Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Its a new beginning......

this is going to be the view from our new apartment...not too bad.


Sometimes we don't understand God's plans but we just have to do what He says...so we are, we are moving. No not far just right down the road so relax...lol!!


The lesson I have learned...listen to God and do what He says when He says....

Lesson learned God...

Thought for the day....

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

Wrap Me InYour Arms......

New favorite song.......

A fun weekend.....

I know it is Tuesday but I thought I would tell you about our weekend.

Friday night Chamberlain won their first football game of the year....yeah!!!!!! Saturday we were at the school all day, we hosted a band competition for some of the area schools and it was sooo much fun...alot of work but fun.

Sunday we had church and the BIG announcement was made.....as of January 30, 2010 Northside will no loner exist...we are launching a brand new church and the name is Celebration Church!!!!!!!!!!!! We are all so excited...there is alot of work to be done, we have 90 days before the launch, but we will get it done. There is going to be remodeling and cleaning and a lot of other stuff....very exciting.

Then Sunday night was our annual Holy Roller night. The girls dressed up this year, they usually don't, Ashlee dressed up like Abby from NCIS, Britney dressed up like Ms. Candy, and Kirsti was a vampire. They had so much fun!!!!!!!!!!

Well that was my weekend....hope yours was as much fun as mine!!!

Its been a loooooong couple of days.....

but I promised to post something everyday.

We had a football game last night which we won (the first one all year)!!!! Then today we had competition all day at the school so we are all soooooooooo tired. Ashlee fell asleep as soon as she hit the couch.

I am off to bed...tomorrow is going to be a great day at "Northside" (not going to be that much longer) and I can't wait to see what God has in store for His people.

I'm sooo excited....

and I just can't hide it....and after Sunday I won't have to.

We just got back from a leadership meeting and all I can say is WOW!!!!!

We are in a transition period and I can't hardly wait for it to all come together. Pastor is revealing the new name this Sunday and then we will be off like a rocket...so much to do in a short amount of time but with God's help it will get done.

All I can say is get ready Tampa... cause we are on fire!!!!

Word for Today....

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-29

WOW.....

first of all let me apologize, I did not realize that it has been soooo long since I have posted anything.

So what has been going on in my life you ask? What has kept me away from blogging? One word....LIFE!!

Once this school year started it took off like a rocket...but I am going to do my best to blog at least a line or two every night.

To start off with I thought I would share with you a typical week for me...so here is my week in a nut shell...

Monday...usually Monday's are a down day, I get to come home and make dinner and chill with the family of course that is after work

Tuesday....the girls have practice, Kirsti and Ashlee have practice until 7 and Britney has practice until 5:15, so I get off from work at 4:30 head to pick up Britney then back down to Chamberlain to get the other 2, after that it is back home to fix dinner, eat, homework, and off to bed

Wednesday....is church so the girls get dropped off at church after school, we figure out dinner, eat then have church, we head home about 9:00 or 9:30, then bed

Thursday....Kirsti and Ashlee have practice until 8:00, so I get off at 4:30 come home cook dinner; Tom, Britney and I eat then I head back down to get the other two, get home about 8:30 or 9:00, they eat then do homework (if they have any, they usually get in dome after school and before practice, they have about 45 minutes for that) then off to bed

Friday.....GAME DAY, I get off about 1:00, do my Friday running around( I usually have to get stuff for the game), wait for Britney to get home, then we head back down to Chamberlain for the game, weather it is a home game or away game we go, then we head home at about 11:00ish

Saturday....they are always up in the air, I sometimes have Life Coaching or the girls may have a competition or a practice or something going on

Sunday....choir practice, church, lunch, then home for a nap.....unless we have something going on like a leadership meeting or choir practice or something else .....

then we do it all again.....

So as you can tell by our schedule we are pretty busy....but it is worth it...they are only young once and I want them to get all they can out of it...

Hopefully this will explain why I have been absence from the blogging world but like I said I am going to do my best to post a little something everyday...

so until tomorrow.....

p.s. I forgot to add...in the midst of all of this Tom has started his own mobile mechanic business so he is working...alot...to get that up and running

First football game....

Rained out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why...

do I listen?

That may seem like a weird question until I explain.Why do I feel so unworthy? Why do I listen to that voice that tells me that I am unworthy?

There are times I think; when are they going to find out how unqualified I am, when are they going to find out that I have no clue what I am doing? There are times when I step back and think what the heck am I doing? Who do I think I am? I can not compare to these people around me. I am not as spiritual or as smart or as together as they are. There are times that I just want to crawl away and hide.

Then I realize that we are all the same...we all have these same feelings from time to time. One thing that I have learned is that God does not call the qualified but he qualifies the called. I believe that I have been called...I have been called to make a difference in this world and I have to learn not to lean on myself but to lean on God.

