want to share?

The journey will be exciting. I love his girl. They compliment each other perfectly. It's just that . . .

Somewhere along this journey my little boy has grown in to . . . a man!


Joining up with Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday. Thank you, Carissa.

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Life Verse 2

I wrote yesterday about my daughter's life verse and that got me to thinking about my own verse. If you would have asked me a year ago what mine was, I would have easily quoted Romans 12:1-2 explaining that my whole life should be a living sacrifice to God.

For years I claimed it and took such great comfort in the Message version of that verse. Especially verse 1.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Because I felt like my life was so ordinary it was great to know that as long as I honored God with my ordinary He'd be pleased. But in wanting to live my life as a living sacrifice through the ordinary, I can see now where even those steps of obedience became old routine to God.

There is more to life than just living it for yourself, while claiming you are living it for God. Yes, He wants us glorifying Him in our ordinary lives. But I'm learning that what I thought would glorify Him, is not really how He intended me to glorify Him. Or maybe He has grown me to a new place of obedience? I think he has moved me more from verse 1, into verse 2. "Don't become so adjusted to your culture that you fit in without even thinking."

Ouch! Nobody wants to stand out or I certainly don't. But as God continues to lead me I'm recognizing more of what He wants and trying my hardest to quickly respond. That definitely goes against our culture! As my thoughts become blurred and new habits come into play I really wonder what God is doing.

While my life verse might be changing me and still a little out of focus, my motto stands true. "I consider my life more like a mosaic than a puzzle. My life’s pieces don’t fit together nice and neat. However, God has used each piece to make something beautiful as He is the mortar that holds my life together."

Hallelujah for His mortar that holds all my crazy pieces of life together! Yes, and even those pieces where I don't see just how they are going to fit yet.

It's the Last - Last Day

My youngest daughter and I sat down the other day to plan out the calendar. It's her senior year and the days are starting to fill up with those special graduation events. As we went through the months, we finally got to May.

I instinctively wrote down Last Day TM. (TM is the school.) See I've done this for years now - actually for a total of 18 years I've had children in school. There for a couple of years each of my three children were at different schools, thus me having to add the school names to clarify which school was getting out. Talk about crazy schedules???

But the other day as I wrote in my calendar, I just sat staring at those words. I think it was another small step to me realizing that a chapter is ending in my life, as another begins.

Now, I'm a mom and I'm just going to say I HATE TO SEE THIS CHAPTER END! I loved being involved with my kids in school and watching them grow into incredible teens and young adults. But I can't stop this chapter from ending. I wanted so bad to erase those words and pretend my baby would continue on in school as I know it, but yet deep down I know nothing I can do will stop that day from coming.

To all you moms out there who are graduating your last child this year -- I feel your heart! We cry at moments. Bust into laughter at others, and still manage to smile through it all. We are fearful of this whole empty nest thing, but somehow I know we'll make it through it. (for more on empty-nesting read my article "Wings, Worries, and Worms" listed in the right hand column of this blog)

To all you moms who are graduating your first child this year -- I feel your heart! I've been there and done that. I thought after going through all the emotions of a graduation with the first child that number two and three would be a breeze, but I hate to say the emotion is just as strong with the others. Word of advice --just cry a lot now so you can enjoy graduation week with fewer tears.

To all you moms who have little ones who will be beginning school for the first time -- I feel your heart! That was a scary first step to take. But I would say slow down, enjoy it, be involved, and treasure every moment -- it all goes way too fast!!!

So although this was the last time I would write Last Day of school in my calendar, my heart does wait in anticipation of what is around the corner. I know there are many firsts out there for us to experience together.

Yes, it might be the last - Last Day, but I feel a First Day coming on!

That's My Boy

Happy birthday to our son, Blake!

He is 21 today and that seems unreal.


We are so proud of you, Blake . . .

For being sold out for the Kingdom.

For living your life for God.

For always being yourself. (crazy hair cuts, antics, and all)

For helping others become all they can be.

For leading worship, not only every weekend, but daily in your life. (Romans 12:1-2)

For being an incredibly responsible 21 year old.

For being on the Dean's List in school.

For loving and watching out for your sisters. (Admit it, you love it when they pick on you!)

For respecting your dad and I. (Even when you don't agree - thanks!)

For being so creative. (thank you for using those talents to help me out too)

For writing and singing songs that stir others hearts.  (listen HERE to Fill Me)


Yep, that's our boy! Happy birthday.

We love you for ever and always . . .

