Thursday, July 28, 2011

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Tell me I'm dreaming...  tell me that it's really your 1st Birthday.....




and NOT your 17th...



cue the waterworks.



for this momentus occasion... I'm going to list 17 things I love about you, my daughter, Christen: 


I love: 

your heart for Jesus.  you teach ME lessons in faith and being devoted, thank you. 

your heart for kids, even though sometimes you won't admit you have a heart for kids....  

your heart for the elderly, again, even though sometimes you won't admit you have a heart for the eldery...  actions speak louder than words...

the love you have for your friends and your willingness to do anything for them

your sense of adventure...  doing things I never would have dreamed of, like going across the world without any family and not knowing a soul...  and coming back home with life long friends and great accomplishments.

your smile!  all the way from your toothless, tongue stuck out smile as a baby, to your beautiful "grown up" smile of today...  you light a room with your smile and you surely light up my heart...

the way you call me out when I need it...  even when I'm aggravated at the time, you don't hesitate (normally)...  you've got my back, but you also know when to show me the truth..

your sense of humor...  even when it's not appropriate! haha 

how you know what you want to do with your life and how you're making your plans to reach your goals. 

your amazing atheletic skills...  from the time you could sit up, I knew you were going to be way better at sports than me, thank goodness!  If it involves a ball, you can master it.  Even hitting a pitched softball 5xs out of 10 when you were just 3 years old. 

the way you don't let anyone hold you back from doing what you love: soccer.  You've proven that little ol' Tifton is not the end-all, be-all, kingdom of soccer.  You don't let anyone tell you that you "can't". 

the way you're becoming more responsible.  I used to worry, a lot...  and I still do, just not as much.  you're growing up!  that part isn't cool...  but little by little, I realize you are going to be an awesome adult and you'll be able to handle whatever comes your way.

your ability to laugh at yourself.  that's so important in life, really it is. 

that you'll still hold my hand...  not all the time I know...  but you will, sometimes..  I can't tell you how much that means to me..  and that you still tell me you love me and you'll hug me...  even in front of PEOPLE!  gasp!  ;o)

how you will talk to me...  really talk to me, about what's going on in your life.  I know we don't talk as much as we used to, but I hope you know I'm always here for you and always will be....

how you aren't like most teenagers...  you don't stay locked away in your room...  you want to be with us...

and finally, I love that you are YOU...  there's no one else like you and I thank God every day for you. 

So, Happy 17th Birthday Baby Girl!  I love you!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

What Love Really Means

I love to sing.  I mean, I REALLY love to sing.  But, if you know me...  you probably may never hear me sing!  haha  life just works out that way I reckon.  But it's okay. 

This song, I've never been about to get through without crying.  The last part gets me.  right.in.the.heart.  Each and every time. 

It's because I know, God is speaking straight to me. 



He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He’s the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night “Dear God won’t you please...
Could you send someone here who will love me?”


Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means, what love really means


Her office is shrinking a little each day
She’s the woman whose husband has run away
She’ll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner then he would’ve stayed
And she says…


Who'll love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means what love really means


He’s waiting to die as he sits all alone
He’s a man in a cell who regrets what he’s done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
“Oh Lord, forgive me. I wanna go home”
Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said “I know you’ve murdered
And I know you’ve lied
And I've watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you'll listen I'll tell you that I...”

 I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew
Love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew




No, I've never killed anyone, never even came close. 

But God knows my inner most thoughts and he still loves me.  Just like the murderer on death row, who none of us really believe deserves God's love, but will get it if they just ask. 

And this makes my soul cry.  Not for sadness, but for joy. 

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. 

for ALL have sinned. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

God is giving us a gift, something we don't deserve.  I don't deserve it, just as much as the murderer doesn't deserve it. 

To me, this alone should tug at an unbelievers heart.  We all want to belong and many of us feel like we don't belong.  With God, wherever He is, is where we belong.  And no matter what we've done, how far we've strayed, He will take us back, He will welcome us with open arms. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

This post was tugging at my heart and God told me to stop what I was doing and write it.  So that's what I did. 