An another thing I have learned is that no one is perfect, that is one that I forget from time to time. I know I am not perfect but sometimes I feel like I have to be...so that is something I am working on. I have never had a real good view of myself but I think that I have come along way but there are still times that I need a little reminding, that is why I love this song:



So again I ask...Why do I listen?

17 years....

and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is mine and Tom's 17th wedding anniversary...I say wedding anniversary because we celebrate 2 different anniversaries, one in February and the other in August(February was our first date which was going to be our wedding anniversary also but circumstances changed it...another story for another time), but I digress...

we took off for the weekend and are enjoying every moment of it. The initial plans were changed but that does not matter, we are together and that is all that matters.

Tom got me beautiful heart necklace and took me out for a great steak dinner.I did not think it was possible to love someone more every year but I do...we always heard that we would not make it but look at us now...17 years later we are still together and going strong.

*Thank you God for allow me to find my soul mate and having my whole life to spend with him*

A new chapter...

tomorrow is the beginning of lot of changes.

School starts back and it will be Kirsti's first day of her last year of high school, Ashlee's first day of high school and Britney's first day of middle school. Needless to say I am a little nervous...not sure why but this year seems different.

I will post some pictures of the first day tomorrow. I have a lot of things rolling around in my head so it may take me a while to digest it, I will try to post some of my thoughts as well.

All I know is that this is going to be a big year...I can feel it.

I know...do you..

We sang a song in church on Sunday titled "I know who I am"and I have been thinking about that ever since.

The words are: I know who I am I know who I am I know who I am and I am your and you are mine...Jesus you are mine.

How many times have we sang or heard this song, I know I have sang it alot but it never sank in.....I am God's and He is mine!!!!!!!!!! When you stop to think about that how awesome is that. He, God, knows me by name and not only that but He know every hair on my head. The King of Kings knows my name and He loves me and cares about me, when I hurt He hurts. Whatever matters to me matters to Him. And you know what I don't deserve it...none of us do but He loves us anyways.

Why do I walk around so fearful at times when God knows who I am, He loves me and would lay His life down for me in fact He already did,knowing all the times I was going to mess things up or walk away from Him He still CHOOSE to die for ME!!!

WOW...now that is real, true love!!!!!!!!

I know who I am.....do you know who you are???????????

Food for thought.....

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

I know not many of us have chariots today but what are you putting your TRUST in?

It can be hard to trust in what we can not see but we have to, that is what faith is all about. Even when it feels like the world is closing in on you, you have to look up for the help you need...so many times we look around and try to figure out how WE can fix it or how WE can make something happen....when we really just need to stop and let God be God!!!

Sometimes we need to just stop...

Have you ever just stopped and thought about how much Jesus really loves you?

On the way to work this morning they played this song on the radio, I have heard it soooo many times before but I guess I never really heard it until today. And it occurred to me that maybe someone else needed to hear this today so here it is...just sit back and really listen to the words, I hope it speaks to you as much as it did me...

Treading water...

that is what I feel like I am doing, and not well.

Every time it seems like we have things under control something happens to let me know that I don't. Is this God's way of telling me that I never have it under control? I don't know...I know He is in control of the small things but why is it so hard to trust Him with the big things? I can TRUST Him for other people but why can't I TRUST Him for my own situations?

There is that word again...TRUST...I never knew how much I needed to work on that. I guess what they say is true...once you say something out loud it makes it more real or maybe in this case it brought it more to my attention. Whatever the case it is a lesson that I am learning this year and you know what...it is a hard one.

*Lord help me to TRUST you with every situation in my life...even the big ones*

How quick things can change...

with in 30 minutes. One minute my mom and Britney are chasing each other around Wendy's parking lot and 30 minutes later she is in the E.R. with all the symptoms of a stroke.

We are not sure what is gong on, all of the test have come back negative, there are no bleeds on the brain, no brain swelling...so we have no idea what is going go. One thought is that is was a type of seizures but nothing conclusive yet.

So right now Iam asking for everyone to pray... God is more then able to heal her and that is what we are standing on right now...

New Addition...

yes folks we have a new addition to our family....no not another baby so pick yourself up off the floor ;)

I finally got my dog...well almost, it is not a Yorkie but it is a silky terrier, but he looks alot like a Yorkie.

His name is Elmo (he was already named that and he responds to it so I don't think I am going to be able to change it) and he is 1 1/2 years old. I got him from the Pasco County Animal Shelter, he is pure breed and AKC registered. His owner gave him up because they said he tried to bite a toddler(but I do not know what the kid did to him). He has not been aggressive one bit

with any of us, that is what makes me wonder about what really happened.

Right now Max is checking him out...just getting use to her new brother!!

Cow Appreciation Day...

My family will do anything for FREE food...lol!!!!

Sorry...

boy time sure got away from me. I was going to post more about our stay-cation then the next thing I knew it was Thursday and I hadn't posted anything, so for that... I apologize.

We had a great time, of course it was not long enough but we take whatever we can. The girls had a blast and believe it or not everyone was very well behaved (I know it shocked me too).