I Heart Gymnastics

I love watching gymnastics. Maybe it is because for years we were a gymnastics family. My oldest daughter was born tumbling and so we spent hours daily in the gym. She went on to compete until injuries took her out of the sport.

Gymnastic meets are just beautiful. The girls look so elegant and graceful. They are talented and so precise in what they do. The routines truly captivate me.

But the real story to their gracefulness comes from hours on end in the gym perfecting their skills and routine. There are daily bumps, bruises, bang-ups, and broken bones, yet they fight through unafraid. There is a determination about them. A determination I'd love to have in my life! I loved watching my daughter practice. It stirred up a determination within me.

A friend sent me this short video by Francis Chan yesterday. It is SO powerful. It was so easy for me to relate to because of the gymnastics theme. But I must say, I've never looked at gymnastics from a spiritual sense, but WOW how they relate.

I'm not sure where I am today. I know I'm not in a full body hug around the beam, but yet I don't feel I've accomplished enough to jump down and throw my arms up in the air as a "well done" salute. I would say I'm probably standing on my tip toes, every so gently trying to figure out how to maneuver the next move.



What gymnastics pose might you be in today?

I pray we can all sincerely throw our hands up in a "well done" salute on our last day and know we've accomplished much for our Lord and Savior!

Positive to Negative Ratios

When my children were preschool and elementary age, I read somewhere that it takes 5 positive comments to override just 1 (ONE) negative comment. That's 5 to 1, friend!

When you think about that, it kind of seems unreal. But being the good mom that I am (hear the sarcasm there!), I didn't want to take the chance that my young kiddo's would be left with negative thoughts at the end of the day.

So as sibling squabbles would break out and negative comments would fly from one to another I decided to put an action plan in place. I sat the cute-little-things down and explained positive and negative comments. I'm not sure how much of that registered, but . . .

I do know I got their attention when I told them that from here on out for every negative thing they said to each other they would have to replace that comment with two positive ones. They hemmed and hawed and weren't too crazy about this positivity thing mom was in to . . .

The next day rolled around and they were doing pretty good. Then sure enough an afternoon sqwabble broke out! Urgh . . . here we go again.  Words like stupid, dumb, and ugly were flying. I called them in and sat them down. Once again explaining negative comments and how they hurt whether they were true or not.

Next came the most painful thing I could have done to them. I had two of them stand face to face, look each other in the eyes and told them they had to say two positive things about their sibling.

Let's just say TORTURE! 

Oh my word -- we sat there FOREVER. They squirmed. They balked. They looked down. Then finally one of them squeaked out, "I like your tinny shoes?!" I think the rest of the comments that day were just as superficial. But HEY - we were creating new habits and you have to start somewhere, however clumsily it may be.

I'm remembering this story today, because I experienced the 5-to-1 ratio yesterday. There are some negative things that people have spoke in my life over the years. The funny thing is that some of those things were spoken when I was younger, yet they still ring ever-so-loudly in my ears. I didn't even realize how loud they were, until a friend began speaking positive words to me yesterday.

I literally felt the wall begin to crack and break. Those negative comments aren't truth most of the time, yet we build upon them, and repeat them in our minds over and over, until we have this huge wall built up inside of us. What a moment to feel that wall begin to shake yesterday.

I want to encourage you today to let those negative comments spoken into your being GO! They aren't truth. You might not have a friend close by today to encourage you, but you do have the best friend ever who is eager to impart TRUTH into your being. That friend has left you a love letter full of TRUTH and positive comments.

Pick up the book of TRUTH, God's word, today and begin replacing those negative comments with truth. You will feel the walls shake, crack, and begin to fall.

Just like in my children's lives -- why is it so much easier to speak and impart the negative into others and even ourselves? That habit has to be broken. It doesn't do anyone or ourselves any good!

Today, I am amazed at how a friend's simple and positive comments changed me.

Wings, Worries, and Worms

I'm not really sure what I expected in becoming an "empty nester", but learning flexibility was not it.

At the beginning of this year, the house became awfully quiet as we were down to just one child living at home. It was too quiet, I admit, but I was adjusting. I was learning how to shop and cook for just three in the household. I was getting familiar with the new schedule that was a little more freeing.

Well, all that was interrupted by the phone call. I'm sure you know what phone call that was, "Mom, can I move back home?" (For the rest of the story . . . you just have to keep up with me over at my new column Wings, Worries, and Worms at Exemplify Online.)

Let me just say, the past six months have been a journey. I'm learning that in becoming an empty nester you must exercise great flexibility. Did I say GREAT FLEXIBILITY? Learning to be flexible is all so worth it when you get a note that says, "I'm so blessed that I have wonderful parents that will take me back home and shelter me."