Monday, July 25, 2011

Third College Down...

And so many more to go...

We really should have been more on the ball about all this.  But we have a couple more tours to go on.  One is already scheduled, the other in the works.  And after that...  decisions, decisions...

This past week Christen was at FSU for soccer camp.  For the longest time, she's admired FSU.  Not sure why.  I know I've admired FSU football for a long time.  Most of my "people" love UGA, but when I was little, UGA didn't do a lot of winning.  So I jumped on the FSU bandwagon.  I love Bobby Bowden and even though I knew it was time he retired, it still makes me sad. 

Anyways...





Christen learned that FSU is NOT the school for her.  Too big, for one.  That's my girl!


But she had fun, and made new friends and of course, learned more about her job as Goal Keeper. 



We'll be headed to Alabama in a few weeks for a college tour and then to North Georgia not long before or after that. 





I'm hoping by then, Christen will have made a decision and we'll get the finances worked out. 





Christen turns 17 this week. 

Lord, help me please. 

I just know this year is going to fly by and soon enough we'll be packing her up for college and telling her "see ya later".  I can't do it without God's help. 

So, I'm praying, praying, praying. 

Now, some fun facts:

Fun Fact# 1: I love riding through Coolidge, GA just to see this cow on the building.  It's been there as long as I can remember and I just love it. 

Fun Fact #2: FSU has a circus!!  I had no clue, but they do. 

Fun Fact #3: This is an old tree.  I love stuff like this.  History is pretty cool. 

Fun Fact #4: This site doesn't come along often enough in the south these days.  Hated that it didn't rain where we were, but there was enough lightning to put a stop to Keeper Wars. 

And finally, Fun Fact #5:  This kid found a great way to keep himself occupied while his sister played in the keeper wars.  I believe his goal was to see how many pine cones it took to make it all the way down the bleacher.  I don't think he ever found out though.  Poor kid!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

MIA and a College Tryout

I don't do well while traveling.  I get all out of sorts, especially if it's a long ride.  Also, when I got back home, we had no internet or cable for a few days.  So, not a great combo for blogging.  So sorry to be MIA. 

Also, I'm finding it hard to comment on some of my fav bloggers.  So if you haven't heard from me...  it's not me, it's my computer. 

I mentioned in my last post that we took Christen to SC for a tryout.  (She was at a soccer camp in NC last week)



The tryout is so far producing some fruit, but there's still a lot of praying to do. A lot.




Christen loved the campus.


 





And we all loved: how they put academics first... the student to teacher ratio... their philosophy on mandatory study hours for freshman... their stand on community living during their freshman year and steadily giving more independence as they move up in class rank.... the coach's willingness to be accesible to his players... how they combined their history and traditions with the campus social scene.... I could go on and on and on.






I'm a little at odds about it all though.  It's a struggle within myself.  So many factors to consider. 

I'm praying, praying, praying about it all...

oh my...  my baby's going to college... 

Monday, July 11, 2011

10 on 10 for July ~ A.K.A. Lazy Sunday


Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. Document a day of your life and find beauty among the ordinary moments. Then share your beauty with us!



I'm linking with ten on ten for July HERE.  Hope you'll join in too!!


This time, the 10th rolled around on a Sunday.  The day before we were in SC (about 6hrs away from home) with Christen while she tried out for a college soccer team.  The ride home was not pleasant for me at all.  We got in late and I had a migraine.  Thankfully I held off getting "sick" until we made it home.  Sunday, I was still recovering just a bit from the migraine and sickness, so that made for a very lazy 10 on 10.  But that's a-okay w/ me!  :o)  Enjoy!




Brandi and Beckham joined in on the laziness..



This was such a great game!



I just heard about the Redemption Series last week via KLove.  Now I'm hooked. 


Christen joined in on the laziness too.  She's getting rested for soccer camp this week. 


Beckham is a great reading buddy.  He curled up with me for the longest time. 



Left over wonton soup & dried noodles for lunch.  YUM!



Abby Wombach making the goal to tie the game. 
( and in case you didn't know. USA won over Brazil!!!  It came down to penalty kicks.  WOW so exciting!!)



