My Little Chefs

Today we spent the day getting ready for company that is coming in town tomorrow! My mother, father, and sister-in-law are coming. Jada was up with her bed made, her teeth brushed, and dressed when I woke up. She is so excited and was excited that today was COOKING day! When we have people come stay we always prepare what we can in advance. That way we have more time to spend with family and less time in the kitchen. So today Skyler helped make my Grandma's 24 hour slaw. Today was the first time I have attempted to make it. Jada made a chocolate cake all by herself. Then all of us made the chicken and rice dish. We had their favorite CD playing while we cooked, which is "Shout Praise Kids..I Am Free." Such a fun day! Also If you look at the next post below you have a chance to win a prize. Go check it out if you haven't already. Tomorrow I will be announcing the winner!

Skyler was peeling an onion...Do you notice his face?





Enjoying the taste of all their hard work today!

TIME FOR A GIVE AWAY!

A few months ago I wrote a post about starting a new project. That project was making a new recipe book! Well, after selling our house and moving I haven't been able to work on it. But, now that I am settled in I am ready to begin my project. Now that is where you and the give away comes in!!! I NEED YOUR HELP. The only thing you have to do to enter is write your favorite recipe. Your name will be entered for every recipe you give! YEAH! Also if you send one of your friends to my blog and they write a recipe and tell me that you sent them my way I will also enter your name as well! So start looking for those recipes! I am so excited to see what you all come up with! Oh, the prize, you want to know what the prize is going to be?? It is going to be a giftcard to STARBUCKS!!!!!!

On my way to stengthen my heart!

One of the things the doctor told me to do to help my heart was swim. They also told me to eat a lot of salt and drink water and then more water. The doctor wanted me to start doing weight training on my legs. He said that would help the blood not pull to my legs and that if my muscles were tight they would pump the blood back to my heart and then to my brain. So, last night my husband and I started our first work out. I had to take it very slow because my resting heart rate is already really high even with me taking medicine. So, I started with the bike and only did one mile. Then I did 3 leg machines trying to build more muscle in my legs. After we were finished we then went out to the pool with our two children and swam. The doctor said swimming was good for me since the water is surrounding my body it helps the blood to not go straight to my legs.

Today we also spent most of the morning at the pool. I did my water exercises and the kids played. It is so relaxing to go to the pool. I have made it through the first two days of work out and my heart is doing good. It is going to take me awhile to build my hearts strength back up, but I am so determined to keep on working on it!!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

Our trip back to TN

Me and my daughter, Jada, went to Tennessee for a couple of days. I had a doctor apt that I have been waiting for 7 months to get in. I had tests all day on Tuesday and they all came back normal. My heart condition is not effecting my brain or reflexes. Praise God!

Now, let you tell you about the trip from the beginning plane ride. Jada was so excited because this was her first time riding on an airplane! We had a layover in Atlanta on Monday. Our flight was delayed 40 minutes when we arrived in Atlanta. We only had 20 minutes to find the next gate and jump on the next plane. I did not think to check the boards, so when we got to the gate I was informed our gate had been changed!!! The Atlanta airport is HUGE. So me and Jada take off running, jump on the tram, and run a little more to make our flight! At one point I stopped running and Jada kept running pulling my hand saying, "Come on mom I am not missing my BFF." Our friends were picking us up from the airport and Jada did not want to miss seeing them! We made it...BARELY!

We then went to Julie's house and the girls played and played. It was so GREAT to see them face to face. I have missed them so much. Then we met Jill and her girls for lunch at Camino Real. After we ate we went to Jill's house and played some more . Julie and Jill had a birthday cake for me and Jada, because they wouldn't be able to be with us on those days. They are so sweet! I am blessed with the best friends in the world! It was a very sad moment when it came time for the goodbye's again. We just did this a few weeks ago. Jada and Emma were so sad to watch. They locked up in Jada backpack straps and wouldn't let go. It made me teary eyed just watching those too! Here are a few picks.



As you notice they have switched clothes, which they do everytime they see each other!



Mom and dad picked me up from Jill's house and then we went to their house for two nights. Mom went with me to the doctor just in case my heart rate dropped to 0 again. Thankfully that did not happen this time. It was so nice being able to spend time with mom and talk on the way to the doctor. Dad stayed home with Jada and took her to the pool. We forgot Jada's swimsuit so my dad ,"Papaw", decided to take Jada shopping for one! He took her to Walmart, Peebles, Hammers, and then they ended back up at Walmart. My dad is a trooper! Dad said that Jada would try one on and then peek her head out of the dressing room and say, "Another swimsuit please!" She tried on so many and eventually found the perfect one! What a great memory that day will be for her! It was a great trip and so great to see everyone that I miss so much!

Award!!!

I received an award the other day from Christina! That was a great surprise. So now I am going to pass along the award to others who I really enjoy reading!

1. Jeremy - This blog I love to read because he is my wonderful husband who likes to write about a little about everything. He writes about sports, music, books, family, and his love for God! Everyone would really enjoy his blog.

2. Cindy - She is my mom and a great artist! She loves to share her art and journal the story behind each beautiful picture. She had a gift from God and uses it for His glory! Great read...be ready to be blessed!

3. Jill - This is my best friend who is very funny and writes about her life, children, and her love for the Lord. Her blog will leave you with a smile!

4. April - One of my dear friends that journals about all her wonderful adventures...which her life is full of! She loves animals, children, and the Lord. She will help anyone who needs it...such a servants heart!

