Spiritual Growth

Something has flipped. I think it is my perspective. It needed to change. Here are a few things God has been up to in my spiritual growth over the past few months.

Ever since I have been leading a devotional (a one hour worship set- just me and the piano) at New Haven House of Prayer, God's word has become even more alive and active in me. Praise God for that!! I prepare each week with a verse and a song and then let God do the rest. The verses I have been worshipping to are taking root in my life and changing my heart. This process has not been the easiest since God's word is bitter-sweet, but it's been good. Some Tuesday nights I leave the HOP refreshed and some nights I leave thinking "oh man, here we go.... now I have to walk this out." Both of them are good, but one is more challenging..... such is God's word.

Recently, I completed a bible study called, "One In a Million," by Priscilla Shire that deepened my walk and called me to take God at His word by walking out the scripture through obedience. She talked a lot about taking the things that we heard in church on Sunday mornings and applying them to our lives allowing them to transform the way we live. The "One in a Million," was referring to those who got to go into the promised land when the Israelites were wandering the wilderness for 40 years. Only two out of the million moved into the land of milk and honey (Caleb and Joshua). I want to me One of those who endures to the end.

I had a friend challenge me a couple of weeks ago to "be thankful in all circumstances," when I was burned out and exhausted one day because of my son. God's word is truth and it was in that truth spoken that my life was challenged. I want to be one of those who "rejoices at all times," and
"in all seasons," but this has not come easy for me. Thankfully it is a process and God has patience as I walk this out. I'm so thankful for friends who speak the truth to me even when it is hard to hear. It's because of that friend my life has changed paths and I have a different perspective.

God has used me since to speak to a group of moms at our church in the "Starting Right" ministry to encourage them and equip them in their journey of parenting. I was asked to do this because three other people saw something in my children and me that needed to be taught. I give all the credit to God because He is the only good thing in me and in my kids. So they had asked me to teach on "How to teach your kids about Easter," but I really didn't think I was the right person to share about that. However, I did say, Yes," because I knew it was the Lord who wanted me to share (plus I enjoy public speaking) and if God wanted to speak then I was going to be obedient and allow Him to prepare me to speak.... and that He did. He wrote the outline and gave me plenty to share. So, I taught the moms "How to teach their children about Jesus using scripture during unstructured and structured times." God gave me resources and experiences to fill the time that I shared and it was appreciated. I had people coming up to me left and right so thankful I shared. Some of the comments were, "I could have listened to you all day." "We have hired professional speakers to talk and you are right there, if not better than them." "You should write a book." (lol, when?) "You just motivated me to home-school my kids." "When can you come back?" If you know me well, you know that my love tank was full that day, because words of encouragement is high on my love languages. I praise God for the opportunity and can't wait to do it again. They just asked me today to come back. :)

These are just a few ways God has encouraged and refined my journey with Him and I am grateful He's not finished yet. We'll see what the next season brings. I have just committed to leading our bible study group on Thursday mornings through Beth Moore's "The Inheritance" study, so I know more growth is on the way. Lord knows I need His Spirit to empower me to accomplish His work.

And the journey continues....

Curls

It's kind of funny, but a lot of people have been commenting on my curls lately. The main reason I started curling my hair is because my hairdryer broke. I have been going to bed with my hair wet which results in some crazy bed head in the morning. People have said that they love the curls or have said that I should wear my hair like that more often. It's really funny to me because all this came about because of a broken hairdryer..... Fortunately, it only takes 20 minutes to fix, but it only lasts one day (bummer). I am fortunate my hairdryer broke when it did because this is about the only weather my hair will hold curl.... no humidity and cool (plus an extra layer of hairspray). I asked Greg if I should get a perm and he said, "No." Really? I'm not surprised. Why get a perm, when I can have straight and curly hair (every now and then). Since I don't have all the time or energy to keep this up, I will leave you with a picture of me and my curls. I know this is totally ridiculous to blog about my hair, but what can I say..... I am such a girl! Thanks to all my friends for boosting my confidence. I love you all!

Cousins

Zachary adores my sisters baby, Josiah. He gives him kisses and hugs whenever he is around. I can't believe this boy is 6 months old now! How time flies.

I love that they are both in blue. Sweet boys!
I wish I would have put some shorts on my boy before taking a picture. haha.... oh well.

Park Days are here....

Can you see the grass stained knees? He's all boy!

Climbing like a monkey

Feeding the ducks

Great throw buddy

Gotta love it when they share

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather and have been at the park or outside since it changed, hence the reason why I haven't blogged. :) YEAH for Spring!