Our youth reported on their time at MFUGE camp. 
Here they were singing the camp song, "Happy Day" by Fee
We have such an awesome youth group.  The Lord is working in each of them and it's so exciting all the things they want to do for our community. 




And here's Christen w/ Mrs. Carol. 
Christen talked about her track time and a special little boy she grew to love.   
I'm so proud of her and the woman she is becoming. 
I'm so excited to see what God has in store for her!!


The day ended with me finishing up my book.  I'm so ready to read the next one in the series. 

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

July 4th Weekend *EDIT - Snake Story Too"

The weekend started out great and ended the same.  Friday, after work, I got in the pool as soon as I could and chilled until I was joined by the family.  Christen and Jessica spent the day at an amusement park about an hour away with my mom and brother. 



Saturday, we had my Dad and his wife over for a belated Mother's/Father's Day lunch.  Jon cooked/grilled ribs and hot dogs and I roasted potatoes and attempted to make blueberry pie.  "attempted" being the word to pay attention to.  I failed at that attempt, but I think I know what I did wrong, so I will try again.  One day. 




After they went home, we spent more time in the pool.  Who needs to ever pay for entertainment when you have Beckham.  He loves to play "volleyball".  He'll do this all day long if you let him. 




After we were more than water logged, we headed up town to watch fireworks.  And if you ask me, the best place to watch fireworks is from the back of your pickup truck. 





 Christen was excited to get this picture of me.  "DON'T delete it!!!" She told me.  I didn't...  and to be fair, I'm even posting it here.  ha!

 Jon telling some kind of joke or story or something to help pass the time until the fireworks.  He gets so animated. 

 Christen sporting her "grocery store" feet. 

 Jon REALLY wishing his little glow stick were a light saber instead. 

 I love all things that glow.  I'm very easy to please. 


 
Gotta love him!



Sunday was church of course.  Jon and I also went to see The Green Lantern.  Such a good movie!!

Monday, more of the pool and just relaxing. 

Such a great weekend!!

Now to work for the next three days and heading to SC on Friday for Christen's 1st college try out. 

So excited and nervous about that.  Please keep her in your prayers!

*EDIT*

Sorry!  I can't believe I totally forgot about my "snake encounter". 

Okay... 

here's the deal: 

It was time to leave for church Sunday morning.  We were running a little bit late, so I was rushing and not paying attention to my surroundings apparently.  I had opened the garage door by pushing the button just outside the kitchen door.  Jessica was in front of me and Christen was behind me.  I had my purse, my coffee and a cup of cereal in my hands.  I wasn't looking at the ground.  I was paying attention to Jessica because something had just floated into her hair and I was wondering what in the world it was! 

By that time, I had walked out from under the garage and onto the driveway and all of a sudden, Jessica and Christen both yelled:

"You're gonna step on it!!"  -  "You STEPPED on it!!!" -  "You stepped on the SNAKE!!!!!!"  

I looked down, didn't see anything, turned just a bit and looked down and saw the tail end of a snake slither into a box that holds Jessica's basketball goal.  I FREAKED!!!  I threw my purse down (IN the snake's direction, why I have no clue, I would have freaked out even MORE if that sucker would have gone into my purse) and jumped about 5 feet, AND screamed.  Like a scared little girl.  I convinced Christen (who had by now, jumped from the floor of the garage back to the steps that lead to the kitchen) to walk through the garage and get in the car.  She called Jon and before Sunday School started, he sent me a text letting me know he had killed it.  Wow...  such excitement for a Sunday morning!  I kept feeling something crawling on me the whole morning.  It was freaky-deaky for sure.  I wish Jon hadn't thrown the dead snake into the limb pile, I really wanted to see it.  But apparently, it was a garter snake, it was really little.  Like baby-little.  Here's what a garter snake looks like:



I feel pretty blessed though.  I've lived in South Georgia for the majority of my life and this is the first time I've ever stepped on a snake.  Even when I lived in the "country", I never stepped on one or came close to stepping on one.  Even this time, I wouldn't have known if Jessica and Christen weren't there to tell me.