To get a bird's eye view and account of me becoming an Empty Nester, check out my new column "Wings, Worries, and Worms" in the Exemplify Online Magazine. The beginning column is just out -- go HERE.

I'd love your feedback. I'd love your stories, encouragement, comments!

It's amazing I'm becoming an empty nester -- it definitely is all about Wings, Worries, and Worms!

New Seasons are Springing Forth

What an incredible Spring season! Not only is the weather perfect here in south Texas, but God's goodness and love is springing forth.

I've been amazed these past few months at how God blesses when you just step out in faith and obey what He says to do and where He says to go. My personality screams I want to know all the details first, but God never reveals them until I take my first step.

After speaking at the A Women Inspired online conference, I was contacted by Kristen at Exemplify Magazine Online. She said the magazine wanted to interview me and WOW was I blown away. You know me and my crazy thinking, "What could I have said that makes her think I have anything intelligent to say to her magazine readers? What could I possibly share that could benefit others?"

I stand in awe that the magazine is out and that the interview is included. (Can you believe it? pinch. pinch.) I am blown away to get to serve beside some incredible Godly girls as we serve our Lord, each in our own unique way.

To read the May issue of Exemplify click here. It is fan.tab.u.lous!

BTW - stay tuned - I'll be beginning a column at Exemplify for Empty Nesters called Wings, Worries, and Worms. Amazing, I know, amazing!

Here's to new seasons!!!

Just a Refrigerator - I Think Not

Who would have ever thought that a refrigerator, just an old magnetic box, could be so sentimental?

Well, let me tell you, it is. As we've been remodeling our kitchen, it has been a chore, but the coolest thing about it is I am getting all new appliances. We were definitely in dire need. My kids said my kitchen looked "old timey!" That alone can depress you.

The new refrigerator arrived while I was out of town and hubby installed it. It is beautiful, spacious and a dream. But it's just not the same . . .

While my old refrigerator got hauled out it had precious memories attached to it. Many "old timey" things that hadn't been removed in years. My kids wouldn't let me take things down. They loved the memories, as well.

There was the cute picture of my youngest in kindergarten, my son's first day of his senior year, a cheerleading photograph of my daughter and her best friends. Not to mention the pics of my nieces, nephews, brother and sister.

There were great quotes magnets given to me by friends that reminded me where to keep my focus. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3. And believe it or not there were Christmas pages out of coloring books that dear friends children had colored for me. OK - and my teenage girls colored and hung their colored pictures up there too.

Too many memories - just taken out with an old refrigerator!

There is something about a mom and her refrigerator. We start when the kids are young putting up the magnetic letters to keep the little ones entertained while we cook, and then we gradually add to that a conglomeration of much more.

Refrigerator. A huge magnetic box full of beautiful memories!

Amazing how I can grow so attached to a refrigerator . . .

and an "old timey" one at that.

Are You Bothering Jesus?

I went to bed last night in anticipation of what this week would bring. It will be a busy week, with much to be done. When there is much to be done it seems I begin questioning my self, my motives, my ways, my abilities, my, my, my . . . You get the picture!

As I sat down with the Lord this morning, so many of the questions and uncertainties seemed so insignificant to bring before the Lord. Why would He care if the week was busy? Or if I had the right words? Or if I was able to juggle family, work, friends? Would He really want to hear about my worries about our kitchen renovation taking place? And worst of all, surely He didn't really care what I wore? I sat wondering, should I really bother Him with all these little things running through my mind?

Turning to the passage in my One Year Bible to hear from God, the reading was from Mark 10:13. "One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him."

The disciples scolded the parents for bothering Jesus. That sentence stopped me in my tracks. Not only was I thinking I was bothering Jesus this morning with all these little trivial things that were on my mind, but I realized I often hear girls say, "I don't need to bother Jesus with that, He has bigger things to worry about." And today I was basically saying the same thing! Mercy!

Verse 14 says, "When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children."

If you have children, you should be able to relate to the fact that when they are young most of the things they come to you with are "small". Even at times they can seem to bother you. When are we going to eat? Where is my favorite toy? Can we go outside? Will you play with me?

Jesus goes on to say, "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."

Friend, let's remember that we are not bothering Jesus with our small cares. He wants us to run to Him as these little children - unconcerned and with no preconceived notions - and lay our wants, fears, stresses, and burdens at His feet in prayer. Amazingly, Jesus wants us bothering him.