The Princess Party

Before I begin I would like to say..... you will have to excuse me for all the photos I posted of Carlee's birthday (and to think this was just the first party). I really wanted to capture the day and have this for the future. Also, I wanted to add that I woke up on her birthday not feeling well. I had some stomach pains and my body was a tad achy, but I did not let that stop me from celebrating the day. There's no way I could have taken that from her, so the party went on.
It really was a special day for Carlee and our family. I spent days prior to the party decorating and it was a complete joy to bless Carlee with a beautiful room adorned just for her. I'll never forget the sweet surprising faces she made when the mosquito nets went up in each corner of the room. I still feel like I am in a big pink cloud or bubble taking in the whole day. It was a day I hope to always remember.
This picture was taken just prior to things starting and Carlee is wearing her Grammy's tiara.
It's sad, but only the funny picture of us came out the best. I'm hoping my friend Amy got a better pic.

It was a good thing we had Carlee open her present from us before the festivities began or it would have been chaos later.... more to come.

Besides giving Carlee her beautiful dress, she also got a swirl art project, a pony (which she saw around Christmas time and daddy bought it for her), and a wall decorated verse for her room that says, "He hath made all things beautiful."

Here's a closer look at the pony

The dining room table all set and ready for a party

Excitement

The food was perfect for Carlee. All her favorite (strawberries, apple, carrots, pretzels, and chicken nuggets). Here she is with her Grammy and Nana.

Love this..... funny how the tiara keeps changing. She just couldn't decide which looked or felt better.

Some guest have arrived (her best friend Lily and Aubrey). They look like Cinderella and Belle.

Since all the girls came dressed as princesses, we supplied the finishing touches....we began the party putting on make-up (blush, eye shadow and lipstick) and painting fingernails. All the moms tried to help, but some of the girls wound up taking over and trying themselves.

They each had their own mirror and Mary Kay packs. This made this part very easy with not a lot of clean-up.

My mom and I helped Carlee with her make-up, but Carlee took over to do the blush. Thank goodness for powder. haha

Allison and her daughter Hope (or Sleeping beauty). Allison supplied me with some of the decorations for the party. She's a girly girl like me and was a great person to ask for help. Hope and Carlee take ballet together.

They watched a short video "Gigi- God's Princess" while the moms got the lunches ready. Prior to the movie, they all played a game like musical chairs, but instead of moving from chair to chair while the music played, they passed the teapot around. The only thing was the music I played for them was a DVD song from the "Gigi" movie and they all ended up getting too distracted by the movie that they would forget to pass the teapot. It was funny. If the music stopped when they were holding a teapot, they could then take a candy out of the teapot and sit on the couch while the game continued. (I got this idea off the Internet) Carlee or Rachel ended up winning....

Carlee ate her strawberries on her finger just like she always does. I'm not sure how much of this food she actually ate, I think everyone wanted the sugar cookies to come. (We threw so much food and drink boxes away)

Tired princesses

This moment was particularly one of my very favorites. I lit the candelabra (just to give them a more beautiful atmosphere) and all the girls started standing on their chairs and blowing out the candles. It was so cute and funny. I wish I would have done it over and over again. I think this was the the girls favorite as well. Instead of having two cakes in one day, we iced sugar cookies for this party. I made the dough and Greg made the shapes. The girls chose from crown, glass slippers (not really), stars, and hearts. Carlee choose a crown.

Zachary had his own special airplane cookie to decorate. It's funny because not much of the cookie part got eaten it was mainly the frosting and sprinkles. I could have given these gals a cardboard cut out with a big tub of icing and they would have just licked the frosting off and been great. Maybe next year.... haha

These girls look so grown-up at this big table with the decorations.

The present opening was a lot of fun. Everyone was involved. All the girls were so excited to give Carlee their gift. Sarah gave her this princess nightgown (that was the first gift she opened)and I have no idea what everyone else gave her.

Here is a crazy picture of Carlee holding up her book with all the girls around her. They all got closer and closer the more presents that were opened. It's a good thing we only had 6 girls come.

Ella came too and was a delight to Carlee's day. Ella just turned 5, they have been friends since Carlee was born. Since Ella came towards the end of the party, they hung out outside and played while Lisa (her mom) and I chatted. It was a nice break in between parties.

This party was a lot of work, but a whole lot of fun. After doing this one so extravagantly, I'm thinking this will not happen every year. Turning 5 just seemed like a good time to do a blow out party. I'm so glad we did even though I ended up running a temperature in between the parties. It was worth every moment of sacrifice.

Thank you to all her friends and family for making this day so special for Carlee. Thank you Lindsay and Hannah for bringing food (sorry about the misunderstanding). Thank you Amy for taking pictures of the day. I can't wait to see them all! Thank you Allison for providing some of the decor and my super cute shoes:). Thank you Lisa for helping yourself around my house when I was tired and worn out (now I know it was due to the fever coming on). I hope I didn't pass anything on. Thank you mom for helping and providing the bows for the girls hair, the table clothe covers, the food, and the love and support. Thank you Randle (mom #2) for lending me the pink table clothes, supplying the food, and for your love and support as well. I love you all!! What would I do without my gals!