5. Andrea - This is a new blog that I have begun to read and just love it! She loves life and her beautiful family. She journals on life as a mom and always has great pictures on her blog!

6. Crafty Lady - This is a blog that I just love. She always has the cutest craft ideas. And the best thing is she has pictures of her daughter actually doing the crafts. If you have children and like to do crafts, you will love this blog!

Thanks for sharing your lives and thoughts with others! I really enjoy reading each of your blogs! Copy and paste the award onto your blog. Link to who you got award from (me). Tell us your top that deserve the award.

Are We Being Salt?

Last night we went to a cookout with our children's pastor and another family from our church. I really enjoyed talking and getting to know them and their children. Jeremy and the other men went in the other room at one point and started playing WII. That is the first time Jeremy has played and he loved it. He played the boxing game and Morgan, a fourth grader, beat him. I got a kick out of watching them play!

Today we had a great Sunday school lesson. This is only my second week of going to this class and I have already learned so much and enjoy everyone in the class. The teacher and several others from the class took us out to lunch today. We had a great time talking and getting to know them a little better too!

The lesson was about SALT and how being salt is our responsibility in the world. First we learned what the function of salt was: "Salt is a preservative, it is rubbed into meat to prevent decay...our purpose is to stop corruption and to be different. Salt is used to season. Salt provides savor and keeps food from being bland. We are to demonstrate the true meaning of life." At the beginning she gave us all pretzels to eat, which are very salty and make you thirsty. Salt increases the need for liquids. "Our lives should cause others to long (thirst) to know the Lord. Being salt must become the biggest thing in our whole life!"

"If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke of the Spirit whom those who believed in Him were to receive..." John 7:37-39

We learned that sometimes we are like the salt that has to be grind ed to come out of the shaker. We go through difficult things in our life, we learn, grow and then are ready to come out of the salt shaker and season the world!

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."

Much needed Prayers.

I just got home from church and just feel a burden to write and ask for prayer for a family who is very dear to my heart. My best friend, Jill, is such a great woman that needs prayer for her family as well as herself. Her dad has struggled with being in and out of the ICU with Pneumonia, lung problems, MRSA, and other things. He is still in the ICU, but yesterday she was able to talk to him and he was awake for the first time in a few weeks. Jill was very excited to be able to talk to her dad and him shake his head in response. I am asking you to pray for her dads recovery and for her moms strength each day! Jill has asked for many prayers on her blog and to read her story go here.

Today I am also asking you to pray for her dad and her mom as well. But I would like if we could especially pray for Jill. She is being so strong and is there for support for her mom everyday. She is such a special person to me and my family and loves the Lord with all her heart! Please pray that Jill will continue to have strength mentally, physically, and emotionally.
"They all joined together constantly in prayer..." Acts 1:14

VBS FUN!

This week I have been teaching at our preschool VBS! It has been so much fun and a great way for me, Jada, and Sky to meet people. I think we have been running around 130 everyday this week. Jada has been my big helper in my class along with another helper. They are both such a great help! Next week Jada will be going to the elementary VBS. I come home everyday and have the songs in my head all night. I find myself singing them out loud and my kids ask why I keep singing the same song. I tell them I am just lovin' VBS!!!

Concert in the Park

Tonight we went to see Shane and Shane in concert and Josh Wilson opened for them. It was a benefit concert for the blood-water mission. Jada and Skyler put money in the basket when it came around. I explained what the money went to and showed them the brochure with the pictures and information. Jada and Sky thought it was amazing that $1.00 would supply a child with clean water for one year! Skyler pointed to every person on the brochure and asked if he helped them have clean water...I said that he did help by giving money and Jesus was proud of him and Jada. Mommy and Daddy were also very proud of both of them!

It was such a blessing to be with Jeremy and my children, on a Sunday night, sitting together on blankets, relaxing, and worshipping together as a family! Sometimes we get so busy and caught up in things we have to do, like for me, unpacking and getting all our things in order, that we might miss a blessing. I do not want to miss blessings or learning opportunities from God. I need to live each moment of everyday thanking and praising God for how He has blessed me and my family! We have seen God at work in our family especially during this move and calling in our lives. Don't take every day for granted. Start your day by giving it the the Lord!

"Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life-and place it before God as an offering." (Romans 12:1 MSG)

Unpacked and Settled in!

We are moved and unpacked! The last several weeks me and the kids have been at mom and dads just having so much fun. A quick update on the house situation. The offer we put on the house was not accepted so Jeremy flew and found us an apartment to rent until we can find another house we like. So, for now we are living in a garden home that feels like a resort.



The living room right when you walk in the front door.




The great room...we have computer and craft desk in there right now. Still in process of decorating that room!


Jada room. The other wall is ALL mirrors. She has two closets and they are sliding doors that are mirrors. She is in her room alot dancing around and dressing up!!!


Skyler room...which he loves!


This pond view is what we wake up to every morning. You can see this from the great room and all the bedrooms. Jada and Skyler have started making a list of all the wildlife they see. And they are on the lookour for an alligator!


Mom and dad have been with us for a week. They helped us move and get unpacked. I am so glad they are here. We celebrated the 4th with them and it was the last night they were here. We had a lot of fun and the fireworks were great!!! It was a great night but sad when we had to say goodbye. I love them more than they could ever know. I am such a mommy and daddy girl. I LOVE MY FAMILY! They have always been such great role models for me and have and still have a huge impact on me and my family. What a blessing they are!

Me, dad, Jada, and Sky with our cotton candy!


My mom and Jada!


Jeremy having fun in the stores in dowtown Disney