We ended up not going to Daytona, we spent the day in Orlando. The girls wanted to go to the "World's Largest McDonald's",( yes it is in Orlando and every time we are in Orlando we always say that we will go there next time) so we did. We were there for 2 hours playing video games and having fun. So Tom called the girls over and told them that there was no way that we could make it to Daytona, watch fireworks, and be back home at a descent time for church Sunday morning so we decided to hang in Orlando. We hit some gift shops and did the tourist thing, taking pictures and acting goofy, then Tom found a nice flea market there so we headed over there. It was soooo much fun!!!!!!!!

Then we headed back to Tampa and went to Channelside to watch the fireworks with some friends and of course we ended the whole "stay-cation" with ice cream, does it get any better then that?!?!?!

I posted all of the pictures on my facebook so you can head over that way and see all the fun we had.

*Thank you God for allowing us this short time away..we needed it*

We are...

home from an awesome stay-cation. I am soooo tired, I have a bunch more pictures but I am too tired tonight to post, I will post more tomorrow. We are going to try to go to the beach after church so if anybody wants to join come on, not sure which beach yet but if you want to go let us know and we will figure it out.

Looking foward to a great day at Northside tomorrow...something exciting is going to happen...can't wait...see ya there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay-cation day 1...

we headed out to Orlando today so I wanted to put some pics up of the drive up.

The girls are having a ball and you know what so am I. We have not done anything like this in a long time..way too long.

So here are the pics of the drive up and of dinner...enjoy

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm13:5

Don't worry...

I am still here.
I know it has been a while since I have really posted anything but don't worry things are pretty good...just been real busy.
Just wanted to stop by and let all my adoring fans(lol) that I have not forgotten about you ...I promise.

Tom and I are planning a little weekend get-a-way with the girls this weekend. Tom has Saturday off so we are heading to Orlando Friday night(we got a GREAT deal on a hotel...$35 a night) then we are going to drive over to Daytona and spend Saturday on the beach...just a fun and relaxing weekend.
Well I will post some pictures when we get back...hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend!!!!!!!!

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:30-34 (The Message)

New hair pics...

I know, I know...

it has been awhile since I have post anything but it has been a little crazy.

Summer has started and the girls are enjoying the pool...I think they have gone swimming everyday so far. They are working on their tans..so I've been told. But they are having a good summer so far. I can not believe that next school year I will have 2 in high school and one in middle school...that makes me feel really old but I am enjoying my girls. I love the ages they are, some people don't like teenagers but I don't mind, they are good kids.

Tonight Brit is at a Rays game with some kids from church so I took Kirsti and Ashlee to get hair cuts (Great Clips is having a huge sale right now $7.99 for a hair cut till Monday). Kirsti also wanted to color it so I stopped by the store and picked up some hair dye. I may not get any pics tonight but I will post some soon.

This Sunday is our annual church beach day and I can't wait, it is my favorite day of the whole year. A day to just sit on the beach and enjoy the sand, sun, and water. I will post some pics of that also.

I am looking forward to the summer...it is going to be a blast. Not sure what is in store for me but I know I serve a big God and I am excited about all the ways He is going to surprise me this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had alot on my mind lately and God is showing me that no matter what I need to praise Him...even through the storms!!!

Well, she did it...

Ashlee made Chiefettes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is something that she has been practicing for all week long. Like I said last week this week was going to be a crazy one and it was.....but it was all worth it. Ashlee had tryout practice all week plus a mandatory practice for Orchestra then her final concert on Thursday. She has worked soooo hard this week and it paid off. I am so proud of her, she is entering a new phase of her life and it is going to be so exciting to watch. It is really weird watching your kids walk a path that you have but it is kind of cool (and it makes me feel a little old too).

We are going to have a fun filled year next year, Kirsti in band and Ashlee being a Chiefette, and Britney wants to join the soccer team in middle school...so it is going to be another packed year but hey they are only young once and I want them to get the most out of every year.

Yep, I am a proud momma!!!!!!

Rain...

It has been raining the last week here and I love it. Alot of people may not like the rain but I love it!!!!! And yes, we have needed it sooooo bad so thank God we are getting it.

With that said, it drives me crazy how people will say, "we need the rain", then once it starts the same people start saying,"I wish it would stop raining"....come on people make up your mind...

This week God has used the rain to show me a few things...

How many times do we say, "God rain down in my life, use me, stretch me, mold me to who you want me to be", then the moment the "rain" comes or the "growing pains" start we say, "God make it stop, it is too much, I can't handle this". We need to make up our minds...do we want God to use us and mold us or are we happy were we are at?

If your prayer is, "God send the rain", then you better be ready to get wet!!! We are in the last days and in the last days He will pour even more of His spirit out in this land....so get ready!!

I am ready to get wet...are you!!!!!!

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalms 37:5




(Thanks Sheri, I needed that today!!!)