Will you bother Jesus with your cares today?

Lessons I Learned from Our Ski Trip

It was a treat to sneak away with Hubby and all three kids a month ago to the mountains of Taos. We had planned for the trip and were watching the weather. Yep – we’re crazy! We drove the 18 hour trip. Looking at the weather it was going to be a peaceful drive – cold, but sunny.

18 LONG hours later we arrived at Kandahar ski resort at Taos Ski Valley. As we made our way up the mountain to our lodge a snow storm came out of nowhere. We could not see a thing – that is NOTHING! Our truck got stuck and I’ll admit I was not happy. (Remember now I’m your 80 degree weather kind of gal.)

Lesson One – Storms will appear out of nowhere in life. They don’t have to register on the radar, yet it is how we handle them that will benefit us on our journey.

After some kind mountain men came and pulled our truck out of the snow, we finally made it to our cabin. This south-Texas 80 degree weather kind of gal was wearing high heeled boots (aren’t those a must for any ski trip) and a blue jean jacket. Not so zesty. My family told me to stay inside as they unloaded the truck. Hmmmm – maybe that didn’t work out so bad after.

Lesson Two – Always dress appropriately for where you are GOING, not where you’ve been. You don't want the people at your new destination looking at you like you are crazy!

We rested our first night after such an ordeal. At the break of the new morning everyone was up and ready to head out early to conquer the slopes. Well, everyone but me. I don’t care for skiing, so I hiked the slopes with my camera. Loved it! That's why there are no pics of me. I swear I was there. Oh, I also tended the fire – had to have a fire!!! Good thing I was a Camp Fire Girl.

The family hadn’t skied in four years. But isn’t it like riding a bike – “once you learn you don’t forget.” I couldn’t wait to hear their stories of waht happened on the slope. To my surprise my youngest was not having a good day. It went something like this:

I’m so glad to be here. This is the life. Aren't I cute?

I think I remember how to do this. My ski's are supposed to be like pizza slices or french fries.



Ok, I think I have this. Oops, oh no – maybe I don’t. Help!


Seriously, I'm OK. Mom, put the camera away. Can somebody, please, come help me?

Lesson Three – Relearning something you haven’t done in awhile is NOT just like riding a bike. The things you want to improve at, you better practice daily.

Part two of Lessons I Learned from the Ski Trip coming soon to a blog near you.

It was an amazing time!

What's Next, Papa?

Visiting with a friend recently, I was reminded of how our relationship with our earthly father is such a vital part of our life. We grow up with dads and our perception of that relationship all too often determines how we view our Heavenly Father.

If our dad was demeaning and overbearing in nature, we tend to view our Heavenly Father is the same light. To break the bonds of those feelings and thoughts it often takes time and a strong determination to retrain our minds to think of our Heavenly Father as loving, caring, and nurturing.

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! (Romans 8:14-16 MSG)

You might not be able to relate to the photograph above because you weren’t afforded the opportunity to have a father figure you could trust or enjoy spending time with. But God wants to be near you today.

He wants to carry you on His shoulders to see new things and experience blessings He has waiting for you. He wants you to know you can trust him and that He thinks you are precious. My friend, don’t get bogged down in the past. Let it go and find your confidence and worth in your Heavenly Father.

Be adventurously expectant, hop on God’s shoulders and ask “What’s next, Papa?”

Sixteen Candles

My youngest daughter FINALLY turned 16 this last week. I say finally, because she had talked about this day for over a year. You guessed it – she couldn’t wait to get her license. As we wrapped up her huge birthday celebration I asked her, “What in the world are we going to talk about and look forward to now?”

Growing up there always seemed to be a big milestone or goal out in front of you. Just like with my daughter, she couldn’t wait to get that license. Now she is contemplating junior/senior prom and then graduation. I remember those days so well. Don’t you?

But what milestone do you have out in front of you now? Do you have goals or certain things you want to accomplish? Do you have an end date put to them?

My daughter knew the exact day she’d turn 16. She knows the exact day she’ll graduate. Do you know the day you’ll achieve what you are striving for? Have you marked the day that you will achieve your next milestone?

I have become aware of how key those milestone days are over the last few months. I knew I needed to finish the second book I was writing, I’m a Fixer-Upper. I would write a little here and there, but it wasn’t until I sat down and put a date on the calendar that I could visualize me completing it. I had an end in mind to run toward.

Amazingly, it will be time to celebrate the accomplishment soon. I think I will celebrate with 16 candles!

What big goal are you looking forward to accomplishing?